YMCA Critz Tybee Runfest

This event was both a running challenge and a fun vacation with a big group of friends! The event consists of 5 different races over the weekend and of course I signed up for all 5. The group of about a dozen arrived at various times, some as early as Thursday evening and stayed as late as Tuesday. 

First Night in Tybee

Walking to find food

We found a bar

Night 1 with good friends!!

The first event was on Friday evening, the 5k. With a heavy mileage load on Saturday I knew I should hold back, and I certainly didn't have any time goals. The excitement of event #1 and being the first race on fresh legs, I went a good bit faster than I probably should have and finished with a 21:53 (although the course was nearly 0.1 mile short). Splits were incredibly consistent (7:16, 7:17, 7:16) due to the flat course. 

First Tybee sunrise

Third AG = dangle charm for the medal!

Saturday was the big day... four races in a row! 

Sunrise #2

First up, the 10k. I once again went faster than I should have considering there were 23 miles to run that day... I had a couple of miles in the low 8's in the first half of the race and then intentionally put the brakes on for the second half knowing I'd already done the damage. 10k time = 50:51 (another short course, right at 6 miles). 

There was about a half hour between finishing the 10k and starting the half marathon, so I ate some food and removed my jacket (it was warm enough by then) before heading back to the start line. 

The half is where the wheels started to come off 😂 and I knew the speedy first 2 races were coming back to haunt me. By about mile 4-5 I was already feeling exhausted, got a little boost/second wind for the next few miles, then struggled through the last 5k of the race that felt like it would just never end! The island was beautiful and I tried my best to just enjoy the sites, but my legs were protesting.

Lighthouse!

Finished!

I somehow managed to keep all of my miles below 10:00/mi pace, which felt like a struggle. Finished the half marathon in 2:04 and some change. Once I finished that one I had nearly an hour and a half before the next race was to begin. I made the mistake of collapsing in my chair and sitting for at least half of that time, which was not good. I was so stiff and sore when I tried to stand up and walk to the start line for the 2.8 mile beach run!

The 2.8 mile beach run was just what it sounded like... a run up the road to beach access, out onto the sand, then run back on the sand to the finish line. It was the first time I'd actually set foot on the beach during the trip, so that was exciting! But oh man I could barely move my legs. I was honestly worried I'd have to end up walking the whole thing but somehow I managed to move enough to get just under an 11:00/mi pace for the duration. 

The final race was the one mile run, and I was SO glad to be done once we lined up for the start of this one! Ended up with a 9:40 time and had one of our group hand off a beer at the final turn 😁

All the medals!

Overall this was a super fun event to do with friends, but I think if I do it again I'll select one or two races to focus on instead of doing all of them. It was a fun challenge but definitely didn't make for any stellar performances overall!

Group pic from Friday night 5k

Ladies on Saturday!

Tybee sunrise 🌅