Entries RSS Comments RSS

I’ve Got the Spark

January 31st, 2010

 

Feeling a bit charged up and happy as I sit to write this one.  I often wonder how bizarre I look when I sit down to write because I know my face shows all of my emotions as I am thinking, smiling, trying to remember, and figuring out the right words to use.

 

Anyway, I started the last day of January getting up at 5:30 a.m. for a quick breakfast of Sharkies, a little caffeine, and lots of water while I checked facebook (of course!).  I read the funniest essay that one of the high school girls I coach wrote for a scholarship.  I mean, I laughed out loud on this one.  She’s so creative and while I say it was funny, it was also very good and I’m sure it made her stand out from the rest of the applicants.  My husband and I were then off to Alafia State Park for the Florida Challenge Trail Run 5K.

 

I was definitely looking forward to this race.  All of the TampaRaces.com events that I have done have been so great.  They are well organized events in such nice parks.  They hand out the awards quickly, offer good post race snacks and drinks, and have some of my favorite types of awards – campfire mugs and the overall and masters trophies are some of the best I have ever seen.

 

Anyway, we arrived in plenty of time and I did my usual warm up.  The race started on time and while I was a little nervous, I wasn’t overly nervous because I wasn’t expecting too much.  I guess mainly because I have not felt that spark for my training or racing since the Disney Marathon three weeks ago.  Post marathon funk can really get you down.  My training has been decent in the past three weeks but nothing to write home about.  At the start I knew I had to get out quickly because it was a single track course.  I did not know the course because I am not that familiar with Alafia Park and the map was not easy for me to understand.  So other than what I had heard and read about it, I really did not know what to expect.  Then this young guy in front of me turned around and told me that he rode the course yesterday on his mountain bike and it was really rough.  He said “just be sure to pick up your feet.”  The older guy next to him turned to me and said “that’s what you want to hear, right?”  We both chuckled and the race was on.

 

I started out a lot faster than I normally would, but I figured I had to in order to avoid getting stuck behind people on the single track course.  There were two women ahead of me going in to the single track path.  I was sucking wind by the first mile.  There were no mile markers on the course – this is cross country, baby!  Trail races are absolutely not about pace and splits.  This was my opportunity to just race.  I cherish opportunities like that.  Luckily I had my Garmin and it beeped at every mile so I knew how far I was in the race but I never looked at my splits.  There really was no point, besides if I did, I probably would have tripped.  This course was incredible.  Hard core road runners would hate it.  I absolutely loved it!  The 5K course was almost like a flashback to high school.  Our home course at Monson High was just as uneven and loaded with rocks and roots but we had major hills in Massachusetts.

 

The course is a mountain bike course at the park that they closed just for us to use this beautiful Sunday morning.  It had so few straight sections that I do not remember them.  It was narrow (one person wide); it twisted and turned; it had so many quick ups and downs (mini hills to this former northerner); it was loaded with rocks, roots, leaves, and a little mud just for fun.  It was incredibly difficult to pass.  I had to run up a little closer than was comfortable on the person in front of me and then when a slightly wider turn presented itself, had to accelerate by.  It was challenging, tactical, and liberating.  Once I passed the two women in front of me about halfway through the race, I thought I was the first female, but was not 100% sure.  So I kept running as hard as I could for the last mile.  When I came out of the trail and headed for the finish, a couple of spectators yelled out that I was the first female.  After a quick sprint on the grass to the finish, I walked out of the chute exhilarated and quite out of breath.  Add another cool campfire mug to the collection.  ;)

 

I love that my husband is always right there to greet me out of the chute.  Sharing that joy and exhaustion with him makes it feel more amazing.  I had barely caught my breath but I could not wait to tell him how tough the race was and what the trails were like.  I know he could see the joy.  I could see it in his face too.  I set off to do a cool down jog and on my way back I heard the awards being announced.  I didn’t quite make it to collect my overall female winner trophy, but my husband picked it up for me.  These are the most unique trophies, made of a rock slab base and a laser cut metal girl running with a pony tail (a RunnerGirl perhaps) and a name plate with the race and award name.

Overall Female Winner Trophy

 

After a couple of award photos, I talked to several people who approached us and mentioned that they were fans of RunnerGirl and readers of my blog.  As we walked to the car, I don’t know who was more excited (my husband or me) or what we were more excited about (winning overall female or meeting people who read my blog and are fans of RunnerGirl).  Talk about a confidence boosting day!

 

The race alone had renewed my spark for racing and training.  I am all set to prepare my training plan for the next few months.  I needed a little inspiration to get me back on track after my post marathon funk.  It’s funny because a few years ago I had a similar situation where I had lost that spark and the Picnic Island Adventure Run had renewed it for me.  Trail races do amazing things for me.  Thank you TampaRaces.com!  Now I’ve got the spark…

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | No Comments »

I Did It. Now What?

January 22nd, 2010

 

The 2010 Disney Marathon was quite the experience.  The weekend as a whole was amazing and fun.  I was fortunate to share it with many of my favorite people.  But why did it have to be so COLD?!!!

 

My last marathon was in 2001 so I definitely forgot what it would feel like during the race.  I figured I was prepared.  My training had gone well and I had raced many half marathons since 2001, including two pretty speedy ones just a few months ago in November and December 2009.  I had been training in the cold, getting used to running in those winter running clothes – tights, long sleeves, jackets, hats, and gloves – but not liking it.  I moved to Florida to get away from all that!

 

I had forgotten how easy it is to let the pace get away from you during the first half of the race when you’re feeling good.  I knew I had to keep my goal pace no matter how good I felt or how easy it felt early on.  Part of me thought about going after my PR (3:18) but I was smart enough to stick to my race plan…even pace through 20 miles then pick it up if I felt good.  After all, my goal was a BQ (Boston Qualifier), not to PR.  I did not let myself get caught up in the moment or caught up in someone else’s race.  I stuck to my goal of 3:45.

 

I never used to be a “techie” runner but having a Garmin definitely helped keep me on my correct pace.  I am so glad I had it!  I probably checked it more than I needed to, but I felt almost like a “newbie” for this marathon.  So I stuck to my pace and only visited a few of the hydration stations since I was not sweating as much with the freezing temperatures.  I did have to slow through all of the water stops due to ice on the ground.  The spilled water and sports drink was actually freezing on the ground during the race.  For Florida, that is COLD.

 

Although I prefer running and racing in the usual hot, sunny Florida weather, I figured cooler would be better for the marathon.  Cool would have been nice.  Freezing was not so nice.  My quad muscles actually hurt during the race and it was not the normal pain, soreness, or stiffness I felt on a long run, but a cold, aching, tightness that would not let up.  Once I felt that, I knew I would have to work hard to run evenly, maintain my pace, and then once I hit 20 miles, I could pick it up if I felt okay.

 

Mile 20 ended up being my slowest mile of the day, but the last six miles were the fastest, which felt great.  I finished in 3:33:35.  I qualified for Boston.

 

After exiting the finish chute with mylar blanket, Mickey finisher medal, drinks, and snacks, I met my husband (my #1 fan) and two girls from the high school cross country/track team I coach.  It was great sharing the experience with them.  I know one of them will do her own marathon one day.  Once I told them about the race and they told me about their spectator excursions on the monorail and dealing with the freezing cold, I put on all the layers I had in my bag and I was ready to go.  I did not care to hang around the finisher hospitality area.

 

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped for breakfast around 10:30 a.m.  We were all so tired.  We had already been up for 7.5 hours.  One of the girls commented that she couldn’t wait to read the blog entries about that day.

 

It has been 12 days since the Disney Marathon.  I have not been able to write.  My sleep pattern has been off.  I feel like I have been in a bit of a fog; definitely lacking focus.  I remember back about 12 years ago when I was running marathons more frequently that the night or two after the race I would have trouble sleeping.  It was as if all those months of training and thinking about the marathon were suddenly over and my body and mind did not know what to do.

 

So, I did it.  Now what?

 

My training calendar has a few items on it, but it is not completely filled out like it usually is.  I have some races on there but no training plan to take me there.  The marathon can become such a big thing in our lives that we not only need to plan for physical recovery after it is over, but we need to plan for the mental recovery.  That is something I have not yet mastered.

 

This marathon hurt so much that when I was finished I was thinking that I might not run Boston in 2011.  I mean, why would I want to do this to myself again?  But now that a couple of weeks have passed and that vivid memory of what it felt like has faded, I have decided that I will run the Boston Marathon in 2011.  It will most likely be my last marathon, unless somehow that is an amazing and pain free experience.

 

I am so glad I ran the Disney Marathon because it was the right time for me to do another one.  I am so excited that I was so far under the qualifying time I needed.  I called Grandma to tell her about it and that I would be running Boston again next year.  [I grew up in Massachusetts where Boston Marathon Monday, well Patriot’s Day, is a holiday, so it has always been a big deal in our family.]  She was happy for me, of course, but in that worried tone she voiced her concerns about me running so far and on such a tough course.  I mean, I am getting older, I’m already 36.  But I smile because I know she remembers how out of it I was after running the Boston Marathon many years ago when it took me quite a long time to find my way back to the hotel where she and Bepa waited for me.  They were proud of me then and I know they are now.  Grandparents are the best.

 

When my muscles were aching during the race and a glance at my Garmin showed my pace slowing, I thought about what I was doing and why I was out there.  I kept telling myself that maintaining my pace and reaching my goal was how I could honor Bepa’s memory.  By doing my best I could honor God and thank him for my healthy body, the ability to run, and the strong spirit to push myself.  In the past I had always run for myself.  This time was different.  I am not sure exactly when that changed for me, but this marathon was definitely more meaningful.

 

I will end with two great quotes from the movie Chariots of Fire (1981).

 

Eric Liddell:  “You came to see a race today.  To see someone win.  It happened to be me.  But I want you to do more than just watch a race.  I want you to take part in it.  I want to compare faith to running in a race.  It’s hard.  It requires concentration of will, energy of soul.  You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you’ve got a bet on it.  But how long does that last?  You go home.  Maybe your dinner is burnt.  Maybe you haven’t got a job.  So who am I to say, “Believe, have faith,” in the face of life’s realities?  I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way.  I have no formula for winning the race.  Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way.  And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end?  From within.  Jesus said, “Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.  If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me.”  If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.”

 

Eric Liddell:  “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast.  And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | 2 Comments »

This One’s for You

December 14th, 2009

 

My last marathon was in 2001.  I signed up for another in 2007 but a few weeks before the race, I contacted the race director and asked to be switched to the half marathon instead.  I just did not have the desire and excitement to do a marathon as I had in the past.  When I graduated from college, all I could think about was running marathons and qualifying for Boston.  From 1995 to 2001 I completed 12 marathons.  This may not seem like a lot to some, but I run every race, including marathons, giving my best effort and running as hard as I can.  By doing that, my body needs time to recover and properly prepare for each race.  By 2007 I figured I was done with marathons since I no longer had the desire to race that distance.  I just could not get excited about it.  I mean, I was satisfied with my 3:18:05 PR and the variety of marathons I had run:  Boston, Hartford, Paris, Disney, and Monaco to name a few.  So I decided to focus on races half marathon distance or shorter.

 

Then in March of this year I decided to focus on better nutrition to decrease my percentage of body fat and once my stress fracture healed, I vowed to train smart and not let anything like that happen again.  Sometimes coaches are not good at coaching themselves because they think they are the exception to the rules, but I won’t get into that here.  Let’s just say that I learned the hard way.  But, the important thing is that I did learn!

 

I spent the spring building a base, slowly and gradually.  I added a few tempo runs and raced a few times, but no speed work.  Then in the summer I raced a 10K on the beach on my birthday and placed 2nd overall.  That night Bepa (my grandfather) passed away.  The events during the summer that followed are described in more detail in my August 4, 2009 post titled “Starting Lines.”

 

I channeled my grief into my running both to exhaust those emotions right out of me and to honor Bepa by doing my best.  This summer and fall have been the most consistent, focused, and intelligent training I have done in a very long time.  I created a plan for myself, stuck to it, didn’t add any extra workouts, took the necessary recovery days, and remained focused.  While my cross training (weights, yoga, cycling, etc.) often gets neglected, my running workouts have been a priority.

 

All of my fall races have gone better than I expected when I first created my racing schedule.  I have felt more satisfied with my race results than I have in a long time.  Perhaps that is why I decided to sign up for the Disney Marathon.  Part of me wants to see what I can do in a marathon now, part of me just wants to qualify for Boston so I can run it again in 2011, and part of me wants to run a marathon for Bepa.  My grandparents accompanied me to the Boston and Hartford Marathons.  Those were incredibly special times having them there to support me, encourage me, and worry about me.

 

Now I am excited to race a marathon again.  My training and racing have been going so well.  I have finally convinced myself to stick to my own training schedule and not someone else’s.  I listen to my body.  I am nervous about Disney, of course, because I have not run a marathon in eight years.  I will admit I have forgotten the experience.  But with two good half marathons under my belt (Nov. 1 and Dec. 6) plus a 17 miler, an 18 miler, and three 20 milers, I feel confident that I will be able to complete the race and if I pace myself properly, achieve my goal of qualifying for Boston (I need a 3:45).  If I run faster, that will be amazing, but I am only focused on the BQ (Boston Qualifier) for now.

 

The Disney Marathon in January will be the true testament of the training and racing I have done the second half of 2009.  I will run it in honor of Grandma who is still adjusting to life without Bepa (as we all are).  I will run it in memory of Bepa – to honor his memory, to honor his speediness and love of running, and to make him proud of me one more time.  Bepa, this one’s for you.  Y

Tags: , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | 2 Comments »

This Cramp’s Not Gonna Break My Stride

December 7th, 2009

 

When I sat down to write this tip about overcoming side stitches and cramps, the song “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder popped in my head, hence the cheesy title of this entry.

 

Yesterday I ran the Brandon Half Marathon and was feeling pretty great for the first several miles.  I went out at my usual conservative pace so that I could run negative splits.  This happened to be about 7:25 mile pace for me on this cold Sunday morning.  After a few miles I felt it was time to pick up the pace and dropped down to 7:00-7:15 pace and around mile 6 or 7 I felt a cramp in my right side.

 

A long time ago I learned an interesting tip for overcoming side stitches.  I rarely ever get cramps like this so I immediately thought it was from the Gatorade.  At the last water stop before the cramp, I had debated about drinking Gatorade or just sticking with water; this internal debate was caused by an interesting book I am reading but that is a whole other topic.

 

Anyway, I grabbed a cup of Gatorade and water at that aid station and took a sip of both.  I believe that was my only sip of Gatorade the whole race.  Overall I took in a lot less fluid than I normally do in a half marathon.  But, back on topic here – the cramp.

 

My cramp was on the right side so every time my left foot hit the ground, I exhaled.  This caused a dramatic change in my normal breathing pattern.  I was exhaling every time the left foot hit the ground so it was very shallow breathing but I tried to force the air out each time.  I continued this for maybe 20-30 steps then took a big exhale, blowing all the air out which resulted in a nice big inhale.  The whole process did not take much time at all, but after this change in my breathing, the cramp was totally gone.

 

I was so delighted that it worked and I was able to finish the race nice and strong with negative splits.

 

I am not saying this technique will work every time or for every person, but it’s worth trying.  The main thing is to change up your breathing pattern and try to get your diaphragm to relax in order to get rid of cramps.  If this does not work, you can always try massaging the area with your fingers, stretching, bending over, slowing down, speeding up, or whatever works, really.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts, training & racing tips | 1 Comment »

Back on Track

November 10th, 2009

  

I spent the summer focusing on establishing a good base of long runs and tempo runs.  I didn’t feel much like racing but did run in two local 5K races in August.  One was a tough cross country race, which is always enjoyable and the other was a very small evening 5K where I placed first overall female.  I did not race at all in September, but kept focusing on good, consistent training.  Plus all my weekends were occupied with cross country meets anyway.  I did take the time to schedule a pretty heavy race schedule for October through the rest of the year.

 

Then October rolled around and I hit the ground running!  I know my training had gone well but really did not know what to expect from myself on the race course.  Trusting in my 24 years’ experience as a runner plus years of coaching education, I stuck to my training plan all summer and early fall.  October 4th was the Gasparilla Island 10K in Boca Grande and I started out at a conservative pace for the first two miles since I was not sure what to expect.  I felt great after two miles and decided to pick up the pace.  I passed the guy ahead of me and then realized that I was now leading the whole race!  I followed the lead golf cart for the rest of the race.  I don’t know what was more exciting for me, being the overall winner of a 10K or reviewing my splits on my Garmin to see that I ran perfect negative splits – each mile faster than the last!  It was funny because my pace was the same pace I ran that 5K in August.  Several girls from my cross country team and members of our local running club also ran this race so it was nice to see so many friendly faces.  Most of my “RunnerGirls” ran their 10K PR.  It was a very proud day.

 

One week later was Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K where I ran close to the same pace but the splits were more even.  With a race this big, it’s tough to go out at a relaxed pace and try to run negative splits.  I placed first in age group and 8th overall female.  Two weeks later I went to Disney’s Tower of Terror 13K which started at 10:30 p.m.  I think my body was definitely thinking about sleep as we headed to the starting line for this one.  I ended up first in age group and 5th overall female.  This was the last year for both of these events, so I was glad that I was able to participate in both and take home some very cool awards!

 

One week after Tower of Terror was the Daytona Beach Half Marathon.  I was nervous for this one because I wasn’t sure I had put in enough mileage or long runs to really race well at 13.1 miles.  But my October races did give me the confidence to register for the 2010 Disney Marathon.  More on that later…

 

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon started and finished on the Daytona International Speedway.  I was in awe of the place from arrival to departure.  It is just enormous!  Seeing it on television does not do it justice.  Anyway, I was conservative for the first few miles but felt really good so I picked up the pace and caught up to a woman in blue.  She turned and asked what I was trying to run.  I usually never talk during a race so I surprised myself when I answered her and said 1:36 to 1:38.  We ran together a little more then I started to push the pace as we neared the half way point at Daytona Beach.  On the way back to the speedway, I focused my attention on anyone in front of me, especially if they were female.  I did not see very many, which was exciting.  I ended up first in age group and 6th overall female in 1:36:22.  Finishing on the speedway at the checkered finish line was so cool!  They announced my name as I approached the line.  For my cool down jog, I ran up to turn one where the track meets the wall so I could look down at just how steep the 31-degree incline was in person.  After amazing post race refreshments including hot, fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts, pizza, subs, and more, the awards ceremony took place in Victory Lane where I took home a finisher medal, checkered flag age group award, running store gift certificate, and bottle of champagne.

 

When we reached the car to drive out of the middle of the Daytona Speedway, I immediately starting texting friends and family about my race – both how happy I was about my time and place but also about the incredible experience at the track.

 

Now we are into November and I can honestly say that I feel good and happy about my training and racing.  I have not felt this way for several years.  I think I am now, finally, back on track.  I can’t wait to race a 5K next weekend to see what I can do.

 

2009 Daytona Beach Half Marathon

2009 Daytona Beach Half Marathon

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | 2 Comments »

Starting Lines

August 4th, 2009

Most of my “run inspired thoughts” are the result of toeing that starting line, whether it is an actual race or just an interesting training run.  My last blog entry was mid June.  I have not raced in a while; not since my 36th birthday back at the end of June.  That was the day I placed second overall female at a 10K on Daytona Beach, spent the weekend at the beach with my sweetie, and capped it with fireworks on the beach that night.  Then just before retiring for the night I found out that my grandfather, “Bepa” to all of us, passed away. 

 

This is a huge loss for my family.  I have never lost anyone that I was so close to and loved so deeply.  To say the least, I have had a bit of writer’s block this summer.  I have managed to continue training but no racing.  I have been focused on family.  Visiting Grandma and my family several times in Massachusetts took priority over all else.  I seem to have lost interest in racing.

 

I know the grieving process takes time and some day I will be able to think about Bepa and not feel so sad.  I know he is in a better place and he is no longer suffering from cancer.  It is just missing him that hurts so much.  When I run hard I cannot cry so that is why I have had some really great training runs the past few weeks.  I think about Bepa, feel sad, run hard to avoid the tears, and then end up running a great tempo run or hard long run over steep hills.  When I finish I feel better.  Bepa loved to run and he was fast.  He always told me that he loved to run but when he was young they didn’t have things like cross country, track, or road races where he grew up.

 

I started running competitively in seventh grade.  Grandma and Bepa went to almost all of my high school cross country and track meets.  They even drove hours and hours to watch me run in some of my college meets and traveled with me to the Boston and Hartford marathons.  I know he had a great life and I am so blessed for all the time I spent with him.  I have this one photo of us from my junior year of high school at the WMASS (regional championship) meet.  It was my first year running track and my dad, who was my coach, could not make it to the meet.  My mom and Bepa took me to the meet where I won the 1600 meters in 5:20 and qualified for State.  That was my fastest 1600 in high school.  Another photo I cherish is of my grandparents on either side of me holding my Brown University diploma.  We were all cold and soaked from the rainy outdoor graduation ceremony but we all still managed a smile.  I knew how proud they were of me since I was the first grandchild to graduate from college.

 

When I train alone or just have a quiet moment by myself, I reflect on all the wonderful moments I had with Bepa.  I still cannot help but feel sad and miss him like crazy.  I am hopeful that in time it will not hurt so much.  I am happy for him because he is with the Lord and I know I will see him again some day.  But for right now, I miss him.

 

I have started planning some races for this fall.  I know it will not always hurt this much and with a little time, I will enjoy racing again.  I mean, I have not lost my competitive spark.  I still find myself doing silly things like trying to beat someone walking to the door of a store so I know it is still there.

 

Putting these thoughts down on paper feels like it might be my “starting line” to get back on track with some of the things I do enjoy like writing, blogging, and who knows maybe in a few weeks even racing.  In the mean time, I plan to continue training hard so I will be in shape when I do toe the starting line again.

 

Bepa watching as I prepare for my 1600 meter race

1990 WMASS (Regional) Track Meet where I won the 1600 meters in 5:20

Tags: , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | 1 Comment »

Run through it

June 14th, 2009

 

 

“Run through it” are words sometimes used by runners or coaches when a runner experiences a cramp, mental limitation, or mild pain during a training run or race.  Many times we can “run through it” if it is a situation where we simply need to push “mind over matter.”  We all know it is not a good idea to run through an injury, but the coach in me thought it might be a good idea to mention that anyway.

 

We run through so many things – rain, sun, heat, humidity, pain, sadness, joy, depression, new places and old familiar ones, conversation, awkward silence, the past, the present, and we hope to continue running into the future.  I am blessed with a varied group of training partners.  I have trained through super chatty running buddies who don’t let you get a word in, but also some great conversations that have had some great give and take.  Once I ran an 11 miler with two guys and the three of us did not say a word.  I am pretty sure I was running fairly hard in order to keep up with them so a conversation was probably out of the question for me anyway, but I am sure there were moments of awkward silence.

 

Today I had the pleasure of running an easy seven miles with two of my high school runners.  They both run cross country, track, and lots of road races with me throughout the year.  We just came off a two-a-day workout on Friday which included the Picnic Island Adventure Run, an easy three miles on Saturday, plus a busy weekend and not enough sleep.  So the three of us, barely awake, started our weekly long run at a leisurely pace with a little conversation added in.  After a couple of miles I noticed that all three of us were silent.  We were approaching the turn around point and I became more and more aware of the silence and began thinking that it was awkward and I should break it with some small talk or something.  But, I didn’t.  I let myself run through the silence.  I let myself enjoy the run and just enjoy being with them.  On our way back with about a mile to go we started chatting again.

 

It wasn’t until a little later in the day that I really thought about the run and the silence.  I have known these two girls for almost four years now.  I realized that although I enjoy our conversations and hearing their perspectives on life, we are comfortable enough with each other that we can just be.  We can run, be together, enjoy being outside, respect each other’s work ethic and reasons for being out there, and not say a word.  Who knew running through silence would be so enlightening.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts, training & racing tips | 2 Comments »

The Adventure Never Ends

June 13th, 2009

 

I have been running and racing for 24 of my 35 years.  I have a difficult time imagining what life would be like without it.  During those years, I have participated in a wide variety of races, including cross country races (mostly 5K), track meets (800 meters, mile, 3000 meters, 5000 meters), and road races (mile, 5K, 4 mile, 8K, 5 mile, 10K, 13K, 15K, 10 mile, 20K, half marathon, marathon, and marathon relays).  I guess I thought I had “seen it all” until I was introduced to adventure running last year.

 

After so many years of training and racing, running is still my passion.  Sometimes the “same old” races just don’t light that competitive spark anymore.  Summers in Florida don’t offer much more than the usual hot, humid 5K.  When I first heard about the Picnic Island Adventure Runs last summer I was hesitant because I had concerns about crawling under a cargo net and going through, over, or under other obstacles.  Wouldn’t that slow me down?  What if my lack of coordination caused me to look silly or hurt something?

 

Luckily I put my fears aside and took the leap to try something new.  It was the best decision I ever made.  There are more adventure runs out there, but my experience is limited to the Picnic Island races.  I ran in two of them last summer and just finished my third Picnic Island Friday night.  These races are usually 3.1 to 3.3 miles in length and have really grown in popularity.  The May 2009 Picnic Island race had about 700 participants.

 

Each time I finish one, I feel inspired.  I don’t know exactly what it is.  It could be the fact that we don’t really know the exact distance of the race and there are no mile markers; the funny thing is that no one seems to care either.  Maybe it is the uneven terrain, sharp turns, single lane path through the mangroves, or the short, steep zig zag hills at the end.  Or it could be the return to childhood while crawling on hands and knees through sand under a cargo net, taking a sharp right turn, covered in sand, then running through big, inflated tubes, and with wobbly legs attempting to jump a big hurdle.  Each year there are three races over the summer and no two races have been the same.  One thing is for sure, I love the crazy terrain.  I find myself pushing the pace, pushing my limits just based on how I feel.  Time doesn’t mean much on Picnic Island.  My goal is to finish in the top 50 in order to receive an award at the finish line.  During the race I always seem to find a few people who become my short term goals.  I keep pushing the pace throughout the race so that when we get close to the finish line, my lungs are burning and I am gasping for breath.  That is when I feel so incredibly alive.

 

Friday, June 12, 2009 was the second of the three Picnic Island Adventure Runs.  There were five RunnerGirls pushing the limits Friday night.  Four of us finished in the top 50 and received hats at the finish line (Jessica Pate, Diana Nelson, Nicole Iglesias, and Rae Ann Darling Reed).  Our fifth runner (Clancy Vaughan) just missed it, placing 51st.  It was Clancy’s first experience at Picnic Island and I’m sure she’ll be back to try to get into that top 50.  Clancy will be in 8th grade at King Middle this fall.  She is an outstanding soccer player and has great potential as a runner.  Jessica Pate is a recent graduate of Manatee High where she was a state finalist in cross country and competed at region in track.  She will run for Furman University this fall.  Diana Nelson and Nicole Iglesias will be seniors at Manatee High in the fall.  They have both competed at the regional level in both cross country and track.  Nicole and Diana are outstanding student-athletes who will be team leaders in cross country, track, and basketball.  They are both three sport athletes who thrive on the diversity of their three sports.  This is very important in high school to avoid the burn out that often results in specializing in one sport too early in life.  After all, “variety is the spice of life.”

 

In comparing races to the “spices of life,” Picnic Island Adventure Runs would be something hot like cayenne pepper.  It’s not something you would do (or use) all the time, but it is exciting and different and can really spark a renewed passion for running, racing, and life.  It makes you feel alive.  As a warning, you may be sore in muscles you have forgotten about from crawling, jumping, and running the wild terrain, but you will smile thinking about how those muscles got that way.  The Picnic Island Adventure Run (or any adventure run in your area) might be exactly what you need to put that spark back in your running.  It is definitely one adventure I am glad I tried.

 

RunnerGirls at Picnic Island

RunnerGirls at Picnic Island

 

 

 

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | No Comments »

Thankful

November 27th, 2008

 

Thanksgiving, for many, is about getting together with family and friends and sharing a big meal. Phil and I are lucky because we get to do that twice in one day with my family in the afternoon and Phil’s in the evening. Over the past several years, I have found that the perfect way to start Thanksgiving Day is with the BRC Turkey Trot. As I drove home this morning I couldn’t help but smile, I mean really smile with genuine happiness and thankfulness in my heart. And I couldn’t get home fast enough to start writing this all down. My best thoughts come right after a nice run.

 

I am so thankful for the family I grew up with, the family I married into, all my friends in the Bradenton Runners Club and our community, the many athletes I have had the privilege to coach and their wonderfully supportive parents. Gary Algozzine and the Bradenton Runners Club provide us with a unique opportunity on Thanksgiving morning to get together, share a run, and enjoy the giant “family reunion” before heading our separate ways later in the day. This is the one day of the year when I get to see so many familiar faces – current runners that I coach, athletes I have coached years ago, parents of current and former runners, new friends, old friends, BRC board members, and the many wonderful volunteers out on the course. I don’t think any of us can name one other day of the year when we all get together like this. Today is a day to cherish.

 

I have been dealing with some foot pain the past few weeks. In fact, I have not run since November 9th. I had to switch to biking and weight training to give my foot a rest. This past Tuesday night’s four miles was my first run in several weeks. It felt great to be running again. Unfortunately, not pain free, but that’s another story. For my second run back, this morning I decided to run the Turkey Trot 5 Miler with Di. For those of you who do not know her, Di is also known as Diana Nelson. She is a three sport varsity athlete at Manatee High – cross country, basketball, and track. When Joe Siever asked me how fast I was going to run today, I said “maybe 8 minute miles?” I wasn’t too concerned with pace as we set out comfortably, chatting most of the way. By half way we were at approximately 8:20 pace per mile (I wear a Garmin so that’s very easy to check). Those of you who know me will probably get a little chuckle out of this, but I was fighting my urge to pick up the pace as we passed the water stop and headed for the turn around. I kept telling myself that today was not about me, it was about running with Di, enjoying her company and conversation, and saying “hello” to every person I knew. I have to say that I did enjoy that. I am still smiling thinking about it. The out and back course was great so I could see all those familiar faces on the way out and the way back. I suggested to Di that we pick up the pace on the way back once we went by the water stop. So, she did just that and ended up passing many people on the way back and running negative splits. This is a difficult concept for many young runners – holding back, running comfortably the first part of the race and then running the second half of the race faster. But Di ran a text book negative split race today and felt good finishing fast. I felt great helping her to achieve this. Wow, racing isn’t always all about me. I have been running for 23 years and I can still learn too! I think that’s why I love running so much. I can still learn and experience new things as my own training and racing go through different stages. For me, coaching is the ultimate expression of that love of running when I can watch and help my athletes have those great experiences. By the way, we ended up with finishing with an average pace of 8:02 today, so it was a very successful 5 miles.

 

So to everyone at the Turkey Trot this morning who I smiled at, greeted, hugged, chatted with, saw in passing, ran with; and to all the volunteers – I am thankful for you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in run inspired thoughts | No Comments »

Run at Your Own Risk

July 26th, 2008

The more I think about it today, the more I realize that we probably should not have run the race last night. But, luckily no one was struck by lightning, so it’s all good! =)

The Picnic Island Adventure runs are a series of three races in May, June, and July that take place on an “interesting island” called Picnic Island in Tampa near the Gandy Bridge. Each race is approximately 3.3 miles long and includes running on the soft, choppy beach, uneven grass (watch out for those holes!), through mangroves on a single lane track with trees and shrubs thrashing you the whole way, and let us not forget the real fun stuff…crawling in sand under a cargo net, running through tires, the giant hurdle, and the crazy, steep hills at the end. The races usually end with a short run into waist deep water and back out to finish on the beach. Each race is different depending on how high or low the tide is…example: May’s race was pretty dry except for the plunge into the bay before the finish yet July’s race was super wet with deep water all throughout the mangrove trails.

July’s race was even more interesting due to the thunderstorm. They delayed the start of the race about ten minutes to really let the storm roll in. I guess they were hoping it would head the other way, but no luck. Anyway, the entire race was in a full blown thunderstorm with the rain and lightning getting worse as the race progressed. Oh, and just before firing the starting gun, the starter said “run at your own risk.” Like anyone was going to walk away at that point.

As we were heading towards the cargo net, I saw a huge crack of lightning that looked like it hit near the corner of the island where we would be running in about 2-3 minutes. I have to admit that this scared me a little, but I went under the net, through the tires, and over the hurdle and then was gasping for air a bit as I headed to the single track through the flooded and muddy mangroves.

The first race in May was my first Picnic Island race so I had no idea what to expect of the course. I loved it. This time, I knew what to expect, which wasn’t quite as good especially since our feet were soaked and weighed about ten pounds each after just one mile of the race. I did like knowing where the hills were at the end so I could push the pace there. Since there was so much lightning, we did not have to run out into the bay and back in before the finish. After the hills it was a straight shot to the finish on the beach and of course the beach was all soft, choppy sand and there was nowhere to go to find good footing. I actually felt that lung burn after the hills on my way to the finish like I did coming out of the water in the May race. Ah what a feeling!

There were nine people from our group in the race: Alex, Anthony, Franz, Nicole, Di, Caroline, Jennifer, Lauren, and me. We all finished and had a blast. Luckily no one in the race was hit by lightning. Could you imagine a more horrible thing? Anyway, we survived and I think everyone had the most amazing time.

I like running in adverse conditions, especially the rain, but I could definitely do without the lightning!

Hope to see everyone at Picnic Island next summer!

Photos from the May & July races:
http://www.bradentonrunnersclub.com/photos.shtml

Tags: , , ,
Posted in race results, run inspired thoughts | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries