The girls and I did a run together on Friday morning up and down part of Virginia Dare Trail. Just as we experienced last year, Friday was the windiest day on the Outer Banks. The sun was shining and if it weren't for that wind, it would have been a warm day. We ran about 45 minutes, the girls having no issues at all. I had no issues - with the wind at my back, but in my face, it's just a challenge to breathe! I like breathing - A LOT! All my tricks weren't very successful and I was truly grateful that we were only doing a short run.
Saturday morning dawned bright and brisk (that's a nice way of saying COLD), but no wind. We all headed up to run the OBX 8k. For Erika, this was to be her first official race and she was as nervous as a cat. Kristi & Andrew were going to run together and they were pretty mellow about the whole process. Carl and I were going to walk/run this race, saving ourselves for the half-marathon on Sunday. For some reason, my tummy thought this was a big deal, so my morning prep consisted of several visits to the necessary room. I did everything I could to work out the bubbles... jumping up and down, pacing... and by the time we hit the track, it was all good but I'm sure everyone was a little amused by my pre-race preps.
The race started and we quickly saw the back of all three kids not to see their faces again until the half way mark when they were coming back. It was an interesting race, starting at the high school track, running through some neighborhoods and then some trail running. Carl and I did pretty well on the track and neighorhood running but that trail stuff - definitely not something we were prepared for. Loose, sandy trails and hills... I probably could have handled the hills, but that loose, sandy stuff. Not a fan. We had fun with this race though... I would run ahead of Carl and take his picture at every mile marker. I also enjoyed visiting with others - a daughter runninng to support her mother's first race, a mother running to support her 8 year old daughter's race. There were folks from Team in Training there and another gal whose shirt read "Running My Mass Off". Carl thought she was a priest but he was wrong. She told me she started running to loose weight. I never got her name, but I can tell you she was serious - she was also doing the Pamlico Challenge! 8k Saturday, half-marathon on Sunday! I wish her great success in her efforts!
We finished the 8k (5 miles) in 1:12. Erika finished in it 50 minutes and the married kids were just behind her. It was fun time for all of us and I think it helped get the nervous bugs out - maybe.
We spent the rest of the day doing touristy things - the NC Aquarium, the Tanger Outlet and then an early pasta dinner back at the house. Son Timothy and Andrew's mother, Judy were also with us for the weekend. Judy was kind enough to make the pasta dinner and it was early to bed for me. I knew I'd struggle sleeping a full 8 hours and I was right, awake at 4 a.m. Awake and NO tummy issues! This had to be a sign of good things to come!
After getting dressed - changing back and forth between my shorts and capris, I settled on the capris. I didn't think anyone would appreciate being blinded by my lily white legs. My shirt wasn't in question - it was going to be the shirt that would let me and everyone know why I was running (at least everyone behind me).
I would spend a lot of time pushing myself to keep running, knowing that those names were on my back, wanting them to get the recognition that they and their families deserve.
The race route was familiar to me, having done this as my first half marathon last year. I was able to enjoy the scenery so much more... the beautiful dunes, the water of the sound on the right and the ocean on the left... the crowd support was amazing and I was fortunate to find a runner, Karen, who would pace with me from mile two or so all the way to the end. I probably could have done the race without her, but I have to say, it's so much nicer running with someone, encouraging each other to give it a bit more, to keep going. Thanks Karen!!
We ran pretty consistenly at a 10:48 minute mile for the first 6 or so miles, walking the water stops. The water wasn't very good tasting, so I was cautious in consumption. I also avoided the GU at the water stops, so no issues there at all. I didn't have the Honey Stingers with me though and I think I could have used that extra little energy. I had brought the cherry stingers with me, but the belt provided in the swag bag had irritated me during the 8k, so I declined to use it during the half. The capris - while a good choice - didn't have pockets, so the stingers stayed home. I don't know if it would have made a difference, but I do know I was running out of gas towards the end.
The bridge didn't intimidate me this year as last year - although it did require a few puffs of the albuterol. The wind which seemed to non-existent on the flatland was a bit more prevalent on the bridge. Thankful again for Karen for the mutual encouragements as we tackled the beast.
At mile marker 11, to my great delight - there were the girls, Kristi & Erika! Seeing their faces was a great pick-me-up. At 12, there was my boy, Timothy who had finished his race with a PR of 1:51! Tim would continue to run out to find Carl and pace him in to the finish.
I had a secret goal of finishing in 2:30 but that last half to three-quarter mile was hard. Pretty sure I was on fumes and needed slow down breaks to get my breath and get something for my kick at the end. I was tickled pink to find out my actual finish time was 2:35:05 - only 5 minutes off my secret goal and 25 minutes faster than my run last year!!
Throughout my training, I worked out all the issues that have plagued all my earlier efforts. I felt great after the run, albeit a bit dehydrated. The water along the route was rather nasty tasting, so it was more of a swish and spit rather than an effort to hydrate. The shin splint that had been popping up off and on in my training runs never made an appearance nor did the IT band issues. I have to say it was a great run in every possible way!
After my finish, I waited for Carl at the finish. Short of the birth of my children, I don't think I've ever felt as much joy and pride as when I saw him cross that finish line. Actually, I didn't see him, I heard them announce his name and believe me - everyone around me knew that he was the one I for whom I had been waiting. It wasn't a rebel yell, but it was something.
I was once again moved by all the people who were running for causes at the OBX. There were folks for Team in Training for the Leukemia Society, for their moms or their dads, for heart disease, for diabetes and neuroblastoma, another type of cancer. Please take few moments to read about Ashley Burnette at Our Adventures with Ashley.
We all run for different reasons. Some people run for the joy/the love of running (you know I'm not in that crowd at all); some people run for their health or for stress relief; some of us run for charities like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or raise money for children like Ashley.
Is there a cause or a charity that you feel strongly about? You don't have to be a celebrity or an athlete to be a runner, just the desire to make a difference and a pair of shoes. You don't even have to run - you can walk in a 5K like the Dash for Dad or the Autism 5K. There's pretty much a race for almost every charitable cause under the sun. Find one and get training! If a couch potato like me can do it, believe me, you can too!
Thanks for following me through this adventure. Thank you for supporting my fundraising for Light the Night.
If you're wondering, yes, I'll keep running and I'll update the blog.
Merry Christmas!
Rae
I had a secret goal of finishing in 2:30 but that last half to three-quarter mile was hard. Pretty sure I was on fumes and needed slow down breaks to get my breath and get something for my kick at the end. I was tickled pink to find out my actual finish time was 2:35:05 - only 5 minutes off my secret goal and 25 minutes faster than my run last year!!
Throughout my training, I worked out all the issues that have plagued all my earlier efforts. I felt great after the run, albeit a bit dehydrated. The water along the route was rather nasty tasting, so it was more of a swish and spit rather than an effort to hydrate. The shin splint that had been popping up off and on in my training runs never made an appearance nor did the IT band issues. I have to say it was a great run in every possible way!
After my finish, I waited for Carl at the finish. Short of the birth of my children, I don't think I've ever felt as much joy and pride as when I saw him cross that finish line. Actually, I didn't see him, I heard them announce his name and believe me - everyone around me knew that he was the one I for whom I had been waiting. It wasn't a rebel yell, but it was something.
With all our bling
I was once again moved by all the people who were running for causes at the OBX. There were folks for Team in Training for the Leukemia Society, for their moms or their dads, for heart disease, for diabetes and neuroblastoma, another type of cancer. Please take few moments to read about Ashley Burnette at Our Adventures with Ashley.
We all run for different reasons. Some people run for the joy/the love of running (you know I'm not in that crowd at all); some people run for their health or for stress relief; some of us run for charities like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or raise money for children like Ashley.
Is there a cause or a charity that you feel strongly about? You don't have to be a celebrity or an athlete to be a runner, just the desire to make a difference and a pair of shoes. You don't even have to run - you can walk in a 5K like the Dash for Dad or the Autism 5K. There's pretty much a race for almost every charitable cause under the sun. Find one and get training! If a couch potato like me can do it, believe me, you can too!
Thanks for following me through this adventure. Thank you for supporting my fundraising for Light the Night.
If you're wondering, yes, I'll keep running and I'll update the blog.
Merry Christmas!
Rae
