Run Firsts

Water, breeze, sand and sun surrounded the Princess' and Turtle's first beach run on Saturday, June 18. It was also our first out of state run!

So with only swimsuits (socks and shoes remained in the plastic bag under the tent), we headed from First Landing State Park at Chesapeake Bay toward Virginia Beach. We were visiting my uncle and his wife for the weekend. They were walking. Dad and brother were playing in the chilly (67 degrees) water.

Similar to our other running adventures, this one consisted of lots of observations, all different though:
1. Pets playing in the water
2. People playing on the beach and in the water
3. Ships sitting in the bay, waiting for coal, according to my uncle
4. More ships with cargo leaving the bay area
5. Things flying over our heads - kites, helicopters and airplanes, oh my!

But this one was different and our feet were getting quite the workout:
1. Sand - hard, soft and squishy
2. Shore - slanted ever so slightly
3. Shells - broken, whole and in piles
4. Seaweed - green, sticky and in globs
5. Sand crabs - invisible, fast
6. Salty water - in and out as we dodge humans, animals and objects

So, naturally, our conversation centered around our environment but with a few comments from Evan:

E: Mommy, I am finally not afraid to swim in the ocean anymore!

D: I see that but remember what I said about a bay of water being different than the ocean. The waves in a bay of water are much smaller and less powerful than the ocean waves. It is because the bay is like arms or tree branches extending off the ocean, making the water having to move further to get to the shore.
E: Yeah, but I'm still glad I can swim.
D: Me too and I'm proud of you.

E: Oh, mommy, can we ride those (pointing to jet skis)?
D: No, I think they are just for the people staying in that resort behind us and besides I don't have money to pay for a ride anyway.
E: Oh, what is she doing out there? (again pointing to someone standing on a board in the water).
D: I think she is paddle surfing, at least that is what Uncle Richard said earlier. Notice how the water is calm and there are no waves pushing her over - that is the bay water. In the ocean, she couldn't keep her balance on the board with the rough and high waves.

With the hot sun, hot sand and all the playing, we did pretty good at:
Time: 28:29
Distance: 1.152 miles
Calories: 73.5
Steps: 2787
Pace: 2.4
Happy Running!