Race Report: Another Dam 50k

Guess what?

I AM AN ULTRA MARATHONER!

That's right people. This little lady ran 31 miles, at one time, on purpose, and survived.

It was amazing.

I'm still in a state of disbelief that it actually happened. Did I really do that? Was that me running through those woods? Up hills and down root-and-rock-filled single-track paths?

The thing is... it was me. I did it. I accomplished something I wouldn't have dared to dream of a few years ago. I ran and completed an ultra marathon and I loved every stinking minute of it.

The race was comprised of 4 loops, each loop about 7.9 miles long. Some of it was trail, some asphalt. There was even a grassy field portion that I ran the first time and was like "nah, I'll walk it" the next three times. Surprisingly, I nailed the trail portions. No falls, although there were a few trips and a particularly nasty rock that destroyed any hope for a normal big toenail.

By the end of loop 3, I was exhausted. It started to rain, and I went into loop 4 giving myself permission to walk any of it or all of it if needed. Looking back, I realize I didn't eat enough during loop 3. My GPS was behind and I had been eating based on miles rather then time. So, at the start of loop 4, I walked a little bit while shoveling gummy bears into my mouth. The sugar hit my blood stream and I ran the rest of the loop with no problem. There I was, running through the woods in the rain. It's quite loud in the woods while its raining. It's also quite peaceful and downright calming. There was no wall, no moment where I thought "I can't do this".  

I finished well under my goal time and was surprised to find my kids, my husband, my best friend, and her two children waiting for me at the finish. They even had signs! It was wonderful.

I spent the rest of the day, and most of the next, in a suspended euphoric state. And the best part is I wasn't even hurting that badly! I could walk! Go up and downstairs (somewhat awkwardly, but still I could do it)!

Overall, it was a great experience and I might as well be honest and say I'm hooked. Trails. Ultras. I'm in. I want more. And I really want to see how much farther I can go. 12-hour run? Gulp. 50 miles? I'm not sure where this journey is going to take me but I'm sure its going to involve my husband sighing and asking, "Where is this race again?"

previous post: 50k training: losing and moving

Year in Review: 2015

I'm a little late with this year in review post.

Sorry. I've been busy running, sleeping, eating, and practicing some basic laziness.

Here's the lowdown: 2015 was pretty awesome.

found on theberry.com

1,321.58 miles.

(my most in one year ever).

A year of 100+ mile months.

4 marathons.

(my most in one year ever).

Entry into the 50 States Marathon Club.

Epic.

found on skinnypinkninja.wordpress.com

It was also the year of my first DNS, It took me a good week or two to get over that one. My Mom had to send me a present.

While it was an awesome year, it was also a hard year. Running kept me sane. It gave me an outlet for a whole slew of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.

There were days I didn't want to run but I did anyway. There were days when I wanted to run but couldn't. Not every run went well but every chance I had to get out and log some miles was perfect.

I haven't firmed up my running plans for 2016 yet. There's not much I can do to improve upon the beauty of 2015 but I am sure going to try :)

Have a happy, safe, and wonderful NEW YEAR!

maybe that's why I keep doing it

As part of my application for the 50 States Marathon Club, I need to list the details of the 10 marathons I have run.

Considering I started in 2007, the particulars are a little fuzzy.

Thankfully, there is a website, marathonguide.com, that outshines all websites and contains race results from EVERY marathon from the beginning of time. Or at least from 2000 - which is super helpful for a forgetful Nelly like me.

As I was searching through the results last night, cutting and pasting each race, it was a little surreal.

On paper, its just a bunch of numbers; date, time, place. But to me, each one was experience and the memories came flooding back: the wall I hit at mile 18 during the Flying Pig when I was sure I was going to die. Crossing the finish line at the New York City Marathon and sobbing hysterically. Signing up for the Richmond Marathon two days after running New York and swearing that I would NEVER run another marathon again. Running the Knoxville Marathon and momentarily contemplating cutting the course so that the misery would end. Convincing my running partner to run her first marathon and then crossing that finish line with her at the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. Begging everyone that loves me to help me take care of my life (ie: packet pick up, babysitting) so that I could get to the starting line of the Pittsburgh Marathon. Running loop after hilly loop in West Virginia among the beautiful changing leaves. And then number 10: the Carolina Marathon: the first marathon my husband and I actually ran at the same time. Not together mind you, but at the same time.    

Running a marathon is life changing. It only takes one to join the club. You can legitimately include it in your obituary. Life seems different after you run 26.2 miles. You learn that you are far more capable then you could ever have imagined. More able to push past the doubts and do something amazing. Running 10 just compounds it. It makes me feel like a freaking super hero.    

Maybe that's why I keeping doing it.

previous post: Race Report: Carolina Marathon

Race Report: Carolina Marathon

Well, I did it.

10 Marathons. 10 States.

I can officially apply for the 50 States Marathon Club.

like woah.

It went off without a hitch. Everyone slept the night before. No one got sick. The weather was PERFECT.

The course starts in downtown Greenville, S.C. and winds its way into Cleveland Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. This trail, also known as the SRT, is one of the coolest things about Greenville. It is a paved path that travels all over the city. It is popular with runners, walkers, and cyclists. It is free from traffic and in most cases surrounded by trees, leaving you with this wonderful "I love nature!" feeling.

The majority of the race is run on this trail so course support was minimal. However, the volunteers and the supporters that were out there were very encouraging. There were adequate water stops but definitely lacking in the porta potty department. There was one bathroom on the beautiful campus at Furman University. It was clean, and there were no lines so that was a win.

My running partner and I chatted, enjoyed our surroundings, and marveled about how good we felt. Then, of course, my body decided that it was no longer a fan of this let's run two marathons in 1 month thing, and decided to rebel. I developed this knot in my right shoulder that made it hard to turn my head. Then the muscle in my right thigh that I strained during my last marathon decided it had had enough. Annoyingly enough, its a muscle that's part of the let's help your leg lift and move you forward team. I wasn't going to quit. Or give in. So I just kept moving. I had to keep moving.

Crossing that finish line was like that last bite of the most perfect piece of chocolate cake. It was fullfilling. Satisfying. but I'm done. Well, at least until January when I run the Mississippi Blues Marathon. But then after that I'm taking a break from full marathons. I think I might chase after a half marathon PR :)

previous post: podcast drama

post marathon update

This morning I ran for the first time since the hills decimated my thighs during Sunday's marathon.

I'm terrible about post race recovery. No ice baths. I take the hottest shower I can stand. I eat what I want and never drink enough fluids. I did wear my compression socks for the rest of the day though so I'm not a complete and total failure.

This time around recovery was a little slower then normal. Monday was rough. Everything was sore and my inner right thigh actually hurt. I was in this weird fog all day. Tuesday was a little better and I survived a walking field trip to the Post Office with my daughter's preK class. Yesterday, we had a dire laundry situation happening so I forced to conquer the basement stairs. I managed to do it without saying "ouch. ouch. ouch" the whole time.

Success.

The first run after a race, especially a marathon, is always a little nerve-wracking. There have been times where I've avoided it like the plague and other times where I can't wait to get back out there. Fortunately, this morning it was the latter.

It was great to be out there with my running partner, shaking out my muscles and moving towards the starting line of the Greenville Marathon, which is in 16 days.

Just writing that makes me laugh.

When I sign up for these races there's this moment of insanity where I think "I CAN DO ANYTHING! HA! HA! HA!". This time around was no different. 2 marathons in 20 days? huh. Sure. Why not?

Despite the exhausting proposition of running another marathon in so few days, I am REALLY excited about Greenville. I'm running it with my running partner who always makes long runs seem easy and Greenville is one of my most favorite cities. As long as the weather is nice it should be an awesome day and if not, well, there's a Starbucks right around the corner from the finish line to make everything better.

previous post: Race Report: Appalachian Series - West Virginia

Race Report: Appalachian Series - West Virginia

9 marathons. 9 states.

I have run 9 marathons in 9 different states.

Ohio. North Carolina. New York. Virginia. Tennessee. Alabama. Georgia. Pennsylvania. West Virginia.

I am one state away from joining the 50 States Marathon Club. 1 STATE!

But before I go on and on about how excited I am that this HUGE goal is almost within reach, let's talk about this crazy West Virginia race I just ran.

#1 most important fact: IT WAS HILLY.

3 hills. 6 hills per loop. 12 loops.

At mile 21, those hills became mountains. I did something I have NEVER done in a race. I walked the hills.

but I finished. All those hills. All 12 loops. All 26.2 miles.

The particulars: this race is part of a 7 day series, the Appalachian series, hosted by Mainly Marathons. There was a HUGE 50 State, Fanatics, and Maniacs presence at this race, which makes perfect sense considering you can act like a fanatic or a maniac and run a half or marathon everyday for seven days.  

The course went through a park that had beautiful views of trees with leaves that actually change color! The sun was shining but it was still cool and crisp. Pretty much a perfect day. The volunteers were amazing, super supportive and encouraging. My fellows runners were excited, encouraging, and kind. They made the hills bearable.

The cool thing about running a loop is that you become so obsessed with what number loop you're on you forget all about the miles. The first 6 loops flew by. Loops 7-10 were a little rough and the last 2 were all like "YEA! I'm almost done!"  

The medal is pretty freaking awesome.

modeled by my adorable son

It has clips so that you can add more states as you complete the series. So cool. I may or may not have had a brief moment where I was all like "oooo! I want to add more states!" but then I came to my senses.

As I get deeper and deeper into this 50 State quest, I will definitely consider running another Mainly Marathons series. Though small, it is a great way to get the mileage and states you need while  surrounded by wonderful and dedicated people.

previous post: burnt like toast

fall marathoning at it's finest

This year has been epic.

Two marathons down with two more to go.

My 9th marathon is scheduled for October 11th, and on October 30, I should be crossing the finish line of my 10th marathon - securing my spot in the 50 States Marathon Club.

Training starts tomorrow.

Along the way, I'm planning on volunteering at a local half marathon to get that warm, ooey, gooey feeling that comes with watching others achieve their goals.

I've had about two months to recover from more then a half a year of training. I was worried that I would be mentally and physically exhausted but my runs lately have gone well and I'm excited about this new phase of training.  

This time around, I've decided to go with a mix of Hal Higdon's Novice II and Intermediate I training plans. I'm going to pick and choose the distances that work well for me and push myself a little harder then I have been.

It's a bit overwhelming to think that I am so close to achieving a goal that I've been working towards for a few years. I've always said once I hit 10 then I would take a break and hit other states when I could. Well, I've already signed up for a race in January (Mississippi) and I'm secretly trying to figure out when I can get a spring Kentucky race on the schedule. I might have a problem.

   previous post: running things in list form

Race Report: Pittsburgh Marathon

goodness. I don't even know where to start.

8 marathons.

I just completed my 8th marathon.

On Sunday morning, I lined up with approximately 30,000 fellow runners to run through the streets of Pittsburgh.

I was so nervous. Nervous about getting to the race on time, nervous about the weather, nervous about hitting the wall and crapping out.

No one talks to me at start lines and I'm starting to think that its because I look like I might possibly cry at any moment. or throw up. No one wants to deal with a potential headcase before they embark on running 26.2 miles.

As it turned out, I had nothing to be nervous about. Yes, it was hilly, but not as bad as my last race, the Chick-fila-A 1/2. Yes, it was hot but the race handled it wonderfully by handing out ice cold towels throughout the later half of the race. Those towels saved me. Being able to wipe my face, neck and arms was not only physically cooling but also boosted me mentally. The course and crowd support was awesome; every mile had people cheering their hearts out.

Often, I find that when a marathon and a half are being run on the same course, the first 13 miles are gorgeous and the last 13 miles are run on shoulders of highways and through sketchy, lonely neighborhoods. This was NOT the case with Pittsburgh. The course was well thought out and considerate of marathoners who need an extra boost of love and support during those last long miles.

If you need a spring marathon, definitely consider Pittsburgh - even if you are a Browns fan.

previous post: it takes a village

Anyone want to run a FREE race?

I signed up for another marathon.

AND IT WAS FREE!

During my brief stint as a possible Marathon Maniac, I came across a post about Mainly Marathons.

I had never heard of this group that holds 5 and 7 day, multi-state series all over the country. It's a 50 State Marathoner's dream come true.

Basically, they stage a week's worth of races, in different states, all within drive-able distance. One day you can race in West Virginia and the next in Virginia. It's a great way to add states in a short amount of time. You can race any day in a series or do all of them. Their races pride themselves on being low key, do not have time limits, and everyone from walkers to elites are welcome.

And did I mention registration was FREE!

This year, as a part of their 3 year anniversary, they are giving away 1 FREE registration to any one of their races.

There are a few stipulations (nothing tragic) that you can read about here on their website.

I signed up for the Appalachian Race series Day 1 in West Virginia. The thing that's making me slightly nervous about this one is that it's a lap race. The course is 2.184 miles and it will take 12 laps to complete it. 12 laps. The same 2.184 miles x 12. I have NEVER done anything like that before. It's either going to be totally awesome or it's totally going to suck.

Either way I'll be hanging out in West Virginia on an October morning if anyone would like to join me!    

previous post: Book Review: The Porcelain Thief