Handmade Running Necklaces for Heinemann's Wallis Sands Half Marathon Team

Team photo by Michael Grover – 7/10 of the Heinemann running team sporting their new necklaces

Huge congratulations are in order for Heinemann Publishing's running team! This amazing group of ten women made it a goal to train together through the winter and complete the Wallis Sands Half Marathon in Rye, NH today. Some of them are seasoned runners and others are new to the sport, with the half marathon begin their first official race. What a fantastic goal!

I was honored when the team's organizer reached out to me to order running necklaces for the entire team. She thought it would be fantastic to congratulate the team with a meaningful, locally-made gift. I couldn't agree more!

I'm sure the team did a fabulous job this morning. The Wallis Sands Half Marathon follows a gorgeous route along the New Hampshire coastline through Rye and all the way up to Odiorne Point State Park, and what a beautiful morning it was for a run along the beach. Go team Heinemann! I'm rooting for you!! Thanks for supporting the local arts community.

Heinemann is a publisher of professional resources and a provider of educational services for teachers, kindergarten through college. Their offices are located in a reconditioned 1800s mill building near downtown Portsmouth, NH. 

Handmade Silver Running Jewelry

On the eve of the New York City Marathon, I am very excited to announce my new handmade running necklaces for 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon! These sterling silver necklaces have been on my mind for quite some time, and it seemed appropriate to reveal them just in time for the world's largest marathon.

I've been running pretty regularly for about two and a half years, and each time I hit a new milestone I think about creating a special piece to commemorate my accomplishments. My first 5K and 10K were enormous achievements for me, and really, if I'm being honest, every run is a personal achievement. You see, I used to have a deep hatred for running. I always detested high school gym class, but when we had to run the mile – forget it. It was pretty much my worst nightmare. I would half walk, half limp around the track, practically in tears. My lungs burned, my side ached, my legs itched. Running was the bane of my existence.

Fast forward to a few years ago when my husband got into running and started signing up for races. He loved it and raved about how great he felt, and I thought I should give it another shot as an adult to see what all the hype was about.

Starting slow, I began the Couch to 5K program and ran my first race in the spring of 2012. After a few 5Ks, I ramped up to a 10K, and then soon after signed up for a 10 miler. I haven't yet progressed to a half marathon, but I'm not ruling it out as an option. And I've recently discovered that I love trail running...how fun to go run in the woods, surrounded by nature!

That's me on a recent trail run

Anyway, the point I want to make is that running is HARD. Even after years of training and practice, it's still really hard. Some runs are more difficult than others, but I consider every run – whether a mile or ten, on road or trail – to be a major accomplishment. And no accomplishment should go unrewarded.

Whether you are just starting out or have been running for decades, I hope my handmade running necklaces will serve as a great reminder of your achievements. And if you aren't a runner, but you have runner in your life, these necklaces will make the perfect gift to congratulate them on a race well-run!

BONUS: A percentage of profits from the sale of these necklaces will be donated to Girls on the Run:

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity-based youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons & running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically & emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health & fitness.