Running Swifties: Women's Distance Festival

06.09.24

Our first @hcstriders Women’s Distance Festival 5k today was such a memorable experience! Team Running Swifties loved seeing so many strong women and young ladies out there on the course. Whether they were racing, trying to set a PR, encouraging their family or friends, or just wanting to cross the finish line with a smile on their face - everyone was so supportive! This was Fiona’s 7th 5k and 9th running race - each with its unique challenges and victories. Today we listened to Taylor Swift, did a mix of intervals and fartleks and ultimately, thanks to the advice of Striders President Bill Brown, Fiona took off after the last turn to the finish line! So proud of her!! Thank you, Striders, volunteers, and the running community for showing Fi what it’s like to be embraced and celebrated for reaching your goal regardless of what that might be!!

Comments

Bull Run Run 50-miler

Official Time: 12:31:31 ( a 50-miler PR) I did it. I’m not sure how, but I crossed the finish line yesterday of the Bull Run Run 50-miler. It had been an intimidating race from the moment I shared with others who had run it in the past. I heard all sorts of stories - the infamous Do Loop, the rolling hills, the unpredictable weather, the tough cutoff, the rocky sections that might trip you up later on. I also heard about how it was one of the most beautiful races with the BEST volunteers. I chose to keep the latter in my mind! Although the “BRR” makes me think of cold weather, and years past it has snowed and stormed and apparently gone through all 4 seasons in a day one year, yesterday’s weather was not what anybody was prepared for. It was hot and humid with cloud coverage most of the day … until the sun came out at 3:30pm and scorched your left side as you ran along the waterline of Occoquan River. It being early April, I was not acclimated to 90% humidity. For a few mile...

26.TRUE Marathon

If you ever lose faith in humanity, go experience the 26.TRUE Marathon in Boston. It’s diverse, it’s supportive, it’s accepting, it’s JOY … it’s what this world needs and everything we want to raise our daughter to embrace, to spread and to be. The vibes Pioneers Run Crew brought on Saturday were fire!! Running is an intimidating sport. It can make you think you have to be a certain body type, have the right gear, be a certain speed, and live somewhere safe or have $ for a treadmill or gym membership. Running is supposed to be inclusive and bring joy, make you feel worthy just the way and where you are. After hearing about this event from Alison M. Desir's book "Running While Black," I began following the Pioneers Run Crew on Instagram . Alison talks a lot about the exclusivity of the sport. Races that require qualifying times, ridiculous registration fees, routes that intentionally avoid certain neighborhoods, and not seeing yourself reflected in photos, social media a...

A Day in the Canyon

Find friends who say YES! “For a little while we are again able to see, as the child sees, a world of marvels. For a few moments we discover that nothing can be taken for granted, for if this ring of stone is marvelous, then all which shaped it is marvelous, and our journey here on Earth, able to see and touch and hear in the midst of tangible and mysterious things-in-themselves, is the most strange and daring of all adventures.” -Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire A bucket list National Park, a bucket list trail adventure, and some of the best kind of peer pressure led my dear friends, Lori and Karen, and I to reach out to another amazing strong friend, Amy, who had just completed this with her sister. And the planning begun… Our original plan was to conquer the infamous Rim to Rim to Rim hike in two days. We would hike down from the South Rim, across the base of the Canyon, and then hike up to the North Rim to stay a night at the North Rim Lodge. The North Rim is an isolated, landma...

Michelle Runs With It

Search This Blog