Announcing a Blog Partnership for the 2014 Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon

It's been a whirlwind few weeks around these parts.  There are officially five (class)days left of the second summer session and I can confidently say I've never been more ready for a "semester" to end than I have these past 5 weeks.  Unfortunately my running has taken a back seat during this second summer session thanks to a very difficult advanced calculus course, which is thankfully the LAST math class I have to take to be a "highly-qualified" licensed Virginia mathematics teacher.

This morning, I received the awesome news that I was selected as an Official Blogger for the 2014 Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon!  I came across the following tweet in early July and favorited it to remind myself to come back and fill out the application.

Become an Official Blogger for the 2014 race! Get started here: http://t.co/4VJKmB4ae0 #runBlueRidge #runchat
— Blue Ridge Marathon (@BRM26pt2) July 5, 2013

The application was pretty straight forward and included questions like "Have you run the Blue Ridge Marathon before?" and "What will your blog offer for race participants?" and my favorite question "What running means to you? (100 words or less)."  I snuck in just under the limit after cutting a bit from an excerpt of paper I wrote this spring:

Running, in the purest definition of the word, is freedom.  Freedom from relationships, bills, and obligations; running is freedom from the tedium of life.  Running is where stress goes to die and when the imagination has recess.  Running is solitude, reflection, friendship, and camaraderie.  Running is man in his most primitive form.  Many consider it to be the most basic progression of human development - some call it evolutionary.  For me, running is cheap therapy and time well invested in my physical and mental health.  It has been my sanctuary, foundation, passion, and at times my obsession. 

This race has been on my radar and "must-do race list" for the past couple years but hadn't quite worked out.  I remember reading this article on Blue Ridge Outdoors, which caught my attention because the guy was wearing a Virginia Tech hat, and thought it was neat that there was a rivalry between the Blue Ridge Marathon and Mt. Lemmon in Arizona that also claims the title of "America's Toughest Road Marathon."  Enough of a rivalry that the race organizers of each marathon offered entry into the others marathon for top placing individuals to let the participants decide which race was "America's Toughest Road Marathon."

As an Official Blogger or the Blue Ridge Marathon there are some perks for you guys!  The post on the Blue Ridge Marathon website that had the link for the application detailed the following:

Become a 2014 Official Blogger

As we gear up for the 2014 Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, we’re looking for a few wordsmiths to blog about the race, training for the race, and to host a race giveaway. All you need to do is enter information into the form below and you’re entered to become an Official Blogger.

Note: Previously running the BRM is not a prerequisite.

If chosen, you’ll receive a 2014 race entry (if you’re already entered, we can discuss alternatives) and an Official Blogger badge for your site. All we ask is that you host a race giveaway, blog at least once a month about the event, interact with our social media posts, and blog about your race weekend experience.

Deadline for entries is July 19. Bloggers will be announced Aug. 1, 2013.

which means I get to giveaway an entry to one of YOU GUYS!  I'll have more information about that toward the end of the month so keep a lookout for a tweet about the details.  As of 11:45 this morning, I'm all signed up and registered to run on April 26, 2014!

I've got some pretty cool idea's about my monthly blog posts leading up to the race but again you'll have to come back to see what I do!  In the meantime, check out the details of the race and this awesome video about the Blue Ridge Marathon!

• What: Full & Half Marathon. 5-Person Team Relay. Walking Half. YMCA Kids Marathon
• Where: Roanoke, VA and Blue Ridge Parkway
• Date: April 26, 2014
• Start Time: 7:35 am
• Begins: Jefferson Street (downtown Roanoke)
• Ends: Taubman Museum of Art (one block from start)
• Total Elevation Change: ~7,234 ft. (full), ~2,500 ft. (half). Rumor has it this may increase in 2014.
• Most Difficult Section: Roanoke Mountain on Blue Ridge Parkway
• Awards: All runners receive finisher medals plus these additional awards based on place.
• Beneficiary: Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Honorary Race Chair: Rep. Bob Goodlatte (Va)
• Magnificent Views: Plenty

Now that the video has your heart rate elevated, follow the link to sign up!  Seriously! More than 7200 feet of elevation change!

So about this whole running thing...I guess I should get on it!  Heading out for a run now!