Running though soft sand, now thats a good idea!

I swore in 2014 I would never the PB Beachfest again.  But as I keep hearing never say never.  I did this run back in 2014 , it was the first race I did after my mom had passed.  I was going to use this as an excuse to skip it but to be honest I needed something to get me out of the house and well I had already paid for it.  I remember when I finished I could barely move and was having a hard time breathing.  It was super hot that day  and it took its toll on me.  I remember sitting down on the concrete and contemplating whether to call my sister as I was afraid I was having some type of blood pressure issue.  It did subside but again I thought I will never run in sand again.

So its 2016 and looking for a run to do and this pops up in my email.  My first thought was Hell No!  but then I realize I am not the same person.  I mean the weight loss has to make a difference, my mind thinks I wonder if I could do this and actually run it.  Well here I go and I sign up for it praying it wont be unbearably hot.  There are actually two waves one at 8:35 and one at 10:00, i obviously choose the early wave because I am not running in full on sun I would melt.

For the first time I was unable to pick up my packet early, but that is ok as I have not been wearing my race shirts day of race.  As you now I am pretty dedicated to wearing my From Fat To Finish Line shirt but I found out that it is supposed to be unlucky to wear the race shirt on race day.  That explains it all right!!  So got Flat Teri all ready the night before and to be honest I was pretty nervous about this run.  But no matter what any run on the beach has to be a good one.

Next day I get there early enough to find a decent parking space a couple of blocks from start and free parking always a good thing.  I head down and then realize this is not just a race it is a full on Beach Festival, this is going to be fun.  This really is a very well organized race and festival, lots of booths, photos ops and music.  But wait I have a race to run the fun will be had after I am done.

This is an out and back race and it is truly a on the beach run.  For the most part you can run part of the race on the packed area pf the sand but the tide was coming in so there were places on the course where you were jumping into the soft sand to avoid the water.  I got pretty good at that until about mile one then a wave got me.  One foot wet one not, I can deal with that.  The best part of this race was coming up and I was so thrilled.  At about mile and a half my good friend John Hulsey aka Captain Awesome was waiting for me.  I absolutely love this guy he is one of the nicest persons that I have met.  Also one of the runners in the documentary From Fat To Finish Line.  He wanted to run a stretch with me and as always we started chatting and it made the run go by so much faster.  So after a quick selfie with John he dropped back to finish his own run and off I went.

Its funny how much I am really liking running.  I know that I still have a long way to go to become a better runner and not putting myself down but running really has a lot of dynamics to it and I want to learn how to be a better runner.  One of the things I have done is join the SD Run Club, but have not had the courage to actually go to one of their training runs.  But no matter I felt pride when I got to this water station on the course. Can we say awkward selfie..

 

Once I passed this water station I was on the home stretch and I was remembering back to 2014 when I got to this area a lady carrying a I don’t know 4 tear old on her back passed me…  really not a motivating moment then but a serious boost of motivation this run.  I finished strong and ran best I could through thick sand to the finish line … whew glad that is over.

Not going to lie this is not an easy run as you really do a lot of running in the soft sand and if you are not used to this it really can take a toll on your legs.  I may have to look at adding a day or so of running down in this type of course to strengthen my legs.  I finished with a not bad time 38:41 compared to the last time I did this where my time was 55:51.  I am glad that I did this race and to be honest I will probable do it again next year.

Now it was time to stroll around the festival and enjoy my runners high.  The first booth that I bumped into was the Nuun booth.  I am such a fan of the product as it has so helped me continue on this journey by keeping me hydrated.  In case I have never said this out loud, I hate water!  Seriously it is one of my biggest challenges that I have had and that is getting my water in.  But since a friend of mine Colin Jackson told me how he uses it every day I have really been utilizing it and it has so helped me get my daily water in, especially during workouts. If you rummage through my purse or gym bag you will find multiple containers if this stuff.  So I was able to talk to their rep about their products and share my story.  I had to get my photo op with him.

Next stop my the photo op area where I do my I finished this race pose and I am still alive.  When you go to these races by yourself it can be tough to get these pictures and in the past days I would never have asked anyone.  But now I don’t hesitate as I want every moment of this journey documented as it will keep me motivated.  I also try and pay it forward and look for those that may need their pic taken.

So I have checked everything out got a few freebies because you all know we love our freebies and left my mark on their graffiti wall.  It was a good day and I am leaving feeling stronger than ever and more confident that running truly is saving my life.

So as always I will see you at the finish line.