longest run ever

Last weekend I ran the farthest I have ever run...ever...15 miles!  I went to bed pretty early the night before in preparation for this big day.  I wasn't nervous, I knew I could do it with the support of my fellow marathon trainers.  


We started the run by crossing the Nickel Bridge.  I think this is my favorite place to run in Richmond.  You can see the city skyline, the rocks on the river, the train tracks, and the Carillon behind you.  Once you cross the bridge there are so many hills!  I felt like we were running up hill the entire time.  I kept wondering when we were going to go down hill!  We eventually did and there was a water stop at the bottom - perfect placing!


Once my watch beeped 13 miles I thought, "Here we go - 2 more to go."  There was never a thought in my mind that I could not do these last 2 miles.  My body was ready.  My mind was ready.  I had to let me body do what it knew to do - put one foot in front of the other and head back across the Nickel Bridge.  Crossing the second time I felt stronger.  I was focused on what I was about to accomplish...I didn't have time to think negative thoughts!


As I turned the corner to heard back to the stadium, I hear "Go Adrienne Go"  The only person who screams the words the way I heard them is my dad.  I look up and my parents are at the stadium welcoming me back from my first 15 miles!  I had no idea they were coming and it was a nice surprise!  They are by far my biggest cheerleaders!  I could not do what I do every Saturday without their support!  Thank Mom!  Thanks Dad!

running in a hurricane

August in Richmond is known for the heat and the hurricanes.  Who would have thought to add a half marathon to that?  Well luckily there was a hurricane who joined us for the Patrick Henry Half Marathon in Ashland.  In the past this open country road course has been super hot and hazy....nothing on the course but cows and corn fields.  Hurricane Irene decided to join us for this race...she brought rain and wind and more rain.  

At one point during the race it stopped raining, but by the time I realized it had started raining again.

I was soaking wet when I finished I could sqeeze water from my shoes and socks!

The wind and rain didn't slow me down much - I still finished with a reasonable time of 2:23.35.