#TeamClemons

21st Annual Seabee 10K Run 

My first race of the year was today and 3 members of #TeamClemons were racing.  Makai and I were signed up for the 10k, his first 10k, and Kanoa was going to tackle his first running race EVER and do a 1 mile Keiki Run.  Steve thought he had to work all night and is nursing lower back pain, so was going to be our cheerleader, with a cowbell, not pom poms. 

Although I only started running on Wednesday, after a week off due to a calf strain, I was fairly confident I could remain competitive for 6 miles and was determined to break 42:00.  More excited to see how Makai did at this distance and thrilled that Kanoa, at 9 years old, was finally going to experience the race day high.  

Had a headache Thursday and Friday, but there was a lot (A LOT!!!) going on at work and thought it was stress.  I was busy with work, basketball games, dinner, and rising out of bed early for a pre-work run, so I popped Motrin and used a natural ointment on my temples to alleviate the headache.  I was miserable at formation yesterday afternoon (I work with Marines), but attributed it to being in the sun and brushed it aside while talking to all 300 of my Marines, with a ton of enthusiasm if I do say so myself. :)

Came home.  Started dinner.  Hot.  Chills. S*%T!!

No, this is not 10.13 miles nor 1 hour, 1 minute, 3 seconds.  This is my temperature.

AAAAACK! Took Motrin and headed to bed with a glimmer of hope that my fever would break and I could run in the morning.  Took my temperature at 1am and it was 100.2, technically NOT a fever, so made a deal with myself that if it did not rise above 100.4 (a fever), I would run, although not push myself.  It rose.  This picture was just taken, despite Motrin 3 hours ago.

I went into cheerleader mode before the race.  Of course I went, as there was no way I was going to miss a 1st for my boys!

Kanoa lined up at the start.  Steve had instructed him to not go out full force and sprint with the leaders, but run comfortably.  He was adorable with his bib on and the racing flats we had purchased during Kai's cross country season, so he could be like his big brother.   As they took off, he was in 3rd.  Not sure how many kids ran but there were quite a few kids that were "bigger" than him and they were leading.  It was a 1 mile loop over and back on the Ford Island runway so we could see him racing the entire time.   Steve will run around the block with him and confirmed that Kanoa only knows 2 modes: Sprint and Walk.  We figured he would burn out quickly.  As they crossed over the runway we were trying to see what place he was in and saw a big kid with the 2nd pack so thought he was hanging in 3rd or 4th, with the leader way out in front.  As the leader came closer, this is what we saw:

Repping his Kenyan!

We were both shocked at how strong he looked.  How natural and untainted his gait was.  And how FAR he was from the pack.  When we are at local races, he is adamant that he has Kenyan blood, since the Kenyans win.  Not going to engage in any "African America" roots discussion after this race.  Maybe he is part Kenyan?!?!  Kanoa does not like attention, yet the finish was lined with the 5k and 10K racers cheering him on.  I even heard a few "look at that kid's time" as he crossed the finish line in 5:25.

Finishers Medal.  New Brooks Watch.  1st race behind him!

Then the 10k started.  We all rode bikes around the course to cheer on Makai.  The leaders were f-l-y-i-n-g!!!  Makai sat in 9th most of the race with the 8th place a full 20 seconds faster than him.  10th was on his tail coming across the bridge using Makai to tuck behind. (Mom rant: grown MEN should NOT use teen boys to save energy. Ok, I know it was a race and all is fair in a race, but...!!!)

Coming of the Ford Island Bridge and over half way through the race 

Makai came in 9th with a time of 37:57 which was faster than he predicted.  He did say that he had more energy than he thought he would, so could have gone harder.  That's why he raced, to gage what his body can do at different distances.  And more importantly, he lost 10th who was a full 30 seconds behind him. Mom grin :).

Working on his Chi!!!

All and all it was a good day on Ford Island.  I guess my calf needed more rest and this fever is making sure I stay put.  Day 2 today and praying we don't go into day 3.  These past couple weeks (20 miles 2 wks ago was tough), have made me really really really appreciate being healthy and able to not only run, but run competitively at home. I was aiming to take top 3 female at some races as I was so over being 4th female overall at the big races.  At this point, I'm happy if I make it to the starting line.