Over the course of the weekend, I met so many amazing people and learned a ton, but one experience stands out among the rest – THE RUN!
Before I left for Chicago, I decided that I would enjoy a step back week – no training runs on vacation – but as the weekend progressed, I met so many fun friends who were also training for fall marathons. They discussed a Sunday morning 16 miler. 16 miles?! My longest ever run was 14. Could I run 16 miles? I didn’t know, but I was willing to find out.
Leslie and I met Meghann, Emily, Jenn, Monica, Evan, and Theodora bright an early. Despite the lack of sleep and preparation, I was ready to roll!
We ran eight miles along the scenic Lakefront Trail.
Running through new places allows you to see things in a whole new way. Beautiful!
When I think about this run, I get emotional. I know I’m a mush! I just can’t help it. The people I ran with were amazing!
I wish I could run with them all the time. For 16 miles, we chatted, laughed, and supported each other. I never thought I would be able to run 16 miles. Yesterday, I ran 16 miles and I loved it! Theodora, Leslie, and I set a personal distance record.
We did it!
Leslie and I stuck together for the entire 16 miles. I couldn’t have asked for a better running partner or friend. It warms my heart to share my passion with such an amazing person. Plans are in the works for a group race. We need to run together again soon!
The best way to end an incredible run?
This may have been the best smoothie ever. Thank you, Jamba Juice! We needed to replenish our bodies STAT! The Strawberry Wild did the trick. Cold, creamy, sweet, and delicious…everything I dreamed of during those last few miles.
We drank our smoothies as we walked back to the hotel. Breakfast was waiting, but we stunk! After showers, it was time for another meal. The kind folks from Thomas’ Bagel Thins prepared a full breakfast spread.
Baskets of bagel thins,
Fresh fruit platters,
and a make your own cream cheese station!
In typical Beck fashion, I fell in love with the sweet cream cheese mix-ins.
I created a decadent spread of cream cheese, strawberries, almonds, and honey. It was the perfect topping for my toasty bagel thin. I also enjoyed a serving a juicy fruit. The perfect sweet ending to a memorable weekend!
Training note: Today is a glorious day of rest and recovery! I will step back this week as a I gear up for the peak training weeks ahead.
Congrats on a great run! It was so great hanging out with you this weekend!
STANDING OVATION!!!!! ROCKED IT!!! Very, very proud.
Perhaps if my Saturday night wasn’t so rowdy, I could have participated, lol.
This is awesome, great friends and views all around.
Group race? Count me in!
Wow, 16 miles! I set a record too this weekend, but that was 5.6 miles, haha. Still, I was proud of myself and doing it solo. It always amazes me how much farther someone can go when they run in a group. Congrats! And enjoy your well deserved rest day!
I would rather have a bagel THICK than a bagel thin
Great run!
ahh what a great feeling! CONGRATS!
It’s wonderful to have the support when you are running. and 16 miles–dang girl, Im impressed!
Hey! It was awesome to meet you this weekend and show 16 miles who was boss!
I’m so happy you ended up deciding to run! It was great getting to know you in ‘real life’ and seriously running with bloggers ROCKS!
P.s. I so owe you for the smoothie! How can I repay you?!?!
Good job on the sweet 16!
Congrats on your personal distance record! Running with people is the BEST! I had to do my long run this weekend solo- so much harder!
Dude! I randomly met your cousin this morning at Healthworks and saw that she was your cousin when I read her blog just now. How funny is that??? Awesome weight loss story. Come to Boston!
How funny! What a small world! I will definitely be making my way to Boston soon. We’ll have to plan something.
Awesome job on getting through that run. The thought of it scares me! LOL
Although with a good support group like that, I bet it makes anything possible.
Great job on those 16 miles! I’m pretty impressed you can take pics on the run. They look amazing! I haven’t found a running group yet, mostly because I don’t like to talk and run (yet?), but it sounds so motivating! Thanks for sharing
Love youuuuuuuuu!
The feeling is mutual! I miss you!
Congratulations on 16 miles!! That is absolutely amazing!!
Nice job, Beck!! That’s so awesome you could set a PDR with Leslie and Theadora
It was really fun meeting you this weekend!
I got goose bumps reading this post …. what an exciting run! Way to rock those 16 miles!!!!
It was sooo much fun running w/ you! Highlight of my weekend too
Hope we can race together soon!
Great job on the run! I get emotional on any long run — I just start to feel so ALIVE and blood is pumping through my body and I start to think about how amazing I feel. I have had people stop me and ask if I am ok — and I tell them I have never felt better!
Congratulations on the run!! It’s amazing what a difference a supportive group can make. Glad you had such a wonderful time running (and eating, and playing
) with all these bloggers. I’m completely jealous, of course! But someday, if that group race ever happens, I’m definitely in!
WOW! You are amazingggg!!! I wish we could have met at HLS – there were just so many people though! Next time for sure
However there will not be 16 milers involved with me lol
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OMG this is incredible! Really shows the power of friends and support that you can do anything with them behind you. Now if only I had been able to partake as well
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