Crossing the Cooper

River, that is.





Cooper River Bridge Run 10K was a fantastic race for 2 groups: walkers and Kenyans. If you're not either, and are an actual 10K runner, don't expect this race to be your running race.

I'll explain. There were 6 seeding groups, as follows: (quoted from the site) You were seeded with a colored race bib to tell you what area to slide into.
Walkers (or people walk-running)
Runners with an expected time of over 1 hour
Runners with an expected time of 49 min to 1 hour
Runners expecting to run under 49 min (and any age-group contenders)
Runners sub 40 minutes
Invited/Elite runners

I signed up under my REAL prediction for runners over 1 hr and had a purple bib. The walkers were supposed to be pretty far back behind the last running group. Nah... some were, but not all of them. I knew I had a challenge ahead of me when I saw a man and his baby stroller next to me when we were taking the 10 min walk to the start line, after the gun went off. He had his baby in a stroller, not jogging stroller either and a backpack on. I think it's safe to assume he was not running this race. And, baby strollers apparently were not allowed. I probably saw about 6 more.

From the beginning of the race, I was dodging the leisurely strolling folks out for their Saturday walk over the Cooper River. Now, don't get me wrong. I think it's great to walk for exercise and think it is even better to do it for 6 miles and who can resist the gorgeous bridge to walk over? However, I think they should have some consideration for those that want to run the race from the start and have stayed back. I really couldn't get over how many people I passed walking. At the base of the bridge there was such a bottleneck that it was hard to get around anyone, then after I got almost to the crest of the bridge, I was on the far left side (as far left as you can go - see pic), and I got stuck and couldn't get around anyone for like a minute. Then, I just pushed myself through. That's not normally me, but I wanted to run ... and I felt GOOD.



Like David mentioned, the bridge wasn't bad at all. The incline didn't feel tough and the slope downhill didn't feel like a downhill at all. It's a 2.5 mile long bridge (roughly), so I suppose it's so gradual you don't feel the slope at all. Really, I ran the entire bridge except for the part I got stuck behind some walkers, and there was one walk where I stopped to get these pics. I, however moved to the far right so I could be out of the runners' way. :-)



All in all, the race is great! Yeah, it is a big crowd and I typically don't like big crowds either, but this race is one we've been wanting to participate in for years. I really like Charleston, and always have, so I'd definately do it again. I will just be faster and sign up for a better corral, or I'll walk it completely. Obviously, I didn't PR at this race, but I would have. I know it. I had a good race, and I rarely walked. My legs felt great. At my last 10K (Mar 1), my time was 1:06:29, and this 10K I was at 1:07:27. So, I need to find another 10K to do, because I know I can better these times.

The rest of the weekend was fantastic! My Mom and her boyfriend went with us and babysat the little one while we ran. We got back to the house at lunchtime, showered quickly and went to get some yummy food, then headed downtown to walk the market. We barely made it to the truck before the storm swept through and poured rain out of nowhere, or so it seemed. Sunday was another great day filled with a little shopping, enjoying Charleston and driving along the battery. We also stopped by Folly Beach to see some waves. We got back pretty late, and I had to quickly sit down, study and then take my quiz for my class for the week. Luckily, the drive home let me finish the needed reading I had to do. Some 40ish pages.... Blah.... So, after that - it was time for me to turn in. I'll catch up on blogs today sometime.

Long swim today - done!
2000yds - 51:52 (2:35/100yd)
This is the exact same pace I did last week for 1600yds and the longest swim I've had. :-)

Here are some pics from the weekend!

Sweet little lady... Yeah, right?




Waiting for breakfast Sunday.


Ahhh.... the beach (Folly Beach)


David and Grace


Mom, Grace, and I


I think she likes the beach




Can anyone guess what this is?


Gotta go and do some work. Plus David keeps sending me links to real estate in Charleston. Something about wanting to move back....

Race pics can be seen here.
Weekend pics can be seen here.