Sorry for the delay in posting this. It’s been crazy busy here this week. I had (gum) surgery on Thursday, and then I had to rush Lucy to the animal hospital on Friday. She’s okay. The vet said she has what’s called a “Reverse Sneezing” condition. It’s apparently quite common, but it’s such a scary sound she made that I thought she was having a heart attack or something :/ She did end up on a dose of steroids for allergies, and also has some post-nasal drip, but otherwise she’s just fine. On a side note – the last time we were there I was told she needed to lose 5-10 pounds. She gained 5! But the vet she saw this time said she’s just a little bit overweight and she looks okay.
In my pre-race post I shared that the course was being closed early due to the weather/heat. As I feared, I didn’t make the cutoff for the turnaround. In other words, I am still NOT a marathoner. Ugh. And this time I was completely prepared, ready and capable.
My 1/2 finish time was 2:29:30. I was pacing myself (I used :40/:20 intervals) for a 4:59:59 marathon finish, and I was right on target! Too bad they closed the turnaround chute at 2:20. As I crossed the (half) finish line, and saw that I wasn’t going to be able to go back out again I was pretty disappointed. For about 5 seconds anyways. it was SO miserably hot/humid, and that course was ROUGH. I wasn’t expecting those super narrow, HILLY, gravel trails!
Thankfully, because it was a half and a full, I wasĀ not a DNF! And I still earned a medal! It was my slowest half time ever, but like I said before, I was pacing myself for a full. And then again, considering the course and the heat I’mĀ totally okay with my time!
I came home and immediately looked for another full. You know, I’m already all trained and everything! Then I thought about the heat and decided to start my search in September instead ;) And lookie what I found! The Sloppy Cuckoo (12 hour challenge) Marathon. It’s the same RD, the same park, the same German festivities Lol! And not only can I do a marathon; I can keep going for as many more 6.55 mile loops as I want/can for a total of up to 12 hours. I’m thinking about 50k, or a total of 5 loops. But I’ll be happy enough (ok, ecstatic!!) just to finish the marathon!
And speaking of marathons, my training buddy Tammy, DID finish her marathon!!! I couldn’t be more happy for her and so proud of her. You should stop by and congratulate her because she’sĀ a super star!!!
Gotta run!
(m)EAT LESS, RUN MORE! 
I know I’d be tempted to sign up for another right away, too – just hate to “waste” that training! – but I think you were smart waiting for the fall. Course hot days happen in the fall, too, but at least it’s less likely.
Congrats on finishing a challenging & hilly half!
And I have up to 12 hours to go as far as possible ;) Thanks!!
12 hours is a long time! Even I could do a marathon in that amount of time. :)
Lol! My plan is to run the marathon distance (4 loops) with the same goal time as before (4:59:59), then do (at least) one more loop, even if I have to do more walking than running. That would be a total of at least 50k. If you’re going to dream, dream big! Right?! :)
I’ve got faith in you! Guess John will have to be on Lucy duty? And you said you weren’t doing trails again?
Yes, John (and Lucy) will drop me off in the morning and then I’ll call him when I’m done. It’s only about a half hour drive. Did I say never again? It was hard and challenging, but I’ll definitely do it again!
Poor you! Poor Lucy! Big kudos to you, though – your “half” is still freaking amazing! xoxo
Thanks!! :)
Are you sure you want to run that trail again?? Glad Lucy is okay. Boo for gum surgery!!
Actually, I do! It was rough, and challenging, but in a twisted sort of way I really did enjoy it ;) I think mostly because it’s such a small amount of runners, the RD is great, lots of shade, and a very laid back atmosphere.
And it’s not like I’m trying to break any speed records! Lol!
Thanks for the shout-out! I hope you’re feeling better and I’m glad that Lucy is okay! You’re such a good mama! :-)
Hey, next year do you want to do the Chicago marathon? I think there is a lottery now to get in, but I think I’m going to give it a shot!
I’m already planning on a trip to Virginia Beach next year (for the Shamrock half), so I don’t think it will be financially possible for an extra trip to Chicago. I’d still like to do the Las Vegas RnR full one of these years. What do you think about that one?
Yes, the Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll race is definitely on my bucket list!
Way to go!!
Thank you!!