2013 CapCity Half Marathon Recap

Half Marathon #6! Yes, I completed my 6th half marathon. As I mentioned before the race (read here), it's still hard for me to believe how far I've come (read more on My Story).

May 4, 2012....a GORGEOUS spring day here in central Ohio for the 10th Capital City Half Marathon. For me, it was a perfect day for a race. However, I must have been a little excited as I realized when I was getting in my car to leave that I had forgotten my breakfast. Oops! Just glad I realized it then and could grab it.

Jamie and I drove downtown together and we got there much earlier than we thought we would. You just never know about race day traffic! Since we had a little time to wait and it was chilly....we saw some other smart people waiting out of the wind in an enclosed stairwell to a parking garage. Brilliant! We joined them, of course!

We met up with our running group friends for a photo-op and to walk to the starting corrals together. This is always nice so as you stand around for a while, you can wait with friends. With 14,000 of our closest friends, we found the correct starting corral and stood around trying to stay out of the wind.

Can't even see the starting line!

Finally, announcements and almost race time. We had a moment of silence for Boston, followed by 'Sweet Caroline' which is just always a fun song. The corrals at CapCity are roped off, so it may take longer to start, but it's actually really nice as there is (somewhat) less weaving at the beginning. Although, with that many people, the first 4 miles were CROWDED.

There were three of us running together with a few more that weren't sure they were going to stay with us. Andrea, Stuart and I ran all 13.1 together and had a fun time. Running a race with Stuart in his kilt is usually good for some laughs. Men running in kilts are becoming much more commonplace, but there are still some really bizarre comments from people when they see him. Unfortunately, Andrea was having some knee pain, so the race was pretty difficult for her. Stuart and I did our best to talk and tell stories to hopefully keep her mind off of it.

The course was pretty crowded for the whole race which made the water stops difficult. However, there were a lot of bands and DJs along the course so there were not many stretches of quiet.

Finish chute. Thanks Jeff Henderson for the picture!

We crossed, got our medals, Andrea got some ice and we searched for food. Finally, we headed to the Finishers party area, got a glassy of Yellow Tail bubbly (one of the race sponsors), then headed for the beer truck. Gotta love a race that ends in a free beer :)

Official stats---I have no idea. I could find them, I know, but that's not what this race was about. This race was about the fun and camaraderie of the running community and my running friends. It was sticking by a friend in need of distraction and helping her get to the finish line. It was celebrating the fact that my legs can take me on these amazing adventures and keep going the next day. This race was a reminder of how far I've come and where I still want to go.

Celebrate!

Be A Kindrunner!

Last week I wrote a post about Not Just Old Shoes, about the memories I have attached to my running shoes. But also that I was looking to donate these old shoes as the memories will always be with me.

Joe from Kindrunner contacted me about their brand new site that will be launched on June 1 and asked me to be an Ambassador for them. I am really excited about the opportunity to tell you about this!

Normally, when we want help in selecting shoes, we have to go to a running store. Let me tell you, with two young kids, it's not always easy to do! It's so much easier for me to shop (for ANYTHING) online. But, until now, I either had to buy the same model that I've been wearing, or choose blindly, hoping for the best.

Their site will change the way running shoes are purchased online. The goal of Kindrunner.com is to bring the knowledge of a local running store to your fingertips online. They have combined 40+ years of working in the industry. Knowing that there are millions of running shoes that go into the trash yearly, they know there is something better to be done with those shoes...there are millions of people around the world that would get years of use out of the shoes that most runners would consider to be trashed.

Kindrunner is the only place on the web where runners can trade in their old running shoes for new shoes. Runners will receive "Kindness Cash Rewards" for every shoe sent to Kindrunner (with FREE 3 way shipping!). The old shoes you send in will go to Kindrunner's shoe donation partners.

Go to their site and enter to win a free pair of shoes for you and your running partner for a year (that's THREE pairs of shoes)! Watch the video and learn more about how to be A Kindrunner. I'm excited for the official launch in June. Helping people in need is something that I always try to do and Kindrunner is making it easier. Getting a discount on new shoes?  Always a bonus!

"Your old shoes may not last another long run, but they would go the distance in changing someone else's life for the better!"


Follow along for updates and for the official launch:

• • Facebook: http://facebook.com/kindrunner
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/beAkindrunner
  • Instagram: http://instagram.com/beakindrunner
  • Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Kindrunner

**Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for Kindrunner.com. I will be involved in campaigns involving product reviews and giveaways provided by Kindrunner.  As always all the opinions expressed will be mine.

Not Just Old Shoes

My running shoes are like old friends. They tell the story of where I've been. Each shoe holds special memories of races. Of easy runs. Of difficult runs that I made it through by sheer determination alone.

Unfortunately, running shoes do not last forever...especially the more supportive shoes which I've been wearing until recently. When switching shoes, the old ones went to the garage shelf to use as gardening/outdoor shoes. The problem came when I couldn't find the kids' boots because there were too many shoes up there. When spring finally came, I decided it was time to let go.

What a lot of miles that are represented here!

Three years and over 4,000 miles later, these are not all the shoes that I have worn, but it's a good start to the de-cluttering. I was holding onto the physical representation of the memories. I've realized that it's ok, I have the race memories, I have the memories of the pavement pounded, locations visited. I have the memories of that speed workout where I NAILED 8 Yasso 800s (for any runner, I KNOW you understand the significance of that!). I have the memories of our anniversary last summer where Jeff and I got to run together, just the two of us.

It only took us 11 years of marriage to get to this point :)

These shoes represent the first steps I took on my journey to the healthier me. I see the pair of Nike shoes that I probably got a Kohl's or Dick's Sporting Goods because they felt pretty good and were probably a good price. They represent my determination to get out the door and change my life. Those Nike shoes remind me of how hard it is to start running. To run that first mile without stopping. 

These shoes will hopefully find a new home of someone who could really use them and can make their own memories while they last. 

And now, it's time to lace up the current shoes, go out and make some new memories!

So I ask you....do you hold onto your old shoes like I have, or do you get rid of them as soon as you replace them?