Last Sunday I ran the Dallas Half Marathon! My hip injury had me pretty worried that I wouldn't get to run much of it, but I made it through. This was my second Dallas Marathon. This year could not have been more different from last year's race.
The name and logo for the event changed, along with the race course and start line. All the runners lined up on Main in downtown Dallas. The weather was much warmer and more humid than I had expected, but was a welcome change from last year's cold, windy and rainy race day. The course was great (even though the half-marathoners never get close to seeing White Rock Lake.) I miss Dallas anyway, so it was great to run through the streets again.
We all ran across the new Margaret Hunt Hill bridge and took in an amazing view of the city. None of the hills were too bad and there were tons of people out cheering. Several bands and a choir played along the course. I had some tightness and pain in my hip, so I walked some sections and avoided a total hip flip-out. I was pretty happy with my progress until mile 12. I was nearing the last mile when I realized I REALLY had to find a port-o-potty. With no businesses or port-o-pottys in sight I ran to the nearest bush, but quickly realized I just couldn't do it. I guess I'm just incapable of going to the bathroom in a large decorative bush in the middle of downtown Dallas - who knew! I had a long and painful walk to the next port-o-potty line. Needless to say I did not PR or have any type of a respectable time, but I finished and walked off with my medal. I'm extremely grateful that my hip didn't start snapping again and that I was able to finish with minimal pain!
Maybe next year I'll PR.
