Complete!

I am finally able to cross something off the list! I completed the 10K.  I started out with a goal of getting it done in an hour and a half.  I beat the goal and finished in 1:23 – not too bad all things considered.  I have not been running much the last few weeks due to time commitments with work and a little bit of pain in my left leg.  I did manage to get 3.5 miles in last weekend and 2 miles on Thursday night and then it was time to travel to Charleston Friday night.  We got off work at lunch and began the drive with only minor traffic delays.  The hubby and I went right to the Expo Center to pick up the race pack and browse through the Expo center.  The vendors were giving out TONS of free stuff and I got my fair share, but not like some people I saw with huge boxes of yogurt, muscle milk, granola bars, hot sauce – you name it and they had it! After checking into the hotel, we traveled back down town and went for a walk.  I experimented some with the camera and the settings and got some pretty cool pictures of the bridge.  Apparently I have learned some about taking pictures in the manual setting! (#8)  The Hubby and I managed to find a piece of wrought iron fence that looked like an “e” and it will be added to the last name project. (#22) 

Race day arrived after a fitful night of sleep due to anxiety.  The Hubby and I got up at 4:30am.  The hotel was kind enough to provide a continental breakfast at 4am. J The Cooper River Bridge Run is a point to point race, so we drove into Charleston to catch the shuttle and ride across the bridge to Mount Pleasant, SC.  The Hubby graciously waited in line with me until I got on the bus but then I was on my own.  There was a lot of traffic (44,000 racers will do that) and due to the increased volume the race was not able to start on time so I had an extra hour and a half to stand in my assigned space and think – and get anxious.  By the time the race started I just wanted to get it over with because I was now hungry and tired! I cannot be certain as I was only glancing at my watch throughout, but I think I ran the first mile in 10 minutes – which would mean I could cross something else off the list, but due to uncertainty I am choosing to wait on that one.  I knew that I needed to slow down some at that point though or I was going to exhaust myself.  Unfortunately, my body decided it had another method to slow me down at the base of the bridge.  Some intense hip pain set in and I more or less limped through a slow jog up and across the bridge.  I did manage to hit the 5K mark at 39 minutes which made me feel better about making it in an hour and half.  There were “fans” along the route giving out high fives and various bands playing as well which made it a little easier.  Some people chose to wear costumes as well. Due to the hour plus delay in the start it was getting pretty hot near the end of the race and some people were not dealing with the heat well.  I did manage to see The Hubby near the end as he stood outside the bar he had been patiently waiting at all morning. J For most of the race I switched back and forth between a slow jog and a limp and after the race the limp was even worse, but I finished.  We hung around the after party for awhile and chatted with some friends that also completed the race.  I now understand how The Hubby feels after a mountain bike race when he does not want to eat or drink.  After a long hot shower and a rest back at the hotel room we went out on the town for a bit that evening with some fellow racers until we all were looking so tired it was back to the hotel room to pass out!