Just Run, Hon!

It's a little hilly - get over it! 

The Baltimore Half was one of my most challenging and fun races to date.  I signed up to participate as part of the Maryland Double Challenge: run in the Frederick and Baltimore Running Festivals in the same calendar year and pick up a snazzy extra medal.  It has the Maryland Shield on it? It has a crab on it? Yes and yes! Sign me up, baby! Run a race that lets me enjoy the Baltimore Ravens stadium and run through Camden Yards at the finish? YES!!!!

As crazy as I look? Up close - my Baltimore Half and Maryland Double bling! Crabby enough for you?!
Added bonus: the Baltimore medal doubles as a bottle opener. Win! 

One the registration "honeymoon" was over and life happened, I learned the hard way...training is essential.  However, my current schedule has me stuck in a rut that doesn't always allow for conventional training routines.  My husband works overnights and some weekends, my commute is over an hour each way, and we don't own a treadmill. So - I run when I can: random weeknights and on weekends.  Factor in my life as a teacher and two little guys of my own (ages 4 and 2) with my overachiever self taking on leadership roles - time is even more sparse.

My training included runs when I could get them in. I still worked out at home using my PiYo DVDs and yoga videos on YouTube. (I'm totally in love with Yoga with Adrienne these days. She's got a variety of series based on whatever you're looking for - check her out!)  One of the things I've learned as I continue my running journey - strength training and stretching is important.  By supplementing my running with workouts like PiYo and Yoga, I'm ensuring that I still get in some form of regular exercise AND it's reaped extra benefits. I am finding very little pain in my left knee and heel which I struggled with earlier in the year.  

I knew that Baltimore would include hills and tried to incorporate them into some of my longer runs on weekends.  In retrospect (as may revelations usually come), I learned the hillier you train, the better.  Through talks with a friend and fellow runner, I now know of some nearby neighborhoods/communities which are VERY hilly and great practice for Baltimore's own.

Leading up to the race, the communication from the Baltimore Running Festival team was fabulous. As we got closer to race day, the emails were more frequent, extra ones as a result of the potential playoff games for our dear Orioles for a spot in the World Series.  (Sadly, we did not make it.)  Just as the Frederick Running Festival had, the Baltimore released an informative and well-detailed Runner's Handbook outlining the entire event and all policies/procedures.  Given the magnitude of this event: a Kids' Run, 5K, Team Relay, Half and Full, organization was key and well done! With the help of a friend and seasoned runner, I knew where I would park, the start and what to expect throughout the event, from start to finish.

Given the early start time and our commute (we live approximately an hour outside of Baltimore), my fabulous mother came to stay the night before.  The morning of, I woke up at 4:45 and we were out the door by 5:30.  Fueled by a Starbucks treat (shh!), we drove and parked at one of the designated commuter stations that would shuttle us into Camden Yards/Raven Stadium for any bag checks and the walk to our starting corrals. At this point, despite the number of races I had participated, I still hadn't accepted that I was a full-fledged runner and put myself at the back of the pack for the start along with my not-so-good training, or lack thereof.  My goal, per usual - was to finish. 

The view from my corral - Wave #5 

 Behind this smile, a TON of pre-race jitters and "What was I thinking?!"

After a walk from Camden Yards to the starting corrals and several wishes of good luck and kisses from my mom, I headed up the streets to gather with the rest of the individuals running in my wave.  True to form, they began releasing waves only minutes apart until soon, it was our turn to take off from the starting line.  I can't remember their name, but there was a band (one of many along the route) playing at the start and a few moments before 9:00, we were ushered off!

The starting line...let's do this! 

Running through the streets of Baltimore is a surreal experience. Most of my visits to date have been to the Inner Harbor and any driving involves packed roads and traffic.  To run without a car in sight except for those parked...wow.  One of the things I loved the most about the run was how the course continually changed. One minute we would be running uphill past the homes on Baltimore Street, through Clifton Park and around Lake Montebello (a familiar sight from the Baltimore 10-Miler), until finally reaching the end, finishing through Camden Yards.  Throughout the race, spectators lined the course with great enthusiasm, spirit and occasionally treats. Members of the community enjoyed their morning coffee and waved, cheered, rang bells and gave me more momentum than I got from fueling with my GU Gels.

I cannot believe how many people came out for the day's race.  I remember seeing several spectators several times throughout the course.  Running the half-marathon involved joining in with marathon runners after our two-mile mark; running alongside those running a full 26.2 was motivating and had me thinking along the way when I would venture into that distance. Without guaranteed training, a marathon is not happening anytime soon.

I managed to do well with run/walk intervals throughout the first six miles - running 2 miles and walking a few minutes before running again.  As the hills persisted towards the last half, I ended up increasing these intervals to running a mile or half-mile and walking; the last two miles were the biggest challenge.  I began to have cramps in my lower calves, especially my left.  I thought I might not make it towards the end, but seeing my mom waiting for me at the finish in the last half-mile pushed me to keep going and reminded me: never give up.  I wasn't here to PR - I was here to finish.  At a little over 3 hours and 20 minutes, I finished.

Favorite moments: 

• Signs along the way: "Honey, now that training is over, can we have sex again?"
• Costumes worn by fellow runners: Buddy the Elf, Super Mario Brothers, a turkey and pilgrim
• Starting and finishing alongside an expectant mother - proof that with determination and hard work, you can finish what you started and only dreamed about.

Biggest Regrets:

• Not training properly for the hills and fueling.
• Not taking enough pictures
• Not wearing a costume (well, at least a little sparkle).

I did it! Waiting for the train to pick us up and head home.

Overall: I would LOVE to run Baltimore again. I learned a lot along the course on how to best run my next race: hindsight is 20/20.  Train, fuel, dress/appropriate gear, stretching, foam rolling, etc.  I would even love to run it again this coming fall, but it coincides with a three-day weekend we often use to travel to South Carolina for Homecoming Weekend and a chance to visit family members.  Alas, I may see Baltimore again for another half or even full marathon in another year or two.  In the meantime, I'll keep running, hon!

Frederick Half-Marathon Re-Cap

This post was written shortly after completing my first half-marathon, the Frederick Running Festival on May 4th 2014.  If you had told me that I would be a girl who'd run a half-marathon, you're crazy.  If you told me that I'd be instantaneously hooked and signing up for more, you'd be insane.  But I am...I'm so thankful for so many reasons to have discovered a passion for running and will never look back.

Frederick Half Recap....

Honestly, I am still in awe that the Frederick Half-Marathon is under my belt...if you had asked me a year prior if I thought I was capable, much less, interested in running a half-marathon, I would have responded with..."uh, maybe?" Nevertheless, here I stand today, a half-marathon finisher and just getting started.

To those who are looking to run a half-marathon for the first time or tenth time, the Frederick Half is my ideal race in terms of set-up and organization, course layout and overall vibe.

PRE-RACE:

The race management company sent out information regarding every possible detail from packet pick-up to the runner's guide at least two weeks ahead, with additional emails leading up to race day.  Their guide was beyond comprehensive and outlined details needed for runners as well as spectators, which was great for my husband and mom to know where to go with our two little boys.

Packet pick-up was just as easy and well-organized.  I picked up my packet the day of the race at the Frederick Fairgrounds where both the start/finish of the race is held in addition to the race expo.  There were signs everywhere as well as staff/volunteers to direct you: Step 1: Pick up Packet; Step 2: Expo.  I arrived to the fairgrounds after the Expo opened at 10 and got into a line of over a hundred people, expecting to wait a long time.  To my surprise, the line moved quickly and I entered the first building within five to ten minutes.  Upon entering, with over a dozen tables and twice as many staff, I was able to pick up my packet and head to the Expo within minutes, where I picked up my super cute premium, must-have car magnet, a Bean Band and some GU Gel for race day.

My sweet race premium and Expo goodies!

I ended the night before by feasting on some delicious grub from China Garden, charging my iPod and Garmin, and laying out my race-day gear.  I headed to bed with the best of intentions and hopes of waking up well and rested.  Alas, my nerves got the better of me and I slept mere hours, waking up every thirty to forty-five minutes from two o'clock onward.  

My "Flat Momma" - orange tank, black capris and my Reebok Durarides

RACE DAY:

If getting up early on a Sunday morning isn't difficult enough, factoring in the mess of nerves I was carrying made it all the more of blur...Laying out my outfit and all my gear the night before made it that much easier to get moving.  I threw down maybe two to three sips of coffee and jumped in the car to ride with a friend to the fairgrounds.  We parked (RIGHT NEXT TO THE FAIRGROUNDS - so nice!!!) and made our way to the fairgrounds.  After a necessary stop to the porta-potties and dropping off my bag at the clearly identified Bag Check location, my friend J and I made our way to join the growing crowd of runners and lined up around the pace group for 2:30:00.  I knew that this was faster than I most likely would run, but for my nerves and being our first big race, we preferred to start together, regardless of where we finished.

J and I at the start - ignore our smiles, we were nervous wrecks!

The course itself took us through areas of downtown Frederick, starting at the Fairgrounds, traveling down Patrick Street, around areas of Baker Park and back up East Street to return to the Fairgrounds.  Water stations were set up every mile and half, but spectators and members of the Frederick community came out to support the runners, young and old. Children offering free high fives, a couple giving away cookies at the top of a hill, and an entire cul-de-sac giving out water and bananas around mile 10 were just some of the fun along the way.  For having only trained up to seven miles on my longest run, I was able to run the entire course, stopping to walk through the water stations.  By the time I charged up the last hill towards the finish, I lost it.  My husband, Dennis and my oldest, Zachary were there to cheer me on.  I cried the last tenths of a mile and just couldn't believe what I had accomplished.  And then I wanted to do it all over again. 

Crossing the finish at 2:53:50.

Post Race - all smiles!!

POST RACE:

Staggering towards Dennis, my two boys and my mom, I shakily held up my medal and just grinned from sheer shock.  An assortment of post-race snacks were offered, including the juiciest most delicious oranges.  I knew I needed to eat and all I could repeat for a good ten minutes in response to the question, "where do you want to go," was "food"...we eventually settled on IHOP.  Nothing makes this girl happier than a good old omelet and diner coffee.

Once we got home, I soon discovered how much work my legs had done and treated them to a good soak in the tub, a nap and then an afternoon/evening of relaxing and dread of stairs, toilets and picking up toys after my boys.  By the next day, I was walking better and still can't help but smile when I see my medal hanging.  Race 1 of 3 of the King Crab Challenge - done. Baltimore 10-miler, here I come.

My first "bling" - LOVE the Maryland shield around the border...

Orange You Glad I Run?

If you've been following me on Facebook or have read my race re-caps, you may have noticed a trend among the pictures I post: I wear orange.  Orange is not my favorite color. I've always preferred black, red and purple to orange.  For my southern relatives, orange is the color of the Clemson Tigers and abhorred by their rivals, the Carolina Gamecocks.  My husband is a Clemson fan. My husband loves orange.  BUT - that is not why I wear orange.  I wear orange in honor of his mother, Hollie.

I've never had the opportunity to meet Hollie and unfortunately, never will.  She passed away when my husband was seven years old, after a five-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.  My husband has several memories of her, but the one that has stuck with him is an early-evening hospital visit when he was four years old.  He remembers running towards his mother, like any other small child and jumping into her arms. Regardless of the sheer amount of pain she was in, she picked him up and held him close and told him she loved him; at that same time, he looked through the hallway window to see the sun setting. When the sun sets, the entire sky is on fire.  Changing from a soft blue to a fiery red-orange.  Orange.

To this day, sunsets are our moments with Hollie and are a huge symbol of love in our family - Dennis and I were married at sunset.  Over time, I learned that orange is the color used in raising awareness of Multiple Sclerosis.  When I decided to register for my first half-marathon, I soon learned that it would take place on May 4th - Hollie's birthday.  Knowing this, I wanted to do something special in honor of her memory.  I decided that I would wear orange - for her and sunsets. In this race and every following, I wear orange for Hollie, for all those who live or have fought MS.  I take pride in knowing that despite my slow pace, I am able to run or walk freely.

Today marks twenty-five years since Hollie has passed. Not a day goes by that she is not missed nor loved by all of us.  For her, and all of the individuals who inspire me, I run.