Sometimes The Finish Is Better Than The Time

Carissa decided to run VA Beach with me again this year and asked if I'd run "with" her or if I was after time.  I chose to run with her.  It's rare I get the mother/daughter time now that she's off in college.  Garret was also running the 5K.  So, with the family dispersed for summer I had to head out to the island Friday to pick up Garret and then we headed to VA Beach Saturday where we met up with Carissa.  She'd already picked up her packet and been spending the weekend visiting friends from summer, so we all met up at the hotel to head to dinner Saturday night.  After dinner we headed back to the hotel and crashed.  Carissa mentioned not feeling well and teased that she might not run in the morning, but moreso because she really hadn't trained and wasn't prepared; and just jokingly.  Imagine my surprise in the morning when I drug myself out of bed way too early to discover she'd been up most of the night sick and really wasn't running.  I got ready and headed to the start, disappointed she wouldn't be joining me, but totally understanding given the circumstances. 

When I got to the start I checked my watch and thought I'd missed the Half Fanatics photo...and then I literally walked right into the group!  So, I jumped in for a quick photo!

I'd been in contact with another member of the 50 states club, John, and texted him to offer him Carissa's VIP wristband given that she wasn't going to be coming.  He met up with us at the VIP and it was nice to meet another 50 Stater.  

Of course there was a bit of time to catch up with friends and I got to see Joe and David for the first time since Portland...

Then it was off to the starting corrals.

It was definitely a hot day and very humid and I had to battle myself mentally, knowing I really wasn't trained AND that I'd REALLY wanted to run Carissa's pace.  I struggled for the first few miles trying to make myself get in the game.  David and Dan passed me early on (within the first mile) and tried to coax me to join them.  I let them know I wasn't keeping up today and kept trudging along.  I passed Joe around mile 4, it was crazy hot and he was looking like I felt.  I kept myself going, though I really wanted to join him for a walking interval.  I'd secretly hoped the group with the ice pops would be at the bottom of the bridge again and there was a huge crowd there with a lot of energy, but no icepops.  It was probably just as well as my stomach was feeling a little weird.  I kept plugging along. 

The first runner passed me between mile 4 and 5 on his return...it was nearly mile 11 for him.  I was reminded of the fact that last year Ryan Hall had passed me at nearly this exact spot.  About a half mile later the first female passed me.  I marveled at how anyone could be that fast in such heat and plugged on.  Having run this course and lived in the area before I like the race and I will likely do it again, but it's familiar enough that it doesn't keep my interest.  The spectators and support were wonderful as always, I just found myself drifting around mentally.  It didn't help that I was running with a playlist from Judd's iPod....it alternated between scream-o rock, reggae, relaxation instrumentals with beach sounds, and the occassional burst of Star Wars orchestra pieces.  Just before mile 6 someone run up behind me and lifted my skirt...I didn't flinch....I knew it was David, it's become his trademark.  We laughed a bit and he and Dan ran past.  Less than a quarter of a mile later I was passing them again as they took a walking interval.  We joked about the fact that David just wanted to lift my skirt again and Dan asked if I'd send help if they didn't make it.  We all laughed and on I went.  I found out later they stopped less than a tenth of a mile later for some drinks and socializing with a new found friend and had tried to yell for me, but Star Wars must've been too loud...I never heard them. 

I assumed by this time Garret was long finished with his 5K and found out later he indeed was.  He hadn't been training all summer and had been a little on the lazy side as well as consumed a diet largely of junk food at Granny's house and felt the affects.  He didn't walk at all, but he finished in 48:59 - his slowest 5K yet!  Good thing running club starts soon!

We made our way around the campground and into the woods.  I always like this part of the course.  It's rather peaceful and the campers are out for support as well, plus the shade from the trees is a welcome relief.  We passed the relay transition point and headed towards base.  As we made our way onto base I could see the Brooks Rock N Roll balloon around the corner.  I know it's silly, but I always like when this is out at a RNR race...just ties the series together for me. 

Shortly after passing under it I noticed a couple of people having issues.  One was being loaded into an ambulance and the other attended by other runners.  I saw a second ambulance head that way shortly thereafter.  I saw a couple more between there and the end of the course and again was amazed that anyone would push themselves that far.  I realize it was a crazy hot day and I too was pushing myself and fighting the urge to walk, but I know my body...mine was mental...if I'd felt any issues with heart rate, breathing, heat, etc I would not have a problem stopping.  I'd rather finish a race walking (or even not finish it at all) than potentially put myself in a grave situation. 

We made our way back off base and before long I was the one passing folks on their way out.  Of course it was mainly the walkers, but I got a little satisfaction that there was someone to pass still headed in that direction!  I was very impressed to see that the Competitor/Rock N Roll folks had 2 large air conditioned buses on the side of the road clearly marked for cooling stations.  I had not encountered this at a race before, so this was my first clue that the heat must have been higher than I had realized.  I kept plugging along and soon was across the bridge and making my way towards the home stretch. 

I didn't see this picture until a few days after the race, but I certainly felt every bit as rough as I look in it!  Typically I am able to muster a littel bit of a kick in the last quarter of a mile...I had nothing.  I was happy to get across the line without stopping or walking.  I finished in 2:18:29 (I'd hoped to at least beat last year's VA Beach time, and I did...it was 2:20:06).  I felt horrible...as though I may vomit at any moment.  I got my medal engraved and headed back to the hotel. In the car, I couldn't resist a pic of the reason I'd done VA Beach this year anyway...

Had the medal been unveilled at any other time I probably would have still loved it, but the pull might not have been so strong as it was when I left the tattoo shop that day and it was announced.  Of course, had it been unveilled sooner I might have actually trained and prepared myself...possibly??  After the race I found out the heat index was between 100-105 degrees.  I'm definitely ok with my time all things considered...I beat last year's time, I enjoyed the course, I got my wave medal, and I didn't end up pushing myself beyond my limits and requiring help...the finish is better than the time.