Crown City Classic 12K–Troy-2018

Date/Location:	July 4, 2018 – Coronado, Ca
Distances:	12km (actually 6.9mi)
Time:	49:37
Place:	5th/63
Others:	5K: Anna & Ariel Soares;  Cousins & Jan Heidt; 12K: Dan Cadriel, Troy Soares, Sierra Snyder

This race is a tradition since 2011. The 4 of us, plus the Heidt family – Robin’s mom, nephew & niece, meet at Coronado Island each 4th of July.

The start is in a beautiful park. Always great weather. Robin, Anna, Ariel & I do some warm-ups, strides and stretching.

My concern is my right heel and hamstring. It’s been bothering me.  We all gather and pray. I know each race for me is much more than a personal hobby or goal, rather it’s a chance to test my faith and a chance to be an example for others.  If it was about what I wanted – I would want to sleep-in and catch up on rest that I need.  But God always uses each race and He’ll use this one somehow and it will be a blessing.

We see our FCA friend, Dan Cadriel, a regular here, and also, Sierra Snyder, who we haven’t seen for a long time.  Great to catch up.

Robin & I, next to each other, look to the flag for the National Anthem.  Then a patriotic speech by the director.  And then we’re off!  Under the flag and out of the park.

My goal pace is set for 7:00.  Heading out of the park surprisingly I’m already behind.  I feel like I’m going fast.  i patiently wait for the mile marker as we go along the beautiful golf course.  It’s a perfectly flat and fast course.

Mile 1: 7:30.  Yep, I’m behind. Maybe my legs are tight, or fatigued. But the real goal is always to do my best and I’m happy I’m doing that.

Mile 2: 7:19. Our friend, Sierra was just ahead but now she’s about a minute and gaining.  I hope she does well.  We go along the Navy Base and I think of our hard-working military.

Mile 3: 7:16. Almost to the 1/2 way!  I pass our friend, Dan. We both comment about how this gets harder each year. I see the leaders going back.  I see Sierra and cheer for her.  I’m trying to have good form & efficiency.  Heel is tender.  I make the turn and am glad to head back.  I’m so happy when I see Robin and tell her “God is with you”.

Mile 4: 7:18. I’m tired and can’t wait to be done but I know this is where it counts & I pray for strength and know God is with me.

Mile 5: 7:15.  Ok, the pace has steadily improved which is great even though it is 15 secs off the goal pace.  Just 2 miles.  Pick it up.  There’s a runner ahead I’ve been focusing on. I finally pass and encourage them.  In a big race there’s always someone ahead to aim for.

Mile 6: 7:12. Along the golf course.  Mile and a half to go.  Legs are hurting.  I have to focus on my steps so I don’t make any sudden moves.. could easily strain something.  I pick it up along the bike path.  Just got to give it all I’ve got..

Mile 7: ??  Under the bridge, into the park.  People are BBQ’ing but I just want to finish.

 

Thank you, Lord, for strength and allowing the heel to hold up.  I see Anna & Ariel, and then their cousins!  The final run across the grass is tough.. but I’m done!  49:37. 5th place.  We all reunite and then go watch Robin finish and then her mom, too.

It’s good to see everyone in our family congratulating each other and happy about pushing themselves.  I hope we can be an encouragement for working hard, not for rewards, but just to show God we’re willing to.  He’ll give us the best reward yet... Joy.

After the race I discovered my Garmin wasn’t set right and I actually was running my goal pace, even under it.  A 6:40 average.  An added bonus to an already great day.

Crown City Classic 12K–Robin- 2018

Date/Location:	July 4, 2018 – Coronado, Ca
Distances:	12km
Time:	53:17 PR for 12K Course (2017, 53:37)
Place:	3rd/54
Others:	5K: Anna & Ariel Soares; Cousins; Jan Heidt; 12K: Dan Cadriel, Troy Soares, Sierra Snyder

Keeping the tradition alive, we are back at the 4th of July races on Coronado!  We’ve been coming here since 2011! 
We get to the start and actually find a parking spot up close!  We pick up our packets and get warmed up.  It’s humid!
We have some FCA teammates racing today: Sierra Snyder and Dan Cadriel.  Great to see them again!
Heading over to the start and wondering where our cousins are at.  They’re racing the 5K with Anna, Ariel and Grammie. Fortunately the 5K doesn’t start for another 10 minutes.  We pray with Anna, Ariel and Grammie and then head off.
As Troy and I are about to start the 12K, we see the cousins!  Just in time! 
Ready, set go!  We take off under the American flag.  I have to duck a bit as I run under…volunteers are holding it tight so it’s pushing down.  I hope to run the same pace as last year about 7:11 pace.  It’s a bit of a long shot since I haven’t been training as hard this summer.  Last year I was getting ready to do the last Ironman Coeur d’Alene. 
Dan, Sierra and Troy pull away.  I’m feeling good so far.  I forgot to bring Clif Bloks for energy so hoping just a lot of water will be enough.
Mile 1 is 7:19.  I can see a young girl around Anna’s age ahead of me.  I’m surprised and impressed!  There are some other ladies ahead of me that I’ll try to pass later on.
Mile 2 is a 7:11 average.  Wow, I’m surprised that I’m at pace.  I still feel good. Thanks God! 
Heading out to “the Strand”.  Here a bunch of families are setting up to watch the fire works.  They get here early to get the best spots.  I’m catching up to that young girl and some other gals.  I grab some water and try to drink the whole cup.
Mile 3 is a 7:14 average.  A bit slower but still close!
I start to see the top runners coming back.  I wonder where Troy, Sierra and Dan are at.  The first guys look so fast and strong.  The first woman looks like a pro and she’s way ahead of the next girls.  Soon I see Sierra.  She’s way up there too!  I tell her good job!  A few minutes later there’s Troy!  I give him a high five and tell him good job.  Close behind is Dan.  I cheer him on too.
I make it to the turn around finally and head back.
Mile 4 is a 7:12!  Yeah! 
I pass that young girl and tell her good job.  I also manage to pass a few more ladies. I’m tired but not loosing energy.  Thank you Lord!
MIle 5 is a 7:13 average.  I grab some water for the last time.  Energy is good.  Thank you Lord for sustaining me!
Mile 6 is a 7:13 again!  Keep going!  I can see the Coronado bridge so I know I’m close.  I’m actually able to pick up the pace!  I continue to have energy!
Mile 7 is a 7:11!  Wow, thank you Jesus! This is a gift to keep this pace!  Just less than a half mile to go!  I pass my Mom doing the 5k and cheer her on!
 
Almost to the finish!  I round the corner and start heading in!  Suddenly a woman sprints by.  I try to pick it up but I’m maxed out.  I push hard all the way through as I see my family cheering.  Done!  Thank you Lord!

I shake the hand of the girl that passed me and tell her good job.  I wait for my Mom and congratulate her as she crosses the line.  Good day! 

Crown City Classic 5K–Ariel-2018

Date/Location:	July 4, 2018 – Coronado, Ca (Racing here since 2015)
Distances:	5 km
Time:	29:09 PR! (2017 - 30:18)
Place:	18th (72 Total), 1- 14 Girls
Others:	5K: Cousins & Jan Heidt; 12K: Dan Cadriel, Robin  & Troy Soares, Sierra Snyder

The Race director says 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, Go!!! I run under the American Flag. I hit the sidewalk. Next to me is a stroller with a little girl inside. I hear her say “Go Daddy! Go Daddy!” We go under a bridge and then I can’t catch up with them. They start to get farther and farther away. It’s a very narrow path and there’s a lot of people running or walking so it’s hard to pass people. Finally, we get to the road. There’s a boy behind me. He and his dad are trying to catch me. Oh good, there’s an aid station. I get a drink of water and then off I go running again. There’s the 1^st mile sign. I see Anna and Detrik. I run fast so the boy won’t catch me but he catches up to me and passes me. I stop to tie my shoe then start running again. I keep my eye out for Anika and her cousin. Then I see them. I yell to them but they can’t hear me. I see the 2^nd mile sign. I see Grammie. I wave and she waves back. I’m back to the aid station. Finally, I get back on to the very narrow path and there’s some people. Back under the bridge. I pick it up and sprint into the finish line. Done!

Crown City Classic 5K–Anna-2018

Date/Location:	July 4, 2018 – Coronado, Ca (Racing here since 2014)
Distances:	5km
Time:	24:18 PR! (2017- 24:29)
Place:	7th (72 Total), 1- 14 Girls
Others:	5K: Cousins & Jan Heidt; 12K: Dan Cadriel, Robin  & Troy Soares, Sierra Snyder

3, 2, 1 and the announcer starts us off. My cousin Detrik and I start running. We run underneath an America Flag on the way out. We start off good but we slow down a bit because of all the people in front of us. On the way out, I run under a huge bridge that connects Coronado and San Diego. I start running around the golf course. Detrik and I are running strong. We pass runners and stay on a good pace. I enjoy the view around me and feel great running. I see an aid station up ahead and can’t wait to get there. Once we get to the aid station I get water and drink half a cup. The other half I pour on my head. I can now see runners coming back. After the fast runners have passed, I see kids coming back. After watching the kids for a while, I hear Detrik yell hi to some friends. I then see the turnaround up ahead. As we reach it, I turn around and start looking for family members behind me. First, I see my crazy fast sister Ariel. I cheer her on. I than later see my other cousin, Anika, and cheer her and her cousin Layne on. I again see the aid station up ahead. I grab water like before. As I’m running, I can see the bridge in the distance. Then someone calls my name.  I turn and see my Grammie. I cheer her on. I then tell Detrik that we should start to pick up the pace because the finish line is coming soon. We start to pick it up but have to slow down again. Once we reach the bridge, I am very excited.
I want to speed up but more than that I want to finish with Detrik. I cheer on Detrik and get ready to sprint in because we’re almost there. We turn the corner and sprint in. We finish together and barely beat our previous time.
Praise the Lord for He is good! His love endures forever!