Today is the annual Labor Your Legs 5k in Hattiesburg. It was stated earlier
that it would be conducted "rain or shine". Well, we proved Tropical Storm Lee we were tougher! Oh, yeah...the 5k was run!
On the way to Hattiesburg it literally came a gully washer (you southerners know what I mean). I mean, it poured so hard you had to use the wipers as fast as they could perform. Once there and inside picking up our packet, the rain stopped. With fingers crossed, I had hoped it would stop long enough to run the race. So I took advantage of just some good old humid weather and hit the parking lot warming up. It wasn't long when Frank and I met up with some really "nice" rain puddles where we were officially "dunked". NOW we were ready to race. I mean why try to avoid them when you're drenched. One good thing...it isn't cold yet! [How can I write this smiling??] I would have been frozen after stepping into these ankle deep puds which happened along the route.
Something I had not done before was race without my iPod. I love my music and it helps tune out my breathing and foot strikes, of which I hate to hear. It causes such a distraction and I'll begin to focus on it and it slows me down making me think I'm overworking my body. I, also, believe it makes my pace slower. But a friend of mine had run 75 miles yesterday in these downpours and it ruined his iPod. I was really torn as to what to do. Then I decided it's sacrifice time; in order to have it available tomorrow, I left it.
One thing about humidity...it NEVER lets you down! It is one tough nuggie...one tough, silent, invisible enemy! Having struggled so much with my sinuses (caused predominantly by humidity) this summer I thought I was about over it. But today, proved to me it's not leaving me alone without a fight. Before reaching my second mile, I was struggling. I was taking breaths but they weren't getting into my lungs. Where in the world was it going? It's now I was hoping for a little sprinkle here and there or even the slightest breeze. But this was going to prove to be a challenge one way or another. Knowing at the beginning, I was going to "run" this one and not "race" it made me re-evaluate what this race was about...being careful not to slip down and not over-breathe. Once I got close to the three mile mark (up a hill), I could see the Finish Line and it was all downhill after that. It was a shame I was pooped!! All I can do, is just laugh. It was kinda funny. I don't know why, it just struck me funny. Maybe I was getting delirious, ha!
Many people showed up. Much more than I had expected with TS Lee all about us. I was glad because that spells "success" for the race directors. They did a good job with plenty of drinks, bananas, cookies, etc. for the runners as well as plenty of door prizes. Even some of our good friends from the Gulf Coast Running Club came. I'm always glad to run with them. Although I think they must have thought they were going to float home cause they came with a kayak strapped on their rooftop! And, let me end by saying, that every single person that came out today are winners...tough, running winners. Good job, everyone.
I won 1st Place and Kent won 2nd Place.
Many of our friends won awards. Here are a few:
New RW friends and winners (Kent & Brady)!
Congrats, Master Phillip!
Way to go Ms. Grand Master, Nancy!
Go Jenn!
Yay, Donna S.!
Good job, Joanna!
Go Tom & Bob!
Good job, Becky!
And, last, but not least, our great photographer, Frank! The Club would not be as good as it is without a good photographer. Thanks for all you do!
Until next time...
Run4It
that it would be conducted "rain or shine". Well, we proved Tropical Storm Lee we were tougher! Oh, yeah...the 5k was run!
On the way to Hattiesburg it literally came a gully washer (you southerners know what I mean). I mean, it poured so hard you had to use the wipers as fast as they could perform. Once there and inside picking up our packet, the rain stopped. With fingers crossed, I had hoped it would stop long enough to run the race. So I took advantage of just some good old humid weather and hit the parking lot warming up. It wasn't long when Frank and I met up with some really "nice" rain puddles where we were officially "dunked". NOW we were ready to race. I mean why try to avoid them when you're drenched. One good thing...it isn't cold yet! [How can I write this smiling??] I would have been frozen after stepping into these ankle deep puds which happened along the route.
Something I had not done before was race without my iPod. I love my music and it helps tune out my breathing and foot strikes, of which I hate to hear. It causes such a distraction and I'll begin to focus on it and it slows me down making me think I'm overworking my body. I, also, believe it makes my pace slower. But a friend of mine had run 75 miles yesterday in these downpours and it ruined his iPod. I was really torn as to what to do. Then I decided it's sacrifice time; in order to have it available tomorrow, I left it.
One thing about humidity...it NEVER lets you down! It is one tough nuggie...one tough, silent, invisible enemy! Having struggled so much with my sinuses (caused predominantly by humidity) this summer I thought I was about over it. But today, proved to me it's not leaving me alone without a fight. Before reaching my second mile, I was struggling. I was taking breaths but they weren't getting into my lungs. Where in the world was it going? It's now I was hoping for a little sprinkle here and there or even the slightest breeze. But this was going to prove to be a challenge one way or another. Knowing at the beginning, I was going to "run" this one and not "race" it made me re-evaluate what this race was about...being careful not to slip down and not over-breathe. Once I got close to the three mile mark (up a hill), I could see the Finish Line and it was all downhill after that. It was a shame I was pooped!! All I can do, is just laugh. It was kinda funny. I don't know why, it just struck me funny. Maybe I was getting delirious, ha!
Many people showed up. Much more than I had expected with TS Lee all about us. I was glad because that spells "success" for the race directors. They did a good job with plenty of drinks, bananas, cookies, etc. for the runners as well as plenty of door prizes. Even some of our good friends from the Gulf Coast Running Club came. I'm always glad to run with them. Although I think they must have thought they were going to float home cause they came with a kayak strapped on their rooftop! And, let me end by saying, that every single person that came out today are winners...tough, running winners. Good job, everyone.
I won 1st Place and Kent won 2nd Place.
Many of our friends won awards. Here are a few:
New RW friends and winners (Kent & Brady)!
Congrats, Master Phillip!
Way to go Ms. Grand Master, Nancy! 
Go Jenn!
Yay, Donna S.! 
Good job, Joanna!
Go Tom & Bob! 
Good job, Becky!And, last, but not least, our great photographer, Frank! The Club would not be as good as it is without a good photographer. Thanks for all you do!
Until next time...
Run4It
1 comment:
I know what you mean about running with the ipod. I have mine in a little cover that helps keep out the elements. I also had a couple of floaties in the car and thought about using one of them to keep my ipod dry...but didn't need it since the rain stayed away for a while.
As for the air...I bit off a little every breath and tried to chew it so I could get some oxygen in my poor body. It didn't really work. So glad to see you today and so glad to feel the cool breezes this afternoon. Maybe next race will be better! See you there!
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