I went to Wichita the 11th of October, and took my daughter and mother with me. Gary stayed home, since these long-distance rides really take a toll on his back and knee. Plus, I think he feels a little left out when the giggly girls take off to pick up our packets and run all over the place in the excitement of yet another race. I really can't blame him, I don't exactly fit in with his guy interest in tools, but I am learning. And he has been tremendously supportive, so the fact that he stayed home and held down the home front and took care of all the animals really helped us all to relax.
The one thing that I was excited about was that I would be running another half marathon, and this time it would be after my kidney transplant. I learned how different the half marathon felt this year from dialysis half marathon to new kidney half marathon and I wanted to share:
- My dialysis half I was pushing myself to be at least at the three hour mark, even though there was no cut off period for half marathoners. I struggled to run the entire time, and only walked when I developed a massive cramp in my left leg at about the 11th mile. I did make it under 3 hours--by 3 minutes. As each mile added up I was exhausted and running out of energy. My new kidney half I did not push myself, on account that I was not quite 4 months out of major surgery, and my muscles were still healing together again. I enjoyed myself, as I had prepared for this run by running a tenth of a mile, and walking a tenth. The miles passed quickly and I even took a picture of the early morning sun rising as I ran. I felt energetic and happy as I went through each mile.
- My dialysis half I did wear a camelback and wore my mp3 waist belt that also held little energy snacks and gatorade chews and every other little trick in the runner's book. I chewed on the gatorade chew and took the GU creams when I felt I needed a bit of help. I did not stop once to use the bathroom, since I simply didn't feel the need to go until after the race. New kidney half was a different experience all together--I wore a camelbak full of gatorade, and used the same belt as last year, but carried a large bottle of water this year in it. I had all kinds of little tricks this year as well, but I never felt the need to use any of it. (I did partake in a GU vanilla cream this year at mile 11, but it actually hurt more than it helped in my opinion.) And this year I did have to go! I stopped at mile 5 to use the bathroom, since I was starting to feel terribly uncomfortable. It was such a wonderful feeling to feel normal again.
- Dialysis half--despite having a cramp at mile 10, I worked it out with a cup of gatorade and walked it out till I could run at a stilted pace to the finish. New kidney half--I could not run at mile 11 so I started to power walk to my music--Carly Rae Jepsen makes me want to move--and I only managed to run the last .1 to cross the finish line. My legs cramped horribly but I was determined to run across the finish line. A woman that I had met during the run had heard me tell an older gentleman about my transplant and she encouraged me during the race. We managed to cross the line together and congratulated each other. The embarassing moment was when a man came up to me after I crossed the line and asked me if I needed medical attention. I waved him off, and told him I just needed to walk out the cramps, I was fine. Grabbed a gatorade from one of the volunteers gratefully and made my way to get my medal and my finishers shirt.
- My dialysis half my cousin had run the half as well, and she finished about 15 minutes before I had, so she was waiting at the .1 mile to run the last bit with me. She shouted Go! You got this!!! but I had to laugh and tell her that my stilted pace was all that I could manage without going Forest Gump Magic Legs style of run. My new kidney half saw me make the run alone, since my kick-ass cousin did the full marathon this year. This year I waited on my cousin to finish so I could cheer her and her dear friend Jennifer on, and I felt so inspired by them!
- Last year I ran with only my mp3 walkman, and this year I ran with music, but I carried my new phone with a Nike running app, so I could track my tenth of miles to know when to run and when to walk. I was also able to keep track of my mileage with it, pace and time. It helped me relax, and track my progress so that I knew just how much I had to go, and how quickly the time was passing.
- The 2012 half saw a very determined Tracy who wanted to beat a time, and to be a part of something bigger than herself. I was angry at not getting a chance to be put on a transplant list and the fact that I was looking at dialysis for the long haul. I was serious about fighting for my health despite the ravaging effects dialysis has on the body. I wanted to be victorious, and I wanted to show others when we put our minds to do something, anything, we can succeed. The 2013 marathon saw a very grateful, very blessed Tracy. I knew that only by God's grace had I succeeded in both half marathons. I did not worry about my time, but savored every moment of my run...the cool crisp air, the bright clear sunshine, and the wonderful people that surrounded me. Everyone in that race had their own story of inspiration, and I marvelled at the power of the people who surrounded me. I was the inspired, the thankful person who was grateful for being included in such a wonderful event.
- Last half I limped back to Michelle's house and after a hot shower, tightened into a tight ball of pain and did not want to move one bit. This year's half saw me a little sore in the ankles, but I felt wonderful after a quick hot shower, and we hurried to my aunt's house for this amazing spread put on by Tim, Michelle's wonderful husband, and my aunt and mom as well. I ate so well that I should have ran another half to work it off. After visiting with so many wonderful people in our lives (my brothers and my sisters-in-laws as well as Michelle's family of friends and dear inspirations were there), we had to leave for home, since Snowden had school the next day, and I wanted to see my own wonderful husband.
I should mention that I was abnormally cranky the next day, but that turned out to be a precursor to something else, and not due to the run as I thought it might be. I did not expect it, but my daughter became quite serious about wanting to start running with me. We have been on 3 runs together, and it is wonderful cheering her on, and inspiring her to give it just a little more, for a little longer each run that we go on. I know she is an amazing girl, and I am proud to be her momma. And I hope that the love of running stays with her...because it certainly has saved her momma.
