The
Run to Victory (formerly the
Victory Junction Run) WISH meet was an astounding success! You've already read the reports. I just wanted to share a few photos.
First, though, I need to thank
Lynne (
xterratri) and
Kathy (
NYcpa) for getting me in gear and signed up for this event. I was going to blow it off this year because I had a very busy November, but the prospect of a WISH meet in my own backyard was too good to pass up. When
Pat (
WDWFAN9) signed on as well, and entrusted me to show her a weekend full of NC, I was hopelessly hooked. It was an awesome weekend and I hope the tradition continues with a growing cast of WISHers every year.
I picked up Pat at the airport on Friday and whisked her off to Winston Salem. We started her intro to NC with a visit to Old Salem and their Christmas music celebration. We strolled the streets, visited the bakery (gotta love those Moravian ginger cookies), had a nice lunch at the Salem Tavern, listened to performances by various musical groups, and learned a little history from the docents. Then it was off to the race hotel to meet Jeanne and her DH for a entertaining pre-race dinner before crashing before our big day.
Race day threatened rain, according to the forecast, but instead it was nippy and overcast. Others have already described the race itself far better than I could -- especially since
they changed the course this year, so you can throw everything I said about last year right out the window! Here are some photos.
After the NASCAR-style worship service (which I loved -- and which moved me to tears many times), I snagged some celebrity photos of Pat and the NASCAR royalty.
Pat and NASCAR racing legend Richard Petty
Pat and NASCAR's Kyle Petty
Part of the WISH team (Pat, Jeanne, Jackie, Kathy, Renee, with Jeanne's DH in the front) prepares to start
Richard Petty started us off NASCAR-style by waving the green flag.
Here are Pat and Kathy at the start, looking chipper!
After a couple or three hills (I might have lost count), we see the hot air balloon that marks the entrance to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
A tunnel signals the final approach to the Victory Lap raceway and the end of our 13.1 mile journey.
Kyle and wife Pattie Petty (very far left) and a Penguin (center) spot two WISHers approaching the finish!
Pat and Kathy get their victory high-fives from Kyle, Pattie, and the gang as the crowd cheers.
Jeanne gets her medal ribbon signed by Richard Petty after the race.
Jeanne says, "Hills? What hills?" Look at that smile!
I have to get at least one photo to prove I'm there.
The bling is the thing -- and I have signatures from Richard and Kyle!
So Pat and I grab some food and the shuttle back to my car, then it's off to Biltmore Candlelight Evening -- a glorious Christmas celebration at America's largest private home. Who knew there were so many stairs at Biltmore?!?!?!? After an audio tour of the house in its Christmas finery and a short ride to our night's hotel, we collapse from a long but satisfying day. This morning, Pat and I took a quick drive through the grounds just to get a daytime shot of the estate and Pat was so tired she literally couldn't keep her eyes open -- and I have the photo to prove it.
This afternoon, I left her at the aiport and returned to my mundane existence awaiting my next visit with the WISH team in January. Great job, everyone! Thanks so much for visiting --
and y'all come back now, hear?
. I was nowhere near an aid station, so I had to sit on the shoulder of the road, take off my shoe and sock, and treat my injury. That took about 5 minutes, but my legs already decided I was done running. So I was a lot slower for the last 5 miles. Still PR'd for the distance despite the injury. Official time 4:45:05.
