Half Cap Rap

Friday evening STEB picked up RBug 
They headed to Richmond they weren't going to be slugs
Had a bit of traffic but it wasn't too bad
Got a good night's sleep of that they were glad! 

Packet Pickup - Check!

Saturday morning was the Cap2Cap half ride
Century that is, or 50 miles to take in stride 

The Cap 2 Cap Half Map!

They arrived in the morning and parked at the satellite lot. 
Then rode to the start to give it what they got! 

Not too windy!

There they ran into RBug's co-worker's spouse
They conquered the cobbles with her last fall then went to an alehouse

A little back light!

Finally it was time to get lined up to go
Went with the C group don't you know 

STEB and RBug ready to roll!

After the first two miles they opted to jump on the trail 
Always amazing knowing they used to house rails. 
Rest stop one was around mile fifteen 
Parts were a muddy mess from all the rain it would seem

You can't see the mud from this angle!

There STEB spied a sign with one of her favorite sayings
She took a picture because that's what rides also bring 

Appreciate the scenery, dammit!

She and RBug kept a steady pace. 
Which was good cause next day STEB had a race! 

Bikes need rest, too!

Rest stop two was at a church
Having to use the bathroom almost put them in the lurch 

The nice lady at the church kept them out of a lurch!

Then a nice church lady offered the ones inside 
Then they replenished for the rest of the ride 
Several times they were passed by century pace lines
Those peeps were really flying on by
The last part of the ride brought out the wind
Just had to put their heads down and be thick skinned! 
The last five miles put them back on the trail 
And the finish was up a steep little hill, oh whale! 

Hey, this monument looks familiar!

After they got settled they had a cool photo op
In front of the old courthouse where the race stopped

Finish area fun!

After that they got their BBQ and beer
STEB recognized the location when she did the Century with STUR, never fear 

Flashback to the 2013 Cap2Cap Century!

The ride scenery really was quite nice
STEB was happy to not have doubled the distance to be precise. 
WUDoc and STUR took a rabbit road trip - mini version!
Were they doing a running race? For certain!
It will be the Historic Half in Fredericksburg town -
It's not THAT far to travel - they didn't frown.

Hospital Hill = YIKES!!!

They left on Saturday in the middle of the day -
Managed to mostly avoid I-95 - no way?!
Made it to the expo - lickety split!
Next stop would be VA Runner - they just wouldn't quit.

Fun motivation!

And what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! 

But first they posed in front of some vans with cool sayings-
Would they have a good race? Hoping and praying!
Once at the store three pairs of shoes were purchased...
Would WUDoc wear her new shoes on race day? She was nervous!
You'll have to keep reading to find out what happened...
For now you'll just have to imagine!
Next they checked in at the swanky Super 8 -
A room on the third floor was their fate.
Headed to dinner at Ledo's then a trip to Target -
Where they each bought a new garment.
Bedtime and a movie Pitch Perfect 2 -
WUDoc hadn't seen it yet - it's true!
The morning dawned windy and chilly -
Going to be interesting on a course that is hilly!

WUDoc and STUR ready to run!

Nothing left to do but get in their corral and take off-
Starting off nice and easy- don't scoff!
Highlight for STUR was running through Fredericksburg's heart -
The cheering and crowds was off the charts!
Also at one point they ran right by the  Rappahannock -
Just a little more than two to go - nobody panic!

Nobody panic - it's just the Rappahannock!

But just around the corner is good old Hospital Hill -
For the seventh time STUR has paid for this thrill!
Made it up said hill with zero problemo -
You must tell yourself no walking then GO!
But what did STUR see with  about one mile left-
A person with a scythe and as the Grim Reaper was dressed.
The sign he held said "The end is near."
Seems that the finish line soon would appear!

Patriotic start / finish!

She finished and got her shiny sharp bling-
Time to have a snack and sit down - that's the thing!
Found WUDoc and they settled down on the pavement...
STUR asked if  her feet were in torment.

Smiley finishers with big bling!

They weren't and she DID wear her new shoes -
This was certainly excellent news
However turns out the bottom of her shoe had somewhat torn apart!
Especially right along the heel part.
Was their store policy only ONE race per pair?
That certainly wouldn't be fair.
Alas she was able to get a full refund -
The people at the store were stunned!
Time for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel -
Even though they wore sweaty apparel.
Both WUDoc and STUR had a solid race experience-
So glad the weather was sunny and glorious!
Sunday morning STEB had a little 5k
The Annandale Atoms race again? No way! 
It was super windy out but the temperature was great 
Would her ears stay out? What would be their fate? 

It was windy everywhere on Sunday!

STEB lined up at the start feeling chilly 
But she knew she'd warm up fast, really 
With the Atoms marching band sending the participants off running 
After the National Anthem first and STEB wanted to sing!
She remembered the course from a few years before -
There were hills but not like Hospital - score! 
The main loop took them back by the school...
For another smaller loop then back. It's cool.
The finish brings the runners onto the track
Just 3/4 of the way around to the chute - it's not whack!

Ears intact!

In the end her ears stayed put with the help of pins
At times she had to hold her hat on but in the end a win! 
Ann in all it was a super fun weekend 
And a great way to start her staycation