We arrived at Virginia Beach ready for a fun weekend. First up was picking up our packets and VIP passes at the Expo. Since it was Jay's first half it was his first time at an Expo so he enjoyed looking around at all the different booths. He was wondering why everything was so expensive. I just reminded him that is how it is at every Expo. He still ended up buying a shirt and of course a sticker to put on his truck. After the Expo we met up with some friends for lunch and enjoyed the Steve Miller Band on the beach that evening. The next day we went for brunch then it was back to the house for a relaxing evening and grilled out for dinner.
Race morning arrived too early. Neither one of us had a good night sleep. After slowly getting around it was time to head out. Luckily since we had VIP Parking we were able to park right in front of the Convention Center. They offered plenty of snacks and coffee inside. There were even foam rollers and mats you could use prior to the race. The best part was being able to use the restroom and not the port-o- pottie, and there was hardly a line. Soon enough it was time to get to our corrals. I asked him one last time if he wanted me to run with him. I really didn't mind since it was his first one. But he insisted on me to just run my own pace. I told him I'd meet him at the finish line and then we went our separate ways.
This is the first year since the last three years I ran that it was not extremely hot at the start. It was still warm but it was overcast. It even started to drizzle in the beginning. I was hoping that it didn't start raining anymore. Wishful thinking I suppose, because it did start raining a bit more, I wouldn't saying pouring but enough to be uncomfortable. Luckily it only went on for about three miles. Soon enough it cleared up and the sun did eventually come out and it made for great day. During the whole race I felt pretty good. I was hoping that Jay was feeling the same way. After I finished I thought to myself that I could've pushed a bit more since I didn't feel exhausted afterwards. I think a lot of us
have the feeling after a race, like what could have we done differently. We are our own biggest critic and we just have to appreciate what we can do, not what we should've done.
After completing the race, I found a really good spot at the finish line and waited for Jay. I was so excited watching him cross the finish line of his first half marathon. Now it was time to celebrate his accomplishment. We met up with some friends on the beach then it was time to enjoy our brunch and mimosas at Rock Fish. I wanted to hear all about his race while we were eating. He said he ran a lot further than he thought he as going to before taking his walk breaks. He didn't want to waste any time waiting in line for a port- o-pottie so he jumped in the woods and ended up hitting a brier bush and cut up his legs. But that didn't stop him, he continued on his way and finished strong!
Later that day we went to a friend's house and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the pool and the hot tub. After playing a couple rounds of corn hole it was time to get read for the headliner Sheryl Crow. We thought we had the VIP for the concert since we received Race Day VIP so we didn't eat dinner because we thought it was included. When we arrived, they said that Race Day VIP and Concert VIP was different. We thought that was odd because the last few times that my sister and I were invited to be VIP, we got to do the dinner before the concert and have preferred viewing. Regardless, it wasn't a big deal and the concert was fun and Sheryl Crow put on a great show.
Here is what the 15th anniversary race shirt looked like! I think it's pretty cool!
I know this wasn't a very in depth look at this race but I've ran it now for several years in a row. If you are thinking about signing up for this race but need more information about the expo, race day, the course, or any of the VIP events, please feel free to check out our other posts. They are more in depth. I promise. -L
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Time in the hot tub sounds like the perfect way to finish off the day after a race.
ReplyDeleteOh It was. So relaxing! I hope to own one someday.
DeleteSo much fun! Adding VA beach to the list.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely at the top of my Rock n Roll races. The concerts on the beach that are included for running the race is an awesome perk!
DeleteI really want to do this race one day! Its just never worked into my schedule. Relaxing in a pool and hot tub sounds like the perfect way to recover from a race!
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely put it on your bucket list. A great weekend! But I can see how it could be hard to commit over a holiday wkend.
DeleteCongrats on another successful Virginia Beach RnR and congrats to Jay on finishing his first half!
ReplyDeleteThanks. So fun!
DeleteThe hot tub sounds great. I prefer to recover with a hot shower and foam rolling, or if I'm on a racecation, recover in the hot tub.
ReplyDeleteYes! A perfect way to recover. So much better than an ice bath.
DeleteGreat job to you and Jay! So cool that he did his first half. Maybe one day I can get Dan to run one with me :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Keep influencing him. He will eventually give in:)
DeleteCongrats to both you and Jay! And you're right, we're all always our worst critic and its always difficult to predict how hard we should push ourselves and whether we should take it easy or go all out.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see you on Sunday and to catch up a bit!
Thanks. It was good to see you too! Glad we got to meet up:)
DeleteGlad to hear that it wasn't so hot this year. That's one of the reasons why I have never done it and that school starts for us that Tuesday. It's always hectic that weekend. One of these years maybe! Always looks like a great time
ReplyDeleteIt is a great wkend. But it's hard I think for people because of the holiday wkend. I think they should try it towards the end of September sometime. That way it could avoid the holiday wkend and the weather could be a bit cooler.
DeleteSounds like a great weekend, and that's great that the rain cleared up in the first several miles :) Congrats to Jay for finishing his first half marathon!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was happy to see the weather cleared up. Even though it's always so hot I'd rather run in the heat than the rain.
DeleteGlad the sun came out & turned out to be a good day/race!
ReplyDelete& look at Sheryl Crow still rocking out!
I was very tired from the whole day and debated even to stay for the concert. But I'm glad I did. She played alot more songs I knew than I thought I would. She put on a great show!
DeleteI would have loved to see Sheryl Crow! Sounds like it was a fun day!
ReplyDeleteIt was.(see above response)
DeleteGlad you had a good race. We are always our worst critic! Be proud of yourself!!!
ReplyDeleteYes we are! We just have to appreciate what we can do:) I am so proud of Jay for completing his half though.
DeleteGlad you had a good race. We are always our worst critic! Be proud of yourself!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you both! Sounds like a fun weekend overall. I love that purple sports bra!
ReplyDeleteThanks! This is the only race that I ever run shirtless. It's just always too hot not too.
DeleteSometimes running in the rain is fun...... But sometimes it is definitely not and of COURSE the universe is going to RAIN ON YOUR PARADE - right?! ;)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jay on his first half! That's so exciting! Love the shirt.
ReplyDeleteYes, very cool race shirt. Congrats to you both on a great half.
ReplyDeleteHurray Jay!!! What a great first race; sounds like the entire weekend was a blast!
ReplyDeleteI really want to do this one next year. I love running down there!
ReplyDelete