Race Recap: Livestrong Austin Marathon 2012

by Christa on February 23, 2012

in Race Recaps

Another 26.2.  Oy. Vey.  But this one was different.  How?  Well…. first, I got to meet up with some fun bloggers.  Even if it was only for a little expo time, it was great seeing them.  Especially since I can’t make it to BiSC this year (major boo)!  Looking forward to more race adventures with these ladies.

Secondly, and very excitingly, it was my sis- and bro-in-law Aimee and Michael’s FIRST half marathon!!  Spoiler alert: they KILLED it!  But more on that later.

I’ll tell you all about the funsies we had in the next post.  This one is strictly race.

So the expo was fun.  The only complaint I would have is not enough free shit handed out.  Yes, that is a requisite at expos.  But my dad and Shane were running the 5k and got very nice tech shirts – the nicest I’ve ever seen for a 5k!

We had a delicious carb-loading dinner of Mangia’s pizza back at the casa.  Seriously, the veggie deep dish was possibly the best ever.

Woke up the next morning at 5am.  I wore Champion crops and sports bra, my TNT jersey, SPIband for gels, trusty Saucony Triumph 9s, and – get ready for it – gay pride socks as arm warmers.  My only purchase at the expo!  Wait, lie.  I bought some Honey Stinger waffles.  Yes, I realize I’m not gay.  However, I fully and publicly support gay marriage and GLBT rights.  I figured I could represent for 26+ miles – the very least I could do.

Scooped up marathon buddy Kristen at her hotel and walked a block to the Capitol building.  BUT we still had to check our bags, and I didn’t realize gear check was at the FINISH.  The race was about to start, so we literally ran to gear check at 7th & Congress.  Was not preparing myself for a warm-up mile.

Kristen’s bro Steven was running his first.full.marathon.ever. and let me just tell you – I had my doubts on this one.  The most he had run beforehand was a half marathon a few weeks prior.  No spoilers yet.

We crossed the start line ~11 minutes after the gun (K and S in the purple shirts, I’m in the orange headband that you can barely see), and eased into a 10ish pace for the first couple of miles. We accidentally dropped Steven around mile 3.  After that, I got a little antsy and we dropped it to the 9:20s for the next 5.   Photo at mile 8.5 (I wasn’t paying attention, but it’s a great pic of K!).

We look like we have matching shoes, but we don’t.  Our splits so far…

5k – 31:50
5 mi -  51:07

Aimee and Michael at 8.5 in the half!!  They look pretty happy about running, just saying.  These two killas went on to finish their first half in 2:22!!  Rock it.

Started making up for our slow first miles.  I was really comfortable in the 9:30s but the hills were getting baaaad.  Don’t let anyone tell you they’re not that bad.  They ARE that bad. But I was not willing to give less than what I knew I was capable of doing.   Same as Houston, I lost K at mile 12 :(

10 mi – 1:39:36
13.1 mi -  2:11:47

I was pleased with my half time, and I kept checking behind me to make sure the 4:25 pacer was back where I left her.  Again, I started getting really giddy at the thought of cracking 4:30 (especially in Austin!!).  Back story…

The night before, at dinner, my dad said, “Well, there’s no way you’re going to PR here.”  And I just said, “Challenge accepted.”  I KNEW I could PR because I blew up so hard at Houston.  And once again, really hoping to crush the 4:30 goal.

I kept track of the mileage by how many til 17.  Why?  The race gained 14 ft/mile until mile 17.  After that it dropped 33 ft/mile.  I told myself that if I got to 17, it was LITERALLY all downhill from there.

Now it was just my ipod keeping me going, as we trekked through the Anderson/Northcross area.  Well, I hit 17 and thought, “shit…I still have a long way to go.”

20 mi – 3:24:00

Sad – the 4:25 pacer finally passed me at mile 19.  VERY demoralizing.  I didn’t have it in me to catch her – well, I wasn’t willing to expend the energy for fear of a Houston repeat.  So I just said ok, barring any disasters, I’ll still PR.  Good enough for me.

Saw my buddy Alex at mile 24 – thanks for the pick-me-up and for running with me for a bit!  It’s so fun seeing people you know.  Also, kids, he CRUSHED the half.  1:26, what?!

If you want to know what I felt like at mile 25….well, here ya go.

Look at those muscles behind me!  Jayzus.

This was the hill before the final turn.  Ugh, thank God.

Official finish time – 4:37:32 – PR by 7 minutes. In AUSTIN, yo.

And what about Kristen and her bro?  Well, she saw his wife at mile 18 and asked how far back he was.  It was only 12 minutes, so she waited.  Turns out he was planning on quitting, but no dice.  They kept it going to a 5:01 finish.  I am SO impressed with his perseverance.

Finishers in front of the Capitol:

Because I ran Dallas in December, Houston in January, and Austin in February, I got an ultra awesome Marathons of Texas medal!

Family finishers back at the casa before heading out to lunch:

Shane’s just glad this is bling he didn’t have to buy:

And didn’t I tell ya the 5k shirts were awesome??

More to come on the fun ATX weekend…more pics too!

**Edited to add:  Shane wants everyone to know that he had the FASTEST 5k time of the day (out of EVERYONE – Schuck, Ginsburg, Arlen, Hesch participants) at 31:21.  Congrats, honey.  You beat me by 30 seconds.  I was pacing for 23 more miles, but whatever.  ;o) WINNER, WINNER.

{ 6 comments }

Standing Still, Part I

by Christa on February 15, 2012

in Daily Digest, Just Nothing, Ragey

Part I: Breaking Point

I’ve reached a breaking point.  A point where I simply cannot keep up with everything, I cannot keep holding people’s hands when they ask for my help, I cannot say yes to every happy hour/fundraiser/dinner/run/movie/etc.  While I find it extraordinarily annoying when people go on “OMGSOBUSY” schpiels, I am a little overwhelmed right now. Obviously, I bring the busy on myself.  Usually it doesn’t bother me…I loooove chaos and I love being busy and always having something to do and feeling productive.  But recently, there’s been a ribbon of bitterness in all the fun.  I find that the more I put on my plate, the more insufferable I find people who claim to be omgsobusy and ask for my help with god-knows-what, even though I KNOW they have eons of time on their hands compared to me.  And don’t even get me started on the ones who make plans with me and then cancel at the last minute – if you know anything about me, you know that’s my biggest pet peeve, right next to not RSVPing.  And of course I tell myself what you’re probably thinking – that it’s their choice to not have that much going on, their prerogative to be able to relax, to have some free time.

And the funny part is, I feel like I can say no to all the people who understand why I’m saying no, the ones who are usually going through a lot of the same stuff.  But the people I feel like I can’t turn down are the people who don’t seem to understand, who don’t seem to be there for me, who ONLY support me or hang out with me when it’s convenient or fun for them.  Which is fine, by all means, keep hanging out with me when it’s convenient, just understand that I’m going to do the same now.

I was discussing this on a run yesterday with another TNT friend and he agreed that he has trouble saying no to social events (who doesn’t want to go to happy hour with their friends??), but that that particular circle doesn’t really *get* him anymore.  The fact that maybe my friends don’t *get* me is even sadder than the fact that I’m actively seeking to sacrifice time with them.  If they don’t understand that this is something I want…nay, NEED, in my life and HAVE to do, then how well do they really know me?

Y’know what’s depressing? Last month I ran the Houston Marathon for a great cause.  Yeah, it was my third marathon.  But yknow what?  Marathons are fucking hard.  They are 26.2 miles. And it feels exactly like running 26.2 miles might feel.  Running by someone you know for just five seconds and having them cheer you on is so motivational, it gives you just a little burst of energy that can make all the difference.  I find myself constantly thinking about the next time I’ll see someone I know, because my parents are at mile 16 or there’s a TNT cheer station at mile 24.

I sent out an email to about 15 friends, with a link to the race course, and informing them that it was another friend’s FIRST HALF MARATHON EVER and if they could come, drink mimosas, cheer for her (and also me, since they’re there, duh), that would be great. One person replied and I saw exactly one person from that email, that person, my sister-in-law, because she’s the best sister-in-law ever and one of my best friends and amazing and awesome.  She would have been there without an email, as was her husband and my parents and husband and mom-in-law…who could ask for anything more, right??

I get it.  It’s a Saturday.  It’s MY choice to be out there running and their choice to be in bed.  Here’s the part where I’m bitter as hell and the whole situation sucks monkey balls: I WOULD HAVE DONE IT FOR THEM.  One-way friendships are not really my thing.  At least not anymore.  So I’ve had to force myself to stop catering to everyone. I’m not so much angry.  I’m sad.  I’m depressed.  I’m depressed that I’m willing to do things for other people that they are unwilling to do for me.  It’s like that saying, “who needs enemies with friends like that?”  I can’t bring myself to think about it very much.  Edited to add: Off topic, but Shane and I have been exploring the new universe that is “couple friends” and have found a pretty awesome group, in my opinion.  I could write a whole other post on how it’s weird that we’re old enough to have “couple friends.” Ah well.  In 5 years we’ll probably have “parent friends.”  Whatever, our couple group rocks.  They’re low on the drama scale and high on the funny scale.

Obviously I don’t expect people to come to all my races***.  That’s stupid and would be hella boring for them, and hella time consuming since I run a lot of races.  It’s the fact that I ASKED specifically for this one, for me and my friend, for some motivation.  Oy. This is just an example…a metaphor, if you will.  This is a metaphor for some of my friendships.  I feel like I’m giving everything I have to keep up relationships, and I don’t have anything left to give.

I will be calm.  I will not be bitter.  I will extract myself from situations that make me bitter and frustrated and angry and sad and annoyed.  I just know this is going to be a great year, but I have to MAKE it a great year.  This is Part I.

***But yes, everyone I know is expected to attend IMTX.  It’s a 17-hour-window, people.  I think you can find time.  I NEED you there.  Plus, I might die.

{ 6 comments }

January 2012 in a Nutshell

by Christa on February 2, 2012

in In a Nutshell

I think it’s appropriate to start doing monthly recaps so I can remember what happened.  Terra does a great job of this, and mine won’t be as awesome as hers…and I’m sure my memory is much worse too! 

But, as this blog is a journal of sorts, I’d like to record what went down so I can go back and take a look!

January 2012 was:

New Year’s Eve weekend in Austin

Buying a gorgeous new bike – 2012 Quintana Roo Dulce (I guess this Ironman thing is really happening). Charlie approves.

Pinot’s Pallette with the JULs (Just Us Ladies – girls’ night out)…painting of Autumn Stream

Marathon Olympic Trials here in Houston!!!

Chevron Houston Marathon (PR – 4:44:42)

Book Club at Rach’s – Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Dessert party hosted by Morgan and Mollie

Couples’ Dinner at Cam & Lis’ house

Giving several tours at the museum

Bubbles at BlackFinn

Casino Royale YAD Event

Trivia with some fun people at Harp

And countless bike rides, swim practices, runs, trips to Boneyard, meals with friends.  And laundry.  Probably lots of laundry.

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Race Recap: Chevron Houston Marathon 2012

by Christa on January 19, 2012

in Race Recaps, TNT

I ran my 3rd marathon, the 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon. 26.2 miles. That distance… though I am becoming more familiar with it, it never ceases to lay the smackdown on me. At White Rock, I felt like I never really hit the wall. Maybe it was because I had a running partner the whole way – it’s easier to push through with someone else than play that mental game by yourself.
I don’t remember much of the race. I was completely zoned out – I still kind of am. I remember starting on a long straight uphill onto a bridge. I remember seeing the TNT cheer station at mile 7 and my parents shortly thereafter.  Pic of us close to mile 8:

Cameron and Lis cheered from mile 10 in the museum district. Aimee, Michael, Carlene, and HUGO saw us at mile 12. Here’s where things start to get fuzzy. Running through West U, I lost Kristen. I tried waiting, but couldn’t find her. So I trucked along on my own. At mile 16, the whole family gang was waiting. I stripped off the long sleeved shirt I had underneath my jersey – I was getting overheated. Here’s Shane and Aimee helping me out of it! HAH.

Continue on through Galleria area. At this point I was still just behind the 4:30 pace team and couldn’t believe it. Then…I hit the wall. Right at mile 20. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to quit. I saw people who did quit. But I knew if I could make it to mile 24 I would see the TNT cheer station again.
Misty caught up with me at 20.5 and asked if I wanted her to run me in. I said something to the effect of, “If you want to…but I don’t want to talk.” She could see that I didn’t really want company and dropped back after a block or so. The next few miles? I don’t remember. Just after I passed mile 25, I saw my coaches, Ally and Paula, and gave them a thumbs down to indicate that I was NOT OK. We were probably running a 10:30 pace at this point but it felt like I was flying, it was so much effort. I kept telling them that we were going too fast. I am SO GRATEFUL that they ran me to the finisher’s chute – I definitely would not have been able to finish “with dignity.”

Pic in the finisher chute – eyes on the prize.

I had gotten my heart set on 4:30 since I stuck with the pace team for so long…but I couldn’t hang.  I did PR though… 4:44:42.  I’ll take it.

Next time, I’m cracking that 4:30 time wiiiiide open.  Ok, maybe not that wide.  Cracking it narrowly open, I hope.

Walking out of the GRB with Shane, my mom, and Kristen.  Sans shoes.

Then came the best part: post party at Cedar Creek!  Nothing like refueling with a beer or 4.  To be fair, I only had 2, but we did polish off two bottles of champagne in the remaining 8 hours of the evening.

Here’s my zoned out ass in the finisher shirt hanging with Shane and my buddy Ben – who finished in 3:48 – PRO.  Um, and who also only took a “French shower” after the race – deodorant and cologne….for the ladies.

Mmm…beer.

I’m just now getting back to feeling like myself.  I had a severe case of old lady legs.

I’m very much looking forward to running Austin with some fabulous blogger friends – Nicole, Ameena, Tara, Ashley, Nicole, Ashley…am I missing anyone?? Oh, that might be scary.  My family will have to accept the fact that I might be ditching them for blogger friends a couple of times.  Don’t worry Mom, they won’t murder me.  I think.

{ 8 comments }

A responsible choice.

by Christa on January 10, 2012

in Uncategorized

If there’s one thing you should know about me and my relationship with books and authors, maybe it should be that I love/worship Jonathan Safran Foer.

Now, the movie Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is coming out.  I’ve already seen it through means that shall not be revealed; suffice it to say that they couldn’t squeeze all the detail of the book into the film.  I enjoyed in nonetheless, and the boy that plays Oskar Schell is PHENOMENAL.

That’s not my point, just mere entertainment.  JSF’s latest book – Eating Animals – not that new, but important.  Here’s the description, lest I butcher it:

Foer explores the topics of factory farming and commercial fisheries. He examines topics such as by-catch and slaughterhouse conditions, saying that Indonesian shrimp trawlers kill 26 pounds of sea creatures for every 1 pound of shrimp they collect, and that in American slaughterhouses, cows are consistently “bled, dismembered, and skinned while conscious.” He also explores the health risks which pervade American factory farming, including the claims that H1N1 originated in a North Carolina factory farm, and that 98 percent of American chicken is infected with campylobacter or salmonella at the time of consumption.

Foer also examines the cultural meaning of food, beginning with the experience of his own grandmother, who survived the Holocaust, with a lifelong obsession over food. He builds on and ultimately criticizes the work of Michael Pollan on our relationship to the food we eat.

Finally, Foer examines humane agricultural methods, and the divide between animal rights and animal welfare.

The reason behind this investigation?  His wife was pregnant with their first child – and he simply wanted to know what would be the most responsible choice in regards to feeding his son.

I’ve flip-flopped on vegetarianism before.  Good God, it is SO EASY to go back to eating meat.  It’s in f’ing EVERYTHING.  But one of my resolutions and one of my 30 before 30 goals is to completely give up meat – fish included.  I can say with conviction that I’ve eaten my last bite of meat – and I don’t even remember what it was.  It’s THAT forgettable.

Anyone on Earth needs to watch Earthlings.  It’s worth your time.  And it’s free RIGHT HERE.

After watching Earthlings?  I’m repulsed.  Not because I didn’t know these things before.  I did.  I’ve read Skinny Bitch and Eating Animals and watched the PETA videos.  But thinking about animals as a whole, as earthlings, just as we are – the psychology behind it all?  Nothing disgusts me more.  I don’t think I’ll ever be a super judgey vegetarian, but at the same time?  How can people who know what they’re eating and buying into NOT give it up?  How can people who know that most shelter dogs will be euthanized buy a pet?  It literally makes me sick to my stomach. What’s it worth? I mean, you need meat? That craving, that taste – it goes away in a month or so. You can get protein through other means. Yes, endurance athletes included.

I have no other argument for eating meat other than that it tastes good.  But so do a lot of things.  A lot of things that we don’t let ourselves experience are awesome.  But we don’t do them because it would be wrong.  Drugs, for example.  That might be a joke.

I know this is the responsible decision for me, and for our future children.  While Shane has not made a commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle, he accepts that I will not be buying or cooking meat.  He’s an adult, he’s free to make his own decisions and eat it when outside of our home.  Yes, I’ll be the difficult one.

Meat is so affordable, so easy.  It shouldn’t be the case, and it hasn’t always been.  It’s an effect of factory farming.  We should be smart enough to recognized that what we’re putting into our bodies is garbage.  And our relationship with animals?  Is garbage.

{ 3 comments }

2011 Survey

by Christa on December 29, 2011

in Just for Fun, Life Story, Uncategorized

It’s time for the annual survey….geez, it seems like yesterday I was writing last year’s!!

I’m ready for 2012, even if it IS supposed to be the apocalypse.  But for different reasons.  Last year I was ready for 2011 because 2010 was such a hard year.  I was ready to start a new year in our new home. 

This time I’m ready for a new year because 2011 was so kickass that I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!

What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
We bought a house in Houston in March, I started a new job in April, I attended BiSC in May, I ran my first marathon with TNT in June, I co-hosted a rehearsal dinner for my gorgeous sister-in-law, I started triathlon (finishing the season off with a half ironman), enjoyed a Thanksgiving with both my parents and my husband’s here in Houston.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My 2011 resolutions were to pay off my credit cards (CHECK), lose the remaining 7lbs I had left (CHECK), take a big trip and some small ones (CHECK) find a job I enjoy (CHECK), buy a new computer (FAIL), and to not have any babies (TRIPLE CHECK).

What are your new year’s resolutions for 2012?
I’m following Nicole’s guide to goal-setting and outlining a sort of life plan for the next year.  That being said, I do have a couple of big goals….firstly, buy a decent bike (ah, how my priorities have shifted) and finish my first Ironman – Ironman Texas on May 19th (I’ll have to miss BiSC this year…major bummer).  Next, take my sister on a post-college-graduation trip.  She wants to go to Paris….um, OKAY!  I’d also like to travel some with Shane…go to NY to visit his parents, maybe go somewhere we’ve never been together before….we might go to the beach with my parents.  I hate to be vague with resolutions but another of mine is to stop making people  priorities when they obviously don’t make me one – I will not stand for flakiness, I’m far too busy.  On the work front, I’d like to get a couple of different projects going here at the office.  No details, sorry…I work in HR!  But stuff that will show my value to the company.  Oh, and no babies still.

 Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES!  My good friend (and bridesmaid in our wedding) Merritt had baby Mason, the first of my close circle to give birth.  It’s so funny because it feels like yesterday we were zipping around in her red Mustang in high school.  Well, Merr was zipping, I was willing us to not die.  ;o) 

Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.

What places did you visit?
Besides the random trips to Dallas and Austin, I went to San Diego for the marathon with TNT, and also to DC for The Nation’s Triathlon.  Shane and I took a 2-year-anniversary trip to San Francisco and Napa. 

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Well, as long as we’re being materialistic, I’ll say a nice tri bike and a sweet Mac computer.  I said last year that I also wanted a filter on my mouth – to not be snarky.  Well, I’m retracting that for 2012.  I don’t want a filter.  From now on, if people are being shitty, I’m going to let them know.  That being said, I’ve gotten a lot better at holding my tongue and making smartass remarks when the only result will be hurting someone’s feelings.  I don’t want to hurt people for the sake of honesty or my opinion.  BUT I’m going to be up front with people about my feelings.  I have a lot of friends…I don’t need any fake ones.

What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 24th was our 2-year wedding anniversary, of course.  On June 5th I ran my first marathon.  On June 12th my sis-in-law got married! 

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Honestly, all the fundraising I was able to do for TNT.  I have raised almost $8,000 so far and it’s one of my life goals to raise $30K.  And it would be a lie to say it’s selfless fundraising – it makes me feel awesome to participate in these events with such awesome people, and raise money for blood cancer research.  TNT means a LOT to me.

What was your biggest failure?
This is a really assholic thing to say, but I feel like 2011 was a major WIN.  It rocked.  I guess I would say my one failure is time management.  I need to spend more time on our house and carve out specific “family time” instead of running around all the time, literally and figuratively.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Hurt my ankle 3 weeks before the San Diego Marathon.  Oy.  And….major sunburns.  Sunscreen is a top priority from now on.

What was the best thing you bought?
A bike.  I was really nervous about starting triathlon because I was NOT OK on a bike.  I could barely ride at all.  It is definitely still the weakest leg for me, but the good news is I’m not scared.  I also didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something I wasn’t even sure I’d like.  Well, I fell in love with triathlon and there’s no going back now!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
I’ve always thought this is a weird question.  But – probably all of my awesome family and friends who supported my endurance and fundraising efforts…coming out to numerous pub crawls, happy hours, St. Arnold’s nights, date auctions, etc.  You guys…there are no words.  You rock my world.

Where did most of your money go?
Besides the boring stuff, it went to sports and travel and fundraising!

 What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Not as exciting as last year’s MOVE TO TEXAS, but I was excited of course about all the races and spending a big Thanksgiving together AND all my friends getting married, having babies, etc.

What song will always remind you of 2011?
“Ours” by Taylor Swift.

Thanks for a wonderful year….family, friends, TNT, and Houston.

{ 4 comments }

One of those days/weeks.

by Christa on December 18, 2011

in Daily Digest, Just Nothing, Ragey

In which I feel like…

I feel like I go out of my way, fall all over myself, to make sure I can accommodate my friends and support them and go to all the things they want me to go to and do everything they want.

Recently, I just feel jerked around.  I’m busier than your average bear and don’t have time to be passive-aggressive or wishy-washy or…well…rude.  If I’m rude, it’s because I’m intending to be.  Because you’ve pissed me off.  I don’t understand how people are SO RUDE without meaning to be.  Also, SO CLASSLESS.

My absolute biggest pet peeve is people who don’t RSVP – were you raised by wolves??  Fucking let people know if you’re going.  Facebook has even provided a “maybe” button for you, if you’re one of those people who can never make up their goddamned mind – which is in itself annoying. Thanks.

The older I get, the harder I find it to force friendships and ignore the fact that I can’t stand how the person operates.  My personality is just too strong…can’t help it, Lady Gaga says I was born this way.

I DON’T HAVE TIME TO BE JERKED AROUND, LIED TO, NOT RESPONDED TO, ETC.  Especially by my “friends.”  Time to make a concerted effort to cut people out of my life who make me so ragey.  Nothing makes your blood boil like finding out you’ve been lied to.  I try to be as straight up honest as I can – unless I need to tell a white lie to spare a friend’s feelings.  But I’m tired of extending courtesies to people who don’t reciprocate.  So – you’re cut out. Byes now.

I feel better already!

{ 1 comment }

Race Recap: Dallas White Rock Marathon

by Christa on December 8, 2011

in Race Recaps, TNT, Weekenders

This past weekend I headed up to Dallas to race my 2nd FULL MARATHON!  I knew weather conditions were going to be pretty daunting (by Texas standards): high of 42 degrees and rain.  I don’t know why, but it always rains when I go to Dallas!

I honestly thought the race would be postponed or cancelled, or that we’d defer to the half.  So Kristen and I enjoyed a pre-race meal of champagne (thanks for hosting us for girls’ night, Marisa!) and homemade pizza!

It was indeed pretty miserable.  For gear I wore NorthFace running tights, a Nike dri-fit long-sleeved shirt, my TNT singlet, an Adidas purple running jacket, an Asics headband/earwarmer, Asics gloves, and Puma socks.  And of course my trusty Sauconys.   The race director said that all you’d need was a long-sleeved shirt and some shorts but I don’t think so, dude.

We walked a mile from the car at Fair Park….and only had to wait 5 minutes for the port-o-let – MIRACLE!

We waited even longer than that to crowd into our corral (hint: not A-1).  The first group took off promptly at 8am.

They had assured us that all racers would have crossed the start line by 8:30, but we were middle-of-the-pack and were exactly 30 minutes after gun time…yikes.  Little did we know that my family was waiting at the start line to see us begin our race.  Steph was leaning over the gate and I heard, “There she is!  Go Christa!” as we ran by.  Fun way to start!

Wellllllll, to make a long (very long) story short:  we held a steady 10:30 pace and got to the split (mile 8.5) a little over an hour and a half into the race.  It didn’t feel like almost 9 miles and we saw the sign above Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue that said Half Marathoners Turn Right, Full Marathoners Turn Left.  I looked at Kristen and said, “Ok, last chance,” and she replied, “Let’s go for it!”  Ah, so we did.  Left turn, and no going back.

Miles 12-21 around White Rock Lake were the worst.  Cold, lots of wind, and zero spectators.  I tried to just stay upbeat and be that crazy girl on the course who yells random things to keep everybody happy.  Yknow, stuff like, “ONLY TWO MORE MILES TO THE HOOTERS WATER STOP!  I SWEAR I ONLY STOP THERE FOR THE WINGS!”

Mile 20.5.  The Hooters girls passing out water, Gatorade, and – you guessed it – wings.  In case some runners want a nosh, I suppose.  Oh…and I took a PowerBar gel (tangerine flavor) at miles 6, 12, and 19.

They have a Start sign because they say this is where “the race begins.”  After this, you hit the “Dolly Parton Hills” – complete with impersonators.

We had a hard time those last few miles.  And apparently missed my dad waiting for us at mile 25 – and he missed us too!

Here’s a great shot my sis caught of us crossing the finish line – matching chip times, 5:07:18.  Not bad, all things considered.

Splits:

And that’s all, folks.  A little sore on Monday and Tuesday but nothing like after San Diego.  Plus – NO SUNBURN!! Love those overcast winter races.

Gunning for 4:40 in Houston on January 15th.  We shall see….

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Blues.

by Christa on December 7, 2011

in Just Nothing

Hey guys.

Do you ever get discouraged when you read other blogs and it seems like other people have it all figured out? Or when Facebook makes everyone’s life but your own seem so perfect? I was trying to describe it to my friend Pati the other day – and I told her it’s kind of like that Dashboard Confessional song (hey, I liked them in high school!…and college) – the line that says, “I hope you’re as happy as you’re pretending.”

Obviously, a lot of blogs I read are my friends’ – and I really do hope they are happy, of course. But even strangers seem to have all the answers.

I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon on Sunday and I’m hoping this is just your typical case of post-race blues.

I think it is….because I should be happy, right?! I have a husband and dogs I love, I have a job, I have amazing friends, December is full of parties and family gatherings, and….it feels like something’s missing….I just can’t put my finger on it.

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Latest Post: Errrr, this is it.

by Christa on December 5, 2011

in Uncategorized

Things I don’t want to write right now: White Rock Marathon Recap, My Life Lately, Boring Ass Shit Nobody Cares About.

I’m boring on Twitter because all I tweet about is a) endurance events or b) Taylor Swift.

Her latest…and my newest favorite song of hers….

Ours from Taylor Swift on Vimeo.

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