LVHN Marathon for Via + 9 miles.

Hello and Happy Thursday!

Before I talk about the post of the day, let me tell you about last night's nine with Lauretta.  First, it was gorgeous.  61 degrees and sunny when we left the house...perfect running temperature! 


Here we are at the end.  I am wearing one of the Oiselle running tops they recently sent me.  It was comfy, and it fit perfectly.  

We ran a little over nine miles in 1:10 at approximately 7:30 - 7:40 pace.  Our last mile was completed in 7:25.

What a great way to end the day!


About the LVHN Marathon --

After school today I have my first committee meeting of the year for the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon (Half Marathon and Relay) for Via.  This event has been a staple of the running community in the Lehigh Valley and beyond for the past few years.  It originally began as a 5-person relay that ran from Allentown to Easton, but as it grew in popularity, the organization decided to add a full marathon, as well as a half.  The date of this year’s event is slated for Sunday, September 9, 2012.

The 26.2 mile course begins at the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown.  Runners will head through the scenic Lehigh Valley Parkway and then continue on to the Lehigh River Canal Towpath.  This path will eventually progress the runners through Bethlehem and then finally on to downtown Easton, where they will finish in the center square.  

Note:  These photos are taken from the website and are not my own.  

The course was originally created by Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World Magazine.  Yasso is also a member of the Running USA Hall of Champions and Race Director Emeritus.  Later, the marathon course was certified and the runners’ times could be used to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon in April. 

This event has grown so much over the past few years.  My husband and I volunteer at a relay exchange leg where we serve as “Leg Captains.”  It is our job to make sure that the exchange zone is set-up and running properly and effectively throughout the race.  We assign volunteers to their appropriate station, hang signage and set-up the race exchange zone, direct traffic, and field questions from runners and spectators.  Basically, we make sure that everything is running smoothly.    

Fred and I both feel that this event has become a flagstone in our community and we are honored to be a part of such a wonderful experience.  Every year, we have to be downtown Bethlehem at 5am on that Sunday morning.  It’s very hard to get out of bed when it’s still dark outside.  But once we’re there, the aura of the event is overwhelming and we remember exactly why we volunteer year after year.  

Our children have been with us the past few years and they also look forward to getting out there bright and early.  To them, it is an adventure to be outside before daybreak.  In the past, they have worked at the water station and served as cheerleaders for the incoming runners.  They have a blast!  

What is Via?  Taken from the marathon’s website:

"The LVHN Marathon raises money for Via of the Lehigh Valley’s services for children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.  Serving the community since 1954, Via helps children and adults from birth through retirement focusing in Children’s Services, Community Connections and Employment.  Via provides therapeutic services for children, employment solutions for adults and helps people live a life of significance in the community."

I encourage you to check this out.  Put together a team, set a goal to run the half marathon…or even the full marathon! 

For more information on this amazing event, go to:

http://www.vianet.org/marathon/

On another note, tonight I will be heading to Shula’s Steak House for a wine pairing dinner with my husband and two other couples.   

Anthony Pessagno of Pessagno Winery in California will host the event.  I will have more on this dinner later this week.

Make it a great Thursday!

Tracy