While I didn’t expect to hit a PR in Houston, I also didn’t expect to do worse than I did in the blazing heat of the Rochester Half 2008. Alas! I could have titled this post “How Not to Walk a Half Marathon.” Basically, everything that could go wrong, did. I didn’t eat enough the night before the race, didn’t hydrate enough, and slept for only about an hour. What a nightmare! Then I started off way too fast, trying to keep up with Long Legs Whittaker… We did a 12-minute first mile. By mile seven I was reeling on my feet, and by mile ten I was shivering and had goosebumps even though it was 70 degrees. Yikes! I was really dehydrated and was probably suffering from hypoglycemia. Ironically, a roll of Life Savers may have saved my life. Ha! So, I know now to eat way more pasta, drink way more water, sleep without someone who snores, and walk alone. Lessons learned!

Aside from those hours of hell, Texas was fun! Lisa qualified for Boston in 2010, and Kyle qualified for 2009. Congrats to both! The first picture is of Lisa, Justin, and me standing in the super-short port-a-potty line before the race, taken with my cell phone. And the picture above is of our bibs. (It was awesome to have my name printed on it, so total strangers could shout personal encouragement to me as I was dragging myself along the course!) And here’s a picture of the three of us with all of our Houston swag, medals included:

When I first crossed that finished line and hobbled across the convention center to get my medal and finisher’s t-shirt, I vowed I would never do another half marathon for the rest of my life. Four days later, I’m starting to think that might have been a bit premature. We’ll see! More pictures from the weekend here. And here’s one last shot, taken on the course. Clearly before my physical breakdown. Ha! (You can see more official pictures of me, Mrs. Wesneski, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Wills, and Mr. Whittaker by going here.)