Run Fail & Race Medals

Saturday I was supposed to run the Quarryman Challenge 10 miler.  It was a spur of the moment decision last Sunday to sign up for it.  Well, unfortunately, I woke up to gray skies.  On the way to the run, it started raining and lightening pretty fierce!  On the way, I considered just picking up my packet and going back home.  I really didn't know if I wanted to run 10 miles in the rain.  I got there early and headed to packet pickup.  I waited for some of my friends and we headed to gear check.  We took a group photo (obviously!).  While waiting, the run was delayed for 15 minutes and then delayed again another 15 minutes.  The rain would subside and then begin again.  At this point, I wanted to run it.  I had gotten up early, drove there, waited around.  We thought it was going to go because the rain pretty much stopped so a few of us headed to the bathroom. When I got back, there was some commotion and I asked my friends what happened?  I was informed that the police cancelled the run.  We were all pretty upset!

We went and picked back up our gear and didn't know what to do.  We saw a group of runners start running the course anyway, but since we had our bags, we couldn't follow them.  I opted that we should go to breakfast.  Unfortunately, I was with runners (clearly) and we all decided to go somewhere else to run. The loop we were running was maybe a little short of 3 miles.  We decided to put on the new shirts we got from the Quarryman in defiance of it being cancelled and took another photo. I like this side by side photo (or top/bottom).  Thanks to Kelly for taking it and putting it together.

From left to right (Top Photo) - Kelly, Maggie, Susan, Nicole and Me

We went one time around (2.8 miles...but with a slight detour) and I was completely exhausted.  I tried to figure out what was wrong and realized that it had now been over 3 hours since I ate breakfast.  I took a Gu and hit the trail for another loop by myself.  I let my friends go without me because they were a little faster and I didn't want to slow anyone up or feel like I needed to run faster, since I was already struggling.  I kept changing my mind on how long I wanted to run.  I kept thinking of running 6 miles or 5 miles or 6 miles.  When I got through the second loop, I was at about 5.5 miles and figured I would finish to an even 6 miles.  But of course, I start running and forget that I should probably stop.  I decided 6.5, then 7 miles.  I considered just going through the loop again but decided I should stop at 7 miles and call it a day.  While I ran, it started raining for maybe 5 minutes and we got a good soaking, but it stopped.

So, all in all, it was a bust of a run. I'm still glad I got one in but I've been running since 2003 and I've never had a run cancelled before.  I guess there is always a first time for everything.

On another note, I know many people that do races love to get the medals.  I've never been a person that runs for the medals.  After looking at photos other runners have posted of their medals, I realized I don't even have all of mine.  I have mine hanging on a hook to a curio cabinet in the living room and I only have medals from maybe 2010??  I'm missing 3 of my half marathons (2006, 2008 and 2009).  I've always done the same half marathon in Chicago.  It used to be called the Chicago Distance Classic and I think around 2009, it changed names to the Chicago Rock N Roll Half Marathon.  I've moved twice since running my first half marathon and moved in my house in 2009 (November).  So I'm thinking maybe these medals are packed somewhere (since I've never completely unpacked some things).  I decided to lay out the medals I do have for a photo.

The medals that I know where they are (left to right): 1. 2012 Illinois Marathon, 2. 2011 Chicago Marathon, 3. 2011 Chicago Rock N Roll Half, 4. 2011 YMCA Half in Plano, IL, 5. 2011 Capital City Half in Columbus, 6. 2010 Rock N Roll Chicago Half.

Left to Right: 2 of my charity athlete medals from my charity group, my 2nd place triathlon medal and the medal we got for participating in triathlon (two medals for the same thing!)

What I've noticed is that Chicago Rock N Roll Half needs to work on their neck ribbons for the medals (totally plain!! lol).  Maybe one day soon, I'll find the other medals that I'm missing for my other half marathons.  I'm also wanting somewhere to put these medals.  What do you do with your race medals?  I'm going to get a few more this year and my current place is in disarray!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!  We are celebrating it next week because it works out better for my family.  I actually may be visiting another full marathon next week to support my friend Susan. Just working out the logistics since it's not too local (couple hour drive) and my car is a piece of...well anyway...more on this later!