Running on Tybee

Before the summer got away from us, my family and I recently spent a few days on Tybee Island.  We've stayed on Tybee before, but this is the first time I was in training and felt compelled to rise early and get in some quality miles.  Here is my plug for the Island, which is just about a 30 minute drive from Savannah, GA.: Tybee is a charming, quaint, little beach community that is relatively affordable for a family vacation.  We did go in late August, so it wasn't high season, and have found that we can rent a nice, 3 bedroom beach cottage for about the price to stay in a beachfront hotel elsewhere.

"Blues Away" cottage.  My girls loved the decor and having their own bedrooms. 

While on Tybee, I rose early for two training runs for the upcoming Richmond Marathon and Tuna Run 200.  Each of my runs was finished by 9AM.  It was hot, and I was slow. Tybee is small, and I didn't research running routes before setting off for an 8 miler the first morning.  I ran on the sidewalk up and down Butler Ave., the main road near the beach, and ran through a residential area to the lighthouse.  There wasn't much traffic, so running on the sidewalk and crossing streets wasn't a problem.

Tree house in the residential section past the boardwalk area and headed to the inlet.

My second run was a 10 miler.  This time I ran along Butler Ave., but I also ran to the beach on the inlet side and ran through more residential sections and along Chatham Ave. On the first day I had avoided running directly on the beach because at some beaches I find the beach slopes too much, the full sun is intense, and that running near the shore is disorienting.  Because I felt that I wasn't getting enough beach time on Tybee, I ventured onto the beach and found it flat and pleasant.  I ran to the lighthouse on this run, too, but I did it from the beach side and was glad I did.

I would highly recommend a visit to Tybee and a run or two during your visit.

I thought my run was tough, but this man was running in the heavy sand in boots with a full backpack.  

Esprit de She 5/10K Race Report 2014

Looking back from the starting line.

The second annual Esprit de She 5k/10k Run in Cary, NC on June 26 was a huge hit.  The sold out race with an expanded field of 1,500 women runners was a good size to provide some of the excitement of a larger race and the feel of a small race where one could easily find friends in a crowd.

Among the crowd I saw old friends and new friends I made as a member of the race training group.  My friend Christine and I are "founding finishers" of the race.  We added three additional friends to our carpool this year.  It was inspiring simply to be there among a sisterhood of runners enjoying and celebrating an evening of fitness.

The course was reversed this year, and I really liked it.  I ran the 5K that began with a gradual, steady incline, followed by a downhill portion  and a lap around the small lake before finishing near the start at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre.  The 5K and the 10k began at the same time, and the two races split around the 1 mile mark.  I noticed many more women running the 10K this year.

When we arrived for the 6:30PM race at 5:40PM, it was 92 degrees.  I don't usually run on summer evenings and marveled at the many women who chose to race 6 miles in such conditions.  My take on this race is that there is no need to run 6 miles in the heat to enjoy fitness and fellowship and a great post-race party as soon as possible.

We started about 10 rows of people back from the starting line, and that placement was fine for a 9:30 pace.  The two highlights of the race for me were after ascending the first incline and the last half mile. Nearing the finish the women were focused, serious and trying their best.  It was exciting and hot!

Within our small group, we were running varying paces and distances, so we made a plan of where to meet after the race.   At the finish we found water, recovery drink, snacks, shoe laces and towels.  Christine and I were around the 100th finishers, so we were lucky enough to snag one of the few remaining tables available because most were already occupied by family members and supporters of the runners.

When I approached the food table, there were only about three other women there. I took one of the tiny plates and placed some tasty La Farm treats on it thinking I would return for more later.  I did not return because the line became very long.  When we made it to the Bubbly Bar, we were among the first to get our champagne, which was very good, and we really liked the plastic souvenir glasses that we brought home.

In summary, this is a great event.   Running in a women's only event is different than a traditional race.  It's not so much about who can run the fastest.  It's about doing something good for yourself with a group of women.  The course is just challenging enough and scenic.  If you want to celebrate fitness with your family after the run, they are welcome.  If you want to make it a girls night out, you can do that.  The venue is fantastic, the food is delicious, and the adult beverages are a nice touch.

The race did have a few growing pains this year, but nothing that can't be resolved.  Most notably, the race shirts were not in the race packets because they were held up in customs.  My experience as a race ambassador was wonderful, but I felt bad about the race shirts not being available.  My friends and I had to find time to make it to the mall 30 minutes away within a few days after the race. We did get a $15 gift card for the inconvenience, but if the race is sponsored by an apparel retailer, the shirts should be available before or at the race.  I have worn Athleta clothing for years and love it, so I am sorry about this set back.  (We did have the option to have shirts mailed to us -- without the gift card).

Additionally, the buffet line should be staged to easily accommodate 1,500 women.  And, finally, because many women new to racing participate, the race should help educate women about race etiquette.  Women participated in this event in groups. Some of these groups provided obstacles for some runners.  The walkers and slower runners should be instructed to make way for other runners and be instructed about which side of the road or greenway to be on so that participants trying to race can do so without frustration.

Carter County 5K with Girls on the Run

Waiting at the finish line chute for the final runners and walkers.

I recently returned to my hometown of Grayson, KY to visit family and participate in Memory Days activities. This is the fifth year that I ran in the Carter County Fight Against Cancer 5K, and this year I was happy to see small children in the race.  Five are listed in the official results, but two more might have run unofficially.  A few years ago I found it disheartening that children did not participate.  Last year the high school age group was represented well for the first time in recent memory.  This year the younger set participated. Kudos to the young runners and their families!

Along with the girls' and parents' efforts, The Girls on the Run organization gets credit for helping get two girls race ready.  These two do not live in Carter County. Both of the girls were from out of town and visiting family for the weekend.  I also noted two young boys, the sons of a runner friend in the area.  The highlight of the race for me was seeing the children participate and finish.  One girl ran with her mother, a coach for Girls on the Run, and another ran solo.  That mom watched out for both girls along the course.  I met one of the girls before the race. She is the daughter of a friend from back in the day.  She took off fast at the start, slowed to a walk, and had a side stitch early as a result.  I noticed her distress and called to her to remember that this is a three mile race.  I told her that if she slowed down, she could make it. My own daughter had started a race like this when she first began running.  By running and walking, we made it to the finish in a respectable time.  I was tempted to slow at this race with this young runner and was a bit perplexed about what to do.  In that moment I decided to run the race and catch up with the the men who had sprinted ahead.  I did catch many of them, set a personal record, and was the first female finisher.

I saw the children at the finish.  They all did great!  I celebrated with the mother and daughter team from Girls on the Run.  They both placed in their age groups and were delighted to be called forward to receive special t-shirts.  That made my heart happy.  They had not known that awards could be involved and did not know that a race was to be run that day until the night before the race. Thanks Girls on the Run and the awesome parents who supported their children in running this fun event.

Esprit de She Race and Training

It's finally my favorite month: June.  How could it not be?  I typically train for Spring and Fall races, but I am excited about participating in the upcoming Esprit de She 5K on June 26 in Cary, NC.  The Esprit de She is a designer race series for women sponsored by Athleta and Lifetime Fitness.  I ran in the inaugural race in Cary last year and will return this year with several of my friends.  I invite others to join us for a great girls night out.  Last year around 600 women participated. This year the combined 5K and 10K will expand to 1,500 runners.  In the past week I learned that registration is already at 80% capacity.  I am honored to have been named an Esprit de She Ambassador.  My role as an ambassador is to spread the word about the race.  It seems that the word has already spread!

Cary, NC Esprit de She training group on the first day, May 5.  

As the race approaches, I am inspired by the other women runners in my Lifetime Fitness Esprit de She training program.  I highly recommend this training program for women with the goal of completing their first 5K or 10K, for those wanting to improve upon their past performance, or those looking for group support and accountability.  I paid $3.10 for this 8 week training program with Coach Jen.  I received a stylish training group technical shirt, and by the time the race rolls around, I'll be well outfitted.  The group meets twice per week with specific workouts for beginners, intermediate and advanced runners.  Each session begins with a warm up, and each group of runners works at their own pace. Following the run, Coach Jen is on hand to answer general questions.  This program is perfect for a woman with a flexible schedule.  The group meets at 9:30AM on Mondays and Wednesdays, and runners are instructed to run other days of the week on their own or to join scheduled Lifetime social runs as well. The training routes are scenic and include hills.  It's easier to run up hills with other women by your side than to go them alone.  This past week, we ran the course for the race, which is a short walk from the Lifetime facility.  This seems to be an ideal training situation.  Not much will surprise this group of runners on race day.

The group gathers near the start for a trial run of the race course on May 28.

To register for Esprit de She 5K or 10K in Cary, NC on June 26, go to: http://bit.ly/1cz3Tmb.
If you heard about the race from me and plan to register, use my referral code when asked for a promo code:  EDS83.   Thanks!

Boston Marathon 2014 Race Report

Almost two weeks after the race, I met Meb Keflezighi, the 2014 Boston Marathon Champion and the first American male to win the race since 1983.  It was a brief encounter during which he shook my hand, congratulated me on my run, and signed my race bib. Meb congratulated me as I congratulated him.  Unthinkable.  Sidelined with an injury last year, he had spectated for hours at the Marathon near the finish line and had stepped into a shop for some tea when the explosions occurred.  Since then he had been determined to come back and win the race.  What I admire most about my new hero is that he wrote the names of each of the victims killed on his bib. So simple and so heartfelt.

I got a glimpse into the mind of this elite athlete at Lifetime Fitness in Cary, NC while listening to him for about 20 minutes as he answered questions and recalled his thoughts during the race this year and about last year.  On this promotional tour for Generation UCAN, a sports nutrition company, he was genuine, down-to earth, and humorous.  He had been surprised the pack  let him go early and described his strategy of picking up the pace going into the Newton hills and closing in on the finish. Even as he masterfully executed his race plan, he almost got carried away by the chants of USA, USA from spectators. I was glad to hear that he had not run since Boston, and that he could barely walk the next day.  He is human after all.

My trip to Boston was great; the Marathon was amazing; and no words can explain the feeling that I had when I crossed the finish line.  The Boston Athletic Association, the city of Boston, the towns along the course, the volunteers, and the spectators and participants could not have done better.

The highlight of my race was just behind the finish line.  For a year I had wanted to run that race, take back that race and show the world that the human spirit can overcome adversity.  For hours on Marathon Monday my body had been in motion and the sound of the crowds had helped propel me forward.  I ran as hard as I could down Boylston Street to the finish line, and behind the line everything slowed and softened.  The striving was over. I finally felt a sense of peace and great joy.  We had done it:  Boston, the spectators, the runners, myself included.  The back of the race shirts declare "Boston Runs as One."  We were all one. I was part of something bigger than myself and something historic. This year that was a good feeling.  Behind the line there was a restrained, reverent celebration of resilience partly because we were all exhausted.  A man to my left pulled out his phone and began videotaping himself and shouting with joy at the screen.  It must have been loud there because he was yelling two feet way, and I couldn't make out what he said. I found all things good behind that line.  I heard a roar from the crowd after I passed the finish.  I crossed the line at about the time of the bombings last year.  Maybe the crowd was celebrating that we passed that mark.

Two men perched high in chairs welcomed us to Boston and congratulated us.  I began taking a few pictures, and a volunteer offered to take my picture.  They let us take our time and soak it all in.  The space was larger and less crowded than last year, and we had a mile walk to Boston Common to retrieve gear bags and meet family.

Behind the Finish Line

The BAA handled the logistics of 32,000 participants beautifully.  Dry bag drop off and bus loading went smoothly.  The bus caravan to Hopkinton was uneventful.  During the ride I talked with a mother of three from Canada who had vowed to return to Boston while she watched last year's events unfold on TV. She had trained alone at 4AM in the snow and cold.  It was apparent we were there for the same reason.  When I arrived at Athlete's Village, I could tell we were all in this together.  The runners appeared to follow the new method of getting from the village to the corrals and the start line in an orderly manner.    The portable restroom lines seemed longer than last year.  When I arrived, I got in line right away and waited for 25 minutes.  Then I relaxed sprawling in the sun on a tarp for about 30 minutes.  I noted the security personal on a rooftop and walking among the runners.  This is the new normal.  I later spotted security personnel on a rooftop in the corral area.

My daughter and I ran along the Charles River to loosen up the day before the race.

The second time I was in the portable restroom line, I was in it for at least 30-35 minutes.  My group was called to the start as I stood in line about five people back.  If you set up camp in the village, you are mostly alone in the crowd.  If you stand in a line with a bunch of people with nervous energy, it can be like a social event.  The man in front of me was calm and did not worry about getting to the start on time because he has run 50 marathons.  I was a nervous wreck. The man behind me was calm given his circumstances.  A firefighter from Natick, one of the towns through which the race passes, he grew up watching the race, but never thought he would run it until two weeks before the race.  At the last minute, two spots opened on a team of firemen.  I assumed that the spots were of the firemen who recently lost their lives battling a fire in Boston.  He didn't hesitate to join the team even though he had only run half marathon distance previously.  To train he ran 16 miles two weeks before the race.  He was all heart and determination.  I finally made it out of the village and never stopped moving.  When I arrived at the corral, the runners were moving toward the starting line.  Then we took off.

The spectators were amazing!  It was odd to hear, "Thank you, runners!" shouted by spectators.  Children sought high fives, and I offered more this year as the crowds swelled in the heart of each town.  I got my energy from them.  I did not get emotional thinking about last year's tragedy while I ran, but I came close to tearing up seeing small children cheering and watching the race.  As I passed Team Hoyt the cheering grew louder for the father and son team who have run Boston for 32 years -- with this year being their final year. I cheered for them, too.

Walking to the start.

It was sunny and approaching 60 degrees at my start and topped out around 70 degrees around the time of my finish.  Perfect race conditions would be in the 50's. I started in Wave 3, corral 5.  My coach told me a few days before the race what my time goal should be and the pace that I should run. She told me that I could set a personal record at Boston because my training had gone well.  My strategy was to run an 8:10 pace for the first miles of downhill and then target 8:15.  She told me not to "freak out" if the first mile was slow because of the crowd.  I knew not to do that, but when I saw I was around an 8:30 pace at the one mile mark, I sort of did.  I made up for it in the next several miles.  I felt great and had boundless energy until around mile 16 when my quads began to hurt.  The hills were a blur, and they just kept coming!  I had to tell myself to keep my legs moving and made a mental note that I should learn how to deal with mind games associated with pain. I felt warm and took fluids at every station in the last half of the race.  That had not been my plan, but dousing myself with water a few times felt good.

Raleigh, NC area runners after a group pasta dinner the night before the race.

Coming into Boston in the final miles, I felt strong but slow. I passed double amputees running in the final miles and thought I had no business dwelling on pain.  I wove around people for most of the race having started with bib 22,367 and finishing at 13,560.  I was focused on finishing and more cognizant than last year of making the right onto Hereford and the left onto Boylston.  The crowds in this area were unrivaled.  I missed a personal record by one minute.  It didn't matter.  The race was never about that.  I did meet my goals or running faster than last year and of re-qualifying for next year with a time of 3:43:48.

One of the most emotional parts of my experience was two days before the race while my family and I took a walking tour along the Freedom Trail.  An elderly Bostonian approached me as I lagged behind the tour group.  She told me about her race day last year. She had spectated near the finish line for 30 years, and on that day, she heard God telling her to leave the area.  She left before the bombs exploded.  She told me that through prayer she is at peace with last year now.  I listened and could only nod because I was not yet at peace with it. She brought tears to my eyes and then asked to take a picture of me wearing my celebration jacket from last year.  I found my peace with it shortly thereafter at the finish line.

Boston Marathon Training: Weeks 18 & 19

The Boston Marathon is in four days.  I am nervous, jittery, and carbohydrate deprived.   I spoke with my coach today, and she assures me that I am ready for the race.  The last time we talked about my time goal was in November when she asked me what my goal was.  I simply said that I'd like to do better than the last time.  No more was said until today. When I learned what my goal time is, I couldn't believe it.  My goal had been to join 36,000 other runners on Monday in a show of solidarity. As the race grew closer, I realized that I want to Boston qualify again during the race.  That's a little pressure.  I look forward to seeing what I can do on race day.

Over the past days, my love for the sport of running has grown even more as I participated in a number of running activities. This time has been filled with highs and lows.  I worked at the Raleigh Rock N Roll Marathon and Half Marathon Expo for the Tuna Run 200.  While there I encountered runners of all ages, abilities and experience levels, and I enjoyed learning about their upcoming races.  They inspired me to want to run more races just for the fun of it.  No time goals.  Just go run and have fun.

This was the inaugural Rock N Roll race in Raleigh.  My friend Holly and I spectated to support our numerous friends in the races and to support the running community in general.  We found a great spot near a band, held encouraging posters, and I rang a cow bell continuously for two hours while Holly cheered and clapped.  She turned to me at one point and said her face was going to be stuck in a smile.  I knew exactly what she meant.  I have three blisters on my hands from the bell, but it was worth it.   I then met my friend Rachel with whom I haven't run in way too long to complete my last long run before my race.  We were able to catch up on the latest in each other's lives over the course of the run.  I returned home and learned that two fatalities occurred at the Rock N Roll race.  That sad news cast a pall over the race for me and for all the runners  -- especially for those runners who saw the two men down on the course being attended to by medical personnel.

The following evening I attended a send off for Boston runners held by the nOg Run Club in Raleigh.  I didn't know quite what to expect, and decided at the last minute to join the club for a 3 mile run around downtown Raleigh where I have never run.  It was good to be with a group of people heading to Boston.

On the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, I volunteered at the running club at my daughter's school.  I realized while doing a strenuous workout with the children that I was meant to be there with them on that day.  Children will continue to run and more will come to enjoy and maybe even love the sport as I do.  That evening we learned that a cruel, mentally disturbed person placed a backpack containing a rice cooker at the Marathon finish line.

My legs have felt slow and heavy during my last few runs (and I've been sore for days following that running club workout), and I have not been eating as well as I should have.  I was beginning to doubt myself, but Coach Brennan tells me that I should feel sluggish now.  I've decided not to be too hard on myself about eating properly.  At the first of the week, I was supposed to load up on protein and limit carbs, and then at the end of the week, I am supposed to load up on carbs.  The first day I avoided carbs, but forgot to pile on the protein.  By the end of the day I was famished.  My husband walked into the house with hot take out pizza, and I caved.  At least I only had two slices.  I've tried since then and get to indulge in carbs beginning tomorrow morning.  I have one more day in North Carolina before the race, and then we leave for Boston.  Boston Strong!

Last two weeks of training:

Sun.: Day off
Mon.: 7 miles at 9:16 average pace; strides not done
Tues.: Day off
Wed.: 2 miles warm up; 3 X 1 mile at 7:16 average pace; 1.5 miles cool down
Thurs.: Day off
Fri.: 5 miles at 9:48 average pace plus 8 X 100 meter strides
Sat. : Day off

Sun.: 12 miles at 9:10 average pace
Mon.: 3 miles, which felt fast.  Unplanned and not timed.
Tues.:  Day off (scheduled 6 miles)
Wed.: 2 miles warm up; 3 miles at an 8:27 pace; 1 mile cool down
Thurs.: Day off
Fri.: 6 miles at 10:00 pace plus 6 x 100 meter strides planned for the day
Sat.: Day off
Sun.: 2 miles easy jog planned
Mon.: 26.2 miles  -- race day coming up soon!!!

Boston Marathon Training: Week 17; Reflecting on Boston 2013

The past few weeks have reminded me why I am returning to the Boston Marathon.  I had been obsessively lost in my training, a selfish pursuit.  As the race approaches, the media is updating us on the lives of those most affected by the Boston Marathon bombings and the preparations for the upcoming race.  My reflection on last year began when I watched a portion of a video of Boston's Milton Middle School Choir performing the tribute song "I Will Run Again."  My initial reaction was that I didn't want to hear it.  It's too sad.  I learned this will be performed at the pre-race dinner, and I was relieved that I will not be attending it this year.  When I saw a picture of 8-year-old Jane Richard smiling with her new prosthetic leg designed for running and everyday use, I looked away quickly.  I did not want to see it.  It's too sad.  I read a Runner's World article about Demi Clark, a women returning to the race who was approaching the finish line at the time of the bombing.  She has suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  While reading that article, it occurred to me that this humanizing of the victims is something that I need.  Although it was sad, this time, I read it.  During each of my runs, I have prayed for the victims who have suffered physically and mentally and for those who know, love and support them.  I have not really known for whom I was praying, but now that I am learning of these individuals' healing, I have some peace.

This time of reflection has been emotional.  I feel excited about the race and have nervous energy while tapering.  At the same time, I am allowing myself to feel sad again and know that more sadness will come at times that I can't predict.  The final miles of a marathon can be not only physically draining, but also emotionally draining.  I once realized I was sobbing at around mile 20 of a race. Something just came over me, and I can't explain why.  I don't want to sob in Boston, but I am packing waterproof mascara because it is inevitable.

The Boston Public Library, the first large free municipal library in the United States, is a National Historic Landmark and a site on my list of tourist attractions should I have the time.  A new exhibit has opened there entitled "Dear Boston:  Messages from the Marathon Memorial."   The exhibit includes some of the items left at the memorial including shoes and personal notes.  Four white crosses in the exhibit represent the four lives lost that day and in the aftermath.  The crosses honor Martin Richard, Lu Lingzi, Krystle Campbell and Sean Collier.  When I read about this exhibit, I thought this is the last thing that I would want to see upon my return.  Perhaps it is where I should start.

This video is for "Run Run Run" written by Michelle Lewis.  Michelle has runners in her family and wrote this song after the Boston Marathon bombings.

Training this past week:
Sun.: 22 miles; 9:23 average pace
Mon.: Day off
Tues.: 2 miles warm up; 5 X 800 meters at 5K race pace with 400 meters easy recovery in between; 1 mile cool down.  I'm pretty sure I was at a 7:20 pace on average, but my Garmin went wacky at the track.
Wed.:  7 miles recovery; 9:47 pace (hilly, sunny and 85+ degrees!!!)
Thurs.: Day off
Fri.: 2 miles warm up; 5 miles at 7:56 average pace; 1 mile cool down
Sat.: 16 miles; 9:13 average pace