Double Bridge 15k

Well, here we go again.  Wind!  But before you think I'm going to complain, let me say that shortly after starting the race and getting away from the water, the wind and temperature wasn't so bad.  The only thing about the wind in this race was the 32 degree wind chill.  Yikes!  And, guess who forgot her gloves...yep!  I think I'm going to pack a diddy bag with things I "might" need so I won't forget them or overthink it and just plain out not take them nearly always making the wrong decision.  For instance, gloves, ear muffs, knee straps, etc.

Most everyone stood behind the wall of the stadium that guarded them from the wind.  Thank goodness for that wall.  For several years now, we all find ourselves either huddled up against it or staying in the ladies room as long as you can without seeming like you're taking up space someone else should have.  It's so nice and warm in there.  Thank goodness for that huge bathroom!

As time neared for the race to start hardly anyone was moving out to the corrals.  It wasn't until about 5 minutes before it started did people begin to move.  Once there, I found a couple of ladies that seem to be friends standing close by.  They were taller than me so I "casually" huddled close by and let them buffer the wind from me.  The day was gorgeous.  I love how you can see the sun rise from the starting line.

Off we go...further away from the water.  Because we had stood so long outside my hands were frozen.  As a matter of fact, right after starting it dawned on me that I couldn't feel them.  Oh, where are my gloves!!!  At home snuggled in its usual place in a WARM room.  I began moving my hands around and I still couldn't feel them and began feeling pain where they use to be.  Getting a little alarmed, I began shaking them.  It hurt at first but then I realized that if I didn't get circulation moving soon, it would be worse because we were headed for the 3-mile bridge soon, which means subjection to the wind again.  Shake, shake, shake...oh, am I running??  I don't even know.  My goal had changed...at least, for now.  I just got to get my hands moving to prevent frost bite.  Yes, I really thought that!  After several minutes, I began go get some feeling back in them.  I was at the park and could see the water in the distance.  To me, that means the race is starting when you get alongside the water.

I love this race.  To get to run with water all around and the challenge those hilly bridges always present to me.  I just love to run over bridges.  The water is just so beautiful and I never think about running because I love to see God's beauty.  It's different every time.

As we head to the bridge, I realized I didn't feel the wind any more.  Guess moving interior, focusing on getting warm and looking at such beauty helped that.  When we began the climb, I felt the wind on my back.  It actually pushed you along.  It was great!!  What a difference to have a tail wind as opposed to the horrible head winds in the last race.  Don't think I've ever had wind that helped you along as long as that.  I ran about 3 miles!!  It felt so good.

All in all, I was so pleased with the race.  I continued to do my run/walk plan after the wind-push.  I've never placed in this race and I am very okay with that.  There are SO many people in it.  My time was 1:43:59 with an 11:07 pace.  Of course, not my best but getting back on my feet again.  I'll take it!  One step at a time...I didn't give up nor quit.  That spells success!

Coming up in two weeks is the Sea Turtle Half Marathon in Gulf Shores.  This is the second half in my 3-part series of the Run The Beach Series.  It's good to be alive and well.  Now, go

Run 4 It