A challenge...

The past few days haven't been easy. Thanks for the kind words that some shared. It was much appreciated and needed.

K and I are still working through the fallout from the holiday planning, particularly within the context of the larger issues at play here. It wasn't easy to go to San Antonio with him this weekend and try to act as if I'm fine since we were around our friends.

We went down to SA early yesterday afternoon so that we could pick up our packets from the Expo and get to Gabby's in time for him to watch the Ohio State game that afternoon. Ohio State lost, so as you can imagine it was not a pleasant afternoon. The stomach issues started then - possibly from lunch at EZ's, possibly emotionally based because I knew how much he would be angry and upset if OSU lost. After the game, we all went out for dinner to a really good Italian restaurant (Little Italy). It was very good - I had beef tortellini. But, my tummy really started acting up then. I didn't have a good night's sleep.

5:30 am came early, although we were both sleeping restlessly. Holly called at 5:50 or so - she had driven down from Austin and was already at the start. She's Holly, so of course she was already there before we had even left! K and I got down there and parked at the Alamodome about 6:30 then made the trek over to the Alamo where the race started. Note to race organizers - get a shuttle to transport the runners from the finish to the start 'cause they're about to run 13.1 or 26.2 miles and don't really need that extra 10-15 minute walk beforehand. I'm just saying...

I met up with Holly at the race start and it was funny how relaxed we were both approaching this whole thing compared to how anal we'd both be if this was a marathon or a key race. We heard a cannon go off and I just thought it was ceremonial (like a flyover or something), but it turned out to be the signal to start. Oh, guess we better jump into the start corral! And, off we went.

Today's run was the opposite of my great run in Columbus a few weeks ago. It was very, very warm (it's November in Texas!). I knew within the 1st half mile that my shin pain was not going to go quietly today. I think at that point I knew that it was going to be a long 13.1 miles. I stopped to stretch several times within the first 4 miles and fortunately the pain abated at that point. But, my tummy issues were not going away. I stopped to go to the bathroom at mile 4 - a 10 minute stop, mostly waiting in line for 1 of 2 port-a-potties. Even with all my stopping to stretch, I had managed to make it to mile 4 at about 40 minutes or so. But, I didn't leave that point until 50+ minutes into the race. By then, I was surrounded with a lot of slower folks. I had another (quicker) bathroom stop at mile 7, but my stomach just never seemed to settle down. I was also worried about getting water-logged since it was so warm and I was trying to drink a lot.

There was a never-ending out and back stretch for a couple of miles soon thereafter. That just sucked. I kept looking for Holly and Rob to be coming back in and I finally saw Holly - she assured me that it really does turn around. It was a rough run today, mentally and physically. So far off my PR too. 2007 is turning out to be the year of my PW (personal worst). The race finished inside of the Alamodome, which was pretty cool. I was just glad to be done with that horrible run at that point.

K had a pretty good run, despite GI issues too. I'm proud of him.
*Update - he got 4th in his age group (based on chip time)!*

I have ART tomorrow morning. During my session last Thursday, my "spot" really does seem to be moving down to a very small area on my ankle, particularly on my right leg. It really does seem like progress (despite the reemergence of the pain early during today's run). The doc opted to do ultrasound on my legs instead of anodyne treatment because he felt like that would be better for that area. We'll see how things feel when he works on me tomorrow...