October, 2009
I turned 40 over a year ago. The year I turned 40, I got married. Shortly after the marriage began, I landed an awesome job that required me to travel Monday thru Thursday/Friday nearly every week. LOTS of changes in a short amount of time, for sure.
However, in my head, I was still the former Division One collegiate athlete with 22 years of competitive triathlon experience. I'd been training and working out for something....for as long as I could remember.
When the body turned 40, the dis-connect with my brain began. My mind refused to recognize the extra flesh the body was welcoming. My mind seemed to overlook the lazy days on the sofa that took the place of 100 mile bike rides. Saturday morning snuggling with my amazing husband replaced the bike/run 'bricks' that were standard for years.
They say marriage is a lot of give and take.....I just never realized how quickly the 'new- life- replacing -old- life' - mutation would take place.
Although, having a Southern Gentleman for a husband has a pretty large up-side. Having him say, "you look beautiful," first thing in the morning makes me blush. Especially when I finally roll out of bed, shuffle to the full length mirror....only to see my hair disheveled and my pj's crumpled. The Southern Gentleman is clearly blinded by love...
I am a lucky girl, for sure.
After one year of marriage, another year further from 40 and a steady work/travel routine....I decided it was time to get my competitive 'edge' back. Unfortunately, I had to make a severe 'tweak' to the long hours of training. Biking was going to have to take a back seat. Swimming was sunk. During my work-week-travel...the easiest form of 'fitness' to fit into the schedule....was going to be my LEAST favorite method of training madness.
UGH - I was going to have to RUN more.
It's much easier and exceedingly less expensive to toss the Asics into the carry-on bag than it is to pack up the Trek Tri-bike. Yep, that settled it, I was going to have to make time to RUN.
At 6ft tall and (mumble, mumble....) pounds - I am NOT built for speed. I have stamina. I have personal fortitude...but, a small-boned-body-built-to-run - I DO NOT!
In college - I ran the basketball court like a gazelle. While winning medals in Triathlon, I did it primarily because of my biking ability....not because I was a speed demon on foot. My Triathlon strategy has always been to swim hard, bike harder...gain a substantial lead ....run a 10 min. mile.....and hang on for dear life.
Now, my new plan had nothing but ME, MY SHOES and the OPEN ROAD ahead of me. I was certainly out of my comfort zone. No doubt about it.
As 2009 began, I coordinated this seasons Racing Schedule. I scheduled several 5K races. Over the years, I had become a long distance snob. I rode 100 miles, I ran 1/2 marathons....I hadn't run a mere 3.1 miles since my 20s. Ah, how the mighty had fallen.
Yep, it was humbling.
MARCH - I registered for the Elizabeth 8k. I'd done that race the year before. In 2008, I'd done the run 2 months before my wedding. I was motivated to move so that I could fit into the DRESS. This year, my goal was to find a way not to have my lungs explode for fear that the 'crazed runners' would leap over my cold corpse - on their way to a Record-time!
Amazingly, I actually shaved a few seconds off my time this year and crossed the finish line - Lungs in tact. Success!
Historically, the summer months - are the prime racing months. This year, my crazy travel schedule for work - took all my stamina and strength of spirit. Being responsible for 24 Dementia 'neighborhoods' that span the country from Texas to Maryland - WAS MY WORKOUT!
As summer began to fade, I found a way to rebound - and decided to get back on the training-track. I registered for a HALF MARATHON. By August, I was feeling the 'lack-of-training-blues' and decided I needed a longer-distance goal....to get my training 'edge' back.
So, I set my sights on the THUNDER ROAD HALF MARATHON - December 12. Which gave me 5 months to get into 'road-ready' shape. I know I won't cross the Finish Line first - but, I am determined to keep a steady pace and try and finish in under 2 1/2 hours.
I've completed many HALF MARATHONS during my racing career. Some, as part of 1/2 Ironman Triathlons and some - as stand-alone races. In 2003, I competed in my first Half Ironman and I walked considerably in that 13.1 mile run. The following year, in 2004 I did the same Half Ironman again, shaved off 35 mins. from my overall time - didn't walk at all during the 13.1 mile run and I qualified for the National Half Ironman Championships (where I finished 4th). Using history as a guide, I am completely capable of attaining even my running goals. Could History repeat itself in 2009?
SEPTEMBER - 7th, I competed in a Labor Day 5K. I'm pretty comfortable with my 10 min. mile pace. When I'm biking - I'm able to dig deep and find the courage to cruise past as many folks as possible. When I'm running, I do my best to just hang on. However, because the competitive drive flows freely through my core - I find various ways throughout a running race for 'mini victories'. Little accomplishments that somehow help me to focus on the achievement as opposed to focusing on the burning sensation in my lower extremities.
Like, in the Labor Day race - when the 'old gray guy in the headband' jogs past me in the first 1/2 mile. I found my 'zone' and found the energy to pass him as he slowed up for water in mile 2. HA! mini-victory for me!
However, as I mentally high-fived myself for passing the 'old gray guy' I felt the youthful surge of energy as two young boys wearing high-top basketball shoes sailed past me like I was standing still. "Are you FREAKING KIDDING ME?" my brain screamed. "What the hell?" It was like these two kids were jogging home from a youth-basketball game...and they happened to wander onto the 5K race path. I was instantly demoralized. I felt like I had lead pipes for legs and was missing my left lung.
As Billy Joel crooned me along from my iPod, I was mentally kicking-my-own ass for not having the stamina to run faster then boys under the age of 10. I wanted to run faster and pass them however, I had over a mile left and if I allowed 'road-rage' to take over now....the EMS team would be peeling my cold corpse from the pavement on Labor Day. So, I focused on keeping my slow steady pace....and came to terms with the embarrassment of the whole situation.
I kept the young bucks in sight. For the next half mile they served as a reminder - that I was well-past my racing prime. Or, so I thought. After they had another surge of speed....I noticed that not only did they slow down significantly...the one on the right actually stopped and began walking. A few steps later...the one on the left stopped too! Both 'High-tops' were walking! Surely, I could pass them now!
Yep, it took about 40 feet, but I caught up with the devilish duo - and I sailed past them. As I wiped my brow, I spied the 3 mile marker. Sweet Sunshine - I was almost done! I crossed the Finish Line with lungs in tact and pride restored.
Five Days later on the 12th -I participated in the HOG JOG 5K. Besides having a cool name and being the signature race during the BBQ-cook-off weekend extravaganza, this race also included a BLOODY MARY tasting at the Finish Line.
Holy Crap - running through the haze of cooking BBQ to the Free Bloody Mary's at the end - this is RACING NIRVANA!
This run was considerably more hilly than the race five days earlier had been. My legs were on fire within the first 200 yards. Oh, not a good sign. Having the 'Crazy-Man-in-the-cape- and-HOG nose' pass me at the mile 1 marker was clearly humbling. But, I found a way to carry-on and actually completed this race 2 seconds faster than the previous race. Hmmm, not bad. Mini-success.
OCTOBER - Halloween Day, it was the Runway 5k. On a misty-morning, we all gathered on the Runway at the Charlotte International Airport. What a cool concept for a race. Amidst old relic flying machines and kids in costume - the race began. My strategy remained constant - slow and steady. The goal was to finish this 5K faster than I had the previous two while alleviating any cold-corpse scenarios.
I spent the first 1/2 mile jockeying for position. Trying to find the road-space to get into my own rhythm. With the iPod on high, I scanned the crowd in front of me, looking for that person - that could be my motivator. That person, I could keep pace with while biding my time in hopes of passing them. There she was, the 20-something with the purple T-shirt. My goal was to keep 'Purple T-shirt' in my direct line of vision until I was able to make a move.
As we closed out mile 1, an airplane took off from a neighboring runway. Through the music in my headphones, I could barely hear the planes noise.... However, the teenage girl off to my left went into near convulsions as she plugged her ears trying to squash the sound. "Ah, poor girl," I thought...."those young ears are still disturbed by loud noise." Years of working in radio with headsets covering my ears, had long since damaged my eardrums...and as she struggled with the sound - I sailed past her.
Hey, at this stage of racing - I relish ANY reason to pass a fellow competitor, regardless of their age or potential disabilities!
The tall guy moved past me in mile 2. 'Stretch' had a slow steady pace too, however because his legs were nearly 5 feet tall - his stride was his strength. I wondered if the Charlotte Bobcats had cut him recently...."does anyone even watch the NBA anymore?"......My mind was beginning to wander.
I snapped back into focus and found 'Purple T-shirt' just as she slowed up to grab the cup of water from the roadside volunteer. I kept moving...while 'Purple T-shirt' faded behind.
'Short-Shorts' casually jogged past me in full conversation with her gal-pal. Wow, those shorts were short. I quickly assessed her to be about my age and was curious if she'd recently purchased those shorts or were those a carry-over from her former youthful days. While I pondered that, I had a near miss with an aggressive woman pushing a BABY JOGGER. Ugh - I detest those freaking contraptions. It's not that I'm against them, in general - I just think they are totally unsafe when you have a couple thousand folks running in close proximity to one another. Baby Joggers should have races of their own!
She had clipped my left heel and in that moment, I found the fortitude from within to pick up the pace. Although she flew past me without a second glance....Her 'roll-by-assault' motivated me to finish strong. As I passed the mile 3 sign, my right hand was feverishly forwarding the tunes on my iPod shuffle, looking for the SONG to bring me to the Finish Line. Sting - no. Billy Joel - no. Barenaked Ladies - no. Ah, there it was - OLD SCHOOL MADONNA.
With Madonna's motivation, I pumped my arms and passed a wheezing woman on my way to the End. I finished this 5K in over 20 seconds faster than the previous races. Success!
That I didn't body slam 'Baby Jogger' when I saw her standing in line at the Porta-potty as I strolled to my car....Bigger Success!
Less than two months until the Half Marathon. This humble runner is making strides while passing the competition and dodging baby joggers!
