My Profile

@HeatherJ

New York, NY Raving since 2015 50 States hopeful/finisher, IRONMAN Runfari Active 7 years, 4 months ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    NYRR

  • Rave race:

    New York City Marathon

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Death Valley Marathon

  • I run because:

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (18)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Ironman Lake Placid, NY Jul 23, 2017
Marathon Cleveland, OH May 20, 2017
10K Annapolis, MD Nov 6, 2016
Marathon Falmouth, MA Oct 29, 2016
Half Marathon Purcellville, VA Jun 4, 2016
Half Marathon Annapolis, MD Nov 21, 2015
Marathon Detroit, MI Oct 18, 2015
Marathon Providence, RI May 3, 2015
10K Roanoke, VA Apr 18, 2015
Marathon North Charleston, SC Jan 17, 2015
Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 23, 2014
Marathon Harpers Ferry, WV Oct 4, 2014
Marathon Oceanport, NJ 2014
Half Marathon Washington, DC 2014
Marathon Waitsfield, VT Jul 7, 2013
Marathon Virginia Beach, VA 2013
Marathon Baltimore, MD Oct 12, 2012
Marathon Staten Island, NY Nov 6, 2011

My Raves

This race is much larger than I had realized - about 20,000 people. One side of the bridge is completely closed to traffic (there are technically two bridges that run … MORE

This race is much larger than I had realized – about 20,000 people. One side of the bridge is completely closed to traffic (there are technically two bridges that run side-by-side over the water) and offer great views of the Chesapeake Bay. There is a walker and a runner side to help with traffic – though some walkers didn’t really abide by that rule.

Considering how many people there are, and how narrow the bridge is, this event ran pretty smoothly. Everything from the school bus shuttles, staggered start, lots of port-o-potties, and the bag of goodies post-race was well executed. There was, however, a lot of traffic so I recommend leaving much earlier than you think – especially if you are in one of the later waves.

The swag is pretty good for a 10K – gender specific tech-tees, and a puzzle piece medal (it connects to the medals of future race years). You can purchase an all-you-can-drink beer bracelet at the expo. The race also sends you a video of you crossing the 5K mark and the finish line. It also gives you stats on how many runners you passed along the way and how many passed you – kind of fun to see!

Memorable Moments:
– Marylanders decked out in their state flag apparel
– The MC asking for volunteers to sing the National Anthem at the start of each wave – people were NAILING this and the crowd LOVED IT!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This race was by far my worst performance - probably because I didn't train - but I had a blast! I made it a long weekend retreat and stayed at … MORE

This race was by far my worst performance – probably because I didn’t train – but I had a blast! I made it a long weekend retreat and stayed at a B&B at the race start/finish. I def recommend the Inn on Siders Lane – Maureen and Jim were great, super accommodating to my runner schedule, and it literally took me 3 minutes to get to the start/finish. I also met up with several friends from another state so we made sure to check out a few restaurants and local watering holes.

Memorable Moments:
– Listening to the waves hit the shore as we ran along the coast
– Talking to and meeting so many awesome runners
– Course spectators: lady on a pogo-stick, violinist, etc.
– A beautiful lighthouse towards the end
– Post-race apple cider donuts on the green (there is also clam chowder and beer which everyone was grabbing, but I don’t like clams and I wasn’t in the mood for beer).
– The announcer did a great job of rooting on the last runners to cross the finish line. I always appreciate that because the crowd starts to dwindle and I think everyone deserves to have an awesome finish.
– The claw-tub at the inn, great for a post-race ice bath.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Running through the mountains, and I do mean mountains, is no joke! There is some serious incline to this race, which makes for a pretty challenging 10K. I have much … MORE

Running through the mountains, and I do mean mountains, is no joke! There is some serious incline to this race, which makes for a pretty challenging 10K. I have much respect for those half, full and double-full runners!

Other than the course, the event is family-friendly and offers a lot by ways of celebration with concerts, local beer, and downtown festivities. There is also a kids race so I def recommend bringing the whole famly to this one.

Memorable Moments:
– Unofficial mid-race mimosas at the top of Mill Mountain
– Post-race snacks, beer and concert on the lawn

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was one of my favorite marathons because it was Milestone Birthday Celebration for my 30th and my mom's 60th - it was her first (and only) marathon. The city … MORE

This was one of my favorite marathons because it was Milestone Birthday Celebration for my 30th and my mom’s 60th – it was her first (and only) marathon.

The city itself quaint, friendly and has some great architecture. We checked out some local restaurants (boiled peanuts are my dad’s favorite, while I opted for some corn bread every chance I got), and took a walking history tour around the parks and waterfront.

The expo is a little far away, and I’m not crazy about white shirts, but the event does do a great job of getting the kids involved – from the expo and course entertainment to the kids race.

The course was mostly flat and I spent most of the time pacing my mom to ensure she finished within the 6 hr time limit. The announcer even called her name when she crossed the finish line – love when that happens! We grabbed a celebratory post-race beer but skipped the shrimp and grits.

Memorable Moments:
– The recycled plastic bottles used to make art that was on display at the expo
– The young kids singing along the course (the event supports youth and the arts)
– The cop getting on the loud speaker of his car to wish me and my mom a Happy Birthday as we ran by
– The volunteer who recognized the signs we had on our shirts and said my dad had already crossed the finish line and was waiting for us (we make running a family event)

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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I really enjoyed this race, even though it was challenging. The course runs through several civil war towns and battlefields, so there is a ton of history and just as … MORE

I really enjoyed this race, even though it was challenging. The course runs through several civil war towns and battlefields, so there is a ton of history and just as many hills! Not only was it well organized, but you could feel how much the race director cares about this event – something that is sometimes lost in larger races.

Memorable Moments:
– In true historic war town form, the event takes off the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” instead of National Anthem.
– The “medal” is a simple, handmade clay mold from a local artisan.
– Shirts comes in several colors which are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at the expo
– The free beer and concert on the lawn overlooking the town at the post-race party

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was the first and only time I've ever taken a ride in the sag wagon! My sister and I ran this with our mom for her first half. Apparently, … MORE

This was the first and only time I’ve ever taken a ride in the sag wagon! My sister and I ran this with our mom for her first half. Apparently, she wasn’t keen on using the port-o-potty’s before the start, so we had to wait in a line at mile 1. That’s when we got picked up and dropped-off about 1/2 a mile later. We were then back on track to run by several statues, monuments and other iconic places. If you aren’t trying to PR, you can get some great photos.

My only qualm is that I’m not a big rock ‘n’ roll series fan. Considering the whole premise of this race series is to have the course lined with music, it didn’t exceed or even meet my expectations. It seemed pretty on par with any other race – but at a premium cost.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

There are hills...and by hills, I mean mountains. Going down was just as hard as going up, and I heard several runners say this race was used as a training … MORE

There are hills…and by hills, I mean mountains. Going down was just as hard as going up, and I heard several runners say this race was used as a training event for Pikes Peak.

The town itself is small, walk-able (mostly) and awesome. With its high focus on local resources and sustainability, I def recommend checking out one of their local restaurants, and staying at a B&B. The course is gorgeous – lot’s of greenery, farmland, and fresh air. Coming from New York City, the fresh air was HEAVENLY.

Memorable Moments:
– The local maple-flavored ice-cream at the pre-race outdoor celebration
– Taking on one of the first hills and looking to my left to see people walking at the same speed I was running.
– Walking all of mile 15 and eating watermelon. I don’t even really like watermelon, but that was seriously the best watermelon I’ve ever had.
– Runners taking pictures with a cow at one of the farms. I must have missed why that was special.
– Deciding to drive back to NY after the race because I just wanted my own shower and bed. It took 8 hours because of shore traffic. Not one of my best decisions.
– Having to duck-walk back to my apartment after dropping off my rental car because I stupidly wore shorts and had a serious chaffing situation.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

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This was my second marathon and was pretty awesome for several reasons: 1) I'm originally from the area, 2) I ran it with my entire family, and 3) the race … MORE

This was my second marathon and was pretty awesome for several reasons: 1) I’m originally from the area, 2) I ran it with my entire family, and 3) the race is known for taking feedback from its runners to improve the event year after year.

Memorable Moments:
– Running through Birdland, aka Oriole Park (Camden Yards) and M&T Bank Stadium (Ravens).
– Zoo keepers out with penguins who were flapping their wings as we ran by – LOVED IT!
– The Under Armor headquarters entertainment. There’s nothing like an athletic company from the streets of its home town cheering you on.
– Crossing the finish line with my Dad (his first marathon).

Tip:
– Practice your hills, there will be plenty. And the race directors reminded us of them on the medal – “what hills don’t kill you make you stronger”.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I registered for my first marathon, the NYC marathon, as a New Year's resolution goal set in 2010. Running the 9+1 program with NYRR, I was in for 2011. The … MORE

I registered for my first marathon, the NYC marathon, as a New Year’s resolution goal set in 2010. Running the 9+1 program with NYRR, I was in for 2011. The day starts early, but is totally worth it – it’s absolutely, hands-down the best way to see so many different neighborhoods that make up the city. It’s a big deal for businesses and residents as well – every section of the course is lined with people (except the Queensboro Bridge where spectators aren’t allowed) and many businesses blast music as you pass by their establishment. You’ll never experience a crowd or energy like this, at any other race – except maybe, maybe Boston. But, I’m biased.

Memorable Moments:
– Every runner singing Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” after crossing the start line onto the Verrazano Bridge.
– The roar of the crowd as I turned the corner from Queens into Manhattan
– Running into the Bronx and hearing the residents yell “welcome to the Bronx”, and then running out of the Bronx and hearing the residents yell “get the f*** out of the bronx”, while laughing (loved the sense of humor)!
– Unexpectedly seeing a co-worker on the sidelines who recognized me based on my shoes (which were a gift from my boss for work on a project).
– How the entertainment changed depending on the culture of the neighborhood.
– Bridges are hills disguised as architecture.
– Literally 99.9% of the people I passed on the street congratulating me on my finish.

Tip:
– Bring toilet paper if you think you’ll need to go before the start line.
– Give specific directions on where to meet family and friends (example, the Northeast corner of 1st and 73rd streets). I did this and saw everyone at every point we had mapped out!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

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