Back to Back: City to Sea
November always tends to be a busy racing time for me. With the Richmond Marathon races on one weekend, Norfolk Harbor the next weekend and Turkey Trot to round out the month- it gets a little busy. Every year, I forget how much it takes to race this month. Here in Richmond, it is our first burst of actually cold weather. In the past couple years, it seems to have landed on Richmond’s race weekend. Luckily, this weekend wasn’t as cold as the last one. Norfolk can always be a mixed bag of rain, wind and cold but this year we just got brisk and dry weather.
Doing the Richmond Half Marathon for the third time was an interesting experience and another reminder why I don’t tend to do races more than once or twice. I felt too familiar with the course. However, it allowed me to really take in the course, look around and enjoy the day. My only goals were to feel good and have fun and I succeeded.
From beginning to end, I felt good and I didn't let any negative voices come through. I ran as if I had nothing to prove and it was refreshing.
Ironically, I decided to do the same thing in Norfolk. It was important to me to relax and enjoy. I did the challenge of the 5k on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday like I did in 2016. It was an extra special year because it was the third year that my lifelong friend Morgan and I decided to do this race and her first half marathon!
The entire point of the weekend in Norfolk is fun. The race is sponsored by Blue Moon, the after party both days is awesome and with our hotel walking distance to various watering holes it is a booze heavy weekend. As a result, my easy going pace was extra easy. It was really flat and steady crowd support.
I cant believe in four short years, I have tackled 21 half marathons and three full marathons. I am not completely decided on what is next for me. Maybe Berlin, maybe more full marathon training or focusing on how many states I can kick off this year. My own true focused goal for now is to PR the Blue Ridge Half Marathon in April. And for right now that might be enough!