Battleship 12k (WW # 119)

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My original plan was to be in Las Vegas this weekend, but that sadly didn't work out.  Since PoPo had taken time off work as well, we decided to visit Mobile.  We started with massages at the Battlehouse Renaissance Spa and later the best grilled oysters ever at the Oyster House.  We topped off our delicious meal with a specialty concoction that was a slice of Key Lime pie blended with ice cream, tequila and triple sec.  We split it... I swear.

The PoPo to my HoHo

On Veterans Day, we spent the morning at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.  Touring the battleship was a very fitting way to honor the occasion.  What the servicemen did on board was simply amazing.  Very impressively, she suffered no enemy damage in her nine battles during World War II.  We spent the afternoon in the French Quarter relaxing outdoors and watching cyclists coming into the finish of the Gears and Beers Century Ride.  Oh yeah -- it’s now on my must do list!  We dined that evening at Bluegill.  {Just so you know...my alternate post title was "We Ate Our Way Through Mobile".}

Sunday, I ran the 3rd annual Battleship 12k.  I've run several half marathons in Mobile and enjoy their flat, scenic courses.  This course was point to point from Spanish Fort to Mobile, ending at the USS Alabama. I assumed it would be mostly flat with maybe a few bridge inclines. Having never run a 12k, this would be an automatic PR.  Just getting my mileage back on track, I wanted to use this race as a steady training run.  I chose a patriotic outfit and was ready to go!

Race day began at 61 degrees with low hanging clouds and misting rain.  I stayed in a nearby hotel and walked to the start line.   The course was truly a straight shot directly over Mobile Bay.  I lost count of the bridges but at least most inclines were not too steep.  I began very conservatively and picked it up during the last mile and a half,  happy to run it as my fastest. -- even with the steepest bridge.  As we turned into the park for the finish, we were handed an American flag.  I thought that was a special touch.

Immediately following my finish, harder rain started falling and the temperature began dropping.  I scarfed down water, banana, chocolate donut and coffee.  By this time, my lips were blue from the cold and I could barely speak.  I spotted some familiar faces (it's nice to have people to chat with when you are away from home!) and stood in line for the shuttle that would take me back for probably an hour.  Freezing.  A hot shower never felt so good.  Oh, we dined at Ralph & Kacoo's on the way home.  More grilled oysters.  And shrimp and grits.  What can I say?

I'm sorry this seems rushed, but I was on a deadline for the Weekly Wrap!

Good luck to all the ladies running in Las Vegas right now as this post goes live!

And that's a wrap!

Do you like point to point races?

Have you visited Mobile?

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