Crawled out of bed at 6:15 and found it raining and cold. I hoped my friend
(who was picking me up at 8) would call and say "are we crazy? We aren't really
going to run in this are we?". But she didn't. She just showed up at exactly 8
am like the faithful insane friend she is.

So we picked up another friend, and arrived at the race site at 8:20 or so.
Still raining. But now we're by the lake (Michigan) and it's raining hard, the
wind is blowing about 90 per, it's freezing cold, and there's a LINE..........a
LONG LINE...............at the pre-registered number pick up............outside,
in the blowing freezing rain! We stood in line, getting drenched, for almost a
half hour to get the darned number. Then they made me use THEIR chip instead of
my own, which I had already strung into my shoe laces. Dripping wet --
literally --- I unstrung mine and strung theirs in. Argh. My fingers were so
cold they would hardly work!

Within minutes, the race started------had just enough time to run my race shirt
back to the car and grab my now much needed gloves and hat. I had been grateful
that I had worn a jacket with a hood, but it wasn't keeping the rain off my
glasses, nor was it keeping me anywhere near dry, and I thought it might be a
good idea to be able to see where I was going...........usually a good thing. I
knew I'd eventually warm up......even that wet.

I don't know if the start was timed or not. We did run over a sensor (which did
chirp), but others were saying we hadn't needed to narrow down to run over it
because it was gun timed and the mat was only for the finish. Huh? Must have
been about 400 runners/walkers. Lots of Girls on the Run participants. Very
unorganized event, but I understand they had a lot of volunteers who didn't
show, so maybe that was the problem. Minimal food at the end.........granola
bars, fruit, and water ----- no bananas. Most people didn't stay to claim their
awards -- which were going to 1st in age group only -- so they gave some to 2nd
place AGs. I ended up with another water bottle. Another water bottle.
Hmmmmmm. I should count them up some day. Just like shirts. Oh, the
shirts..........nice navy blue long sleeved (but cotton). I'll probably keep
that one.........like I haven't kept them all..........LOL. I must have enough
for at least 5 quilts by now.......probably more than that!

This race runs thru the very exclusive areas of Bay Harbor --- multi million
dollar homes and boats, and harbor just off Lake Michigan.....built on the site
of a former cement plant (and contaminated --- they're working on that, and the
methods are a source of big controversy here!!) Beautiful (even today). High
rocky cliffs, beautiful gardens and beautifully maintained and manicured lawns.
We ran sort of around the harbor (kind of around one side, turn around and back
to the road) then up to another turnaround at the golf club entrance. When I
passed the stone cliffs, there was a rock fall (small)............no, I don't
think I caused it!!! LOL!!! Well, maybe............ A bit hilly, but
coming back it was DOWN and I was grateful for that.

I managed a 40:41 today (13:22), and I was happy for that too. That's actually
better than the other 2 times I've done this course, and improved a bit from the
5K I did 2 weeks ago. As some of you know, I lost almost a year of decent
training last year due to a health issue (that I think is now under control ---
I hope, I hope, I hope). I'm literally starting over, so I'm kinda happy with
these times. I've bitten off a big chunk by registering again for Goofy, and if
I don't do it this time (after 2 times of going and only doing only the
half)........it's no go again.

We went to breakfast at the Bay Harbor pancake place............yum. VERY GOOD.
Took a nap and a hot tub dip when I got home. Life is good. the sun even
peeked out for a bit this afternoon...............

Good luck to anyone else running this week end...............I'll be tracking a
couple of you at Cleveland, and waiting for reports from Linda in NS, and Daria
in NY!!! Anyone else running? Have fun!!! Hope it's dry where you
are..............

Louise, MI





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