ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: texsooner on January 18, 2009, 02:33:09 pm
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Just dropping a note to let y'all know I successfully ran the Houston Half Marathon(13.1 miles) this morning. It's only the 2nd half marathon that I've run(did the same event last year). While I didn't beat my time from last year, I set different goals(mainly to finish) and I did that in pretty decent shape. I did finish in the top 29% of all runners doing the half marathon and in the top 40% for my age/gender group....so guess I'm pretty happy about that. My wife told me that I probably finished in the top 1% of all runners who had brain surgery within the last year...that kind of puts things into perspective.
My head, eyes and balance didn't give me much trouble...I'm very thankful for that. The only issue I had was after the finish when I was slowly walking to the reception area....I got pretty wobbly(happens more when I walk slowly....and I guess running that far may have had something to do with it too!).
I'll try to post a pic when they're available. Thanks for all the encouragement from many of you folks.
Patrick
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My wife told me that I probably finished in the top 1% of all runners who had brain surgery within the last year...that kind of puts things into perspective.
Well done, Patrick! You are in first place in my book. ;)
Steve
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Patrick,
Congratulations! What an accomplishment!
My wife told me that I probably finished in the top 1% of all runners who had brain surgery within the last year...that kind of puts things into perspective.
And I think your wife has a great point!
Thanks for sharing your good news!
Nancy L
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Patrick:
As someone who gets tired just thinking about running for over 13 miles, you have my respect and admiration. Congratulations on a great accomplishment! :)
My wife told me that I probably finished in the top 1% of all runners who had brain surgery within the last year...that kind of puts things into perspective.
By the way, not only is your wife correct in her assessment of your run but her perspective is excellent. :)
Jim
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Patrick,
I am impressed. What a job well done! Can't wait to see the pictures................and I agree with your wife!
Brenda
PS February 21 AN Support meeting is going to be at the Aldine Branch Library, Meeting Room 11331 Airline Drive, Houston,TX 77037
From 1:30 to 3:30
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Way to go, Patirick! Congratulations on even attempting the half, much less finishing it and ahead of most of the pack! Wow! I did two half-marathons last year and I know how great you felt - what a feeling it is and doubly so for you this time because of your detour with the AN. Get some good food and rest tonight!
Cindy
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Patrick,
Congratulations! What an awesome accomplishment! You deserve to celebrate! Well, maybe rest tonight and celebrate tomorrow! :D
My favorite running quote (and I can't remember the name of the guy who said it) - "the miracle is not that I finished - it's that I had the courage to start".
And I agree with your wife too. Smart lady!
Lori
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Yea, Patrick. Very cool and a great accomplishment in such a short time after surgery.
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Patrick~
A great big WHOO-HOO to you!! My BIL ran also but I don't know how he came out. My MIL told me the time but since I didn't know any others times, it didn't mean a whole lot to me. However, in my book YOU beat everyone out because of what you had overcome to get to the finish line!!
Way to Go!! Maybe one of these days I will join you!
K
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Patrick,
As a former runner who gets a headache just skipping a few yards now I am otally envious but so very happy for you. You are truly an inspiration to others on this forum. A hearty YO HO and congrats and thanks for the HOPE!
Capt Deb8)
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Patrick,
That is a great accomplishment, congratulations. (I once ran a half, way before my tumor, and swore I'd never do it again.) Bravo!
Marci
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Congratulations, Patrick! I'm in Houston, too, and have only begun to think about possibly, maybe at some point in the future running in the Half / Full Marathon. I joked with a buddy who ran the full thing that if he had 26 miles to go somewhere, he could get there quicker in his car. He didn't find it funny. I wonder why? Great job for you in running in the half marathon! That's great!
Regards,
Brian
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Here's some ugly pics as proof. First pic is about the 7 mile mark and the 2nd one is at the finish. You can see the ladies beside and behind me at the finish celebrating....I wanted to do that, but was too tired to raise my arms!
(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo9/birdsong71/7milemark.jpg)
(http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo9/birdsong71/2009halffinish.jpg)
My goal next year will be to beat my time from 2008 and then the year after that I might celebrate being 50 by doing the full marathon.
Patrick
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Not that we didn't believe you or anything, but it's great to see documented proof of the event! What a great milestone for you! Congratulations again!
Regards,
Brian
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Congratulations, Patrick!
Huge accomplishment - even for those who haven't had AN surgery - you should definitely be proud of yourself.
Jan
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Great pictures, Patrick!! I'm sure you will finish the entire marathon to celebrate your 50th! Finishing the half is a major accomplishment! Congratulations, again!! Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brenda
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WHAT A FEAT ! ! Way to go !!!! & not even 6 months post op ! !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Thats teriffic! Gives everyone alot of hope! Keep up the good work, very special, Mickey
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Patrick,
Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment and great pictures too. I have to agree that with your wife! She is obviously a very smart lady! Keep on keepin' on!
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Patrick,
I think the pictures are great! Now anytime you are having a bad day, you can look back at those and remember what a great thing you accomplished!
You may have been too tired to lift your arms at the finish line, but if it were me there, I'd be face down on the pavement at about the one mile point!
Lori
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And it would have NOTHING to do with a bottle of red wine.. honest. ;)
Regards,
Brian
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You mean to tell me you're NOT supposed to drink a bottle of wine before running a marathon?
Well, that explains it then. :D
Lori
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Heck, I always thought you drank the wine WHILE running a marathon.. Who knew?? ;)
Brian
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As a matter of fact, I did major damage to a bottle of Argentina Malbec(red wine) later that evening after the run....the only time I got off the couch was to get a refiill! Thanks for all the kind words.
Patrick
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Hey Patrick
Those pics are great and you look strong and determined. Did I ever tell you that after my half, they served the runners hot buttered pierogies? It sounds awful but after 12 plus miles in the cold November rain, those suckers went down pretty quickly! The wine came later of course.
Congrats again.
Marci
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Marci, I have to admit that I didn't know what pierogies were until I just looked it up. In my job I travel a lot to South America and it sounds like pierorgies are similar to empanadas(that are served in several countries down there....I do love those). At the Houston Marathon, they had a free beer stand at mile 12(or mile 25 for the full Marathon)....free beer is something I wouldn't normally pass up, but I was afraid if I stopped for that, I'd never finish the last mile.
Patrick
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That is so funny. Beer during a marathon! Of course, a beer marathon is another thing entirely... :D
M
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Well, maybe they should put the beer at the very end - that might encourage more people (myself included) to actually finiish! Chocolate would be a good motivator too.
Lori
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Congrats Patrick! What an accomplishment! Makes me kinda think I should stop making excuses and start getting more physical once I'm up to it. You are such an inspiration to me!!!
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Patrick,
Congratulations on finishing the half marathon! It is quite an impressive accomplishment.
Jean
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Congratulations .... I used to do alot of hiking with Scouts and we would cover 20+ miles a day
with packs at a walk and now that is daunting to me ...can't imagine running 13... about a mile around
school gym track is all I can handle ...and at a slow walk...