Control

 Control
Baltimore Running Festival-  26.2
4:22:41

There is a big difference between taking control of your life and controlling everything that happens in your life, but I think sometimes we get them mixed up (or I do).   Taking control is a healthy way of reacting to life and the obstacles that are thrown at you.  It’s your attitude, and you have complete and total control over that.  What you can’t control is what happens to you, you can plan for something to happen, but it doesn’t mean obstacles won’t be thrown your way and you have to be open for the unknown to happen.

I think I have been getting a little too comfortable with my races so Baltimore was a good race to remind me A+B doesn’t always equal C.  I have run so many marathons, I have decided all I have to do is keep conditioned and you can make it through- as I have been doing for pretty much the past five years with decent for me times.

I booked this marathon and trip 2 weeks prior to the race, but had many long runs all throughout the summer.  They weren’t always fast, they weren’t always strong, but I figured as long as I put in the miles, mix some speed workouts in there, and cross train, this would be a sub 4 hour marathon – easy.  I thought I had control over my time given the consistent (though it has become almost effortless) training I put in.

The week of the Baltimore marathon, I started getting sick on Monday.  Nothing new here… typical taper.  Luckily I had some time to get over it.   It's the usual: fluids, rest and zinc.   I felt almost 100% when I flew to DC on Wednesday really only being congested as my ears popped and hurt a lot on the flight.
One determining factor to run Maryland this fall was to see my friend Jen.   I hope to be able to maximize those little states and close borders to DC to visit her as much as I possibly can.  So while there were prettier Maryland trail runs, Baltimore is super easy and convenient to make it also a Tanana Family trip.

On Friday Jen and I drove to Baltimore.   Jen is such a wonderful friend, she isn't a runner, but she supports me in the greatest of ways.  We go to the expo, and she loves it, asking all sorts of questions because she wants to understand this part of my life.   We have always had that kind of friendship where we don't need to do anything to have a good time... But just being together makes everything a good time (even the hardships are conquered with a laugh!). So after the expo we just hung out in the hotel.    Did I mention ... It rained Wednesday, Thursday and Friday...  It was fine by us!

I was having some piriformis/sciatic issues over the taper, so I was focused on trying to get as comfortable with that as possible.    While I know these issues suck, I also know how to remedy myself from them and that it's more painful walking than running so it wasn't a big worry, just something I want to remedy sooner rather than later.

I woke up at 6am on race day which felt like sleeping in!    I drank my fluids, had my coffee, and stretched ... A lot!   I had been up in the air on what to wear given the weather and decided no rain jacket was needed.   60s at race start and throughout the race ... A throw away was really all I needed beyond a tank and shorts.  Jen would check us out of the hotel while I was running (they gave us keys to the health club to shower after) so I made sure all was packed for her to do that.

I left the hotel and walked to the start.  The start was a crazy cluster ... There wasn't enough room for all runners to fit in the coral so we were bleeding over mixed with the spectators.    But we made it on the course.   I knew the first 3 miles would be an incline and the next 5 would be a gradual decline.  Because of this, I knew my warm up wouldn't be about a specific speed, but rather, how I felt (maybe no heart rate monitor but that might not be a bad idea for next time even if it chaffs).  The first three miles were between 8:30 and 9:00 and the next 5 were all under 8:30 but only once quicker than an 8 minute.  This seemed fine at the time.  But then we leveled off, and I was reminded of how I felt when I 'felt good' on the first many miles of Boston going downhill but then how the second half of the marathon did not feel good at all.  I started thinking maybe that wasn't such a good idea but what's done is done, and I could slow down in the middle to regain some strength that would work great.    Even what felt slow was still clicking in less than 9 minute miles.   At the half Marathon mark, I had 20 minutes to slow down in the second half to still be under 4 hours.  This was right on track to most of the last 15 marathons.

Somewhere after mile 13 before 14, I had already began walking.   I walked to take a gu and change up my music.  Then, already, it became a mile by mile thing.   Run a full mile then walk a minute.   I was doing this hoping that after a mile or two, I would have the looming cramps worked out.... Running relaxed and walking when I wasn't relaxed to become relaxed again (because too much tension for too long results in spasms).   I thought if I could keep relaxed and keep myself energized with what I consumed, I could fight through the cramps and be okay.  

With all the cramping, I was gu-ing more frequently and making sure I was drinking at least 2 cups of Gatorade at each aid station (and 1-2 cups of water).  I didn't have my electrolyte pills with me and thought this was fine given the weather and the fact the course was supplying the Gatorade endurance formula drink which is finally a drink with what is supposed to be enough electrolytes for marathoners (Normal Gatorade does not have enough).

Before I hit the water around mile 18, I remembered I had with me some powder of a natural energy drink which is supposed to give you a boost of energy for a strong workout.  I had never tried this before, but heard good things, and figured at that point, it couldn’t do harm. Though I know you should never try new things at a marathon, I break this rule all the time. ( I still don’t know if it could have been the culprit because if it was, it didn’t take long to cause problems.)  When I tried to run again ... I could make it 3 steps before stopping because of cramps.   And when I say cramps I mean spasms where you don't have control.  I would walk for 30 seconds, and try again.  I did this about 5 times before I gave up ... And stopped to stretch.   I'm off to the side as I start stretching and just on the inside of my left knee ... There is a pop... Like a spasm that then popped ... I hear it, I saw it since I was in a forward fold, and I definitely felt it.   It wasn't a muscle snapping I knew that ... The feeling was more like a gas bubble in your tummy so I figured it was just an intense lactic acid bubble.   I decided I better just walk a bit more.   I already knew sub 4 wasn't going to happen unless I could hold an 8:50 or better all the way through the rest of the run so I figured I better make sure I get to the finish injury free and walk a lot more.

BUT ... As Correen says, we are endurance people, we don't give up so easily…

As we started to go downhill again, I decided to try to run again, and I did for maybe a minute or until we went back uphill and I was back to a walk.   I don't remember if that was a walk in my control or my body forced me to walk, but what happened next, I had no control over.

I was over on the left side walking as I passed a cop, I saw another ahead, so I decided to make it a goal to run from one cop to the other.  A few steps passed the cop, all at one time I had about a few different spasms that locked into place.    My left leg was bent slightly, my right leg was straight and right foot completely flexed, and on top of that- my stomach pulled me in and down like a forward fold.  Somehow I didn’t fall but I couldn’t move- I was like a statue- my arms were mobile as I was keeping myself up with them.   I was talking to myself to relax, just breath, but I couldn’t move.  I raised my right hand trying to wave to the cop behind me but I couldn’t see him and didn’t know if he could see me and as I did that I was thinking- if I can’t move and someone has to help me move, they are going to pull me and throw me in a medic tent- and that is NOT going to happen.     So…I somehow started to lift my upper body back up to stand upright (while my legs were still locked)  As I did this the muscles in my stomach did some crazy thing that I can only describe as an exorcism kind of thing or a baby in my belly kicking.   This freaked me out and put me to tears and slowly I was able to move my legs again.  

There was a little hyperventilating and I kept thinking is I’m not going to DNF even if it means walk the last 7 miles.   I thought – can I really walk for 7 miles with this feeling?  Have I ever had a freak out in a marathon this bad? 
 And that’s when- my marathon prayers were answered. (Yes I pray a lot in marathons- you know those moments where you say “Please God, just let me keep control of my legs and keep relaxed so they don’t spasm so I can make it under 4 hours so I don’t have to feel that I’ve aged and the best years are behind me”)   However, you know when you were a kid and you would ask for some cool toy and then all you got was clothes?  Prayers are often answered like that.   I wasn’t getting a cramp free sub 4 hour marathon, but I was given a “guardian angel”, Vanessa …a new friend.  To remind me I had control over my attitude (and that in the first 10 minutes of meeting me she could tell I was very hard on myself), that this race doesn’t define me, to give me a hand, to show I wasn’t out there alone and if I cramped up again and fell to the ground, I wouldn’t become road kill.  And most of all,  the race was no longer about how many miles you had to get through and how fast you could do it in.  It was about making a new friend, about sharing stories and laughing and having fun- the way marathons …and Life should be.

Vanessa was running the half marathon, which we merged at my mile 16 as they started 2 hours after we started.  She has run this race before, so when we got to this lake, she told me it was 1.3 miles around the lake so I should just focus getting around it.   She encouraged me to run, though didn’t pressure when I was scared.   And I was scared.  I worried if the first time I stopped and there was a pop in my leg, then the second time I spasmed like I did, I didn’t think I should wait around to see me in the medic tent with a third time.    She took my hand and let me lean on her to try to run, and we would stop, and stretch and maybe a bit later, we would try again.   I worried she wanted to run ahead and I told her she could, but she said she would stick with me around the lake.   We were having a good time talking that I thought- I should just try to get running by the end of the lake so I can run with someone so awesome.   And sure enough, by the end of the lake I was running, and somewhere after that, I was running without the crutch of her hand, but we stuck together to the end.  We shared stories, and I had a lot of reflecting in this time about control.     And somehow being able to control my attitude- not by forcing a relaxed state but enjoying myself, I was also eventually able to naturally regain control over my body.  

I made it to the finish, and still right after reflecting on what happened, I cried.  I don’t know what happened and even though Vanessa told me to not let it define me, I worried this would be it; I will never have another PR or even come close to my PR again.  But with time, I have come to the conclusion this isn’t an age thing, this isn’t that my best years are behind me.  I was given some wise words of wisdom:  “Over the years of training, our bodies change and throw different obstacles at us.  It’s how we overcome them and make ourselves better…go back to the drawing board and come back stronger” …He is very right.    I am going to change some things up and the next marathon actually start off slower and just try to end feeling strong- the way you feel at mile 26.2 of a 100 mile run! 

And from here on out- I hope to let go a little more and not try to control everything so much- well other than my own attitude.

***Ironically– the morning of the race as I was stretching I was playing on my phone as I always do. Though I don't really believe in horoscopes, they are entertaining, so I was playing around on one of the Aps Pam shared with me (DailyHoroscope) and found my 2013 Horoscope.
Part of it reads:
You are a shy and modest sign, Virgo. You are also quite practical, perfectionist, and methodical. You probably live by the saying "everything in moderation." And while these traits have contributed and will continue to contribute to your success financially and in business, they can have a negative impact in your personal relationships. This year you will need to learn how to find greater balance in your life. You have to learn to indulge now and then, because everybody needs to immerse themselves in passionate pursuits. In other words, you need to ease your grip on the reins in 2013, and try not to be as controlling, as critical, and as harsh as you have been in the past. Loosen up, and you'll feel happier far more often.

Yup, that pretty much sums up ‘me in 2013’!  All I needed to do was loosen up.  

Tri Again

Tri Again

High Cliff Triathalon
June 15, 2013

5 hr 31Min 16sec

Swim:  42:04
T1:  2:25
Bike: 2:48:18  (20mph avg)
T2: 1:55
Run: 1:55:45 (8:51 avg)




After completing the Ironman, you sometimes ask yourself, 'what's next?' And while I loved the Ironman, the Half Ironman Distance is more of a distance that I can do without it consuming me whole.  So, last year I completed Wild Flower, and this year I knew I wanted to get in just one Half Ironman.

I kept putting off signing up, as I didn't know what race I wanted to do.  Racine has always been a good one, as my family is able to watch, and my Dad loves my races.  But, I also thought maybe I wanted to do a different one this year.

My friend Jeff asked me if I would join him at High Cliff.  The biggest plus was the race entry was less than Half that of an Ironman Brand race!  So I decided to commit to the race.  I didn't do anything special with my training.  Or I should say, I didn't have a training schedule for it.  I just did what I always do, which is enough to keep conditioned for a half ironman.  It's kind of like my marathons where I would like to be conditioned to do a Marathon tomorrow on the whim, I like the idea that if I wanted to do a half ironman tomorrow, I would also be prepared.

Since the Brookings SD Marathon, my runs have been horrible.  Nicole had to put up with my requesting walks, more water stops, and cutting our runs short.  I ran nothing over 10 miles just because I couldn't get into a rhythm.  Of course this made me nervous for the Half Ironman, but at the same time, by the Friday before, I concluded I was just over trained, and I needed to take a step back.  (And luckily I didn't hold Nicole back too much, as she set a new PR at the Rock N Sole Half Marathon the same weekend as my race!).

The week before the race, I had some personal drama put me into a whole different state of mind.  My nutrition was messed up, and it took a lot of effort to get that back on track for the race.  And from there, it's like the world just rained on me;  I was stopped at a stop light when I was rear ended part of a 3 car accident created by a drunk driver.  My car was fine, but it gave me whiplash and a pinched nerve.  Then the day before the race, as I was getting gas, I was also cleaning out my car, and when I turned from shaking out my floor mat, I hit my face right into my car door, breaking my sun glasses and leaving me to be hurting even more.

When we got to Sherwood, things were a little lifted since I got to see my friends.  Friday afternoon, Jeff, John and I got into the open water and had a pre-race swim.  The waves weren't that bad, but just getting used to the waves again made me a little nervous.  The good thing we learned is you can touch for the first maybe 100 meters, so as you start, if you need a moment to collect yourself, I knew I would be able to.

Maria H and I got to talk a little Friday evening which was good because well,  no matter how ugly I can feel on the inside, she always looks at me in such a light I don't feel so ugly anymore.

The night is a little haze, in line with most of the previous week (big thanks to Irisa for being you!), I wasn't fully into the race.  When we woke up Saturday morning, they called for 60% chance rain.   I struggled getting out of bed, I told Jeff I didn't want to race, and I had a bad feeling, if everything else has gone wrong, that this would continue to be bad.  Of course, I couldn't not show up to the start.  I was texting with Danielle some as she was awake already.  And I made the decision that I had to suck it up and just focus on having a good race; it would give me six hours to be in my zone.

We got to the race transition, I set up my bike, and now it looked like the rain might just miss us. The pre-race jitters finally hit. Jeff went to jump in the water quickly, and Maria, Brett and I hung out.  Shannon, from my gym was also there and we saw each other briefly before the start.  I was in wave 6 as was Maria and Brett, and soon enough we had started...and I was in my zone.

Though they say not to try new things when you race, I tend to always have one thing new.  This time, it was putting my goggles UNDER my swim cap.   Jeff did this and he said it keeps them from falling off if you get kicked.   I always have problems with goggles so I decided this couldn't make things worse.   (And I was right! Happy I did that).

Every time I swim in a triathlon I have two goals:  1)  To survive it 2) To be able to go to the bathroom (yup that's right!)   ....  so why do i make this a goal?  I'm so tense with the swim: it's the start of t
he race, I know I have a few hours ahead of me to get through, so it's important I relax.   It's one thing to get in a rhythm of breathing, but then to be able to completely relax while swimming, helps me with the rest of the race.  If you have ever tried to pee while swimming, it's hard!  But it's possible when you are in a good calm place!   And that's why I always make that a goal ( if you don't know this- almost all triathletes pee in their wet suits..but most do it standing in the water waiting to start).

So, at the start, I slowly got into my rhythm, relaxing and just moving forward.   Working on not zig-zaging too much, working on not getting kicked and working on not kicking others.   The water was a little choppy, but not horrible.   It was the worst before the first turn and got better from there.    After I was fully relaxed, I kept trying to swim around this one person and it just wasn't happening, so instead of getting upset, I just visualized I was swimming next to Maria and we were just at Ohio Street Beach having an easy swim.

I prepared myself for feeling like it was going to take forever, and somehow, it never felt that way.  I got out of the water in 40 minutes ran part way up the hill, let the suit strippers take my suit off, and ran the rest of the way up.

As this is my one only this year, and haven't done one for over 12 months, I know my transitions aren't going to be sub 1 minute.   I took a gu, and drank some gatorade.  I had been up in the air if I wanted to wear my socks on the bike.  I've been biking sockless, but if it was going to be cold, I wanted them.   It felt warm, I was warm, so I decided to leave the socks behind.

I got on my way with the bike.   I usually don't like to have the course route memorized, just know a little bit of what to expect.   Maria M. (Wisconsin Maria)  had given me a course overview and what to expect.  This included a big climb at the start (so start on an easy gear) and then nothing too horrible from there.  She did warn me we would hit wind one way or another, it's inevitable.  So, as we made the initial climb, I just took it easy and enjoyed it. 

Jeff and I talk about how we race.  Every movement he makes in a race is calculated and has a lot of thought in it.   Whereas every movement in the water for me is focused to be relaxed, and every movement on the run I try to think of everything but my form and pace and distance.  The Bike is where I'm calculated.  Where I count my cadence, where I keep focused on consistent power, and where I know it's crucial to shift in the right places to keep moving at a good speed.   I didn't place much thought in my nutrition on the race, but I was the best at managing it here than any other race.  Eating, taking electrolyte pills and drinking fluids throughout.

I thought a little bit about my past week, the things I had control over and understanding what I don't have control over.  I knew how I did in this race was something I had control over. So greatness here is a start to coming back into greatness elsewhere. 

Once I made it up the hill, I was in my calculation zone.  We hit wind early on, so I was expecting the last half to be easier.  The miles passed slowly at first, then we hit some rolling hills.   I can't emphasize enough how much I love rolling hills.  It's all about working them right and they can just be amazing.  You power the down you and you keep the speed as you go up, and shift just right to get to the top of the roll and feel like you just went fast, not that you climbed a hill.  (This doesn't work so well with the 7 sisters in California- but for Wisconsin rolling hills it works).   I wasn't just in my zone at this point, I was genuinely in a happy place   
  

We were in the last 15 miles and we hit some down that was just so great.   And then we were less than 10 miles to go when we turned a corner, and Whoosh!  The wind.  We had wind at the beggining and throughout and this was the point I thought I should have the tail wind.  But instead, it was the hardest push we had.  I was averaging over 20mph so I refused to let it slow me down too much.  I didn't think of the wind, I just thought of getting through it and how to sit on my bike to be most aerodynamic.

The last two miles were a nice gradual down, and before I knew it, I was dismounting.   I made it to and through transition.   I make my way to the run, and my legs are feeling great.  We start in some grass, and we have to climb back up the big bike climb.   Given the grade is 8-12%, I ran/ walked it, just taking it easy conserving my energy for the rest of the run.  As I was making my way to turn onto the trail, a guy behind me started talking with me.   He ran right in front of me, and had a real steady and strong pace.   So I said, hey 646, you have a nice pace!   And from there we started talking.  He has paced half marathons, but with every triathlon, he crashes on the run.   This time he took the bike a little easier to see if he could make it through the run.

While Jeff was on the run he thought "I wonder who Tara is making friends with today"   ...because again, he is calculated on his runs, but I'm doing everything I can to not think of the next 2 hours ahead of me and I make friends.   So sure enough, I made friends with 646, Tim.  I learned he was a police officer from Sussex and did a lot of races, he is friends with the manager of the Oconomowoc Performance Running outfitters, and him and his wife were going to move to Oconomowoc soon. 

From the top of the hill we ran the rest of the run together.   Maria passed us at one point, and she was doing what she always does- kicks butt on the run!  The first loop we chatted a lot.   The trail was nice and soft, kind to our legs.  Around mile 4/10 Scott was handing out water, I didn't realize he was going to be up there, so it was nice to see another familiar face.   There was one point where we were running on rock and you could see Lake Winnebago.  It was a nice view and as I was enjoying it, I saw two people making out right there.   So of course, Tim and I were immature and made 'ooohhh' sounds.  This point I then referred to on loop number 2 as makeout point. I knew once we made it there, there was more down than up and we were almost home free.

Loop number two felt longer, but we didn't really slow down, we just talked less.  There was a point where we were running through tall grass and that section was real hot.  We had over 2 miles before we got water again (Which was the station Scott was at)  so before 10 miles, I made it clear to Tim he could go ahead if I slowed down.   He wouldn't accept that, and since I didn't want that to happen, I decided to not let that happen.   It felt like forever to get to makeout point.  I kept saying "Are we there yet?"    I was so happy to get there and from there we started to pick up our pace for a strong finish.  Our final turn was about a half mile to the finish, down the big hill.   We started to soar.  My garmin watch tells me we ran the last half mile at a 6:50average!
 

I sprinted across the finish and I had just gotten a P.R. at 5 hours and 31 minutes, 14 minutes better than my fastest time.  Without focused training, without even wanting to start the race that day.  I just went out and I got in my zone and did well. 

I  quickly found Maria, and Jeff and we all congratulated one another.     I decided to go into transition and get stuff to shower as my face was all salty and I  gross all around. 
Jeff wanted to watch the awards as his friend was getting one.   So we made a home in the grass at the top of the hill and watched the awards.   As we were in the middle of chatting, we hear my name.   I looked to him and we were like - wait what!?  I placed!?

So, not being down where most were if they knew they were getting a trophy, I was up on top of the hill.  I sprinted down like a crazy person, got my trophy and made my way back to laugh about it.  I knew I had done well, but didn't realize I had done that well. It was a very happy ending to a race I was weary about.

I'm glad I finally have had a good run, so the bad run streak is over.  I'm glad I did real well, and not only PRed but also placed well.   I'm glad to have had such a great weekend.    I'm hopeful that by taking control of my race, allowing myself to get into my zone, that I have turned around the bad streak.  

We are the Crazy people

We Are the Crazy People

State #27
South Dakota
4 Hours 00 Minutes 55 Seconds

While I had the 100 miler last year, and spend many hours at the gym, I have not run a 26.2 Marathon distance in a whole year!  Woah!  I mean, training for the 100 miler I would run the marathon distance almost every weekend and sometimes twice and one weekend, but running to train and running a race is completely different.

I have had a few races I wanted to run this year, but my schedule wasn't working out to fit them in.  For awhile in the winter, the cold got to me and I let my mileage slip a bit.  My goal was to keep conditioned so if I wanted to run a marathon the next weekend, I could.  And that's how it went for South Dakota, signing up 10 days before the race.

The Race wasn't the greatest or that memorable.  I spent less than 24 hours in the state to get the marathon done.  This is all written below, but the title of this blog, has to do more with the friends I've made along the way- since moving back to Wisconsin.  My world of Crazy people.

When I joined the WAC - teaching spin- I didn't realize I would make so many great friends, and so many people like me.  I mean, I have had my friends throughout the fitness world, but only a few were at or above my level of crazy on a consistent basis (You know who you are) when it comes to running/ triathalons.

So who are these crazy people? And how are they all living in Wisconsin?  

I first met Maria while team teaching in Maddy's class.  Half Ironmans are the norm for her right now.  She has struggled with an injury but she has pushed through.  She is smart in her training, listens to her body and incorporates muscle conditioning.   She has done the American Triple T and the Ironman.  Running is her weak point, so as she has helped me/motivated me on the swim, I hope to finally start getting her motivated on running.

Then there was Nicole, she asked me to be her co-instructor for Tri-Fit, and I learned a great amount from her in this time as well as became friends.   Again, another Triathlete, and as most trainer mentalities go- she is able to push through the fatigue.
 I met Patsy around the same time, and then Keith.  Patsy and I are alike where we can get a little negative as we run if we feel we are holding people back. And since I was putting in tons of miles, I made sure she knew that I would rather run some with Keith and Nicole, and then more with her- at whatever pace, than run alone. So Keith, Nicole and I would run first, and put in some miles, then Patsy and I would run after. Because I made my running friends, I now was back up in my mileage running 18 to 22 miles a weekend.


Then there is Danielle, she is me, 5 years ago!   Super dedicated to my miles, and unable to accept a rest day as good for the body.   Been there done that (Hoping with time she finds the Balance ;) )  We are more of biking buddies, as she has been recovering from an injury so her running miles have been down.

Then There is Correen a competitive triathlete.   She has a goal to complete a triathalon in every state.  Doesn't matter the distance and I believe she has done a few x-terra triathalons, so style doesn't matter either, you just have to swim bike run in some way shape or form.

When Nicole, Keith and Patsy went to Nashville for the half, Correen and I started to run together. Correen is another great running partner. There is something to be said about Personal Trainers that run. They embrace the mentality of always pushing yourself and not giving up. I know I'm working on getting certified in personal training, but I still have so much to learn running with Correen and Nicole.

Now that I've introduced the crazy people, a little more about the montns leading up to the race and the race itself.
My weekday miles were down as I had so much cross training in.  My goal was at least 30 miles a week.  I was teaching at least 4 spin classes a week, and peaked at 11 classes in one week.  Between Yoga, or Muscle Conditioning Classes, the Spin Classes, Running and swimming, I was putting in 10to 22 hours of working out a week.  So 30 miles a week seemed to be good.

As I signed up 10 days before the race, I knew this wouldn't be a Boston qualifier- no proper taper.  So I ended up still running 16 miles with Correen and Nicole the week before.  This was such a great run.  It was just what I needed- time with these girls!   I'm usually the talker, but they both talked most of the time.  They also hadn't run 16 miles in awhile, so I thought I would be the one kicking it in at the end while they tired out.  We ran a course that had a decent amount of hills.  On our way back (out and back) I thought we were about to slow down. We talked about taking the last 3 big bad hills easy.  Then Correen mentioned we stop at the gas station (refill water) and get energy to power up those hills.   Power up sure enough we did.  We were in our last 2 miles, and the pace didn't slow.   As we were just over a mile left, Nicole said "I'm tired, I just want to be done"  ...and usually for me that means I'm ready to slow it down and just take it easy since we are almost done, but for Nicole, this meant pick up the pace.    And so the three of us all did.   At one point I thought, "Man I'm going to puke with this 16th mile kick it!"   I think we averaged an 8:30 with hills, but our last mile was sub 7:30.  Way to go girls!
So, a few days before the Marathon, I started to feel sick (typical right!?).  My throat was hurting Thursday, and my brain was fried.  Every time I would go to study, I would fall asleep on my book.  Every time I would get up and move, I would just want to sit down or go back to bed.   Luckily, I had to teach spin that night, and teaching spin always gives me energy, no matter how bad I feel.   So for the most part I was feeling a little better after that class.

Friday I woke up and went on my way to South Dakota, but now it really hurt to swallow.    ...of course curiosity struck so I looked at the back of my throat, and my tonsils weren't pretty.  I didn't think it was strep because it has looked like that before and the strep test came out negative.  But i started to take in the fluids like a crazy person.  I was also taking as much tylenol/alieve as possible to keep the pain level down. 

I wasn't hungry- which actually I hadn't been hungry since Wednesday so that wasn't anything new except I felt like I should be eating before the marathon.   I just drank my food- V-8, Orange Juice, Water, Airborne.
I got to Brookings, South Dakota, checked into my hotel, and my head was just so groggy and not clear.   So I knew I should get to bed as early as possible.

I went to Wal-Mart picked up more drugs, fluids and a throw away shirt.  The expo was uneventful.  The marathon itself has a limit of 300 people running it.  The city is mostly big box shops, but there was a few cute places to eat, I ate at some market something or another place across from the South Dakota Children's museum.  It was real good!    I had some brothy soup which was so great for my throat, and tried eating noodles. 

I got back to my hotel, laid out my stuff for the next day.  I figured if it was 40 to 50 I would be fine with a tank under a throw away and shorts.

I laid in bed, but wasn't ready to fall asleep.  Once I fell asleep, I was up every hour going to the bathroom, but also drinking more fluids.  I didn't care if I was waking up- I just wanted one last chance to flush the sickness out of me.  I woke up around 4:45 am, and got ready quickly.   The tonsils weren't as big, but they still looked gross.   I got dressed, and gargled my mouth out with salt water one more time, had some coffee, and my leftovers from the night before.   ...more fluids... and I was on my way.  When I stepped outside, the weather felt good, and I thought, for the sun not being up yet, I was definitely dressed right.

The race started at 7, but i wanted to park my car a little ways from the start, but easy to leave after, so I could get on my way, as I had to be checked out of the hotel by Noon, and be on my way to my Brother's.  I thought I might have traffic issues- thinking of some smaller races I have done, but really, those were just regular size marathons.  I pretty much got there and parked without an issue in 5 minutes.  Now I had a lot of time to kill, so I figured I would hang out in the car until 6:15.

Once I left the car, I walked to the start which took 10 minutes, so there was time to kill.   Now I could feel the wind.  it was cold.  i was cold.  I was close to freezing!    I got out of the wind and tried to think warm thoughts.  I was texting with Rachel passing the time.

10 minutes to the start- I go to the start with others.   I talked to a man from Chicago, also doing the 50 states goal.  I knew i didn't want to run with this guy the whole way, as it would drive me crazy, but I figured I would start with him.

So, the race started.   Mile 1:  I talked with that guy but he wanted to hang at a 9minute pace to start, and I like to go whatever is comfortable - allowing for room to slow down later.   Mile 2 and 3- I decided to have Correen join me on my run, by playing her favorite song on repeat. (Can't hold us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis).  This put me in a fast pace.  We were running around the college area.

I haven't mentioned- the race is pretty much contained in a 3 mile by 3 mile area with lots of turns back and forth and around.

At one point we turned a corner and the wind picked up and took my hat with it.  I caught it before losing it, and tried to put it back on and keep it on my head.   After a few attempts, I realized there was no point in trying.   I still had a good pace going, just a little annoyed with the wind.  Luckily there were so many turns, the wind wasn't straight head on all the time- we would have breaks.  At mile 8, I decided to turn off the music and just take in the run.  Around Mile 9 we had a short but steep hill to climb.  I powered on up this hill and decided to keep music off for another hour.   Then around mile 12 we parted ways with the half marathoners.   My legs were already getting sore, but I was trying to power on through.   There came a point I thought about getting rid of my throw-away, but decided not to.

There were about 15 water stations along the course, however, it was water and powerade.  I feel like Powerade is one of the least effective sports drinks they could have.  I also then realized I wasn't really prepared!  I didn't bring any electrolyte tabs.  And with how sick I had been, I should have.

We ran alongside a railroad track for a bit,  This was probably my favorite part.  We turned and the wind was at my back we were running around an open field.  And then we turned, and the wind hit real hard, and I was cold.  

  At one point, my hands became so cold they were numb.   And I was hurting.  It's around the half marathon mark, you can tell what kind of race it will be.  And I knew, this wasn't one to be about time.  It also wouldn't be in my top 10 favorite runs, so it was just about checking off the state.

The wind was really not fun to fight. And though my hands were numb, around mile 18 I finally decided to surrender and get my head in a happy place by checking my phone.   Danielle had texted to check in, and we texted some.   I think her first text, since my hands were frozen just said "Sucks"   I decided I would try to run more, so I did.  If I wasn't directly in the wind, I was fine, but every time I turned into that wind, I just gave up.   Luckily I wasn't the only one.  I chatted with two others at two different points, also both 50 staters... I think anyone running 50 states, knew they didn't have to make this a rock star race, so we were just trying to find ways to enjoy it.  

I wasn't moving super slow, but I wasn't fast, and I was walking waters and wind.  I was counting down the miles. 6 to go, 5 to go, 4, 3....   It looked like I wasn't going to make sub 4 hours, but something clicked with just under 2 miles to go.   I really wanted to pick it back up and be done. It was like Nicole was with me, and her annoying "I'm tired lets run faster"  mentality kicked in.  Trying to change my old ways- with my Mental game..I didn't allow any more walking.  I just ran.  I pushed through the pain, I picked it up.  I just made it through.   I finished the race in just over 4 hours.  I was annoyed that I didn't get sub 4 hours, but I was also proud of my marathon.

Now, as this is a state I just crossed off...just had to get it done.  I needed to get a race in for 2013 and I did.   I literally crossed the finish, got my medal and then turned towards my car and walked that half mile, got in my car and left.   I was in South Dakota for about 20 hours.

I showered, and I made my way to my brother's.  Now I know that sounds like an uneventful marathon, but it was an accomplishment to the greater goal.  Sometimes, you just gotta cross a state off.  The race was cheap, I didn't have to pay for a flight, and I was able to see my family thereafter.  So all in all, a successful race. 

Thank you to my New Crazy friends.  I'm looking forward to my future races because I know I have some great training partners!  South Dakota wasn't the greatest- but look out fall races!

Tears Shed, but my Passion is Stronger than Ever

Tears Shed, but my Passion is Stronger than Ever

We have had many tragic events take place in our Country by terrorism and by people who should have had medical attention long before they were able to take their issues to the level they had taken them.    Sometimes at the increasing rate they have been occurring, you would think we would be growing numb as they happen.  But every time I still get sad.   

With the Boston Marathon Explosion, I didn’t just get a little sad, I was devastated.   I did not know anyone personally who was hurt or killed but the running community is my family.  Marathons are a part of who I am and what I do.    When I first heard of it happening, they said it happened five hours into the race.  I hoped at least runners of Boston are fast runners so maybe nobody was harmed and it just startled people.   Then I turned on the news and they showed the explosion with the time clock in the picture, when I saw 4:09 on that clock, I started to panic a little.  You start recounting, who do I know that ran the marathon?  What were their finish times?  Who were they with?  When they finished are they people to stick around or people to go to a bar?   

Having completed the Boston Marathon myself two years ago, I just remembered how crowded the finish was and was trying to calculate exactly where people I know would go.   We met up on a side street where it was a little less crowded, and I hoped all my friends would do the same.

Once I saw on facebook that people were checking in and OK, that all CARA runners were OK, I still wasn’t relieved, instead I just kept watching the news and the explosion repeated over and over again, the blood stained streets.   People were hurt/killed- these people are my family, whether or not I knew them, they were Marathoners and Spectators- they were killed.   My first tears were shed for my fellow runners.

It’s only natural to think, had this been 2011, would my family have been safe?   My parents are my biggest fans; they follow me to all my big races.  I worry about them on all the races they join.   I can be running 100 miles with tornadoes around me and that doesn’t scare me, but when my parents are driving in the same conditions just to support me, I’m scared.

I don’t run marathons for anyone else but me.  I will admit, it’s a completely selfish thing.  It’s my endurance fix, I love accomplishing the goals I set out for myself.  While I don’t do it for my parents, they have tried to learn and understand what it is about it that makes me want to do it.  They have never questioned what I do as being so extreme that it’s unhealthy; rather, they are by my side every step of the way supporting my selfish addiction.  And because of their support, every race has become more meaningful.   

So, as I started to think of where my parents were as I crossed the finish line even if it was 2 years and 20 minutes before the explosion…I shed more tears.   For my parents, who weren’t there then, but for the thought of how easily their lives could be taken from me, just by them supporting me.
 

When they announced six people received on the spot amputations for their injuries, more tears flowed.  I can’t imagine how that moment, could forever change so many people’s lives.  The thought they were runners and now they won’t be able to run anymore, or the thought that they were parents, children or spouses of those running.

I started to receive texts from old coworkers, friends and e-mails from family I haven’t talked to in awhile.  All people who know I run, that I support my friends who run, and know how I love the Boston Marathon.   They were checking in to make sure I wasn’t there.  More tears flowed, for all those people who were injured or killed, as they might have e-mails like the ones I had sitting in their inbox and they couldn’t respond like I could.

I was and am angered by whoever did this.  I understand their target- a lot of people in one place, the media all there, in a city that celebrates Patriots day.   I don’t fully understand and in no way do I agree with whatever message they were trying to send or attention they were trying to receive, but media has made it so easy for them to locate their target.  

I had to teach my Monday Night Spin Class which was a little tough.  My eyes were puffy and red, the silence in my car made me cry even more.  I was so out of it- I kept looking at my class notes and was unable to process them.   I put on my Boston Marathon Shirt to show my support.  I decided to make our warm up song be my song title for Boston.   I made the class our time to be away from the news and media- all the sadness being spread and rather emphasized it was our time to celebrate the moment we had to be in that room- to work off our emotions, to celebrate our accomplishments and to share with them my happy memories of the Boston Marathon.

Once I got home, I was sucked back into the media, and I mistakenly watched a ‘raw’ video of it all.  This made it difficult for me to sleep.   There were more tears when I would replay in my head the sounds from that video.

When I learned a little boy had been killed, before we knew his father was out in the race or his mother and sister’s injuries, I could just picture it.   His father, being stopped, told he couldn’t finish but not understanding how it would change his life forever.   This thought actually haunted me as I texted my friend Cheryl and my thoughts made her cry (I’m sorry).  More tears- I decided I wanted to be closer to my family so …I didn’t sleep at my ‘place’ …I slept upstairs.

As I was falling asleep my head ached from all the tears shed.  My heart ached for the running community.  I had to think of happy thoughts including my weekend fun with my old dance friends just to keep my mind busy enough to drown out the thoughts of what happened.  I luckily was able to sleep without any bad dreams once I fell asleep.

Waking up wasn’t so bad, but the drive to teach spin it was all over the radio again.   So many powerful words.  While the media can play a huge role in these events spreading like wildfire, they also can spread all the positive.  They can help us turn the bad to good.

 So many people in Boston, taking people into their homes as the city went on lockdown.  So many people who ran towards the explosion to help.  Facebook that whole time made me feel a little less helpless as people checked in that they were okay, and others posted more positive notes about the tragic events.

As I got on the treadmill for my run with Maddy’s class, I was tired.  I had taught a class for an hour and a half and I was ready to take the tread class easy.  But then Maddy said, let’s dedicate this class to the Boston Marathon- and then I started thinking- why take it easy?  Why go slow- when I still have 24 states to run in.  I have more PRs to be had, and maybe if I work hard enough in the next year (starting with that tread class), I can be one of the many runners to face Boston next year.   Running Boston next year is like looking the person who did this in the eye and giving them disappointment because they didn’t get what they wanted- they don’t get our fear.     There is no reason to stop living our lives because of these tragic events; rather, it gives us more reason to live life more.   If you have a gift or ability or maybe just a desire- don’t waste it.  You never know when your life will change or end.

My friend Rachel said, maybe we just need to be more kind, we need more love- to spread – to somehow reverse the trend of all these tragic events.    There might be some calculation to reverse the trend- I’m not giving up hope that this is just going to be the trend. 
 Loving those around you + Not letting evil win + a fix in the media + recognizing when someone needs psychological help = The current trend times 0..heck I’d even take that to = the square root of the current trend!

The person or group that did this, might have gotten my tears, but they shouldn’t feel so special- I am just an empathetic person, and I might just cry a lot.   They won’t take away my passion and love for marathons.  And actually, they might have just ignited a new flame/a new reason to keep doing it.  

…I blog as a way to get out my emotions of this event-  And I have read others that share my sentiment but have had a way of writing that touch my heart.
My favorite, where I feel like it could have been me writing it is:

http://afoodiestaysfit.com/2013/04/boston-the-bond-of-runners/

And for my happy memory of Boston-  you can read “Take your Passion and Make it Happen- What a feeling!”

200k Brevet- In God's Country

I haven't ever completed a race write up just for an organized bike before, but I have decided to do so with this ride, so when I miss San Francisco, I have something to come back to read and enjoy to help me remember the beauty/greatness/and how easy it really is to get back out there.

When I lived in San Francisco, I would go on long rides about every other weekend.. Almost all year long!

I made my bike friend, Mark, on my very first organized ride out there; the Marin Century. And for the most part, he would map out our rides. We would stick in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma or Napa Counties and the elevation profiles would vary but we always had good scenery.

So... I have missed the rides. I brought both bikes home when I moved back yet, I haven't ridden either of them. Actually, Alejandro isn't even put back together yet!
When I decided to go back to San Fran, I knew a ride was a must. Really, there isn't any other better way I would ever want to spend my time out there than with a bike ride!

Mark suggested a 200k brevet. It wasn't the one we did last January ... But it was with the same club, The Santa Rosa Cycling Club.

Brevets aren't just something you go out and do ... Is it? We had only done one other one, and technically since I rode my bike to the start of the Marin century... I have only completed that distance two other times. .. But this time the elevation profile was doubled.

When in need of an endurance fix, I sometimes will say ok to anything ... And ... That's what I did... Yes to the Brevet.

In spin classes, I told my 'students' what I was doing. And the question would be ... Would the last few months of no long rides, but 45to 60 minute classes, of burst of energy, resistance climbing with break aways ... 4 to 6 times a week.. Would that be enough to keep me in shape and ready for the Brevet? Or would I crash and burn?
I said, if I crashed and burned, I would come back with a resistance 10 ride for the whole class. They will be happy to learn, that won't be happening.

So, I rented a bike from Windsor Cycling. A carbon fiber bike that was nice, but .. It's about 5 lbs heavier than Alexander. I have some amazing bikes, so I guess it's good to know that even on an ok bike, I can accomplish greatness.



I fit my Rent-a-bike in my rent-a-car

My flight out to San Francisco was a disaster. I got there many hours after I was supposed to, and after the bike store was closed. Luckily mark picked up the bike and dropped it off at Tommy and Erin's. The downside was I wasn't properly fitted to it. I could have used a longer stem for the handle bars, so my position was extremely aggressive in that respect for the entire ride. And when I set my seat, it was too low. I raised it once before we started but it was still way too low. I think I was thinking it was ok because of my foot positioning when I was getting in and out ... But the wheels were a little bigger than mine as well... Which meant I was higher off the ground than what I was used to.

So, Mark and I met at the Starbucks in healdsburg before the ride, And made our way to the start. I was picked on a bit from the race director ... Coming all the way from Wisconsin!!' But I will take that... Pretty badass! He told me he would pick on me throughout ... Which he did.. He mentioned it in the pre race announcements.

Just a little after 7am ... Off we went. We started off a little slower than usual, like we got stuck behind a slower group.. So within the first few miles we took off and got positioned somewhere behind the front back.. But not quite with them.

The first part of the ride, we have done many times before. It was in Healdsburg out to Geyserville with the wonderful scenery of Alexander Valley. As we went I took in all the beauty. We didn't go up pine flat but we were on the road for a short while, bringing back memories of other rides. We were on one of my favorite stretches with the vineyards, and maybe about 8 miles in we went by a coffee shop that I love! We would make it our mid point on rides and stop there and get some coffee. I remember the first time we incorporated the coffee shop in our ride, I was feeling sluggish and worried I was going to slow us down... As we all have bad rides. Then I got a coffee there, and I took off!!! The energy was regained and we had a great second half of a ride. It was the start of using coffee to help me get through long rides!

As we made our way to Cloverdale, we had our warm up elevation. I was happy we weren't getting passed, but with my saddle positioning so low, My lower back was killing me. I knew I couldn't last the entire ride like that, so about 26 miles in, in Cloverdale we made a quick stop for me to adjust my saddle. It made a drastic difference but, the residual pain was still kind of there.

We also had been dealing with a strong headwind. At one point, it was flat and we couldn't get faster than 12mph because of how strong the wind was .. And we were working hard! (And for perspective of how slow a 12 mph flat is, the last 200k we did... We averaged just over 17mph... With about 5,000 ft of climbing. .. And on the open flats we were going between 20 and 23 mph So we aren't slow distance riders).

We got thru Cloverdale and turned on 128 where we got our first set of climbing. I had to laugh as Mark thought that section was going to be flat. ... Actually I wasn't laughing at all.. I was more or less focused and wishing he were right, but I remember what I saw on the map.

Every time we would climb, we would start to see and catch up to the yellow jacket guy. He really didn't want us to catch him, you could see him constantly turning around to see where we were. See... In a long ride like this.. I would think you would want people to catch up and make friends ... But I guess that's just the Midwest personality in me. We did eventually catch up to him... And that's when it was apparent he didn't want us to catch him... And he worked hard to take off.

We made our way to our first check point about 54 miles in Booneville. I got a Starbucks double espresso energy. We chatted with a few others.. Who picked on me for wearing shorts ... Which I debated wearing and had other options with me but we started off already at 50 degrees .. So I decided to stick with the shorts. I reminded them .. I'm the Wisconsin girl.

There wasn't a bathroom at this check point, so a mile up we stopped at a winery/brewery and then made our way... To the hard part.... The big climb!

I changed my garmin screen to watch our elevation profile change as I knew around 2,000 feet we would get relief.

I actually had a lot of fun on the climb. I eventually stopped to take my jacket off.. And tan in a racer back tank. I decided to play one of my spin class songs ... On speaker phone ... Telling mark it will help is get up the mountain. You could see the switchbacks ahead and others slowly climbing. This also meant you could see what was ahead. We had a bridge to go over that was daunting to see ahead, but when you got there, it was just so beautiful and awesome!
Then came the consistent 10 to 12% grade climb stuff. These are the kinds of climbs that you just have to pace yourself and get through so it was one of our chatty moments.

Mark knew once we thought we were to the top, there would be more, and its a good thing he mentioned it, because there is nothing I dislike more on a ride than thinking I'm done with the climbing to only have more!

The down was fast.. And cold .. But I didn't want to put on my jacket ... As I wanted my tan, and I didn't want to waste time constantly putting it on and taking it off. The next check point was about mile 74. In Ukiah.. I have never been there until now.

Those 20 miles with the steep climb took about 2 hours to complete. But my attitude had changed. I think the nerves of will we get this done before sunset were there especially with my back hurting and the uncertainty of my ability on a road bike. Once we had about 50 miles left and knowing some of that was relatively flat and that headwind .. If it didn't shift or go away.. Should be at our back!

So, I had half a wrap and some coke, and off we went. We got a nice stretch of flat. I will have to defer to Mark to know our speed at that point, because my watch only showed average mph, but we were finally making up time. The only thing is, with 9,000 ft of climbing .. I knew we still had more climbing left.

We made a quick bathroom stop and turned on what would be our final bit of climbing. Everytime we would go up and hit 1,000 feet .. We would go down a little but then go right back up. The road was narrow and bumpy with sharp switchbacks, but at least not busy.

There were two guys who passed us when we were stopped for the bathroom, and as we climbed, we caught up to them. Again.. I don't know what was up with this ride.. 200k riders are usually awesome and friendly! But maybe when the level of difficulty is taken up a notch with double the elevation, only the competitive people are left. When we caught up to them, they ignored us and so I think we slowed our pace down because there wasn't much opportunity to pass ... And if we did .. They would work hard to pass us and the roads weren't ones I wanted to get competitive on.
As we went down some step stuff with sharp turns .. You could see the two guys stopped so I started to slow down. One of the guys flipped off his bike. I'm glad to say he looked like he was ok, he crashed in semi soft landing .. But I have to say ... That was karma for not letting us pass.

The last 15 miles felt like it took forever. At one point we had a yellow/red light which was in an area we know cops bust bikers, so I decided to stop while mark was thinking I was going, so we had an abrupt run in but not bad, just telling that we were getting tired. Then in our final climb, my bike chain fell off so it was time to get greasy.
As we rode back into Healdsburg, my stomach was feeling so bloated and gross.. I think the poor bike fitting had me hunched over too much. But .. Still... I did my best not to take the ride for granted.
Unfortunately when we finished there was no time to hang out, as I had to get my rental bike turned in.

My Rent A Bike

10 hours of greatness. I can feel a little better that the I haven't lost my endurance, and many shorter spin classes a week keeps me in shape.
I'm thinking if I can get things figured out and more of a steady income maybe next winter I will just fly Alexander out there and get back for two or three rides... I need to figure out how I can be home and happy with my family, but I can keep San Francisco my second home! Somehow I have to make it happen!

The rest of my trip was just as wonderful. Because I needed my endurance fix, it didn't stop with the bike ride. Sunday morning Cheryl and I managed a strong 18 miles. .. Well .. Hunger pains hit me at one point .. But we still made it through.

Seriously .. The Bay Area is God's country!


Top of the long climb!   Beauty!