The Big D

DH and I ran the Big D yesterday. Given the recent weather and weather reports, I was prepared for either a cancellation or a delayed start. Or maybe a tornado halfway through the race. God was good, though, and even though it poured the whole way to Dallas and up until about half an hour before the start, things dried up. Around mile 6 it started to rain again and got pretty dark out.

I was super nervous about this run. My recent training runs have been pitiful. Full of side cramps, shoulder cramps, shortness of breath, tired legs, no energy, short distances, barely making it a mile and a half before needing to walk. Discouraging to say the least.

But yesterday, despite DH's knee and hip issues in the first couple miles, we ran great. We stayed just ahead of the 2:30 pacers, walking briefly through a couple water stops and to take a gu, that was it. Our breathing was good in spite of all the hills. Dang that course was hilly! At one point I left him a little behind because there was a huge clap of thunder and one bolt of lightening; nothing like the threat of electrocution to make a girl pick up the pace! Mainly I was the one trying to catch up to him.

I finished 1349 out of 2031 overall for the half and was 141 out of 214 for my age range. I typically finish closer to the middle of the pack, so either I need to work a little harder or this group was a faster group overall.

But the best part of finishing a long race? The food afterwards! We went to Jake's with one of DH's running friends and his cousin. The best burger I've ever eaten, hands down. Then there was mexican for dinner and pizza for a snack. Yep, pizza for a snack.

And I definitely need to work on my core strength a lot before the next half. From the hips up I am sore to the touch. It feels like I've been beaten. Some hot tub time was the last perfect touch yesterday and felt like heaven. In fact, that might happen again today.