One Step at a Time

The big weekend was finally here!

On Friday, I went to the expo for the Women's Half Marthon to pick up my race package and to scope out the place before going back with Mom on Saturday. By the time we got there on Saturday, it was really croweded!

At the package pickup, we ran into Dawna Stone (the race director) and she was in really great spirits! She was happy to see that Mom and I were walking together and also really happy that I told her I'd be a significant volunteer for her next year.

We also ran into Tim and Lauren at the expo. Lauren had just flown in that morning (just after midnight) and would leave after the race on Sunday. All of us left the expo together and headed to Chattaway for lunch.

On race morning, there was a little chill in the air. I got us parked in the Bayfront Center parking lot - really, really close to the race start. We walked across the street to the Hilton to hang out in the lobby and have access to their bathrooms before the race. But it was kind of cold in the lobby!

Mom warms herself with pillows in the Hilton lobby.

Finally, it was time to head over to the start line.

Mom, Lauren, and me before the start.



In the starting chute.

It took us a little over 2 minutes to reach the starting line after the gun went off.

Just after mile 1 - on our way around The Pier.


Just after Mile 2 at the Mad Dog water station.



Around Mile 5 at the Vinoy Country Club.

Between Mile 8 and 9, going back

through the Mad Dog water station.

At around Mile 10, Mom started having some difficulty. She started leaning to the right and as she tried to straighten up, she would get spasms on the left side of her back. These back issues really gave her increasing problems from Mile 10 through the rest of the race. In addition to the back issues, she has a lot of nausea.

Inside Tropicana Field, unable to

stand up straight!

Inside Tropicana Field.

After we made the final turn on the course to where you could see the finish line, we still had a long, slow way to go to get there. Mom had to stop and bend over and I had to massage her back to try to give her some relief. The spectators could tell that she was having a very difficult time and they were cheering loudly for her to finish. I think that alone got her across the finish line!

The saddest approach to

the finish line!

Where's my medal?

As we made our way to the finish line, I asked a volunteer where the medical tent was and was happy to find that it was right next to the finish line. When they asked if we wanted to go right there, I said "No. We have our priorities. We want our medal first."

They had some Coast Guard guys at the finish line handing out the medals. The guy that gave Mom her medal asked if he could assist her to the medical tent and she said "No.". And I said "I'd lean on that arm if I were you." But she declined anyway and we hobbled over to the medical tent.

There's my medal!

Finally finished!

At the medical tent, they iced her back down until she was finally able to get up and move around. From there, I walked her over to the massage tent where they worked on her for only 10 to 15 minutes and got her as good as new!

Mom, with her new best friend.

It was really amazing how that massage got her to where you'd never know that she was been in such distress. I'll be making an appointment for her to visit Travis before we go to Honolulu!

Later that evening... and one

step closer to the Honolulu Marathon!