9/11 run

I once again ran the 9/11 run in Arlington,va. It was a beautiful night for a run.  Yes I said night.  This race is always an evening race followed by yummy food and all you can drink beer. Needless to say many nonrunners run this race because you don't have to get up early, it is a great way to honor 9/11 and the party at the end of the race. So when I see a runner puffing on a cigarette before the race I just have to laugh. Obviously not a regular runner.  Or at least I would hope he is not a regular runner who smokes before a run.

Of course before the race I was waiting for Brad and Jen and who taps me on the shoulder but Gary.  

We waited for some Shirlington run club people for a photo op. I found Jen but no Brad. We took the group picture and then got ready to run. 

It was a new route this year. Instead of running the pentagon parking lot, which I detest, we ran around the entire Pentagon. 

It was beautiful night for a run. Normally it is really hot for this race but temps were a bit cooler which made for some great winning weather. While running around the pentagon we heard some great bagpipers. 

Met up with Jen for the last mile. 

Lots of strollers in this race. The only time I was fearing my life would end by stroller accident was during the last half mile. A grandpa was running with a stroller and felt like he could take up the entire turn. So if that was the only stroller incident for me it was a very good run. 

We finished, got our medal and headed off for food. 

They also had burgers, dogs, smoothies soda, and beer.  We made it through the crazy food area and sat down to see if we could find Brad. We never found him before the run so we figured we would see him after. 

When trying to find Brad we figured he might be near the beer. I mean if you are going to look for someone you should always start with the beer line. Well we didn't find Brad but we found beer. 

And course we found Gary. Brad was alive and well because Gary was able to run into him.  We never were able to find Brad.

This was probably my favorite course for 9/11.  I'm hoping that they stick with this same course and they do not go back to running that horrible parking lot.  

9/11 run

For the past 3 years I have ran the 9/11 run in Arlington, Va.  This year was no different.  If you are not familiar with this run, it is a really great run to participate in.  It is a very family friendly run.  People are running with kids, dogs and lots of strollers.  The run begins at 6pm.  This is great if you like to sleep in and hate getting up early for a race.  The downside of this run is if it has been hot all day long, it bakes the pavement.  The last portion of the run is around the Pentagon parking lot.  That parking lot is really hot!

That parking lot gets the best of me every year!  I always tell myself I am going to run the entire thing and I always end up walking parts of the parking lot.  You can just feel the heat coming off of the pavement.  It just kills me mentally every year.  Next year I will run that parking lot!There are usually some bagpipe players towards the end of the race too.  Usually they hang out under the overpass, this year they moved.  It was great seeing them run in and cross the finish line at the end of the race too. 

I did notice that there were less emergency personnel running the race.  Usually you see a bunch of firefighters, police officers and military running this race.  I think because of the heightened security around DC that most of the regular emergency people were on call or working. 

Great race and it was extra fun because we met some friends from run club.  It was great cheering them on and having some beer and pizza afterwards.  Then we all decided to head to Shirlington for some more beers.  Next on the racing schedule is the Army 10 miler in October.  10 miles here I come!

one week till death

Well I survived the end of the world, but now I have to worry about the half coming up next week.  I have ran one mile longer than I did for my previous half, so I guess that is a positive.  I just have not felt like running.  I really haven't felt like doing much of anything.  I really wanted to just stay in the house and be a hermit.  Now that I think of it, it has been very rainy this spring so maybe that had something to do with my desire to be a hermit.  I never do well in the winter when the sun doesn't come out much, so I am guessing that the rain and lack of sun might have contributed to my  lack of motivation.

Well today I am going to attempt to run 10 miles before the half next week.  It should be fun! Well as fun as 10 miles can get.  Unfortunately I normally have a bagel pre-run, and I am out so I made some oatmeal.  I hope that works out ok for me...yikes.  I think I will just keep telling myself that if I finish I will get some soft serve ice cream afterwards :)  Although who am I kidding, I going for ice cream either way lol.  I have to do something to try and stay cool on a warm day :)

Well I am going to lace up the shoes and off I go!

9/11 5k run

Had a great 5k run...not my fastest but that is ok.  It was a great race though.  I went to the double tree to meet up with Zack, Becca and Zack's parents who were in for the 5k this weekend. 

Becky showed up later and was very excited for her first 5k.  I was very excited for her first 5k too.  If she has fun she may be another running buddy for Kristen and I.  We can always use another person at our 5k's :)

We left the room to head down to wait for the start of the race.  The music was pumping, people were everywhere. 

Contrary to Zack's face, he was very excited for the race.  Although he was whining about forgetting his garmin back in Atlanta...big cry baby! lol 

The race started and it was slow going.  People were everywhere.  There was really no lining up according to pace at all.  I almost was taken out by 4 different strollers throughout the race.  I ran most of the race...I walked a few seconds here and there around the pentagon parking lot..considering that I walked the entire parking lot the year before..not too shabby.

Crossed the mat at 34 mins...slow but steady right?  I am fine with that.  Maybe my next goal will be to finish with a faster pace but really I am always happy that I just finish. :) 

We ran into a friend from high school, Caren.  Funny how you run into people you know in a large crowd of people! lol  Good seeing Caren and she had a great run.  All was great!

Becky has decided she is going to run some more 5k's with us...Success!! :)

9/11 run

Tomorrow I will be running around  the Pentagon for the Arlington Police/Fire/Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K.  It is at 6pm.  Looks like the weather should be nice and mild this year too, so that is always a plus.  Last year the run around the parking lot of the Pentagon was just murder.  It was so hot from the sun baking the pavement all day long.  Just thinking about it and I want to cringe.  This year I beleive the highs are going to be in the 80's for the day.