Destin 50 Sand Relay

 

I'm not sure I have enough words to describe how much I enjoyed the Destin 50, my first sand race. Myself and three of my Team RWB Teammates - Alyssa, Amanda, and Nicole were part of a relay team that covered 50 miles IN THE SAND! It was an amazing experience.
Team Results: 10th out of 12 Relay Teams
Time: 9:30:52
Avg pace: 11:25
I went into this race expecting my Team to average around 12 minute miles overall. I am so very proud of how well we did. Not bad for it being the first sand race for all of us!

At the start of the relay

I was so nervous going into the relay that I had my bag packed and gear ready almost an entire week before the event. I must have laid it out on my bed a dozen times to make sure I had everything I wanted and thought I might need.

The original plan was to get up early on Sunday morning and drive out to Destin with Alyssa; however Chris and the kids decided they wanted to come along so we ended up getting a hotel room at the Courtyard Marriott (which offered a government rate and was an excellent place to stay - seriously, they had a Starbucks in the lobby!!!! It was also only a block from the shuttle that took you to the start of the race, so it was perfect).

I loaded up the car with all my gear and the kids toys while Chris was at bowling. We left Pensacola on Saturday around noon for the 50 mile trek to Destin, and of course we stopped for a little fuel...

Hearts on the cups for Valentine's Day - awe!

I've never been to Destin, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It took us over three hours to get there!! The weather was absolutely gorgeous so people were out in droves and there were so many lights I didn't think we'd ever make it on time for my runner's briefing and packet pickup (last one for the day was at 1700).
I only wish I would've gotten a photo of the water when we crossed the bridge over Crab Island heading into Destin. I haven't seen water that clear and blue since Greece. Just stunning! I told Chris, "I could live here!" Then 5 minutes later I mumbled, "only during off season." Traffic was horrible!
When we finally made it to the resort it was 1540. I really, really wanted to make it to the 1600 start of the 100 mile and 24 hour events so that I could cheer on some teammates who were running. It wasn't quite as simple as just driving up to the hotel and grabbing your race goodies. We had to find parking and wait for a shuttle to take us from the entrance of the resort to the start of the race. The shuttle dropped us off at a cul-de-sac in front of a bunch of buildings. Thankfully a girl on the shuttle was actually running in the 100 mile event so we just followed her around the buildings to the start area.
The start area was full of tents and people. The wind was blowing like crazy (check out the flags in this photo).

It was so windy my ponytail was beside me instead of behind!

We managed to get there just in time to hear the end of their briefing and watch them all line up to start their race. It was great to see Michael and the other Team RWB members getting ready to run. The people in this next photo were getting ready to either run from 1600 Saturday until 1600 on Sunday or run 100 miles - ALL. IN. THE. SAND! That's just amazing, inspiring, motivating, honorable, and I couldn't be any prouder of all of them. It takes great courage and spirit to do what they do, and I applaud them. All of them. Whether they finished or had to stop short of their goals they still had the fortitude to step up to that start line and that's all that matters in my book!

 

Well, after the runners were off chasing their goals it was my turn to get started on my own. We headed back towards the hotel to get my race packet. It turned out that it wasn't at the hotel right by the start area, so we walked back to the beach and they told us that it was at the resort fitness center, so back up to the cul-de-sac we went where I stopped someone and asked where the fitness center was located. They told us we could walk through the parking lot and back up to the main road and it was about a half mile down the road. So Chris, the kids, and I set off to find the fitness center before the briefing at 1700.
It was pretty easy to find and if I'd been paying attention on the shuttle I probably would've seen the signs that said "Packet Pick-up" but I was too worried about missing the start and being able to cheer my teammates on. The packet pickup process was really easy. We walked in and my teammate Amanda was standing there with all of our team stuff, and even if she hadn't been the volunteers there were extremely helpful.

Check out these awesome race shirts - long sleeve Under Armour! I don't think my camera does the color justice; it's the most beautiful teal color. The print is the color of sand. Unlike some of the races I've done all females got the same shirt regardless of distance/event. The guys got a sand colored shirt with black print (they were nice too).

After getting my packet we headed into the big conference area for the runner's briefing. Nothing makes you more nervous about a race then actually having to have a "briefing" about the race. If truth be told it was very informative and helpful. Two of my favorite tips: children don't care about you and children do not fill in the holes in the sand they dig. These two tips made a lot of sense between the hours of 1400-1600 when we were running in the more populated areas of the beach and we had children darting around us and we kept coming up on sandcastles and holes. After the briefing they asked if anyone had any questions, and of course Katelynn shot her hand up. She wanted to know if we had to worry about the waves. Love this little girl of mine!!
By this point in the day we were all getting pretty hangry, but we still needed to get back to our vehicle which was parked back in a parking lot at the entrance. We didn't see any shuttles, so we just started walking in what we hoped was the way towards the entrance. My kids were so done at this point, but we still needed to check-in at the hotel and find a place for dinner. We are not familiar with Destin so after driving all over the place trying to find a restaurant we ended up going back to the hotel and eating at the Applebee's that was right next to it. Considering it was Valentine's Day I was surprised that we got seated as soon as we walked in and service was fairly quick.
When we finally got to our hotel room I laid everything out for the morning, set my alarm, and then proceeded to toss and turn all night. I just kept thinking about the runners out there in the dark with the wind whipping at them and I was going over and over again what our relay might be like for the Team. It was definitely a long night. When my alarm went off in the morning I got up and got ready as quickly as I could, and I tried not to wake-up the kids. I had a bagel all set out and ready to go but it was like trying to swallow a brick which just wasn't happening because my stomach was in so many knots, so I just headed out the door. Even though I still had over an hour until the relay portion started, I speed walked the block to the shuttle. I got there and really there was no need to hurry - three shuttles were sitting there ready to take runners to the start, and I was the only one waiting.
This was the scene at the start line when I arrived. Sun rising and runners running!

I was so excited to be there and I couldn't wait until it was my turn to join them. Amanda, Alyssa, and Nicole all made it in time to see me off.  I was so happy to see all of them; it was a real confidence boost. As a team, we had been talking and planning this day for so long that it was a great feeling to see it all come together.

 

I'm in love with this photo. It was posted by Run With It (a Ft Walton Beach running store that supports the race and also had a relay team in the event).

My goal was to do 10 miles (Leg #1: 4.6 miles and Leg #2: 5.4 miles). I started off strong and quickly fell into my rhythm. The view was spectacular and at times breathtaking. There were small water crossings along the way, but I just splashed right through them (except for one that went above my knees - I took that one a little slower). The water was cool and invigorating. By the time I got to the first relay exchange I was feeling great, so I just kept on going.
I trained for the relay by running one sand run a week (my longest before the relay had been 5 miles), running long trail runs on the weekend (10 miles), and two-a-day workouts twice a week. By the time I hit mile 7 I was starting to feel it, so I took a short walk break. It was exactly what I needed to regain my momentum.
Alyssa got some great pictures of me coming into the 2nd relay exchange.

I love how I'm running in a race, but yet it looks like the only footprints are mine

Very few things lift my spirits in a race like seeing my kids. They inspire me every day to keep my head up and push through. It makes me so proud when Katelynn tells me she wants to run races and win like Mommy (really now is not the time to mention we all get medals).

 Denver running in with me. I don't think Katelynn had noticed me just yet (she was too busy collecting shells).

 Now she sees me!

And just like that my 10 miles were done and Amanda was off on her adventure. I was super impressed with my time. I still don't have a Garmin that works, but since we know when the relay started we were able to keep track of everyone's time. I was right on pace with 10 minute miles! IN. THE. SAND!!!

Nicole took this photo of my family before we all separated. Chris's eyes are closed, but I still love it! The kids each got a bowl of bacon they were serving at the aid station. It smelled amazing, but I still wasn't hungry, and the last thing I really wanted at this point was greasy bacon in my empty stomach.

The girls and I went on to the next relay exchange and Chris and the kids headed off in search of more food. The rest of the legs for the relay were broken down:

Leg #3 (5 miles) - Amanda

Leg #4 (5 miles) - Alyssa

Leg #5,6 (same 10 miles I did) - Nicole

Leg #7 (3.5 miles) - Alyssa

Leg #8 (4.5 miles) - Amanda

Leg #9 (4 miles) -Me

Leg #10 (4.5 miles) - Nicole

Final Leg #11 (3.5 miles) - Alyssa and I

Leg #4 relay exchange

Leg #9 relay exchange

Leg #11 relay exchange

The original plan was for myself to do Leg #1, 2, and 11; however one of our teammates wasn't able to do one of her leg's, so I took it. Leg #9 was my fastest one. It was 4 miles. I felt like I was flying and was at the turnaround before I knew it. I just kept on pushing and had to laugh because as I approached the relay exchange I saw Alyssa look, do a double take, and then disappear. Then Nicole came running out of the tent putting on her music. I did my 4 miles in around 36-37 minutes. I was so proud of myself when I was done that leg, but I came to think of that move as more foolish as I started the final leg on weary legs.

While waiting between aid stations I had borrowed some sunscreen from Nicole. She uses Neutrogena which is a different brand then I normally use, but I couldn't find mine. I couldn't stop laughing after we smeared it on because of how white/pink it made our faces. She swore it would soak in. Every time I see any of the late day race photos I laugh because it DID NOT soak in!

It was getting late so Alyssa and I headed off to the final exchange point while Amanda and her boyfriend Chris drove to the finish area. The plan was for Amanda to come out and meet us so we could finish together. Nicole would've done it as well but her feet were not up to it (she ran the whole relay barefoot!).

Side note- having two separate vehicles to do this relay worked out really well for our team otherwise we would've never been able to make the #7 and #8 exchange points on time. #7 was at the finish line which required a shuttle to get to and #8 was only 3.5 miles away, but driving distance and time were a lot longer. Next year we will have to re-evaluate how we break down the legs especially if we only have one vehicle.

The Final Leg. The photos that were taken of us as we came into the finish were beautiful. That last 3.5 mile leg was brutal. Alyssa and I were hurting (seriously, why did I go so fast on Leg #9?!?), but every time someone stopped and saluted the flag, cheered us on, and shouted words of encouragement we straightened up and pushed through. It was the most rewarding part of the relay. All our hard work and training had come to fruition and it was a beautiful thing.

My daughter's face in this photo is priceless

 

 

 

 

 

Love, love, love this photo

 

My relay team

Why this race is so special

This race, the Destin 50, is a very special race as it supports the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). This year runners raised over $55,000. The money helps send children, of special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty, to college; they also provide in home tutoring and counseling to the families of the fallen. In my opinion, that makes this race much more then just a race. It's a way to give back, to do more, to honor and pay respect to those who gave it all, and to take care of those that are left behind. Never forget those who gave it all so we can enjoy our freedoms.

CPL David Michael Sonka and MPC Flex - Who I run for

All my runs this year are being run in honor of CPL David Michael Sonka and MPC Flex. His family has done a random act of kindness for my family recently and I can not think of a greater way to say thank you then to run in honor of their fallen loved one.

Carrying his name on my back, running with the flag, thinking of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice was a very humbling experience for me, and it's a moment in my life that I will cherish forever.

Some race comments:

I would love to see a family event added to this race. A one mile or two mile fun run. My kids love to run and be involved in the races I do, so if it's ever added - sign us up!!

From a relay point of view:

Leg #7 and #8 are extremely close together when you factor in the distance it takes to get from one to the next and that it involves catching the shuttle to the start/finish area.

Packet pickup on race morning for relay runners. This is more about convenience and being a little selfish then anything. It would've been nice to only drive out to Destin on Sunday and not Saturday/Sunday. There was a briefing before we started our run that covered all the finer points from the briefing the day before. If it's not feasible to do that, I fully understand.

I would've loved to run the Son of a Beach 5k that took place on Saturday, but the start time was too early in the day. I wouldn't mind the packet pickup on Saturday if there was an event (5k, family run) at a later time...again, purely selfish reasons!

This was the first year I did this race and I was a little flustered at shuttles and the packet pickup. Nothing I wasn't able to just go with the flow to, but I was not prepared to be turned away at the gate to the resort and told to wait for a shuttle. This added a little anxiety to making it places on time. 

* On a side note the shuttles were a wonderful convenience (once I got familiar with the resort and how they operated) and the drivers were all very friendly and helpful.

A sign at the shuttle drop off that showed the way to the beach would've been nice and a note/sign stating packet pickup was at a different location would've been helpful.

A special link on the website that tells you about packet pickup details would be helpful. Being a relay runner I was unsure if the captain could pick up for everyone or if all runners had to come and get their race goodies. I also wasn't sure if an ID or consent form was required to pick up their packets. A simple e-mail answered these questions, but a link for packet information might be useful. You could include the address for the fitness center and the fact that it's a different location from the start/finish resort area.

Race Packets. In the relay runners packet it would have been helpful to have a print out of the map and GPS coordinates for the aid stations. The map/information in the final packet was helpful, it just would've been a nice touch to have that in the packets (you know, for those of us who show up without it and then borrow the hotel's computer/printer to make copies).

Relay Bibs. We had 4 runners on our relay team and only one bib. I know the bib was used for tracking but at the end of the day we only had one bib for the 4 of us (am I the only one who displays their bibs?! I was in this team of 4, but I'm not even keeping it for my wall, I'm sending it to the family of the soldier I run for). Would be nice to have 3 extra ones so we can have it for our walls (again, another selfish request). It was also a very nice touch to have it on a bib belt for making the "hand-off" easier.

Post party. We ran the relay, so we started late and with not being very fast runners we finished late. By the time we got to the post party they were out of beer. They had just enough pasta for us, but not for anyone finishing after us. I know we would've liked to hang out and talk with other runners too, but everyone was pretty much gone/done by the time we finished.

Aid Stations. Since we were relay runners we didn't take full advantage of or need all the wonderful resources that the aid stations provided. The Back Porch aid station was by and far the best one I've EVER seen! The volunteers were so helpful and attentive.

Race medal. I absolutely LOVE the race medals. A thought for next year or future event would be to make the medal as a pair (like a heart that's split). So many of the runners are running for someone that it would be nice to be able to give half of the medal to someone.