London Marathon Recap

Tomorrow marks three months since I ran the London Marathon and I'm just now getting around to writing this - yikes! 

I ran for the charity Tommy's which funds research into stillbirth as well as provides services to families who lose a baby. Originally I was on a wait list to run with them, but was so happy when a slot opened up. I felt a little guilty about soliciting for donations since I've hit up the same generous pool of family and friends a few times, but as always, the people who made donations made me so grateful and humbled and just really proud that I could do something for Cale. Because of them Tommy's received almost £2,500!

The Marathon itself was incredible. There were literally spectators and supporters lining the streets the ENTIRE route. And they were at least three deep on either side. I was able to see Miles, his mom, and Finn around the halfway point (Mary was with Grandpa and I missed them, unfortunately). I wasn't racing this marathon - it was all about the experience and I'm so glad I didn't have a time pressure because the environment was just crazy and worth soaking up and not being stressed over my pace. 

Tommy's had two cheer stations along the course which was nice - to know that you would pass by a group that would be specifically cheering for you. I had put my name on my top and was glad I did, it definitely gives you a boost when you hear someone call your name and give you some encouragement. I saw several other Tommy's runners along the course which was nice too. I didn't expect it to be as emotional at times as it was. Which, in hindsight is silly, I'm a pretty emotional runner as is and this time I was running because of Cale. I guess what surprised me was just the ache I felt - it's like while I was grateful to get to run because of him and raise some money for a good cause, I also just really missed him. I kept thinking how I wished he was with Miles and I'd get to see his little face along the way and what a nice boost that would be for me. I really just felt this overwhelming sense of how much his presence was missed.

I didn't see any royalty though later learned they were out spectating around the mile seven mark and they handed up medals - in fact Princess Kate handed out a medal to a guy I remember running next to AT THE VERY END. He went in a different line (there were several at the finish) and I had stopped to take a picture of the finish line before crossing. I missed my chance to become BFFs with Kate - damn!

Nonetheless the race was amazing. I'm so, so grateful for the chance to have experienced it.

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UK Running

Prior to moving to England, I submitted my name in the lottery for the London Marathon as an overseas entry. There are three ways to get in to London - have a qualifying time (good for age) which is only for UK residents, run for a charity, or get lucky and get a slot in the lottery (overseas and resident based). I did not luck out this way, so when we moved here I started looking in to charities. The problem is that by the time I learned I didn't get a spot in the lottery, a lot of the charities had already filled up. I contacted SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity), but their team was full so I reached out to Tommy's (another charity specific to stillbirth and pregnancy loss). I was put on a waitlist with Tommy's and in the meantime explored other options. I also went ahead and submitted my name for the British Legion waitlist (figured supporting allied Veterans was a worthy cause), but had a really hard time finding any charities that I not only felt a personal connection to, but that still had openings. Of course all the charities are screened and worthy of support, but I didn't want to sign up with one that didn't have much personal meaning - I just wouldn't have felt right essentially using one as a means to run the race, much less having to solicit friends and family for money for something I wasn't passionate about.

This week when I reached out to Tommy's to see if they by chance had any openings, I was thrilled when they let me know they did in fact have some drop outs and could offer me a spot! So I am officially registered to run the London Marathon on April 23rd!! I'm so excited it's all worked out and of course excited about the opportunity to run this race, but I'm also genuinely happy I get to help Tommy's fundraise. Their mission, literally, is to save babies' lives by funding research into the causes of pregnancy problems that lead to stillbirth, pregnancy loss, and premature birth. They also provide support for families who have experienced the loss of a child and have clinics specific to pregnancy after loss - I even have a friend who saw a doctor at one of them while expecting her rainbow baby and had wonderful things to say about her care.

Should you be able, I would be beyond grateful for your donation to Tommy's. My fundraising page can be viewed here. I know I ask for donations a lot - and it's gotten to a point where I feel a little uncomfortable and guilty for soliciting yet again, but if organizations like Tommy's are better able to study, and hopefully help prevent, stillbirth because of these fundraisers then it's worth it for me to ask for donations. Running is special to me in part because of the reason and motivation behind a particular race and this one will be especially meaningful because of how Cale's life has weaved together this opportunity to do some good. Thank you so much for understanding that and helping honor him.

Since "Keep Calm and Carry On" is of British origins, I figured this top was fitting to wear for my fundraising page photo. Miles only slightly rolled his eyes when I asked him to take the picture.

. . . . . . . . . .

Just a couple weeks ago I had all but given up on running the London Marathon so signed up for another race here in England, the Manchester Marathon that takes place April 2nd, three weeks before London. I'm still going to run it, but I also have one scheduled in late May in Edinburgh, Scotland and get to run the Berlin Marathon in late September. I've also entered Miles and I in a lottery for the Great North Run which is the largest half marathon in the world (nearly 60,000 runners!) so needless to say, I'm hoping to stay healthy and injury free!

Running has been a good way for me to explore Oxford I think I was able to figure my way around town a lot quicker thanks to it. I've found some great paths and parks and recently joined a weekly social run group. Last fall I was able to take place in the Oxford Half, the Abingdon Marathon (about 15 minutes south of Oxford, but still in Oxfordshire), as well as the Milton Keynes winter half marathon (also in Oxfordshire).

The races have been mostly enjoyable, or maybe I should say the have been rewarding, there definitely were times during and after that were less than enjoyable, but honestly it's the every day runs that have been the most special - getting to soak in my new surrounds and explore new cities in a way that is refreshing and challenging and therapeutic for me is really hard to beat.

Ok, enough run talk. Thank you again for the support - I know it will help fuel me (especially on these cold winter days) as I train and prepare for April! 

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Another Obnoxious Post About Running

This is a three-for-one race recap which if that's not obnoxious enough, I'll finish by asking you for money.

In February I had my "redemption run" for the disaster that was the Savannah Rock 'n Roll marathon. Only my redemption marathon was probably even more disastrous and while mother nature didn't sabotage my race, several other factors did; hitting "the "wall," Mary's crap sleep due to Mary's stomach flu, etc. So when I left that race in big crocodile tears I immediately started thinking about another one. Miles told me to be like Peyton Manning and not make any emotional decisions which is good advice I should use every time I go to Target. So I waited, slept on it, and let myself recover, emotionally and physically from the race. But the desire to reach my goal (sub 4 hours) was still nagging enough that I knew I wanted to sign up for the Skidaway Island Marathon here in Savannah over Easter weekend. It was six weeks after the Donna Marathon and really my last chance since it's only getting hotter and there aren't any other local marathons until the fall. I was already signed up for the Savannah Publix Women's Half Marathon the following weekend, but figured I could just take it easy during that and hope that my legs still worked fine. 

Once race week rolled around, I decided that I needed to ensure I got as good of sleep the few days leading up to the race, hydrate and fuel really well throughout the week, and fuel well during the run a little earlier than I did in February. My friend Julie offered to run with me and I knew if she was offering to run a marathon with me she was either a really good friend or a really crazy one - likely a little of both. The race was humid and called for thunderstorms all day. It did start to rain early on and by mile two it just poured for a good three or four miles, but then it cleared up and other than a little humid, it ended up being much nicer than I was expecting (I thought it might rain the entire time). 

Around mile seven Julie and I met a man who was running his 95th marathon! He ended up running the rest of the way with us and it was so nice to have people to talk to the entire time - they definitely helped me keep momentum and helped be a good distraction. This was such a tiny race compared to most I've done - there were under 150 people running the full marathon (also a half that day) and while the course was beautiful, it was almost completely void of any sort of crowd or spectators. 

As we got close to the last few miles I got to see my kids (who were there with friends who helped watch them as Miles is out of town), and several of my Stroller Strong Moms friends who came to cheer on the girls running. It was such a morale boost to have them there and I'm so grateful for their support. I gave Julie a great big hug when we crossed that finish line in 3 hours and 56 minutes and cried happy tears this time instead.

As I mentioned before the following weekend I was already signed up for a half and my friend Lindsey had a goal she wanted to meet and wanted me to pace her the way Julie did for me. I loved being able to pay-it-forward, though didn't really feel like I was helping as running with her was just as rewarding and special for me. We came in exactly one minute under Lindsey's goal time and it was so great to run together.

Hard to say what I loved more - the mimosa or the medal.

 So since I was already on a running kick, I decided that I would take advantage of the free race offer Rock n Roll gave after the November Marathon and run the Raleigh Rock n Roll Half Marathon the following weekend. I got to visit with a good friend who we used to live near in Columbus, GA and the race, despite being cold and hilly, was really great and my best half yet.

So three weekends in a row of races and I'm spent. I'm actually signed up for a 5k this weekend, but likely won't make it which is fine - my legs and body are ready for a little break. They need to rest up before I run across Georgia in six weeks. . . 

. . . .which brings me to my next topic: Run Across Georgia round two! I loved participating in RAG last year - it was and still is the most rewarding race I've ever done and this year we have FOUR teams of Stroller Strong Moms participating which is so wonderful! I'll be running on one of the competitive teams (there are two competitive and two non competitive) and will run a little over 35 miles this year (versus the 28 I did last year). I have a feeling it will be hotter this year too and am thankful that running in Raleigh gave me some hill training because it is a far hillier run that anything we are used to in Savannah, but hills and heat, I'm still so excited to run this again. 

This year the fundraising for the Run Across Georgia will benefit three charities. The House of Heroes (which was the sole charity last year) which does repair work on the homes of elderly and disabled Veterans, Make-a-Wish, and Camp Abilities, which is a sports camp for blind and visually impaired youth in the Columbus, Georgia vicinity. I love the charities they have chosen this year and love that we will run to support Veterans and children. As I've mentioned before running for a good cause with good people is really my favorite kind of running. If you're able to donate anything please know how very much we appreciate the support. I was so overcome and humbled by all the support last year and know that it will help keep me going this year when those hills and that heat try to get me down. The link to my fundraising page can be found here. Thank you again.

So there you have it, my race recaps and a little soliciting. 

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Race Recap: 26.2 with Donna

I was about to start off by saying how my race recaps never seem to be upbeat, but really that just seems to be the marathons. Because while this race, like the marathon last November, did not go as I had planned, I still have run races and runs that I'm proud of and happy with the results. But none-the-less, for mostly my memory's sake, here is the race recap of my 26.2 with Donna.

It's called that, 26.2 with Donna, as this race was created by a three time breast cancer survivor, Donna, who runs the full every year (or at least I think she does - she did this year anyway). The run takes place in Jacksonville, Florida and ends right at the Mayo Clinic where the proceeds of the race money go. It is the only marathon (also called "The Breast Cancer Marathon" dedicated to breast cancer research (there are many other breast cancer runs/walks/events - this is just the only one with a marathon distance involved). The run goes through beach towns where the neighbors come out in full force to support the runners and it was probably the best community supported race I've done. It has a half marathon and relay as well (all on the same route) and if we were going to be living here next year I would definitely consider running again for the 10th year as I'm sure it will be even more impressive. It's a Boston Qualifying course and was so well supported and organized.

Going in to the race I felt fairly confident. I wish I did one more long training run and I wish I stayed a little more on track with my pacing during training, but generally speaking I felt ready and optimistic I could reach my goal of a sub four hour marathon. I was planning to wake up at 5:30 the morning of the race, catch the 6:30 shuttle with my friend Julie and hang out in the warm up tents until the 7:30 start time. Well, instead of getting up at 5:30 I got up a little after 2am when Mary woke up vomiting! Miles has graciously offered to sleep in the same bed as the kids (we had two double beds in our hotel) so that I could get decent(ish) sleep, but neither of us go much sleep at all when poor Mary woke up to puke and then she only wanted to sleep next to me. She would fall back asleep and then wake up again every 20-30 minutes needing to spit up/puke. We thought at first it was something she ate and thankfully Finn was spared. 

I was able to eat a good pre race breakfast (oatmeal, peanut butter, banana) and nerves were compensating plenty for any fatigue I may have been feeling from my lack of sleep. Because my friend Julie and I wanted to use the porta-potties one last time before the race we ended up pretty far back in the corals and it was so congested trying to move forward I knew I wouldn't be able to start with the 4-hour pace group. I wasn't planning on paying much attention to the pacers anyway though as they were utilizing the Galloway method for running which is a run/walk combo and I wasn't about to try that for the first time on race day. 

When the race started I felt good. I made sure to keep my pace slow despite adrenaline wanting me to go faster and planned to keep it slower for two miles, then slowly speed up to my training run pace and hope to hold that until mile 20 and then just fight through the rest. Only a little over a mile in to the race someone grabbed me and hugged me and it was my West Point roommate Katie who I had no idea was in Jacksonville! She came down last minute to run the half with her cousin and had forgotten I was running so it was such a treat to get to see her during the run (and such a great coincidence we literally ran in to one another!) We chatted for a bit then parted ways and I just tried to focus on my training and my pace. Hindsight - I wish I didn't focus on pace so much during the first half and went off feel instead as the first 14 miles we faced a pretty strong headwind and I am sure I put forth more effort to keep my pace than I would had it not been windy. None-the-less when I got to the halfway point on track to where I wanted to be, I felt good. I saw Miles and the kids around mile 17 which was a good boost, but could tell I was starting to slow a little bit in the coming miles. I saw them again at mile 20 and was happy with my time, I knew it's where I needed and wanted to be, but I was starting to get worried about how tired I was feeling. At mile 21 I knew I needed to push to stay on track, but by 22 I ran into the dreaded "wall" and I hit it hard. Right around this time the run goes off the roads and beach towns and on to the freeway with a nasty little hill. It was the only part of the course I really despised, but I'm sure that has largely to do with how miserable I was feeling. I don't know how to describe it other than it just felt like my body quit. My legs no longer wanted to move and I was feeling nauseous and on the verge of vomiting for the remainder of the race. I saw my pace go way, way down and slowly and painfully watched my goal get further and further away.

I honestly don't know if there was one big thing that caused this (like a fueling issue) or if it was just a combination of things (waking up early, maybe starting a tad faster than I should have, putting effort in to combat wind, etc), but it was pretty defeating to be on track for so long and then to have it go so horribly wrong for the last four miles that I ended up so far from my goal (finish time ended up being 4:24 - I had a couple of 15+ minute miles in there at the end - it was bad!)

This was the last race alert Miles got for me, so when that estimated time came and went he said he started to get worried something happened and was about to check at the medical tent. I would have been worried too since I finished so much later than predicted. But I'm proud of the pace/time up to that point - if only marathons were 20 miles!

 So, for next time (and I don't know when that will be, but know that I still want to reach this goal enough that I will do another marathon at some point) I will try to pace myself a little more. I didn't think I could run the second half faster than the first half for a negative split, but I think I should focus more on attempting that versus relying on "banked time." I also think I need to take in more calories early on when my stomach can handle it a little better, and I need to no sleep in the same bed as a puking baby.

While I'm still really bummed with the end result (especially because this was supposed to be my redemption run from Rock n Roll last November), I am proud of finishing and putting another marathon in the books.

Everything hurt. Especially my pride.

The day after we came home, Miles and I caught whatever stomach bug Mary had. Because nothing is more awesome than finishing a marathon only to get the stomach flu the following day! Here's hoping for better, healthier, happier races!

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Why I Run

Several weeks ago a friend posted something about why she runs. It got me thinking about why I run and that very day Finn ran upstairs to get his long sock to mimic the compression socks I was wearing from my run. He has wanted to race and the couple times he's participated in them he's loved them. So I really think that why I run does have a lot to do with the example I want to set for my kids, and it helps to keep me running, but it's definitely not how I started running. 

I ran cross country in high school, but on the JV team, and never was very good, nor did I care about being very good. I did it just to be involved in something. Then I went to West Point where you have to run and I was average, but not great and, again never really cared to run much. I liked doing the occasional race, but wasn't at all passionate about it. While I was a cadet, my close friend Dana and I decided we wanted to run a marathon. It was a bucket list thing for both of us and we figured we would do it, cross it off the list, and never do one again. So we sort of half assed trained and then very, very slowly we ran the Philadelphia Marathon in November of 2005. And I swore I would never run another marathon.

Dana and I ran the whole thing together, only stopping at water stations.
Our then boyfriends, now husbands, also ran - far, far ahead of us.

And yet tomorrow morning, ten years later, I'm running another one. And it's not because I really LOVE running. There are things I like about it, but for me the satisfaction of running comes from the appreciation it's giving me for my body. I'm so grateful and lucky to be in good health to even run and running definitely has taught me a lot about myself. As much as I hate to admit it, I do feel groggy and crabbier if I don't exercise and I love that running gives me an excuse to eat ice cream all day every day. And even though I'm not crazy about running itself, I do love races. Oddly I'm not super competitive - it's more the environment I love and I love seeing people of all shapes and backgrounds complete events they maybe never thought possible. I love seeing people overcome huge obstacles - I think that's what I love most about running; the confidence it gives someone. I really believe anyone can be a runner and I like something that is so inclusive and has such a variety of goals. Anyway, I decided I would run another marathon because I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. I wanted to prove that after ten years and three babies I could still put myself through something that I didn't adequately train for in my early twenties. And baring any unforeseen circumstances I really am confident I will do far better than I did when I was a young college student. 

This has been a pretty big running year from me with the Run Across Georgia and a half marathon earlier in the year, some 5 and 10k's and the Army Ten Miler last month. And yet I still wouldn't claim that I love running. But something about it keeps bringing me back. And tomorrow I hope that I end the race proud of how I did, regardless of if I meet my goal or not (though I really, really hope to meet my goal).

If you are new to running and don't know where to start - google the couch to 5k program and sign up for a race. I think that signing up for something is such a great motivator to really force you to get out there and train. I'm signed up for three races in 2016 and hopefully another Run Across Georgia. I don't think I'll add any more marathons to my list, but I also thought that ten years ago I was done, so who knows.

What about you, why do you run?

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Army Ten Miler

Two weekends ago I went up to Washington D.C. to run the Army Ten Miler which was seriously the most enjoyable ten miles I've ever run! I highly recommend this race to anyone who is ever in the DC area or who is able to pawn their children off on a really awesome Nana and fly up to DC without kids!

My mom had her fall break and graciously offered to come out to watch the kids. I was planning to drive up to DC, but due to the recent flooding in South Carolina there were some major detours making the long drive even longer and more miserable to do solo so I jumped on a last minute deal with Southwest and am SO glad I flew - not only was it relaxing (I almost finished an entire book!) but it gave me more time to spend in DC with my West Point roommate who lives there now while she attends grad school. 

Katie took me around the monuments after I got in which was really nice - I hadn't toured them since a middle school trip in 1998 so have never seen some like the World War II memorial or the MLK monument. 

The race itself also went near some of the monuments, but that was only part of what made it special. There were SO many runners - over 30,000 (the race literally sells out within hours of registration opening up each year), and so many spectators, the Army band, a really awesome support crew, tons of water stations, etc. The entire time I was running I was surrounded by lots of other runners which really helps keep you motivated and moving! After the race I got to link up with a lot of friends - some of whom I haven't seen in far too long.

Picture on the Right are of the stars along one of the walls of the WWII monument. EACH star represents 100 American lives lost in the war. There are over 4,000 stars. Middle right picture is with a WWII Vet who was on an Honor Flight from Wisconsin.  

Fellow Stroller Strong Moms. Lots of these ladies are from Stroller Strong Moms DC, but a few of us made the trip up from Savannah and one Columbus Mom came up as well. The SLAM Fam is pretty tight. The top and bottom left pictures are with the first two female graduates of Ranger School. Since then, a third woman has graduated - a 37 year old mother!

Top Left: With my friend Dan who was a groomsmen at our wedding. At the start of the race I ditched an extra shirt I was wearing to stay warm - I threw it to the side and my friend Dana said, "that's probably going to hit someone" and sure enough it lands on a guy who catches it and throws it off to the side for me. The guy who caught it was Dan! Over 30,000 runners and I accidentally throw my shirt on a friend who I was hoping to see at some point anyway! Small world!
Top Middle: With my good friend Dana who was my high school classmate and also attended West Point
Top Right: With a friend and West Point classmate, Julia who is running the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend - she also is attending grad school prior to going to teach at West Point and a mother of two little ones. So basically a Superhero.
Bottom: With some of my dear friends from the parachute team. 

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Our Little Runner

After Finn had such a good time running part of a 5k with me the other week, I knew he would be excited to run in his very own race so I signed him up for a kids' race that took place yesterday. It was part of the "Warriors for William" event which is a very sweet Superhero themed race against childhood cancer. All proceeds go to childhood cancer research and the race is held in honor of a local boy who passed away recently from a rare form of leukemia. 

I have a very wonderful friend, my oldest childhood friend, who had leukemia when we were young. She is a fit and amazing new mama now, but these causes always tug at my heart a little extra because of what Bridget went through when we were growing up. I was excited to get to support this cause and to put the kids in matching Captain America shirts for the event. And Finn was thrilled to see so many other Superheroes in attendance.

I told Finn to stand by Mary for a picture. 

He said, "but she's sleeping" to which I replied, 

"I know, this way she will cooperate."

Speaking of cooperating. . . 

Picture taking aside, Finn was really cooperative when it came time to his race. There were at least thirty kids, Finn and a few others being the youngest in the bunch. I was kind of worried about him getting trampled at the start, but fortunately the big kids made their way around the littles with no incident.

Thor was stretching next to him and Batman was in the zone, 

but he didn't let that get in his head.

There was a 5k for all ages as well as a half mile kids' race, though I think it was closer to a quarter mile as it felt pretty short and Finn had no problem running the whole thing all on his own. Because it was advertised as a half mile I assumed I may have to jump in and run along side him or see if he needed to walk for a bit or hop in the stroller, but instead I would run up ahead and watch him just keep on running, not stopping until he went through the finish line and got his very first finisher's medal to which he said, "I won the race, mom!"

The picture doesn't show how sweaty he was. 

I'm so proud of the little guy. He is still so young that racing with bigger kids could have gone either way - he could have seen people running faster than him and had a meltdown (as seen when I wanted a pre race picture), or he could have just refused to participate. But instead he just ran and kept going and it really will be something I'll carry with me when I do my next long race.

This is why I wanted a picture while she was sleeping. 

Because Lord help me if I want a cute picture of them both looking at the camera!

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Finn's First 5k

Yesterday we ran the Tunnel to Towers 5k which is a race that happens all over the country in honor of Stephen Siller who was a New York Firefighter killed in 9/11. He ran back to the towers (via the tunnel systems as the roads were blocked) in full kit after his shift ended. The firefighters and Rangers wear full kit which is what Miles' did for last year's race, but unfortunately he's away for this year's race so Finn was my running buddy instead along with my good friend Michelle who was nice enough to capture these pictures for me.

Local boy and girl scouts wear pictures of all the fallen first responders and line up along one of our big parks during the half way point of the race. During that very powerful stretch of the race I let Finn get out of the stroller and run with me. He was thrilled. He gave high fives all along the way and the louder people would cheer the more he would pump his little arms and hustle those little legs. He ran again at the finish and while participating in this run is already so special, seeing him run his little heart out really made it that much more memorable. 

Look at those little arms in action.

Michelle with our little runner. I love that even the kids got bibs.
Finn felt so official.

I purchased that headband on zulily a few months ago
never thinking I would get as much use out of it as I have! Murica!

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Running and a New Job

Today was National Running Day which really isn't a thing, but we went ahead and made it a thing in our stroller class, Stroller Strong Moms. Speaking of my stroller gang, I've started teaching and am really enjoying it. I had to get certified as a Group Fitness Instructor and for the last couple weeks have been teaching a couple stations at different classes and on Friday will teach my first full class. 

Today we did a track workout in honor of the day which was a fun change of pace from our normal workouts in the park. After the moms finished working out we had a little race for the kids. It was only about 50 meters and those little boogers looked so cute running and they didn't get the message their race was over and they just kept running, completing an entire lap around the track which really is a lot for a three or four year old if you think about it! Finn was all red faced and sweaty, but said he loved racing. 

Mary sported her "Run Happy" onesie, but looked anything but when I tried to take her pictures. Her pink converse shoes were totally adorable and a total pain in the butt to get on her pudgy feet and she managed to get them off twenty seconds after these pictures were taken:

Friday is apparently National Donut Day which is so awesomely timed with National Running Day and I think if we participated in one it's only fair to participate in the other!

Shoes in the process of being kicked off.

I'm excited about this new little job and love being able to get in an effective and fun workout with the kids in tow. Even if they manage to grab the sunblock and dump it all over themselves and the stroller. Not that that happened today or anything . . .

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260 Miles Later

Over the weekend I completed the Run Across Georgia (RAG) with my team of Stroller Strong Moms. I blogged about this before, and then got really annoying on social media as I solicited donations from family and friends to help raise funds for the House of Heroes, a non profit that does repair work on the homes of elderly and disabled Veterans (fundraising is still open if you're still itching to donate). So I won't go into detail about the background of the race, but rather talk about the experience.

I was all about the thumbs up in these post run pictures.
This was after my final run, so worthy of the double thumbs up apparently.

We started from Fort Stewart, Georgia (right next to Savannah) and our first runner took off at 6am on Saturday morning. From then on we ran through the day, night, and next day, until we finished at 5:36pm Sunday.

Our team captain put a D and an H on the back of our legs for Daren.
We also ran with ribbons on our shirt that had his initials

First Hand-off

Our relay team consisted of eight other women, three who have done RAG before. We each had six legs of the relay with varying mileage on each leg (my longest run was 6.7 miles and my shortest was 3.1). The day runs were hot, but not nearly as bad as it could have been (and has been in years past), and the night runs weren't too bad either thanks to our awesome pit crew who stayed close by. We ran through what felt like the middle of nowhere, along highways, and through quaint little towns.

In one town filled with American flags, they grilled and had free food for all the runners and the local fire department with their one truck sprayed water on inbound runners. It was so very old timey America and absolutely adorable. People would give money and checks along the way to help our cause and the other teams were encouraging and friendly and made the whole thing a really positive experience.

My legs held up far better than I anticpated and only my feet are a little tender and tired two days later. I had a couple blisters along the way, but no show stoppers. There were times when it was hard, and there were hills that felt like they went on forever, but literally running for a cause was so motivating. Not to mention the amount of support I recieved - I have never done a race where I felt so supported and encouraged by friends and family.

Speaking of support - my initial fundraising goal for the House of Heroes was $4,000. Due to a generous builder in Columbus, GA who donated $2,000, I raised my goal to $5,000. As of this point with online donations and checks, I am at $6,673. Just totally insane. I cannot (except that I can) believe how generous and awesome people are and cannot thank you enough if you were part of that effort to raise this money for such a worthwhile cause.

Starting my last run

Miles says I look like the unibomber with my sunglasses/hat combo.

This is the second year that the Stroller Strong Moms took first place in the female category, but the first we we also took first place in the civilian category. The trek itself was memorable and awesome, but winning was definitely icing on the cake.

Alexa, the owner of Stroller Strong Moms

Miles stayed in Savannah with the kids and I came home to a gift certificate for a massage and a house that was cleaned from top to bottom. It was so sweet and wonderful and totally annoying. Because how in the hell did he have time to do that while watching the kids? It's a miracle if I can get the dishes cleaned in a given day. But none-the-less it was a great surprise to come home to after such a memorable and special weekend.

I also received these flowers yesterday from a friend whose husband was medically retired from the Army due to a traumatic brain injury. Her note read, "thank you for running for those who cannot" and brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that those 260 miles were worth every single step.

To be honest, I'm kinda sad that it's done. I may still just be on the runner's high from it all, but it's something I would absolutely do again and could only hope to be surrounded with a group as supportive and inspiring as this group was.

Why didn't I take my sunglasses off?!