Run For Relief

This month I'm participating in the Give Thanks Challenge, hosted by Abby at Back at Square Zero.  Today I'm thankful for:

The Generosity of Runners

Despite the cancellation of the NYC Marathon (which, IMHO, was the right thing to do), hundreds of runners still donated their time, resources, and sweat to help with relief efforts on Staten Island.  I was so heartened to see this picture of runners clad in orange ready to offer assistance to the victims of Hurricane Sandy:

via Runner's World

These would-be marathoners were inspiring in a less-conventional way: rather than crossing a finish line, they carried heavy packs and ran the hills of Staten Island (some getting lost along the way!) to deliver their contribution of supplies to those in need.  

Seeing these inspiring runners use our sport to help those in need made me want to do something too. We've already donated money through the Red Cross, but I wanted to do something as a runner.

Thankfully (haha, pun intended! This is a #givethanks post after all!), Crazy Running Girl is hosting a virtual race to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Head over to her blog for the details, but the gist is this (as I exercise my amazing cut&paste skills):

How to participate

1. Run a race of any distance the month of November. There are TONS of fun holiday races this time of year so grab a friend (or two!) and sign up.
2. Register for the Virtual Race for Hurricane Sandy here.
3. Pledge your donation (a minimum donation of $10 requested) here. ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to the Red Cross.  [NOTE from 'Ama: Crowdrise applies a 10% Optional Processing Fee to your donation.  To opt out, click on the Optional Processing Fee link, and select 0%]
4. Tell all of your friends that you are participating and invite them to join us, too.
5. Run your race and tell us how you did! Make sure to send us pictures.

I just signed up and made my donation.  I'll be running the Richmond Marathon for Hurricane Sandy Recovery.

If you've for a race coming up in November, or even if you just plan to run sometime in November, consider signing up for this virtual race and donating a few dollars to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.


What are you thankful for today?  Share it below or on Twitter!  Don't forget to tag @backatsquare0 and @ama_runs, and use the hashtag #givethanks!

RAR!

Hot Mama Half Marathon

This morning I ran the Hot Mama Half Marathon, which was a virtual half-marathon hosted by Moms Run This Town (MRTT). A virtual race is great because it allows participants to run a course of their choosing, and I chose to run my half-marathon through our nation's capital.

My route, minus a mile since Dailymile
doesn't acknowledge shortcuts. :-/

It was a beautiful, but hot, morning.  I started in Georgetown (where I knew I would find parking).

Georgetown.
Specifically, Georgetown Cupcake

After spending 20 minutes searching for a bathroom, I finally started my run around 7:30.

Crossing the Key Bridge, heading into Virginia

Did a quick loop around Roosevelt Island

Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial
from across the Potomac

I ran up to the 14th St. Bridge, where I crossed back in DC and began my "Memorial Miles":

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument
(from the Jefferson Memorial, I think)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Tidal Basin (not a memorial but very pretty)

FDR Memorial

Eleanor Roosevelt @FDR Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

At the Lincoln Memorial, I tripped and almost landed flat on my face in front of all the tourists.  Luckily, my handheld saved me, and I managed to stay on my feet and keep on running.  Although I'm sure my face-plant would have made for some interesting vacation photos.

I continued up to the Capitol Building, where I turned around and began to head back.

The Capitol

Washington Monument from The Mall

I crossed back into Virginia via the Arlington Memorial Bridge, but I didn't get a picture because I was tired of fishing my iphone out of my waistpack.  Also, because I was just plain tired.

It was a hot run.  I tried to refill my handheld at the various water fountains along the "course" but none of them had enough power to actually get a decent arc of water going so I could position my handheld underneath.  In the end, I wound up purchasing a bottle of water from a vendor for $2.35!  That kinda hurt.

I hit 13.1 miles just as I crossed into Virginia, so I finished my half-marathon in 2:05:38.  My training plan had me running 14 miles today, though, so I kept going for another mile.  The devil and the angel on my shoulders were debating whether or not I should run 15 miles.  I'm not sure who was arguing for what, but my legs did their own thing and stopped running at exactly 14 miles.  I had another .5 mile to go before I was back in Georgetown though, so I did a mix of run/walking until I got back to my car.

As soon as I unlocked my car, I tore upon the envelope that I received from MRTT.  Inside was the finisher's medal and a little Hot Mama decal.  Woot!!

Hot Mama Medal

Hot Mama  Decal

This was a super fun race.  1) Because I won. (hehe -- its the only time I'll ever win a race, I'm sure :), 2) because I got to choose the course and run where I wanted to run and 3) because for $11, I got a little bit of bling and a little bit of swag!

If you've never done a virtual race, I highly recommend it.  So fun!  Thanks MRTT, for hosting such a cool (or hot :) event.  I'm ready for the next one! :)

My First 5K...Virtually

On Sunday I ran my first 5K...virtually.

Recently I learned that Running, Loving, Living was hosting a virtual 5K for the week of June 18-25th.  "Whats a virtual 5K?" you may ask, as well you may.  A virtual race is run on a course of your choosing, as long as you complete the race requirements.  Since I registered for a virtual 5K, I needed to run 3.1 miles.  By completing the distance, I will be entered into a drawing for a variety of awesome prizes.  By blogging about it, I get my name added for another entry into the raffle.  And I need all the help I can get, because I never win anything.

I learned about virtual races a few weeks ago when I signed up a virtual half-marathon hosted by Moms Run This Town (which is also an awesome blog title, no?)  This virtual race will be "officially" held on July 28th, but you can run it any day in July and be eligible for prizes and bling (you can still sign up for this race, and I highly suggest you do!  Just click on the link above).  Since I have another race on July 28th, I will be running my virtual half-marathon in early July.  I am very excited.

But back to my first virtual 5K.  The weather was hot, but not suffocatingly so like it had been the past few days.  I decided to take Nugget with me since he had been asking about a "wun-wun?" all week.  Thankfully, he loves to "wun-wun" now, though we still haven't run farther than 4 miles.  

Ready to wun-wun!

I chose a route that is I am very familiar with AND that is all sidewalk AND that does not pass the local playground.  I've made that mistake before, and had to contend with a whining toddler asking for "Wheeee?!?" the entire run.  I was planning to end at the playground, but he didn't need to be reminded that there is   a "wheeee!!" in the vicinity until I was done with my run.

The plan was to run easy, but I was feeling pretty good, so I ran hard for myself.  My efforts were rewarded as I crested the top of the one steep hill on the course.  "Very impressive!" exclaimed a walker as she graciously stepped aside to let us pass.  I was panting pretty hard so I could only smile lamely in response, but she definitely motivated me for the rest of my run.  Thank you for the encouragement!

Mile 1: 8:35
Mile 2: 9:11
Mile 3: 8:29

My Garmin decided to shut off at exactly 3 miles, so I had to DJ Research had to do the math in his head to determine my pace for the last .1 mile.  I ran 3.1 miles in 27:06 minutes at 8:44 m/m.  Thats a stroller PR for me!  I'll take it!

Of course, we ended at the "Wheee!" where Nugget didn't go down the slide at all.

Thank you Running, Loving, Living for hosting this virtual 5K!  It was lots of fun and I look forward to running more...virtually!...in the future!



Have you run a virtual race?



RAR!