Suntrust Richmond Marathon – 8k

November 16, 2009 by 31 Comments

I have a confession to make:

1) I have not run since the engagement. Yes, I got engaged 17 days ago.

2) I have not properly trained since my last triathlon in September.

Trust me, I have my excuses:

1) I got really sick 4 days after the engagement and was out of commission for 3 days.

2) I have been wedding planning like crazy (it’s practically all I think about right now)! We want to get married in May – June of 2010 but I’m running in to some problems:

a. Since it’s a short (7-8 months) engagement, most places are booked.

b. We can’t do 5 of the 9 weekends in May or June (due to previous commitments including my little sister’s high school graduation and our half-ironman in June)

c. I live in DC – things here are so expensive (and it’s depressing).

Okay, so I’m telling you this for a reason: I ran an 8k today. Originally I had signed up for the half-marathon but due to said confessions and a foot problem, I decide to switch to the 8k. I’m glad I did. (I’m sore as hell!)

The race went better than expected – and I’m glad I decided to run. Since 8k’s are fairly uneventful I don’t have a ton to report. It was a nice, flat (and slightly downhill on the way back), out and back course. Like most of the races I run, many people started when they weren’t suppose to – so I spent the 1st mile running in and out of people. Around mile 1.5, I finally got into a groove. Literally. There were bands and DJ’s playing awesome music along the run – which is fun and motivating since I don’t run with an iPod when racing. At mile 3, I started to feel tired – and this old time runner who was about to pass me (he was probably 50) said: “Come on – don’t let up now”. Okay, okay. So, I picked up the pace and ran the last 2 miles with him. I really needed him and am thankful that he didn’t let me “let up”! The last half mile he said: “This is it – let’s push it in”. And that’s exactly what we did! Glad to be finished, I turned around to give my new running partner a high-five – and he brought it in for a hug. I love runners!



Stats:

Overall: 134/3542

Age Group: 5/559

Gender: 19/???

Time: 35:23 (7:07 pace) – shocking, but a new 8k PR, too!



PS – the race shirts were awesome: long sleeve, wicking and gender specific. Hint to all other race directors: get good shirts!

Filed Under: Race Report, Uncategorized

A Running Engagement (literally)

November 5, 2009 by 56 Comments

Two years ago, BJ and I met at Pacers, our local running store. Pacers is home to a Tuesday/Thursday night fun run group, ranging anywhere from 10 to 100 people. It’s a great group of locals, all levels of ability and one common theme: we like (or in my case, love) to run!

I especially love that BJ and I met running because for anyone who reads I RUN LIKE A GIRL, I think it’s pretty obvious that I am obsessed with running. I mean, I was born to run! But, other than my love for running – BJ met me when a) I was running faster than him and b) I was hot and sweaty. Anyone that can fall in love with a sweaty woman who is faster than him = true love. One week after meeting, I claimed BJ all to myself.

Fast forward to October 29, 2009.

BJ and I had plans to run our favorite long run after work, appropriately named “long run”. It’s an 8 mile loop and we run it once every 2-3 weeks. (note: we always pack my hot pink CamelBak for hydration) It was a gorgeous night, not too hot, not too cold – perfect running weather. We were talking about our days, the weather, how we were feeling – normal running talk. Around mile 5, we run past this great park – it has tennis courts, a big open field, an old train caboose and a few picnic tables. BJ asked if we could “stop to stretch”. Of course – I was in no hurry (and feeling a little rickety myself).

So, we stopped. And then BJ started saying some really nice things to me, I mean really nice (I’ll leave all of the little details to us)….I started to think: “What’s going on here? Is he being an extra sweet boyfriend? Or, is he about to propose?” Around the same time I started thinking those things – BJ got down on one knee, pulled out a (gorgeous) ring from the CamelBak and asked me to marry him.

I said: YES!!!!

Unfortunately we had 3 miles left – so we practically had to sprint home because I could not wait to tell everyone our wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even more fun – BJ made reservations at our favorite restaurant and had told them we were getting engaged. When we arrived, there was champagne and a delicious bottle of wine waiting for us – and personal “congratulations” menus. We had wonderful food and wine and dessert. It was absolutely perfect! And I could not be happier!

So, we met running, we both love to run and BJ proposed on a run – I could not think of a more perfect way for us to get engaged!

Filed Under: Uncategorized