20 FN Miles (I Only Did 10)

As I may have previously mentioned a few times before, I run with the Frankfort New Lenox running club. We call ourselves the FN Runners. This past Saturday, the group put on a supported 20 mile run out on the trail with help from a local grocery chain (Berkot's supplied water, cups, Gatorade, bananas, and oranges) and a local running store (Running For Kicks provided Gu). The stations were manned by other members of the group and helped by local high school kids. So many people helped to make this run great and I was happy to be a part of it! I didn't help by manning an aid station, though. I cheered at the half way point, helped direct some folks where to go until I met up with Maggie and I ran the 2nd half with her. I know Maggie's had a few posts lately about how she's burnt out on running and tired all the time. It is at that point in the training cycle so I was happy to help lend some fresh legs and fresh energy out there for the 2nd 10 miles!

I hadn't run 10 miles in a few weeks so I wasn't sure how things would go. However, knowing someone was depending on me, I knew I couldn't let them down. In some of the chaos of the morning, I forgot my Garmin. I was kind of glad because I wasn't obsessing about how far we were, etc. we chatted a lot about food (what can I say? I like food) and the miles seemed to breeze by. There was tons of support along the way which was really amazing. (This running club seriously rocks. And there isn't a membership fee to join! You just have to show up!) Before I knew it, we were at mile 8 and only had 2 left to go. I think I said a couple times, "Only 2 left?!" We had a little fun quoting Dylan from Modern Family. (I couldn't find a YouTube video of the clip.) "This is the farthest I've ever run....... Now this is the farthest I've ever run...... Now THIS is the farthest I've ever run." that never got old (to me at least).

Thanks for snapping this great photo Amanda!

When we finished, there were cold beers, water, and more Gatorade waiting for us. I was so excited for those that finished their last long run before the marathon and now it is taper time. I gotta say, I like vicariously living through my friends running the marathon without having to complete the entire distance. Haha I'll be back out there to run another marathon some day, but I'm glad that time isn't now.

Have you gone out and supported folks during a training run or race before? Do you have similar thoughts as me? :)

When I was finished, I went home and ate a delicious cupcake from Cupcakes for Courage in Chicago. It is a food truck (with a recently opened store front) and their cupcakes are THE BEST in the city. That's right. I said it.

Best in the city.

Don't forget to enter my Haeleum giveaway! You have until Monday, September 24th to enter.