Friends….and a race

I have made some pretty amazing friends in Va Beach.  I know for a fact I would not be able to run as much if I didn’t have them!  On Sunday, February 8th, it was very clear as to why they are so important.  The girls were 10 months old on that day and one of my best friends, Ryanne, came over to my house at 5:30 am, so I could go and run a 50k.  I don’t know what I would do without her.  She has always encouraged me and helped me in everything; work, running, family, and life.  She is an unbelievably best friend, great human being, and shows me what a true friend is.

So that morning she came over bright and early.  We talked about the kids and just laughed at 5:30am. (who else can laugh this early in the morning)  I had my usual NUUN energy and BEAR Naked bar.  I love both of these products and use them before all of my long runs.  I grabbed my Hokas and headed to the race! (I love my Hokas.  They are so cushy and saved me after I tore my perennial tendon) My friend and coach, John, was making his debut as a race director of the Virginia Beach Distance Races.  The race took place on a 2.3 mile looped course.  The 50k required 13 loops plus an out and back.  My husband, Mark was helping out with timing and checking athletes in so he got there super early.  I got to the race around 6:20 and it started at 6:30.  I had no plans or goals for the race, I was just going to run.  I asked Mark for his Garmin 920 watch and he showed me how it worked.  I got my iPod ready and waited for the start.  It was a very nice and relaxing morning.

I started off with my friends, Vince and John (they work at Running Etc with Mark), and we just ran along together for the first 2 miles or so and talked and laughed.  After a few miles, I turned on my music and just wanted to zone out and enjoy the run with the sun coming up and not having to think.  The first 7-8 miles flew by so when I came back around to the start/finish I stopped to grab a GU.  It took me 4 miles or so to eat it.

photo by John Price- I am not sure what mile this is at but I made sure to always stop and get some water.  Mark is on the right, staring at my butt!

Well at about mile 13, I came up to the start/finish area again and Mark was standing there with a beer, Sam Adams.  I was like SWEET!  As it turns out Tommy brought it and told Mark to give it to me.  At first I said no but then it was just there and looked very inviting.  It was really good and it reminds me of this scene from Old School…..about the first 2 minutes or so.  Substitute in running for big day.

(Courtesy of you tube and Best Movie Quote)

At each loop, I would stop and have a few sips of beer and just laugh and have fun.  My legs felt great, I was having fun and it was going by quickly.  At about 2 hours, my iPod died so I got my second one out of my bag and borrowed Drew’s headphones.  This was my saving grace at about mile 28.

Photos from Virginia Beach Distance Races by John Price.

Around mile 18 or 19, I got lapped by Steve Speirs, who is a phenomenal runner. I was like crap, that was my main goal to not get lapped. Oh well.  I just kept trucking along.  Somewhere around mile 21, I passed John Price and I could see the girl who was in first.  As I passed him, he said go get her, so I did.  I made it to the marathon and I looked at my watch and it was just under 3:20.  Well, I’ll be…I did not expect to be running this well.  I was stoked and kept pushing along.  At about mile 29-30, my other best friend, Kellie, smacked my butt as she went by and told me to keep going. (By the way she had a stellar run as well and is a mom of twins) She was running the relay  and I wanted to run with her but my legs didn’t want to go.  I was so thankful for just the few words of encouragement which kept me going to the finish.  I crossed the finish line in 4:01:56.

Photos by John Price (left: Kellie and I at then end.  right: finishing the 50k)

As I crossed the line, I was so happy that I ran the 50k.  I knew my friends were awesome and everyone there was so encouraging.  Every lap that went by I had friends telling me good job and to keep going.  At the aide station, people asked if I needed anything and it was a wonderful feeling to be part of such a great event.  Not to mention, I got a sweet award!

Photo by John Price

I am truly thankful for having such great friends. My husband has been my rock since day 1.  I tend to go crazy and doubt myself and go back and forth with my love hate relationship with running.  He always tells me to keep going.  John has known me for 10 years now and he puts up with a lot my sh@$.  Even when I tell him I can’t do it, he always says it will be fine and to keep trying.  One bad day won’t kill me.  Ryanne is pure awesomeness and helps me day or night.  I can call her or her husband Jonathan and they will be right over.  It goes the same for them.  It is hard to find such great people in the world.  Kellie, I met by chance, when another one of my friends was moving away.  We clicked immediately and could talk to each other about everything.  On our first run together, she basically heard my life story….the good and the bad!  Our runs are full laughter and talking and it is a no judgement zone.  Even if we don’t agree on something, we hear the other person out.  All of these people have seen me at my lowest point and stuck with me….even though I fight back and fight dirty.

To my wonderful friends:

Credit: SnarkEcards

My splits were: 8:25, 8:29, 8:05, 7:42, 7:49, 7:47, 7:41, 8:19, 7:37, 7:26, 7:29, 7:23, 7:42, 7:26, 7:17, 7:10, 7:11, 7:54, 7:03, 7:09, 7:06, 7:34, 7:15, 7:32, 7:53, 7:31, 8:12, 7:55, 8:55, 8:04, 8:07.