Post Race Blues

I have the post race blues.

The half was 2 weeks ago.

I have not run since then (well, I ran a mile with my workout group, but that doesn't count).

I complained all through my training about how I just don't have time to train for a race - the only runs I got in were my long runs with Kelly on the weekends.

So I should be glad that the race is over and I "don't have to run" anymore. Because I "don't have time".

They are all excuses!

My problem is that I don't take the time. It's there, I just have to be creative about how to make it happen.

If my amazing friend Meredith (who's blog I would love to link you to, but she is now private) can train for a marathon when she has 5 kids, then I have no excuses.

I do like to run. I like how I feel during a run and especially after. I feel so strong and accomplished. Why am I not more passionate about it?

I'm just rambling. Perhaps it is because it is midnight and I drank about 3 glasses of iced tea so now I can't turn my brain off. Perhaps it is just a case of the post race blues...

Man, I need to go for a run

Half Marathon #2, check!

This is taken near the start/finish line and it's what the course looked like. Not the prettiest course...

Kelly and I after the race

With all our kids

Feels good to finish another half! I feel strong and accomplished! I did not train for it like I had hoped to, but that just leaves room for improvement for the next time! I really enjoyed running it with a friend. We started out a little slow, it seemed like the first half was a slow gradual uphill. Then once we turned around it was mostly downhill which improved our time! At the start of the race there were not enough port-a-potties. Just about 250 people ran this race but 5 port-a-potties was not enough for all of us. I was able to use one just before the start, but by mile 3 I had to go again. I tried to not think about it because I really had no options! We were running along side a road with desert beside us, not a lot of bushes to hide behind! I was SO THANKFUL to spot a potty at mile 5! I ran up ahead only to wait for a woman to be done. And she was in no hurry to be done. I stood there for a couple minutes, anxious because I really had to go and also because the clock was running! Finally she came out. I was in and out in about 30 seconds and ran at full speed trying to catch Kelly. But that didn't last long, I winded myself and decided if I just pushed it a little I would eventually catch her. Which I did, just before the halfway/turnaround point. We had decided to listen to our tunes at this point and I remember not being able to wipe the smile off my face, I felt giddy! We were half way done and feeling great! Around mile 11, just when it was starting to feel like I wanted to slow down, I glanced up just in time to see Tripp drive by in our van with the kids all waving! It was just the boost I needed to press on and keep going! Just before the finish line, Kelly's mom and her 4 girls were there and ran the rest of the way with her. And just beyond them was Tripp and the kids, with a bouquet of roses for Kelly and I. He's so sweet. The kids ran the rest of the race with me. I love that they were there cheering for me! When I ran the Girlfriends' Half, I did not have family at the finish line (but I had my surrogate mom, Cathy cheering for me on the sidelines!). It feels so good to have that support. Go here to see my pics :-)

Here is what our miles looked like according to my Garmin:

10:18

10:27

10:13

10:09

10:20

8:33 (trying to catch up to Kelly after my potty break!)

10:18

9:25

9:16

9:39

9:42

9:50

9:32

9:21

with an average pace of 9:49 (2:08:57 total time, but didn't stop my watch immediately)

Official race results:

84/131 women

21/27 in my division

2:10:45 total time

9:59 avg pace