13.1 and Stranger Puke

TJ and I ran our 3rd half marathon this last Sunday.  It was a big day for a lot of the people as it was 10/10/10 and many of them were running a 10k.  They said that 800 more people signed up for the race the night before, making it quite the large shin-dig. 

But we weren't there for the 10k (6.21 miles).  We were there for the 13.1 miles.  So off we went.  We were the very last people to cross the start, as I HAD to use the Honey Bucket.  No biggie, we bolted through the crowds of runners and got to our comfortable spot.  And there we stayed for the long haul.

It's funny the things that I associate with running now.  Like Stranger Puke.  Yep, it's what you see on the side of the race trail.  Puke.  Someone's you don't know.  It's just a fact of the run.  Some because they ate too much that morning, some because they drank too much the night before, some, because they just think it's the cool thing to do on a long run.  Honestly, I don't know. It's Stranger Puke.  I'll never know it's owner.  But you see it, and run on.

We didn't finish this race with our best time.  It was hard.  No. It was a BEAST.  I remember repeating that over and over in my head around miles 7-9.  I knew we were gonna hit Doomsday at around mile 9, but I didn't realize there were like 4 mini Doomsdays before that.  It was killer.  But we did it.  And I didn't leave any Stranger Puke of my own.  So if nothing else, that's something.

I can say that I'm a little burnt out with the 1/2 marathon.  I want to keep doing races, but I think I would like to mix it up a little more next season.  Maybe more 5ks that test my speed, some 10ks to test my endurance, and then maybe...do I even say it....maybe, I'll do a full marathon.  Ugh.  I said it.  And I swore to TJ I would never want to do one.  But I've found I'm actually a pretty decent runner.  I'm not the fastest, but I'm also not the slowest, and seeing the improvement in yourself is really encouraging.  I know I can do a 1/2.  But can I do a full?  I don't know.  I'll take the winter to feel it out.  No decisions have to me made right away.

But now it's on to the "off" season, I guess.  No more plans to race, but the desire to keep on running.  I will have to get to know my treadmil a little more.  Anyone want to join me?