Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wednesday Workout Update - Half Catch Up

First, I want to thank you all so much for your comments on my Seawall recap post. I appreciate what everyone wrote, and I need to tell you all that while it's true that I was the one who ran the race, all of your encouragement along the way really helped get me through those 13.1 miles. So thank you very, very much!

Now I know you are probably shocked to read this (ha!), but I actually have MORE to say about the half. In no particular order, here goes:
  • The baby toe on my left foot was bothering me from about mile 8 on. Imagine my surprise when I took my shoes and socks off later to discover a blister almost the size of the entire toe. No wonder it was hurting!
  • My supply-filled gym bag worked out great pre-race, but when Jeff asked me if he should have it at the end, I said it wouldn't be necessary. Of course I forgot that, and the last few miles of the run I couldn't wait to be done so I could rip the shoes and socks off my feet and put on my flip flops. Which were in the bag. Which was in the car. Sigh...best laid plans.
  • Somehow I never connected that I would be outside, in the sun, at the beach, for hours during this run. Sunscreen? What??? I ended up with a sunburn on the back of my neck - ironic considering I spent time at the beach in both California and Hawaii this year, and never got sunburned. My own backyard? Buurrrnn. Defenses down, apparently.
  • I have a new appreciation for Aquaphor after I stepped into the shower on Saturday afternoon, only to discover my Chafe of the Week: on my side, rubbed raw by my sports bra band. I hopped out, covered the angry red welt with the Aquaphor, and was able to shower without screaming.
  • Partway through the race, maybe around mile 5, both Jenny and I noticed that our hands and fingers were really swollen - it was bizarre. Never had that happen before!
  • Not only did I forget to bring my foam roller and/or Stick to help with recovery after the race, I couldn't take an ice bath as our hotel room only had a shower stall. I was definitely sore for a few days afterward, but not bad enough that I had to take any Motrin, which was surprising to me.
  • I did have a massage on Monday, which was WONDERFUL. Very nice reward!
  • Music was playing at Moody Gardens when we ran the last mile - I cracked up when the song "Stayin' Alive" came on...very appropriate!
And now a few more pictures from Saturday:

This was at Stewart Beach, where the half started. I have no idea what those wood structures are on the beach - giant croquet set, maybe?
That black dot on my leg? Mosquito. They were swarming us before the race began!
I had to include this picture of Kelly - she is so beautiful, both inside and out.
See the horizontal plaque waaay above my head, near the top of the door frame? That is the high water mark for Hurricane Ike - and this was in the Strand area of Galveston, which is over two miles inland...it was really incredible to walk around and see the remnants of the devastation that the hurricane brought on back in 2008. Equally impressive was the number of businesses that had rebuilt after being under water...we really enjoyed our short visit to Galveston and plan on returning again.

I'll be earning my Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow by running a Turkey Trot 5K - and I signed up my family, too! Max will run with me (he better not leave me in the dust), while Sam and Jeff will walk the 5K. And then, I will do my best to not overeat...to all of my American readers, I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

15 comments:

  1. I remember reading your recap and thinking to myself "That's all she had to say about the race?" - glad to hear a little more. So sorry about the blisters and hurties on the way. You completed a tough race.

    I, too, was so impressed with Galveston and very surprised with how beautifully things have been rebuilt. Even out on the Boliver Peninsula things are taking shape again. I can remember looking around and thinking "It's only been two years since Ike?". Amazing story of resilience, for sure - just like running a half.

    We were thinking about popping back down there over the Christmas break and it looks like there will be plenty of modest places left to rent. Not everything was washed away and not everything is being built back on a grand scale and out of our price range.

    Your family turkey trot sounds like so much fun! We are getting a blast of Artic cold on Turkey day, so I don't know that I will venture out much.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Shelley.

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  2. So sorry to hear about the chafing, and blisters but they do go with running especially long distances.
    Living in Florida and having been wiped out by hurricane Charlie I can attest to people rebuild and life goes on.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  3. Shelley that's so cool you and your family will all be doing that 5K tomorrow. I've read Jeff's comment on your previous post and think it was very sweet.

    But what about your boys: they must be so proud of their mom!

    Again: I'm so proud of you, you did it! You inspired me and I've signed up for my first half in April too. No turning back!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. That picture on the beach looks surreal. And the picture with the sign of ike water--just amazing. The power and ferocity of water is astounding to me.

    I was so glad to read more about your adventure. Very sorry about the owies--yikes what are you doing about the blister??

    Sounds like a super duper Thanksgiving day!

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  5. Shelley, I just wanted to pop back in to tell you how thankful I am that you choose to be a part of the blogging community. Your generosity of spirit, unflagging enthusiasm and positive attitude are such an inspiration to see. Thank you for all you've done for me and for those who read you. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  6. Oh, oh, oh, oh,
    Staying alive, staying alive!
    ♪♫♬♫♬
    I hope this is the best Holiday Season ever
    for you, your family, and you family of friends!
    We have alot to be thankful for!

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  7. Massage on Monday! Best.decision.ever! Good luck in your 5k tomorrow. I did a virtual one the week after my first half and limped my way through it.

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  8. Darn it, Shelley. You got me all ready eyed again. I think you're a sweetheart too. The best thing about blogging is the people you meet.

    That's so cool that all of you are doing a 5k. Love that! We're doing a virtual one at dailymile.com.

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    PS: no pics from LaKing? :)

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  9. I really enjoyed reading about your Galveston adventures. My son was born in Galveston almost four years ago. We adopted him, so it was a very emotional occasion for us there, and it makes your posts about your time there even more special for me. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Just as much fun reading more about your adventures and seeing photos. High freakin waterline. Mosquitos are too big.
    Aquaphor is grand - I use it a lot, and Trader joes makes a lavender scented scrub with oil that I use on my feet that has turned them into babysoft pedals of lymphedema'd wonder.
    You should try it.
    Trader Joe's Lavender Body Salt Scrub that has apricot oil, lavender oil, almond oil, avocado oil and smells insanely good. I do not work for them. I just wanted to recommend something that gives similar results (in my experience) to aquaphor.

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  11. Love the pics!!! I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend with your family Shelley. :)

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  12. Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Miss Shelley. Blessings to you and your family.

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  13. Funny that you mention your fingers swelled for the first time. Mine swell on every single run.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Shelley - I am so thankful that I found your blog and that you share with us!

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  14. "Stayin' Alive" hysterical.
    Love Aquaphor. My kids all suffered from eczema and have bathed in it.
    Did you get runners black toes? I did, one even fell off.
    GROSSEST. THING. EVER.

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  15. Ouch - no wonder your pinky toe hurt! That's weird because I don't remember you mentioning you've gotten blisters before?!

    Have a wonderful Turkey day - its almost noon and I am still in my jammies, but have been cooking all morning - shocking, I know!

    Hugs!

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