Once upon a time, we were a running family. Now we’re lazy af with dusty running shoes, but I was determined to turn that around. Before I knew it, with very little training, we were busting our way into the running scene at the James Island Connector Run 10k. It had been a hot minute since our last race, way back in March for the Shamrock Shuffle, which was only a 5k. So I was eager to run again and dragged Jonathan along, and before we knew it we had a bunch of friends running as well!
The James Island Connector Run, as it turns out, is not only one of the most beautiful races but also one of the most challenging.
Somehow we actually signed up for four races leading up to the close of 2019, and Jonathan has a powerlifting meet in there as well. Keep an eye out for a Race Recap of the Sweet Tea Half Marathon, inaugural Drumstick Dash (instead of a Turkey Trot), and Hot Cocoa Run!
A few weeks before the race, the Charleston Running Club posted the Top Ten largest teams at the time. There were teams with only 4 members, but our small group had 6 members running. So of course I reached out to get our group recognized as an official team. We struggled to find a team name on short notice, so I chose SB Sermon Striders. SB stands for Summerbrook, the church that brought us all together. And then chose Sermon Striders because we are a sermon series small group. I thought it was cute. In the end we made Top 10 for largest teams, even though most of the bigger teams had 20+. We still represented!
Before the Race:
I always choose my outfit the day before to save time in the morning, and wanted to wear my running skirt. But then the morning of the race I realized my phone didn’t fit in my pocket, and that meant I couldn’t listen to music. So I switched to leggings. Since the race benefits students with disabilities, I chose to wear my Team CMT singlet to support the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. And since the bib and medal was neon, I paired it with neon green ProCompression socks.
Jonathan was pushing Sassy in the BOB stroller, which meant an early morning for us all. Thankfully she still loves the thrill of early morning races. We arrived at packet pickup an hour early, dropped the teeshirts back at the car, then waited at the start line for the rest of our team to arrive.
To our disappointment, the race started at 8:30 which not only left us standing around waiting to start, but gave the temperature time to sneak up.
During the Race:
Y’all, it was hot and there was absolutely zero coverage. The race was 100% highway and bridges without a single tree in sight, and it was difficult. Although my legs and lungs felt fine, my body was craving water and electrolytes and the two water stations just weren’t enough.
I’ve got zero stride. Zero stride.I started out strong, dodging other runners to average an 8’14 pace for the first mile. Mile 2 is usually where I remember it isn’t a 5k and cut back, but I dropped further than I wanted and averaged a 9’43. From there it only got worse. Usually during 10Ks I pick back up around mile 4, but that’s when the heat really set in and my overachiever mentality in the beginning reared its ugly head with a vengeance. Mile 5 and 6 were in the 12 minute range, with lots of power walking. I managed to sprint the final segment, but too little too late. I came through the finish line at 1:07:19 with an average pace of 10’42″/MI, which is technically a bridge PR. But I wasn’t happy with my performance and that was the worst part.
Jonathan crushed his goal and come in around 43 minutes, with a stroller and zero training. I still have no idea how he does that.
After the Race:
Although Jonathan destroyed us all and met me at the finish line with water, the rest of our group came in a few minutes apart. Overall great times for everyone. I beelined it to the beer tent, which thankfully accepted the age on my bib so I didn’t need to grab my ID from the car. Also thankful that they had hard cider as well as beer, which I like much more. I remember our first race when we saw beer at the finish line and thought who drinks beer this early?! But now we understand the pleasure of a crisp beverage after a long run.
The Post Race Party had music and a full crowd. The nutrition tent had bagels and bananas, and some other snacks. There was also a rock climbing wall (but Sassy didn’t have the right shoes for) and face painting (which was a fine compromise… she got a spider).
None of us won any awards, so we really didn’t have a reason to stay for the award ceremony. Yet we did anyway, and ended up going home with bags of bagels and bundles of bananas. I can’t complain about that!
Have you run the James Island Connector Run? Did we see you there? Let me know!