Yep-- my 1/2 marathon was CANCELED!!!!!!! What, you say? That is what I said at 6 AM this AM. It was canceled b/c our run route was flooded! We've been getting rain all week (literally everyday it has rained) - which is not the norm for the drought state of TX. Well Saturday afternoon came with huge rain up to 4 feet in some parts, high winds (which also tore down the Cowboys training tent- which was 3 miles from where the run was to be on Sunday), thunder and lightening all late afternoon and through the night. Really- this is record breaking rain we've been getting- which is also timing my record setting attempt to run 13.2 miles. So by Saturday night while preparing for the race (laying out my clothes, preparing myself to run in the rain the entire 13 miles, getting to bed early, working myself into a zone of pushing myself, thinking positive thoughts, etc) there were flash flood warnings with tornado warnings going off by our hotel. I woke up different parts of the night with the rain and Jonah crying a little with his leg (poor guy), but knew I was ready to run this 13.2 miles and be done- achieving a huge personal goal of mine.
So we meet Sarah down in the hotel lobby for a light breakfast- half English muffin, half yogurt, half banana only to see the flyer saying "we're sorry to announce the Race is canceled for safety reasons." My first reaction-- laughter in disguise for shock. How can this happen-- we all have been working so hard, knowing this was the last hurdle, this was the end of my 4 month training, my 1.5 hour workouts, I could again schedule things to do after school instead of running, I could mark off that "must run 13.2 miles" from my list- I could be happy and proud knowing I became a runner for a short period of time despite thinking I could never do so. And now this piece of paper posted to a wall tells me otherwise????? Are you kidding????? So after I read the paper on the wall- I took it upon myself to return to the breakfast bar and grab that crispy bacon, biscuit and gravy dish and sit down and eat a hearty breakfast the host hotel was serving since I wasn't running 13.2 miles today!
My all supporting husband volunteered to drive around with us calculating our 13.2 miles while we ran, we considered running around Irving for 3 hours not knowing the city or area in the muddy flooded streets, we thought maybe we could sign up for another one (but then realized- we want one right now- so our training can end). And finally we agreed to meet this next weekend and make our own 13.2 miles and do our own marathon. We would have much rather participated today with the crowd, excitement, energy, water stations, etc., but want to finish this goal off right by actually doing it and not just training for it.
So instead of being off this week- I'm back to training (ughghgh - it hurts me to say that), for another long week of running and this weekend will conclude my training-at least I think so for now. I've learned not to make promises I can't keep since I have no control over mother nature or when it decides to deliver record rainfall to Irving, TX. If you have nothing to do this weekend and are willing to be a water station / cheering section, please let me know. : )
So we meet Sarah down in the hotel lobby for a light breakfast- half English muffin, half yogurt, half banana only to see the flyer saying "we're sorry to announce the Race is canceled for safety reasons." My first reaction-- laughter in disguise for shock. How can this happen-- we all have been working so hard, knowing this was the last hurdle, this was the end of my 4 month training, my 1.5 hour workouts, I could again schedule things to do after school instead of running, I could mark off that "must run 13.2 miles" from my list- I could be happy and proud knowing I became a runner for a short period of time despite thinking I could never do so. And now this piece of paper posted to a wall tells me otherwise????? Are you kidding????? So after I read the paper on the wall- I took it upon myself to return to the breakfast bar and grab that crispy bacon, biscuit and gravy dish and sit down and eat a hearty breakfast the host hotel was serving since I wasn't running 13.2 miles today!
My all supporting husband volunteered to drive around with us calculating our 13.2 miles while we ran, we considered running around Irving for 3 hours not knowing the city or area in the muddy flooded streets, we thought maybe we could sign up for another one (but then realized- we want one right now- so our training can end). And finally we agreed to meet this next weekend and make our own 13.2 miles and do our own marathon. We would have much rather participated today with the crowd, excitement, energy, water stations, etc., but want to finish this goal off right by actually doing it and not just training for it.
So instead of being off this week- I'm back to training (ughghgh - it hurts me to say that), for another long week of running and this weekend will conclude my training-at least I think so for now. I've learned not to make promises I can't keep since I have no control over mother nature or when it decides to deliver record rainfall to Irving, TX. If you have nothing to do this weekend and are willing to be a water station / cheering section, please let me know. : )
All dressed up and nowhere to go-- the BEFORE & AFTER picture of my 1/2 marathon since there wasn't a stinkin' race after all.
My banner, my loving niece made for me to run into at the big finish line! 
My "after the race" relaxation and soothing / healing cream Coach Scott (he's done like tons of these runs, most recently the Boston Marathon) & Rademaker family supplied to me for my big day!
The stack of "stuff" I need to get to that has been growing daily. I was hoping to tackle it this week now that I have extra time and can go back to my 45 min workouts-- silly me for thinking that way!
