10 Tips for the Bridge Run

I am by far an expert, but here's some advice for all those who care. 

If you're interested in the Cooper River Bridge Run, here are my 10 tips to help you along the way. 

1. Yes, there are a lot of people.  In 2012, the cap for the race was 43,000.  That's a LOT of people.  Don't be intimidated.  It is amazing to be a part of something so large.
   
2. Don't take it too seriously unless you're an elite runner (why would an elite runner be reading this though?).  I tried hard, but I also enjoyed myself.  There are costumes, crazy people, funny people, and generally awesome people.  Try to relax and enjoy your time.
   
3. If you want to eat at one of the more popular restaurants downtown after the race, make reservations early.  You can always cancel.
   
4. The bridge closes at 7am the day of the race.  If you parked in Mt. Pleasant, there are shuttle buses that will bus you back across the bridge after the race or you can just run/walk back across.  If you're staying in downtown, there are early morning shuttle buses that take you to the start.  Get there early.
   
5. I stayed in Mt. Pleasant (Patriot's Point).  There are many great hotels in the area and some of the ones on this side of the bridge are cheaper than the downtown ones.  Also, traffic sucks.  Just get used to it and be careful and courteous.
   
6. Bring a bottle of water with you.  Yes, there is water on the course, but you will want something while you wait.
   
7. Get to your corral early.  Once in line, be friendly to the people around you.
   
8. Smile a lot when you pass photographers or the scaffolding at the start and end of the bridge.  Makes for a better picture later. (Oh, and wear a unique shirt color if you're not in a costume.  Makes looking for your photos on the web easier).
   
9. Headphones.  I needed them to focus, but keep the volume low because people are all around you and may want to pass or have an emergency.  I have bluetooth running headphones, so I would just pause them in intense areas.
   
10. It's about 2 miles to the bridge.  One mile up the bridge (The uphill part is way more intense than you realize, especially if you've never walked/ran over it.  I walked this entire part, but ran some once I got to the top.) One mile down the bridge. And, a little over 2 miles to the end.  I recommend saving your energy once you're around 5K if you're a newbie runner like me.  It's easier to run once you clear the bridge as the smaller exit areas tend to bottleneck and slow down from time to time.
    

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy

Maybe you have heard of him?  I ran the same race as him.  It's like I personally know an internet celebrity.  Which isn't saying much.  And I don't really "know" Zeddi Little.

(But I would like to, although I read that he is taken. ) 

That's just not fair.  No one should look that ridiculously good looking during a 10K. 

I did not look that good looking, far from it.  

Not even that good looking BEFORE the race. 

Uphill (6% slope).  Definitely not a candidate for ridiculously photogenic gal. 

My day went a little something like this (TL; DR version*):

Up at 4 am.
Next to corral K at 6:15am.
Lined up at 6:45am.
Waited for an eternity.
Started race at almost 10am. (no, I'm not kidding).
Finished in 1.39 (Which is not bad for a newbie like me).
Total miles: 7.41 (I was a mile from the start).
Went back to the hotel and crashed, mostly from being awake since 4am.  

A more detailed account of my race experience is coming, but figured a short version would be nice. 

*In case you're unfamiliar, TL;DR = Too Long; Didn't read and is used to mean you don't need to read the whole thing, here's the basic story.

Spring and Charleston

Yes, I'm still alive.

I just haven't posted.  I have been busy lately, and had to give something up in order to accomplish the "must dos" of my weekly calendar.

I have been running and I am way excited to share with you what I did.

I ran a 10K.  Ok, well, I ran and walked a 10K.  Not just any ol' 10K.  The Cooper River Bridge Run.

So, me and around 43,999 other people lined up so early I questioned my sanity.  I will write a detailed post later, but for now I'll share a few photos.  First, let me explain what this is all about.  This run, affectionately called "the Bridge Run",  was started 35 years ago in attempts to increase awareness of physical exercise and raise money for education (ha, I think?).  I signed up as motivation to stick to running.  

It starts on a Saturday, and begins at 8.  This year, however, there was a very horrible delay.  Lots of people have posted information sharing their thoughts (positive and negative) and the board of the Bridge Run has issued several apologies.  

I hated the wait, but my thoughts on the matter are, I was there and had a great time.  Who cares?  

There is also a part of the race that includes costumes (costume contest at the end with a first prize of $1000).  So, lots of interesting sites were witnessed.  

Oh, I took this picture.  I also never want to see that again.

Who likes the Hangover? 

Pacman!

The Hangover guy taken at another angle. 

His real name was John.

I will post more stories and some tips if you're interested later! I hope to be back!! 

Legen....

Do you have someone that runs with you?  Or that person who's always cheering you on?

This is pure awesomeness.

I don't.  And I'm not posting this to elicit sympathy.  I'm posting this for others like me.  I post every post for other people who may be going through the same thing I am.  For people who are trying to get fit for THEM.  For you.  Not to please a significant other or make your momma proud, but to get fit because it means a better you.  *cue uplifting music* 

Seriously, what drives you to keep running?  Because work out buddies are great and sorta keep you on the path to do better, but what force do you have that is a little reminder to keep it up? 

This is mine. 

You can find out more info here and here.

It's a 10K.  A freakin' 10K.  

At first, I thought, "There is no way I can enter that yet. I am so not ready."  

But then I read some more and found a category that is Walk/Walk Run.  Well hell, that's what I do anyway.  That's what the C25K is. Walk...then run...then walk... and so on until you're running.  But, a 10K is not the same as a 5K, duh.  

I'm still doing it.  I registered yesterday as a matter of fact.  By myself.  I do have a friend going down with me that is going to cheer me on, but that's it.  I am a little scared and overwhelmed, but I'm gonna do it.