Tuesday 26 March 2013

The Run That Nearly Didn't Happen

Sunday was D-Day for the Brisbane Twilight Run.  The race that I had entered so many months ago when I was really motivated and committed to a healthy me, was happening.  The main problem was, I was not the same lady who entered and I wasn't sure I wanted to do it !

We went up on Saturday (thank goodness) to collect my 'race pack' (read 'racing number, vest (which doesn't fit given my weight gain) and pages of advertising gumph') which was great because an accident along Coronation Drive on Sunday ate into the extra time that we had allowed ourselves to get there with plenty of time to spare.

We left home at 3pm for an event that was just on an hour away at 5pm.  At 4.56pm I think I made it to the starting area - I can tell you that I was not in a great frame of mind at that point !!!!!!

We had the brain wave to go via town seeing as Coronation Drive was a parking lot - what we had forgotten about was Brisbane Roar were playing at Suncorp Stadium - soooooooooooooooo the quicker way we thought we were going, was not that quick.  I don't know if it would have  been quicker to stay on Coronation Drive or not - we didn't find out.

We were apparently '5 mins - UQ is just around the corner' away when three corners later and streams of cars at each turn did nothing to slow down my heart.  A 'suggestion' (by the driver of the car) of maybe trying to go another way saw A (the driver) cop a heap of abuse from me - totally unfairly - it was my race I should have known where we had to go but because he has done so much work at the uni lately, I expected him to know what I had to be for my race !!!!

The race started and off I set - not very comfortable because I knew I hadn't done enough training and not only that, I am carrying 15kgs more than I was the last time I ran a 10km race.  There were plenty of water tables which was great.  I stopped and drank at each table - mainly to get my breath back but also because I am totally clumsy and cannot, if my life depended on it, drink out of silly little plastic cups while I am running !

Apparently I missed A the first time he saw me and was shouting to get my attention (I have tried to explain to him that when I am running there is very little that will distract me but clearly he thinks he has a greater pull for me than just 'any' distraction !!!!!!)  I did see him as I rounded the corner to go onto the bridge - mainly because there wasn't anyone close to me and he was standing on the railing, waving his arms and shouting my name !!!  That gave me a little oomph to get over the bridge.  At that point it had started to spit a little - but it was all good.

Fast forward another 2kms to just after the 4km mark - and the rain starts to come down.  By 5.5km, the wind is blowing so much I am having trouble just trying to walk into the wind, never mind trying to run into the wind.  The rain is hitting us horizontally and stinging like hell.  I spend a couple of steps trying to decide whether I can see better with my glasses on, with the rain on them or without them.  I finally decide that maybe without them is better so take them off and shove them in my bra.  They last about 6 steps in there and then I lose them - into the river that is now running along the road where we are trying very  hard to run, ankle deep in water, in the dark.  Some very kind lady behind me stops and helps me feel around for them and she eventually finds them - uncrushed thank goodness - so now I have to run the last 4kms carrying my glasses.  Not a major issue - just a pain in the jack.

At about 7km my legs felt so good, I even managed to speed up a little - well as much as you can when you are running in a river !!!  7km-9km were great !  My phone rang at 8.3km - it was A to say that the race had been called off (he forgot to mention that it was the 21km race that had been called off not the 10km as we still had to get to the end anyway) - anyway, I carried on and nearly missed him waiting at another spot along the way, cheering me on and bringing tears to my eyes (not that anyone could see thank goodness because of the rain still p*ssing down.)  At one point I wondered if the race was ever going to end - the 10km turned into 10.2km - still no end in sight (mainly because it is so bloody dark and still raining !!!) - turned into 10.4km - finally I could see the end.  Onto the athletics track and through the finish post (10.57km).  A must have sprinted from where he saw me last to the finish line as he was there as I came out the other side.

We walked up to the car and he opened the boot of the car and stood with the brolly over me to allow me to get out of my soaking wet clothes to put on the painting clothes that I had thrown into the car at the last minute before we left.  He suggested taking clothes to change into after the race, I was all "Na, can't be bothered - will just put a towel on the seat and change when I get home" - but I have been caught out a few times before when he has suggested something and I haven't done it when I should have.  So again, thank you Love for suggesting I take spare clothes to change into once the race was finished.

We left - I have no idea how long it took us to get out of the uni or to get home, when we got home I did see that A had stopped to buy some KFC, but I slept most of the way. Sleeping seems to be my most favoured past time over the past few weeks

Honestly, that man deserves a sainthood (I don't know if non-Catholics can get it but he certainly deserves it) - he has put up with the biggest amount of cr*p from me recently - the tears and the tantrums, the mood swings and the irritability, the tiredness and the weight gain, the pimples and the night sweats - he truly must love me because I have thought recently that, if I was him, I would have kicked me out already.

This is my last run until I lose this weight.  I will walk and I will cycle (only because we have entered a bloody event and I have to train for that !!) but I won't be running for a while.  The chaffing on the top of both of my arms is agonising today. 

While this wasn't the best run I have ever had, I did finish, and I wasn't last - so I was happy about that.  20 mins slower than my previous 10km run but I figured that carrying an extra 15kgs will probably do that to my time - add in the cr*ppy weather, the rivers we had to run through and the dark and I should probably be really happy that I finished at all !!!!!!

To my very dear, long suffering husband - you will never know just how important you are in my life.  I honestly don't know what I would do without you.  Your love, patience, understanding, support and strength are just amazing.  I know we promised to love each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health but I truly never imagined that I would give you the hard time that I have been giving you because of what my body is going through.  You are my rock and I love you more than words can say.

Because it is Tuesday it is time to link in with Essentially Jess for IBOT !

TFTD : I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

(PS - during the night I was lying in bed and realised that A would have to die in order to be made a saint so I think that maybe, for now, he shouldn't be made a saint, he should stay exactly as he is !!!)

42 comments:

  1. Yay!!!!!! So glad you tried and so glad you made it to the end. You are a super star. In fact you are superer than a super star!

    Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you lovely

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    1. Thank you my lovely friend !!!!!!
      Have a great Tuesday !
      Love, hugs and positive energy.
      Me

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  2. Brilliant! It was lucky you didn't lose your glasses to the 'river'! What an amazing effort, I would have been shooting for not passing out.. you did fantastic!

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    1. Thanks Sophie - it certainly was an experience to go through !!!!
      Have a fantastic week !
      Me

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  3. Sorry that it rained - that would have sucked. More importantly, I love the last paragraph ode to your husband - I hope you showed him. We often say it to ur friends but not the person who deserves to hear it.
    Hope you're colour run is more fun...it will be for sure~!

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    1. Thanks L/M - I haven't shown him the paragraph but I have told him those same words on more than one occasion recently.
      I know the colour run will be more fun - even if it rains !!! Am seriously thinking about doing the Sydney colour run as well - see how I manage with this one.
      Have the best day !
      Love, hugs and positive energy !
      Me

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  4. oh man, you are a better and tougher woman than I, dear L. What a nightmare that sounds like! But I can't imagine how proud you are of yourself for doing it. I'd have been a no-show I think! way to go my dear! xo

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    1. LOL and thank you !! You would have been fine. I came really close to being a no-show especially after abusing A because we weren't there !!! If the shoe had been on the other foot I probably would have told him to just walk and left him there !!!!
      Thank goodness he is more rational than I am.
      Have the best time with your visitors !
      Love, hugs and positive energy.
      Me

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  5. Well done...despite all, you finished. A gold star effort!

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    1. Thanks Jen - sorry I haven't been around much - so much happening and social media has taken a back seat.
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  6. WOW!!! Congrats!!! Totally awesome post and totally awesome run!!! My legs hurt from reading it.. I have done 5 km walks etc.. but never runs.. maybe next year!

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    1. Thanks Yvette. I started out with walking and then slowly started to run - you'll get there - it truly is a great past time !!
      Have a great day !
      Me

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  7. Well done you!!!! You've got me scared now. I've entered the 5km Colour Run just for a bit of fun in 3 weeks time and only just started training now. Woopsy!

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    1. Oh Alex - that is so good. I am doing the Colour Run also but probably won't be running it. Good luck with your training - the Colour Run truly is a fun run - enjoy !!!
      Maybe we can catch up there ?
      Love, hugs and positive energy !
      Me

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  8. Oh this has made me feel so teary. I'm very fond of your hubby and I've never even met him! A big well done to you. I've never done at 10km run and just the thought is terrifying but you know one day I will do one and it'll be because of reading posts like this. So inspiring.

    You'll get through this menopause nonsense! We all will, and be glad to be on the other side!!

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    1. Thanks Seana - for sure we will all be glad to be on the other side !!! I was saying to my osteo today that I think this is my karma for having such an easy pregnancy !!!!
      I know that one day you will run a 10km event because you are one strong and amazing lady !
      Have the best Easter !
      Me

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  9. Well done for completing the race through such crappy conditions. I did City 2 SUrf last year and it was freezing cold and after the run I cramped up like crazy. It was horrible, I can't beleive I am about to sign up to do it again. My hubby is like yours, he could be a saint but way more precious here with me :)

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    1. Someone asked me the question - why did you sign up for it ? And really - it was because at the time I truly felt like it was a great idea. I didn't realise just how much my body was going to change. Having said that, I can't wait to get back to running.
      The year that I did the City 2 Surf the weather was fantastic - the hills were a killer but the weather was great !!!
      Have a great day - thank goodness for wonderful husbands - where would we be without them ?
      Love, hugs and positive energy !
      Me

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  10. Aww I have a wee tear in my eye, what an amazingly thorough description of the run, wow, losing glasses, pelting rain, but everytime you saw A my heart skipped a beat for you and I just imagined if that was me and the Husband. GO YOU - what a legend, I am super proud of and for you. You're a strong woman. Em x

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    1. Thanks Em ! It certainly is a run that I won't forget for a long long time !!!
      Have the best week !
      Me

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  11. Wow - just to start was pretty incredible, but to finish is fabulous. Well done you!
    Becc @ Take Charge Now

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    1. Thanks Becc - hope you had a great long weekend !
      Me

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  12. Ugh BVegas traffic :(
    Way to go doing a 10km in those horrible conditions.
    Your story is funny (even though I'm guessing it didn't feel too funny at the time) ;)
    Is it a road bike or MTB race you are going in next?
    Cheers, Katy (sitdownmummy.com)

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    1. LOL - there was a time when I did chuckle to myself on the run because I knew if I didn't laugh I was going to cry !!
      It's a road race from Bne to Wynnum and back (no cycling training done this weekend :(
      Have a great day !
      Me

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  13. I am in awe of you for tackling a run like that. And yes, slight downfall to being a saint is they have to be dead first LOL!

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    1. Thanks Janet - honestly, no need to be in awe - it really isn't as great as it sounds !!!
      Have the best short week !
      Me

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  14. Oh my Lordy, how impressive is that fortitude? I take my hat off to you for finishing. I reckon 10kms on a fine day would kill me, so I'm really in awe.
    Your description of your love got me right where it counts. We need our rocks, don't we?

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    1. For sure we need our rocks Mrs Holsby - I don't know where I would be without mine.
      Have a fantastic day !
      Me

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  15. That is a HUGE achievement! Honestly I think I would struggle to run 10kms these days. It's been absolutely ages since I ran at all, so I'm sure it would be very hard. I think you've done an amazing job

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    1. Thanks Jess - hope you had a great Easter !
      Have the best short week !
      Me

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  16. I don't know what I am more affected by - the description of that hideous run or the beautiful words you have for your husband. What a great read - and well done on completing. The glasses in the river would have been the end of me.

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    1. Thanks Rachel - he truly is an amazing man and my bestest friend in the whole wide world !
      I was just grateful that I managed to find them - unbroken !
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  17. Wow - what a massive achievement. I can't run to save myself. And what a beautiful support team you have in your husband. You should be really proud. Xx

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    1. Thanks Kim - I certainly couldn't do it without his support.
      Hope you had a great Easter break.
      Me

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  18. I have a confession...last year at my peak fitness I set the 10 k Twilight run as my goal for this year. Unlike you I piked out - becuase due to various reasons I hadn't done the training and I'm also carrying extra weight than when I set the challenge for myself. After reading this I feel like such a wuss :(

    So a massive well done and congratulations from me for pushing through it even when you must have wanted to give up at times. You're my hero :)

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    1. Oh - you are so not a wuss !!!! When the time is right, you'll do it (and if you let me know I'll be there to cheer you on !!!)
      Thank you for the compliments - I really appreciate them.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  19. You did it, congratulations, I would never consider running my knees wouldn't take it. Be proud, as I read I was there with you xxx

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    1. Thanks Rae - glad I managed to convey the race to my readers.
      Have the best day !
      Me

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  20. You are such an inspiration! Well done on running and seeing it through and good luck in finding your way back to optimal health and condition again!

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    1. Thanks Kirsty - I'm so hanging out for being completely over all of this !
      Have the best day and take the time that you need for yourself - we will be here when you come back.
      Love, hugs and positive energy !
      Me

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  21. Such a fabulous achievment!! Congratulations lovely, can't believe you ran through that horrible storm we got! xx

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    1. LOL - the funny thing is that by the time the storm hit - I was probably the furtherest away from the finishing line - and nobody was coming out to pick us up as far as we knew - the marshalls had gone and it was just a case of 'keep on running' until we found the finish line !
      Hope you had a great Easter break.
      Me

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I love getting comments - please feel free to leave a comment to let me know you were here !
Have the best day.

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