Today, Thanksgiving, I ran my 2nd Run for the Diamonds 9-miler in Berwick. 9 miles doesn't sound bad for a marathon runner, but honestly, it really sucks! After I ran it last year, I swore I would NEVER run it again. I can't pass up a good local race. Plus, it is a good indicator of how my training is going year to year. It lets me compare apples to apples!
It is a very difficult race. Pretty much, miles 2-4 is up a mountain. After that, it is rolling hills. Every time I thought I was at the top of the last hill, there was another one! Overall I was extremely happy with my time. I cut 5 minutes off my last year's time, which I thought was pretty good! Other than the NJ Marathon, every race I ran in 2009 was a PR. It is nice to see rewards for all of my hard work. Here is how my race looked:
Mile 1 - 7:20
2 - 7:11
3 - 8:39 (MOUNTAIN!)
4 - 8:00 (still hill)
5 - 7:32
6 - 6:42
7 - 7:01
8 - 7:15
9 - 7:19
Total time: 67:02 minutes! Average pace: 7:27
Places: 371/1973 Overall
54/735 Gender
13/94 Age group
It was nice to sleep in the morning of a race, since it didn't start until 10:30. When I got to Berwick, I was shocked at how many people were there already. It was the 100th running of the Run For the Diamonds, so I think about 2000 people were running. I had to wait about 15 minutes just to pick up my packet. After I got my packet, I hit up the Porta Potty, attached my chip and number, took off my sweatpants (I actually got to wear shorts in November), and just waited around. I ran into my college roommate and her husband, so I caught up with her for a bit, then headed over to the starting line.
This race is neat because you need to be seeded to get in the front row (I was not seeded...I'm not that good, but I liked seeing all the "elites."). I lined up towards the front, but not too close. As I was walking to my spot, I heard my name being called. I saw several of my former students, one of whom I knew would kick my butt! It was nice to see them though. I then ran into another local runner who I talk training with via facebook, so it was nice to talk to her in person. As I was waiting for the gun, someone told me that there really weren't chip times. The chip only recorded the time at the finish. So when the gun went off, I hit my garmin. I really wish new runners would learn race etiquette. I don't like to be that person who thinks I'm better than everyone else because I'm definitely not, but really, if you've never run a race of any distance before and know you aren't going to be running that fast, you don't belong towards the front. I dodged so many people in the first mile who were barely running, it was ridiculous. I felt like I wasted so much energy running around people. Oh well, that's enough of a rant.
I ran a really good first two miles. I went out kinda fast for me, but I felt confident in my training throughout the past few months. I knew the hill was coming, so I wanted to bank some time. About mile 2.5, the mountain really started. It really sucked for about 2 miles (til about mile 4.4). I slowed down, but I was going as fast as I possibly could. I passed one of my former students (a 9th grader) who was a district all-star in cross country, so I felt good about that!
After the HILL, there was a steep downhill, which I really held back on. I didn't want to pound my quads, which would have been really easy to do. I purposely held back, since I didn't want an injury, however, I did make up some time. For the rest of the race, it was rolling hills. Every time I thought it was all downhill to the finish, there was another hill. It was really frustrating, but I managed to hold pace. One thing I noticed, that as my times are improving, I am running more with the guys. Not the 20-something really fit guys, but the 40ish crowd. I thought that was pretty cool.
Around mile 7, an older lady (about 50) blew by me like I was walking! There was no way I could catch her. Every time I get cocky while running, something always humbles me!
The last two miles felt good. The crowd support in Berwick was awesome. I heard my name as I was running to the finish. It turned out to be a mother of one of my students. That helped alot, since I was getting tired! As I was running to the finish, I saw the clock about to turn to 67:00 minutes, so I really tried to pick it up to be in the 66 range, but I just missed it!
However, I was excited about my finishing time! I got a nice finisher's medal, waited for Aaron to find me, then we went to look for the results. Aaron told me that my 8th grade student ran around 62 minutes, which amazed me! The talent at this race was phenomenal! I ran as hard as I possibly could and still came in 13th in my age group! No diamond for me (haha, I wasn't even close), but I had a good experience, and am proud of what I accomplished! People from all over came to this race, and it is nice it is in my back yard. I don't race often, so when I do, I want to see results. I think I really need to run a half marathon in the near future, so I can set a pr. My current time isn't a match for my ability (I think!). I also set a PR today in the 10k! I've only ever run one and my time was crappy (50ish minutes). Today, I was around 46 minutes including the mountain, so that was encouraging!
For the rest of Thanksgiving, I ate my face off, and enjoyed a few adult beverages. In fact, I am drinking a glass of wine as I write this, which I never do! It is nice to indulge after a good experience! Too bad I forgot my camera, so I have no pics!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
My road to Boston
Many people continue to ask me about my running, so I thought I would start a running blog to share my experience. Plus, I wanted to document my training for Boston. Although I qualified for Boston on October 11, 2009 at the Steamtown Marathon with a 3:37:03 chip time (8:17 pace), my running journey started several years ago. I want to write my experiences down for myself, but I thought others may learn from some mistakes that I made throughout the last two years.
Although I was a runner in Junior High and High School, I was never really that good, perhaps slightly above average. I didn’t get reinvolved (is that even a word?) in running until June of 2007 when I entered my first 3-mile race for the 4th of July. I did alright, so I entered several other races that summer and fall. Surprisingly, I ended up placing in my age group in a few of them. Around November of 2007, my sister-in-law and I decided to enter the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon in April of 2008. We wanted the challenge and it gave us a way to stay active over the winter. I quit the gym and my aerobics classes, and bought a treadmill. This was the best investment! Over the winter, I didn’t follow a training program. I ran 6 miles twice a week and increased my long run each weekend. Now, I laugh at what little mileage I ran. Lex and I ran that half side by side and finished in just under 1:49. To date, that is my only half marathon and I can’t wait to see what I can really do with some real training for a half!
After that half, I decided I could do a full. The thought terrified me, but I wanted the challenge. This time, I researched a bit. I decided to follow Higdon’s Intermediate I program for Steamtown 2008. I followed this exactly and had no problems in my training. My goal was to finish in under 4:00. I finished in 3:49:28. I felt great afterwards! I was so shocked that I ran that time. During the race, I felt something just took over my body and just propelled me forward!
After Steamtown, I didn’t plan to run another marathon so soon, but Lexi, my cousin, Amy, and her husband, Chad, all got the marathon fever, and wanted to run the New Jersey Marathon (near where Amy and Chad live). Well, if they were all running it, I was, as well! I wanted to improve my time, so I wanted to increase my training a bit. This time, I followed Higdon’s Intermediate 1 with the long run schedule of Intermediate II. This would get me 3 twenty milers before the race. I found training through the winter to be tough. I ran most of my mileage on my treadmill, but tried to get outside for my long runs on Saturdays (although I did a 14-miler on the treadmill). Towards the end of my training, I started to get really tight calves, and was very nervous come race day that my calves would tighten up. I was fine calf-wise, but had a terrible race.
On May 3rd, 2008, we ran the NJ Marathon in the pouring rain. It was terrible, but I can’t blame the weather. It just never felt “easy” for me that day. I struggled to keep a decent pace. Towards the beginning, I felt pretty good, and had visions of “maybe I can qualify for Boston, although I didn’t train to,” run through my head. I surprised myself at Steamtown, so I thought that could happen again. Well, I was certainly humbled. That’s what I love about the marathon. On any given day, you don’t know what could happen. I struggled the second half. Around mile 24, I got Charlie horses in my quads and I struggled to run through them. My hands also felt really funny, almost numb. It was like they weren’t attached to my body. I finished in 3:55:11, over a 6 minute increase from Steamtown. This wasn’t the worst part. When I got done running, it was pouring rain. I just stood in the rain and didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t think clearly. I was just dazed. Aaron came and found me and led me to a tent. I sat down and immediately started vomiting. I vomited for the next 5 hours. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t keep anything down, which is terrible because the first thing you should do after a marathon is refuel. We had to walk about a mile to our car, drive back to the hotel (about a half hour away). I just lay in the bed trying to get warm. I finally managed a shower, couldn’t even comb my hair, and stumbled to the car for a 4 hour drive home (while vomiting and dry heaving the whole way). Once I got home, I ate some soup, felt better, went to bed, woke up the next morning feeling fine, so I went to work and taught all day.
That was the first time my body failed me. I was so confident that I was going to smash my Steamtown time, I made many rookie mistakes. After reflecting, I didn’t hydrate properly, I took too many gels (5!), and I ran too quickly in the first half. Honestly, I was devastated by my time. I trained harder, it was a flatter course, I should have done better. I viewed NJ as a failure. I was cocky and I paid for it. The marathon is a distance that you have to take seriously. What feels good at mile 8 will kick your butt at mile 24. I immediately knew I was going to run Steamtown that October.
I jumped right back into training. I decided I was going to do a harder program, so spent some time researching. I bought the Pfitz book, but I honestly thought it was too scientific for me. I decided to stick with Higdon, only this time, I was going to do the Intermediate II with Advanced I’s speedwork/hill work. It was the first time I ever did any speed.
In July got my first running injury: IT Band Syndrome, an overuse injury. My knee would start to hurt around 4-miles into every run. It was such a frustrating injury. As soon as I stopped running, the pain would stop. I found a chiropractor who specialized in sports injuries and began going about twice a week. While the pain continued, it became much more manageable. I bought a foam roller, iced, took advil like it was candy, and started doing many exercises to strengthen my hamstrings and lower back muscles. Surprisingly, I only missed about 2 days of training the entire cycle and completed every run.
Towards the end of my training, I felt great. During my taper, I felt really strong and was running fast times. I was afraid to push the pace at Steamtown after what happened in NJ, so I had no idea what my marathon pace would be. I trained for 3:40 (Boston qualifier), but didn’t tell anyone about my long shot goal of qualifying. In the back of my mind I knew I was going for it, but I didn’t want the pressure of not qualifying to affect my race, so other than Aaron, I kept it to myself. I promised Aaron that I would tone the running down a notch after Steamtown unless I qualified, as my body needed the break.
My 2009 Steamtown race was the best race I will probably ever run. I totally shocked myself. I honestly have no idea how I was able to run 8:17 pace for 26.2 miles. I guess you just have to trust the training and taper process. Everything came together and I have honestly never been so amazed at what my body is capable of! I had a great recovery and have had no lingering ITband issues (knock on wood)!
My Boston training officially starts on December 14th. I debated following an easier program, but I just can’t do it! I am going to use the same exact program as last time. It is going to be tougher as it is not the summer, and I am working full time, but I will do it. I just hope my body holds up and allows me to run one more race. Then, I promise, I will give it a break!
If you read my entire running saga…thanks! I want to have everything documented. Like I said before, many people are always asking me about my running and training, and I know many people who recently started training themselves, so I hope I can help share some of my experiences with others.
Although I was a runner in Junior High and High School, I was never really that good, perhaps slightly above average. I didn’t get reinvolved (is that even a word?) in running until June of 2007 when I entered my first 3-mile race for the 4th of July. I did alright, so I entered several other races that summer and fall. Surprisingly, I ended up placing in my age group in a few of them. Around November of 2007, my sister-in-law and I decided to enter the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon in April of 2008. We wanted the challenge and it gave us a way to stay active over the winter. I quit the gym and my aerobics classes, and bought a treadmill. This was the best investment! Over the winter, I didn’t follow a training program. I ran 6 miles twice a week and increased my long run each weekend. Now, I laugh at what little mileage I ran. Lex and I ran that half side by side and finished in just under 1:49. To date, that is my only half marathon and I can’t wait to see what I can really do with some real training for a half!
After that half, I decided I could do a full. The thought terrified me, but I wanted the challenge. This time, I researched a bit. I decided to follow Higdon’s Intermediate I program for Steamtown 2008. I followed this exactly and had no problems in my training. My goal was to finish in under 4:00. I finished in 3:49:28. I felt great afterwards! I was so shocked that I ran that time. During the race, I felt something just took over my body and just propelled me forward!
After Steamtown, I didn’t plan to run another marathon so soon, but Lexi, my cousin, Amy, and her husband, Chad, all got the marathon fever, and wanted to run the New Jersey Marathon (near where Amy and Chad live). Well, if they were all running it, I was, as well! I wanted to improve my time, so I wanted to increase my training a bit. This time, I followed Higdon’s Intermediate 1 with the long run schedule of Intermediate II. This would get me 3 twenty milers before the race. I found training through the winter to be tough. I ran most of my mileage on my treadmill, but tried to get outside for my long runs on Saturdays (although I did a 14-miler on the treadmill). Towards the end of my training, I started to get really tight calves, and was very nervous come race day that my calves would tighten up. I was fine calf-wise, but had a terrible race.
On May 3rd, 2008, we ran the NJ Marathon in the pouring rain. It was terrible, but I can’t blame the weather. It just never felt “easy” for me that day. I struggled to keep a decent pace. Towards the beginning, I felt pretty good, and had visions of “maybe I can qualify for Boston, although I didn’t train to,” run through my head. I surprised myself at Steamtown, so I thought that could happen again. Well, I was certainly humbled. That’s what I love about the marathon. On any given day, you don’t know what could happen. I struggled the second half. Around mile 24, I got Charlie horses in my quads and I struggled to run through them. My hands also felt really funny, almost numb. It was like they weren’t attached to my body. I finished in 3:55:11, over a 6 minute increase from Steamtown. This wasn’t the worst part. When I got done running, it was pouring rain. I just stood in the rain and didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t think clearly. I was just dazed. Aaron came and found me and led me to a tent. I sat down and immediately started vomiting. I vomited for the next 5 hours. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t keep anything down, which is terrible because the first thing you should do after a marathon is refuel. We had to walk about a mile to our car, drive back to the hotel (about a half hour away). I just lay in the bed trying to get warm. I finally managed a shower, couldn’t even comb my hair, and stumbled to the car for a 4 hour drive home (while vomiting and dry heaving the whole way). Once I got home, I ate some soup, felt better, went to bed, woke up the next morning feeling fine, so I went to work and taught all day.
That was the first time my body failed me. I was so confident that I was going to smash my Steamtown time, I made many rookie mistakes. After reflecting, I didn’t hydrate properly, I took too many gels (5!), and I ran too quickly in the first half. Honestly, I was devastated by my time. I trained harder, it was a flatter course, I should have done better. I viewed NJ as a failure. I was cocky and I paid for it. The marathon is a distance that you have to take seriously. What feels good at mile 8 will kick your butt at mile 24. I immediately knew I was going to run Steamtown that October.
I jumped right back into training. I decided I was going to do a harder program, so spent some time researching. I bought the Pfitz book, but I honestly thought it was too scientific for me. I decided to stick with Higdon, only this time, I was going to do the Intermediate II with Advanced I’s speedwork/hill work. It was the first time I ever did any speed.
In July got my first running injury: IT Band Syndrome, an overuse injury. My knee would start to hurt around 4-miles into every run. It was such a frustrating injury. As soon as I stopped running, the pain would stop. I found a chiropractor who specialized in sports injuries and began going about twice a week. While the pain continued, it became much more manageable. I bought a foam roller, iced, took advil like it was candy, and started doing many exercises to strengthen my hamstrings and lower back muscles. Surprisingly, I only missed about 2 days of training the entire cycle and completed every run.
Towards the end of my training, I felt great. During my taper, I felt really strong and was running fast times. I was afraid to push the pace at Steamtown after what happened in NJ, so I had no idea what my marathon pace would be. I trained for 3:40 (Boston qualifier), but didn’t tell anyone about my long shot goal of qualifying. In the back of my mind I knew I was going for it, but I didn’t want the pressure of not qualifying to affect my race, so other than Aaron, I kept it to myself. I promised Aaron that I would tone the running down a notch after Steamtown unless I qualified, as my body needed the break.
My 2009 Steamtown race was the best race I will probably ever run. I totally shocked myself. I honestly have no idea how I was able to run 8:17 pace for 26.2 miles. I guess you just have to trust the training and taper process. Everything came together and I have honestly never been so amazed at what my body is capable of! I had a great recovery and have had no lingering ITband issues (knock on wood)!
My Boston training officially starts on December 14th. I debated following an easier program, but I just can’t do it! I am going to use the same exact program as last time. It is going to be tougher as it is not the summer, and I am working full time, but I will do it. I just hope my body holds up and allows me to run one more race. Then, I promise, I will give it a break!
If you read my entire running saga…thanks! I want to have everything documented. Like I said before, many people are always asking me about my running and training, and I know many people who recently started training themselves, so I hope I can help share some of my experiences with others.
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