Each Day Is a Gift

7 weeks post stress fracture, 2 weeks of asthma city, 16 days 'till Boston!!!  Desperately need a miracle long run!!!

All my runs in the last 3 weeks since the injury have been slow and hard.  Right now my biggest hurdle is breathing.  Thought I was just out of shape but the root of the problem is my asthma.  Even at rest, my breathing is inhibited and I have zero energy.  I desperately needed at least one 18 miler to give me a little confidence before heading to Boston.  Not sure if I got it today!  Sigh! :(

My guardian angel, Lowell from Pocatello, signed up to run the Riverton Half this morning; but agreed to run 18 with me.  I forewarned him that I could barely hold a 10mm pace.  He replied:  "I'm here to run with you; not to run a race.  The more time it takes the more lies we tell!"  What a terrific friend! :)  I did not sign up for the race, could not justify the $50 for a race that I didn't need and in no shape to race.  So for the 1st time in my life, I ran bandit carrying my own water and Gu!

Met Lowell at 8am at the Riverton City Park to run 5 miles prior to the race.  We ran out and back on the last 2.5 miles of the course.   Thought it's a good idea to run into the wind first.  It was a bit chilly with the wind.  Lowell let me wore one of his windbreakers.  Breathing was labored right off the bat.  He tried to teach me a few songs but I could barely breath, let alone sing!  :)  We did have a nice chat!  The turn around was at the top of the "S" hill.  We saw a "pioneer" woman weeding and said hello to her twice.  Saw the aid station by the cemetery and made a mental note to look alive when we'd run pass it again some 3 hours later.  :)  We made it back to the Park just as the race was about to start.  Ran 5.1 in 50:50 (10:15, 9:50, 10:09, 9:40, 10:00)  Quickly threw the jacket in the car and jumped in with the 5K runners. 

We caught up to the 2:30 pace group at the 12600S traffic light.  Was so fun to see Nancy, Misty, Carrie (the gal who ran Sogonapmit w/ us last year) and chatted with the back of the pack folks.  The first two miles were nice with the wind to our back.  I knew immediately that we were running a bit fast for me but I didn't want to loose Lowell so I tried to stay with him as best as I could.  Those two miles came in at 9:26, 9:28 (the only miles in the 9s all morning)...was great while it lasted.  Soon I was huffing, puffing, gasping for air when we turned east and south facing the wind.   Had to take 2 puffs of my Albuterol.  Lowell walked with me to make sure I got my breathing under control. 

The best part of the morning was seeing RivertonPaul (actually he saw me first) around mile 3ish cheering! :)  SO GREAT to see him!!!  THANKS Paul for the cheer!  You are AWESOME!!!!:) :)  Gu'd at the first aid station which would be my 8+ mile.  At the top of the first hill in some condo neighborhood, an elderly couple with couple of children were waving flags.  They told us that they've been praying for us.  It was the sweetest words ever heard.  We stopped to have group pictures taken with them. 

Lowell was so great to chat with everyone we passed.  We made a few friends we leap-frog'd with:  Ms prime#17 (Teena's favorite #), the FAMOUS couple, Kathryn from Sandy, Mark from Hawaii, two young ladies and others I can't remember now.  We stopped to take pictures at the trail head at South County Park, we "soared" down the parkway next to the golf course. 

The real tough part of the course was miles (6-8.5) on the JRP, gusty dusty headwind taking my feeble breath away, leaving gritty sand/dirt in my mouth.  I coughed, sputtered, stopped, walked, gasped, nearly got hit by an oncoming cyclist whom I didn't see.  Tried to duck behind the 2:20 pacer girls, one of whom was so skinny that it was useless. At the top of the hill just past mile 8, we did some "jump shots" for the camera guy. :)

We spilled out of the JRP onto 14600 S and felt an immediate relief from the wind.  Took my 2nd Gu at that station.  We walked with Kathryn who also ran the Buffalo 25K last week and was struggling.  Stopped to fill up my water bottle at the mile 10.5 station, chatted with the volunteers.  With the wind to our back, my breathing and running got better.  It didn't last long once we got to the "S" hill...walked again.  I read the sign explaining the naming of the "S".  Made Lowell turned back to read it and took two pictures (one of myself, and another one with Lowell taken by Mark).  The "friends" just shoke their heads and smiled as they ran past.  Of course we soon re-passed them! Hehehe!!! 

We're now running the 2.5 miles that we've run twice earlier and finally felt like I could pick up the pace.  But Lowell would stop to talk to those walking.  Of course we had to tell lies and stories and made them run with us.  We looked so alive that the volunteers did not throw us into the cemetery.  The GarnTee Roofing truck was still there.  Running northbound on Redwood Rd we passed by the Senior citizens Center and no one let us in, so we took a picture in front to prove that we "were" there!  I still don't know why it was a great thing to see the RMAC sign/store.  At the corner before turning east, we sang our "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" song and instructed the volunteers pointing the way that they need to make blinking signal with their fingers.  We ran back and around the photographer twice to make sure he got our jump shots!  One last left turn then saw the finish arch (for the 3rd time) and sprinted towards it.  I peeled off to the side of the arch and stopped my Garmin at mile 13.1 in 2:20:55, my SLOWEST half marathon EVER!!! :)

Watched Lowell got his medal, then walked into the big tent to Teena's PT school's booth.  The booth was very well done, very professional and so was Teena! :)  Went to the award ceremony, cheered Walter, the champ, Tyler, ChadR, Nancy, Keith, Teena and Lowell (both got 3rd in their respective AGs).  It was great to see Kelli, JulieC, RAD, JoseJ, AndyB, Rachelle, did I miss anybody?   Would've taken 1st in my AG, had I registered.  BUT the fun I had running with Lowell and being with friends was priceless.

Had a busy afternoon and evening with friends and family.  As in previous runs, I am feeling totally wiped out.  It is so discouraging to run so out of breath and devoid of energy.  Will I ever be able to feel like my former running self again?!!!  I just hope I can finish Boston without any asthma attack and before they close down the course!  sigh!