Back on My Feet 42K Relay Success!

The Back on My Feet 42K Relay was this past Sunday. This is a race that has been in the works since July. I knew when I took this job at some point, I would have the privilege of directing a race of some sorts but wasn't sure what that would look like.

It was decided early in the game that we wanted to do some sort of relay. We can't do a 5K... every weekend is saturated with 5Ks. One of our volunteers, Doug White introduced us to Marty Day, who had a race he put on in the past called the 42K Relay. In talking with Doug and Marty we made the decision to launch the Back on My Feet 42K Relay. After a million date changes and a heck of a time nailing down a location.Time and location ended up working out perfectly.

In all the years I've been running, I have always dreamed of having a job where I could somehow combine running with my professional career. In the past few years, I have grown into loving the world of event planning. Event planning can be stressful- but I am energized by checking things off a list and watching ideas turn into productions.

The original goal was to recruit at least 50 teams for this race, which I thought was low, but was ready to promote the crap out of it to ensure we would far exceed 50. That goal quickly moved up to 60, then 70 teams. When race day approached  we were at 95 teams and had four day of registrations, putting the race at 99 teams!
There were so many beautiful things about the day and I am so pleased with how it went. This was the first year for the event and we have plans to make it annuual. I have been so eager to read the survey's our runners have filled out so that I can ensure that next year is a better experience. I can't wait to make the improvements that need to be made and watch this race grow.

It was so fun to see everyone in their costumes having a good time! The guys on the team were having fun and it was great to see regular BoMF volunteers, as well as lot's of new faces.

 The start of the race. Does Josh know team "Vandalay Industries" is going to take the win?

 

The Beliebers! Love my sister and friends who came out and ran!

 My mom and her team!

 William, Joe & Steve hanging out at the HVAF camp

Photograph by: Chris Thornberry

My favorite pic of the race so far!

Getting itchy

I've been a terrible blogger lately. I think it has been 3-4 months since I last posted.

After putting so much time and energy into Piney Point, once it was over I was left with a sort of empty feeling when it came to running. I had no desire or push to focus on anything.

Enter the sport of Triathlon! I hit triathlons hard over the summer. Completing two sprints, one Olympic and soon to be Half Ironman in Miami next week. I feel ready for Miami...I have put the work and feel confident it will show race day...but that topic is probably worth a separate blog. I'll just say for the time being...I'm hooked and committed to the lifestyle of Triathlon.

Even as the pinnacle for the summer/fall of 2011 is rapidly approaching in 10 days I can not help but let my mind wonder back to the marathon...the first love. I think it was probably watching the Chicago Marathon as spectators the other weekend that got my mind flowing again. Lindsey has been slowing building back up the competitive juices for a running race and I think that I am ready to commit again.

I have been eying the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon as our A race for the first half of 2012. We talked about Houston but missed the sign up boat. That is too bad because the Olympic Trials are taking place the same weekend so that would have been super sweet!

We will see how everything goes after Miami...but  I am energized by seeing a new challenge on the horizon.

2:55:00...here I come. I can feel it.

Glenn

Seriously... would you get it together already?

I've never been the most consistent blogger, but I was getting regular there for a while! Recently I haven't been the runner I'm used to, which is probably why I haven't been writing about it. Since the Red Eye Relay in July, I've been running consistently, but consistently low and slow mileage. Happy with a slow 5 miles.  

There's been a roller coaster of emotions and minor health related issues that have kept me back a bit. I've kind of let these issues stand in the way of something I've always loved. Most people have a battle with some type of fear in their lives. My battle tends to over the top and controlling at certain times and while running is the one thing that usually calms me down and takes me to a place where I can put things into perspective, it is the thing I tend to avoid when I need it most.

Over the past three weeks, I have been getting back on track and I'm ready to start working hard. Back on June, I had the privilege of running the Carmel Half Marathon with Eric Arnold, one our Back on My Feet members and friend of mine. It was his first half and ended up being one of the best race experiences I have ever had. As I've said before, there is something special about running someone's first race with them. The Carmel Half Marathon with Eric and the Green Bay Marathon with Brooke are two races I will always be grateful for experiencing.

The BoMF teams are running the Monumental 5k, half and full this year- with three men running the full. Eric happens to be one of them and although I have not been training as one should for a marathon, I did manage to get in 15 miles on Saturday and plan to do 20 this coming Saturday. Eric wants to break 4 hours in his first marathon- a lofty goal, but I'm certain he can do it on a good day and I fully intend on running his first 26.2 with him. I was there for 13.1 and would be genuinely upset to miss the real deal.


26.2 here we come...

So for now, I'm putting most of my energy into the finishing touches of the Back on My Feet 42K Relay, which is next weekend! The following week, we are going to Miami where I plan to be the best cheerleader ever for Glenn in his first half ironman and then running the Monumental with Eric the day after we return. After all of this....it's game time. I'm ready to train. Oh and I just started crossfit! Still in the first three introduction classes... we will see how it goes.