Something changed. Mid run I realized that I was already halfway through my run and felt like I had just begun. I ran my first 4 miles in years. It may not sound like much, but I have been through severe eczema, inflammation, asthma, and autoimmune problems the past few years. Suddenly it dawned on me that I would finally sign up for the Cooper River Bridge Run.
I went online and registered Brad and I under a group I deemed “Audrey’s Dirty Thirty.” I sent out a mass text to my family. To my pleasant surprise, they all seemed prepared to commit to the 10 Kilometer, 6.2 mile run.
Fast forward a couple months and we are all driving down to a house we rented for the long weekend in Folly Beach, SC. I’ll mention that Folly Beach is my absolute favorite place in the world. I love the little beach to the West of Charleston, SC. It’s a 15-20 minute drive from Charleston, but the beach is full of CofC students and artsy beach bum types. There is a great little downtown strip that is lively enough for a late night of bar hopping with the locals.
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Folly Beach was Brad and my first trip together. I went there on my Bachelorette party weekend.
That Friday we walked around and enjoyed the warm, early April sun teasing us of summer. We walked up and down the beach and took it pretty easy.
We cooked chicken and sweet potatoes as a healthy dinner to prep us for the race.
Our alarms were set for 5 AM and we left the house by 5:30 AM. We had to drive to the opposite side of Charleston- to the Isle of Psalms side- to catch a bus that would drive us to the race start.
The Cooper River Bridge Run is a collection of over 40 thousand runners that run in a series of waves based on speed. My goal was to finish in under 1 hour.
We walked a couple miles to Wave F. I saw a few fellow yoga teachers too. I had prepped with a 7 mile run, so I felt very prepared. I knew I wanted to listen to a podcast since music tends to get tuned out by my complaining mind. Podcasts provide new information and conversation that requires attention for my mind. I have found it is the easiest way to distract myself.
Everyone pre-determined who they wanted to run with as we all knew our speeds. I was going to try to run with my Dad. My hubs actually ended up keeping up with us also. We had to keep eyes on each other because the run was a literal sea of energy.
The second mile of the race is the uphill battle of the run. The remaining 4 miles are generally flat or downhill. There are cheerleaders holding fun signs throughout the run. 10-15 bands were spaced throughout the run to keep you entertained with different genres of music. I was really concerned about needing a bathroom break, but luckily I ran to the bathroom seconds before our wave started.
I felt super strong and steady from mile 5.5 to the end. Runners turn the corner and the finish line is in sight. I sprinted that last tenth of a mile. It felt so invigorating and good to run with the thousands of strong willed folks around me. I finished at 60 minutes, 29 seconds. My Dad and Brad were close behind me. My entire family completed the race! My Mom, Dad, siblings- even my sister Gabrielle completed the race with a 102 degree fever!
We enjoyed the rest of the weekend together. Brad gifted me a beautiful Old Soul Vintage Jewelry Chanel bracelet. My family gifted me a Dyson Hair dryer which completely lives up to its hype!
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We had dinner at Bowen Island Fishcamp- a lesser known seafood restaurant in Folly. I had some of the best oysters I’ve ever eaten caught right out of the bay just minutes prior.
I could not have been more excited and proud of my family for completing the Cooper River Bridge Run. I noted how satisfied I was at realization that I had successfully convinced and challenged my entire family to grow out of their comfort zones. I pushed them, but only each of them could make the decision to physically mark that item off their bucket list. I am so thankful for my family for making my 30th so memorable!
We are the only force that can bring our ideas and concepts to fruition. Action and the confident belief that we can make that success our reality is required.
Therefore, now more than ever, it is time for me to grow. Bring it 13.1!
My coworker is a bridge snob. Not in a mean way and maybe I am a little inadequate? She is a real runner and runs marathons all the time. Tonight she got up from her desk at the end of the day and put on running clothes. It was dark so I asked if she was going running in the dark. Why yes.. there is a bridge run clinic that begins in January and lasts until the run. She is participating in that to get ready. Man I felt like I had better get myself in gear and begin to do something! She is already thinking of the run and has begun to train! You can sign up here! I do not think I will. I think I will begin training on my own. Time to get to stepping! Cooper River Bridge Run Training Clinics