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



Sunday, November 26, 2017

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

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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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