Richmond Race Summary
* Eighteen Fast Trackers road tripped to Richmond Virginia on Friday to
participate in the half and full marathon on Saturday marking what we believe to be the largest Fast Tracks race outing to date.
Weather forecast was calling for 80% thunderstorms but the 20% won out as there was no rain during the races. The humidity was thick, the wind was tough at times and people were running and walking early.
The course was scenic taking us through historic Richmond running on Monument Avenue where statues of civil war leaders lined the streets. Also running along the James river provided pretty scenery for about 6 miles.
A wonderful Friday night pasta dinner downtown at La Grotta organized by Stacy A. brought everyone together to prepare and celebrate.
Truly a club event with two Fast Trackers cheering along the way ... Thanks
Harry and Barry!
Two half marathoners started at 7:30 (Terry and Darren) while our 14 marathoners started at 8 am.
Two first time marathoners in Anja and Catherine - congratulations!
One new Boston qualifier in Sylvie with one minute and 45 seconds to spare - way to go! Elden pushing her the last two miles helped Sylvie gut out her
qualifying time.
Other marathoners included Donna, Elden, Tom, Sarah, Robin, Deb, Ramin, Megan, Stacy A., Milo, and Debbie Z.
Special thanks to Andi and Harry for spearheading this trip ... Unfortunately
Andi was under the weather and couldn't join us.
A final lunch and rehash at The Tobacco Company by about half the group brought an end to the outing as the trip back north began.
Saturday marathons are a plus in that Sunday can be used for recovery before the work week begins... Definitely something we will look forward to.
Reflection on Richmond 2008 - from Stacy A.
It is said that right below the surface of life is an ocean of spirit. Reading this statement from my Daily Meditations on the Mat gave me pause to reflect on this past weekend’s Richmond Marathon.
Whether we are driven to chase the elusive Boston Qualifying Time, or our own private Personal Record dream, what binds us together is a spirit of love and faith. Love of running. Love of camaraderie. Love of life. We toil for months, training for the one big event that will somehow redefine us. We do this with an abiding faith that all will go well. Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not. We let it go to the universe – And then –
We await the spring to begin training once again. Spirit. Faith. Love. Our running lives defined. Our daily lives, too, embellished with the focus and clarity that comes from sustained training. Every moment touched.
To all of you who traveled to Virginia, and to those of you did not but supported us from afar, I offer one small gift of notice.
Every day is a new day. Pay attention! A new adventure awaits each and every one of us.
My First Marathon - Richmond 2008
Hello everyone! Here is my tale of my very first Marathon- the Richmond Marathon on 11/15/2008: FYI- this is not Shakespear, by any stretch of the imagination, but I hope that it brings a smile to your faces:).I headed down to Richmond, VA on Friday, Nov. 14th with Harry, Barry, and Stacey A.
My main goal for this marathon was to finish and have fun. I went into this race with no expectations.It was exciting waiting for the race to start- I was itching to run, since I had been tapering. The race started and, even though I was rarrin to go, I decided to hold back on my pace and just enjoy the run. I wasn't overly worried about completing the marathon, until I was actually
physically running in it-I guess I learned that there is bliss in ignorance!! LOL! It was supposed to be an overcast/rainy day, but instead it turned out to be a beautiful, yet hot and humid day.
Miles 0-6- maintained an easy, steady pace, took in the scenery, and focused on
maintaining a patient, relaxed attitude.
Miles 7-13- I felt good, yet very hot and sweaty- at mile 10, a guy in a giant
bananna costume ran passed me- I thought, "wow! isn't he hot in that thing?!"
At Mile 13.1- It sunk in that I was only half way done this race and that it was going to be a long, long day.
Mile 14/15ish (my memory of the mileage at this point is slightly hazy)- there was a two car head-on accident!! One of the cars was along the race course!! No runners were hit, thankfully and I don't think anyone else was hurt- so that's good.
Mile 17- there were some pro-life protesters with graphic posters- I'll spare you the details, I felt it was inappropriate of them to choose a marathon to make their statement, but oh, well, I shook off the images and continued forward.
Mile 21- Two thoughts ran through my head- 1) yeah! only 5.2mi left!! 2) boo- im exhausted and there is 5.2 miles left- I hope i make it!
Mile 24- I was more sore than I had ever been in my entire life! I walked through the water stop and planned on starting to run after I had passed the porto-potty about 100yrds ahead. As I was trying to talk myself into starting to run again, Robin ran up next to me and said: "Hey there 1st-timer, how ya
doin?!" I was SO GRATEFUL to see her!! She got me running again and told me that I could deal with being sore later. She got me to Mile 25.5:) THANKS ROBIN!!
Mile 25.5-26.2- I sucked it up, and ran with all of my might through the finish! I was so happy and tired when I finished that I cried and then I cried again when I found Tom and Terri Chaves:)
The marathon was AWESOME and I AM going to do a 2nd one!! Hopefully, the 5/31/2009 Rock'n Roll San Diego Marathon- it looks great!! For this one, I am going to follow a more regimented training schedule and see how it goes:)
I NEED to THANK EVERYONE that went down to Richmond, especially Stacey A. best roomie ever and Harry and Barry for being SO positive and supportive of me:) AND to everyone in Fasttracks for getting me hooked on marathons!!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!
ALL OF YOU ARE TRULY AN INSPIRATION TO ME!!
Catherine
