Sara-Marie's Thoughts: April 2007

I did it!

I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run!

I did it! Amazingly I am not tired.....It's Sunday, one day after the race. I ran a 10k, my first and this will not be my last! Let me recap my weekend:

Friday, I took off from work to drive down to Charleston. I got up early and went to drop off some stuff and to run last minute errands. I was so excited I even helped CAM stuff envelopes....LOL! I then went home to pack and to pay some bills before I headed off to Charleston. By 1 pm I was on the road...singing my favorite CD Cree Summers almost all the way. 3.5 hours later I was in Charleston...picking up my race packet. I kept looking at my cell phone to see if Nancy or Beth would call me...but they did not. I wondered if Beth would make it...she was doing this race and pregnant. But I decided to not to worry and to stay focused on me. Because in the end...its all about me!

The auditorium where I had to pick up my race packet was a litany of information about racing and running. I could have purchased anything I wanted, new sneakers, new gear, those addictive jelly beans (I loved them) and even a spa! Trust me I was perplexed about why they had a spa....but then again....I know they made some serious sales. This race program was well thought out and planned. They had a list of things to do, places to go and see when you were not running. I decided to walk around and map out a walking tour for the Girl Scout's trip in June. I ended up walking about 1.5 miles. Then I decided to go check into my hotel.

The drive to Mt. Pleasant was short, but my lack of attention to detail, maybe the hunger factor or the lack of map (I left it at home) made me miss the hotel 2 times. I ended up driving back over the Cooper River Bridge to get my bearing again. I remember John (running trainer) stating the hotel was near a Whole Foods. So I decided to get some food and to ask for directions. Fortunately, Whole Foods has the best and healthiest selection of delectable dishes. I forgot I was lost and began choosing my dinner, nothing too heavy. Just a little pasta, small salad and a protein drink with a lot of water. I then asked for directions, one man, was kind and tried his best to help me, but he was stumped as well. However, he pointed me in the right direction.

I finally got to the hotel and checked in. I got cozy and ate dinner in front of the TV....I may have gotten 5 hours of sleep because of my nerves. Tammy called me and woke me up to chat about men, I hope I gave her good advice. My mind was on running. I woke up at 5 am and made myself relax until 5:45 am. I then got up and ready. By 6 am I was in my gear putting my chip on my sneaker. I was hyped! I drove to the Harris Teeter and got safety pins, bananas and water. I ate my bananas and walked to the start of the race. Okay, note to self....the walk to the start was 1 mile away. It was good because I needed to stretch and get the nerves out.

As I walked I met 2 girls from the run group, they were carrying the sign for the Charlotte Runners group. While walking we noticed a striking Kenyan man running towards us working out his kinks, and we were told he was the winner last year. Wow.....I was impressed with his time. Can you imagine running 6.2 miles under 30 minutes? I just wanted to break my 1:45 minute time. When we reached the start line it was amazing....over 40,000 folks waiting to start the race. I was impressed! How they managed to organize us and to get that many folks to come out is awe inspiring. I guess over 30 years of working out the kinks helped, but I think it has more to do with the organizers and their commitment!

So after the officials made the traditional welcomes and comments, we noticed the helicopters, there were folks dressed as chicken costumes, bull costumes, or as bowling pins, you name it , folks found a costume! Some runners were there to have fun also. I had a great time chatting and talking to folks. Then it got quiet...the countdown began. At precisely 8 am the starting pistol sounded and we started to move, now mind you the first mile marker, it was not a real run...it was too packed. As we wound our way to the first mile, I was just happy to be here. Mile marker 1 and 2 sailed by.......

I most remember the 4% grade of the bridge....now I see why John had us work on hills...because that gradual incline could be the defining moment for most beginner runners. I took it in stride and I was in awe of the beauty of the bridge and took out my camera to get some pictures.

The 3rd mile and 4th mile was good...then at the 5th mile it hit me...all that water..I needed a port a potty bad! So as we entered the East Bay neighborhood, I was looking for a port o' potty. I found the the Thunderbirds motorcycle club (a black bikers neighborhood bar) they graciously let me use their facility. I ran in and ran out (literally!) I had to make up that minute and a half. I loved the way folks lined the street giving us encouragement. Thanks to the cheering section at the last .2 miles. Your cheers helped most of us, more than you will ever know! I mean you see the finish line, your legs and body still are moving but it feels like they keep moving the finish line back. Or so it seems....

I ran my hardest to the finish and was told once I crossed to keep moving.
Gosh?
No champagne? No congratulatory kiss from Michael Jordan? Gosh... it was my first race in 24 years...I thought I would get something.

Okay....so I kept moving. I got my medal and I got water, bagels, oranges, bananas and apples more than I could carry.

I then headed to a bench and sat down....I was amazed I was not hurting...I was calm and so happy. You would have thought I won the race. I had a huge smile on my face. Me and about 21,000 other racers. We are all winners! I sat and listened to a man from Memphis chat with his wife via his cell. He told her, he finished in 1 hour and 9 minutes, his best time! He thought he could have done better if he had ran on the outside at the beginning of the race. Good idea..I thought....I will definitely use that technique in the future. He got off the phone and asked me my time. I said I think 1 hour 45 mins....but I was not sure when I actually passed the start line. He reminded me that my race did not start at 8 am, it started when I crossed the start line and my chip time would be my official time. I was like YEAH!...so I may have a better time! Reminding myself....I may have beaten my 1:45 minute time.

After the race, I decided to head back to the hotel. The organizers had the shuttle buses take us back to the start of the race. What they neglected to tell us, was the start meant the tail end of the start where the last registered person started from. Not a problem except that I had to make another port o' potty stop and after the driver dropped us off 2 miles from my hotel, I panicked and stopped in the Mustard Seed restaurant to use their restrooms. I mean I could NOT even make it to the port o' potties 2 blocks away, let alone to my hotel a 2 mile walk. I was told only patrons for the restaurant could use their restrooms. I grabbed a menu and picked a lunch item. I then paid and proceeded to the restrooms. I asked if I could go to the hotel to change, then come back and eat. They graciously agreed. This was the best thing I could haved done....I happened upon a organic vegetarian restaurant and the food was delicious! I thought this day could not be more perfect! After a great morning and wonderful healthy lunch. I did some shopping and hit the Tanger Outlet! What a fantastic day!

Sunday: What was my official time?

I am proud to announce...I did beat my 1:45 time. My chip time is 01:39:59.....I did it!!