Two a days...

When I started my current job, I realized just HOW much of a hypochondriac I am.  With every file I wrote, I was sure I had hepatitis, degenerative disc disease, and even cyclical vomiting syndrome (it's real - I looked it up).  Gradually, I've convinced myself that I probably (luckily) don't have those impairments - and definitely not the prostate problems.  Yet, I remain fascinated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - and I mentally diagnose EVERYONE around me.  Yes, even you as you read this - in doing so, you are clearly disturbed, and I am diagnosing you with bad things. 

My favorite is 'diagnosing' (NOTE:  I have NO formal medical training other than CPR and First Aid) people by their groceries in the HEB line.  Today, I determined the lady in front of me was clearly compulsive - her groceries were ordered heaviest to lightest, with coldest near the end - she has way too many cats and dogs, buys too many organic vegetables that will likely end up as compost, and she probably drinks too much Sauvignon Blanc.  Clearly a mess.  Then, I realized those were MY groceries, and my diagnosis was DEAD ON.  I love being right - mostly.

So, that's just the long way of saying I may be a little anxious/obsessive/compulsive - let's just say "not otherwise specified."  Before the Women's 5K, I sign up for every race I find, in order to market the Women's 5k.  After the Women's 5K, I sign up for every race I find, because see above.  So, I ended up registering for two races this past Saturday, compulsively, perhaps.

The first was the Fleet Feet Sunrise 5k (in a moment of lucidity, I dropped down to the 5K distance).  It was hot, but held in a nice venue, with a shady course. Here's before the race and the start:

And the finish...

Check out those new shoes!
Surprisingly (okay, shockingly), I ended up 2nd in my new old lady age group...

and we hung out in the hot, hot sun...

Then, I went home and obsessively sucked down water, napped, picked up my next race packet, drank some more water, napped some more, and got ready for the Scallywompus Battle of the Mac Pac 8K.  It was also blazing hot.  Before the race - that's water in the cup - I was still desperately trying to rehydrate and maybe trying not to look goofy.

 and we're off...

 Looking like a crazy running chicken .1 miles in - this could be bad

But I'm a SMILING crazy running chicken.

And done.  No medal for this one.  That is NOT my time (the 8K was on a delayed start).
After that, I worked on dehydrating...

And was on the lookout (paranoid?) for paparazzi

But I got over it and danced some...

with a water bottle slung over my shoulder.  Because that's how real dancers do it.
Luckily, better dancing followed.

And then I went home and obsessively drank water and slept - a lot. 

Next up is the Loteria 5K and some major housecleaning.  My OCD only applies to chores to the extent that I obsessively think about how much I don't want to clean the house and compulsively avoid such tasks by going for a run.

Thanks to IAAP, Victor, Michele, Scallywompus, and Emily Daum for the pics!

Scallywompus Alamo Beer Challenge 5k

This past Friday evening, I headed out to the Scallywompus 5k - it's the first in a series of four races.  And, damn, it was HOT.  (The next day was a record in SA - 108 degrees.  Fahrenheit.  NOT heat index.  Like I could barely touch the steering wheel hot.)

And, so, it wasn't pretty...

Sweating BEFORE the run - with the ladies of Girls on the Run San Antonio - one of my favorite groups.
And then there was the during...

The last uphill hurts.
Until I see a camera and fake happy..

or cheesy bunny - more cheesy bunny than happy.  Then, I went full out "dying crazy running chicken" at the finish

As a dear friend pointed out, at least I look more lively than #45 - but she may just be reacting to all of my chicken-ness.  (spell check just informed me that is not a word)

So, really, I mostly looked like this -

Yep, I am Seussical (spell check doesn't think that's a word, either).

Thanks to IAAP, Ceci, Robert Parker, and Scallywompus for the pics

Next up - I turn 25 for the 16th time and, somehow, become a 'master.'

Get Gusto 5K

So, it's June and this is San Antonio and it's just hot.  And I'm not ready for it yet - and I'm tired all of the time.  And I can't stop using the word 'and.' 

But I did run the Get Gusto 5k - the first in a new series of 5 races that is the Carrerathon.  It wasn't pretty, but it was done.

yeah, I walked up the big hill and my finish time was pretty pathetic.

 But the beer was cold

and I was marketing the Women's 5k.  Which you should sign up for here:
http://www.saroadrunners.com/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=736866&item_id=276608

Thanks to IAAP, Bertha, and Scottydog for the pics!

Beach to Bay Marathon Relay

I'm a little behind in posting - and, really, everything.  I was going to catch up on EVERYTHING this weekend, but I got tired and, well, this happened Friday night/Saturday morning...

Yeah, that purple section in the center - that's me.  We got around 12 inches of rain in 24 hours.  And San Antonio does not know what to do with rain...

 that's a city bus - about 1.5 miles from my house

and US 281 - about 2 miles from the house.  It didn't open until early evening on Monday.

So, while I'm paddling/drying out - here are the ugly pics from the Beach to Bay Marathon Relay on May 18, 2013 - from Padre Island to Corpus Christi, TX.  It was HOT - and I ran the last leg, after sweltering in the sun in the middle of a park for about 3 hours.  (I know, I'll be running in 100+ degree temps soon and laughing the whole way - or maybe just running - but May is always a difficult acclimatizing time.)  All the better to make some funny finish line pics....

that's a bit of crazy running chicken

but I didn't want to leave other birds out - so here's a little goose-step

And here, the buzzards were circling this full-out crazy running chicken.

Thanks to MV Productions, WOAI, and TransDOT for the pics.

Ragnar Cape Cod

Even though I may have mentioned that I'd never do a crazy 200-mile, 2 day relay again, I rejoined my teammates from team Don't Tell Deb in Massachusetts for the Ragnar Cape Cod relay on the first weekend of May.  We ran from Hull to Provincetown, Massachusetts on May 3-4 - almost 200 miles.  And it was WINDY, but fun.

home for two days - Van 2
(when not running)...

Channeling the Crazy Running Chicken, while fighting the headwind, on my last leg

My next costume for Dia de los muertos?  ELECTRIC crazy running chicken?
And - Team Don't Tell Deb at the finish

After the race, John and I headed to Nantucket for a day - and saw a seal!

Sally Seeker likes seeing seals on the seashore.

We're already semi-planning the next relay...

Thanks to Team Don't Tell Deb, John, Tara, Alyssa, Erin, and Mike for the pics and great time!