RACE REPORT: Run for the One Half Marathon

Submitted by: Elaine Weisner

Julie asked if I’d be interested in doing the One For the Run ½ Marathon on 6/5/10. The profits would go to 2 charities, one of them being Communities in Schools (CIS). I’ve been a CIS mentor in Rocky Mount for 15 years, and it’s a great organization, so I thought it would be nice to support the race. I thought it would be warm in June, so I was not expecting a PR or anything. I checked the race day weather for Wilson this week. When I saw it was going to be low 75, high 94, I had to question my sanity, and thought I might get my first DNF (did not finish.) I was also concerned because it was the first time this race was being run, and I didn’t know how well prepared they would be.

A small group came out. The starting line wasn’t clearly marked, and I wasn’t sure which way we were going. I found myself at the front for the first time, and was quickly passed as the race began. I planned to walk a minute at each mile marker to begin with, and walk more as the heat of the day increased. It was hot. I stayed hydrated and kept pouring water on myself to cool off. I met up with Amber at the water stop around 6 miles. We ran together for awhile, and she questioned if we were going the right way. “Are you serious?!” I thought. She said if we got to Tarboro Street, she knew we weren’t going right. I was clueless about where I was or which way to go, but Amber was from the Wilson area, so I had a sinking feeling she might be right. We saw Ursula heading back towards us, and she confirmed our fears. We had missed a turn somewhere. “Are we really going to backtrack?!” I thought. 13.1 miles was more than enough for this hot day, and now it would be over 15 miles.

As we headed back, we met Cara from Fort Bragg, and turned her around. It was Cara’s first ½ marathon, and we gave her a warm RMEC welcome. We saw the turn we had missed with the white flags, and I realized I had not been paying attention to the flags along the way. (I would now.) I was disappointed that the race wasn’t marked better, but I remember the first year we did the Medoc race several people were upset that they had taken a wrong turn, so I told myself to take it in stride. We let a patrolman on a motorcycle know that several people had taken a wrong turn.

Our small group spread out again. It was hot, but I was doing okay. The police were great. The one on the motorcycle, circled back several times, and brought me a bottled water. Another one stopped to see if I was okay, and offered to give me a ride in the sag wagon. Then one pulled up behind me in his big jeep, and said “I’m not stalking you, but I’m going to stay right behind you.” I asked if I was last. Yes, I was. I said I’d be doing some walking and jogging. That was fine with him. At this point I was walking 2 minutes, and jogging 3, and those 3 minutes were tough. I knew I could opt for a DNF, but I thought I could finish. The policeman stayed right with me for several miles, and it was a comfort to have him there. At every major intersection police would block traffic for this last lone runner. When he told me it was a straight shot in, I thanked him, and he said “I’m not leaving you”, and he went with me to the end.

So I ended up doing over 15 miles on this hot day. I later figured I ran a mile for every year I’ve been a CIS mentor. The CIS mission is for students to stay in school and graduate, and have a relationship with a caring adult. I realized a long time ago that I could do my best to try to raise my children right, but all children are not born with the same opportunities. I’m proud to be part of an organization like CIS.

After we showered at the Wilson YMCA, Misty and I went out to eat and shopped in Smithfield. It felt great at my age to be able to finish 15 miles, and be able to walk without limping to enjoy the rest of the day.