Confession…. While running Space Coast Marathon, I decided I was not going to run for 2 weeks after. I pushed my body hard and it needed a break. The first couple of days after running those 26.2 miles, I couldn’t even think about running. My whole body was sore. If I had been in a position where someone was chasing me and I had to run to get away, I would have literally just curled up in a ball on the ground. Yes, that sore. But after a few days I felt better. I maybe thought about running a couple times, but mostly I stuck to the 2-week-off plan and enjoyed lazy mornings and the lack of super smelly running clothes.
Last week, I optimistically signed us up for two events. Santa’s Twilight 5K on Honeymoon Island, and a virtual half marathon for Best Damn Race Cape Coral. It sounded like a really fun thing to do and I felt like two weeks off would make for rested legs and nice running.
Santa’s Twilight 5K
This was our second year doing this event. Last year, hubby and I ran it with our friend Corinna. It would become – and still is – my 5K PR time (30:56) and I have dreamt of beating that time ever since. After talking to hubby to see how he felt about running it as fast as we could, we decided we would go for it.
Last year we wore red shirts and twinkling Santa hats. But this year, we had even more fun with it. Hubby dressed as Santa, complete with beard and Vegas glasses. I decided to be his little elf, complete with the cutest elf socks and my own pair of Vegas glasses. I added a sparkly scarf and braided my hair. Needless to say, I thought we were pretty darn adorable and I took advantage of our fun attire and got plenty of pictures.
We arrived at Honeymoon Island just in time to see the sun set. Like all the beaches here, the sunsets are beautiful. Mr. Photographer also asked to take our picture, so of course we obliged.
We started near the middle and took off running as soon as we broke free from the crowd. We followed the luminary-lighted path. Hubby automatically runs faster than me thanks to being taller, so I had to work to keep up with him but it helped me keep a nice pace. We took our first walk break at 1.50 miles. Shortly after we saw the Mile 2 sign which could not be right. We took off running again and took one more quick walk break and this was when we realized the course was short. Rounding the last turn to the finish line, we just kept going, pushing hard. Nothing we could do about it then. My Garmin told me we ran 2.54 miles in 27:06 minutes. I’m not going to lie, I was irritated because I ran hard to try and beat last year’s time. A short course is not the way to get a PR. Everyone’s times were off. But, we got this cute medal. Everyone should have a Santa medal.
The official time for me was 24:48 with an average pace of 7:59. If only I could claim that… I don’t even run that fast in my dreams.
But, I must admit these finish line photos help a little to make up for it. Santa Mike giving Santa Claus is priceless.
Best Damn Race Cape Coral Virtual Half Marathon
Dark and early the next morning, hubby and I met up with Corinna at our usual starting spot at the base of the Memorial Bridge to tackle 13.1 miles. I was slightly nervous about tackling the bridges again, after not running them for 3 weeks. But I also knew we weren’t trying to break any records with this run, we were just having fun and finishing 13.1 miles so we could earn the uber-awesome Best Damn Race Cape Coral medal….
I had to stop and get a picture of this pretty tree at City Hall when we passed by. I love Christmas tree with pretty lights and decorations.
It was fun to run with Corinna again and it gave us a chance to catch up. The three of us run really well together so the time passes quickly. We ran an out and back, the same route we did many time for our Sunday long runs. It was fun to be on this side of the marathon and run it.
We also got to see another beautiful sunrise…. They just never get old and I will never have too many pictures of scenes like this…
We tackled both bridges, both ways, so that made me happy. And we finished under 3 hours which was fantastic. Not my best half marathon, but not my worst either. And just like that, half marathon #11 was in the books!
It was a perfect way to finish off races for 2014. I can’t believe I ran 12 this year. What a great year for running!
Don’t forget, my discount code is still good for the upcoming Best Damn Race events in Jacksonville, Safety Harbor, and Orlando. Register today at Best Damn Race! Which events will I see you at?
