WORKOUT -
Ran outside in the rain -
7.0 miles/ 63 minutes
slow and easy
Walk/Jog with Bandit the dog -
2.6 miles
{What I should have worn yesterday}
I don’t have hardly any pictures so I’ll keep this recap short. You’re welcome… because we all know if that you don’t photograph it, it wasn’t as cool as it could have been.
Yesterday the weather was crappy and I made it worse by not dressing warm enough. I knew it was going to rain, but I kept thinking, This is Houston, it doesn’t get cold here! It was 74 and humid yesterday so it’s impossible for the weather to change! um yeah, point for the dumb team.
{I wore shorts, socks (saw two other people wearing the same lime green color!), tank top (on sale for $15), sports bra and a Pro Compression visor to keep the rain out of my eyes}
But I should have worn arm sleeves or long sleeves and gloves since I was cold the entire race. With the wind and being wet from the rain, it felt a lot colder than I was expecting.
I had a throwaway sweatshirt on that I ended up wearing for 7 miles even though it was wet and heavy because it kept me a little warmer.
The race started at 7am and right from the start I knew something wasn’t right with my stomach. I took one bite of a Luna bar before the race and put the rest in a baggie because I couldn’t handle anymore.
I ended up stopping at porta potties three times, at mile 1, 10 and 21. And I just keep burping and belching, like I hadn’t fully digested dinner. I don’t know what the deal was – I had two slices of pizza and a side salad and we didn’t eat that late either, but whatever happened, it just kept coming back.
Because my stomach was off, I ended up not taking in much fuel. Throughout the race I sipped on cups of Gatorade and finally at mile 21 I took most of a gel they were handing out. I knew especially in the later miles of the race that I was running out of fuel, but I just couldn’t stand to take anything else.
I ended up finishing in 3:25:39, 86th woman and 520th overall. I didn’t look at my Garmin once during the race, but I sorta figured I was running 8 min/miles.
My splits:
The whole race was a real battle for me mentally and physically: I was cold and wet, my stomach felt really off and I fought to mentally not give up. Some races are easy and awesome and some are tough and a struggle. This one was the latter, but dang, I earned this baby:
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{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job pushing through in the tough conditions.
you did earn it- that was some pretty miserable weather! So wet, and SO cold… AND the wind?? I was pretty impressed with all the runners- tough race!!!
Awesome job! Even though you didn’t feel we’ll, you rocked it!
Ah man, sorry it was so rough – no fun. You still did great under really sucky conditions, great job! ; )
You DEFINITELY earned that medal. I don’t know how you pull off times like that when you aren’t feeling well. It’s incredible.
I love all the neon in your running outfit. I have those pink mizunos and am obsesed with them, but paired with lime green compression socks? Perfection.
Great job. Cold weather and rain is no fun to run in, especially 26.2 miles of it.
I’m sorry you struggled but it makes me feel better knowing that such accomplished runners (like you), have off races too!! Sometimes I love having a tough race because it just makes that finish line moment so much more amazing!
I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well during the race, but you still did an amazing job! Way to rock it girl!
Impressive showing of steady pace and mental fortitude in some rough race conditions! I was literally teeth chattering shivering for the first two miles. I hope you come back and do Houston again!
i definitely would like to run it again in better conditions and feeling better.
Also: Did you happen to see our little local legend Heather Welsch? She would have been about your pace and only did the half but I have no clue if you started anywhere near eachother. She’s 10 years old, her sister is 12 and they are lightning fast and place in races all over the place. So cute and really fun to watch. The NY Times did an article on them last fall http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/sports/too-fast-too-soon-young-endurance-runners-draw-cheers-and-concerns.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Yes I did see her! She was wearing a pink headband and was cruising! I think she passed me early on.
nice job lady! that’s still some awesome splits, all things considered!
Soo proud of you!!
I love what Anne Hathaway said in her acceptance speech last night at the Golden Globes…”this will be my weapon against self-doubt.” I guess we can look at our medals in the same metaphorical fashion.
I know you just got over a pretty bad cold so, I hope you’re taking your vitamins & enjoying some R&R!!!
xo
Congrats!
Those look like some really consistent splits (especially considering the potty breaks) – what was the course like?
Great job! I ran the half and it was just nasty out there. I’m so impressed with all of you full marathon runners. I was more than ready to turn around at mile 9 when we split!
congrats on finishing! Sometimes that’s the hardest part. I’m not sure I would have been able to keep pushing through with an upset stomach so cheers to you!
Way to hang in there girlfriend! Stomach issues are the WORST….at least you looked fab! Love the green socks….
Pretty sure Houston owes you a letter of apology and something cool. Like, umm, I don’t know. Because I’m not cool.
Bummer you didn’t have a better race. There’s nothing worse than being cold and wet. It’s quite an impressive showing, though, especially with three bathroom stops.
It was brutal yesterday. I kept thinking that surely it was going to get warmer. Alas, it went the other way. I hope you’ll give Houston another shot.
i ran the half with a friend…somehow managed to have a great time! the rain and cold was nasty and i was definitely one of those people wearing a trash bag up until mile 9. i would recommend running it again. last year the conditions were perfect and the spectators were unreal, i hope you are able to give it another shot!
Wow! sounds like you went through a lot, all at once! What a finish though – congrats on number 40!!!
Nice job getting through the race with a good time even though it was sucky!
sorry it was a tough go–but even your tough ones you are hauling some a**!! And another marathon in the books!!!
Way to push through even though it was a tough race both mentally and physically. You did an awesome job of keeping consistent splits the whole race! Congratulations on finishing #40
Great job! Feeling sick totally blows when running, now your splits here… can you be any more consistent? I’m incredibly impressed!
This is my biggest fear with running an out of town race. I’m afraid I’ll assume that the weather will be a certain way & then be completely unprepared for the actual conditions! Glad to hear you powered through it. I’m sure it’ll make the next one feel that much better!
Not gonna lie! Totally jealous that you can pull of a 3:25 with 3 portapotty stops! Great job!
Daaaaaamn girl! Three bathroom stops and you pull out a 3:25? Crazy impressive. And thank you, in advance, for volunteering to be my new marathon pacer. I’m a big fan of the bathroom stopping action, so I think we could have a good time together. (But really, congratulations.)
Hahaha yeah I got some great bathroom experience yesterday.
Awesome job pushing through and getting it done, despite not feeling with it. Running cold sucks, so I typically end up wearing throwaway clothes so I can shed things as I go. And MAN you are fast!
Congrats on another marathon! Even though it was a tough race, you had very consistent splits and you finished is great time! Many more races to come in 2013 too!
I was out at the Mile 17 water station volunteering and looked for you to pass (didn’t see you, unfortunately). Congratulations on another well-run marathon, despite the crappy conditions!
Thanks for volunteering! All you guys out there were awesome.
As someone who has run a marathon in the cold rain – way to go!
Bad weather and stomach issues are just a recipe for disaster. And you still pulled it off. Nice job. Cross “crappy marathon” off your 2013 to-do list and move on to the next GREAT race!
The Kidless Kronicles
Wow that is a great race! I can’t believe the consistency of your splits given the conditions and stomach situation. A great race for sure.
Congrats on stickin’ through it to #40!! You’re my running idol, I don’t know how you do it! I about fell off my chair when you said you ran 30 miles on your 30th birthday. You rock, lady
Amazing time!! It was freezing out there… my top layer got soaked too, and I tossed it around the same time. I lucked out that my husband had an extra long sleeved shirt at mile 12 and I counted down the miles to grab that from him! Crazy weekend of weather. Congrats on pushing through a tough run, especially with stomach issues!
HIGH FIVE! Great job finishing the race. You still did an amazing job.
I’m amazed by your time when you’re feeling ‘crappy’. Congrats on your well earned medal!
Crappy conditions (and stomach – pun intended) and you still killed it. Way to go!
Hope your tummy is better now! Way to finish and power thru. You are my run-spiration!
I hope to run the Houston half next year.. I think it’d be awesome. I love Houston.
Congratulations on finishing despite the fact that you weren’t feeling well. It’s definitely inspiration for the rest of us!
You continue to be an inspiration and show us how to persevere through all kinds of conditions (both internally and externally). Way to go!
Congrats! Way to push through and still get an awesome time, very impressive!
Great race! I am seriously impressed with your time given the tough conditions. Way to stick with it!!
Sometimes the hardest races are the most rewarding.. You go girl!! You are always an inspiration.
That is still a really good time! You should be proud.
It really sucks when things like your stomach keeping you from running a race your best. Even though you’re prepared, sometimes crap happens (literally! haha)
Wow! Even in those conditions and your body being a little off compared to the usual, you still finished with a great time!
Great job SR!!!! I looked for you and was super bummed that I didn’t see you. It was my first time running Houston as well and my first marathon since I had my baby in August! With the bad weather we earned our times! I will take my 4:00:52!! You are amazing to run so fast in those conditions and with stopping! You are a true inspiration!
Congrats on your post-baby marathon!
Thank you!!!!
Congrats SR! Sometimes the races that we have to work hard for are better than the easy ones. Houston is a great race. I hope you come back to Houston again! Yesterday weather was def. a mutha.
You’re always an inspiration! Crazy that you were so cold and miserable when those of us running the Disney marathon in Florida were about to have heat stroke. My first full and I almost died!
Stomach issues are such a b***h, sorry girl! You still killed it and at least didn’t end up on the google search of “I sh*t myself in a marathon” kudos! I admire your consistency with pacing…I think with more and more experience I’ll be better – and I’ll stop depending on my watch
I would’ve thought a marathon in Houston would have gorgeous weather too. Congrats on your race !! And I always wear a visor I feel like it hides my ugliness at the end of the marathon haha
You continually amaze, impress and inspire me!!!
3 pit stops and you were still under 3:30!!! (plus the nasty weather and stomach issues – you ROCK!!!)
Gotta love the weather in Texas – constantly changing!!
Great job on #40!! (and nice medal!)
Congrats on finishing this marathon! It sounds like the weather made it much harder, and that on top of your stomach problems sounds like the race was really difficult; I hope your stomach is feeling better!
I also noticed that you have what looked like a lightweight water-resistant shell/coat type thing; I was wondering if it actually is lightweight and what brand/make it is? I’ve been looking for a well-priced super light running shell for rainy weather.
Way to make it through a literally shitty run. Very consistently paced.
Congrats on another race successfully finished. You are a beast!
pushing through the races where things aren’t going right (stomach, etc.) is so much more difficult than having a normal, fast race that you trained for…. but you pushed through and earned a very respectable time!!
way to stick it out!
You blew past your goal and didn’t feel well. Awesomesauce!
Congrats on pushing through and meeting your goal! I would totally love to do 7 min something miles.
damn, there is NOTHING worse than having a total GI disaster for a long run, let alone a race. i’m sorry, and great job for powering through and staying in it the rest of the way. many people would have used lots of the ‘easy’ cop-outs…stomach iffy, not dressed right, etc.
sometimes the hard-fought races are the ones to be most proud of. that said, considering, u still have a pretty good time! here’s to hoping ur next marathon doesn’t taste like left-over pizza.
Wow way to go! I don’t know how your body is able to run full marathons so often. I’m training for my first and my body hates me.
Way to go girl! Way to push through and show your strength!
Hey,
Are you running the new half marathon, “Running the Bluegrass” in KY March 30th?? I thought about running it!
No im not but id love to!
I lift my hat to you, I live in houston and Sunday was freezing so I admire you got pushing on and finishing. And with an upset stomach too. Way to go!!!!!
I was in long sleeves, gloves, and an ear warmer thing and was barely warmed by that (in Austin) so I can’t imagine being in short sleeves for this one with the rain.
Nice job getting through it! Also, that’s a pretty awesome time for 3 port-o-potty stops.
Congrats on #40! So impressive!
Way to go, sorry you weren’t feeling well, you still rocked it!
Congrats on finishing despite such crappy conditions. Definitely earned that medal!
That’s a fab time by me, no, in fact finishing a 42.195km in any time is an achievement. And look at those even splits! Awesome job SR.
You are a champ, SR. A CHAMP!
You are one tough chica. Seriously. Um, so you basically got my PR with all your stops and everything. Nice. Way to hang in there mentally though. Ugh. Those races are sooooo not fun. You are freaking amazing. Enjoy your family time!
Those splits are ridiculously consistent. Wow!
You still got 3:25 with bathroom breaks and GI issues? Dang.
Great job!! 3 bathroom breaks and you still had an awesome time. I ran the 1/2 and halfway to the race I realized I forgot my Garmin. I was devastated!! Knew then I wouldn’t PR. But despite the wind, rain, cold and no watch, I did! By 4 minutes. I finished in 1:54, I checked 3 times b/c I couldn’t believe it. Hope, you come back and run it again in better conditions.
congrats, that is awesome!
You totally should!
I have been reading your blog for a while now… but havent been keeping up in the new year… I live in Houston and two of my coworkers did the marathon Sunday!!! I biked by my house because I am NOT a marathon runner and I was dying because of the cold/wind… I couldnt imagine running in it!!! Congrats for pushing through!
Congratulations on the finishing!!!!
That’s a fast time even in optimal conditions. Considering the weather and how your body was reacting, it’s all the more impressive. Great job! I saw that Ben True dropped out of the half at 10 mi, he said his body shut down and he’s never DNF’d before. It was just a real tough day.
It’s funny that you said the Seattle Mara was easy, yet in Houston you beat the time!! Plus you stopped at 3 port-a-potties, with crappy refueling, I’d say, you killed it!!
Great time considering your tummy issues! It stinks running when too cold or hot. I have the Miami marathon in just over a week and it’s usually humid. ugh! I hope it cools down on that day.
I ran Houston too and it was miserable especially when facing the north wind. I only had one pitstop, but my hands were so cold I couldn’t untie my shorts at first and lost two minutes. I am impressed with your three stops and time – you need to share the secret of quick stops!
WOW!! Even with an upset stomach and 3 potty breaks you did amazing! Great job
Congrats on braving that rainy and windy marathon. And for living in Houston most of my life, I can attest that the weather last weekend was highly unusual…I was so glad to have arm warmers and gloves!
I ran it last Sunday too; it has to be one of the craziest marathons for me. By any chance you are heading to Boston April 15? If so, I hope to see you there!
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