Dallas White Rock 1/2 - DNF - Run

I warmed up pretty quickly after we started. Legs felt good and fresh, my knee, not so much. It was great getting to run with Welshy and Aaron, who was carrying his big American flag, I laughed every time someone yelled out "Hey! Flag Dude!" or "Hey, I saw you at ... race!" So many people remembered Aaron, it was a great distraction but I was a little jealous of the attention. At least I was flag dude's friend!
By mile 1 was knee was really hurting. By mile 2 I didn't know how I was going to run 11 more miles. By mile 3 I knew there was no way. I kept thinking about my races I want to do in Jan and Feb and how in the world am I going to get better if I hurt myself even more for this 1/2? At the 3.5ish water stop I couldn't bend my knee completely. I didn't really have a stride, more of a locked leg kinda limp. Welshy stopped for the bathroom, I took his extra stuff he didn't need for the race, sat on the curb and wished him and Aaron good-luck. I was done. My first DNF, its officially on my record.



This is where my learning experience starts. You always learn something from EVERY race and I learned a valuable lesson. I waited approximately 20 minutes for the sag wagon. The voluteers offered me water and a shirt to sit on but otherwise left me along (thank goodness). I sat in my sorrows for several minutes but looked up and saw 1/2'ers struggling. I mustered a couple claps but just couldn't do it. I was struggling with myself, I couldn't believe I was really quitting. Its hard to accept those words. I got up after about 5 or 10 minutes and walked a couple feet. Looking at the BOP'ers, I wanted to be with them and thought I could walk the rest of the way. I only made it about 10 feet before I realized there was no way I was walking 10 more miles. I sat back down.
The sag wagon voluteers asked if I was Ok. "I'm fine." The passenger says "Whats wrong?" "My knee." I said. "I understand, I know its frustrating," he replies. They didn't talk to me the whole drive back, I was thankful. I was able to deal with my emotions-I was NOT going to cry-before I got back the arena. I had a long time to myself before I needed to watch for Welshy and Aaron finish.

I went to the arena, went to the bathroom and warmed up. Limped back to the finish line and had the people remove my chip. I got a space blanket and ignored the people saying "great race! You look great-wow!" This was hard. I saw a lot of the 1 hour 20-30 minute finishers-way too many peolpe pushing themselves too hard, throw up everywhere. Very gross. I left the finish chute, I did not belong there, I was not a finisher. Walked back to the car, put on warm clothes, got some food and waited.
Finally saw Welshy and Aaron, they looked great and came in before I thought they would! Congrats to Welshy for feeling great and not training! First thing they wanted was beer, thats it, just beer. Listened to their race stories and hung out in the arena. Emily (emilyindallas) found us and so did Bill (rolllinsw), at least we found some BTers!

Went back to the hotel, showered and checked out. We met Aaron and Andrew at FREEBIRDS! A big a** burrito made my day a whole lot better. Got a Super and quesadillas to bring home and eat later.



Stupid #!@*$ knee.


I need a gimmick. I don't think running all my races in a diaper will work so maybe a Texas flag or something. Find a gimmick.

I am quite suprised at the way I handled myself. 6 months ago or a year ago I would have not quit. I would have walked in severe pain as much as I could. And when I would have quit, I would have been ashamed and angry. I now know what I can do, am proud of my acomplishments, and I stopped because of an injury and not because I wasn't motivated or didn't want to push myself. I'm ok with that. Next time, I just won't start.