Race Reports, Kudos, and Encouragement for Dec 1st and 2nd

[jeanneg]

Congrats, Paul! Amazing time!

 

[Pungodingy]

My race was the Jingle Bell Run (for arthritis). It was a lot of fun, but it was COLD. Only 21 degrees and very very windy! Very well organized, great massages after, food was eh, tshirts are nice, prizes (which I did not get) were really nice. First race wearing my new running shoes, and I SO love them!!! Plus I improved my time again!

This was my DD's first "real" race, she did one other with me (on Mother's Day) and insisted on staying with me, this one she did for herself. I think she may be hooked. That being said, she wrote up her race report and asked me to post it for her (she's 13).

Here it is...

This 5k was the more painful of the two races I’ve ever done. The wind mixed with the tiredness of running can really wipe you out. I started the race with my mom’s words in the back of my mind. ‘’Go your own pace’’. As my mom and I stood there shivering in the cold everybody started to run. My mom said here we go. Then everybody stopped. False start someone shouted. Then we actually started. I ran for about what I would call ten minutes when I got too tired and had to walk. A bunch of people passed me and I didn’t like it so I stared to run again. After mile one a little boy about five or six in a green shirt passed me while I was walking. I decided that I was going to place before him at the finish. A little ways on a girl about my age was stretching by a tree she looked at me and said ‘’same boat’’. I smiled and continued on. After mile two there was a long stretch of open road and every time the wind blew it felt as if my face would fall off because it was so cold. I was about ready to give up and throw in the towel when I saw the finish line. A burst of energy shot through me and I sprinted through. My dad came up to me and said ‘’just go on inside and get warm we’ll come get you when mom gets in’’. I just nodded my head, too out of breath to answer. I went inside and laid down, about ten minutes later my mom showed up.

I placed 11 in my age category of 41 kids I would have made 10 but a girl came in about 18 seconds before me. My time was 33.53 minutes.

My mom got in at 44.38 minutes.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Congrats to all my WISH teammates - it was an awesome weekend.

Thanks again to Lynne and Kathy for getting the Run to Victory meet started. It was an unexpected bonus to end my year with such a great time! And let me tell you that if Wendy ever decides to change careers she makes a wonderful tour guide!

I'll try not to repeat things that have already posted, but I do have a few things I'd like to share.

Here is a pic of Wendy on the stroll-way to Old Salem. It was a beautiful walk from our motel to the historic district.

The day was beautiful, lunch at the Old Salem Tavern was delicious, and the historic district was fascinating. All too soon it was time to head for Randleman to get to our motel and then meet up with Jeanne and John for a great dinner and lots of animated conversation. Then back to the room to settle in for the night.

It was great to see so many WISHers Sunday morning. Our shirts really do help us find one another.

Here are Wendy, Jeanne, and John pre-race.

During the race I walked with Kathy and I really appreciated having her company, especially on some of those hills! It seemed to me that the entire course was either going up, going down, or turning. So I was very pleased with my clock time of just over 3:30. I did think it was strange that there wasn't a chip mat at the start of the race, and I forgot to stop my garmin when I crossed the finish, but it really doesn't matter because I had a great time and added to my Penguin medal collection. Plus high-fiving Kyle and Pattie Petty at the finish was pretty cool.

Here are Wendy, Jeanne, and John enjoying post-race chili and cornbread.

And here are Lynne, Kathy, Wendy, and me

I read in John Bingham's email update today that $120,000 was raised for the Victory Junction Gang. Awesome!!

But wait......there's more......after the race Wendy and I headed to Biltmore Estates to do the Candlelight Christmas evening tour. It was every bit as beautiful as it sounds. The programs I've seen on TV about Biltmore don't begin to do it justice.

The next morning Wendy and I headed back to Biltmore for a quick stop so that I could see it in daylight and then it was about a 3.5 hr drive back to the airport.

It was a whirlwind weekend and I enjoyed every moment of it. A special thanks to Wendy. She went above and beyond all expectations to make my trip not only possible, but absolutely a memory that I will always treasure.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Great races everyone! Love all the pics. It looks like you guys had a fabulous time!

 

[jeanneg]

Awesome photos, Pat! It was so much fun getting to spend time with you and all the other WISHers! Now I can't wait for January to see everyone again.