Garret had began traveling to my races that were within driving distance over the last year and was intrigued by my medals. He wanted some of his own. He'd done a few 200m kid runs and gotten medals and ribbons for them. He'd graduated to 1 mile races and done a few of those as well. He was hungry for another medal, but there were no kid races on the circuit for a while. While at the Philly Rock N Roll expo, he'd seen the medal for the Myrtle Beach Coastal 5K. I'd already signed up for the Coastal 5K as well as the Mini the same weekend - this is my legacy race. I didn't know if he could do a 5K, but I told him I'd consider it...he had over a month to train and had joined the running club at school this year.
After the VA Beach Rock N Roll, Carissa's first half, I wasn't sure she'd ever join me for another. I didn't push it. But one day in late September/early October I got an email from her asking when my next half that she could do with me was. I told her I was doing Myrtle Beach in late October and she was excited to join in. It was decided...I'd do a 5K with Garret on Saturday and a half with Carissa on Sunday. I was excited...little did I know this would be the weekend trip of mistakes for me!
I suppose I should disclose just how quirky I am...I am organized to a fault. I'm most happy when I have a list (or 10!), a 3 ring binder, or a spreadsheet...combinations of the 3 are even better! I don't like being forgetful, or messing things up. This particular weekend my normal organization went out the window...not by choice, just by overload! As always I put together my race folder (driving directions from home to the expo, from the expo to the hotel, and the hotel back home; a couple of copies of the race course maps; print out of hotel reservation; road closure maps; and any other tidbits that might be potentially useful) and packed my race bag (knee straps, iPod, Garmin, running shoes, socks, shorts, sports bra, GU, race belt, sunglasses) and packed my travel bag (clothes, toiletries, etc). Thursday after work I headed out to college to pick Carissa up and got her home around midnight and crashed. We were in the car headed to SC by 8AM. At the last minute I had the thought to grab Garret's iPod (a shuffle that would clip to my top) and load my race playlist on it so I wouldn't have to use the infamous armband.
When we got to the expo we went to packet pickup first. After grabbing my bib and Carissa's bib for the 1/2 we headed to the 5K table. They grabbed mine, but there was no record of Garret's registration. I started flipping through my phone, checking email and my active account; only to realize that I had never registered Garret. Apparently once I made the decision that he could handle the distance I mentally checked the box but never actually had registered him. Thankfully the race was not yet full so I was able to get him registered; however his name would not be printed on his bib. He would have his medal, he did not care. We grabbed our swag bags and tees and headed back to the hotel to check in.
I typically stay in Marriott properties but last year I'd found a timeshare that had rooms right at the starting line so I'd booked it as soon as I'd been able this year. It wasn't spectacular but it was nice enough and the convenience in the race morning chaos had been nice. After the expo we went to check in...only to find I'd apparently booked a king room vs a double despite having the kids along. Thankfully they were able to move us. After settling in the room we headed out to grab an all you can eat seafood buffet. After a great dinner we headed back to the hotel and crashed for the night.
Early Saturday morning we headed to the start line for Garret's first 5K. It was cold but he was excited. I had no idea if he would be able to run the entire 3.1 miles but I'd decided to pace him slow to try and get the distance. We started off at a mere trot for me, but his short legs made it feel like a steady jog.
He kept at it though...at mile 1 there was a water stop...he did take up a cup, but he jogged through with it. I kept talking to him but made sure I didn't ask questions that required him to speak. Just wanted to keep his mind off of it but not cause him to have to put forth more effort.
Once we reached the turn around point I let him know we were headed back. I continued my banter and he continued running. I was surprised he'd made it this far. I'd also developed some nagging tightness in my own lower legs...I really attributed it to the extremely controlled pace but I wouldn't push him and ruin his first 5K for my own comfort. As we approached mile 2 he was still jogging along. He'd enjoyed the mile 1 water stop so much I thought he'd surely grab a cup at mile 2. When I asked him if he was going to his answer was a definite no...he had to pee. We continued to trod on and he continued to stay strong. I was no longer questioning whether he could run 3 miles, I was questioning whether he could run it without peeing on himself! LOL
As soon as we crossed the line he was hoping for a potty....
We finished in 41:28, my slowest 5K ever, but my best to date! The lady in front of us noticed his obvious discomfort and potty dance and let us cut in line for a quick picture before he headed to the bathroom.
After the potty break we headed back to the hotel, showered, then did some shopping. After a little shopping (for Carissa's Halloween costumes and a trip to Goodwill for throw away sweatshirts for the next morning), we spent some time at the pool. The sun was incredibly warm, the water...not so much so.
And I'm always up for a little time in the sun!
While at the 5K I'd heard mention of the "new" startline. I checked the course map when I got back and discovered that the start line had indeed moved! Had I not randomly heard that we would've been 2 confused runners the next morning as the only ones at the "startline". In addition I realized I could not find Garret's iPod...after much worry over potentially losing it, Judd eventually found it in my jacket pocket at home (I'd switched jackets at the last minute and apparently had forgotten it was in the pocket). I was going to go with my trusty iPod and armband...but I'd also misplaced my headphones. What next?
We ended up two REALLY cold girls at the start line, but happy.
As we headed towards the corral we would usually split up, but I'd told Carissa to start in a faster corral because the hotel check was 10am and with a 7:30 start and her pace...well, the math didn't work. I'd called for a late checkout and was told 11 was the latest...we had to make it work. She didn't want to be so close to the front but I assured her she could run her own pace despite the faster runners.
I don't run with people (more on this in a later post), so what happened next was totally unexpected - even to me. As the last minutes before the start clicked away I suddenly asked Carissa if she wanted me to run with her. She said she couldn't keep up and didn't want to slow me down but I told her I'd run her pace if she wanted to stay together. She said she did. I partly think I was being a bit selfish as I wasn't really feeling like running suddenly. But, it was time to go...and we started at a fairly good clip. I was surprised at the pace Carissa held for the first mile and a half...she stayed right around 10:20 minute miles. My shins were burning and I was just not feeling it. Carissa was struggling with burning shins and painful ankles and I'd noticed she was making strange noises on occassion and when I paid closer attention I realized she was vomiting and having to swallow it, just a little at a time. We decided to walk a little. Over the course of the next couple of miles we'd walk a little, run a little. We did establish two things: 1) Carissa was determined to keep her time under 3 hours overall and 2) She had to pee (what is it with my kids?! LOL) I also determined a third thing, but kept it a secret. I was determined to help her finish in under 2:50. She doesn't wear a watch when running, so whatever I told her for pace she had to take my word for.
As we passed a gas station, Carissa detoured for a potty break.
After handing off her hoodie.
I chatted with Garret, handed off our hoodies and my arm sleeves, and waiting for Carissa...wondering if the break would suck up precious minutes needed to break 2:50.
Out she came and off we went.
The next few miles I continued to watch Carissa struggle, vomitting and swallowing, and winching. She's one tough cookie. We'd walk a bit, then we'd run a mile. I let her have her breaks, but I did push her more than she would've liked. She hung tough and I let her know I was ok with walking if she needed. I just wouldn't let her walk too long for fear it would be too hard to get going again. Mile 8 was probably her roughest, but she hung tough. We walked most of mile 10, but she'd already decided we were going to run all of mile 11...and run we did...at a much faster pace than we likely should have, but by this point I was gaining confidence that we could indeed beat 2:50 though I continued to tell her it would be close as to whether we could beat 3:00.
This picture was taken around 11.75.
The last mile we walked nearly the first half then started to jog. Once we hit the boardwalk she wanted to run to bring it in...I agreed and off we went. I didn't realize she meant SPRINT.
She didn't realize how long we had left. We ended up doing sprint intervals. When the finish line was in sight she was beginning to fade fast. I pointed out the finish line and asked if she had it in her to sprint. She said she did and we took off. I've never run so hard at a finish. We cranked it out. And suddenly when we hit the mile 13 marker she stopped dead in her tracks. I don't remember her exact words but it was something along the lines of "wait. what? NO!" I encouraged her to continue and it was then I realized her confusion...she thought the mile marker was the finish line. She didn't see the line looming just strides away. I egged her on, she refused to budge. The crowd began yelling "come on Carissa! You can do it!" She was getting mad. I looked her in the eye and yelled "People are going to pass you!" and she kicked it back up and ran the last tenth of a mile to cross the finish with me.
We finished in 2:47:57. My longest half ever, but my most rewarding. I am very thankful for the time I got to spend with Carissa and look forward to her asking when she can do another with me. :)
For those who are wondering...we got back to the hotel, showered, packed, checked out, and pulled out of the parking lot at 11:01. Despite the insanely early "late checkout" we made it.
Now if I can just get Emily and Judd interested in running with me...
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