Blue and Gray 5k and half marathon. 44.3 miles total.

This morning, J, B-Dad and I will put a big bump in our total.  They will take on the Blue and Gray 5k in Fredericksburg while I tackle the half marathon. Race starts at 7:30. Snow will start between 10 and 11. This is going to be fun!

Post Race Report-

Early weather reports had us running in anything from snow to freezing rain. We woke up, checked the skies (cloudy), the ground (dry), the weather report (good until 10 or so), and most importantly the website (race was on!) 

My parents were nice enough to stay with us to watch C, K1,and K2 so we could drive to town for our race. We made it with just enough time to park and get this picture before the half marathon started.

I lined up toward the back of the pack of around 650 runners. The half marathon started on time at 7:30, but it easily took me a minute to cross the start line. 

The course started through the Central Park retail area, then down Cowan Blvd toward the hospital. The first two miles are basically down hill, making for a great start. There was a little of everything, from trails ...

to neighborhoods...

and a lot of Rappahannock River views.

This course is largely out and back. For me, that means that somewhere between miles 4 and 5, I start to see runners on the way back. 

And if running in the snow and ice earns you some respect, this guy earned it tenfold.

Another river view.

The icy boardwalk was cause to more than one runner spill. Notice the cars stopped along Fall Hill Ave waiting for runners to cross.

One more river view.

Once we were off the trail, around mile 11, it was on to hospital hill. This thing is no joke.

Mile 12 along Cowan Blvd. This hill may not be as long a hospital hill, but it is much tougher.

The top of the hill is the bridge over 95. I slipped on my first step on the bridge, reminding me to be extra careful.

After the bridge, it wasn't far to the parking lot...

And the finish line...

And a happy finish.

Long before I finished, B-Dad and J crossed the finish line for the 5k. I'm sorry I missed their finish. Because of the weather, they had to head home early and missed my finish as well, but B-Dad shared this picture with me.

It isn't easy to get out there in the cold and run. I'm so proud of J for getting through it. 

So there we have another 19.3 miles for a total of 44.3 miles. Journey on!