Austin Half Marathon 2011

"Just stay loose, have fun - you'll be fine!"
-Mr. Pricklepants from Toy Story 3

Within each of our lives, live dreams. The majority of these dreams, some private, some that we are quite open about, get lost in time, as we go on with our daily, ever so busy lives. This last week, I fulfilled a dream 19 years in the making. Through the years, I was never particularly quiet about this dream, only about what I knew it would take to get there someday. When ever that someday might just so happen to occur.

This last weekend, after countless 5k's, 10ks, and 6 months of daily, rigorous half marathon training, I finally took the leap, or the first step across the starting line, and was proud to have participated in the 20th annual Austin Half Marathon.

Our day began earlier than normal, awaking at 4:45. The race began at 7:00 am, so I thought that getting there at 6:20 sufficient, as not to stand around and fret over the lengthy miles ahead of us for several hours like lots of runners, I assume, did that day.

As the race was about to get underway, I made a friend from San Antonio named Edith. I explained to her that this was Austin, and not to let ANYTHING surprise her.

As I took my first several steps amongst the other 20,000 runners, the first song on my Ipod (which was on shuffle,) happened to be my all time favorite, Don't Worry Baby the amazing Beach Boys. So, for all of you out there that were worried, told me to get my affairs in order, or clung to our last conversations a little bit longer than normal. Ha! A wonderful omen lay before me. I told you all not to worry, but thank you all for the concern, and thank you Beach Boys, for your beautiful words about racing, love, and concern.

As for the race itself, all I can say is that it was fast. When I say fast, I am by no means talking about speed, but time. It's like I blinked and 13 miles were over. I guess a runner should never use an analogy like this, but I will. The race was like an Oreo. Why, you ask? Well, the start and finish were amazingly wonderful, and, unlike an Oreo, emotional. The middle, the cream filling, the thirteen miles, was what has pierced my heart, even now, a week later. During these 2 hours and 26 minutes, I saw many things that will stick with me for an eternity.

The proceeds from the Austin Marathon/Half Marathon go to cancer research. This, in itself, is enough to choke a person to tears. We were given cards when we picked up our race gear, that were called "honor" cards for those cancer survivors that we know and love, and "memory" cards, for those who have gone on before us. Many of us chose to fill the cards with a name, or names. and pin them on our backs, while others simply wrote names on the back of their shirts, or on the back of their legs. Coming through the finish line, just as at the start, I was completely brought to tears. I do not know how this is possible, with the amount of sweat leaking out of me from all pores. One runner a step in front of me had "running for my Dad" written in marker on her calf. Another, had "For Grandpa Jake. We love you" on her memory card. These were just a few of the many that I viewed, through tears, as I ran.

Of the many things that caught my eye as I ran through the streets of Austin, Texas were the many bands and solo singers along the route. Each with his own tune, and his own style. The groups varied from a husband and wife guitar duo, to an Indian drum band (none of them being Indian,) as well as the "joy bus" children's group screaming into the microphone about Jesus. One thing that I quickly noticed in the beginning, and looked for along the route was that there were no tip hats or buckets. Possibly, these artists maybe thought that most runners running a race are not likely carrying change, or maybe that they were truly here out of love for their community and for their fellow humans, not to make a buck. As we ran on, we were followed very closely by a homeless man on a bike preaching God's word and hollering about salvation. Once again, this is Austin.

I loved seeing the comfort level, ease, and laid back environment that is down town Austin, Texas. Being early on a Sunday morning, there were so many people on their porches with their cups of coffee, children in pajamas and slippers, children on trampolines, hundreds of spectators with homemade and handmade signs, some for their specific runners, and others for all of us. The funniest sign I saw was to my right side just as we came into mile 12. A lady held up a sign that read, "Don't walk now, people are watching." For some reason or another, that was inspiration for the next mile. She was obviously, in my mind, put there for a reason.....

So, I had a favorite sign that is not appropriate to include in this blog, but it said it all. I saw it after I finished, and wish I had seen it earlier!

Oh, I love you barefoot runners. I understand why, and I admire you. That's how I run at home, but not in the middle of downtown Austin. I hope your feet have not rotted off , here a week later.....

There was a young man running several steps ahead of me, around mile 7. He wore a blue shirt that had, "If you can't make up your mind, turn around." I guess it was a good thing that I saw this half way into the race, because I recall my first thought being (insert thought bubble,) "it's to late to turn around now."

Nobody ever discusses certain things that happen to your body during and after running such a long distance. There were options at each mile, or so, to use the "Loo." Option? NO. As we came up a straight away about to cross the creek, along the creek bed, in front of a grove of trees, was a long line of brightly colored shorts all in a row. There must have been twenty male runners facing the creek, doing what they needed to do. We were told before hand that during a race this length, you;ll find yourself doing things that might seem odd, unheard of, and otherwise embarrassing. Yep.

Towards the end of the race, amongst the individuals handing out water, Gatorade, etc. we began to see people on the curb with tongue depressors with dollops of Vaseline for chaffing. I never saw anybody take one as they ran by. I guess many of us had tubes in our fanny packs, hidden, for privacy. Trust me , it's needed.....

Austin, Texas is such a magnificent city, so colorful, and so full of life. There are many sights to see that we see, or here about, or drive by everyday. Running a race such as this takes you into the true heart of Austin that is not ever really talked about, explored, or photographed. There are certainly those folks who have lived here all of their lives that have never ventured to these parts. There were murals painted on walls that were of masterful quality. These were in neighborhoods, next to peoples old, eclectic looking houses. Absolutely beautiful sights. My only regret, regarding this race was not carrying my camera with me. I had my cell phone, and took several photos of the "seas of people" ahead of me on hills, but no photos of the sights, that truly are Austin, Texas. Now that I know that I can endure and complete a race of this magnitude, I will be sure to pack the camera next year, and get some exciting shots along the way.

PS. Thank you, Torchys Taco's for smelling so bad, so early on a Sunday morning. Usually, you smell delicious and I want to eat everything you have to offer, but after 11 miles under your belt at one time, with, what felt like, 100% humidity, and with some other random scents around you, you were not really a welcome aroma. Sorry. Maybe, I'll swing by next week on my day off of running, and we can hang out.

Dear Race Directors, what in the world was that mountain around mile 12? Are you kidding? I don't think there is a gear in any car ever made that could make it up your "hill." No, truly, thank you for the surprise! Next year, I'll be ready. P.S. Nobody ran it. Don't let people fool or lie to you. Everybody walked.....

Before the race, a sweet soul that I have admired for many years told me to, "Pretend I was running into Jesus' arms." There was not a better piece of advice that I could have been given. I took it to another level, and thought about the loved ones who had gone on before me, standing in the crowd. The feeling that overwhelmed and surrounded me as I was coming into the finish was like what I envision it to be while entering the gates of Heaven. Feeling no pain, wall to wall people hollering and chanting, music, recognizing familiar faces, smiling, throughout the crowd and at the finish, and finally, crossing the finish line. There are very few instances in my life, until last Sunday, where I felt such peace, perfect peace.

Thank you, Jared, Hayden, Kaylen Rae, Mom, & Dad, for your years of support.

To Ilene, Arcy, Edith, Jennifer, Kyle, Trey, & Stephen. I could not be prouder of you all. I am so glad that we share this passion, or obsession, for running. I hope we continue many years and many more miles together.