Date: Friday, September 3, 2010
Weather: comfortable and sunny. Who was that Earl anyways?
On the stage: Village People
Drinking: Orange Crush from Waterman's. YUM!
Despite the threat of Earl, VA Beach hosted a wonderful music filled weekend and Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon. VA Beach showed little impact from Earl, by the time my sister (CM) and I arrived Friday evening. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect for sitting on the beach or dancing along to The Village People's YMCA.
Date: Saturday, September 4, 2010
Weather: sun shining, 80's
On the stage: Chicago
Drinking: H2O - gotta get hydrated
This morning started with brunch down the road at which point my stomach refused to process the alcohol from the previous night. Yes folks, I'm getting older and alcohol no longer loves me the way I love it. Which is for the best because today I must hydrate for the run. Water all the way!
OMG the Rock N Roll extravaganza that is the expo/packet pick-up was the best I have ever experienced. We spent a small fortune on t-shirts, hats, vitamin drinks and balance bracelets. At this point you are asking yourself what is a balance bracelet? I shall tell you... it is a miracle bracelet for sure. Just put it on your wrist and watch it work it's magic. Never fall down again and stretch further than you thought possible. Before this amazing creation I lacked flexibility but now, I'm a yoga guru. The bracelet on my right arm is for beer post race, the bracelet on my left arm is for when the officer asks "are you drunk, balance on one foot" to which I reply "no sir I am not" and of course show him how fabulously I can still function after my libations. Does he really challenge the power that is the balance bracelet?
Check them out at: http://www.powerbalance.com/
So, we drink our water all day while hanging out with some fabulous friends who shared their beach house with us all weekend. Beach, hot tubs, tiki bars, and 3 adorable yorkie puppies what more could you possibly ask for except maybe a balance bracelet? Seriously, KG and DG are awesome and we are so lucky that they welcomed us to their home and cheered for us during our run.
Date: Sunday, September 5, 2010
Weather: perfect
On the stage: Pat Benatar & REO Speedwagon
Drinking: H2O and then beer
5:30 AM wake up call and by 6:30 am we were in the car heading to the starting line. If I may be so bold as to offer a bit of advise for runners - bring your own toilet paper to a race! This has saved us so many times we can't even begin to count. There are so many runners and so many port-a-potties but NEVER enough TP. Other runners think we are geniouses and I am always amazed that no one else has ever realized how simple this is. We share our wealth and leave the TP by a line of people waiting their turn to let their nerves get the best of them and head to our starting position.
In no time at all CM and I are out of the gate at a pace we have never dared run before. I don't know where that speed came from but it was amazing. Now don't get me wrong, we aren't pacing at 8 or even 9 miles an hour. We are happy with 10.5 minutes a mile so anything faster than that is a pure miracle. At mile 2 our friends KG & DG are there to take our picture, still in good cheer and relatively still clean. We climb the bridge and everyone cheers for the elite runners already on mile 10 and then for the motivational runners not only breaking any record I could ever imagine for myself, but also pushing handicap children in strollers so that they too can experience the thrill of the race. It was inspiring! We then run through the barracks and pass two men who are wearing gas masks excelling at a pace much faster than our own. Really, was that necessary to show us up like that? I think not!
There is always some point during a race, which I have a panic attack. I'm not really sure why this happens but none the less it becomes pretty much impossible for me to breathe. This happened right before mile 12 for me. That was my wall for the day and without CM pushing me on, I dare say I would have walked. GASP! But we finished this race at a PR for both of us, 2:15. Which we are just absolutely thrilled with, plus we got a medal. Holla! I love to collect medals.
The rest of the day, was filled with recovering via hot tub and a nappy nap. We had a bar-b-q with friends at the house and then found us a spot in the sand to watch Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon. That crowd was huge and the beer line was long but people were happy and celebrating the long weekend. From the back we had to stand to even see the large televisions, but we sang along to the songs we knew. CM and I were pretty pooped so we headed home and watched the fireworks from the deck of our friend's home. A perfect ending to a perfect weekend.
Special shout out to KG & DG for letting us stay at their house and experience the good life in VA Beach. You both rock!
