Cowtown

Yesterday was the Cowtown Ultra marathon and here are my thoughts on it, in bullet points because that is the way my mind is working….

·      I AM AN ULTRA MARATHONER! 

·        I can walk shockingly well today

·        I want to hug the person who invented compression socks.

·        One of the highlights of the day was getting to meet Larry, who was running his 1,000 marathon.

·        Runners are some of the best people ever

·        For the Ultra part, you veer off from the marathon and run 5 miles on a path by the river.  There is very little crowd support, and you are tired from the first 25 miles, so you have to support each other.  EVERY SINGLE runner I passed on the way out or the way back acknowledged you.  Good job, way to go, congratulations, keep pushing, you’re almost there, a wave or a head nod.  Runners are awesome!

·        I AM AN ULTRA MARATHONER (just wanted to say that again)

·        Cowtown does a great job putting together the event.  Plenty of water stations, plenty of medical attention, course well laid out, great stuff after the race.  Job well done!

·        Running through some of the neighborhoods, so kids brought out all their stuffed animals and had them set up along the course.  Super cute!

·        Couple of beer stops, but a few more would have been welcomed ;-)

·        Whataburger and a McDonalds shamrock shake afterwards really hits the spot

·        Managed under 11 minute miles for pace

·        They said miles 8-18 were hilly.  St. Louis has jaded me, because I didn’t think much of the hills.  There were several, but they were short.  I have conquered my hate for hills!!!!

I am extremely proud of myself.  Before the race, I wasn’t sure I was ready.  That is, until I was talking to Nicole.  I put in perspective everything I had done since October.  I had done 2 20 mile runs (before Goofy), the NYE double half marathons, Goofy, and then an additional 23 mile run.  About 2 days before the race, I realized I did the work. 

My only goal was to finish.  I ran the whole way with Megan (except the last ½ mile).  We did walk some of the last 10 miles, but I think that helped with how well I feel today.  I finally left her in the finish, because the starting and stopping was hurting my knees and ankles.  The only thing that hurts today is my right ankle.  I might have to do it next year just to see what type of time I could conquer.  But who is to say that I will feel this good next year, or that I won’t have an off day, or that the weather will cooperate.  I just don’t know!  I am extremely happy with how I feel.  Do I want to chance having a bad day and ruining this feeling?

We shall see….

I am taking some time off of distance running.  I will only be doing half marathons the next several months.  I never thought the day would come, where I would say only doing halfs.  Time to rest and reset!