A goal, a plan and a piece of paper

My interest in running began the autumn of 1992. For me, my first marathon started with a single step. A step someone else took almost two decades before my first Marine Corps Marathon. My running journey started with a piece of notebook paper and in my dad’s handwriting the words that read “Training Program.”

On October 31, 1992, my dad made a commitment to run the Marine Corps Marathon the following fall. I was just a kid at the time but I vividly remember him preparing for that race.

Fascinated, I watched as he mapped out runs of various distances and I would go with him to station water along the route. I was in awe that he could run to these places - distances I had only travelled in a car. Pretty soon, I knew exactly how far it was to any number of destinations near our house. Training and running had most certainly captured my interest.

My dad found time for long runs on the weekends while juggling coaching and cheering on our sports teams and various other family commitments. He was also running a business and he would run before work and after work and sometimes he would run to work because that was the only time he had to run on that day. He ran on business trips and when he returned home he would tell me of all the places he had seen along the way. Including a time he got a little lost running in Texas and ended up with an unexpectedly long run and a fun memory. My interest increased. He ran on vacations in the Outer Banks and St. Croix. He played tennis, he joined fitness classes, he worked out on a piece of exercise equipment that, according to his notes, was called an Alpine Tracker.

He set a goal, he made a plan, he trained and on October 24, 1993 my dad ran the Marine Corps Marathon. His training plan is covered in notes. He still has his Finisher Certificate along with the results listed in the Monday, October 25, 1993 print edition of the Washington Post. I was so proud that day and I have been proud every day since. And I knew that one day I wanted to achieve that same accomplishment.

He still has the hand-written training plan he used for his first marathon and 19 years later almost to the day, I used it to inspire mine. Following in his footsteps, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon on a picture perfect fall day in 2012 with my dad there to cheer for me every step of the way. And he’s been cheering for me during my training and at my races ever since, including multiple more Marine Corps Marathons.

We have a pre-race packet pickup tradition that started with my first half marathon, included my first Marine Corps Marathon and has carried on to almost all of my races and every one of my marathons. My dad has surprised me at races, he has travelled several states away to my races, he is a smile, a wave and a pat on the back on my best miles and on my toughest, too. He is there for post race meals and next day check ins. He tells me I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. He believes in me so I believe in me, too.

In Meb Keflezighi’s book “26 Marathon’s” there is an excerpt that is so true really resonates with me.

“But almost everyone on the starting line of a marathon is also there with the support of many others. You might see someone running down the street early in the morning and applaud her commitment. What you don’t see are the friends and family who probably help her, in ways small and large, be a runner.”

My dad continues to inspire my running journey and it all started with a piece of paper, a hand-written training plan and a single step. Thanks to his example, inspiration, motivation, encouragement and support, running has transformed my life and here at Soleful I welcome the opportunity to bring that same happiness and health to others.

10 out of 10 for the Charlottesville Ten Miler

The Charlottesville Ten Miler impressed me every step of the way.

A course that is equally beautiful and challenging, it is exceptionally rewarding.

Blooming trees line the uphill start of the race and both the spring flowers and the initial climb provide a preview of the miles to follow.

The course is breathtaking, springtime here is stunning, the University of Virginia campus on an early Saturday morning is peaceful and quiet and awe inspiring, the neighborhoods, architecture, downtowns and history are all amazing, the spectators are awesome and the volunteers are among the nicest I have ever met.

These are some of the many obvious positives and all compelling reasons to run this wonderful race.

For me, though, it’s actually the subtleties that really make this race one I will run any chance I get. And one I will highly recommend to others.

In running and in life, we can only control what we can control. And when preparing for a race, we try to control as much as possible. How we train. When and where we race. Our race day outfit, right down to backups, just in case items, what if the weather does this options, stay warm at the start gear, the list goes on. We plan our pre-race food, our during race fuel, our post race meal. We coordinate our travel. Do we live nearby. Do we stay in a hotel. Do we walk to the start. Where do we keep our keys, what do we do with our wallet. Runners. Plan. Everything.

Fortunately, so do the organizers of the Charlottesville Ten Miler.

It is easy to (over)think just about absolutely everything leading up to race day. And one of the things I found so refreshing about the Charlottesville Ten Miler is what a great job they do of removing many common stressors.

Packet pickup. Event expos are tons of fun, they are a great way to meet fellow runners and in some ways they can help to shake off some of those pre-race nerves. However, getting to packet pickup can sometimes be a strain on time or travel or other commitments. The Charlottesville Ten Miler offers a mail option, which is not all that common and tremendously helpful. Like all aspects of this race, the process was incredibly clear and transparent and the packet arrived well before race day.

They also allow family or friends to pickup your packet with ease, no documents needed! And they even offer race morning packet pickup. AND, if you forget your bib on race morning, they will issue a new one at the start. I’m not sure I have ever seen this as an option. Pretty amazing. The Charlottesville Ten Miler truly goes the extra mile to make packet pickup as seamless and stress free as possible.

The course. Often, you will see a map with mile markers and an elevation profile. Sometimes, you will find reviews of the course from other runners in previous years. The Charlottesville Ten Miler takes it several steps further. They offer a very accurate brief mile by mile description. They provide a list of tips as well and things to avoid. And, best of all, they offer a course video tour complete with narration that not only gives an overview but also great advice for the race.

(Side note, the course video is narrated by Mark Lorenzoni of Ragged Mountain Running. My first experience with Ragged Mountain Running several years ago was when I purchased a gift card online. The friendly customer service I received was above and beyond and absolutely amazing - I highly recommend Ragged Mountain Running.)

Parking. Easy to get to, even with pre-race road closures, which are announced ahead of time with clear instructions on multiple alternate routes. There is plenty of parking in a well lit lot right at the start.

The start. The Charlottesville Ten Miler start experience was the best I have seen. Runners have access to JPJ Arena, where it is warm and comfortable. Tons of smiling, happy, nice volunteers were on hand to answer questions and they even had a table setup to hand out waters and bananas. Indoor bathrooms. I honestly don’t think I have ever been to a race with anything other than porta potties, so to have clean indoor bathrooms and running water with little to no line was as nice a surprise feature as I could ask for.

Race time. Inside the arena, announcements reminded runners of the time before the start. Lining up at the start was easy and the race started exactly on time. This seems like a given, and it usually is, but I have been to a few races that do not start on time and that’s taxing to a runner who has up to this moment planned everything down to the second.

With a pre-race experience as stellar as this, you can be sure the race itself also exceeded expectations. The course is well marked. The course is also very spectator friendly - it’s easy to see runners at the start, along the course and at the finish. There are plenty of photo opportunities, chances to cheer and it is very easy to reunite at the end of the race. Roads on the route are closed for race morning. There are plenty of easily accessible water stations. The field of runners is a nice size and it feels very inclusive of all running levels. And, this year’s bib and medal designs are beautiful.

The race finishes back at the arena but I really like how it doesn’t feel like you are circling back or retracing steps. The same can also be said for the few points on the race where you do double back, it still feels fresh and like a new part of the course. I think that’s an important aspect to an enjoyable course.

And last, one of the things we truly cannot control on race day, no matter how many times we refresh our weather app, is the weather. But, if this year’s race day is any indication, it seems the Charlottesville Ten Miler can control the weather, too. Because it was pretty much perfect.

As far as overall experience, like the number of miles in the race, I give the Charlottesville Ten Miler a 10 out of 10.