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 !!!)