Well, this blog is not about dental issues...so back to the race. As it turned out, I ran pretty good. Better than I ever expected. Coming off the marathon and still not getting in many miles, I was afraid I was pushing it to run hard but I ran as I felt and am so glad that I did. I met up with my friends Deleica and Serina [and her family] at the Expo the night before the race, as well as my FB friend, Mindy B. Mindy and I had not met in person before but we knew each other when we saw each other. She had her cute little boys with her and her friend, Stephanie [I think was her name]. Mindy is absolutely the cutest, sweetest person in reality as she is online!
My group decided to meet up at the fountain on race day. Okay...we thought of one fountain and they thought of another. Can you believe that Deleica looked down the street and "happen" to see us pass by?? Well, we got connected to start the race and it wasn't due to meeting at the same fountain, ha!
Here we all are: Gary T., Kent, Me, Deleica C., Dennis W., Serina W., and a friend whom I did not know. Thanks, Ms. Dennis for taking the pic!
As we headed to the Starting Line we see the usual young ladies in the beautiful antebellum dresses. They were so pretty. There weren't as many this year as before. As a matter of fact, there wasn't as much hooplah on the course either. Wondered if it was due to it supposed to be raining at this time. Thankfully, it held off until after the race. Ran into my friend, Diane G., from Gulf Shores. It was good to wish her well on her race.
And, here we go:
The course was changed this year in reverse. I think I liked it better. I do know in the past that it was always hard to run fast at the end because you were in the blaring sun. With it being in reverse, you ended up on Government Street where it is real shady and beautiful.
Deleica, Serina and I started out running together. There were so many people around us, we all wished each other well in their race because it would be hard to stay together. Not long after we got going...and I mean not long at all...we struggled trying to stay together. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder and my friend, Mo, came up beside me. She and I race nearly every race in the Gulf Shores area. As a matter of fact, we ran the entire ATR race together. It was good to hear that she is able to race after her breast cancer surgery recently. She is one strong cookie! I wish I had her running ability. She's run 145 marathons!!! People were coming and going and weaving all around and after about a mile or so I noticed that I was alone with Mo. I looked back several times but never saw either of the other two...they just disappeared.
Someone got this pic of me [in the green Rock 'n Roll shirt] as I finished. Mo's husband was calling out to her and someone was asking where he was. I was pointing to him and, believe it or not, that's his hand raised on the other side of the girl in front with the black cap. Is this not the funniest pic?
I did not have my camera with me this year. Guess I should have gone to the car and gotten it, but didn't. I always do better than this. But we ran up on a good friend, Nestor A., and he always has his trusty camera. He's the one that ran the marathon in with me and took pictures all along the way. Thanks, again!! Here's one with us...he's the best!
After the race, we ran up with so many people we knew. It was like a runner's reunion!! I loved every minute of it!! Some we knew from the Gulf Shores area, Pine Belt Pacers Club and Gulf Coast Running Club. So many of us got awards.
The GCRC won 3rd place in the Team group. Congrats, guys! Ya'll did great!
Mike B. [left], Leonard V. [middle] won Masters and Mark K. [right] won Grand Masters. This is the Team Group pic. All three of these guys are super fast and super nice!!! I honestly do not remember if the girls team won, but I do know they are really fast, too, and usually do.
Kent got 2nd Overall Male RW in the 5k and Nestor got 2nd Overall Male RW in the 10k. Tanya D. finally snapped up the 1st place Overall Female RW! I'm so happy for her! She had been disqualified the last couple of years, though she came in first. Racewalking is hard and in good races like this one, there are judges along the course. Roger W. got 4th Overall Male RW in the 10k. Here is a pic of RW Winners: Kent, Tanya, Roger and me without Nestor [he was taking the pic and I didn't RW either].
Here is a pic of Gary T., me and Kent. Forgot who took the pic. Drat it...I can't believe I didn't have my camera! We talked consistently about the "next" or "best" race to do. Isn't this normal for runners??
When we left the Civic Center, we met up with Nancy P. She is rehabilitating well. I know she can hardly wait until she can "cut loose" again. I wish her the best. She invited us to the GCRC tent so we walked over there before leaving. Lisa M. was being honored for her first Ironman she completed in Mexico a couple of weeks ago. She did amazing! There was a large banner draped on the tent. It was a surprise for her from what I understand! Had a nice visit with Bob C. while we were at the tent. We love that group though we haven't had much time to spend with them this year. We've really missed their great races!
I was so excited to see that I had placed 5th place in my age group!! My Garmin registered 55:41 for 6.23 miles at a 8:56 pace! There are so many runners, the ATR awards the top 10 in each age group. There were 54 in my age group this year. Fifth place is the best I've ranked at the ATR, though it wasn't my best time [which I got 8th place]. I was only off my PR one minute and am satisfied with my time. Our medals are not with us right now so I don't have a picture of them to show you. There were 2392 runners in the 10k and 1890 runners in the 5k.
Now...to get this tooth OUT...and recuperate as soon as possible. I've got a half to do in a couple of weeks and I don't want this to take me down! I'm also doing a "March Run A Mile A Day" Challenge. It's been a challenge to say the least. I will leave you with only one thought. When you think you are out, don't think again...just go
Run 4 It
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