Race Weekend

Alas, the TriGirl race season culminated this weekend with Mother Nature giving us a few surprises.

On Saturday, TriGirls competing in the Richmond marathon and NTELOS 8K were confronted with unseasonably warm conditions. While the spectators, including several other TriGirls, spouses and friends (and me) enjoyed the great weather, parked in the median with our signs at mile 20, we knew the racers were cursing it. Yet the TriGirls running that day did it in style, with Coach G. looking fresh as a daisy as she glided past us. TriGirl CH was next to follow, looking stylish as always – then TriGirl LD, who would finish with a 30ish minute gain over her first marathon. TriGirl KO ran by soon thereafter, so focused we weren’t sure she heard our cheers. TriGirls AM and KT came by next – with KT completing the race with strep throat! Then TriGirls MW and SD ran by, looking strong and happy. TriGirl JH rode by on her bike several times with encouraging words for the racers.

After Saturday’s race, TriGirls hit the road to the OBX. With awesome TriGirl hospitality, TriGirl SDG opened her lovely “Love Shack” home to the half marathoners and a post race resting stop (aka party central) to the Richmond racers and TriGirl cheerleaders. After a pizza, water and wine dinner, TriGirl AF gave a great toast to Coach G., with TriGirl TB presenting her with flowers, bling-bling tiara and earrings. Not sure what happened, but TriGirls CH and SL showed a bit more TriGirl spirit than usual...

The Sunday racers hit the Love Shack’s sacks fairly early – while the post race TriGirls celebrated (don’t ask about the hot tub).

Around 5:00-5:30 AM the next morning, the OBX half marathoners woke to their alarm clocks. The race started with a few bumps (where is the start line and why are they saying we only have five minutes to use the porta-potties to get to the start line or we will never get there?). The weather was not as cool as we hoped, but not as warm as the previous day’s marathon conditions.

But once the gun sounded, the race conditions improved – the route was really beautiful, winding through Outer Banks neighborhoods. Plus, TriGirl SDG and I ran together for the first 8 miles – boy did I appreciate her company! The TriGirls, spouses and friends formed a cheerleading squad that encouraged us every few miles. TriGirl DL’s husband even dyed his “corporate mohawk” TriGirl pink. And TriGirl SDG's husband caught up with us every few miles with encouraging words and photo ops.

Things started to go downhill – with a steep concrete uphill - across a bridge at mile 9. About this time, a drizzle like rain started to fall. TriGirls came to the rescue, as the Saturday racers (and TriGirl cheerleaders SL, TD and MW (M who?)) got stuck in traffic on the same bridge – and their van door opened several times with cheers to get us over the main race challenge.

I stupidly passed a water stop somewhere between miles 9-10 – and, why I don’t know but, there was no “next one.” Thankfully, SDG’s husband rode by one more time to share some much needed H2O from his water bottle.

I crossed the finish line with a seven minute gain from my previous first ½ marathon time to meet TriGirl MJW (who had been finished for quite a while, after having a PR the previous day in the 8K). TriGirls SDG and AF finished about the same time. TriGirl TB finished with a great time – especially since she was thinking she would be walking because of an IT band problem. Then the skies really opened up – as TriGirl KM – our over 60 TriGirl inspiration – crossed the finish line with such wonderful joy. TriGirls DL and KFG came by next – DL with an amazing sprint finish and KFG with a better than anticipated time.

Post race - TriGirl TB and I recovered for a little while in the Love Shack hot tub (no stories to compete with the night before) and TriGirl TB's husband took great care of us with warm towels and great company.

All in all, a great weekend. And I woke up today feeling good enough for a swim, but also feeling a little lost knowing there were no TriGirl workouts planned for the next few weeks.

Congrats to all the TriGirls!