Crystal Coast Half Marathon and 10-K

The wind did not die down at all overnight, so we prepared for this morning's race with gloves and long sleeve-shirts.  I wrote up this account for the Highlands Roadrunners Club Newsletter:

March 3 – Crystal Coast Half Marathon & 10-K – Morehead City NC

Martha and I ran this half marathon and 10-K on a chilly and very windy morning, crossing the bridge from Morehead City to Atlantic Beach and then back again.  The sustained wind speed was 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, the toughest winds I have faced in nearly 200 races; at one point, crossing the bridge directly into the headwind, it felt like someone was standing in front of me with a hand pushing on my chest.  This was Martha’s first half marathon in three years and she ran an excellent race, finishing strong in negative splits (except for that #!!*# bridge!) and handily taking the 3^rd place age group award.  Out with an injury, I settled for the 10-K and surprised myself with a 2^nd place.

Richard Betz                1:18:33                        2^nd Place Age Group

Martha Betz                 2:22:15                        3^rd Place Age Group

It was a good morning all around, despite that wind!  I knew I was pushing myself in tackling the 10-K, but I don't think I did any damage despite my legs being awfully beat up.  And it was nice to know that the first place winner in my age group was a spry young 60 years old (10-year age groups).  

But Martha was the real star of the day - what an inspiration!  Despite the wind, she arrived at the finish line sooner than I had expected, running strong, beaming with justifiable pride.

Everybody was talking about that bridge.  Some of us stopped to walk, bending over at the waist to reduce surface area; I have really not ever been in this kind of headwind in a race.  A man at the finish was asking if they had boats in Bogue Sound down below us to rescue those blown off the bridge.

This opinionated little onlooker was waiting for her Mom to finish, I think.  And she did not mind the wind at all.

Now we are enjoying those post-race rituals that most runners do:  writing down our "splits" (the pace we ran each mile) and comparing them, taken off our GPS watches; looking on the internet to confirm our finish times; going through all the photos we took.  It is so much better to share a victory with someone you love!

And now we are preparing to go out to dinner to celebrate - the Island Grill, here in Atlantic Beach, a place that Martha's aunt Lizette told us about that we have not visited this year.  I think I can safely say that we both have healthy appetites.