Well, I survived the Aramco Houston 1/2 Marathon!
It was rainy.
It was windy.
It was cold
It pretty much sucked.
Despite all that, I somehow managed a 2-minute PR! I will post a full race report in a day or two, but for now here is a collection of random thoughts from the day. WARNING...all distances listed are approximate and there is some R-rated language.
Walking to the start line - Shit, I think I have to pee again. Sigh. (left my peeps to get in line at the porta cans)
Start line - Holy crap it's cold...I'd hate to see what it would be like without this poncho! So glad to have found my peeps again!
Gun has sounded, walking toward start - oh shit, the poncho just ripped down the front more! (asked volunteer for a trash bag) Holy cow this trash bag goes all the way to my shins!
Mile 1 - OMG, it's cold and windy on this bridge! Damn, the rain is really coming down now!
Mile 1.3 - Why am I still running with one only eye open? I think it's safe to open it again...the rain is calming a little.
Mile 2 - Should I ditch the trash bag? Nah, wear it a little longer...
Mile 2.5 - Ditch the damn trash bag! (pulled it over my head and tossed it)
Mile 2.7 - 10:47 pace??? Damn crowded streets! (grumble, grumble)
Between mile 3 & 4 - Wow, check out the skyline...dang it's windy on this overpass!
Right before mile 4 - Oh, don't look to your left (trying not to look at the bunch of dudes peeing) Really, don't look!
Mile 4.5 - Lemme high-five that cute kid...wait, my hands aren't working! Should I be concerned? Hey look - 10:40 pace...that's a little better.
Mile 5 - Shit, raining again! Shit, shit, shit! Just when I felt like I was drying off!
Between Mile 5 & Mile 6 - 10:35 pace, better.
Mile 6 - Hmmmm, I'm glad I lost that weight, because I think I have 10 pounds of water in my socks and shoes!
Mile 6.2 - Another f-ing hill? I forgot that there are actually some hills...
Mile 7 - Buwahahahaha, great sign - "Run faster, I just farted"...really, it's not that funny. I think I am dilerious from the cold. Oh hey, there's BJ coming the other way...damn she's fast! Must be nice to almost be done!
Mile 7.5 - 10:30 pace...not bad, that's right between my 2010 and 2011 pace...
Mile 8 - Hmmm, the Hubs should be around here somewhere....there he is!!!! Oops, wrong side of the road. Oh well, I'll see him on the way back...
Mile 8.5 - (crickets)
Mile 9 - Hallelujah, at the turnaround! Dammit lady, walkers on the right!!! (feeling bad for getting annoyed)
Mile 9.5 - 10:25 pace...hmmm....And look, I'm actually passing people.
Mile 10 - Whoot, there's the Hubs!!! (kiss, kiss) Ahhhh, he brought me dry gloves!!! Awesome! (ditched the sleeves) 10:24 pace...I wonder if...maybe..
Mile 10.3 - Hey, there's my nephews!!! That's impressive - 1) they woke up early and 2) they are out in the cold rain...love those guys!
Mile 10.5 - Another funny sign, "You're winning the Wet T-Shirt Contest"...again, not that funny, must be dilerious from the cold.
Mile 10.8-ish - Whoot, last big turn!!! In the home stretch now!!!
Mile 11 - 10:19 pace...holy shit, I am going to PR....unless I fall and break something. Or stop. Or something dumb like that. Oh look, it's Houston Fit!!! Oh look, ORANGES! Wow, great crowds. (feeling giddy with excitement...love this, love this!!!)
Mile 11.3 - Here come the marathon winners...so exciting!!!! Hey, I can feel my hands again! (moving hands) Wooohoooo!!!
Mile 11.5 - (crickets)
Mile 11.6 - There's that stupid "1.5 miles to go" sign...don't remind me. Focus Christy, Focus. Let's kick some ass this last 1.5. You're going to PR!!!
Mile 12 - (looks down at watch) 10:17 pace...I'm gonna PR, I'm gonna PR! I didn't train to PR...shut up, you're going to fricking PR.
Mile 12.1 - One more mile. Push it. Don't back down.
Mile 12.6 - Whoot, there's the 1/2 mile marker...don't be a pansy now!!
Mile 12.8-ish - Keep going! Okay, gotta get around these people...let's go, keep going, don't slow down. Hey, why is my eye twitching?
Mile 13 - Hehehe, I just chicked those dudes...that was fun! Uh oh, I think I am going to throw up.. Nah, I'm okay.
Mile 13.1 - Holy cow, I am done!!! That was awesome!!! Thank you baby Jesus!!! Let's see...yep, it's a PR! A two minute PR! How'd that freaking happen? Who cares? Whoot! When's the next race????
Inside the GRB - Where's the food??? Ohhhh, that kid is handing out Oreos!!!
10 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
It sounded like a real mess out there - way to push through. And way to chick those guys in the end!!!
WOOT!!! Now don't you feel warm and cozy in your own home?
We must have been running close to each other. I remember the marathon winners passing as well. Congrats on a PR!
Congrats on the PR in less than stellar weather conditions!
Sometimes facing the worse conditions brings out the best in us. Glad to hear that was the case for you this past weekend.
This might be the best race recap EVAH!
Oh, how I love this race! Hello, OREOS! But the weather is always crappy one way or another. Sigh.
Congratulations on a shiny new PR!!!!!!
Enjoyed the recap—you have a great memory! What a miserable day for all of us, especially the marathoners; I was so glad I did the half. Congrats on the PR!
Congrats! I was out there too. Your comment on walking to the start line...my son said the same thing! How funny. www.dashingdiva.net
Wow, congrats on the pr!! The rain and wind were crazy... that's one race that will be hard to forget!
OH gosh, this is the best recap of a race EVER! Loving mile 13.1 "who cares...when's the next race?" Love it. Congratulations on a race well done and a new shiny PR - awesome!
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" is the best way I can describe this race. Yes the weather sucked and it was nasty but soooo many people got PRs that I wonder if the nastiness didn't help us move it along faster. That's my theory at least.
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