Race #5 of 2012

If I had listed my race schedule at beginning of 2012 I think there was like 12 races. Now I think there is more like 16??? The tinkerbell 1/2 was an add on, as was the 5k I did with my kiddos, Vineman was a moment of insanity added to the mix, the really big free marathon in the fall as well! Depending how my week goes we may do a 5k this Friday too!
This race WAS planned, very exciting & lived up to my expectations! The San Diego 1/2 marathon at Petco park was an inaugural race that I got into cheap! I had a bunch of friends signed up to do this race which always adds to the fun! Sadly a few dropped out of the race for various reasons. There was still lots of familiar faces!
The best part for me was getting to run with Elizabeth! We had done races together but always had other peeps to run with. This time it wasn't planned but there we were at the start line together. I honestly thought I could keep pace with her (she is super fast!) I loved running with her & kept up for almost the first three miles. I'm pretty sure with the right amount of salt, GU, ultima & water I could of held on to her pace a lot longer BUT...s#*t happens. In my case literally :( I HAD to make a pit stop before mile 3!! This has never happened to me during a race! I have an iron bladder & never stop to pee. In this case there was no option. & there was no way that chick was waiting (I don't blame her it's every girl or herself on race day). I took care of business & got back in the race. Something like that can be a mental block cause it's all you think about until you take care of it! So one I got going again I could focus! I had done my practice tri day before & totally felt sluggish on this run. The next 3 miles went pretty smooth-I like when there is lots of turns. When I got to mile 6 I decided to go with the intervals I had set up on my run app. I had abandoned the idea of doing intervals when the run with E option presented itself but she was long gone & I was fading fast. The interval was 3 minutes run 1 minute walk. I have to say LOVED IT! I was able to rest & recover on that minute & then push hard for the 3min. What was most amazing is even run/walking I was keeping up with the same people. When I walked they passed me when I ran I passed them so it just sort of evened out. The race was COMPLETELY FLAT except for mile 9-10. I had mentally prepped myself for THE HILL but I didn't plan the massive blister I got at mile 8.5 :( I did my best to ignore it cause let's face it, nothing I could do right now about it. The hill was tough & I consider myself a fan of hills! This was unending & got steeper the further up. The one sign said gut check...oh yes it was! Once to the top of the hill it was all flat & then the last 2 miles were downhill! As I ran through the neighborhood I saw two of my TNT teammates :) it was unexpected but very cool to have a go Katie shouted for me! Also unexpected was when I got right down to the end the opening of the finish tunnel my kids were there!!!!! All the races I always want them there & it's just not always possible but this time they were. I regret not stopping for a split second for hugs & kisses & a pic! I was so close & sprinting to the finish I just waved excitedly as I passed. The finish really was epic as promised. Running into the ball field with the announcer & people cheering! The military personal passing out medals. I loved this race! I wish I had done it on fresh legs but in the beginning I thought I would have to back out. I knew there was no way I was going to do a sprint tri and a 1/2 marathon all in the same weekend! Turns out I could do it AND ended up doing an open water swim later the same day with team. People call me nuts I say I'm determined. If my body is going to let me I say let's tri!
Now day after race whole other story! I was definitely done. I figured a dat of rest & good to go. That was until my stomach decided to have the flu :(
My next race is either the add on 5k Friday or a sprint tri this Sunday. I have to bounce back! I didn't plan on tapering before the weekend but my body planned different. & I'm listening