We hit the road Saturday morning and headed straight to where I get my crack...er...I mean cookie butter-Trader Joe's. I also had to stock up on my dark chocolate covered expresso beans. The stop included some coffee and donuts from Orland Park Bakery.
Then it was off to Michigan City and my favorite outlet mall. This time I wasn't too thrilled because apparently the rest of the world also decided to hit up the stores that day. After some quick shopping we went to our regular lunch place-Shoreline Brewery (Seth had to start hydrating for the race).
We arrived in Benton Harbor just in time to go to Jean Klock Park so Seth could pick up his packet and check out the race course. It was a beautiful location and the weather was perfect (luckily the weather was the same for race day).
Since I am also in training for a half-marathon, I had planned to run late Saturday afternoon. However, when Seth dropped me off at a park in the middle of the woods I didn't last long. I was terrified of being accosted on the trail. I made it about 1/4 of a mile before I called him and told him to come back and pick me up. It worked out for the best though because we had just enough time to get dinner and tuck Seth in for a good night's sleep.
Sunday morning started around 4:30. We had to drive about 10 minutes to park and then catch a shuttle to the park. We were there early enough to get a prime spectating location near Seth's spot in the transition area. I was so mad at myself because I realized I had come unprepared. I was going to spend a day at the beach and I failed to bring my swimsuit or a blanket to lay out!
The swim portion of the event started about a mile down the beach so I walked with Seth to see him in the water. After cheering him onto the bicycle I decided I would get my run in (I had three hours to kill). So I hit the trail and went into town. I have decided I could live in St. Joseph, Michigan. The town had awesome paths to run on and some right along the beach. Thank God I decided to finish off my run doing a couple loops near the park, because I found a lemonade stand at about mile 7. That got me through and I ran 8.5 miles total. Still had plenty off time to watch Seth come in from the bike and head out on the run.
While he was running I had lunch, changed clothes (sad to say I wasn't able to shower) and even had time for some dozing off and people watching.
His goal was to finish in under 6 hours and he completed the race in 5:49:57! It was the perfect day for a race and I'm soooo glad that he is able to check this off his list (and back off the training).
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| Ready to race! |
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| It was only about 54 degrees before to the race. |
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| The long walk to the swim start. |
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| He made it out of the water! |
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| On to the bike. |
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| He looked great crossing the finish line but then I started to see the pain on his face. |
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| Then he was really in pain. |
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| The cold water helped the muscles. |
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| He had to have his victory Sweet Tea! |
Thank you so much Dara and Seth for letting us be a part of this event! Seth did awesome!!
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