Zooma, Zoom, Zoom...

A week and a half ago, I was back in Annapolis with another opportunity to do one of my favorite things....helping other women achieve their running goals.  For the third time, I was a pacer at Zooma Annapolis for the half marathon distance, which is enormously rewarding.

It all starts with entering the starting corral with a stick that shows the goal finish time you'll be guiding.  Women start asking you what that pace is, how you will achieve it, what the course is like, doubting whether they can keep up, knowing they'll rock it.  The questions and emotions are all across the board.

Then the starting gun blasts and you hit the pavement.  The first mile of a race is always tough, because you're getting the kinks out of your legs from standing in the starting corral, so I like to distract runners by asking where they are from, whether this is their first "fill in the blank distance" race, whether they have had the opportunity to explore the town.  Really anything to distract from the torture of the first mile. 

A little later on, I like to preview upcoming tough sections of the race to eliminate surprises.  On this course, the back half of the race is hills....no kidding, tough hills.  It can be a real bitch to hit those without having known about them in advance. 

I also like to play tour guide.  After all, this is Annapolis, one of the most amazing towns in the US....you wouldn't want to miss anything (just because you were panting and cursing your bad luck to sign up for a race that is almost always sweltering hot and humid).

When I get a few miles in, I also like to really start getting to know the folks around me.  Many racers have amazing, funny, or tragic reasons for strapping on their shoes and starting a race.  I enjoy learning about why runners run and drawing some of my own inspiration and motivation from them.

Back on course...the Zooma back half, which I already said was tough, include three U-turns, which are mentally tough for all runners, let alone novices.  Providing motivation to keep moving means digging deep and overcoming my own angst over U-turns (though they do allow me to see more of the runners on the course and wave to friends).

But the real fantastic part of pacing Zooma comes in the final mile.  Ladies are worn out.  They've just completed a grueling several miles of hills, the sun is starting to beat down, and all they want to do is be done with it, hitting the wine tent at the finish line.  Mentally and emotionally pushing runners through this part of the race can be tough, because I feel the same way they do (especially this year since all my own training has occurred in the desert where it's dry, not humid like the mid-Atlantic).

Then you make the right hand turn, see the Blue Angel looming in front of you and give the ladies one big "this is it....DO NOT LET ME CROSS THAT LINE BEFORE YOU!"  And they don't.

What means more to me than all the rest of it are the ladies who come up to you after the race and tell you they couldn't have done it without you, or that they've never gone so fast, or that the near constant "ladies, you've got this" gave them enough of a lift to meet their goals.  Almost nothing tops the feelings generated by the comments I receive from my runners after the finish line.  If you ever have a chance to pace a race, do it!

A note about my pacing philosophy:  Some pacers will hold a steady pace the whole race.  Some will go slower at the start to save energy for the end.  Because I only pace for races in Annapolis, my philosophy is focused on getting runners through that tough hill section, which appears in every race 10 miles and above - I like to push the runners about 5-10 seconds per mile faster than the average required split to bank time while the temps are still low, energy is still high, and runners aren't questioning the wisdom of entering a race with so many hills yet.  This bit of reserved time almost always gets used up once the heat of the day emerges, hills happen, and energy is sapped.  Then, as I stated above, I like to push my runners in the last couple hundred meters to leave me in the dust.  Frankly, leaving that last bit of energy out on the race course always boosts your pleasure at meeting your goal because you know you put everything you had into it.  And then, I try to loop back with as many of my group runners as I can find for high fives and "you rock"s. 

So, Lara, thanks for once again calling on me to serve as a pacer and to Lululemon for supplying the pacing team with great tops!  Come find me next time at the Annapolis Ten Miler in August!  Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date:  719 miles

Observations:  I took a few days off from running after Zooma to heal a couple injuries that have been plaguing me this spring - both on the left side of my body.  As I launched into my own marathon training this week, I didn't want to be staring down at overuse injuries too early in training.  While the time off was helpful, I'm still watching the tendon near the calf and the tendons in the foot (last year's injury that landed me in a boot after Ragnar).  If they get any worse, I'm going to consult a sports doc to ensure I'm training safe.  No goal is worth laying yourself up for days, weeks, or even months....if need be, I can always defer the BQ to next year (I already deferred it from last year due to getting out of the boot only a week before my goal race).

MARATHON TRAINING WEEK ONE:

Monday - 5 mile repeats (completed on Tuesday)

Tuesday - 6 miles easy (ended up being 6 miles sustained hill workout Wednesday)

Wednesday - 5 miles tempo (turned into 5 easy on Thursday to compensate for two effort days)

Thursday - Off (well, you know I ran because I had to take Monday off)

Friday - 3-4 miles easy

Saturday - 10 mile long run

Sunday - Off

Strength in numbers....

I'm pretty much a solo runner.  I like to tie on my running shoes, adjust my visor, make sure I've got satellite reception on my Garmin, turn on the ipod and go.  A mile in, I'm in that comfortable bubble where my legs are working in rhythm with my arms and my mind.  I'm not worrying about sticking to a certain route or keeping the group together.

Since May'ish, though, I've learned about life of the other side of the running coin - the strength you can find and grow when you run in numbers.  My recent return in endurance has as much to do with the ladies I'm running with as is does with the actual miles I'm putting on my shoes. 

The comaraderie and the endless interesting conversations make the miles melt away.  Where else can you discuss running commando or the virtues of running with panties, share the challenges of recent health problems, complain about husbands who create more mess than they clean up or get a great recommendation for a painting service?  We have been sharing our joys and our struggles, but most importantly ourselves.  I really love that.  So I raise a glass to those ladies - Ann, Leah, Brie, AliceAnne, Susan, Kathy and Kelly.  I look forward to every run we have together and miss you all when I'm running alone.  You're my rock and my inspiration.

Now on to my personal scolding.  Last night I was reminded that I really enjoy blogging - what I get out of it as a runner - and lament that it has been so long since my last entry.  This hiatus will cause me to forget some of the small, but funny moments of the past couple months.  How I enjoy going back and remembering quirky parts of a course.  So today I'm dedicating this post to Susan for reminding me just how much I enjoy this blog by letting me talk about it during last night's run.  Cheers Susan!

As I continue on my journey this fall (boy have I overextending myself on the race calendar), I hope to be more regular about writing and continue to cement the friendships I've made on the pavement.  Happy trails!!!

**NOTE - Since it's been a while, rather than inserting stats for a specific run, I'm just going to play catch up on totals today.

Stats -

Total miles:  I'm at just under 400 miles for the year so far...not where I need to be, but it's growing.  I also think my tracker is missing some runs and need to comb back through it.
Feeling:   TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

Being brave...

...and being honest. 

Today I started a weight loss challenge.  They say it takes 9 months to gain the baby weight and it takes 9 months to lose it.  Well, the part of my brain that tells me regularly that my body isn't good enough just can't wait 9 months and I know I can do something about it...now.



Mantua Potato Stomp in 2005,
back to a healthy weight.

I've always been an athlete.  But that doesn't mean I've always been good to myself and been in top condition.  I also have a very solid body.  I always weigh far more than I look because of it.  That's a mental challenge.  Ten years ago I didn't like what I saw in the mirror anymore and I threw myself into Weight Watchers and the gym to get myself from point A to point B.  Point B was 50 pounds lighter but not necessarily super healthy.  In fact, I lost too much weight.  While the scale said 132, and that is pretty normal for a woman who is 5'5", my body fat percentage went to 8%.  Way too low.  Over the next year or so I put some weight back on and increased my overall body condition. 

Now I'm almost back to the point at which I originally decided enough was enough.  I don't want to do Weight Watchers again.  I become too obsessive and I do want to enjoy meals with my family.

My husband's solution to losing the weight is to buy a bunch of new clothes and burn the receipt.  That may be a motivator, but it won't actually help lose the weight and improve my body condition.

Here's my solution:

1. I can watch my eating (you know, stop grabbing that between meal snack, or three). 
2. I can be diligent about my strength training (I'm regular about my running but less so about the strength work that is the real fat burner). 
3. I can stop being too hard on myself when I look in the mirror (which tends to drive me to number one in this list).
4. I can use the accountability of the weight loss challenge to keep me on track.

Starting fresh...about 30
pounds to take off.

So here's where bravery comes into play.  This morning I took the dredded "before" selfie, the post-pregnant me, and I'm going to share it publicly.  This is huge for me, but I'm looking forward to returning to the Stacie above.

Now for yesterday's workouts.  Baby K and I got in a really nice power walk in the afternoon.  I'm out of routes from my house that are easy to do with a standard baby stroller, so we went to the library again and picked out some more videos for the diva.  I only get one more week of these walks with Baby K before I go back to work full-time.  I've really enjoyed spending the time with him outside.

Last night I hit the gym for a run and strength training.  I'm getting happier with the pacing on my runs.  I've still got a long way to go before I'm back to the pace I was running last summer - consistently in the low-to-mid- 7:00s - but seeing the speed pick up is helping me mentally.

This weekend I'm going for some big numbers and I could use the positive vibes.  I'm hoping by this time Sunday I will have logged 30+ miles.  It will be my first good running week in a long time.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  4.03 power walk, 3.06 run
Time:  1:02:49 (average pace of 15:35 per mile), 30:05 (average pace of 9:50 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula, Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  exhausted in the muscles, but good in spirit

Geese and vultures...

Generally they have very little to do with running, except when that's what you see at nearly every turn along your running path.  Yup, and turkey vulture eyes completely creep me out.  Upside?  They make you run faster...at least momentarily. 

Today I wanted to stretch my legs a bit more and see what I could do.  It's been a while since I've run more than 4-5 miles.  In fact, my last 9-miler was back in November.  So I decided today I was going to take the loop that runs both sides of route 50 out near my house. 

Perhaps it was a bit much after 5.75 miles on Friday night and a barre class yesterday that totally kicked my butt (why do people pay to be tortured?), but when have I been known to shy away from something because it's a bit too much. 

 

 

I chose this route today so that I couldn't bail out when it started getting tough.  How do you get better?  You push beyond your limits until its no longer beyond your limits.  Once I cross the bridge over 50 (which by the way offers an awesome view to the Bay Bridge) there is no going back.  While it's not half way on the loop, it is sort of that mentally half way point.  Like "if I cross to the other side of 50 I'm closer if I keep going up to the next bridge."  It's not true, but it's a good mental trick. 

 

There were many points along the way that I just wanted to stop and walk (except for those darn vultures and their beady eyes I may have considered it for more than a second or two), but there were more reasons to keep pushing.  My mind, my goals, being able to tell my kids that you never give up no matter how hard - even when your legs are mush less than 1/2 mile from your home and you hit the pavement (yep, that happened) - all are reasons I pushed my body through the 7 miles.

 

No the moral to the story...7 miles may not be the smartest thing in the world after the tough arm workout I had at barre yesterday.  My right arm ended up stuck in the running position because it was too sore.  My husband had to bend it back out and then OUCH!  Let me tell you, that hurt like a you know what.  Next time?  Well I plan on being stronger next time, so that hard arm workout won't impact my run in the end.

 

That's my goal for the next year - be stronger next time.  Each next time will add up and then I'll look back on the effort at the end of the year and have something to be proud of...though vulture eyes will still be creepy.  Happy trails!!!

 

Stats -

Miles:  5.75 Friday, 7.02 Sunday

Time:  1:00:00 Friday (average pace of 10:26 minutes per mile), 1:21:35 (average pace of 11:37 per mile)

Location:  Greater Annapolis Y, Broadneck Peninsula

Feeling:  Friday all was good but by Sunday night just about every muscle in my body ached like a mother

 



New year, some old routines...

When embarking on the new (as in new goals or new adventures), sometimes bringing along parts of the old routine help bridge looking down the tunnel toward the finish line.  It's only the second day of the year, but I'm glad for old routines and old routes to get me through otherwise tough runs. 

The first couple months of running for the yearly goal mileage are always the toughest...early in setting out to meet new goals is the most vulnerable time. It's easy to say "I'm not really too far into this, so I'm not wasting much if I quit now."  Once you've hit, say, the 30% goal, you've just put too much into to stop.  At least that's how it is for me.  Those vulnerable days are when habits and routines help you puch through.

Today was a tough run.  My hamstrings were tight (some old habits and routines - such as not stretching right after a long run like yesterday - are not the good ones to fall back on) and the air was cold and slightly windy.  There was lots to be done and  time is always short.  I could have found a hundred reasons to put off running until I was religated to the treadmill.  Instead I put my big girl panties on and took that first step out the door.

Not fast, not slow, but one foot in front of the other and after a half mile or so I was glad I didn't make an excuse to skip my daily one on one time.  The streets of one of my most regular routes were quiet and comfortable, mucle memory kicked in and - though the hamstring never loosened up...must hit the icy hot tonight - I got it done. 

Tomorrow (or the next day) will feel as awesome as January 1...they can't all feel great.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  3.81
Time:   33:52 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  one of these days I will get a hamstring transplant...in the meantime, muscle tightness feels just like old times