What a weird weather day. All Friday night it poured. I awoke on Saturday morning at 1:30 a.m. to hear thunder. The Saturday forecast was high 61, 90% chance of rain, and windy. When I walked outside in my long sleeved shirt, jacket and gloves, I was surprised to feel how warm it was. Back in for a wardrobe change. Thankfully, Kathryn and Lisa were running late so there was no problem.
We parked at VCU using Lisa's parking pass. What a blessing that was! Only a few blocks walk to the race and there was a real bathroom along the way! We got my bag checked and had only about 15 minutes to wait before the start of the race. We saw Kathleen. Bethany started the race with us.
Kathryn and Bethany took off at the beginning of the race. Kathryn had a goal of finishing in less than 2 hours...and she met that goal! Go Speedy Girl! Lisa and I pace about the same so we decided to run together. Well, that lasted one mile. She left me at the beginning of the second mile.
I swear, I thought my head was going to explode I was so hot! I finally settled in about the 4th mile, but I had to do a lot of walking. I had been very sick the previous week with a cold, and I didn't think I was going to be able to race. So I was grateful to be out there. But Christ, the phlegm choking me...how disgusting!
I had a plan that I had set up with Grandison for pacing. That went to hell. I was just glad to keep moving forward. I timed every mile. And can you believe I was anywhere from a 9 min mile to a 14 min mile. That's what a crappy day I had!
I was very grateful to see Shawn, Shelley, Karen, and Sharon as course marshalls around miles 5 and 6. That was a huge boost. I stopped to give Shawn a sweaty hug and tell her how proud I was of her IronMan accomplishment. Then Stacia and her neighbors partying in the street around mile 9. How fun! And there was a woman and some little kids with orange slices and tiny sips of orange juice. Let me tell you, I don't even like oranges...I ate that slice to the peel. If only I could find that woman to thank her ! That kept me going...that and Hammer Gel.
As I hit mile 10, Grandison and I had planned that I'd give it all I had. Well, at least I was able to run the rest of the way in.
I had told my family to stay home, due to the weather, (which turned out not to be an issue), but I was praying that they would be at the finish line. Alas, they were home, snug and cozy. I think this is the 1st race they've missed.
My time was waaay slower than I hoped. And I'm ok with knowing that it just wasn't my day!
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