Running with Meb!

About a month ago, on an unseasonably cool June morning, I had the opportunity to take part in a charity fun run with Boston Marathon winner Meb. The proceeds of the event were going to benefit MyTeam Triumph which is a wonderful organization.  This organization allows all individuals to realize their full potential.  Disabled athletes (Captains) to take part in athletic events through the use of specially designed racing equipment and able bodied athletes (angels) helping them safely cross the finish line.  If you have never witnessed this, it is a truly humbling experience.   My husband encouraged me to sign up since the proceeds were going to such a great organization. The event included the opportunity to meet Meb, run 2 miles withMeb and the rest of the group, photo ops and breakfast. I was running a half marathon the day after this event and I was honestly more nervous about a 2 mile run than I was the 13.1 the next day. Meb was fast, strong and a champion and I was just a mom trying to figure out this whole running thing.

When I arrived, Meb was there being interviewed by a local new station. I started making small talk with some of the other participants. When he finished his interview, he made his way over and talked to those of us taking part in the run. I had a photo taken with Meb which was pretty surreal.  Yes, he ran in that outfit. I guess that Wisconsin morning was a bit too cool for him.  

 

 

There were about 30 of us along with captains and angels fromMyTeam Triumph taking part that morning. We lined up at the start and were led down the path by a Green Bay Press Gazette truck complete with photographers on back. So, that is what it feels like to be an elite running at the front of the pack. I have to admit it was kind of nerve wracking being filmed and photographed like we were some kind of celebrities. Meb kept a comfortable pace which was a little faster than I am used to but I kept up for the majority of the run. I was slightly behind the rest of the pack for the last quarter mile but I caught up with Katie who is an angel from MyTeam Triumph and we finished the run together.  She was so sweet and she gave me a big hug at the end. I love being a runner because other runners are so supportive and friendly. This was one of those experiences you never forget and I get goosebumps just writing this recap.  

After the event I was on a complete high. It was amazing getting to meet new people.  In the end, I realized that I wasn’t that much different than Meb. We were both working towards something we were passionate about.  Success isn’t always about winning but is about giving it your all. While I will probably never win a race, I am a winner every time I lace up my shoes at a race and run my heart out regardless of where I place.

Madison Twilight 10k

So Memorial day weekend marked my first 10k of the 2014 running season. This was going to be a fun race as it took place in the evening which meant we didn't have to leave at 4am to get there in time.  My parents came with us and stayed with the kids while my hubby and I ran. Had they not come along with us this would have been my hubby's race to run as he enjoys the 10k distance.  I wasn't sure how I was going to do at this race because I had just run a half the weekend before. My plan for this race was to get another PR. My approach with running is that you need to set a challenge for yourself or you will settle for less than what you are capable of. 

We spent the day in Madison and started by visiting the race expo.  My kids were having a blast in the photo booth with my mom and dad while at the expo.  We spent time around the capital during the afternoon and even ran into John's cousin who gave us some helpful information which helped us in successfully completing this race. I wasn't sure how to properly eat during the day to make sure I was well prepared to run at 8 that night. I didn't want to eat too much before the race and end up being sluggish. I decided to err on the side of caution and eat lightly between lunch and the race and that seemed to work well for me.

Our youngest daughter was running the kids race that evening so my hubby got her to the start line while I was ready for her at the finish with my mom, son and daughter. It was a .6 mile run around the capital. I love when races offer kids races as it encourages physical fitness and gives them a sense of pride when they cross that finish line.

My hubby, daughter and I before the race

There she is coming in for her big finish

I think we know who the next half marathoner is

Our race started at 8pm and it was warm but not unbearable. While my hubby and I started out running together I left him take the lead about a half mile in. I didn't want to try to keep up with him and lose steam when I needed it most in the race. Madison is hilly and I knew there were some killer hills in the first half of the race. A little before we hit the first mile we hit a steep hill. I walked up the hill to save energy.  Not much after that we hit Observatory drive. This was the hill we were warned about. When I saw this hill, I was thinking "hell no" but I briskly walked up the hill. Even the best runners were going to have trouble with this hill.  In my opinion this was a make or break hill for those who were going for a PR.  While the hill was tough, the view from the top was spectacular. The sun was setting over the water and it was beautiful.  If I wasn't going for a PR, I would have stopped to take a photo but I knew that if I had any chance of getting a PR I was going to have to work for it.

I crossed the 5k timing mat at about 41 minutes in. I felt defeated at this point because I knew that keeping that pace meant that I didn't stand a chance. I kept pushing through and saw something interesting. I was passing lots of people in that second half of the race. People were running out of steam. Before I knew it I was past the 5 mile mark and was headed back towards the capital. I continued to pass people as I headed towards the finish. Then I saw the 6 mile mark and the finish line was getting close. I kicked it into high gear. I heard my family yelling for me as I was about to cross the line. I saw the clock and I did it. I got my PR! I ran the second half almost 4 minutes faster than the first half. My strategy to start out slow and walk the hills worked. This day was fabulous from start to finish and I will be returning to run this race again! 

My hubby nearing the finish line

Almost there! 

Crossing the finish line!

My hubby and I post race

Cellcom half marathon weekend

In mid-May it was time for me to run my third half marathon. The race took place in Green Bay and is close to home which meant no overnight stay to get to the start line in time.  This was nice because packing a family of 5 up for the weekend can add a little too much stress to the equation.  I had signed up for this race less than a week after I finished the princess half. My husband laughed at me when I told him I had registered because on the bus back to the hotel after running at Disney I said I wasn't going to do another half until August when I was scheduled to run the Madison Mini. This weekend was a bit different than other race weekends as I was walking the 5k on Saturday and then running the half on Sunday.  I had lost a lot of focus between my first half marathon and Disney so I was worried about this race. I trained hard, put in the work and when race day came I needed to trust my training.

I did the 5k with my daughter and sister in law. My daughter wanted to experience a 5k but wasn't ready to run the distance so I said I would walk the 5k with her and she recruited her aunt to join us. It was a nice day and the temperature was about as perfect as you could want. My husband was running the race as well so we sent him on his way to the front of the start area because I knew he was pushing for a PR in the 5k. It was a slow start but we were walking and having fun so we moved out of the way so those running could easily get around us. My daughter, who is 10, had never done this distance before so I wasn't sure what to expect from her. Before we knew it we hit the first mile mark and I high fived my daughter and we kept pushing on. Then we hit the two mile mark and we were approaching Lambeau field.  I had checked my phone and saw the alert that my husband had finished the race. He got his PR! After we got another quarter mile in, we were making the turn towards the stadium and knew we would be headed through the players tunnel and headed onto the field for a lap around the field.  My sister in law is a HUGE packers fan so I sent her and my daughter in ahead of me. I do have to say it was a cool experience to run through Lambeau Field even though I am not a football fan. We finished in about 51 minutes and had a blast.

Outside of Lambeau at about 2.25 miles into the race. 

The three of us before the race

On Saturday night I got all my race stuff ready. It was a long day as we had an all day tennis meet for our oldest daughter after we were done at the 5k. When she was done, I headed home to hydrate and properly fuel up for the next morning.

My race day outfit

 We arrived at Lambeau field about an hour before the race started and headed in to use a real bathroom.  While waiting in line I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in years. She was going to be running her first half marathon that day.  I was excited for her! My hubby went to the car and the kids and I headed to gear check.  As we went to gear check I felt some raindrops and knew that meant my mother in law was watching over me that day. I tried to calm my nerves but the start line always makes me a bit anxious. The gun went off and we were headed out. It was slow going at first but my strategy was to head out slow and take scheduled walk breaks from the beginning to keep me fresh.

About a quarter mile into the race

Waiting for the race to start

The first few miles went well and I was holding a steady pace. I was hoping for a PR that day and I knew if I kept that pace I would get my PR. The first few miles are a bit tough because sometimes I start out too fast and I pay for it at the end. My husband had taken the kids to mile 3.8 where there was an aid station so they could cheer me on. The kids were playing in the park so I didn't see them here but I did see my husband waiting for me. I stopped for a moment at that point, took a gu, drank a bit of water and gave my hubby a quick kiss before I continued on.

Not sure what is going on here but I think my husband was chasing me with the camera

The next few miles were pretty uneventful and was continuing at an steady pace. I took another energy gel at about mile 8 and shortly after that they were handing out freeze pops. This was a great treat because the sun had broken through the clouds and it was getting really warm out. At about mile 10 we hit a monster hill and I was thinking to myself "what the heck, they said the course was flat".  I walked the hill to conserve energy and as I was nearing the top I ran into my friend. I ran the next few miles with her and I was seriously zapped of energy. I had another energy gel but didn't take it and looking back that was a mistake. During my training I didn't practice my fueling strategy and this was a critical mistake as well. I was guessing at what was going to work for me and I miscalculated.  Since it takes me a bit longer than some to do a half marathon I need a little more energy than others do. This is just how my body works and need to recognize what works for some doesn't work for others. 

Next we hit mile 12 and shortly after we were making our way to the stadium. I was tired and hot at that point. I knew I was slowing down and wasn't sure if I was still on track to get my PR but I was still going to try. My family was in the stadium waiting for me but I didn't see them. We made our lap through Lambeau and headed out of the players tunnel and were headed back out of the stadium.  I knew the finish was close so I did all I could to get that PR.  I had taken my headphones out so I wasn't hearing the alerts every quarter mile telling me how far into the race I was which had me worried I wasn't going to get my PR.  

Coming through Lambeau

The finish line was in sight. I saw the clock and knew that that PR was mine. I gunned it across the finish line and completed half marathon number three. I felt pretty tough as I came across that finish line. I got my medal from a super sweet volunteer and it took all I had not to hug her and start crying. There is something so emotional about crossing the finish line that does it to me. Every. Single. Time. I got my gear and met my husband and kids. I knew I needed to sit down because I wasn't feeling so hot. I found a curb to sit on while my hubby got me Gatorade and my oldest let my parents and sister where they could find us. After sitting for a few minutes I got up so we could head out but felt really dizzy so I sat back down. My dad and sister got me fruit while my hubby went to get me water and more gatorade. After the fluids and fruit I was feeling much better.  I was slightly dehydrated and in hindsight I probably should have made my way to the medical tent but I am stubborn.  

All in all it was a great weekend and it is a race I would do again. Next year the 5k falls on my birthday so I have already told my family that is what we are doing for my birthday. 

My oldest and I after the race as I try to recover

My sister, dad, mom and I after the race

With my medal

My daughters and beautiful niece. My daughter wearing the Minnesota hat didn't want to be in the picture but my hubby decided she should be in it anyway.  Love that expression on her face

My hubby and I. 

13.1

Well, this point is way overdue. I am a half marathoner! Wow, words I never expected to hear myself say. This was one of the most emotional days I have ever experienced. It ranks up there with births, marriages, and losing loved ones. I know it seems odd to compare running to such big moments but training for and running a half marathon changed and challenged me in ways I never expected. 

I started training for the half at the end of July. I was a fairly new runner so I wanted to give myself plenty of time in case I had setbacks. I didn't enjoy training in the heat but I was pretty consistent with getting my training in either on the road or in the gym. I was the girl who brought her workout clothes with her on vacation this summer. There were so many things I needed to figure out like hydration and fueling that there were times I became overwhelmed. A little over a month before the race I got in an accident taking the kids to school so had some setbacks in my last few weeks of training.  

Finally, I made it to race weekend.  The half marathon was about three hours from our home so we made a weekend out of it. My parents were going to join us however my dad ended up having an unexpected surgery a few days before the race so they had to cheer me on from back home. We hit up the race expo on Saturday and then took time to explore the state capital.  As the day wore on, I was becoming more and more nervous. Those feelings of self doubt were creeping in. My husband and kids were reassuring and helped me get through the pre race nerves.

On race day I woke up about an hour before my alarm went off. This was ok because I had a really great night of sleep. This is surprising because I am normally not a good sleeper and I was not in my own bed. I had my pre race Luna bar because I knew I needed something but didn't want too much in my stomach. I had some water but didn't want to drink too much as I didn't want to spend all my time in the lines for the bathroom either. As we got closer to the time I has to line up I became more and more nervous. Finally it was time to get in line and I gave kisses to my family.

I went in with three goals for the race. My first was to finish, my next was to finish in under 3 hours and lastly finish in 2:30. I knew the last goal would probably require some sort of miracle but you have to have that goal that's slightly out of reach to strive for. I lined up with the 2:30 pace group because I have a tendency to go out to fast in the beginning of runs and slow down considerably in the last half of my run. I did my best to keep up with them but settled into a more comfortable pace about a mile in. 

I started to get a bit tired at about mile 5. It had been about three hours since I had eaten so I decided it was time to have one of my gels. I had a variety in my fuel belt but decided to go with Island Boost. It is much easier to get down than Gu and is more gentle in my system. This went to work pretty quickly and I started to feel a bit refreshed. I started talking with a woman shortly after this who was struggling a bit. We chatted a bit and we went on at our own pace. 

Between miles 5 and 8 there were very few spectators so it was a bit lonely and I was started to listen to those voices of doubt. Then a man asked me if I was going to finish. This comment made me so angry and helped to push me forward. At about mile 9.5 I was getting tired again so I took another gel. Shortly after that I heard people yelling my name from the pedestrian bridge over the road. I started waving and then I spotted my oldest daughter. I was so excited to see my family there. It turns out my hubby saw me coming and told the people around them to start yelling to me. Because Madison is a bit difficult to get around I figured I would only see my family at the start and finish. This was the pick me up I needed. 

As I got shortly past the mile 10 marker I started hearing music. I was thinking the end was getting close. The race course was set up with and out and back on John Nolan Drive so the end wasn't nearly as close as I had hoped. After I made the turn to run the final 2.1, there was Santa handing out water. I was never so excited to see the jolly old guy!  Finally I hit mile 12 and I started to hear the music again. The DJ gave me a high five and at that point I told myself the distance left was the distance from my house to the gas station and back. I could do this! The finish line was less than 15 minutes away!

Not too far from the finish, we hit a hill. Ugh, I hate hills. I was exhausted at this point so I walked the hill. I wanted to run over the finish line so I decided this was the best compromise. The music was getting louder and the crowd was getting bigger. I could feel the energy even though I couldn't yet see the finish line. I rounded the final corner and spotted my family. I was so close now, I couldn't believe it. Then, I heard an announcer calling my name. I was flooded with emotions at that very moment. I shot my arms up in the air and crossed that finish line with pride.

A volunteer placed that medal around my neck and another gave me a thermal wrap to keep me warm. I found my family shortly after that and grabbed my husband and started to cry. I couldn't believe I had done it. Six months earlier I couldn't run a block and I had now run a half marathon! The best thing I met two of my three goals. I finished in under 3 hours!

Running this half marathon wasn't just for me, it was for my kids too! I wanted to get healthier so I could be here to enjoy life with my kids. I wanted to show my kids that anything can happen with hard work and dedication. Running this not only helped me physically but helped me see a different outlook on life. This experience was amazing and this won't be my last half marathon!

Rounding the corner towards the finish line!

Almost there!

After the race with my oldest!

My decision to start

Well, a few months ago I woke up deciding I wanted to run a marathon. This is amusing because I have a few pounds to lose and I rarely exercised. I couldn't run more than a city block without feeling like I was going to die. I decided this time I was going to make it happen. Maybe it was the tragedy in Boston and the way the running community rallied with one another and their resolve because stonger. Maybe it was the fact I was less than two weeks from turning 35. Maybe it was because less than two weeks after that morning, what I thought was my next challenge fell apart, and running was going to be what saved me. I don't know the exact reason but since I made that decision I haven't given up.

Since making that decision, I have made more progress than I could have ever imagined.  I walked my first 10k in June and felt like I was broken after that. Every part of me hurt and it took me weeks to get back into the groove of trying to run.

In August I ran in two 5k races and did better than I imagined I could. While I didn't set any records I also didn't finish last in either race.

In September I ran my first 10k and managed to run almost the entire race. 

In October I ran a small 4 mile race and didn't run as well as I hoped but I finished in 52 minutes flat.

In November, I ran the race that became a turning point for me. I completed a half marathon. Yes, me finishing a half. It still feels surreal but more on that experience in a future post.

I am so glad I stuck with this and am so excited for where this is going to take me. Stay tuned as I make my way to my ultimate goal of 26.2. Sometimes making the decision to start is the hardest but can lead to amazing things.