Shrimp Festival 5k

It seems that it's been two years since I've run the Shrimp Festival race.  The last time I remember doing this one was when it was held on the beach road...which I vowed not to do it again because of the lack of barriers from the traffic.  Cars were moving in and out of the runners and was so dangerous....I couldn't believe traffic was mixing in with the runners!!  The course was moved to a much safer area on the BackCountry Trail System, which I love all those trails.  Some are flat and some have grades that are challenging though short lasting.  All in all, I was pleased that the course was changed. 

We signed up for the 5k.  I've only done the 10k in the past but knew I was not ready for that yet.  Yes, I know I just did a half marathon, but really didn't feel that I could tackle a 10k yet.  Seems like the shorter races challenge me more than the longer ones and push me harder.  Guess I just want to run it all or run faster than I am ready to do.  Here's a pic of the cool banner at the Lines. 

After running 3 miles straight for the first time since the accident, I felt I was ready to run a 5k again.  We started out and I felt great.  Looking down at my watch off and on I KNEW I was going way too fast.  Even at 2 miles, I was still running better than I have for months, under a 10 minute mile.  As we made our turn onto a newer trail [the last mile heading back to the finish], the sun came out from behind the clouds and beat down on us.  Challenge #1:  it got really tough.  There was no shade until the very end.  My pace slowed down a lot.  I mean...a lot!  Even to incorporating some walking.  Here I am in the last stretch and I'm fading fast.  Keeping my head on straight, I focused on the fact that I had started out too fast and that I had run longer in a race than I had in a long time.  I'm okay...now, to just finish strong, another main goal for any race.  As we got to some shade and back on to a familiar stretch of the trail I tried to get back to running harder.  Challenge #2:  constant grade!!  Yikes.  I pushed and pushed and did the best I could but still had to do a little bit of walking.  As we made our last turn up to the Finish Line, I pushed as hard as I could but the grade got tougher.  Yes, I did pretty good and was able to run through the finish.  I felt great though a little tired.  I finished much better than I thought I would. 

Now, get this............I finished TWO seconds from placing TWICE!!  Twice you might say??  Two ladies a step in front of me tied for second and third place!  Man, I wasn't looking to place but I hate I was so close.  Regardless, I'm pleased with my time.  I finished 31:22 with a 10:06 pace; my fastest so far.  They finished 31:20!!  Here the results for my age group. Oh, I entered with my middle name, Ann, since my first name tends to put me into the male category regardless of how strong I mark "female".  Fourth place is not bad...I'll take it. 

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59
Place Name                Age City/state             5kgun    5kpace     
===== ======================= === ==========
1 Kathy Terrell            56 Wetumpka AL      29:45      9:35 
2 Jean Keith                 58 Foley AL              31:20    10:06 
3 Susan Fechner          59 Foley AL               31:20    10:06 
4 Ann Headrick           57 Laurel MS             31:22    10:06 
5 Donna Higgins         59 Griffin GA             31:52    10:16 
6 Janet Kassabian        57 Arlington TX         35:31   11:26
7 Judy York                 55 Dacula GU            36:03    11:36 
8 Celeste Cancienne    58 Napoleonville LA 39:38    12:46  
9 Kim Headrick           57 Maryville TN        42:22    13:38  
10 Susan Doucet         57 Lafayette LA          50:23   16:13 
11 Kay Jett                  56 Gulf Shores AL     55:13    17:47 
12 Gina Patrick          56 Sugarhill GA       1:08:05    21:55  

Kent did really good, too. He finished 1st Place in his age group.  So proud of him!

After the race, I met up with my friend Diane G. and she took a pic of some of her friends.  It is always good to meet new running friends...yay!



There were lots of people and lots of good food.  Water was plentiful as were the hot cheese and pepperoni pizzas!  They also had mini blueberry, orange and poppy seed muffins.   The meal consisted of a pasta dish and fruit cocktail.  It was all so refreshing.  Here's a crowd shot but there were many still out on the course at this time. 

I look forward to next year when I can run the 10k.  Now that the course is away from traffic, I can see putting this race on the schedule every year. 

Never give up!  You may have difficult times...we all do.  But keep thinking positively and do what you can and

Run 4 It