A Run for My Money

Last fall, I ran a half marathon I called "The Race I Would Run Again and Again." I would, too, except that it's no longer conveniently located. Yesterday I ran my first race in Dallas. While the course itself was fantastic, my experience is one I would not like to repeat.

Back up about ten days.

Brooklyn and I were on an easy run, and I began experiencing sharp pain in my knee. We ran even easier, and I took note of my pain level. Over that weekend, my pain continued. I knew the issue, because I'd made this mistake before. In fact, the only other time I'd experienced knee pain was when my shoes were shot.

My current Mizuno Wave Inspire 10s were ten months old and had about double the intended mileage. My Scottish blood was holding out for the new shoe releases next month. This was against my better judgement, but it kills me to spend $120 for new shoes. Shame on me, right? Well, I ended up back at Luke's Locker last Sunday and came home with a beautiful new pair of Brooks Ravenna 5s. (Hooray for SMU student discounts!) I love them! While fit is the top priority, I am also thrilled about the color and the fact that they share the same name as my dog...

Brook and my new Brooks!

But I digress. A new pair of shoes was the solution, but it really needed to be implemented four months ago. Needless to say, my pain did not go away. It came back 1/4 mile into my runs. My sweet Orlando running buddy, Mollie, told me it was likely my IT band, due to the location of my pain. The IT band runs down the side of the thigh to just below the knee. The irritation of those muscles and tendons is what causes the sharp pain on the top-outside of the knee. The good news is that this is not a permanent issue. With daily stretching, this can be fixed. Better late than never, I began stretching my IT band and icing my knee with all diligence.

Yes, even in the practice rooms at school. And yes, the ice pack is tied onto my knee with a scarf.

I walked/ran (or sometimes just walked) and listened to my body. I knew I was mentally and physically prepared for this race - so much that I had secretly hoped to set a new PR, inching my way closer to 1:45. Ever since running with my new training coach...

"Get moving, Welsh!"

...my times have become faster with little effort. Who knew how much a Weimaraner could benefit your run times?

Naturally, I was disappointed, but for once in my life, I took it with good humor. I mean, does anybody else remember my crazy race history?

1. Sprint Triathlon - had to bow out due to severe anemia
2. Princess Half Marathon - ran after having food poisoning the night before
3. Baldwin Park Half Marathon - ran with a sinus infection
4. Jacksonville Bank Marathon - had to bow out due to being hospitalized ten days before the race.

Truly, it's laughable. What's even more ironic is that I run nearly every day without issue. It's only when I sign up for a race that bad things begin to happen. Maybe I should try signing up day-of? Who am I kidding, that would never do for this Type-A planner.

I picked up my race packet on Friday morning, still unsure of how my knee would feel. On Thursday, I had run two miles without pain - a significant improvement from the beginning of the week. We both know there's a big difference between two and thirteen miles, though! I freed myself from any goals or time commitments and just decided to finish. I couldn't bring myself to bow out of another race.

Cool shirt, huh?

Friday afternoon, however, things went south. By evening, my throat was tight and my sinuses were congested. "Really?!" I stayed home from game night and hit the hay early. When I awoke at 4:30AM, I was convinced I had strep throat. A quick flashlight examination revealed white spots on my tonsils. Great. So now my knee is the least of my worries.

Nothing says "It's go time" like Dayquill!

I was incredibly close to bowing out. Instead, I made a salt water gargle, took some honey and essential oils, and chugged some Dayquill. I ate a bowl of oatmeal, even though I had no appetite, and went back to bed for an hour. I decided I would hit up a walk-in clinic after the race. Tyler dropped me off at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, in the heart of the arts district, thirty minutes to start time. I was nervous, to say the least! I met up with Mary Anna, and we did a short, easy jog together.

The race was much smaller than I had envisioned (just under 2000 registrants), so I crossed the starting line only thirty seconds after gun time. The 1:50 pace group was a ways in front of me, but I kept them in my sights. My plan was to take it easy for the first half of the race. Mary Anna started out running sub-8:00 without realizing it! The adrenaline kicks in, and you don't realize how fast you're going. I love my Garmin for being a reality check!

Around mile 5, we made it to my stomping ground! Yes, the race course went through my neighborhood! The best surprise was waiting for me at mile six. Pastor Winburne and Mary Margaret had walked a short distance from their house to cheer me on - prior to 8AM on a Saturday! It was incredibly encouraging to see some familiar faces, and it kept me going for the next few miles.

Running through my neighborhood was one of the best parts of this race. So many families were out, little ones in footie PJs, cheering on family members and friends. Others were there as spectators and cheered for strangers. One of my favorite scenes was a Dad with two small children. One was in a stroller, and one was standing next to him. All three were eating breakfast tacos out of a huge paper bag. Only in Texas.

The course led us to the Katy Trail, another one of my running spots. I knew that once I stepped foot on the trail, I would be close to the finish line. The Katy Trail goes all the way into downtown. With five miles to go, I began inching my way closer to that 1:50 group. My knee was feeling fine, though my toes were going a bit numb. (This is why you're supposed to buy new shoes well in advance!) Miles 9-11 were collectively my fastest, and I left the 1:50 group behind. I guess I accidentally left Mary Anna behind, too! Oops! I thought she was right behind me. We weren't talking much during the race, so I wasn't surprised when I hadn't heard from her.

When the Katy trail dead-eneded into Downtown, I had just over 1.5 mies to go. I was tired. Normally I save my best for the end of a race, but I felt exhausted. It was all I could do to down four of my energy chomps throughout the race. I was afraid to eat anything else, for fear of throwing up. As we looped the Arts District, there were African drum circles and other ethnic bands. Turning the next corner, I saw a crowd lined up and realized I was close. In my previous race experiences, I've always reached this point elated, high on endorphins. This time I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I knew my pace had incredibly slowed on my last mile, but I didn't care. All of a sudden, it hit me. I was going to set a PR! As I neared the finish line, I saw three racers slightly ahead of me. I found the energy to pass them as I finished. Blame it on the Mitchell competitive spirit. It runs in my blood.

See the city in the background?

As I crossed the finish line, they announced a Jessie from Dallas, TX. I was slightly upset, because they didn't ask me to list my hometown; they just announced my address city. Hmmph. I didn't have enough breath to correct them.

Still, I was never so happy to see my family! During the race, Ty picked up Aunt Sharry. It made me feel especially loved that she took an interest in my race! (I know these are not the most fun to attend!) They were both there to cheer me on at the end.

My beloved spectators!

Mary Anna crossed just a few minutes later - sub 1:50 for her first half marathon. That girl is a champ!

Family!

After the race, we went to Another Broken Egg. I had been craving their berry pancakes. This darn sickness left me with a loss of appetite, but I managed to down some of that delicious berry pancake! Aunt Sharry had a quinoa bowl that I am going to try next time.

Our day's activities ended at a local walk-in clinic. I think I utterly confused the office staff and technicians, because I had an ice pack on my knee, but I was there about a sore throat. Turns out this clinic (just down the street from us!) just opened this week. It was complete with a mini fridge and Keurig machine in the lobby! The doctor was thorough and kind.

My strep test was negative, but the doctor told me I had sinusitis. Before I'd left the building, she'd sent my prescription over to my preferred pharmacy. Talk about efficient! She also told me I had untreated allergies - did you know Dallas is one of the top three worst cities for allergies? She also recommended Mucinex D, because she said untreated allergies lower the immune system. So my sweet hubby took me home, set up our loveseat-couch bed, picked up my prescription, and then hit up the grocery store.

I watched Hook with my Weimaraner and iced my knee. Ty and I were thrilled to discover an SEC game on our local station. What is all this Big 12 hype?! We topped off the evening with the World Series, and then I hit the hay. Per doctor's orders, I am resting today, too. Hoping to be back at it tomorrow!

And now for the race stats!

Finish time: 1:47:37

Average pace: 8:13/mile

Fastest mile: 8:03 (mile five)

Slowest mile: 8:31 (mile thirteen - told you I slowed down:)

Age group (F, 20-24): 8th of 96

Overall female: 55th of 1,040

Overall: 238th of 1,755