Seriously! I can’t think of a snappy title for this blog! I think it’s one of the reasons I haven’t written up this post yet. Isn’t that the silliest thing ever? Be that as it may, I don’t want to procrastinate or else I might forget some of the incredibly awesome things that happened this weekend and that would be sad!
Where to begin….
MFH (My Favorite Husband) and I returned from London at 1:00am a week ago Friday. That same Friday evening, I was on the phone talking to the Race Director of the Coke 10K. Super nice, guy!!!
He should have given me some sort of warning because what he told me made me sit down hard. I tried to hold myself together but after we were off the phone, I cried. Me? Cry? Yea. I did.
See, Kenneth had told me I had been selected as one of three area runners to be presented with the Gold Standard Bearer Award at the Coke 10K,
I was stunned! I know me for who and what I am. I’m just a middle aged house wife who loves to run! Not a doggone thing special about this kid. I know some of the people who’ve been presented this award in the past and I’m here to tell you, they’re AMAZING people! Waaay out of my league.
This past Friday afternoon, my sister and I drove up to Corinth, Mississippi, for the Coke 10K. The Coke 10K is the best 10K in Mississippi (IMO). It’s so well organized! The volunteers are amazing! The medals are terrific, too! I just love it!!! https://runsignup.com/Race/MS/Corinth/Coke10k?remMeAttempt=
This was my 4th year running the Coke 10K. I had run it three consecutive years then had to miss it last year. #1 Son graduated from Mississippi State University on race day last year. #proudmama #thatsmyboy
Needless to say, #1 Son wasn’t graduating on race day this year so I was tickled to get to run my favorite Mississippi 10K again!
My sister and I arrived at packet pickup and immediately ran into Rod and April Simmons. This powerhouse couple have done so much to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle here in Mississippi!!! They’re the Best of the Best of people!!! As a matter of fact, the three of us made the Corinth newspaper!
After chatting a little while with Rod and April, a newspaper guy came in and took pics of me getting my race packet. I’m telling you, this was new territory for this kid! I usually just grab my packet and hit the road~well…that is unless I get to talking to people. You know how that goes, right? *I’m such a blabbermouth!
While I was busy talking, the President of USA Operations for Coca Cola North America popped in! We chatted for a bit and I concentrated on not making a fool out of myself. *easier said than done!
That evening was the pre-race dinner. What a fun time! Saw lots of friends I hadn’t seen in a while!
They handed out the cutest cookies ever!!! As much as it’s killing me, I’m sending mine to Aiden. I think he’ll like it. #IRun4Aiden
Before bed, I posted my obligatory “Flat Melinda” pic.
Now it was time for a little sleep before the race.
We found parking easily. Sometimes, that’s kind of hard. I think our timing was just right! As my sister and I got out of the car, I saw a FB running friend I’d never met In Real Life! (IRL) What a treat! We immediately stopped for a selfie.
Funny thing about this pic, is he’s almost bent completely in half. He’s tall and I’m…not. LOL!!!
A few seconds later, another mutual friend was seen and we did the pic thing again. When I saw this pic, I realized just how short I really am! How funny is this!?!
Both SUPER nice guys and great runners!
Soon we were at the place where we were to meet up with other runners for pics. It’s always to much fun to meet online friends for the first time IRL!!! I so very seriously love this part of racing!!!
Now it was time to get down to business and run a few miles! BOOM!!!
No PR for me this year. It was my second fastest 10K so I’m happy with how the race went! So much fun to run this race!!!
After the race was the awards ceremony. This was when I was supposed to receive that award I’ve been telling you about!
As soon as I could, after crossing the finish line, I walked back to the car to change into my shirt. I had received a yellow shirt that showed I was a Gold Standard Bearer. How cool is that!?!
I took off my racing shirt, slipped on the new yellow shirt and headed back to the finish line. I was hoping to see my sister cross the finish line but it didn’t work out. I think I fiddled around too long.
The Race Director said some very complimentary things about me. To be honest, I’m not used to that kind of thing. I wasn’t raised in a very encouraging household. That’s kind of sad but maybe it helped me try harder? I dunno….
Then he presented me with a certificate!
Then an acrylic award, too!!!
It was simply too much to take in!!!
I was glad when they called the second Gold Standard Bearer up to receive his award! What a nice guy!!! I was super happy for him!
*All of the awards ceremony pics are courtesy of Rod Simmons of Rod’s Racers. Thank you so much for allowing me to use them Rod!!! https://www.facebook.com/rodsracers/ www.rodsracers.net
After all of that excitement, it was time to turn towards home. My sister and I had a terrific drive home. We stopped for lunch where I finally had a chance to look at the award! Just, WOW! I was a happy girl!
We drove. I talked non-stop (nothing new there) and soon we were at her house. I dropped her off and turned the car towards home.
When I arrived home, MFH greeted me. I got a nice big hug and smooch and a, “Good job, Sweetie” from him. That’s the best!
Thanks for following along on this weekend! This was uncharted territory! Something like this has never happened to me before!!! Very excited yet I feel VERY unworthy. Still super excited, though!
HUGE thank you to my sister who asked me to do the C25K with her back in 2011. You quite literally saved my life! BOOM!!!
#IRun4Aiden
