Live in the Moment: MARATHON BLISS...26.2 in Richmond, VA 11/10/07

Could running a marathon be described as blissful.....for those of you who have run a marathon know the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when you get that medal put around your neck. You feel like you have conquered something great! Crossing that finish line brings smiles and tears through all the pains you feel in your body. This weekend I ran the Richmond Virigina Marathon.

Carlie (from work), Erin and I went to carb-up friday night at Bertucci's Brick Oven Ristorante. It was delicioso. I got a Tri Cheese Ravioli. We were taking our time at dinner so that we wouldn't hit traffic driving to Richmond. We road tripped in Carlie's "LADY" (mini). Isn't it darling, everytime I get in her car after A & F I tell her how cute it is because simply...it is! It is so much fun to ride in.

It's 5:30 AM, before my race on saturday morning...you've gotta love friends that support you through everything...thanks for sacrificing your sleep to take me to the start line! Love you girls!

Thankfully my friend Blake let us stay at his house in Richmond on friday night. It was so nice of him and his roommates to let us crash for the night. We got there about 11pm, everyone hung out and I went to bed (about 12:00am, that bites, I had to wake up in 5 hours!) for the BIG RACE!

The race started at 8:00AM in downtown Richmond. I got my bib #534 (thank goodness it was another even number) and my name said "Randall" below my number. It was so cold during this race, I mean what can you expect it was mid-November. I wore gloves the whole time and there was a little rain for about less than 5 minutes. The coldest part was running back over the river into Richmond and running into the head wind. It bit to the bone. I hit the wall about mile 18. Honestly, the Cliff Shot that I took at mile 20 saved me. Those GU's are amazing, they give you a second wind when you need it. I didn't train as well as I should have but at least I got a long run in last week. The neighborhoods that I ran through were G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S....the leaves were changing from red to orange to yellow and then they lined the streets. It was beautiful. The last .5 miles was a down hill...it was great. I am so grateful that I go to run in this race....because it is called America's Friendliest Marathon and even better it was the 30th Anniversary. What a celebration! The best part were my supporters at the finish, Carlie and Erin. What a joy to see them. One more down....

Crossing the finish line...3:36:50. Do you see me? Look for the orange shorts to the right of the blue/gray banner, below the finsih line sign