When it all clicks

Running is so terribly hard to explain to those who don't love it.  I can't tell you how many times I've had people tell me it boring, they can't do it, "the runner's high is a lie."  The fact of the matter is, running is never easy.  Its slogging out miles when your legs are tired and you really don't want to.  Its putting in extra time when you really want to go home.  If running is easy, you should be running faster or longer.  It doesn't ever really get easy.

But there are these rare moments, sometimes once a month, sometimes less, when everything lines up.  When you feel like you are flying effortlessly as your legs move. When you look down at your watch and realize you've just killed whatever goal you were chasing.  It is those moments that fuel you as you slog along for the next few weeks.

Tonight was one of those nights.  After weeks of unseasonable heat and humidity, it has finally cooled down here.  I haven't run after dark in a while.  Fueled by all of our ragnar adventures and a full two days off running, I felt like I was flying.  I hit a great pace, which I just need to work on HOLDING for more than half mile intervals.  I always fuss over my pace, because 11-12 minute miles are all I can currently hope for over a long run.  I know what I need to do to change that, and that's slowly increase tempo intervals. Nights like tonight are a nice reminder that all the slogging and hard work, hours on the treadmill and on the road, cross training and time on the bike pay off.  When you run, you have to remember to trust in the process.  It never feels easier.  But you ARE getting better, getting stronger, getting more fit. 

So remember.

You can do it.  You just have to decide you want to.  Don't worry that you are too slow or not good enough. Because you are just right.  And with some work, you will get faster. 

Running isn't easy.  Nothing worth doing is ever easy.  If it were easy everyone would be doing it.  But I've realized more things about myself on the road than I have almost anywhere else.  In day to day life, its hard not to get lost in the chaos--finances, drama, screaming kids.  When you are out putting one foot in front of the other, though, it melts away and you can see the beauty underneath.   So remember that the next time you don't want to step out the door.  Or when you get the courage up to step out of the door for the first time.

Introduction - Brad

During our Ragnar Florida Keys adventure, Angela asked me to start blogging with her.  It seemed like a good idea, so I thought I would start with an introduction.

I've been running a little longer than Angela, but while she has worked on distance, until recently I have stayed relatively short.  My theory has been "why run that far when I have a car?"  I've enjoyed doing 5k runs and especially like the obstacle runs (Mud Run, Warrior Dash, etc.)  They seem to have a little more excitement for me, and while I did some longer runs, I tended to get a little bored.

While Angela worked on longer distances, I was more into speed and pace.  I am a competitive person by nature, so while I'm not winning any races, I always worked to run faster.  What I've recently found, though, is that increasing distance will also increase the speed on the shorter runs.

About a year ago we started thinking about joining a Ragnar team.  Ragnar meant longer distances and working on stamina, so I began to train for that.  Apparently it has worked because as you can guess from the previous posts about Ragnar, I made it through.  Now, my goal for the next 2 Ragnar events is to run longer legs and run at faster paces. 

The next challenge that we have planned is a half marathon next month.  While 13.1 miles is farther than I have ran before, I think I am up to the challenge and am even considering another.  I actually found myself sitting around looking up events in my area.  I guess Angela has got me hooked.

That's me in a nutshell.  Next time I'll delve into more substantive topics.                   

Ragnar Reflections - Part 4 - The Finish Line!

 While those of us in Van 2 were catching up on sleep (and crying tears of joy for our Aspaeris Pivot Shorts, which I will swear by for the rest of my running career, and for Shower Pill which made us stink less than we otherwise would have ), Van 1 was out running some very hard legs in the heat and humidity of Ragnar Keys Day 2.  Amanda started out with a quick 3 miler, but remember that she had picked up extra mileage (and given up lots of sleep) to help make up for our injured runner.  Kristi ran the 7 mile bridge, an unsupported leg (meaning the van couldn't bring her anything) with a few water stations.  It was hot and humid.  Courtney slugged through her 9+ mile leg, also on the bridges.  No shade.  Traffic whizzing by.   The saving grace was rain and breeze. But they had a tough time. Once those miles were done, though, it was "short" legs for the remaining 3 in van 1.   There were many reports of runners struggling with the heat. Many required EMS.  Our team mate, Dawn, who is a P.A., personally assisted two runners who needed medical help.

Here we are (minus Dawn, who was out running her last leg toward us) at the final major exchange.  Left to right--Kristi, Courtney, Jason in the back, Brad, Sarah H, me, Toni, Amanda, and Sarah E.  This team really shows what Ragnar is--team sport.  No way would we have been able to cross the finish without the hard fought effort of everyone on our team. 

I did 4.1 very hot miles.   I won't lie, I walked some of it.  It was so hot that it was about running smart, NOT running fast.  My GPS had died and I was glad--I don't even want to know what my pace was.  But the goal was to stay hydrated and healthy, because I still had a 4th leg to run. I ran past an ambulance who had to come help a runner.  I was thankful to have my phone so I could check in and let Brad know everything was okay.  Some teams "hot dropped" fresh runners, but even 2 down slugged out our miles.I was glad to hand off to Sarah E.

Things flew by.  Traffic was bad, I Sarah E was out for 2.  We dropped off Brad for 2 more and picked Sarah E up.  After Brad I picked up my "bonus" 2.  Sarah H was up next, and then Sarah E went back out, winning the day by slugging out a tough six miler for us to cross the finish.

TEAM EFFORT.

It took us 38 hours, but we crossed that finish line together.  It was seriously an epic adventure, even though it didn't go as planned.  I won't lie--Ragnar is not for the faint of heart.  Its scary, its nerve wracking and its a logistical nightmare.  It will push you to the edge. 

 

But it was also incredible.  New friendships forged, new memories made.  And Brad FINALLY may get what all the hype is about with me and running events.  He's hooked.  He's actually going to start contributing here, which is exciting. And it was awesome to share the experience together. 

And, oh, Miss Too Tall, we are so glad you came with us.  Poor Amanda does not dig the Florida humidity.  After this visit she may NEVER come see me again.  Of course I thought that after our 13.1 in March.  She got us amazing sponsors, she covered extra distance.  She rocks.  Some day I will stand on a table when we get a photo taken together so I don't feel so short.

 Amanda also said it best--Ragnar is a runners race.  Open road, no support, running day and night.  Not a ton of swag, just a shirt and medals and assorted Clif products.

 

But oh, the memories.  The sense of accomplishment.  The friendships.  Brad and I can't wait to do it again--we WILL be back out there in 2014.

We spent a few nights in Key West with a beautiful view, catching up on sleep and food.  Celebrating not only our accomplishment but 10 years of marraige.

I'll say it.  Some of you make fun of me for saying it, but I'll do it anyway.  It was an EPIC adventure.  Most people wouldn't dream of doing something so insane.  I love that sense of accomplishment.   After all, we only live once.  Every single day of it should be an adventure.

Ragnar Reflections - Part 3 - The Night Run

By the time we had made it to the 3rd major exchange at 10pm, I was just ready to run.  I was sick of worrying about who would run what, sick of attempting to sleep and have my phone buzz with another text, sick of everything.  I came to run, and that's all I wanted.

I made two mistakes prepping for my second leg--I overdressed and I put on the shoes I wore for my first leg.  I wore running tights, arm warmers and my tough chik top.  I should have worn my Aspaeris Pivot Shorts and left the warmers in the car.  Usually running at night in January in Florida means its a bit chilly for us blood-thinned Floridians.  Not so much this time.  It was HOT.  I was coated in sweat after a mile.  Despite the heat though, it was a really beautiful run.  Nothing really prepares you for a Ragnar night run.  For the most part, you are alone and it is DARK.  I'm so glad Amanda recommended Knuckle Lights to us, they light the way so much better than a head lamp would have.  Plus so few people carry them that my team could see me coming from a mile away.  But, oh my goodness, the stars.  There were so many stars and it was just beautiful to see them. 
I started having issues around mile 7--my stomach was upset and my left foot started hurting.  I had been nervous about running my long distance in my new(er) shoes, because they had been hurting my feet if I did more than 6 in them.  Should have listened to my gut and worn my old, almost worn out shoes that I have several hundred miles on.  I was so glad our dark blue Yukon had the awesome Bros and Does labels made by Family Fan Club, because even in the dark I could pick out our car because of the white window labels from quite a distance away.   

That's the nice thing about Ragnar--as long as you aren't on a leg marked as unsupported, your team mates can stop and give you anything you need.  I thought about switching out my shoes, but didn't.  SHOULD HAVE, but oh well.  I did dump off my hydropack and arm warmers at one point, and had Brad meet me up the road with some Nuun so that I could have some electrolytes in my system. It was too darn hot for 2am. 

 Between the foot and stomach issues, the last 2 miles were terrible.  There are no bathrooms along the course except at major exchanges, and none of the businesses were open at 1am.  I walked a lot.  I couldn't help but be disappointed that I  wasn't able to finish as strongly as I started off.  The lack of sleep and the stress of losing 2 runners from our van definitely caught up with me.   I had a good cry over my 12:45 pace when it was all said and done.   I wanted so badly to maintain somewhere in the 11:30-11:45 range for the long run, especially since it was in the dark.   We had already lost a lot of time off of our estimated pace between the heat, the injuries, and the scares.  Oh well, you live and learn.  I learned to always wear my Pivot Shorts while running Ragnar, so that my legs would recover quicker, and I learned to switch my shoes for each leg no matter how good they felt the first time along.    I felt really sick after my long leg--but sleep and food eventually helped with that.  I was a little worried about the foot too--it felt bruised and in pain.

The rest of our 2nd set of legs was uneventful. Sarah E ran strong. Brad did an 8.1 miler.  Amanda picked up the slack for our missing runners.  Sarah H switched to a longer leg to pick up some extra miles for us, and ran through the sunrise.  Team effort.   We handed back off to Van 1 around 7:30 or so in Islamorada.  We had been running for more than 24 hours, were running behind schedule and were 2 people down.  We ate a real breakfast, moved down to the final exchange, and FINALLY got some good sleep.  I put on my Pivot shorts, rolled my foot on tennis balls, and waited to see what would happen next.

Ragnar Reflections - Part 2

Okay, so backing up a bit because I downloaded the pictures from my "good" camera . . .
 Here are Wendy, Elana, Sarah H, Sarah E, and Val, super driver extraordinary, at the safety briefing at exchange 6.

And here I am at Exchange 6, waiting for Dawn from Van 1 to come in.  Ragnar is different from anything else because you really don't KNOW when your team mate is coming.  You guess, based on where they last were seen and how fast they go. And then you just wait.

 Dawn is a total Rock Star and ran on an Ultra Ragnar Team (6 people instead of 12) with 5 guys.  Apparently they was ass slapping involved.  So shit hit my butt at the exchange. Which was funny as crap because we just met the day before, and has become a running joke. This picture makes it look like she is copping an extended feel.   Absolutely hilarious.

 I had a hot 4.2 miles, which I knocked out at around an 11:40 pace.  During the duration of this, I paid little attention to my GPS and just ran however I felt most comfortable.  It was too hot to run really hard, especially considering how much distance we still had to cover.   Here I am handing off to Sarah E.  This is the kind of pictures I end up with when I put my husband in charge of the camera.   You can't even see Sarah E!

Sarah E had the longest leg of the first rotation for our van, almost 8 miles in terrible heat.  After her, Brad was up for a VERY quick three miles.  Elana went out next for a hot long run, and then Sarah H. This ENTIRE time, we'd kept my car running so the battery wouldn't die again.

Sarah H had a rough, very hot and humid, completely unshaded leg of nearly six miles.

Sarah H handed off to Wendy (Pink shirt/yellow shorts).  At this point, we were just worried about the heat. 

 

About 10 minutes after this was taken, as we were pulling out of the exchange 11 to head down to the speedway (the next major exchange, where we handed back off to van 1), Elana got a text from Wendy that she was down and badly injured.  Wendy had been nursing a tibial strain.  When we caught up to her, she was on the ground and in major pain.  Brad was able to get ready to run the quickest, so he went out while the rest of us focused on getting Wendy into the car and to the hospital.  The Race Director for Ragnar was on site within a minute to make sure she wasn't needed.   Luckily 4 of the 7 people in our van were nurses.  Brad covered four miles while we took Wendy to the hospital.  When we left the hospital, it was just Sarah H and I in our previously stuffed Yukon.  Everyone else stayed behind with Wendy. 

We went to the speedway and picked up Brad.  We talked briefly with the folks from Van 1, but we had so much to do--fix our battery, figure out what was up with Wendy, figure out who was coming back and who wasn't.   Brad was totally the man of the hour--not only did he pick up 4 extra miles in the horrible heat at the drop of the hat, he then took care of our battery issue. 

 We were fortunate enough to be able to come back to our house for real homemade dinner (pasta and chicken) and sleep in an actual bed.  Except that Brad and Sarah H slept while I tried to figure out our runner situation.  At first we thought Wendy was out (which went without saying) and everyone else was coming back, until Wendy was diagnosed with a spiral fracture of her tibia which might require surgery. Elana stayed behind with Wendy, and just like that we were down 2 runners with well over 120 miles left to cover. Needless to say, sleep didn't happen for me!!

The drama didn't end there.  Amanda had fire works shot at her during leg 13, while we were dealing with all the craziness of Wendy's injury.  It was a very near miss.  More insanity for Van 1.  

Around 10pm our severely reduced van 2 of Sarah H, Brad and I headed down to the next major exchange.  Sarah E stayed behind to stay with Wendy a while longer and to get some rest, promising to meet up with us later at the exchange.  

Nothing really prepares you for a Ragnar major exchange.  People sleeping EVERYWHERE.  On concrete, on grass, on stairs.  In cars.  It looked a lot like an emergency zone.  We parked, and we crashed hard while we waited for Van 1 to tell us they were getting close. They traveled from Homestead, through the Redlands, down the stretch and into Key Largo, before handing off to us at Coral Shores High School.   We got the handoff around 1am, and I headed off on 9.9 miles.  Amanda joined our van to help make up for our missing runners. 

More to come!

Ragnar Reflections - Part 1

Wow.  When I think back through our Ragnar Keys experience in my head, it sounds like a tall, tall tale.  I know I'm totally going to blow the minds of my non-running friends when I tell them about it.  It sort of blows my mind how crazy it was.  It feels like we MUST have made parts of it up, it was so unreal.  Driving home from Key West today in a quiet car with hubs, I felt in awe of how far we had come.

Prior to leaving for Ragnar, one of my team mates, Dawn, sent me this:

We had absolutely no idea how true this would end up being.

Keep in mind, this is a 196.7 (+/-) mile relay race involving 12 people in two vehicles and very little sleep.  There is a whole lot that can go wrong.  And boy, did things go wrong.  Here's a rundown of our Ragnar adventure.

Team 2 Bros and 10 Does started at 5am on Friday with Amanda leading off for Van 1.  It was hot and humid, and the sun wasn't even up yet.  Then I got a text that our 2nd runner and team captain, Kristi, was almost mugged while running up Grand Avenue.  Thankfully she was carrying her cell phone and called for mace.  Scary situation. 

After that things ran smoothly, other than the oppressive heat and humidity.  We did a Van 2 Photo Op as we waited for our turn to head out.  Notice those really cool decals?  That was thanks to Family Fan Club, one of our amazing sponsors. 

I was the first one out for Van 1.  Here Brad and I are waiting for team mate Dawn to come in so I could head out for 4.2 hot hot miles, from Tamiami Park.

 

Dawn came, I left and had a great run in the heat.  Little did I know that my team was dealing with THIS after I left. . . .

 

Yeah, the battery on our car died.  We had to get jumped not once, but twice . . . they did manage to get the car restarted (YAY!), but we still had five runners to put on the course before we would have time to get a replacement.  Thankfully team member Sarah E brought along her friend Val, who was driving for us and stayed with the car at exchanges.  She was a LIFE SAVER.  

To Be continued . . . this is only the first 4ish hours of our 38 hour crazy journey. 

2012 In Review

Its hard to take time and reflect on 2012's accomplishments right now.  Ragnar is LITERALLY right around the corner, and our household is dealing with the reality of doing a multi-day relay race with two small children when both parents are participating and the closest family member is thousands of miles away.  It's a small miracle that the stars are aligning enough for this to happen.  Its stressful and all-consuming, but so terribly exciting I can hardly contain myself.

2012 really was incredible, though, and I would be remiss if I didn't take time to reflect.  I became a runner in December 2009, when I stopped hating it and started really living for it.  2012, though, was the year in which I REALLY came into my own as an athlete.  I had dabbled before--I did a triathlon, I did a few 5Ks, but I rocked it in 2012. 
The highlights/milestones:

I did my first half marathon in March. 

Chris, Jess (neighbor and running buddy extraordinaire), Amanda, and me

It was epic for many reasons, but especially because I finally got to meet Amanda (AKA TooTallFritz).  I've told this story before, but Amanda and I were friends before I became a runner, from a random Weimaraner message board on Yahoo.  When I started running, she mentored me and answered my 1,001 stupid questions.  I honestly don't know if I would be who I am today if she hadn't patiently answered my questions and encouraged me. Looking forward to hanging with her in 2013 for Ragnar.

My grandpa died

 Obviously this wasn't a high point in the year.  My grandpa was a corner stone of my childhood and of our family.  But he and my Grandma had THAT kind of love, and I had so many happy memories of them growing up.  So it was nice to know they were back together again.  It was incredibly sad for me to spend mother's day away from my kids.  But nice to spend mother's day with my mom.  This was the first time I'd been through something rough without my husband by my side.  I can say that I have been blissfully without real tradgedy in my life--I've attended very few funerals.  But this was my first without Brad.  Without him to lean on, I had to be the strong one.  It sucked, but it built character.  Because I was so young when we got married (barely 21 and still in college), I have very little experience standing on my own.  It was an enlightening, albiet sad, experience to need to be the strong one and stand on my own.  Grandpa had 89 amazing years.  He touched so many lives and I can't help but smile when I think of him and my Grandma reunited in heaven.

Joining Team Tough Chik

 I was in a rut after my half marathon, made deeper by my Grandpa's passing.  I made the decision (again following Amanda's lead--no surprise there!) to join Team Tough Chik.  Best decision ever.  Its really great to have a group of like-minded women, who can relate to the chaos involved in being an endurance athlete.  I raced more because I was a part of the team.  More importantly, it was nice to have a group of people I could report my progress/accomplishments to without worrying that they would think I'm crazy, obsessed, slow, etc. etc. etc.  Absolutely the decision that made my 2012 as great as it was. \

Spelunking
Remember how I said I lean on my husband a lot?  Well, all of the really adventurous things I've done up to this year have been with him by my side.  Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing.  He's my dive buddy AND my dive instructor.  So when I went spelunking in Mammoth Cave without him I was incredibly scared.  We traded off the kids so that we could both do it.   It was amazingly beautiful and exhilarating to do it on my own.

Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy

When I first decided to do the Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy, part of me really wondered if I would be able to stick through for the four races in the series.   I had previously competed in a single tri several years ago.  I wasn't sure I had the stamina to keep in "race shape" and compete for four months.  But I did it.  I got better.  I got a road bike.  I even placed.  By the end of the fourth race in September, I felt like a true athlete. 

Cycling
When I started getting serious about triathlon, I realized I needed a new bike.  My mom, bless her, decided to get me my birthday present very, very early.  I got a road bike and fell in love with cycling.  Part of the thing that makes cycling so incredible for me is that I get to ride with one of my best buds and we get to catch up.  Its liberating and enjoyable, and its easy on my joints.  Cycling has made me a stronger runner and a more rounded athlete.  I absolutely love it.  2012 is also the year I became a cyclist.

10 years of marraige

My husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in December.   In this day and age, that in and of itself is saying something.  When you consider how much I have changed, especially in the past 4 years, its downright amazing.  My husband has been pretty darn supportive of some of my crazier endeavors, and doesn't complain (too much) about the mornings spend out on long runs or rides.  One of the best parts of this has been doing things together--we did the Warrior Dash this year, and the absolutely best thing about Ragnar is that he'll be there by my side.  In 2013, we'll run a half marathon together.

2012 has been an amazing year.  It has been a sad one too, for personal reasons and on a national level.  But its what we take away from the things life throws at us that makes us who we are.   I can't wait to see what 2013 holds.  Happy New Year!