Well…I thought April would be a slow month, but I allowed a Runner Bud to talk me into this challenge that would take place 1-3 April. The main selling point, it’s in our back yard!! No traveling, no hotel!! SOLD!! I don’t even think it took her 5 minutes to get me to commit.
Packet pick-up was on Thursday at the base fitness center. It was setup on the basketball court and there were a few services available on base that were setup along with our local Team RWB chapter.
Studio TY was personalizing the race shirts on site for a small fee. I was able to get the Team RWB logo for only $9 and plan to visit them on base to have my Half Fanatic number added to my HF shirt.
1 April @ 1530L…Checkertail Challenge 5k. This was a no go on Friday due to the weather that rolled in. I was nice all day until about 20minute til race start. It took the organizers over an hour to decide to call it due to lightning and come up with Plan B…run it after the 10k on Saturday morning.
2 April @ 0630L…Checkertail Challenge 10k. Up at 4a, out the door headed to base at 515a, arrive at base at 0545, drink the water and eat the wafer at 0630, potty time shortly after, Team RWB photo at 0645 and race start at 0630a!!
I was excited I was getting to run with Jen and Keri, but missing my guy for today’s runs. This run started the same as other 5ks that I have run on base, out the chute and to the right but we would find our way past the base track to billeting and then back.
It was overcast and humid for the 10k. I felt really good during these 6 miles and felt that I was putting forth a great effort, but was a little disappointed to see that if I would put forth a little more umph, I could’ve had a sub hour run. But you know what, we’re movin’ on!!
I hauled it across the finish line, grabbed a water and banana and went to figure out what I was going to do for 2 hours…
Jen, Keri and I sat in the car, reminisced about our run, discussed plans for breakfast and then the hunger monster hit Keri!! She decided she couldn’t wait until after the 5k to eat, so off the Burger King we went. It was on base and wouldn’t take a long at all to get there and back.
2 April @ 0930L…Checkertail Challenge 5k. The sun came out for this one, but it was still cool out. I think everyone was ready to be done and head to the house for a nap!! I will say that the BK bacon, egg and cheese biscuit wasn’t the best thing I could eat before this run. I was fading fast and was ready to be done. Jen and I stayed the course, except to venture off to get a pic at the Flag Park but Keri…those 2 sausage biscuits gave her the power!! She was waiting for us at the finish!! We received our medals, snapped a selfie and headed out.
That’s a wrap for day 1!! I was pretty salty and starting to smell. We said see you in the morning and headed out.
3 April @ 0630L…Checkertail Challenge Half Marathon. The BF rolled into town on Saturday evening and the plan was to see if we could get him a bib for the Half Marathon. He wasn’t supposed to be in until Sunday evening, so he didn’t register. We arrived early and SMSgt Bennett was able to hook him up!! He is legally running the Half, no running bandit!!
Just a few pics before lining up. I was looking forward to running 13.1 miles on base, the most I had run was 10 and was curious to see how far we would go out. The first 3 or so miles were a flashback from Saturday, but once we made our way to Beacon Beach Drive, it was pretty much a straight shot to the turnaround. We ran past several of my previous duty locations, I was stationed at Tyndall 1991-1993, came back in 1996 and retired here in 2011. My first duty station was the 3625th TCHTS that was leveled a few years back and is now just a field. When I returned in 1996, I was station across the street with the 81st RCS and the unit currently work for, the Air Force Recue Coordination Center, falls under 1AF…just a short run down memory lane.
Once we passed 1AF it was nothing but Pine Trees and Asphalt for a few miles until we entered the housing area. The first housing area we think everyone was still asleep, but then we entered Isle View where there were a few neighbors that we think were out there all night partying just waiting for us!! We had beer suppliers/cheerleaders and signs!!
And my boss….must have had a rough night!! He was nowhere to be found, crickets as we passed by his house!!
And now we are headed back!! We are now on a 6 mile quest for the finish line!! Once again, Jen stuck with us and Keri blasted to the finish.
By this time, yesterday was catching up with me. I was starting to feel my hip getting angry and my quads and hamstrings were tightening up. After mile 10, I really, really had to pee, but was afraid if I stopped and sat that I would not be able to get up to finish. However, I was able to wait til I crossed that finish line!!
Ta-Dah!!
Let me just say…
- SMSgt Bennett and the 325 FSS did a great job!! From packet pick-up to plenty of hydration and port-a-potties on the course – BOTH DAYS!
- They had a Plan B for weather
- There were approx. 100 runners for each run/race but only 51 for the 22.4 Challenge
- FREE photos!!!!!!
- Breakfast and Bouncy Houses after the Half Marathon
- And the BLING!! Medals for all 3 runs/races PLUS a Challenge medal
- They certified the courses for 10 years and hope to grow this Challenge in the future
Challenge Complete…
My Kind of FIT 
Great medals! Congratulations!!
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Great race! Proud of you for busting out all three races!
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sounds like a great series of races and a lot of fun!
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