I had so much fun (I really at least was surprised that I finished and was pretty strong up to mile 23) at my first marathon in December, 2023 that I signed up for another one, this time with friends. I started the training in December 2024, and things were going along fine. It was actually even fun to train “with” friends — we would just email each other — but it felt like we were working together!

Then, I had … an accident. A #2 one. But I was AT the toilet at home, or ALMOST, and so I kind of let it go — long run, almost made it, it’s fine. I had eaten grapes, which can cause my tummy trouble.

THEN, I had … another accident. A #2 one. In Houston, near my dad’s house, on a busy street, so … it just went down my leg. Allllll the way down. Terrible feeling, terrible two blocks to his house, terrible it was only 6 miles run … but I had eaten dad’s food, which isn’t my own, and I was stressed about the lawsuit I was in Houston for, so … I kept going.

Half marathon? Done. 15 mile run? Well, I finished 12, but didn’t stop because I had an accident — I just got too tired to continue. I was doing the other runs every week, keeping up, doing fine!

Then it was the day of the 18 mile run – I was determined to finish strong! I chose a new path — I HATE the boredom of paths I know too well, so I was really excited to be in my neighborhood/area but on a totally new-to-me-running street. I stopped to go to the bathroom! I stopped to buy water! I saw a friend and thought about stopping to say hello but texted her later instead. It was AWESOME. I was at mile 12 or so .. oh, I needed to go to the bathroom. Oh, there was a McDonald’s right there — perfect!

Nope. You know the ending — busy street, next to McDonalds, ALLLLLLL down my legs. I had to call my husband to pick me up then slide into his backset on my stomach so I wouldn’t … mar the car. It was genuinely disgusting and totally discouraging. I called my friends and told the marathon runner I just … couldn’t keep doing this (what would I actually do if this happened during the marathon?!). I called the 7 miler and she said we could just walk it together — an excellent idea! A friend suggested diapers but OH the chafing — and still, what would I do with a full diaper in the middle of a marathon?!

So, it’s this coming weekend. I have dreams that I will just start running and finish my second marathon! But in reality, I will walk 7 miles and be happy to support my awesome friend doing her first marathon. I went to the doctor and there is no problem — just — bodies sometimes do this.

Sad. But okay!