Blue Mountain Beach Recap

The beach was utterly spectacular this weekend.   No complaints!

What can I say about this race?  Hmmmmm...  It was pretty much uneventful.  You see, I wanted an EVENT as it marked two milestones.  But honestly, I don't remember much about it except it was hot, hot, hot.  In tough races, or perhaps all of them, I just zone out. {Where am I, again?}

Carbo loading at it's finest

I drove the short distance to the race in heavy fog.  Humidity, anyone?  It started late due to the porta potty line.  Pee faster, people, it's getting hotter!  The route consisted of 4 out and back loops.  A large portion was on a bike path which was too narrow in the earlier miles for out and back racers.  Loops 1 & 3 were the same, passing by quaint beach cottages and also super flat...my favorite part.  Loops 2 & 4 were hillier, especially 4 and it was the longest at 7 miles.  This last loop was simply brutal in the blazing Florida sun.  But, hey, I still reign supreme as queen of 4th place (AG).  I own it.

There was little crowd support (a small race).  No real encouragement.  No helpful distractions.  They had plenty of fluid stops, some with fruit and gels.  But, they were out of water at the finish line.  Hello?  Old woman dying here!  The after party was OK with pasta salad (just couldn't make myself) sub sandwiches, chips, cookies, fruit, etc. 

Maybe my expectations for this race were simply too high.  Shouldn't everyone know what a momentous occasion this was?  Where were the fireworks?  The roses?  The white doves?   The marching band?  The champagne?  "Here's a stale Chips Ahoy.  Congrats!"  {I'm joking.  That was a hellofa cookie!}  I did receive a nice tech shirt and 13.1 sticker.

Pretty medal

So, half marathon #25 and #14 for 2014 was accomplished quietly and without fanfare on the beautiful Florida panhandle.  I ended up running 6 hot and humid halfs this year, 5 of which I had not planned. (Done with that - no more!).  Even when I understand I won't be able to run my normal pace, I still get incredibly frustrated and it shakes my confidence.  What if I can't get it back?  Eek!   I can only hope racing all summer in brutal conditions will pay off when I get the opportunity to run at 48 degrees, my ideal temperature.  Oh, and I'll be training for that one too.  Route 66 here I come!