Knees Don't Fail Me Now

Today we made it official and registered for Memphis. The race isn't until Dec 5, but it has a cap so we thought we should get around to registering eventually. Well, thank goodness we did! They were already at 76% capacity a week ago. That's over 6,ooo people already signed up to run 13.1 miles. Isn't that crazy? I don't know how it will be running with that many people. The total limit is 11,500 for full and half. The biggest event I've been in had 1,000 people, and we didn't all start together. The Memphis run has a wave start with groups starting every 2 minutes. You had to enter your expected finish time on the registration so they could put you in a group. I didn't know what to pick, so I decided on 2:10:00. That seems reasonable. As much as I would like to be under 2 hrs, I know better. That's like a 9 min mile. For a 5K sure, but not 13 miles.

Marc and I are still deciding on a training plan. I need to focus on not hurting any knees. I've decided if this happens, I'll just go and run in the 5K, or walk the 5K - whichever is more appropriate. I hate to waste $60, although I guess it's not "wasted" per se since it is a charity run for St. Jude's.

This weekend is the Bark in the Park 5K. It's a fundraiser for the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. We have signed up to run. First 5K of the fall. Hopefully the humidity will be down and the rain will be gone. Running these last few times has been miserable and slow. It makes me wonder how I can do 14 and then not be able to run 3 just a week later.

Tomorrow I go to Guntersville State Park. I am looking forward to a beautiful morning run on a trail! I hear the views are spectacular.

And Then I Saw the Zebras

Today was Tupelo. 10 weeks of training, and then it was here. I didn't do as well as I would have hoped, but I had a good time for most of the time, and really that is all that matters. I'll never win, so it's really just a personal accomplishment type thing.

And now a recap of memories:

Mile 1: It's already been a mile and I feel good. Time is about right.
Mile 2: Well, I've already cried. Good that I got that out of the way. "All Around Me" came on the mp3 player and I just got all emotional looking at the beautiful cloudy sky, the trees in the distance, the smell of morning, etc. Sure, it's dark, but dark morning is a very peaceful time. And it was just a beautiful moment.
Mile 3: Hey, little dog. Look at you hiding under the tree. So calm. Amazing. (Later find out calm dog tried to bite Marc).
Mile 4: Time to try my sportbeans. Fishing them out of their hiding place goes great, opening them goes great. Oh no, I dump half the bag into my hand. Guess I'll just eat them.
Mile 4.5: That might have been stupid. I mean, that was a lot of beans and I don't even know how my stomach will do with 1 bean.
Mile 6: Beans are bad. OMG, I want to die. How can it only be mile 6?!
Mile 7: OK, I have to walk. This side cramp is killing me. Stupid, stupid, stupid beans.
Mile 8: Lord, please take away the pain.
Mile 9.5: I get an expected surge at the water station when a guy picking up cups smiles at me and I say "thank you for volunteering" and he says "thank you for running." I'm running easy and super happy. I'm giving shout outs to everyone I pass on the road. I'm just happy happy happy.
Mile 11: Yes, I'll take 3 cups of gatorade. Normally I hate orange, but this is the most amazing thing I've ever tasted.
Mile 12: How can my gatorade already be gone? I just filled up.
Mile 13: Woot! A mile to go!
Mile 13.5: Stupid race organizers. Why can't they have a normal half marathon? I'd already be done by now.
Mile 13.8: See people drinking cold gatorade and smiling on the side of the road, already finished. I am soooo jealous. Tell them that. They offer me their gatorade. I don't want their pity gatorade. I am almost done after all.
Mile 14: When did this road get so hilly? I know it wasn't this hilly last time, and why is this building so far away? If I don't see the parking lot soon I think I will die.
Mile 14.2: It's finally over. Everything hurts, but I made it. yea God!

On the way back to the hotel (which I make Marc drive to) we see zebras. I think I'm hallucinating for a minute. Then I remember the Tupelo Buffalo Park. Ah, the zebras are real. Whew.

Over 12 hours later, everything on my body hurts and is chaffed. I woke up from a nap only to roll over and feel the pain. In my sleep I've forgotten that I was sore. But now I remember. It wasn't just a dream.

And now it's time for a well-deserved treat. Only 3 months til Memphis!! ha. It never ends.