Nerd alert!
I still read the actual, paper magazine monthly editions of Runner’s World, pretty much cover to cover. In my mind, David Willey (the Editor in Chief) is one of my BRF’s and is writing to me, when he publishes his letter to the readers, which is printed in the first few pages of each edition.
I warned you. I’m a complete nerd when it comes to all things RW.
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been reading Runner’s World but I can tell you the year began with a one and not a two. I’m old and a nerd. Why are you still reading this? Oh because I have huge news…
I’m going to the Runner’s World Half and Festival as an influencer. “Influencer” is the fancy word for blogger and there will be a team of us at this amazing event! Read all about it and let me influence you…
Weekend highlights include:
I GET to run four races in three days – a trail race (3.8 miles I think?) on Friday, a 5K and 10K on Saturday and half marathon on Sunday.
What? I think this is basically the RunDisney version (marathon and half marathon in two days) for people like me who are way more jazzed about meeting Bart Yasso then Anna and Elsa.

Just a little light reading at the beach last summer…or maybe it was the summer before that? #BeachBagStaple
We all get to meet the RW staff and tour their offices
One time my husband had a group of friends over for a fantasy football thing. One of them was sitting at my kitchen island and saw my copy of Runner’s World. The following exchange took place:
Him: Is there seriously an entire magazine dedicated to running?
Me: Um, yes!?
Him: What the hell is in all these pages? Don’t you just put on foot in front of the other? WTF?
Me: If there are multiple magazines dedicated to golf is it so unimaginable that there is also one for running? Really? And have we met? Hello!

I can’t believe my husband’s friend doesn’t want to know the secret of having healthy knees forever!? I mean, there are pill popper suggestions and everything!
Imagine what that friend would think knowing I’m going to the very offices where this magazine is produced! I think it would completely blow his mind that there is a whole cult weekend dedicated to it as well. *make note to send him this blog post
One last highlight – a meet and greet with Deena Kastor! Deena Kastor!
Ok so most people would probably say “who?” but even my husband knowingly shook his head when I was jumping up and down in the kitchen, frantically telling him about this whole weekend and being able to meet and listen to Deena, as she pontificates her running experiences and knowledge upon us. #ThereWillBeVelvetRopes
Not to mention all the running, other runners and food for three whole days! This is my lalapalooza, without the performance enhancing drugs.

This one came in the mail the October I was trying to break 1:30 in the half. Summer told me I could, so I did. 1:28 bitches! And yes, that is Nov 2013.
Now let’s talk about what’s in it for you…
If you can rip yourself away from all your responsibilities from October 16-18th, you too can run all the races. Or just one. Or just come and cheer me on. Whatever.
Sign-up at the RW web site and, by using the code “Blogallieburdick” you get $3.50 off the 5K; $4 off the 10K; $7.50 off the five and dime; $9.50 off the half; $17 off the hat trick. And, if you live near me, we can make the trek to the middle-of-nowhere Bethlehem, Pennsylvania together!
Wanna run away? Let’s go!
[Tweet “Want to #run away with us? Sign-up for the @RWHalf and festival! “]
Have you heard about this weekend running festival? Let me know if you’re going so we can meet up!
What would a weekend doing your favorite activity or hobby look like? Who would you love to meet?
I think it will be a lot of fun. I’m excited to run the race and hang out the whole weekend.
Me too! Excited to finally meet you 🙂
Loved your announcement, lol. I am looking forward to meeting you and as a veteran RW influencer, I can tell you it’s going to be an epic weekend 😉
YES! Looking forward to meeting you too and, I would expect nothing less 🙂 So excited…
THIS IS HUGE!!!!!!! Omg I am jumping and squealing on the inside for you because jumping and squealing on the train is not a good look. 🙂
Omg Deena Kastor AND Runners World weekend? Girl you must have done something amazing because the universe was like “let’s see how we can make Allie’s dreams come true?” Then they came up with THIS! You are going to have an incredible time and it’s so well deserved!! So great!!! I can’t wait to follow along!
You are the best!!! Thank you so much Nellie! You get the Hamptons and I get, well, Bethlehem Pennsylvania – so similar 🙂
I am simultaneously jumping up and down for you and totally jealous!!! What a great weekend…. I sort of already had my fantasy weekend when I got to go Austin with a sole-sister for a women’s retreat and have a 4 hour sit down with Kristin Armstrong….but if I was going to plan another fantasy weekend, it would involve runs, yoga, massages, and wine. Seriously excited for you.
OMG that sounds like an amazing trip!!! I have always wanted to visit Austin (for so many reasons) and of course I’m a huge Kristen Armstrong fan! So awesome.
So exciting!! Congratulations! It looks like the bloggers who go each year always have a fantastic time 🙂
I’m counting on it! Thanks Danielle.
I’m so excited for this weekend, too!! Can’t wait for every bit of it, and now you’ll be there, too?!? Total icing on this fellow running nerd’s cake!
You said it!!! Can’t wait to hang and run and eat and run again 🙂
Wow!!! I’m almost as nerdy as you and honestly you’re my idol now – you get to meet Deana! Wow. And all the RW peeps. That sounds like a mega fun weekend, totally my kind of fun 🙂 I can’t wait to read about your experience and meeting all those awesome athletes! You are right there with them, 1:28 for a half is mind blowing brilliant!!! You rock!
Your comments always make me smile!!! Love all of this and love that you’re a fellow RW and Deena worshipper 🙂 Thanks Danielle!
Holy expletive Allie, this is such awesome news!!!!! Omg I am so happy for you and just as excited for everything you’ll get to do – I would LOVE to do the office tour! And please tell me you read and love Running Times as well? It’s also Rodale. I only wish I could join you!!! Xoxo
I do love Running Times! I just don’t get it anymore? Somewhere along the line my subscription ran out and I didn’t renew it but I promise, I love it 🙂 And I so wish you could come too! Thanks Carly
AHHHH you get to meet Deena Kastor!!! She is my role model. I still get the paper copies of Runner’s World also and will read and re-read them. So excited for you and this amazing weekend you’ll have!
Thanks Laura!!! I love how everyone is just as excited as I am about Deena…at least in this little corner of the world 🙂
I feel like my lollapalooza was IDEA conference this year when I got to dance and meet Beto Perez of Zumba. He was amazing! If I could create my own weekend it would involve classes from all my favorite studios and time to chat with their founders.
Agreed! I love to chat with the founders and see how it all started and what their vision is for the future. Always so interesting!
Basically………. My favorite kinda weekend would be just… EATING SALMON all the live-long day. That’s my hobby 😉
Um can’t you pretty much do that any weekend you wanted to?? 🙂
Seriously, between the retreat in early Oct and now this… it’s like runner’s heaven on freakin’ steroids!!!
I love it!! I am such a runner nerd (Uh, my RW magazine is sitting right next me!) and I am so, so excited for you!!!
And 1:28 half?! Rock on… just rock on!!! xo
LOL you are so great Natalie!! And yes, I have SO MANY RACES in the first few weeks of October – yikes!!!
And I love that you’re RW mag is sitting right next to you. So awesome.
Congrats Allie! How amazing! That will be an awesome weekend and I can’t think of a better runner or person to represent the community than yoU! You’ll be a racing fool in October and Maine can be your warm up! LOL! xo
Thank you so much Jesica and YES I have so much to look forward to in October, starting with the retreat weekend and race! Can.not.wait.
Ive been thinking so so so much what a hobbyfilled weekend would look like here as well.
IM STUMPED.
which is never a good sign 🙂
I’m sure you will figure it out, and come up with something brilliant that we will all want to do!
I am so bummed this is the weekend before MCM, otherwise I would be all over it. What a fun time you are going to have!!!
So exciting Allie!!! I feel like all of my favorite running bloggers will be at this race! I drive by the Rodale offices every day so you will all be right by me. Hopefully you all come back next year because I’m hoping to do this race next year!
That is awesome!!! I hope to be back next year too. Hopefully you can join us then 🙂