Beach to Bay Marathon Relay - Corpus Christi

For those that want the split details and not a full account...here ya go...

Leg 6 (the CC bay run): 4.4 miles

Mile 1: 9:29
Mile 2: 9:32

Mile 3: 9:40
Mile 4: 9:26

.4: 8:26 pace (and yes, I picked it up big time because I felt so great and I knew I had had a great run of my leg)

Total time: 4.4 miles: 41.37
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When we first were trying to determine our individual paces for each runner, so that we knew approximately when to expect the handoff from leg to leg of the baton, I had put down 9:40. I thought I was being optimistic, due to the fact it was the 6th leg...and the threat of a high sun and high temps, although saying if it was a 'bad' day, I might be at 10K pace (10:07). Again I thought I was being overly optimistic...Of course as you can see I had a really good day...and probably could have done better, but I was cautious because I didnt want to bonk, even though the miles were clicking by quickly and I felt better and better with each stride...

Well according to those that have been around this race in its last 33 years say this is the BEST weather ever on this race weekend. I tell ya, I only raced last year, and it was the 2nd leg, but I saw what the heat did to those that ran the later legs. So needless to say, going in to run the 6th and final leg I knew what I possibly had in store for me.

When we got here yesterday it was sunny and H-O-T. So you think...well there ya go... Your leg is gonna start about 10:30. Be ready. And I was.

Then race morning when we woke up...I look outside and its overcast. Dark and gloomy even...its 7am... We get outside and even more importantly, its probably about 68 and what felt like only a bit of humidity but the wind helped there...we could only hope the wind would be at our backs or at the very least, a cross wind.

I dropped Sam off at leg 4 and made my way back to Swanter Park to find a place to leave the car for when Sam came to get it to drive to the Finish. Judging by the times given by the other runners I had about 2.5 hours of nothing to do...I sat in the car for about an hour before I ventured on down to the hand off area to look for people I knew. About 40 minutes later Sam arrived and hung out for a bit and then I knew to get closer to the handoff area to wait. Bryon was a few minutes late getting there, and I was more than giddy to get running...At this time, it was not so cloudy, and about 80 degrees I guess.

I saw him coming down the hill and then along the seawall, I grabbed the baton, immediately stuck it in my top and off I went. The first 1/4 mile is a slight incline back up to Ocean Drive and then a straight shot to the finish. The great thing about running the 6th leg alone Ocean Drive is that there are alot of really REALLY nice homes and people were out on the sidewalks cheering on everyone. A few people passed me in the first mile, then it stopped. And then I started passing. Seeing one person and focusing on passing them.

And so it went. Then all of a sudden there was a big gap between me and another girl. I didnt think I could catch her, but just before we turn off to head back down along the water, I caught her. We went stride for stride till finally I had had enough and I kicked it into another gear, the 8:26 pace. I didnt care how I was going to feel at the end...and there she went...somewhere behind me. I still managed to even catch a few more and in the last 100m I passed a couple more just for the hell of it.

I cant ever remember a time moving that fast, nor can I remember a time where I had a kick like that at the end of any race. It felt awesome.

I hadn't ended up on a competitive team, and sure I could have just run to be running, but thats not my nature. I feel really great about what I did down there, and it seems every time I race, a bit more confidence creeps in letting me know its ok to think...even if just for a little bit...that I am a good runner, and I have a lot more improvement in me....

The weekend was full of fun, friends and so much more. Its hard for me to think back when it was that I had such a perfect weekend.

There will be pictures later; right now, I am obviously finally home and need some alone time with my couch and my remote.