The World is Flat - Columbus Marathon, 2015

“The World is Flat” was once the official slogan of the Columbus (OH) Marathon, and this year’s theme was “Determined”, and while it isn’t Chicago flat, it is a pretty flat course and this year I was definitely determined.  I picked the race after running the half last year and experiencing how well organized it was right down to the mini-details and the major apologies by the RD for a slight medal mishap.  As many of you know (who read this blog or know me personally), I have been running and racing a long time, and this year I just wanted to see if I could get into good enough shape to run a sub 3:40 marathon while in my early-mid 50s.  My half marathon times indicated that it was possible, but I’ve always thought of myself as a better half marathoner than marathoner, but I wanted at least one more crack at a good training cycle and time.

After a decent Spring capped off with a nice, fun run at Boston and a solid half at Toledo, I took some down time and dropped my mileage back into the mid 30s (mpw) for the rest of April and May.  I then decided to get more serious and see what I could do over the summer and ultimately with hopefully good results in the fall.  Coach Bob and I put together a schedule that had me slowing down my long runs considerably, adding in more MP and LT runs, adding back a mid-week sorta long run, and raising my overall mileage albeit slowly.  I ended up running consecutive months of 198, 216, and 219 miles (July, August, September), running 4- 20+ milers with two over the hills in western NY, and while I didn’t race as much as I normally would (and maybe that was good), I did run a minute faster at the little, hilly race that I do at CHQ every summer, and I ran a pretty decent and consistent 5K (22:09) in cold, rainy, windy conditions.  Although I felt like I was running my daily runs too slow, I was hitting my planned MP and speed work paces even during my three days of carb depletion in the last week of taper.  I guessed after running an easy 3 miler on Saturday morning before the race that I was as ready as I was ever going to be.  So with the forecast for cool temps (30F at the start), I figured that my time had come to trust all the training and all the books and run a marathon.

Fast forward to race morning, and yes, it was cold.  I wasn’t sure how to dress exactly, but decided on my standard skirt (that I always race in), my short sleeve 2^nd Sole shirt, arm warmers, longer socks, and a throw away shirt.  Met up with Joe (my old training partner from Atlanta, Nick, Pete, Jenny and Nick's Mom and sister), and we headed to the start.  (I also ran into my friend Gerry that runs with our group here in Cleveland at the hotel, and she walked to the start with us.) Yup, it was cold - but someone had told me the night before that it was cold at the start last year, so I figured I'd be fine once I got going.  We may have waited too long to get to the start area and drop off our gear as we were still trying to walk to the B corral as they were playing the National Anthem.  In fact, the gun and fireworks went off and there we were at the back of the corral – nowhere even near the 4 hour pacer, let alone the 3:45 pacer (who I thought I might start near).  I didn’t let it bother me, and I even ran an made a last minute (nervous) pit stop before even crossing the start line (roughly 6 min after the gun). 

Just the night before, I had talked to Coach Bob briefly about not spending too much energy bobbing and weaving around “slower” runners and I didn’t.  I just bided my time and slowly worked my way down to the 8:30 pace that I wanted to run for the first half.  I had settled into running 34 min 2 mile splits, and I comfortably reached 5, then 10, then 12 miles right on that goal time if not slightly ahead by half way where I ran 1:51:17.  I even just took it easy when I reached the 4 hr pace group between miles 4 and 5 where it was very crowded and I had to slow some just to stay in sync and not get hung up in the crowd of runners.  At that point, you are running up North High St near the Arena in what I think of as the largest, longest uphill on the course.  I took as assessment of how I felt so far at this point, and I realized that I felt like I had run 5 or 6 miles not 13+.  (It was also here that I tossed off my throwaway shirt onto some grass over the snow fence - as luck would have it, I picked it up on my way back to the hotel!)

I continued to press on and when I mad 15 miles in 2:08 feeling very strong, I knew it was time to go ahead and just let the body settle into the pace it wanted.  We went by the stadium, crossed the river, passed through the cornfield with the “corny” jokes, (My favorite being: Why did the marathoner cross the road? Because his GPS read 26.19 miles), and the next thing I knew I was running right behind the 3:45 pace group and getting ready to pass right on through. I then remember getting in sync with a fellow runner as we passed into Grandview Heights and a nice gradual long downhill stretch.  At this point, I was not paying any attention to my watch, just running by feel, and the course clocks.  I knew where I had to be and actually subtracting the 6 minutes seemed like real easy math.  I think a sign of feeling and being in the zone is that math is easy at mile 21 rather than a struggle.  Shortly after mile 23, I caught up with Raj and Kyle who were looking strong.  I had told Raj the night before that I’d find him in the morning.  Well, I assumed that would be at the start, but instead it was around mile 23.

It was around mile 23 that my watch started doing crazy things – like beating that it was shutting down and restarting – I ignored it, and just kept running.  Right around mile 25, I could see where I was with regards to the Arena again, and I was starting to feel those last few miles (and some where I had run low 8s and even one 7:51), and I knew that if I just hung on as best as I could, I would be well under the 3:45 (after all I had passed the pacer), and hopefully under the 3:40.  On the final stretch, a few people passed me (damn those with young legs), and I pressed on only to see the final clock and realize that with a gun time of 3:44:47 – I had done it.  I had run my fastest marathon since St. George in 2008 and I had run a PR in my 50s!  I even got a cool little pin that they gave out to Boston qualifiers - yup, got that done too for 2017 (and I age up).

(Even my Mom was impressed as she texted me with congrats on such a fast time- woohoo.  If you knew her, you would understand that is major kudos)

The negative split was actually a complete accident as it simply resulted from my patience as an old, experienced runner.  I had no intention of running anything but somewhat even splits, so it came as a surprise.  What did not surprise me was my ability to really just go for it and realize that I was more fit than I gave myself credit for.  All those slower long runs, the backing off in the final couple of weeks with the strength training to let my body rest and properly taper, and the paying attention to my diet and my depletion and loading all came together.  And it is real nice when that happens!

Michele Keane        Age: 53             Residence: Bay Village, OH 
          Show All Results for Michele Keane 

 

20M	2:47:38
13.1	1:51:17
5M

 8:21 per mile (view kilometer pace) 
 73 percent (view time) 
 821 out of 4435
 181 out of 1969 Females
 5 out of 115 Females in the F5054 Age Group 
                                     (See complete F5054 results)

 

Location	Race Time	Time of Day	Pace Between	Overall Place	Division Place	Sex Place	Age Graded Place	Passed / By
Finish	3:38:41	11:14:59	8:15	821/4435	5/115	181/1969	93/4435	197/8
20M	2:47:38	10:23:56	8:11	971/4435	5/115	213/1969	115/4435	291/2
13.1	1:51:17	9:27:35	1:10:05	1217/4421	7/114	300/1962	145/4421	0/1381
5M		0:00		N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
ChipStart	6:07	7:36:19		2177/4435	31/115	714/1969	714/4435
GunStart	00:00	7:30:13

216!

216!  Well not only is it the area code for Cleveland, OH, it is also the final total number of miles that I ran in August.  So after running just shy of 200 in July which was my highest total in many years, I surpassed it easily in August, and I must say that I am actually surprised because I felt like I was running less mileage this month than last.  This past week was my first week after leaving CHQ, so many of those miles were done in "flat" Cleveland and in very cool weather (for August) as we had a cold front pass through.  That was kind of odd as the end of the week was spent in Boston and it was much, much warmer there.

The week started with my pacing of the Rock Hall Half Marathon in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, the 23rd.  This was a brand new race for the area directed by the group out of the Mentor area that directs the 10 and 20 Mile Drop Races in April, the Hill Yeah Half in June, and the Northeast Ohio Half and Full Marathons in early October.  The half marathon had over 100 finishers which I think was excellent for a first time race especially in August and the week before many schools started for the new year.  I do think some may have boycotted the race believing it to be the resurrection of the Rock 'N Roll (Competitor Group) race from 2013, but it was not and I hope that the word spreads.  

I was the 2 hour pacer and I finished at 1:59:35 (clock time).  Misjudged a bit forgetting the 15 sec off the chip but still maintained a very steady pace that I was pleased with.  I had a group of 20-25 runners for much of the way and many of them who had never broken 2 hrs successfully did just that. It helped that we were blessed with relatively cool weather with lower for an August morning and it didn't get into the mid-70s until my group was at 11 miles.  The course was pretty flat with a nice, shaded downhill on MLK Blvd.  All in all, to me it was well run and well attended for a first year attempt.

The cool weather stayed for the week along with some overcast skies which were very welcome for both my 2nd speed session of this training period (and first on a real track) and my long run on Wednesday morning.  Managed to run my second 20 miler around Bay and River by myself which will definitely help my mental strength going into October's race. I worked at keeping the pace slow in the beginning and ran the last two miles comfortably at 9 min pace for an overall 9:24 pace.  That combined with a successful track session has me believing that I am fit to run a marathon, but the last aborted MP run still has me a bit concerned.  I won't be running my usual half marathon this month to give me some confidence, so I will have to rely on another MP run and an LT/MP run when I head back to western NY and the hills next weekend.  I plan to spend another week there running those hills and then capping off the weekend with my third 20-something run as part of the Erie Marathon.  The current plan is to run 22 of the 26 miles very comfortably - so I hope the weather is good.

A recap of the last week of August is as follows:

Monday - 6 recovery miles after pacer duties

Tues - 7.14 miles of Speedwork (2K, 1mile,1K, 800m); Core work and weights with Jake

Wed - 20.25 mile long run

Thurs - Drive with Shannon to Boston for Senior Year!

Fri - 6.0 miles in Natick

Sat - 5.45 miles on Esplanade before returning to CLE

Sun - 10 easy miles in the Metropark

WTD:  54.84

I expected to be very tired this morning especially as I attended my first core class of the Fall, but I easily ran 5 recovery miles and hope to be able to run a decent track session tomorrow night even if summer has returned just a bit. Had to continually slow down this morning to keep the pace and HR in recovery territory.  Never sure if that is good or bad. Headed back to the hills of CHQ this weekend.  We will see.  

That 5 miles capped off the 216!  216 - let's hope it is a magic number.

Back to Reality

It is hard to believe that there is really only one more week of summer (not calendar officially or vernal equinox officially, but in terms of real life officially).  Up until last week, it was also one of my more successful summers of running both in terms of miles and injuries in that I ran a lot of them and none occurred.  Oh I have a couple of little niggles due to tightness and just training in general and even though I wasn't happy with the last week of runs, I really have had a good summer of training.  As for those bad runs, they do happen and sometimes it is hard to face up to that age thing in terms of pushing myself.  After all, I'm complaining about an aborted LT run (ran 3.5 out of 5 LT miles just 3 days after a tough 5K race (2.7 hilly miles) and 5 days after a 20 on very tired legs and then my last long run in which I did only 8 instead of 12 MP miles (in high humidity and after being chased by a dog) - so really I have nothing to complain about.  Yup, it is just hard to accept that they will not all be perfect days - type A personality - welcome to the club.

Highlights of the summer were big though:

     1) I ran the most amount of miles in a month than I had in many years - 198 in July
     2) I nailed 3 out of 4 of my LT runs  ( and the last one was the one described above)
     3) I successfully slowed down my long runs and have felt real good on all of them with the 20   
         being kind of easy and not a trial or slog fest
     4) I ran the fastest time on that 2.7 mile hilly race since 2004 (I ran 19:35 in 2011 and thought I 
         was in great shape and ran 19:30 this year)
     5) The hills are feeling easy (even if I don't run them as fast as I used to) and 6 miles feels like the 
          new 3

It will be interesting to see what I feel like when I get back to Cleveland on flatter terrain but in slightly warmer temperatures and I'll get my first dose on Sunday when I pace the Rock Hall Half Marathon.  www.rockhallhalfmarathon.com  I'm the 2:00 hr pacer which should be a relatively easy pace and I sure hope that it is.  I always worry just a bit, but for the most part I should be fine especially after this down week of mileage.

And a quick recap of last week's mileage:

Monday - No running, but worked out in the gym with Annie
Tuesday - Comfortable 8 miles (8:57 overall pace) with 10 20 sec pickups
Wednesday - Easy 12 miles (9:33 pace) with Chris on Fran's Loop (hilly) followed by an hour of
                 yoga
Thursday - Recovery 6.6 miles (9:33 pace)
Friday - Yoga class
Saturday - 16 miles with 8 @ LT (supposed to be 12); 9:06 overall pace per mile
Sunday - 5.5 miles (8:44 overall pace)

WTD:  48.1  YTD: 1242     

Last year at this time I had run 1122 miles - so I've got 120 more miles with some downtime in early February.  

Wow, Most Monthly Miles Ever (or at least in 30 yrs) and The 2015 Old First Night Run

I don't believe that I have run (almost) 200 miles in one month since I was in my late 20s, and this lat month, well, I ran 198.  198 - and I can't really believe it.  Not only that, I finished the month with a day off.  Of course, it followed a solo 18 miler over hills, hills, hills, so I'm thankful that the temps were only in the low 60s when I started and low 70s at the finish, even if the humidity was in the 84% range.  I still did it, and I was very happy to finish in 2 hrs and 53 min since that was so on pace. Like I said, my goal was to slow down those long runs, and I definitely have accomplished that this summer.  I was not super happy with my running of the Presque Isle Half on the 18th, but I did maintain 12 miles at marathon pace which was really what that was to be all about.  I finished 4th in my AG after a series of placings, but it was ridiculously hot that morning (73F at the start) and 90% humidity, so I kept echoing in my head that it is a "B" race and not my goal, my goal race is in October!  

The final week in July started with a bang too (and ended with that 18 miler) in that I successfully completed a 10 miler with 5 @ LT pace (7:45-8 min per mile).  Now I have not had a bad time with these LT runs, but my last two had my pace fall off in the last mile - not going over 7:55, but still falling off, so since it was a relatively cool morning, I made it my goal to stay as fresh as I could and keep it in control for the first couple of LT miles hopefully reaching my fastest mile in the last one - and I did it!  What a great confidence booster to see 7:37 for that last mile of the 5!  Of course, I then barely made it up the hill for the last couple of miles of my cool down - lol. I never thought I would make it through those miles and I didn't even have the luxury of Chris or MP to help me through.

Running a good LT run and a good 18 miler though, I felt I was hardly ready for Saturday's Old First Night Run. They changed the course just a it this year - no, they did not remove the nasty uphill first mile, but they did add a brick path in the end to make the course 2.73 miles instead of 2.7!  On Friday after my 18 miler on Thursday, my legs felt pretty trashed.  I made it to yoga which felt much needed, but I decided to skip my weight session with Annie as my legs already felt like lead weights. Smartly, the race start time was moved up to 8 am this year partly to avoid he heat and to avoid the congestion at the gates as Saturday is a big turnover day here in CHQ especially between weeks 5 & 6.  In fact, my daughter asked why we have t-shirts from races that I never ran in the late 90s and early 00s, and it was because we usually drove here from Atlanta (then) and left on that Saturday.  Because of the 9 am start, I could never run as we had to get on the road.  Of course, the last few years I have run when I was injured ans she has done the "closet to the pin" walk with her friends all those years too.  

Last year, I ran 20:04 on the course and felt like I was in really good shape coming off a 1:44 at Presque Isle.  It was a hot and humid day like it always is, and I was happy that it was a successful run.  I also figured that my sub-20 days on the course were over.  The OFN run is a deceptively hard 2.7(3) miles with the first tough hill occurring at 0.5 miles and then the uphill basically continues until 1.7 miles where you get a bit of a reprieve, but of course, nothing like the steep uphill you just crested.  The finish is basically flat but tricky since you make a hairpin left turn and run over bricks for 0.3 miles of the last 0.5 miles.  This year has been cooler and I was happy to wake up to temps in the mid 60s with lower humidity, sunshine, and an hour earlier race start.  

Since I'm really not a terrific short distance road runner, I warmed up with an easy 2.2 miles followed by some striders hoping to get it going.  I was very happy when we lined up that the RD made those with walker numbers move behind the runners so that we wouldn't mow them down in the first half mile.  There are a number of young stud college and high school XC runners who get primed for this run as it is right up their alley and perfect timing to see if they are ready for those fall seasons, and it isn't fair to them (or to us oldsters) to have to trip over walking 10 and 80 yr olds (the oldest runners in the race were both 90! and they did it in 30 min). 

After a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem (after all there are voice students here), we were off and I round myself running next to this woman whom I figured was in my AG and we were going strong.  We hit the first mile in 7:19 and I was like, "alright that wasn't so bad", and then she surged ahead and I just tried to stay with her.  Our second mile was 7:10 and then we hit the final downhill and the finishing stretch.  I stayed right behind her until we got off the bricks and then I pulled next to her only to be out kicked at the finish.  Our chips were identical, but officially, she won by 1 sec. And of course, she is 51 (so in my AG, but I'm, 53.5!)  Our time - drum roll please - was 19:30.  19:30! I had not run the course that fast since 2004, and all the women in front of us (we were 6th and 7th respectively) were pretty much teens (one 24 yr old).  Woe, that was some serious kick butt performances by two old ladies!  I'm guessing the Tim Warren adage of "run slow to race fast" might be paying off thanks to the wisdom of Coach Bob.

Synopsis of my week then looks like this:

Mon -Day off, weights and core

Tues - 10 miles with 5 @ LT pace - last LT mile was the fastest

Wed - Easy 5 recovery miles; Yoga

Thurs - 18 hilly, humid miles @ 9:37 pace

Fri - Day off, Yoga

Sat - Old First Night Run (2.73 miles) 19:30 - fastest time since 2004, 2nd AG (lost by 1 sec), 7th woman overall - warm up and cool down miles to total 11.26 miles

Sun - 4.35 recovery miles

WTD: 48.6   YTD:1143

Now on to August and my first 20 miler of the cycle.  I need to get excited as I can do this - after all, the 18 wasn't so bad.  I am waiting for that bad run, but so far, I've held it together, and maybe I can say that Presque Isle was my bad run for the cycle.  That would make me nothing but happy.

The World Is Flat

Those four words used to be the slogan of the Columbus (OH) Marathon.  Obviously a play on dear explorer, Christopher Columbus, after which the city is named probably because it was the edge of western expansion in the early 1800s and all the grass made it look mighty flat.  The marathon is fairly flat although not Chicago flat and it well organized and well liked even by non-Ohioans.  I had never been to Columbus other than on the highway(s) (both I71 and I75 border on the east and western sides accordingly) and I was pleasantly surprised last October when I went down to run the half marathon that is held the same day as the marathon.  it is a young city still as compared to Cleveland and Cincinnati and although listed as the 3rd largest, it really is the same size as the other two large Ohio cities.  My daughter also has an interest in re-locating to C-Bus after she graduates as it still has growing suburbs, a large young(ish 20-30 something) population, an excellent graduate school of Education at OSU, and most importantly, and NHL team with affordable tickets.  Any way, most of my local running group gears off and runs either the C-Bus full or half as Akron is a little too early in the fall and C-Bus is strategically placed in the middle of October.  History has indicated good weather, if not too cold, and lots of BQ times.  I would love to be as fit as I was last fall and have a good course on which I might just be able to run sub 3:45 at least one more time.  We will see.

That goal being said, I am working once again on slowing down on those long runs and recovery days. When I was coming back from injury and surgery back in 2012 and 2013, I did just that, but as I got more fit, I started to run faster paces for those long and recovery runs, and I know that I paid for it by crashing and burning earlier this year.   I read a recent article in Running Times that so nailed the Masters runner that I am in that it identified those of us who have been running  tend to train too fast and with all runs at the same speed except identified fast pace runs which of course, we run faster.  I guess it just goes way back to my running everything in training at a 7 min pace back when I was in my 20s and 30s.  I mean that is what we did mimicking the likes of our running heroes in the Bill Rodgers era.  

I must say that slowing down my recovery runs have been the hardest and with the advent of summer (coming and going over the last few days), I have been able to run them around 10 min pace.  I also ran a successful long run this weekend where I averaged 9:24 pace.  Still maybe not slow enough, but it was a hilly course with uphill being around 10 and downhill around 9 allowing gravity to do its job.  With the slowing down and general lack of sleep these past few days (Stanley Cup Final and the Cavs), I was worried about yesterday's first LT run.  Thankfully the real hot weather had left and it was just a beautiful 75F with moderate humidity and I was able to run the 8 prescribed miles with the 4 LT miles at 7:57, 7:57, 7:58 and 7:29.  Oops on the 7:29, but this guy caught up to me that was also running harder miles and I was not about to let him pass if I could hold him off until my watch beeped for the 6th mile (lol).  After all , he was a lot younger and I'm sure did not appreciate getting chiced even in training.

Back to the grind, I guess, and I hope to keep this up to date!

Summer Running.......Tips

After yesterday's warm race, it reminded me that I've actually learned a lot about running in the heat and humidity over the years.  First and foremost I can tell you that you can't be scared by the weather as you can't control it, and I can also tell you that the better the shape you are in, the better you can handle the heat and humidity as well. That's not to say that you shouldn't adjust your paces (except maybe if you are running a mile or doing some speedwork - after all, sprinters and track runners do love a little heat), as respect is always due.

Load up on Sodium  - If you know that your race will be hot it might be a good idea for you to load up on sodium rich foods and even salt tabs within the 24-48 hour period leading into the race. This will encourage you to drink water and will also help you retain that water longer. For race days, I really like the Succeed tablets, but other choices are Endurolytes . I often put plain old table salt in my water bottle the last few days as I don’t eat a lot of salty food. You can decide how many you will need based on your own personal sweat rate and preference. In general you should plan to have at least one of these an hour as the temperature rises past 65-70 degrees. If you prefer to drink your electrolytes, most races hand out Gatorade or something similar at the aid stations in addition to water. If you are using salt tabs just go with the water. You probably don't need both, but if you sweet like me, it doesn't hurt to use both.  I usually take salt before the race (or even hot weather long run) and at half in a marathon.  I supplement with sports drink during the race. Some gels also include electrolytes now as well.

Hydrate - Drink more fluids than you think you need for several days leading into the race. Lots of water and electrolyte rich drinks like Coconut Water, Nuun, Smart water, decaf herbal tea and of course plain old ice water! Beware of the coffee, soda, alcohol and black teas that have a dehydrating effect. For every cup of water, tea, alcohol that you take in, drink 2 cups of water to replenish.

Acclimate - If it is warm outside try to get some runs or walks in at those temperatures ahead of the race. If this is not possible you can try running  indoors with extra clothes on and cranking up the heat. You just want your body to have a sense for what's coming.  I had a friend who trained for Badwater one year by running in long sleeves and long pants (and often in a sauna) to acclimate.  I will sometimes where long sleeves for short recovery runs in the early summer weather for this reason. While Cleveland temps won’t reach 113F – the first few runs will feel like it.

Dress in as few layers as possible & Avoid Dark Colors, Cotton on Race day - This is not the time to wear your running tights and capris. Don't be shy. Show off those runners legs and don't be afraid to run in a sports bra ladies or shirtless for the guys. (I try to avoid shocking others with the sports bra but will wear shimmel tops in the real hot weather). Try to avoid darker colors and wear a hat and sunglasses. Remember that cotton is rotten and don't forget the sunscreen before the start!

Precooling - If your race is warm at the start or expected to get warm you may want to get your body temperature down before the race start. Plan to bring a small cooler with you filled with ice, you can use that ice to wet down some towels to wrap around your neck, head, back, etc. You can also eat the ice and have some ice cold water. Many water stops or spectators will give out ice - take it if you need it.  Consider a neck cooling bandana – they work:  http://polarbreezebandanas.com/; https://www.pinterest.com/explore/cooling-neck-wraps/

Start Slowly - Resist the urge to go out extra fast to put time in the bank. Starting easier and building into your first few miles will keep you relaxed and cool.

Hydrate Early and Often - Drink water at every aid station from the beginning - even if you just cruise through the aid stations to get a sip or two at each. How much liquid you should drink will vary person to person but in general you should try to get in a minimum of 6 oz every 20-25 minutes of the race. At Boston in 2012 when temps rose to 89F in April, I walked through every water stop (from the very first one) and I drank a cup of water, a cup of sports drink and then poured a cup of water over my head or down my shirt.  I ended up running a 4 hr marathon that year, so not far off my normal fitness level and typical marathon time. I passed numerous runners who had gone out way too fast and tried to beat the heat - most notably a couple of sub-3 friends whom I ended up beating by 30 min!

Pay Attention To Your Body - Even if you have lofty goals, your health must come first. If you feel sick and slowing down or taking a short walk/run break does not help, you may have to consider getting help. Heat exhaustion is serious business. If you feel bad, adjust your goals and push it harder on a better day.

Cleveland Marathon and Half

This past weekend I had the pleasure of joining many of my fellow running mates in running the Cleveland Marathon and Half. The race timing always seems to bring "warm, humid" weather and once again, it did not disappoint.  Good thing we had our new "uniforms" to make us look "hot" as well.

Chris, Christine, and I had the plan to run easy through the half (10K for Christine with her wonky foot) and then we were set to drive back to mile 21 on the marathon course and run in Elaine, Elyssa, Mike and anyone else who needed the help.  A friendly face is always welcome at that time and the Cleveland course can be lonely (and very warm!) over those last 3.2 miles on the Shoreway.

As per the crazy weather day to come, it rained as we were getting ready for the start and then the humidity lingered as the hot sun came out.  Thank God for the breeze for most of those early miles as they miles went along well for Chris and I, but we could tell that it was going to be a tough one for the marathoners (especially for those who don't like the heat and those who might let the weather get to them).  We were glad that we had already run our Spring races and we were just hoping that our friends fared well out there.  We came across Anne around mile 8 of the half and Chris stayed with her for a while as I caught up with Mike, Michelle, Laura and Leaghanna before all but Laura turned for the full.  Everyone looked pretty good at mile 9, but it was still a tough 3 miles for Laura and I as we climbed over the last hilly section to the finish of the half.  It was great to see Coach Tim, Sara, Katie and Bill as we crested the second to last hill, but I think the last down ramp to Lakeside and the finish was the best site of the day.

My half splits were pretty even hovering around 8:50-8:55 with a slow first mile (9:20) and a slow last two miles with Laura.  I finished just over 2 hrs - my slowest recorded half, but this race wasn't about speed just about a run and lending a pacing hand.

Quickly, Chris, Christine and I met up and walked to our cars (which we all conveniently parked next to one another in the garage) and we headed out to mile 21.  While we were in the garage, it rained yet again and that was the foreshadowing of more rain showers and then sun and heat to come. When we got to mile 21.5, we saw Zoe fly by on her way to a PR and waited for our runners to arrive. Tracking the runners we were waiting for became an obsession, and before we knew it, Elyssa's husband Joe rode by and told us that Elaine and Elissa were fine and that Mike was struggling. Raj and kindly stayed with him until they reached us and then I took charge.   When the three of them reached us, Chris and Christine took off with Elaine and Elissa, and I stayed with Mike.

Now Mike is a fighter and a survivor.  His story is incredibly inspirational and what he did over those last 5.2 miles as he fought off dehydration and heat stroke was nothing short of amazing.  As we walked and laughed and met up with Victoria, we persevered and made it to the finish.  (You can read Mike's inspirational story at www.mikepistrino.com).  Mike rushed his wife and youngest daughter and then we got him over to the medical tent where he was placed in a kiddie pool of ice to bring down that 105F temperature.  Not sure if Victoria and I did the right thing but he wasn't quitting and was already talking about his next race in the fall.  Note to Cleveland Marathon: there was not enough water/sports drink out there for the heat and humidity (especially when we cannot possibly be acclimated since we had a frost on Thursday night); the last medical - 3 folks who couldn't help - was at mile 22.5 - really?

All in all, it was a terrific time spent with all.  Elaine an Elissa finished strong and excited to do another one.  Many PRs were recorded by Zoe, Sara, Ian, and others and for the most part, Sole Train represented once again.

 
Elaine and Elissa at mile 26!

And did I mention that we looked "hot" in our new uniforms?

 After the race, Chris, Elaine, Christine, Jill,Me and Elissa

The pacers - Chris, Christine and I

April Recap

Yes, I have been oh so negligent in updating this blog.  Boston and Toledo have both come and gone, and now I'm back into recovery and base training again.  As a quick recap, Boston went well.  The entire weekend was wonderful and it was great to see old and new friends and share the race with two of them.  Since the weather was not great on race day (45F and raining), I already have a BQ for 2016, and my training this past winter was not stellar (missed long runs and days due to some fatigue), I decided to have a fun time and run with Mary Pat and Nick for as long as I could.  The private bus that John hooked us up with was awesome especially with the horrid weather as we stayed dry and warm, and then we took on the course and simply had a great time.

Saturday before the race.

Nick & I freezing after the finish

Joe, Laurie & I celebrating with a Sam Adam 26.2

Nick and I finished in a respectable 3:57:55 (official - 3:55:32 on my watch due to an early pit stop and layer shedding).  We ran well through those hills (Thanks to the Hinckley hills) and slowed down when Nick's hamstring started to act up, but we finished strong.  Once again, Boston was finished and a great time was had by all.

A week later, Denine, Chris, Anne, Cathy, Chuck, and I ventured to Toledo to represent Cleveland at the Glass City Half Marathon.  Not sure what to expect a week after Boston and having a "fun" hotel experience (we left the first hotel and got our $$$ back as it was the grossest place on earth - note to self: Grande Plaza Hotel downtown next year), but the weather turned out to be perfect, the course was great with just enough up/down to make it not totally flat, and I ended up running a 1:43 and placing 3rd in my AG.  I also felt great and realized that my fitness for a half was indeed great (even if spotty for a full) and that I certainly didn't beat myself up at Boston.  This bodes well going into the summer for base building and then the fall for an attempt to run/race a fast(er) marathon at Columbus followed by a fun time at New York.

Up next is the Cleveland half where I'll just be running at training pace and hoping to go back and catch Mike and/or Elaine at mile 22 and run them in.  As usual, it is predicted to be warm for the Cleveland race which is I guess what happens when you move a race to mid-May in NE Ohio.  Of course, this morning it was 39F but this past Monday it was close to 90F.  My plan is to take my current fitness and build with a lot of base miles this summer and then peak in mid-October.  I'm also hoping to continue to run (and race some) a half marathon in every month with one already planned for June (Hill Yeah! for fun), Presque Isle in July, the new Rock Hall Half (where I am pacing the 2 hr group) in late August, and either the River Run or Akron in September.   

As for now, back into training............

4:09:43

As many of you know, tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing.  It is still there oddly in my mind as I get closer to next week's race as it had a profound effect on so many people including myself.  You also all probably know that the verdict of "Guilty" was handed down last week in the federal case against the remaining brother dubbed "The Boston Bomber".  It has yet to be decided as to whether or not he receives the death penalty, and many have stated that he will become a martyr if this is granted.  Not sure you can become a martyr if no terrorist group has ever claimed responsibility and it still appears as if the brothers acted alone and for their own purpose. Admittedly as the "baby brother", he (who shall not be named) may have been influenced by his bigger, older brother as we are all most likely influenced by an older sibling (I'm not sure how that really works since both my husband and I are the oldest and my daughter is an only, but I do know this to be true as you can be influenced by an older cousin or even classmate); however, as far as I know we all still have our own free will.  Frankly, I'm not really a believer in the death penalty as I do believe that there are many who sit on death row that are indeed innocent and I am sure we can all recall plenty of cases where new evidence or the ability to test DNA or the simple change in our attitudes in like (racially motivated cases and the like) and it really does cost as as tax payers as much if not more $$$ than if the prisoner is sentenced to life.  In this case though, I'm also torn by the fact that the bomber is only 22 yrs old and can certainly live within the system for another 50+ yrs spending the hard earned monies made and paid by many of his victims.  In many ways, I'm of the "eye for an eye" opinion here in that I think if not given death, he should one leg blown off and maybe the other foot and then be forced to live with a low paying job, no welfare and no health benefits - that might teach him.  I'm not sure that he is remorseful at this time as during the trial he seemed to sit and fidget rather than look his victims in the eye.  Not sure if that is remorse or distain.

In reading a review by Janet Napolitano of a recent book released about the brothers in this past Sunday's NYT book review, she stated that, "At this writing, no one knows whether Dzhokhar will receive the death penalty. In any case, what is left of his life will be spent behind bars instead of pursuing the American dream as his parents hoped he would. Meanwhile, last year there were 36,000 runners and a record number of spectators lining the course at the Boston Marathon; a million are expected on April 20. People there called it “Boston Strong.” I call it resilience, that enduring strand of the American fabric that, in the end, will outlast the most dastardly plots against it."  I have never been the biggest fan of Ms. Napolitano for various reasons, but this time, I must say I do agree.  And in just short of one week from today, I will once again run those infamous streets of Massachusetts, through my hometown, and to the finish line downtown, and I will once again and always remain "Boston Strong".