Saturday, January 15, 2011

Museum of Aviation Marathon 2011

Warner Robins, Ga WRAFB
COLD with no wind and no rain. This was the first time in 4 years that we had good weather. It was about 21 degrees at the start. I was trying to go for a sub 5 race today. I was not feeling it early and was hoping that it would kick in during the run. My friend Karen was running with me today to help pace me.
I was waiting on my new shoes to come in yesterday from Run Fit Sports but with all the snow and ice that has hit the east coast, UPS was not able to deliver them. So it was off to another race in my old shoes. Well I have to blame it on something. Ha-Ha
When they started the race, they use a traditional race gun. When Karen and I hit the 3 mile marker, I heard a LOUD roar. I looked on the runway and a F-16 was taking off. I was so happy. I love seeing planes. I think that is why I love to run this course which is 2 loop course around the AFB. When he took off, he pointed it up and shot to the sky. It was awesome. I don't know who the pilot was but thank you. It was fun watching.
Then when we got around on the opposite side of the runway, the plane went up again. Then he started doing rolls after take off and he was right above my head. I was waving to him and I think he waived back. YES, he was this close. I could see the pilot. This made this the best race ever. I have always wanted to see planes flying during the race but they have never done it before.
I was holding a good pace at the 1/2 point and was on track for a sub 5. I got a chance to run with a dear friend of mine, Gen. She is a breast cancer survivor and is going through chemo right now. She looked great today. When I went out for the 2nd loop, I knew what was ahead of me. I don't like the 2nd loop and miles 15 - 18 is a bad area for me. I have never liked this time of the race. This is when I want to give up. Once I get to mile marker 20 I feel much better. I knew that if I was able to finish the last 6.2 miles with 1 hour and 10 minutes left to go on the clock. I was feeling o.k. Then at mile 22, THE WALL LAID THE BRICKS DOWN ON ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My body started to shut down. My left leg was hurting and my foot was getting a bad hot spot. I was tired and I knew it. It was time to walk, come to reality and just finish. Well that is exactly what I did. I finished with a time of 5:14 and found out that is was a course PR for me by 27 minutes from last year. WOW I did something good and didn't even though it.
Well I have had my dinner and now it is time to go to bed with some muscle relaxers. Good night and God bless.

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