…but Momma Mason thought she’d want to read about, so here you go.

The day started at 4 am. Big Sis (aka Linda) and I headed down to meet up with her running buddies and caravan to Sacramento. We ate oatmeal with raisins and a cup of java helped to stimulate my mind as well as my intestines. We hit the road, Linda, Carlos (Brother-in-LAW), and me.

After the meet up and many photos, we headed to Sacramento. It was all seeming to go as planned. Carlos would study for finals (he is pursuing his degree in law), and we would hit the buses. The energy was grounded but at a high vibration – perfect for a great day.

On the bus, I took deep breaths and concentrated on remaining calm. I did not want to waste a bit of energy; it would all be needed if I was to run my best race possible. What my “best race” would amount to was yet to be seen.

From the bus, to the port-o-potty lines, to bag check, and then the start was a bit of blur. I was cold; I remember that. It was also very crowded. I had to sit on the barricade wall waiting for the race to start as I could not sardine my way into the mix.

After the race began, I lowered myself down on the pavement and began my race. I listened to my breathing. It was nice and easy. My body was relaxed. My mind was nervous and excited.

Down the hill and around the first turn I ran, following the crowd. I watched Garminia’s face to get a feel for my pace. I could not just follow the crowd.

The foot started its complaints subtly. At first it felt like I had something in my shoe. I stopped in the first couple of miles to check. Nothing. Then the funny feeling went away. I was on my way at my target pace. Nice and easy, I told myself. I was careful not to go out too fast, even the 3:50 pace team was up ahead. Each mile clicked off and I congratulated myself for a job well done.

At the first relay hand-off, I began looking for Linda. I made the turn and grabbed a cup of water at the aid station on the left. The 3:50 pace team was on the right hand side. I came out, with cup in hand, just ahead of them. I ran onward, keeping an eye out for Linda. As the pace team gained on me, I felt a bit claustrophobic being eaten up by the group. I moved to the left, watching the camber of the road to avoid stressing my foot. It was then that I saw her.

The plan was for me for me to run with Linda until mile 11 where my brother, Robert, would be waiting with his camera and car. They would travel up the road to Carmichael Park, cheer from there, and then head to the finish. I was doing well at keeping pace, but I wondered if I’d have trouble in the final 10K, so I asked Linda if she’d meet me at mile 20 to run me in.

After Linda had joined me, my foot began feeling numb. I’ve felt this before on many of my runs. But although the feeling was familiar, it worried me. Numbness preceded the injury that took me off the streets for several months. “Come on, foot,” I murmured, “wake up.”

[Read more…]

Let me just start at the end:

I did NOT BQ.

[Read more…]

Sorry for the delay in my race report, I am at a loss for how to describe what transpired at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (LBCM) this year. If you did not hear yet, it was HOT. The race was even cancelled 4 hours into it.

Of course, IF I had been on target for my goal, the closing of the race would not have been an issue for me. I was not, however. Unfortunately, my lack of performance was evident right from the start.

The starting line was amazing. I had wondered what 45,000 people would look like. It was so vast that I couldn’t see to the beginning of the start. It was HUGE.

As we stood and waited for the start, sweat was already running down my body. I’d nearly drained one of the bottles in my fuelbelt. But, I tried to convince myself that the heat would not affect me. I held onto Coach’s last words to me. I was ready.

As I passed the mile markers, it was clear that Garminia’s measurements were not in synch with the course measurements. If she was right, I would, at that point, be closer to my goal than I was. The streets were lined with spectators who were all cheering loudly. It was amazing. At the same time, the field of runners stayed heavy the entire way.

I hit the port-a-potties at mile 6. I had known a couple of miles back that my goal would not be achieved. A 10K split that was over 1 hour was evidence of this fact.

It was time to adjust to plan B, running conservatively and using the race as a training. I even toyed with the idea of a DNF (do not finish), but thought better of it due to the sacrifices that the family had made to support me this weekend. I would go the distance.

As the distance wore on, it was harder to want to keep going. The crowds weren’t as encouraging to me anymore – even though they stuck with it throughout. I felt sorry that they had to suffer too. The heat was brutal.

At the aid stations, in spite of the volunteer’s vigorous efforts, the cups weren’t being filled fast enough. I took the time to get a cup of gatorade and a cup of water at each station. Towards the later miles, this was increased too. I am so sorry to read that many who were behind me did not get any. I had no idea. I swear that I didn’t use it to dump over my head though – I drank every drop.

Along the course there were areas where people had their hoses out to offer the runners a spray. I was already dripping wet with sweat from my hat to my shoes. I enjoyed a few good sprays to my face to wash the sweat off. I even picked up a dropped wash cloth to wipe the sweat out of my eyes periodically. There were even a couple of fire hydrants that were cracked open to provide the perfect amount of water to run through.

[Read more…]

The race took it’s toll on me. Thankfully, less so than others. I bid farewell to the family and flew home last night. In spite of the poor racing conditions, I had a great trip.

I am recovering from a bummy ride home. My Dramamine did not do the trick. They only had one blue bag in all of our three seats. I had to steal one from the bathroom. At home, I discovered that my pizza never was digested. I was discarded into my toilet prior to my going to sleep.

Although I am not at all sore, my head was still aching this morning…so I slept until 2 pm.