Tag: marathon

Knoxville Marathon 4-Person Relay (2026)

Last year, I had an injury that prevented me from participating in the Knoxville Marathon Relay Race. But, I was thrilled to be back for a relay race this year!

I probably could have done a better job of keeping up with my training schedule. I missed a few weeks of training due to work and personal travel. But, perhaps it was the adrenaline and excitement of race day, I still managed to have my best pace and race possible. It was not easy! All of a sudden we had a very warm and sunny day. It was hot! I tried to stay as hydrated as possible to avoid heat exhaustion.

Glad I was able to do this! I want to continue to do what brings me joy. Running is one of those activities that pushes me mentally and physically. I love running and observing the environment around me. When I am done, it just feels so good. I feel a sense of accomplishment that is different to other experiences of “accomplishment.”

Primo Tito this one was for you!

Here are a few pictures before, during, and after the race!

Knoxville Marathon 4-Person Relay (2024)

Back in January my run club started putting together teams for the Knoxville Marathon 4-person relay race. The shorter leg of the relay was a distance that I had never ran before and that I honestly I did not know I could train for between January and April. I was hesitant but I contacted the organizer and told them that I was more of 5K runner but that if they needed someone to do the shortest leg of the relay race that I could try my best.

When the roster of the 4 different relay teams was posted online, I saw my name in it! My immediate reaction was: Well, damn I guess I am running in the relay race!

It has been really challenging training for the race. There is so much that happens during February and March! I honestly never really got a chance to run the full distance of my relay leg during training. So, technically race day was my first time running the full distance. I was super excited to do this with all the other teams in my run club but also nervous. I wanted to be able to run the full distance and finish in decent shape.

Perhaps it was (a) runners high, (b) getting to run through downtown Knoxville, or (c) that I was running with a fellow run club friend (from one of the other relay teams), but that was such an amazing experience! The first mile is always the hardest, but once I was past that I was in the zone!