Races We Are Most Proud Of



The other day I was out on a training run with my sister and the topic of  "What race are you most proud of"  came up. Of course we are proud of every race we finish and I should probably be the most proud of the marathon I completed, but that was not my response.

Up until this point in my running career, I think I would consider Disney's Tower of Terror 10 miler to be my proudest race.
Fairytales and Fitness
I will tell you right now that it wasn't the most fun race (I ran alone and it was in the dark so I didn't take any pictures), but I was just amazed with myself that I had such a great run. I was so nervous starting that race. Of course I had just got over an injury (wouldn't be a complete running season if I didn't have an injury, right?....lol), so I was a little hesitant to REALLY push myself.  But for some reason when the fireworks went off and my corral was released to go, I felt like I was on fire. My little legs were going like lightening and I didn't even stop for my first little walk break until after the first three miles.  I thought the course was kind of challenging because for someone with knee and IT band issues, there was a lot of running up and down the on ramps on the highway. That did not make my knees feel good. But in the end I finished in what I would consider an awesome time and I was so proud of what I could accomplish. This race was definitely a confidence booster for me!   -M

I had mixed feelings about what my "proudest" race was.  Of course I felt so proud to run the Boston marathon in 2013, but it wasn't one that I had my best time on. I purposely took things a little slower in Boston just to soak in the atmosphere. I took candy from strangers, cheered with the folks in Wellesley, and high fived the children. It was awesome.  I was definitely glad to be there, but when I think about being excitedly proud of a finish, I think of the Disney Princess Half Marathon this past year.
 I not only finished in a great time, but I also stopped and got pictures with all the characters that were out. I think a Disney race adds an extra dimension of "challenge" to the race. You not only want to come in at a good time but you want to see how many character stops you can make and STILL come in at a good time!  I took that challenge! -L


Of course we are proud of each race we finish regardless of time but these are the ones we were most excited about! What is it that makes you proud of a certain race?

24 comments:

  1. Great race selections for both of you! There's many things to go into consideration when I think about the race I'm most proud of - how well prepared I was, my race day performance, my finish time, the course conditions, etc.

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  2. Great race memories! One of the races I am most proud of NOW made me the most angry at the time. I ran the Columbus marathon in 2009 expecting to BQ, went out waaaay too fast then hit the wall hard by mile 18. I had to death march it in. What I'm most proud of is I never gave up through that agony and still salvaged a BQ. That race definitely taught me a lesson about pacing.

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  3. Oh it is fun to hear about what other runners are particularly proud of! It's not always a PR! It is really hard for me to say what I am most proud of because different races mean different things to me. I was really proud of my marathon PR because I was in the best shape of my life for that and I worked REALLY hard. I mean, that was such a great day and I earned it. It was also cool that the race was in downtown Harrisburg, where my dad works, and he was able to sneak out of work and see me around mile 3 and then again at mile 26. I was so surprised to see him at that last mile and I was so happy he got to see me perform my absolute best and be proud of me. And to think I quit HS track after the first practice... and right after he bought me expensive running sneakers!

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    1. Aww what a great story! Glad your dad got to see you run!

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  4. Fun memories! My proudest races were probably the first half marathon I ever did and especially my first tri race. I never imagined that I could actually do it!

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    1. My first half marathon will always be special to me too!

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  5. It's interesting to hear what your proudest races were - like yours, mine is not my best time, but one that I had the most mental strength for (the BCS Half Marathon that I ran by myself last December).

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  6. Like ypu guys I love all the races I have run, they all have a special place in my heart. But out of all of them, my first marathon is still one I cherish. Its the one I trained hardest for, still where my PR is from. But the emotions, new feelngs and experience, I still remember vivid details from it even though it was in 2001:)

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  7. I never stopped to think of my races that way. Through enjoyment I'd say my first one, the Princess half marathon, and the least fun was the one I did in Dallas. I don't know why, but my town seemed so boring when I was running it.

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  8. What a great topic!! I may have to borrow it (linking back to you, of course!!).

    I think my two races I'm most proud of that actually involved me crying in joy at the end was the Disneyland Half 2010, which was my first half and Goofy Challenge 2013, which included my first full.

    I was never a runner until I heard my favorite place had a half marathon. I signed up the next day without having even done a 5K. I was scared to death that I wouldn't finish! I will never forget that feeling of accomplishment.

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    1. I've never run a race before either until I heard there was one at Disney. That opened up a whole new world of running!

      Feel free to borrow this topic :)

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  9. I love how everyone is the most proud of different races for different reasons. We all show up for races differently, so sometimes we totally kick trash at a 5k and struggle with 13.1. My best race was a 10k -- I felt like I was flying! There's no better feeling!

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  10. I'd have to say my first marathon. After having food poisoning, I could have just said I wasn't going to run. And at any point, I could have stopped and no one could have faulted me. I believe that my training really payed off here and while no race can be perfect, a good foundation can make things possible. It was a horrible time and I felt sick the whole time, but I finished. I know if I could finish that, I can finish anything.
    @heatherlas

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    1. Yes, you could have not run and no one would have blamed you for it but you did awesome! You are right, you can do anything now!

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  11. I am proud every time I cross the finish line, it just feels good! it is all about making memories!

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    1. Yes, no matter what the race is, crossing the finish line is an amazing feeling.

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  12. Great choices. Memorable races are not always about getting a PR, although they are nice. I think it's about that wonderful sense of accomplishment. I get more of that feeling when I've finish something that was incredibly tough or if I struggled and persevered.

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  13. Love the reasoning for your choices. I am most proud of Boston due to food poisoning and being advanced in age! :). So happy I had my sister by my side to make it such a memorable day!

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  14. I think I was most proud of my marathon this year. Even though it wasn't my first marathon, I was just proud that I was able to finish strong with such a lack of training.

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  15. Great memories, I am probably most proud of the Nashville full. A hilly course that poured rain the whole time, yet still my PR.

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  16. I think what makes me most proud of a race is knowing that I gave it my all and I tried my hardest!

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