NY Marathon Progress . . . 5 wks to go

Quick update . . . I have built up to two 16-milers and am averaging about 40 miles a week again. My body feels strong, no sign of the hip injury. The tight Achilles and plantar fascia are much better. I feel strong aerobically and am seeing a little increase in speed, but still running slower than I’d like.

My focus is still on rebuilding mileage and running (not racing) the New York Marathon. But, I’m definitely starting to think about what marathon to do to race for time in the near future, especially as my friends prepare for St. George and Portland next weekend and Chicago the weekend after that. : )

Unexpected First . . . First Place

One of the reasons I coach is that I love “firsts.” It’s so gratifying to see someone accomplish something for the first time. Really, how many times as an adult do you do something for the first time? Well, I got my own unexpected first this week.

For the first time EVER, I won an athletic competition. Our CrossFit trainer, Alex Janss, issued a challenge to her bootcampers from Aug. 19-Sept. 17. We started out with body measurements and a benchmark workout. We did our bootcamp workouts as well as an additional workout Alex provided each week and kept food logs to help monitor our diet. At the end, the person with the most improved time on the workout and the person with the most inches and highest percentage of body fat lost win. One month later, Alex put us through the paces again.

None of us at the Thursday morning final workout could remember what the benchmark workout entailed, or our times, so we weren’t sure what times we needed to deliver. It actually made the competition more pure as it meant you just gave the workout everything you had. The workout started with our usual warm-up: high-knees, down-low’s, jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, twists, lunges, and punter kicks. Then, the timed workout began:
- .5 mi. run (Austin Rowing Club to Congress and back)
- 25 Med. ball dead lifts
- 25 Med. ball cleans
- 25 box jumps
- 25 push ups
- 25 crunches
- .5 mi. run

First of all, the workout didn’t seem half as challenging as it did the first time. I remember having to stop, drink water and catch my breath during the benchmark. I also was just getting back into running at the initial workout and am certain I made up a lot of time on the run. Lastly, the temperature was probably 20 degrees cooler for the final workout, making it feel easier. Mostly I just felt stronger.

My friend, Erin (from Advanced Rehabilitation), and I were neck and neck throughout the workout, which gave me good incentive to push. When we came in from the final run, Alex gave us our time of 15:56 (we finished together.) While we were on the run, she had looked up the original workout time — 21:10 for me, a 4:54 improvement! Erin had beat her time by 4:45. Fortunately, we didn’t know how close we were ahead of time or we might have killed ourselves (or each other) trying to beat the other!

We knew we had rocked the workout, but needed to wait and see how the other groups did to learn the final winners. When Alex announced that I came in 1st place for workout and 2nd place for body assessment, I was stunned. Me? Really?

I’ve always had a lot of determination, tenacity and mental toughness (that’s why I’m a long-distance runner), but I had never actually WON something athletic. I was floored.

I also had awesome results on the body assessment (as did Erin) losing 9.5 inches overall (that’s from everywhere — both thighs, hips, waist, chest, arms, etc.), but that’s A LOT of inches. It’s a great way to see the tangible results of our workouts/diet even when the scale doesn’t reflect it. In full disclosure, a lot of our competitors fell off during the challenge and didn’t stick with it to the end, but those of us who did had great results.

I am incredibly proud of this unexpected accomplishment. I turned to CrossFit in May as cross-training while I was injured and unable to run. It has become a fun, challenging way for me to continue to improve my core and strength. I love my trainer and the variety of activities she mixes in — making us do exercises like burpees, spiderman push-ups, squats with sprawls and other crazy things I would NEVER do on my own.

I met 3 out of 4 of my goals for the challenge: met 1) reducing my time from benchmark, 2) 3 XF workouts/wk, 3) sticking to diet. The fourth goal was to reduce body fat by 3%. While I didn’t hit the 3% number, I did reduce by 9.5 inches overall, so am clearly on my way to reducing that number. The 5:15 a.m. wake-up calls are definitely worth it!

If you’re interested in trying CrossFit with me one morning, let me know. The soreness is worth it.

P.S. (Congrats to Erin and Michelle, who also came out on top in the challenge.)

CrossFit Challenge

Our super-fit CrossFit trainer, Alex Janss, has set up a challenge for our bootcamp crew for the next month — today through Thurs., Sept. 10. She took body measurements and body fat %, then we did a benchmark workout for time. She’ll monitor our food logs and give us input, and will give us an extra CrossFit strength workout and one addl. running workout to incorporate into each week. At the end, the person with the fastest time and the person with the most inches and body fat lost will win a prize. So, it begins. . .

Today’s workout started with our usual warm-up: high-knees, down-low’s, jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, twists, lunges, punter kicks and ladder drills. Then, the benchmark workout began:
- .5 mi. run (Texas Crew to Congress and back)
- 25 Med. ball lifts (can’t remember the proper name of this one)
- 25 Med. ball cleans
- 25 box jumps/step ups
- 25 push ups
- 25 crunches
- .5 mi. run

My time was 21:12. It wasn’t the best or the worst, but lots of room for improvement. I started doing CrossFit a few months ago as cross-training while I was injured and unable to run. I feel like I’ve gotten stronger and am hoping that continuing to build strength and agility will help me get to New York injury-free. My goals for the challenge are:
1) Reduce body fat by 3%.
2) Reduce my time at end-of-challenge benchmark workout.
3) Complete 3 CrossFit workouts/week for the next month.
4) “Clean” eating with only 1 splurge/week for the next 4 weeks.

There it is in writing. Now I have to make it happen. : )

New York or Bust

After 4 months of no running, it’s been tough to start up again. Why? Work and life have been busier than ever. I was cleared to run at about the crunch time of NIWeek planning, one of my busiest times of year. I also have struggled partly because it’s really freakin’ hot this summer and tough to acclimate and start running again with daily 100+ degrees record heat. A little bit of the challenge is due to being slow. I’m running pain-free (it seems the hip has healed,) but slower than ever while all of my friends have kept training and are moving faster than ever. It’s a little discouraging when I know I’m capable of so much more. I got injured at the time when I was running my fastest. But, mostly it’s been tough because I haven’t had a goal. I had accepted that is was no longer realistic to think I could run the Chicago Marathon with our gang.

That’s where a little friendly intervention came in. Entry into the coveted (and difficult to get into) New York City Marathon was offered to Rogue coaches and my friend, Laura, and me. (Thanks, Ruth and Laura!)  At the time, it was 13 weeks away, so still not enough time for me to build back up and race it, but possible to build up enough mileage to run it. Something as enticing as New York is exactly the motivation I needed to get serious about training. It’s something to look forward to to get me back out on the roads in this heat. I started from a base of 14 miles in a week (nowhere close to a marathoner’s base mileage), and built up to 18 miles this week, with a challenging 8-mile long run. I don’t expect to race it, but running it again is enough.

A small group of us (Scott, Afton and I) ran the New York Marathon in 2001, about 6 weeks post 9/11. Ground Zero was still burning. Air traffic had just resumed. There were threats on many US bridges like San Francisco’s Golden Gate and the New York bridges (the marathon crosses 2 major bridges, 5 total.) There was a lot of fear and uncertainty. None of us had trained enough, but we wanted to go and run it and show our support for New Yorkers.

Crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Of my 8 marathons, it is my favorite race. It’s not my best time or the easiest course, but it was an awe-inspiring experience. The course takes you through New York’s five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, through culturally diverse neighborhoods like the Hasidic Jewish community and Harlem, across five bridges, and finishes in Central Park.  The sight at the start with 25,000+ people running across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is spectacular.

I ran with a camera and took photos with firemen, policemen and people running in honor of those lost in the tragedy of the World Trade Center. I ran alongside people and listened to their stories, crying through much of the race. I stopped and had a beer with spectators on one street lined with pubs.  While it was a slow race, I truly experienced New York.  Even recounting the experience gives me chills.

It’s now 11 weeks until the race.  My Rogue coaches are supportive and encouraging.  Next week, the goal is 22 miles with a 10-mile long run, and plenty of cross-training. I’m going to take it week by week and see how things go.

For now, it’s the New York City Marathon Nov. 1 or bust!

 

Nice buns!

Eight weeks ago, a small, diverse group met at Rogue for the first night of their Basic Training for the Bun Run 5k.  Out of the group of 10, most of the team proclaimed not to be runners at all, two were lapsed runners.  They were nervous, excited and quickly bonded into a tight-knit group.  They were caterpillars beginning the transformation process of becoming runners.

Most didn’t truly believe they would be able to run a 5k in 8 weeks.  They were completely unaware of their potential.  But, they consistently followed the training plan, met us for 3 workouts a week — core, quality workout and long runs. 

During that time, Laura and I watched them suffer and recover from aches, pains and injuries, progressing at their own paces.  We cheered on three of them for a “practice” 5k at ROG Rush and noted how their performance gave the entire team a boost of confidence when their teammates completed a 5k only five weeks into training. 

This morning was the 27th annual Schlotzsky’s Bun Run 5k, their goal race and motivator to stick to their training for two months.  We met the team early and watched them head out for a warm-up, running back to the start line in a single-file line, all in the same uniform, looking like a true team.

 

We then lined up for the start and slipped off as they crossed the starting line, staked out our cheering spot at the finish line, and anxiously awaited their return.

I had encouraged them to savor the experience.  How many times in your adult life do you do something for the first time?  I didn’t want the event to pass by in a blur, so encouraged them to take in the excitement of the start, the crowd, the scenery, and ability to run down the middle of Austin’s downtown streets (a rare treat.) 

What I don’t think Laura or I anticipated was how much we would savor their journeys.  Over the weeks, we’ve bragged about them to our friends.  We’ve encouraged and pushed them.  Today, we clapped, yelled and rang the cowbell as each one turned the corner and kicked to the finish.  We toasted and celebrated their success over post-race cocktails and tacos.  Lastly, we’ve poured over the photos looking at nervous, proud, tired smiles and impressive running form as each runner closed his/her 5k. 

Jardine's beautiful stride to the finish line. I love the road closed sign above her and the Austin skyline in the background.

Today, the metamorphosis is complete.  They officially have became athletes.  We officially grew into coaches. 

It opened my eyes to how much my coach puts into me and my training.  I never imagined someone would look up to me the way I look up to my small-statured, but larger-than-life running mentor/coach.  As I counseled my team to look at the positive side of things and be patient, I was reminded by Amy and Laura to take that same advice and get creative and determined while being sidelined from my own training due to injury.  

Ultimately, this team reminded me of how much running is a team sport and a community as I watched the bonds of friendship grow, and my personal bond to each of them and to my running partners continue to grow stronger through each other’s trials and tribulations of relationship challenges, family illnesses, job stresses, injuries and charity work.  I am proud and grateful to have been part of this journey.  Fortunately, we are all staying together for another month and can tackle some new goals together as well as reel in a couple other friends, Julia and Elke.  Congrats to our Bun Runners:

Our runners & friends

·         Rose Mata – ran her second 5k in a PR 30:13, about 20 sec./mi. faster than her ROG Rush 31:14. 

·         Tobin Levy – first 5k of 30:13

·         Jardine Libaire – first 5k of 30:32

·         Leigh Clark — ran a PR 33:39, about 1:20/mi. faster than ROG Rush 37:16

·         Joe Garcia – ran a PR 34:31, about 40 sec./mi. faster than his ROG Rush 36:34

·         Nicole Prado – first 5k of 36:18

·         Deepa Krishnamoorthy – first 5k of 36:16

·         Shirley Reynolds – first 5k of 37:00

I’m also proud of my other running family for their impressive 5k’s:

·         Scoob beat an aggressive 5k goal to come in in 20:28, his best 5k time in the last 10 years!

·         Mark Baumann, a PR of 22:18 5k

·         Oscar Gonzalez, a PR of 22:41 5k

 

Huge kudos to our marathoning compadres today:

· Paul “Pablo” Escobedo rocked the National Guard Marathon with a 3:56:24, a new PR and now member of the sub-4 hour marathoner club!

·         Marchele and Jimmy Tubbs ran a fun Flying Pigs Marathon in Cincinnati side by side, without the pressure of a time goal.

A lot has happened in the last month that I’m behind on writing about. . . from the fun adventure of the Texas Independence Relay with an amazing group of people to my 11th wedding anniversary and recent trip to Sonoma.

Beautiful view of Sonoma Valley

It’s no secret that Sonoma is one of my favorite places.  We have been fortunate to go twice in the last 6 months.  This time, we stayed in the town of Sonoma, rather than out in the country, a completely different feel.  With it’s laidback style, beautiful weather, great wine and food, it was a good place to wind down for a few days and celebrate anniversaries and a belated birthday with our friends, the Crouchy’s.

Crouchy's and Scoob @ Artesa

Twelve years earlier Scott proposed in St. Helena in Napa, so our love of the California wine country goes back a few years.  He surprised me with resetting my wedding ring, which is updated and beautiful, but at the same, still true to the original. 

The first morning there, I enjoyed a solo, peaceful 10-miler on a cool morning pre-dawn, which rewarded me with a beautiful sunrise over the valley with rows of vines, wildflowers and rolling hills.  At one point I counted 9 hot air balloons floating in the sky, a truly peaceful sight.  I ran through the country, the town and a few neighborhoods enjoying everything from historic buildings from the late 1800’s, cottages and Victorians to 80s brick and modern houses.  There’s something about seeing a place by foot that can’t be captured when touring in a car.  After sharing that experience, I was able to get Marykay and Scooby out for runs as well.

Our days were spent cruising a new set of wineries enjoying Artesa, Viansa, Gloria Ferrer, Ledsen, Imagery and Porter Creek.  My faves were Artesa, Imagery and Porter Creek, although I found a combo of brie & fig that made our wine from Gloria Ferrer taste like honey nectar.  It was actually an inexpensive find I wish we’d bought more of!

We bought a few bottles. : )

One of my fave moments on this anniversary get-away was actually without our hubbies.  Marykay and I had a private wine and chocolate pairing at Artesa and it was a highlight of the trip.  Artesa is a beautiful place with a cool, modern design, that is built into the top of a hill.  From a distance you can hardly make it out with it’s living roof, but once there, it is beautifully designed with natural light flowing in, sculptures and art throughout and a sweeping view.  Our guide, Lynn, met us at the door with cava, toured us through the bottling operation and barrel room.  Gregorian chant filled the cool air and we learned that the monks lived near the Spanish owners’ original winery and that they felt it helped the wine develop.  She also explained that some wine is lost due to evaporation, which they call the “Angel’s share” of the wine.  It was a real treat.

Wine & Chocolate pairing. Yum.

At the end of each day, the four of us would relax on our expansive balcony patio at the Eldorado with more wine and cheese overlooking the town square before heading out to dinner.  The Girl and the Fig lived up to its reputation with a fantastic meal, several interesting cocktails.

But in the end, I was reminded of why I’m married to Scooby.  He reminds me to stop and smell the roses (actually California Poppies) . . . or actually the hints of berries, spice, vanilla, smoke, leather, chocolate, white pepper, nutmeg, earth, oak, tobacco, clove, etc. in the nose of a good, red wine.

California Poppies

The Rogue Rogues gang pre-race

Sunday was a good day.  I set a new marathon PR of 4:37, cutting 4 min. off of my Nike Women’s time from October.  I got to run with a close friend for most of it.  I got to celebrate our successes and that of many of our Rogue friends who met their goals and set new personal bests.  

The Austin Marathon course was tougher than ever this year due to some course changes, in particular adding some tough hills at the end of the campus due to the Clinton Global Initiative meeting on the UT campus. I felt pretty confident going in.  Through Rogue Training, we run a lot of hills in training runs and quality workouts.  We had run all parts of this course numerous times.  I knew the roads.  I could visualize the start, the hills and the finish.  I had practiced it and was ready.

For the most part, it’s pretty scenic, but like most of Austin, it is hilly, with at least half of it climbing.  The weather was beautiful, 50 degrees and cloudy at the start, warming up to 60 and sunny later on.  Tahsin (affectionately known as T.), Laura and I started out together.  The beginning climb (first 3 miles) felt okay as we held back our excitement purposefully going out slow.  The next 3 downhill, which we took advantage of.  Laura turned off at 6 miles, the point at which I’ve usually locked into a good pace that I could hold for miles and miles, but still hadn’t hit that point.  I briefly wondered why, but focused on the good weather, great crowd support, the magic of the day, and the cadence of mine and T.’s feet hitting the ground. 

We cruised down Lake Austin and saw Coaches Amy and Mark cheering us up the hill at Veteran’s, turning onto Enfield.  About mile 9, the roller coaster hills began.  It wasn’t that hard, but not as easy as it should have felt.  I mentally chalked it up to the hills and it being early yet.  T. commented that I looked strong and I believed him.  We turned up Exposition and the real rolling hills began, along with a little headwind.  Miles 10-12 were really tough for me.  I knew my heart rate was higher than it should be for my effort level. 

I am not the fastest runner, but I typically am a very strong mental runner — a big part of the equation for a successful marathon.  So, it surprised me when a few counterproductive thoughts went through my head – “Maybe this isn’t your day.”  “These hills are so much harder than in training.”  I pushed them aside, T. had said I looked strong.  We have run close to 1,000 miles together.  He knows when I’m strong and when I’m not.  I believed him.  He made a comment about us being able to afford to take a little time through here.  We were a little ahead of pace and had plenty of time to make it up later if we needed to.  Meanwhile, T. really was running strong.  He had his seemingly effortless, comfortable stride.  His fans were spread across this first half of the course and kept him smiling along the way.

We expected Hanna Munin at 15, and there she was with a big smile and a sign cheering Tahsin and I on.  White Rock and Great Northern were rough with a headwind.  I was having a hard time getting down to marathon goal pace (MGP).  We should have been running 10:18’s.  For some reason, MGP effort was more of a 10:24/25.  It doesn’t sound like much, but we were losing time each mile and would have to make it up later.  T. and I each put in one earbud with music to help pump us up.  T. smiled and said that a Bengali song about friendship was playing in his year.  I smiled, held back a few tears, and tried to focus on getting to MGP.  I wanted us to cross the finish line together.  Coincidentally, the song that was playing in my ear ironically was hip-hop tune, ”Walk it out.”  It made me smile.

I thought through past marathons and how these middle miles were usually the easiest part, where you have to hold yourself back to make sure you have gas in the tank at the end.  I broke down and took a bathroom break around 17.5, separating from T. and knowing it was his day.  I had a hard time getting started running again, and lost about 2 min., but knew Scott and Laura would be up ahead. 

I

Tahsin, the running machine, continues on alone.

This was my neighborhood and I had lots of supporters through this part:  seeing Dave, Mia and Maci Calder at 17, Laura and Scoob at 18, and Cha Cha and Miggy at 20.   I probably didn’t appear very appreciative, but I was grateful to see them.  It kept me going.  I walked a water stop (instead of drinking on the run) and again had a hard time getting started running again so I lost another 2 minutes or so.  At that point I knew there was no way I would hit 4:30, but knew if I could get myself together I could still PR and stay in the 4:3x’s.  It worked.  I dug deep and started cruising.  I passed Coach Ramsay about mile 22 and kept plodding along telling myself a little over a 5k to go.

I could see UT in the distance. Mile 24 was on campus at San Jacinto (law school) and Dean Keeton (24th St.).  There was a 100-foot climb in 1/2 a mile — brutal when you’re more than 4 hrs. in. Fortunately, Scooby, Laura and Joe were waiting for me and motivated me up the hill.  They told jokes, made positive comments, and ran me up the hill.  They kept reminding me that I was running and everyone around me walking. It’s a cruel hill.  There is a crest and you think it’s over, but then it starts climbing again. My coach, Amy, and adopted coach, Mark, were at the crest.  Amy ran next to me and mentioned how tough I was and that my form looked great.  She told me that just ahead I would see the 40k mark, which would mean only 2k to go, 5 laps on a track, and of course, I could do 5 laps on a track.  It was the jolt I needed.

Laura made me (and others around us) laugh as we turned off Dean Keeton and she yelled, “Is that all you’ve got?!” to the course just as Steve Sisson, stud runner, founder of Rogue, and UT women’s track coach had suggested we do.

Scott and Laura stayed with me and picked people up ahead to pass.  As we passed pink tanktop, they’d pick another, black hat/skirt, and so on.  We were passing people as we turned down MLK and up San Jacinto for the final stretch.  Two more tough hills to go.  I was non-responsive, but listening to them all the way.  Coach Bobby was at the San Jac. hills and ran alongside us for a bit noting that there were only 2 turns to the finish line. 

Scooby and Laura got me to the finish line.  As we took the top of the hill, I started my kick and finished really strong sprinting to the finish with everything I had.  I saw Coach Lorrie, she-Chris and Marchele to the right on the way to the chute. 4:37:37

Tahsin was waiting.  I almost fell over as I hugged him.  I really don’t think I’ve ever had a race that hard.

We made our way to the Rogue tent and caught up with other runners, most of whom had had great days — Colin, Brad, Tara, Chris, Divya, Bharath, Suz, Joe — and of course, our coaches Amy, Mark and Carolyn. Amy has a great way of helping you keep perspective.

Post-race with coaches and friends

I was well-trained and prepared.  My previously nagging injuries were not bothering me.  I had eaten well leading up to the race and was well-hydrated.  I was wearing the right clothes.  My head was in the game.  I started easy to finish strong.  I believed in the magic of the day. 

I had joked with my coach a few days before that I always think it’s my day.  I’ve had a charmed running life.  I have bad runs here and there, sometimes for a few weeks, but not on race days.  On race days, things had always come together for me.

I have no regrets.  I gave it everything I had.  My sore legs are a reminder that I “earned” that new PR.  I fought the Austin Marathon course and shaved 4 min. off of my previous PR from October.  I also re-found my respect for the marathon and how utterly amazing it is that we have the ability and choose to run 26.2 miles on any given day.

Proud Scooby and tired Jenn

Scott was so proud of my accomplishment but knew how hard I would take not hitting my goal.  He dove into the data and found a few more things to celebrate.

1) I have a new marathon PR of 4:37, cutting 4 min. off my time from Oct., even on a tough course.
2) I finished in the top half of the women marathoners for the first time. 770 out of 1,583.
3) I passed 455 people in the last 6 miles.
4) I didn’t stop running on Dean Keeton or the San Jacinto hills, and sprinted to the finish line.
5) I completed the Austin Distance Challenge.
6) I didn’t develop any new injuries.

I still have a goal of a sub-4:30, but some goals take a little longer to reach.  Tahsin and I will be back to surpass that goal . . . next time.

Congrats to all of our friends who ran the Austin Marathon or Half-Marathon, especially T., who just rivaled his PR from a flat course one month ago and completed his 3rd marathon in 4 months!  A big thanks to Rogue for the excellent training and extended family.

In our house, Valentine’s Day has been more about the Austin Marathon.  Obviously, Scooby and I love each other and celebrate that throughout the year.  But today, we also celebrate our love of running as we get ready for running (me) and running/spectating (Scooby). 

Again, it’s not my first 26.2 mile race– this will be auspicious #8 — but each time is like the first time again because each race is completely different. 

Last night I dreamt that I did everything wrong — woke up late, didn’t eat before running, didn’t have time to hit the portaloo, had a hard time parking, couldn’t find my friends before the race, etc.  Fortunately, I woke up and realized it was a dream/nightmare before going through the race in that state of mind, even if only in my mind. 

To ward off that chaos, I’ve gone over my race plan a few more times, complete with a breakdown of pacing/terrain, mantras, affirmations, nutrition/hydration plan, and pre-, during- and post-race clothing.  Everything is laid out, ready for my 4:30 a.m. wake-up call.  We should be in the car driving toward downtown by 5:30 a.m., leaving plenty of time to meet friends at 6 and do everything necessary before lining up for the 7 a.m. start.

Race prep

Fortunately, the one thing that I was worried about, the weather, is expected to be nearly perfect with low 40’s at the start and mid-upper 50’s at the finish.  There is a 8-9 mph wind expected, which probably won’t feel great along Lake  Austin, but I’ll take this weather for a race any day.  You really can’t ask for better conditions.

All that’s left is to get cozy for the Brown household’s premiere of Spirit of the Marathon, a documentary about six people on four continents preparing for the Chicago Marathon, an inspirational journey of perseverence and personal triumph that should help send me off to slumber visualizing marathon success. 

Think good thoughts tomorrow.  I’m hoping that marathon #8 will be my best yet.

Countdown to the Austin Marathon

The realization that it is less than 6 days until the marathon is setting in. 

This will be my 8th, so it’s not something  I haven’t done before.  I had a fantastic race last October, my best ever, even on the hilly Nike Women’s course in San Francisco, setting a personal record of 4:41 — knocking 7 min. off of an 8-yr.-old PR.  But, when you’re a recreational athlete, and not blessed with Kenyan genetics (or other natural runner-ness), it’s still daunting to go from months of training to THE one day (of the 2-3 poss. in a year), where you’ll have the opportunity to achieve a new goal over 26.2 miles.

This is my race.  This is what I’ve been consistently training for, 40+ mile weeks for 9 months, Mon. morning 10-milers in the rain and below-freezing temperatures, track workouts even on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and the hardest part, becoming the one who leaves at 10 or 11 p.m., giving up quite a few late nights of fun — all for a bigger goal.

Our coaches gave a really inspiring talk last night at a pre-race Rogue Pep Rally.  One of my take-aways was to focus on the positives.  To not worry about the things we can’t control, like what’s worrying me most, the predicted race-day weather, which keeps getting warmer and possibly thunderstorming, or nagging injuries that never quite go away.  Instead to focus on what we can control, our own positive, mental attitude.

I’m not sure this is exactly what my coach meant, but it’s a start.  I have a lot of positive things to focus on instead:

1) I get to start off the race with my running family (the Rogue Rogues).

2) It’s a challenging course, but I have home-field advantage knowing this course, having run it many times and knowing my coaches Amy, Mark, Carolyn and Ruth and friends Laura, Joe, Heidi, Paul, Peter, she-Chris, Lorrie, Marchele, he-Chris, Courtney, Kamran, Carol, DC, Cha Cha and Stephie, will be out there running and supporting.  My coach has gone above and beyond to guide me over the last 9 months, celebrating my up’s and cheering me up during the down’s, and helping me prepare better than ever.

3) Tahsin and I plan to run the race together and both achieve a new PR of 4:30 or <.  He is one of the strongest runners and all-around most positive people I know.  I can run in silence next to him for hours, and will on Sunday.  (He’s my running hubby with the fro, not to be confused with my actual hubby, Scoob, with the shaved head. : )

4) Scooby and Laura will meet us at Dean Keaton and help us run up the tough 100 ft. climb at mile 24!!  I’ll also channel Super Joe.  He helped me in spirit for the hills of San Francisco.  We’ll use his super powers here too.

5) I am well-trained and ready.  This week, friends have shared different nuggets of positives.  One mentioned I have a “steely determination.”  Another that I am reliable, that she knows she can count on me, telling me to trust myself like she trusts me.  Another sent a note saying that I have been an inspiration for her (she ran her first half-marathon in Oct.) and she’s happy that I am a role model for her 5-yr.-old daughter and loves that she has such strong women in her life.   I am committed and driven.  I am reliable and trustworthy.  I am a strong woman and good role model.   

Best of all, I do believe in the magic of the day.   That somehow, some way, we’re able to do things on race day that we can’t do in training.  On race day, in my mind, I am a Kenyan. 

P.S. (No meltdown yet, Coach Amy.  I know it will come, unless the serious positive juju can ward it off. : )

The Rogue Rogues, my running gang, have decided to do the Texas Independence Relay.  It’s a 200-mile relay over 2 days with a team of 12 running and living in a van as we trace the steps of Texas Independence from Gonzales (where the first shots were fired) to Houston (where the battle was won.)  More details. 

For now, I need my team to vote on how they feel about going to Gonzalez Friday night for the race pre-party and sleeping at the jr. high vs. leaving Austin at 4 a.m. to get there. 

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