It is permanent

E and I discussed our plans for our family shortly before, and then after, Meeghan was born. We both decided that two children were enough for us. He agreed to have a vasectomy done, and started the process about a month after Meeghan was born. However, the Navy changed his plans and he had to delay it...until last Friday. E finally had the procedure done (almost two years later). I was so dang happy. A part of me thought I would be sad knowing that we wouldn't have more kids, but I wasn't. I think that is a pretty good sign that I am content with the family we have. I am also glad that he volunteered to do it. My body hates hormonal birth control so birth control is limited for me. Thankfully, he didn't see it as an end to his manhood and was okay with the procedure (like some other men I know). Now, let's hope it worked so he doesn't have to do it again.

32 seconds

Remember how I thought the race on Saturday would go pretty well? Ha, I was wrong.

Saturday morning I woke up early, took my time getting ready, and left right on time. I made it to teh stadium with about 30 minutes to spare. I hustled to the bathrooms, and waited and waited. As I was waiting, the rain rolled in. That's right, the 20% chance of rain turned into 100% of rain. It wasn't a gentle rain either. It was a freaking downpour that lasted for a good 15 minutes. Thank goodness when it was starting to rain harder I was close to the front of the line. After I hit the bathroom, I sprinted to the overpass for some protection from the rain. However, by that time I was soaked and shivering. The rain stopped just in time for us to line up at the starting line. This meant I didn't warm up at all. I usually jog for a bit to warm up the muscles before I stand at the start. Not this time. I had to start cold with wet socks and shoes. After a canon blast start (it scared the crap out of me), I tried to go slow like I had in training runs. I guess the adrenaline kicked in though because I started faster than I wanted. I was trying so hard to go slow, but my body wanted to go faster. Overall the course was really nice. It went through a neighborhood that I haven't seen much of so it was nice to take in the sights. The last few miles were along the river which was beautiful, but it meant running into the sun. By this time, the sun was up and the temperature was in the 70s. I experienced an odd combination of being hot and shivering. The wind was coming off the water which gave us a nice breeze, but it made me cold. There was also a pedestrian type bridge we had to cross around mile 11. It was steep so I walked all of it, and then the downhill part was a circle ramp. I walked a lot at the end. My body crashed. My mind crashed. I was done. I knew at mile 10 if I wanted to make my B goal I would have to push it, and I just gave up. I am so mad at myself. I gave up. I could have pushed it. Physically I was tired, but I could have done it. In the end, I finished 32 seconds faster than my last half marathon. So technically it was a PR, but I was pretty disappointed. Looking at my splits, I can tell where I started to lose it mentally.

I have no idea what happened, but I struggled. I don't know if it was the cold start, too fast of a start, the fact I had to pee starting at mile 1, or I need to toughen up mentally. I am pretty sure it is the last one. Although I didn't meet my goals, I did finish so I will take it. Half marathon #2 is in the books. #3 is in about 5 weeks when I will run Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon. (Woohoo! So much food to eat.)

Did I mention that the finish line was in a park that had become a mud pit? Good times.

 

Half marathon, here I come!

Tomorrow I have my first race of the season. I will be running in the Jacksonville Marine Corps Half Marathon. I am feeling pretty good about it. I haven't had the same nerves like I did with my last half. Actually, this one kind of sneaked up on me since I am so focused on the marathon. I am running with a certain goal time. Most of the time my goal is to finish and have fun. This time I am trying hard to better my last half time so I can (hopefully) move up in the corrals for the marathon in January. The weather is still hot here, but thank goodness a cold front is moving through tonight. It will be in the 50s tomorrow morning. That is so cold! It is glorious to run in, but this girl hasn't had that cold of temperatures in months. I will have to wear some old sweats to the starting line so I can stay warm. Also, the course typically runs over two bridges. We don't have hills in Florida so most elevation changes come in the form of bridges or overpasses (Disney). Due to construction, the bridges have been removed which means this course should be pretty flat. I am so happy! I have tried to find all the hills I can in my neighborhood, but they definitely don't feel like a bridge. I am hoping between the cooler temperatures and the course I will hit my B goal. I decided to do the A, B, and C goal for this race. A is looking out of reach based on training runs, but I think B is doable. Plus B will still move me up in the corrals. This weekend is supposed to be my 15 mile training run so I plan on running an additional 2 miles after I finish.

Now, let's hope the girls cooperate tonight and let me sleep. Thanks to the Navy, E is on a flight until well past midnight today which means I am on my own tonight.