marathoner452

I was the race director for the Bachman Valley 1/2 Marathon in Westminster, Maryland last weekend. We had 4 water jugs for 3 water stops, we ran out of cups several times, and getting the race results compiled was a challenge because many runners didn't tear off their tags at the finish. We did see a rainbow prior to the race, have race tshirts for the first time in recent history, and have a new women's record set for the first time in 14 years.  So I'd call the race a success. I think the runners would too:

"It was an excellent race on a beautiful course. Directing a race is huge, and can be very nerve racking. Thank you for your service to the running community."

So as we head into the heart of the fall racing season, remember before you run or before you complain that organizing a race is more difficult than you think. So offer to be on the planning committee. Volunteer at a water stop or put blankets around finishers after they finish their first marathon or set a personal best or qualify for Boston. Give back to the running community, because not only could races not function without volunteers, volunteering at a race does wonders for your motivation.

Besides, how else are most of us going to get to watch the winners cross the finish line?

~Bethany

X-posted to marathoner452, runners, marathoners.

I'm a crazy, crazy person. First off I'm planning on running not just one but two marathons this fall, so I can get my red Under Armour Baltimore Marathon shirt and my sub-4 hour finish at the NCR Trail Marathon. At least I'm crazy enough to know that Baltimore's hills are not a place to attempt fast times...or are they? I did set a PR of 4 minutes in the 1/2 marathon last year. Hmmm...

And just now I was looking at the Outward Bound website, scanning for courses that I might possibly by some stretch of the imagination be able to afford this summer. I need an Outward Bound course to mark the transition in my life from college student to employee. That might sound cheesy but it's true. Nothing like getting out in the wilderness and out of your comfort zone to help you figure out where your life is going. So anyway...I'm searching for courses, wondering how I can ever afford 2 or 3 weeks in the wilderness plus airfare and gear (bare minimum of $3000), when I stumble on this alumni service week, just like the Swap-Ya I did a couple years back. Basically, so long as you can get yourself out to Montana, you don't have to pay anything. And airfare is only $400-$500. So we'll see how this summer pans out job-wise and which Americorps positions I'm offered for the fall, but my heart says go for it!

http://www.outwardboundwilderness.org/course/northern_rockies_alumni_service_week_325.html

I ran a 5k on Saturday with my friend Kristi. We finished in 27:57, pretty darn good for her first race. She's already planning her summer racing schedule, and I'm hoping she'll run the Baltimore Women's Classic with me, one of my favorite races. All women, aerobics to I Will Survive to warm up, roses at the finish, and one of the nicest race shirts I own.

www.baltimorewomensclassic.com

43 pages of my SMP done. I'm almost a quarter of the way done with revising, too. This is exciting. Only 34 days left until graduation and I'm free! I'll miss the water, but darn it, I will NOT miss classes and papers and tests.

Wow, it's getting late. Goodnight.

~Bethany