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kattzoo
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Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 3813
Location: Happily at the back of the pack
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 Posted: 02/28/04 - 19:07 Post subject: Cowtown
Short version...windy, hilly, didn't do nearly as well as I hoped, somewhere in the 5:20 range (forgot to shut off my watch and was not in any shape to be looking). I can honestly say, I ran this one as hard as I could. (and that's pathetic)
Long, boring version... Got downtown at 6:30am, met my team at Pizza Uno's which was right at the start. One of the guys on the team is the manager so we had shelter from the cold and a place to drop our stuff. I went out about 15 minutes from the start and a woman approached me and asked if she could interview me. I should have paid more attention when I said yes, because it was for TV!
Start went well, the first mile was downhill, the ONLY downhill on the course. Went out the first 3 miles way too fast, even though I was trying to slow down. The hills started around 4, and didn't stop, ever. The wind was fierce, about 30 mph gusts, and didn't get to our back until 26. (Texas is amazing, the wind blows in all directions) I hit the hills way, way to aggressively on the first half, and paid for it dearly later. My knee screamed at me from mile 14 on. 15-17 was flat, and then the hills started again. Miles 24-25.5 were uphill. Who makes an uphill finish??
Bad stuff: entire right leg hurt due to stupid knee, no crowd support, HILLs, wind.
Good stuff: weather was perfect, besides the wind. It was cool and overcast. My husband met me several times during the course, which was very cool. I saw several cool runners who were out on the course, that was a huge boost. RachelK even made a sign for me!!! Bburgoyne26 was at mile 17, it was great to see him. Our team had a party tent at mile 21, and they had tons of supplies for us. Several of them ran a bit with us, passing us water, gu, and I can't swear to it, but I think Sherri actually had a mermosa while we ran. They then packed up and met us at the finish, where once again, they ran me in. I love them.
My coach and friend was incredible during this. We were on target to break 5 hours until 14 or 15, and then I just had nothing left in my legs. The cushion we built disappeared, but she was always encouraging, and reminded me I was still going to get a heck of a PR. As the wind really picked up those last few uphill miles she ran in front of me to block some of the wind. She was absolutely fabulous.
As we rounded the corner to the finish, everyone from our team was waiting and ran us in. Janiel had water for me, John ran ahead and got my solar blanket. Sherri told me to go through the chute first, which was very nice, and my husband was waiting on the other side. I forgot to shut off my blasted watch, but guess it was somewhere around 2:25 or so. I can honestly say, I ran this one as hard as I could. I should have been much more conservative at the front end.
Now, I'm looking forward to 25-30 mile weeks, and long runs of 10-13. I'm still swearing no more marathons, but Chicago sounds tempting...  I don't think I'll run Cowtown again, but will definitely go watch and cheer those poor suckers on.
Thanks for all your support here. You guys are the best!!
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 02/28/04 - 20:08 Post subject:
You tried a new strategy that didn't work - live and learn. You got a PR, and you ran your best. Very nice job!
Though I loathe you because you're faster than me at that distance now. 
Seriously, katt, running a marathon less than three months after the last one is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. The next one will be even better!
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 02/28/04 - 20:15 Post subject:
Congrats on the PR, and finishing 'thon #2. Well done
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 02/28/04 - 21:34 Post subject:
I've not read a lot of 'thon reports, but from those I have, this easily sounds like the worst so far as conditions. Just to finish, let alone with a PR, is something to feel good about. Proud of you for not quitting - it could have been real easy to do that. That says a lot about you.
I hope your leg is feeling better. And if you do run Chicago, I'll make it a point to look for you!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 02/28/04 - 21:51 Post subject:
26 windy, hilly miles is 
your support team sounds fantastic. congratulations on finishing your second marathon.  hope the knee doesn't keep you down long.
great job on the PR too kattzoo. 
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Zatoichi
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Joined: 24 Jan 2004
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Posted: 02/28/04 - 22:08 Post subject:
Pathetic is not a word I would use to describe a PR under those conditions.
Heroic would be more like it.
American poet James Dickey once said that you could go through your entire life in these United States without ever finding out whether or not you were a coward. I now have the chance to find that out every week. The race has become my theater for heroism, and of all the races, there is no better stage for heroism than a marathon.
- Dr. George Sheehan
Omedeto gozaimasu!
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bburgoyne26
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Joined: 16 Sep 2003
Posts: 2959
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
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Posted: 02/28/04 - 23:22 Post subject:
Way to go kat!....you were looking good and seemed in good spirits when I saw you....looks like the hill went right up Trail Lake right after mile 17....yes, for those who don't know, Ft. Worth has some good hills.....
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Noley
AZhat
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Joined: 16 Aug 2003
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 03:31 Post subject:
Awesome job Kattzoo!
I am so proud of what you did and the outcome of your race.
You perservered through rough weather, pain in your knee and the challenge of the hills at the end.
What a feat in itself.
You took on the mental and physical challenge of it all!
Incredible results and job!
26.2 x 2 Kat! Another one done!
Awesome!
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 11:15 Post subject:
Sounds like a job well done to me--good for you for sticking it out and PR'ing as well!! Rock on Kattzoo!!!
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AlaninTX
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 6582
Location: Austin, Texas
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 17:30 Post subject:
You rock Kattzoo! Good work on a tough course. The winds were not much help either. Have a few and rest.
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runaroundsue
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Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Posts: 6629
Location: supporting GREENer pastures
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 17:39 Post subject:
sounds like they can change the course....but not the conditions. I did cowtown back in '99 and landed in the medical tent. Let's just say that their medical staff is very thorough 
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Sahara
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Joined: 17 May 2002
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Posted: 02/29/04 - 23:33 Post subject:
Incredible run katt! Kudos to you for conquering those hills!!
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 03/01/04 - 11:10 Post subject:
If you didn't swear off marathoning right after you finish 26.2 stinkin' miles...then we'd worry. Good goin' Kat!!!
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RachelK
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Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 63
Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: 03/01/04 - 13:33 Post subject:
Kat I was so glad that you yelled out as you went by. I was afraid that I might miss you but I was looking for the Run On shirt. I saw you pointing at your sign and then knew it had to be you. Having you yell out my name and then Thanks was great!! I had been looking for you and Ray and got to see both of you. My Aunt was taking pictures and I don't have them back yet. I'm not sure if she got one of you but I'll let you know.
I ran the 10K on that course and it sucked! Y'all have rolling hills and major wind. I felt for the runners at mile 24 with that damn hill right around the corner. You looked really good when you passed us. Even had enough breath to yell out at us. Sorry to hear how bad you were hurting, I couldn't tell by watching you glide by us.
You deserve a huge Congrats! And how awesome that your group was so supportive at the race.
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kattzoo
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Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 3813
Location: Happily at the back of the pack
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Posted: 03/01/04 - 13:42 Post subject:
| RachelK wrote: | Kat I was so glad that you yelled out as you went by. I was afraid that I might miss you but I was looking for the Run On shirt. I saw you pointing at your sign and then knew it had to be you. Having you yell out my name and then Thanks was great!! I had been looking for you and Ray and got to see both of you. My Aunt was taking pictures and I don't have them back yet. I'm not sure if she got one of you but I'll let you know.
I ran the 10K on that course and it sucked! Y'all have rolling hills and major wind. I felt for the runners at mile 24 with that damn hill right around the corner. You looked really good when you passed us. Even had enough breath to yell out at us. Sorry to hear how bad you were hurting, I couldn't tell by watching you glide by us.
You deserve a huge Congrats! And how awesome that your group was so supportive at the race. |
You made my day! Really. At that point, I just wanted someone to remove my right leg. I had slowed down horribly, and then I saw you and my sign. I loved it!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I heard the 10k had it's share of wind and hills too. Did you have to come back up that same hill we did. That was just wrong. Very, very wrong. Hills like that should not be at the end of any race.
[scroll:493119a4dc]THANK YOU!!!![/scroll:493119a4dc]
And thanks to everyone else for their kind words. If I mention doing another marathon before fall, someone put me out of my misery.
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