Published November 28, 2011 12:48PM
We all have those races we remember – getting your first medal, watching a best friend PR, unexpectedly placing in your age group. Races make up some of our best memories!
Last month, we asked our Run Club members to tell us about their favorite race experience. Here’s what they said:
My favorite race is the Army Ten Miler in Washington, DC on 9 Oct 2011. Not only did I have a great race by taking 5 minutes off of my best Master’s 10 mile time but even better was seeing two of my teammates, who are both really new to racing, take 5-6 minutes off of their best times also. To see the excitment in their faces when they realized what they accomplished was just amazing and I know that they both will continue to enjoy the benefits of running and racing for years to come.
I have completed 27 half marathons, but my favorite by far has been the Park City Utah half, it was 28 degrees at the start, it was an August race, but so cold, the scenery was beautiful and there were about 50 people…since I am a walker, I was at the back of the field, but even finishing last, everyone was there cheering me on, there were handmade blown glass medals, and it was an experience of a lifetime! I spent a few days there soaking up the beauty and just chilling in the crisp air!
My favorite race/experience is running the Yuengling Shamrock Half Marathon with my husband. It’s a tradition we started and when he isn’t deployed we run the event together. He’s a big fan of St. Paddy’s day and we enjoy getting into the festivities. It’s always cool and at the end we get to enjoy stew and beer!
My favorite race was probably the MOST difficult one that I have ever run! It was the Boston Marathon in 2004 in 86 degree temperatures! Ugh!
My boyfriend and I had both qualified and figured out a way to get into the starting chutes together in order to be able to run together, in his first Boston Marathon!
Two miles into the race, after giving many “high fives” to enthusiastic spectators along the course, my boyfriend started to fade…his running singlet was covered in salt, as he had just not prepared adequately for the 12noon start of this race! At 180 pounds, of muscle, he needed to eat and hydrate a great deal more than he had!
He held on though, perservered…as I encouraged him for the entire 26.2 miles course!
He didn’t say a single word though for the entire remainder of the race…accepting water from strangers, popsicles from kids, and staying right by my side for “energy”!
But at the finish line, Steve mustered up the strength to finally speak again…and said…
“Mary, you have been by my side this entire marathon, you have been by my side for the last 5 years, I know you will be by my side forever…will you marry me!?”
He followed that up with “I would get down on one knee to propose, but I don’t think I could get back up!”
As this was happening, I selfishly looked around to see if someone could and would take our photo…but there was no one to ask on the finish line!
However, the next day while riding the train, I peeked over someone’s shoulder, to see a photo of my boyfriend proposing to me on the Finish Line of the Boston Marathon!
The caption read: “Swept off her Feet”, as Steve was able to just lean back and lift me just a bit in celebration!
Long story short…we have an amazing, healthy 6-year old daughter who LOVES to run!
My favorite was crossing the finish line of my first half-marathon! An incredible feeling for sure!
San Diego Rock n Roll 2009! I was a mentor for the local Team In Training group that year. The race was fantastic, the course was great, and every one of my “mentees” crossed the finish line and ran into my arms for a hug. The most memorable finish ever. I felt like I won that race.
What are some of your favorite race memories? Leave us a comment below!