Beach to Beacon 10k

I won the lottery to get into this race! I called my parents saying I had won the lottery and it sure felt like that a few months ago...not training for a weeks prior did not feel like winning the lottery on race day.

It was a cold day with lots of clouds in the sky which to me is perfect running weather so I at least had that going for me. My Uncle Fred and I shuttled from Hannaford parking lot to the race site. The most grueling part of the day...waiting in line for 45 minutes to use a port a potty. There is never enough of them at any race site. There were approximately 6,500 runners that day. The wheelchair group was first...they average 3:30 min./mile what awesome athleticism! Then we were off well....the elite athletes were off....approximately 7 minutes later my Uncle and I were off. 

Mile 1 was great. There was a slight sprinkle which felt great and a man running in a lighthouse outfit which was really interesting. The spectators were amazing for this entire race. Almost every corner had them which is good for me since I tend to push myself more when people are watching.

Around mile 3 I realized that I had not worn the right shorts and I was in quite a bit of pain but I stuck through it. At the half way point of that mile I saw my Uncle Pete and Dave as well as my Aunt Kim and Wendy. I was thrilled. They were screaming and taking photos which motivated me for a really long time. 

At mile 4 I was so surprised because I knew I was close. Surprised because I usually see mile 4 on half marathons and think nothing much of them but mile 4 was awesome. I knew I was getting there.

My Uncle had warned me of a large hill around mile 4 which was no where to be found until mile 5. This hill wasn't the worst hill I have attempted (Chapel Hill!) so it wasn't that bad at all. 

At mile 6, I was looking everywhere for my parents knowing that I should be running when I saw them pushed me more and more to keep with pace. Then right before I saw the gate I see a poster that said: "Way to go Steph!" The rest of my family was giving me high fives (Sara, Amy, Sydney, Uncle Steve, my Dad, Katie and my mom). It was awesome to have so much support coming in. The announcer called my name which my grandparents found to be very exciting.

The only 2 downsides to this race: after the finish there was no metal... And, to get to the food/event afterwards you have to climb a larger hill than was in the race... My hips were not happy.

Positives of the race: beautiful landscape, great expo: lots of free giveaways, and most importantly, my family was there! 

(Image: google images)

3 Half Marathon Training begins....now!

I have somehow managed to sign myself up for three fall half marathons...yes, a combined total of 39.3 miles ran in 3 months of races as well as a swimming portion in a quick triathlon. You may think, I am insane....good point. However, this was just good budgeting skills. Let me explain this logic:

1.) I saved almost 50% off my second race on October 20th: Bull City Race Fest.

2.) That race also finishes with a food truck rodeo...which I might add is smart because I will go to the food truck rodeo hungry and in no worry about gaining weight. My parents may be there and maybe they will pay for me to stuff my face as I go from truck to truck.

3.) The first race, I signed up for is the Capital Run Raleigh at North Hills. I saved 10% off that race because I was one of the first fifty to receive the coupon code...now that just makes me feel special so of course I had to sign up for it.

4.) The last race I signed up for was the Richmond Half Marathon. I received no deal on this race except for being able to share a bed with Meredith during our weekend there. Why did I have to sign up for this one? Almost half of the runnerpeeps are going and well of course I couldn't be left out of all that excitement. I mean, there are planning meetings! Planning is my forte. How could I not be involved in a planning meeting? Well, of course I caved and signed up.

So that equals: one half marathon a month in the fall. I am looking forward to this endeavor and am super psyched to actually train for a half marathon. I usually just try to run/walk whatever I can but I am going to be doing a mixture of running, cardio and of course my least favorite core. 

Runnerpeeps is an awesome group and I am excited to see where I can go with the awesome coaching and support I receive. Some day, training for three large races will just be my training plan and not an excuse to hang out with peeps and plan. 

Well, I am off to begin my first day of training...