12 Dec Two years, no Dallas Marathon
This year, I prepared for 20 weeks. I did not miss a single training run. Not even the ones that required 4am wake-up calls that were followed immediately by coaching soccer. I foam rolled, iced, did epsom baths, and wore compression everything. I mentally focused on my two little reasons to keep running. I was ready.
Then, the ice came, and the marathon was cancelled.
Two years, no Dallas Marathon for me.
I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed, but canceling, given the circumstances, was the right thing to do. There is no way the race could have proceeded safely. Welcome to Texas.
I was already registered for the Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth at the end of February, so I figured I would just restart my training plan to be ready for it. The only other marathons in Texas between December and end of February were all closed to registration. That is except for Houston on January 19 if you paid for a charitable registration, which was a wonderful option and yet way out of our price range.
Then a few angels came way and gave me a simply amazing, early Christmas gift.
I am incapable of expressing my gratitude to these friends who came through to make the most of this disappointing situation. On January 19, the family and I will head to Houston, and I am excited to “run for a reason” for the National Kidney Foundation, a cause near to our hearts as Keegan is in stage 3 kidney failure.
I hope that 2014 will be the year of redemption for the Dallas Marathon. Third time’s a charm, right?