Race 13.1 – Charlotte 2017

This race was kind of a spur of the moment decision. It’s local on the greenway I train on and there was a discount on National Running Day. My husband was in a fishing tournament so I enlisted Nicki to come and watch the kids while I ran. She showed up right on time and I made the short trip to the race start area. The instructions said something about a parking deck. The line into the business park was long and slow. When I finally got in, I noticed people were using the surface lots. I kept straight when others were turning and found the parking deck. There were very few cars in it. Luckily I had my number already. Once I walked from the deck to the starting area, I only had about 5 minutes before the National Anthem. Then they lined up all the half marathon runners.

I found another member of my Princess Posse running group. After a brief chat, she took my pre-race picture at the back of the start area.

We only waited a few minutes before the race started. We headed through the start and went right on the main road of the office park.

We turned right onto Community House.

And then almost an immediate left onto Endhaven.

Endhaven is a nice, residential area with a school. Unfortunately, it also has several of those longer speed bumps. Mile 1 was along this road.

At the end of Endhaven (and down a hill) we turned left onto Elm.

Mile 2 was along Elm.

Just before we got to Bevington, we turned left (almost a U turn) to enter the Greenway.

At the entrance to the greenway was the first water stop.

The greenway was clearly marked so we knew to start to the right.

They also did a good job whenever there was a choice of directions.

Soon came Mile 3.

I must admit, I was used to running on the greenway for training and found this part of the course easy. There were a few spectators at the clearly marked entrance from Johnston road.

Soon came another water stop and return runners passing.

Incidentally, the office park that was he start and also the finish is not too far from the Johnston road entrance. That’s why I saw return runners already. Mile 4 was just before one of the boardwalk areas.

The other distance to this race that started after us was an 8k. I believe those were the runners that passed on the other side. Soon, we got to their turnaround point.

Next came a sponsored tent.

Followed closely by a water stop.

Just beyond the stop, we turned right to leave the greenway.

We found Mile 5 along this stretch.

We turned right when we came out into the neighborhood.

Then right on Robin Crest.

This is where my race started falling apart. This was one steep hill. I walked up it. I was tempted to stop all together for a break, but was afraid I wouldn’t start up again. So, I kept placing one foot in front of the other.

I was very grateful when we had a few downhill sections.

Finally we had another right turn.

Another small downhill

And then more killer uphills.

We reached Mile 6 as we turned left onto Tifton.

Finally we came to the left that led to the greenway again.

I did meet and stay with a very nice man who had badly burned his hand a few days prior. He was having to mostly walk with it up in the air. He encouraged me and helped take my mind off all the uphills.

I was loving the path that led to the greenway.

I knew there were’t any terrible hills on it. There was a DJ where we entered the greenway.

We had to run across this very narrow bridge.

Soon we were in another neighborhood.

I was so glad to see Mile 7.

We turned left.

The man in that picture is the one who ran with me for quite a while. We got to a turnaround in this neighborhood stretch.

We found Mile 8.

Next came a right onto Blue Heron.

Then another right

Finally we were entering the greenway again.

We turned right onto the main trail.

In this area we found Mile 9.

I was really digging deep at this point, but I knew the greenway and it felt like home. Soon came Mile 10.

Mile 11 was along a boardwalk stretch.

Eventually we passed the water stop and sponsored tent from earlier.

Then came Mile 12.

I should say at this point that I was in training for the Space Coast marathon. This was supposed to be a 12 mile training run day. So once I hit Mile 12, I felt like I had done what I needed. My motivation at this point was to get home since we were going to a Carolina Panthers home game. We got to a water stop just before going under Johnston road.

We veered left onto the sidewalk up to Johnston road.

At the end of the sidewalk, we turned left onto Johnston road.

It was a longer stretch than it seemed especially since you could see your destination the whole time. Finally, we got to Community House.

We turned left on Community House. Along this road we found Mile 13.

Then we turned right into Torringdon.

This is the same road we started the race. It curves around the office park. Then we turned left to find the finish.

I got my medal and grabbed a water. I also got my medal selfie.

Then I made my way to my car and had almost no issues trying to leave. My official time was 3:11:06. Considering all the walking I did in the neighborhoods, I was happy with that.

Aside from the traffic getting to the race, this was a well run race. I love running on the greenway I just wish the neighborhood part wasn’t so hilly. It really killed me this time since I wasn’t prepared for it. Since this race is essentially in my backyard, I would do it again.