And that's a wrap for 2018!

And that's a wrap for 2018

I don't know about you, but for me this year seemed to fly by. I've been kind of in a funky mood since I missed my ironman race.  Then I started putting together my photos for my yearly recap for a shutterfly book of all the races I did throughout the year and realized that I actually had a pretty good year.  It's funny how certain things will remind you of good things when you are in a funky mood.  As I look back at pictures from these races, I'm reminded once again of all my great friends.  

Looking Back on 2018:

1. Miss Blues Half Marathon - walked in rain with Katherine :)  It rained the WHOLE race.

2. Double Bridge 15K - Freezing to start the race with my buddies... Krista, Charity, JoAnn, Jennifer, Kathy, & Byron. 

3.  RnR New Orleans Marathon- Good times with my PPRF (Peer Pressure Running Friends) group.. Michelle, Be, Penny, Ronnie, Jessica. 

4.  Run for the Warriors Half marathon in the sand on the beach! Fun weekend with Candy!  Not sure how she talked me into running 13.1 miles in the sand. LOL 

5.  Dream 65 mile bike ride with my girls.. Mel, Sonya, Krista &  Frank (hee hee)... we like to call him one of the girls.

6.  Traditions Sprint TRI - Placed in my age group and ran into my cousin Pamela!

7.  Heatwave TRI OLY - Just did swim & Bike due to PF in foot ... no run

8.  Natchez Trace Century Ride 100 miles  --- a WET day!  It rained 80 of my 100 miles, however I made it and my sweet friends Mel & Sonya waited on me after they finished their 65 miles! That's true love & friendship!

9.  Tour De Burger Bike Ride - 50 miles with Jason on HILLS ... Boy that burger was good afterwards ... not to mention all the training miles I did with Jason over several months as we both trained for the ironman.  He was a good partner to train with on the bike!

10.  Kona Marathon - Hawaii trip with the girls... what an AWESOME opportunity and GREAT trip!!!

11.  Sunfish Sprint TRI - Forgot my bike helmet & shoes so Just a swim & run for me.  Who forgets their equipment?  dang it! LOL 

12. Columbus, GA Oly TRI turned to Duathlon --- Great weekend with Krista & Jennifer.  Such a cool area! Oh and I got 2nd place in my age group.

13.   Wiggins Sprint TRI - Fun with Jennifer & Amanda .. Placed again in my age group.. whoop whoop 

14.  Chase the Hooch 2.4 mile swim - Columbus, GA --- oh what a great day!  I proved to myself I can swim long distance in a river! 

15.  Zach Little 50 mile bike ride -  Benefit for a kid that died of cancer. 

16.  NO CHOO FOR ME --- bike wreck

17.  Justin Davis 5K benefit... fun with my sister-in-law, 2 nieces, & Brett's girlfriend Whitney.  First run since my bike wreck. Getting back out there! 

18.  Battleship 12K -  Awesome day with Robbie, Krista, Kathy, JoAnn, & Nestor. 

19.  St. Jude Memphis Marathon - Fun with my daughter & team Run4TheKids.. The team raised slightly over $25,000 and I raised slightly over $2,500 ... got to see Graceland finally! Marathon #13!

So I may not of completed my one big goal of an ironman, but I did have lots of fun at other races while training for ironman.   And what a year with great friends!  

I've already registered for Chattanooga Ironman again in September, 2019.  Yep, it's EARLY, but it's expensive to register for Ironman races and if you want the cheapest price you must sign up right when registration opens.  :)  and Boy I've had some friends really support me on this decision and then there are some critics....

We are all going to have critics in our life.  Everyone has an opinion.  I'm guilty of it myself.  And yes, it hurts when you hear of people you know telling others that they don't understand why you'd sign up for the ironman race again after being hurt.  I guess they want me to give up.  Well, sorry.... give up isn't in my vocabulary.  I mean it would be different if a doctor told me I didn't need to try for an ironman, but he's not.  Actually my doctor is cheering me on.  I had a MRI on my foot the week before St. Jude marathon because the PF pain I've had for 6 months has not gone away completely so he wanted to do a MRI to get a good look at my foot.  Well.... got the results back and the pain wasn't all in my head (yep, I had kind of hoped it was) and his diagnosis he gave me back in May was right... plantar Fascitis.  I have a nice case of PF with a small tear AND I have a cyst on my ankle.   Now I know why my ankle bothers me from time to time when I run long distance.   LOL   Anyway, the doctor says the PF can heal on it's on and it's not bad enough for surgery nor is the cyst bad enough for surgery.  He told me to continue on with what I'm doing.  He said at some point the cyst could grew and really cause me issues and we'd discuss surgery at that point, but not before then.  He said sometimes surgeries can just cause more issues.  Yes, I may need to limit my run miles and let this PF heal more, but he did not tell me to quit training.  He was sad I didn't get to do my ironman race.  He could not believe I had my bike wreck.  I didn't see him for those injuries because he specializes in the feet.  He had hoped I was going to bring my medal in the office to show him.  I told him give me a year and maybe I'll get that medal. :>)  

We must rise above our critics and not let them drag us down.  

I have other races I've signed up for also in 2019 and I hope to share them with my sweet friends!  I was going to do the full marathon in Louisiana in January, but I'm downgrading to the half marathon and plan to keep my miles on my foot low for now so that my PF can heal better before September ironman full marathon.  My goal is to keep putting God first and taking it one day at a time.  If I'm meant to be an ironman, it will happen. 

Have you set you some goals?  As I sit here the last few days of December, I'm still amazed how fast this year went by.  Maybe it's my age. LOL  I'm growing old and I don't like it. Hee Hee ...  I see a new wrinkle every day. :>)  But it just means I've LIVED. :>) and there are so many that don't get to LIVE.  Please continue to remember all the Clayton's.  The holidays seem to be so tough especially for my husband, step son and Drew's wife.  He didn't get to live as old as I am.  He didn't get to see his girls graduate high school or college.  Some days I still sit and think about it all day long and I get so mad.  I don't understand why.  It's not fair.  But I know in my heart I can't dwell on it.  One day we will know the "why" and for now I must trust God.   

Merry Christmas to you and let's all look forward to 2019.  May God's blessings be upon you and your family.  

St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend 12-1-18

Time for my FAVORITE race.   

After Erin and I were done with our tour at Graceland we grabbed a quick lunch down by the convention center so we could grab our race packets and then head on over to the Peabody to get checked in and rest.  I needed to get off my feet and rest b4 the 26.2 miles on Saturday.  

My delicious pizza for lunch.  It's been a LONG time since I had real pizza and not cauliflower crust.  I figured I better carb up. Hee Hee ... Plus the place just smelt so good when we parked that I couldn't resist.  

 Standing by our race. 

Loved all the HEROES welcome signs at the expo! 

Had to get pic for my mom. :>)  We sure missed her this year!

My shirt and bib.  

Me, Jennifer, Krista & Frank before Erin and I headed to Pasta dinner at the expo.  Love the shirts Jennifer had made for us!  See the heroes in our name?  so cool! 

Did I mention it rained off and on Friday?  And then it really came down when we left the pasta dinner headed back to our hotel.  We got soaked and the wind broke my umbrella.  :(  My favorite Sanderson umbrella that I keep in my vehicle.  I should have known it was a sign for what was coming on Saturday.   Ann captured this picture of my broken umbrella.  We did get a big laugh while we were all running in the rain.  We felt like we were going to be Mary Poppins. :>) 

The family that spoke at the hero pasta dinner was amazing!  I sat in my chair with tears running down my face.  I looked around and I think everyone at our table and all the other tables were doing the same.  Listening to a mom talk about her child having cancer not once but twice, really reminded me why I created Team Run4TheKids.  Every year they have a different speaker and they are all unique, but this family just really touched my heart.  It was a mother and a son.  I sat there thinking how I would be if it was my son.  They smiled and held it together so well as they both spoke!  Yep, the son also spoke and then he played the guitar and sang for us.  I had to video it.  It was amazing!  See the 2nd time he had cancer it was in his arm and he had to have part of his arm bone removed.  He thought he would never be able to play the guitar again and he LOVED playing.  But through physical therapy and most importantly the love of God he can play again.  What a blessing.  The hero pasta dinner usually never disappoints!  It will fire you up to run the next day.  There were 6,500 hundred heroes this year running among the total 27,000 runners and 2,500 heroes at the pasta dinner.  It's amazing to be in the same room with so many people that share the same desire as you ..... to raise the must needed money for St. Jude Children!  

Here is the video.. it's kind of long, but so worth it.  The first video is of his mom telling their story  The 2nd video is of her son playing the guitar.  

Mother discussing son having cancer 2X - St. Jude Pasta Dinner

He PLAYS again

Not every family has a happy ending like this family.  Kids are still dying of cancer every day.  But if we keep raising money for St. Jude ..... maybe one day NO child will die.  I'd love to see Danny Thomas dream come true!  

So race morning the races were all delayed an hour due to weather.  When I got up there was weather reports of lightening close by.  The marathon was supposed to start at 8am and now the start time would be 9am.  I ended up hanging around in my room most of the extra time.  My stomach just wasn't right.  Maybe it was the pizza from the day before or something else.  Not sure...but it just wasn't right.  I did go down to walk Erin out to start the 5K and while down on the street took a few pictures with teammates waiting to start their races.  

Me, Frank, Krista & Daniel

Me, Sunshine, Liz, & Erin

So it was finally start time for the marathon and I made my way through the crowd and found my friends who I had hoped to run with most of the race. 

Penny, Ann, Be, & Me

Penny, Ann, Be & Me

They were in the corral with Joe who was a 4:30 pacer and I hoped to try to hang with my teammate Joe.  It's been a couple of years since I did a 4:30, but I thought it was doable.  I felt strong and that's like a 10:18 pace so I figured I'd at least give it a try.  I had ran a 5:01 back in February coming off hip bursitis and I've trained so hard all year for the ironman that I figured if I hung with a pace team that I might come close to that 4:30 again.

I did manage to stay with Joe till mile 5 and then the bathroom hit me again.  Oh and I forgot to mention that they changed the course this year.  Lots of HILLS.  By mile 5 we had already had a pretty  nice climb on a hill that in the past we typically ran down.  I missed the downhill!  LOL  

I had hoped I would catch back up to Joe and the group after the bathroom stop, but then the bathroom hit me 2 more times!!! My stomach was just not right for some reason.  I never saw the 4:30 pace group again. :(  By mile 17 I was walking more and more.  I was so over the HILLS.  They seemed to just keep on coming.  And we had wind from the weather that was 15-20 mph, plus it had turned off hot after the rain left with the sun blazing.  

By mile 21 I really wanted to quit.  It was at this point that I saw one of my friends family waiting to cheer her on.  When her dad saw me he gave me a big old bear hug and encouraged me.  I wanted to just cry in his arms.  My whole body hurt all over.  I had started getting bad cramps in my bad foot and my stomach was just a mess.  I was so mad that I told myself that I was not quitting.  I don't quit.  I push on.  So that's what I did.  I didn't care that I was walking more than running.  I was covering ground and getting closer to the finish.  Oh I wanted that finish!  I had to stop several times to stretch too.  One time a guy stopped and asked me if I was ok.  I told him not really, but I'd be ok.  He just smiled and said I know what you mean.  Around mile 23 we came into an open area where there were no buildings to block the wind and it felt like it was going to blow me over.  It was all I could do to push through it and continue.  It stayed windy until like 1/2 mile to the finish line.  Those last 3 miles were the LONGEST miles ever! This was truly me for this race.  Every marathon is different that's for sure!  This was my 12 and none of them have been the same feeling! 

I finished with a time of 5:33.... not what I had hoped for by a long shot.  I was so disappointed.  That dang new course was HARD!! Don't let the smile in the picture fool ya... I was just glad to be DONE!

The bathroom hit be again and I barely made it to my room when I pooped in my pants before I could get in the bathroom!  Yep, crap happens! :)   I didn't even go into Autozone park for the food or after race party.  I had to get to the tub!  I was also following my friend Krista who was doing her 1st marathon.  I had just enough time to get in a bath and soak for 20 minutes and then get clean clothes on and walk back out to the finish to see her.  I'm so PROUD of her!   They tried to put her in the car around mile 22 because they were shutting down the course, but she told them no!  She was doing her 26.2 miles.  Now that's a true marathoner!  I've watched her train hard all year to accomplish her goal.  I'm glad she didn't give up at mile 22.  She would have regretted it.  Can't wait to see what she accomplishes in 2019! 

Me, Jennifer, Krista &  Frank

Erin and I got dressed and grabbed a picture by the Peabody Christmas tree then headed out for supper and a little fun on Beale street.  We meet Sunshine & Dave at BB Kings where we heard some good music.  I even danced with my sore toe.  I had a HUGE blister on it after the race.  We had a good time and my stomach seemed to settle down.  Thank goodness!  Erin and I drove home Sunday with my sunroof open (weather was perfect) listening to her playlist and just had the BEST time.  I need to get her playlist.  She's got some good songs. :>) 

Looking back at results and hearing others say how hard they thought the new course was made me feel not so bad about my time.  I finished and that's all that matters.  So if there is one piece of advice I'd give you it is.... NEVER EVER GIVE UP. 

The St. Jude kids don't give up!  This patient was out cheering us as we ran through the St. Jude campus.  Her smile says it all.  Just look at that radiant young girl!  She's happy seeing all the heroes that are running because she knows the money we raise goes to help them. :>) 

Thank you to each person that donated and help me meet my goal!  The kids at St. Jude are truly blessed to have people like you that care so much and I'm blessed to have awesome friends! 

So that's a wrap!  Me and my daughter had a great weekend!  We missed my mom who usually does the 5K with Erin due to my dad deciding he would climb a 10 foot ladder and fall! 

Go for it!  If I can do a marathon... so can you! 

and Don't forget to put GOD first.

RUNCATION .... A visit to Graceland before St. Jude Marathon 11-30-18

RUNCATION

I love to make a vacation out of a race weekend.  Even if it is just something small like going to see Graceland.  Every year I tell my mom and Erin that we are going to go to Graceland on Sunday after the race, but every year we are so tired on Sunday morning all we want to do is drive home.  My mom has been with my dad before, but neither me nor Erin have been.  So this year I made the decision that I would go first before doing any race stuff.  I'm so glad I did!  Except this year mom was unable to go with us so we missed her badly.   She loves Elvis and she would have been in heaven although she's seen Graceland before.  

So Thursday when I got off work Erin and I headed on to Memphis.  We stayed at a Holiday Inn that was right down the street from Graceland.  I only had my Peabody reservation for Friday & Saturday night.  I figured if we stayed close to Graceland it would make it easy to go there real quick on Friday morning and then head on to the Peabody by lunch time.  It worked out perfect!  We got to Graceland before they opened and were ready and waiting to get our ticket and go on the tour.   

The Holiday Inn had a  pool shaped like a Guitar. 

Graceland is different.  I sure for back in his time it was normal.  However, I actually liked so many things in the house.  It's very neat and we took a million pictures.  We took the tour that included the mansion, the cars, the planes & other stuff like his outfits and gold records.  I'll share some of my favorite ones.  

 And that's a wrap.  We had a blast!  Then off to the Peabody & Race Expo.  To be continued in the next post. 

D