Momma and my hubby ran this race yesterday. We went into it being a first for everyone. Yes, I ran the race last year but this year no. I was a member of the support staff. First for me. Momma has not really ran since her marathon last fall but with a full approaching in October she needs to get moving. And well, if you are a reader of my blog then you know all about my hubby and his running.
Up and ready for Momma pick up at 7 am. Beaver is about a 50 minute drive from our house. The race has a 9 am start. Honestly, for the heat and humidity of yesterday, that is entirely too late. The back street may wind along the river but there is NO SHADE and you are running into the sun. It is extremely hot. I heard a ton of complaints. Especially since they did not have the sprinklers at the end like last year.
But onto the story ....
There in plenty of time. All ready about 100 runners there. Trust me, much more arrived before start time!
John had to do same day registration. He just decided this week to run. Filled it out. Collected his bib and shirt and he was ready.
We spent the next few minutes prepping Momma and John. Numbers pinned. Timing chips strapped on. There was about 40 minutes to kill, so they headed off to the back of the course to see what the incline looked like. And the remaining members of the support staff .......
Heading off to the car. We had originally taken our umbrellas because it looked like rain. We quickly realized they were of no need .. well maybe shade. Plus, they needed a little treat.
Kretchmans Bakery is just two blocks over. If you have never had something from Kretchmans, well, I feel bad for you. They enjoyed their cinnamon swirl thinger-ma-bob and icing covered donut. I enjoyed watching.
Slowly, the crowd started to gather. This picture doesn't do it justice. The 10K runners headed to the start. No actually line. Just stand behind these cones and wait for the fire whistle to sound. And they were off.......
The excitement in this picture does not appear later. How quickly he learns that this shade is fleeting and the heat and humidity is brutal.
We cheered. We clapped. Momma did was off.
This is about 1 1/2 miles in. Looking good. Feeling alright. Shoes are amazing. No $16.00 Walmart specials today. He is such a goof ball!
Momma was not looking so good. The hand signal and walking was an indication. Hot was the word. I understood. I was standing clapping and cheering. Sweating like crazy.
At the half ... he was running. He didn't look happy. Pants and shirt soaked from sweat and water. He was getting slow. First indication the shoes "suck" ... my feet hurt.
At the half .... support staff was deployed. Middle aged member is gonna run with Momma from here on out. Prior to deployment a conversation was had among the members of the support staff. A target was chosen. Momma was to track her down and pass her. To us Momma was "behind on her game" and we didn't like it. Instructions were given. And he was off to implement them.
Back side .... this incline is brutal ... honestly. He was struggling. Remaining members of the support staff were deployed. One get on the inside of the street. Leader of the race ran the inside. Why do the back of the pack always run the outside. Might seem minuscule more shade on the inside and the road is cleared for a reason! We ran with him for about two blocks. Told him he was skirting a 1 hour finish time. I understood there is another incline on the front side. But he was doing good. He complained about the heat. Told him to take ice and water at the next station. Dump the water and suck on some ice. He was soaked with sweat and breathing not so well. Again, heard the shoes sucked. Advised him that we might not make his finish.
We had to wait on Momma and support staff #2. They seemed to be taking longer than I had anticipated. He was fine with it. We cheered every runner that went by. Clapping. High fives. Good jobs. Looking goods. The runners started to really thin. A lone woman was coming up the street. She looked at me and said "I'm pretty sure I'm in last place." She was hurting. Running a great speed on the first lap. Walking now. She had removed her number and was totally dejected looking. I assured her she was not in last place. There were either 9 or 10 other participants out there. That pepped her right up. I spoke to her later. She believes she pulled something in her calf. It wasn't in her to not finish.
Momma and support staff #2 arrived. I
Support staff was deployed again. Biggest and littlest members ran with her the last little bit. She crossed the line. We gave her a good job. Then found her water and shade. She was hot and tired. She finished at 1:25:??. I was more interested in getting water than the clock. We all headed to the front of the fire station to listen to the awards.
Shoes off. Damn it is hot. They did good. Then the shoe conversation started. These shoes suck. Can't imagine that it might not help to wear thick cotton work socks .... Seriously, I've created a monster. He is ready to go get new shoes. Said they toe box is not wide enough and has the blister to prove it. Whatever! Can't wait to see what happens should he loose a toenail?!
They had race shirts on sale. Now, I would never buy a race short and say that I did it. But I did purchase another of last years shirts. Mine was trashed for some reason. Since the other members of the support staff did run. #2 almost 1/2 of the race .. I purchased him a shirt from last year. He liked this color better than this years. And well, #3 needed one also.
Here are the racers and support staff. Tired. Whipped. Dirty. Hungry. Sweaty. Gross. Complaining. UGH!
Momma did get second in her age group. Another medal for her collection. Younger support staff members complained that "no one in our house every gets trophies or medals". Momma explained that when you get to her age there aren't very many people in the age group. LOL
Good race. Good day. We all participate in some way next year. Be it the 5K or 10K. We will all be participants! Side note .. this was my first time as a spectator. It was amazing. As I wrote earlier .... we clapped. We cheered. I gave high fives. I said good job. I said amazing. I said keep it up. I know. I know what it is like to be out there. I know what it is like to be "in the slower group". After the crowd has dissipated. I saw smiles. I saw people get pep in their step. I watched there posture change. I was thanked more than once. We were thanked more than once for "being every where and cheering us all on". It was amazing. I plan to volunteer for a large race. I learned more about running and myself yesterday than I had ever thought possible.
Good job to each and every participant out there. 5 minute mile or 35 minute mile ... YOU ARE ALL WINNERS!
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