Azalea Trail 10k & More

Let me start out with the "More" in my title.  As I entered a new decade age, I thought it might be good to start out with making new PR's each decade.  After all, most previous ones probably won't be broken as you are younger and faster and not broke down.  There is one I hope to break but we will leave that up to the future to see if it will be done.  Making out my new list, I discovered that not only have I been racing a lot but that every one I've done since turning 60 have been different distances.  No repeats.  I thought how odd that was.  I couldn't have planned it any better.  The races done are: 5k, 4 miles, 8k [trail race which will be documented different than an 8k road race], 10k, 15k and a half marathon.  I've won medals in every race except for the 15k which is a large race.  The first one was actually the same week I turned 60.  The others, ironically, have been a week apart with the exception of one being two weeks.  All of this makes me a happy running girl.  Looking back, I would have had no idea I would have done all of this in a short amount of time. 

Azalea Trail Report

Initially, I had hoped to be injury free to run the 10k this year.  My distance is improving and my strength is better than it has been in quite a while.  Unfortunately, the 8k run in the sand took its toll on my right groin and hip.  I was bummed out about that; but in the last week I've babied that thing as much as I could keeping some distance on my legs even if it meant walking some.  By the time of this race, it was getting much better.  The Azalea Trail race is one of my all-time favorites and I was sad that I wasn't able to run it like I had hoped to.  On the positive side...I will return next year in better condition.  At least, I hope so. 

Friends from our hometown were coming to this race and I was excited to see them, especially my friend, Frank.  I haven't seen him since we moved a year ago!!  He and I are long time running partners and I've really missed running with him. 

And, I want to say that 3 of us trained for our first marathon together and though we got our picture taken per chance, it really brought back some really good memories of that time.  Here's D, me and Frank.

On to the race.  Here are some action shots of me and only some of my friends.  Unfortunately, not everyone's pics were taken...like my hubby's!  :( 

 Devon & Deleica

Professor Nestor 

Tommy 

Nancy 

Frank & Krista

Below are some post-race pics.

 

Then you always have those friends that just "can't help themselves" but let it all hang out, ha!  Life would be boring without them, for sure.  Love these guys...

Nestor

 

Kathy, Serina & Deleica 

And, Serina in true form!  She will dance with any/every one or even alone.  She's just FILLED with happy juice!

Kent did well in his 5k race.  He received 3rd Overall Racewalker.  I'm so proud of him!

My time was way off as far as competing goes so I wasn't looking for a single bit of recognition.  BUT...as it turned out, I placed 6th in my age group.  They go 10 deep in the 10k.  I was 6th out of 34 others.  Woo-hoo!!  I am such a happy girl.  On top of that, I had no pain throughout the race.  There was some soreness and achiness but NO pain.  And, a big shout out to Kathy for placing in her age group, too!!  You go, girl!

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that there was 80% chance of rain!  I was so dreading this.  For some reason, the rain went away and not a drop fell; the sun even came out a little.  It was perfect! 

Kent and I would like to encourage you to do what you can with what you have but never give up or give in. 

Now, go

Run 4 It