Blistering Pace Race Management

My last virtual race committment of 2020 - the half marathon in the @bostonathleticassociation virtual distance medley. The challenge was run a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon between October 1 and December 31. No problem, right? The virtual Bank of America Chicago Marathon left me badly broken. I was in so much pain. I didn't run for over a month and when I started again, I didn't feel much better. 3 and 4 mile runs were painful and I was out of shape so they were uncomfortable ...too. My plan of working back from the marathon for a quick 5K at the end of October, a hard 10K effort in November, and an honest give it "the old college try" half marathon in December went out the window. Never one to accept a DNS, a DNF or back down from a challenge, I wasn't letting 2020 leave without checking these boxes. A finish what I started kind of thing only 2020 could teach us. I double dipped a turkey trot 5K and conquered that distance at 7000ft on a 20 degree morning. My 10K was in the avenues of Napa on my longest run since October 11th, squeezing in the distance. Crap, this half marathon would test me. I called my current West Valley Track Club and former college University of Portland teammate @alysonbarrett to see if she would run the 13.1 with me. I rolled my legs, iced, stretched, took ibuprofin. I felt like I was going into battle and I've never been more nervous for a run. In my head, I would be reduced to walking one mile on one mile off and potentially crawling toward the finish. Long story short, I made it. I didn't have to walk (or crawl) and had great company to take my mind off what I was doing. I ran a half marathon to cap off the year, fulfilled every virtual race I signed up for, and probably broke myself again. But hey ... it's 2020. Completing the #finishstrongchallenge was simple when I think about how difficult this year was. I'm ready to look onto brighter futures, but also glad I was able to support the running industry with virtual racing and show solidarity with races that mean so much to me and BPRM. I'm signed up for 2 virtual races in early 2021 and probably will do a few more before getting back to in person races. But there is a light on the horizon. Incsessant forward motion, isn't that what they say?

The hits keep coming in 2021 and the Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon has been cancelled. Turning grapes into wine (heh), BPRM created a super fun virtual event for NVM -- the Perfect Pairing. Run 1 mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon (in as many distance segments as you need to fulfill the 26.2 miles) and wine swag associated with each distance to build a wine and cheese set. What's better? This virtual experience includes a non-running element centere...d around wine and sponsored by our friends at Clif Family Winery. Join us during the competition window (Jan 15 - March 7) for virtual wine tasting, cooking demo for runner nutrition, wine and chocolate pairing, and a charcuterie building session! So. Much. Fun. Join me personally, I'll be tagging along for this event! I'll see you (virtually) out on the roads and in the tasting room. :) For more information: https://napavalleymarathon.org/the-perfect-pairing/ Register here (this is my referral link): https://register.hakuapp.com/

Missing the New York City Marathon this week. Missing fall, that giant maple tree just south of the bleachers on the runner's left, missing pizza, greek food, the dig inn, black and white cookies, and the occasional rain out where we hide in our pod. But most of all we are missing team camaraderie between us and the stellar NYRR team over the many years BPRM has been blessed to be a part of the event. Missing the warehouse crew, the finish line team, our design queen (@erikakatz), essential contractors, and yes, even all the park lookie loos. Missing creating memories only dreams are made of most.

Thank you to Ali on the Run for featuring our very own Michelle La Sala on the On the Job Podcast! It is a fun conversation that talks about how BPRM got started, what having a race management company really entails, and how COVID-19 has (and hasn't) affected us. Give it a listen!

This was one of the last races BPRM produced this year, and now we are poised to go Virtual for 2021 with a new challenge and virtual race. We are excited to expand our experience and expertise as we enter this virtual world. Register and join us for the journey!