The San Antonio Rock’n’Roll Marathon made its return this year. 😎 After training for it last year, it was postponed to 2021. I worried about getting my hopes up again this year and I had a few setbacks and a couple of injuries over the summer. But I had plenty of time to recover. I trained SMARTER to avoid further injury and it went well. I was feeling good for my 3rd live full marathon. 🙂

Downtown San Antonio on Race morning.

The start line at 6:AM.

With THOUSANDS of runners in the corrals, Half Fanatic Katy found us! It was so awesome to see her before the race. 😍

The first 8 corrals were on their way but they had our corral (#9) on “hold.” Ugh, the waiting. The anticipation was killing us! 😫

At last, it was time to move! 😃

It seemed like forever but we FINALLY made it to the start line! So I got my selfie. 🤳🏻

One more selfie out of the gate! I just had to capture this. Once runners made it to the start they were separated into 12 chutes. Runners were sent out 12 at a time every three seconds.

At mile 1 we found our friend Shannon cheering from the sidelines and repping Team Blue Line! 💙 What a great way to start our journey.

Around mile 5 we were delighted to see Mr. Scallywompus himself (Bart) and his crew, cheering on runners and handing out beer! 🍻

As we ran through Brackenridge Park, Wear Blue: Run to Remember (a non-profit running community) was honoring the service and sacrifice of the American Military. 🇺🇸 It’s a beautiful but emotional mile through the park. Our friend Ralph was there with the flag supporting the cause as well. It was great to see him. 😍

It’s Barefoot Elvis! 😃 He’s a Rock’n’Roll Series Hall of Famer! ⭐️ I’ve seen him at several RNR races including Seattle and Nashville! I missed him in Vegas but he was there too! I mean you can’t be Elvis and NOT run Vegas. 😉 So great to see him out there again after the return of the series. 🎸

Another Scallywompus Superstar! 🤩 Great seeing Tony out there running the course! 😍

Shannon and I were truly enjoying this race through our beautiful city! Oh how we’ve missed this. 😍 It almost felt like pre-pandemic life again with the crowd support and entertainment! We stopped for some fun pics. Shannon got a high-five from a sweet doggie! 🐶 She even rocked out in stride to one of the many bands playing live music on the sidelines! 🎶

Even the Mariachis were on course! 😍 I mean, if you don’t have the “Mariachi Mile” are you even running San Antonio? ❤️😉

Ten miles done! 😃 …only sixteen to go. 😳 But we were feeling GREAT! 💗

Ah, the Folklorico dancers! 💃🏻 Each year that I run this event I look forward to this part of the course! My dear friends Amy & Jesse are always here cheering runners and supporting their sweet daughter Kaylee as she dancers for the city! 😍

Back in my Battle of Leon Creek blog (about 4 races back) I introduced you to Patricia. She was training for her first full marathon. Well, just after the half/full split… guess who we found??? 😃 And she was doing AWESOME out on the course! ⭐️

The second half of the marathon is always a different kind of mood. The half marathoners are long gone and the course gets quiet. It’s when the mental part really kicks in. Running the greenway through Comanche, MLK and Southside Lions Parks was peaceful and beautiful. We met Janet out on the park trails and we talked of other races, our hometowns and colorful running outfits. We enjoyed her company for the rest of the race. 💗

Shannon, Patricia and I also ran into our friend Melissa and first time marathoner Krystal around mile 22. The struggle was getting REAL and we were all feeling it, but no one was giving up! 😎 We got this! 💪🏻

Eric showed up at mile 24 (after running the half marathon) and ran with us to the finish!

And there it is! The Home Stretch! The Finish Line! 🏁 Although it had been more than 5.5 hours and many runners were long gone, there were still PLENTY of spectators there cheering us on including our friend Courtney! That last stretch through the finishing chute is often when you need the most motivation because you’re DONE! Your body, mind and spirit are exhausted and even tho the finish line is just within reach it seems to move further away as you approach. It’s AMAZING but TOUGH. Your legs are done and your taking those last strides with your heart. ❤️

WE DID IT!!! We all accomplished this amazing journey. The days, weeks, months and miles all came down to this 26.2! And we are FINISHERS. We are MARATHONERS. 😎 This is the 4th for Shannon, 3rd for me and first for Patricia! 🏅🤩💗

Patricia’s sweet and supportive husband Sungho rode his bike alongside her throughout the race and was waiting and BEAMING WITH PRIDE for her at the finish! 💞

It was a hot and humid morning and Shannon was like a Personal Hydration Assistant for me. She encouraged me to utilize the medical tents and that really helped! We stayed together for the entire race. She even waited for me at a portapotty pit stop around the halfway point. She’s THE BEST! 💗

This was the best I’ve ever felt after running a full marathon! Recovery was much easier than in the past and after only one day of rest I was up and running again! 😍 Training is key!