Lake Placid Half Marathon!

We arrived in Lake Placid, NY home of the ’32 and ’80 Olympics on Saturday, a day before our half marathon as part of Team in Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Russ and I have been training and fundraising for this run for months now and we are as ready as we’ll ever be.  We picked up our race packets, strolled around the shops, and of course found something sweet…

How could I pass by a bakery called The Sugar Shack Dessert Co. ? (Great name, right?)

Next we took a moment to visit with  a cute yellow lab!  We were missing our chocolate lab, LUCY! Then off to purchase  a few souvenir sweatshirts and  happened to find this sign in one of the local stores.  I love this saying, so had to take a quick pic.

The local library looked quaint, so I had to take a picture of that too.  Lake Placid  has an old time feel to it.

And how beautiful is this lake area too?

Of course we found a great restaurant to ‘carb load’ including a  ‘pregame’ beer at the Lake Placid pub and brewery.

Russ and I enjoyed their brew called, Lake Placid UBU ale.  NICE!

When we got back to our hotel, we had a meeting with Team in Training.  Team members got last minute tips and motivation from the staff.  Runners ‘running for the cause’ told their personal stories including how they personally have been touched by cancer.  It was an emotional and motivational all in one.  Team in training makes you truly feel like you are part of a team.

Race Day started with a 5:30 wake up time!  Did I mention I am not a morning person?

After a quick breakfast of a Kashi TLC trail mix  bar, ½ a bagel with cream cheese and a ½ banana, we headed to the start line.  Not many healthy food options at that hour!  Our personal cheering squad joined us at the starting line-that would be our 3 kids: Chelsea, Kevin and Brennan!

The race went off promptly at 8 AM and we felt great running. Don’t mind the purple shirts, that’s our ‘team gear.’

So glad I had my best running partner with me.  Here we are close to the finish and feeling victorious!  Seeing Russ in this purple shirt totally cracks me up!

The race started outside the Olympic complex (where the 1980 USA team won the gold in hockey!) and ended in the speed skating arena!  If you are ever think of participating in an endurance event such as running, triathlon or bike event, consider Team in Training.   You will feel like you are part of something very special.

Finally the FINISH!WE DID IT!