Stroller pushin in Texas

Marathon 2 Marathon!!!

This was an exciting marathon for me for some reason.   The race was at 4,000 feet, which for Texas is pretty high up.  The race itslef was really out in the middle of NOWHERE. 

David and I drove three hours north of Del Rio to Fort Stockton to spend the night, since Marathon was sold out of rooms.  Woke up at 6:20, ate breakfast, and headed to the start line to register. 

26 miles out of Marathon was the start line with about 70 people waiting in line for 2 porta potties.  I registered for the marathon and David registered for the 5k.  I was not going to wait in line for the bathroom, so I had David drive me 2 miles up the road.  Went on the side of the road and then drove back to the start.  Blow horn went off and off the runners went. I did not like the fact that this race started at 8.  Way too late. 

First three miles were up hill.  David drove next to me making sure I was maintaining an 8 mm.  I was a little under and felt fine.  Down hill miles came until about mile seven and I maintained my pace.  I was in second place.  David drove away to go and run the 5k at that point.

My miles started slowing with the endless miles running on a straight road appearing to go out into the middle of death land.  It was getting hot, my legs were tired, and I wanted to be done.  I hit my half at 1:44, which was reasonable.

Slower, every mile was slower.  If I could get to 20, see David, I will be on my way.... Just have to get to David.  David came at mile 16 and my wheels fell of big time.  I just stopped and walked with him and could NOT get running again.  I have him push my back side into a run and now we were running at a 13 mm.   HA!  Might as well just walk.  I told David to get lost and meet me at the next station, I had lost everything.  Lady runners started passing me, I really didn't care.

Got to eighteen, then twenty, cried at 22 when I saw a HUGE hill I had to go up.  Thankfully, I met a lady that talked me up the hill to the next mile.  She brought my pace down to an 8:30 mm and I really coudln't handle it.

24, came.... I was moving my body along.  All I thought about was David pushing me to the finish.  Saw David at mile 26 and about died, I was ready to finish.  Finished the race and I was done.  :) 

Legs didn't hurt like St. George, they were fatigued and just plain heavy.  We sat in some large rocking chairs in the shade for a few minutes.  I knew I hadn't pushed it hard when I told David I was ready to eat lunch.  We walked over to an art studio where they had a large spread of yummy food from the local restaurants.  I had vegetarian enchiladas, rice, bean salad, cocunut juice, and a cookie.  :)  We went outside on the sidewalk to eat as we cheered other runners into the finish. 

Amazing race atmosphere.  I have a feeling I will be going back to this race on fresh legs next year.  By the time I had finished it was 88 degrees.  It grew warmer in the next two hours as people were still running.  The start was really late.  No shade, no cloud coverage.