Dec 6, 2015 Humana San Antonio Rock & Roll Marathon
Why oh why! Pavement sucks, people are too peoplie but I keep signing up for road marathons. I guess I will call it brain training so I can embrace it.
Nerves were as bouncy as if I was new to this game.
I was hoping to just do well. It has been three years since things have gone well in running a marathon. That is a long time for a dry spell.
The plan:
Shoot for 5:30
Run half a mile, walk a minute for 26.2 from starting line to finish line
Eat something every 20 - 30 minutes
Push when entering the suck zone
This is the first R&R marathon I have participated in, I didn't know what to expect. They offered water and Gatorade on the course. I can't stomach Gatorade so I carried a water bottle and Nuun Tablets and a ginger/honey mix.
Carrying out the plan went very well. I struggled with finding joy and fun in the early miles because of the amount of people out there. It was crowded! It was especially crowded when the course would narrow to direct people one way or the other. It was so good to see the 1/2 marathon split.
I did see some AR Peeps! Belinda moved to San Antonio a few years ago. Mandy lives in Ar and came down for the Half. It was great to run with them till the half split and hugs! they give good hugs!
It was fun to see bubbles out on the course. How can one run through bubbles without smiling.
I had signed up for this because a marathon that run by the missions was just too good to pass up. I don't remember if I read this somewhere, I don't know where I got the idea that the race went by the missions, it does, but kind of doesn't. The closest we got to a mission was seeing the top of one over the trees way across a field.
There is a long stretch on a river trail, a concrete trail. There was little shade, but beautiful sights.
Everything was going well, according to plan. I did start struggling about mile 21ish - 22ish. I know in TX 69 degrees is a nice cool day, but running a marathon, mostly running it makes 69 degrees a challenge.
When I looked at my stats after the race I was very happy. Never in my life have I moved 20 miles in 4 hours! It has always been slower. So seeing this happen, for me, is a huge accomplishment!
My PR before this race was 5:26.54 achieved in 2012 at the Chevron Houston Marathon.
Today with a 6 minute PR, 5:20.54. Texas is good to me.
There are many examples of overcoming obstacles and just being strong out on a marathon course.
This guy has a one leg on wheels. He is receiving assistance up a hill.
This is by far the best sign I have seen at a marathon in some time.
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