DNF

Three little letters.  So short, so simple.  So much disappointment.

Did.Not.Finish.

Yup, that was me yesterday.  I still can't believe that after all that training I couldn't make it.  I tried really hard, really.  But at mile 8, I started to have pain in my hip again.  I tried running through it, but a mile later I had to stop and stretch.  And walk.  And gradually the stretch/walk breaks became more frequent until the last attempt at running at mile 11.  I took one step running and my left leg almost buckled underneath me.  So I walked.  For another 10 miles until they closed the course.  I was determined not to go down without a fight. 
Today I feel a little better physically, which makes me wonder that I should have tried harder yesterday and pushed through the pain.  Rationally I know this was silly, since by about mile 15 or 16 I could barely lift my leg on the curb to stretch.

So now it is time to lick my wounds and get ready for the half in Napa (you know, the reason for this blog and for fundraising.)  My goal is to set a new PR.  I figure if I can get this hip thing figured out I should be in shape to get a PR.  And then it is time to figure out which marathon I will try next.  I'm pretty angry about the way yesterday turned out.  I am not a quitter so to not finish goes against every fiber of my being.  That said, I know there are lessons to be learned from yesterday's race and some of the most important lessons we learn are the most difficult to endure.  I just need to figure out what yesterday's lessons are and apply them going forward.

To end on a positive note, thanks to all who saw my facebook update yesterday and called/emailed/commented/texted.  Your thoughts mean SO MUCH to me and I'm incredibly grateful for the support. Thanks also to everyone who has supported me in training for this attempt.  Also, the St. Louis Marathon was a really great course with great volunteers and spectators.  Thanks to all those who cheered me on through my tears and limping, and for staying on the course until the bitter end.  And finally, a giant thanks to my awesome husband who stayed with me the whole time.  He did the training and was having a great race--and gave it all up to help out Gimpy McGimpsalot*.  So give Michael a giant virtual round of applause for being a great husband.

Onward and upward--next stop Napa!

*The nickname I earned after Blood Clot #1.