Apparently it’s all or nothing with me. Lately, I can’t have a regular training week, but I can run two races and live to tell about it!
The Goofy isn’t getting any farther away, so I have been working on getting some miles in, slowly, but surely.
Last Sunday I ran/walked the Emerald City Quarter Marathon with my friend and running buddy, Mandy. It was so much fun! The Emerald is a race that is near and dear to my heart after I ran it last year and scored a gigantic PR with Duane during the Half. Plus, this was the second annual race so I have run it every year so far! 🙂
I actually enjoyed both courses, but I think the Half is my favorite. Mandy and I committed to running it together next September. This, by the way, is the Mandy that just had a baby three weeks ago and she was out there run walking 6.55 miles – what’s my excuse!? Here we are crossing the finish line:
If you were to ask me why I like the Emerald City so much, I would tell you it is because of the atmosphere! M3S puts on a great race and their events are always upbeat and fun. No matter how slow or fast you run M3S makes you feel as if you are part of the team!Plus, they have the World Famous MIT pace and balloon team so you know exactly how fast you are running and no onefinishes last! Score! The race bling – a “gem of a finisher’s medal” – is second to none!
| Me at the Finish Line. |
This race was jam-packed with friends, fun and Lucky 13 madness!
 |
| Keri and yes, that’s my sister. |
| Me and some of the Lucky 13’s before the race! |
 |
| Me, Kim, Robert, Laurel (all first-time marathoners NEXT WEEK) and Jenn before the race. |
| Me, Mandy and Keri after the race. |
| Me, Mollie, Jennifer, Mandy and Deb after the race! |
| Me and Dave – Blogger Meet-up! First time we met in “real” life. |
| Mandy and Me. |
| Amy (who ran the Half!) and Me. |
 |
| Sisters. 🙂 |
 |
| Jennifer and Me |
| Me and Julie |
| Heather (One of the World-Famous Pacers!) and Me. |
I walked this race with a throbbing toe – it was numb by the time I was finished. I was running in my regular Brooks, but clearly I am due for some new shoes so I am on that adventure now. I can’t find any that I like and that work for me. I think I am an Asics girl, I want to go back to those, but I need a good shoe that fits my foot.
I will never forget this race – just like last year – for many reasons, but mostly because of the time I was able to share with Mandy. We talked a lot about so many different things – even my Mom, which was wonderful. It was good to talk about her with someone who understands what I am feeling. And we talked about her ‘lil runner too!
We finished in 2 hours and we ran the first and last half a mile. Official time was pretty much dead on 2:00:10. Nice job, Mandy!
Last night, I ran the A&F Challenge 5K with my sister. Sarah arrived just in time to watch us get a late start too, and it was great to have a friendly face in the crowd. Again, the rain that has become Central Ohio held off for the actual run. It was a slow go for me on what was a surprisingly challenging course – miles 0.5-1.5 miles were steadily uphill. I finished (unofficially) in 45 minutes. I had trouble breathing, and I am not sure, but it may have been because of the humidity. Here we are finishing. I am on the left in pink and Mollie is on the right – she smoked an annoying running who we were playing cat-and-mouse with (who also wasn’t very nice) right at the end!
A&F, while an expensive race, provides probably the best.swag.ever. including a Fierce drenched (I can’t stop smelling it) A&F T-Shirt that I can actually fit into (and look normal). I got to see the inner-workings of a prestigious company (my sister works in their marketing department) and felt like I was smack-dab in the middle of an up-scale college campus except people were running – in Abercrombie clothes, I might add. The post-menu included gourmet salmon, burgers, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and even more! Beer, wine, cheesecake and chocolate cake too! The party included live entertainment and probably lasted well into the night, from what I hear. I am, however, can only handle about one late night a year so I left after grabbing some dinner. It was a fun night, and I thank my sister for inviting me for the second year in a row!
Happy Friday Bloggers both far and near!
Until the next mile marker,
In case you missed it:
Enter my Giveaway HERE for your chance to win my 26.2 Marathon Woman Prize Pack, including an autographed book by Kathrine Switzer – the first woman to officialy run the Boston Marathon. You only have until this Sunday to enter!
 |
| Look for me! |
Please consider voting for me to be a part of Team Refuel! You can do so once a day until September 15th HERE. Search for me by name – Sara Wyen. To learn more about chocolate milk as recovery fuel and what I plan to do with the grant money if I am selected, please visit THIS post. Thank you. I appreciate any votes that I receive and the time you take to think of me.
MY RUN is being released on DVD on 09/20/2011. Don’t wait – reserve your copy today! After tragically losing his wife to breast cancer and struggling to raise three young children on his own, real life super hero and modern day Forrest Gump, Terry Hitchcock seized on an idea. He wanted to accomplish the impossible: run 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days to bring attention to the incredibly difficult lives of single-parent families. He ran in spite of freezing rain and unbearable heat, in spite of chest pains and bone fractures that wracked his 57-year-old body. He just kept running – each day, every dayCheck out my review of this inspirational film about running marathons and also the marathons of life HERE and look for me in the credits too!
Follow
Way to get back on the wagon, girl! Loved all of your pics! And that A&F race swag sounded AMAZING!!!
Absolutely LOVES running with you. The conversation was the best part, hands down. LOVE YOU!
Wow! You are a woman of many surprises and talents! Love the stories and the pics… how fun! Oh, and I see you are wearing your new pink socks, too…. 🙂
Awesome work, Sara! 🙂 I love the pic of you & Mandy finishing EC! 🙂
I love that picture of your sister! Its awesome! Great racing! Keep it up! I just blogged about disappointing swag bags. That’s awesome that A&F’s was good but will it rival Oktoberfest with a coupon for a beer, cream puff & brat? I think not………:)
Great pictures! You have so many great running pics. I usually have to beg my husband to take pictures and even then he’ll only take a few
I woke up the morning after A&F and put the pictures on FB right away because I knew you needed them for blogging. We are so predictable!
what fun races! they both sound like so much fun and i love that you got to run with your sis and sweet friend! hope you have an amazing rest of the weekend!
p.s. thank you so much for your sweet comment on my post about my dad the other day!
TWO races? Holy cow! I just finished my first ever race yesterday! GO YOU!!