Sunday, January 27, 2008

Cheering Mrs Welshrunner at 3M

Nancy ran the 3M half marathon this morning - her first half marathon. It was a beautiful morning - perfect for running. Gavin and I had trail mix and chocolate milk for a picnic and we planned on meeting her at mile 8 and again at the finish line. We stayed for the start of the race, but didn't spot her in the throng of runners, so we hopped in the car and drove down to Koenig, where we hoped to catch her as she passed.

We sat down at the side of Lamar, enjoyed our picnic and pretty soon the lead pack came by. Wow, these guys could move. Pretty soon, the rest of the field started coming by. I couldn't believe how many people I knew (I saw James, George, Anna, Jim, Brian, Rebecca, Janice, Dave, Tony, Ed, Celeste and a bunch of others), and I'd forgotten how much fun being a spectator could be. Gavin and I had a great time playing and watching the runners. We cheered when Nancy came past - she stopped for a hug and looked like she was having a great time and then took off again. Once she passed, we jumped back in the car and drove off to the finish line.

We found a nice spot about 400 yards away from the finish line where we could watch the runners come in. Gavin found something to play with, and I alternated between playing with him and watching the race. He had his own race set up, doing laps between the garage wall and charging into the side of the leg. Every now and then I'd swoop as he came close and throw him up in the air. We were having a grand old time. When Nancy came through we both cheered again and set off to find her in the finisher's area. There were a bunch of people there but we finally found her. She'd looked good every time I'd seen her out on the course and she was happy but tired. By now Gavin was ready to go home too, so we walked a few blocks and then I went to get the car.

I'm so proud of her. She stuck to the schedule I laid out, we built up her long runs together and I knew she was ready.

Postscript : She may have been tired, but that didn't stop her going "reward" shopping this afternoon!!!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

The Longest Run

In preparation for the Rocky Raccoon, I did the longest run of my life this morning - 33.1 miles. I got to Old Settler's Park just before 5am and did a 10 mile run by myself (8:30 average pace). It was a beautiful morning, cold and clear with a sky full of stars, but it was very dark. Got back to the pavilion just in time to head back out with my running group for another 10 miles (8:18 average pace). Then I met up with Nancy and paced her to her first half marathon (13.1 miles - 12:30 average pace). This was her longest run prior to the 3M half marathon. She was only supposed to do 12 miles but she wanted to do the extra mile and a bit and snag the full distance - I was so proud of her. She had some tough moments but pushed through them and came through in the end. She's come a long way since she started running 3 milers around Lake Pflugerville last August - I have no doubts she will complete 3M.

As for me, I didn't eat anything other than half a packet of shot blocs and was running on empty by the end of the half marathon, but I knew that going out. More worrying was my right knee which started playing up again - I forgot my patella band which didn't help. Another problem was the top of my right foot which seems to be bruised and started giving me some problems during the last 10k or so. I first noticed this problem while in the UK and I'd hoped it had gone away, but no luck. I "enjoyed" the ice bath torture when I got home and I've been icing my foot and knee regularly all day. I'm looking forward to enjoying the softer trails of Rocky Raccoon which is now three weeks away.