Runners- what's your most memorable run?

I lost a bet and had to run naked around campus...
...it was snowing outside.

I an a 10K which started at Crissy Field, went stright uphill to the Golden Gate Bridge, back and forth across the bridge, and then back down to Crissy Field to the finish line.

It was the most beautiful day imaginable, the sun was shining, it was warm (in SF, the coldest place on earth!!!!) and the race almost killed me. That bridge was endless.

I started referring to the Golden Gate as "the longest bridge on earth":laugh:

My first practice run for my 15km race. It was my first time running 15km, it was so hot out & I wanted to stop and walk so bad, but kept going. When I got back my boyfriend was sitting on the front deck with a cooler full of beer and I took one and drank it in about 45 seconds. It was the best beer I ever had.

my first marathon was the Fall Colours in Ottawa (well, outside Ottawa), never heard of it? not surprised, it is one b!tch of a course. I hadn't trained nearly enough for it, was carrying a lot more weight than I want to admit and I got an inkling that this was going to be incredibly hard when I realized that there were only 120 people signed up for the marathon. Compare that to Ottawa Race Weekend where you are likely to see at least 2000. I knew it was touted as being a "hilly" course, but that is the understatement of the century! The first 5k was essentially straight up, at least a 30-40% incline, and then the rollers start. The best part, of course, is that once you finish the loop you are...half way done. So you have to do it all over again! I ran the first half straight and managed a respectable time, but when I hit km 25 and was only half way up the hill again I realized that I essentially had two choices. Quit, or slow to a walk. I'm too stubborn to quit. A friend met up with me at km 26 and decided to be my sherpa for the rest of the race. It took me so long (not by normal marathon standards but by this race's standard- they had a 6 hour cut off and I came in after that) that every time I passed a water station they took it down immediately afterward. We had the race patrol swing by every 20 minutes asking if I wanted a ride in yet. We walked to the end and I was the very last person to cross the finish line. But as the number of finishers was less than 100 I'm pretty ok with that! (one friend who attempted it with me dropped out before km 30). When we approached the finish line the volunteers who were taking down all the stuff at the end formed a line for me and cheered me in. I even got an official time! I have never been more proud of a finisher medal.

Happy to report that I completed my second full marathon more than an hour and a half faster. This year I'm hoping to shave off at least another 15-20 minutes!

My first long distance run - 10 miles - over 7 years ago
and
my first Half which I did last Sept.

The 5K I just ran with my wife.

Camp Pendleton - Engineer Hill - love the juniper smells and the view at the top.

Ragnar Adirondacks September 2012! Doing it again this year!

I love this thread. Hope it keeps going.

Pretty much all of my half marathons and long distance races are memorable. Some for how painful, others for other reasons.

Azdak - your Italy run sounds amazing. We went there on our honeymoon and I am so in love with the place.

My most memorable run was a leg of a relay race I ran last year (hoping to get a spot on a team this year) It was my second year running the race and its a favourite anyway. My leg was 15.42km starting at 5:46am. It was a fairly easy leg through the scenic river valley with a maximum elevation of 30m.
There is really no way to describe my leg. It was one of those early morning runs where you just feel priviledged just to be there. It was a cool clear morning with the sun rising over the mountains and the fog was hanging over the river valley. Temperature was a perfect for a run. Really, really amazing. There was a lot of downhill, with a few short easy climbs at the end.
My goal had been to make the mat which requires you to run average pace of 9:30 minute mile, pretty much pushing it for me (they only allot so much time for each leg, then the timing mat moves on to the next one) and beat one of the guys in my running club (it was a friendly rivalry).
My iphone was dying so I couldnt use it for pace, only had a watch to rely on. There is a water stop at the 5k mark of every leg, after 10k your team can give you support and a 1k to the finish line. These are the only indicators of distance due to the logistics of the race. I felt amazing at the beginning, and with a lot of downhill I went out pretty hard. I was feeling good, enjoying the run so when I hit the water stop and saw my time at 30:05 I was pretty upset thinking I wouldn't make the mat. When my husband drove by and I told him I didn't think I was making the mat he told me the water stop was at 6k. I half believed him, half thought he was saying that to make me feel better, so for the next 5 I pushed it hard. The last 5 hurt and I know I slowed. When I hit 4k left, I kept figuring the time, like if I run at this pace, I'll still make it. Someone forgot to put out the "1km to go" sign. I knew I was close but not sure how close until I could hear the cheering at the finish line. I love that sound and was so excited to know I was going to make it. Turns out I didn't "just" make it, I ended up finishing just under 1:22 for an average pace of 8:35 minute per mile, an insane pace for me for a 5k let alone 15k. I ran the numbers through two different pace calculators more than once to be sure.

Oh and I beat my friend, although this year he is way ahead of me.

Mine would be my first Marathon Oct 2012. It was a Tri-State. I had a few friends on the course but they had all ran the distance before and unlike them I cruise control. Well the first 1/2 was great I was right on schedule with my run/walk. I don't know what happen at the 1/2 way point but I was done, I wanted to give up over and over again, but I had to keep reminding myself of all my wonderful husband and friends waiting for me at the finish line and most importantly I had to remind myself that Jesus never gave up on me so why should I give up on myself (I was saved June 2012) I kept repeating Phip 4:13. I was then invited by a wonderful couple who was also doing the run/walk also to finish with them, What made it so special was seeing my husband coming to me right around mile 26 and finishing with me and trying to get to the finish line before I did so he could be the first to hug me and of course catch me and telling me how proud he was of me. The tri-state marathon made it special for everyone that was running a Marathon for the first time, they made our numbers a different color and we even got a first timer charm on our medal as well. I was surrounder by great friends and covered in hugs and kisses. I felt on top of the world when I finished, I had even finished under my goal time of 6hrs, I finished in 5hrs and 40 mins

There are so many for me..

The first time I ran 2 miles without stopping, I text my husband and told him :drinker:

My first 5k, I was so worried that I couldn't run the whole thing, I refused to let my husband/ kids go. I did run it all. Time was 31 mins

My last 5k last year. It was a really hilly one and my time was 26 something but I got 3rd place in my age group. I run with my brother and we joked that none of the ladies that I knew wanted to talk to me cuz I kicked there butt!!!!

My first half, I really want to get under that 2 hr mark, I knew it would be close though from my training. When I heard RunKeeper go off at mile 12 and it gave me my time, I cried! Cried because I remember the worse pain and took a bend to see a huge hill. I told the nasty thoughts to go away and I dug deep. My time was 1:58. My bro was at the finish line and I gave him a huge hug through tears.

My 2nd half because it was on my favorite trail and I beat my first PR with 1:57.

Btw...I love this tread!