7 couples and 1 solo HIM travelled from the Gastonia region looking for the next challenge to conquer. This is what happened…
First F Q Roscoe offered to pick up YHC from the hacienda and drive to the airport. Sounded like a plan to YHC and we picked up Boudin on the way too. We dropped off the M’s and Boudin off at the departures spot and drove to Long Term Parking. Upon finally finding a spot, we tried catching up with the shuttle but he wasgoing just fast enough from stop to stop that we couldn’t catch it. Picture “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. Anyway, we finally hitched the ride, met the others and made our way through inspections and ended up at the gate. Eventually, all the group found their way there and we took off.
Upon landing we made our way to pick up the Sprinter that Defib reserved and headed to lunch. Because it was about 3:00 EST, we were starving so we found an old haunt of tour guide Defib’s and hunkered down to some bloody mary’s, beer, crawfish and po boys. Fantastic start to the trip.
Next we checked into the hotel, gathered ourselves and then went out for dinner on Bourbon Street, just not the out of control part. From there we went to one of the Top 20 Hotel bars in the world, The Carousel Bar. This thing literally spins slowly around the center bartender area! It was cool and many a laugh was had. Some of the guys progressively made their way home so they could get up early for the half marathon we travelled all this way for.
We agreed to meet in the lobby to take the 1.5 hour trip to Biloxi. At the appointed time, most of the group were waiting to split but one of us decided to “Smart Sack.” Oh well, we headed out anyway and had a very pleasant trip. Upon arriving in Biloxi, we found the Golden Nugget casino where check in was located. Before leaving Gastonia, YHC tried furiously to find the email confirmation for the registration because YHC kept receiving “Register Now Before it Closes” emails. YHC could’ve sworn YHC registered way back in the late summer but they apparently never sent a confirmation and the website didn’t allow for searching up a registration. YHC rolled the dice to see if they had the registration and Eureka! Sure enough YHC had done it and we’re in business!
The shuttle took us to the start area and, after waiting in the mini old Charlotte coliseum to stay warm, they herded us out of the building and down the street. Where are we going? After about a half mile walk we came to what was a rolling start. They had a mat on the ground that was the starting point. Here we go! YHC decided to jump over to the uncrowded sidewalk on the side to avoid the cluster of runners at the start. Freight, Broke and Defib (The 3 Amigos) stayed together to support and encourage each other, that’s teamwork! The sun had come up and was staring us right in the face, which caused the temperature to jump us very quickly. The course was almost straight as an arrow running into the sun for the first 6 miles which made YHC contemplate stripping off the upper garmets to stay cool. Yep, couldn’t take it any more so when YHC got to a point of where the layer could be picked back up, off it went and there was nothing left but the flabby muffin top. Some would say they would’ve mistaken YHC for Goldigger except for the going fast part! Yeah right!!! It was definitely cooler though.
The bridge over the inlet wasn’t super high on the way over thanks to a little small incline early in the out portion of the bridge. On the way down and around, we wound through a little waterfront neighborhood that was lined with some fans and then it was back to the bridge. Going up the incline, it was rough. So much so that Freight needed to take a breather with a short walk, that is until Defib gave him a push from behind and said “Keep going!” Now that’s teamwork!!!
YHC could feel the finish approaching fast so YHC went all out. The finish line was right next to the casino a YHC gave it all he had until the checkered flag. Not too long afterward Freight, running in his first half marathon ever mind you, came trotting across like it was easy-peasy. Nice job. Close behind him Defib finished, followed by Broke and Short Sale. Awesome work men!
The Three Amigo’s said that staying together really helped with encouragement and pushing each other during the race. Isn’t that exactly what F3 does for us? We’re there when we need each other and we help make each other better, maybe even when we don’t plan for it to happen.
All in all, it was a great race and we had a lot of fun. We even made it back to New Orleans in time for lunch and an afternoon of fun. That night we went out for dinner and listened to some hometown jazz music too. We even found a vestibule of truth where deep dark secrets were shared. Apparently someone with us has a dream of having an authentic Viking funeral, complete with raft, flaming arrows that burn half a body and a shark attack. Had to be there! The next day the dudes went to the National World War II Museum, which was amazing and is highly recommended for anyone interested in history or America for that matter. It was awesome! With the little time left on Tuesday we went to Cafe Dummond for some fresh beignets and coffee, which was a nice way to end an awesome trip with good friends.
Thank you all for indulging YHC, the “Instigator”, by coming on this wild trip. It was a blast!!! The next big group one on tap is Austin, TX in February 2023. Mark your calendars now!