Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Eugene Marathon - Olympic Trials Qualifier Number Four!

"Sixteen down, four to go".  It was cold, windy, and grey. My first 20 miler of the marathon cycle, and my heart felt like it was missing something. I had pondered for quite sometime why I didn't quite feel the spark I once had.  I still loved running, I still had goals I wanted to achieve, but the unabashed passion was missing. I started to ascend a hill, when an ad from the late 90's popped in my head, my heart raced, my pace dropped, and a smile crossed my face. I had just found the missing piece.

An advertisement, I loved, ran in Runners World (I think) in the late 90's - early 2000's and stated "Money doesn't wait at the top of the hill. Glory doesn't wait at the top of the hill. All that waits at the top of the hill is the top of the hill".   I had decided in middle school that the top of the hill was what I wanted, that getting to the top of the hill was enough, that seeing where the top of my hill would be fulfilling. Here I was fretting about 2:45 pace and how I would be able to handle it in a few months. I decided in that moment to shift my thinking.  I stripped off the limitations I was putting on myself, I wanted to find how fit I could get between then and Eugene, not see if I could find a way to sub 2:45.  For me, seeing what I was capable of, pushing to the top of the hill, that was exciting.  With my new shift in mindset, I viewed training not a means to 2:45, but as a way to start pushing myself toward my limit. This yielded a new excitement to see what I was capable of.  My goal in running had always been to see what I could do, and leave the sport with no "what if's".  But somewhere I had forgotten that.

After races in Austin and D.C. (Link about those here), I returned home excited about the possibilities in Eugene.  Five weeks around 95 miles a week with tempos, long runs, and speed work each week, then two weeks of taper later, I was in Oregon! I was able to spend a few days with Jennie (college teammate and one of my best friends) and enjoyed being with her. She did everything for me, food, driving, you name it, she did it!  Thank you Jennie!

Prior to the race, I set my mind on running 26.2 miles to the best of my ability on the day, and believed that would be around 2:37.  The gun went off and I filed in with Colton and Kate.  Around 4 miles I knew I was working harder than I would be able to sustain so I backed off a bit.  My head started to go to a dark place, "You're not going to get the 'A' standard", "No! Run the best 26.2 miles you can TODAY" I reminded myself.  The first 10 miles flew by, Kate was long gone, and Colton remained close. He could sense my need to just deal with myself so he ran 20-30 meters ahead of me, and it was perfect. I had someone to chase after.  I took in "Long Haul" by Spring Nutrition at miles 7, 14, and 21. My stomach would not be an issue this day.

I knew Jennie would be at mile 16 so I set my sights on getting there.  The miles started to get a little longer around that time, and my smile was more of a grimace.  I still felt in control hitting around 6:10 pace, but each mile was getting harder.  Around mile 18 I had a cramp in my ribs that freaked me out a bit, but it subsided a few miles later. At mile 20 I knew I had about a 3 minute cushion which meant I could run 6:45ish pace and still hit the OTQ so my mind stayed focused. I reminded myself to run the best 26.2 miles I could many times over the next few miles.  Mile 22 Colton held up 4 fingers and I thought "just 24 more minutes of work".  Mile 25 Jennie was there and my ugly cry face made an appearance.  I pushed for the last mile, and both legs buckled on a small dip (or possibly not) in the pavement. "Where the fuck is Hayward Field?" I thought, the trees covered the view of campus and I desperately wanted to see the stadium.  Approximately one eternity later (like I said the miles were getting longer) I popped of the bike path to the screaming voices of Maureen and Paul Heintz.  Mo and Paul were my bosses nearly 10 years ago in a running shop and having them there was special.  A few hundred meters later I heard my Oiselle teammates screaming as I entered Hayward Field. I touched the sacred track and ran as hard as my legs would let me. I crossed the finish line in 2:41:49, I threw up, and Colton handed me my medal.  I had done what I set out to do. Run the best race I could on the day.  I made it to the top of my hill. I climbed until it was over, and felt proud to push myself as hard as I could. While I came up short of my "A" goal in numbers I knew I ran my "A" race on the day.  I am thrilled to have a fourth Olympic Trials Qualifier!  I am excited to see what I can do between now and Atlanta in 2020.

Trying to break 2:42 in the final 200 meters 

All smiles

Holding back the tears of joy. 

Thankful to have Colton!



Lyndy and I post race! 


Splits (manual using course markers)
1-5:54
2-6:02
3- 6:07-up
4-6:06-up
5- 6:00-down
6- 5:58-down
7-6:03
8-6:03
9-6:07
10-6:06 (1:00:31)
11-6:05
12-6:10
13-6:12 (1/2-1:19:52)
14-6:08
15-6:12
16-6:15
17-6:12
18-6:14
19-6:18
20-6:14 (2:02:34)
21-6:12
22-6:10
23-6:22
24-6:15
25-6:27
26-6:18
.2-1:27--2:41:49. (1:19:52/1:21:58)


Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Blog Revival- Training and Racing Update

I didn't mean to let my blog go to the wayside, but I did with 2017 being a very challenging year for me, I pretty much forgot about it!  I love being able to blog and share my journey a bit so let's try this again!


In 2015 we moved to Columbus and it was no secret I did not like this move.  I felt like I had to give up a lot to move. From a running perspective losing my training partners, a wonderful running community and the hills in the north east. Also from a personal perspective losing quick proximity to my family and closest friends. It felt like more than I could deal with. I was unhappy. Columbus feels very big and dense to me, and being so close to Ryans family left me feeling like a square peg in a round hole.  In December we found a piece of property a little further out from the city with a creek, woods, and some rolling hills, all in very close proximity to my favorite park here while still in the same school district for our kids.  A few days after Christmas we made the move!  As with all moves it was stressful, haha!  But I quickly felt more at peace here.  Low and behold, my training took a turn for the better. The saying that "a happy runner is a fast runner" might have some validity. 

While I am over winter.  This is not a bad view.

Our own personal ice bath! 

Late last year I made the decision to shoot for the Olympic Trials standard at the Eugene Marathon.  January was a good month of building with 341 miles,  some decent tempos and speed work and getting long runs up in the 18-20 mile range.  Working with Inside Tracker has been helping me to feel better trying to improve my fasting glucose, and raise my vitamin D levels.

February was another good month hitting 333 miles. It was exciting getting to race my first half since Grandmas in June, where a stomach bug got the best of me, and I finished in 1:33 maybe!?  The Lonestar Birds were incredible hosts once again and I loved every minute of my time in Austin for the Austin Half Marathon.  I had a great first 10k coming through in a smidge under 36 mins and feeling good, but then my stomach was done. I had to stop twice for the bathroom and struggled. 1:19:16.  NOT the time I was shooting for but a good indicator that on a tough day my fitness was around where I was believing it to be.  Austin is a wonderful race, VERY well organized, with great crowd support. It is hilly, and fun.  I would recommend it! I took away from this race that I was fit, I STILL LOVE AUSTIN, and I needed to figure out this stomach issue I thought was "fixed".
Incredible hosts!  Kaitlin raced solid too!

Group run with Lonestar Birds! 


Mid race suffering.


Before the struggle (I think)! 

Following the race I talked with a dietitian who is also the founder of Spring Energy (the gels I use and love) and he helped me to make a plan taking out much of the fiber from my diet in the couple days leading up to the race.  I had a DNA test to see if I had any common food intolerances and discovered Soy was one of them.  So going into my next race I would use this low fiber plan, and keep soy out of my diet.

March would continue to allow progress with some of the best tempo's I workouts I have run in 4 years and a few possibly ever. I would close the month out with 382 miles, and FINALLY a good race. In my opinion, this was the best race I have run in 4 years as well. 1:17:05 for DC Rock and Roll half on a hilly course on a windy day was a strong showing, and a good fitness check. This race really excited me for what I can do in Eugene.  I started to really believe my dreams for this spring can become a reality.  A tempo last week in 59:25 for 10 miles was spot on my A goal pace for Eugene.

DC with my Brother and soon to be Sis in law

The incredible volee of DC were amazing before during and after the race! 


My goal is to go for the Olympic Trials A standard in Eugene, I know I am on the cusp and hope April's training will lead me to my "A" goal of sub 2:37.  I do not want to be reckless, so if 5:56 pace feels like I am in over my head on race day I want to be smart and shoot for under 2:40 ("B"-goal).  Finally my "C" goal is to be under 2:45 the Olympic Trials B standard.

With less than a month to go to Eugene my training will be backing off in about 2 weeks in prep for race day.  I plan to update my blog more often with updates!  On to April and my first marathon since Akron 2016!  

I am thankful for all of your support and I can't wait for Eugene marathon weekend to be here!  Good luck with your spring goals!