Finally a marathon that I could drive! Favorite Daughter #3 and I pulled out of Alexandria just before the Friday rush-hour(s) traffic and headed for Raleigh. Soccer tournament (CASL) for her, marathon for me -- state # 17, marathon # 26 and marathon # 11 in 2010 -- and Favorite Father's 75th birthday...
(*Small segue for New Readers: I run marathons around the world to change the lives of others. I run to raise awareness and to raise money for local, at-risk children and families. How: by starting The RunningBrooke Fund with ACT for Alexandria and committing to running a marathon on every continent, in each of the 50 states and the 5 marathon majors -- a marathon a month. I pay for everything. All donations go to 5 worthy Alexandria charities (Community Lodgings, The Reading Connection, ACT for Alexandria, Child and Family Network Centers and Girls on the Run). A donation is 100% tax deductible and ACT for Alexandria generates tax receipts. Visit www.runningbrooke.com)
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| Noble Oaks on the capital grounds |
Commercial over, back to regular programming...
Founded in 1792, Raleigh is North Carolina's capital city. Named after Sir Walter Raleigh -- who attempted to establish the first English colony in the New World in the 1580's -- it was soon known by its citizens as the City of Oaks. And they dedicated themselves to the oaks preservation...
* Thanks Raleigh Observer for the great RunningBrooke press. They consider me part of the hard-core contingent who love to run marathons -- i.e. me and The 50 States club. Click HERE for more.
So, without further ado...
The Good
- The Marathon. The course started and finished at N.C. State University and featured a surprisingly scenic and diverse way through downtown Raleigh, the city center and the beautiful Umstead Park. Felt great and finished in a respectable time -- fastest this year. Plus, I was able to stay WARM until race start. Sweet!
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| Feeling strong |
I met and jogged with 1/2 Marathon Winner Maria Busienei, origionally from Kenya. She led the women with an average of a 6:08/mile and a 1:20:21 finish.
- The Soccer and The Birthday...
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| Favorite Father on his 75th birthday |
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| Favorite Mother keeping warm and dry... |
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| Celebrating... |
- The Downtown Walk-A-Bout...
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| The Capital |
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| At the capital with downtown at my back... |
Episcopalian Spire.
- The Perfect Equipment...
Kudos to Gracie, who had a booth at the marathon expo, at gracies gear for the design and development of (possibly?) the most perfect, chafe-free, non-belt carry-option out there. For demo, it holds phone and chap-stick but race day, it held 5 GU's, car key and inhaler...
Am a little envious -- written with a smile -- as many runs ago, I was in the planning phases of co-marketing the similar idea of running-pal Kathy. Ours was going to be called the Gu Garter. Shrug. Missed opportunity...
The Bad (no Ugly, sorry)
- The car. Great option pre-race, but an albatross, post. Loads of time wasted trying to circumvent on-going marathon and stress of the GPS Genie calling out invalid directions. Thanks to the nice Raleigh policemen who after listening to my plight, allowed me to cross the marathon path...
and The Featured...
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| Having fun... |
Girls on the Run (GOTR) -- a 2010 RunningBrooke beneficiary -- is a truly innovative organization with a mission!
Through fun activities and running, leaders educate and prepare girls (grades 3-5) for a lifetime of healthy living, as they train for a 5k fun run... Self-esteem enhancing lessons encourage positive emotional and physical development and are an integral part of the framework to the curriculum. I wish I could have done this when I was a kid!
Currently in City of Alexandria, GOTR has 125 girls (3 public schools and 2 private schools) running towards a healthier future! Thanks GOTR for having me to your practice. It was incredible to see so much teamwork and group success. See you at the Reindeer Romp (5k), if not before...
Through fun activities and running, leaders educate and prepare girls (grades 3-5) for a lifetime of healthy living, as they train for a 5k fun run... Self-esteem enhancing lessons encourage positive emotional and physical development and are an integral part of the framework to the curriculum. I wish I could have done this when I was a kid!
Currently in City of Alexandria, GOTR has 125 girls (3 public schools and 2 private schools) running towards a healthier future! Thanks GOTR for having me to your practice. It was incredible to see so much teamwork and group success. See you at the Reindeer Romp (5k), if not before...
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| Me and the GOTR Team |
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Best quotes, "I did it without stopping" and "I don't need ruby slippers when I have running shoes!"
* There are 3, 365 GOTR girls running towards a healthier future in Northern Virginia.
Upcoming Events
- This Saturday Nov. 20 - Lululemon Charitable Giving Day.
Sweat once a day and join us in giving back!
3-mile Fun Run (led by me), Yoga and light brunch
Saturday, November 20th. Event begins at 9AM.
Saturday, November 20th. Event begins at 9AM.
This year, we are celebrating the following two local organizations in their efforts to elevate our community: The RunningBrooke Fund and YoKid...Stretch Your Limits. We will be donating a portion of sales from the past year to support both organizations. *Join us in giving back by donating gently used yoga mats, athletic wear (any brand) and athletic shoes to benefit both organizations. Drop them by anytime that day.*
- Save The Date! Wednesday Dec. 1 (6:30 - 8 PM) and Thursday Dec. 2nd (10 AM - 7 PM)
Kiskadee is doing it again!
20% of sales during Wednesday's special RunningBrooke hours (separate invitation to follow) and ALL day Thursday -- mention my name at checkout -- will go to The RunningBrooke fund benefitting the at-risk kids and families in Alexandria.
Shop and make a difference! women's apparel and accessories... gifts for all occasions... men's and boys' shirts, belts and ties... home, garden and gourmet... kids and babies...
Think of ALL of the Holiday shopping you could do, and for such a good cause too!
- Watch out for the December issue of Washingtonian Magazine -- at newsstands later this month... I'm in it!
- An exciting and new RunningBrooke Website to be unveiled within a few days...
- Become a fan of The RunningBrooke Face Book Page!
- Fundraising letter with "I'm a RunningBrooke Supporter" pencil coming to mailboxes later this month. Please consider The RunningBrooke Fund for your annual giving. Remember, 100% of your donation goes to Alexandrians in need -- fighting for literacy and health, and fighting against hunger and homelessness -- PLUS, your donation is 100% tax deductible. Click HERE to contribute now! Remember to but "The RunningBrooke Fund" in the comment box. $26,500.00 raised so far this year.
Whew. Congratulations on making it to the end! December's marathon is in Kiawah Island, SC and completes my 2010 goal of running -- at least -- a marathon a month on behalf of Alexandria's at-risk. 13 marathons ran, 2 continents covered -- Australia and Asia -- and 11 states; 95,000 miles flown. 2011's running schedule is coming out soon and includes London -- which concludes my 5 marathon majors category.
Cheers and it is a beautiful day to run.
Brooke
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