Wharf to Wharf

There is an annual race in Santa Cruz called the Wharf to Wharf. Where you run, well, from one wharf to another. It's a 10k, which means it's a little over 6 miles. Last year was the first year the Camp Hammer summer staff ran the race as a group, complete with designed t-shirts.

Daniel didn't run it last year because he injured his foot in a bike accident. Instead, he and I had one of the biggest fights of our relationship during the wharf to wharf as he drove the camp van around to the finish line to pick up the runners at the end. I don't remember what exactly we were fighting about, but we were sure fighting. For a really long time.

This year, more than half the staff signed up to run the race, including myself and Daniel. Lori and Andrew, another couple at camp, signed up too. Lori and I run together, so we decided we'd run this particular course together as well. And Daniel and Andrew ran together. Isn't that cute?

From the very start, Lori and I decided we were not going to put the unnecessary pressure on ourselves to run the entire more-than-6 miles of the race. We were going to do our best. On average, these days, when we run, we do a good solid 3 miles. The most I've EVER run is 5 miles and that was in college, back in the day :)

Oh, and also, I haven't run in a long time...maybe twice since camp started. The only real time to do it is before breakfast, and you're so exhausted at the end of the day that you (well, me and Daniel) want to hit the snooze at least 5 times before you actually HAVE to get up.

But I still feel like I'm in good (maybe better than ever) shape. The no-sugar thing plus walking around camp all the time, going up stairs and hills (the camp is built into a mountain) every day is exhausting! But I feel good :)

So, race day. The race was on this past Sunday, which I thought was interesting. But, oh well.

The Camp Hammer staff shows up at the race. We have car-pooled, and it is early. We are all wearing our "Hammer Stache '08" tank tops. "Stache" is really "staff", but most of the male staff has been growing out mustaches all summer, so it's "stache" on the tank. Daniel does not sport the 'stache. It was not my doing, either. He said "no stache" and I said "okay!"

Some of the girls have drawn blue staches on their upper lips with eyeliner someone has. It's funny. I opt for no 'stache. I can only imagine the sweat mixing with the eyeliner and my stache is only then blue gunk smeared from nose to chin. Ew.

The race begins. There are at least 15,000 people in the race, and more on the sidelines. So when the gun goes off, it's another 8 minutes before we actually get to the starting line!

Lori and I take off and play a fun game called "people dodging"--it is played just like it sounds. you dodge the people going slower than you and look for escapes through the crowds in order to set your own smooth pace.

Mile 1 is pretty hard. I think "great. This is not fun" but I also recognize that the first and second miles are the hardest. We push past.

At mile 3, I'm feeling good. So is Lori. My knee hurts somewhat from an old injury, but I am going to push past it. At mile 4, Lori and I look at each other and say "we are soooo going to run this whole thing!" At mile 5, it's a "Yes!!!!!!" (There are large balloon canopies that mark every mile. It really helps with morale, I believe. Those balloons kept me going). And then there was only one more mile left, and we were running hard. Our breathing was steady and uniform, we were not huffing and puffing. In fact, we may have been flying that last mile. We crossed the finish line, hi-fived each other, and shared a proud moment.

I ran an entire 10k. 6 miles! I never thought I'd be able to do that. But I did. And it was great.

I came home and immediately crashed into a power nap, and the next day my body was aching. And today I feel sick. Throat, body aches, you know. But the Wharf to Wharf was conquered by the Hammer Stache. It was a lot of fun. And it makes me want to do a half marathon, if my knees could take it. I'd definitely have to train pretty hard.

Oh! I also got a hair cut yesterday. Daniel and I went in on our day off to try a new place. I love my haircut. It's pretty short, just below the chin, and kind of spunky. The bangs I had are now side bangs. They were driving me crazy down in front. Daniel got a haircut too. It's still long, but now the boy's got style!

I am flying to Amarillo this weekend for my dear Lenna's wedding! I'll be singing in it, so say a prayer that my throat gets better. I know she doesn't want a frog croaking as she walks down the aisle :)

Only 2 1/2 more weeks after this one! I can't believe it.

Hasta,

Mrs. Proffitt