1st Series Done

Let me start out with a little catch-up. We love racing in the fall/winter months, and we neither one are in good racing ability this year. With the excitement of all the races popping up every weekend, it was hard not to do some even if it was poor for us. I had been working on my run/walk method. On October 14th, we signed up for the Shrimp Festival. Kent the 5k and me the 10k. On November 11th, we did the Foley Rotary Oyster 5k. Then on November 18th, we headed to Pensacola for the Turkey Trot 5k which we love doing. Kent got 1st place there and nearly all my friends placed as well. It was a fun day.

Present: What better series to do for me than a half marathon one. I love that distance! The Kaiser Half on November 25th will finish it. I was excited about completing my first series, getting an extra medal and a jacket. The temp was perfect...in the low 40's, sunny and NO wind.

The race started well. I felt good and was going well. As we turned off the beach onto Rosemary Dunes Trail [a little over 6 miles], I was excited to get back on the system. I just love running and biking the Back Country Trail System. For about a half mile or so, I began feeling some tingling/numbness in my little toes on my left foot. Trying to figure out how to make it quit I tried to alter my weight to relieve some pressure. As I was thinking about what to do, all of a sudden, I tripped and fell...on one of those wooden bridges. Oh, Lordy!! I fell so hard, I heard my entire body body-slam that bridge with my head hitting it, too. This was NOT good; I was hurting so bad. I felt blood from my head to my knees. I felt my sunglasses slam into my head. Several sweet, kind runners stopped to offer assistance. Not only was I dazed, I couldn't get up easy. Several wanted me to go at the start of Rosemary to get some aid but all I could think about is, "No, I'm gonna finish." One sweet lady had some wipes with her. She gave me one to wipe off the blood on my forehead and sunglasses. My knees hurt so bad. It was then just how thankful I was to be wearing long, thicker pants. I still don't know how they kept from tearing. It was clear that my race had just changed. I looked at my watch and it was still on my wrist but definitely scratched up like my pants.

Pic taken when I got home.

Checking my distance so far, I realized I had over half the distance left!! Oh, no! How in the world am I going to finish this without complete walking?? This was NOT in the plan!! It took me a while to shake it off and get my thinking back going straight. After walking for a good bit, I tried running again slowly. My knees were not cooperating. The pain kept me at bay. The last 5+ miles I began getting blisters on the bottom of both feet. What else, right? Further toward the end of the race, I recalled how Kent and I had done sprints when we walked together. I tried that and found I could do it. So I finished the race doing these sprints.

I was exhausted. I'm glad that I could finish. I really wanted a big hug from Kent...guess for support and pure exhaustion. Cosmos provided the post race food and normally it would be delicious; but it was a little spicy [and I LOVE spice] after a long race so I didn't eat much at all. Actually, I really wasn't hungry. I just wanted to go to bed...anywhere!

I picked up my race result ticket. Though my run was so far away from being good, I still wondered just how I came out. When he gave it to me I saw where I was in First Place...FIRST PLACE!!! You've got to be kidding. Guess it's always good to show up...and getting older helps eliminate the field, too. Soooooo, I received goodies for that award. There were essential oil mixture, Stuffits, really nice running socks and a cup. I've never seen a cup like this. It will keep things hot or cold and can be placed in a microwave. It was a flexible plastic of sort. Kinda cool.

One of the main things that kept me going in the race was the perks for crossing this last Finisher's Line. Yep, it was the last of the Run The Beach Series and in order to get my special medal for completing the series I needed to finish this race. Another thing I totally wasn't expecting is that I place 2nd in the Sea Turtle Half and 1st in the Kaiser Half. Woo-hoo! Here are the two medals: one for finishing the Kaiser and one for finishing the series. I'm so proud of this! Also, the jacket.

And, then there's the completed Run the Beach Series plaque. LOVE this!

The day after the race, I took a pic of my face again. Boy, did it blacken!! I am still so sore. It can only get better from here on out. I can't even hold anything in my hands or put pressure on them like getting out of a chair or holding a plate. My palms are still pretty bruised. I guess if I have to have a black eye, I'd rather it be this way than fighting.

I have to say that when I woke up this morning and after all the moaning and groaning, it came to me that God was so good to protect me from worse injuries. I don't know how my glasses didn't break and I'm thankful they didn't. The shatter could have damaged my eyes. I also am glad they didn't break because my eyes are so sensitive to sunlight and I would have struggled just to be out without them with so much of the race left to do. He watched over me during this time and helped me through it all. How can I not be thankful to Him.

It was good to see friends. Some making new PR's, running this half when they just did a full last weekend and helping others to finish one of their first races. It was a beautiful day to experience so many blessings. Until next time...

Run 4 It