A Running Mom

my favorite run

The start of the race is important to me. Sometimes race directors line you up in some random, tight space that feels more like a cattle chute than the beginning of a race that required some training on your part. The Chicago Marathon has a start that is a little like that. The Marine Corps Marathon lacks a bit in the starting arena, too. Both races are phenomenal in total, but the start? Not so fabulous.

For me? The New York City Marathon start is unbelievable. Bam! You’re running over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. In an instant, your memory-making begins. It won’t matter how well you run that race, there are 2 points in running the New York City Marathon that you won’t ever forget: the start and the finish. 

The Fairfield Half Marathon used to have a start that left quite an impression, too. Same with the Shelter Island 10K. Even the Hoboken 5K (I think?) offers a lasting impression of the neighborhood-all-out-in-the-street-to-support-the-race kind of feeling that makes every runner happy to be out on the course and taking part in the run.

All it takes is a key visual, like a peek at the ocean or a downtown full of spectators, the race gives the runner a feeling of something special; unique; memorable.

What are some of your fave starts of races? Why? What should my half marathon training race?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Photo Credit: thebullrunner.com

Check out these moms who ran the “Milkshake Marathon” — a fun run for breastfeeding. Can you imagine?Breastfeeding moms running a marathon? I’m sure that’s shocking to some. Not to me. After I had my first child, I felt determined to get back into running shape, so I trained for the NYC Marathon (with the doctor who delivered my baby, can you believe it?). I had my first child in June and ran the NYC marathon in November. It was a challenge, but it ended up really making me feel like I could accomplish anything. That’s pretty much the feeling at the finish of a big race you’ve trained to run, isn’t it? That race, for me, represented so much, because I was one of those moms who planned to go back to work, but when the time came to leave that baby, I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to be a working mom. But I just couldn’t leave that baby? See the irony there? More on that later.

I can still feel the incredible soreness of needing to nurse my daughter at the end of the race… I rarely went 8 hours during a day without nursing her, and by the time I made it back home to my 5-month old, I was bursting! True story.  

Photo Credit: www.meetup.com

Check out these women! They are new runners in Washington who trained together through meetup.com. Don’t they look like a fun group to run with? 

Photo Credit: catherinedrew.wordpress.com

And then there’s this woman, finishing a race with a huge smile. Don’t you love it? Best part of her story is that the smile isn’t because she finished. It’s because she spotted the photographer too late to strike her running pose! I simply love this pic and this story. How many times have you run a race and reviewed the pictures from it with dismay, as you see yourself either looking too comfortable or a tad weary!

At least in this shot she looks really happy! I’d take that!

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca