The race did not start until 3pm. So Saturday I slept in a bit and then got moving. I watched some tv, Doug got me coffee #1 and a cheese Danish and I just lounged around. Around 10:30 I hoped in the shower and started moving. I made a lunch of peanut butter and banana English muffin and salt and vinegar potato chips. I made my protein shake and English muffin with peanut butter to eat on the way to the race. I got dressed and started stretching. Doug, Peaches and I left around 1:15 for them to drop me off at 2pm. One hour until go time. I met up with my friend Dawn, wished her relay team luck and found Kristen. Made a second trip to the port-a-potties and then on towards the start line, ran in to Jacquie, wished her luck and on to stretch.
The weather was good about 50*, sunny and partly cloudy. It was cool in the shade but nice in the sunshine.
A lady sang the national anthem and then we waited. We had 5 minutes, then 4, then 3, then 2 and then seconds. Six weeks of preparation and planning and we were off. Go time.
Mile 1 felt great. My legs were warming up and we were doing it. Miles 2 and 3 were great and before I knew it I’d done a 5k. We were getting into the “unscenic” part of the route – but at least I had a water station and a relay station to look forward to. At the water station I grabbed water, from a High School friend, walked long enough to take a couple gulps and then ran on. At the relay station, around mile 4, I saw my friend Dawn and heard her cheer for me. It was a nice boost on that “unscenic” part of the race. Mile 5 started us heading back into the zig zag of downtown. We passed plenty of cheering families and friends. There was another water station that had only Gatorade, I passed on that and kept going. At this point Kristen and I were still running near each other. Somewhere in Mile 6 Kristen found some energy and picked up her pace. I was averaging a 10 minute pace, I felt comfortable there, it was faster than I’d expected, so I decided to keep my pace steady. Around Mile 7 we started back into the “unscenic” and no cheering sections portion of the race. For those that are unfamiliar with the route – it is a double loop course. It starts in Downtown Kingsport and loops around some of Eastman Chemical Plant, what appeared to be a mulch plant and Kingsport’s Sewage Plant; pretty nasty smelling and “unscenic” if you ask me. Then you loop back into Downtown and do it all again.
Mile 8 took us to the water station for another drink of water and then through the relay station. The relay stations were nice because there were constantly people hanging around and cheering. I must say it was a needed boost at that part in the race. Around Mile 9 I texted Doug to let him know I was keeping an average 10 minute pace and was feeling good. Actually I think the text said “dying,” LOL. At mile 10 it hit me – heading back into Downtown and “only 3 more to go.” It was exciting. I got water from another station, took a deep breath and said “let’s do this!” Amazing to myself I kept my pace. Before I knew it I saw Doug and a little fuzzy pumpkin cheering on the street corner. Doug, Peaches, my friend Jacquie and some other people were cheering us runners on. It was great! I ran down around the China Wok for my last zig zag into Downtown. I asked the Police Officers where the closest short cut was, but they wouldn’t show me! ; ) Coming back through Downtown I saw Doug and Peaches again, another last boost before it was finish line time! One last curve and I could hear the finish line crowd in the distance. It was turn and burn time. Time to channel all that speed work I’ve done. Not only did it help me run a 10 minute pace instead of an 11 minute pace, but I had energy to sprint through the last .25 mile into the finish. When I was pushing through to the finish I heard Josh (Kristen’s husband) and kids cheering me on from the right and then my Brother, Mom and nephew cheering me on from the left. It was a great extra push to get me into the finish line for a 2 hour 13 minute and 59 second time!
Kristen met me on the other side of the finish line with water and we celebrated! It was awesome. Turns out she finished about 30 seconds in front of me! We both had great runs! No aches, No muscle spasms, No broken bones.
Then I went to find Doug. He had been at the finish line videotaping us. We decided to walk to the car for my cool down. I stretched some and then we went back to Bonefire for some BBQ and celebratory beers.
When the sun went down it got dark quick. So we headed home around 7:30. Doug swung through Sonic and got me a much needed Ocean Water (poweraide and sprite) and then onto the Loft. A hot bath and couch were calling my name.
A Pre-Race Photograph
Kristen and myself - Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Slow
Peaches (AKA the little fuzzy pumpkin) and myself
