Rock n Roll Savannah: Remix Challenge

This past weekend, my sister Cori and I did the Remix Challenge for Rock n Roll Savannah by doing the half on Saturday and the 1 mile on Sunday.  This will be a wordy review - just grab a coffee now ;)

She got into town late Wednesday night.  Then we stayed up until like 4 in the morning....I'm still trying to fix my sleep schedule!  Thursday we popped into the expo in between my two classes.  We got there around 3 or 3:30, I believe.  We had no wait anywhere at all in the expo.  We found some new foods we liked, signed up to win free races, and spend way more money than we should have.  It was a really fun time, and I actually liked having the time constraint of getting back to class; I think it stopped me from spending even more money!  I've heard rumors that others had issues with the expo on Friday.  I guess that is one benefit to being local!

Saturday morning we woke up far too early, around 4:30.  We hopped in the car and headed to Hutchinson Island (the Convention Center across the river).  Going over the Talmadge was terrifying with all of the fog!  We couldn't see any other cars until we were super close to them.  But we made it safely and made our way onto the ferry.  Will stayed with us in/next to the corral until it was almost time to take off.  RnR didn't start letting runners off until around 7:15 instead of 7.  It wasn't a huge deal, but there was nothing communicated that I heard about why we were running late, so that was slightly unnerving.  I read later it was due to the fog, but we still started in heavy fog so that makes no sense to me.  Oh well! 

I was in corral 18 and she was in 21, which were just assigned based on our estimated finish time.  After corral 10, I believe, they didn't have the corrals fenced in and weren't checking numbers, so we started in 18.  According to Will we actually went off with what they announced as 19, I guess just due to people feeding in as we walked up.  We were right in front of the corral and took off running down Bay St.  I did get confused at first.  In my sleep deprived brain, I just knew I'd run the event before, but none of what we were running looked familiar.  Silly me forgot I did the relay, and only ran the second half - that was much more comfortable and familiar, and in a part of town I actually knew.

Going into this race, Cori and I both knew we were undertrained.  Neither of us had been running or working out.  After Spartan on Sept. 19, I went to yoga a couple times and weight lifted maybe 3 times, but that was about it.  We didn't know what was going to happen in this race.  Running wasn't working for her, but I kept on with my intervals as long as I could.  Spoiler alert: We later found each other anyway!  Here's my breakdown of the race.

Before the half

The ferry ready to board

Clearly, our spectator is enthusiastic

Start line selfies!

Just running through zombie fog...nbd

Mile 0 - 5ish - We were in the ghetto, there's no easy way to say that.  There were condemned houses right and left, we went through the train stockyards, over multiple train tracks, etc.  Not the best way to showcase Savannah, and not a part of town I'd ever been in before.  That said, the locals were out all over the place and every one of them was offering continuous good mornings, good jobs, God blesses, etc.  They were pleasant and nice and super supportive!  The only exception to this was a small group of people 'protesting' about someone a cop had killed, etc.  This was around mile 2 and was not something I found appropriate to the race.  I just tried to block it out.  

Mile 1: 14:29

Mile 2: 14:02

Mile 3: 16:46 (fixing shoe and water stop)

Mile 4: 15:33

Mile 5 - 7 - No, this is not broken up evenly.  I tried to mentally break this race into 5ks to get through it, but this recap is based on how I think of the race.  This brought us into the "normal" part of historic downtown and into familiar territory for me.  Also just past the 10k mark is the relay transition zone, so then it was the part of the course I'd actually run before too.  More spectators were out with signs and enthusiasm, a great band was in the middle of Oglethorpe Ave, and it was a great time.  Mile 5 was when I started being affected by the heat, and a lot of pain started kicking in, and I truly slowed down.  Somewhere just past mile 5, I took a bathroom break, and it truly helped just to have a moment to reset.  That unfortunately only lasted for about a mile, and then I started having bad pain in my bad foot.  At the 10k mark, we turned onto Oglethorpe.  The course takes you down about half a mile, and then there's the turn around to go back up the other side of the road.  They were starting to divert people here and made them turn around before the rest of us.  This is where I caught up with Cori.  She had thankfully found a buddy to walk with, and I began walking with the two of them.  I walked through mile 7 to try to deal with the pain that was now in my bad foot, knee, and both hips.

Mile 5: 16:39 (heat and pain started kicking in)

Mile 6: 18:43

Mile 7: 19:53

Loved this group!

Mile 8 - end - Around 7.5 I tried to start my intervals again.  Spoiler alert - it didn't work.  Around 8.5 is the first time we really had to deal with the sun.  Don't get me wrong, there were definitely heat and humidity problems before that, but they were just compounded by the sun.  A few things I haven't mentioned that happened before this point - water stations were already out of water.  They still had cups and were filling them from local hoses.  I know this definitely happened at at least one stop because the hose was right next to the station, and might have happened at others, I couldn't tell you.  There's no denying it was hot, and we were at 100% humidity.  I was running hot at some times, but scarily cold at others - with a heat index of over 80 degrees, there's no reason I should have been cold, and definitely took that as a cue to take it easy.  There was also a station in this section who had water somehow, but was out of cups.  They were literally pouring water into people's hands - totally ineffective by the way.

Just past mile 9 was where we were diverted on Henry St.  There was also an angel of a lady with a huge cooler full I knew I wasn't far ahead of Cori because I'd barely run since I left her, so I just waited.  Since we were going to get in early, I knew Will might not be at the finish line yet, and I couldn't cross that finish line without someone there for me.  Plus, I figured it wasn't like I had a good rhythm going anyway, so I might as well have some fun until the finish and spend some time with my sister.  They were turning us before these next couple pictures, but she wanted a selfie with them and they didn't insist we turn yet, so we pressed on a couple tenths of a mile.  We could have gone up further before being forced to turn, but decided to do so after the big inflatable.  

Right before we turned around

But first - one more selfie

Unfortunately, after the turn, we had absolutely no freaking clue where we were.  We didn't know how long until the finish, which makes me very nervous.  I don't like not knowing where my mileage is, no matter how slow I'm moving, but it was just something I had accepted.  It turns out we were about a mile and a half from the finish when we turned around.  Cori, Michelle (the walking buddy she had found) and I walked ourselves into the end.  We were hot, we were tired, we were dehydrated, and we were in pain.  Well, I know Cori and I were, I suppose I shouldn't speak for others.  We had merged back in with the full marathoners, and tried to avoid getting in their way.  We talked, we laughed, we tried to make the best of the situation.

Finally, we came across the finish line.  We ran for all the photographers towards the end, and of course across the finish line.  I came in at 11.45 miles in 3:20:24 (moving time 3:10:04).

Mile 8: 16:52

Mile 9: 18:33

Mile 10: 21:45

Mile 11: 19:03

Last .45: 8:00

After - Thankfully, we found Will quickly and got out of the finisher's area as fast as we could.  I was in too much pain and couldn't handle people at that point.  We got about half a block down and sat on a stranger's front steps (sorry stranger!).  I was trying to calm down and let my body process what just happened.  We drank chocolate milk and listened to Rascal Flatts from afar.  We switched running shoes for flip flops and I put on compression sleeves.  We had about a mile walk down Abercorn St to get to the ferry to get back across to Hutchinson.  We made a couple stops along the way because of the pain I was in.  Oh, and to get Leopold's and beer.

It was a decent race overall.  I have a lot of conflicting thoughts.  I didn't perform as I could have both due to lack of training and due to the heat.  Spoiler alert - even people who live here are not prepared for 80+ temps and 100% humidity in November.  When I did this race 2 years ago, it was freezing at the start and I was warm but not scorching hot in long sleeves.  I believe last year it started out around 50 degrees.  There's absolutely no reason water stops should have been out of water or cups.  Many people went to the hospital due to heat related issues, and sadly one person died.  Another died later that day after collapsing in a post-race shower.  They were tough conditions and I don't mind missing the 1.6 miles I don't have, but I know some do.  It was a tough call to make.

On the long walk back to the car

The 1 Mile

The next, the weather was perfect for running! Low 60's and drizzling rain.  We headed over to Daffin and found parking a lot more easily than expected.  Yes, all the locals were in long sleeves and pants.  Yes, they looked at Cori like she was crazy for wearing shorts and short sleeves.  I was wearing CW-X compression capris.  They helped SO much and I felt so much better while I wore them!  I probably need one size up but oh well.

I did 2 minutes run:1 minute walk and finished in 12:07.  I was proud of myself because I ran the first .2 straight and the last .27!  When I was about to start running I was at .73 and told myself I could run the last quarter mile.  It was difficult and I was going to stop for a few seconds and catch my breath, but there were soldiers stationed along the last .15-.2 and I couldn't stop in front of them! So I just pushed on.  

I've never run the day after a half before, and I think it helped a TON with making my legs feel better!  

Before the 1 mile

We couldn't take a picture there because of the rain, and how cold we got after we stopped running.  But we picked up our Remix medals and went home and took a picture there.  Unfortunately, it was blurry, but we're still cute!

Blurry - but all the medals!

Were you involved in RnR Savannah weekend? What were your thoughts on the heat?

I'm linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run.  They're talking about Post Race Celebrations this week - go check them out! Our celebrations included lots of food, naps, and milkshakes!

Lauren

Old Port Shipyard Half

April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Patty from My No Guilt Life, and Erika from MCM Mama Runs host Tuesdays on the Run.  Today they are talking about Core Strength.  However, I'm horrible at doing core exercises and know nothing about them.  So you can take a peek at their blogs for some input on that, and I'll keep working on it!

In the meantime, I'm going to tell you about a race I've been meaning to tell you about! July 11 I was up in Portland, ME for another half with my big sister.  The one I ran the Savannah Women's Half with in March.  I flew up what was supposed to be Wednesday night, but ended up being Thursday morning, and came home the next Monday night.  We explored Portland and had tons of fun together!  

Friday night we went to a lobster bake.  Cori had to give me a lesson on how to properly deconstruct a lobster.  It's actually somewhat disappointing how little you get out of it...oh well! There was a band called Hello Newman playing, and it was a whole night of 90's throwbacks.  It was great, and helped to settle my nerves about the race the next morning.

As we were walking to the corral Saturday morning, I ran into my cousin Rob! I haven't seen him in at least 5 years, probably longer, so that was exciting!  We took off running and boy were we in for a surprise!  I knew it would be hilly, but it was so bad and painful!  Some places were straight up, and so many less were straight down.  Around mile 8 we got into Back Cove, which is a gravel trail.  This killed me.  Normally I love a softer surface to run on, but the extra effort of pushing off the dirt was killing me.  I don't think I ran at all after that. 

There was a woman I saw at the beginning and ended up walking the last couple miles together.  She usually organizes a 5k for her son who passed away, but couldn't bring together her own run this year, so she decided to run the half instead!  Her husband and other kids were waiting at the finish line and it was so touching to see.  

I was underprepared for this distance and for the hills, but I finished and that's what matters! 

What races have you done lately?
Lauren

Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon - 3/28/15

On Saturday, March 28th, my sister and I ran the inaugural Savannah Women's Half Marathon, sponsored by Publix.  Before I talk to you about running, I have to explain how important that sentence is.  I apologize for the sappy offshoot, but for me it's worth it!

I was adopted at birth, because my parents wanted to have a baby together but couldn't.  Cori is my biological (half) sister.  When I was 18, she found me on Facebook, and told me she wanted to be a part of my life.  I was overwhelmed at first, to say the least, but eventually did start talking to her.  Four years later, I'm so so so happy that I did.  Of course I love my non-biological siblings just as much, and nothing has changed there.  But, it's a lot different to have someone close to my age, and it was like having an instant best friend.  I met her in person for the first time when Ray and I vacationed in New England in Spring of 2013.  The second time was when she came down here for a long weekend, and a race!

Cori got in late Wednesday night.  Thursday was a pretty chill day.  Friday we had lunch with my parents, which I thought would be awkward, but ended up being really great!  Then we picked up our packets (which included a pasta strainer? thanks Publix!).  And then we got to be tourists and took a trolley ride! It started pouring rain about halfway through, but at least Cori got the true Georgia experience.  

Saturday we were up bright and early to head downtown for the race.  We were lucky to have Ray as our personal photographer and chauffeur (just don't tell him I called him that).  We were also lucky to get a parking spot right on the edge of Forsyth!  I was a little chilly at the start, hence the mylar blanket, but Cori is a Maine native as was totally fine.  I think it was around 50 at race start, and warmed up to about 65 at the maximum that day.  It was an absolutely perfect running day! Slightly overcast too.

The race started and ended in Forsyth Park. We made our way through a lot of downtown Savannah, a good chunk of which I'd never been through before.  Our midpoint of the race took us around Daffin.  We wound around a lot of squares, too.  It was a pretty course!

The water stops had really enthusiastic volunteers.  I feel like maybe there could have been one or two more, but I was pretty happy with them overall.  There weren't a lot of spectators out aside from the water stops, but my sister and I still had years of catching up, so we kept ourselves pretty entertained.  The spectators did pick up towards the end, when we were hurting, so that was good and helpful.

This was Cori's first half, so I was excited for her to be able to cross the finish line for the first time!  We were planning to do my normal 1:1 run:walk, but then ended up walking after mile 1.  Cori has some crowd anxiety issues, and they started acting up at the crowded start line.  It didn't help that we saw a lady fall within the first mile. She seemed to be fine, but it shook Cori up a bit, which I understood completely.  The 5k split off at around 2.5 miles so it did thin out a bit, but she had lingering anxieties.  So we kept walking.  

Let me tell you a thing - anyone who says people that walk races aren't true racers are so wrong.  Walking is hard!  And I knew it used different muscles from running, but I didn't realize just how severe the difference was.  I was hurting in muscles I didn't know existed.  I guess with run/walking I keep both sets of muscles happier.  But wow was I getting sore!

The only issue I really had with this race is there were a lot of out and backs.  Daffin Park was a big one - we went through that park at least 5 different times.  It's a pretty park, but not a big one, and it got boring.  And there was a lot of "go down this street for less than a mile then come back" which I didn't appreciate.  It was just mentally draining, and since we were both physically drained at that point, it just stopped being fun.  We soldiered through though, and finally crossed the finish line! Sadly there were no mimosas, but we got a banana and we were on our way.

After a shower and a change of clothes (which only happened after we contemplated living in the car so we didn't have to walk up the stairs), we headed out to Tybee for lunch.  We had wayyyyyy too much delicious seafood, but happy tastebuds!  Then that night we were off to get our matching tattoos.  These were last minute but so much fun! I also wouldn't recommend running a half and getting a tattoo in the same day.  And then working for 5 hours the next day...not the best recovery plan but oh well!

Cori and I didn't have much time left together, but we made the most of it while relaxing!

In just two months we'll get to run our next half together, and have more adventures!

Tunnels to Towers Recap

Last Saturday, September 13th, we ran the Tunnels to Towers race.  You can see the history behind the race in my recap from last year here.  It's a really great race with an awesome cause.  Lots of military and firefighters are involved, in various amounts of gear.  

We tried to dress as patriotically as possible, like last weekend, but our roommate apparently didn't get the memo.  I suppose he can be excused since he is military.  I recently joined Team RWB, to support military and veterans.  I haven't been involved all too much with them, but recently got my shirt and got lots of love and support on the course! They're a great group and have lots of local chapters.

My original goal was to beat last year's time which was 41:22.  That didn't happen at all.  We ended up coming in at 43:04 and it was super difficult.  For some reason I've been nauseous on and off for almost two weeks now, especially after I eat.  Well, even with my very first running interval, I could feel the nausea setting in.  I tried to push through it the best I could, but it made for a very difficult race.  It was still really inspiring and a great experience though!

Did you have any 9/11 related races?

Lauren

Pooler 5k Review

Another race put on by ERS, Endurance Race Services, is the Pooler 5k.  It's part of the Pooler Patriot Weekend, which is an event celebrating our military with events like a golf tournament, a festival, fireworks, a food tasting.  The 5k is mostly associated with it, but they're trying to bring the two events more together.

This is an out and back course that goes through some of the neighborhoods of Pooler that I'd never seen before, so that was interesting to go through!  There's also a really mean part of the course where we went through the 10k finish line at less than halfway through the 5k!  There was a water stop about halfway through.

I felt pretty accomplished in this race.  At one point, around halfway, I ran for 2 minutes straight.  1 minute is usually a struggle, so I really pushed to get through the 2, and it made me feel great when I did it!  Also, there's an older gentleman who power walks a lot of the 5k's we do, and he always beats us.  But! At this 5k, we beat him for the first time!  We felt accomplished because of that.  Also, I had an unspoken goal of 42 minutes, and as we were coming up to the finish line it was reading at 41 and change, so I sprinted faster than I think I ever have to get to that finish line and passed right at 42!  I smoked Ray at the end too, so that was exciting ;)

My only complaint about this race is that it does go over a set of train tracks.  While I don't think anyone in this race was stopped by the train, one did go through during the awards ceremony, so that could have been troublesome.  I think they were talking about changing the course next year, possibly for this reason? so we'll see what happens.

Also, as a 2 year anniversary present, Ray got me the Newton Energy's that I've been wanting for a while now!  They're not quite as extreme as the Momentums I have now, and I wanted to start rotating shoes.  I haven't tried them yet but I plan to this upcoming week!

Have you gotten running gear as an anniversary present?

Lauren

Milestone 10k Review

We have a local group in Savannah, Endurance Race Services, that put on quite a few events each year.  The races are affordable, a really good size, and generally have pretty good courses!

On August 30th, Ray and I did the Milestone 10k.  They put this 10k and half marathon on as a 'milestone' to check if you're on track for the Savannah Rock n Roll (November 8).

This course is in Pooler, GA, about a 30 minute drive from our apartment.  It's flat, as is everything in this area, and a semi-closed course.  There were 2 water stops for the 10k, both with water and Gatorade and great volunteers.  The races generally are raising money for a local charity, and I believe this one was getting a liver for someone in need.  Or a kidney.  I feel really bad for not remembering, I just know it was a vital organ! Anyway, the second water stop, at the turn around, were involved with the cause, so that was cool.

The race director, Dan, actually runs most of his own races, so it's always cool to see him on course.  He's fast, but unlike most of the "elite" people who are very in their zone, he's always tossing out encouragements to those he's passing on the way back!

One complaint I did have was that everyone got race belts (little pouch and bib clips) instead of t-shirts.  I actually do wear my race shirts so I would have much rather had one, and I don't believe this was advertised anywhere.  Also, the race started at least 5 minutes early, so I was basically running out of the portapotty trying to get my Garmin to find signal.  It didn't find it until we had crossed the start link and I felt super rushed since I was counting on a few more minutes to get myself together.  Side note - the portapotties were fully stocked with toilet paper so that was definitely a plus.

There were finisher medals for everyone that finished, 10k and half, which is great for someone who never places!  However, for those who did place - they didn't have age group awards for the 10k (I think they did for the half but we left before then), they just called out the top 3 in each age group instead.  I do understand that it's a small, local race company, but it was just kind of odd to me since all of their other races have age group awards!

Just a few small pet peeves though, you have to have the bad with the good!  Overall their races run great, packet pickup is usually at a local store, and it's just a fun environment.

That night, we went to this little tiny bar on one of the islands to see Ray's stepdad perform as Elvis.  Someone was having their birthday party there and requested Elvis.  This is something he does regular at different venues.  It was so much fun, even though we were some of the few people under 45 or so.  Of course we got dressed up!  Our roommate missed the 50's theme just a little bit and went as Magnum PI instead, but at least he had fun =)

I'd never gone to a themed event really, outside of Halloween of course.  Have you?

Lauren

Tuesdays on the Run: Fall Race Plans

Patty, Erika, and April host Tuesdays on the Run, and this week we're talking about Fall Racing Plans!

I'll tell you about my big plans first!

November 8th is the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon! I'm so absolutely THRILLED that I'm doing this!  I've heard so many positive things about the race, and, uhm Disney?  My boyfriend and roommate will be going to cheer me on.  We're not planning a long trip, unfortunately, just going down Friday and coming home Sunday.  And on Sunday we're going to Ohana for breakfast, which I'm really excited about.  Plus, I'll get to see my RunnersLove girls again!! So much excitement for this trip!

Next up is the Space Coast on November 30th.  The really exciting thing about this is that Ray is running it with me and it will be his first half marathon!  Our training is going fairly decently.  It definitely could be better, but we're working together to encourage each other so that he has a great first experience.

Yep, this guy is finally moving up to a half.

Then, a week later (and yes, we're probably crazy for this) we have the Savannah Bridge Run.  Except we're not just doing the 5k and going over the bridge once.  Nope.  We're doing the 15k and going over it 3 times.  Why?  Because the Double Pump has a medal.

At the end of December, I MIGHT be doing the Biggest Loser Panama City.  I have a registration for it that I won, I just have to make sure I can get the time off of work and have the money for a hotel, etc.  I'm still up in the air about this one.

We also have a lot of local 5ks, possibly a 10k, and on September 20th a Mud Run!  I'm really excited for all of those as well, but they aren't as exciting for you ;) I will update my upcoming races widget though, so you can keep track if you want to!

Will you be at any of these races?

Lauren

Bobcat Scorcher 5k

Last Saturday, August 16, we ran the Bobcat Scorcher in Bluffton, SC.  It was 79 with 94% humidity.  The temperature didn't bother me one but, but I felt like I was breathing in air!  The race went through a gated community, and all of the houses were absolutely gorgeous.  It was a flat course, as with everything down here, and a really good run!

We finished in 44:38 which is a 14:21 pace.  We only took about 5 extra walk breaks, I believe.  We haven't ran much at all this summer, so I wasn't too disappointed.  It was also 1:20 faster than the race we did 7/26, so that was great!

To be perfectly honest, the main reason I did this race was because there were tie-dye t-shirts.  The bibs were too, and they were so cute!

Afterwards they had pizza, oranges, bananas, and GIANT pieces of watermelon.

Overall, it was a great race, though a really fast one.  I'll probably do it again next year, even if only for the t-shirts.

How have you been holding up in the heat?

Lauren

Asheville Half Marathon

My birthday was on June 5th, so for my weekend I went to Asheville!  Ray and I had lots of fun, ate lots of local food, and had a nice weekend away.

But, of course, it included the Asheville Half on June 7th, Saturday.  I'm not going to go into a lot of details, I'll sum it up in a few words.  Hills.  Heat.  Hills.  Hills.

It was an inaugural race, but it was put on by the people who run the Cooper River Bridge Run, which is a 10k that's been going on for 35 years I think, in Charleston, SC.  Despite this history, I had a lot of problems with the race.  Some were being a back-of-the-pack-er issues (I ended up walking completely after mile 5 of so, ending just under 4 hours), which should not have been an issue since that was the advertised cut off time, and the race indicated they were walker friendly.  I also had/have an issue with my time.  My starting time was recorded, but I have no finish time.  I called their "office", which I believe to be a cell phone number whose voicemail box was full already, due to other complaints (I know this from their Facebook page).  I called originally June 10th, couldn't leave a voicemail, but was called back later that day from a different number because they saw the missed call.  I let them know what was happening, and they said they would look into it and contact me back.    I had actually somewhat forgotten about it, and ended up calling back on 6/24, and the phone was actually answered.  I have no idea by who, because they just answered with a "hello" despite it being an office phone, which threw me off as well.  Got an e-mail from the director that I was copied on, going out to two other people, the next day, just asking them to update my chip time to 4 hours.  First of all, I told them it was just under 4 hours, and I'd rather have the real time than just have them put a time in!  But, despite that, I haven't heard back from them.  I just e-mailed them again today because this post reminded me of it.

So, overall, I'm not too impressed.  They also advertised music every mile.  I didn't see a station for it each mile, and also most of the bands/musicians were shut down by the time I got there, so that was disappointing as well.

I highly doubt that I'll do this race again in the future, but I may definitely still go to Asheville for my birthday weekend.  Maybe I'll just spectate and cheer others on from now on.

I think that catches me up on race recaps.  I've been doing less because of the summer heat.  Have you taken a summer break at all?

Lauren