Marathon Crasher

This morning was the first Ann Arbor Marathon. I had originally wanted to volunteer/check it out in some capacity, but with this past week being so crazy, it just wasn't feasible. I had forgotten about it until last night, and when I set out on my run this morning, I wondered if I would cross paths with the course at any point. A favorite run of mine is through the Arboretum, which is just .5 miles from my apartment, and I learned quickly after I set out that it served as the first leg of the second half of the marathon. WOOF.

Now, this totals THREE races that I have crashed, but the other two were more intentional. Two years ago, I happened to run the course of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which was amazing (and not obvious - there were thousands of runners jammed into those streets!). Several months later, I had the honor of running one of the last miles of the NYC Marathon with Sindy. It was so many things, but one of them was guilt ridden. Knowing what I look like after 13 miles, I can't even imagine what mile 24 would look like (think uncanny side-by-side between me and the crypt keeper?), so I felt terrible when sideliners were telling me to "keep it up!" and that I "look great!" (because yes, I take those things very personally when I am running a race and people say them to me!). It was such a cool experience to run with my running guru, especially on such a milestone run for her, but I felt deceitful that these people thought I had run 24 miles!

Anyway, today was quite a challenge (I use that word verrryyyy generously). I just couldn't win! When I gave encouragement to another runner actually running in the marathon, I felt like a jerk for breezing past them. When I ran past the water stations because it wasn't for me, I looked cocky for not needing water on a hot and humid day (I was saved a teeny bit on this one because I had my own water bottle - phew!). At the top of a hill, three volunteers were cheering me on and I finally had to come clean to someone, because I felt like a fake! Yes I did look good...I had been running for 10 minutes. Yes I could keep it up, because 1.5 miles = halfway.

If nothing else, it reminded me of how fun and exciting races are and that I don't need to just wait for 13.1 miles to run them.

Detroit Half!

Ryan and I have signed up for the Detroit's International Half for October 21 - AH!

Yes, it was just weeks ago that I was eager to not have a half hanging out my head, but after spending well over an hour at the bottom of the Ambassador Bridge on Sunday at customs, I got to thinking about what a cool run it would be....and even more awesome now that Ryan will be joining in for his FIRST HALF! WOOOOO!!

What is Running?

"Games require skill. Running requires endurance, character, pride, physical strength, and mental toughness. Running is a test, not a game. A test of faith, belief, will, and trust in one's self. So hardcore that it needs a category all to itself to define the pain. When game players criticize, it's because they aren't willing to understand, not because they're stronger. Running is more than a sport; it's a lifestyle. If you have to ask us why we run, you'll never understand, so just accept." - Jessica Propst