2015 Cowtown Half Marathon

Distance: Ultra Marathon 13.1 miles Half Marathon 

Duration: 2:00:26

Average Pace Per Mile: 9:12

Gender Place: 565 out of 3428

Overall Place: 1924 out of 6571 Half Marathon Runners

Friday morning, it started to snow and within hours the roads were icy. Saturday, the ice didn't melt…so, Cowtown 5 and 10K races were cancelled. All day Saturday, I was anxiously waiting to hear if the marathon races were going to be canceled like the 5K and 10K events. Well, around Saturday evening, they announced the cancellation of the marathon and ultra…BUT the half was still on! It was going to be delayed by an hour start time, but the half was going to happen. Anyone signed up for the marathon or ultra could run the half. As you know, I've been training for the ultra. This would've been my fifth ultra finish. 

Saturday evening, the city of Ft. Worth had sand trucks out pouring sand on the race course. Workers and volunteers worked through the night and through the morning - preparing the streets for the race. 

Saturday, the roads were slick and I didn't want to take my chances driving to the expo. I decided not to get my packet and I decided to wait until race morning. I arrived at the expo at 6 am. It was pretty empty! I had to remind myself that it was 2 hours before race start, but still! Were people going to show up????

Around 7:30 am I noticed a crowd. It wasn't nearly as packed as previous years, but there were runners there ready to make the most of race day.

Running conditions were wonderful (considering the circumstances), but I was cautious and I know I held back on speed because I was afraid of slipping. I know I could've ran faster and harder, but I didn't and that's ok. For me this race was "I've been at home for 2 days iced in…I need to run race." It was not a PR go all out and prove something race. Also, I had been training for a few months, I was ready to race, even if it wasn't the distance I had initially signed up for…I was ready.

2 hours of running went by so fast!

I took the above photo around 11 am, as I was walking back to my car. Spectating conditions were terrible. I don't blame anyone for not spectating this year and I don't blame anyone for not wanting to run.

I was hoping to run 31 miles on Sunday and instead I ran 13. Honestly, I'm grateful everything worked out, even though I couldn't run the 50K. It would've been easier for race officials to cancel all racing events this weekend, but they didn't. I'm thankful, I ran. I'm thankful, I did not get injured. I'm thankful I made it safety to and from the expo. I love my city, I love the Ft. Worth running community and I love Cowtown.

2014 Cowtown Official Race Photos

My Race Results:

Distance: 50K (31 miles)

Duration: 5:28:56

Average Pace Per Mile: 10:37

Overall Place: 145 out of 451 Ultra runners

550 Ultra Runners Registered. 451 Finishers.

Gender Place: 42 out of 201

Division Place (25-29 yrs): 9th out of 21

 No, I didn't run sideways the whole time. I was checking behind me to make sure I had a visual of my pacer. We were running downtown, probably mile 11. Sure enough the pacer was behind me, but not pictured here.

The Trinity Trails aka the painful miles. Mile 26 'ish.

I heard a spectator yell, it makes it easier if you smile, so I tried to smile. He was right, it helped. 
Sprinting to the finish line. At the end of a 50K, a 10:30 mile is a sprint (for me).

About to cross the finish line! PRAISE THE LORD! Also, holla and food me!

Happy.

I already passed one mat, it's over right? Can I stop now????

Sweet victory tastes like salty sweat.
After I crossed the finish line I sat down to catch my breathe, text and call my friends and family who had been following my race. When it was time for me to stand up, I felt every ache in my body. I saw two gentlemen and asked them to help me up. They laughed at me and called me crazy, but they did help me. Today, I'm feeling less sore. All the foam rolling and stretching has helped.

Similar Post:
2014 Cowtown Ultra Results
http://domandtrey.blogspot.com/2014/02/2014-cowtown-ultra-results.html

Cedar Ridge 36 KM Trail Race Photos - Don't Call Me Cheap

I got all excited about my race photos and Trey was like why are you so excited??? You never buy any. Just because he said that I'm cheap and I don't ever buy race pics, I went ahead and bought one. So, there.

If you want to see the rest of the proofs the link is below. My bib number is 302.
http://www.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/Proofs.aspx
Official Results 
Overall, I placed 24th out of 55 runners who completed the race.
I placed 1st in my age group (females)
Overall female finish at 7th place
My name is featured in the top 2013 Cedar Ridge 36 KM - female performers banner! I was pretty excited about that one!
Interesting fact, all the women who placed ahead of me are older than me.
(Official Results page)
Here are some randoms about the race
- Trail runners like to run shirtless. Also, most of them are pretty darn fit. I kept my shirt on so, I could wipe the sweat off my face.
- When I was going downhill (in my head) I would say, "Wheee!"
- When I was hiking up, I was quite miserable.
- I forgot to put petroleum jelly on my feet. I'm thankful I did not get blisters.
- After running a hard race, it makes me want to run a super flat trail.
- There were quite a few hikers on the trail and most of them cheered me on. Thanks, it helped!
- Aid Stations and Volunteers were awesome! Someone was always filling up my cup, while I was stuffing my face with food. Thanks!
- I twisted my ankles a few times, but nothing serious. The tree roots were everywhere.
- A spectator told me she saw two runners with broken bones. She said foot injuries. Ouch!
- I drank about 6 bottles of water on the almost 5 hour long race and I didn't have to take a bathroom break. Lots of sweating.
- My fuel of choice on this run - Bananas, Potato chips, peanut butter and jelly sandwich and red grapes. I took two shots of cola, it made me burp.
- After the race Endurance Buzz had chicken and veggie burritos.
-I'm recovering ok. I'm still sore, but I'm good to do some light running or cross training again.

Cowtown Race Proofs & Boston Marathon Talk

Trey wants me to train for the Boston Marathon. He's crazy. I have no desire to run that race. If he  thinks training is time-consuming now, he has no idea how time consuming it would be to train, just to qualify for Boston.

In order to be placed in the lottery pool and according to qualify times (to date), I'd have to run a full marathon in 3 hrs 35 mins at a 8:12 pace per mile. Not impossible, but that's not anything I'd like to put myself or my family through at this time in my life. Maybe, I'll change my mind, one day -- but by then the qualifying times, will probably be more challenging.

My good friend Sherri, qualified for Boston a few months ago. When she started running, she was at my level and now she's a speed racer. I'm so proud of her.

Okay, that's enough boston talk, here are my race proofs. 
Somewhere between the start and mile 6, I grew an extra pair of arms. AWESOME!
What is the secret to running a PR? Close your eyes and take a nap...it works!

Finish Line. 
I grabbed my medal, grabbed some water and immediately started refueling. I didn't want to have a near faint experience like at Dallas. In December when I finished the half marathon, I had to wait in a long line for food and I was most likely dehydrated. It was so humid! This time, I finished and felt tired, but not like death. A big improvement.

Official 2012 Cowtown Half Marathon Race Photos & A Family Visit

But first --- Let me tell you about last night.

Jason, Shelly, and Trevor were in town for the day. Once Trey and I were done with work, we all went out to eat with them at one of my favorite restaurants, Chuy's. Like last time, I got the nachos, but I remembered to ask them to take it easy on the cheese. Ohhhhh, and I ate so much chips and salsa. Today, I haven't had much of an appetite. I could probably go into hibernation mode and be just fine. The food was delicious and visiting with our family was a nice mid-week treat!

Okay, now for the official Cowtown photos. This was right after I crossed the finish line.


I had about 3 more miles to go....

And now, for your amusement....
Please laugh WITH ME. It's not a successful race, unless I have at least one terrible race day photo. Am, I right? I was probably thinking, "Whatever you do, don't pee your pants." 

And for the wobble, pregnant finish...

If you want to see video of me crossing the finish line you can view it here.

2011 Palo Duro 50K Official Race Photos

Here are my race proofs. The grin on my face reminds me of Cheyenne. Today, I'm feeling good. I feel like I could do some light cardio or lift weights, but I won't. I'm going to take advantage of this mandatory rest.
 
I guess the vacation is over? Today, was my first day back at work, since October 11th. I was fine. I just picked up right where I left off. I'm in the middle of editing some footage. I got a new HD camera, so I had to do some research today on the best way to compress the AVCHD files. Fun stuff! But really, I enjoyed it. :)

I still feel like I'm on that trail running, race high. It feels so good.

Fellow runners: Have you ever bought race photos? I haven't, but I might this time.

Now I can't help but wonder, how long would it take me to run a 50 miler?

Ft. Worth Zoo 10K Proofs

Here are a few race photos, from the last 10K.

This is what I was thinking when I saw the photographer, Gotta make this look easy. And as soon as I'm out of  his frame, go back to ugly faces and gasping for air. For the most part, I try to make a conscious effort to smile or at least look like I'm having fun.

I believe this was the home stretch. This is when I started to high tail it. I prefer to sprint to the finish line. When I first started racing, I would do the complete opposite.

When the race started it was around 46 degrees. By the time I was done, the temps rose, but not much, that's why I wore a long sleeve shirt in April.





On the agenda this weekend:
- I plan on spending time with my family. Trey has been working late the last few nights, so I'm hoping we can catch up and have a conversation. We need to discuss the idea of traveling to Canyon, Texas :)
- Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We'll be at church. If you are local and don't have plans, join us Sunday.
- I'll be running the trail.
- Wach the movie She's out of my league.
- Eat this....

Instead of this... 

   

Hershey is my chocolate of choice. This week a faculty had healthy treats for students to eat during a test. I kept eyeballing all the free food, but refrained myself, until I was invited to dig in. "Well, I don't know...Okay!" I tried the Nutri-Grain bar and it tasted delicious. The front label claims it's healthy, but when I gave it the Dom label test it failed. The ingredient list takes up the entire back packaging and it's in another language. However, I'm convinced it's healthier than chocolate, I'm going to give this a try --- Eat the Kellogg's bar, instead of the Hershey Bar when I'm craving junk. Oh, I want one NOW. 

Race Photos From The St. Patrick's Day 5K

I don't run, I fly. Both feet off the ground. NICE.

The race path was basically a narrow sidewalk on the Trinity Trail. So, there wasn't a ton of elbow space. I spent a good deal of time dodging runners and they were dodging me too. It seemed easier to run in the grass.

I didn't want to run with my water bottle, but my personal race photographer/cheerleader got a service call so I carried it with me. Looking back, I'm glad I did.

I love the color of this tank.

Dallas White Rock Marathon Race Photos

It's amazing, I could still smile after 26.2 miles. Have I mentioned I love this shirt? I do!

Finish Line: This is when I felt like a ton of bricks hit me.

So, many emotions: happy, relieved, amazed, satisfied, stunned,  exhausted...

Is that a smile? There is no smiling in marathon racing! 

Running around the lake.