Sunday, November 12, 2017

Battleship 12k (WW # 119)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

https://hohoruns.blogspot.com/p/weekly-wrap.html
The sole purpose of this linkup is to
SUPPORT ACTIVE WOMEN
 Please click HERE  to see complete rules.


***********************************************



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?




53 comments:

  1. Ok, so now I need to add Mobile to my must visit list! I may just have to move to 'Bama!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my. If you lived closed by, just think of the shenanigans we'd get ourselves into.

      Delete
  2. I'm so sorry that you did not get to run Vegas like you had planned but glad you did get to run a race!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm very glad I saw chose this race as my Vegas substitute. It was amazing!

      Delete
  3. I have not been to Mobile (or AL for that fact) and I've only done a couple of point to point races. The logistics always make them a bit nerve wracking for me.

    While I know that a cold rain definitely feels cold . . . my race started at about 20ish. At least there was sun. I thought I was overdressed, actually, but it turned out just right (for me).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When we "go coastal" it's typically Florida. It was nice to go somewhere else for a change. I agree. The logistics for a point to point add a bit of stress.

      Delete
  4. Mobile may not be Vegas, but it sounds like a great way to celebrate Veteran's Day to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was a great way to celebrate Veteran's Day. It is a beautiful city with a lot of charm.

      Delete
  5. Vegas-Mobile? Same thing really! :) Glad you were able to get away for the weekend and do a fun race. A 12 K is such an interesting distance! Thanks for the linkup today and glad to be back

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mobile is a fun city! I haven't seen many 12ks around, if any. I'm not sure how they picked the race distance. Maybe just because it was the closest when finding a route across the bay?

      Delete
  6. Sounds like a great weekend! Battleships are amazing, and their crew are even more impressive. How cool to do the tour and the race on Veterans Day weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To realize how many men it took to operate those ships and how they fired those huge guns! It is awe inspiring. I was floored she sustained no damage from enemy fire!

      Delete
  7. Sorry you didnt make it to Vegas, but glad you got to run a race!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Going into this race, I didn't know what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised!

      Delete
  8. Sorry Vegas didn't work out, but glad you still had a fun filled weekend! I like the idea of a 12k- a whole new distance, automatic PR for most :) Thanks for hosting the link-up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not a fan of a 10k, preferring a half marathon. But -- I really liked this distance. It's just enough.

      Delete
  9. Congrats on your race! Seriously the best thing after a really cold run is the hot shower! Sounds like it was the perfect way to celebrate Veteran's day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could not get out of the hot shower! The thought of lunch finally got me moving. LOL.

      Delete
  10. Sounds like a great weekend getaway! I don't think I'd heard of a 12K before. Congrats on your race! And, thanks for the link-up :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is the first one I've seen too. I really liked the distance!

      Delete
  11. I only like point to point races because I hate round about races that loop the course ) I like new scenery to keep things exciting! But I don't like the hassle of figuring ou the starting line vs the finish line and where to get dropped off or drive, etc. Congrats on the race!!!! It's been so cold here lately and all I need is a hot shower - i start thinking about it during my runs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like a big loop around a course but I'm not a big fan of straight out and back. That's kind for boring. You see everything twice. And everyone ahead of you. That can be both good and bad.

      Delete
  12. Sounds like you had an amazing weekend away with Popo! That key lime pie sounds delightful! Ive never ran a point-to-point race, but have been looking at the Niagara Falls marathon, which is one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are fun but require extra logistics. I can only imagine the shuttle busses would be very expensive for the race directors too.

      Delete
  13. Sounds like a fun time in Mobile. What fitting way to celebrate Veteran's Day. Congrats on your 12k!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoyed the 12k distance. It felt "just enough".

      Delete
  14. Sounds like you made the most out of not being able to make it to Las Vegas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried! At least it took my mind off of not being there.

      Delete
  15. Eat your way through a town - isn’t that what you are supposed to do when you go away? Haha Sounds like a wonderful weekend away. I’ve never run a 12k race before. Nice work!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems to be what we do. LOL. I found the distance felt "just right". Not too short but not too long!

      Delete
  16. That sounds like such a fun weekend! Congrats on the race... and mmm... shrimp and grits...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love shrimp and grits. But on this trip, the grilled oysters were the best.

      Delete
  17. Sounds like a delicious weekend! Congrats on your automatic PR! Stinks about standing in line in the cold rain, though. Ugh...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a delicious weekend. I was totally unprepared for the rain. There was very little chance in the forecast. Why am I surprised?

      Delete
  18. Sounds like a great weekend getaway for you and PoPo! Congratulations on a great finish time! Major Hubs and i will have to put this one on our list for next year ...he's all about patriotic races!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He'd definitely enjoy this one. Make sure to tour the battleship and the submarine. It's very interesting!

      Delete
  19. It's not a vacation to another town if you don't try all the different food! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true. Unfortunately, we also eat our way through our own town quite often. LOL.

      Delete
  20. Sounds like a delicious and super fun weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a very nice city to visit. The race was a bonus.

      Delete
  21. I have never been to Mobile and honestly never thought about traveling to Alabama. But obviously it would be cool to visit each state. Where would you recommend someone go in AL if they were only going to hit up that state once?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mobile is a very nice and diverse city. Plus, it's just minutes from some of the most spectacular sugar sand beaches in the world.

      Delete
  22. Love your patriotic outfit! Way to go on your automatic PR. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is not often I get to participate in a patriotic event. So, I had to do the red white and blue.

      Delete
  23. Congratulations on a great trip and race! I love your patriotic outfit, too. I've never been to Mobile or Alabama, and while I know it's not Vegas, I'm glad you got to travel and race this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The weekend trip did help to take my mind off of missing Vegas. Plus, it was an awesome race! One I'd definitely like to repeat. It is begging for a PR.

      Delete
  24. That race sounds fun! You know I like my hills (most of the time), and the distance is unique (ahem...automatic PR for me, too).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was just enough incline to keep this race interesting. I think I may need to repeat it next year!

      Delete
  25. Sounds like fun. Did you enjoy the course? There's nothing like a hot shower after a race, and I may have sat down in the shower after my race on Sunday to let the hot water hit my muscles.

    ReplyDelete
  26. That sounds like a great way to celebrate Veteran's Day! Love the flag. I keep looking at RnR Vegas. Maybe next year. It's a super cheap flight from Bozeman, so I might as well go sometime. Have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sounds like a nice getaway! Great job on the 12K! The flag given at the finish is a nice touch!

    ReplyDelete
  28. congrats on your 12k PR! way to negative split the race too-that's always exciting. Those flags at the end too-great touch to a veterans day event in my opnion. And even though you couldn't get to vegas it sounds like Mobile was the next best thing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love being handed a flag at the finish line of the Firecracker 5K, and think it's perfect for any Veteran's Day or Memorial Day race as well. I've run 5K's, 8K's, 10K's and 20K's, but never a 12K. It sounds like you two had a great time!

    Thanks for the linkup!

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy reading your comments. Thanks for taking the time to leave one!