It's that time of year again, when San Antonio celebrates Fiesta - 10 days of made-up holiday. This year, I'm taking it easy, but one can't help but to join in the fun. Today was the Fiesta 10K at the Mission trail. After months of bad back pain, especially in the morning, I actually woke up and could move.
So move I did - for 10K. My buddy, Patti, caught up to me early on and we ran the pretty course together. It was really a nice, easy run. Which is exactly what I needed after this week.
Thanks to Tom Lake, Scotty Dog, Bertha, and Dulce for the pics.
The great thing about half marathons is that they don't require much training (if your goal is completion) - I repeat: MUCH training. Then again, some idiots just wing them, asking for pain and injury. Exhibit A: me. My training has been pathetic at barely 20 miles per week, yet I 'winged' my fourth half marathon of 2013 on March 24, 2013. And it did hurt a little, but last year, I ran it on a recently dislocated patella, so there was plenty of room for improvement. So here's the Alamo 13.1 Half Marathon...
On Sunday morning, I parked my car and jumped on a BCycle to ride down to the start/finish at the Alamo. After I checked the BCycle in and got ready for the start, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped ten degrees. So, the first half of the half was run into a 35 mph headwind (I hate running in wind).
The wind ruffles the feathers of the crazy running chicken.
and, somehow, after climbing the hills of Trinity University and turning around, the anticipated tail wind turned into a crosswind - but I had some fun on the Riverwalk
zombie-style. And I finished - probably my best HM of this (non-training) year - but puro crazy running chicken, about to launch.
Then I jumped back on a BCycle to cycle back to the car - and got knocked over by a wind gust. Yeah, I was pretty sore the next day - maybe I train for the next half, no?
Thanks to Victor and PhotoWolfe.com for the pics (PhotoWolfe actually posted all of the pics for free downloading, which was very, very cool)
Cue Aerosmith. Let me try this - listen here while you read?
So, to finish out almost 65 miles of racing in January, I ran the Endurathon (hilly) half marathon on Saturday and the Herothon half marathon on Sunday. Because, I don't wanna miss a thing (and I'm dumb). I laid back in training - just 12 or so miles per week - but laid on the racing mileage this month. I do NOT recommend this approach.
So, Saturday I headed out in the drizzle to run the Endurathon HM through the hills of Bulverde. It was not pretty.
Ironically, though I did not get eaten earlier this month during ~20 miles in Florida by an alligator or 25k in Big Bend by a mountain lion/bear, I almost got crushed by a deer in this race. But I saw a llama, a pig, goats, horses, cows, and many doggies. But it still hurt - especially during the uphill finish - this certainly ain't pretty
And then I took some food, a shower, and a nap - and continued on the weekend-long marathon. (Note: it's almost easier to just run 26.2 in one shot, rather than taking an 18-hour break in between half marathons). So, I went to pick up my race packet at the expo as "Laura Guerrero" (not my usual alias - but it is now my superhero name).
and I tried to look tough - but I really just went to go eat and sleep some more. 'Cause that's what superheroes do.
And then I hit the road again for another 13.1 miles. I won't lie - my mind was beat and my body was beat (and really not decently trained), but I did it (albeit in tights - I hate tights, but I needed some reinforcement to keep my legs and knee from spontaneously exploding).
But, I am not a one-show/pose pony - I still can put on a great running zombie closer to the finish
Wait, no, upon closer examination (I dare you to zoom that pic) - that is clearly surprised crazy running chicken form.
And then, there is that wonderful moment. That moment when you realize that you have 0.1 miles to finish 65 miles of race route over the mere 31 days of the month. Because you clearly couldn't miss out on a thing, because you are dumb, because it is almost done...
And then it is - in perhaps the worst finish time ever
But I finished and got a sparkly medal
So, I made it through a 5k, 197 mile relay in Florida, 25k trail in Big Bend, and 2 HMs in a month. I didn't die, but I may need to edit my races and only do what is sensible, and not what is available. Riiiiiiiiight - I don't wanna miss a thing. So, next up, Superbowl 7k on Sunday. Yeah, I don't learn lessons very well.
Thanks to Belinda, Tom Lake/SARR, and Endurophoto for the pics
Speaking of sleeping - it's what I did all day today - I woke up to eat and went back to sleep, then repeated that throughout the day. Because yesterday was my race director debut at the Women's 5k. But first....rewind to last weekend - the Alamo Beer Challenge 10k on the Salado Creek trails.
This race was held Friday the 13th in the evening. I had my last physical therapy appointment earlier that day and then worked on Women's 5k stuff - so I was beat and in pain even before the starting gun. But, I enjoyed a cold Alamo Beer after the race with buddies.
Like the bib #? After that - this past week has been spent working like crazy on the Women's 5k. By packet pickup on Friday, we were already up to 620 entries and 0 shirts.
Raceday started at about 4 a.m. - and it was CRAZY! Many buddies came up to me to tell me I looked really tired (thanks, buds - but I WAS, as you can see from the pics). This year was record-breaking - 740 ladies registered (that's almost 100 over the past record) - even with the heat and humidity. And nobody fell out - which I was REALLY worried about. All in all, it went pretty well.
(I was trying to be HIGHLY visible in bright colors)
Lead vehicle, courtesy of my buddy, Adrian.
postrace interview with Beamer
Local television anchor, Randy Beamer, presenting awards - this was 1st in the 80+ age group runner Julia Wilkerson - I created that division, since she turned 80 this Spring and shouldn't have a bunch of 70 year olds in her age group. (Man, I do look worn down and pudgy!)
At the end with Sally #1, after awards.
Post-race with the Brak Pak folks - who helped me a LOT!
So, I've been faithfully attending physical therapy and doing my exercises (with cat-weight added resistance); however, when I told the physical therapists that I registered for the Hartford marathon, they piled it on. And it hurt. I swear, on Friday afternoon, the PT tried to stretch my IT band to Albuquerque.
So, this morning, I was hurting before the race even started. I ran the WellMed 5k (they sponsor the Women's 5k that I am directing, so I wanted to give back). The PTs told me to control my gait, keeping my feet under me, and concentrating on even balance/not limping - rather than speed, so that was my race plan. Since it was also dang hot and humid, it seemed like an even better plan.
Here are some pre-race pics:
and during the race - George (with me - above, behind me-below) is 70 and was gaining on me, so I decided screw the PTs, George was not beating me.
And, in the end I got second in the age group, almost following medical advice.
And I beat this guy - who finished the 1 mile run/walk, celebrating his 96th birthday - amazing! His gait was MUCH more balanced than mine.
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