State #36: Washington (Again)

Well, I managed to redo Washington State in September and reclaim my Washington State attempt. As you might already know, I attempted to run Washington State last February, Recap: Here The course was so poorly marked, that I got lost. I didn't realize this until I did one loop twice, and saw someone (whom I should have had seen standing there the 1st time through the loop) yelling "Half Marathoners, this way." Of course I freaked out, and asked the guy, "was I supposed to run this way after the 1st loop?" Anyway, Orca Running was kind enough to allow me to enter another one of their races ...free of the entry fee.

So, we planned another trip out to Washington State. Just to interject a little about traveling to a race - it's not an easy feat. I've gotten in sometimes at 9pm, had to get the rental, drive to a hotel, sleep in a bed that sometimes very uncomfortable. get up early, plan my meal - so that my Crohn's is perfect through the entire 13.1, head out to the race, scurry to pick up a packet, line up at 7am, 8 am or whatever, push through altitude changes, and stay focussed. This was easier in my 40's, but heading towards my new age group, at 55, I'm feeling it a little more.

Focus To Finish Strong!

See, my goal was never to just run a half in every state, my goal has always been to place in my age group in every half in every state. Sometimes I've done this - and sometimes I haven't -  doesn't change my goal.

Pointing to my Mercy Band
The Reason Behind My Goal
Loss of My Husband, John A Candela,
Killed in 911 in Attacks on WTC

I ran all summer thinking of placing in my age group in the Orca Half Marathon. I just had to feel that I walked away from Washington State successful.

Second place: Goal Achieved!
9/23/2018

It feels good to know that at 1:45:57, 

I would have placed in any age group 35 and older!

Info about the course - 

• Yes! You do see stupendous views of downtown Seattle, Blake Island, Vashon Island and Puget Sound! 
• It’s pretty flat, except around mile 10-ish, when you have to climb a small hill (pretty hot at that time) to go over a bridge, turn around and do it again.
• It benefits a local non-profit: The Whale Trail

Quirky Half Crazed Memories:

• The Port-O-John line was too long, and I started to get nervous that I wouldn't be able to pee, so I ran off into the distance - found some slope that ended behind a wall. Climbed up the slope - and slid down behind the wall. I started crying thinking that I broke my sacrum .... I thought, "Gosh will I ever be able to finish Washington State?" Yes ...I was fine! Stupid - but fine!
• I realized I forgot my gels, and texted Ron pre- bag check, who rented a City Bike, and met me on the course at mile 4 with 2 gels - one was the new Maurten's Gel - which I am totally digging - it's been great on the GI (sponsor anyone???)
• I heard - what I though were seal pups - barking in the distance while running! I did not see any Orca Whales, but hearing the seals barking was pretty cool.
• I finished, making okay time after flying in last minute, and trying to get used to the time change.

Oh yeah - I did all this while starting a new business, Beyond Cryotherapy, which houses my nutrition business, B3yond Nutrition!

Keep Moving!

Stay Strong!

Run Happy!

Train Hard!

Recover Harder!

Run For Peace!

Always feels good pushing through that chute!

State #35: Ohio

On Sunday, August 19th, I ran the Rock Hall Half Marathon in Cleveland, Ohio. 

This was state #36, 

and my 39th half marathon!

It was a real pain in the butt getting there! It's been raining every weekend - even flooding in parts of New Jersey! So our flight was delayed due to storms, more delays - and then rebooked for the next morning - for some crazy hour, like 5am.

Tried to stock up on my foods - homemade bread, bananas, Justin's Almond butter - but I needed real food by the time we landed in Cleveland. I've been eating real clean due to my having an acute Crohn's flare two weekends ago, which was scary, frightening. Probably due to the stress of opening my new business:

Beyond Cryotherapy, LLC

Oh, yeah. So excited! I love cryotherapy! It has helped keep my inflammation down IBD-wise, and helped me to recover between long runs. In fact, probably another reason for my flare - I was so busy, I hadn't been to a cryotherapy session for weeks! Cryo does more for you than foam rolling, or ice baths - and you get a sort of "high" afterwards bc it helps release Beta Endorphins. In other words, it's a sort of:

Sexy Recovery!

And, you know what I say, an Athlete's Trifecta is Nutrition, Training, and Recovery - if you're gonna recover - at least make it sexy!

Anyway, thank God for Cleveland's Urban Farmer - all local produce, eggs, and stuff. It was a great brunch! #YumYum.

Next stop the Cleveland Hilton, not the host hotel, but pretty close to the start of the race, which was at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Do you believe, they told us our room was to be ready at 4pm, but we didn't get into our room until 6 pm? I was really upset - I needed a nap! We were up at 3am! I had a race the next day - and you all know how well you sleep the night before a race ...NOT!

At least we were able to take in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. IDK, maybe it's the time of year (pre-9/11) - but I was sort of sad going through this museum - there was Stevie Ray Vaughn, Michael Jackson, Elvis, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bon Scott, John Bonham, Tom Petty, BB King, Roy Orbison, Muddy Waters, and Prince. Their music is part of who I am - it's part of my culture. It's sad knowing they are no longer with us.

I cried when I saw Aretha Franklin's memorabilia and the flowers from fans that were laid in front of the exhibit honoring her.

I cried when I saw video loops of Dick Clark's American Bandstand - Remember Dick? He was in our living room every Sunday - of course you got all your cool dance moves from watching Soul Train, but who didn't want to see Live Performances from the artists and groups that flooded your little Panasonic Twister Radio?

This was my 70's Spotify, Sirius XM and Itunes!

I also lost it when I saw a huge poster of Frank Zappa - knowing Black Napkins is still on the TurnTable - John loved Frank.

And do you believe Whitney Houston is not in the Rock Hall of Fame? I know she was a pop star - not really a rock and roll star - but IDK, I think she belongs! What do you think?

Time to feed the machine some more - we left the museum, and walked to the Winking Lizard Tavern - I was not impressed. I don't like when you ask for a burger cooked "medium" and it comes out "raw".

We walked back to the Cleveland Hotel, only to have to wait some more - I was that person in the lobby half falling asleep, making not so nice faces at anyone who was loud - yes, I'll admit - I was super-duper cranky.

After my long awaited nap, we ate at a Steakhouse, called Red - The best steak, and Bordeaux ever!!! Only 1 glass, of course. Definitely go there if your in Cleveland!

And, actually, I slept pretty good!!!

The Rock Hall Half started at 7am. By 6am, I was dressed, fed, coffee'd up and using my Thera-gun in the hotel Fitness Center.

Love my TheraGun

I rolled out, topped off with water, and headed to the race. There was music everywhere, it seemed like it would be a great day. It wasn't too hot ... not yet anyway.

Before I knew it, we were climbing our first hill. For the 1st six miles, the race climbs a little, levels off, climbs a little, levels off, and then around mile 6, there are lots of descents for the next 3 miles. Then we got that little up and down again, with a few inclines near the finish. By the time we got to the finish - it was super humid, and I was looking for the race to end.

Even the smallest of inclines are tough for me. Like I said, I had been missing my Cryo sessions, and my left hammy has not been happy. My push uphill really suffers. In fact, we were trying for 1-mile tempo of 7:20 the other day, and I barely pushed out a 7:23. My legs were still tired from the race, but also, the incline in this route sucked out my legs and squashed my tempo. A few years back, I remember doing 3 of these - pushing out 7:20 with lots more ease.

What do you think of when you run? 

Is it different from when you race?

Lately, someone asked me what I think of when I run - I usually pray - I go through the alphabet, and whatever letter I land on, I think of a person whose 1st name starts with that letter, and I pray for them.

When I race - I pray for myself - I pray for strength, oxygen, safety, persistence, God's blessings, and to get rid of any negative thoughts or feelings - I just pray.

Sometimes I hear people who have past rooting for me - yes, I heard Frank Zappa routing for me. No I wasn't glucose deprived. And no I am not off my rocker - but I'll tell you what was off - my watch was off - yeah so at the end of the race, you have a little hill to climb. I was running up, telling myself to run the best I could. Once you get over this little hill, your looking straight at the chute - holy-shmoly, I had to kick it in! Usually I try to kick in about the last 1/4 mile - but my watch said that I was at mile 12.9 once I got over the hill. Oh well, I just kicked it in and

Placed 3rd for my Age Group

1:45:18 

This was the fastest half I have run in almost 2 years! I might just be starting to recover from the marathons! LOL!

Great Medal and I love my new shot glass!

I get a shot glass in every state that I've run - my one cabinet is full of stacked shot glasses. I love it! I call my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame shot glass my new 9/11 shot glass. Probably only a few of you know this - every year, before we go into the city on September 11th for the memorial, we gather around the kitchen island, say some prayers, and make a toast to John with - a shot glass of iced cold tequila. I've been kidding calling my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame my new 9/11 shot glass bc it's HUGE! It's like 2X the size of a normal shot glass.

Anyway, Ohio is in the books!

Eat Right!

Train Smart!

Recover Cold ... Cryo cold!

Running Small

I've been runnin' ...

... just not Blogging!

Lots going on!

I have done some local 10k and 5k races since the London Marathon - I tried to get back my speed. I feel the marathons really slow me down - that and age. I think to fight the effects of age one really needs to maintain their muscle mass - which gets more difficult as we age.

Here's an update: I placed 1st in my age group at the Tom Fleming Sunset Classic. I was just running it as a tempo run to get ready for South Dakota - I had to cancel my South Dakota Half Marathon because we lost my partner's Dad to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This is the 2nd person I lost to this horrible disease. I HATE CANCER! Lord, have mercy on my family. Running has been very therapeutic. As I always say - there's just not enough road to run out the pain of seeing your loved one's hurt.

Tom Fleming was a local hero - winning the NYC Marathon and placing 2nd in Boston back in the 70's. He was best friends with my Coach, Joel Pasternack. They loved kibitzing on the track while coaching their runners.

I felt badly last year that I didn't run this race because it was the first year they named the race after Tom. It finishes on the track where I cheered as a teenager - so once I got on that track, I took off! There was a little boy beside me, I said, "Put your head down and focus!" Then I told him, "You can breath later, let's go!" He took off, and well, of course, I tried to catch him - so much fun. From the recent stress, my Crohn's was not happy. I remember pointing out to someone to look at my intestine - it cramped up, and you could see it bulging out of my abdomen!

1st place 50-54 years old
Sunset Classic 5 miles
39:10::14
6/28/2018

I also ran the Fitzgerald Lager 5K. It was a really, really hot race - I did not place in my age group, but I did get a Top 100 finishers mug! Last time I ran this race, I ran it 2-minutes faster ....waahaaa....

Ninth place 50-54 years old
23:56:12
6/24/2018

Before the Fitzgerald Lager, I ran Race for the Cure for IBD 5K. I was a little mad after this race - they gave the woman who placed 1st in my age group both the Overall Female Winner and the 1st place age group award. Yes, I finished 2nd overall female - but there was no award for that! Grrr! So, I placed 2nd in my age group. Someone told me that I looked really strong after the race - I told them, "Thanks - not bad for fighting Crohn's for 40 years, right?"

Cure for IBD 5K
2nd place 50-54 years old
23:46:25

#runningwcrohns

Just thought I'd throw this one in. My training partner's daughter came to this track workout and snapped a picture. This is the first time anyone has ever taken a picture of our training together and we have been running and training together for  - geeze - 5, 6, 7 years? Rebecca is amazing - she kicks my ass every Wednesday while having side conversations with people she knows, and sees on the track. She never ceases to amaze me!

Brookdale Park Track
Training with Rebecca

Before the Cure for IBD 5K, I ran the 29th Annual Wayne AM Rotary 5k run. You can see, I was trying to get my speed back after the London Marathon. I placed 1st Overall Female - it was a small run.

Love these local races - so intimate!
6/20/2018
23:24:06

This pic was taken in front of Fleet Feet, Montclair, NJ. We ran to raise money for a scholarship at the local high school, while honoring Doug Williams, and Essex County runner who was tragically killed in a hit and run. It was very emotional. I probably should not have gone into the cemetery - too many family members buried there and I got a wee bit anxious.

Our small running community raised over $1,000!
What a great way to honor Doug!
May 20, 2018

My Why - Singing Show Tunes on HornBlower NYC Manhatten Cruiseship!

 Okay, off to training for the Rock Hall half marathon in Ohio, state #36!

Train Smart!

Run Fearless!

Run to Inspire!

Run for Peace!

My Bourbon Barrel

Now this is a good running story. Why is it a good one? Because it shows how far a race director and community will go to right a wrong for a fellow runner.

So, back in March of this year - March 31st, to be exact - I ran a half-marathon in Kentucky: Run The Bluegrass (Recap HERE). It was State #35.

I prayed really hard over running this race because it was hilly. I have been suffering with proximal hammy strain for the last 2+ years. I pushed through 3 marathons, 7 + half-marathons - all with this hammy pain. It's not debilitating, it just makes running up hills really hard for me. And I knew this half in Kentucky was going to be hilly ....

Run The Bluegrass Elevation Profile

Still, I was determined to get in 1 half marathon before the London Marathon (Recap HERE). Remember the debacle in Washington State? Where I got lost, and didn't finish the full half marathon? (Recap HERE). So for my peace of mind - that I actually ran a full half pre-London - I signed up to run in Kentucky.

I doubted I would place - tired legs from training for the London Marathon, along with the hills - I decided to run the best I could, for who I was at the time of the race - a motto that I have really come to repeat over and over again.

When I got to the start, a women asked me if I ever ran The Bluegrass Half before. I said, "No." Then she proceeded to tell me about "Mile 9" ...."You go straight up a hill, and just when you think it's over, you bear right and go up another hill"

YEAY!

I focussed on how hard I trained, all the hills I ran to try to gain some strength for the London Marathon, all my speed work - I wanted to place in my age group - as I want for all my half marathons. Why not? I work very hard to achieve this goal.

As I detailed in my Recap, I first thought I came in 4th place, and when I got home, I looked at the age group placement again. The women in 2nd had no splits and she ran her last mile at a 14-minute pace. Something was off.

I searched for the women in 2nd place in past Compuscore reports - I wanted to know - what does this person usually run, you know, pace-wise? And since she wasn't cranking out sub-9-minute miles, I wrote to the race director, and told them how I felt that maybe there could have been a mistake? Perhaps this woman ran the 7-mile race? Possibly with a half-marathon bib?

It turns out that the race director agreed - 

and this woman was disqualified for the half-marathon race.

I took 3rd place age group.

I was to get a bourbon barrel trophie! 

So, I filled out the forms to have the Bourbon Barrel sent to my address. A few weeks past, and Coach asked me if I received my Bourbon Barrel. Hmm - "No...."

When I got home from my track workout, I contacted the race director, again. She explained that the women who was recorded originally as the second place age group winner was not the woman who ran the race (or so this person said) - instead, she gave her bib to a friend, and 'that woman took the Bourbon Barrel age group award' (Bad, bad, bad running karma). The women who signed up for the race refused to give the race director this person's name and number to ask her to return the Bourbon Barrel ....so, the race director asked the person who makes the Bourbon Barrels if they would make one just for me ...and they agreed! How nice is that?

So I was waiting for my Bourbon Barrel to be made and shipped (No Charge! Woot! Woot!), and l just received it, along with a great note:

I present to you:
3rd Place 50-54 Age Group Award for
2018 Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon

Thank You for the Apology!
I know It Wasn't Your Fault
Please know that I just love my Bourbon Barrel!

This is definitely one of the sweetest half marathon trophies!

Just love my Bourbon Barrel!

Run to Inspire

Run for Peace!

Run Fearless!

Run Strong!

2018 Virgin Money London Marathon

I did it!

I ran the 2018 Virgin London Marathon!

... and boy was it hot!

It was so hot, I kept my throw away shirt in my drop bag! We were all sweating just walking around the start area. They kept announcing at the start to pace yourself 20-30-seconds slower due to the heat. This was a first.

Also a first, my introduction to "Stand and Pee"

You know you are a (female) runner when ...

Enough of the silliness. It was time to make my way to dropping off my bag, and getting to my corral. Before I knew it, there she was - The Queen, on a huge screen over my head - starting the race while standing in front of Windsor Castle. The Queen looked beautiful - red outfit  - with a red hat to match, of course!

The Queen started the race! 

We moved up in our corrals. 

Then, we were off! 

I started out feeling really strong, in spite of the heat! Another first - first time I had water bottles given out on a course. I would grab one, and keep it for a few miles, toss the empty, and get another. I was so afraid of getting dehydrated, and also afraid of hyponeutremia. The marathon is tough - there's a lot to juggle.

As for my nutrition, I took a Glukos at mile 5, another at mile 10, and my first Gu at mile 15. It was so hot, that first Gu exploded all over my face and hands when I opened it. It was quite messy, and I couldn't wait to get to the next water stop. My next Gu's would be at mile 19, and then mile 23. It was so hot, though, I struggled to finish them, as I was very nauseous.

In spite of the heat, it was so exciting to run along the River Thames. I also couldn't wait to run over Tower Bridge! Before I got to the bridge, there was Ron! He was in front of the Cutty Sark! I felt so blessed to have seen him. I saw him two more time - so he says - I just remember seeing him one other time. Definitely runner's brain there toward the end.

It got a little less noisy around the Docklands, and I remember feeling pretty good still. It was just really hot. Then, we were approaching the Tower Bridge. As I ran over the Tower Bridge, I was thanking God for the opportunity. The crowds were great!

Coming over the Tower Bridge

Pointing to My Mercy Band with the
Tower Bridge behind me

Once I passed the bridge, I started to get a really bad side stitch. I hate stitches! It forced me to slow down. The pain traveled from my left side to my right side, and hung like a knot under my right rib cage. Ech. Was it my stomach? Was it my diaphragm? Was it because I was dehydrated? Was it all of the above?

I know one thing for sure: 

It freakin' hurt.

This happened to me one other time during a long run, a few years ago. I had to stop, run a few miles, then stop, and run a few more - just to get home. But I wasn't on a long run, I was running the London Marathon ... and I wasn't planning on stopping!

There was NOOOO way I was stopping!

I trained all winter - and this winter was tough! 

Cold and snowy, with bitter winds.

Through the Snow
Every Week on the Track!

Bundled Up Again!
Are We Having Fun Yet?

Trying to Defrost My Face After Long Runs
with My Hot Hands!

 There was no way that I was walking or stopping after all that training!

The pain grew. 

It felt as if someone just kept dribbling punches into my abdomen.

One Bright Side: No diarrhea this go 'round! 

Hey, you gotta be grateful for the little things.

I was also grateful for the crowds! The London crowds were amazing - going over the tower bridge, they were louder than the Wellesley girls of the Boston Marathon. There were whistles being blown, those inflatable cheer sticks being clanged together everywhere, and people screaming. I got a kick out of the crowds  - they didn't scream, "Great Job" in London, they screamed, "Well Done!"

It was so very sunny ...so very hot. I looked up at the towers on the bridge and noticed how there wasn't one cloud in the sky! Maybe that's why after this, there were lots of runners who started to fade. I heard a lot of people vomiting. I saw a lot of people off to the side surrounded by volunteers. I was nervous. I started to get a pounding heat headache. At the water stops, I would take a water bottle, drink a little, then pour water over my head, then drink some more. It was hot!

Next, onto the Docklands, only about 10 more miles to go. I fought the affects of the heat, but somewhere between miles 18 to 20, there were lots of twists and turns - like by Canada Square. I reached out to a man next to me and grabbed his arm because I thought I was going to pass out. He said, "Are you ok?" I answered, "I'm just a little dizzy. I'm sorry." All those turns, with the heat, and the crowd screaming, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. This was the the 3rd time the heat got to me where I thought,

God, I hope I don't pass out. 

If I pass out, I'll get trampled on.... 

Next onto Commercial Road and The Highway. More screaming crowds. Thankfully, no one screamed - you only have "X" more miles. Everyone just kept yelling, "You are almost there. Keep going, Keep going ...

KEEP GOING!" 

Then about mile 24, you go under Blackfriars underpass. There was quiet serenity and it was cool in this shady underpass. It was a welcomed relief. Lots of people started to walk here.

And I thought how lovely it would be to stop ... 

only to be met by the vicious, very aggressive tiger inside of me who screamed:

You ain't stopping, girl! 

Remember that time you trained in 1 degree and your lashes froze?

True Story!

You ain't stopping!

Thank You Rebecca, You Made Me Go on That Run That January Morning
This Was the Run that Helped Me Push Past Those Tired Legs at the End of The London Marathon

I also reminded myself of an article my friend, Bill, forwarded to me before the race:

"Why Men Quit and Women Don't"

I particularly noticed who was doing the walking at this time, and I must say, it was mostly men. I thought of Desi in the Boston Marathon, only one week earlier. Desi didn't stop, she just kept plugging away:

That's what you gotta do - 

Just keep plugging away.

Plug Away!

I also reminded myself that everyone's legs hurt, everyone was tired, and I wasn't alone. I would hang on one person, until I passed them, then I'd fine another, and another...

My shoulders ached from cringing so tight from the ab pain. I couldn't wait to finish. I just kept repeating all the way through the Victoria Embankment, "Don't you dare stop! If you stop, you will just keep stopping and you trained too hard to stop." At this point, I didn't care how slow I went, as long as I went.

Then, I approached Buckingham Palace. The crowds were getting louder and louder! I heard an announcer say, "Well, here we are, approaching 4 hours." I thought, "Oh no, I told Rebecca that I would run Boston with her. I have to get in under 4 hours to qualify."

So I took off!

If you look closely,
you'll see  I was grimacing!

I rounded the corner, with Buckingham Palace now at my back, and ran as fast as I could. I saw the time as I got closer 3:59:30, 40, 50 - oh nooooooo." I finished! I was a little disappointed in myself - I didn't think I finished under 4 hours.

Kicking to a Strong Finish for that BQ!

Once through the chute, I almost collapsed. A volunteer grabbed me,

"You have to keep moving. 

I will help you."

I thought I was going to be sick, I felt myself grab onto him and I heard him say, "That's it, hold onto me." We walked for a bit, I caught my breath, and said, "Thank you, thank you so much, I think I'm ok now." He told me that I had to keep going straight so I could get my medal and a goodie bag. I don't remember taking this picture.

I don't even know how I got a drink that was like Gatorade, which I was so grateful for because I felt super nauseous and my feet were cramping up on me. My feet felt like two balls in my sneakers. I couldn't wait to sit down and massage my dogs!

I picked up my drop bag, walked a little more, my poor shoulders - they ached from being so scrunched up. I stopped off to the side, under some trees, and got my phone, looking to text and find Ron. I saw Coach texted me: "Great job in tough conditions! You finished: 3:56:23"

3:56:23!

A few seconds faster than Berlin, and...

a BQ!

I threw my drop bag down and punched my fist in the air and screamed,

 "Yes, Yes, Yes!" 

There were people waiting for their loved ones, they had no idea why I was so happy, but they started to clap for me.

It was my own personal fan club! 

Well, I can dream!

It's not easy to train in cold weather and run a race in warmer weather. I did this once before - when I ran in Mississippi. I remember wondering why that race felt so hard. I remember looking up some research, like this article in Competitor: It takes about 2 weeks to acclimate to warmer weather. This acclimation period includes your becoming a better sweater, and having an increase in plasma volume. I believe it!

Although I am happy with my time, I still think I could have run faster if I didn't have that awful pain across the top of my abs - even in spite of the heat. The pain actually lasted for 4 days. Every time I would get hungry, or walk, I would feel this knot, starting from under my right rib cage travel across my abs, Of course, I self-diagnosed every disease under the sun, but when I awoke on Thursday, it was as if there was never any pain. Sort of like running a marathon:

"You gotta forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming!" ~ Frank Shorter.

Time Heals All Wounds ...

Tokyo... here I come!

A Little Hard, but
Tastes So Good!

Train Smart,

Train Fearless,

Run Fearless,

Run to Inspire,

Run for Peace!

State #34: Kentucky: Run The Blue Grass!

YES!

I didn't get lost!

And, it was just as they advertised:

America's Prettiest Half Marathon

....but super challenging!

... and super fun!

I have struggled with chronic right hammy pain for more than 3 years. It has made hill work very challenging. Confession: I avoid running races with lots of hills. What I am realizing as I get down to now with only 15 states left -  I can't be that choosy. It's actually getting harder to see what halves work with my work schedule, my marathon training schedule, and Ron's work schedule.

After my debacle in Washington State, Coach really wanted me to run another half before running the London Marathon. I was scrambling on the flight home from Washington to figure out where I could squeeze in another half ...then I saw it...Kentucky, Run The Blue Grass. First thing I do ...look at the elevation. OMG! Look at all those hills!

Presenting Example #1

Presenting Example #2

Okay, so this was on the way to and from Maker's Mark ...another great reason to Run The Blue Grass ...BOURBON! But you get the idea of  the hilly terrain.

Maker's Mark Distillary

I learned from a local artist/photographer, Bill Cole, that Kentucky has 3 Religions:

1. Basketball
2. Horse Racing
3. Bourbon

I don't know Bill, you are a pretty phenomenal photographer - but Kentucky did a pretty darn good job of pulling off an amazing half marathon!

But I digress ...

Of course though, for the sake of Bourbon!

So, without turning the calendar (Easter Sunday was the next day!) I said, "What the heck, Beth, Pull on your big girl pants, suck it up, and race some hills!" And don't forget Jacquie's words,

"They're just hills. 

Get over them!"

And with that, I decided to train on Saturdays with a local group, Fueled By Doughnuts (Yes, they let me run with them even though I avoid gluten, and can't eat doughnuts bc of the Crohn's). They run a super challenging loop every Saturday morning, which after running about 4-5 miles before I meet up with them, we run up a hill about mile 8/9. This was actually perfect because unbeknownst to me, around mile 9 of Run Blue Grass there's a "demon" hill that reminds me of this local hill ... if you married it with Boston's Heart Break Hill. At about mile 9 of Run The Bluegrass, you "start" to run up a hill, make a slight turn, think it's gonna level out, and then run up another hill!

Waaaaah!

In the past, I would have really gotten in my own head running this hill, but during my training leading up to this race, I ran, hill, after hill, after hill. The problem with this in New Jersey is that the hills aren't as close together. In NJ, you run up a hill, run down a hill, go a stretch with no hill, then run up another, so on and so forth. In Kentucky, the hills just roll, and roll, and roll....

So, my big prep for this race was working on my mental game. I decided during my training that I would keep my faith. To me, this meant, trusting in my God:

God will keep my legs strong,

God will keep my lungs filled with oxygen,

God will help me reach my goal ...which wasn't to place, but to finish -
especially after Washington State.

I also needed to truly trust my Coach, Joel Pasternack,
and better follow his plans for me:

Don't over train (Type A all the way!)

Don't over run - speed, distance, etc, 

Trust my training. 

And during my training, I started to pray and meditate: "I will keep my faith, God will make me strong, I am strong." And I started to praise God more, especially for the little successes I was having along the way - really in training for the London Marathon: GI-wise, as well as achilles, hammy, and hip-wise. Cryotherapy definitely helped too ...my new obsession.

I decided I would Run The Blue Grass as a training run for the London Marathon. I would run strong, in spite of how weak I would likely feel going up those hills. And with each step, running those hills, I would repeat, "God makes me strong!"

I also focussed on my training partner's recent comment while we were on the track, "There's always room for new energy." Thank you Rebecca - This was also a mantra I said and now say to myself over and over and over again.

Next, I developed an "A Plan", a "B Plan", and a "C Plan" - something Coach Paul Giuliano taught me. My "A Plan" was to run an 8:00 minute mile, my "B Plan" was to run an 8:15 minute mile, and my "C Plan" was to run an 8:30 minute mile.

I tried to hang with the 1:45 minute pacers - and I did for the first half. I would be slow going up the hills, and try to make up the time on the downhill. After awhile, just because I am not used to running hills like that back to back, my downhills started to be more of a recovery from going uphill.

During the second half, I made some friends - you know how you do passing back and forth with other runners - 

I met a women who had really great strong-looking legs - I told her that her legs looked strong! She past me toward the end - and I yelled out, "Strong legs, you go girl!" She started laughing - it was a nice exchange. 

There was a guy who stopped on one of the hills, and I yelled, "C'mon, man shuffle if you hafta, but keep running." I passed him at the end, and yelled, "Mr Shuffles, we're at the finish!" He started laughing! 

Then there was a woman - we just kept at it back and forth - I told her, "Your strong baby, you're strong" She passed me towards the end, I yelled, "I told you you are strong!" She laughed, "I'm pregnant, so when you said 'you're strong baby, I just laughed" She went onto say that the last few hills were rough. I told her that I felt the same, and I am always cautious running down hill because it really jostles the tummy, and I have Crohn's" Turns out - she has Crohn's too! I yelled as she continued to pass me, "Mine got better when I was pregnant - I hope your does too." I heard off in the distance .... thank youuuuu ....

This young woman waited for me at the finish, and gave me a huge hug! "You are such an inspiration!" she told me - Me? I said, "You Are - Pregnant and have Crohn's? Wow!" I told her I have had Crohn's for forty years - then I told her not to let anyone tell her she should stop running!

Then there was a bunch of us gearing up for mile 9. A local man told me as we approached, "It's more than a dooozy" Oh boy! When we got to the top, I screamed 

"Amen, that was freakin' awesome! 

One more mile and we only got a 5k left! 

That's nothing! 

WE CAN DO THIS!" 

Oh yeah - as my daughter puts it, "I'm a real 'peach' to run with!" 

Well, I saw this local runner after the race and I got a great big Hi-Five, "You made it!" I said, "We sure did!"

After the race, we hung around, I was looking for a woman named Susan, who I met at the start, and a man, David, who ran the 7-mile race with his son. I didn't see them, but I did get to celebrate a very successfully hilly half with my family!

In the horses' gates with Juliette and Johnny

I found out that I placed fourth, and my time was 1:50:35. I was happy with my time, and I focussed on not losing my faith in my God, my training, and my ability to run strong. But something was weird with the results, and Ron kept noting that my overall placement in the half kept going down. Ron said, "You know, I think they ran out of yellow bibs, and must have given some of the 7-milers blue bibs." I also thought it was odd that when I would look up my results, there was no official place results for me or my age group.

Well, we left without a trophy, which I truly coveted because it is a Bourbon Barrel - and all of you who know me - you know I like bourbon - not wine, not beer, but bourbon! As I say, it's a good thing I run because it keeps me honest on Friday and Saturday night.

I Present Example #3

When we got home, I received an email with the "Official Results" I noticed that the woman in 2nd place had no splits after the halfway point, and her last recorded mile was 14-minutes. 

So, yes I freakin' stalked her - and her Athlinks Times! 

I searched for her on Compuscore, too - I wanted to know - what does this lady usually run pace-wise? And no, she wasn't cranking out sub-9-minute miles. Soooo, I wrote to the race director, and told them how I felt that maybe there could have been a mistake? Perhaps this woman ran the 7-mile race? Possibly with a blue bib?

Long story short, you are looking at the 3rd place winner of the 50-54 year old age group winner 

of the 2018 Run The Blue Grass Half Marathon!

State #35: Kentucky
Run The Blue Grass
1:50:35
3rd Place

Now, I just can't wait to get my little Bourbon Barrel Trophy in the mail!

Keep Your Faith!

Train Smart!

Run Strong!

Run Fearless!

Run To Inspire!

Run For Peace!

Amen!

State #33, 34?: Washington State DNF

It is getting harder to locate half marathons in states that I did not yet run in. This is especially true in the winter months because I have completed a half in most every southern state.

So when I saw there was a race in Washington State, My Better Half Half Marathon, I was excited. I took a look at the course elevation, and it was sea level - good for me, a sea level gal. There was one major hill in the beginning - OK, I started Mississippi on a bridge - I know to go out slow, so that I don't build up lactic acid and have that heavy leg feeling the whole race. Other than that first hill, it was mostly flat - good for me because I'm already up to running 16+ miles on my long runs, and I know my legs have been tired lately. I convinced myself that this was a prefect half for me to do while training for the London Marathon. Plus there was a 5K for Ron to run.

Ron's Beverage on Flight Out (Bloody Mary)

My Beverage on the Flight Out
Eye on the Goal!

We arrived in Seattle on Friday, and all of Saturday to explore Puget Sound. 

Downtown Seattle Waterfront

I have been to Seattle before, and spent quite a few summers as a teenager visiting my family here. I've been on that Ferris Wheel!

It was hard going back - there were many memories - some not so pleasant, and I was missing my grandmother, whom I used to visit in Kent, Washington. One memory I have of visiting my grandmother was during that awkward teen developmental period. A year passed before we saw each other, and so when she saw me, and how much I had grown, she told me that I was a beautiful young woman. She went on and on - you know how grandmothers can be. I was very uncomfortable accepting her compliments, especially since I knew I was still very underdeveloped from being so sick with what they thought then was ulcerative colitis.

Landing in Washington State, and driving to the waterfront brought on an onset of memories, and I was just one big crying mess. Poor Ron.

On Saturday, we planned to drive north to take the ferry to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. Still melancholy, this seemed like a good plan. First Stop: Road Runners Store to pick up our packet.

Ron's 5K Bibb
My 13.1 Bibb

Wow! Great numbers! My late husband's birthday is 2/231959 - what are the odds of us both getting numbers that would make up his birthday - especially since this race was all about My Better Half, Valentine's Day, and Love! I thought. 'Im going to do great in this race! John is here with me!'

The ride on the ferry was beautiful, and Ron and I took in all the beauty of Puget Sound.

Traveling to San Juan Island

We stopped at the San Juan Brewing company for Ron. I drank water (Eye on the Goal). Then we had a lovely dinner at the Cask and Schooner Public House.

Cute Mini-Schooner Replica in the Restaurant

We got back later than I wanted to but it's always hard to have a good night's sleep pre-race anyway. Everything is checked pre-race morning:

Watch

Road ID in case something happens on the course

Food

Decaf and Regular Coffee

Water

Bibb

Race bra, shirt, and pants

Gloves and Hat

Hot Hands

Ron Waiting Through My Thousandth
Wardrobe Change

I didn't expect to run in 36-38 degree F weather - I thought it was going to be about 42-45 degrees. Good thing I brought multiple outfits, in case the weather changed. It was cold!

Pre-Race Smiles

Shivering, Waiting for Race to Start

Before we started, the announcer said, "I hope nobody gets lost, we think the course is pretty well marked"I turned toward someone next to me, and said, "God, I hope I don't get lost, the directions were confusing."
Here were the directions:

"5k and 10k runners will do one or two loops, respectively, of this course. 

Half and relay runners will do one loop of 3.1 miles (the 5k and 10k loop, above) and two loops of this course"

One 5 K loop and two of this Loop

We started (no National Anthem - you all now how much I love the National Anthem). I ran up the first hill, and did the 5k. Legs were tired from running 20 miles last weekend. Pretty views in Seward Park. I kept thanking God for my ability to run, to be able to travel, and for helping me complete this goal to run a half in every state. 

We went around the 5K, and I saw a bunch of people running on my left, so I ran up to a volunterr and said, "I am running the half marathon, am I going the right way?" He responded, "Yes, everyone runs this way."

Okay - so I kept running. I've never run this course before, so I just figured those people on my left were the 5K-ers and the 10K-ers. I kept running.

Although I am sure the race designers thought it was cute to have a "Tunnel of Love" with chocolates and candies, I was frustrated because people were stopping in front of me, trying to pick out candy, and I was trying to maintain pace. Some people were yelling, "Coming Through, Watch Out!" 

It wasn't cool!

When I came around again, I saw someone yelling, half marathoners go this way. There was a sign that I did not see the first time either telling people to stay right for the half marathon. This, I think was about 6+ miles - I have no idea because THERE WERE NO MILE MARKERS ON THE ENTIRE COURSE! 

That's right - Not One Mile Marker!

If you look at my heart rate from mile 6+ to mile 10+, it goes from 145 bpm to 178 bpm. I started to panick, and thought, "Oh my God, I was supposed to run this way for the half marathon. I wonder how far this loop is?' I ran to the end and stopped to ask a volunteer, "Please, can you tell me how long this loop is?" He told me that he didn't know. I was sick to my stomach, and asked, "What should I do, I think I ran the 5K twice already, but never ran this loop - what should I do?" He told me that I should just run this small loop again.

I started running again, and I was talking to myself:

Okay, so if I run this small loop twice, will I be at 13.1 when I finish?

It won't really be fair because I didn't actually run the right course. 

And what if I run less than 13.1? 

What if I run more than 13.1?

Okay, girl calm down, ask those volunteers over there how long this loop is, and then try to figure out how many miles you need to finish this half.

To (Young) Volunteers: "Do you know how long this loop is?"

Volunteers: "NO" ....Giggles and laughing.

At this point, I was in tears. I ran to the end of this little loop, ran around a parking circle a few time - and then ran up to some guy who was volunteering by the sign  - he was telling halfers to stay right (You know, the sign and the guy that I missed the first time coming around the 5K loop, but would have backtracked to if the other volunteer didn't tell me that 'everyone runs this way!') Anyway, I grab this guy who was volunteering, and I start yelling:

"This is supposed to be State #35. 

I don't know where I am going. 

I am trying my best - 

I try really hard Dude to place in my age group for all these halves 

I have run about 10.5 miles, where do I go now?

What should I do?"

Volunteer: "Just run that way toward the finish."

Me: "WHERE?"

Volunteer: "Just follow that man."

So I run up to the guy that I think he pointed to, and ask him, how many more miles do you need to run. he tells me 2.5 more miles. Okay - so I run straight. I can't hang with him - he's doing like a 15-min mile pace. I don't know where I was supposed to run so I screaming, "Where's the finish? Where's the finish?" Right? The volunteer told me to run toward the finish. I guess I was thinking there was a straight away toward the finish that was about 2.5 miles. ...

NOPE!

The finish was straight ahead! 

(Even typing this I am crying)

I was so upset - I ran through the shoot. 

I kept running and ran into a Port-O-John and started crying. "OMG, OMG, OMG. What the hell just happened?" I came out and Ron is waiting.

Ron: "What happened? How did I miss you?"

Me: OMG, Ron it was awful. I got lost, I was asking all the volunteers which way I should go, there were no mile markers, no one knew the course. Everyone gave me different answers. I was literally running around in circles. Some guy told me to run toward the finish - and I did - but I didn't finish."

Ron tried to calm me down, 

"C'mon, get some oatmeal."

Me: "I can't eat oatmeal - I got Crohn's" 

It's rare if I eat oatmeal - all the stars have to align, and my tummy was so very sick at this point. 

Ron: "Then get a cup of coffee, just calm down."

Me: "No, I gotta retrace my steps. I gotta find out where I went wrong."

Ron: I did well in my 5K ...

Great, now I'm ruining everything for Ron. 

He traveled out here too. 

He took off from work on Friday to fly too. 

Oh God, What's wrong with me?

Me: "That's great. I'm sorry. I know it's just a race - I shouldn't be that upset. We are healthy. We are safe."

Ron: "Let's get our picture taken."

Me (Still sick to my stomach) Okay. I put on a fake smile and do the photo booth thing.

As soon as we finish I beg Ron to help me re-trace my steps. We walked for about a half-mile out, and I explained to Ron what happened. He said, "Beth, I can't walk anymore, I'm freezing. I'm sorry, but I just want to go back to the car and get warm."

So, we left.

Sick to my stomach, we left.

When I got to the rental car, I saw a text from my Coach, "What happened? Why do they have you running the 10K?" I called Coach Joel and explained. 

Driving back to the hotel, I was crying. Ron told me that I should be mad, not sad. I started thinking,  I should at the least get my money back! This was awful. I wrote an email when I got back to the hotel, Orca Running responded - this was in their first response:

"Unfortunately we do not feel as though the course was poorly marked as the other 300+ half marathon runners didn't have issues following the correct course.  There were large signs at the two split points on the course as well as volunteers."

Well, just call me STUPID!

Ron told me to drop it for now. He was trying to get me to enjoy this mini-vacation. Well, Orca Running and the My Better Half Marathon basically ruined this trip for me. 

I responded to Orca Running email when I got back to Jersey: 

"I am still sick over this race. Every time I think about it - I just want to cry. 

I haven't slept for the past three nights - I just wake up in the middle of the night wondering where I went wrong. I didn't just want to add miles towards the end - I didn't feel that was right. Plus there were no mile markers - I stopped and asked what that small loop would be since I ran the 5K twice ( I think) - but no one could tell me. 

I know it was confusing for others because my partner and I saw a volunteer run after a woman and tell her to go straight - instead of turning left.

I disagree about the signs - there were red arrows, and black arrows - I didn't know if the red was for the 10k and the black was for the half. I was confused. 

In the future, if there's a split - you need more than one person standing there - and maybe not in front of the sign. Have more than one sign - and have them with mile markers - and post signs leading up to the split. Most importantly, gather your volunteers the day/night/morning of the race - and educate them as to how the course is laid out - and how many miles each section of each loop is.

I know you put your heart into the race - and try to foresee all the potential issues - I thought the Tunnel of Love was cute - but for people who are trying their best to finish as fast as they can - it was frustrating getting stuck behind other runners who didn't take it as serious and who wanted to stop to get some chocolates.

I would like a DNF and I would like to take your offer to run another race. 

I have my 5th World Major Marathon in London in April - will need some time to recover - and was wondering if I could possibly get signed up for the Iron Horse Half Marathon 8/26/2018? 

Thank you for this offer, and I look forward to hearing back from you."

Well, I am signed up for the Iron Horse Half Marathon in August. I was trying for all USATF courses from here on out - thinking they have to hold to a higher authority - but just like the fact that I am running out of states, I am also at a disadvantage of not being allowed to be too picky - and realize that I won't be able to have every course a USATF course.

Orca Running was nice enough to allow me entry without a fee to the Iron Horse Half Marathon. And they were much nicer in subsequent emails:

"Hi Beth,

Again, I'm really sorry about the confusing course.... "

They accepted my registration for the Iron Horse Half Marathon and tried to reassure me that all would go well ...

"People come from all over the US to participate.  The course is compact dirt and is quite pretty running through the mountains where an old railway used to be.  

It can be hot in August but the majority of the course has tree cover, and if you start in an earlier wave and run fairly fast (which it sounds like you do!) you will be great."

Some time has past - which is how I can now sit down to even write about what happened, but State #35 is a DNF. I will run another half marathon in late March before the London Marathon in April. This will, God willing, be State #35.

Ron has me convinced that running 38 half marathons, there was bound to be some race that was a total screw up. I agree - just wish it were like Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Maryland - something closer. 

Still wondering why the Bibb numbers were so symbolic - I can only think that no matter good or bad, John is still with me. I learned to apply the same for others who have passed - no matter good or bad - they are still with me - right Gramz?

Run To Inspire

Run For Peace

Run Fearless

Run Strong