Kansas Trip and Half Marathon

Saturday morning, Aubry and I headed out into the unknown. Actually, it was just to Wichita Kansas, but unknown to us. We left the house around 9:30 and made the 5 and half hour drive to Shannon and Andy's house. We pulled up around 3:00 ish, unloaded the truck and stretched our tired legs for awhile. It did not take long for Aubry and Payton to take off and be gone for the rest of the day. Shannon took me to see her work place which is really cool. It is an advertising agency and does not have the typical corporate office look or feel. Very quirky, very fun. I loved it. Her office is located in Wichita's quaint downtown area. So while we were there, we grabbed a bite to eat at Sabor (best grilled fish tacos I have ever had). Then we went into a store called Lucinda's where I picked up an obnoxious coffee mug and some writing tables with obnoxious sayings on them. I hope there is a website, because I would love to pick up more obnoxious stuff! After Lucinda's, we went to get some gelato, which was very good. Not heavy like ice cream but tasted just as good. We knew it would not be a late night because we had the 1/2 marathon looming over our heads which was taking place the next day. So we went back to the house and walked around the neighborhood for a while, which was very nice. Very established with tons of trees, nice park, lake area with sidewalks every where. Great running place! After our walk, we called it a night and went to bed. By then it was 10, I think. We had to get up around 6:30 and leave the house at 7:00 to find parking. Normally, I don't think parking would have been an issue but Shannon had read that they expected the turn out to nearly double from what it was last year which would put the number of runners at 1,000. Knowing that, we thought it would be a good idea to leave at a decent time to get parked.

Here we are to Sunday, the morning of the half marathon. I woke up feeling anxious and sick. I knew it was partly because I wanted so desperately to finish. I also knew that this blasted knee injury could potentially keep me from crossing the finish line. I pushed the negative thoughts out of my head and just got out there to do the best I could. Shannon and I chose to be at the back of the crowd because we would rather pass people than be run over by dozens who are faster than us. The race started and we were off. The first 4 miles were great. I felt pretty good. There were times I wanted to take off, but I knew the harder I pounded the pavement, the worse it would be on the knee. A couple of times, there were serious twinges of pain that shot up my leg but I continued on. Miles 4 through 6 were a little bit tougher. We encountered some minor hills that I knew would be a problem for the knee, but I slowed up and tried to be smart about it. We hit a water station at mile marker 6.5 (the turn around point) where most people really slowed up to get their water. Shannon and I did the same thing which I think was a mistake. It threw off our rhythm. Took a little while to get it back and just as soon as we did, I was starting to have serious problems. I ran for as long as I could until I just couldn't take it any more. Around mile 8.0 or 8.5, I told Shannon to keep going, I had to stop to walk off the pain. Unfortunately, I could not just walk off this pain. I ended up finishing the half marathon by doing intervals for the last 5 miles. My time was terrible, my knee was in a lot of pain, and I was in tears. The tears were due to the pain, the sucky time and the fact that I crossed the finish line of a half marathon. It was just an emotional explosion! I was disappointed but then the reality hit, "I completed a half marathon" I don't know many people that can say that. So, I will say it again, "I completed my first half marathon and I am really sore!" I am proud of Shannon and I am proud of me. I think it was a huge accomplishment and it is something I would love to do again, just as soon as I get my knee healthy.

After the half, we went back to the house for showers, ice on the knee, food and a nap.

I feel good!




Shannon with all her tubes, looks like pre-op stuff going on here!



Taken with my phone...not a great pic.


The rest of Sunday was spent taking a nap. I woke up before Shannon did and turned on the TV to catch some football knowing that she would not care too watch it when she got up. She came downstairs around 5:00 and had her laptop with her. I think it permanently attached to her! Although, it did not accompany us on during the 1/2. Any how, she sat down and we chatted a bit while I caught glimpses of the game. Then we took off to Coldstone Creamery. It was our treat to ourselves since both of us have been eating so healthy for so long now. And let me tell you, it was dang good. After the ice cream, we went back to the house to find the TV tuned in to the Cowboys/Packers game. Shannon knows how much I love football and I did have every intention of watching the game on DVR when I got home, but she was cool about it and we watched the first half at the house and the 2nd half a sports bar down the street. We had a couple of alcohol treats and some protein to replenish. It was a nice end to a nice weekend.