Warrior Dash

Well, I did it!  It is hard for me to grasp the thought that I actually signed up for this.  To know me, you'd know that I don't like to get dirty.  I'm just now getting to where I don't mind sweating when I run!  But there was something I found exciting about running through fire.  Kinda daring and laughing in the face of danger...it IS dangerous to put your body in a position that it is surrounded by fire! 

Doing this with my friends, Deleica and Serina, really made it fun.  Love you girls!!  My shoulders, yes both of them, AND my left elbow have been hurting so much for a couple of months.  I think it started during my marathon training though it wasn't bad enough to cause problems until later. It just hasn't got back to normal...yet.  But since the race they have been hurting me, even at night.  So much so that I have had many sleepless nights, especially the nights just before the Warrior Dash. 

With this in mind, I was not looking forward to this at all!!  I mean, what's the use if you spend all the "Dash" avoiding the cool obstacles and just running the little bit you can with all that mud.  Let's face it, the purpose of the Warrior Dash, as well as other races like this, challenges your entire body and mind and pushes you to your limits as to what you can or cannot do, especially the first time you do it.  I look at this particular one as a military boot camp kinda of thing. 

Well, the butterflies started early...before leaving home at 6:00 a.m.  They came and went the whole trip to Byram.  We met Deleica in the parking lot where we catch the shuttle bus; Serina was a little ways behind, so we got on the bus and went on to the staging area.  When we got off the bus, a terrible smell permeated the air.  It almost smelled like sewage or something really bad.  I asked D if it was like that last year and she said yes.  I said I didn't know if I could do this without a decent breath of fresh air.  Think it was the mud smell.  It wasn't long before I couldn't smell it.  The sad thing is that by the time it was over, I had wallowed in the mud so many times and I KNOW I must have smelled like that odor...Puuuuweeee!!!

We got in line to get our timing chips, shirts and "horns".  Excitement filled me!!  It was now "on".  Deleica brought some cute black and white checkered kerchiefs and purple and yellow ribbons for us to wear in honor of the Boston Marathon tragedy.  I had brought some black eye marker to draw "war paint" on us.  Here's Deleica and I while waiting on Serina.  Don't we look like someone you don't want to mess with??  Check out our "Girls Rule" tattoos!  I love that we both have leggings there were similar...we neither knew this.  It was quite cool/cold that morning so I decided to wear these.  I had mine for at least a year and not worn them yet.  Because they are low waisted, I had to wear running shorts over them...well, I didn't want to show up bottomless from a pit of mud like one man did in the last mud pit...really...LOL

When we found a place close to the Finish Line where Kent would be waiting for us, we unloaded all of our stuff.  It wasn't long before Serina and her family joined us.  She had printed us bibs to wear during the race honoring/in memory of those in the Boston tragedy.  Yep, we are ready to run for Boston! 

We decided to see if we could join an earlier wave so we walked on over to the Start Line.  There seemed to be plenty of room so we went on in this group.  I'm feeling sick again!!!  Do I really want to do this "challenge"??  They had done this last year and this was all new to me.  The unknown "fear" is a killer for me!  I am so not ready.  Didn't get to work my upper body as I had hoped [so it would help me crawl on the ground as well as the obstacles that I would do pulling my body up over walls].  It wasn't long before the whooping and yelling began to get us all hyped up for this "dash".  Then the "warrior fire" shot up high in the air on both sides of our path and off we go!  Now, it's getting exciting again.  We got this!

Mud holes popped up soon into the race.  We were able to go around several to start off with.  We wanted to keep our shoes from getting too slippery at the beginning, knowing that it was inevitable that they eventually would.  It wasn't long before Serina made her debut fall.  I turned around worried that she may be hurt and she was laughing so hard and said she was okay although she said she had hurt her left knee...ugh!  It seemed a mile before we actually got to our first obstacle as we ran and ran and ran.  It got more and more slippery.  While going around one of the mud puddles/holes, my foot slipped and I swung my left arm back around in the air to keep myself from falling and I felt such a sharp pain...the kind I had been experiencing, but worse.  It hurt so bad and I thought this was it.  I hit Serina, but luckily she didn't fall, and it gave me the balance I needed to stay on my feet. 

Then we see the first sign:  Obstacle Ahead.  We turned a corner and there it was.  Barbed wire (bw) spread low to the ground for quite a ways...all over a lightly muddy area.  You literally had to crawl on your belly on your elbows and pull yourself through.  There was not enough room to lift yourself up to crawl with your shoulder strength.  We literally "inched" ourselves through until the end.  Seems like it took forever!  I wish I had a picture of what this looks like to share but I don't.  A couple of times the Boston bib on my back and my hair got caught but we finally made it through.  It was tough!!  It was then that I said to myself if the others were anything like this, I would have to bypass all of them.  So, now I am getting worried...

After this obstacle, I honestly don't remember which was next or the order they were in as they began popping up often and your attention was turned to the "challenge" of doing it.  There was a set of 6' walls [or thereabouts] similar to the pic below.  It was here that I realized just how kind people are.  People I did not know would help others get their balance and pull them up and over as well as pushing you from behind to get through tough spots.  I LOVE the comradery found here.  It doesn't look like much but I'm here to tell you that unless you can shinny up a straight wall with ease WITH mud on the tiny half inch ledge you used to get to the top, you can't do it; well let me tell you, it was harder than you think!  And, as I said, it was taller than you, and yet not the tallest we were to encounter soon on this course.  Thankfully, my shoulders did me well here; therefore giving me confidence to go on...with excitement.  Yep...there's more bw even with wall climbing!

Here we are on the trail before the really, really muddy pits.  From the very beginning, they were commenting how much harder it was this year than last year.  Boy, are we in for a fun time!

Again, I do not remember the order these came but I believe it was soon after this that we encountered a deep mud pit...yep, I just "thought" we had gone through some.  Honey, there was a pit waist deep that you had to trod through!  It is here that others would help when they crawled up that slippery slope cause there was NO way a single person could get up alone, and, also, it was a time that you needed help from behind.  Oh yeah, as I started up the slope and kept slipping back, someone took their hands and yelled "go" and gave me a big push on my butt while a girl over me grabbed my hand and pulled me up.  I had to start laughing because I thought this had to look funny.  When I got up and turned around I asked who had helped me and a guy said "I did" and I thanked him wholeheartedly...or I would probably still be there trying to get out.  The pit was probably 6-7 feet deep and with more depth of waist high mud.  It was so much fun!!!

There was a cargo net challenge.  It was different from this picture, but it's all I got, as it was a single net attached at the top and bottom and you crossed side-to-side to get to the other side over a mud pit.  Yes, the ropes were muddy already making it slick and we were the 3rd wave to go off.  I can't imagine starting later in the day.  It must have been horribly slippery.

The next obstacle is called Vicious Valleys.  It looked a lot like this but there was room for a couple of people side by side to walk between; therefore making it harder to get up and over.  You literally had to start all over with your strength to climb over each and every one.  It's tough!  Due to my shoulder, I skipped this one so I wouldn't get injured.  The other two only did two of the five and many skipped it altogether.  Yes, there were five "valleys" at ours with only ropes and a small piece of wood to step on which was not spaced out to reach an average person's height...so you slid down the backside hoping to miss them so you wouldn't get splinters or hurt.  I helped the girls to get up and across two of them. 

And, then there was an obstacle of trenches.  I am chlosterphobic (sp) and when I saw this, I almost panicked.  The picture is "similar" again of what we had.  Trenches were dug into the ground and covered so you could not see in the trench, also, with bw over the top.  You had to bend down on your hands and knees to see in it.  When I looked the only thing I could see was a faint light at the end where you came out.  At first, I thought "no way!"  But I hated to be a sissy and said to myself no one else is chickening out, so I put on my big girl panties, got on my hands and kness and took off.  After a few crawls, I thought I couldn't do this as it felt like the tunnel was closing in on me, then I realized someone was behind me.  I had no choice but to go on ahead.  I focused on the light, disregarded the "things" that were hanging and touching me (of which I could not see), grabbed hold of the muddy ground and never stopped crawling until the end.  This obstacle, though a minor one, was one I am proud to do.  Serina is very chlosterphobic and immediately when she saw it she said 'I don't think I can do this'!  But I am proud of her, too, because we faced our fears and did it anyway. 

I'm only going to share those that I have pictures that were somewhat like the ones we did.  The others won't be discussed...much.  With that said, there was an obstacle that was challenging for me like the trenches.  It was basically a 6" ledge with cross bars for traction about every 6-8".  It crossed over a real messy mud pit.  It went up, then flat and then down, then up and down again.  Another challenge for me: fear of falling and heights!  As we walked up and across a little, there was a wall a little better than waist high that you had to crawl/climb over.  The trick?  Water from several PVC pipes were shooting up hard making it difficult to hold your balance as you cross the wall.  The first thing I thought was "yay, I can clean off my hands and shoes".   The water spouts were on both sides of the walls.  The shock?  It was really cold...brrrrr!  It made you do it fast.  No pic for this one. 

Then there was the water challenge.  I was dreading this one.  Since I knew I wanted to do the WD this year, I learned how to swim last summer and was hoping this would prepare me for this part.  Last year, they had to swim across an area dodging logs that would pop up and hit you.  But this turned out great.  You could walk across and still do the challenge...which was crossing over a series of buoys covered with cargo nets.  The depth was just below chest high which made it a challenge to stay on your feet.  Once you crossed over the first one you think you're okay...until you realize you have cargo nets to deal with UNDER water.  It helped you cross over the buoys BUT...it was so easy to get tangled up in them as you got over the buoy and down the side AND across to the other section.  Yep, they lined the bottom of the pond with 'em.  The first one was fine, then in the second one I got tangled up right after I got over the buoy.  I thought I would never get loose.  There's nothing to reach out and grab and you just flopped around until you could get your balance and step out of the net...only to step into another opening in the net.  It was really fun though.  Yeah, it was time for a Warrior Yell!!  With hands raised and loud voices, we head out of the water onto the next obstacle.

The last wall was the hugest thing ever!  It was about 20' high and most everyone went around.  Few females were able to do it.  Kent said he only saw a couple that could do it.  To begin with, you had to jump up over your head to grab hold of one of the ropes.  The wall was slick and you had to take a running jump WITH help by someone to push you up.  THEN, as if that wasn't enough, in order for you to get up and over, you "walked" up the wall and down the other side.  This sounds easy, but try to put your feet under your body while defying gravity AND pulling your weight 20', climb over the wall without falling, and slowly down the other side.  I would guess that this was the hardest obstacle on the course!  Deleica made it over...finally...I'm SO proud of her!!  She did a GREAT job!  Serina tried and tried but it was so muddy she couldn't get a good grip to get feet underneath her.  She and I ended up going around that one.

When we got to the Wall, we were nearing the end.  The crowds were cheering the ones in front of us and we had two more obstacles to do in front of everyone but it was more exciting have lots and lots of cheerleaders!  We have arrived to the part of the course I've wanted to do since I heard about a warrior dash...jumping through fire!! I could hardly wait.  One, two, three...here goes:

And, now for the last obstacle...the granddaddy of all mud pits!  Here we go again with the bw and this pit was deep!  At least, you could crawl on your knees.  The challenge was the deep mud.  You could feel what you thought was the bottom...BUT...once you put your hand down you'd sink about a foot!  Sucking mud can be your enemy but when it coats your clothes it makes you heavy and hard to drag yourself across a long area.  There were places through the pit that you had to turn your head and put it in the water to get under the bw; therefore getting mud on your neck and face...and, of course, your hair.  Here all three of us are in the pit:

Just out of the mud pit with our cups of water...and a Warrior Growl!!!  Yep, WE ARE WARRIORS!

We couldn't find showers like they had last year and noticed that everyone was "cleaning up" in the pond.  Yep...another somewhat cleaner mud pit!!  Sooooo...here we go.  As I began to step into the water, my foot slipped out from under me and I hit the ground hard!  I have no idea why, but I didn't then nor later feel hurt...what a blessing!! 

I was experiencing a high like I never had before!!  This was an amazing day with amazing friends!!!  I couldn't bare to think to have done this without them.  For those that might be interested in doing something like this, let me suggest a couple of things you need to do to prepare.  Work on your upper body strength and core work every day; yes, every day!  You will need the latter to help you keep upright and on your feet while you slide in the mud!  And, finally here is my medal and race bib.  I LOVE my medal and don't plan to clean it!  After all, it is a mud race.  Our time was not bad at all...we got in 1 hour and 13 minutes.  Woo-hoo...we made it!

Thanks, Deleica and Serina, for giving me one dirty memory!  I thought I would never get clean...including the three dirt clogs in my hair!  I cleaned off as much as I could outside before getting in my wonderful, hot shower!  Now that we're rested from this challenge, girls, let's go

Run 4 It

Boston Marathon

I feel like I want to write about the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon but am at a loss.  So, I want to share my heart right now.  It is a terrible, terrible thing.  What started out with an excitement that can only fill a runner's heart wishing they could be there ended up completely devastated and appalled at the attack.

We had several friends that qualified to run in the marathon.  That alone, my friends, is an amazing thing in and of itself.  The time restraints put on each age group are tough!!  So though you see thousands lined up to run, let me share that they worked very hard to qualify.  Yep, they have to qualify to get in.  In other words, you don't just sign up to run, you actually have to run a previous marathon, that is, a Boston Qualifier (BQ), not just any marathon.  The marathon that you choose to run to qualify has to be certified and has been registered as a BQ event. It is after then that when the time comes to "register", you have to call as quickly as possible when the lines open.  Just because you qualify doesn't assure you will get to attend.  There is a participant limit!!!  So, if you think that training for a marathon is tough, think about this.  You train hard, run hard to meet the time requirements in a marathon to prove you are Boston-worthy, then have fast fingers to get in the lottery to be selected.  Folks, it is TOUGH from the very beginning. 

We watched on TV one of the greatest atheltic moments of the year...the Boston Marathon.  I love to know the stories surrounding the elite runners.  Whether it's their training or their life.  It's always interesting to know what they have lived through, how hard they train and what motivates them.  Though I'll never be a little bit like them, it always motivates me to push a little bit harder.  The race was amazing and a good watch, down to the very end.  I am very proud of the American racers, men and women.  They did great!! 

This year, I knew several people that had BQ'd and I was so excited for them. For the first time, I tracked several runners. It was exciting to think that when they got to certain points a text would come in telling me what point they were and their time and pace.  As my texts began, excitement built.  It was like I was right there cheering my friends on.  I loved it so much and will definitely do this again.  There were five people that I decided to track.  The first two were very close to each other.  One is from Ocean Springs, MS, and the other was from the Boston area.  They are also the same age...how ironic, huh, to not even know each other and they may have been standing side by side?  As a matter of fact, they started in the same corral as their pace and time throughout the race was almost the same until the last few miles...but were still very close.  They both finished under 3 hours...WOW!!!  When the texts started, I noticed I wasn't getting info on two of the others. Waiting and waiting and no text throughout. Then I thought one must have gotten injured or something happened and he didn't race.  He should have been coming in a little after the first two, by a few minutes.  As it turned out, he ran but I just didn't get his tracking.  At least, he wasn't injured and couldn't run.  He and another friend of mine have run in the Boston Marathon a few times and this year they were sponsored by a local running store.  Texts started coming in on her, Ginny, the second of the two who were sponsored.  I was very excited about this and cheered her every time I received something.  She's a good friend and an excellent runner and motivator.  I just love her!!  She encouraged me to do my first marathon.  Then, out of the blue, I began receiving texts from someone I didn't know!!  Why, I do not know since I got confirmation of the people I signed up for and she wasn't one of them.  Still no texts from the fifth person.  I knew she would be behind the others but still no info on her. 

Then, it happened...bombs began exploding.  As a matter of fact, it occurred not long after Ginny had crossed the line!!  I was really worried not sure that maybe she was still standing around getting refreshment and such.  I was so anxious to hear from her.  Texted her and nothing...and nothing...and nothing!!  Anxiety built.  Then I heard where no cell phones were being used and some anxiety left thinking she will let someone know soon. 

My worries turned to my fifth friend.  Where was she and was she able to reach friends to let her know she was all right and where to find her.  Since I wasn't getting texts on her I didn't know where she was in the race at this point.  It wasn't long before something was posted on FB that she was all right.  I was relieved.  It was later that when she was able to access the Internet that I found out that someone had let her text that message so everyone wouldn't worry.  She went through a lot, as did all of those who weren't allowed to finish the race and was ushered to another area.  It was a terrible time for those 7,500 who were left!!  Yes, there still were a LOT of people that had not finished yet. 

It's so sad that someone cannot contain themselves but to find a way to hurt others that they do not know.  There is no vindication on someone in particular but just plain old meanness.  But this should be no surprise.  Evil is present in this world and always has been and always will be.  It bothers me when people begin to point fingers and say "why wasn't this caught"; my first impression is what will be the next thing that the common citizen will have to be put out for.  Folks, meanness can't be prevented!  It will happen and most can't be predicted or prevented.  You just have to piece things together and heal and start anew as best as possible.  The one thing that needs to be done is stronger punishment for these people!  Not more restrictions on the millions that are good citizens!  Why we continue to feed these criminals and care for them in prison, I do not know!!  This is wrong!!!  I feel a lot of things can be prevented but because the "wrong" have more rights than those that are good and live right is utterly beyond me.  It's sad that the tables have turned and have made America more of a place for criminals, rather than for good citizens.  Our taxes should be going to those that need help like the elderly and ill  and to those that WILL work...NOT to those that will chose to do wrong again if and when they are released from prison...NEVER!!!

Our prayers go out to those families that lost loved ones and to those that were injured.  Nothing can remove the sorrow and hurts that occurred.  To live with devastation disabilities will be hard.  And to think that this was done at one of the most athletic events, the Boston Marathon, it will be hard for some to pick back up.  But I will tell you this...you can't mess with runners...especially marathoners!!  They have a resolve and persistence and the ability to push through pain that will pull them through.  They WILL come back stronger than ever before.  I believe next year's marathon will be greater and better than any before.  Runners have a way to deal with upsets and tragedies better than the normal person.  I do believe their answer is to get out, heal their pain, push on, and

Run 4 It

Racing, Golfing and Beaching

Yes, it's been a full weekend.  Starting Saturday, Kent did the Magnolia Springs 5k.  He did very well.  He came in first overall racewalker and got a nice trophy.  He loves this race.  I am going to try to do it next year if we're around. 

He made it back home before I left for Pensacola for my race on Sunday.  He quickly got ready for the golf tournament planned at lunch.  This was a fund-rasier for the youth at First Baptist Church; they were raising money for a mission trip this summer.  Golfers received cups and he won a Closest to the Pin trophy.  He's a great golfer and a winner in everything he did Saturday!!  Congrats, Honey!!

Before he left to play golf, I was on the road for a weekend with the girls.  It was a beautiful day and the warmest we've had so far this year. 

I was so excited to have my second girls weekend with a race early the next morning.  My first one was the Jazz Half in NOLA last fall.  This one is the Gulf Coast Half.  They do a series of half's only.  Their races are fun with sufficient water stops and port-a-lets.  Yeah...believe it or not...there are some HALF'S [I emphasize this because of the distance and time it takes to do them] that do not give enough support in these areas!  The Jazz was terrible!!  One of the fun things about the Gulf Coast Half Marathons are the post race parties.  They really do a great job there.  Oh, and I love their shirts!!  I believe they are my favorites! 

I got a call from Deleica saying they were leaving home and got this cute pic.  Got so excited about her and Serina coming down.  I love the way I could tell where they were.

We got to the hotel about 15 minutes apart.  Great timing.  After checking in and unloading, we headed off to get our race packets at Running Wild.  After some shopping, we headed back to the room.  Look how vibrant and colorful the bibs and shirts are.  I loved the fact that the bibs were small and they had our names on them. 

The girls picked up lunch on the road but I had not gotten anything yet.  So I was really getting hungry.  We had planned for snacks so we packed up and headed to the beach.  It was about 3:30 and it wouldn't be long before we would eat supper. 

D brought hummus for us to try.  At least, me.  I had never had it before and I was anxious to see if I would like it.  Well........I LOVE it!!  Since it is good for you, it will be a new snack to choose.  It wasn't long before a new sign appeared.  It read "Girls in Florida...time for toes in the SAND!"

And, the REAL "toes in the sand" shot.

We soon headed to get something to eat.  Kent and I had some free appetizer cards from RipTides next door with the purchase of an entree.  So off we go to get free food.  None of us had eaten there prior to this.  But I will tell you now, I will go back for the appetizers for sure!!  Deleica and I got fried shrimp [there were 6 LARGE ones] and Serina got a sampler platter [that thing was HUGE].  Then our entree appeared.  They got fish tacos [4 large ones] and I got chicken quesadillas [8 of them].  We were NOT hungry at all so all was packaged up with the exception of a bite or two and we took it back to the room. 

I don't think neither of us slept worth a flip.  We were all tired when we got up.  Temps were a little warm and the humidity was HIGH making it a tough race!!  I don't think any of us had trained good either, so today's race was going to be a challenge from the git-go.  We got someone to take our picture before the race.  And, guess what...another sign!!  I love this trip!!  This is my favorite pic today!

The corrals were stuffed!!!  I'm not sure I've ever started a race so packed before.  I've been in large races before but there were enough corrals to house runners sufficiently.  I think they needed more corrals but we managed.  We tried to stay together for a little while but it didn't last long at all.  Immediately, we got separated.  I went on pursuing my race and was doing well.  Running in the 9 min paces was too fast and I knew it but it "felt" good and I kept it up for about 6.5 miles.  The wind was gusty and constant the whole first half of the race making it tough resistance; not to mention the heat and humidity again. 

My biggest challenge was the fact that I had not run further than a 10k which was a couple of weeks ago.  I have never been so unprepared before but so much kept me off my feet...mostly some health issues.  But I decided to do what I could.  I kept running and then it hit me around the 9th mile.  I was petering out and had to start walking some.  Not long I felt a slap on my butt and there was Deleica and Serina!  D was feeling great and kept going strong.  I stayed with S for a couple of miles.  We did the walk/run program that her and D do in their training all the time.  Not having done this, I found the walking part was too fast for me so I began running more and walking a few steps here and there.  It worked for me.  I saw my friends Mindy B., Mo H. and Jeff M. in the race though we never contacted again afterwards.  Like I said, there were so many people around. 

We all got in and got our medals and, honestly, that was the point in this race.  Here's a pic right after we finished.

There were bananas, oranges, different kinds of cookies and red beans and rice.  Food was pretty good.  I was absolutely starving to death!!  I was close to being really weak needing something to eat.  The post race party was behind Flounders Restaurant on the beach.  I love that location because the bay is absolutely gorgeous!!!  All the green and blue waters and sugar fine sand.  So pretty!!  We got one last picture with that amazing scene behind us. 

I finished stronger than I thought I would not having many miles on my legs but really loved the great company I had.  I wouldn't have enjoyed it without you girls!  I had not run anything close to this distance since the marathon in February and it all showed itself now.  I can tell you that I have fresher respect for half marathoners and won't take it for granted any more regardless of how many I do...and I WILL continue to do them!!  For those that love running distance, let me be the first to congratulate you on all you do but never take them for granted.  It is not for sissies and you must be prepared.  This will be my last half until the fall.  But until then I will not give up NOR quit and when I feel disappointed in myself, I'm going to don my shoes and clothes and go

Run 4 It

Azalea Trail 2013

The Azalea Trail Race has always been a favorite of ours.  Kent has run it for YEARS, then I finally followed suit though a lot later.  I had been dealing with a horrible headache for two weeks and thought it was from the sinus/allergy problems I had been having.  Pollen has been so bad this spring!  But one day I realized that it wasn't my sinuses but a tooth!  I had gone for almost 2 weeks needing to see a dentist instead.  The first of the week the pain had gotten bad [just before the ATR the coming weekend].  I had the opportunity to run with my new friend, Amy C., and had planned on 9 miles.  It wasn't long before we started I was having to start walking some!!  I rarely ever walk; but I was hurting so bad.  She gave me her dentist's name and I dropped by the office before getting back home.  X-rays revealed an abscess which equals pain!!  Oh, no!  To make a long story short, I was able to take care of this the next week...with slow recuperation. 

Well, this blog is not about dental issues...so back to the race.  As it turned out, I ran pretty good.  Better than I ever expected.  Coming off the marathon and still not getting in many miles, I was afraid I was pushing it to run hard but I ran as I felt and am so glad that I did.  I met up with my friends Deleica and Serina [and her family] at the Expo the night before the race, as well as my FB friend, Mindy B.  Mindy and I had not met in person before but we knew each other when we saw each other.  She had her cute little boys with her and her friend, Stephanie [I think was her name].  Mindy is absolutely the cutest, sweetest person in reality as she is online! 

My group decided to meet up at the fountain on race day.  Okay...we thought of one fountain and they thought of another.  Can you believe that Deleica looked down the street and "happen" to see us pass by??  Well, we got connected to start the race and it wasn't due to meeting at the same fountain, ha!

Here we all are:  Gary T., Kent, Me, Deleica C., Dennis W., Serina W., and a friend whom I did not know.  Thanks, Ms. Dennis for taking the pic!

As we headed to the Starting Line we see the usual young ladies in the beautiful antebellum dresses.  They were so pretty.  There weren't as many this year as before.  As a matter of fact, there wasn't as much hooplah on the course either.  Wondered if it was due to it supposed to be raining at this time.  Thankfully, it held off until after the race.  Ran into my friend, Diane G., from Gulf Shores.  It was good to wish her well on her race. 

And, here we go:

The course was changed this year in reverse.  I think I liked it better.  I do know in the past that it was always hard to run fast at the end because you were in the blaring sun.  With it being in reverse, you ended up on Government Street where it is real shady and beautiful. 

Deleica, Serina and I started out running together.  There were so many people around us, we all wished each other well in their race because it would be hard to stay together.  Not long after we got going...and I mean not long at all...we struggled trying to stay together.  Then I felt a tap on my shoulder and my friend, Mo, came up beside me.  She and I race nearly every race in the Gulf Shores area.  As a matter of fact, we ran the entire ATR race together.  It was good to hear that she is able to race after her breast cancer surgery recently.  She is one strong cookie!  I wish I had her running ability.  She's run 145 marathons!!!  People were coming and going and weaving all around and after about a mile or so I noticed that I was alone with Mo.  I looked back several times but never saw either of the other two...they just disappeared. 

Someone got this pic of me [in the green Rock 'n Roll shirt] as I finished.  Mo's husband was calling out to her and someone was asking where he was.  I was pointing to him and, believe it or not, that's his hand raised on the other side of the girl in front with the black cap.  Is this not the funniest pic? 

I did not have my camera with me this year.  Guess I should have gone to the car and gotten it, but didn't.  I always do better than this.  But we ran up on a good friend, Nestor A., and he always has his trusty camera.  He's the one that ran the marathon in with me and took pictures all along the way.  Thanks, again!!  Here's one with us...he's the best!

After the race, we ran up with so many people we knew.  It was like a runner's reunion!!  I loved every minute of it!!  Some we knew from the Gulf Shores area, Pine Belt Pacers Club and Gulf Coast Running Club.  So many of us got awards. 

The GCRC won 3rd place in the Team group.  Congrats, guys!  Ya'll did great!

Mike B. [left], Leonard V. [middle] won Masters and Mark K. [right] won Grand Masters.  This is the Team Group pic.  All three of these guys are super fast and super nice!!!  I honestly do not remember if the girls team won, but I do know they are really fast, too, and usually do. 

Kent got 2nd Overall Male RW in the 5k and Nestor got 2nd Overall Male RW in the 10k.  Tanya D. finally snapped up the 1st place Overall Female RW!  I'm so happy for her!  She had been disqualified the last couple of years, though she came in first.  Racewalking is hard and in good races like this one, there are judges along the course.  Roger W. got 4th Overall Male RW in the 10k.  Here is a pic of RW Winners: Kent, Tanya, Roger and me without Nestor [he was taking the pic and I didn't RW either].

Here is a pic of Gary T., me and Kent.  Forgot who took the pic.  Drat it...I can't believe I didn't have my camera!  We talked consistently about the "next" or "best" race to do.  Isn't this normal for runners??

When we left the Civic Center, we met up with Nancy P.  She is rehabilitating well.  I know she can hardly wait until she can "cut loose" again.  I wish her the best.  She invited us to the GCRC tent so we walked over there before leaving.  Lisa M. was being honored for her first Ironman she completed in Mexico a couple of weeks ago.  She did amazing!  There was a large banner draped on the tent.  It was a surprise for her from what I understand!  Had a nice visit with Bob C. while we were at the tent.  We love that group though we haven't had much time to spend with them this year.  We've really missed their great races!

I was so excited to see that I had placed 5th place in my age group!!  My Garmin registered 55:41 for 6.23 miles at a 8:56 pace!  There are so many runners, the ATR awards the top 10 in each age group.  There were 54 in my age group this year.  Fifth place is the best I've ranked at the ATR, though it wasn't my best time [which I got 8th place].  I was only off my PR one minute and am satisfied with my time.  Our medals are not with us right now so I don't have a picture of them to show you.  There were 2392 runners in the 10k and 1890 runners in the 5k. 

Now...to get this tooth OUT...and recuperate as soon as possible.  I've got a half to do in a couple of weeks and I don't want this to take me down!  I'm also doing a "March Run A Mile A Day" Challenge.  It's been a challenge to say the least.  I will leave you with only one thought.  When you think you are out, don't think again...just go

Run 4 It

Circle K 5k & Leprechaun 5k

I'm posting a couple of races this time.  The first one is the Circle K 5k done on March 2nd.  Kent racewalked and did well.  It was on Pensacola Beach and, boy, was it cold with VERY strong winds!!  Man!!  I thought it would blow your clothes off.  Needless to say, as soon as I finished getting pre-race pics, I headed to the car to wait for him to come in.

Even racewalkers have to warm up!  I'm already in the car keeping warm.

If you notice, it doesn't appear as though anyone was very happy, it was so cold.  People were all huddled around any building or person they could close enough to before lining up.  Brrrrr....  Despite the cold/wind, it was an absolutely gorgeous day! 

Kent coming in strong

They had great post race food!  There were Subway sandwiches, red beans and rice, different flavors of Jerky, chips and flavored Green Tea drinks.  Also, sweet potato turnovers.  It was all good! 

Kent was awarded 2nd place.  Actually, he was first.  They gave the first place to a female and didn't correct it though she came up and got the award herself!!!!  Regardless, he got a nice cap, a paddle ball set for the beach, and a $10 gas gift card from Circle K Stores. 

Next race is the Leprechaun 5k in Robertsdale.  Temperatures were much nicer just a few days later.  I decided to run this race though it was still a little too early to be running hard after the marathon.  I knew I could do the distance but my legs aren't completely where they should be but I wanted to give it a try.  Thought if I could do it under 30 minutes then that would be good.  We liked our shirts.  Though they are not tech, they are still nice quality shirts. 

I ran well and felt good.  The out-and-back course was nice.  It's funny how you don't realize a descend in the road until you are returning and it becomes an elevation.  Though it wasn't much, it was about half the distance.  The same with wind.  You don't realize there is an 18 mph wind when it's against your back but when you turn around and face it, going uphill, then you begin to suck air.  I'm glad I made good time going out because it dropped a little coming back.  BUT...all I could think about was how good I felt and that I was running better than I thought I would...still hoping for a 10 minute pace.  My legs felt good and not sore. 

After coming in, I ran to get my camera to catch Kent coming in.  He had another strong race. 

This week's race, again, had good post-race food.  There was great pizza...soooo good and hot.  Then we had Irish Stew, in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  Note to self: take pics BEFORE we start eating.  But then, you may not want to see ALL we eat either, ha!

And, when it was all said and done, we both came out winners.  Kent was the First Overall Male Racewalker and I got GrandMasters!!  It's become harder to get the GrandMasters Award nowadays for a couple of reasons.  One is the fact that younger, strong runners have entered the 50+ age group and I'm nearing the Sr. GrandMasters age and the other is that I am more focused on distance running which slows me down in shorter races.  I've lost interest in 5ks because it seems I don't begin to "warm up" until 3-4 miles...which, in essence, the 5k race is over.  But...with that said, it made me feel really good to know that I can run faster than I thought I could especially since I had not run hard in MONTHS, due to training for the marathon.  Don't get me wrong...my time was terrible but my pace was better than it had been for a while.  But I did get under a 9 minute pace...sooooo much better than ever expected.  I'm looking forward to stronger, shorter races now.

Us and our awards.

And, here are our award cups up close.  They are nice and large. 

We loved these two races and hope to do them again next year.  They were really nice and fun! 

We ran up with Tanya D. from the Coast.  She has lost a ton of weight since we saw her last.  She looked great!  We, also, saw our friends from LA Fleet Feet.  We see them a lot running in races in the area.  They are a great group of folks.  Thanks, Diane G., for taking my picture here.  You did great, too!  Good job, Mo!  You're comeback from your recent cancer surgery is amazing...keep up the good work!

Well, that's it for now.  Let me hear how your runs are going.  And, if you're not running, it's time for you to get out and

Run 4 It

NOLA RnR Marathon-Part 2 [long]

I apologize for not getting this out sooner but there was no way that I could.  Being on the road nearly every day has taken all my time. 

Back to the story...

As I got off the shuttle and started walking to the corrals, I noticed many, many photographers taking pictures for the race.  I got mine took as much as I could, not knowing if any would come out OR [considering the model] not sure they would be any good.  This way I was hoping I'd be able to choose the one I might want to get.  It was pretty cold and everyone was wearing warmer clothes.  I rarely wear gloves but had to have them on. 

The temp was suppose to be a little warm and I knew once my body warmed up that these things were coming off.  As it turned out, within the first mile they were on my belt.  But it wasn't long after then that I noticed that they had come loose and fallen off.  I hope they fell together so someone will have a pair to use and not just one. 

I met a lady just before we started running.  She was alone, too.  Her husband initially signed up for his first full, then she decided she would, too.  Then he found out that he had to work and would not be able to go but she decided to come on.  They live in N. Carolina and both are in different branches of the military.  Her name is Amy J.  This was her first marathon.  She is in her early 30's and had planned to walk/run it but mostly have fun.  She had not raced much before.  But she had run track in school.  We stayed together until about the 11th mile when she dropped back to walk.  Our first miles were at a great pace and was much faster than what she had trained for.  But, as you know, if you are a racer, the adrenaline of a race cannot be contained for long. 

I had hoped to reach the half marathon mark close to 2:48.  I arrived at that point in the race at 2:22.  I felt so good!!  And, it seemed easy.  Passing the 14th mile, I made a "pit stop".  It was there that a water table was set up and it was time for a GU; so I thought it would be to my advantage to go ahead and do my "chores" while I was stopped instead of stopping again another mile down the road and kill more time.  It was all working out great. 

Shortly after this time, I saw a good friend of mine from our GCRC Club, come by.  It was Mark K.  He was flying!!!  I yelled out but don't think he heard me...OR he was so focused, which is probably the case.  I was so excited to see him and see him running so good.  Little did I know what was ahead of me.  I got to thinking when I got to the difficult part of the race just how fast he really was.  I don't know how he could run so fast!! 

Then, I entered the 15th mile.  I could tell I was getting a blister or something on the top of my left foot.  All I could think about was "here I go again"!!!  I ran a little further and then decided to stop and see what was happening.  After all, I still had a ways to go.  I took off my shoe and saw blood all over my sock!  I had hoped that all it was was that my sock had knotted up on top of my foot and I could straighten it out and all would be okay...NOT!!  Every step I took burned from that blister rubbing.  This killed my race!!!  I became so disappointed...SOOOOOOOOOO disappointed.  By mile 16, I knew I was going to have to start walking.  Every step I took, I hurt.  All because of this dang blister!!!

Now, running a marathon is as much mental as anything else...provided you have trained.  I learn so much and guess I always will.  I began to get my head back on.  There is nothing that will prepare you for blisters or things of that nature.  I'd not had a single one.  As you are told, I ran in what I had planned to run in on my longest mile, the 20 miler.  The only exception was that I wore shorts instead of longer pants.  I wore my belt with ALL the stuff I tote around, the same socks, shoes, everything.  Nothing happened.  It was all good.  Then this happens in the 15th mile!! 

Okay...I've got to get hold of this.  My goal this time was to finish strong and uninjured.  But, the racer inside me wants to beat a time!!  I just can't help it.  As it got closer to the race, all I could think about was coming in by a certain time...AND I thought it was doable.  AND with the great time I had at the halfway point, it only confirmed my thinking that it was not only doable but achievable...pushing me harder to focus on "time".  Well, when this little issue popped up and changed everything, I had to think about what my real goal was.  Now, I do NOT think that a blister is an injury but something that demands attention...DEMANDS, I say!!  It's like a tiny rock in your shoe that you can't get out...it gnaws at you with every step but you're not hurt. 

I had been running alone for a few miles now.  The race course was altered due to the heavy amount of rain they had been getting; which they were to get more on race day.  Thankfully, the rain held off until after the race when the bottom fell out again.  The course moved us into an area that was NOT flat.  There were 3 hilly bridges with an additional smaller hilly one.  They were steep enough that many were walking up them.  This was NOT in my plan...especially in the latter part of the race...so not in my plan!  This wasn't bad enough but that we had a turn around to do and cross them all again!!  Can I say that I was NOT a "happy camper" right now. 

As I got to the first bridge, I looked ahead and noticed someone running about the way I was.  My first thought was that he was hurt or something happened.  The thing about runners, you can never tell by physical appearance as to how they can run.  It's all about the training.  As I got closer, we began talking and running together.  Aubrey was really nice with a family and lives in Mobile.  He is a Highway Patrolman.  We didn't make a pact or anything but one would run ahead a little, the other would catch up, we'd run together...it was back and forth. 

By the 19th mile, my quads were getting fatigued. Not planning on a walk/run plan, it put more stress on my quads than I had hoped.  Then I came off one of the bridges [I don't remember which one] and looking to my left was my friend, Nestor!!  He was sitting on the bridge abutment watching the runners.  We saw each other about the same time and I yelled out to him and asked what he was doing there.  A few weeks ago, he had said that he would come and run with me the last 10k.  I was so excited.  But a couple of weeks ago, his son had a soccer tournament scheduled for that weekend and was not going to be able to make it.  I was so disappointed.  As it turned out, the tournament was canceled due to all the rain we'd been having.  We've had lots...and the fields were too wet to play on.  When I saw him sitting there I almost cried with excitement.  He said he had come to run me in and I was even more excited!  I don't know how he found me because he did not know that the course had changed.  I bet he ran 2-3 miles before he got to this location hoping he had not missed me.  With our run and him getting to me, I bet he got in 10 miles!  This was the nicest thing someone has done for me!  Thanks, Nestor, you'll NEVER know what this meant to me!!!  And, on top of that, he brought his handy-dandy camera.  It is rare that I get pictures of me in a race.  After all, I'm not an elite runner where the photographers take pictures of every step I make...nor do I come in at a super fast pace.  Here are a few pics.  I won't bore you with many.  But all I can say is that now I have enough to make a good scrapbook...yay!!

This is the second bridge second time over.  It doesn't look like much but you can't see over it yet.

 

Feeling good here.

Me and Aubrey.

One of my favorite shots...I'm off the ground!!

And, crossing the line.  I'm glad Aubrey and I crossed together since we had run the last 8 together.  The time is incorrect since it was a delayed start for each corral.

 And, the best yet...

Here's my great medal!

Nestor and me at the Finish Line.  Thank you, friend!! 

Shortly after crossing the line, my friend, Gina M. came in.  Isn't she beautiful?  Great job, girl!

Caught up with Amy J. at the end.  So glad we got our pic together.  Great job on your first marathon!

Then a last pic of us two couples.  Love this one!

Oh, and btw...Gina was just featured in Women's Running Magazine.  She's lost a lot of weight, happily married with 5 children and now loves running.  She is truly an inspiration! 

There are so many people I want to mention that ran in this race but for fear of forgetting someone and hurting their feelings, I just mentioned those I had pictures with except for Mark. 

I took away a lot from this race.  Like Aubrey told me while we were running: "I have a lot of respect for those that run marathons".  And, I do, too; though this is the only one he says he will do.  Said it was a lot harder than he expected it to be. 

The last 6 or so miles really test your skills.  Not only in your training and running, but mentally.  How you adjust to the unexpected things or disappointments in the race is probably as important as the race itself.  Though I initially thought I would not run another.  I'm not so sure now.  Guess my only deal with a marathon is all the time it takes preparing for it.  I now have my sights on the Disney Marathon next year...we'll see.  One thing for sure will change and that's my fuel belt!!  It is now history!!  Way too heavy and I must learn to adjust with less.  Yes, I can do it...I can do it! 

When it all comes down to it, I did exactly what I had hoped: to finish strong, uninjured and have fun.  I've got to get my "racer" mentality out of a marathon.  Oh, and...I got a new PR!!  Finished 5:29:11 hours!  Under 5.5 hours!!  So, it is all good.  Now for the recovery.  Until the next race, I want you to

Run 4 It