Today is the seventh anniversary of the shootings that happened at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, when I was a freshman. It’s something that still remains fresh in my mind, in varying degrees. It’s also something that comes to mind at the most random times. Last year, I shared about my personal experience.

Each year, among other events held in memory, they hold a race on campus called the 3.2 Run in Remembrance. Last year I got to meet Deb & company at the race, and ran with them. This year I missed the race for the first time ever since it has been held, due to running the MC 17.75K, but I still represented my Hokies.

The events of that day in 2007 are never an easy thing to think about, and are even more difficult to talk about, especially this time of year. But there is a lot of pride in being a Hokie, and there’s comfort in the outpouring of support that’s especially prevalent during the third week of April.

Take a moment today to remember the 32 individuals whose lives were lost that day, and to be grateful for the loved ones and friends in your life.

Today we are all Hokies. “While 32 of our friends and classmates are in Heaven trying to explain what a Hokie is, I stand here sure in the fact that I wouldn’t want to be anything else.”

“Appreciate life a little more, take in every moment around you, count your blessings, tell the people around you that you love them, slow down, remember what’s truly important in life. And live for those 32 that do not have that chance anymore.”

Let’s Go! HOKIES!

 

This past Saturday I ran the Marine Corps 17.75K, which is 11.03 miles. Why the odd distance? Because the Marine Corps was founded in 1775. This is the race that sold out in 9 minutes back in February, and that gives finishers guaranteed entry into the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon.

I arrived at the race with my dad and his friend about an hour before the start. I was surprised traffic wasn’t too bad, and we had an easy time parking and walking over to the start area. The first thing I did was head over to the porta potty lines, which weren’t too bad but were growing steadily.

I made it through the line and then was able to meet up with Logan! I also got to meet Alex and Sophie. After another round through the porta potties, we headed over to the start.

This was probably one of the most casual race starts I’ve ever been apart of. As we reached the crowd at the start line, we heard a faint whistle and the crowd surged forward. Just like that we were off. The first 1.5 miles or so (and last 1.5 miles) were on a gravel road, and the middle miles did a loop through the park on a paved road.

Logan and I ran together for the first 6 miles. I had a great time chatting with her and getting to know her more. It’s crazy how the conversation just flows when you’re running with someone. Unfortunately, there was a big, mean hill at mile 5 that did my legs in. I kept going for another mile, but eventually gave in to a walk break just after mile six. That’s when Logan and I parted ways (which I was totally cool with, I didn’t want to hold her back!).

The race was really hilly, especially from miles 5-7 and during the last mile. I had heard as much, but of course it was harder than I expected. My pace slowed significantly during the second half of the race, but I had a strong final mile. For once I think my Garmin has a pretty accurate representation of the course elevation.

There weren’t a lot of spectators along the course, but the ones who were out there were very enthusiastic. There were Marines along the course directing us and cheering us on as well. They also had motivational signs along the course. But this being a Marine Corps race, they weren’t your typical motivational phrases! I got pictures of a couple of them, but I was on the wrong side of the course for most. Some others that I didn’t get pictures of were “Let’s go, twinkle toes!”, “My grandma can run faster than that!”, and “I’ve seen pond water move faster!”

It was a pretty nice day for a race, if not a bit on the warm side. But I’m not complaining after the never-ending winter we’ve had! It did get pretty buggy at times in the park, though, which I did not enjoy. But the park makes up for it by having a ‘Turkey Run’ sign!

The last 1.5 miles were on the same road we ran down at the start of the race. I should have paid more attention, so I would be prepared for the hills. There were some tough ones. Most people were walking, but it was neat to see everyone cheer on the few souls still running up the hills.

Finally we climbed the last hill (I didn’t walk!), and we had a sweet downhill and then a flat straightaway to the finish line. My official finish time was 2:05:09, about a minute per mile slower than my pace at the Asheville Half Marathon. But this race was hillier.

After I crossed the finish line, I made my way through the finish area and collected a bottle of water and a snack box. The snack boxes were leftover from the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon, ha! I also received a finisher’s coin.

I met back up with my dad and his friend, and we headed over to collect the thing behind my entire reason for running this race. My access granted pass!

 

We didn’t stick around too long after that. Traffic was really bad headed towards 95, but luckily my dad knew another way home. Don’t you love it when you can leave the race logistics up to someone else?? Later that evening I plugged in my access granted code and officially registered for the Marine Corps Marathon this October.

I’m really excited for this race already, and am actually looking forward to starting training this summer. Marathon #2, here I come!

Who else raced this past weekend?

Have you ever run a race with an unusual distance?

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Don’t forget to enter to win a free entry into any Spartan Race in the continental U.S.! The giveaway will close this Thursday, April 17 at 11:59 PM EST.

 

This week my shins started giving me some trouble again. I backed off on my running and kept it limited to the treadmill. They felt alright during Saturday’s race, but they have been pretty sore since (especially my left shin). So I’m planning to take at least the next four days off of running and stick to cross training to try and get them feeling better.

Monday- XT: Jillian Michaels Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD. I was feeling really low on energy for some reason, and this workout was a struggle for me. I knew I was in trouble when my heart rate was through the roof and I was breathing like I was running a 5K after the second circuit (with five more to go). But I got through it.

Tuesday- AM 3 mile run with ‘Sven’ while watching Believe. I ended up deciding to make this into a progression run after the first mile, and my splits were: 10:12 / 9:19 / 9:09.

Wednesday- Easy 4 miles on the treadmill in the afternoon. I wasn’t feeling motivated to run outside, plus I had two episodes of Jeopardy to watch. 🙂

Thursday- 2 mile run with Sven. My shins were being bothersome, so I kept it short and did a bunch of stretching afterward to prepare for Saturday’s race.

Friday- Rest.

Saturday- Marine Corps 17.75K race (11.03 miles). Access granted to the Marine Corps Marathon this fall! Full race report coming at you tomorrow morning (as long as I get around to writing it tonight…).

In the afternoon I went to D.C. with my dad, his friend, and my little sister and her boyfriend. We ended up walking about 4 miles while looking at the cherry blossoms. So pretty!

Sunday- 4.5 mile walk around Burke Lake Park with my dad and sister.

Total Miles: 20 miles (running), 8.5 miles (walking)

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Don’t forget to enter my Spartan Race giveaway! The giveaway will remain open until Thursday, April 17 at 11:59 PM EST.

Today I am running the Marine Corps 17.75K. If all goes as planned, I will receive guaranteed entry into the Marine Corps Marathon upon finishing this race, which was the main point of running the MC17.75K.

In the meantime, I have a collection of random pictures for you. It started with a few pictures of things I have seen around town/in the area, but then it expanded a little bit. I ended up with two pictures of things seen around town, one of something seen in my house, one seen on the internet, and one that was sent to me. Enjoy!

This first picture was taken at a storage building sales lot in the area. I recently noticed that they are selling chicken coops fashioned out of outhouses!

Next, we have a photo of a pay phone at the gas station nearest to our house. The pay phone itself is no longer there, but I thought the replacement was pretty funny. Is that how they did it before we had actual pay phones??

Third, a picture of something that is often seen in my house. When Hank was a puppy, he spent more time around dairy cows than he did around other dogs. As a result, he seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. There are many things he does that are in the way a cow would do it, rather than how a dog would do it. One example of this is how he scratches his head/ears/chin. Most dogs would sit down and use their back leg. My dog does it cow-style:

For your reference:

I saw this picture on the Run the Edge on Facebook and thought it was too funny:

Finally, I received a text message last weekend from my Sister-in-law, who was visiting her best friend in Boston. She also took this same picture for me last year, and I think it is becoming a tradition.

What things have you seen around your town?

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Don’t forget about my Spartan Race giveaway! The giveaway will remain open until Thursday, April 17 at 11:59 PM EST.

Have you ever done an obstacle course race? They look like so much fun to me, but I’ve never done one before!

A few years ago, Barry decided to sign up for a Tough Mudder event and I tagged along to cheer him on. But the weekend turned into a complete disaster when we spent over 6 hours in traffic trying to get to the event, only to arrive and be told the rest of the day’s heats had been canceled. It was a bad combination of the race being overbooked and a torrential downpour that hit that afternoon.

I could tell you the whole story, but that’s not the point of this post. But here are two articles if you must know what happened.

Even though I was still interested in doing an obstacle course race, I didn’t pursue it after that disaster of a weekend. But I think I am finally ready to give it another try. So I was excited when the folks with Reebok Spartan Race series reached out to me about doing a giveaway.

According to their website, Spartan Race has been the global leader in obstacle racing since 2005. They are on a mission to get you active, healthy, and help you return to our ancient roots where running through the woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was a part of everyday life.

 

It looks like a pretty great mix of fun and challenge to me! Barry and I are planning on attending the DC race at the end of July, and I think I have roped my little sister into joining us, too. The Spartan Race has a level for every ability, from beginner to beast.

I’m teaming up with the folks at Spartan Racing to give one lucky reader a free entry into any race in the continental U.S. They’ve got races across the country, so check out their race page to find one near you!

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me which race option you would sign up for.

The giveaway will remain open until Thursday, April 17 at 11:59 PM EST.