Run to the Beach Half Marathon

I was feeling better after having the flu at the beginning of the week,well enough to run on Sat April 20 in the Run to the Beach Half Marathon. I went into the race with the goal of just finishing. I was also dealing with some hamstring tightness and also Achilles tenderness both on my left . So my goals were not to lofty.

Saturday morning ended up being very chilly and windy off the lakes. The race was held around the Portage Lakes area in Akron and Green, Ohio. The Portage Lakes are multiple lakes connected with little channels and lots of lake front homes and bars/grills. It started out in the Portage Lakes State Park.

I left the house thinking I was going to wear a pair of shorts, compression socks and a short sleeved shirt but the wind and colder temperatures had me doing a quick change at the race to wear a long sleeves 1/2 zip top instead. I did wear gloves since fingers get very cold.

It was a combined start time of the Half marathon and 5k racers. A couple disappointments at the beginning was no mention of the Boston Marathon bombs or tribute and they did not explain that faster runners up front and slower runners/walkers in the back.

Around the 2 mile marker we pasted our spectators and I saw Terri there cheering me on...Brought the biggest smile to my face to see her and have her support.

The race had us on all terrains- road, trail, grass, crushed gravel, and ending on sand. During the races as I rounded some of the lakes , the head winds were so wicked and there was sleet/mini snow balls that were coming at me sideways.

I encountered something new on this race. Around mile 10 there was a relay exchange area. I thought to myself.."Jen you ran 10 miles, you could stop now and get a ride back with someone".....WHAT!!!! I have never had those thoughts!!! I said to myself " Jen you are NOT a quitter and you will not stop, you have 3 more miles, now go"...and I did. Now if I was injured or physical could not go on, I would have stopped. But this was mentally challenging me to quit. Not gonna happen.

I ran the whole time with brief 5 sec walks here and there , mainly at the water stops since I don't have the skill yet to drink and run without snorting in the water.

The volunteers and the cops directing traffic were great. The post race foods were so so. Subway sandwiches,apples, and Little Debbie snacks...what no chocolate milk or bananas?

I finished at 2:09:04.....12 sec faster than my first half. I will say this was my toughest race for many reasons but makes it even more rewarding.

I would run it again next year and hopefully try to break my time! Besides I want to win one of the cool age groups awards...see the last pic.

Words cannot describe...

What I am feeling.

I came down with the flu Sunday night..fever, chills and bad body aches. I was sleeping off a fever in bed on Monday when my mom called to check in on me. She said " Did you hear about the explosions?" Ummm no I have the flu I don't know what is going on with the world. I turned on the bedroom TV and my stomach sank. I cried for all involved.
I send my thoughts and prayers to all involved and for those injured, lost and deceased.

This is not right.....this is at a fellow running race....The Boston Marathon....beyond that, it is not right because it just is not right period. I sound idealistic but it is what I feel.
We are supposed to love one another, support one another as humans. Not break down each other and not hurt others or kill each other.
I wish for a better world for us all.

In the words of John Lennon singing one of my favorite songs

Imagine-John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

You, you may say 
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world

You, you may say 
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Friday Five

1.Lack of blogging!  I know I know, I have not blogged for awhile, not that I haven't wanted to. I have wanted to but it seems like I am busy with lots but yet not. Anyways I will try to blog more and maybe even more pictures.

2. Running a 5k tomorrow the Black Squirrel 5K in Kent Ohio at KSU. This race is different for me. I am actually going out to run this for speed. Most races I run my best, but tomorrow I am going to try and push myself where I have not gone before.

3. My knee and ankle are doing better. My ankle still is sometimes sore around the Achilles area due to when I broke it last year. My knee- I have no clue but after I run I ice. Trying to be nice to it.

4. Running a half marathon on 4/20. A pop up half marathon. Run to the Beach at Portage Lakes. Not sure how I will do on time but it is local and smaller venue. I wanted to do one where I didn't have to travel to get home afterwards. I am getting nervous about running a half in middle of July with heat and humidity.

5. It is Friday!!!!

Have you ever done a Half marathon in the middle of summer?