It's been awhile...

     I know its been a bit...too long. I have to admit, I didn't feel like there was much to say. A quick 8k in December, where I met my BRF to run to Busch Gardens, then nothing in January. I tried to make to Charleston for their half in January, but at the last minute couldn't work out the child care logistics. My biggest disappointment on that was leaving a friend hanging at the start line :(...in February I was suppose to run two but got really sick. Normally, I never get sick. (Good tough Maine genes.) Thanks mom! But when I do, I really do it up nice, antibiotics, and then something to pump up the antibiotics. I was down and out for about two weeks. The 21st and 22nd was suppose to be back to back halfs. One in Georgia and one in Alabama. No one went with me, I was on my own and still very sick.
     I made it to Georgia ok. This was for a trail race. The hotel was smoky, enough that I went back down to see about switching a room and letting them know it wasn't me that had been smoking in the room. All rooms available and around me were apparently smoking rooms. Since I had an upper respiratory infection, not a good start. On top of that, the restaurants were closing early since they were expecting....wait for it...a dusting snow and /or slush. I didn't feel good, was tired, and not really hungry anyway. I called the honey to say good night. After whining about everything he made me promise if I felt horrible after the first race to just come home. I did and went to bed.
     I got up and checked out the next morning. The race was 4 minutes away at Fort Yargo. Needless to say, I got there and parked with no issue. I face-booked my running buddies saying I may bail on the second race. I felt so crappy and like a big wuss. I had driven all that way and paid the money and I wouldn't win anyway, so why bail? Wonderful friends that they are, they backed me up just like my husband. They wouldn't think less of me and I was not a wuss. Think of the Marathon I had in March. Better to get healthy and run another day. I running friends are the best. They knew exactly what I needed to hear. I will still planning on heading to the second, but if I was feeling horrible after this one, at least I could live with myself if I went home.
     Fort Yargo is beautiful. This was a small trail race that I threw on the calendar since I would be down there anyway and why not knock out another state. I wasn't sick when I made that choice, but I am glad I did because I like it. I would have loved it if I hadn't been sick. It was hard and the trail changed and it was pretty and I made a friend who is on the same mission  of 50 states, not keen on a bunch of people at the start and also loves all the stuff you get to see when you run. (My BRF would be so proud of me for talking to strangers!)

 This is actually up hill.

 The easy section.

 Fort Yargo

 So Pretty.

Here we are at the start. I did finish. When I finished they had pizza, and plenty of it! Even for people like me at the way back of the pack. I sat down and just coughed. Got some strange looks and someone asked if I was ok. I hit my inhaler and assured them I would be with a nod. Tomorrow wasn't going to happen. It took too long to run, too long to catch my break and stop coughing and I felt completely wiped out. I will go home and run another day. Next year Alabama, its on!