Run for Fun

I'm a little behind on getting this post up.  Last Saturday, I spent most of my day sitting in a minivan with 4 other runners.  We'd been there since Thursday night, with the exception of a short stop at a hotel that night to catch some pre-race sleep, and then a few nap breaks during the day and night on Friday/Saturday.  This was the MC200.  2 vans, 11 runners, several cases of water, a case of gatorade, clif bars, trail mix, bananas, peanut butter and pretzels.  A few pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, and overnight bags full of running gear.  By the end of day 2, approximately 33 hours after starting the race and 1 rain delay later, our van was full of tired, sweaty, but still smiling and laughing people.  Only runners would do something this crazy and call it fun.  Despite the exhaustion, that's exactly what it was -- FUN!  And it is exactly why I run.

I run for fun.  Whether by myself or with a team, running is fun.  And it's even more fun when your times keep getting faster!  ;)

Here are a few pics from the MC 200.  I can't wait until next year!

new challenge

Life is about challenge.  The challenge of trying something new, getting out of your comfort zone, pushing yourself to new heights,  weathering the storm, facing fears, telling yourself "I can", and being open to the adventure.  I find all of these in running.

Training for my first full marathon is challenging - physically, mentally and emotionally.  I want the challenge.  Sometimes I crave it, I need it.  Because with each challenge that I face and work through, I am reminded of my strength and I am confident that I can do anything I choose.  Not just in running, but in life.

This week, I will set out on a new challenge.  I'm participating in the MC 200 relay.  The Madison-Chicago 200 is a team relay and one of the longest running events of its kind in the US.  The race supports Special Olympics of Wisconsin and Illinois and The Avon Foundation's "Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence".  Our 11-person team will start running at 8:00 am Friday morning in Madison, WI and make our way through 200 miles back to Chicago.  It will take us approximately 32 hours.  (We'll have a lot of quality time in a van!)  I will run 3 separate legs - 6.97, 7.65, and 6.50 miles - within a 24-hour period.  Preparing for this type of event feels like a different ballgame.  And I imagine the challenge of getting out of the van at approximately 5:00 am on Saturday morning to run my last leg after already running 14.5 miles and spending 21 hours in a van will be a tough one.  I also know I will welcome it.  I'm looking forward to the experience - the scenic course, the fun and laughter, the friendships that will be forged in our 2 vans over those 30+ hours, and of course, the challenge.  (I'll post pictures next week)

I run for the challenge.