Thoughts about Pennsylvania and making memories

Boston Qualifying... to BQ is to run a really fast marathon in order to run another marathon. It was never really a goal that I had...even though the goal race may be the most well know marathon ever. 

A couple of years ago my girl shared her dream with me of wanting to Boston Qualify. I told her I'd help her chase and achieve this dream.
Our first try was October 2015. When we trained for the Baystate Marathon that year, we did so with a purpose. We wanted to get faster. We wanted to BQ or get as close as possible.We got closer that year. And knew that work still needed to be done.

When we started this journey my goal was to keep her company...to be her motivation and support. Help her achieve her dream goal. All the training that we did...that I did...was to make sure I would be able to be by her side when she crossed the finish line achieving her goal.

Through this journey we have realized that even though we're great friends and have a lot of fun running and training and racing together...achieving this dream together might not work. We have different racing and running and training styles. We have different fueling and pacing strategies. 

On our way to PA this weekend we talked about our goals. What we thought we could do...how we thought we could do it. And we decided we were each going to run our own race. We'd line up together. We'd start together. We'd run the same course. We'd finish in the same spot. But the journey from the start line to the finish line would be our own. 

The Via Marathon is in PA. It runs from Allentown to Easton; much of the route is along the Delaware & Lehigh Canal. It was definitely a beautiful course. The weather was perfect for race day...and the route was shaded with many trees.
In 2004 I had moved to PA, with my ex-husband. I lived in Whitehall, a little town kind of between Allentown and Bethlehem. To say it was weird being that close is an understatement. Throughout the few free hours we had, we traveled from Bethlehem to Easton and back, then to Allentown and back to Bethlehem. Every one in a while I'd have a story to share about an area. Most of them brought back memories I wasn't ready for.
We went over the bridge where I remember being complimented for my driving technique (since that stuck out so prominently does that mean that's one of the only compliments I had received?). The race started at the hospital where I learned of my 2nd miscarriage. Packet pick-up was next to the casino I made him take me to for the last birthday I spent with him (and my last one in that state). We drove by where I had bought my car, where he had to leave me to go get more money so we could leave with the car (there were tears shed that day). The race ended near where I use to work (we actually parked in the lot I use to park in). We ate near where the bus used to drop me off (ask me about that bus driver the next time we run together).  Friday night was hard for me...and by Saturday...well I was ready to make new memories with the race.

I wasn't as nervous on race day as I thought I would be. We woke up early, got on a bus to ride from the finish line to the start line. It felt cold. We knew it would warm up during the race...but at 5am it seemed really, really cold. We were quiet at the start.

There were a bunch of people around; we listened to their stories and watched them warm up or search for their friends. Hit the bathroom once (or twice more); and then we were off.
7:10am start. We ran out of the hospital parking lot and along the roads through a neighborhood then up a hill. The course was not flat...but definitely not hilly. As we had discussed...we started out together and then promptly ran our own race. I wasn't going to worry about where I was in the pack...my girl was ok without me and I was ok without her. We were running our own race...it only took about a mile for me to be comfortable with that.
I watched my pace on my watch. I knew I had to keep my pace steady...not too fast at the beginning...not too slow. I had to make sure to not push too hard at the beginning and to listen to my body. I wanted to be able to run strong the whole way.
I said before that earning a BQ was not my goal. But the NY marathon showed me that it could be achievable. I did put the training in...and I know there were friends that believed I could do it. I had made three goals: a really big goal (that I didn't achieve) a big goal (that I did achieve) and a basic goal (of finishing the marathon). So I started the race aiming for the really big goal.

The course was beautiful. And I would definitely suggest it to someone who wanted to run a pretty marathon that was mostly flat and wasn't too crowded. The course is not all street. It starts on the street, and as it winds by the Lehigh River it's on dirt trail and cinder trail, over a few wooden bridges and some grass trail before finishing on the street. Some of the paths along the river are not very wide. The marathon is also a relay. So in 4 spots there were huge crowds of people cheering on racers, and runners waiting for their relay exchange. Even though some of the spots along the river had no one to cheer us on (because they couldn't due to the trail) there were a number of sections (including the relay exchanges) that had cowbells and spectators.

I ran the race based on how I felt. I concentrated on my breathing. I tried not to chase the people in front of me. I tried not to pass people that were at my pace. I tried to remember 26.2 miles is a long way. I made sure I was fueling and hydrating regularly. At the half marathon marker I was on pace to meet my goals. And I was half done. And I was feeling pretty good! And I still had 13 miles to go... Because I felt good I wanted to push a little, but I knew that sometimes the last 4-6 miles can be the hardest. Especially when you've been pushing yourself through the first 20-22 miles. I remember that happening at Sugarloaf; when each step for the last few miles hurt. I remember the last mile in NY; when I felt like my legs didn't want to move any more. I wanted to be able to finish this race strong, but also feel like I left everything on the course.
I really don't remember my last few miles. I remember being mad at the course around mile 21. I remember cursing two inclines (or three?) during the last mile or two. I remember crossing the finish line. I remember not wanting to stop moving after I crossed because I thought my legs wouldn't ever move again. I remember being tired and done and feeling accomplished. I had met my big goal!
For the next little bit I walked up and down the course near the finish line waiting for my girl to finish. I really was afraid to stop moving. The end of the course kind of wrapped around, and I could see my girl from the finish line twice before she came down the final stretch...I made my woohoo's as loud as I could!

We did it!!

We finished our 10th marathons!! We started together, we ran the same course, we finished in the same place, and we have stories to tell about our time in PA. The stories may be different...and they may not be what we had originally planned...but I'm happy to say that I rewrote my PA experience and THIS is my new memory.

Finished the marathon in 3:41:25; earning a BQ and 2nd place in my age group

Rock Lobster Relay

In January I became part of TWB Misfit Runners for the Rock Lobster Relay. A team of 12 racing about 200 miles through 35 towns in ME, from Bar Harbor to Portland, over two days (Friday and Saturday). The weekend was sure to be filled with running, laughs, food, more running and very little sleep.

I met up with some of my team mates Thursday night for dinner and headed towards Bar Harbor for our last night of sleep until the race was over. 

Friday: 

We got up and ran a few errands; then head to the start at Bar Harbor. We meet up with the rest of our team, got our gear, received the safety briefing and are ready to roll!

Prior to this weekend we had to turn our paces in to the race director. He then uses those to predict the average race time for the team and provides us our time to start the race. These are staggered, based on our 'speed' so the teams all end around the same time at the finish line. Our start time was noon.

The weather was chilly and the clouds were dark. We were prepared for anything!

After cheering our first team member across the start line, Van 1 left to support their runner and run their legs. Van 2, my van, set off for some food and to pick up few final necessities. We then headed to Ellsworth where we would meet up with Van 1 and begin our running...right around 3:30pm.  

I was nervous. This was my 4th relay race. So why was I nervous? I had packed all the outfits, sneakers, food, fuel, and hydration I needed. I had a great van of team members. I know how to run. But I was nervous...and excited!

I was runner #10, the third runner in my van. After we start running the time goes pretty quickly. As the runners run we drive the course cheering them on a providing anything they may need...water, hydration, fuel or just a well deserved and usually much needed "Woohoo!!" Next thing you know it's my turn.

The weather was cool on the sidelines, but very warm while you were running.

I took a peak at the map to see what my leg looked like. 5.7 miles, with a few well placed hills. Around 5:30 I headed out. My goal was to run a close to my pace time as I could without hurting myself or pushing myself too hard...as I had two other runs to complete and they were both hilly too.

My first leg took me through Scurry. Part way through my run on the first big hill, a local came and ran with me to the top. I was thankful to have him to talk to!! Found out that I was the third runner he did that for...definitely cool!  He helped me forget about the hill and my heavy tired legs. I grabbed a drink from my team mates and took the turn to continue my route. I was more relaxed and concentrated on just running instead of how fast I felt I had to run. The second hill didn't seem as hard. I got to the end of my route with a strong push, handed the 'baton' to the next runner and cheered as he headed out.

Friday Night/Saturday Morning:

About 8pm we finished our first set of running, handed the baton back to Van 1 and headed to find a place that may be open for food. After stopping for Subway we headed to Rockport where we would meet Van 1. Our goal was to try to get some sleep before we took over the running at 1am. We all stretched out in the van...and tried to get comfortable to and rest as much as we could. 

I was excited to run this leg. I like running in the dark, through the sleeping neighborhoods. Knowing my teammates aren't too far away makes it way less scary than it could be. It was a bit cooler than the afternoon...but a perfect summer night. Decked out in my reflective and lighted vest, lighted hat and headlamp I was ready for my longest run, 8.7 miles. By 3:40am I was on the roads of Warren ME heading to Waldoboro. This felt like my hilliest run. I like running hills in the dark...you don't really know how bad they are until your half way up them and are trying to figure out why your legs hurt and you can't breathe. I had decided I was going to run this leg totally based on effort and paying attention to my breathing. The hills were tough...especially towards the end of my run when I could see them...the sun was starting to rise. I took the time to look around as morning was waking up. I am almost positive I saw an eagle flying over the pond...circling away from me. The route finished flat and I was able to finish strong...so excited to see my teammates!

I've taken a look at my stats for this leg. My pace wasn't steady as I slowed down on the hills, but my cadence was steady through the run! I'm kinda excited about that!

Our van finished just after 6am, handing the baton to Van 1. We then headed to the final big transition area in Brunswick. Our goal again was to try to get some sleep before we took over running. More of the van closed their eyes and rested this time. We were up and ready for our 10:15am start. We weren't really awake. But there was Gorham Grind with their coffee truck providing the best ice coffee I think I've ever had. That may be because it was the most needed coffee I've had in a long time. 

Saturday Afternoon:

This is it...our last set of legs. Van 2 is running to the finish line! Now the sun is shining and the routes don't have a lot of shade. It's a lot harder to find our speed as the sun beats down on us and we're running tired on legs that haven't had a lot of rest. But we are doing it! 

I start my last 4.5 miles. I love the summer...and I love running in the summer. It was sunny and humid. My goal again was to run a pace based on how I felt. I listened to my breathing and just ran...up some more hills. My team mates met me just before and just after the biggest hill of this leg. Knowing where they were going to be along the route made it a bit easier. The last half  mile went by quick and I saw the next runner ready to go! I ran as hard as I could to pass the baton...and then was done!

After our last runner hit the road we set off for the finish line at the Maine State Pier.

All 12 of us met her near the finish so we could run the last few hundred steps with her and all cross the finish line together!

It took our team 26 hours 20 minutes to finish the relay. Earning us 2nd place. But that's not the best part.

The best part is the new friends I've made, the new memories made, the new experience to add to my book. 6 people in a van for 26 hours is an adventure. I can say that I would join them all again for another adventure if invited. 

During the race you get to know some of the other teams and meet other runners along the course or at the transition areas. All the teams support each other...even if we are kind of excited when we pass other runners on our runs. 52 teams were part of the relay this year. We didn't meet all of them, but it was great seeing them along the course. They cheered and provided support to us and much as we did them. 

Saturday Night:

I came home and told my babe all about my adventure...I think he might have volunteered to be a driver if I was to do it again. I unpacked my bags, took the longest shower of the month, stuck a whole bunch of stinky clothes into the washer and headed out to dinner with my babe. I'm not sure I had eaten anything real since the salad at Subway Friday night. We headed to my favorite restaurant, filled my belly and went home...where I crashed on the couch.

This and That

I started this blog a couple of years ago. I wanted to share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition and myself. I don't post as often as I'd like to. I seem to think I don't have enough time.
I do fill my days. I get up in the morning for a run or a class at the gym. Then I work all day. And at night it's either more cross training, or house chores, or time with my babe… By the time I sit down on the couch it's about an hour before I go to bed and I like playing those silly games on my phone. The weekends are always full too...there's just no work involved.
I've had many experiences that I would like to share. Sometimes the words flow easily to describe the events...Sometimes I start the post over three times and it still doesn't come out sounding like I'd like it too. Maybe that's why there are not more posts.

Right now my life consists of running (surprise!) and househunting. I am not totally enjoying the house hunting part...But I am totally loving the running part!
Since April I have paced at a marathon and a half marathon.

 And I have started two Couch to 5K groups.

The two races that I paced, I ran with girls from my running group. We were able to meet the goal that was set! They totally killed their races!!!
The Couch to 5K groups are also doing amazing! Our goal races are in July. And we will be ready!
One fun thing about househunting -  Since we're looking in the area that we currently live in…and I currently run in...I get to check houses out when we run by. There's been a couple where I'm like 'oh we don't have to go see that one', and then there's been some when I come home and tell my husband all about it. It's been a couple months, and I was hoping that we would be in a new house for the summer, but we're still looking…Until we find the one that screams our name...Again…

I'd like to say that I will get better at posting regularly. But I make no promises. I hope to share more of my experiences when they happen...instead of months later. I know that I utilize my RunWithJenn Facebook page to talk about many of them. So stay tuned either on Facebook or here. I'll try to keep you updated.
 https://www.facebook.com/runwithjenn/