London -- 5th and final major -- at category closer!

Hi Fans-

Here's the link to the London recap. Having trouble uploading the pictures, but it's a good one with loads of fun info :)

Cheers -- running Big Sur tomorrow!

-Brooke

RunningBrooke is USA9's Super NOVA

Nation and Ocean Drive Marathons -- another double -- plus Cherry Blossom!

National and Ocean Drive Marathons, another double!      Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors, On March 26th and 27th, I ran the National and Ocean Drive Marathons, respectively -- another double -- to cross off State #23 (NJ) and Marathon #33 on my quest to run a marathon in every state (almost half-way there), on every continent (5 of 7 DONE) and the 5 world marathon majors (5th and final in London, 11 days away!) to raise awareness and raise money for 5 vital Alexandria-based charities (see sidebar) serving the at-risk in Alexandria/Arlington.  To date, $64,500+ has been raised.  Thanks Supporters and my RunningBrooke Racers -- they alone have collected over $12,000+.  Wow.  Even better, every penny goes to struggling kids and families. Also exciting is that I was named USA9's Super NOVA.  Thanks Ellen Scott and USA9 for the honor!  See sidebar for YouTube video to check it out.  Super-pleased. Finally, the Alexandria Gazette (pg. 25) featured my Check Presentation to The Reading Connection (TRC).  A great evening that coincided with a kick-off for a new TRC reading program.  And so, without further ado: RunningBrooke booth at the National Expo

a lululemon athletica and Pacers Ambassador  Running marathons on all  7 Continents, in each of the 50 States, and the 5 World Marathon Majors, a marathon a month  (and DC too, just 'cause...) Distressed for my struggling neighbors, I decided to 'step up to the plate,' make a stand and do something.  And so I did...  As a long-time  marathoner who was tired of running solely for time, I 'laced up my shoes' and committed to running the world on their behalf.  To raise awareness and funds for 5 key charities that serve them: Child and Family Network Centers  Community Lodgings The Reading Connection Girls on the Run, NoVA ACTion Alexandria  RunningBrooke Sponsors Supporting the Community (Donating 1K a year for the next 5 years to The RunningBrooke Fund.) ASAP Printing Bonitt Builders MacNair Travel Mark G Anderson Consultants  McGinn Investments McLaughlin/Ryder Investments  Pacers Events/A Division of Pacers Running Stores  Sean McEnearney - McEnearney and Associates  TJ Fannon and Sons Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon Make a difference, become a Sponsor! RunningBrooke is USA9's Super NOVA      To donate or to learn how you can get involved, please visit: runningbrooke.com  or email me at  brooke.sydnor.curran@gmail.com  "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much, nor suffer much, for they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."    - Theodore Roosevelt Phil Wharton talks to The RunningBrooke Racers Learn about injury prevention and the importance of Active Stretching.

Part 1 -- National Expo (Friday, 3/25), National Marathon (Saturday, 3/26) The RunningBrooke Fund was an official Charity Partner in the National marathon and half-marathon on Saturday, here in DC.  Holy cow, I had no concept of the behind-the-scenes pre-planning that was involved.  HUGE.  But once the groundwork was laid, fantastic!  Inspired runners signed on to be RunningBrooke Racers, and raised money for the cause.  Weekly training runs and tips turned into friendships.  Sorry to see it end.  Thanks, guys, for your help, I feel honored to have guided you to strong finishes and new PR's.  RunningBrooke Racers at National Marathon Thanks too to lululemon athletica and Pacers Running Stores for their ongoing support. *Factoid, The National Marathon, starting and ending at RFK Stadium, is the only marathon run solely in the District of Columbia, going through 6 of 8 wards.  The Good  Running with my Racers and being part of their success.  Watching the early morning sun sparkle off the Capitol Dome.  Beautiful.  Running where history is made; by the Capitol and the White House, monuments and museums, blooming Cherry Trees and along the Potomac River. High-fiving Back on My Feet runners.  Back on My Feet is a non-profit that engages the homeless in running, promoting confidence, strength and self-sufficiency.  The Bad I was exhausted before the race even began and never felt good.  With that said, another Boston Qualifyer.  I'll take it.  On the Beach at Cape May, NJ Part 2 -- Ocean Drive Marathon (Sunday, 3/27) After post-race congratulatory hugs and hi-fives with my National Racers, I Metro-ed back home to eat, hydrate, stretch, do my ice bath and get in the car for the 4+ hour drive to NJ.  Didn't stop and didn't get lost :)  Victory. Cape May, NJ is a top destination spot with rich history, award-winning beaches and many Victorian homes.  Named for the Dutch Captain Mey who explored the area in the 1620's, Cape May began hosting vacationers from Philadelphia in the mid 18th century.  By the 19th century, it was considered one of America's finest resorts.  Today, it's recognized as the country's oldest seaside resort. * Factoid #1:   By providing support for the US Navy, Cape May played a significant role in WWII.  In Cape May and surrounds, facilities were set up to protect the US and the mouth of the Delaware River from enemy ships and submarines. *Factoid #2:  In 1876, a massive fire destroyed most of the town center.  Replacement homes were mostly in the Victorian Style popular in that era. Cape May Victorian home   The Good  The Marathon.  This was a great race that started steps for my hotel room.  Staring at 9 AM -- I appreciated that -- we ran North along boardwalks, through 5 beach towns, and over 4 drawbridges from Cape May to Sea Isle City.  Unexpectedly, I felt great!  Ran almost 10 minutes faster than I had at National Marathon.   The Marathon.  Met up with 'MusicBelt Ken,' and his friend Troy + 'favorite son' Leong -- friend from the Easter Island Marathon -- and his crew.   No Bad, No Ugly (sorry) Part 3 - Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (Sunday, 4/3)  RunningBrooke Racers race morning   The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is a beautiful and fast course -- around the monuments and under the blooming Cherry Trees -- that draws both Washingtonians and elite runners from around the world.  It's a rite of passage and ushers in Spring. I'm super-proud of all of my runners.  Two of whom had never run a race of this distance and one of whom had never run a race!  Everyone did great. The Upcoming London.  I leave for London next Thursday to run the marathon on Sunday.  Can't wait.  Antarctica.  I just made my second-to-last payment and the countdown is on.  I'm both exhilarated and petrified.  11 months to go.  Yikes!  Exciting Plans are in the works.  Stay tuned...  That's it -- except for more pictures below.  And... if you haven't looked at the Super NOVA YouTube video yet, what are you waiting for?  It's that good...  Cheers and I look forward to seeing everyone here in Alexandria/Arlington or around the Globe. -Brooke  with running great Bill Rogers at National Expo -- yup, he signed my poster Troy, Ken and me in front of Congress Hall Hotel Getting ready to run... starting line Miller High Life's... with 'favorite son' Leong and his crew at Cherry Blossom.

The Little Rock, AR Marathon - a must run!

Little Rock, AR Marathon Report!      Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors, On March 6th I ran the Little Rock, AR marathon and crossed off State #22 and Marathon #31 on my quest to run a marathon in every state and on every continent in order to bring attention to and raise money for 5 vital Alexandria-based charities serving the at-risk in our community.  Spring had begun in Little Rock; the Redbuds had begun to bloom and the daffodils were up.  the starting line

a lululemon athletica and Pacers Ambassador  Running marathons in all  7 Continents, each of the 50 States, and the 5 World Marathon Majors  (a marathon a month) Distressed  for my struggling neighbors, I decided to do something.  And so I did...  As a long-time  marathoner who was tired of running solely for time, I 'laced up my shoes' and committed to running the world on their behalf.  To raise awareness and funds for 5 key charities that serve them: Child and Family Network Centers  Community Lodgings The Reading Connection Girls on the Run, NoVA ACTion Alexandria  RunningBrooke Sponsors Supporting the Community (Donating 1K a year for the next 5 years to The RunningBrooke Fund.) ASAP Printing Bonitt Builders MacNair Travel Mark G Anderson Consultants  McGinn Investments McLaughlin/Ryder Investments  Pacers Event/A Division of Pacers Running Stores  Sean McEnearney - McEnearney and Associates  TJ Fannon and Sons Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon Make a difference, become a Sponsor! RunningBrooke and Bart Yasso at Little Rock expo Join the Running Fun! National 1/2 or National Marathon Saturday, March 26th Special Discount Codes: 11rbhalf (1/2 marathon)  11rbfull (marathon) Click HERE for detalis   hurry, Charity Registration ends soon       Cherry Blossom   10 Miler Sunday, April 3rd only ONE entry left! EMAIL me to learn more about this fantastic April race under the Cherry Blossoms and by the Monuments! Want to help but don't want to run...? Time and Donations are happily accepted!   Always 100% tax deductible and always, 100% of your donation goes to those who need it. (I pay my own travel costs and associated fees.)

Arkansas, Native American for "south wind," and nicknamed The Natural State, has over 600,000 acres of lakes, 9,700 miles of streams and rivers and over 2.6 million acres of national forests. Factoid.  Our nation's oldest national park (Hot Springs) is in Arkansas.    It is a place with stories; tales of Native Americans, Pioneers, Civil War battles, oil and diamonds, Blues and Mountain music.  The home state of former President Bill Clinton but also the land of historic Civil Rights struggles: The Trail of Tears -- forced relocation of south-eastern Native Americans made to walk from their homeland westward (across the entire state of Arkansas) on their way to "Indian Territory" in Oklahoma.  The Internment Camps -- involuntary relocation of Japanese-Americans from across the US during WWII. Two sites, now memorials, are in Arkansas .  The Little Rock Nine -- escorted by the military, nine African-Americans enroll at Little Rock Central High School in 1957.  And so without further ado:  the Capital  The Good  The Marathon.  1,814 marathoners (plus 1/2 marathons and 1st-leg re-layers) lined up for the 8AM race start.  It was a perfect day.  Overcast with a starting temperature in the mid-thirties.  'Music Belt' Ken (remember him from Jackson and New Orleans?) and I stayed warm in the Peabody lobby (yup, mallards in that fountain too) until 7:45; walked to the race start, corralled up and went.  The course took us past the Clinton Library, through the city and by the capital,  before leading us out into the suburbs.  This is where the race got even better.  We ran past Little Rock Central High School (combo of Art Deco and Gothic and massive in size), past the Governor's Mansion (Governor and staff out front waving to us!) and finished the last 6 miles along the Arkansas River.  Double-thumbs-up to the Race Director for a great tour! The Marathon.  This isn't a typo.  I felt so obnoxiously good during the race that I probably bothered other runners.  Came in 8 minutes faster than New Orleans (easier course) and BQ'd (Boston Qualified) under the new, faster time limits.   What did I do differently between these two races that I hadn't done before?  I worked on my flexibility.  Check out this video (painfully unedited, sorry).   Phil Wharton talks to The RunningBrooke Racers  The Marathon's Finisher's Medal.  It's the reason I decided to run this race (should I admit this?) 5'' x 8'' with complete with spinning globe   The Clinton Presidential Library.  Located along the Arkansas River in the heart of the River Market District, this library is a must see. It's packed with the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in U.S. history, and houses authentic replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room.  I took Bill's narrated tour chronicling American history during his presidency.   Bill's Limo  The Historic Arkansas Museum.  Two hundred years of Arkansan paintings, furniture, silver, textiles and firearms.  The Bad   No Direct Flights.  There is no way to get from National to Little Rock without changing planes.  I had to fly by way of Chicago out, and Atlanta back. The Tragedy lululemon athletica. The lululemon community (I am an ambassador) is suffering greatly.  At the Bethesda store last Friday night, two educators (employees) were violently assaulted during a robbery attempt.  One lost her life.  Please keep them in your thoughts.  The Upcoming *New to the marathon schedule, another double! National Marathon (Washington, DC) on Saturday, March 26th.  The RunningBrooke Racers, team #1, have been training and raising money for The RunningBrooke Fund.  Super-excited to be a helping them reach their running goal and having their help in making a difference.  *I'll have a booth at the National Expo (Armory, Fri. 3/25).  Stop by and say hello!  The Ocean Drive Marathon (over 4 bridges finishing in Cape May) on Sunday, March 27th.  Knocking off another state and seeing some friends too. Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (Washington DC) on Sunday, April 3rd.  RunningBrooke Racers, team #2, will challenge themselves in this fun and fast course by the monuments and under the cherry blossoms.  Keep up the good work and thanks for your help! Big Bash planned for June.  Stay tuned...  Spring is here and it's an exciting time for runners.  One of my Sponsors, Pacer Events, puts on some great local races.  Fresh, Exciting, Innovative.  Take a  LOOK, see what fits into your schedule and get out there! That's it. Cheers-  Brooke

$30,000 in Grants Made to 5 Vital Charities

$30,000 given to Vital  

Alexandria-based Charities!

The last few weeks have been especially rewarding as I've granted, in total, $30,000.00 to five vital Alexandria-based charities that serve our at-risk neighbors.

Drumroll please:

• $7,500.00 to Child and Family Network Centers; sending impoverished kids to preschool and providing associated services for families.

 

• $10,000.00 to Community Lodgings; reopening the Teen Center, providing guidance towards a successful future with High School Graduation and financial management planning.

• $2,500.00 to The Reading Connection, fostering the love of books by supporting The Book Club, sending free, new books by mail to families on a monthly basis. 

• $5,000.00 to Girls on the Run, NoVA, giving 33 Alexandria girls scholarships to Learn, Dream, Live and Run towards a healthier future.  Photos to come... 

• $5,000.00 to ACTion Alexandria
  (ACT for Alexandria), matching 10 (up to $500.00) on-line 'calls of action' for specific community needs like healthful after-school snacks and milk for kids in shelters.  Photos to come...

2010 was a great, action-packed year and 2011 looks to be even better.  The RunningBrooke Fund and its initiatives are expanding...

I'm off to run the Little Rock, AR marathon this weekend.  Stay tuned, exciting things are going to happen!

-Brooke

RunningBrooke Grants $30,000 to Vital Alexandria Charities!

Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors,

with friends at Child and Family Network Centers

The last few weeks have been especially rewarding as I’ve granted, in total, $30,000.00 to five vital Alexandria-based charities serving our at-risk neighbors.  Drumroll please:

• $7,500.00 to Child and Family Network Centers; sending impoverished kids to preschool and providing associated services for families.

• $10,000.00 to Community Lodgings; reopening the Teen Center, providing guidance towards a successful future with High School Graduation and financial management planning.

• $2,500.00 to The Reading Connection, fostering the love of books by supporting The Book Club, sending free, new books by mail to families on a monthly basis.

• $5,000.00 to Girls on the Run, NoVA, giving 33 Alexandria girls scholarships to Learn, Dream, Live and Run towards a healthier future.

• $5,000.00 to ACTion Alexandria (ACT for Alexandria), matching 10 (up to $500.00) on-line ‘calls of action’ for specific community needs like healthful after-school snacks and milk for kids in shelters.

at Girls on the Run

after school with Community Lodgings

choosing books at The Reading Connection

Off to run Little Rock, AR this weekend... State #22 and Marathon #31.  Cheers!

The New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon, Bawdy and Tawdry!

Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors-

Just back from New Orleans and the Mardi Gras Marathon.  Being Bawdy, Tawdry, and historic, it made, to say the least, for an interesting visit.  Favorite Daughter #1 and I had a great time and we both got our eyes full, and saw some unexpected things on Bourbon Street!  "And that's all I got to say about that."  Forrest Gump...

New Orleans, founded in 1718, was initially a small trading camp on a curve of the Mississippi River.  Later, the city was organized into a rectangular community known as the French Quarter.  As the city grew, it followed the curve in the river and because of its shape, became known as the Crescent City.  Because New Orleans was surrounded by swamps and marshes -- sea level (some places below sea level) to approximately 6 feet, and because of the annual flooding of the Mississippi River and water surges from hurricanes, levees and canals were built to block and drain the excess water.  Interesting to learn however, that long-term and ongoing destruction of surrounding wetlands and the building of levees and canals meant to remedy the problem, actually exacerbated the flooding and elevated the potential destructive effect.  *Katrina exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum

*Factoid #1:   New Orleans has more miles of canals (above and below ground) than Venice, Italy.

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square

*Factoid #2: New Orleans has over 35,000 structures on the National Register of Historic Places.  That's 15,000 more than Washington, DC.

New Orleans marks marathon # 30 and state # 20 in my quest to run a marathon on every continent, in each of the 50 states and the 5 marathon majors -- a marathon a month -- in order to raise awareness and raise money for vital charities serving Alexandria's at-risk.  London, the 5th and final major is in April, and my 6th continent, Antarctica, is scheduled for March of 2012.  Before I jump into the recap, there's a lot of exciting RunningBrooke news to report.

RunningBrooke News

• First, I've made my grants for 2010.  Thanks to SO many of you for wanting to make Alexandria a better place and making all this possible!  Drumroll please:  $7,500 to Child and Family Network Centers, $10,000 to Community Lodgings, $2,500 to The Reading Connection, $5,000 to Girls on the Run (Northern VA) and $5,000 to ACT for Alexandria (details below).  *links to the specific beneficiaries can be found in email signature or through the RunningBrooke website

• Second, ACTion Alexandria -- part of ACT for Alexandria -- a RunningBrooke beneficiary, kicked off its first featured action benefitting the Carpenter's Shelter.  It was a huge success!  In an online forum,  We raised $995, almost double our original goal of $500!  And with a $500 match from The RunningBrooke Fund, that's a total of $1495 or almost 3 months' worth of milk and after-school snacks for the children living at the shelter.

• Third, I'd like to give a special 'shout out' to the 25, and counting,  RunningBrooke Racers who have signed up to run either the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (April) or The National 1/2 or Full Marathon (March) and raise money for The RunningBrooke Cause.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate their help and how they are inspiring me to push harder.  So... I'll run with them and add DC to my list of completed marathons.  *there are a few spots left for the National event, email me if you want to 'lace up your shoes' too!

• Fourth, I'd like to thank and welcome the latest RunningBrooke Sponsors: ASAP Printing and Graphics in Del Ray and The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.  Check out their sites!

           * see the benefits and become a Sponsor too.  Full details at RunningBrooke.com

And now, without further ado:

The Good

pre-race with Favorite Daughter #1

• The Marathon.  I got to run the first 6 miles with Favorite Daughter #1 before the 1/2 and full marathon courses split.  Thumbs up to the race director for weaving us through historic and beautiful sections of the city.

Remember 'music belt' Ken from Jackson, MS?  He and I met up at at mile 8 and 'rocked on' playing 'name the artist/song/year/album.'   See you in Little Rock!

• Bourbon Street and the carnival-like craziness and the raucous and sometimes-ridiculous behavior of those on it.

Bourbon Street at Dusk

does holding this sign make me look ridiculous?

a performer along the Mississippi

• The Food and The Music.  We ate are way through the French Quarter -- jazz and blues music pouring out onto the sidewalks --  with Crawfish and Crab Etouffee, Red Beans and Rice and Jambalaya.  Finished it all off with warm Pralines.

*Factoid #3: 40% of all the seafood consumed in the US comes from Louisiana

The Bad

• The Marathon.  I ran with a painfully annoyingly side cramp for 25 miles.   AND I cavalierly ignored one of the main tenets of long-distance running.  Never, ever, under any circumstance, use/wear something new and not broken in.

• Things left undone.  We walked (and walked) the city but missed some local highlights due to time constraints: Riverboat tour on the steamboat Natchez, Katrina Tour to see areas devastated by the hurricane, Road to Freedom and Plantation Tour and Airboat Adventure through swamps.  Next time.

and The Unexplained

• The Voodoo thing...  just don't get it

Voodoo Youdoo

That's it.  The Louisiana chapter is closed!  Next up, Little Rock, AR. on March 6.  A race I registered for solely for the finishers medal.  It's the size of a platter; shallow of me, I know...  Cheers and Run Strong (literally or figuratively).

-Brooke

Additional NOLA pictures below.

partial shot of painted door panels of Jazz Club

Crawfish Etouffee, Cornbread and Collard Greens

Gorgeous Wrought Ironwork