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10 Contributing Factors to a Great Race

I didn't see any news stories about it, but the stars and moon must have aligned on Saturday because it was the best day for running. Ever. A series of races to raise money for St. Jude Research hospital is held every year during the first weekend of December. The first contributing factor to it being the best day ever for running was the weather: slightly overcast at gun time with a temperature of 42. Perfection. This perfect day came sandwiched between a snowstorm and a rainstorm reminiscent of Noah's time. The riskiest variable of any race day is the weather, and the runners of the 10th annual St. Jude festivities truly lucked out. The second contributing factor to the best running day ever was the adherence to and completion of an incredibly well-written 16-week training plan crafted by my good friend, Jennie Vee Silk (I still want to say Keith!). It kicked my ass, but in a totally good way. I completed 76% of the plan as written and logged 300 training miles to prepare for the race. The third contributing factor to a great running day was carb loading the day before. This was my second half marathon, and I've carb loaded before both, and both have been great races. Even with the GI ickiness that comes with it, this will be part of my regimine every time. The fourth contributing factor to it being the best running day of all time was the decision to latch on to a pace group. The plan was to run with the 3:45 marathon pace group until the half split from the full at mile 12.5. So, I lined up with them at the start, met some folks, talked about the weather, the course and strategy. It took my mind off my usual pre-race jitters. Before I knew it, we were on our way, running across the start line to the tunes of Elvis. I didn't think about anything but keeping my footing for the first mile or so - I just kept my eyes on the backs of the pacers' shirts. It became evident about mile 3 that they were not running a steady 8:35/mi pace, which is what would yield a 3:45 marathon finish. They were running more like an 8:08/mi pace. I was feeling great, so I went at my own pace with confidence that I could reach my goal. The fifth contributing factor, and maybe the MOST motivating, was running through the St. Jude campus. Up until the point along the course where you turn into the campus, it had been just another race. After running through the campus, it became a purpose. To see the streets lined with patients, families, staff, etc. all cheering us on and screaming "thank you" brings tears to my eyes even now. Needless to say, it was my fastest mile and the one that felt the most effortless. The sixth biggest contributing factor was the amazing crowd support. There was no point along the course where there was a lull in spectator support. And, the volunteer support in terms of water and Powerade at almost every mile is almost unheard of in a large race and ranked number seven in contributing factors, since the day warmed up with the sunshine and I needed lots of fluids! The eighth contributing factor to it being the best running day ever was running a 1:54:05, a 3:18 min PR over my last half marathon. I could have run a faster race; I didn't leave it all out there on the course, but I had SO MUCH FUN!!! I enjoyed the running experience for all the reasons mentioned above and never once wished for it to be over. In fact, when I turned into Autozone Park at the end, I thought to myself, "Oh man, it's already over?" Not that I really wanted to run more, but I wanted to experience more of the race environment, making this contributing factor number nine. I usually am cussing to myself by the end of a race. Not this time. And, the tenth contributing factor to why it was the best running day ever was watching my father-in-law and husband finish the race in the times they hoped for. This was my father-in-law's first half marathon at age 62 and he ran a 2:11. Pretty awesome. And, my husband DID leave it all out there on the course and creamed his last full marathon time by running a 2:56:04! There is no doubt I will return to St. Jude as many more years as my legs will allow me to compete!

Autopilot

At 5:30am this morning, 15 minutes before my alarm was set to ring, my eyes fluttered open and a sense of dread settled over me. Usually at this pre-dawn hour, I smile at the fact that I have a couple of hours of sleep left before the kids awaken and the craziness ensues. Not this morning. It was race day. And, I wasn't feeling it. I actually considered staying in bed, leaving my shoes, running clothes, timing chip and bib on the floor where they sat waiting on me. But something pulled me out of bed. Routine? Maturity? A competitive nature?

Our babysitter arrived at 6:20am. Our ride pulled in the driveway at 6:30am. Seat belt fastened, car in reverse, we were on our way. Was I really doing this? My bed felt miles away, and I knew I had miles ahead of me. 6.55 to be exact. I raced a quarter marathon today, a new distance for me. There was also a half marathon race being run concurrently, in which Brad was racing. We arrived in downtown Louisville in the dark, and I decided that this race was just going to be a training run. My "real" race is December 3rd in Memphis when I run the St. Jude half marathon. I determined that I really had no vested interest in today's race so I was just going to have fun. Then, I opened my car door and 34 degrees of no-fun-at-all cold air slapped me in my face. I wanted my bed because these conditions were pure misery.

Brad and I ran a 1.25 mile warm-up, which was freezing. I couldn't feel my face or hands by the end of it. Wonderful. I made my third stop at the port-a-potty to pee and lined up at the start line. 7:45am, the official start time, came and went. I just wanted to get the race started so I could get it over with. Usually I'm a ball of nerves at the start line. Not today. I didn't feel anything. I just didn't care, which was weird, and I didn't know what to do with that feeling of nonchalance.

Finally, we were off. The first mile was okay. I finished it in 8:00 min. I was passed by a lot of runners, but that's typical because I usually start close to the start line so I don't get behind a bunch of slow runners or walkers. The second mile was a few seconds slower, but I was cruising. The 1:50 half marathon pace group was right in front of me, so I settled in with this group. They were like a lifeline, tethering me to the course and pulling me along. My legs were turning over but my mind was not engaged. Mile 3 was at about a 8:19 pace. Still okay for my goal finish time of 54:30.

The quarter marathon and the half marathon split at mile 4. That's when things fell apart. When I turned left on the course, away from the halfers, I found myself running completely BY MYSELF down the middle of a wide street with no spectators. I lost all motivation and desire to keep running. Never have I wanted to quit so badly but somehow my legs kept going. I slowed down, though. Mile 4 was 8:37, mile 5 8:38. And, lots of f-bombs starting falling in my head. My internal dialog went something like this: "Why the fuck am I doing this? I'm never fucking running again. I fucking hate running. I'm fucking crazy! It's fucking cold, and I fucking want to quit."

I checked my Garmin and at mile 5.25 I decided to speed up just to end the misery. And, all of a sudden out of nowhere, I hit my stride. I was rolling and was finally mentally engaged! The end was in sight when I looked at my watch and realized two things 1) the course was going to be long and 2) I wasn't going to make my time goal but only because the course was long. I couldn't believe that the race was going to end well despite the mental agony throughout.

Remember those fellow students who would say, "I didn't even open a book for this test?" and then they'd score a 105 with extra credit? I always hated those people! Well, in a running sense, that was me today. I completely pulled a great run out of my ass. I ended up winning my age group, finishing before 32 other women in the 35-39 division. I finished 9th female out of 263 and 36th overall out of 372 runners in the quarter marathon. WTF? The prize was a full-size Louisville Slugger bat with the race details engraved on the barrel.

Accolades aside, the best part of the day for me was being able to run half of a half marathon at a pace 10 seconds faster than the pace I want to run on December 3rd. And, I have five more weeks of training to get where I want to be. I just hope I'm more willing to get out of bed that day. Today really showed me that half the battle is in your head, so maybe in addition to running more miles, I need to work on my race day internal dialog.

Where's my sweet baby boy?

When I was about 12, that delicate age where embarrassment comes often and easily, I was in a public bathroom pulling up my britches when I leaned against the stall door for support and it swung wide open (oops, forgot to lock it), revealing to all the other bathroom patrons my prepubescent goodies. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life. Until today.

Last weekend, we finally got around to cleaning out the garage and shed following our move 10 months ago. The effort yielded some items we haven't touched since moving here, so they went straight to Craigslist. I had a lady come to the house today to pick up an item. She was overweight. It was obvious. And, my three-year-old pointed it out. He came up to the door, and after she complimented him on his cuteness, he said, while pointing (which made it SO much worse), "Look at that big belly." I could have dropped dead right there on the spot. To make things worse, the lady says, "Yes, I have a big belly." Is it possible to die twice? I made him apologize. Little shit. And the worst part was, I knew she was stopping by on her way to the YMCA. Give her some credit!!

Last night Brad experienced his most embarrassing moment when Layne, standing in line with Dadddy at Walgreens, said, "Look at her big bottom." Then he said it again. Brad knew the lady heard him and there was nothing he could do to cover it up. I like to believe he's only being oberservant of differences, because he is not saying it with spite or malice, but where is this coming from? It's not like we walk around making derogatory comments about the appearances of others. If anything, I certainly don't judge others knowing what they could say about me, like "That lady should wash her hair more often" or "Make-up would make her look years younger" or "Does she wear anything but old work-out clothes and flip flops?" But, that's a whole 'nother topic!

I'm left wondering, what happened to my sweet baby boy? What I'm left with is a shaved-head maniac who laughs at me when I discipline, talks back to me, whines, pouts, tells me I'm mean (ha!), pushes his sister and throws tantrums of epic proportions in stores, all making me look like Mother of the Year. The moments of sweetness are diminishing. I thought this transition was supposed to start at 13, not three! I never really envisioned myself as a stay-at-home mom, but it's a role I've fully embraced nonetheless. But, I'm left wondering why I put myself through this? At the end of every day I feel like I've been beaten, chewed up and spit out. And, I probably look that way, too. I've accepted the fact that I love Layne with all of my being, but I just don't like him a whole lot right now. And that's okay.

Is that All You Got?

The days are getting longer and the mercury is rising. Shorts are getting shorter and flip flops are the shoe of choice. Yep, it's summertime. And one of the best places to beat the heat is poolside. People watching has always been a hobby of sorts for me. Like when I go to a professional baseball game, the only time you find my eyes on the game is when someone yells, "Foul ball!" Otherwise, I'm drinking beer, talking to friends and, yes, people watching. Same goes for the mall, the beach and the pool. Particularly, I will admit, that I like to see what types of bathing suits the other moms are wearing and how they've faired after conceiving, carrying and pushing out their offspring. And, the more children flocked around them, the more closely I examine the body of evidence. I'm not comparing nor judging, just observing. And, my observations have been interesting.

I was at the pool last week. Layne was quietly playing in the corner with someone else's pool toys and Harper was contently kicking her legs in the water at my feet. So, with my kids pleasantly occupied, I was free to people watch. Ah, bliss. I looked up and my first thought was, "Is that all you got?" to the woman standing before me wearing a polyester/lycra nightmare of a swimsuit. It looked like she had worn it every day during every summer since 1988. It was hanging off her body like loose skin hangs from the winner of the Biggest Loser. TLC needed to have a What Not to Wear intervention right there on the spot. I turned around to see another mom, who weighed maybe 100 pounds, wearing a bathing suit that was at least half her weight. Cue some frightening music here and all of a sudden all around me I'm realizing, in horror, that almost every young mother around me is drowing in oversized tankinis and swim dresses!!

I wanted to collect all of these women, lock them in the bathroom and erase the brainwashing that had obviously been inflicted. I wanted to tell them that just because they have had children does not mean they cannot find a figure-flattering suit. So what if there are a few stretch marks? So what if everything isn't where it once was before birthing those beautiful babies? I know what it's like to lose yourself in the spotlight of your children, but there is still a beautiful woman behind the scenes. Ladies, you got it, so please don't be afraid to flaunt it. Don't be shy to strut your stuff, even with children as your accessories. Confidence is a beautiful thing!

And, to the about-to-pop pregnant lady rocking the string bikini, YOU GO GIRL!!

Holy shit, it's been 10 months since my last blog. I had to log in three times because I couldn't remember my password for blogspot or whatever this website is. And, yes, I had to punctuate the beginning of this post with an explicative to emphasize the fact that it has been so long since I had time to do some writing for fun! The last entry I made was when I was living a stay-at-home mom's dream. I had a great mama's helper, a job I could go to when I wanted and a mother-in-law who couldn't get enough time with her grandkids. Boy has life changed, and most of those in my social circle know about all the changes: another move to a new city and state, a new job for Brad, new friends, new everything. Thank God it doesn't involve another new baby. That would just put me over the edge. Life has been, well, busy. We're living in horse country now and Louisville is all about horses and races. The two don't necessarily have to go together always, though, as evidenced by the recent road race series called the "Louisville Triple Crown" I just completed followed by a half marathon. I run much more for the peace and quiet than anything else. It's more therapeutic than a 60-minute session at a shrink's office! I hope to do more writing, er, blogging now that life is settling into a new normal again. Life sure gives me enough content. More to follow........