The two weeks before the race should have been an indicator that nothing was going to go smoothly. I had one kid out with the runs and the other kid out with the barfs. Hubby and I were not getting any sleep at night, patience was gone, and all hell was breaking loose. The night before the run one of my sole sisters also had to bow out due to sickness. It was down to Sheryl and I, and I was at half speed if anything!!!
Since the run was on base I decided to drive since my car has a base sticker since I need access for my job. I picked up Sheryl at 5:20 am and we headed to Hickam to pick up our race shirts and bibs. I forgot to mention that a week prior we received an email that we would have to check in at 6 am to pick up shirts (they were not ready) and bibs (they didn't trust that we wouldn't lose them before the race [this should have been a huge heads up!]). Anyhow, we pulled up to Base, I flashed my DOE badge and we were about to go when the dude told me that I wasn't able to sponsor Sheryl in and that we'd have to get a pass. Trying to stay calm I told myself to be thankful that car registration, safety check, and insurance were up to date. We headed in for the pass, used the bathroom and sorta shook our heads when we realized that the list of participants for the run was not even at the gate yet. We also asked for directions and were told to just head straight then take a right. Sounded easy enough.
When we got into the car I asked Sheryl to take a look at the map that I had brought that was in my race binder. She looked at it and we decided we were okay and took off driving. As we drove we looked for signs, people, anything that would indicate a race was going to be held. No such luck. We were half way to the beach when we realized we were lost and decided to head back. Two loops around the Circle off of Vickers ave and we spotted the parking lot and the gym we were supposed to be headed to.
Once we parked the car we came up with a plan of attack. We knew we needed to get out bibs and pick up our race shirts so we planned to grab them then head back to the car to prepare for the race. We headed toward the crowd of people only to figure out that we were again headed in the wrong direction. We asked people for help and finally found ourselves in line. Once we picked up our bibs and dri-fit shirts we headed to the bathroom again and were happy to say that it was clean and pretty (even had a sauna). Only problem was that it was a maze and I couldn't find my way in or out (we went three times and I got lost in the bathroom and trying to leave the bathroom every time).
When we got back to the car we got ourselves ready with our gear and got ready to take our pictures (we do this every race). A nice man asked us if we wanted him to take our pictures and he mentioned that he liked our lulus, did we work there? Turns out he and his boys were also decked out in Lulu and later it dawned on me that he was the husband of one of the Lulu Educators who is always at the races and the family always wins awards.
Anyway, we got our pictures taken and headed off to get our chips--all the while complaining that we didn't want to have to take our shoelaces off to put the chips on. When we neared what we assumed to be the start we headed toward what we thought would be the chip table and of course were wrong. We looked around and around and didn't see anyone handing out pretty chips. Finally we turned to see where people were heading and were slightly stunned to see a makeshift stand with velcro straps hanging on them. These worn items were to be our timers and we were reminded NOT to take them and to return them after the run. Of course we could not stop laughing.
At this point we just had to wait until start time. We were chatting and talking when we realized taps was playing and we were the only ones not facing the flag (we weren't so sure where it was but faced the way everyone else was) and then with 15 minutes to spare we went to the bathroom again (2nd time lost). Finally it was about start time and we were serenaded to the National Anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i by Malika Dudley and her cute baby bump.
Finally it was time to start. We were told to go up to the front and it was a little weird for me since this was the first "small" run I had ever done and was not accustomed to being near the front. Finally the horn sounded and we were off.
The first mile took us past the tower that they light up as a Christmas Tree every summer and around Hickam Elementary School to run on the shore. It was a hot gorgeous day out and it was impossible not to be reminded how I am to live in Hawaii. We then headed toward the Officer's Club where we had my son's 1st Baby Luau. Off the shore of the club we were lucky to see a submarine emmerging out of the water. It was a true photo opportunity but I didn't want to slow down. Looking back I should have tried to take the picture. Shucks! At that point we were at 1.5 miles and went from the beautiful shore back out onto the very very hot black roads. The next few miles were grueling. The road was hot, the air was humid, and there was ZERO shade. I kept waiting to see the front of the pack turn around and heading toward me but it took a long time to see number 1, and then my dailymile friend Tomo at number 2 spot. I saw more men then the first few women and finally up ahead the turn around. I reminded myself that mile 4 is my strong mile and to get ready to pick up the pace.
Speaking of pace, it was my first race wearing my new Garmin 310 that the hubby got for me. I was loving running with it. The face is large and so easy to see my pace at a glance. According to the trusty Garmin I was running at a 9:03 pace which was my game plan. I felt good about my time but the heat was killing me. I was running through the water stops and only gulping a few sips as I ran since I hadn't perfected running and drinking from a cup. At mile 4 is when I realized that it was STUPID of me to choose running light over running with my water bottles and gels. Because at this point I was beginning to wilt and desperately needed something to give me a boost. I could see my GU Mint Chocolate pack in my bag that I had left in the car and shook my head.
Nevertheless I pushed on and tried to keep my mind strong. Mile 5, my fastest mile was coming up At 5 I would go balls out. Leave it on the course.
It was at mile 5 that the true insanity began. It started with a very, very heavy breathing at my back--kinda like bull snorting in a Bull Fight or something. I had an idea who it was, a larger man wearing green that I had passed around 4.5. Then the heavy breathing was peppered with, "You are successful" (his running mantra I supposed) every few minutes, a couple of s bombs, other talking, and then "you are successful" repeated over and over again. I wanted to die laughing. I wanted to turn around. I wanted to yell. But most of all I was yelling to myself my own mantra--THERE IS NO WAY THIS BABOOZE IS GOING TO PASS ME!! He was getting louder and louder, more and more ragged and that's when I turned on the burners. A glance at my Garmin showed I was running a 7 minute mile. I was soo near my PR of 55:54 but I knew I wasn't going to make it. I still wanted to finish hard and strong so I put my head down and pushed as hard as I could, passing two more men as I crossed the line.
I stopped my Garmin and saw 6.4 miles, 56:24. Soo bummed, no PR today but happy that I finished strong in spite of the insanity. I removed my velcro chip and wondered if it would be washed before being used again, I did, afterall sweat a lot on it!!!!
I headed toward the food, grabbed a little of everything (lots of bars) and then went to see if my time was posted. At the board I heard a familiar voice behind me, "I couldn't catch you, I tried so hard, but I couldn't catch you...." I turned around to see green shirt man and he proceeded to ramble about some apology about his mantra. I avoided eye contact but gave him a high five and told him good run.
The race was over and my chip time ended up being 56:14, about 20 seconds off of my PR but 10 seconds faster than my last 10K. I was bummed since it was a totally flat course but with the lack of fuel, no wind, crazy heat, humidity, and the insanity of the week I was lucky to have run so fast.
42nd over all, 13th in my age and gender. :)
I was thinking, van mommy CAN DO!!! Chee hooooo!!!
By the way, we really missed our 3rd Amigo, Teresa! Next time sole sister!!! xoxox
Results are here
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