Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas! I hope your holiday is one of joy and peace. And I hope that 2013 is full of more of the same. (this was our Christmas card photo)

Photo by Rachel Klapprodt, A Moment in Life Photography

Race Report

The race has come and gone. I'd say that that means I won't talk about running anymore, but that would be a lie.

I was a bit nervous all day Saturday, which was a little silly, as I knew I could finish the race and really, what was there to be nervous about? No one was judging me but myself. We woke up at 4:30 Sunday morning (Travis is awesome for going with me, and so is my dad) and started getting ready. I took a shower and dried my hair and everything, just to help me wake up. Ate some breakfast (hard for me that early in the morning) and we were on the road.

Holy traffic, Batman! 20,000 people trying to get to the same place is insane. And when we got close we realized we could go around the worst of it--what a waste of time!

Anyway, we got to the expo hall and I left my dad and Travis to get to the start line. December in Dallas can be unpredictable weaather-wise. I was happy it was in the 60s, although it was too humid. Still better than rainy and cold! I found my corral and also saw a few friends. I planned to start with a group that was slower than my normal pace, as I was afraid I would start too fast otherwise. Next time I won't do that, as I spent my first three miles trying to get to my average pace.

Despite that start, I felt great for the first 9 miles. I did realize around mile 6 that my app was off on the distance, as it would say I completed a mile before I could even see the mile flag on the course. Still, I felt strong and nothing was hurting. I got Gatorade at the water stations, had my own water in my hand, and brought along protein balls for fuel. I was hitting my pace, as far as I could tell, and enjoying the course.

But things took a dive during mile 10. My calves started cramping and fatigue set in. I had to stop and stretch a couple of times, and each time I started running again my feet hurt for the first few strides. Still, I was doing okay on time and I wasn't in debilitating pain. I pushed through and made it to mile 12, where I was determined I would finish strong.

So I did.

I saw my dad and Travis as I approached the finish line.  While I was waiting to get my finisher shirt Travis let me know my finish time was 2:21:53. I was hoping to get in at 2:10, but I was still happy with my finish. Since my last two weeks of training did not go as planned, I was very happy to finish in the same time as my previous half. And now I have a goal for next year!

This week I have felt great. No pain and I was itching to run by today. I did a quick lap after my strength workout and look forward to running more tomorrow. This was a great race for me. I'm so blessed to be in good health and able to do this.

This is Not Ideal

Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful comments on last week's post. It felt really good to write it and to know that so many of you can relate.

After writing that and feeling so lifted by all of you, reality came crashing in.

We have a stomach bug. And it is a most nefarious bug. Lily threw up a few times Wednesday night, but was better by morning. And Thursday everyone was in good health and I thought maybe we had been blessed by the viral gods.

Alas, her illness was merely a prequel to the real deal.

Ben spent all of Friday throwing up. Mostly while sitting on me. I did not move from my couch save for the shortest of breaks for 24 hours. And even once he kept food down he was still a clingy, sad mess. He did not return to normal until late last night.

And still I hoped it would just be the two youngest to suffer. The curse of a large family is that there are plenty of people to acquire germs and store them. And sure enough, Taylor was afflicted last night. And oh my word, forget abs of steel from exercise, you develop abs of steel from cleaning up puke on your walls and elsewhere. Bad news, folks.

Today Taylor has rested and sipped on water and seems to be recovering. But now I wait, holding my breath with each cough, burp, or funny look. Just knowing that someone else is going to fall prey to this menace.

I'm supposed to run 13.1 miles on Sunday. My longest run up to this point has been 10 miles and that will be three weeks ago by race day. I have to tend to my people first, this week. I will hope and pray that I get to run on Sunday. And I will extend grace to myself for whatever effort I can muster. If I am spared illness and able to run, I will not focus on my time. I will celebrate good health.

I will celebrate not having to clean up vomit even more.