you can read part one HERE.
I went to bed Saturday night super optimistic and slept surprisingly well for race eve. We woke up at 6am, I peeked out the window and saw thousands of people already in their corrals. I was once again happy I booked my hotel 6 months from the start so I could stay at the start line. Extra sleep is always nice.
I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a Marathon Bar. I got dressed in a RunningSkirts.com capri skirt, figuring the compression capri’s would give my knee some much needed support. I filled my handheld up with tropical nuun and the pouch with candy corn,my fuel of choice for this race.
We then strolled outside to check out the VIP area. It was indoors, had seating, VIP gear check, and a full breakfast spread. We had a great time chatting with some of the VIP’s and avoiding the humidity.I got a few comments on the super sweet bib Rock ‘n’ Roll had printed up with my Twitter handle.
We headed outside and of course I realized I needed to go to the potty, but not just any potty. I got to “Pee Like A Rockstar” in the Brooks VIP Porta Potties (running a RnR race?I’d check out that link)
(source)
Gu chew while you wait? Running water? Spare tampons if you need them? Yep,they had it all.
Soon enough it was time for the elites to start. The announcers were reminding everyone that it would be hot, that this was “not a day to PR”. At the time it made me giggle…since that’s not exactly a way to pump runners up on race morning, but I understood where they were coming from. They went on to remind runners to hydrate and pay attention to their bodies.
We were supposed to be in corral 10, but the corrals were already moving forward so we squeezed in right and then realized we were in corral 9. I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with someone, in a sea of tens of thousands of runners when the guy taps Charles on the shoulder.I look up and it was my DOCTOR, the one who gave me steroid shots some weeks before. So crazy to end up next to someone you know. He asked how the knee was…I brushed the question off…we made small talk and soon we were starting.
I’m going to be bluntly honest here. My knee was hurting from the word ‘go’. I knew going into this race, in light of the recent injury, that I may not finish. I had made a promise to myself to respect my body. This was no longer a goal race for me, I just wanted to enjoy myself. If the pain got to where I no longer had joy in running, or I felt like I’d injure myself further, then I would stop.
That moment came pretty quickly. We pushed out a couple 9min miles, and with each step I was wincing. I tried speeding up and slowing down, the pain was consistent. It was taking extreme focus to overcome my bodies natural desire to stop the pain. And suddenly I realized I didn’t want to do it. I simply wasn’t willing to push myself to finish, knowing that I may jeopardize a future of running. I knew,even that early on, that the best thing to do was step off course.There was no joy in those miles. I let Charles know what I planned to do, he offered to join me, but I sent him on.
I ran over to a nearby curb, and watched him run until I could no longer see him. And then I started the walk back. I’ll be honest, it sucked. I wasn’t familiar with the city enough to take an alternate route, so I walked on the sidewalk along the course. While I knew I made the right decision, walking the opposite direction from the way the runners were going made me feel like crap. It was like the walk of shame.
I hobbled my way to the finish line area and sat down, took my bib off and put my head in my hands. I sat there and thought about my decision. Did I do the right thing? Could I have pushed through? SHOULD I have pushed through? I have zero doubts that I could have pushed through…but I believe I made the right choice not to.
Soon the elites were coming in and I got caught up in cheering. I was super excited to see Shalane Flanagan win the womens half.
I started seeing tons of people I knew come in, including fellow ZOOMA Ambassador Jennifer, who won 1st in her AG. That lady is crazy fast! I also got to cheer on Kim from my Nuun Platuun team. I just got caught up in cheering and watching for Charles. He came in at just under 2 hours and I rushed off to greet him.
Rock n Roll has designated family meeting areas, organized by the first letter of your last name. This made it super easy to find him in the crazy amount of people. He had scooped up some water and food and had even been given a wet towel at the finish. It was definitely warming up, so he was super thankful for the towel.
Our VIP bands granted us access to a finish line area too, with rumors of champagne, but we had to rush to our hotel to make check out.
This weekend was my first time to DNF. It wasn’t ideal, but despite that I had a fabulous weekend in San Antonio. I’m looking forward to Rock n Roll Las Vegas,whether I walk it or run it.
(sidenote:I had a knee MRI yesterday.Results pending)
I think you made a wise decision. I had to make a decision not to run my 2nd half marathon on 6th December due to 'Plantar fasciitis' which I got about 4 weeks ago. I feel like a droup-out. Well, I'll start marathon school in the beginning of December and I really need to get my foot better asap. Life sucks from time to time!
I think you did the right thing! I'm sure it was so tough though! I hope you are able to rest up, heal, and do awesome in your next marathon!
How disappointing for you, but I'm sure it was the right decision. You know YOU can run those miles…your knee just couldn't. If the early miles were that bad, the rest would've been excruciating. I hope the MRI gives you some answers and you can get your knee resolved.
Thanks again for such an honest race report. I know these aren't the fun ones to write, but I think they're the most valuable. It's a very good thing to see someone handling adversity in such a smart way, and I think it will make it that much easier for your readers to make the difficult, right decision for ourselves if faced with a similar decision.
Fingers crossed on the MRI!
It really sounds like you did the right thing. I hope you find it easier to cope knowing that you did TRY. Like you said earlier, you didn't know how bad it would suck until you gave it a shot, and you did. I commend you for that. Smart move!
Yea that was probably the right thing to do. You don't want to risk anything. They say all the courage lies in just getting to the starting line right?
I saw your DNF on twitter and had been waiting for this update. I feel awful for you but I'm glad you made the right decision. Sitting this one out means there can be more in your future. Who knows if this would've been your last had you pushed through and done some major damage to that knee.
That is hard. I can't say that you made the “right” decision because who would I be to say that but I think you made a good and healthy decision. You'll PT and come back stronger and healthier.
And Charles… I mean I knew he was a fantastic great guy but the fact that he offered to stop with you is just above and beyond the husband call of duty, you know? I mean he trained and prepared for the race too and paid his entry fee but he was willing to quit if you said to. Wow. So to Charles I say you rock and it sounds like you had a great run finishing under 2:00!
That's a tough day. Way to be smart and think about the long run. Literally.
You made the best choice, I think. I'm constantly inspired by your positivity, even though it sucks to try to be positive sometimes. Hoping for the best from your MRI.
I think you made the right decision too. How sucky to have to walk back against the flow of traffic. Good decision. I hope your knee is better for Vegas!!
I think you did the right thing, although it's disappointing
I can't imagine how difficult it was to make that decision but it sounds like it was the right choice. I hope your knee feels better soon!
I'm sure you did the right thing. I hope your MRI results come back with positive news.
I know it sucks to DNF but good for you for listening to your body! Thats important. Hopefully the MRI can help figure out whats wrong and you'll be good as new in no time.
It sounds like you made the best and logical decision. I can only imagine how tough it was for you but you know what your body should do! I pray the MRI helps you get to the source of your pain!
You're doing Vegas??? Meee tooo!! It will be slow- I'm expecting about 3.5 hours… but I *really* hope I see you there!!
Sorry you did not get to finish, but it sounds like you made the right decision. I hope that you get some answers from the MRI.
Good job on making a tough decision, gather yourself and do what you need to in order to heal quickly!
Sounds like I need one of those VIP bands!
I detest large races and I've only done one I'm use to the manageable size crowds due to where I live… I was traumatized (ok maybe being a little over dramatic) after being herded through the Disney Half.
What a tough call to have to make. But you made the right one for you – good job thinking of your body first!
Vegas will be better .. I mean, it is Vegas, how can it not be?!? I'll be keeping my eyes open for you. If you see someone looking like a Denny's/Circus Circus love child — that's me!
There will always be other races. I know that's hard to hear when you wanted to finish THIS one, but it's true. Hope the MRI results are good, and that darn knee feels better quickly.
I guess when you're a seasoned runner (as yourself) a DNF or DNS is bound to happen at some point. Like everyone said, you made the right decisions, and for that I give you major kudos!!!!
A bit disappointing, but I guess you were prepared for it. And the good thing is that you got a great weekend away and got to watch the end of the race, which is always fun.
Tricia–I KNOW how much it hurt you to DNF. I KNOW how much it sucked. BUT–I respect you for doing it. No sense in adding more damage just to reach a finish line. Hoping for a quick solution!
Tough people make tough decisions. You made the decision that was right for you and your body and you will now live to run another day.
See you in Vegas!
it does sound like you made the best decision although i am sure it was beyond tough! hoping you heal quickly and get some answers with the MRI! so awesome you got to see Shalane! i think she is incredible!
I think you did the right thing. It must have been such a difficult decision,but your body and especially your knee will thank you
Sounds like a very smart move.
Great job making the hard, but smart decision!!!! Hope the results aren't as bad as feared!!!
Shalane Flanagan will be the featured speaker in January at the Fort Wayne Track Club banquet. We're super psyched to get the chance to her speak!!!!!
Not an easy choice, but a smart one. Good luck with the MRI!
Tricia – I honor you for listening to your body and thinking about the future. I can only image how disappointing it was for you to not finish when you know (after last year) you could've pushed through it.
Thanks for the race recap! I love reading about your running adventures, and I love your teamwork attitude and the support you gave to your husband and others as they finished the race.
*big hug*
-Leah
Sorry you had to pull out of the race, I'm sure that was no fun at all.
So proud of you for thinking of your future of running. The fact that you didn't want to make the injury worse and you listened to your body was super smart.
Now, heal up and get ready for the next race!!!
DNF ing is no fun! But for the best. Hope the MRI is helpful (but shows nothing serious!) love the twitter bib – you'll have to use it again in another race!
Even though it feels crappy, be glad that you pulled out of the race so you can still run in your future.
even though it sucks, you totally made the right decision…better to dnf than to really do something irreparable!
It definitely sounds like you made the right decision! I hope you heal quickly. Injuries really suck but NEVER second guess taking care of yourself.
I know I'm super late on commenting on this post, but I'm really proud of you for not continuing on your race when you felt pain. That is a very hard thing to do. I guess just keep the faith that you will get better soon.
And that picture of Shalane Flanagan is amazing!!!