"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Mardi Gras 1/2 Marathon

There's so much to share on this post. This was an Inaugural Race and had always been called the Mardi Gras 1/2 Marathon and Marathon Race until this year when it was renamed to the Rock 'n Roll Mardi Gras 1/2 Marathon and Marathon Race. It is now included in the Rock 'n Roll Series of races held throughout the country.

So, let's begin with how beautiful the day was. The sun was out and warm with no wind! Perfect...even the temp was perfect. We all lined up in our assigned Corrals (mine was #7). Each group was released according to each one's expected finish time with the first one being the fastest. There were twenty something corrals! Time was spaced between each corral release so as not to bottle-neck with so many runners participating. It was announced that there were 15,000 runners.

Excitement filled the air and people lined the streets to give us a great send-off. Less than a couple of years ago, I was one of them and now I'm proud to say that I'm now one of the ones being cheered on. It is a GREAT feeling!! Bands were stationed approximately every mile or so playing their hearts out for us as we passed. I believe there were about 20 in all.

The race seemed to fly by! Before I knew it we were at the first mile, then the second, then the 5k mark. I couldn't believe how fast the race was progressing with such ease. Guess it was because there was so much to see and hear. My iPod was off more than it was on during the race. Just before I got to the 7th mile, I called Kent to let him know that I was now into the last half of the race and that I was feeling great. My main concern had been my right hip as I've been experiencing some pain for the last 3 weeks but there had been NO pain so far. I had done very well in pacing myself and had decided to increase my speed when I got to the 10-11 mile marker.

Then, all of a sudden, things changed! Everything about me was weird as I felt myself airborne and suddenly FLAT on the ground!! If my hands had not caught me I would have kissed it! All I knew was that I was in a LOT of pain. Blood was everywhere, my whole right side was killing me. It seemed surreal as I felt myself hit the ground hard; first my hand, then my knee, followed by my right breast (sorry, but it was like I was in slow motion and pain hit each area specifically). My right knee was hurting bad. I was in agony and didn't know what had just happened. I never saw it coming. As I got up, I realized that my Garmin watch had been torn off my left wrist...torn off! I had fallen almost straight down and my left side got it, too. That hand was scratched up and the palm peeled back with skin hanging off. My right hand received the blunt of the fall. I hobbled over to the side to gather my senses and regain composure. I didn't know whether to cry or what, I was in shock trying to figure out what happened. Several people stopped to see if they could help and one sweet lady assisted me off the ground and asked if she could stay with me; but I told her no that I was fine. I could hardly speak at this time; I was stunned...I never saw it coming. But literally within seconds, I was on my way again...slowly at first, until I could overpower the pain in my right leg. Without walking any, I continued my running.

Then, out of the blue, I got mad! How could I have been so clumsy! As a matter of fact, I kept my eyes on the ground most of the time to prevent what had just happened. As I began to put the pieces together, I recalled looking up and the sun's rays caught my eye and blinded me for an nth of a second. It was then that I was personally introduced to New Orleans' fine street repairwork. My foot caught a "patched" place and it sent me flying through the air.

My right hand had torn open and flesh and blood was everywhere. Oh, the pain! I watched to see if it would coagulate and it did; therefore, I did not stop for first aid. The next couple of miles do not register with me. I do not remember them at all. Knowing the pain was going to stay with me until I got it looked at and bandaged, I focused on the race again. Surprisingly, I was doing well as far as running goes. Though I never increased my speed as I had hoped, I did regain the pace I was at before the fall. A First Aid station was inside the runner's shoot and I all but ran over there for assistance. I was still hurting and wanted to get this hand covered. Unfortunately, they couldn't give me anything for the pain; so we didn't stay long afterwards.

Later that day, when I was undressing, I saw bloody scratches on my left knee and my left arm all the way down my left side is so sore. My right knee is still swollen and deeply bruised as is my right hand. I do not bruise easy but let me tell you, if either of these two places are touched right now, I will probably scream! I am soooo very thankful that nothing was broken and that all of this will be nothing but a memory before long. It could have been so much worse.

Coming in to the Finish Line (I'm in black)


My prized medal...literally!!! It has gold gemstones all over it and must weigh 3 pounds!


Here are some pictures of my wounds that were taken a day and a half AFTER the race. Believe me when I tell you these wounds are almost healed now. This looks great! There is a large, deep bruise and still some swelling underneath the scratch on my right knee. It can hardly be touched even now.


You can see some bruising with great healing action going on here. Soreness is going away on this hand.


And the worse one...there is heavy trauma still going on with my right hand. It is still swollen quite bad and extremely tender to touch. The bruise is VERY deep but looks a ton better than it did when it happened. It is still an open wound. There are NO meds on it in this picture. And thanks to Tylenol, I'm gonna make it, ha!


All in all I really enjoyed the race...and don't be so critical when I say...I'd like to do this one again. It was flat and the course was very pretty. Let's just say I'm a determined kinda gal! I want to CONQUER these streets!!!

Below is a short slide that I made of a few Pacers that we met up with at the end of the half.

3 comments:

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

You are tough! I may have gone crying to my hotel. Proud of you for "gutting it out" Congrats!

Jennifer said...

Great race report! I'm sorry about your fall, but I think you did a super job getting back up and finishing in style! Cheers!

Dawn B. said...

I am beyond words.. I feel so bad for you.. That must have hurt so much and you also must be so proud of yourself for accomplishing this.. You are a trooper.. Makes me want to cry for you... Way to go.. Way to go... WAY TO GO...

I fell one time out jogging with my daughter.. I had no idea how I did it.. I was absolutely in shock. I did not trip or anything.. It happened so quickly..

Well I hope you heel well.. Hug hugs and what a terrific goal you have accomplished..
Dawn

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

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Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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