FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k

Well, I didn't realize that I hadn't posted about our FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k until just now.  I hate to do this so late unless I'm gathering information about the race because I am not "in the moment" as I usually am right afterward.  But here goes...

It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be a good, flat 5k race to run.  Why do I love the beach so much????????????  Oh, yeah, it's peaceful, relaxing, warm and wonderful!!  Is there any other reason?

It began at FloraBama where we had our first "issue" confronting us.  They did not have our registration!  When this happens, you are not guaranteed any perks that is contained in your registration bag, nor are you guaranteed a racing shirt.  They had two shirts left and one was Kent's size.  I'm out!!  This aggravated me so much...this is the second race in a row that we mailed our money in ahead of the date required and they didn't receive it.  They were nice about it...BUT...there we were. 

We head out to find the Starting Line as we couldn't tell where it was.  Waaaaay down the road, we saw the clock.  No one seem to be getting everyone lined up and everyone was every where asking the same question: "where do we go?"  There were some at FloraBama and some at the clock.  Okay...this is making us nervous since the clock was a good quarter mile away.  I mean...we DO want to start on time...wherever that is.  Even the police wasn't sure.  After the pre-race talk at FloraBama, we were asked to move up to the clock to start the race.  Now, we're getting somewhere. 

The race began and I felt pretty good.  We went to the bridge and turned around under it ON SAND and in sand BURRS!!  This was for several yards and it really slowed you down.  Then we were headed back to the Finish Line and this is where we encountered strong wind!  Okay...could this dinky little race not be more challenging...well, I guess it could be raining or cold!  It is after I hit the straightaway heading back that I saw Kent heading under the bridge.  He was running and I was so excited to see this.  He hasn't run in a race in quite a while since he's been focused on racewalking. 

I knew my time was suffering when I made my turn and felt like I was standing still yet running with all I had in me, through the sand.  Oh, well...all I can say is that 5k's have lost its luster for me anyway so I refocused and just did the best I could, not the best I have in the past.  I crossed the Finish Line looking for some fruit...NONE...so I got some water.  Thought maybe the fruit and food were back at FB...but as it turned out there was absolutely nothing but the water at the finish.  If you didn't pick it up there, you were totally out...unless you wanted to drink...AND...you got your registration bag...of which we didn't.  Then I felt stinging around my ankles.  When I looked down, I was "graced" with sand burrs all over me...YIKES!!  I thought I'd never get all of them off...and, yeah, they will remind you that they are still in tact!

After we settled down in FloraBama, I saw a young man handling a bunch of t-shirts.  I went up to him and asked if he had any size mediums and told him my situation.  He was VERY nice and got me a shirt [even though it was a different color, it was this year's shirt] and gave me some drink tickets.  Now, mind you, all I wanted was some water or a coke...liquor was NOT on my mind getting these tickets but I was sooo thirsty.  When I got back to my seat, Kent had rounded up 3 more.  Now, we have more than we could drink even if we wanted to get drunk, ha!  I'm feeling better now as I feel I got what I paid for...to some degree.  Everyone was looking around for food because it was stated that there would be plenty of food...NOTHING was ever found and we were getting hungrier by the minute!!  We didn't know if we placed so we waited around.  This was a small race so the potential was there.  As we looked around, we began seeing the decor above our heads.  Okay...even in my younger days, this would not have been something I'd have wanted to see. 

Bras were everywhere!!  Okay...men, get your tongues back in your mouths!!!  NO...I didn't put mine up there either!!

Back to the race info now.  We needed to get our picture at the race, of course. 

Kent did so well for not running in such a long time.  I was so proud of him.  He ran the entire first part of it.  But there were several that showed up in his age group...you'd figure, huh?  As it turned out, I got 1st place in my age group.  I was really surprised.  But the best part of this entire thing was my prize.  It is probably the best I've ever gotten.  I received this great Team In Training Running Bag...it is amazing!!  Click on the picture to see it larger.  It has a ton of pockets [inside and out], a removable padded piece inside and even nice feet on the bottom.  This thing is NOT shabby.  Check out the size!  We love it!

We walked out on the pier in the back and one thing that surprised me was the sign that required shoes.  Hey...this place is ON the beach...what gives?? 

After we left, we decided to go to the Wharf and look at the Christmas decorations.  Everything there is magnified and you feel like a little kid again.  In the last year, they have added an ice skating rink.  I couldn't believe that in this area...and it is not enclosed.  How in the world do they keep it iced nine months out of the year, I don't know.  We also saw some beautiful orange trees loaded down ready for picking. 

Well, this is it for now.  I'm gathering information for my last post Year In Review.  Thanks, as always, for visiting me in my little world.  So for now, all I can say is

Run 4 It