Double Bridge Run 15K- Pensacola, FL

By the end of 2009, I accomplished my first 5K and first 10K race. What was next? Yep. The 15K (9.3 miles). I took some time off over the holidays and realized the 15K that I wanted to race was approaching fast. With not much time to spare, I began training for the Double Bridge Run. Here in Pensacola, there are 2 significant bridges connecting downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. One of these bridges is 3 miles long, connecting downtown Pensacola to Gulf Breeze, with a steady slope in the middle. The other bridge, connecting the small city of Gulf Breeze to the island, is nothing but steep!

My “greenhorn” nature showed. I was NOT prepared for this race. I found out the hard way that the shoes you wear, matters—in fact, it matters big time. I bought a pair of shoes that I “thought” would be OK to wear, and after suffering 2 knee injuries, I realized that you have to invest in a solid pair of running shoes. On top of that, I skimped out on some of my training runs and figured, “What the heck, if I can run 6.2 miles, I can run 9.3.” I wobbled across the finish line in 1:29:27 (The time in the below picture reflects the beginning of the race. I was a few seconds behind the start of the gun.) 

I started off the race nice and smooth. I made it to the 3 Mile Bridge, marking roughly the beginning of the third mile. By the time I got to the peak of the 3 Mile Bridge, I was hurting. Sharp pains were shooting through my left knee as I favored it running down the back side of the peak. I made it over the bridge and into Gulf Breeze. Here we were joined by the 5K racers/walkers as we made our way towards the Bob Sikes Bridge (joining Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach). This bridge is short, yet completely vertical. You don’t realize this when you drive to the beach, but when you run up this darn thing, you find out real fast!

I was hobbling down the back side of the bridge and had about a mile left. I told myself that I was almost finished and all I needed to do was suck it up and get it done. As my adrenaline kicked into overdrive, I visualized the finish line ahead. To my disappointment, it was not where I expected it—but about 100-150 yards further! The crowd was cheering on everyone as they made their way into the home stretch. I recited one of my personal mantras as I came down the chute and crossed the finish line. 

An overwhelming sense of accomplishment poured through me. This now marked the furthest distance I had ever run.

(My aunt was quick to point out that it is OK to enjoy the victory and smile for the camera as you cross the finish line…you can then stop your watch AFTER you finish…Thanks, Coach!)

Turkey Trot 5K- Canton, OH

Many 5K races (& 10K races) help benefit local charities, organizations or other community supporters.  For example, the 10K that I participated in a few months beforehand, benefited the Ronald McDonald House.

My family, Jennifer and I drove to Ohio to visit my family during Thanksgiving of 2009.  While we were there, my Uncle, Aunt, Jennifer and I (pictured below) registered for a local 5K race on Thanksgiving Day, sponsored by the Perry Township Rotary. It was a COLD morning—at least for us warm-blooded Floridians. Not accustomed to such conditions, we braved the elements and ran the streets of Canton before heading home to enjoy our traditional Thanksgiving feast.

The race took place early morning—so while we were running (in the frigid weather), I began to notice a distinct smell in the air. It was the smell of turkeys being cooked from several of the homes. As I gazed up from my stride, I noticed people sitting on their front porch, bundled up, sipping hot coffee, reading the paper and enjoying the crisp morning as their turkey was cooking inside.

My Uncle and I exchanged looks and started to chuckle. He said to me “Two more miles of running and we will be able to go home and enjoy our Thanksgiving meal knowing we ran 3.1 miles and they didn’t.”  God I love this sport.

Aunt Tamara (with baby Riley), Uncle Stuart, Jenn, and I

Tiger Trot 10K - Gulf Breeze, FL

After accomplishing my first 5K, I then found a local 10K (6.2 miles) race to compete in. I was determined to keep proving to myself that I could do a little bit more each time. Here’s a picture of me (gray shirt) coming up on the finish line at 53:06

Seafood 5K - Pensacola, FL

Since running was never “my thing”, I wanted to tackle the 5K (3.1 mile) race. This would mark not only a huge accomplishment, but the starting point of my racing career.

My Aunt Tamara offered to be my coach—as she has raced in numerous triathlons and loved competing as well. When I asked her what I needed to accomplish in my first 5K race, she simply said, “Have fun”. Hmm…that seemed easy enough!  Here I was, all concerned about my time and whether or not I would place well in my age division, etc., and she tells me to “Have fun”?!?! 

Well, needless to say, I had a blast.  I successfully completed my first 5K in 23:33 and my heart was already set on the next race.

The Idea...

It was early August when I really started to map out my goals with regards to how I wanted to stay active. I was no longer playing high school baseball, football or intramural sports in college. I was left with the memories, but nothing else. It was then that I decided I wanted to pick up a sport that I could do for years and years to come. A lot of people choose to pick up golf—sure, I like to play, yet I was looking for something a little more competitive. Something that would challenge my body both physically and mentally.

My uncle had recently accomplished an Ironman triathlon in Panama City, Florida. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this race, it consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike leg, and finished with a 26.2 mile run—all within 17 consecutive hours. It is not only a a physical test of strength and perseverance, but also a test of mental toughness. This race pushes the human body to its limits.

With that being said, I did some more research and decided that THIS was what I was going to accomplish. I knew that it would be a long road ahead, but I told myself that I would accomplish bits and pieces along the way. I came from an athletic background of baseball and football: both require quick feet and short bursts of speed. I was NOT an avid fan of long distance running in high school. In fact, running 1 mile was considered the end of the world.

Therefore, I set out for my first goal: a 5K race