"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Monday, January 30, 2017

Big Beach Half Marathon

What a beautiful day to race!  The air was nice and crisp with blue skies and lots of sun.  I have to admit I was quite nervous.  It had been a few months since I had raced.  I was excited, nervous, had a good plan to use and almost sick to my stomach...all before I left home.  I signed up for the Run The Beach Series.  This is my first series [I've been wanting to do one for years].  There are three races, all half marathons.  This one is the first of the year.  I signed up to do them for more than one reason.  Yes, I had been interested in doing a series for quite a while now but there was more.  I "needed" this  to help get me on the track of racing again, to keep me moving throughout the week more than just doing "something", to promote healing of last year's physical issues and one more very important thing, to increase my confidence.  There are more smaller reasons but these are the most important.

My training consisted of a run/walk plan.  It seems at this time that I am controlling the hip/knee pains I'd experienced all year last year.  In this plan I came up with what worked for me:  .10 mile walk followed by 1 mile easy running.  This had been done a couple of times before the race [.50 mile run had been done several times but upped it to a mile the week before the race and it felt comfortable].  This plan has encouraged me and built up my confidence.  I want to run solid so bad and so far using this plan may help me get there again soon.

I saw some friends before the race.  A pic was taken to reflect back on the running buddies that had come.  Don't get to see them much except for races but it's always like good friends.  I love my running family!  Thanks, Pete, for the pic.



A brisk walk was done before the race started to warm up.  I wanted to begin the race with my mile run.  This worked great.  The first mile was a breeze and very comfortable.  I realized that this plan was working just like I'd hoped it would.  The only bad thing about it is that the water stops came up during my run stint which affected my pace.  I believe most of my running intervals were in the 10:00 paces.  Every time I looked at my watch that's what I'd see...then there would be a stop.  I always got water and walked through the stop.  When I saw on the map that the stops were over 2 miles apart I felt needed to do it this way.  I had a small water bottle in my Flip Belt and probably should have ignored some of the stops and used it if I needed it...but didn't.  I'll rethink this in the future.

Everything was going great...until...we left the Backcountry Trail System and hit the beach for the last 3+ miles.  I was taken back with the strength of the wind that hit us like a ton of bricks.  But this monster kept pelting us solid; not like a breeze that comes and goes, it was solid strong winds!  You keep thinking that it will let up but instead the opposite happened.  The difference became the strong gusts.  We all thought we were going to die!  Everyone around me began walking...totally and completely.  Occasionally, you'd try to run but no more than a few steps could you make without resorting to walking again.  We received colored leis from the last water stop which was at the end of the trail before getting onto the highway.  The leis blew back so hard that it blew straight out BEHIND you.  Yes, everyone's did this! After trying to get use to the strangling feel and couldn't, that little sucker came off!!  It wasn't long before my friend, Diane, came along side of me.  She said she had been watching me [I was trying to run so hard!] and said that I wasn't making any progress running and to start power walking.  She's super at this...I'm not but was getting worn down.  Said we'd probably do better by doing that...until we got closer and we could run in to the end.  Still thinking the wind would let up, I looked ahead at the tall buildings hoping that once we got by them the wind would break.  Well, NO WAY!!  The buildings seem to cause a tunnel for the wind to get stronger.  Man...this blew any and all chances of getting a decent time.  The end of the race was so hard.  I did run through the Finish Line.  That was good..........actually good that the race was over after the last 3+ miles of being beaten to death.  By the way, got word that there was 15-20 mph winds and that's not counting the gusts!  Whew!!

Now that I got the bad out of the way, there were many good things that came about.
1.  I felt great.  There was no pain until I tried to run against the wind for so long that it seem to be too much resistance.  BUT...overall, no pain!
2.  My run/walk plan worked.  Real pleased that I came up with this ratio.  It works for me.
3.  My Flip Belt worked well carrying an 8 oz. water bottle.  Wasn't sure about this.
4.  The temp and sun was great.  It was easy to breathe and  I'm grateful for that.
5.  My hubby was there to support me.  Folks, it's a long time waiting for someone to complete long races.  If you have someone who does this for you, you are blessed.
6.  I did not want to "race".  My main objective was to finish uninjured.
7.  The bad part of #6 is that I'm a runner at heart...meaning I had hoped I'd finish under 3 hours with this run/walk plan.  I finished well below the 3 hours...yay!!
8.  My run intervals were much better than I would have predicted.
9.  After a successful race, I'm looking forward to solid running again soon.
10. I'm feeling stronger...still cautious...but beginning to love running again.  Yay!

Notables that raced were Jeff Galloway and Brett Favre.  Cool!  I love my running family.  Don't think I've ever met a runner that discourages you.  They all pat you on the back for a good race effort and encourage you to keep at it...and...look forward to seeing you at the next race.  It's a cool family to belong to!  Here are a few pics Kent took.

We're off...

Brett Favre

Diane G. looking good.

Wind was horrible even when you aren't in the blast of it.
[These Flip Belts do nothing for the figure!]

Post race talk.

Diane G. and Kim T.

Marsha C. finishing strong.

One final picture and it's of the medal.  It doesn't do it justice because it's just beautiful.


Well, there you have it.  The first half marathon of the series.  Got a lot of racing coming up...long ones, that is.  Hope you're doing well in your winter racing.  Until next time,

Run 4 It

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2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

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Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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