The mountains are calling and I must go: Blue Ridge Half Marathon 2019
A little over a week ago, I headed to one of my favorite places- Roanoke, Virginia. For third time, I was looking forward to running my favorite half marathon- the Blue Ridge Half Marathon. That’s right on of America’s toughest road races. For the greater part of a year, I have served as an ambassador for the race. Between hosting events and sharing promo codes with people all over, it had finally come.
Unlike other springs past, I usually run a half before this one in the season but lately I have been fighting off overuse injury, general stress and exhaustion in multiple forms. I looked forward to this weekend for so many reasons- a hotel room to myself, seeing some of my favorites from my college days, the concert after the race, great beer and a mini reunion with some of my Roanoke runner friends. And once again this weekend held up to the hype.Â
First stop in town, I hit the expo before it officially opened around 2pm. I was shocked to see lots of people already picking up their stuff with all of the tables ready to go. It tends to the a smaller expo but with their cute swag offerings and a happy hour drop in, I made my way through, bought some stuff and grabbed a beer. While standing over in the happy hour area, I started to see friends from college and the rest of the RVA runs the Blue Ridge crew. Its funny how you can be almost three hours from home base and still see people you know!Â
I talked some friends from Richmond to come out to Salem VA for a beer before having to check into the hotel. Olde Salem Brewing was not there when I went to college but it seems to be a excellent addition to the landscape without being too college student heavy. They had great stouts and my company was even better.Â
I then made my way back towards Roanoke to check into my hotel, Springfield Suites. Last year, this hotel did not have my booking as it shifted to a different company. This year, I booked directly and I am so glad that I did. For a race hotel, it was nice. The rates were good, they had cute souvenir buttons at check in, had a shuttle to and from the race start and end and even opened breakfast at 5:30am so runners could have breakfast before the race. All in all, great value and will plan to stay there again.Â
Quickly, dropped my stuff and freshened up to go out to Ballast Point and see my past sorority standards advisor- Wellman and a sorority sister I dont see enough at all- Katie, It had been far too long and I love checking in with people that still live in the area when I go back. I also got to see Lauren (pictured below). This sweetheart says that I have been her inspiration for this race. What she didn’t know is that the feeling was oh so mutual!  Ballast Point was rather interesting as they had all kinds of beer on tap. Being the stout and porter lover I am, I got the flight so I could try them all. For $8, it was a win/win. After dinner and beer, I headed back to Roanoke and settled in for the night.Â
Next morning, I woke up and went downstairs to grab some breakfast. I was shocked to see so many runners ready to go at 6am eating breakfast. The race did not start till 7:35am and the race start was less than 1.5 miles away so I was stunned to see I was the only sleepy head rolling in an hour and a half before race start. It did take me a little bit to catch the shuttle to the start so I actually missed my RVA runs the Blue Ridge team pic. I will admit, this is probably the first time I have been so relaxed to get to a race start.Â
One of the things I love about this race is that there are no waves and everyone starts at the same time. With the generous time limits and the all the races doing the first 2.5 miles together, it only makes sense not to do waves.Â
In the past, I started out way too fast with the crowd. Having past years experience, I let my friends head off and I settled in for what I knew would be a good time. Using the first mile as a warm up proved to be a smart move the later I got in the race. After a couple training runs at Jarmans Gap, I decided that I would be power climbing the steep climbs rather than waste energy running. I am so glad I did not let my pride get in the way of this choice. It turned out to be a warm day with a decent amount of humidity.Â
As I climbed Mill Mountain, the back of the pack started to spread out and I got to catch up with some of my friends from past ambassador groups, Chicago GOTR teammate, a couple folks I met on course last year and my buddy Julia who I met on the course last year and shared a few salt tabs with. With this race being so small but having almost a cult following, its always fun to return and share past war stories. Not sure why, but Mill Mountain seemed so much less daunting this year- Jarman’s Gap training worked its magic.
Mill Mountain has multiple rewards- this year I counted all the blessings. The view, the star, a porta potty, an orange slice, a mimosa with Jeff Galloway- all things Mill Mountain rewarded me with this year.Â
Coming off Mill Mountain, I felt good. Knowing that I was solidly in the middle of the race and still feeling pretty solid boosted my confidence. I also knew that the next couple miles were the last couple gasps of flat before the mile 11ish. Running along the river in mile 5/6 gave me a boost of energy similar to the boost I get from the river at home. I was able to get my heart rate back down and prepped myself for the climb to and through Peakwood.Â
Oh Peakwood, clearly last year I blacked out because I did NOT remember it kicking my behind this bad. It could have been the heat, it could have been the humidity or maybe even the two peaks it has to offer. But multiple times, I thought I could not climb anymore. My heart rate was way higher than usual so I took it nice and slow with the goal of strawberries and champagne at the very top. Here is a series of photos of my faking how happy I am to be in Peakwood...
Once I got to the top of Peakwood, I took my time and enjoyed the cool washcloth, shot of champagne and strawberries. All this gave me the boost I needed to come on down the mountain, tackle a couple shorter climbs and get on down to the finish.Â
Mile 11 has a climb that is just rude. Its not a mountain but it will make you cuss. Once you get past it, there is about a mile or so of decline and straight roads. I noticed that I was coming down way too quickly to make it through the next climb so I backed off.Â
After passing out a couple salt tabs to marathoners that had some cramps, I hear “NIKKIA!!!” in a rather familiar voice. And there she was, Erin. Fellow ambassador and Chicago Marathon traveling buddy slowed down and climbed one of the two bridges between us and the finish line. We chatted and talked about the battle at hand. Honoring how hard this race is even while trying to finish it up. She and her husband charged on to the next 5 miles of their journey as I kept kicking through my last mile.Â
Once again I hear “Nikkia!” and it was Ruth! Ruth was my accompanist for my senior lecture recital in college and I had passed along my promo code a few weeks prior. She was doing her first full, looking strong and pretty well for being so close to the finish. As she turned to the left, I charged on to the finish
As I make that final turn and straight away to the finish line, I hear “Proud Roanoke College Alumna” and cross the line on my 22nd half marathon.Â
 This race is a must do. Even if you do it once and never again. No matter the distance you choose, its worth it. Its a course that gives a lot but can take even more. It forces mental and physical strength in a way other races don’t.
I don’t know how but after the race, I some how hung out in VIP, got rained on, had brunch and beer with sorority sisters, dinner with the RVA runs the Blue Ridge group and even sat through a good chunk of the Tank and the Bangas concert before heading back to the hotel and crashing.
However, the race weekend was not yet over. This year the race organizers added the Slow-K. Leis served as the race bibs, coffee and doughnuts as the pre and post race food and some speedy walkers made for a good morning and a good way to see all my Roanoke and ambassador buddies before hopping in the car and going home.Â
I loved the Slow K because it allowed us to share war stories, laugh and shake it out before traveling home. I really hope they do it again next year. It was a blast!Â
I can not recommend this race weekend enough. I may be a little biased but I cant imagine my spring without this race. It is fun, well thought out, full of activities (running and non) and is a quick get away from Richmond. Over the years,I have had the pleasure of watching the race and Roanoke grow but never lose its charm. I might even be charmed enough to attempt the full next year. Stay tuned.Â