10 Half Marathons for 10 Years

When Kristy laced up in white tennis shoes for her wedding she didn’t know she’d be doing some similar lacing up 10 years down the road.

If couples choose to jet out of town for a milestone anniversary, it’s usually to a single location for a single period in time. Not in the case of Kristy Cisco-Voorhees who is celebrating her ten year wedding anniversary to her husband Will with ten Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathons across the U.S. So far they’ve ran New Orleans, Nashville, Portland, Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago with the remaining three 13.1’s TBD. It may not be your typical anniversary “rock” but we Mother Runners certainly approve!
Kristy lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband Will and daughter Alexa, age 8.5 (you can’t forget the half!).
What inspired the 10 races for 10 years celebration?
I’ve been involved in distance events (13.1, 26.2, ironman triathlon, triathlons, century rides) for quite some time. In the last couple of years my husband started getting into running (he’s done two 13.1s prior to this endeavor).  With a move to a new state he’s had to travel a lot, therefore racking in hotel points and airline points.  We decided, what the heck, let’s use the points and Southwest companion status and go for 10 half marathons!  Pretty sure next year we’ll be on an island drinking fancy cocktails with umbrellas!
Have you and your husband always been running buddies?

Will and Kristy at the San Francisco half. Despite living in San Francisco for several years, it was the first time Kristy crossed the bridge on foot.

No, not at all, in fact the only 13.1 we did together was New Orleans.  We are totally different runners!  He can get up early to run, me not so much. When I was working shift work (I was a 911 dispatcher prior to moving to AZ) I’d run when I could, or not.  My passion is cycling and I really enjoy being a part of Team in Training as a mentor, captain and coach.
Are your kids following in your [running] footsteps?
Alexa…sometimes.  Her elementary school has a run club.  It turned into a walk club for her.  She loves the social, daisy-watching aspect of sports at this point, but has completed one kid’s triathlon about three years ago and loved it.  From the time she could hold her head up enough to wear a bike helmet, she was in a bike buggy for 25-mile rides, then graduated to the bike attachment that she pedaled. Now she rides alongside us for family outings to Starbucks.
Do you and Will run together or go your own pace during races? 
Own pace – I’m a run/walker, he’s a runner and still about 3 min faster than me…yep, only slightly competitive.
How have you celebrated previous anniversaries? Anything as unique as this ten-year milestone?
You mean we had nine other anniversaries?!

More bling, more bettah! Only three Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathons to go!

Why the Rock ‘n’ Roll series?
The bling!  More medals – more bettah!
Any special restaurants picked out along the way?
No, although Chicago style pizza this weekend is a must! Our trips are usually Fri-Sun and I’m pretty anal about not spending the day before a race touring the city.
What tips do you have for mother runners who want to run with their partners but find road bumps in the pacing, distance, etc.?
Don’t!  It’s your time to be one with whatever you want to be one with. Should you want to connect with your partner via running then “agree before you go.”  If you decide to run together then do it and don’t be pissed if one of you is slower/faster. As Will and I do – go to the event together and know that it is TOTALLY ok to run your own race.  The key is to decide before you go.  I’m an emotional athlete: I feel good then game on!  I have a blast at whatever event/sport it is. If I’m feeling blah, not so much. So whatever happens, starting the race together and knowing we’ll see each other at the finish is perfect.