We’re having a group run as part of our rehearsal dinner festivities.
Yep.
Now, before everyone freaks out, no, the run will not be required! And yes, we’re still having a dinner (we’re calling it a welcome dinner now) and a time to relax and not do strenuous things.
But we love to run. Remember when I told you about my sisters and the bond we have with running? I’m more than thrilled to have this chance for all of us to run together—a lot of sisters would go get manicures together before the wedding; we go for a run together (although maybe we’ll get manicures too).
Personal photo / The three of us after a Thanksgiving run last fall!
Some of our friends will be joining us as well. We’re not going to be racing—ahem, I say that but I’m pretty sure as competitive as some of us are this could prove less than true. On Saturday’s long run I mapped out a course that I think will work. It’s a two-and-a-half-mile loop around the park where we’re holding the welcome dinner. It starts at the shelter and wanders up and around the baseball fields, up a steep hill (oops, sorry about that, everyone’s thighs), along the trail down by the river, around the dog park, down past some beautiful houses, and back along the river to the shelter.
Image via Cleveland Park / Awesome Paint skillz by me
I’ve gotten positive feedback on it so far. Some of our friends are excited about running with us, and those who aren’t interested don’t seem bothered at all that we’re going to run for 25 or 30 minutes at the end of the welcome dinner. We’re titling the event the “Pre-Wedding Run & Fun in the Park,” and everyone is invited. We’d love to have guests come and hang out after dinner and either run with us or just enjoy the park! There’s an amazing playground for younger kids, great walking trails, and plenty of tables and benches.
The schedule will be something like this:
I totally understand that there will probably only be a handful of us running. But I’m still more excited about this than anything else—besides the wedding itself, of course!
Anyone else doing something a little less than conventional the night before your wedding? Do you want to come run with me??
I love that you are doing something different! We haven’t started planning our rehearsal dinner yet but I Think doing something different would be fun!
I went to a wedding where they did a morning run on the day of the wedding – everyone seemed to like it!
Such a great idea! But I’m curious, how are you going to run on a full tummy? I find I can’t run within literally 2 hours of eating or drinking anything!!
@mkelove: It fits for us! I definitely think it’s fun to do something a little different that reflects you as a couple 
@Mila G: Our wedding starts at 11:00am and there’s no way this girl is getting up that early 
I considered it but it was just way too much! I think this works out better.
@lealorali: Well hopefully we’ll have an hour & a half to let my food settle! I probably couldn’t race or run hard but an easy run isn’t a big deal. I do it fairly often in training.
That sounds like an awesome idea! I love fun runs — especially wedding fun runs
This is such a fun idea! I love that you are incoporating something so special to you!
This sounds lovely to me! I’ve actually run this route when in Greenville to visit my sisters, so I love that I can picture it. And running is soooo stress-relieving; I used to want to do at least an hour run the morning of my wedding, but as logistics will make that tough, a last fun run the night before is the perfect compromise. (I totally love crazy runner people – its infectious fun! )
I love this group run! In fact.. my BMs and I are doing an 8am group run on the morning of the wedding 
I hate running, but I think it’s really cute that you’re planning on doing something that you love to do with your sisters, so rock on, girlfriend!
I think this sounds like a great way to relieve some wedding stress!
@Miss Lemur: Aww, you’re so good!! Have fun, I think it sounds like a great idea. I wanted to run a local 10-miler on the Sunday after my Friday night wedding and everyone is saying Hell no, do not do it!!
Great idea! I was the MOH in a wedding that did a hash run the Thursday before the wedding and it was so much fun. The theme was “White Wedding” and everyone wore awful white dresses, even the guys! We had about a 3 mile course and we had stops along the way to do activities like sing “White Wedding” or have a drink. It was a lot of fun, even for the non-runners.
@Mrs. Bear Cub: I say fun run now but I’m pretty sure that last mile will turn out to be a race Haha I’m hoping everyone will have a good time though! Definitely no pressure to run if they don’t want to.
@new york bride 13: I just want this wedding to be us! In ten years, I hope to still be running and to look back and remember this with fondness
@MrsCVsomeday: Really?? That’s amazing! I love the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville! I’m going to miss it when I move away. I would love to run the morning of my wedding too but logistics are so not going to make it possible 
so this is the next best thing! Keep me updated on what you decide to do!!
@OnceUponATime: If I had an afternoon or evening wedding I would SO be doing this too! Glad to hear I’m not so weird after all.
@Blonde17Jess: Haha I totally get it’s not for everyone! I still might try to convince you to start running though
@shaniqua: Fortunately will have an hour and a half or two hours to let our food digest! And it will be an easy short run.
@lealorali: Haha I don’t know if I would do it right after the wedding! I feel like I’ll just be wiped out… but props on the 10-miler! That’s awesome!
@krh48: Haha this sounds awesome! I love hearing your guys’ stories about things you guys have done! Maybe I’ll be able to incorporate some of these ideas
@Mrs. Wallaby: Wanna make a trip out from Houston?? Haha I’m still in the process of convincing some of my friends
What a tiny, teeny world. Just hit me this morning why you look remarkably familiar…our respective little sisters are running buddies, I’m pretty sure. I’ll send you a PM!
Mrs. Lemur, Greenville, South Carolina Age and Occupation: 22, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Security Officer Engagement Date: October 9, 2012 Wedding Date: May 2013 Venue: Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center About Me: I may fancy myself a doctor after too many episodes of House—but in reality I'm finally almost done with my degree in business administration (less than three months left!). My fiance and I met at school in undergrad hundreds of miles away from either of our hometowns and have been happily running and hiking together ever since. We're undertaking a long distance relationship as I finish school and we plan our casual wedding for a day after graduation—needless to say, it will be the busiest and most exciting weekend of our lives so far!
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