Up next: North Carolina

Well, after a tough weekend in South Carolina I'm really looking forward to next month and some nice weather on the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  I'll be heading there weekend of April 13 for the Flying Pirate Half Marathon.

I'll be leaving early Saturday (April 13) to arrive and enjoy the beaches before check in at the hotel.  I'll only be staying the one night Saturday and running Sunday morning.

I've booked a room at the Oasis Suites which is right off the beach and not far from the start line.  It looks great here:  http://www.oasissuites.com/

South Carolina race day

In my blog post Friday night I mentioned that allergies were starting to take their grip on me with constant sneezing, coughing, and headache.  I mean I didn't feel sick when I woke up Friday morning so that had to be it.   Well, I was wrong.

It wasn't until I woke up Saturday morning for the race that I felt this was a bit more than allergies.  I had the muscle aches.  Anyone who's had a flu knows that feeling.  Everything hurts.  My back, arms, shoulders, everything.  On top of that I continued to have the sneeze, cough and headache.  This wasn't allergies.  It was a full blown flu.

But, as I snoozed my alarm and debated whether or not to skip this Half, I realized I had driven eight hours to be here.  There was no way I was going to skip.  I got out of bed, put on my running gear, and did my best to rally.

I got to the race start and immediately my headache worsened.  But, I got it going and by mile five I actually felt I could push through it.  Then I hit mile 10.  When I say those last three miles felt like they lasted forever, I mean it.  I was sneezing and aching and didn't really know what else to do but just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I did and finished in 1:54:32.

I'd say this may be among the most challenging races I've done to date because of this flu.  The course was nice.  A bit hilly but nothing out of this world.  But, to do one sick is definitely a new experience.

And now I look forward to North Carolina and Tennessee next month.

Runners gather at Shaver Recreation Complex for start

Sunrise over Seneca

Race start

No medals for this Half but a very cool coaster

South Carolina arrival

It was an early morning getting up at 4 am to get on the road by 4:45.  I figured it would be about an eight hour drive to Seneca.  It ended up being a little over, arriving at 1 pm. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take many pictures today as I had to head back to my hotel after I picked up my packet.  I'm not sure if I'm coming down with a bad cold or if it's allergies.  I'm constantly sneezing and have a pretty bad headache.  I met a nice lady at lunch who sat with me and told me people can get hit pretty hard with allergies in this area.  So that may be it. Either way, I'm not feeling well which will make running a half marathon quite interesting tomorrow.

I am hoping to get some snaps of the foothills after the race and before I get on the road.  Plenty of race day pics to come tomorrow.

34 degrees isn't fun when you're still half asleep.

The obligatory "Welcome to State" sign

68 degrees with sunny skies.  Much better.

Calendar update

I recently put in an entry that North Carolina in April was my next race.  Well, it appears I'm going to be able to squeeze one in this month in Seneca, South Carolina.  That's right.  I travel there the weekend of March 16.

Once completed, this will be half marathon #18 on this running challenge (not counting DC).  I'm still working on getting a map up that people can link to to see which states have been completed.  Until I get that up and running, I'll end every race day post with the number of races completed for an update.

Seneca looks to be a beautiful race course.  It'll be a fun weekend.

Up next: North Carolina

I just got back to DC and already looking ahead to my trip to the Outer Banks for my next race.  Maybe it's the 30 degrees and rain that greeted me when I landed that's got me thinking of some beach time for this race.  It's looking pretty good.  I'm signed up for the Flying Pirate Half Marathon on April 14.

I don't have a race set for March yet but am looking into changing that.  If I do I'll post an update.

New Orleans race day - Day 3

After two days of clouds and sporadic rain, it was clear and sunny yesterday making it a great day for a half marathon.

The course was good as it was flat the entire way and took you around the city and through the French Quarter.  As with most of my races, the nerves set in just before the start.  However, this time the nerves were the result of a little over two months since my last race in Annapolis.  All last year no more than a month went by between races.  So naturally I was a little curious to see how I'd do in my first race back.  I was able to find a good stride early on and kept it for a 7:41 pace.  I ended placing 427 out of 9,257.  My 5K time was 24:22, 10K: 47:36, and 10 mile at 1:16:38.

There was a little bit of concern after I crossed the finish.  My good friend Mike was monitoring Bill and myself online and never saw Bill pass the 5K mark.  The theories of what may have happened to began swirling and I even went to the medical tent to see if anyone was picked up before the 5K mark.  But, in the end he was just fine and I lost all opportunity for some great jabs.  It ended up being a technical malfunction with his chip.

So on that note, the answer to the question that's been pondering Bill and I for months:

My finish time:      01:40:38

Bill's finish time:   01:53:32

A great race, buddy.

Heading to the start

Rock n Roll Series knows how to treat its runners

This is just awesome

 

Bloody Mary time at Cafe Ole

The first of three Hurricanes (you read that right .. three)

A New Orleans creole dinner

New Orleans Day 2

A good second day seeing more of New Orleans.  We took advantage of the trolley to get around the city, stopping at Audubon Park and then Mahony's for lunch.  Walking back to the apartment we passed by the famous Bourbon Street to see Saturday night get started.  It was entertaining.

We're relaxing now as we have to be up at 5:30 to get ready and head over to the start line.  Race starts at 7 am.  Race day pics will be up tomorrow.  So will the answer to the question that's been on my mind for months ... who will cross that finish line first?  Bill or me?

We'll all know tomorrow.

Trolley time

Bill and Destiny

Maria and Rich

Lots and lots of beads

Mahony's for lunch

"Dirty" fries

Roast turkey with provolone and gravy

Mighty Mississippi

Bourbon Street