4th Annual Battleship 12K - Veterans Day 11-11-18

On Sunday I ran a 12K for Veterans Day.....The 4th Annual Battleship 12K.  

More than 1,700 runners took part in the 4th Annual Battleship 12k.  It started at Spanish Fort Town Center and we raced along the Causeway finishing at Battleship Memorial Park.  #RUNTOHONOR

Runners who've served in the military wore red race numbers so other participants could thank them for their service.  

Krista and I rode together on Sunday morning.  We meet up with Robbie when we arrived and began looking for Kathy Byrd and Nestor.  I was so happy to see Robbie.  Since she moved we don't get to see her much unless we run into her at a race. 

We soon found Kathy and JoAnn... but no Nestor b4 the race. 

 LOVE KATHY'S FLAG SHIRT! 

I wore my RWB team shirt.  I know it has the Nike symbol on it and I don't support what Nike did, but I do support what the RWB team does. 

Back of my RWB shirt.

It was a cool start with the degrees being in the 40s, but we quickly warmed up when running and I had wished I had worn shorts to run in, however when I finished the cold wind got very chilly standing around in wet sweaty clothes. 

The course was very simple.  We started on a downhill which was a tad scary.  It was so crowded I had to really watch my feet so I wouldn't hit someone and fall face forward.  There were so many runners in Red, White, & Blue colors.  It was truly awesome.  It's the 100 year anniversary of the end of WW1.  I have lots of family members that have served in the military including my dad.  I was honored to run.  And felt very BLESSED to be able to run.  I had a pretty good run.  No PR, but I ran steady until mile 5 and then I let my head play games with me and I started to do my run/walk program.  I should have pushed and ran the entire way, but I also knew I had more miles to run later in the day to get my long run in so I agreed with my head and walked off an on during mile 6 & 7.  And then when we turned into the park we had to run 1/2 mile on the wet grass.   It had rained for several days so the ground was all mushy and I had to watch my ankles big time to keep from rolling them.  The run was barely a run on the grass.  It was neat running around the flags and seeing the ship come closer and closer into view.

See that ship in the background?  That's where I'm headed. 

On top of the bridge I got a better shot of the Battleship coming into view and where the finish line was at. 

My friend Kent captured me running towards the end.  Thanks KENT!  He was waiting for his wife, Robbie to finish.

 The turn into the park! Yippie... Finish line is close! Then we ran in the grass around the flags. 

Krista, Kathy, JoAnn, Nestor, Robbie & Me

The gang at the finish... oh we found NESTOR. :>) I LOVE this group of friends.  Running has brought me in contact with so many awesome people!  JoAnn's daughter was at the finish line giving out the medals as we finished!  JoAnn served in the military also.  :>) 

Overall I was pleased with my pace.  I'm slowing making a comeback to close to where I use to run.  Although I read an article that said you really don't get any faster especially after 50... and I didn't start running till I was 40 so that's another negative for me.  I should have started in my 20s so I could have seen just how fast I might have been.  Oh well, I still LOVE this journey and want to continue running till I'm 100!

When I walked to the bathroom at the finish line, I ran into my training partner for Ironman, Jason!  I was very happy to see him!  We both ran the race after both of us having bike wrecks and neither of us completing Ironman Chattanooga.  I'm so happy to see him doing well. 

I loved spending the day with Krista.  We were able to chat on our ride and have some nice girl time. :>)  She's so going to rock her 1st marathon coming up in 3 weeks!  I'm very proud of her. 

It was a great race.  I highly recommend it to anyone next year who wants to run to honor and remember those veterans!

I almost talked myself out of my extra miles when I got home, but I knew the forecast was calling for rain to start again on Sunday night and last for several days so I didn't even let myself sit down once I got home.  I got right back out of the road and ran another 8 miles.  Yep,.... some call my crazy.. :>)  

My pace wasn't near as good as my morning pace.. hee hee...  I did my jog/walk program and managed a 11:30 pace overall.  Maybe one day I'll get back to running a 9-10 pace overall for a LONG mile day... but if I don't... that's ok.  I'm putting one foot in front of the other and MOVING.  That's what it's about.  Keep MOVING.   Don't QUIT.  Moving does the body good.  Especially if you have arthritis like me.  The doctor highly recommends it. :>)  

Great Run.  Great Friends.  #RunToHonor #SalutetoService 

Oh and my new vehicle did something I didn't know it would do....   All of a sudden when I was driving it started beeping and this message displayed on my dash.. 

A coffee cup and a message "take a break"   LOVE IT.  I love me some coffee and sometimes you need to take a break driving.  I just LOVE this new vehicle. 

Hope your training is going well.  Until next time...

D

6 Weeks post accident.... Where am I?

This past weekend marked 6 weeks since my bike accident.  Several have asked how my recovery is going.  So here's where I'm at.......   

I started back swimming last week.  Even though it was only 1,000 yards compared to the normal 3,000 - 4,000 I was doing in preparation for the race, it is a good start.  My arm was sore, but overall I felt so good to get back in the water.  This week at PT Grant noticed how much more I could rotate my arm.  I told him I thought swimming had helped.  He smiled and agreed.  He's one of the best PTs I know!  My strength is not back 100%, but I'm working on it.  I'll be glad when I can put my full weight on my hand so I can go back to yoga.  Missing my downward dogs. LOL  

I have only ridden outside on my bike once and it was a short ride.  I was very nervous.  I kept seeing my wreck over and over in my head.  I have a feeling that my bike is going to take longer to come back than my swimming.  I've never had an accident like this one.  Never a broken bone until now at the age 52!  Let me just say it scared me pretty bad.  I may of seem tough on the outside, but inside I was scared.  I hope to get in another short ride this weekend.  I've attempted the trainer a few times, but I was unable to put much weight on my hand/arm for a long period so I wouldn't really call my rides and ride. LOL  

I have been running basically the whole time.  Well, it's been a jog/walk, however it kept me moving and I didn't go crazy during this time.  I actually did a 5K and ran a sub 9 min pace for the 3.1 miles.  I was thrilled.  My SIL, Devon also did the 5K and I had to get a pic with her 2 baby girls... my precious nieces.... Madelyn Grace & Malone  

However, that pace didn't last for my 20 mile long run this past weekend. hee hee  But my time wasn't bad for a jog/walk program.  I actually don't feel near as tired as when I use to just run the 20 miles straight.  I think Hal has something on that jog / walking. :>) I'm getting ready for the St. Jude marathon coming up in 4 weeks!  Go team Run4TheKids!  I have 32 team members going to run as heroes for the kids.  This will be my 6th year to run as a hero.  I hope to be there every year God willing. :) 

Overall I'm pleased with my progress.  My feeling in my teeth, jaw, and cheekbone is slowing coming back.  My arm is improving daily.  My ribs are still sore, but not as sore as they were thank goodness! I read that it can take 8-10 weeks for cracked ribs to heal.  But am I still sad I missed the Ironman race?  Yep, you bet I am!  Some days it doesn't bother me as much and some days it's all I can think about all day.   However,  I know myself and If I had done the race with the canceled swim that ended up happening, I would not have felt like a complete Ironman and I would want to do it again.  So maybe God knew that and that's why I had the accident.  He just didn't have to hurt me so badly. :>)  But heck, if I wasn't hurt so badly, I would have pushed to make myself try to complete the race.  Most people call that STUBBORN.  Well, I got a full case of that and HARDHEADED.  :>)  

I follow this guy on Instagram.  He always has some pretty cool sayings.  I love this one. 

If you are going through something hard at the moment and feel like quitting... think of this saying.  

Happy  Training to you!  Hope to see you out there!

I'm going to a 12K this weekend at the Battleship in Mobile.  Hoping to see several friends at the race.  That's one thing I love about running ..... the time with friends at races or during training.

#IMCHOO2019 

D