Iron Horse Half Marathon Race Recap

September 22, 2019

My friend Valerie mentioned this race to me in January. She has a 50 states goal. I don't have a 50 states goal, but I would love to run the southern states. The Iron Horse Half Marathon was my first Kentucky race. Kentucky was so much prettier than I imagined. I would love to run another race there one day.

The Weekend

Kentucky is about a seven hour drive from my hometown in Alabama. Michael and I took off work to travel on Friday. We arrived in Kentucky late Friday afternoon. We went straight to packet pick-up at John's Run Walk Shop in Lexington, KY. Packet pick up was quick and easy. We caught it at a good time. The race was on Sunday, so I figured most people would get their packets on Saturday.

After packet pick-up we checked in our hotel. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Frankfort which was about a ten minute drive to the start line in downtown Midway. Midway is a small town between Frankfort and Lexington. Other than a few Airbnb's there weren't many lodging options in Midway.

                                   

                                     

Michael and I only had time to tour one distillery this trip. We wanted to watch the Alabama vs Southern Miss game at 11:00. Most of the distilleries closed around 4:00-5:00, so we didn't have time to visit any after the game was over.

We got up early Saturday morning to tour the Buffalo Trace Distillery Buffalo Trace is where the finest Kentucky bourbons are made. The grounds were so pretty. We went in one of the warehouses where barrels were being stored/aged. Then we went in the bottling room where workers were preparing hundreds of bottles of Buffalo Trace Bourbon. The smell of alcohol was really strong in the bottling room. I don't know how the workers can work in there all day, but I guess they get used to it after a while.

Bottling Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Pappy Collection

We left the distillery in just enough time to run through the drive-thru at Dairy Queen near the hotel before the game. Alabama handled Southern Miss with a final score of 49-7. After the game we stopped at several liquor stores around town in search of rare bourbon. For a state known for its distilleries, the bourbon selection in Kentucky was a big disappointment for Michael. 

On our way to dinner we passed by Liberty Elementary School. An ordinary elementary school to some, but as an educator I immediately recognized it as the school where comedian Gerry Brooks was once a Principal. I love his humor! I got a picture of the school while stopped at a red light. This was the highlight of my evening!

We ate at a Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurant in Lexington before heading back to the hotel. I laid out my things for race morning and got to bed at a decent time.

Race Day

Valerie and her husband Paul were staying at the same hotel. They were kind to let me ride with them to the start line on race morning. Michael slept in, but he met me later at the finish line. The race was scheduled to start at 7:00. They moved the start time up from 7:30 because this year's race coincided with the Midway Fall Festival in town. 

There was plenty of parking in a field near the start line. It was pitch black as the time neared 7:00. The race directors made a last minute decision to delay the start until 7:15 when the sun was beginning to come up.  I'm glad they made that decision because I was beginning to worry about starting in the dark.

The photographer got a shot of Valerie and me at the start of the race. She was way ahead of me the remainder of the race.

                             

 

It was a little chilly at the start, but it warmed up quickly. It was 66 degrees and sunny for most of the race. This was a figure eight course alongside farm houses and horse pastures. The first down and back  stretch (Miles 1-7) consisted of mostly gently rolling hills and some flat stretches. The last down and back stretch (Miles 8-13) was a bit more challenging with bigger hills and less flat stretches.

                                         

I used 2:00 run x :30 second walk intervals for the first half of the race. When I reached the more challenging hills in the second half of the course I walked up hill and ran down hill. It was really difficult to stick with my original run/walk strategy.

                                                     

I didn't have a time goal for this race. I planned to enjoy the scenery and take pictures on the course. It was so amazing watching the horses run in the pastures alongside us with their manes blowing in the breeze. 

                             

The course seemed to level out around 12.5 miles and I planned to run the remainder of the race. There was a surprise hill at the end of the race before making the final turn toward the finish line. It wasn't a long hill but it was really steep. One of the volunteers on the course said, "Come on you got this, It's the last hill." I laughed as I walked up.

I finished in 2:19:56. 

Mile 1- 9:47

Mile 2- 9:52

Mile 3- 9:43

Mile 4- 9:30

Mile 5- 10:34

Mile 6- 11:14

Mile 7- 10:07

Mile 8- 10:42

Mile 9- 11:49

Mile 10- 10:43

Mile 11- 11:27

Mile 12- 11:33

Mile 13- 10:51

0.19 Miles- 10:57/pace

It was pretty congested at the finish line, but it didn't take long to spot Michael in the crowd. He was standing with Valerie, Paul, and their son.  We got a couple of post-race pictures then said our goodbyes.

Valerie and Paul were going to walk around the festival in town before heading home. I would have loved to look around, but Michael and I both had to go back to work the next day. We went back to the hotel so I could shower quickly before hitting the road. 

   

I loved this race and would run it again if the opportunity arose. If you're looking for a Kentucky race I would highly recommend the Iron Horse Half Marathon. The course was challenging, but the scenery was well worth it. 

Battleship 12K Race Recap

November 17, 2019

This is another race that I've wanted to run for years. I was so excited to finally run it this year. 

The race is on a Sunday, so we could have easily made the three hour drive down to Daphne/Spanish Fort on Saturday morning. However, it was during football season and Alabama had an 11:00 kick off against Mississippi State. We wanted to have a place to watch the game, so I booked the hotel room for two nights. We drove down on Friday night after Michael and I got off work. 

The Weekend

We got up early Saturday morning to tour the USS Alabama Battleship . I've lived in Alabama my whole life, and I don't recall ever touring the Battleship. We got there when it opened, but there was so much to see that we felt a little rushed towards the end of the tour. We wanted to make it back in time for kick off. 

I took too many pictures to post them all, but here are just a few.

We left the Battleship with only 15 minutes to spare. Since it was almost lunch time, we decided to stop at Beef O' Brady's to eat and watch the first half of the game. We left the restaurant with only a few minutes remaining in the second quarter. Michael streamed the game on his phone. 

He stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods on the way back to the hotel, so I could get my race packet. Bama was leading the Bulldogs 35-7 with just over three minutes left in the half. I figured we'd play it safe going into halftime. I rushed in, got my packet, and rushed out. I didn't stop to look at anything extra.

When I got back to the parking lot, Michael was silent, the crowd and the announcers were silent on his live stream of the game. I looked at the screen and saw our quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the ground in obvious pain. He stayed in to practice the two minute drill before halftime. Tua suffered a serious hip injury after the first snap. It was his last drive of the game, and it ended his season with the Tide. We made it back to the hotel in time to watch the second half. We only scored one field goal the rest of the game. I felt sick to my stomach all afternoon and evening thinking about Tua. 

We rested at the hotel and watched other games that afternoon. It was late when we got out for supper, so we just stopped at a Cici's Pizza Buffett because it was quick. 

The Race

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Daphne/Spanish Fort. It was within walking distance to the start line. I debated staying near the finish line in Mobile, but it worked out perfectly on race morning to be near the start line. I didn't have to leave the room until almost race time.

The Battleship 12K is a point to point course, so the start and finish lines are in different locations. The race starts in Daphne/Spanish Fort and ends at the Battleship Memorial Park. There is a shuttle that runs from the finish line back to Daphne/Spanish Fort after the race. 

I love the patriotic theme to this race. Each year the t-shirts and medals are designed to honor a different branch of the military. This year's race honored the Marines. Race participants names were printed in the design on the back of the t-shirt. I never found my name. I don't think that I registered in time to have it printed. 

I was in such a hurry at packet pick-up that I overlooked the Run to Honor bibs. I would have liked to wear one to honor my family members who served in the military: my Mom (Army), my Dad (Army, served in Iraq 2007-2008), and my Papaw (Air Force, served in Vietnam). 

I knew a lot of my IG friends were running this race. I only saw one at the start because it was so crowded. I hoped that I would get to see everyone at the finish line. There were over 1,400 finishers.

They played the 1,2, 3, 4 Marine Corps Cadence as we made our way to the start line, followed by the National Anthem.

The crowd at the start line

Start line selfie

It was a little congested at the start of the race, but runners spread out after we turned onto Hwy 98. From there it was a straight shot to the Battleship. This was my first time running a 12K, so that meant an automatic PR. I didn't know what to expect as far as time, but I hoped I could finish between 1:10-1:12, a 9:30-9:40 pace.

I ran the first four miles. Then I started using 2:00 min run/:30 sec walk intervals. I took a lot of pictures on the course. I loved seeing all the runners carrying flags and the views of Mobile Bay, the Battleship, and downtown Mobile as I got closer to the finish.

Volunteers handed the runners flags at the final turn into Battleship Memorial Park. I could hear the  announcer and the music from the finish line. There were a lot of spectators out cheering on the runners. 

Waving my flag with pride, I ran the last half mile loop around the park to the finish line. My official time was 1:08:03 well within my time goal. 

Mile 1- 8:30

Mile 2- 9:09

Mile 3- 8:51

Mile 4- 9:07

Mile 5- 9:16

Mile 6- 9:16

Mile 7- 9:33

0.5 Miles- 8:47/pace

I saw my friend Valerie standing at the finish line with her husband and son. It wasn't long before other runners started gathering at the finish line. It was great to see IG friends Katie, Mindy, and Jenny again, and finally meet Heather, Jennifer Z., and Jennifer T. in person. This race was like one big Instagram (IG) friend reunion. 

I was going to ride the shuttle bus back to the hotel, but Valerie was very kind to offer me a ride back with her family. She was staying in the hotel next to me. I was so thankful because the line for the shuttles was really long when we got ready to leave. I wanted to have time to shower and change before heading home.

I loved everything about this race and would definitely run it again one day.

Me and Valerie

IG Friends Jenny, Jennifer T., Jennifer Z., Valerie, Heather, Katie, and Mindy

Jennifer T., Valerie, Heather, Me, Katie, Jenny, and Jenny's husband

Battleship Photo with Valerie

Pensacola Double Bridge Run 15K Race Recap

February 2, 2019

I've wanted to run this race for years. Finally it worked out with my schedule. 

My knee bothered me off and on since my last half marathon in December. I decided it was time to see the orthopedic doctor at the end of January. He did an x-ray which showed some wear on my cartilage and he injected me with PRP.

I knew that I wanted to run this race while I had the opportunity, but I debated whether to run the 5K or 15K. Against my better judgement I registered for the 15K because this was the last year running on the old Pensacola Bay Bridge. The race was less than two weeks after my injection. 

Michael and I drove to Pensacola Beach late Friday afternoon after we got off work. We didn't make it down in time for the expo and packet pick-up. Fortunately some local runners offered to pick up my packet for me. They do have race day packet pick-up, but I would highly recommend getting your packet the night before if you're able. 

Both the 5K and 15K are point to point courses, so the start line and finish line are in different locations. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Pensacola Beach which is directly across the street from the finish line at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. They have a shuttle that runs from the hotel to the start line. 

It was an early morning. The 15K started at 7:00 and I wanted to make sure I was at the start line in plenty of time. I caught the shuttle with some local runners who were also staying at the Hampton Inn. It felt like forever to the 15K start line at the Pensacola Wahoo's Stadium. The whole time I was second guessing signing for the 15K.

I was really concerned about how my knee would hold up. This would be my longest run in two months. One of the local runners offered me some of her KT tape. I've never tried KT tape before, but I figured it couldn't hurt. She helped me tape my knee before we loaded the bus. I also applied Bio Freeze and wore a knee brace. My only goal for this race was to have fun and finish.

Hanging out with local runners before the race

I found IG friends Rick, Jodi, Mindy, and her husband Andy in line for the restrooms

Finally the sun came up and it was time to make our way to the start line. There were over 2,500 finishers for the 15K. There were no pacers for this race. Runners positioned themselves at the start line in corrals based on pace. I lined up with other local runners in the 11:00 min/mile corral. They started promptly at 7:00 and let each corral go every minute or so. We crossed the start line at 7:08. 

                                                                   

Start line selfie

Even with the staggered start it was still really congested for the first two miles along the bay front. I ran the entire first mile and a half until the crowd spaced out some. We reached the Pensacola Bay Bridge around the third mile. This is a three mile long bridge. I was finally able to get into a rhythm with my walk/run intervals. I used them consistently for the remainder of the race. I really enjoyed the view of the bay on both sides of me.

Pensacola Bay Bridge

I love free race photos!

It was a little congested coming off the Pensacola Bay Bridge into Gulf Breeze. The roads were rough due to construction. A lady in front of me twisted her ankle in a pot hole and took a tumble. Some other runners and I stopped to help her up. She was really skinned up, but she was okay. She brushed herself off and kept running. 

There was good crowd support in Gulf Breeze. Several spectators were out in front of local businesses cheering on the runners. The Chick-fil-A and Subway mascots were out giving high fives . Just after Mile 6, we passed the 5K runners waiting to start. 

                                                 

We approached the Bob Sikes Bridge around Mile 8. This bridge isn't as long as the Pensacola Bay Bridge, but it is steeper. I got a kick out of this kid's sign just before the bridge.

                               

               

The Bob Sikes Bridge

Mile 8 was my slowest mile. I walked up most of the bridge until I reached the DJ near the top. He motivated me to run the rest of the way up.  At the bottom of the bridge I could see Pensacola Beach ahead. I didn't have much further to go. 

There was a high school drumline followed by this awesome cycling group at the final turn towards the finish line. They really motivated me to finish strong.

                                                     

            

I finished in 1:37:20. My time may reflect a PW (personal worst), but I PR'd in fun. My knee didn't bother me much during the race, but it was really hurting afterwards. I limped for several days following this race. It was worth it though. I loved everything about this race. I hope to run it again one day.

Mile 1- 9:57

Mile 2- 10:16

Mile 3- 10:24

Mile 4- 10:14

Mile 5- 10:20

Mile 6-10:24

Mile 7- 10:29

Mile 8- 11:02

Mile 9- 10:25

0.32- 9:54 pace

There was a big post race party at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. It was great to catch up with IG friends Katie and Mindy after the race. Free beer was offered in small souvenir cups. I love a souvenir cup! 😄 Red beans and rice was served at Hemingways. 

In addition to the post race party, the Sandshaker Bar across the street had half price drinks to race participants. I had so much fun hanging out with the local running group at the Sandshaker. I stuck with Shirley Temples.

It was great to see Katie at the finish line.

I saw Mindy again at the finish line. She ran a PR!

I love the finisher's medal!

                                  

It's double sided!