Azalea 10K Run 2012

 

 

  On Thursday, I went to pick up my packet for the race and these girls were there to greet me as I walked in.  They were the official tour guides through the historic homes along the Azalea Trail for this year. I asked if I could take their picture because I knew that Abbie would LOVE looking at their dresses. I got my packet quickly and was off.  Later that evening around 6:30 pm,  I was showing Michael my tshirt (which was U.G.L.Y!!)  and happened to pull out my bib number and I noticed that it had a man’s name on it that I knew should have been mine.  I just went into a panic thinking that they were now closed and I had the wrong number and tracking device for my running time. I knew that I wouldn’t have time Saturday morning to get it all straightened out. Michael, Austin and I made a quick trip back into town to try and get my bib/tracking number before they closed at 7:00pm. Luckily, they were not closed and they were very sorry for the mix up. I was able to get the correct number and I was on my way once again.

Saturday morning started off well.  Michael dropped me off at the start line and  told me he would meet me at the 2 mile marker. I quickly linked up with Donella and her son, McKay. We started the race and I was feeling pretty good and then I started to get tired quickly. I hung in there and kept up with the front runners and then started to fall back. I finally got into a comfortable pace and stayed there.  I started getting frustrated because I knew that I had done two miles and I had never seen any mile markers nor my husband!!! He said he was at 2.5 mile marker and that I never saw him. Finally, at mile #4 I see Michael!!!! He was standing at the bottom of a hill…...Grrrrr!!!!! I was feeling disappointed because I knew that I looked spent and knew that I still had two miles to go.  I got back into my groove and kept pace with this girl who had wet her pants!! Seriously!!!! Look at the second to last picture and see for yourself. I call that determination on her part! The picture before that, I’m looking down at my phone and he had just texted me and it said “RUN DON’T TEXT!!” He thought I wasn’t concentrating on my time and slacking off.  Actually, I was skipping to the next song on my music list…..(:  As I was nearing the finish line, I get a text from Michael which says  “You’ve got it now. Keep going thru the park (finish line) and I’m across the street in the donut shop . Walk towards Walgreens”. Okay, now I’m PISSED!!!  After finishing, I re-read the message and was sooooo deflated!!! I wanted him there at the finish line!!! So I walk half a mile to get to him and I was not a happy camper. He was trying to talk with me and all I could say is “where were YOU???”.   I then asked him to take a picture of me there in the donut shop parking lot at least (take a look at the last picture and you can see that I wasn’t very happy).  I just wanted a picture as I was coming across the finish line!! The donut shop parking lot would have to do. Okay, now that I’m thinking clearly  I see that  I lost my cool but I was tired and frustrated with the course and I took it out on him. I am grateful he was there to cheer me on. He is my rock!!! I just wanted him there when I crossed the finish line. To make a long story short I finished in 67 minutes which isn’t that great but I know that I could have done better.  The hills set me back a little.  Next time I will breeze right through those hills. LOL!!!! It was a great race overall.