Race Report: Beaufort Twilight 5k

First off... it's been a few days due to St Patrick's Day in Savannah!!! St Patrick's Day is a pretty big deal.... in fact it takes place over a whole week with a whole lot of shenanigans going on, but mainly the world's 2nd largest St Patty's Parade. The picture shows how the celebration kicks off with the official "Greening of the Fountains" which is held at Forsyth Park (which is where the Savannah Rock n Roll is supposedly ending) and is such a fun tradition to watch. The Grand Marshall, Marshalls, Marshall Aides and their families all partake in the ceremony!

And they Green the Fountains too!

I made it through St Patrick's Day with 4 other house guests in tow, but mainly two of my best friends from college. So needless to say lots of late nights with tons of catching up! It was heaven and so glad they were here. These girls are hilarious.... it was just like old times, except maybe more refined, maybe.

RACE REPORT: The Beaufort Twilight 5k/8k was an amazing event and situated through a really gorgeous village of houses and shops right along the marsh. These houses were amazing! I wanted to stop and gaze at all the houses to take in their beauty... but then the sand gnats would have eaten me alive.... so I guess I had to run. I went into the run with a goal of running the 5k under 40 min which would my fastest 5k. I was a little skeptical because of the St Patrick's Day festivities (although I was DD for all of it til after the race.... the staying up late was killing me, but soooo worth it!) and then we spent the day at the beach because it was gorgeous and 88 degrees. Perfect beach day... but perfect run weather, ummm.... it hasn't been that hot in Savannah since last year, so I was already sweating before we started to run.

My girls and I before the race!

We get all checked-in but the super friendly volunteers then get our over-21 badges and put our bags in the car. PS- their t-shirts are darling and so soft!! We waited for the race to start and found a place in the shade. They had 1,400 runners total for both events and a great hometown feel. We noticed a lot of the homeowners there and other locals present to either volunteer or cheer us on, how cute! 2 minute warning..... thank you... I am doing the sand gnat dance and need to get running....

And we are off!!!! We all ran together for about half a mile, but we waved Kiz on (she is faster than I- she finished in 24 min) then Biscuit and I peeled our separate ways. Winding through the streets, I felt ok on mile one.... I did it in 11:02 by the pace clock- wait what? That is a great pace for myself... but man am I feeling this 80+ heat. I had to take more walk breaks during mile 2 and thankfully they had two water stations during that mile. I believe I was at 24:something at mile two.... I couldn't really hear the lady yelling out times and didn't click my ipod/nike right then. So I tried to pick up my pace for the last 1.1 miles... I kept checking it and realizing..... wait... despite me being tired, hot, and oh- I am morning run person- I may beat my 40 min goal. I am turning over my legs and trying to push them so hard.... they are moving but I don't feel like they are going anywhere.

I am coming into the last 300 meters and onto the 200 meters... I see Kiz.... she runs with me into the finish line- just what I needed! I see the clock 38:50.... YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I couldn't believe it. My legs felt like bricks and I was exhausted, but I was elated! What a big difference time of day, sleep, and heat can make.