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A Year Ago...

A year ago today, I took 42 minutes off my marathon PR. I had the race of my life, and continued to follow it up with more and more races of my life.

Just over a year ago, I could barely sit still as the prospect of smashing my PR danced in and out of my mind day and night. I checked the weather 20 times a day starting 15 days out, and made sure to report it to everyone who cared or did not care. I was as excited as a kid at Christmas.

This year things are much different. I am running the half marathon instead. This will be the first time in 5 years I have not run the Houston Marathon. I'm having trouble with this, but at the same time I know I have no business running a full marathon right now and probably could not even make the 6 hour cutoff.

Amazing what can happen in a year...or really just a few short months. Just over 3 months ago I set another marathon PR, but since then I have barely been able to run and have been searching for answers to what might be going on with my body. My long run last Saturday was at the same heart rate as my half marathon PR I set last February, however I was running 3 minutes/mile slower. And that was still hard. That heart rate was 182...not normal for a run at 11:45 pace.

I have driven down University to get to the Med Center more times than I can count in the last 2-3 weeks, and each time I turn onto the street I am overcome with sadness - sadness that for the first time in 5 years I will not be running down University in the marathon. It is my favorite part of the entire course - the neighborhood gets together and puts out American flags that line the street on both sides, along with gorgeous Oak trees. I have been overcome with emotions of all kinds each year I have run that part of the course. I can never hide the tears of pure joy running down my face as I run down that street. Now I can't hide the tears of frustration, of fear, of sadness, and of anger at myself for being so upset in the first place (yes...I am a girl!).

I am excited about this weekend though because my best friend in the whole wide world is coming to run her first marathon. And I'm excited that she is going to kick total butt. She is a machine. I am also excited that I get to return her favor to me and run her in for the last 2 miles of her first marathon. She was there for me for my first three marathons - at mile 20 each time - ready to run/walk/cry/crawl those last 6 miles with me - whatever I needed, she was there. Who knows, she might not even need me at mile 24 on Sunday, and it is quite possible that running her in will be more for me than her, but that is ok, and I will be ok.
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26.2 Princess said…
Kathleen, I'm so sorry you are bummed! I think you will have a great half though, and you will finish the day with a great sense of pride by returning that special favor to your friend!
January 14, 2009 at 1:23 PM
clea said…
Sorry to hear it's been so rough the last few months. All I can offer is...if you gotta go slower, so be it. It is all about just being out there. PRs are overrated :)
January 14, 2009 at 8:02 PM
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