Up next: Massachusetts

It's been two weeks now since the Boston Marathon bombings took place on April 15.  You don't have to be a runner to feel the impact of what happened but as a runner you know that running a race is the last place you'd imagine something that tragic happening.

I've had Massachusetts on my radar now for some time and hoped I could get it in this year.  After what happened I started to peruse races in Boston to see if I could not only run a Half but also pay tribute in some way.  I came across the perfect race.  The Boston's Run to Remember is a race that has always been a tribute to law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty over the years.  It is not only a fun course through historic Boston but a great way to say thank you to these guys.

I'll be flying to Boston Memorial Day weekend to run the Half.  I've never been and I can't imagine a better time to go than now.

Nashville race weekend

Talk about a weekend with some highs and lows.  Without question the best part of it was traveling to Nashville to run this half with some from my running group.  We've ran many races together but this was our first out of state.  And here I thought they were already a fun bunch of ladies when just discussing my life over a Sunday morning jog.  Throw in some country music with line dancing and it's a whole other story.

The low was certainly the terrible race day weather.  We're not talking a light drizzle.  We're talking a constant rain with some heavy winds to boot.  It wasn't fun to run in.  We got soaked.  But, we got through it.  The troopers of the day were definitely my friends Melissa and Susan.  This was their first half marathon and they did it in some pretty challenging weather.  Running your first half is already nerve wracking as it is.  To do it under those conditions was impressive to say the least.  They did great and I'm happy the weather didn't put a damper on their achievement.

Unfortunately, once the race was over getting back to the hotel then turned into an odyssey.  I like to consider myself a veteran of the Rock n Roll Race series at this point.  I've run quite a few.  And they've always been well organized.  So all this was a bit surprising.  The shuttle "service" was terrible.  We had to wait for nearly 45 minutes in the rain as shuttles were scattered about and staff were visibly organizing this on the fly.  Once we got on ours everyone was clearly annoyed, wet, cold, and tired from running 13 miles.  Moods weren't pleasant.  So it didn't help when our driver refused to drop us off at our hotel (as we were told) due to "the street being closed off."  The best part of this was when he dropped us off five blocks away and we then saw him driving right past our hotel on a street that was completely open.  It was at that time I decided we were ready for our evening to start.

That night we all went downtown for some drinks, (I stuck with a Nashville favorite, Yazoo IPA), country music, and lots of line dancing.  It was my first time line dancing and it was a blast.  I was told I'm a natural.

A great weekend with great friends.  With a little bit of luck it won't be the last race I run with this group during my challenge.  As of yesterday I now have 30 to go so plenty of opportunities.

Up next:  Massachusetts.

View of Nashville from my hotel balcony

I've always wanted to take a "finish line" shot at an Expo

Our half marathon first timers Susan and Melissa (L to R)

Group shot with my good friends Lorin, Monique, Crystal, Melissa and Susan (L to R)

Time for an early dinner

These pickles were a game changer.

I skipped the pasta and went with a classic steak and eggs.

You know you're in the south when you come across a piggly wiggly

My lovely sister Carla ready for 13.1

I love this picture because it's what I would look like as just a head and feet.

The group is ready to go.

And we're soaked

Sorry for the blurriness

The restaurant name 'Hog Heaven' says it all.

Sliced beef brisket + mash potatoes + BBQ beans = bliss

Downtown Nashville

Girls will be girls when it comes to Elvis

Wildhorse Saloon

This must be the wild horseman

Brother Trouble

Line dancing and more line dancing

Up Next: Tennessee

I will be flying to Nashville in ten days (weekend of April 27) to run the Nashville Rock n Roll Half.  I will be joined by Carla, my nephew Richy, and the ladies of my running group who'll all be there to run it as well.

This is the first Half of my challenge that I will be joined by my running group (affectionately known as the Coven) as well as my nephew.  It's going to be a fun weekend filled with lots of country music and line dancing.  Yep - line dancing (never done it).  It's been agreed upon that this is a weekend must.  The pictures will be abundant.

More to come soon.

My nephew Richy is way, way cooler than me.  This is one of my favorite pics of him.

The best running group (and friends) a runner could ask for.

North Carolina race weekend

A great weekend in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  The weather was sunny/warm and the course a beautiful run through Kitty Hawk.  My apologies for the lack of photos but you can say I was a bit caught up in the weekend and simply taking in the whole experience.

I arrived in Nags Head and checked in to the Oasis Suites which offered some stunning views of the water.  I went to pick up my race packet and had an early evening as I was a bit tired from the day. To ensure I didn't oversleep I requested a wake up call for 5:45 am.  I know I don't usually mention this particular detail but in this situation it's important to note.  I say that because I never got that wake up call.

I wanted to be up at 5:45 am to get ready and take the 12 mile drive to the start line for a 7 am start.  However, considering I never got the call I woke up at 6:35 am.  You'd think panic would set in but I remained relatively calm.  I got dressed, drove to the start, and was crossing over the start line just as they were removing the time chip reader.

As I said, the course was beautiful taking you along the water and through Kitty Hawk.  It was a sunny, cool morning which only added to the experience.  I ended up finishing in 1:41:02. 

My next race will be in Nashville in two weeks.  I'll be joined by my sister, nephew, and the best running group a runner could ask for.  It's going to be a fun weekend that will certainly include some line dancing and plenty of country music.

I love the "Welcome to State" sign pic

View from my suite

A sunset over the Outer Banks

Up next: North Carolina

Well, after a tough weekend in South Carolina I'm really looking forward to next month and some nice weather on the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  I'll be heading there weekend of April 13 for the Flying Pirate Half Marathon.

I'll be leaving early Saturday (April 13) to arrive and enjoy the beaches before check in at the hotel.  I'll only be staying the one night Saturday and running Sunday morning.

I've booked a room at the Oasis Suites which is right off the beach and not far from the start line.  It looks great here:  http://www.oasissuites.com/

South Carolina race day

In my blog post Friday night I mentioned that allergies were starting to take their grip on me with constant sneezing, coughing, and headache.  I mean I didn't feel sick when I woke up Friday morning so that had to be it.   Well, I was wrong.

It wasn't until I woke up Saturday morning for the race that I felt this was a bit more than allergies.  I had the muscle aches.  Anyone who's had a flu knows that feeling.  Everything hurts.  My back, arms, shoulders, everything.  On top of that I continued to have the sneeze, cough and headache.  This wasn't allergies.  It was a full blown flu.

But, as I snoozed my alarm and debated whether or not to skip this Half, I realized I had driven eight hours to be here.  There was no way I was going to skip.  I got out of bed, put on my running gear, and did my best to rally.

I got to the race start and immediately my headache worsened.  But, I got it going and by mile five I actually felt I could push through it.  Then I hit mile 10.  When I say those last three miles felt like they lasted forever, I mean it.  I was sneezing and aching and didn't really know what else to do but just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I did and finished in 1:54:32.

I'd say this may be among the most challenging races I've done to date because of this flu.  The course was nice.  A bit hilly but nothing out of this world.  But, to do one sick is definitely a new experience.

And now I look forward to North Carolina and Tennessee next month.

Runners gather at Shaver Recreation Complex for start

Sunrise over Seneca

Race start

No medals for this Half but a very cool coaster

South Carolina arrival

It was an early morning getting up at 4 am to get on the road by 4:45.  I figured it would be about an eight hour drive to Seneca.  It ended up being a little over, arriving at 1 pm. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take many pictures today as I had to head back to my hotel after I picked up my packet.  I'm not sure if I'm coming down with a bad cold or if it's allergies.  I'm constantly sneezing and have a pretty bad headache.  I met a nice lady at lunch who sat with me and told me people can get hit pretty hard with allergies in this area.  So that may be it. Either way, I'm not feeling well which will make running a half marathon quite interesting tomorrow.

I am hoping to get some snaps of the foothills after the race and before I get on the road.  Plenty of race day pics to come tomorrow.

34 degrees isn't fun when you're still half asleep.

The obligatory "Welcome to State" sign

68 degrees with sunny skies.  Much better.