Marathon- Mission Accomplished

This race was 2 years in the making, after deferring my Marine Corps Marathon entry for a year it was time to take on the challenge in 2014. As I said in my I’m Running a Marathon?! blog, I was nervous and ready to take on the challenge. By the time we boarded a plane for DC I was tapered and rested. I had talked myself through the fact that I had run 20 miles 2 times and was able to finish. The biggest thing I found some calming in was I had finished 7 70.3 distances. My first took me over 7 hours. I knew I was able to keep putting one foot in front of the other for 7 hours. I knew they were different but I knew I could get through that long of racing. I had panned to be somewhere around 4 hours. That seemed to work with the long runs I had done. I figured I could maintain around a 9 minute mile.

We flew down Friday before the race and planned to go to the expo. My uncle even joined us, he was excited to see his first expo. We walked around I picked up my official Marine Corps Marathon Jacket. I didn’t really want to spend the 90 bucks on it. But I knew it was my first marathon and I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get it in advance and I couldn’t get it later. I picked up some of the usual expo deals on some gels and nuun and the usual free bees. I had a little incident with the Marine Corps shirt- luckily the one I ended up with fit okay but after a rude exchange with the exchanges guy. How was I to know I was a LARGE in your shirt when I am standing talking to the guy in a SMALL?! 

We spent most of Saturday relaxing and watching some shows we missed Friday night on TV. My nerves were starting to strum up a bit. But not too bad. I still was a bit rational. D and I worked out a plan in case he ran by himself, as far as I knew that is what he planned to do. I received a sweet text message or 2 from friends who run marathons frequently. Telling me to enjoy my first. You only get to run your first once. And the best advice I have received a couple times in my endurance sport years- Remember whatever you are feeling good, bad, pain whatever- it will be gone in 5 minutes. It is so true. 

Race morning plan was to head down to the start early. Ate my morning oatmeal and headed for the metro. MCM recommends 2 hours early with their security procedures. We got there about an hour and a half early. Breezed through security and were some of the first in the portapotty lines. I was plenty warm in my throw away sweatshirt. I wished I had brought something more to eat but I wasn’t starving. I didn’t have my usual nerves. I was just trying to stay as calm as possible. D and I made our way to the start line, found the self seeding around 4 hours. As we stood there we watched the Marines jump in and land on 110, one of them took of their parachute and was going to run. They had a cool fly over. And before I even knew it the cannon went off. As we started to move we saw another portapotty before the start line. We decided to duck in before the clock started. 

Miles 1-6 9:41, 9:35, 9:39, 8:59, 9:34, 8:53

I crossed the start line and the nerves came but I tried to just enjoy the experience. D was running with me and told me to keep all the energy I could I would need it at the end. He was right! I really tried to take it all in. See all the signs. Watch the scenery. I thought D would leave at some point. Maybe run a few miles with me then go. I was floating around the pace I had hoped and figured I could drop down later and make the goal. Around mile 5 I saw my Uncle and my cousin for the first time. I threw them my arm sleeves. Gave em each a hug and off we went.

Miles 7-12 9:17, 9:09, 9:14,9:11, 9:15, 9:21 

D ended up staying with me. Miles 7, 8 and 9 were through Rockaway park. It was pretty. I knew miles 8-10 would feel crummy. They always did in my long runs. D suggested salt, water, and gels. I took in what I could. I knew it would bounce back. Around 11 we saw my Uncle again. Then we headed out onto Haines Point. Anyone who has run races out here knows that is a tough part. The nice thing was they had the blue mile out there. There were pictures of fallen Marines and folks with flags. It really reminded you of the reality of the situation. I saw a few people stop and turn around to take pictures with the signs. 

Miles 13-18 9:18, 10:20, 9:41, 10:51, 11:51, 10:29

I started to have this hyperventilation issue around mile 13. I felt like I was cramping right across my diaphragm. I couldn’t take deep breaths. D calmed me down slowed me down got my form back in check. Somewhere around here we headed out on the mall. I started to feel even more crummy. I started to see the slower times I was like GREAT there goes 4 hours! Which made me get upset and made the cramping worse. Somewhere on the mall I started to feel really sick. Crap am I going to throw up. D was like find a hole between people- don’t throw up on people. I tried to get down salt and hope it would clear the cramps but I gagged and headed to a clear spot of people. We saw my uncle a couple more times right before we headed up the 14th street bridge. 

Miles 19-26 10:12, 12:45, 10:09, 12:59, 13:53, 12:17, 13:38, 13:51

The 14th St bridge is the “beat the bridge” portion of the race. We were up here and my watch was 3:20ish. I knew this meant my 4 hours wasn’t going to happen because I had about a 10k left at this point. The rolling up and down of the bridge. In the hot sun. No people out there. No aid station. At this point everyone around us was dropping like flies. I have done this bridge at the Army Ten Miler a few times now but it was right near the end this time there was a lot left. I got bummed again about not making my goal time, but also realized OMG we are approaching the farthest I have ever run. I came down into Crystal City. An area I know really well from working there for a few years. I started to realize this is the longest I have ever run. Every time I got upset my breathing went to crap again and I’d cramp up. I was trying to dig in and push it to finish, but every time I dug in it hurt again and I couldn’t breathe. D reminded me we could walk a 10k- we just needed to make sure to make it to the finish. The focus now was get to the finish in one piece. A marathon is a long day you can’t just push your way through it and hope it will be okay- you have to think strategy. So every time my breathing and cramps got me. D would talk me through getting upright again. People around would think he was helping them and thank him. It was starting to get hot. At mile 24/25 we watched a woman get taken off by 4 medics. She had cramped so badly she couldn’t even walk anymore. D said this is why I am telling you to slow down she isn’t going to cross the finish line- we are! 

Somewhere in here the reality of I AM GOING TO FINISH set in! I started to cramp up as I got emotional again. We took the left off 110 and headed up that last .2 up to Arlington. That last .2 is up hill. I wasn’t going to be the one that walked. The hill was lined with Marines. The road said Marine Up! Take the Hill! D and I crossed the finish holding hands. We have never finished a race like that. 

As we walked through the finish area- it was lined on both sides with Marines. They shook your hands congratulated you. One said to me “Smile! You did something GREAT today!” It was an amazing finish experience. I took out my phone just as my brother messaged me saying “way to go Jul! You finished in under 5 hours! That is so bad ass!”  I started to cry! We headed for medals. There were 10-12 corrals single file set up. At the end were Marines with arm’s full of medals. One at a time you walked up and the Marine put your medal on you and talked to you about your race. It was a very personal experience. I have never had a finish line like that. We headed to take our MCM picture infront of the memorial. As we walked like zombies through the food line we saw my Uncle and cousin through the fence. They were so excited for us! My uncle walked our zombie selves back up the hill to their house. After a couple miles of post marathon walking my legs started to feel okay. I think all the walking really helped. 

The biggest thing is I finished! I finished my first marathon in 4:42. Not exactly the 4 hours I had hoped. I had a great coach on my shoulder supporting me every step of the way.  I can’t thank D enough for spending the whole time with me for my first! Everyone told me Marine Corps is the best first marathon. They were so right! I would recommend it to everyone! 

When I was training I would have told you I wouldn’t want to train for another marathon. In the middle of it I was enjoying the race. When I finished I didn’t immediately go I never want to this again. I went I am not sure… and not sure turned into maybe…. and right now I am considering Marine Corps again next year. A friend said she wanted it as her first, so maybe I will run on her shoulder. Or maybe I will see if I can get that 4 hour time I was hoping…..

Thank you all who offered your advice through training, before the race and congratulations after. A special thank you to those who donated to my Breast Cancer fund page- Kelly, Kim, Kira!!! My uncle was so excited he bought me a 26.2 sticker for my car- I put it on right under my Timberman sticker.

I'm running a marathon?

Oh my god- that title just makes me take a huge gulp and get butterflies in my stomach. I have been training since tri season ended and actually some in the last weeks of the tri season to get ready to run Marine Corps Marathon. Last year we decided to defer and it was for the best but this year is on! I have put in the training miles. I have made sure to hit every long run- I know those are the most important. I have had some days where I haven't gotten out for my runs during the week and I know that isn't ideal but life happens. To be honest my job right now isn't what I want it to be and it is stealing my training time and energy which really is the most disappointing part- but that is a whole different part of the story. But I do know that I have twice run 16, 18, and 20 miles in my training. I can tell you I got to the end of those 20 mile runs and couldn't even think about running another hour.

I honestly think the main reason I signed up for a marathon 2 years ago was just to prove to myself I could do it. I have had many friends, family members, and others run marathons. It is just a block in my brain I want to check off. I want to prove that I am strong enough for 26.2. I honestly never thought running a marathon was easy. When people say to me you have done 70.3 miles, raced for like 6 hours come on... but a marathon is ONE activity for that time of 4 or whatever hours. The same muscles taking a beating. No change in mental focus just run... gulp.. just run. I have the drive to do something just to prove to me I can do it. That will be what I am tapping into when it gets tough. This is what I wanted to do when I first took on the 70.3 distance and that has turned into 6 more times of trying to better my time and my race.

At this point I have had more than one time in the training where I have decided I hate running. Not just a little but don't wanna run anymore. I have had long runs where I came in the house crying half way through. Everyone tells me training for a marathon isn't easy. I have to say I will take my training 3 sports anyway per this run, run and more RUN! I have been very careful to be sure that training for my first marathon doesn't result in the same issue my first half marathon did- Hip Surgery. I have been working hard to be sure and stretch, even do a little yoga every morning. I have found the new found pain but relief from ice baths. They have become a savior- though they are painful at the time. I've been foam rolling a lot. I tried to stick to yoga once a week but when the long runs got so long I couldn't stand the yoga standing series.

It is coming up fast- I am at the point of hating running again. I am ready to get this challenge done. I hope the goal time we have set will happen. Getting ready mentally for the fun of a marathon. I want to soak it all in. My friend suggested that as how to enjoy it- look around enjoy the spectators and I mean it is DC enjoy the sights. Wish me luck- here we go on a new adventure!

Nutritionist Trip- Under Fueling

So last week I had decided I had enough of the feeling like garbage at races and I didn't want it to happen at my big first marathon at the end of Oct. so I broke down and went back to the nutritionist. I figured I had an idea of what I was doing wrong. I wasn't eating enough. Not just not eating enough fueling through the race I mean not eating enough day in and day out. Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows to cut calories and you will drop weight. Well I was living that way.

I walked my nutritionist through what I ate in a day normally. We came up with around 1200-1500 calories. Well with my height and moving around for a work day then add in about 500 cals a day to account for my workouts I need about 2500-2900 calories a day. Anyone who can do basic math can see I am woefully under fueling my body. And I was living in a constant state of tired, cold, easily frustrated. Come to find out my candy cravings were my body just saying I"M HUNGRY!!! Yes folks I unlike most of America need to figure out how to eat more not live on your smoothie diet of 900 cals a day!


Not just was I not getting enough. I wasn't getting enough protein by about 10g a day. Not that far off but need that to keep training. And calcium was ULTRA low too. We went back through my day and beefed up my normal menu with calcium and protein options. We even added in a second lunch every day. Changing breakfast to 500 cals, Lunch to 500, a Second Lunch of 500, and Dinner of 500 or so will help me to end up fueled every day. I have a hard time making myself eat but I am going to try.

The hope is changing to eating enough will help me be well fueled for my work outs. Help me have better results on race day because I won't be living daily on the razor edge of under fuel. And not be so tired and irritable on a daily basis. I am having to track what I eat to help me understand how much food this is and help me get closer. I am still having a hard time with it. But I hope in the next couple weeks I can fix it!!!

Harbor View Island 5k

In early spring my friend Lisa on the LUNA chic with me asked if I would join her on a 5k on an island in Boston Harbor. One of her really nice clients offered to pay for our registration. Thank god b/c it was one EXPENSIVE 5k.  We hopped on a boat in Boston Harbor and headed off to the island with the other runners. I quickly started to realize this was more of a corporate challenge events than a real hard core race. The race was to raise money for a camp for inner city kids. As we got off the bus the camp councilors were giving us all high 5's. Yea not really a hard core race.

There was a party environment folks are chugging beers before hand. I couldn't find a spot to warm up so I decided I would just run it with Lisa and see how it goes. I should have let the whole party thing not throw off the fact that I was there to race but I couldn't get myself to focus with everything around me.STUPID I know.

So Lisa and I ran and had fun and she pushed me a bit up the hills. Silly trail runners have good hill work. We still finished in a 26:56. With cartwheels over the finish line :-P As much as I am a bit upset we didn't race it I am happy we had fun.

They had a great post race spread of food. And I even had a hard cider. Just as we were eating the sun was setting over the Boston skyline it was really pretty. I will probably never run this race again but it was a great opportunity and the views of the city were GORGEOUS! Not to mention it is kinda crazy that my not pushing it and just enjoying a run speed is a 26 now... not bad!

Mill City Race Recap

So it seems every year this race comes up and I can't help but sign up. The race is rather small and local but there is something really nice about knowing all the logistics of a race with no new variables. I mean I know this one so well that I know the race director is going to start about 5 min late because something will come up at the last minute. I know there will always be a USAT official at the race. There will always be homemade awards for the overall winners and top age group winners. And if it is sunny the run course will suck!

We headed out to the race not so stressed about logistics which was nice, not having to rush since we knew most variables and didn't have to control them. Checked in race morning. Got marked. Strangely no age on your calf this year. No one could explain why only they though it was strange too.

Layout was pretty good.The transition area could have stood to have been swept. HOLY ROCKS! I did a little shake out run and headed back to the car with the rest of my stuff. The weather was holding at a cool temp, thankfully.  We headed over to the swim start across the street. There weren't a ton of people participating this year but that doesn't matter to me.


Swim- 28:21- There is always a current in this river- I was 17 min to the turn around and 11 min back - hello current. It is always a bit long too 1.25 mi. A bit faster than the year before so can't fight with that.

T1- Long run across the street. 2:00 and ouch those rocks! Got our fairly quickly. D came running in from his sprint swim as I was heading out on the bike.

Bike- 1:19:53- I knew as I headed out on the bike I was toward the front. The plan was to keep it around 19mph. I pushed when I could. The course is fairly flat in spots so I used that to my advantage. The road was rough in spots so I tried hard to avoid a flat. D went by me in the first 5 mi. then he had some sort of bike issue and I passed him but not for long :-P. I had a few women get by me on the bike so I figured I was in 3rd or 4th. Bike is 26 mi and last year I did 1:24 so some good gains!

T2- 0:59- love when my T2 is sub 1 min! D had finished his race and was there yelling for me. Focus was to RUNNNNNN!

Run- 53:32- It started to get warm as I hit the run course but just dig in and get through. I was hoping to stay around 8-8:30 pace. 8:38 was the final pace- not too shabby. Last year I was 1:00 so big gain here. I had one more woman pass me on the run. I figured that meant I was out of the contention for overall. But I tried to keep my focus on my gains in this race.  As I came into the finish D was screaming!!!

I ended up finishing 19th OA, 4th female OA and 1st in my AG. Last year this was the first race I went sub 3 at 2:59. This year 2:44:46. I am so happy with the improvements! I made huge improvements on the run. A little on the bike and swim. This was great to see going into Nationals in a month. It is great to see some of the hard work I did paying off.

Reward

I have a terrible habit. I know how to work really hard, train, beat myself in sessions all to actually achieve pretty great results but somehow I can tear those results to shreds. I can sit and rip apart every detail of a race and the little things I didn't do in training, or didn't do in the days leading up to the race or didn't do in the race that lead to the not exactly perfect performance. My new coach is about setting big goals. Like those big scary goals that you only want to tell a few people because they even scare you to say out loud. Yes I have a new one and NO I will not be saying it out loud in public because it scares the crap out of me.

As I got ready for Patriot I came to the decision if I were to achieve the goals of a sub 6 and running the whole half marathon (or either I would think) I was going to get myself something. I started to think and I don't really need any new tri gear. Ya I needed running shoes but that is just part of training not really a reward.... what to do what to do?!

I started thinking a piece of jewelry might be nice. And I found stackable rings. I thought hey I can start with one. As I achieve new goals I can add to the stack. So I did a little research before the race. Enough to know that was what I was going to get myself. I told D and my coach the plan. Race day went well. I didn't do 5:39 to 5:49. And in my typical fashion I wasn't going to get my reward since I didn't get the A goal. But my coach messaged me and said after the race time to get shopping for my ring. I realized she was right. I may not have gotten the exact high goal I wanted but I achieved 2 big goals after a lot of hard work. It was time to get something to remind me of all the hard work paying off.  So this is what I got...... I wear it everyday to remind me of all the hard work pays off! And it is hard work that will get me to achieve the next goal.

Summer Solstice Sprint- Friday Night Racing

Just as I was finishing my taper for Patriot Half I found a race the Friday night after. Yes I know- Saturday 70.3 then the following Friday do a sprint?! But the race looked like fun. How often do you get to do a tri on a Friday night? I mean Saturday tris are rare here never mind a week night. I figure whatever lets do it for fun and my coach gave me the green light on a fun race. It was so strange to get ready for work pack my tri bag and my bike for after work. But that was the point of this- do something different and fun.

Parking was a bit of a distance from the race site- luckily I had a bike to ride. Poor D was on race support and hoofed it down to the race site. Check in process was really smooth. Lots of volunteers around to answer questions. I racked up and did a little recon. The T1 was going to be long run from the bottom of the hill where the lake was up to the transition area. I started to do the its just for fun no I want to race this... D and I chatted and he was like have fun but GO FOR IT! I knew my body was going to be tired from racing 70.3 miles but why not see what can happen?!

Swim- 1/4mi- 6:45 I decided to go wetsuit less- I figured it was another thing to deal with in transition  and I don't really need the wetsuit. Another race with the strange wave start. This time they went with 3 seconds. I guess it works- but as soon as I hit the water I was running into the men who put themselves toward the back of the male wave. Usually I can get some clean water. It was really choppy with the amount of people. But I just decided block it out and swim HARD its a sprint SWIM SWIM SWIM!

T1- 1:41 long up hill run! I knew I was out in front when I came up the hill. There was one woman right with me but I passed her up the hill. As I went out of transition I thought I was either 1 or 2 woman. Nice DON'T LET THEM PASS!

 Bike- 10mi- 31:14 Just went with pedal to the medal. I would say it was a flat course. I think I got out of my saddle once to climb. I pushed as hard as I could. I figured if I stuck close to 20mph I would fend off most women. Just as I came to the final turn. I heard a car come up next to the riders behind me. Tell her her pace. Tell her how she was doing. I was like really- motor pacing?! What?! So just as I turned 2 women got by me. Okay still in top group. Let's see how I can run.

T2- 0:56 Shoes off, shoes on, grab and go. As I came out of transition I tripped on a cone and took a good fall. Even got some road rash on an elbow and hand- luckily I rolled onto my side.

Run- 5k- 26:59 Just tired to get my legs to go as hard as I could. The 70.3 started to catch up with me.  It was a little rolling but not too tough. I think without the 70.3 the weekend before I would have had no problem with the run course. I tried to focus on cheering for folks as they went by and I had I saw the top girl go by then the 2 women who had passed me on the bike. 2 more women got by me  and I saw one more getting close as I took the last turn but pushed it to make sure to not let her get by.

Finish 1:07:17 Good enough for 6th OA Female. Which is my highest finish yet. 1st in my Age Group! And a 8 min PR for the same distance (on a different course). Had a good day even with being tired from a 70.3!

This race director had an AWESOME BBQ at the finish. Hamburgers hot dogs cook out style. It was great. Just as they were doing the awards the sun was setting. They do a really cool award. You get 50% off another race with them. Not a bad deal! I finally looked at the race bag too- instead of the usual t-shirt there was an awesome visor that has some really nice reflective on it. I will definitely try to work this one in next season's plans! I highly recommend it!!!

*NOTE: As for the woman who had the car pacing her- I told the USAT official on site. She said she can't penalize for what she doesn't see but- that it was a first for someone reporting that! haha