Cooper River Bridge Run

Before the run

Some of the vendors awaiting the runners.

Jac waiting for her Daddy to finish so she can go back to sleep.


Stage for awards ceremony

Brian Cendrowski, Jac, myself, and Andy Fleming after the race.

So last year I decided my goal for 2009 would be to run and complete the Cooper River Bridge Run. I started running on a regular basis and trying to train for such a feat. I competed in a couple of 5k runs and really started enjoying running outside. The best part was I even managed to lose a few pounds along the way.

Saturday was the 32nd Annual Bridge Run and I was nervous. I had never been involved with a race that was so long and so big in numbers. There were over 31,000 people signed up to compete and I am glad to say I had more than a few friends there to run. Friday we went to downtown Charleston to pick up my race packet and then headed to the Isle of Palms where The Shupings graciously allowed us to stay at their house. I didn't get much sleep Friday night and woke up at 6am ready to go. Laura got Jac up and off to the starting line in Mt. Pleasant we went. My wonderful wife dropped me in Mt. Pleasant and then drove herself and Jac over to Charleston to wait for me to finish the race.

The race itself was awesome! Promptly at 8am the starting gun went off and the race began. It took a few minutes to get the whole crowd going, but once we were off I didn't stop running until the end. Running with that many people was challenging, yet exciting at the same time. There were people of all sizes, ages, and races there and we all wanted to conquer the Bridge. I tried to take in the sights as much as I could, but at the same time you had to be careful as to not run into someone else. I am proud to say that I ran the entire distance without walking and completed the run in 59 minutes and 43 seconds. I had hoped for a little better time, but next year I will do better.

Who's up for the 2010 Bridge Run?