State Record Holder & Wesson 2 Mile Race

Today was an exciting day! This was the first 2-Mile Race I've done and was anxious to have a new PR. Okay, your first of any race is a.l.w.a.y.s. a PR; but I had hope that I would have a good one, not just to "have" one. I began strong and felt well...no pain anywhere! It's been a while since I've run that I haven't had one pain or another OR one would pop up during the race.

Several dressed the 4th of July part with cute shorts, shirts, headbands and even a couple of girls had blue stars on one leg with red stripes on the other. How original was that! Really cute. Before the race began we recited the Pledge of Allegiance and someone sang the National Anthem. I can't help it but always have a lump in my throat when it comes to anything showing respect to our country and patriotism. My freedom means a lot to me and I appreciate every single person that has served the mighty USA military in whatever position they have.

After this, the horn blew and we were on our way. Shortly, I glanced at my watch and my pace was pretty fast and my breathing was a "little" harder than I wanted it to be. BUT, with it only being 2 miles, I wanted to run as hard as I could. After all, anyone can hold their breath and do this thing, can't they??? Well, maybe not really. But surely you can endure more when you know it's shorter lived. I hit the first hill and the race changed a little. Downhill I went and for those that don't know me, I don't run down hills hard and try to maintain a fairly even pace. That also includes running uphill when I have to push a little harder. I think it helps me keep a more steady pace throughout the race without taxiing my heart too much. There's one person that I try to keep up with and a couple of times when I began racing a couple of years ago I outran them; but with an extra 10 pounds and not working out as hard as I use to, I've not done as well and/or they've gotten better. Without their permission I won't mention their name but if they read this, they will know who they are. It was an out-and-back race and coming back I had the same little hill to run. I love challenges and this was a challenge for me. I had maintained my lead with my friend up until about the last half mile. By then, I had gotten pretty hot and was beginning to feel it. But I knew I was close to the end. All of a sudden, here my rabbit comes, slowly and strong, passing me. I'm okay...I'm doing my best and I felt I had done well throughout. That's all one can ask...to do your best.

I hope today was a new start for running better than the months before. I felt good and strong throughout. Not having run a 2-mile race before all I had to go by is my 5k PR to shoot for. So I had that in mind and when I saw the clock I was really excited about how I had run. Right on schedule. The clock was reading just what I wanted it to be when I first saw it but, of course, I had to "get" there so I knew I would be a little off. I watched my "rabbit" and was closer to them than I had been in several previous races. This was exciting and I felt I had run a good race. As it turns out, I was 7 seconds off of that 5k PR. I'm pleased with this new record.

When I finished, I went to get my camera to get Kent's picture when he crossed the line. When I got back I walked right up to him...he had finished...AND not looking well. I placed his sticker on the board and "lost" him for a while. Finally went back to the truck where I find that he was practically dehydrated. The supplements that he takes forces fluids to leave the body and with being a heavy sweater, it was the perfect storm! Thankfully, we had ice in an ice chest so I got a cup full and eventually he got cooled down and began feeling better.

The awards began...Kent lost by 1 second in his age group to receive the 2nd Place. So sorry, Honey! Gulf Coast Running Club race results can be found here. The top awards were called out and several friends received those. Here are some pics.

Masters-Leonard

Grand Masters-Mark (I should be here!! Missed it by ONE second!!)

RW 2nd-Kent & Coach-1st

Overall Woman RW-Tanya (middle)

Steven Jones-He's 12 y/o and has run races since he was 1...amazing little guy!

Boy Koch on the right

Girl Koch on the left

Jessica 1st (left)

M. Koch (left) All the Koch family were winners! Congrats!!

Bill G. (left) 1st

Me-1st (right)

I don't have the exact total of runners at the posting time but there were approximately 467 runners. The best they've had participate so to date. They finally got to my age group and I received 1st Place. I was happy with that. It wasn't until I saw a partial posting of the race results that I realized that I was 1 second off from receiving the Grand Masters Award...she was right in front of me and I didn't know it!!! There were several of us coming in at the same with a second apart from each other but I had no idea that she was in my age group. I will push harder next time...oh, yes, I will.

Mississippi State Running Records have now come to acknowledge 2 mile races. There haven't been many at all up to this time. This race was certified and records were going to be set. Well, as it turns out...this was a great day indeed!! I received a message shortly ago that I had set the first state record for my age in a 2-mile certified race!! I am soooo excited. I can hardly believe this. As soon as the MS State Records site is updated, you can bet I'll be posting that link! This is such a great day...much more than I could have ever known. Here is my pic along with a couple of others.

Jeff M. (right) took my award pic...thanks!

The Farraguts


Crowd shot

Have a great 4th of July and until next time...
Run4It