St Jude run...

Running in the St Jude Marathon (and half Marathon) has become a regular event for Jonathan and I. He's run the marathon twice and I've run the half marathon once. We registered early this year to be ready to run again. We both trained over the past few months to get ready. I barely missed getting in under two hours (2:00:01) and was looking forward to trying to beat that time this year.

We left out Friday afternoon. The drive went fine. Donna dropped us off at the Convention Center to get our race packets. That went well also. We checked into our hotels. Jonathan stays at the Doubletree right next to the finish of the race (on Union next to Autozone Park). It minimizes the walk after the race is over. Donna and I stay at the Residence Inn on Monroe a few blocks over. We all went to bed early to be ready.

When I woke up and checked the weather, I was shocked. The forecast all week was for low 40's (a perfect running temperature in my mind). Imagine my surprise to find the temperature at 60 with 85% humidity. There was also a 10-15 mph wind blowing as well. We got down to the start and lined up to go. I made it through the first 6 miles on pace to break 2:00. Then, I just lost it. I couldn't keep up the pace. I was hydrating at every stop, but I could not keep enough liquid in me given the weather. I made it to the end OK, but my time was much slower - 2:09:34. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Donna encouraged me though so I felt a bit better. I found out Donna met up with Amber Tatum (Jim and Donna Faughn's daughter). Jonathan got to run with her husband Jeremiah over the first 13 miles. I went and rested for a bit and we waited for Jonathan. He came in at the same time as last year - 3:51. Given the conditions, I thought he did quite well.

We went back to his room to watch the rest of the UK - North Carolina game. We came close to getting tossed from the hotel I'm sure with our complaints about the NC biased officiating. UK came close but lost by two. I went back to the Residence Inn and spent the afternoon resting and watching football. Later that afternoon, I got take-out from Dyer's on Beale Street. They have excellent burgers and Donna even enjoyed her chicken tender sandwich and fries. I confirmed Jonathan was OK when I delivered his food. Later that evening, Donna and I foraged out to get some dessert. We grabbed some candy and snack cakes at the Family Dollar near our hotel. While walking to the Doubletree, we found store that sold cake. On the way back, Donna got a piece of coconut cake. I went to bed early.

We got up that morning to temperatures in the 30's! We checked out and went to worship at the Getwell church of Christ (which we always enjoy), then headed for home. We ate at Zaxbys in Blytheville (Again, I wish we had one of these at home) and made it home fine. Jonathan was in good spirits since he found the Giants pounding the Redskins.

Was I disappointed? Yes, I was. Anytime you work hard to hit a goal and miss, you feel a bit disappointed, don't you? I've already resolved to run another half in the spring in Nashville. If that goes OK, I may try something new in December. I'll leave you to figure that one out...