Running Problems and Their "Ultimate" Resolutions

Dearest family, friends, and followers -
This post is a multi-part read.  To get the entire picture, unfortunately, you must read the entire thing.  Names and locations have been removed or altered to "protect" the innocent third parties (not me).  Happy reading.  I hope you get something out of it.  I certainly have.

October 12, 2010 

(e-mail #1)

Lori:

Several people have come forward and have suggested that you may have inadvertently cut out a part of the race course Saturday at the XXXX Run.

I am certainly aware that some people did have a problem with the course markings on the first out and back, the problem was a good faith mistake as far as I can tell. Some realized their/my mistake and still finished the entire distance, some had to run further. A few did not, however, and it has been my unenviable task to DQ them from the race.

So, question: Did you run less than the entire course Saturday? Did you make it all the way down to both aid stations at the end of the two out and backs?

Also, please understand that no one has accused you of cheating. In my running experience spanning more than 45 years, I have sometimes gone off course in trail ultras and other races, sometimes it leads to a voluntary DQ, sometimes you run even further to get back on course and that is just free (extra) miles. It happens in this imperfect world. And if anything happened Saturday, to the extent the course markings were inadequate, then I owe you an apology. The downside is that the race was on the Grand Prix Series and there might be a points issue for some.

I would appreciate it if you would contact me back to discuss further.

  - Race Director

My Response (e-mail #2)

Dear "Race Director",

There was a group of about 5 of us that missed one turn between miles 5 and 6 somewhere and lost approximately 1/2 mile.  That would be the section where we exited the woods; ran across a "dirt" field covered in large tractor-like tire tracks, and then re-entered the woods an had to make an immediate decision left or right and no marker to indicate the correct direction.  There were no runners immediately ahead of me/us to follow.  I followed the footprints that I could readily identify.  I did not ever see the aid station that was near/at mile 6.  I realized about mile 7 that I was short according to the mile markers and at Mile 8 I turned back into the course ran approximately .3 miles in and then back to make sure my Garmin GPS reflected 8 Miles by the time I reached the Mile 8 marker for the second time. I believe several other runners will be able to verify that because they asked me why I was running backwards.  I was quite open and honest about what had happened to those at the event.  And, while, I missed that .5 miles between 5 and 6, I did add on and run a full 12.4 miles before reaching the finish line.

I hope that clears up any questions you may have.  I would never have even turned in my card if I had not run at least the full distance.  While it was not the "same" route, it was 12.4 miles of trails along the path you set forth.  Please let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.

 Letter to Track Club from Race Director regarding his decision (e-mail #3)

"I have reached a consensus with myself as to how to handle this situation. It is my decision and no one else's and I take full responsibility for it. It appertains to the XXXX Run, and not necessarily how the club handles the GP situation. That is not my call, not directly anyway.

I have spoken with many people whose opinions matter to me, all are runners, many are race directors. I probably have gotten a dozen opinions and opinions on top of opinions. Suffice it to say that people are all over the board on this one. There are extenuating circumstances, but maybe they are distinctions without differences as we lawyers are want to say when it suits our legal argument.

I have heard from Lori twice, it is only fair for her to input since this concerns her. I haven't spoken to any other runners who participated in the Pine Run, with regard to how to decide the issue. I have heard enough.

I am confident that the course was properly marked in this location so that no one should have gone off track (nevertheless we'll do more next year).  Pre-race instructions were appropriate as well. The front runners did not do it, but once a few people did, it made an inviting footpath in the wet grass and dirt for others to want to follow, some did, most did not (I went down there and looked at it post race). Anyone who went off track (for those of us who run trail ultras, these things are almost a given), did so inadvertently and not to gain unfair advantage, which would be another story entirely. From what I have gathered we may be speaking of about 25 runners.

The issue however is not whether it was intentional but whether it happened. And then how was it dealt with by the runners. When one goes off course in a trail race and then recognizes the error, the proper protocol is to retrace steps until one rejoins the race course and then go on from there. If not, the correct thing to do is to DQ yourself at a proper time and place after your run is over. Admit it and move on. In reality, usually no one cares anyway, especially if you do not "finish in the money", and especially if one runs further than the actual correct race length. This is exactly what Steve B. and Manny G. did in our first XXXX Run At Secret Location when they missed an important turn and ran a short course. They ran, they raced, they finished and then came up to me and DQ'd themselves. Class act, those two.

Here, some runners did recognize their error, did retrace steps and did carry on, completing the entire out and back. Those runners did the technically correct right thing under the circumstances. I do not know who they are.

Some others, more stubborn or hopeful, followed the incorrect trail that they were on, and it eventually lead them back to the race course, they continued to the right, reached the aid station and eventually completed the out and back. Technically, these runners should all be DQ'd even though they ran further than 12.4 miles and despite the fact that they did reach the aid station at the end of the out and back. It is not a matter of intent, but of following the accepted protocol when one goes off course. I do not know who they are. I know who some are, but not all.

Lori tells me that (as best I can determine), she went down the incorrect trail, but when it came back out on the out and back, she did not know which way to go, so she went left instead of right and did not ever reach the 6 mile aid station at the end of the first out and back. So, she cut the course. But, as she ran, she did notice that her distance was off, and at the 8 mile mark, she ran back to recapture the proper distance, turned around and reappeared at the 8 mile mark now having correctly run 8 miles, but not on the correct course. So, when she finished she had the correct 12.4 miles. I have no independent proof but I have no reason to doubt that she did the entire distance if she says that she did.

Technically, this runner should also be DQ'd because she ran the wrong course even if she ran the correct distance. The competition is on the same course for everyone. Again it is not a matter of intent or purity of heart.

Finally, for me there is another factor to consider. I cannot identify all of those others who went off course and failed to retrace their steps and return to the proper trail and continue to the far end of the out and back. That being the case, I am not going to treat Lori any differently in this case, especially because she did run the entire 12.4 miles. Either they are all DQ'd, or none are DQ'd. There is a technical aspect to this and there is an equitable one as well. I realize that other competitors may now feel unfairly treated, and perhaps they have been. As you have all stated consistently, this decision is my responsibility. That is my decision.  Lori will not be DQ'd in this XXXX Run.

Race Director."

My Response (e-mail #4)

Dear "Race Director,"

I appreciate your forth rightness with me from the beginning, and again I wish you to know that I am not and was not looking for any special treatment.  I felt that at least trying to "make up" the distance was better than showing up short, and I know now that I should have just found you or a course official to take the voluntary DQ.  I would (and will) run the race again if I could.  With that said, if there are grumblings or dissension from within the Track Club community, I withdraw my standings completely from the 2010 Grand Prix competition.

I look forward to receiving my race shirt when they arrive, and to running this event in the future.

 - Lori

October 17, 2010

Phone Call from Grand Prix Committee Chair

I cannot recreate the complete text of the conversation, and in the end I do not believe to do so is not necessary.  Important elements are:

1)  The committee reviewed the complaints of other runners at the event.

2)   The committee "said" they had reviewed my recent run times, and had a member of the committee who claimed to be "very familiar" with my race times and running.

3)  Committee asked me to take a voluntary disqualification from the race in discussion for the distribution of Grand Prix points.

October 18, 2010 (e-mail #5)

My response to the Grand Prix Committee after a night of sleeping on it...

Good Morning,

Let me begin with I am more than just a bit disappointed in the resolution in my participation in the 2010 XXXX Run 20K.  I do not run trails on a regular or even irregular basis for many reasons, and now, sadly I have another to keep in mind.  However, with that said, I do understand the position of the committee with relation to the distribution of points.  Unfortunately I do take offense at a couple of things you said and/or inferred while on the phone with me last evening.

I was under the impression from the race director that "no one had accused me of cheating" and you, in no uncertain terms, absolutely implied that I had.  While I know that I did not intentionally cut the course, as is evident by my attempting to recapture the approximate half mile I lost, it is apparent that the public view is that I did.  And, unfortunately from my position, I have no idea who, how many or in what context the complaints and accusations were made.  Therefore, it was with that limited knowledge I made my original offer to withdraw from the Grand Prix standings.

The second thing that really hit me wrong was that you implied to me that your decision was  partially made based on the opinion/input of someone who does not run with me, does not know my capabilities (current run times or training pace or routine) outside a few limited races/events we have in common, and who does not race with me or against me.  That to me was an unacceptable way to justify your decision to ask me to take a voluntary disqualification.  I have taken the DQ.  I offered to a week ago.  But, the final way in which it was handled was maybe at a lesser level on the integrity scale than could have been presented.

I do, truthfully, appreciate the job your committee does and how it handles all of the difficult and challenging situations.  Mine is not different.  Thank you for your time.  I do look forward to running with you again soon.

October 20, 2010 (e-mail #6)

Dear Track Club President,

Thank you for taking the time this week to follow up on what I am sure will be a one-time occurrence within the Gulf Winds Track Club family.  While, no one ever sets out to do poorly, or to not achieve their best, or to slack off during a race, the results are not always what an individual may have hoped for or planned.  And, while I am completely satisfied with my run, my time, and how I navigated the Pine Run course, I think you need to know that after all the fussing and "what-evers" why I told you that I know now I went out to the XXXX Run for the wrong reasons.

I began my running "career" training with a long-time friend of mine, Girl #1 who pleaded with me to be her running partner in order to keep her motivated and focused on her goal.  Shortly after our first half marathon, she stopped running for a time while I continued running half marathons - frequently with my mother.  She eventually, a few years later and nearly 100 pounds lighter, came back to running.  She went into it gung ho for her first marathon while I remained a "halfer" and took on Team In Training as a Team Mate and later as a Mentor and then Team Leader.  Along the way I "picked up" people who ran with me, or I ran with them depending on your point of view, who were looking only for a consistent pace and a positive mindset during the runs.  I became what I call a Companion Runner.  I didn't run a single race for myself or for an intentional PR until I decided to qualify for Boston.  And, even then I had a difficult time swallowing that I was allowed to run for me and for a selfish goal.  Between last September (2009) and the present, I have set out with really only one goal in mind:  Qualify for Boston (and not by the skin of my teeth, I might add), and PR in every distance I can between now and Boston 2011.  Which I have managed to do so far and as a by product have racked up a few Grand Prix points in the process.  Maybe it's time to back off of that goal as I think I have learned.

Girl #2, another friend of mine, asked me while I was training during the winter if she could join me for many of my runs because she was hoping to run a marathon PR in March.  I naturally welcomed the company and really kind of pushed her to work harder so that she could qualify for Boston.  At this year's Snicker's Marathon she did just that and won her age group.  I call her "my first" successful client.  She could have done it anyway, but she asked me to help her.  Then later in the spring Girl #1 (from above) asked me to coach her and train with her to qualify for Boston.  Again, I was back in the companion runner position.  Which, I think is really where I belong.  It was a long, hot, hard summer first rehabbing a badly sprained ankle; training with her according to the plan; and then adding heavy cycling in order to train for my first 2 triathlons.

I say that I sent her off to the Atlantic City Marathon (10.17.2010) well prepped, well trained, well tapered, and completely ready and capable of running a 3:45 marathon to qualify.  Her race, by her description, was a disaster.  Not only did she not qualify, but she did not PR, and she is crushed.  Not nearly as much as I am, though.  I, of course, look at it from the "I must have failed her in some way" for her not to have been successful.  We have not had an opportunity yet to rehash the race.  But she is disappointed, and has said she is not interested in trying again.  Which, again, just crushes me because I know she has it in her.  Truly.  But, right now I have to look ahead and beside me as I recently started working with yet another girl (#3) who wants me to coach her to a PR.  And, then there is Boston in 6 months.

So, that is why I say and believe that I went out to the XXXX Run for the wrong reasons; and why in my heart I know that the outcome is what it is.  My only lasting concern is that the running community that does not know me will cast a shadow on "my" achievements, and view my opinion as less than what it truly is or has ever meant to be.  I am in a position where my talent has been sought out and valued, and I really, honestly, just don't have it in me to try to recreate my reputation every time something negative may happen to be said snidely as some one runs past me or "heaven forbid" I should run past them.

That's it.  There you have it.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  Quite possibly selfish in the end, because no one wants the world to view them as less than who they truly are or what they absolutely are capable of being or becoming.

Blessings,

Lori

Missing AND Remembering Great Friends

This morning, after an unplanned 20-mile run on Saturday and a very much planned 56-mile ride yesterday, my legs were simply "not feeling the love" of high intensity exercise.  So, I grabbed the iPod and headed out for an extremely unusual WALK.  Yes, I walked my 5-mile run route and I must say I enjoyed it.

This particular morning I was bemoaning the fact that I had not talked with several of my dearest friends recently, or even in months.  I am very much to blame as I am sure that my schedule and involvement in "everything" just is not conducive to in-depth relationships unless we can run, ride, swim, or eat together.  Wow.  What a horrible friend I must be in the end...  Anyway, I was thinking of Michelle B., Nancy, Ana, and Darcey, Chuck D., Audra, Laura, Stann, Robin, Karen, Richard H. (yes, Richard), and Mac, just to name a "few."  The last time I had a "Heart-to-Heart" with Mac, I heard "For Good" one of my all time favorite songs from the Wicked soundtrack.  It is sort of like being pushed over when Mac and this song show up together.  This morning was no different, and I was glad to be walking and not cruising up Highway 319 at 20 m.p.h.  And, even though I  have posted these lyrics before, I never cease to be amazed at the lesson(s) they teach me each and every time I hear them. Today's lesson was to not give up on friends or forget them simply because you don't cross paths every day.  Do your (my) share to keep the friendship glowing and positive, and try to not let life get too much in the way of what is really important.  With that said, below are the lyrics in case you haven't heard the song, and an explanation of what is going on in the song follows.

I miss you my friends.  I hope to see you and share honest time with you soon.

I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you.
For both of us - now it's up to you.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for Good...

It may well be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a hand-print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you ...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for Good...

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
I do believe I have been changed for the Better.

Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for GOOD

One of my favorite songs from the Wicked: A New Musical soundtrack is "For Good." Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (Good Witch of the North) are about to part ways after having been thrown together as roommates in "college" and discovering that they could actually be friends. The lyrics are magical and sentimental and bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them.

Running as a Resume' Item: Who'd Have Thought?

About two months ago I was on my way into the bank taking a check from the 15 year-old boy for deposit as reimbursement for the overly extravagant radio control helicopter Colin he "just had to have", when I am stopped on the steps leading into to the bank by a nice, younger, man and his very attractive wife.

He says to me that he noticed the stickers on the Odyssey - as if anyone could miss them, really - and asked if I ran locally and if I was also "doing triathlons."  Knowing that my triathlon bike is at this moment on the roof rack of the Odyssey, I politely answer, "Yes."  I explain that I am new to triathlon but that I have been running for some time now.  He introduces himself as Nate Brannen, one of the partners/owners of a new running and triathlon shop getting ready to open here in Tallahassee.  Many of us in the running and triathlon community have been waiting with somewhat anxious feet for this shop to get out of the blocks.  I have read here and there about their shop, so I was somewhat familiar with his and his partner's goals as well as their accolades.  His partner, by-the-way, is Kevin Sullivan (husband of Karen Harvey, coach of the Florida State University Women's Cross Country Team).

Now to most of you, except our Grandpa Don McEwen, these names mean next to nothing.  However, they are BOTH Canadian and ran at the University of Michigan ... and they BOTH ran in the 2008 Beijing Olympics for Canada.  I find that peculiar, knowing Don and his history as we do, so I have to include it here.  So, back to my story.  When I met Nate, I joked with him that I would love to chat with the two of them about working part time in the shop.  Not too many weeks later, Colin and I run a 5K that Nate and Kevin and Karen are also running.  No shock to either of us when the "Canooks" win 1st and 2nd, because we actually know "who they are."  Colin, who finished 5th overall, chats with them both after the race as he waits for his slow mother to shuffle to the finish.  Nate, Kevin, and Karen are all quite pleasant we talk very briefly and then go our separate ways.

A day or so after the race, I get a short message from Nate that he and Kevin would be interested in talking to me about working with them in the new shop, Capital City Runners, would I please send him my resume'.  So I do.  I am not completely stupid you know.  Well, turns out that my massive retail experience, running finesse, and ties to the local running/triathlon community simply wowed and overwhelmed them.  Bah, ha, ha!!!  No, really, they quite plainly told me that they believe we will be a good match to get the shop open and off and running.  I can only hope that they like working with me as much as I believe I am going to enjoy working with them.

 

Holy Moly!  Leave it to me to find, yet another something new out there in a runner's world to get in on.  I am lovin' it to the max.  Start looking for me, the Boston Qualifier on staff, over there on Thomasville Road between Five Guys Burgers and Red Elephant starting October 16.  It's going to be a blast.  Real runners getting more real runners ready to run.  What more could a running girl want?

A Somewhat Disjointed and Very Tardy Report on "Sarasota" Senior Champs (July 22-25, 2010)

Saturday, July 24

Here I sit in the hotel room with Colin this morning waiting for the 400 Freestyle event to come up on the heat sheet/event listing for today's swims.  His coach advised him to leave the pool after this morning's warm up session so that he could stay out of the heat and sun and off his legs until necessary.  So, here we are in the air conditioned (thank the good Lord for a/c) room doing next to nothing.

First, I apologize for there not being many pictures.  I have my camera but I have not really had an opportunity to take any pictures as the parents are kept separate from the kids, and when I do have the chance Colin acts like Calvin without his Hobbes and it all goes South...

We arrived in Sarasota Thursday afternoon about 2:30 following a completely non-eventful drive.  Pretty easy to get here and it has been remarkably easy to navigate this part of Sarasota so far.  The pool is a 3 mile straight shot up the road. and the hotel runs a shuttle for just the swimmers if we, the parents, just don't feel like taking them to warm ups.  Colin and his distance swimming team mates were in the pool for warm up on time Thursday evening and then began the WAIT for Colin's heat of the 800 Freestyle.  Keep in mind that this particular event can "run" as quickly as 8 minutes per heat or as long as 10+ minutes per heat.  Turns out that there were enough masochistic distance swimmers from around the state to fill 19 heats of 8 swimmers for this event and Colin was seeded in Heat 14.  Blech!  We were going to be there alllllllllll night!  All of the other ATAC 800 Free swimmers were in heats prior to Colin's so we got to see everyone swim and we saw some great finishes.  Scott Fortier swam a blazing fast time - achieving a Junior National qualifying time (VERY FAST!); Sergey Rogachev dropped 10 seconds to get under the 9 minute mark; Joey Leonard turned in a best time by 9 seconds; Hannah Capers dropped about 16 seconds for a best time; Madison Osterlund dropped 20+ seconds for a new best time.  Colin and his team mate John Gideon Mottice were in the same heat (2 lanes apart) and the race was on from the first 50 meters.  Colin went out strong, got in front and stayed in front.  It was an amazing swim for him.  He pulled away from all the others bit by bit and was nearly 25-30 meters ahead of the next swimmer by the time he stretched into the wall for the finish.  He dropped a scorching 25 seconds for a 9:25:73 finish.  A fabulous, fantastic, outstanding start for what has continued to be a great weekend of swimming for him and his team.

Yesterday began overcast, not quite as hot, and a bit breezy.  The breeze was very welcome until we all realized that might mean breaking down all of the pop-up sun shade tents we bring to meets.  The rain managed to stay away until the break between the preliminary and finals sessions.  And we all waited with some anxiety about the potential trouble Bonnie was swirling towards us.  ATAC swam exceptionally well in the preliminary session and sent swimmers to nearly every event in at finals.  We had winners in the 400 IM, the 100 Fly and our Boys A 800 Free Relay team took second place and the B Team finished in 10th place.  Yippee!  Colin swam the 200 Free in the preliminary session as a bonus event, dropping 4+ seconds to achieve the qualifying time for this event, thus he will now be eligible to swim it in February.  Later in the afternoon his 400 Free would be nearly as spectacular as his 800 performance on Thursday.  He left more than 10 seconds in the water to swim a 4:32:33 and have another Senior (17-18 age group) time to his credit.  He continues to have a great meet.

Our "new college swimmer" Hunter Hinson is also swimming very strong next to his future 'Bama team mate Joe Ziegler (who is also training to swim at the National meet in Irvine, California, in two weeks).  Hunter continues to turn in strong, steady, scorching fast swims and impresses all those in the stands wishing their boys had half of what he does.  It is going to be awesome to watch him swim for the NCAA next year.  Roll Tide!

This was a welcome sight to the swimmers:  rarely seen and highly sought.

Sunday, July 25

Today held in store the 200 Backstroke and the 1500 Freestyle for Colin.  After early morning warm up, we returned to the hotel for air conditioned relief from the continual onslaught of humidity and heat of Sarasota.  Our return to the pool was timed so Colin would have plenty of time to completely warm up again for the 200 Back, and then wait for his heat assignment in the 1500 Free.  The 200 Back had been chosen as his second bonus event with his only goal to better his time.  Better it he would, and by enough time (-5.5 seconds) to bank a qualifying time for February's Senior Champs.  For the next 2 hours, we patiently melted and thus periodically reconstituted ourselves while waiting for Colin's heat of the 1500 Free.  After swimming 4 best times and putting up 2 more qualifying times, I fully expected Colin to be tired and ready to get on the road.  He amazed all of us yet again by swimming the 1500 in 18:05:84, dropping 16 seconds from his seed time.  He placed 11th out of nearly 30 (15-16 boys) swimmers, and earned his fair share of points for the team.

ATAC went on to finish 3rd overall; Boys 2nd and Girls 4th.  Colin was ecstatic with his swimming and left Sarasota looking forward to the Area I-IV Championships on July 31-August 1 and another Senior Champs in February.

From Marathoner to Triathlete

Okay, so when a complete strangers tells you that maybe you should update your blog, perhaps it really and truly is time to post an update.  So, here we go.  Hang on, it's been an "E-Ticket Ride" of a spring and summer since qualifying for the Boston Marathon!

February included another marathon - 26.2 with Donna:  The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer (Jacksonville, Florida).  My purpose there this year was simply to be the pacer for my long-time running partner and near-to-bestest friend and her sister.  Their goal was 4 hours, and it was totally doable.  The Donna is a great event and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well run marathon.  Not-to-mention it is FLAT (except for that one bridge).  Did I mention it runs on the Beach?  Yep it does.  I will run this one for many years to come.  This month also finished up by helping another one of my training partners, Robin, get ready for the Snickers Marathon (Albany, Georgia) as her Boston Qualifying race.  Yes, sirree bob, she did it in splendid style...as I knew she would.

March was kind of calm with the focus on getting back on the bike for distance (Blue Line 100 Century at the end of the month) and cross-training while throwing in a couple of shorter races to look for some PRs:  Springtime Tallahassee 10K (49:06).  April was much the same:  ramping up on the bike miles and turning in a 5K PR (22:45) at the Palace Saloon 5K near mid-month.  April was spectacular in that I was able to be on the course for the 3rd year in a row while Colin competed in the Red Hills Triathlon along with his ATAC teammates Alex Dehner (Team TRIMac) and Colby Allen. 

My wonderful husband, Mike, raced his first ever triathlon at Red Hills this year, and it was a treat to see all of them finish, and to have the Son waiting for the Father at the finish line.  All in all April was great, the weather held and offered us the opportunities to train during daylight and to not yet suffer from any serious heat.

May was not so kind to me.  On the 3rd I rolled (severely sprained) my ankle during a very normal 12 mile run.  The type of sprain kept me off my bike and out of the running shoes for not quite three weeks.  Those of you that know me well, also know that by Day 2 I was losing my mind and took up yet another endeavor...I began distance swimming.  Blech!  By the end of the first 10 days I was "pulling" nearly 2000 yards during my younger son's swim practices.  Pulling only because the flutter kick motion caused quite a bit of pain for a long time.  Much longer than I would have thought.  So, by the time I was up to that distance, I started toying around with the possibility of a triathlon.  But here again, I was not thinking about any old Tri.  I was thinking Ironman 70.3 Augusta (Georgia).

For the uninitiated, a 70.3 is classified by USAT as a "Long Course" triathlon.  Most of the rest of us call them a Half Iron.  A full Ironman (or Ultra to USAT) is 140.6 miles:  2.4 mile swim. 112 mile ride, 26.2 mile run.  Cut it all in half to get a 70.3.  Yes, the stupid pills that I thought were gone after my last Goofy (2009) apparently had reappeared in my vitamin sorter.  OMG!  Really?  What was I thinking?

So, envision this:  I am running/training/coaching with my friend who is going to race to qualify for Boston in October.  I am riding with the Girls Gone Iron for my bike legs, and I am swimming 2 or 3 mornings at 5:30 when my oldest is also in the water for practice.  Somewhere around mid-June I decide that a local sprint Tri might be a good idea just to see if I "hate" the concept of putting all three together in any one day.  I pick, foolishly, the 25th "tri-ing" of the Freedom Springs Triathlon.  It consists of a .25 mile swim, 10 mile ride, and a 5K (3-ish) run.  I have been warned about the COLD water in the spring and the weeds along the swim course.  But, I think to myself I have been swimming upwards of the 1.2 miles necessary for the Half Iron, surely I can get through a 1/4 mile swim.  I have ridden and run the bike and run courses in the past, so I was not really concerned about them.  Completely doable is how I approached this race.  I had (of course...it's me) set a couple of time goals just for kicks and grins:  Best case:  1:10; Acceptable:  1:15; and Live with:  1:20.  I had pretty much banked on a 32 minute ride and a 25 minute run, so I was planning on a 9 or 10 minute swim.  All of that should have played out nearly to the minute.

My younger son and I arrived at Blue Springs in plenty of time to set up and get checked in and body marked.  I had a plan:  move slowly and in a relaxed manner until it was time for the pre-race "talk" and then go.  The water is very, very cold there.  But, I thought I had spent enough time (10+ minutes) submerged in the "freezing cold what was I thinking" water slowly stroking and trying to be in control of my breathing.  We paddled over to the start area and then tread water for 2-3 minutes waiting for the horn to sound.  I maintain that the treading of water and the weeds were my downfall.  Ha!  Needless to say, by the time I navigated the swim I was nearing the 16 minute mark and was not feeling to great about anything except that I had made it out of the water without anyone's assistance.  I shuffled to my towel, slipped on my flip flops, ditched my cap and goggles, and made my way in a slow jog to the bike transition area.  Got my gear together and on while listening to my baby boy and doll-girl (Savanah Crutchfield) tell me I was doing great.  I thanked them both, told them I loved them, and hauled my butt at full run out of T1.  I was in the "must make up that time" mind set, and make up time I was determined to do.

During one stage of this year's Tour de France, a commentator described one of the riders as "dancing on the pedal" while he broke away from a group and charged up a hill.  That was me as I took off.  I was up on the pedals trying to get up to speed in a big fat hurry.  I managed to turn in a 28+ minute ride thereby making up a few minutes that I had lost in the swim.  Now I was pleased.  I might actually be able to finish respectably.  I managed to get into my running shoes and visor without falling over and took off, again up hill, for the 3-ish mile run.  It is supposed to be a 5K, but I think it is really closer to 3 miles.  Finished the run in just over 24 minutes, again pleased that I was under my goal for that leg. 

 

Overall I finished in 1:13:54.  3rd in the 40-44 Female age group, and something like 63rd out of the pack.  I decided that was respectable enough to try (HA!) another Tri. 

Next on the list is the Jacksonville Sprint #3 on Amelia Island, August 7th.  Then, I will lay back and train like a demon for Augusta.  Yeah, it's still out there on the horizon.  Looks achievable.  What can I say?  I'm a freak.

This Girl is Going to Boston!

Yeah haw!  Just in case you hadn't heard ... I was about to die by the time I reached the finish line yesterday ... I qualified to run the (THE) Boston Marathon next April.  Actually, I qualified to run it this April, but registration is closed and the field of 25,000 runners is full.  So, next year it is.  And, that is OKAY by me because I am not sure I could run it this coming April even if I wanted to.

The race/marathon event that I chose to use as my qualifying race was here in Tallahassee.  It was chosen by Runner's World magazine as one of the top 10 marathons to run for those looking to qualify.  By all noticeable accounts, it is "flat," straight, and "fast."  I have run the half marathon distance of this event several times, but this is the first time I picked it for the full 26.22 miles.

It was a challenge and difficult run in that I knew I had to run "hard" early on in order to build a cushion so I would have time to back off and slow down if I needed it towards the end.  In hindsight, it being 20/20 and all, I probably could have laid back just a bit in the earlier miles and had something left to give at the end, but who knows.  And, to be honest, it doesn't really matter now.  It is done; I have my time to run the Boston Marathon; and it really was a good run overall.

This first picture (shirt tied around my waist) is some where between miles 6 and 7.  The next picture (no shirt around my waist) is just about the 30K (18.6 miles) mark.

Training for this has been an exceptionally lengthy process.  And my family and friends have been more than supportive, accommodating, and understanding.  My "plan" started 16 weeks ago in October, but I really started in August with my friend Cathy who was training for a November marathon.  I am not sure that I would go through that many weeks/months of training for the next marathon, but I can tell you that I was completely prepared for race day.  We had put in plenty of hill training; an abundance of tempo and pace runs; and goo-gobs of long runs not-to-mention the all dreaded speed work.  As much as I hate to admit it, because I despise it, speed work helps.  Not every week, and not all year long.  I truly believe you only run WHAT THE PLAN SAYS TO RUN AND WHEN IT SAYS TO RUN IT.  No deviations - and that includes the cross training.   I am confident when I say that cross training is an all important factor of "fast" marathon running.  Road cycling and high intensity spin classes teach/train the fast twitch muscles to move even when they don't  want to , particularly going up hill.  Now, I would mix up the days that things occurred, but I did not change the workouts themselves.  I am glad for that now as I have a wicked great time (at least for me) to show for it.

I did learn along the way to make sure the YOU are ready for the race and to not rely too heavily on anyone person being a part of your training or race day plans.  Colin begrudgingly agreed to meet me at Mile 20 and "run me in" for the last 10K.  By that time I was nearly run out and moving almost entirely on steam and determination.  He did a great job of keeping my feet going one foot in front of the other and by setting little bitty goals for me:  "Mom, you are going to catch that guy in the blue shirt."  "Mom, we are going to pass that guy in the blue shirt."  "Mom, you can't walk the finish line is right over there....."  "Go! Go! Go. Go. Go. I am not going to be quiet until you pick it up a little."  He really was a good kid to have for the last 6+ miles.  It would have been even harder than it was with out him.

My most wonderful,  very supportive, encouraging, loving,

understanding husband met me at the finish (after completing his first Half Marathon)  I could hear him as I made the last tenth of a mile or so, "Hello, Boston!"  he was shouting. I could see the clock was well below my goal time of 3:50:59 and I was so happy.  It won't show it in the pictures, but I was ecstatic that I had not only made the time, but torn it up just a little bit.  My fantastic running partner Cathy was there waiting for me, and Michelle, my newest "Life" friend, was there.  The three of them had all the right things to say and do for me.  It was truly a blessing to have them at the finish and to then hear my 15 year-old say out loud in front of complete strangers, "I love you, Mom.  I'm going to get Maggie."  And off he ran, back out onto the course to find and pick up Maggie who was on her way in to finish as well.  Not too long after that Maggie and Sherrie, with an entire entourage of escorts, arrived at the track.  Church bells began ringing the hour just as they crossed under the finish arch.  

It was fabulous.  Truly fabulous.  Except for the aching muscles, I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything.  Look out Boston!  You have 434 days to prepare for us to descend upon you.  We will leave our mark, I promise.

What a Reunion...

When my ten year high school reunion rolled around (in 1996), I had a one and a half-year old and Mike was trying valiantly to convince the DEA (federal Drug Enforcement Administration) to hire him.  When it came time for the 20 year reunion in 2006 not enough of my/our class was interested in that and all plans sort of just melted away into the dust and shadows.  I have said before that I don't have many "lifetime" friends, and those I do have I hold very dear.  These three girls (ladies, I suppose, now that we are in our 40's) have been near and dear to my heart since 1982 when I moved to Montevallo, Alabama, and sort of schlepped into their tightly knit cluster.  They re-wove to accommodate me and we have been friends ever since.  The three of them live within 30 miles of each other and have far more opportunity to get together as a group than the four of us.  But, it seems that no matter how long it has been and how far apart we make our homes and raise our families, we are close again immediately upon our reunion.

Saturday night we sat for HOURS in this "mom and pop" Italian bistro (Joe's Italian) in the Alabaster "sector" of Alabama.  We laughed, and talked, and ate, and drank some wine, and laughed until we cried and talked some more.  It was the best of evenings.  One of those evenings spent with friends who truly know ALL ABOUT you and love you until the end of times.

WOW!

Thanks, Ladies!  You make the entire 1,100+ miles this week more than worth it.