Tuesday, September 18, 2012

20 FN Miles (I Only Did 10)

As I may have previously mentioned a few times before, I run with the Frankfort New Lenox running club. We call ourselves the FN Runners. This past Saturday, the group put on a supported 20 mile run out on the trail with help from a local grocery chain (Berkot's supplied water, cups, Gatorade, bananas, and oranges) and a local running store (Running For Kicks provided Gu). The stations were manned by other members of the group and helped by local high school kids. So many people helped to make this run great and I was happy to be a part of it! I didn't help by manning an aid station, though. I cheered at the half way point, helped direct some folks where to go until I met up with Maggie and I ran the 2nd half with her. I know Maggie's had a few posts lately about how she's burnt out on running and tired all the time. It is at that point in the training cycle so I was happy to help lend some fresh legs and fresh energy out there for the 2nd 10 miles!

I hadn't run 10 miles in a few weeks so I wasn't sure how things would go. However, knowing someone was depending on me, I knew I couldn't let them down. In some of the chaos of the morning, I forgot my Garmin. I was kind of glad because I wasn't obsessing about how far we were, etc. we chatted a lot about food (what can I say? I like food) and the miles seemed to breeze by. There was tons of support along the way which was really amazing. (This running club seriously rocks. And there isn't a membership fee to join! You just have to show up!) Before I knew it, we were at mile 8 and only had 2 left to go. I think I said a couple times, "Only 2 left?!" We had a little fun quoting Dylan from Modern Family. (I couldn't find a YouTube video of the clip.) "This is the farthest I've ever run....... Now this is the farthest I've ever run...... Now THIS is the farthest I've ever run." that never got old (to me at least).
Thanks for snapping this great photo Amanda!

When we finished, there were cold beers, water, and more Gatorade waiting for us. I was so excited for those that finished their last long run before the marathon and now it is taper time. I gotta say, I like vicariously living through my friends running the marathon without having to complete the entire distance. Haha I'll be back out there to run another marathon some day, but I'm glad that time isn't now.

Have you gone out and supported folks during a training run or race before? Do you have similar thoughts as me? :)

When I was finished, I went home and ate a delicious cupcake from Cupcakes for Courage in Chicago. It is a food truck (with a recently opened store front) and their cupcakes are THE BEST in the city. That's right. I said it.
Best in the city.

Don't forget to enter my Haeleum giveaway! You have until Monday, September 24th to enter.

10 comments:

  1. Amanda - TooTallFritzSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    I F'N LOVE this post! So glad you went out! I wish I could have been there too but I had to wear my Team Mom "hat" for the Cross Country kids. I was glad to be with them but I also wanted to be on OPT with all of you! And you know, if I weren't injured, I would have had to run my 20 miler solo on SUN since I would have missed this event.....yeah, this event that we have been talking about since Feb. That's almost funny but I've learned my lesson trying to plan things in advance when its track or CC season.

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  2. What an awesome way to support your friends! I like jumping in on my friend's long runs too! I did a few 20s in the spring with Bobbi when she was training for a full and I was just running for run. :) Long runs can be a lot better with friends!

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  3. Sounds like a fun time. Have only supported other runners in races a few times. But I yell/cheer extra loud when I do go!

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  4. I'm SOOOO thankful that you joined us for the second 10. It really helped! Serious, those miles went SO much better than they would have if it was just Julie and me, wanting to die.

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  5. awwww, how fun!! I think a friendly face is more of a boost then any gel or sports drink! :D

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  6. I hope to be that boost for all my friends running on Chicago Marathon day! :)

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  7. Thanks Maggie! I was happy to be out there to help! Also, thanks for the ride back to my car afterwards. :)

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  8. I am so happy that I've been able to give back with my running so much more this year. I think this is my true calling. A running life coach. Haha

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  9. I can't imagine running 20 miles for fun. I guess that is why you are an ULTRA MARATHONER!!! :)

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  10. We missed you out there but we know you would have been there if you could have. It was great to have the support of many other non-marathoners! The FN runners really are an amazing group!!!

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