What a week it was! An ice storm came through Wednesday and Thursday. We were home and it detained us from getting to South Alabama. Check out the picture the Double Bridge folks in Pensacola took. There was still sand in the outside lane of the bridges when we ran across them. As a matter of fact, the bridges had just opened up to be traveled on Thursday afternoon! What a difference!
Friday we went to pick up our race packets for the Double Bridge Race on Saturday. I stayed with friends, Deleica C. and Serina W. Our race began at 7:00 a.m. and Kent's began at 8:30. He came back the following day for the race and to pick me up. The race was a sell out and when we arrived [ahead of the girls] there were already a lot of people milling around. The Expo was small but nice. I picked up a new Asics shirt ($11), a Moving Comfort racing bra (half off) and some new Asics Gel shoes (huge discount of $50). All of this was less than what I would have paid for just the shoes alone had I got them elsewhere!! Cha-ching!! I am a happy camper. Mostly because I was about to purchase new shoes anyway. These same shoes are normally $120 at the discount store where I always get mine. And, sports bras are like gold...they are ALWAYS expensive. The shirt was just a "happy" for me. I need a shirt to wear that isn't a race shirt.
Here are our race bibs and the long sleeve shirt we received for the race. Love the shirt! Also, love the bibs that have our names printed on them. I feel so important, ha!
Here are my goodies I purchased. They look kinda drab but it's the poor photographer's shot!
While at the Expo I ran up with my friend, Moe. I was so excited to see her. This is the first time I'd seen her since last spring when she told me she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She continues to fight it but is still running!! I don't know how she does it. She's my hero!! She signed up to do the 15k, too. I wish I had gotten a picture with her but the opportunity just wasn't there. Unfortunately, I never touched base with her after the race. I thought she looked great...tired, but great. I'm thankful for the hugs I got when I saw her.
Not long after getting there, I ran up with my friend, Marsha C. and Tim A. Tim and I are FB friends but had not actually met until then. He takes some of the most beautiful pics of Mobile Bay. Deleica, Serina, Gary and Anna T. showed up at the same time. It was a busy moment. Tim took mine and Marsha's pic while the others laughed and cut up. You don't have to believe me...just look, ha! Thanks, Tim!!
When we arrived in our 11th floor room, we got the most beautiful views. The pool is gorgeous.
After unpacking, we took a quick pic before going out for our pre-race pasta dinner provided for us.
I think we enjoyed the company more than the meal. The temps were dropping. What??? It was suppose to be in the mid 60's...and here I am needing a jacket. Thanks, Serina, for loaning me one of yours!!! I would have frozen with the misty rain falling, too.
The next morning I got up around 4:00 to get ready for the race. I brought warm and cool running gear and I am so glad I did or I would have just brought my shorts. As it turned out, we needed warmer clothing. Whew!! We met up with Gary in the lobby and caught the shuttle to the Starting Line. Kent told me that morning it was 44!!! All I know is that it was nippy. Here are a couple of pre-race pics.
Look at that gorgeous bridge just waiting for us to cross it. And, off we go. Before the 2nd mile, I was shoving my arm sleeves to my wrist. No matter how slow you go, when your body heats up you're ready to cool off.
This course is tough; but I love it all. It makes me work hard. Here is a pic of approaching the second bridge. I call it "Big Daddy". It is the toughest part of the race. Then there's one looking back over it. Thanks, Tim, for the shots; they captured it great.
I always look forward to this sign!!
I love the crowd support at the end. It always give you such a boost when the crowd line is long. When we crossed the line, we got this finishing medal. I LOVE the flip-flop!!
I had hopes of running this for a PR but after tough physical situations over several months, I changed my goal to run it entirely. I know, I know...that doesn't seem like much; but when life throws obstacles at you, you make the best out of them and if you're smart, you'll change the goals to something to reach for...not an inevitable fail or injury. There were a couple of times that I thought I would have to stop and walk some...even had it in my mind to do so on those bridges if I needed to so as not to get injured. The only running I had done that week was 7 miles on Monday. That's not much. And, that was the longest I had maintained that distance in quite some time...without walking some. As it turned out, I was able to run it all. Slower on the bridges but I'm okay with that. I achieved what I set out to do. This gave me such a confidence boost. Not only to run it all but to run those tough hilly bridges. This is one of my favorite races and I hope to do it many more times.
After such a wild week of weather, only one day of running, lots of traveling and a 15k, I was tired. Fortunately, I never got sore afterward; but we went to bed very early on Saturday.
On Sunday, my stepson, Kyle, ran his first half marathon in New Orleans at the Rock 'n Roll. The weather changed a lot on Saturday. The fog rolled in with the wind and the temps dropped. Come Sunday, it was forecast to even rain. Definitely not what a runner wants to hear. Regardless, it was terribly humid! As it turned out, he did great and the rain held off until the marathon was over. We are so proud of him!! I asked if he would do another and he said, "Yes!!" It was then that I told him that he was hooked, ha!
This weekend was a great weekend with friends, family and races. It was good to see so many running friends and cheer others on in another state. I hope you were able to get in a run or race. If not, I urge you to put on your shoes and clothes and get out right now and
Run 4 It
