In loving memory of Willa Williams

My great-aunt, Willa Naylor Williams, died on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The Naylor family had nine children. Six of those children lived to be adults. In recent years, Aunt Willa lived in a nursing home. I am grateful that she and her husband were there together. I am sad for him, as he has lost his life's partner and best friend. He will be so lonely, I'm afraid. She was a sweet lady with a precious face. I know that Mimi and Pops are glad to have their little girl in Heaven with them. I never met Pops, but I know that his family must have been so precious to him. My grandmother and her two remaining siblings have now lost two siblings in less than a year.

Race list and results

For posterity, I made a list of races that I've done. It's also interesting to see how I've developed as a runner. Of course, there will always be someone faster. Trying to keep up with them is helping my speed. We'll just call it ''unofficial speedwork.'' :)

Race for the Cure 5k (June 2008)- 39 minutes and some change, best I can remember.
Flat Out 5k (June 2008)- 41:49
Casey's Race 5k (September 2008)- 37:30
Outer Banks 1/2 marathon (November 2008)- 2:59:19
Reindeer Dash for Cash 10-miler (December 2008)- 2:18:33
Lace up for a Cure 5k (February 2009)- 39:15
Young Life 5k (March 2009)- 37:36
Zebulon Chamber of Commerce 5k (June 2009)- 34:57
Run for the Booty 5k (October 2009)- 34:00
Outer Banks 1/2 marathon (November 2009)- 2:40:36
Reindeer Dash for Cash 10-miler (December 2009)- 1:56:14
Washington Noon Rotary Club 10k (February 2010)- 1:02:02 (measuring error caused the course to be a little shorter than 6.2)
Tobacco Road 1/2 marathon (March 2010)- 2:41:12
Live Healthy Greenville 5k (May 2010)
Bright Night 5k (May 2010)- 32:55?
Race for the Cure (June 2010)-
AJ 5K (June 2010)
Flat Out 5k (June 2010)
Greenville-Pitt County 8k (August 2010)
Run for the Booty 1/2 marathon (October 2010)
Outer Banks 8k (November 2010)- 55:32
Outer Banks 1/2 marathon (November 2010)- 2:33:14.94
Reindeer Dash for Cash 10-miler (December 2010)
NHL All-Star 5k (January 2011)- 31:22
Tobacco Road 1/2 marathon (March 2011)- 2:28:27
Run for Autism 5k (April 2011)
Tar Heel 10-miler (April 2011)- 1:53:38
Bright Night 5k: 31:48

Tobacco Road Half-Marathon: Race Report

The race was this morning, starting from the USA National Baseball Training Complex . Due to some late shuttle buses, the start was delayed. Before we started, I spotted a few friends from church. As a whole, the race went incredibly smooth. It also went by very fast. I was part of the 2.5 hour pace group. While I eventually lost the group (and it's balloon carrying leader), I still finished in 2.5 hours (just under). Since we were aiming for 2 hours, 30 minutes, he called us the ''dirty thirty.'' The route had a turnaround point, so I had a chance to see my friends, Scott and April. They both did great. It was April's first one and she kicked butt! Just before mile 10, I decided that a walk break would be really helpful. I kept talking myself out of it before that, but I knew that it would give me a burst of energy. Between 10/11, 11/12, 12/13. That totals around four minutes of walking for the whole race. I was excited to make that kind of progress, walking less than usual. My final results were 2:28:27 with a pace of 10:31.

This weekend, I am running the Tobacco Road Half-Marathon. It was a great race last year and I'm looking forward to running it again. I plan to hang with the 2.5 hour pace group. That's a pretty doable pace for me. Several runners from my church will be there, which will be a nice morale booster. The course is set up so there is a turnaround point. Whether people are in front of or behind me, I will get the chance to see them. I've conned my dad into giving me a ride out there. Thanks, Daddy! The front of my medal will look like the one above. The back won't have personalized information unless people pay. Results to follow! :)

Lent

I have given up Facebook for Lent. I did this last year as well. It was a very refreshing change. I can be contacted by cell or e-mail. No text messages please.

Superbowl party

A couple in my Sunday School group hosted the party. We had a loaded baked potato bar with all kinds of toppings...pulled pork, chili, sour cream, cheese, salsa...YUM! We also had several kinds of desserts, including chocolate, football-shaped Rice Krispy Treats. Toddlers, grown-ups, tons of food...quite a social! My team lost, but life goes on. Jessica does a great job planning socials. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Our class has a great time together.

NHL All-Stars 5k

In case you've been living under a rock, the NHL-All Star game was last weekend. Along with the festivities, a 5k race was held at the RBC center. My sister encouraged me to run it and I got the flyer in the mail...what the hey! It was a pretty cold morning, but the race staff let everyone wait inside before the race. I got a super-cool long-sleeved tee and a finisher medal...I'm getting quite the shirt collection. The course was a bit hilly for this girl, but I tried not to let hills get the best of me. I was pleased to find out that I ran my fastest time for a 5k(I PR'd, in running lingo). My time was 31:22 (mile pace of 10:07). I saw several people who ran the Ridgewood Turkey Trot 8k (they were wearing the shirts). Great weather and great race!