Marathon EXPO & Morning of the Race

I have so much I want to share that I thought I would break down my posts regarding the Marathon. 

First off, I wanted to paint my nails a festive color.  I found this beautiful, glittery Mardi Gras green and had to have it.  I really wanted purple but I didn't like the shades.  Boo...  Click on the picture to get a much better look at the color. 

I, also, got a headband with the jester swirls on it in the three Mardi Gras colors but decided not to wear it since I pulled my hair back. 

There were so many notables that were scheduled to run in the Half Marathon!!  It was such an honor just to be on the same turf as them.  As usual, with the Rock 'n Roll Race in NOLA, they have some of these, as well as others of interest to the running community, speaking at different times.  First one we came up on was an interview with Kara Goucher.  She looked great AND strong.  Well, duh!!  Of course, she's great looking! 

 

As we were leaving the area, we saw Frank Shorter stopped by someone asking him questions.  He was scheduled to be interviewed about an hour later.  We didn't stay for that as we were already tired from all the walking around.  These people are amazing looking.  So strong and powerful...and, yet, they are all so friendly and willing to help out another runner no matter their skill level.  This is one thing I love about runners.  They've all been just where you are at some time, and understand, AND want to lend a hand to assist any way they can.  It's a family.  You just haven't met them all yet.

There were so many photo ops this year!  There are always areas you can have your picture taken but this year seemed to have been full of them.  Here are some my hubby got of me while at the Expo.  Missing my marathon buddies from last time...sniff, sniff.

They had these mirrors set up that had cool sayings on them.  I loved them.  These 2 were my favorite.

 

A sweet lady came by and offered to take our picture.  Kent said NO!  But when I realized what she was asking, I immediately said YES!  Guess that's the way it goes with men and pics.  But, I won hands down!!

Then there are the cool dressing rooms.  Haven't been in one but I surely hope they are MUCH more roomier than the real things!  Maybe they are just for looks.  Still a cool idea.

The Brooks booth had giveaways.  We selected our card and went to see what we got.  Surprisingly, we got the best gift...BOTH of us got shirts.  The first picture is the front of the shirt.

I had to get up very early [4:00 a.m.] to eat, get dressed, leave so we could get parked as the last shuttle leaving for the starting line was at 6:30.  We had to leave BY 5:30.  That's even early for me and I'm a morning person.  The bad part of it all is that we hardly got any sleep.  There were rowdy people in the hotel who slammed doors and were loud ALL night long.  So not the right night to be doing this!  Anyway, the race started at 7:00 and you had to walk several blocks to find the corrals and then to weave back to yours.  I was in the 14th corral out of 20.  Here are a couple of race day photos.  I'm ready to rock and roll!!  Nervous, but ready.

This is all of this post.  I will be posting the race day article soon.  It's going to be hard to select the photos I want to use.  There were so many taken.  I can hardly wait to get started on my second marathon scrapbook.  I thought this one was not going to be very big but due to all the pics taken by my friend and the race photographers, it's going to be much better than ever expected.  Woo-hoo!

Sweetheart 5k/Tapering/Ailments

Saturday was gorgeous but was VERY windy, making it quite cold. The Valentine's Races were a 10k, 5k and a 5k Walk.  There were 500-600 people that participated.  First a couple of pre-race pics. 

A little nervous but ready to go.  This was Kent's first race since his surgery in mid December. 

This large group came out even with all this wind.  Racers gather up to start the race.  Just look at how everyone was bundled up. 

And the runners are off...all 10k and 5k runners started first.

Then the racewalkers were lined up...and off they went.  There were about 160 of these. 

Kent has on the blue shirt and is on the other side of the guy you see here in the red shirt and leggings.

It was at this time that I headed back to the car.  When I got to the redlight, I came up on a friend.  We race against one another all the time.  She called me to the side and told me that she had breast cancer and that it had mestasized into her lymph nodes!  I was saddened to hear this news.  I've told some of my praying friends and we will be praying for her. 

I crossed a parking lot to go to the car to put up my gloves.  When I began to remove my right glove my camera strap slipped off my wrist with the glove and hit the pavement.  It stopped working!!!  I cannot get it go come on or operate.  I am so upset with this stupid move.  I missed getting Kent's picture when he came across the line.  He received the Senior GrandMasters RaceWalker Award.  I'm so proud of him.  Congrats, Honey!!  What a great way to return to racing!! 

Update from last week:  Had good runs all week.  Tuesday was to be my long run for the week and when I got halfway out, the rain started and I got soaking wet.  On top of that, a large 2' snake cross my path on the trail going out and shortly afterward a small rattler was in the middle of the adjoining trail.  No one was around when I saw the two footer, but there were very many around the rattler.  It had been run over by a child on his bike.  It was still alive and striking at anything in it's path and shaking that rattler of his!!  Guess they were on the move this day.  I worried about coming across others on the return part of the run, especially since I was mostly on the trail alone then and soaking wet.  I had to cut my run a little short that day but felt good the whole time. 

At the end of this week, my left shoulder began hurting.  It just kills me especially at night when I'm trying to sleep.  It keeps me awake and I can hardly move or use it.  Yesterday, I put ice on it and took a Naproxen Sodium and it felt better by bedtime.  Today, my shoulder seems to be better but now the pain has gone down into my bicep.  I just can't figure this out.  I hope it doesn't hurt during the race next week.  I will be so disappointed.  Sounds like ice and drugs are on the agenda this week.

The taper is on and I feel like I can't run 10 miles!  I know it's the reduced mileage that makes me feel this way and also know that it is all good.  I'll trust the training and be ready for next Sunday.  I'm excited and nervous.  My goal this time is to finish strong!  I don't plan to push to run it entirely, although I do want to do this.  But I aim to feel better and hopefully finish in a better time.  I've listed a lot of sayings that I want to keep in mind to help pull me through some boring periods or difficult times.  Here they are:

Focus & Finish
Finish Strong
You've Already Done This
It Can Be Done!
One Mile At A Time
Never, Never, Never Give Up
Tough People Last
Just Run
Run Your Own Race
You Can Stop When You're Done
Keep It Steady
Today Is Not The Day To Quit
All Walls Have Doors
Keep Your Form
Run, Forest, Run
Shoulders Back, Smile
Stay Focused
This Is Exactly Where I Want To Be
Trust Your Training

And, one of my favorites:
The Work Is Done, Have Fun

I'm assigned to Corral #14 and my number is #14228.  Now my next project is to purchase a camera before next weekend for the race and learn how to use the thing!  But all is good!!  We've received such bad news the last 3 days:  our Sunday School Teacher, Gene Fairchild, passed away on the 15th totally unexpected, a very dear and past Sunday School Teacher, Roland Gatlin, passed away last night, and the news that my friend has been diagnosed with breast/lymph node cancer.  It's been a tough week emotionally but we are healthy and fine and I'm glad God has blessed us this week.  Looking forward to what He has in store for our lives.  And, for now, most days include a run so we go out and

Run 4 It

Double Bridge 15k & A New PR

The day was perfect, wind at your back and the temp was cool.  The makings for a great race.  I had kinda dreaded it because the temp was suppose to be 30 with a wind chill into the 20's.  It would be the first time I'd race, much less run, in such cold temps.  Therefore, I had apprehensions but it was only seconds after it started that the race became my friend.  Here's my pic before leaving the hotel room:

Yep, I doubled up every bit of clothing I could without being uncomfortable.  Looking a little pudgy with all those clothes, huh?  I love bibs that have my name on it...it's so cool and I feel important.

My friend, Deleica, came and we ran together.  Though I'm not a fan of running with someone in a race, she and I pair up pretty good, pace-wise.  We tend to help each other and this makes for a good running partner.  Now, on with the show...

The race went well.  Each bridge was a challenge, but in a good way.  The last one had the biggest hill but I knew about midways up that we were in the 8th mile and that the end was near.  Somehow, [mentally I guess] you feel like you can catch your last wind going down the bridge to finish on the straightway.  Here are pics on the bridge and crossing the Finish Line. 

D kept me strong going UP the bridges.  I'm not sure I would have pushed myself as much had I been alone.  Then out of nowhere, going down that last bridge, I got my second wind and was feeling really strong.  I have NO idea where this came from.  I looked at my watch and it seemed as though I was going to beat my time last year.  This race was to be a "training" run for my marathon training and was going to use it for a bit of a speedwork and not run hard; but it was so easy, I just went with how I felt.  The finishing shoot was in view and I began to push harder.  I mean, no sense in letting good energy go to waste, huh?  Good air filled my lungs and I felt stronger than I have in a long time.  Running as hard as I could, I crossed the line at a 6:47 pace and with a great total time.  Notice in the second pic above that I was reaching to stop my watch. 

The race was a sell-out.  There were so many people running and cheering that I never saw Kent when I was coming in.  I was just hoping he got a shot of me.  He got a good pic of the ground, ha...where it should have been me facing him coming in.  And, another of my backside as I was closing in on the finish. 

This race was chipped and thankfully so.  Having so many people, they had us coraled and let us "out of the pen" about 15-20 seconds between each pace coral [this means that the gun time and chip time are completely different].  Therefore, my time was nowhere like the clock time.  Whew!! 

They gave us this beautiful medal as we crossed the line.  I love it!  It's so colorful.  The shirts have the same emblem on it but the shirt itself was neon yellow.  Love it, too!! 

After the race, D stopped to remove her ankle brace and I looked at my watch.  It was still on!!!!  I was soooo mad!  I KNEW I had turned that thing off; but undoutedly I didn't press hard enough.  She looked at hers and the time was amazing!  If her watch was right, I had a great PR coming to me. 

We finally connected with Kent.  He took a couple of pics of D and I afterward.  We look kinda rough...but, hey, we just ran a tough 9.3 mile race and looks only add to the fact that we worked so hard for this.  Kind of a trophy, I'd say. 

We all went and got our post-race meal.  We saw Mo there with her meal.  Kent said she crossed the line just seconds before me.  I never saw her.  I asked how she did and she told me that her watch showed 1:36:??  Now, I was really wondering if D's watch was right?  How could that be if she crossed the line before me? 

I could hardly wait for the results to be posted online.  I HAD to see what was going on.  It was driving me crazy!  The next day the results were posted.  You can find them here:  http://runresults.net/ . 

I was Runner  #1353 (out of 2259 runners), 9th out of 41 in my age group, and now my time...drum roll, please: 1:32:06 at a 9:53 pace!!!  That is 2 minutes and 24 seconds faster than last year and all done under a 10 minute pace!!  I was soooo excited and couldn't believe it.  Yep...I LOVE chip running!!!  You never know how you will do until all the chips are down...sorry, no pun intended. 

I want to leave you with telling you to always do your best...whatever it is that day.  It may be really good or it may be really not good.  You never know how it will turn out.  Now, get off that couch and go

Run 4 It

Gulf Coast Lulu's Half Marathon

I don't know why I'm like this but every race I do I get butterflies the day of the race.  With longer races, it begins the night before.  Well, this one was no different regardless of the fact that this was going to be a training run [and I needed to get in an extra 5 miles AFTER the race in order to get the 18 I needed].  With that in mind, it made no difference because I think a race is a race...no matter how you want to run it.  If you race, it's hard to separate intentions from adrenaline.  Right??

I knew my friend, Mo, was going to be there as we picked up our packet at the same time on Saturday. We are heavy competitors; we are in the same age group and run about the same pace. She had said that she was running real slow now and I told her that I was doing this one as training for a marathon coming up. With all of that said to one another, the stress seem to be off for the race...at least that sounded good.   

I was super excited about having my friend Deleica come join me on this one.  We've not raced together before [except for the marathon] and she's just now getting her running legs back from having been off for many medical reasons.  She's such a trooper and a great motivator!  She's, also,  a great runner and will be outrunning me soon...as she should being 10 years younger.  With that in mind and the fact that I wanted to keep a slower pace to get in all the miles I needed, the thought was that we'd be a good partner. 

Two things were new to me.  I'd never done a training run in a race before nor have I partnered up to run "with" someone except for the marathon.  And, NO...I'm not calm...anxious and excited but, by no means, calm.  So we got the day started with a pic before the humidity had time to take its toll on us...AND IT DID! 

The race hardly started before we started up and over the bridge over the Intercostal Waterway.  Man, that was a tough incline.  This gave the humidity a great opportunity to attack.  Needless to say, the "anticipation" to see this thing one more time when we returned was not the way you want to think throughout the entire race.  After all, running is a lot mental...right?? 

It wasn't long after we got off the bridge that I KNEW we were going way to fast for my training.  I kept looking at my watch and we were about a minute faster and all I could think about was I'm not going to make it 18 miles today if I don't slow down. 

Off and on I'd told D that I needed to slow down so I could do this...BUT...it didn't happen.  It's so hard to run slow when you're racing.  Racing mentality just seems to take control no matter how hard you try. 

The humidity was probably one of the toughest I've run in.  It was 98% and the temp was 69!  We could hardly breathe.  I was struggling quick into the race.  Close to the 5 mile marker I told her that it looks like I may have to stop and walk some but would wait til I got to 5 miles.  When I got there, I felt the same and told her to go on.  I stopped and took 2 steps and ran again.  When I caught up with her [shortly], she laughed and I told her that I just couldn't do that!!!  Walking is just not my thing especially since it was so early in the race and I was running about a half marathon every week in my training already.  I mentally grabbed hold of facts, refocused and kept going.  Little did I know that we were getting into a very bored part of the race.  I'm so thankful for my iPod!! 

About 2.5 miles left to go, a change was made in my race.  I settled into my training pace, which was a little slower, and I began to feel strong again.  Many people had stopped to walk all along the way but it seemed to increase as we got to the 11 mile marker.  I caught up with one lady and she said this was real tough.  Said she trains in Chicago at 10 degrees and this was real hard.  Within a few steps, she was walking.  Then...the bridge appeared and reminded me of the challenge that laid in front of me.  It was here that MANY more people decided to stop and walk up the bridge to save strength.  Everyone was worn down.  It got harder and harder but then I began to think "it's not going to beat me!"  As it got tougher and tougher, my mind was telling me to walk a little because everyone else was doing it; but it made me stronger.  My thought was "it's not going to bite me in the butt!!!"  Push after push, it wasn't long before I reached the top.  Finally relief and all I could think was "I did it!!"  Everything from here on out was easy peasy. 

As I got a half mile from the end, my friend Mo came up on me.  She was huffing and groaning really bad.  I asked if she was okay and she said, "yes", but kept going.  I was not interested in racing so I let her go on by though she was only a few steps ahead.  She finished right in front of me.  As she crossed the line, she bent over double and I went to check on her.  She had almost overdone it.  Here are pics of me, Deleica and my new friend, Jeff, as we crossed the line.  Thanks, Honey!

The medal was great and I was so thankful to have one handed to me after this hot race.

Oh, and this is the shirt front and back. I LOVE the colors!  They are neon, but it appears as though they're pastel. 

Here is our post race pic and meal pics.

When I found out I was getting an award we hung around for the ceremony.  I still had to get in 5 more miles and soon.

I'm so glad Kent felt like coming. He's getting stronger now and I'm so appreciative of the pics he took.

Chicken and sausage jambalaya was great! It was spicy and so good. And, I couldn't get enough oranges and Coke. It was so hot all I wanted was some cool relief.

Mo found out that she got second place. Not shooting for a time in this race, I figured I got third since I came in right behind her. But as it turned out, I got first and she got second!! Having chips recording the times, it showed that I beat her by ONE second!  I must have started before her.  I couldn't believe it!  It was a bittersweet win though. She had run so hard and almost overdid it just to beat me and it was all for no good. The good part is that this is the first time I got First Place in a half marathon and my time was terrible...but woo-hoo!!

Here's my award.  Had to put in a white paper towel so you could see it.  It has the same turtle on it that is on the back of our shirts. 

And, here is what got me my first place!!  The chip on the back of this little ole bib...

As soon as this was over, we headed out to the beach to get in the rest of my miles. And, yep, I was stoked after receiving First Place even though my legs were getting a little heavy.  Eighteen, here I come.

A hot shower never felt so good as it did today.  Wish I could have stayed in it for a loooong time.  Now, off I go to work on this training.  Until later, go

Run 4 It

2013 Goals

Well, this is really a hard post.  Personally, I haven't "settled" on firm goals yet.  And, there will be more off and on throughout the year that will be met as they are completed.  You know, when you decide to put it all in writing, it seems like it is in blood and can't be changed.  It is, also, disheartening when early on you're goal is missed.  Well, that happened to me last year when I contracted bronchitis in late February.  Don't know if I've ever had bronchitis before but feel this was gotten through my bad allergies.  It caused me to drop two half marathons [which would have surpassed my goal of 3 for the year].  Another goal missed was when I didn't get in the Marine Corp Marathon...I was heart broken, to say the least!  I've been wanting to do this one for a long time.  I don't know that I'll be able to ever do this one since I had plans to stay with my nephew and his wife who lives in the area but he will be transferred next May and won't be in the area.  The cost is primary in this race and is so over my head.  It is still on my bucket list but not as appealing as before.  So sad...

There are some goals I want to achieve in 2013 and there are some goals that may be dropped, added or revised as time goes on.  But, for the most part, I want them to stay in place.  These "numbered" goals are not necessarily in order...just numbered for distinction.  So, let's go...

Goal #1:  Run the Rock 'n Roll Marathon in New Orleans.  Yes, I want to do another one.  I am in training right now and, so far, all is going well.  I ran 16 miles on December 31 and was pleased.  My goal this time is different than the first one.  This time, I want to finish strong, uninjured, and a better time than the last one.  As long as I cross the line, this will be a great accomplishment, regardless.  As a matter of fact, I'd love to shoot for doing one in Disney at the end of the year, but not sure that one will come to fruition due to the distance and cost.  I would LOVE one of those medals!!  I'll have to depend on someone else to share expenses with me.  We'll see how that one comes out.

Goal #2:  Three Half Marathons.  I hope to do more but I feel three is achievable for the entire year.  Maybe I should be more aggressive in this goal.  I was ahead of the game last year until I got sick and it caused me to cancel two, which actually made me short of my goal of three.  Guess I'm a little humbled by that experience.  Half's are nothing to snivvle at.  I am NOT a summer/hot weather runner so those months are out as far as training for long distance races.

Goal #3:  Maintain a weight in the 130's.  Last year my weight stayed in the low 140's but I was not pleased with that because I KNOW I can do better.  In my best weight loss year [2009], I lost down in the mid 120's but felt that was too small for me and my frame.  I'm more comfortable in the 130's, which is what I'm shooting for as an average for 2013.  Thankfully, the weight has not been enough difference to constitute a different clothes size.  It was more a redistribution of where my weight went. 

Goal #4:  A new goal for me is to shoot for running 1,000 miles this year.  That will be approximately 21 miles a week or 83.5 miles a month.  I feel that is a very, reasonable goal for the year.  This is exciting.  My first year to put down a yearly mileage...woo-hoo!

Goal #5:  Being consistent with weights each week as well as with cross training.  This is a real challenge for me.  I have to push myself to doing anything other than running and will talk myself out of it any way I can.  I'll have to find something that keeps my interest for this to work.  Maybe monthly workout challenges will help.  Being on my own didn't work last year.  I'm just a cheater if I can get away with it, ha!!  Gotta work on this goal. 

Goal #6:  I hope to get a piece of fruit in my body every day.  It doesn't matter what it is, but dried and juice does not count...which I rarely have those anyway.  Summer is so much easier than the winter months. 

Goal #7:  I want to run a new [for me] half marathon.  I have several I'd like to do and hope I'll be able to include these in my goal of three half's for the  year.

I am living in an exciting period in my life.  Having only started running since September of '08, I've done more than I ever thought I would at the ripe age of 52!  Yeah, it's not the ideal time to "start" this great sport.  After all, your better times and races have passed you. BUT, I'm so glad that I finally joined the team.   I've acquired so many trophies, awards, recognition AND State Records.  I, also, started at a great time.  Trophies/Awards are now being done creatively; hence, I have some really special ones like a jeweled Mardi Gras mask, beautiful beveled glass ones, handmade clay ones [made by handicapped children and some from clay artists], handmade pinecone ones, ALL of my half marathon medals and many, many more that don't come to my mind right now.  I'd have never guessed in a million years I could have participated in so many races.  On top of that, when I began running in half marathons, I was just excited to participate in them and try to improve my time in each race, but I've placed in several of those, too!

I've met so many wonderful people.  One I see every year in the Gulf Shores area.  She comes down for the winter and is from Canada.  She told me the other day that she is 75 and she looks great AND is still running.  She had gotten in 7 miles the day before.  This is nothing as she has run so many marathons all over the world.  I'm thankful I met her as she inspires me soooo much.  And, thanks to Facebook, I have friends all over this country that enjoy the same sport and we share our ups and downs.  I love when I meet them in person.  It is like getting with friends that you haven't seen in a long time yet you've never met.  And, one more thing about FB...my friends there encourage me so much and give me just what I need to continue, push, or rest.  I love them all!  Now, that I turned 57 a couple of weeks ago, I'm excited to say that I'm training for my second marathon in February.  Marathon...did you hear??  26 miles!!  It's still surreal to me!! 

It seems impossible that this sport has become so important to me.  I feel great and healthier than I have in years.  If only I could get some of my friends to get out and do "something" even if walking is all that interests them.  Once running became a constant part of my life, their interest waned more and more and now have resorted to their "age" and "that's the way it is" status and our relationship has become further apart.  It's like a guilt thing and it's easier to not associate with "the guilt" than it is to wallow in it where you have a lot of company.  I'm here to tell anyone that they have believed a lie!!!  YOU have control of your life and unless you are crippled or confined to a wheelchair or can't walk or have any medical reason, you are cutting your life shorter than it would be if you'd make just a little bit of effort.  There's nothing like feeling good because you work hard.  Life is not given to us to become weak, lazy and overweight...stand up and take control!!  I say that emphatically!!!  Because I love you!!

One more thing before I end this post.  There is one friend that I depend on when I have ANY question.  She never thinks it's not important and is ALWAYS willing to help out a newbie, one MUCH older than her.  Thank you so much!!!!!!  I think you know who you are because I bug you all the time...lol.  I hope to inspire others as I have been inspired.  So many have played such a signifcant role in my life.  And, I couldn't end this without saying my biggest cheerleader is my husband!  He is amazing and I couldn't do it without him!! 

Without further ado, it's really easy...just go

Run 4 It!

2012 - Year in Review

As I look back over my running for the year, I chose a variety of things that stood out each month I wanted to share with you. 

January:  Got a PR in the Pensacola Half.  1st time since 2009!
February:  Did the Double Bridge 15k; new distance race and loved the hard bridges.
March:  Bronchitis invaded my body and kept me from doing my first trail race BUT got to meet 3 FB friends in TN that I'd not met before.
April:  Ran the Color Dash with my granddaughters [their first race ever].
May:  Began learning how to swim...yay!
June:  Bronchitis came back again; more treatment followed.
July:  Received the #1 race bib, got 1st place and set state record!
August:  Back-to-back bridge runs two days apart.
September:  Swimming is improving.
October:  Realized just how blessed I am as I do the 5k for Kaitlyn.  Also, PR'd again in the Jazz Half!!!  And, finally got a pic of me running "off the ground".  Great month!
November:  Barely won 1st at Jingle Bell 10k in Pensacola
December:  Feeling stronger as I continue to train for my 2nd marathon; ran 16 pain-free miles on 31st.

The year ended with 16 races [several canceled due to bronchitis which caused me to miss my half marathon goal for the year], 988 running miles which would have reached over 1000 had I not gotten sick and, finally, getting a PR twice in my half marathon races.  I'm pleased that I never gave up though I was discouraged a lot.  Pushing through ALL the challenges is what makes a runner, a runner.  In looking back, I see my running has not been as bad as it seemed at the time.  I tend to focus on the negative because the issue is IN MY FACE right then, so in 2013 I'm going to do my best to review things correctly and set my mind in a positive state. 

These are only highlights and hope you've had a great 2012, too!!  Thank you for being a part of my life here in "Blog World".  Looking forward to seeing more of you.  Thank you, also, for praying for us as Kent had his prostate surgery in December.  We are so blessed and you are, too!!  Be thinking of your 2013 goals.  I'm getting mine ready to share with you.  So for now, start the year right and

Run 4 It

FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k

Well, I didn't realize that I hadn't posted about our FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k until just now.  I hate to do this so late unless I'm gathering information about the race because I am not "in the moment" as I usually am right afterward.  But here goes...

It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be a good, flat 5k race to run.  Why do I love the beach so much????????????  Oh, yeah, it's peaceful, relaxing, warm and wonderful!!  Is there any other reason?

It began at FloraBama where we had our first "issue" confronting us.  They did not have our registration!  When this happens, you are not guaranteed any perks that is contained in your registration bag, nor are you guaranteed a racing shirt.  They had two shirts left and one was Kent's size.  I'm out!!  This aggravated me so much...this is the second race in a row that we mailed our money in ahead of the date required and they didn't receive it.  They were nice about it...BUT...there we were. 

We head out to find the Starting Line as we couldn't tell where it was.  Waaaaay down the road, we saw the clock.  No one seem to be getting everyone lined up and everyone was every where asking the same question: "where do we go?"  There were some at FloraBama and some at the clock.  Okay...this is making us nervous since the clock was a good quarter mile away.  I mean...we DO want to start on time...wherever that is.  Even the police wasn't sure.  After the pre-race talk at FloraBama, we were asked to move up to the clock to start the race.  Now, we're getting somewhere. 

The race began and I felt pretty good.  We went to the bridge and turned around under it ON SAND and in sand BURRS!!  This was for several yards and it really slowed you down.  Then we were headed back to the Finish Line and this is where we encountered strong wind!  Okay...could this dinky little race not be more challenging...well, I guess it could be raining or cold!  It is after I hit the straightaway heading back that I saw Kent heading under the bridge.  He was running and I was so excited to see this.  He hasn't run in a race in quite a while since he's been focused on racewalking. 

I knew my time was suffering when I made my turn and felt like I was standing still yet running with all I had in me, through the sand.  Oh, well...all I can say is that 5k's have lost its luster for me anyway so I refocused and just did the best I could, not the best I have in the past.  I crossed the Finish Line looking for some fruit...NONE...so I got some water.  Thought maybe the fruit and food were back at FB...but as it turned out there was absolutely nothing but the water at the finish.  If you didn't pick it up there, you were totally out...unless you wanted to drink...AND...you got your registration bag...of which we didn't.  Then I felt stinging around my ankles.  When I looked down, I was "graced" with sand burrs all over me...YIKES!!  I thought I'd never get all of them off...and, yeah, they will remind you that they are still in tact!

After we settled down in FloraBama, I saw a young man handling a bunch of t-shirts.  I went up to him and asked if he had any size mediums and told him my situation.  He was VERY nice and got me a shirt [even though it was a different color, it was this year's shirt] and gave me some drink tickets.  Now, mind you, all I wanted was some water or a coke...liquor was NOT on my mind getting these tickets but I was sooo thirsty.  When I got back to my seat, Kent had rounded up 3 more.  Now, we have more than we could drink even if we wanted to get drunk, ha!  I'm feeling better now as I feel I got what I paid for...to some degree.  Everyone was looking around for food because it was stated that there would be plenty of food...NOTHING was ever found and we were getting hungrier by the minute!!  We didn't know if we placed so we waited around.  This was a small race so the potential was there.  As we looked around, we began seeing the decor above our heads.  Okay...even in my younger days, this would not have been something I'd have wanted to see. 

Bras were everywhere!!  Okay...men, get your tongues back in your mouths!!!  NO...I didn't put mine up there either!!

Back to the race info now.  We needed to get our picture at the race, of course. 

Kent did so well for not running in such a long time.  I was so proud of him.  He ran the entire first part of it.  But there were several that showed up in his age group...you'd figure, huh?  As it turned out, I got 1st place in my age group.  I was really surprised.  But the best part of this entire thing was my prize.  It is probably the best I've ever gotten.  I received this great Team In Training Running Bag...it is amazing!!  Click on the picture to see it larger.  It has a ton of pockets [inside and out], a removable padded piece inside and even nice feet on the bottom.  This thing is NOT shabby.  Check out the size!  We love it!

We walked out on the pier in the back and one thing that surprised me was the sign that required shoes.  Hey...this place is ON the beach...what gives?? 

After we left, we decided to go to the Wharf and look at the Christmas decorations.  Everything there is magnified and you feel like a little kid again.  In the last year, they have added an ice skating rink.  I couldn't believe that in this area...and it is not enclosed.  How in the world do they keep it iced nine months out of the year, I don't know.  We also saw some beautiful orange trees loaded down ready for picking. 

Well, this is it for now.  I'm gathering information for my last post Year In Review.  Thanks, as always, for visiting me in my little world.  So for now, all I can say is

Run 4 It