Wednesday, November 12, 2014

OBX Half Marathon 2014




Over the weekend, Baby Sis and I made our annual trek to the Outer Banks to run a half marathon, and except for the fact that an 80-year-old woman beat us, we were pleased with our time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, our best thus far.






In fact, we were absolutely thrilled with our time-- until we learned that  the 80-year-old woman beat us by almost TEN minutes.  So, to recap, that is a woman, 80 years old, running 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 6 minutes.  Baby Sis is 44, and I will be 50 (!) next January.  She's over 30 years older than we are!

We were fit to be tied when we learned this.  Baby Sis went so far as to accuse her of stealing a golf cart to make such good time.  I'm pretty sure a race official would have noticed an 80-year-old on a golf cart, but Baby Sis won't let go of her theory.







To help ease the sting of this astonishing news, we indulged in some free beer.

I'd like to take a moment to recognize that, although I'm not a beer drinker, there is almost nothing better than a cold, free beer or three after exercising for over two hours without stopping.  It's a little slice of heaven, I tell you.



I think it was about 9:30 in the morning here.  Sunday morning, in fact.
While some folks were hunkered down in church, we were having our own worship service of sorts.







In addition to the free beer, there was my other favorite thing:  free food!  And live music.

And lots and lots of people watching.


This bear was everywhere. Just sort of there.
Not doing anything.  Just lurking. It was only slightly creepy. 


Baby Sis and I always seem to attract people who like to laugh and be silly.  The guy below came trotting over because he liked the fact that we were laughing loudly.  Still giddy from the endorphins and free beer at 9:30 on a Sunday morning in downtown Manteo, I had no problem telling him that the actual reason we were laughing was because he looked like a clown.  Although you can't tell from this picture, he had slathered on far too much free sunscreen they gave away at the expo, and there wasn't a hint of sun in the sky.



Note to Self: Where, exactly, is my upper lip?  I thought I had one.
Instead, I look like Frank Burns on MASH,
and I have the nerve to call someone else a clown?


We met some amazing people at the post-race party.  The two gentlemen below ran the full marathon with incredible times.


(The bear didn't run at all.  He just sat. And stared.)


Doug, below, won an award in his age bracket.  He completed the full 26.2 miles in just over 3 hours. He's run the Boston Marathon many times and also happens to be one hilarious human being.  He came all the way from Nashville just to run this race.






After a while, it started to turn cold, 




and our muscles and feet were telling us it was time to leave.





So we hopped on the shuttle where Baby Sis proceeded to spill her beer and headed back to the hotel.




We ate a lovely dinner at the Black Pelican 
and continued the wine laughter well into the evening.





A fantastic time was had by all.


For those of you wondering if we saw Kilt Man (from last year's adventure), we did. He was a pacer for the full marathon, and we chatted at the finish line.  Baby Sis controlled any urges to lift up the kilt. All in all, we were a little tamer better behaved this year, but that still didn't preclude us from having fun.

One of the things we learned from talking with so many runners--all of whom had better times than we did--was we need to do more races.  We've been running two half-marathons per year, thinking that was enough.  

If we want to beat that 80-year-old--and we do--we need to do more.

I turn 50 (!) next January, and I'd like to try a full marathon, perhaps next year this time at the Outer Banks.  To do that, I'm going to need to do at least two or three half marathons before that.

That's a whole lot of running.  

Right now, though, what I need most of all is a nap.

The End.





7 comments:

growing wild on waverly lane said...

You make me want to get up off the couch almost. I'll bet that 80-year-old is wafer thin and has her own teeth. Cougar to the max.

Glad you met these wonderful people and have goals for future times. People who laugh are attractive to me too.

Life should be evaluated by the number of real laughs.



Jamie said...

I thought about running. That's as far as it went though. But, I did finally make concrete plans to hike the 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail through Maryland in October when I turn 40. I think maybe I'll ask my dad to meet us with some beer.

Bob Braxton said...

That woman is ten years older than my 70. I did go walking - two times or three times per day.

Debbie said...

I'm in awe of you two...I don't run anywhere and never have. Not a runner.

I do believe with your determination you WILL beat the 80 year old woman who probably has been running for 40 or 50 years! Your life time :)

Daryl said...

hooray for you and baby sis …

Anonymous said...

I see you and your mom got similar comments... well, as for the 80 yr. old runner, she is most likely retired and can use her time to train and would have many miles of practice on you youngsters ! That's a goal to have...in future you--and possibly a sibling or other relative--can be elite runners in your golden years and ace all the younger wannabe's.
Glad to hear a kilted update, too.
LLC

Annie said...

Well done CBW. Sounds great!

In the meantime we are hosting your president and many other world leaders in my home town. He gave an address today at my alma mater! The place is crazy, and everynen took advantage of an unexpected holiday and went to the beach instead. Crazy warm day today at 35C max, and warmer tomorrow UGH.

Well done to the 80 year old lady half marathon runner. I don't run, but enjoy walking instead. Hope I am still walking at 80 plus.