2nd Race: Kettle Run Cougar 5k March 6, 2010

Location: Old Town Warrenton

Registration: $25

Cause: Kettle Run Cross Country Team
Time: 33 minutes

 A lot happened and changed in the 12 months from my last race but somewhere in all of it I re-discovered running.   I knew I needed to immerse myself in something and well running was a better choice than alcohol, so I joined a training team in December of 2009 and started to actually train for my second Ukrops Monument Ave. 10k.  And ironically, through the pain and struggles, I started to enjoy running.  I looked forward to coming home after a long day and going for a jog.  I liked loading my i-pod with new, upbeat songs and discovering new hidden streets in Richmond.  I liked getting up on Saturday mornings and freezing my butt off with a hundred other people just trying to be a little healthier.  And I absolutely loved the feeling after a run when my adrenaline was still pumped up and all the problems, changes and questions didn't seem that important anymore.   

So as part of my training for the 10k, my second race was the Cougar 5k put on by an old high school friend to raise money for the Kettle Run Cross Country team and run though the streets of Old Town Warrenton.

Old friends from high school, teachers, and neighbors were all at this race and it was so neat to see us all together for the same reason.  Warrenton is a small but very hilly town and towards the end of this race you had to go up what is referred to as Academy Hill.  As you will find out later, I run in Warrenton a lot now and I still haven't dared to run Academy Hill, it is that intimidating.  So needless to say, this was a hard race, but I truly loved this race. I loved seeing old faces and running with old friends in a town that holds a very special place in my heart. 

Dan, Beth, Me, Carly, Jonathan, Joey

"The road to success runs uphill." -Willie Davis