OBX Marathon and 8k Challenge 2015

On Saturday, I ran the Outer Banks 8k.  It was a humid day, so I'm asking that they have more water out next year.  However, it was a good race and mostly off-road, which I enjoyed.  The marathon course goes through this area.  The 8k starts and ends at First Flight Middle School.  The on-site festivities are really good.  They have a lot for the kids, bouncy toys and such.  There are also post-race egg and cheese sandwiches.  

On marathon day, my nerves started up pretty early.  I caught a shuttle before six to head to the start.  My pre-race food was my usual bagel.  We were at the start before 6:30 and the race didn't begin until 7:20.  Before too long, my group started arriving.  We enjoyed chatting and taking pre-race photos.  I was in corral B, so I moved farther back.  I got behind the 5 hour pace group, but ended up on my own.  I mostly used a run four, walk 1 pattern, so it was a slower pace (I occasionally fudged; sometimes you need some extra walking).  I ended up not listening to music, but just focused on when my phone would beep (Gym Boss app).  I tried just to get from one mile to the next.  You wonder how  you'll get through all of those miles, but they move pretty quickly.  I knew they would go by once we hit the halfway point; you're in the teens and it just happens.  Some of the race is on trails and the softer surface is a welcome break.  This is where mountain training came in handy, as there are a few inclines in the woods.  A lot of the race goes past houses.  The community provides great support and you see the same groups year after year (the ladies making mimosas, for instance; yep, they do it every year).  There are always some unofficial water stops that people offer by their yards.  The official stops and cheer stations were great as well.  There were Star Wars characters, disco music, bumblebees, a shark...you name it.  One area had candy and pretzels.  I ate the pretzels and also consumed my own candy (Reese's nutrageous bars).  There was a guy in his underwear with pants around his ankles.  He was holding a sign in front of him.  You really do see it all kinds of stuff.  My outfit got compliments; I don't think the marathon had many costumes or tutus.  The race starts out very busy-looking, but not too congested.  Eventually, people get a lot more spaced out (and quiet).  I think I got on the road to the bridge before mile 21.  I was thrilled when I reached mile 24 and thought the sign would say 23.  Of course, I got a rock in my shoe with two miles to go.  This year, for the first time, I ran all the way up the hardest part of the bridge (650 foot climb!).  I tried to keep my head down.  Mountain running has really paid off.  At the bottom, there were friends to cheer me on and snap some pictures.  Jorine ran with me almost to the finish line! We caught up with a few others in our group.  Then I got near the finish.  Dashing toward the finish line and crossing is an amazing feeling.  There is nothing like it.  I am ready to register and excited for next year! Registration has opened, so I'll be doing that very soon (just waiting on a discount code).  Doing two races came with three medals.  :) 

Cherokee Half-Marathon

This race was interesting before it started.  Joaquin caused it to be rescheduled, which is rare for races.  I signed up because the swag was so good (fleece headband and vest, gloves, gender specific shirt size, several free photo downloads).  Cherokee is also known for having really good food (fruit, chocolate milk, water, beef tamales, chili, smoothies).  The casino caters the event and does a great job.  Back to the rescheduling: the race got moved to Halloween, so a few costume awards were given out.  I wasn't dressed up as anything, but rocked a pink tutu.

This is a good race for seeing wildlife.  I saw four elk and two wild turkeys.  We also had the misfortune of running past a dead skunk...twice!

Since the race is on/around the Cherokee reservation, we got to enjoy the music of Cherokee drummers.  They play at the start and on the course.

I had an easier time with the course than before.  All of this mountain running is paying off. Overall, it's not a very hilly course.  I highly recommend it if you're looking for a race with some mountain views.  The race benefits the Madison Hornbuckle Children's Cancer Fund.

Tobacco Road Marathon

This marathon closed out eight months of training.  I trained for four months, ran the Outer Banks Marathon and then trained four months for Tobacco Road.  That meant running on plenty of cold winter mornings.  I've decided that I prefer summer training.  In the mountains, summers are easier to run in.  All that said, I don't regret doing this for a minute.

I'd run several half-marathons at this location and enjoyed them.  I had some friends doing the marathon and jumped on the band wagon.  The start was cold, but I was happy to find my friends before we began.  I was running a slower pace, but this course gives several chances to see your people.  It has two turnaround points on this (mostly) trail race.  The trail is both asphalt and dirt.  It's well-maintained all around.

It's been a while since this one, but I remember it as a great day.  The weather was wonderful and there was good food on and after the course.  One of the course tables had tons of snacks.  All the salt and sugar you could want.  I wasn't in much pain.

If it wasn't for eight months of training, I'd do it all over again next spring.  :)

OBX Marathon 2014

This was another great marathon.  It was overcast, but not rainy.  Not too hot, either.  My knees held up well.  The Tylenol before and during, coupled with wearing knee supports, does the trick.  I carried Gatorade and Twix bars.  I wore Body Glide, which prevents blisters and chafing.  My breakfast was a bagel.  I change up my race food, within reason, but most of this has become routine. 

I didn't see anyone I knew that day; we just didn't cross paths and they finished before me.  I had fun chatting it up before the race with strangers.  One was a high school student who has been accepted to West Point.  That poor thing thought that since a half-marathon was fun, this must be twice as much fun.  She is also interested in running on a marathon team at West Point.  Someone had to go and tell this kid about hitting the wall.  We caught up to one another during the race and she asked me if I had hit my wall. 

There are a lot of things I love about this race.  The community support is one thing.  It is fantastic.  The residents, visitors and churches are amazing.  One of the churches offered extra ice cream if you came back for their evening event.  I hung with a pace group for a while, but got behind.  The pacer either got left or left his group, as I saw him alone later.  The hardest parts, physically, are getting over the big bridge and running through the woods.  Some parts of the woods are actually hilly.  The soil is also soft and can be tough to handle.  Personally, I welcomed this part of the course.  It's a wonderful break for your knees.  At first, you wonder how on earth you'll make it through all those miles.  They go faster than I think.  The bridge always seems to take forever.  At the turn off the bridge, you see the CVS.  It's the most wonderful sight, but it still seems so long to the finish.  The finish line support, as with other parts of the course, is wonderful.  So are the shuttle buses at the end.  I had no desire to walk anywhere at that point, as you can imagine.  During the race, I usually think, do I want to do this again? By the time I finish, the answer is a resounding yes.  I signed up for the 2015 races before the month was up.     

80's Flashback 8k and Main Street Mile

I ran a second 8k in Franklin on the Greenway, the 80's Flashback 8k.  This time, we got rained on and it was also humid.  I think I'll stick to running in Waynesville.  Speaking of Waynesville, I ran in the Main Street Mile later in August.  It's a very flat race and I improved my time, finishing in 8:53.  Here's a picture of my 8k swag. 

Moonlight Moonshine 8k

This race was on the greenway in Franklin, NC.  The Greenway runs along the Little Tennessee river.  Franklin is more hilly than Waynesville and was pretty humid that day.  All that said, it's still a pretty place to run.  You also can't beat the classic post-race refreshments: an RC-Cola and a moon pie. 

Bringing Home Agape

In winter 2014, I began volunteering at Feline Urgent Rescue of WNC.  I didn't think I should adopt another cat, as I live in a small home.  I also didn't think my building owner would allow it.  In June, I fell in love with this boy.  He sat in my lap and that was the end of it.  It wasn't long before I knew we needed each other.  I got up the nerve to ask permission and brought this boy home in late July.  He is extra special.  You see, his ''owners'' abandoned him, starving and flea-bitten at the county shelter.  He was rescued by FUR of WNC.  He's about 7.  He has a bad hip, which sticks out.  Thankfully, it only bothers him when pressed.  I try very hard not to bother that place.  He also has a bump on one of his bones, which may indicate a previous break.  In spite of all this, he is an incredibly loving boy.  That's why a rescue volunteer named him Agape.  He is a lap kitty and he'll accept any lap.  He is a bottomless pit.  This may be because he'll never forget going hungry.  Little man, you will always have love and food in my house.  Check out the pictures.  I think he's filled out a bit.   

 

 

Mission Serve: Viral (2014)

Mission Serve 2014 was in Savannah.  It was a beautiful city.  As you can imagine, summer in the deep south is very hot.  As much as I miss Greenville, this confirmed that I'm never moving back.  I've gotten too used to the mountain air.  We stayed in Ardsley Park Baptist Church.  The building wasn't ideal for a crowd this size, but we made it work.  I had a fantastic squad.  They were young, but very hardworking.  We had wonderful leadership.  It was a HOT week (did I mention that?), but roofing went well.  We also got done early.  This allowed us to take a trip to Tybee Island.  It was incredibly cool and refreshing in the water.  I also didn't realize how much I had missed the beach.  Earlier in the week, we were able to tour Savannah on our evening off.  We took a boat ride, enjoyed the stores and had dinner at Sweet Potatoes (featured on Man Vs. Food).  Here are some shots from an unforgettable week. 

Independence Day Weekend (2014)

I had a chance to go home and had a blast.  The highlight was heading back east for a wonderful trail run.  We ran at Goose Creek State Park in Washington.  I used to work on that county and lived near there for years.  It's always nostalgic to go back.  I think it was muddy, but we had a great run.  Our fearless leader, Tony, put together goody bags and race bibs for us.  For a free event, you couldn't ask for any better. 

FUGE CAMP

I went to FUGE again to visit the Bethlehem group (July 2014).  North Greenville University is only abut an hour from my home.  I always enjoy joining them for worship and seeing their sweet faces.  I will be joining them for the whole week during 2015.  Yay!

Help a Horse Day- Horse Parade (June 2014)

Our local large animal rescue, Save the Animals Rescue Ranch, held a horse parade.  This was part of the ASPCA's help a horse day.  STAR was participating to hopefully win a monetary prize.  THEY WON! I walked around getting signatures to prove that people were there.  Here are some fun pictures from a wonderful, sunny day! You'll notice that one of the sweet horses is still healing from serious neglect. 

Rebecca's Visit (May 2014)

My friend Rebecca came from Raleigh to visit.  When she arrived, she met up with a co-worker and I to look at art galleries.  Downtown Waynesville was having its first Art After Dark of the year.  We introduced her to the popcorn and homemade sodas at the Strand.  The Strand is a small and awesome theater on Main Street.

On Saturday morning, we headed into Transylvania County to check out waterfalls.  Our first stop was Moore Cove falls.  Whom did we run into? My friends from Greenville! Moore Cove falls was a 0.7 mile hike each way and you could stand behind it.  Our next adventure was Looking Glass Falls.  I had already seen these falls several times, but Looking Glass is one that any visitor should see.  We definitely had some company at that stop.  Our next stop was Twin Falls.  These falls are over 2 miles each way.  We drove to the trail head, had lunch and then hiked to the falls.  The trail was narrow, but not difficult.  The falls had a lot of brush/downed limbs, but we still got a pretty good view.  I think that one tired us out a little.  We made a final stop at Sliding Rock before heading home.  This one is not a waterfall, but a natural waterslide.  It gets very crowded in the warmer months.  Saturday night, we went to Jackson County to see Soco Falls (twin falls) and Mingo Falls.  Both are fantastic and worth the trip.  It was my first venture out to Mingo.

On Sunday, Rebecca joined me for church before heading back east.  Thanks for visiting!  

Looking Glass Falls, Transylvania County

Mingo Creek Falls, Swain County 

Moore Cove Falls area, Transylvania County

Twin Falls (Avery Creek Trail), Transylvania County

Biking with Greenville Pals (Spring 2014)

While visiting, I headed into Greenville and joined my buddies for a bike ride.  I appreciate no one laughing while I rocked a beach cruiser.  Thanks for the fun ride!

Dupont State Forest Hike (Summer 2014)

In June 2014, my hiking group went to Dupont State Forest.  Dupont has some great waterfalls and is a beautiful place.  It's in Transylvania County (Brevard) and is about an hour from my home. 

Little Man Turns 2!

Anderson had a fun second birthday.  He definitely got more into it than the first year.  His little ''girlfriend'' from daycare brought him a fun gift...a little tractor.  We pulled out the baby pools and the water table.  The kiddos had a blast!

Carolina Mudcats Game and HAIRCUT (April 2014)

This is a majorly delayed post.  I had the fun of joining my parents for a Mudcats game last spring.  This was the day I cut off my hair, so it was fun show off my new 'do.  I grew it for two years, cut off 8 inches and donated it to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program.  The cats were playing the Potomac Nationals and WON!