Last weekend was the 7th year in a row, I ran Rock n Roll Virginia Beach. I know every year when I sign up for the race it is always hot and humid. And of course this year did not disappoint.
In the past I have had VIP parking or had a parking pass where I used to work that was close to the start. Unfortunately this year I didn't have either one of those, but no worries my friend that I was going with is a Realtor and had a house on the market close to the start.
We decided we would stay together and run so I didn't even bring my Ipod. We ran together until about mile 7 then I took a GU and sped up to the next water spot to get some water. When I turned around my friend was no where in sight so I continued on by myself. At this time I was regretting not bringing my Ipod. But I will say I was actually able to take in all the great music that Rock n Roll has to offer so that helped.
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| Borrowing from MarathonFotot |
By mile 10 I was over this race and ready to be finished. During this time the race is on both sides of the road and I felt bad for those other runners that were on the other side probably only about mile 4 into the race. They had such a disadvantage because not only was
the heat and the humidity a factor and getting hotter by the minute, they didn't start at the beginning of the race due to their corral placement. Perhaps this race should start earlier?
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| Borrowing from MarathonFoto |
I knew I was close to the finish when I arrived on the Boardwalk. Why does the finish line always look a lot closer than what it really is? I told myself that I wasn't going to Sprint at the end of the race. Is it really worth it to be sore the next day? But who am I kidding; yes it is! I passed one lady. Then I saw two men up ahead. I ended up passing one of them and I started creeping up on the other one, but just about that time he saw me and knew it was a sprint to the finish. People noticed this and started cheering for us. I finally threw up my hands and gestured yea you got me. I ended up finishing about 5 seconds behind him. After I crossed the finish line we high fived and congratulated each other!
I waited for my friend to finish, grabbed a celebratory beverage, and caught up with some runner friends. By this time a shower and a nap sounded better than sticking around for the after party.
Later that evening we came back to the beach to watch the headliner ZZ Top. Overall a great race weekend despite the heat. -L
We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.
Congrats on your 7th finish! Sounds a lot like RnRCHI. Always hot and humid. Oh well, still fun. Too funny about the sprint to the finish!
ReplyDeleteYea it's always hot and humid but always worth doing.
DeleteI always say it's not a race whenever I run a race, but yes - sometimes, it IS a race and that's when it's crazy and fun - glad you had such a good finish!
ReplyDeleteOh it's always a race:)
DeleteI used to think Disney was crazy having races start as early as they do. Now I appreciate it because the sun isn't coming up for some time. Great job on the 7th finish. I always think I won't push myself at the finish line, and then I do.
ReplyDeleteThat is true. Still I could do without those 3am wake up calls for Disney races.
DeleteI cant believe ZZ Top still is out playing. They have to be 120 years old!!!! haha
ReplyDeleteYeah - you'd think they'd move the race up even a half hour to help with the humdidity.
Great smile at the end!
Thanks! I know right? We gave it these songs then we were out of there. Too old for us to know the songs....ha.
DeleteI love that sprint photo at the end! Such a big smile! That's what I love about races - being able to high-five with a complete stranger. Where else do people get to do that, huh? Well done on a great race and finish :-)
ReplyDeleteYes. It was some friendly competition at the end.
DeleteGreat job! This sounds like a fun race despite the heat. An earlier start time would definitely help!
ReplyDeleteThanks I wish they would change it. Even a half hr would help.
DeleteNice job! You're right, why don't they start earlier if it's always hot? Congrats on a great race!
ReplyDeleteYou would think they'd change that.
DeleteCongrats! I agree that races that take place in the hot summer months should start earlier.
ReplyDeleteYes they should!
Deletethat's too funny about you and the dude who refused to be "chicked" at the finish ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a great race! I'd love to do Virginia Beach, I've heard great things. I do think Rock n Roll races should start earlier overall...don't most of them start at 7am? When I did the one in Savannah they said that "due to extreme heat" they would start it 10 minutes earlier...I'm not sure what that did because 10 minutes is nothing in a marathon. I think they should have backed it up an hour or so.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for running a marathon in that weather. I don't think I ever ran a marathon in high heat and humidity. I hope you are all relaxed and recovered now!
ReplyDeleteI have never done this race bc I know how hot and humid it is this time of the year. Kind of wish they had it later in the fall. Oh well! congrats on your race and what a great race photo of you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on pushing through -- and finding energy for a final push at the end! The heat and humidity keep me from this one for sure. ZZ Top must have been fun!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great race but yeah, starting it a bit earlier seems like it would be a good idea given the usual weather.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great race! Awesome finish line picture on the beach. Sounds like an earlier start or pushing the race weekend back a few weeks would be nice though.
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