Las Vegas Marathon - 2011

The big news surrounding this year's Las Vegas Marathon was the new start time.  Competitor Group, the race production company that organizes and produces all of the Rock 'N Roll series races changed things up!  The news should have been about running the strip at night, the new start time for the half and full marathon.  Instead, we're left wondering about what went wrong with such a "standard" race for Competitor Group?  Unfortunately, there were multiple problems running the gamut from packed finish shoots to disorganized bag check areas to "metallic" and "stale" water.  Check out horrifying accounts here from the Las Vegas Review-Journal!

Producing a major half or full marathon is extremely difficult.  It's hard to believe that Competitor Group had so many problems given their experience and number of races they produce each year but it goes to show that anything can happen on Race Day!  

Winter Wonderland @ Raley Field

Genevieve Diegnan & I with Santa aka Tony Asaro

 

 

Earlier today the Sacramento River Cats hosted its 8th annual Winter Wonderland at Raley Field.  I didn't know what to expect going into the event but feel so fortunate to have been a part of it and be there to see so many families and kids having an amazing time!  The River Cats gave presents to the kids, Super Cuts was there giving hair cuts, kids could decorate cookies and ornaments, each child could pick out a few books and of course take pictures with Santa!  It was a great, heart warming way to get geared up for the holiday season!

Another great part of Winter Wonderland was catching up with a friend from High School!  Small world that she's now the Programs Director for the Sacramento County Food Bank & Family Services which we partner with on this event, and others throughout the year. 

Raley Field doesn't often get utilized during the off-season and this was one great way to open the concourse and bring people to the Stadium who may have never been.  It's such a great community space that should be re-purposed all year long.  But how...

Running Happy in 2012!

I was super super excited to receive word today that I will once again have the opportunity to represent Brooks Running!  2012 is going to be a great year for running with the Olympic Trials, the Olympics and some personal goals I have for myself.  I'm super excited that once again I'll be sporting my Brooks gear and checking off some running "to-do's". 

The past few months I've been fortunate to see, first hand, the influence of I've had as a handful of people close to me are now Running Happy!

• Inspired by Chris McDougall's Born To Run, I recently purchased my younger brother's first "real" pair of running shoes!  We had an amazing experience at Fleet Feet, Chicago where he tried on a couple of Mizunos, Adidas and the Brooks PureProject Pure Cadence.  Not only is he now wearing shoes when he runs (he was going barefoot on a treadmill in his Girlfriend's apartment complex - that is the fastest way to get kicked to the curb!) but he helped pace a buddy in the Chicago Marathon and completed his first race - a 15k!  
• A friend of mine's daughter recently broke up with her long-term running shoe partner and switched over to the Brooks Adrenaline.  She cruised to her first marathon finish at the NYC Marathon in November!  Running for charity, the shoe switch that took place helped her achieve her goal.  
• A friend and co-worker who's gone through a complete transformation, dropping over 100 pounds and completely changing his diet, recently changed over to Brooks shoes as his long walks increased to over 15+ miles and he needed a wider, more supportive shoe than what he had previously been wearing.  The new Brooks now power him on his 3+ hour walks and is what he plans to use for his first half-marathon coming up in March!
• The aforementioned GF did not kick my brother to the curb for running barefoot!  Previously loyal to another shoe company, by brother and I have some affect on her!  She switched over to the Brooks Ghosts and we're super excited to have her be part of our Brooks family!

The Brooks ID program has been nothing but amazing and I'm super excited to continue representing, inspiring and being inspired by the brand and the other runners.  When I can think of more than enough excuses not to go for a run I'm inspired by so many of my Brooks friends who I know have already laced 'em up and had a great run! 

RUN HAPPY!