Later we went and picked up our pre-race meal. It was a bowtie pasta with maranara sauce (no meat) and a chicken penne pasta. It was really quite good.
Upon check in, we both received blankets given to runners that were staying in host hotels. Yay! We'd decided to stay the night as I had to be up pretty early to catch the shuttle to the race start. The last one left at 6:00 making it a pretty early morning for me, like 4:15, as I needed to pack before leaving...I'm sure I was no different from the other runners. I definitely didn't want to get on the last bus in case it was running late or something weird like that causing me to be late in lining up.
It was a Point A to Point B kind of race. I had been excited to run this one for some time now. It was thrilling to know that we were going to run over two bridges. I love the "water" influence running on bridges. I feel so free and I love it all, even the tough runs. On top of that, I was excited to run over these bridges because they were hard ones...VERY steep. I love to run over the Ocean Springs Bridge and the Bay St. Louis Bridge; they give me a good workout, especially the OS one. But I love to get to the top and look out over the beauty of the water and how the light dances on the top. There's nothing like it! Don't get me wrong. Bridges, even flat ones, can be challenging. There's always wind, some days worse than others.
The race began at 7:00. I enjoy running in larger races as you enjoy running with runners of many different ability levels. I use to (and sometimes still do) feel like I'm the slowest runner and that no matter how hard I run I'm still at the end of the pack. It makes me real nervous and takes away from the love of racing it. But when there's a lot of people, it takes the "stress" out of it and helps keep my mind directed on MY run and pace and listen to my body. On the bus, I talked with a young lady sitting next to me. I was getting so nervous, even a tiny bit nauseous, for fear I'd not have the strength or ability to run across those huge bridges that seem to grow in my mind every time I thought about it. Thanks, Laurie, for taking my mind off of it and for listening to an old woman nervously babbling along. You are real sweet and I hope you did well.
We were in corrals due to the number of runners. I personally like that because I don't feel so alone. There were friends of ours from the Gulf Coast Running Club that came over to race and I think they were in the first coral. They are literally like lightning!! I'm glad they even speak to me, they are so above my level. Of course, I keep telling myself that I would be much better had I started running when I was younger instead of beginning at 51. I wish I had known how much fun it really was.
Excitement built as our corral neared the Starting Line. Then it was us. After we all "found our pace" it became more like a race. It takes a little longer to get to that state when there are so many people. But in a long one, to me, this is good cause I tend to go out way too fast...and I did...thankfully, not to my detriment this time. I love my Garmin for many reasons but pacing is great to keep me where I need to be and not "peter out" at the end when I want to run faster but have no energy left.
It was barely light when we looped around a block or so before getting on the beach road. It was exciting to see the water slowly glistening as the sun tried to come out. It was hid behind many clouds keeping the temp just right for running. It was in the mid 60's when we began and high humidity. I'd read to get water at all the 3 water stops, because it is a tough run, to help keep you from dehydrating, even if you weren't sweating. So I made it a point to do that. The last two stops was just before a bridge and I thought I'd need all the help I could get to climb them. Usually, I slowed down to drink them and this was working but it probably cost me in my time at the finish.
The first bridge is amazingly beautiful! You can see it from a long distance; the entire bridge. It's flat until you get to the "hump" and it flattens back out again. When we got to the base of it, excitement built. I was fixing to start running it. I don't know why, but I get a thrill out of running bridges. It's just a feeling I really love to experience. I don't care how hard it is, I just love it. Check out some of the pics...yeah, it was just about this dark when we were on it. This is the first bridge...don't know the people but wanted to share these amazing views.
This last one is looking back at the runners climbing the bridge. Oh, yeah, they got me!! I'm in red just over the right shoulder of the guy in the yellow with his left arm up.
Woo-hoo!!We finally came up on the 5k start in Gulf Breeze. It was really exciting as the runners were lined up along the streets cheering you on. What a neat surprise...I loved it. Their race started at 8:30 and was 20 minutes or so away. Immediately after that, we had another little bridge, which was not even mentioned but would have been in another race, that rose steeply, curved around and back over the Interstate. Thankfully, it was short lived. I gathered my "stuff" again and kept going.
The final water stop was ahead which was located at the bottom of the "mega" bridge. The Sikes Bridge was just ahead and I knew I was about to face the giant. After the first 20 yards on the bridge, the elevation began. While I was getting close to the peak of the bridge I began to really feel it. My thoughts "here it goes" crossed my mind, my heart was in my throat, and the excitement began to build. It got harder as I got to the top and the wind showed no mercy. BUT, I loved it...every challenging moment! I love running bridges because it reveals to me what I have inside and how much it wants to come out. I find places within I never know I have until I'm pushed like this.
At the 8 mile mark we began to decend. You could see the bottom of the bridge and you knew it wouldn't be long. Usually I don't like downhills but I loved every minute of them in this race. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed getting to the Finish Line.
I had misplaced the knee strap I usually wear on longer runs but my knee gave me absolutely NO problem. Success all the way around. I got stronger and stronger though I didn't know exactly where the Finish Line was. My Garmin kept me informed. Then I turned a slight corner and saw the "shoot" knowing the clock was just ahead. People and finished runners were cheering you in. I get excited with goosebumps just thinking about it all again! I got my second win a third time and ran as hard as I could. I finished strong and am proud of my time. Chip time was 1:34:30. A PR seeing as how it was my first 15k but a good time for me nevertheless.
I lined up waiting for Kent to cross the line. He has been struggling with a lot of joint pain and I was concerned with him racewalking on that very steep bridge. When I saw him, he looked great...no pain in his face and was looking strong!! I am so proud of him. He continues to amaze me with his persistance and abilities.
After the race, there was red beans and rice with something that looked like a chicken mixture over rice. It was really good. I took a pic but blogger, for some reason, wouldn't post it. The post race party was at Hemmingway's on the beach and the day turned out beautiful with warm sun. I love Pensacola!!
Congrats to our friends: Leonard V. for receiving the GM, Mark K. 1st in his age group and Leah W. 1st in her age group. They are great runners and I'm proud of them. Can't wait until next year...yeah, I wanna do it again!!
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