Yep, another half marathon

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)

Another bad relationship - and 5K

When I moved to San Antonio waaaaay back in 2001 (hard to believe I've stayed in one city this long), Oak and I got along just fine.  Yep, Oak as in the tree, with pretty leaves that change colors, and the guy that develops dangling caterpillar thingys every Spring.  And, for many years, we continued in our happy, uncomplicated relationship.

But, like some of my other relationships, things started going bad after four or so years.  I can't remember when the relationship started falling apart, but one year, during Wednesday night Zoo Run (which begin in April) in Brackenridge Park (home of Oak), I began having uncontrollable sneezing episodes - it was just the beginning.

Soon, I was hitting the drugs.  First, the ones that are actually on the shelves and apparently cannot be cooked up in a trailer to make meth.  And, for awhile, Oak and I got along again.  But, then Oak hurt me so bad that my eyes were permanently bloodshot and scratchy from February - May.  So, I hit the hard drugs - the ones you have to buy one package at a time from the pharmacist, signing that you are not a meth dealer.  And, even though the medications dry me out and make me a little whacky, Oak and I made it work.

But, in the past two weeks, we've hit some record levels of pollen counts, and I am now seeking a hitman to kill Oak - which will be a big job, since, in San Antonio, there's Stone Oak, Oak Hills, Rolling Oaks, Oak Ridge, Oak Creek - you name it.  Luckily, I live in a neighborhood of pecan trees, but I know all that Oak is surrounding me, dumping those caterpillar thingys that cling to my eyeballs and sinuses.  So, like any bad break up, I'm trying to just pretend Oak doesn't exist or affect me - but anyone who sees me crying knows the truth - I'm not getting over Oak.  Until May.

So, just to prove that I don't care about Oak, I ran Donovan's St. Patrick's Day 5K on March 16, with Oak on my back - and it was pretty bad.  I pretty much felt every footfall in my head and snotted my way toward the finish.  Not very pretty, but I'm pretty sure a cold beer always helps me forget that dang Oak. (See how I lulled you into thinking anything hereafter will be 'pretty?')

pre-race, trying to hydrate, fuel, and breathe

and here we go for one of the slower 5Ks ever

But I counteracted Oak with Harp Ale and buddies - and it worked for a bit

Then, Bertha photo-bombed the Brak Pak shoot to further scare Oak

Oak kicked my butt after I got home, though.  But, I will kick Oak's butt at the Alamo 13.1 on Sunday - since I got some Prednisone from my doc (I sure hope they don't drug test at the event).

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

Busy weekend warrior

I'm a bit late in this post, but I got slammed by Women's 5k race directing/sequestering/dog limping/PTSD fire cat fostering/ALJ applying/and a bunchofotherstuff.  But, last Saturday, I ran the Alamo Run Fest inaugural half marathon. 

I'm continuing my 'training plan' from January - run fewer than 10 miles during the week, then pull a long run out of somewhere on the weekend - dumb, dumb, dumb.  But, this run went to the West Side, where very few races are run.  And, they held it, so I had to come.  The last time I raced on the West Side, I was chased by stray dogs (2nd or 3rd best time ever), but this time, I only saw 5 strays, so I was pretty slow.  The first 12 miles were fine, but I really felt the lack of training in the last looooong, straight, Alamodome finish in view, but it's not getting any closer, stretch. 

So, of course, those are the only pics I have - and they sure are the ugliest.

Here I am, pretending to be normal for a couple of strides..

Then being a clown and acting like I still have energy

The race finished in the Alamodome, a la the old marathon course - I was about 1/3 mile away, and, checking my Garmin, was thankful that the course might be a little short (the old marathon finish involved entering the tunnel and finishing).  I was secretly fine with a short course.  No such luck - I entered the tunnel and had to run AROUND the inside of the Dome to finish. 

Had the course been short, I may have been able to finish looking like a normal runner; however, that extra lap brought out the crazy running chicken...

Yep, total crazy chicken. And here's what a crazy running chicken looks like when she checks out how chicken-like she is on the jumbotron....

SURPRISED crazy running chicken!  So, that kind of hurt and was my 4th 13.1+ mile race of the year (not counting the Ragnar relay).  I have learned my lesson, did not race this weekend (worked OT, since the future's looking bleak), and don't plan on running another half marathon waaaay until next Sunday.

Thanks to capstonephoto.com for the pics - I'm sure you don't mean that bottom bit.  If you do, I AM buying one of these pics and have no money, so suing me is a bust.

Street2Feet

See here?  I'm cutting back -only one race this weekend!  I registered for this race but was the 1.5 mile course marshal - so I ran in the last 1.5 miles.  That's restraint - don't argue with me.

But Brak Pak represented as course marshals

And nobody got lost 'cause of us

But I still ran in as the crazy running chicken.

back view of the chicken

but at least I have super fotogs

fe

Thanks to Ceci, Scotty dog, IAAP, and Street2Feet for the pics.

Next up - yeah, 2 HM in a month.  So much for the editing and being reasonable...You really didn't believe that anyway, did ya?

Back to back-to-back

I know I said I was going to cut back on the races - but I'm pretty sure I just meant cutting back on races over a half marathon distance until maybe March.  Unless I change my mind again.

So, this weekend started out with the Rodeo Stampede 4 miler on Saturday.

Yep, it's February, and I'm wearing a skirt.  But it did start drizzling at mile 3, so I should have run faster.

The next day was the Be my Valentine 5k at the San Antonio Art Museum.

I was apparently confused when I ordered my shirt - but I can't really decide when I register three months before the race.

To clarify - I checked all over my house - nobody here but me and the critters, so really....

Because that means I don't have to share my paycheck, my beer, or my funky socks my nephews got me (really, some of the guys I've dated...).  But it could also be the result of my alter ego - the crazy running chicken.  Here the chicken comes...

temporarily distracted by ducks on the river

But then the chicken spies the paparazzi for whom to mug

and prepares for takeoff.  Somehow, even that wingspan does not improve my speed.

yet I still finished in fine chicken form

But, afterward, the chicken wore off...

Thanks to Ceci, IAAP, Hurache Turbo, Belinda, and Scotty Dog for the pics.  Next weekend I will really (really) only run one race.

Superbowl 7K

So, when I said I was cutting back on racing, I meant it, but not in the form of running fewer races.  For the record, I am not registered for any half marathons or longer distances in February (just a fewsixorso other races).

None of which occurred on Saturday - when I responsibly worked overtime and did not run.  But, on Sunday, given what I knew would be a fairly dull Superbowl by my standards, I ran the Superbowl 7K, representing the (not playing, obviously) Packers.  It was a fun course, beginning at the HEB arsenal and winding through King William, Southtown, and the River Walk South (complete with steps and 1,000ish runners crowded onto a 3-foot wide path). 

Next up - back-to-back 5Ks this weekend - MUCH better than back-to-back half marathons, I think.  In the meantime, feel free to check out the SARR February 2013 newsletter, featuring Guinness Book of World Record holder Larry Macon and the Brak Pak - (almost) equally famous, I also think. 

Thanks to Scottydog for the pic.

Back to back - And I don't wanna miss a thing

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).

yeeks.

But, there's worse --

yep, classic crazy running chicken form. Cluck cluck.

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