America's Marathon Weekend!!

2020!!

This is going to be an amazing year for running! An amazing year for people breaking records and crushing goals!

This all started with the Team USA Olympic Marathon Trials, which were held in none other than Running City USA, Atlanta GA!

I want to start by saying that watching the Olympics or even the trials in person is a once in a lifetime experience! Seriously... if you are EVER presented with the opportunity to watch or be a part of it...Take It!! You won't regret it.

I was given the opportunity to volunteer for the Marathon trials, thanks to the Atlanta Track Club. And there is nothing like being meer inches from the top athletes in your sport and people that you admire greatly. 

(Women running the Olympic Marathon trials...apx. mile 6.5)

(Shrader leading the men at around mile 15)

(Rupp coming in hot...leading the men around mile 21)

(Tuliamuk & Seidel battling it out leading the women around mile 21)

Congratulations to the top men and the top women who will be taking Team USA to the Olympics!! Best of Luck!

Atlanta's marathon weekend also included the Annual Publix Atlanta Marathon, Half Marathon,  and 5k.

I was blessed to be able to run the Half Marathon again this year! 

This race had the same course that has been ran for several years, but much more emotion and importance with each step this year. Because part of this course lined up with the Olympic course that the greats ran the day before! It truly is amazing to be a part of such a fantastic community such as Atlanta Track Club. 

AND to top it off.. I set a NEW Half PR!! 2:40:32. I shaved 32 min off my time on this course from the year before.

I am beyond blessed to have such a fantastic support system behind me with every step I take. Thank you to my family, friends, and running community for always being supportive. ❤❤

ATC Triple Peach Race Series

2019 was a Massive year for running for me! One of the biggest threats I took on was the Atlanta Track Club Triple Peach Series. This race series includes the Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta 10 Miler, and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon. 

My best friend and twin Kristen and I decided to finally take on this triple threat in our hometown. 

It all started with the Peachtree Road Race  on July 4th! In Atlanta, we have a wonderful phrase that states: Heat, Hills, & Humidity... this is forever true on one of the hottest days in the year and definitely in the South! 

2019 was the 50th anniversary of the running of the largest 10k in the country... and boy did it not disappoint. 60,000 runners, and double that with the crowds. Atlanta is packed full of people looking to have fun on this holiday. My favorite tradition with the Peachtree is to see how many beers I can drink along the course.

And I always greet my twin at the finish line for a celebratory picture and to get the coveted Peachtree shirt.

The Second leg of this series is the Atlanta 10 Miler! It is always held in October, which here in Atlanta could be freezing or could be sweltering...heck maybe you'll see both in the same day 😂 

2019 brought a new runners gift to the table.. the runners bag! It is an awesome gift. I use it every day for training. Plus they showcased the awesome Triple Peach pullover for runners.

This course was more difficult than the Peachtre however, because its twists and runs some of the major hills in the city. The distance is perfect for anyone wanting to test out long distance running. 10 miles is just far enough without over exertion.

The third and final leg of this series is the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon!  It's another of the wonderful holiday traditions here in Running City USA! As it's name suggests.. it takes place bright and early on Thanksgiving Day which offers you the chance to burn off your future excess calories. 

This race definitely takes alot out of you. It hits almost every possible hill in the city and trust me..theres a ton!!! Plus when you run on such a cold day it can knock the breath out of you quickly. This year I saw 7 runners go down from injury or trouble within the first 6 miles! 

The coolest part of this race is not only finishing on Turner Field (which used to be the home of the Brave & is currently the new football field for GA State Panthers), but you get to run under the Olympic Rings from 1996!

It truly brings back the legacy and legends of the great Centennial Olympics! And when you finish,  you get your own personal pie to enjoy! 

This series brought: 

4 medals 🏅🏅🏅🏅

3 races 🏃‍♀️

2 Best Friends 👩🏼👩🏼

And a lifetime of memories 

Ready to bring on 2020!

Savannah RnR Half Marathon

Rock n Roll Savannah Half Marathon 2019

I fell in love with running this city and decided that I should take on the half instead of the full.. 

Rock n Roll puts on a top notch run every year and what better way to experience it than with sweet southern hospitality in Savannah! If you ever get the opportunity take it! There is truly something to be said about the picturesque course that winds through old town and under the moss covered trees that line the streets. 

They continue to put on a fantastic expo with countless booths and samples. The medals are always a treat to hold and when you cross the finish line, the crowd makes you feel like you can accomplish anything you could ever set your sights on.

I absolutely have this labeled as a favorite and will continue to make my way south during the winter to be able to run in the sun during the cold winter! And it's a wonderful course to set a PR! 2:53:47 for the Half.