Race Day!

Today was the The Toughest 10k in Kemah, which is part of a bridge race series. Not sure why any beginner 10k runner would choose to run a race with the word TOUGHEST in the name, but I'm not just any beginner 10k runner...I'm special...not ed! I figured I'd been to Kemah a couple of times and had driven over the bridge and it didn't seem too bad, so I signed up! Plus Joy (I've changed her name to protect her...ok I really didn't change her name), caught me at an adventurous time during the summer. You haters out there, I know there are people that run more and are in better shape than me, but I've never been a runner and still wouldn't call myself one, but I'm gonna talk about my adventures because it's not something I've ever done before, so talk to the hand! 

Friday it rained all day and not just rained regular, there were often ginormous downpours, which left the ground nice and saturated....oh wait we were on asphalt...nevermind! Saturday had a 100% chance of rain so I was prepared, especially after running the Susan G. Koman in Waco last year in the rain. I had waterproof shoes, shirt, and leggings...no, no I didn't, but I did bring a towel and flip flops to put on after the race...I left those in my car. When I got to the Kemah Boardwalk, it wasn't raining and I just hoped it would hold off until I got finished or at least close...like a block away. There were tons of people and of course right away I started sizing up my competition, which is NEVER a good idea, but I can't NOT do it! Oh I can beat her, she has an oxygen tank...oh that guy has one leg...yep never good because you'll be in a groove and then all of a sudden an oxygen tank appears in your peripherial vision followed by Mr. One leg. That's when you should push harder, but instead you just ask for a puff of oxygen. 

Joy and I decided to pay a visit to the amazing bathroom facilities in the parking garage...AKA the port-a-potty. They were NOT amazing even though they were arranged in a nice green and pink pattern. It was so dark in there I couldn't see anything, which in a port-a-potty is a good thing, but I at least needed the general vicinity of the hole, so I had to use my phone....this would be better if I said I dropped my phone in the solid and liquid waste hole, but I didn't...I guess you can quit reading now. While we were in line, this lady in front of us asked if we knew where the starting line was and we said no. The lady had on a A&M marathon shirt and Joy asked if she was an Aggie, she was and so I piped up and asked what year...you know that whole exchange took place. Verbal diarrhea set in and I said we were running our first 10k....she went on to tell me that running was awesome and she had been doing it since she was 9 and that I'd get that passion and I'd sign up for a half marathon and then eventually a full marathon. I busted out laughing. She just looked at me and then turned and went to the potty. 

While waiting for the race to get started, I got to thinking, I can do this...6.2 miles ain't no thang!! I got this in the bag...probably the barf bag, but a bag nonetheless. Race started and I'm still feeling good. I had set a good pace...slow but good!! The first part was flat, which was nice and deceiving. It wasn't until I had made the curve to head to up the bridge for the 1st time. This is when I wanted to turn and run....back to my car...it was the feeling I get when I try and ride roller coasters and wait in the line and then panic right as I'm about to get in the seat, so I end up stepping over and waiting for everyone to finish. Yep I'm that person. I had already made a plan to walk up the bridge and then run. It was great the first two times up the bridge and then when my run/walk homies (yep I didn't know them and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be their homey) and I turned to go up the bridge the 3rd time, the rain started. Blowing rain was beating my face as I walked up that bridge...my eye started burning but I had nowhere dry to wipe it and then the worst thing happened...my nose started running. I should have followed it!! When it came time to run, I wanted to sprint because it meant I would be that much closer to the end...approximately 3 miles away. To make matters worse, the first of the runners had started passing us, and some were finishing, and I found myself being totally jealous. These are the short shorts (men and women), no shirt, or just a sports bra runners. Oh I forgot...on the second time up the bridge I'm almost to the top and I hear..."go Waco" it was the Aggie from the potty! I wanted to trip her as she sprinted past and down the hill. I still had two more times over the bridge. The rain somewhat let up, but not a whole lot!! I ran/walked the rest of way down from the bridge. I couldn't feel my legs...I felt like Lt. Dan. Once that finish line was in sight, I picked up the pace...I had stored some in my back pocket in case I got peckish I could have a snack! As I crossed the finish line, God announced my name, whoever it was they didn't let all they male hotties know that I was single and might be needing mouth to mouth! Another missed opportunity!! 

Just keepin' it real!

Pippen