Yesterday afternoon we drove to my favorite place on earth, Virginia Tech. I absolutely loved going to school at Tech, and I even met my husband there! We were thrilled when Joseph, our oldest son, decided to attend VT; and even more thrilled when he met Julie, ‘the cutest and sweetest girl in the world’ there!
Hokie Stone entrance on University Blvd.
Our first stop in Blacksburg was dinner with Joseph and Julie at Bull & Bones (a local sports bar). No worries about carbo-loading though, since today’s race was an easy run. It was a tough decision, but I decided to go with the smoked chicken salad. It was very tasty, but didn’t photograph well, so I’ll share a picture of Bill’s beer sampler instead.
Bull & Bones
This morning we ran in the Virginia Tech 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance. It’s an un-timed, low-keyed race honoring the 32 students and faculty members we (Hokie Nation) lost on April 16, 2007.
Back of the race shirt
I got to meet Meagan from Turkey Runner today for my first ever blogger meet-up! What better way for two runner/bloggers to meet than by running in a race together! We also ran with Julie and her two roommates, Becky at Running on Happy and Kelly at Life With a Side of Coffee, all VT seniors. All of us were doing additional miles either before or after the race so we decided to run a nice easy pace of ten-minute miles and take photos along the way.
Meagan and Deb
Becky, Kelly, and Julie
Ready to run with my hubby Bill!
Pleasant surprise… Bumping into Mary and Dave!
Before the race started, signs were held up to observe a moment of silence, and then 32 white balloons were released (one for each Hokie lost), which was incredibly moving. Once the 32 white balloons were released, we released our maroon and orange balloons, and the race began.
32 White Balloons
And the race begins!
The highlight of the race was running through the tunnel and touching the Hokie Stone, before running into Lane Stadium to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. Our Hokie football team waits in the tunnel as the opening riffs to “Enter Sandman” blast throughout the stadium speakers and everyone starts jumping. Once the team runs onto the field, the fans go crazy. I get chill bumps just thinking about it!
Reaching for the Hokie Stone!
Quick pause in Lane Stadium
To give you an idea of how excited the fans are in Lane Stadium when Enter Sandman starts playing, you’ve got to watch this YouTube video! Start Jumpin’!
As Meagan and I ran together, we had a chance to get to know each other. She a very sweet young lady, and I hope she enjoyed our run as much as I did! I’ve always said the best way to get to know a person is to run a few miles with them…
Hanging out with Addison Caldwell (first VT student) after the race
- Questions:
- If you’re a blogger, have you ever done a blogger meet-up?
- Did you race today?
- Where did you go to school? Do you go back to visit often?
Loved your blog today! Especially the comment about Joe meeting Julie – we are just as thrilled because we think Joe is “one of the nicest young men we’ve ever met”! Great job raising him!
Thanks, Janet; and ditto to you and Rich! 🙂
After reading her post and your reply earlier this week I am SO THRILLED the two of you got to be there together and run. On a very selfish note, I am jealous that I couldn’t have a good run with the two of you, too. There was probably a lot for you to talk about. What a thoughtful, beautiful race.
It was so nice to meet Meagan yesterday and to get to know the person behind her fun blog. We would have loved it if you could have joined us!
I’m so glad we were able to meet up and run the race together! I had a great time. This was my first blogger meet up at a race!
Enter, Sandman gives me goosebumps every time! Great idea to include the YouTube video.
I’m glad we got to meet up and run together!! 🙂
Sounds like you guys had a good “rest of your run yesterday.” Good luck on your half-marathon in two weeks!
Sounded like a great way to remember! I’m glad you got to meet Meagan!
It was so nice to meet Meagan! We had a great run together!
[…] I wrote my first race recap, Virginia Tech 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance, after running in this low-keyed race honoring the 32 students and faculty members we (Hokie […]
[…] April, Bill and I ran the 3.2-Mile Run In Remembrance on the Virginia Tech campus with Kelly, Becky, and Julie; and I got to meet and run with Meagan for […]