Race Reports/Encouragement/Kudos - December 6 and 7

[dsnyfan21]

Wendy and Casey: Great jobs for both of you!!! Congratulations!!

-Casey I'm liking the WISH viosr!!!

 

[jeanneg]

Great race reports, Tracy, Casey and Wendy! The Las Vegas race sounds like a real hoot!

I did yesterday's run for Victory Junction with Wendy (well, not exactly WITH her....) and have to agree: the course was difficult. Lots of hills and cow pastures and not too much of anything else until you actually get to the kids camp, which is awesome. My husband had a very rough time at it since he was dealing with a multitude of feet issues and our time showed it. No official results yet, but I think we were around a 3:35, which is not good. This is the first race we have ever done where we stayed together. It was supposed to be a practice run for the WDW marathon, so you can see why we're a little bummed. Then to add insult to injury, all but one of the photographers were gone by the time we crossed the finish line. Even Richard Petty had flown the coop! Of course, Kyle and Patty Petty remained at the finish line until the very last person crossed and high-fived each finisher personally (I think she actually hugged me this year!) What amazing folks they are. Then John and I wolfed down a nice big bowl of chili and were on our way. Wendy, did they serve hot chocolate this year? They weren't serving it when we got there, but a worker saw me looking around and then asked if I wanted anything. When I mentioned the h.c., she actually went to the back and brought me out a steaming mugful. Very sweet of her.....

 

[getnthinr]

Jeanne, so so sorry about John having a tough day. Gosh, when you're having foot issues walking a 5K is no fun -- nevermind a HALF MARATHON!

As always, it was such a joy to spend time with you two this weekend. I also didn't see Richard or Linda Petty at the finish this year. I got a finsh line photo with Kyle and Pattie, I hope -- the photographer was there -- but no candid photos as I have in years past. In fact, I was so worried about how long I'd delayed my NY friends from the comfort of a nice hot shower that I ducked into the cafeteria just long enough to grab a bowl of chili and ate it while waiting in line for the bus. So, no, I didn't see any hot chocolate either.

At least we got some good strength-building miles in this weekend! (And, as I keep reminding myself, it is a great cause.)

Congratulations to both of you for completing those very tough miles.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Congrats to Chad and to Tracy -- loved the jingle bell photos, Tracy. Awesome PR, Chad.

Just a quick report from me on the Run to Victory Half Marathon (formerly the Victory Junction Run) in Randleman NC. Went to the aiport Saturday to pick up my friends from NY (Disney Deads Dave and Eileen). Jeanne (jeanneg) and DH John were kind enough to pick up our race packets while I took Dave and Eileen to vist Old Salem and have a marvelous lunch at the Tavern there. Later, I also got to have dinner with Jeanne and DH John in Archdale (so I got to visit both sets of friends). Got back to the hotel and crashed. Woke up very early for this morning's race. Not much to tell that I haven't reported in previous years. (Here's my race report from the inaugural race and from last year.) I finished the half right about where I'd anticipated (3:15 was my estimate; I think I finished at 3:14 clock time).

My friends Dave and Eileen fared much better: Eileen (who finished around 2:00) won her age group and Dave (at 1:45) placed 3rd in his, so they both got very cool age-group award tiles made and presented by the Victory Junction Camp kids (which NASCAR's Kyle and Patti Petty took the time to autograph). Dave and Eileen were completely wowed by the camp and are already talking about coming back next year and bringing their friends. One "side effect" of having very speedy friends is that I didn't get to see Jeanne and John finish. I'd already made my NY friends wait an hour for me to finish and I felt I needed to get my guests back to their Raleigh hotel. (As it turned out, they both said afterwards, "No! We would have loved to see Jeanne and John finish!" -- Next time I'll ask!)

Tomorrow Dave and Eileen have an early morning flight to... WDW to take in 5 days of Christmas special events. I wish I was tagging along!

I will say that when I saw Jeanne and DH they were motoring along a little ahead of their planned pace, so I trust they finished well. I'll also say that both Dave and Eileen said that was the hardest course they'd ever run (I've done this race all three years and it has been a different course each year) -- and that's saying something based on all their years of race experience.

Jeanne's DH, Me, and Jeanne (jeanneg) at the start

Me just after entering the camp with a race cheerer/volunteer

This year's medal was smaller/lighter weight and did not include the Penguin logo on the reverse (instead it had the camp logo).

I think the economy is hitting everyone really hard -- including the folks staging these races. It seems most of the race fields are smaller this year, the goodie bags lighter, the medals smaller. Looks like Disney may buck that trend though!

Oh! And I also saw WISHer Christa's good buddy Ron Horton at the race again this year. I've known Ron for around 10 years -- and he's just an awesome guy. He had a pretty big running group with him this year -- I took their group photo. Amazing to think how many people I've come to know and love during these years of doing distance events -- even as slow as I am. A notice to all you newbies, it really can be life changing.

I met a very nice couple (whose names I've already forgotten) who remembered me from the Charity Chase Half I did very early this year. More specifically -- they remembered my WISH shirt! Again, kudos to those who designed the logo and decided on the slogan -- so many folks comment on it! I always love wearing it too -- I really live that slogan.

Sorry this took so long.

Wendy, Jeanne and John....that picture looks oh so familiar. It must have been taken by a real pro photographer .

We really enjoyed Victory Junction and it is a well organized race. On top of that, Marianne was able cut 1 minute off her PR on a very non-PR course.

When we finished, we were invited inside for some "doughnuts and chili"..which I enjoyed.

Hopefully, we'll see you again at WDW next month.

Take care.

Brian

 

[jeanneg]

Yay, Brian......great to hear from you....and great photo! Congrats to Marianne on her PR...even more impressive considering the course! Hope to see you in January, although I may be motoring solo. Not sure if John will be really up to the task in just a month.

 

[getnthinr]

Brian and Marianne! Hi! Tell me your name half a dozen more times and... yeah, I'll still probably have to ask me to remind me who you are and how I know you -- I have what my kids refer to as "old-timers disease".

It was a lot of fun meeting you at the race--and thanks for the awesome picture! I'll look for you two goofs at Disney--and you can introduce yourselves to me again! (Sorry -- I love people, I'm just terrible with names!)

 

[goofyinohio]

I thought I posted this, but way to go everyone on your races! Great reports.

Oh and a couple of Buzz's I see did some Half Marathons! Awesome job. Wendy and Casey I love your reports with the pictures included. I should follow you both around because you do runs I want to do.