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A Woman’s Perspective: My Favorite September Running Tradition
By Karen Donohue
September/October 2011
Every year I make a plethora of running goals and swear up and down to anyone who will listen that this time I am serious. I have followed through with a few goals, but I have let many more fall by the wayside. The one goal I always keep, however, is staying in good enough shape to run the VHTRC Women’s Half Marathon Trail Run every September. And you can bet I will be at the gorgeous Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax County, VA for this year’s race on September 10. This is a scant 45-minute drive from Washington, DC.
My race calendar has this check marked every year; I just love it. Why? Because it truly embodies the very best of sisterhood and I am proud to be of a part of this intimate group of beautiful, strong, driven women. As much as it is about sorority, it is also about having a boatload of fun. Plus, some day (not too distant day) I hope to run alongside my daughter as part of their mother/daughter team competition.
No American Idol Winners Here
The race starts with a horribly off-key rendition of Happy Trails delivered by the male cheerleading squad—a bunch of trail runners who are out for the “scenery” and, oh yeah, to volunteer.
Starter’s Gun and We Are Off!
Approximately 200 women participate each year. At the start runners need to jockey for optimal placement during the first mile on the open road before hitting the single-track trail. The legendary Do-Loop is the Bermuda Triangle of trail loops. It is remarkably easy to get lost on the Do-Loop--I know this from (ahem, repeated) experience. After navigating my way through the Do-Loop, I reach the second half of the race, which is an out-and-back on a new trail from the starting point. I am usually at the mid- to back-of-the-pack by then which (I have convinced myself) is the best place to be. While this is what I consider to be the most challenging portion of the race, I draw inspiration from seeing the front runners plow through the course. Rather than feeling demoralized, I get a lift with each passing woman. I can’t help using the air [oxygen?] I probably should reserve for my own race to cheer them on. After the turnaround, I get my turn. I see the women behind me working as hard as I am to close the distance to the finish.
Begging for Bears
One of my favorite traditions of this race is giving random runners a stuffed animal at an aid station about 2.5 miles from the finish. Sometimes the animals can be small and cuddly and sometimes they can be as big as three feet tall! The lucky runners can then trade in their stuffed animal at the finish line for a running-related prize.
One year, a “cheerleader” rigged it so that his girlfriend would get a specific stuffed animal. When she turned it in, the prize was long-stemmed roses and a card with a marriage proposal. Every year my daughter says, “Mom, good luck in your race tomorrow and don’t you come home without my teddy bear!” Needless to say, I have learned to beg at the aid station.
Athletic Supporters
After the race is over, a happy throng of kids, dogs, and supportive partners stick around to cheer all the women in. There is a ton of food, excitement, and great energy. This year, I have promised my kids they can come watch. I hope it inspires my daughter because I will reach my long-term goal to run this race with her as part of a mother/daughter team. Wish me (us) luck!
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