Endurance

Holiday Lake 2013 Race Report

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A year ago (Feb. 11), I ran my first ultra.

I know I’ve spent a lot of time comparing running to motherhood (its kind of the point of this blog, after all), but the metaphor rings so true….Holiday Lake 2012 kicked me in the rear end….revealed hidden strengths…utterly exhausted me…and gave me something so precious that I couldn’t understand until I experienced it for myself.

Like motherhood, ultra running has pushed me beyond my perceived limits, introduced me to some crazy wonderful people, and provided a structure and rhythm to my life that makes me a better person.

Of course I was going to do it again in 2013!

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I had been looking forward to this race for a few reasons.  The experience and mileage of this past year made me much more confident…I knew I’d be able to run the distance.  But aside from that, I was thrilled that my cousin Mark would be coming down from Delaware to make his ultra debut.  Mark, 18 months older than me, has always been like a big brother.  We spent our childhood and teenage years at our family’s cabin…hiking, mountain biking, and getting into trouble.  I know I can count on him every July for hilly runs and spirited Tour d’France commentary.  This past summer, when he mentioned training for a fall marathon, I suggested that he run Holiday Lake with me.  He took the bait.

We arrived at the 4H Center and settled into our (unheated) cabin in plenty of time for the pre-race dinner and race briefing.  That’s the other reason I was happy to return.  Last year, I knew hardly a soul.  But this year, it was like walking into a family reunion.  So many familiar faces, so many memories of the past year of training runs, races, and adventures.

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Deluxe Accommodations at Holiday Lake!

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Morning came too soon, of course, but a few cups of coffee and some oatmeal cleared the cobwebs.  At 6:30 we were off.  I had lost Mark in the pre-race shuffle, and headed up the first 1/2 mile of paved roads.  Like JFK, I tried to use this time to get positioned for the upcoming trail section.  The only thing worse than being stuck behind a much slower runner on single-track is BEING that slower runner and sensing others’ impatience!  Fortunately, the course has a lot of fire roads and wider sections – I never felt “out of place” on the trail.

There is something so wonderful about the early miles of an ultra.  Rested legs, adrenaline, and relief combine to make the first hour effortless.  The sun rose, illuminating the woods and trail.  The first aid station came and went.  At some point between aid station 2 & 3 I realized that my water was frozen in the hydration-pack tubing.  Uh Oh.  I was able to get some liquid at the aid tables, but by mile 13 or 14 I realized I was seriously dehydrated.  I felt tired, much earlier than I expected to.  I was carrying 60 oz. of electrolyte-laced salvation on my back.  I HAD to get it working.

Biting and bending the tubing didn’t help, so I stuffed as much as I could down my shirt…anchoring it with my sports bra.  It didn’t bother me a bit, and a few miles later – TA DA – it flowed freely!!  It was AMAZING how quickly my energy returned once I rehydrated, and, feeling well, I picked up my pace as I neared the turnaround.

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Holiday Lake’s course consists of two loops.  The first is run in a clockwise direction, the second counter-clockwise.  I hit the turnaround at mile 16 and felt great, pausing only for a moment to look for my Aunt Sue.  I didn’t see her, so I rolled right through and got back on the course.

Last year, I easily spent 1-2 minutes at each aid station (and probably a solid 5 minutes at the turnaround).  This year, I had packed sufficient liquid and fuel so I didn’t need to pause at all.  I love the volunteers that work these races, and gave them all a smile and ‘THANK YOU’, but it felt great to breeze past each table and know that I knocking time off my total.

The first few miles after the turn are a bit dicey, as runners pass each other on narrow single-track.  However, it redeems itself with the best reward – an opportunity to see and cheer the other runners.  Spotting friends, giving a wave, the relief (this weekend at least) that everyone seemed to be having a good race, provided a lift that carried me back to the Mile 20 aid station.  But one familiar face was missing.  Where was Mark??  He’s a stronger runner than me, but had planned to run a conservative pace.  I really had no idea if he was ahead or behind, but I totally thought I’d see him at some point.  Finally, I passed Sir Nigel, who gave me a nod and told me “go catch your cousin”.  “How far ahead is he?” I asked.  “A bloody eight miles, at least” was the reply.  Thank goodness…the one thing I wanted more than anything was to run a strong race AND have Mark beat me to the finish line.  I figured that would ensure many more ultra-adventures for us in the future!

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This year’s strategy for the second loop was the same as last year’s.  Run aid station to aid station, without thinking too much about how many miles remain.  Coming into each one, I did a quick inventory.  Did I need anything?  Since I was running with my hydration pack, I’d grab a cup of water so I wouldn’t have to stop & refill my pack later.  How am I feeling?  Can I run at this pace for another 4 miles? Go, go, go!

I had switched the display on my watch so I could only see the time of day – no mileage, no pace information.  Each mile it would buzz, and I’d allow myself a quick look at my pace.  I was thrilled to see it stay consistent for most of the day.  When the trails opened up to service roads, I was cranking out 8:20 and 8:30 miles.  On the true trail sections, I ran in the low 9’s. I felt strong and solid up as I approached the last aid station.  Coming up a long hill, I saw a familiar form.  It took me about 10 minutes, but I finally caught up to my cousin.  He had run a SOLID race for almost 28 miles, and it was so great to see him.  He had twisted his ankle, and was starting to slow down, so he waved me on.  I ran through the last aid station, and and started to feel the accumulated distance.  I was tired, and the last four miles were tough.  Even so, I was able to pass two women, and kept running as hard as I could to maintain my place.

At last, I saw the wonderful orange paint telling us there was 1 mile to the finish.  Soon after, I hit the road and ran downhill the final 1/2 mile, crossing the finish line in 4 hours and 44 minutes; 6th female and 41st overall.  A Horton Hug made the day complete, and I stumbled over to a soft spot of grass to stretch out and watch the other runners fly down to the finish line.

I soon started seeing familiar forms coming down the hill.  First Brian, then Monte.  Where was Mark?  Even accounting for fatigue, he should have crossed the finish line by now.  Finally, I saw his red jacket approaching.  He gave me a quick glance, shook his head, and ran through the line.  He’d twisted his ankle again, but also veered off course for almost 3(!) miles.  Despite this disappointment, he ran so well – especially considering he’d never previously run a marathon.  He’ll be back next year, I’m sure…

The Richmond Crew - all done!!
The Richmond Crew – all done!!

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A year of ultra-running…four seasons of accumulating experience, mileage, and stories.  I’m thrilled with a top-10 finish, but more so that I ran my own race, and it was good enough to stack up against the chicks with way more experience and credibility.

And even though it was a good day for me, I’m taking away a few lessons learned:

  1. DON’T watch the watch!  It’s so important for me to run a pace that’s comfortably hard.  When I have preconceived pace targets, I end up going off track.  Listening to my body is the best way for me to ensure that I’m running at the right speed.
  2. DO check in from time to time.  Noting my average pace every mile or two helps me validate and quantify what I’m feeling.  It also gives me data for future runs (Onset and rate of fatigue…physiological response to Clif Shots…etc).  My left-brain personality LOOOOOVES this kind of info!!
  3. DON’T ignore hydration.  This caused me problems at Catoctin, and it could have really hurt me at Holiday Lake as well.  Running in the cold and not sweating a lot, its easy to think you’ll only need to drink every 4 miles.  Stuffing the hydration pack tubing down my shirt to melt the ice probably saved my race.
  4. DO know your nutrition.  As appealing as the aid station food might look, this girl works best with energy gels.  Every 4 miles, starting at mile 12, was all I needed today.
  5. DO enjoy the competition!  Of course we all want to place well, but the thing I love about longer distances is that you can’t fake it.  One of my favorite moments of the day was at mile 23, when a girl (Kelly Devine) ran past me like I was standing still.  I was feeling good, and running strong, and amazed by her speed and fluidity that late in the race.  It was a joy to watch.  (We chatted after the finish and she shared that it was her first trail run ever- WOW!)

All in all, it was another wonderful weekend, and nice to come full-circle.  I’m looking forward to Terrapin, Promise Land, and all the other adventures 2013 has to offer….

#10: Doucument the Journey

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At long last, almost three months after starting, I’ve come to my final 2012 resolution. Clearly, I could be doing a better job documenting the journey!

I started this blog for my daughters.  I hope to have some record of the thoughts and philosophies that bounce around in my head.  I want them to understand the connection between me as an individual (i.e. runner) and me as a mother.  And I want them to see how vitally interconnected these two personas are.

I could not be the runner I am today without first being a mother.  Motherhood has given me strength, grit, and endurance that I utterly lacked.  Since becoming a mom, I’ve stopped expecting much in the way of physical comfort (try saying ‘no’ to three little munchkins that all want to sit on the same lap at the same time!).  I’ve stopped expecting solid, long periods of sleep.  I do not rest.  I clean the same messes and wipe away the same tears – hour after hour, day after day.  I am a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, a counselor, a guardian, a disciplinarian, a spoiler, a chef, a recycler, a housemaid, a laundress, and the biggest cheerleader these girls will ever have.

But I could not be a good mom without my running.  It’s in those runs that I find my rest.  In the miles and the footfalls, I find my peace.  It is in the hills and across the streams that I find my soul.  I return to the chaos ready, and thrilled, to tackle the day

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I am really, really bad about taking pictures.  Even worse about organizing them.  The girls’ baby books gather dust, incomplete.  But when I open the images saved on the computer and scroll through the last six years, I see how far we’ve come.  This little, srawny infant:

is now in kindergarten.

This heartbreakingly young couple:

have 15 years under their belts, have built a home, a business, and family of five.

It’s in this reflection that I can see what we have done.

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I must admit I am a bit down today.  Last weekend’s race, which I scrapped in deference to my aching achilles, still chafes a bit.  I wanted to be there, on the trails, having fun.  Instead I sat on the sidelines.  Promised Land, a gorgeous 50K, is coming up next month.  I know I can’t run it.  Aside from my aches and pains, there are several family obligations that take precedence.  But it still rankles me to think about missing the fun.

But there is a blessing in these missed opportunities. The chance to rebuild, to make myself stronger.  I’ll take a deep breath, and know that there will be other races, other adventures.

And if I keep my resolution to document the journey, through words and pictures, maybe I can look back at the trail this time next year and see how far we have come.

#7 & #8: Get Outside and Go Long (Holiday Lake 50K++ Race Report)

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Last fall, while tapering for the Richmond Marathon, I laid out my 2012 goals.  Among them was this line:

February 2012:  First Ultra.  With a friend.  Awesome.

And it was, even when the pain and the doubt and the tears crept over me, it was a truly awesome day.

But let’s begin at the beginning, shall we?

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I planned to run Holiday Lake with my friend Kelly and her husband Matt.  Jimmy agreed to “crew” for us.  Give the ample aid stations and mid-point drop bags, his was a pretty light work load (Case in point, after the race started, he took a long shower, ate breakfast, caught a movie, took a bike ride, made some phone calls, and met up with us for the last five mile stretch — lucky man).

We left Richmond Friday afternoon, and got to the 4H Center in time to eat dinner and secure a heated bunk.  Thoroughly enjoyed hearing Dr. Horton’s tips & tricks for surviving one’s first ultra and seeing all the college kids ready to tackle such a run.  When I was in college, I ran sporadically, usually in March as a futile attempt to get in shape for Spring Break.  Only later did I become a Runner.  If I had been exposed to this lifestyle when I was in school, would I have had the discipline and maturity to endure?  I wonder.

The four of us turned in early, and after a lot of tossing and turning and precious little sleep, we awoke and got ready for the start.  It was dark and cold, but dry when we started at 6:30 a.m

Everyone gathered under the banner, sang the National Anthem, and locked in their satellites…

and we were off….

The course is a 16+ mile loop, run clockwise to start, and counter clockwise to finish. Our plan was to go out slow and easy, keeping our pace in check and walking any daunting incline.  Aid Stations are set every 4 miles, with ample food, water, and cheering volunteers.  I’ve been nursing an injury since December, and was hoping and praying that I could get at least 20 miles under my belt before my right hip and ankle realized what I was doing to them.

The first loop was a blast.  The aid stations appeared just when they should, and we clocked along in the 9 min/mi range.  When I felt tired, I took a gel and bounced right back.  My ankle hurt, but not terribly.  My trail shoes (Brooks Pure Grit) were a dream, and handled the stream crossings and slick spots with ease.  We chatted with friends and new acquaintances and rolled into the 1/2 way point around 2:40 – perfect.  I felt great, and couldn’t believe that I had 16 miles on my legs.  Now turn around and do it all again…

Halfway!

Things were OK for the next 8 miles.  I was tiring, but holding my pace.  I left my water bottle at the turn around, but a quick pit stop assured me that I was properly hydrated.  I borrowed Matt’s bottle and was able to roll on.  At one point I looked at my watch and couldn’t believe that we’d been running for 4 hours – it did not seem that long.  I noted to the group when we hit 26.2 miles and took our first steps into ultra territory.

But between miles 24 and 28 the wheels started to come off.  I slowed a bit, and my injured right leg was weakening quickly.  As a result, I kept hitting my toes on roots and rocks and tumbling down.  I fell three times hard.  I was still running with Kelly and Matt when Jimmy found us about mile 27.  We stuck together for another mile or so, but soon after leaving the last aid station, I lost it.  The magnitude of the day and the distance overwhelmed me.  I thought of Jimmy’s dad, and how much he would have wanted to be a part of this day,  and I wept.  I decided to drop back and walk a bit.  I pulled myself together, but no sooner had a started to run when I kicked another rock.  This time, instead of tripping forward, I twisted.  My knee immediately seized up, and I couldn’t run another step.  Heck, I almost couldn’t walk.  And I still had 3 1/2 miles to go.

I hobbled along for 10 minutes, crying and muttering to Jimmy that this was not how it was supposed to end.  Through it all, I remembered Dr. Horton’s words from the night before.  Just keep moving forward.  The important thing is finishing.  I kept walking.

And like a miracle, my knee eased up.  I started to run again, and was able to go on with a run/walk combo until we hit the road.  1/2 mile and I would be at the finish.  Jimmy stayed by my side, and we traded running quotes to keep the motivation high.  I let gravity pull me down the hill the to finish.  Dr. Horton gave me a hug, and just like that, I was an official ultra-marathoner.

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One day later, my knee and ankle are more swollen than I’ve ever seen them.  I can’t really walk with bended joints.  And yet, I’m already counting the days of recovery before I can do this again.

It took me 5 hours and 40 minutes to run Holiday Lake.  I came into the day injured, which kept me from running to my potential, but in the end that did not prevent me from enjoying the experience.  My father-in-law passed away four days before the race – I ran for him.  I ran for my daughters, who will grow up with the legend of their grandfather and know that anything is possible.

I run, not for fitness, but for serenity.  In the miles and hours on the road (or trail), I go into myself and find a greater understanding.  What did I learn from Holiday Lake?

I learned that I can run far, and I can run through injury and pain.

I learned that ultras attract a great group of people.

I learned that a good conversation can make the miles melt away.

Looking at my fellow runners, I learned this is a lifestyle, and one that I want to (and can be) living for the next 30 years

Thank you to everyone for making this such a special day!

Marathons & Motherhood

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I continue to be amazed at the parallels between running and motherhood.  Both are exhausting.  Both can be tedious.  But both bring unparalleled joy and rewards.

Saturday’s marathon was the first I have run since having children.  And while it’s been more difficult to find time in my schedule to run, overall the training was much, much easier.

Why?  We’re supposed to slow down as we get older, right?  The kids bring extra weight gain, sleepless nights, shifting priorities.  Running is a self-indulgence that many shrug off.  I’ve gotten more than a few wrinkled noses as I jog off past the school buses.  I hear so many of my fellow moms say “I’d like to run, but I just don’t have the time…”

I do run for myself, but I take my girls with me every step.  Before kids, if I was tired or if I hurt, I stopped.  I did not want to over-exert or injure myself.  I babied my feet, my legs.  Easy does it.

Well, Easy does NOT do it when your a mom.  You’re tired, but you are out of bed to comfort a nightmare.  You’re sick, but still rocking a colicky baby.  You’re cranky, but mediating sibling fights and temper tantrums.  You push through your own emotions and deal with whatever the day brings. Day after day after day.  That’s why my tag line is “Motherhood:  the ultimate long run”.  It never truly ends.  There’s no taper, no finish line.

But boy, is there a great medal that hangs around your neck!  Nothing beats the bear hug of my 2 year old Ladybug.  Or the snuggles of my 4 year old Mouse.  Or the cheers from my kindergartener.  The pain and fatigue vanish, and I’m left feeling totally WHOLE.

So Saturday, when the pain came, I let it flow over me.  When the fatigue set in, I kept my pace steady.  I knew it would pass.  And it did.  I knew my girls would be there at the end.  And their smiles and high-fives kept me going.

Just like labor, I swore Saturday I wouldn’t put myself through that pain.  Now its Monday, I’m still sore, but I’m looking forward to Shamrock in March.  Let’s do this again!!

How quickly we forget…

Richmond Recap

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Wow!

I ran my first marathon in nine years yesterday.  Can’t say enough good things about the Suntrust Richmond Marathon.  The race is extremely well run, the course is beautiful, and the crowds lining the street kept the energy level high.  And, as an added bonus, the last 1/2 mile is downhill – what a boon to tired legs!!

Going into the race, I had decided to run ~8:00/mile pace.  I based this on my predicted finish time from the McMillan Race Calculator (between 3:20 and 3:33) and more importantly, my last long run (20 miles), which I ran at an 8:01 pace.  I knew 3:30, my stated goal, was a stretch.  So many variables are at play that no matter how many hours and miles you’ve got under your belt, nothing can be taken for granted.

It was a chilly start (~30 degrees), and I wore my PJ pants and my husband’s rattiest sweatshirt to the starting line.  2 minutes before the start, I was still dressed in this get-up, looking totally out of place in the starting corral, chit-chatting with a kid wearing a Hagerstown singlet.  I’m sure he thought I was a homeless person crashing the race and wondered why a Richmond street lady would be telling him that Hagerstown was her hometown (gotta give my love to Western MD!)  He never did get to see me transform into my racing gear (ruffled lululemon skirt and all), but I saw that he finished 10th overall – way to go, kid!

Anyhow, I ditched the PJ’s before the race and the sweatshirt a couple of blocks later.  I eased into the clump of runners shadowing the 3:30 pace leaders.  The first 3 miles breezed by, and then I saw friends at mile 4 holding out an extra set of headphones for me (I’d lost mine in the scrum of the start).  Along Grove Ave, I chatted with the 3:30 pace leader – turns out he had run a 50 miler the week before (Mountain Masochist), and here he was – effortlessly leading us down the road….Incredible!

Mile 6 was all downhill, bringing us to the River Road Shopping Center (Party Zone 1) and my first sighting of Jimmy and the girls.  I gave them all a whoop and high-fives, then hit the Huguenot Bridge.

Honestly, up until mile 10, the miles flew by – I never breathed hard or had to push a bit.  Miles 10-15 were physically easy, tempered only by the hill coming up from the river to Forest Hill Rd. and the knowledge that there was still a LONG way to go.

Crossed the Lee Bridge back to the city, and made my way down Main Street.  For most of this middle part, I was slightly ahead of the 3:30 group (they passed me for good around mile 21).  BY mile 18, I was starting to feel the headwind, and my pace had slowed to ~8:10 (I was hitting 7:45-7:50 miles until this point).  I started to wonder if this was the start of a trend, and if I’d be slowing by 10-15 seconds a mile from here on).

I told myself that I just needed to get to mile 20, then the real test would start.  When I hit mile 20, I broke the race into two mile chunks…just get to mile 22…just get to mile 24…mile 26….

Right around mile 23, I broke through The Wall…my pace picked up (I was ~8:20-8:30) and I was back to an 8:10 mile.  At 25, I did a quick time check and realized that Boston was in the bag (needed 3:40 to qualify for 2013), so I really ENJOYED the last mile.  Downhill, spectators lining Cary Street, finish line in sight, hand in the air, whooping it up and loving the cheers that came, I crossed the line at 3:32 even (chip time was 3:31:23).

Thrilled with my race, thrilled with my time.  Wouldn’t change a thing (except to eat sooner after the race…I bonked HARD for two hours following until I forced myself to eat a ham sandwich).

Tomorrow I’ll post my philosophical thoughts on marathoning v. motherhood.  Maybe I’ll be able to walk by then….

2012 Goals…(I blame the taper)

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I’m one week into my three-week Marathon Taper.  The mid-week 10 milers and 20 mile long runs are a distant memory, and my enforced rest has left me chomping at the bit.  Maybe it’s the fact that I just finished re-reading Chris McDougall’s excellent ‘Born to Run‘ (one of my top-five books.  Ever.)  Or perhaps it was Matt Long’s ‘The Long Run‘ (also a great read…wow!).  But I have some pretty fun goals for 2012.  Since I can’t yet share them with my family (for fear of strike) or my friends (for fear of that they’ll commit me), I thought I’d post them here.

November 2011

  • Run 3:30 in the Suntrust Richmond Marathon.  This race kicked my tail nine years ago, when I attempted to run it (too fast) a month after the Chicago Marathon (sore legs).  I paid dearly for my hubris…dropped out at mile 13, and spent nine hours in agony on the floor of my bathroom (I’ll spare the details, just google hyponatremia).  If all goes as planned this year (and with marathoning, you know that’s a big IF), I should be able to pull off a 3:40 (~8:24 pace).  I’ve actually paced my long runs at 8 minutes/mile, which would put me just under a 3:30 finish if I can avoid The Wall.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out on Nov. 12.
December 2011
  • Volunteer at a race for the first time!  I love, love, love those folks who help out at races.  I can’t wait to watch the action from the other side.
February 2012
  • First Ultra.  50K.  With a friend.  Awesome.
March 2012
  • Shamrock.  Have a good friend and running buddy who will hopefully make her marathon debut here.  Fully intend to be there to support her.
September 2012
  • Rumor has it that a Half Ironman is coming to Richmond, VA.  If I can work up the nerve to log the hours on my road bike I’m in.  Don’t get me wrong — I actually LOVE cycling, and border on an obsessed fan at times.  But since I had children I’ve lost my nerve, and get really edgy having to share the road with cars and buses.  Need to find a cycling group and squash these negative thoughts…
November 2012
  • Richmond again, but that’s just a warm up to…(drum roll please)….
  • The JFK 50 miler.
There…its in writing.  Don’t know how I’ll pull off back-to-back marathons, but I get teary every time I think of this race.  I no longer live in Washington County, MD, but its where I was born and raised.  Those trails – I’ve hiked them.  The canal – I’ve biked it.  The roads….well let’s just say there was a time when I’d fly over the hills with the invincibility of a 16 year old.  To bring it all together in one run is the ultimate dream.  Others can have their Leadville or Badwater.  JFK is it for me.
Not sure how of if any of this will go over with the four people that matter most.  But if it works out, what a fun ride it will be!