I have been blessed with Great Choices all this year. The races I have picked to participate in have all been Outstanding Decisions. I was hoping to keep the streak alive. If Myrtle Beach lived up to its billing, and "Run for Victory" was anything over mediocre, then I expected to have a Good Trip. I wasn't disappointed at all.
State 27 South Carolina
The start of this trip was a little hectic, maybe even stressful. After I had made my plans, my girl friend decided to come with me. She couldn't get off the whole week, so she went to South Carolina with me and I was to drop her off Tuesday and spend the remainder of the week there by myself. She wasn't able to get the same flight out as me, and had to get one that was 2 hours earlier than mine. She had a plane change in Charleston and my flight was nonstop, so we arrived at the same time. When I set the alarm the night before leaving, I got the time right but dint actually tun it on. We over slept and had to make a normally hour plus drive in about 35 minutes. I dropped her off and parked the car, and she caught her flight with no time to spare. Luckily she had checked in via the Internet and got to the gate just as they called her boarding group. It all worked out. The only bad thing was that in the confusion of getting out of the apartment I forgot my Hoodie jacket, and had to get one in Myrtle Beach. It was cold enough to need one at night.
Once we got to Myrtle Beach went about as well as could be expected. The weather was perfect.and we had a nice room in one of the ocean side resorts. I have to add that Myrtle Beach has to be the miniature golf capital of the world. There were courses everywhere. I lost count, we must have seen at least 50 of them.
The Myrtle Beach mini Marathon was a good race. It was a medium sized one, I think a little over a 1000 runners. The course was nice, we started at a big shopping mall and ran a point to point run down to the beach and finished on the "Boardwalk". There was only a very short stretch of Boardwalk and most of it was a concrete hike and bike path. There were quite a few spectators out and it had the feel of a BIG TIME race. There was a Beer Garden at the finish, and they gave out HUGE finishers Medals. They were surfboards that were about 8 inches long, and also doubled as Refrigerator Magnets, and just happened to have a Bottle Opener on them. They were nice medals, but it is so big, I am going to have to make special arrangements on my medal board. It is easily 3 times bigger than any other medal I have to date.
State 28 North Carolina
When I selected the "Run for Victory" race, it was an after thought. I only did it because it fit in with South Carolina. It is a somewhat new race, this was the 5 year that they had it, and it didn't pop up on the race calendar until late. I am really glad I found it. This race turned out being a truly Awesome experience. In terms of Meaningfulness it is right up there with the Breast Cancer run I did in Florida. It was very Humbling, and was a Great life Lesson. Not only that there people among us with staggering problems, but infinite Goodness as well. The Pettys and Victory Junction are a Heartfelt Feel Good Story, that everyone needs to hear. Once again, I was only going to get in a run in North Carolina, and ended up getting so much more. This is a run everyone should do, even if their not doing all 50 states. Even if you are not a Half Marathoner, they have a 5k which I am sure is equally powerful in the experience you will encounter. This is another Race that Validates my reasons for the whole 13.1 in 50 idea. This was a Wonderful Chapter in my Journey, and something I would never have experienced if I were not a runner.
Run for Victory is put on by the Petty family. Kyle Petty, son of the NASCAR legend Richard Petty. had a son (Adam) who passed away from some illness. In memory of Adam, Kyle and his wife built a summer camp (Victory Junction) for children who suffer from diseases and injuries. The camp is free of charge and is a very worthy cause. When I signed up, I was given a personal web site in order to raise contributions for Victory Junction. After reading about it, I decided it was something I would like to help with and I took on the challenge of raising money for it. Any one who got at least 500.00 dollars, was named a Top Fundraiser and was invited to a Special Pasta Diner in Petty's Garage. That's where the Petty's stored and worked on all their cars. I was able to collect 660.00, and got to attend to the dinner. Several of the Top Fundraisers were Physically Challenged, yet they refused to let it affect them. It was very inspiring.
While there, I was hoping to get to meet either Richard or Kyle. While neither was at the dinner, Richard was at the start of the race the next morning. I got to meet him and he signed my bib, and a little plastic piggy bank that was in my race packet. He was very down to Earth and very sincere. Totally Cool There was about 140 runners in both the half and the 5k, and Richard took time to sign things, pose for pictures, and took time to speak to everyone. I expected the signature on my bib to fade while I ran, but it held up with no problems at all.
The race itself, was very well organized and very participant friendly. It was my kind of race. It was very small, there were only 61 finishers. The course was 1 loop through the back roads around Victory Junction, and very Hilly. They did say Challenging, and they weren't kidding. Along the way the the tress were Ablaze with Autumn colors. It was breath taking, almost as much as the hills were. Especially the Matterhorn at mile 10. It was a very small quite race. Most of it I ran by myself. The course was marked well, and there were volunteer to to make sure you took the correct turns, but for the most part, there was just me and the run. I only remember 2 spectators who weren't volunteers. hey were an elderly couple sitting in lawn chairs in their drive way as I ran by. To be fair it was over cast, windy, and appeared like it could begin a down pour at any moment (which never materialized). But like I have said before, I do not mind little or no crowd support. I enjoyed the colors and serenity, and was in awe of the wonderful things that were taking place because of the race.
After the run, the post race food was Chili and Corn bread, and was some really good stuff. Normally I reserve my highest rating for a run, to those who have post race beer. Run for Victory didn't have beer, but I feel compelled to give them a waver and assign them the coveted 5 star rating anyway.
As much praised as I have heaped upon this race, I know that I can not really do it justice. It is something you simply must experience for your self to completely appreciate the wonderful things that they are accomplishing there at Victory Junction. I still have 22 more states to go to finish 13.1 in 50, but this one is at the top of my list to repeat, and I can only hope that any of my remaining state can come close to or equal North Carolina
