This year I hit my 9th year as a blogger. In that time, I’ve run 6 marathons and 62 half marathons. But what you might not know is that prior to starting this blog, I’d only run a small handful of races, with the longest one being the Army 10 Miler (and I could barely walk after it.) I started my blog because I wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon and Beer Geek was tired of hearing about my training.
That’s right – I decided to run a marathon despite being a newbie runner and never having run past 10 miles. Luckily I gave myself plenty of time to train.
Enter ZOOMA Annapolis. I decided that if I was going to run a marathon, I should probably run a half marathon first. I targeted ZOOMA because it was in the right place in my training plan and in a great location. Despite having a super rough race, it will always hold a special place in my heart and is the reason I return as an Ambassador as often as I can.
- This year is ZOOMA’s 10th race! I’m so excited that I was at the first and that I’ll be at the 10th to help them celebrate.
- This year’s race should be my 70th half marathon! If you had told me at that first race that I would fall in love with the distance and would end up running so many of them, I would not have believed you.
- Beer Geek is going with me this year. I’m doing everything I can to convince him to run the shorter race. (Yes, it’s a women’s race, but yes, there are always some men who run it.)
- I get to see my girls. The ambassador group for this race is an amazing group of women. We always have so much fun together! (I will not, however, be enjoying quite so much wine before the race this year, since I plan to run the half marathon instead of the 10K).
- Right now there’s an awesome sale going on through January 15! Code NEWYEAR will get you 15% off. (And if you are reading this after that date, ERIKA2017 will get you 10% off when you register.)
Bonus: ZOOMA is currently running the ZOOMA Run Love Challenge! It’s a training plan/virtual race ending in a 5K or a 10K. It started on Monday, but you can still enter through the weekend. I’m doing it for the Hoodie and the Facebook support group!
Disclaimer: I am a ZOOMA ambassador and as such get to participate in all of their activities for free. I was not asked to write this post and using my code does not benefit me in any financial manner.
I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.
Sounds like a fun race. I’m already scheduled for another race that weekend but I hope I can do this race in 2018 as Maryland is a state I’d like to run in.
Kimberly G recently posted…My Five Dream Racecations
It’s a great race to do to get Maryland. I recommend it.
Zooma was the first half marathon that I did as well. It will always have a special meaning to me
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…The Value of Finding A Running Tribe
Too bad you have a tri that weekend! It’s going to be so fun.
Sounds like a great race! I love to add new, fun places to my list 🙂
Diana
Diana Fitts recently posted…Breathing While Running: 4 Ways to Dial It In
It’s a really fun (albeit hilly) race.
Is it just me who thinks it’s reasonable to eye the marathon distance with 10 miles the most I’d ever run? That’s exactly what I did as well. And then I squeezed a half (actually 2) in there first. Where have these years gone?
Marcia recently posted…5 Dream Destinations and Races to Run While You’re There
I know, the time has just flown.
Congratulations! I have a sweet spot in my heart for races where I was at the first or second one. I really enjoyed the Zooma Chicago race when they were still out here, and loved being an ambassador for them!
It’s such a great organization!
I’ve never run the ZOOMA race, but you are convincing me it’s worth it! I may check it out and see if I can add it to my bucket list! 🙂
It’s a really awesome race in a lovely town. You should definitely think about it.
Aw, look at those awesome faces! What a great group of women!
I can’t believe it’s going to be your 70th half. That’s incredible!
I keep saying when I hit 100 I can stop LOL.
ZOOMA looks SO fun! I wish it happened in Iowa 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Five Recent #HASHTAGS
You just need to come for a visit…
I have read so many great things about the Zooma race series. Particular the swag your get. I may need to run it one of these years. That’s great they are offering that discount code which is a pretty good one, but I can not commit to something that far in advance right now.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Hawaii Highlights: Friday 5
You should! And there will be some discounts later, I’m sure.
How fun to celebrate 10 years with them. I spy some of my favorite bloggers in that pic!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Chili (gluten free)
Yep, it’s a great group of ladies.
Woah, that’s an amazing amount of half marathons! !!! I’m hoping to add a handful to my little list of 4 half marathons.
Anna @ Pipers Run recently posted…2017 Goals
I was a little crazy for a few years. This year will be much saner. (I think)
Marcia and I were just talking about what a great community of running bloggers you guys in DC have. WTH, Chicago?
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Kicking that Bucket List: 5 Races I’d Love to Run
It is an amazing group. But I’m coming up in late June and in August – we need to figure out a meetup.
70 half marathons! That’s amazing! I’m just thrilled that i finally hit 10!
Anapolis has always sounded like a great race. I know you’ll love it all over again!
Jenn recently posted…friday five 2.0: dream racecations
Once I got rolling, I got a little crazy on the numbers. Annapolis is fun. You should come up sometime.
I’m so excited to be a ZOOMA ambassador again this year. Last year’s events in Annapolis were so much fun. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be running the 10k or the half (it depends on how my marathon training plan shapes up), but either way I’ll be there!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…What the Running Community is All About
I love the 10K, but it seems appropriate to run the half this year LOL.