Five Points of Life Marathon - Race Report

Well, it turns out a whole lot can change in 7 days. At least, when weather's concerned. As miserably freezing cold last weekend's race was in Jax, this weekend was equally (and unseasonably) unpleasant. I woke up Sunday morning and checked the weather. 70 degrees with 85% humidity and a 50% chance of thunderstorms all morning. Oh, now this could get exciting. We donned our FTC singlets and blue Brooks visors and were ready to go.

Danielle and I were the 4:15 marathon pacers. It would be our first official pacing experience and we were both really excited. Our plan was to start with a 9:30 pace, walk a few steps through some water stops, then bank a bit of time in case there was a struggle in the second half. Danielle has a Garmin, so thankfully we wouldn't have to do much guess work. We arrived at the start, got our signs, and hit the starting corral.

The first few miles went easily. We got to know a few of our fellow 4:15ers and shared some great race stories. Some had run marathons before and some were experiencing their first. I loved sharing my own stories with them as well. We all cheered for the spectators on the street corners, we said hello and thanks to all the police officers, and we picked up other runners along the way. One of my runners told me that I deserved an award for "the most energetic pacer". I took that to heart and used it for fuel for the rest of the race.

The infamous hills along 16th avenue weren't as terrible as I had planned. The Duck Pond area was more beautiful than I remembered. The recorded announcer playing through the speakers in the stadium gave me the chills once again. The roads through campus were just as comfortably familiar as they always are.

The race got much more quiet after the halfway point. We crossed the mats at the 13.1 at exactly 2:07:25. Five seconds early. Close enough! We held onto a couple of our runners for a bit longer. The long stretch up Williston Road was a bit unfamiliar to me. It did seem to go on forever but that could have been because of the 20mph winds. So far the weather had held up. The humidity was high and the air was warm but the overcast threatening clouds had yet to open up on us. The winds were almost unbearable. There were times when I felt like my legs were moving underneath me but I wasn't moving forward. I almost lost my visor a dozen times. Somewhere around the 20 mile mark the sign blew off our pacing stick, so D dropped it on the side of the road. Hills are hills, and I can always get to the top. However, getting to the top of some of those climbs in the second half was so much harder with a headwind like that one.

Eventually we got to 34th Street, turned right and the wind was at our back. We literally had to work to slow down so that we wouldn't finish too soon. The last few miles went fairly easily and even though we didn't cross the finish line with any other runners, we accomplished our goal. We held a nice, steady pace the whole way through, told lots of good stories, gave lots of "high 5s" and felt great at the finish. For our second marathon in 7 days, I couldn't have asked for anything better. And no thunderstorms all day. So take that weather.com.

The volunteers and police force were nothing less than amazing for this race. The organization was top notch. I never had to wonder where I was going or if there was going to be an aid station soon. There was water and gatorade and every stop and Cliff Shots/Blocks at three different stations. Chip timing, tech shirts, medals for all finishers, and if its your thing - plentiful domino's pizza at the finish! Not much more you could ask for - especially for my first pacing opportunity! I would definitely do it again. Only shame is I have to wait a whole 'nother year. Well done, Five Points of Life, well done.

Until next time, run happy and high 5!

26.2 with Donna Race Report

This was my fourth year at the Donna race. There's only one other race I've repeated this many times, that's how much I love it. It has a great expo, a fantastic course with beautiful scenery, and the most supportive, encouraging crowd support you could imagine. The expo's pretty great also.

This year, as in year's past, we took a group of THL and co. up with us for the weekend. Michelle's mom came down from Myrtle Beach to walk the 1/2 (her first!) and brought her husband along. Michelle had a client come up for it to walk the 1/2 for company and also brought her husband. Danielle came over from Alabama, Jenny and Sylvan from NSB, Nicole and Beau from g'ville, and Tracy came up with a group of newbies to run their first 1/2 with them. It was a big, loud, fun group - as always.

Danielle and I decided to keep Nicole company and pace her for her first full marathon. My first full was a really long time ago and all I can seem to remember are the best parts. The stories my dad told me to keep me entertained, the 1/2 way point, those sneaky speedhumps at the very end of the course, holding my dad's hand as we crossed the finish line, and finally the tears that came flowing after said finish line. What I don't seem to remember too well is the pain in the knees, the ache in the hips, the fatigue in my low back, and the numbness in my feet. Since then I've paced a few friends through their first 5k, 15k, and even first 1/2, but its been about 7 years since I've had the privilege of pacing someone through their first full. I was excited for Nicole. She had trained hard, trained smart, and she has this determination unmatched by most. Six months ago she started training with us and quickly decided to run a full marathon. And run a marathon she did!

The day started out freeeeeeeezing. Well, actually, it was in the 20s, so WELL below freezing. And for these Florida girls, it was more than a little uncomfortable. We all dressed in layers - several layers - with gloves, hats, ear warmers, and throw-away clothes. Thankfully we found a spot (thanks to Beau) to wait inside a hotel lobby until 20 minutes before the race start. With heat. With chairs. AND with a bathroom!

After we braved the cold and found our corral, it was go time. National anthem, gun start, shuffle up to start line, and we were off. Dodging walkers for the first two miles helped warm us up and I soon took off two throw-away layers. The day was looking up! The first few miles of the course were on a huge highway with some significant banking. I think Nicole's ankle probably started to bother her here, but - in true Nicole fashion - she didn't let on.

Around the 5 mile mark, we hit the beach for about 2 miles. The tide is low, the sand hard packed, the ocean is beautiful, so its a nice change from pavement. This is also where the course spits off from the 1/2, so things get a bit more quiet after the beach. Nicole started getting a little quiet around this point so D and I started with the stories.

Danielle and I have only been running together just shy of two years, yet its amazing how many races we've done in that short time. We talked about the disaster of Appalachicola, the joys of the Jacks 50k(s), previous Donnas, the Back2Back weekend, and many others. Mainly to keep Nicole's mind off the impending pain that comes with a marathon, but also because that's what we do. We hash and re-hash experiences and are still trying to come up with the perfect scenario. One day we'll get it right. Maybe.

Miles 10-20 went fairly predictably. Somewhere in there we ran through the downtown portion which is a great area. One lone man with a microphone and a guitar happened to be singing "Bright Sunshiny Day" when we passed around mile 18 - one of my favorite memories of this year. Aches and pain start to kick in, we walked through some water stops, we just kept saying, "one mile at a time" and "relentless forward progress" (thanks, dad). It seems that when you reach the 20 mile marker of a marathon you realize that you will indeed finish. And you will indeed survive. This realization doesn't do much for the physical pains, but it does help a bit with the mental game.

The final 3 mile stretch is on the same highway we started on. Same banking - other direction. More aches = more stories. Then came the last mile, marked with the Lululemon girls on the final overpass. What a great aid station that was - loud music, funny signs, cheering girls (who somehow pretended not to notice the 35 degree temps), and lots of smiles. That's got to be one of the highlights of the race course.

Finally you exit the highway, turn right and you can see the finish line ahead. Pace stayed steady, we brought it in, and held our hands high as the three of us crossed the finish line. I looked over and saw that the tears in Nicole's eyes matched the tears in my own and I haven't ever been so proud.

The whole group did great as well. Jenny set a PR for the full, Sylvan for the 1/2, Michelle and Tracy both did great. Michelle's mom finished her first ever 1/2 (YAY!). And Nicole... Nicole did her first full marathon. First of many, I'm sure. And I can't wait for her next one!

Adaptation

"To get something you've never had, you have to be willing to do something you've never done."

This is a very powerful quote for me and one I remind myself of at least once every day, especially on Wednesdays. Wednesdays is speedwork day. Speedwork is hard and it hurts. I mean hurts like nothing else. But I knew if I wanted to run better than I ever had, it was crucial that I add this in. Before last summer, I had never done speedwork and finished at least 4 marathons in just a few months at virtually the same pace. If I wanted to get faster, I knew I had to do something different. Something I had never done. After a few months of speedwork I ran my PR. Finally.

Another favorite quote of mine is the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I get asked all the time what it takes to be fit. Being fit is not easy. It requires diligent effort, extreme dedication, and a willingness to be uncomfortable. I repeat - if you do what you've always done then you'll stay where you've always been. You must be willing to go out of your comfort zone if you want to see progress. Muscles break down during strenuous exercise, this is what makes you sore. You need some level of this break down in order to come back stronger the next time. Over time you'll need more (or different) stimulus to achieve the challenge. THIS IS NORMAL. If you keep walking on a treadmill at the same speed for the same amount of time at the same level of incline time and time again then chances are your forward progress will stall out in two weeks flat. The human body is an amazing organism that can adapt to pretty much anything. Because of this we can run marathons, race triathlons, or row 10,000 meters. Or we can spend 40 hours a week sitting at a computer, work the night shift, or eat a crappy diet. Our bodies will adapt to the stresses placed on it, whatever that stress may be. USE THIS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! Spend some time getting stronger, lift weights, train your heart to work harder. Your body will adjust, adapt and be better for it. Likewise if you eat terrible food, sit at a desk for 8 hours, watch television for 4 hours and sleep for 6, your body will adapt to this. Don't be surprised when what you get out of your program is the direct result of what you put into it. That, in fact, is exactly what the body is supposed to do!

What kind of adaptation do you want?

Why I Run

People always ask me why I run. "Isn't it boring?" "What do you think about?" "Don't your legs get tired?" So for my first blog ever, I figured this is a good question to start with.

First off, for me, running is a way to stay fit. It's accessible, variable, challenging, progressive, and a way for me to burn off (and gain) some energy. All you really need is a pair of shoes and you're good to go. Most people burn approximately 100 calories/mile running. You get some great leg muscles, more body awareness, and after a while, climbing those stairs at work doesn't leave you as winded. Its a great way to set goals, make plans, and see weekly improvement. Soon after starting, you realize that block isn't really that long around or that walk to get a coffee isn't really that far. And maybe your dog (or husband) will get some exercise alongside you!

But for me, running is so much more. Years ago when I started, it was a way for me to stay connected to my family. Way more on my family later, but every race through my first few years was accomplished with the help of my family. Sure, lots of families go on vacations together, spend weekends together grilling out, have holidays where they sleep in, eat lots of food and stay up late. My family's a bit different. For the past 10 years, we've been getting together for races. My brothers (who are very accomplished ultra-runners) and I have seen my Dad complete his 50 States, I've crewed for Brad on some 100 milers, and we supported Matt as he ran across the state of Florida. I ran my first 5k, 10k, and marathon with my Dad. I ran my first 24 hour run with both parents, both brothers, and a sister-in-law. You could definitely say, unequivocally, that its a family affair. We talk about training, racing, nutrition, and recovery every time we get together. And I couldn't even imagine where I'd be without them. To me, running means family.

Running is also my social time. I'm fortunate enough to have an incredible network of runners around me for training and racing. These girls all started as training partners on a relay team and have grown into sisters. We run, race, train, travel, eat, rest, text (obviously), and laugh together. We've seen each other through tragedy, loss, engagements, marriage, divorce, relocation, births, birthdays, and injury. Somehow we get through these milestones with our company and the road. When I picture myself running, I picture myself in this group, laughing and chatting the miles away.

So sure, running can be boring. It definitely makes my legs tired. Sometimes I think about lots of things, sometimes I think about nothing. But what running does bring me - closer to my family and a network of amazing, inspiring women - far outweighs any negative aspects. Its what I do, what I believe in, when I feel at my best. So find some training partners, get your family active, be an inspiration. Find what it is that brings you closer to an active lifestyle. The payoff is huge.

That's why I run.