The dreaded half marathon. Oh, the rain. I'm not sure if it ever stopped raining the entire time we were in Cincinnati for the half marathon/marathon. My feet were never dry. This did not make for a pleasant run.
Race morning: rain is coming down. We all brought raincoats with us and definitely needed them (actually Tom and I bought them at Academy and brought them for everyone). We get to the start line and wonder if they are going to call the race. We all see the lightening and hear the thunder. But, the organizers are yelling over the storm that "the big storm is south of us and the race is still going on". Not two minutes after that announcement, the electricity is knocked out around us due to huge strike of lightening/thunder. So, they get on the bullhorn..."We are still a go!". Surprisingly, they were right. The lightening/thunder combo stopped as the race began.
I completed it!! Yay me! That's always my goal...a completion. Due to injuries, Senor and Teresa didn't get to the finish line. Tom had injured his knee the week prior at a triathlon and Teresa has had a bad knee since an alleged "ski injury" (she says Kris and I made her injure herself on her one and only ski trip in 1993....). Tom made it about 5 miles in before calling it quits and Teresa made it to mile 20.4. Good thing he stopped before going up into the hills. Dang you, hills!! Horrific! They sucked. We didn't enjoy them at all. Kris says that this was the hardest marathon she had ever done because of the weather and the hills. So, don't plan on The Flying Pigs marathon to be your first.
After the half, my poor feet had four blisters because of the moisture and rubbing with my socks and shoes. That did not make for pleasant walking. It took me awhile to find my way back to the our hotel and the one person that I found myself chatting with....was from Rockwall. Seriously? How do I go all the way to Ohio and find someone from Dallas? Small World! After a quick shower, we meet up with Dwane and he and I head back down to the finish line to watch Teresa, Dad, and Kris cross. We had great timing because Kris crossed about 5 minutes after we got there. Shortly after that, Teresa calls us from the medical tent where she was dropped off after she couldn't make it any further. So, we found her a chair and waited for Dad. He crossed a little while later and we were all done!
After a quick bite to eat, Tom and I headed to the airport. We had decided to come home that night because we wanted to sleep in our own bed and sleep in the next day and not have to worry about traveling home. What an exhausting trip home! Our plane was delayed in Cincinnati so we almost missed the last flight out of Chicago back to DFW. We had to sprint to another terminal in O'Hare airport in under three minutes. After we get to the gate, the agents yelled at us. HELLO...like it was our fault the plane was late. We also got some dirty looks from the other passengers. Again, this was not our fault...nor the other six people who were on our same flight and had to sprint. Speaking of sprinting...didn't I just discuss 13.1 miles and four blisters? My feet were seriously pissed by this point. And, I had to check my bag at the ramp because all the overhead compartments were full. So, we had to wait at baggage claim at DFW, take a shuttle from Terminal C back to Terminal B where we parked. AND, the guy drops us off at the wrong end and we had to walk like a mile to our car (not really, but 4 blisters, People!). Taco Bueno never tasted so good as it did that night. Party burritos....yum.
Overall...glad it is DONE. I will be a great spectator for Tomas when he decides to complete his first half marathon next!
Race morning: rain is coming down. We all brought raincoats with us and definitely needed them (actually Tom and I bought them at Academy and brought them for everyone). We get to the start line and wonder if they are going to call the race. We all see the lightening and hear the thunder. But, the organizers are yelling over the storm that "the big storm is south of us and the race is still going on". Not two minutes after that announcement, the electricity is knocked out around us due to huge strike of lightening/thunder. So, they get on the bullhorn..."We are still a go!". Surprisingly, they were right. The lightening/thunder combo stopped as the race began.
I completed it!! Yay me! That's always my goal...a completion. Due to injuries, Senor and Teresa didn't get to the finish line. Tom had injured his knee the week prior at a triathlon and Teresa has had a bad knee since an alleged "ski injury" (she says Kris and I made her injure herself on her one and only ski trip in 1993....). Tom made it about 5 miles in before calling it quits and Teresa made it to mile 20.4. Good thing he stopped before going up into the hills. Dang you, hills!! Horrific! They sucked. We didn't enjoy them at all. Kris says that this was the hardest marathon she had ever done because of the weather and the hills. So, don't plan on The Flying Pigs marathon to be your first.
After the half, my poor feet had four blisters because of the moisture and rubbing with my socks and shoes. That did not make for pleasant walking. It took me awhile to find my way back to the our hotel and the one person that I found myself chatting with....was from Rockwall. Seriously? How do I go all the way to Ohio and find someone from Dallas? Small World! After a quick shower, we meet up with Dwane and he and I head back down to the finish line to watch Teresa, Dad, and Kris cross. We had great timing because Kris crossed about 5 minutes after we got there. Shortly after that, Teresa calls us from the medical tent where she was dropped off after she couldn't make it any further. So, we found her a chair and waited for Dad. He crossed a little while later and we were all done!
After a quick bite to eat, Tom and I headed to the airport. We had decided to come home that night because we wanted to sleep in our own bed and sleep in the next day and not have to worry about traveling home. What an exhausting trip home! Our plane was delayed in Cincinnati so we almost missed the last flight out of Chicago back to DFW. We had to sprint to another terminal in O'Hare airport in under three minutes. After we get to the gate, the agents yelled at us. HELLO...like it was our fault the plane was late. We also got some dirty looks from the other passengers. Again, this was not our fault...nor the other six people who were on our same flight and had to sprint. Speaking of sprinting...didn't I just discuss 13.1 miles and four blisters? My feet were seriously pissed by this point. And, I had to check my bag at the ramp because all the overhead compartments were full. So, we had to wait at baggage claim at DFW, take a shuttle from Terminal C back to Terminal B where we parked. AND, the guy drops us off at the wrong end and we had to walk like a mile to our car (not really, but 4 blisters, People!). Taco Bueno never tasted so good as it did that night. Party burritos....yum.
Overall...glad it is DONE. I will be a great spectator for Tomas when he decides to complete his first half marathon next!
Our self portrait. We take one of these wherever we go. It's a tradition now.
Dad, Teresa and Kris at the pasta dinner. Teresa is showing us the dessert. Bleh-tasting cookies.
We came across a random picture-taking spot and HAD to partake.
Dwane refused to put his face in the hole so this is Kris's new husband.
I think my dad was scared to put his head in there....
Tom carbing up pre-race
The only time I was dry that day.
Kris - about to cross the finish line.
Poor T. Flipping off the pig with her gimpy knee iced up.
Dad about to cross. Huge downpour right as he was crossing the finish.
The plane that we had to wait on and made us almost miss our connecting flight in Chicago. I curse you, AA!
1 comment:
I love the family photos!
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