Bridgestreet Half Marathon

So... Last week was tough.  My running streak came to an end after 85 days.  I was so disappointed.  I wanted so badly to make it to 100 days on Easter, but I was hit with a brutal case of bronchitis that culminated last Saturday (April 5).  This was one week before my scheduled Bridgestreet Half Marathon.  I had been training so hard for this race.  I wanted to beat my business partner's half time as well as set a new PR for myself.  Therefore, I made the decision to take a break and rest my lungs and body.

I had gone for a short one mile run that Saturday morning, and it was my last until a brisk run this past Saturday to test my recovery.  After 85 straight days, I went a solid week without running.  I was not happy.  (I guess that's why I haven't written in a while.)  On Saturday, I went for an easy 2 mile run just to see where I was before my race.  It wasn't great, and my lungs were still weak, but I felt like I could do it.

My parents came to Huntsville for the race, and I was super excited about this.  I was finally going to have someone to be there for me on race day!  (They were also there for the Gulf Coast Half, but we know what happened with that race.)  They came up Saturday afternoon, and we went out for a delicious dinner and a stroll around Big Spring Park.  Then we went back to my apartment for an early bedtime before a very early race.

My alarm went of at 4:00 am, and I quietly drug myself out of bed to start eating breakfast and hydrating.  We left the house at 6:00 am and headed to Bridgestreet.  It was packed, and everyone was excited for this inaugural event!  The weather was perfect - sunny and beautiful!  There was a slight nip in the air in the morning, but it warmed up significantly during the race!

My goal was to stay ahead of the 2 hr. 15 min. pace group and fall in line with them if I had to.  My partner's half time was 2:19, and I wanted so badly to beat it.  I did great for the first four miles, staying well ahead of the group, but mile 5 killed me.  I started losing momentum quickly.  I had forgotten to use my inhaler before the race, and I was suffering.  I had a "rattle" in my chest - fluid in my lungs that vibrated every time I inhaled and exhaled.  I texted my mother, and she brought me my inhaler around mile 7.5.  After a couple of puffs, my rattle started to subside, but I just could not recover.  I was so angry with myself as I had to keep taking walk breaks to catch my breath.  I was still doing okay on time for a while, but the last 3-4 miles were brutal.  I watched as the time ticked by, and I realized that I was not going to beat my partners time.  I was furious with myself and cussing myself for being so weak.  I won't lie - I wanted to cry.

But the course was beautiful, and the participants were so happy, and my family was there.  I had posted to Facebook just before the race started, and several of my friends had been sending me wonderful, inspirational texts.  Then, two of my friends (a married couple with the wife 8 months pregnant) texted me to say that they were waiting for me just before the finish line.  I pulled together whatever I had left inside of me and forced myself to keep running.  Sure enough, they were there, shouting and cheering me on. It was wonderful!  I ran through the finish just in time to beat my previous half record (2:31.09) by about three minutes for a final time of 2:27.54.  It was bittersweet because I know I could have done better.  I have been running so much faster.  But sometimes life throws you curve balls of bronchitis, and you just have to accept it.  However, having my family and friends waiting for me at the finish line, so proud and supportive, was a feeling that could not be beaten!  Here are a few pics...

A not-so-great pic during the race.

My Parents and me after the finish.

My friends, Tracy and Scott, with me after the finish.

Bib and Finisher's Medal

Running is a funny thing.  Especially in a long race like this, I go through so many emotions.  Frustration and disappointment are not uncommon.  And a long push like this is usually followed by a fair amount of pain (Sunday night and Monday were rather sore).  So people often ask me why I do it.  It's simple really - because I can.  Because when it's all said and done after I cross that finish line, I experience the most amazing sense of accomplishment.  I just ran 13.1 miles!!  And all of the frustration and disappointment immediately turn into determination.  Within an hour, all I could think about was when the next half would be so that I can really kill this time!

I snapped a picture of this lady running in front of me for a bit.  Her shirt says it all...

"Today I Will Do What Others Won't So Tomorrow I Can Do What Others Can't."

I couldn't have said it better myself!

After a quick shower at home, my parents and I packed a picnic and went to Ditto Landing on the Tennessee River for lunch.  Tully and I had spent the afternoon there the day before, and it was beautiful.  We had a great time.  

Here's a pic of Tully from Saturday.

And Mom and Tully on Sunday.

It was so wonderful to have my parents visit.  I think I may have mentioned that I have the greatest family ever!  A big thank you to Mom and Dad for making the trip to support me and to all of my friends for your motivation as well.  It means so much to me!

I hope everyone has a great week and a Happy Easter!

Spring is Here

Spring is finally making a real showing in North Alabama.  Warm weather and sunshine area  welcome relief from the winter weather.  And I love running in shorts again!

Monday, after work, I took Tully for a run on the old closed highway that goes up Monte Sano.  It was tough and very painful after my weekend workout.  My legs were still so tight and sore.  But we enjoyed getting out and enjoying some fresh air.

Tuesday was even warmer!  Tully and I ran down the mountain from my apartment, then around our neighborhood, and even into downtown.  We racked up a 5 mile run in 48:19.  I'm afraid it was almost too much for Tully.  I haven't run him since then.  He gets his summer haircut tomorrow, so hopefully that will help.  But he also turns 7 Tuesday, making him officially senior.  (I can't believe how fast time has flown.)

Wednesday, I ran (alone) back up the same closed highway.  I ran before work, and it proved especially difficult.  I wasn't sure if it was because I was still tired from 5 the night before or because it was so early.  But when I finally made it to the top, the sunrise was beautiful!

I love living next to a State Park!

Thursday, I ran straight from the office, downtown and around Big Spring Park.  Again, this run was was a real struggle for me.  And at only 3 miles, it shouldn't have been.  Work has been busy, and I've been dealing with some stress in my personal life.  But usually running makes those things better.  After I suffered through 3 short miles, I felt awful.  I went home and took Tully on a short walk around the apartment.  Then I lied down for a while, and that's when it hit me... I'm getting sick!  Of course I am because I have a half marathon next Sunday.  Ugh!  Why does this always happen before a big race?  I gave myself until this morning to feel better.  I still felt awful this morning, so I started taking some amoxicillin.  No chances!  We've got to get rid of this and fast!

Even sick, though, my run through the park was beautiful and full of spring and life!

I'm trying to trust my training and listen to my body.  I don't want to push too hard and still be sick and not ready next Sunday.  So today I just ran one easy mile.  These days I feel like I'm cheating somehow when I only run one mile.  But since I'm still running my streak, one mile serves as a "rest day" I suppose.

Oh, and I have had one more running development, but this one is not for those who don't like gross stuff... I have my first black toenail.  I know it sounds crazy, but it's like a badge of honor. 

Can you see it?  On the inside of the second toe?

Okay, maybe it's not that bad.  But I have pretty tough feet!  I almost posted this to Facebook just for all of my cross fit friends who post their bloody hands, but I thought the better of it.

Now I'm off to Birmingham to celebrate the gender reveal of one of my best friend's expected baby.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

The Half That Didn't Happen

I was originally super excited to right this post. But things didn't turn out quite the way I had hoped.

Let me start from the beginning... My last post was our first morning in Orange Beach. That day only got better. The wind started to subside by lunch time. I took Tully for a 2 mile run and ended up quite hot since it was so chilly when I started. After our run, Mom and Dad and Me and Tully all walked to Cosmo's for a late lunch. It was perfect! 

The weather was just right to sit on the patio. We had Red Beans and Rice Balls for an appetizer. They were coated and fried and served with a smoked Gouda sauce. And they were as delicious as they sound! Mom had the shrimp étouffée - she was feeling the spirit of Mardis Gras. Daddy had the diver scallop special, grilled. And I had the catfish. Yes. I said catfish. But it had some sort of andouille sausage coating and a creamy sauce on top. Trust me, it wasn't your standard catfish. Tully had is own bowl of water (and maybe a few bites that fell from the table). He was so well behaved that people asked if he was a service dog. That's my boy!

After stuffing ourselves at lunch, we had a lazy afternoon. We hung around the condo and watched the first Bond movie that evening. Confession: it's the first one I've ever seen. 

Saturday was a little busier. After breakfast, Tully and I went for a 2 1/2 mile run. This time we ran to the Backcountry Trail in the State Park. It was a beautiful day, and the trail was loaded with snowbirds. One particular older gentleman told me that he remembered me and my dog from last year. I must be pretty memorable! Or maybe it's Tully?

After our run and a little cleaning up, we all (minus Tully this time) loaded up with some condo neighbors and went to the Seafood Festival. It was a neat festival with lots of arts and crafts, food, and an antique car show. We had a great time. 

When we got back to the condo, I took Tully for a walk down to our little beach on the bay. He loves the sights and smells and sounds of the beach. 

The clouds were starting to roll in, but I wasn't concerned just yet. I love the way they decorate the sky. 

That night we went to the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church, where our friends attend, to a "Stained Glass Blue Grass" music concert. I was easily the youngest person there by 20 years, aside from a few that were certainly family members of the bands. The music was great though, and the bands were very entertaining. After the concert, we came home for an early bedtime. 

Which brings me to today... The weather for my race has been a concern all week and apparently with good reason.  A little after midnight, the storms set in. Loud thunder and lightening woke Tully and I all night. When my alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. the weather was awful. I saw an email that the race coordinators sent the night before stating that the race would go on at 7:00 a.m. until further update. Officially: "We run with rain but not with lightning." So I got up and began my race preparations. 

The storms had not let up at all when we arrived at LuLu's a little after 6:00. The worker at the front informed me that the Half Marathon had been officially canceled. They couldn't find any break in the weather long enough for the race. She told me that they were still looking to see if they could maybe have a 5K, 10K or some kind of shorter fun run. I could pick up my finisher medal and get a cup of coffee. About 30 minutes later the announcement was made that they could not find any break in the storms in which to safely allow any run. 

I was/am very disappointed. I have been planning for and looking forward to this race for almost a year. This was going to be my first half before I decided to run the Hunstville in November. And I finally had people to cheer for me! Ugh. Nothing could be done. I had spent enough money on all of it, though, that I told my parents that we were definitely going to stay for the post-race party, which was now the whole event, and eat and drink my money's worth. I'm not sure that we actually achieved that goal, but we did eat and drink and try to overcome the disappointment.

I'm really don't feel I deserve the medal. 

The race directors made the right call from a safety standpoint, but I still would've liked a refund. Oh well, you win some...

We got back to the condo a little after 9:00, and after much debate, decided to stick around for the day as planned and drive home tomorrow. (There was concern about our lack of sleep from our early morning.) We sat inside and watched the rain. I grew increasingly disappointed and frustrated at my lack of running. Not to mention that this was supposed to be the grand finale for my streak, and now I'm sedentary? I couldn't take it. 

At the first break in the rain, I was out the door. I ran a soggy 5 miles with soaking wet feet. It helped, but I'm feeling anxious  over my minimal miles the last couple of weeks. I'm ready to get back to it! At least I have another half scheduled for April. I guess that will have to be soon enough. 

Oh yeah, I wanted to use this race to help me make the decision about training for a full. Now I'm still stuck. I want it so bad, but it's so scary. Maybe that's all the more reason to do it!

To wrap up our day, we walked to dinner at Doc's, a local favorite of ours. They do have "the best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world!" And everyone needs a fried seafood platter when the don't run 13 miles, right?

Now it's time to settle in and get a good night's sleep before the drive home tomorrow. Leaving the beach is always sad in my book. But we like to leave our mark in the sand, and we always take some with us - just check out the back of my car!