The Children's Center Classic Run 2-23-19

Another run in the books for 2019.  This time it's a 10K or for some.. that's 6.2 miles.  :>)  

I love this race for several reasons.  1. It's for the kids and 2. It runs around the campus of USM.

The USM Children's Center does so much for families.  Since 1974, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development has led Mississippi in early intervention services for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with significant disabilities.  When I was asked to push a child with the Freedom Riders I was thrilled.  Nothing better than doing a race for something greater than yourself. :>)  I was scared it was going to rain and actually wished for rain during the race.  It was a very HOT & MUGGY morning.  When I left my house my carport was so slippery from moisture because it was so HUMID.  

Here's a picture of the Freedom Riders waiting to start the 10K.

Notice the clouds in the background.  The rain came much later in the day however.  I was pushing with Dawn & Matt.  We were pushing Korbin.  He's a character!  He quizzed us the entire time on the Hunger Games.  Dawn was not feeling too good after we got about a mile into the race.  She said her heart rate was all out of whack and she just felt so out of shape.  We stopped and walked often.  She begged us to leave her, but we told her we were a team and we would not leave her.  I'm glad we didn't because when we finished the race I found out another runner that I know had fallen out and was taken to the hospital.  I later learned he had a heat stroke.  He's a great runner too.  Just makes you more aware of what the heat can do to you no matter what shape you are in.  I'm glad he's doing much better now.  Several of my friends running saw the whole thing and we were all shaken by the event.  I wasn't even running fast.  Heck we mostly walked and I was soaking wet.  The humidity was so bad it was hard to breath.  Gotta LOVE south Mississippi. :>) 

I love this picture of one of the other teams.  Brodie looks like he's enjoying being pushed.  BTW the guy on the right not pushing is the guy that ran 50 miles the other week to raise money for the ARC kids! 

Here's a picture of me and Dawn with Korbin.  When we approached the finish line he wanted to get out and run across the finish line.  It's was amazing watching him!  That smile was so BIG.  When we found his mom after crossing, he wanted to know immediately if you saw him run across. :>)  

I love the medals that they make for us!  

So that's a wrap for now.  I've got many more races coming up.  It's RACE SEASON. :>)  This weekend I'll be on the coast for Duathlon.  I hate I'm going to miss the MS50 race this weekend.   I didn't realize they were the same date.  I wanted to do the Quad Burner series again this year especially since they added a sprint TRI in the mix.   So I'll miss the MS50 and be at the QB Duathlon their 2nd race of the series.  

IM training going well.  I'm taking it one day at a time.  Someone asked me last week if I was excited.  I really didn't know how to answer at first.....  I am, but I'm also holding back I think because I don't want to get overly excited since last year I was and then it didn't happen.  That's probably crazy, but it's how I feel.  I'm also missing big group runs badly.  Seems I'm always training alone.  Which I do like my alone time, but here lately it's just been so lonely.  Everyone is doing their own thing or not running much at all it seems.  I know life can be crazy busy and we must all adapt to the new.... I just don't like it sometimes. LOL  

I tell myself every day to just keeping taking it one day at a time and if God's plan is for me to be at the finish line I eventually end up crossing that IM finish line and it will all be worth it. :>)  

Happy training to you!

D

PBP 20 for 20 & Freedom Rider 50 (Jim Coll)

This weekend I got to participate in something wonderful.  I just had an hour run on tap for Sunday and found out that the PBP (Pine Belt Pacers) were having a 20 for 20 to celebrate their 20 years and Jim Coll was going to run 50 miles as part of a fundraiser for the ARC.  So I decided what better way to get my run in than to join them.  Plus I LOVE the ARC.  It's a wonderful organization that does such much for kids & adults with disabilities.  AND not to mention I thought it was just awesome what Jim was going to do.  You know me..... I have a sweet spot for raising money. :>)  

Here's the link to WDAM's news feature:

WDAM - Pine Belt Pacers Celebrate 20 years...

And Here is Jim's story..... He's a pretty cool guy:

This is my completely unofficial personal pursuit to run 50 miles on Feb. 10, benefitting the really awesome people of the ARC. Join me for all 50, and I'll donate $50 in your honor to the ARC. All contributions of assistance, financial, training or course support, are appreciated.

I'm embarking on this journey for a couple of reasons.

1. 2019 marks the 10th anniversary since James Daniel and I completed Ironman Louisville. Since then, I’ve struggled to find the right goal that would physically and mentally test me to the point that the test contributes to my personal development the way training and participating in an Ironman or qualifying for the Boston Marathon does. My physical and mental conditioning is not where it was 10 or 15 years ago, and I’ve been seeking the inspiration and motivation that will recover some of what I’ve lost over time.

2. In recent years, one thing has given my running a strong purpose—the ARC Freedom Riders. If you’ve ever seen Terri Clark, Jason Byrd and others post photos of these races, you get some sense of how meaningful it is not only for our ARC teammates, but for those of us who share our ability to run with them. This year, the ARC, including our Freedom Rider teammates, would greatly benefit from financial support as well.

So here’s where I’m going with all this. On Sunday, Feb. 10, I plan to run 50 miles, beginning and ending in downtown Hattiesburg. I’ll also donate $50 to the ARC in honor of any Pine Belt Pacer who wants to join me for the full run. My goals are very straightforward—to test myself in a new way (I’ve not previously run an ultramarathon) and to raise money for a good cause.

Isn't he amazing!  I'm always inspired by people who step up to help others.  :>) He started out with a goal of $2,500 and yesterday after he finished the 50 miles, I heard the total was up to $7,500.  Just goes to show that one person can make a difference.  Sometimes it takes a small spark to ignite a fire. :>)   

So now on to the run for me....  Well, it was a HOT one when we started with the sun out and temperature in the mid 60s.  I was pouring sweat by mile 3.  I thought for some reason that the whole 20K was going to be a straight shot on the flat trace.  They took us on a bus from the finish line, which was the Thirsty Hippo downtown Hattiesburg, to Clyde station on the trace.   However, it was not all FLAT!... After 3 miles we turned off to a side road and ran a couple of hills.  Geez... I wasn't planning that for my easy Sunday run.. hee hee...  and did I mention it was HOT!  I was doing pretty good with a pace of around 9:20 before the hills....but was getting very hot.  Once I hit the hills my pace slowed and I even removed my hat because I felt like so much heat was around the top of my head.  I was soaking wet and so glad I brought my base salt.  We did close to 2 miles off the trace and then we were back and headed straight down to downtown Hattiesburg.  I was so glad the clouds finally covered the sun and the wind begin to pick up.  At least it seemed to cool things off somewhat.  By now the pack was all separated.  The really fast people were gone,the few average people like me were in the middle and then there were some slower peeps.  Jim had started his 50 miles at 6am and we had all hoped he would catch up with us when we started and we would be able to run to the finish with him, but that didn't happen.  In hindsight we should have started around 3pm and not 2pm so some of us could have ran with him.  He did have a old college buddy that actually came from Texas I believe to run the whole 50 with him!  Talk about a good friend.  I don't think any of mine would want to run 50 miles with me. LOL  Heck, I don't even want to run 50 miles!  The 50K (31 miles) was enough for me. :>)  

I was glad to finally reach the finish line.  I could barely believe that just a few weeks ago I did a half marathon (13.1 miles) in a much faster time than the 20K (2.4 miles) for this run.  I think the heat and it being in the afternoon was not a good combination for me.  However, I did get grandmasters.  Guess it's good to be older and not many people were racing. Hee Hee.    For me it wasn't a race.  I was there to run for the ARC.   I don't get to do much with the PBP group due to living in another city.  They do weekly runs during the week, but the time isn't convenient for me or the driving to get there.  Maybe one day if I move to Hattiesburg. 

Here's a few pictures:

Crazy Nestor taking pictures of everyone before the race. 

Loading the bus to head to the start line. 

My grandmaster award.... it's a picture frame made by an adult ARC student.  Love it! 

Jim when he finished his 50 miles.  This little boy had been waiting on him and was so excited.  We were all excited.  It was awesome watching him cross that finish line! 

Oh and did I say my day started with going to see the grand girls? 

We took them out to lunch and then Gary went back home with them to play while I went to run.  He said he had a fabulous time with the girls.  I'm so glad he's doing more and more of this.  It's hard for him to go to Drew's house.  He says he keeps thinking why isn't Drew there.  But it's much better for him when he has a great day with the girls.  He said they played baby dolls and all kinds of stuff.   And as you can see in the picture, he got them an ice cream cake.  LOL   Things will never be easy without Drew, but we are all finding our new "norm" as time passes.  Your girls are wonderful, Drew.  I know you'd be so proud! We miss you! 

D

P.S.  Ironman training going full force.  I had 2,500 yards on tap this am for my swim and really didn't want to do it when I got up.  I was pretty tired from my long bike on Saturday followed by long run on Sunday, but I got in and got it done and felt good when it was over.  :>)  September will be here before we know it!  I also had a chance to talk to a runner yesterday that has done Chattanooga Ironman and a couple other ironman races.  She took my number and said she'd let me know when she was riding.  Riding is one of the toughest things to me when training when you get to those really long bike rides... 65+....   time seems to go by faster when you ride with someone rather than alone.  I hope to maybe catch Susan on a few rides.  :>)