10th Annual Palm Beaches Half Marathon-Dec 8, 2013

This was the 10th Annual Palm Beaches Marathon Run Fest which included a 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, and relay. There were about 2500 half marathoners, 866 marathoners with additional 964 relayers.

I had planned the race as a back to back with the Savannah River Bridge Double Pump (15k) as I am training for the 26.2 with Donna and have done some reading on training plans that doing back to backs help your body and mind prepare to run on tired legs. I had to make the 6 hour drive from Savannah in barely enough time to catch the end of the Expo at the Harriet Himmel Theater at City Place at 6p. The Expo was of a small size and had minimal fueling supplies. What was the worst part is you had to pay for parking to get to it! (Valet or Parking Garage)

Being on a tight budget, I opted to stay about 10 minutes outside of town at a Residence Inn which had a full kitchen where I could not only save money but time with eating in. After dinner, the soreness was kicking in after the bridge run combined with long drive, so I took an Epsom bath and covered my legs in icy hot and made it an early night.


It was an early morning, but it was good to have a hot breakfast as well as homemade coffee. The race did a great job of pre race communications via email and Facebook and let us know of all the parking options, which included several parking garages....a couple free, and some you had to pay, even if they were right next to each other. No sense.  I made sure I was there early enough to get the best FREE spot!


The race had a super early start time of 630a. Well, supposedly. We had about a 20 minute delay. I later learned its because the cops would not let us start until the entire course was barricaded, yet the directors had planned to do the last few miles as we ran the first few miles. Think again.


We woke with temps already at 75 degrees and they were predicted to climb well into the 80s. The Start Line already had the Yellow Caution Flags flying. I later learned the marathoners were put under Red Warning Flags.


Arriving early meant no lines for the porta potties!...at least the first time around. The 2nd time was very short as it seemed there were plenty and in different locations.


This race is technically not 'at' the beach. It is officially in West Palm Beach, which is on the other side of the intracoastal waterway, but it is still a very scenic race.

The course is an up and back and then down and back....meaning we ran right by the finish line....which is never acceptable when you are a slow runner and you are seeing people celebrating their finish already and all you can think is 'how much more do I have to go?!'


My goal was to 'wog' 3/1 (jog 3 min/walk 1 min) as this was the plan for the full marathon in February. The first half was easy peasy and I felt strong. It was definitely hot, but the majority of it was in the shade and we had a nice breeze going on. The last few miles though were in pure sun and the temps definitely took its toll on my body and there was a lot more walking. I grabbed 3 cups at each station (which were properly stocked! Kudos for plenty of supplies during such a hot race!) a water, a Gatorade, and another water to dump on my head. I was drenched by the time I hit the Finish Line! I later learned about 50 people were treated for heat related illnesses. Out of the 10 years, this was only the 2nd hottest race for this series. The medal makes it kind of ironic, as it is a huge sun! But what can you expect for a Finish Line hosting a Christmas tree sculpted out of sand!?

The finish line was stocked with lots of packaged snacks provided by Publix. I walked away literally barely able to carry it all! We ended in a park, so there was plenty of area of stretch out and rest for a bit. However, the 2 free beers were outside the park, and inside a bar (World of Bar). It was a bit of a wait in line, but not the worst, probably because I was able to chat with some people.


All in all, I would recommend this race. Its a great scenic (and flat) course and is a great location to have a beach vacation. Its also perfect location for tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping, so plan to spend some time for this race weekend to celebrate!


I unfortunately had to hurry back home after the race. The weather had a couple stray showers coming thru (which probably helped the marathoners cool off) so it was probably for the best. I took the scenic route home up A1A and stopped at a few beaches along the way to rest the tootsies!

HM #33
2:32


Please show your support and make a donation at www.donate.breastcancermarathon.com/2014marathon/pinkfeet

Savannah River Bridge Run-Dec 7, 2013

So I have to warn, I am a bit partial to this run, as it was my very first race 7 years ago. The race morning consists of a 5k, 10, and 15k aka Double Pump, going over the bridge either once, twice, or GASP three times! This is definitely known as the Toughest Bridge Run of the South with a 5.5% grade over the .7mile climb!

 

Every year since 2008 (my 2nd) I have run the 5k in Costume. The race has a costume contest with 3 winners receiving a cash prize! The past couple of years they have also included a team costume contest as well. I have been a pink ribbon, pink Converse sneaker, Ms Pacman, a flamingo, and 'Call Me Maybe' telephone!  Any cash winnings I ever received I always donated to the 26.2 with Donna organization. However, Ive always secretly envied the runners who tackled the Double Pump.

After 7 years of focusing on fundraising I decided I was going to go into 2013 and try to put some more focus on myself and improving my running. Still contemplating designs for the contest in the Fall, the race announced this would be the first year they would give a medal for the Double Pump....decision made! I forwent the contest and was going to give it my all on the bridge...3 times!

 I drove up the day before the race and stayed at the Andaz which has a perfect location to the Riverwalk as well as the Expo at the Civic Center.  Hint for those new to town....the street metered parking is free on the weekends, so there is no need to pay for valet or over priced self parking at the hotels! The hotel welcomed me with a glass of wine, as well as fully stocked Free mini bar of snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. Yes, that's right, Free! How'd they know I was the Broke Traveling Runner Girl!?

The Expo is a nice touch, as usually 5k/10k races don't have much of an expo. Most of the vendors are advertising other local races, but there also running clothes and supplies to buy. The Enmark (a local convenient store) gave out free coffee and granola bars. The shirts are pretty unique as they hold a contest for the design each year. And the fabric they use feels like cotton but is performance wear. So soft!

I spent the rest of the evening doing the following...
watched the sunset on top of the Bohemian Hotel
window shopped the eclectic shops of the RiverWalk
explored the Christmas crafts/art market on the RiverWalk
got lost in the Christmas decorations, listened to live music, and explored the art walk in the Village Market...with free wine and snacks!

 

This specific weekend in Savannah is a great time to kick off the Holiday season! Just a short water ferry ride away, there is a drive thru Christmas light display next to the Westin. Speaking of the Westin, they have a huge lit up tree outside and inside, as well as a gingerbread competition in the lobby! Back on the Riverwalk side, they have an art/craft market, a outside movie on the jumbotron, carolers and dancers on stage, and fireworks on Friday night. On Saturday they have a parade that runs down the cobble street! So if you are coming for the race, make sure to stay for all the festivities!

 

The race started at 8am so I had to make my way to the ferry at 630a to get to the Convention Center next to the Westin where the 5k and Double Pump starts. (The 10K starts at the Civic Center at 9a.) I was early and the line wasn't bad at all....in fact, I think it was the first one to cross! It was a chilly morning but the day was going to be perfect running conditions....not too cold, not too hot. Most people wait inside the Convention Center and the lines for the 2 bathrooms start backing up quickly. From experience of staying at the Westin the year before, I knew exactly where everything was, so I just acted like a guest, utilized their bathrooms, took some pics of the gingerbread houses and trees, and stayed warm away from the runners chaos.

This race is very family and walker friendly, which is really great, but if you are looking for a PR, this is something you should know to line up appropriately. The director has done wonders the past couple years and has the runners on one road at the starting area and the walkers on the other road, which start a couple minutes after the runners. It still can be pretty congested. The bridge does stay open, only 1 lane is closed for us crazies to tackle the steep piece of medal. The bridge doesn't have sidewalks, so this is the only opportunity people have to go up it all year! The 10k is not nearly as crowded.

The entire Double Pump I felt pretty good. Actually, my times were really good for a bridge run. The first incline of the 10K is the steepest and just about everyone in my pace were walking. The turn around point before the last incline, I ran out of steam for a couple minutes, but was able to muster through. The several people dressed as bulls and torros as well as Wonder Women kept me entertained the entire course. However, I was disappointed I didn't see more costumes....well, more disappointed that I didn't do a costume because it seemed my chance to win would have been high. But I was super excited and proud to finish the Double Pump!

The After party for the race is one of the best out of all races I have been to. Endless beer...well, until the kegs run out, and endless Brunswick stew! YUM! There is always a live band for entertainment as well. Age group awards are handed out and then they do the costume contest, winners based on crowd support.

Unfortunately because I had to make my way down to the Palm Beaches Half packet pick up before 6p, which was a 6 hour drive away, I couldn't stay and party, or even see all the costumes :/ Maybe its for the better. I will be back in costume again....just wait! But I can always say I am a Double Pumper!!!....and Ive got my medal to prove it!