Running Mafia, Club or Family

Yesterday on my Facebook page I asked the question "When driving around NWI and you see a 26.2 or 13.1 sticker do you think... oh a runner. I wonder if I knew them?" Well 22 people liked it and 6 people commented. I guess you could say the overwhelming majority knew exactly what I meant. So it got me thinking about runners and here are some thoughts I had...

Runners have an unspoken language. You see an runner out running and often wish you were running. You may also be proud of that person for running even if you don't know them. Runners sometimes don't even have to speak because just seeing another runner you can have an unspoken conversation. So I'm not sure if we are a club, a mafia or just a special family. All I know is I respect every single person who goes out their door and puts one foot in front of the other.


I can understand a bad run, good run, PR, failed PR and most amazing run ever. We all experience these things on different days, different times and for different reasons. I told a group of new runners yesterday that even though my family lives 4 hours away I always feel like I have family here in the running community. Even though runners throughout the country and world inspire me I'm not sure it can compare to Northwest Indiana running community. They have inspired, pushed, encouraged, supported and made me feel like family. I often say going to a race in Northwest Indiana feels like a family reunion. So if you are ever out running just member you are my family. Don't ever give up because you have an entire family cheering for you.

Trail Run Extreme Race Recap

Every Memorial Day Imagination Glen Park in Portage, Indiana plays host to the Extreme Trail Run. For me I have a love/hate relationship with this race. I look forward to it every year but at the same time I know it is going to be tough. So I set out for race number two of this long week. This year I even convinced a couple of my favorite runners; Tim and Sue to come check it out for the first time. I wasn't sure if we would be friends afterward...

So Sue and I lined up together. While Tim set out to find a runner to run with. Several other of our friends lined up with us also. I told Sue lets just stick together and tackle this together. So we set off. Running, climbing, jumping... then we hit the first creek crossing. At this point we are now covered in mud... so we sliding and running once again. Then we hit creek number two so then we are even more muddy and so is the trail. We tried to stick to as much grass as we could. We struggled through a couple of hills but kept plugging along. Sue did great keeping the pace really going. We even started to pick off some runners. Then we were coming down a hill and I lost my balance and fell. Sue was charging ahead but I was able to catch her. We also had one more creek crossing that was much deeper. I knew it was coming so I warned Sue. I also knew this one was easier if I stood back let Sue cross and then I went really fast through it. Then the course has a slight tease where you think you are done but you're not. So we set back into the woods for one last section. Then we could hear the finish line coming so we took off.  Both finishing in 1:21. Sue did awesome finishing in second place in her age group while I was 4th out of 15 and 137 out of 234.

This race is hard to really prepare for. It is different every year I run it. I love the eased pace and the comrade of the other runners who do trail races. I feel that it is important as a runner to be able to take yourself out of your comfort zone sometimes. I am so glad to report my friends Tim and Sue do not want to kill me, we are still friends and they had fun... so goal accomplished.

Solider Field 10 Miler Recap

Saturday was the 10th anniversary of the Solider Field 10 Mile Race. I had never done this race before and I am very glad I did.

The day started off with me over sleeping and having to get ready in about 3 minutes and run out the door to meet my friends. We got to the parking garages at Solider Field with plenty of time to spare. Oh and parking was FREE! Cannot tell you how awesome I think this is and wish more Chicago races offered this option. We set out for last minute bathroom breaks and gear check. We also made a plan on how to meet up afterward since we were not all in the same corrals.

I got into my corral and it was very crowded. I soon saw a fellow runner friend Michelle who snapped this picture of me.

Then one of my new favorite runners Tammy spotted me and we lined up together. This was her first time running this race also. She was very nervous about the very packed corral. So we chatted and froze our butts off until they finally let us start. The clock above the start line said about 17 minutes before we even crossed the start line.

I told Tammy before we even took off that I knew the first mile was going to be very crowded. Her plan was to stay to the right and not get run over. My plan was to try to stick to the "tangent" the best I could while picking off slower runners as quickly as  I could. The first mile took me 8:41 and I ran quite a bit extra trying to get around the runners. Once we went under McCormick Place I was able to settle in a little better. Then once we hit Lake Shore Drive it became much easier to go around the slower runners. My original plan was to stick right around an 8:50 until the 2nd half of the race. However I felt so good. I hit and 8:26 mile two (WOW who am I?) Once I hit mile 3 the elite runners were already on their way back. I was so amazed watching them plug along it really pushed me to just fly through the miles. I tried to spot my friends Aaron, Dan and Tim since I knew they started in corral 1 but I wasn't able to see them. Then I saw a bright orange tank and I knew it was my buddy Sue who wore the same tank as me. We shouted good lucks and I felt so good. Then I knew there was a chance to see my friend Jeromy.  I dropped back slightly and did a 8:34 mile 3 and 8:45 mile 4.First I passed fellow runner Michelle who snapped the picture of me. Then sure enough I saw my friend Jeromy and we fist pumped in good luck to each other. The turn around on Lake Shore then approached. I knew since Jeromy was in corral 4 it was probably coming soon. At mile 4.75 or so we headed back on the bike path toward Solider Field.

At this point the wind changed and it hit me pretty hard. However I still was able to maintain an 8:45 through mile 5. I was really feeling really good. There was a slight hill somewhere around 6 and I was still feeling and able to do an 8:43. Then I just needed water. So I the next water stop came and I had to stop and take a shot block and drink some water so mile 7 was 8:58. I thought I would be able to pick up my pace after taking the quick break but I wasn't able to fully recover. The blisters I have from the 50K really began to bother me around this point. So I did 8:44 for both mile 8 and mile 9. Once mile 9 hit I gave myself a quick pep talk and even though I'm not quite sure since you lose GPS when you head under the stadium my watch still said 8:30 for mile 10. I ran .11 over for total distance of 10.11... I was 3670 place out of 12505, 1151 out of 7167 females and 273 out of 1163 in my age group.

I love every second of this race. I felt amazing. How cool is this finish line! I can't lie I really wanted to do the Icky Shuffle in the end zone...

If I had to have a complaint about the race was the corrals. I was in 6 and I was passing so many people walking or running much slower than I was. I felt they were very well organized but the placing of runners in corrals didn't seem right.




After I got my medal, goodie bag and changed my clothes I went to meet up with my friends at the post-race party. We had a BLAST! One of the best times I have had a post race party. 




I insisted on one of my traditions is that everyone do a cheers...

Soul Asylum played at the post race party. My friend Sue and I really had a blast. We had a long wait since two runners who came with us were unfortunate to be in corral 17!

I am so glad that a group of us went to the race. We really all had a good time and we able to enjoy this race. I think we are all agreed we would want to do it again next year.

I love all my Northwest Indiana Running Friends
You guys are so awesome!!!

Would you do it again?

Probably the most popular phrase among the running community... So would you do it again? It doesn't matter if it was your first half, full marathon or even 5K the question always remains. My friend Norm asked me this almost immediately after I finished the Tryon Farm 50K. Well here is the truth....

YES.... YES.... YES... I never ever  EVER thought I would say this. Honestly running that 50K proved to me even more than the marathons I have run that I am so much stronger and have so much more courage that I ever thought possible. I really enjoyed this event and it has really give me a new found strength that nothing can bring me down. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..." Kelly Clarkson. Right on sister. Honestly I never thought that any of this was possible 4 years ago and now I feel a new found sense of pride.   It wasn't easy and I even had many moments of thinking I'm not sure I have this in me. However I just kept pushing. I'm also frustrated by the blisters on my feet and it making my recovery longer but nothing can take away the sense of pride I still feel for finishing that 50K.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, given me advice and loves me. Runners know how much of a commitment our love for running can be. So thank you for allowing me to go and do what I love. Support from every all of family members, boyfriend, friends and fellow runner means the world to me.

Tryon Farm 50K Race Recap

Saturday came... I met two runners who were probably guilted into  going to the race because they know me. We met and made the commute to Michigan City. Once we arrived we had to start making our plan for the race. I really did not want to wear my fuel belt the entire race because I knew it would get uncomfortable. I realized once we got things set that I would pass by my bag of stuff every 6 miles since the course was a loop.

Loop 1 I wished Dan and Aaron good luck and lined up for loop one with no water. I started out loop one feeling really good. The faster pack quickly pulled ahead of me though. Once we hit the woods though they would pass me since it was winding around. Then a few miles laster they were much further ahead and I couldn't see them. I just kept following the orange ribbons that the race director advised us to follow. I came to the second water stop and I was feeling pretty good and was really happy with my pace. My goal was to really try to stick to just over an hour per lap. After leaving the water stop I took off still feeling really good and then I got totally confused and lost. There were not any other runners around other than those behind me. I finally thought I was on track but I still made some wrong turns. I ended up much closer to the lead runners than I probably should have been. I ended up coming to the pass through point in under 1 hour. I knew something was not quite right. I grabbed some water, high fives from friends arriving for the 10K and set out for lap 2.

Loop 2  This time I got the course right. I made sure to follow exactly what I was doing. I knew I needed to make sure I didn't go to fast but I was excited to finish loop 2 knowing I had a pacer for the final 3 loops. As I approached the pass through again the 10K and 5K runners were lined up. It really pumped me up to have them all cheering for me. 

Loop 3 My friend Bryan joined in with me to pace me for the loops. I quickly realized and said to Bryan omg the 10K runners are going to run me over. I was right. They crowded me, through me off pass and made me extremely nervous. I was so overwhelmed with having the additional runners on the course. Although many of the locals who knew me were so kind to cheer me on. Even one stranger told me "50K... you're an animal..." Thanks random stranger. Then it got hot. I mean really hot. I was not happy and Bryan was the best pacer just keeping me as positive as he could. Then I knew we were close to the pass again. The 10K had mostly finished and there were tons of people there cheering for me. I took another runners advise and I had some grilled cheese, coke and I chugged some Coconut water.

Loop 4... This loops started out with me walking and finishing off the coconut water. It was hot, hot, hot. Bryan again ran this loop with me. Encouraging me every step! In the open fields I was baking. When we got to the first water stop the women was using her water hose to spray runners. I hugged Judy. This loop was hot. I tried many things to try to get through it. I even had the 2nd water stop hose me down again. At one point I made Bryan just stay ahead of me. I felt like having him ahead I was less likely to take so many breaks. I still walked a lot. Much more than I wanted to. I came to the pass again and there were still friends there cheering for me hard. I took some more coke (thank you Derrick for that coke it was amazing!!! )and coconut water. I also picked up a new pacer Doug.

Loop 5... This loops started with me announcing "Uno Mas." One more. Doug was great. The sun faded and it was slightly cooler in the shade... relief felt so good. I also had him run ahead of me to keep me going. He even was able to photo me at the 26.2 mile marker 

And also the final time I had to climb over the stupid sand pimple... which I PROUDLY climbed all 5 loops

I told Doug when were we getting close that he should sprint ahead of me when I gave him the go ahead so that people would know I was coming. We made the turn and I said ok go I got it. He said ok finish it up like this is nothing and like you want to run more... in my crazy state of mind I told him, "yes sir." Then quickly I thought... that is exactly what I am going to do. As I made the final turn I smiled and raised my hands up as everyone was cheering for me. I pushed it hard to the final finish.

I did it... 6 hours 15 minutes 50 seconds... 25th place out of 43 yay me!

I cannot thanks Bryan and Doug enough for their support during the run. Also a special thanks to Tammy for sticking around so Doug could run with me as well as the video she made. I also feel I need to thanks Tammy Zack, Norm Williams and John Borman who really encouraged me. They are amazing runners. Also my friend Tim Post who really inspired me to take on this challenge.

So when all is said and done I am an ultra runner. 50K complete.  Oh and Dan and Aaron were awesome! We decided that the three of us officially have bragging rights among our running buddies. I am so glad they came and experienced this with me. It was an amazing day. Goal accomplished I finished.... Would I do it again... honestly yes. It was amazing! All I can say is never doubt yourself. Believe in yourself and just keep going.

Phil 4:13 

Ready, Set 50K

Well life has been crazy but there is no turning back now. 50K here I come. Last weekend they allowed us to come run the course and I really enjoyed it. 

Today I went to packet pick up and enjoyed one last short and easy run. Tomorrow will be all about rest and carbs.