Race Superlatives- What are your most fun, most difficult, most scenic ............

This post is about top things about my races.  It was fun to do and I invite anyone who wants to do their own, changing it as you desire. I got the idea from Darlene at My First 5K.  Thanks, Darlene.

 I’ve run a total of 174 races

                                                                         **Most Fun Race — 

This is hard and it isn't hard.  I have run so many fun races but Vermont City Marathon is always the best.  It could be because it is my hometown race.  I always see people I know cheering for the runners, generally my family is running in it too and the Burlington bike path is one of my favorite places to run.  My favorite VCM was my first one which was also my first marathon. I loved that race so much. I had so much support at the race!  My family was there and co workers came too.  I had a huge smile of my face for a lot of the race.  I was great at finding my supporters in the crowd before they saw me!  When I finished I felt so accomplished!  Who ever thought I would run a marathon!

**Most Difficult Race — 

My most difficult race was my fifth and at this time last marathon in 2009, Portland Marathon (Maine not Oregon.)    I had high hopes for that race and they didn't happen.  I trained well, the weather was  a little hot but not terrible,  I just didn't have it that day.  I had to readjust my goal as I was running many times from BQ to PR to less than 4:30 to just keep running and don't walk.  I fell hard at about the half way point and it was embarrassing but it didn't hurt me.  I ended up taking about 18 minutes longer than the year before.  My husband was at the finish line getting very worried. I knew I would finish I just didn't know when.  Ironically I won an age group prize. I was 2/10 in my age group. It was a nice water color with a plaque that they mailed to me.  I never considered that I got a prize so I never even checked.  I didn't plan for it to be the end of my marathons but the next year I was injured and then I turned my attention to the duathlon last year and this year heaven help me a triathlon.  I may get back to it but I am really enjoying halves for now.  

**Most Scenic Race —

Familiar shot on my blog but this is in the fall

  This is a tough one. I think I have run quite a few scenic races and it is no secret that I particularly like racing on the ocean. I think the nicest one was the All Women and One Lucky Guy half in York, Maine which is where I often run and post pictures of.  I have only done one race there but I now use some of that route as my "regular" running route when I am there because it was so beautiful.  They have now moved the race to Mass. and while I am sure it is fine I can't believe it is anywhere as scenic as this coastal race was.  The year I ran it I had recently had surgery and had not been running so it was my slowest half but I loved it.  (I did have my doctor's permission to run it.)

**Most Boring Race —

I checked all my races really. I have not run boring races.  So none here!

**Best Post Race Party — 

The best post race party I will give to the Santa 5K in Burlington last year.  Good food, tons of people, in a bar if you felt like having a drink.  Over all a great time.

**Most “Nostalgic” Race — 

Hmm.  I can't say that i have run races that have a nostalgic feel to them.  I decided I would go with the Inauguration 5K that I ran with Emily in 2009.  It was following the election of 2008 of course and was out with the old and in with the new.  When  I signed us up for it I was looking for a Feb. race and it sounded fun. But I got Dartmouth and Durham NH mixed up so it was MUCH FARTHER (3 1/2 hours) than I anticipated especially for a 5K.  It may have been the coldest race I ever raced in, if not it was right up there.  But the cold may have spurred me on as I had a great time  (26:14) and Emily and I won many prizes, both age groups and random.  We were both third in our age groups.  Plus we got our names in New England Runner - always a huge thrill for me. I may need to see if they have a repeat of this race next year.  Would Em come up from DC to race it with me?  They also gave prizes for anyone with the middle name of Walker, top three runners named George and Laura and the best presidential costume.  Part of my nostalgia might be for when Emily lived here and was game to do races with me at the drop of a hat.

**Best “Feeling of Accomplishment” Race — 

I have many races where I felt quite accomplished beginning with my walking races where I actually won some to my first marathon. But I am going to choose the Mad Dash in 2003when I unexpectedly ran it having never run a step beforehand. So why did I run?  Well, it was a race but a "fun" walk and I hate fun things where there is no competition.  So I had registered as a runner but with plans to walk it. But at the last minute - when in line at the start - I thought what the heck I might as well try running and see what I can do. I ran the whole 4 miles!!! I can remember being amazed at the end and talking with the girl who came in near me. It was her first race.  I called people on the way home who didn't believe I RAN it!  The most amazing thing was I won an award in my age group. No wonder I think age groups rock!  It was a four miler on roads and trails and I did it in 39:23. I got a medal and believe me I was hooked!  

Most Fun Thing Done Racing (to replace boring race)

This also started when I was a walker not a runner. I was doing races and reading Runner's World when I read an article about a guy who ran home from every Metro stop in DC. When he did the last one his wife had a finishing tape on the porch for him.  I love things like this and brainstormed what goal I could set for myself. I ended up doing a race in every county in Vermont (14).  It was fun. My husband would go with me to the farther counties to see more parts of the state.  The most northeastern county is very small and not very populated and I could never find a race there. So I made my own. We drove up one Saturday and found a dirt road around a lake that looked good.  But I quickly discovered when I packed my "race bag" I had brought two left shoes.  Umm. I couldn't tell my husband I wasn't going to do it so of course I put them on  and ran in them.  It was awkward but doable. He would go ahead of me in the car and stop and take pictures. We took a picture near the county line sign to prove that I had done this county. I did not do it as my last county as I wanted that race to be more special.  For a person who likes lists, checking things off and doing new races this was a very fun goal.  At my last race I won maple syrup and extremely delicious bread!  Yum!  A great ending.