NOLA Week 12: Last chance workout.

Distance: 8.6 miles
Route: Teague Parkway
Time: 1 hr. 34 mins. 41 secs.

This was it. As Bob and Jillian say, "LAST. CHANCE. WORKOUT!!!" Every time I hit the last run before a race, I always have that mantra running through my brain. Not that I fear getting voted off the island, but that I won't be ready and won't be able to go the distance the way that I want to. Before Sparky says anything, I am ready for this race. I feel that I am as prepped as I can be at this point and I will do the absolute best that I can next Sunday.

This morning, I didn't get up at 5:30am for a change. I didn't rush out the door and I didn't prep all of my gear the night before. I got up at 8:00am and took my time getting out the door. I think I made it to the trail at 8:45am. I haven't started a run this late (minus last week) in awhile. I wanted to enjoy it and just kind of savor the last run before the marathon. I didn't use my Nike+, but I did time it with my watch. I started up and quickly realized that I had overdressed for the occasion. The sun was shining and it was warming up. I just kept the layers on, as I didn't want to have to figure out how to squish it all into the Camelbak. I decided to run in the new kicks and was happy that I did. It didn't hurt my feet and I could tell that I was overdue for new shoes.

I hit the boat launch area and felt nice and warmed up. I saw a lady by the restrooms talking to 2 other guys and didn't think too much. I noticed that she was wearing the same shirt I was (the Mardi Gras Marathon shirt) and smiled. I kept on trucking and knew that I would probably get passed. Sure enough, the woman came up on my left and I moved over a little so that she could pass me. Instead of passing me, she started talking to me and kept her pace even with mine. I chatted for a few minutes and thought that she'd pass me again, but she just kept right on talking and kept running next to me. She asked how far I was going and I told her that I was doing the whole trail and she mentioned that she was doing 10 miles and would I mind running with her? I told her that I didn't mind the company and we kept going.

Her name was Brenda and she was probably in her 50s. She was shorter than I and had on running tights, shorts, t-shirt, baseball cap and a garmin. She told me that she was from the area and grew up around Natchitoches (which is an hour south). I told her a little about myself as well and mentioned the kids a few times. Then things started to get a little umm...well...awkward? She blew a snot rocket. Now, I don't mind if you blow one. I don't mind if you blow two or three. However, she kept blowing them constantly. I mean one every 30 seconds. After the 7th one, I started to get a little grossed out. As we reached the turnaround, she told me that she really needed to pee. I mentioned that they probably had unlocked the bathrooms at the boat launch by now. She said that she was going head down by the river. I made the assumption that she was going to run a little further, so I just hit the turn around and shot my Gu. I looked down by the river and saw her "watering" a tree. Yep. Didn't mean to see that. Awkward.

She rejoined me and we kept chatting. We were about a half mile from the end when my mouth opened and I said, "Wow! You're really a pro at the whole snot rocket thing!" Cripes, Stacy! Really? Open mouth, insert foot. She looked over at me and I quickly said, "I just make a mess if I try! However, I can hock a good loogey!" Luckily, she thought it was funny and just kept right on gabbing. I seriously need to learn how to keep my mouth shut.

I finished the run and felt good. I was tired, but then again, I hadn't run since Wednesday, so the muscles were a little tired. There it is, my friends. The last. chance. workout. Eat your heart out Bob and Jillian!