I’ll be doing more stretching and mobility while considering my food choices wisely. Sleep is always super important so I’ll try to keep to my schedule. Finally, I’ll decide what’s going to play in my ears for two hours. See y’all this weekend!!
Good luck!! Your note about Halloween candy was very relatable. 😅
The best race advice I ever got: don’t worry too much about bad sleep the night before the race; if you’ve prioritized sleep on the other days leading up to the race, you’ll probably be fine. Really takes the pressure off what is *certain* to be a horrible night for getting good rest, between the nerves + early wake-up!
RICHMOND RUNNERS PLEASE READ AND REPLY. I’m excited not only about the run itself, but also the opportunity to meet the people we’ve been corresponding with and turn them into friends. I’m in nearby Williamsburg and have been working on a few social events to bring us together. I need your help with finalizing the arrangements.
But first - one important point. Packet pickup is not within walking distance of downtown Richmond. It’s at the Richmond Raceway about a 15-minute drive from downtown. If you don’t have a rental car, you’re going to need a ride there. I’m hoping that if you post here that you need a ride, another member with a car may be able to help out.
There are three opportunities to get together. The first is at the expo/packet pickup. Usually the expo has a happy hour from 4-6 Friday just before closing. If they do that again this year, and anyone is interested in participating, I will set up some sort of signal like a helium balloon to guide folks in. The runners guide is supposed to be posted Wednesday, and that will let us know if the happy hour is on.
I have made a reservation for 16 at a very good eatery downtown. The Capital Ale House has a nice, eclectic menu of American, Italian, Polish, German, and many other choices and a comprehensive craft beer selection. Getting a table on Friday night is challenging anytime, and when you add in a few thousand visitors for the run, it gets near impossible. I need to confirm our number, but still have the flexibility to add or subtract. The manager was very helpful at working us in, and to be fair, if we’re not going to fill all 16 seats, I owe it to the restaurant to give some back. Please let me know if you will be there and if you need more than one seat. Their website is capitalalehouse.com if you want to check it out.
I’m proposing an opportunity Sunday for anyone interested in visiting Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown National Monument. I suggest we meet at my place, mid-morning for coffee and donuts. It’s 10 minutes from the Colonial area. I’ll lead the way and we can do a walk-about. Walking around the mile-long trip through 1775 is free. If you want to go deeper, you can buy a ticket for some of the displays that require one. There are multiple lunch options in the area. One minor annoyance is that parking requires the Passport Parking app, so it will make things easier if you have that loaded on your phone in advance.
If you’re interested, please sign up here so I can finalize details.
We can continue on to Jamestown to the site of the 1607 first successful English settlement. There’s a nice archeological museum, some Confederate Civil War emplacements, and a chance for a photo op at the Pocahontas statue. There’s the usual Park Service small entry fee - I think it’s about $5 per carload. Those who want to go deeper can visit the adjacent Jamestown Setting living museum. It has a reconstruction of the original fort, the three ships that transported the colonists, a Powhatan indian village, knowledgeable interpreters, and a very good museum offering a detailed history of the area.
The updated weather forecast for the run has “improved?” Forecast for temperature at race start is now about 50 degrees with a chance of light showers. If it changes significantly I’ll post an update.
Thanks for helping out by posting your interests here, and I’m really looking forward to meeting some new friends.
Hey there David! One more update -- Jen Medina let me know that she will be coming to the dinner, and bringing 3 with her. So that probably means we'll have about 9 to 10.
Great! I plan to arrive at the expo around 3:00. On the way I’ll get a helium balloon to serve as a rally point. My cell number is 757-790-0865 if anyone is looking for me.
Thank you for ALL of this, David!!! I'll be in touch with the emails from everyone who is coming, so we can share among the group who'll be in Richmond this weekend.
So excited for you all and a little envious. I love going to races, but I’m often there by myself, so the finish line - while satisfying - can sometimes be a little lonely. That said, I am fortunate to be running the Silver Strands half on the 12th in Coronado, CA (San Diego) where my sister and niece will be to cheer me on! So, I will run in solidarity - probably about 3 hours after you all run VA!
good luck!! when you’re finished, you can tell me your secret to not getting bored while running (it’s probably my third biggest challenge behind #2 - being mentally weak, and #1 - being in generally mediocre shape 😂)
I totally hear you! (Sometimes it's hard for me too, btw.) I'm sure you're exaggerating (at least a little!), but I also think we basically ALL share #1 and #2 with you. The images we see on social media feeds of runners are definitely *not* the reality that 90% of us live.
Short answer: When I run on my treadmill, I go to concerts. Meaning, I find videos on YouTube of live shows from bands/singers I love, and in my mind I'm at the concert -- right now, I've been watching lots of the U2 show from the Sphere in Las Vegas. ("Zoo Station" is a great first song to get a run started, I've found.)
Long answer: it can be a kind of meditation for me, when I let it, anyway. I've tried meditating by just sitting there, like I imagine we're supposed to, but my mind always wanders, and I never know what to think about. So I get distracted, I wonder if I'm doing it right. But when I run, there's something about the movement that gets me into a more meditative state, where I can just let my mind go and "run," and work out things that have been bothering me, or things that have just been in the back of my mind that I wasn't fully aware of. It's totally narcissistic, if you think about it! But it kinda just lets me exhale mentally, and let it all out. And then I can put it behind me, if that makes sense. :)
I received my shirt and bib in the mail just in case I made it down late, but I will be there all day Friday. What time is dinner? I too would like to get to sleep pretty early.
Wish you the best for your run! Seems like it's great weather to enjoy the outdoors!
What I find most challenging is maintaining consistency with my mommy duties for my toddler. While most days I put on my running shoes I tend to miss some & the pace is thrown out the window!
Spot on…. We are where are…. And soon in beautiful Richmond! As seasoned half marathoners we know not to jump out into the first few miles. Especially true in Richmond. The prevailing winds at the start are typically headwinds. If it is chilly? Factor in a bit of additional chill. If headwinds at the start? Tailwind at finish! This course sets up well for negative splits!
I wish all of the Richmond clan the best of luck. I am excited to hear the race stories and maybe more important, the friendship stories. Dave what friendship you provided by helping guide and suggest and remind everyone of the particulars. Very thoughtful. Ann congrats on your 50th state. I am working through mine. And Maddie thank you for the sleep advice/encouragement. I always stress before my races and then that doesn’t help with sleep either.
Side note, I am running marathon in San Antonio 12/3. Anybody know about elevation features there? I have not found it on the race website
I haven't run an event in San Antonio but I have run there just for fun. That race should be flat and fast. Elevation overall of San Antonio is probably under 800. I'm from Florida and I didn't have any trouble running there
Morning pre-race breakfast for me (I won’t be there in VA but I WILL be cheering you on) ... bread and peanut butter, OJ, a banana, and coffee ... often, not more that a half dozen sips gets me the caffeine I need.
I ran the Santa Barbara Half Marathon this last Sunday. Finished in 1hr 35 min. 7:15 pace. Placed 3rd for 60-64 age group.
My last week my runs intensity is reduced and tapered. No threshold running or hills. I ran easy runs all week and did an easy trail run Saturday.
During the race,
I hung out with the 1:35 pacer and finished in front of her!, I’m pleased. My last mile was the fastest one!
I’mSuper happy. On to the next race.
Good luck in Richmond.
I’m seriously impressed, Matt!! You’re 🔥🔥🔥
I’ll be doing more stretching and mobility while considering my food choices wisely. Sleep is always super important so I’ll try to keep to my schedule. Finally, I’ll decide what’s going to play in my ears for two hours. See y’all this weekend!!
Definitely! Can't wait to meet up -- if you haven't already, can you send me your email address to terrell@thehalfmarathoner.com? Thanks, Derrick!
Good luck!! Your note about Halloween candy was very relatable. 😅
The best race advice I ever got: don’t worry too much about bad sleep the night before the race; if you’ve prioritized sleep on the other days leading up to the race, you’ll probably be fine. Really takes the pressure off what is *certain* to be a horrible night for getting good rest, between the nerves + early wake-up!
Thanks so much for this, Maddie! This is great!
RICHMOND RUNNERS PLEASE READ AND REPLY. I’m excited not only about the run itself, but also the opportunity to meet the people we’ve been corresponding with and turn them into friends. I’m in nearby Williamsburg and have been working on a few social events to bring us together. I need your help with finalizing the arrangements.
But first - one important point. Packet pickup is not within walking distance of downtown Richmond. It’s at the Richmond Raceway about a 15-minute drive from downtown. If you don’t have a rental car, you’re going to need a ride there. I’m hoping that if you post here that you need a ride, another member with a car may be able to help out.
There are three opportunities to get together. The first is at the expo/packet pickup. Usually the expo has a happy hour from 4-6 Friday just before closing. If they do that again this year, and anyone is interested in participating, I will set up some sort of signal like a helium balloon to guide folks in. The runners guide is supposed to be posted Wednesday, and that will let us know if the happy hour is on.
I have made a reservation for 16 at a very good eatery downtown. The Capital Ale House has a nice, eclectic menu of American, Italian, Polish, German, and many other choices and a comprehensive craft beer selection. Getting a table on Friday night is challenging anytime, and when you add in a few thousand visitors for the run, it gets near impossible. I need to confirm our number, but still have the flexibility to add or subtract. The manager was very helpful at working us in, and to be fair, if we’re not going to fill all 16 seats, I owe it to the restaurant to give some back. Please let me know if you will be there and if you need more than one seat. Their website is capitalalehouse.com if you want to check it out.
I’m proposing an opportunity Sunday for anyone interested in visiting Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown National Monument. I suggest we meet at my place, mid-morning for coffee and donuts. It’s 10 minutes from the Colonial area. I’ll lead the way and we can do a walk-about. Walking around the mile-long trip through 1775 is free. If you want to go deeper, you can buy a ticket for some of the displays that require one. There are multiple lunch options in the area. One minor annoyance is that parking requires the Passport Parking app, so it will make things easier if you have that loaded on your phone in advance.
If you’re interested, please sign up here so I can finalize details.
We can continue on to Jamestown to the site of the 1607 first successful English settlement. There’s a nice archeological museum, some Confederate Civil War emplacements, and a chance for a photo op at the Pocahontas statue. There’s the usual Park Service small entry fee - I think it’s about $5 per carload. Those who want to go deeper can visit the adjacent Jamestown Setting living museum. It has a reconstruction of the original fort, the three ships that transported the colonists, a Powhatan indian village, knowledgeable interpreters, and a very good museum offering a detailed history of the area.
The updated weather forecast for the run has “improved?” Forecast for temperature at race start is now about 50 degrees with a chance of light showers. If it changes significantly I’ll post an update.
Thanks for helping out by posting your interests here, and I’m really looking forward to meeting some new friends.
David
Hey there David! One more update -- Jen Medina let me know that she will be coming to the dinner, and bringing 3 with her. So that probably means we'll have about 9 to 10.
Great! I plan to arrive at the expo around 3:00. On the way I’ll get a helium balloon to serve as a rally point. My cell number is 757-790-0865 if anyone is looking for me.
Thank you for ALL of this, David!!! I'll be in touch with the emails from everyone who is coming, so we can share among the group who'll be in Richmond this weekend.
Terrell - do you have a final count on dinner? It’s time to confirm the reservation, and so far I have only one person signed up.
Hi David! I just sent out an email to the group to ask -- what time is our reservation?
Thank you David for all of your planning. Count me in for Friday dinner. I'll be at Expo Friday mid afternoon, so maybe see some of you there.
Thank you for organizing all these for us David. I would love to meet you guys before the race, so I can definitely meet at the packet pick up.
I'm not going to happy hour, unless we would be meeting around 5PM. I want to be in bed not later than 9PM that Friday.
Lastely, I'm totally in for Williamsburg on Sunday.
Gathering for the Williamsburg visit is at my place around 9:30-10:00. Address is 18 Sussex Court, Williamsburg 23188.
Thank you!
I'll be there.
Helena - you previously said you would be traveling with a friend. Will you need two chairs for dinner ?
No, thank you for asking.
She won't be joining me for dinner on Friday.
Good luck on your run. I completed my 50th state last month and now will transition to triathlons.
50 states ... on to tri’s .. I tip my hat to you.
Great job Ann!! Wow! What an accomplishment!!
So excited for you all and a little envious. I love going to races, but I’m often there by myself, so the finish line - while satisfying - can sometimes be a little lonely. That said, I am fortunate to be running the Silver Strands half on the 12th in Coronado, CA (San Diego) where my sister and niece will be to cheer me on! So, I will run in solidarity - probably about 3 hours after you all run VA!
#LFG! 🏃🏻♀️👟🎽🏅🐢
Anyone else a slow runner? I’m hoping to have some company at the finish line around hour 3 😂
I'm planning on doing run-walk-run, so I won't be too speedy.
No speedy for me either. Protecting my knee. Maybe 11 minute miles?
6pm
good luck!! when you’re finished, you can tell me your secret to not getting bored while running (it’s probably my third biggest challenge behind #2 - being mentally weak, and #1 - being in generally mediocre shape 😂)
I totally hear you! (Sometimes it's hard for me too, btw.) I'm sure you're exaggerating (at least a little!), but I also think we basically ALL share #1 and #2 with you. The images we see on social media feeds of runners are definitely *not* the reality that 90% of us live.
Short answer: When I run on my treadmill, I go to concerts. Meaning, I find videos on YouTube of live shows from bands/singers I love, and in my mind I'm at the concert -- right now, I've been watching lots of the U2 show from the Sphere in Las Vegas. ("Zoo Station" is a great first song to get a run started, I've found.)
Long answer: it can be a kind of meditation for me, when I let it, anyway. I've tried meditating by just sitting there, like I imagine we're supposed to, but my mind always wanders, and I never know what to think about. So I get distracted, I wonder if I'm doing it right. But when I run, there's something about the movement that gets me into a more meditative state, where I can just let my mind go and "run," and work out things that have been bothering me, or things that have just been in the back of my mind that I wasn't fully aware of. It's totally narcissistic, if you think about it! But it kinda just lets me exhale mentally, and let it all out. And then I can put it behind me, if that makes sense. :)
you make it sound so peaceful! i appreciate the advice and encouragement and i’ll try to report a more positive run soon 🫡
Short answer... Everything Terrell said. 😃
Stay in the Now! You can do it, Terrell! Good Luck!! :)
I received my shirt and bib in the mail just in case I made it down late, but I will be there all day Friday. What time is dinner? I too would like to get to sleep pretty early.
6pm at the capital ale house downtown richmond. Some of us will be bumping into each other at the expo friday mid-afternoon or so.
Hey there David! Right now, I have seven confirmed as a "yes" for dinner. Will let you know if I hear from anyone else.
You got this Terrell!!!
Wish you the best for your run! Seems like it's great weather to enjoy the outdoors!
What I find most challenging is maintaining consistency with my mommy duties for my toddler. While most days I put on my running shoes I tend to miss some & the pace is thrown out the window!
Spot on…. We are where are…. And soon in beautiful Richmond! As seasoned half marathoners we know not to jump out into the first few miles. Especially true in Richmond. The prevailing winds at the start are typically headwinds. If it is chilly? Factor in a bit of additional chill. If headwinds at the start? Tailwind at finish! This course sets up well for negative splits!
Can't wait!!
I wish all of the Richmond clan the best of luck. I am excited to hear the race stories and maybe more important, the friendship stories. Dave what friendship you provided by helping guide and suggest and remind everyone of the particulars. Very thoughtful. Ann congrats on your 50th state. I am working through mine. And Maddie thank you for the sleep advice/encouragement. I always stress before my races and then that doesn’t help with sleep either.
Side note, I am running marathon in San Antonio 12/3. Anybody know about elevation features there? I have not found it on the race website
I haven't run an event in San Antonio but I have run there just for fun. That race should be flat and fast. Elevation overall of San Antonio is probably under 800. I'm from Florida and I didn't have any trouble running there
Thank you so much for the info. I really appreciate it.
Morning pre-race breakfast for me (I won’t be there in VA but I WILL be cheering you on) ... bread and peanut butter, OJ, a banana, and coffee ... often, not more that a half dozen sips gets me the caffeine I need.