Rewind. Remember when I ran the TCS New York City Marathon? Yeah, so do I.
Rewind again. Remember when I ran the Navy Air-Force Half Marathon in DC? Ummhmm, I remember that too.
Well, then we all remember that I got very overheated and sick after that half marathon and nearly deferred my entry for the marathon. I was terrified of getting sick again, not being able to finish a race, disappointing myself… not be able to do something I love- run distance.
What ya’ll may not know is how I’ve worked to overcome that fear and physical reaction. To meet my body half way and find a way to run safely and enjoy it… first, I had to learn to walk.
Yup, you read that right- WALK.
I walked a lot during the NYC Marathon and all the other half marathons sense. I walk during long training runs and really any other time I feel like it’s what my body needs. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t fall into a “tourist stroll” no no! I keep up a nice power walk pace and can smoothly transition from a jog to a walk and back again. I keep my legs and arms moving, I keep my breath steady, and my posture correct. But I slow down a little which gives my body a change to cool off.
For both the Maine Coast Half Marathon and the Brooklyn Half this month (reviews coming your way soon), I worked with a walk-a-mile/run-a-mile game plan after mile 4 or so. Alternating gave me time to consume gels and water as well as cool down. This was also time to take in the surroundings and enjoy each race a little more knowing I would finish feeling good! At the end of the day, this was the desired outcome. Sure maybe my pace has taken a slight hit, but I’m not going for a PR every time I run and if I keep pushing it so I get sick, eventually there will not be a next time.
At first, yes, this whole “walk if and as you need too” was very hard to accept. It felt like failure. Like I was lazy and not working hard enough. The thing is though, that I was training right and eating right and it was still happening. I wasn’t being lazy– I wasn’t listening to my body.
Completing 13.1 or 26.2 is nothing to sneeze at! No matter how you do it.
Sense I started this method, I have felt so much better while racing and while living my life afterwards. Less pain, no getting sick, and I can actually enjoy the rest of the day after a morning race!
Finishing each race that I start on my own two feet, this is what really matters to me.
While I was running the Maine Coast Half Marathon a few weeks ago, I was thinking about this post. Actually, I was in a “walking mile” while I was thinking about it… and I had an experience I won’t soon forget.
A woman came up behind me and passed on the left. OK, totally normal.
As she passed she asked, “Are you walking this whole thing?”
I nearly fell over (or slapped her)!
I replied, “No, just every other mile” and managed a smile… continuing on the rest of my walk mile and the rest of the race… but I was actually pretty annoyed by the comment.
For me, racing is personal. I don’t want to talk to anyone, I want to be with myself in the moment of every step of each mile. I’ve never had someone say something to me in a race. Sure, usually I participate in much larger races that have a different caliber of runner, but also there are just so many people you can’t talk to everyone, so you don’t say anything. (Unless it’s something encouraging while going up a big hill or approaching the finish, we all cheer and support one another).
But this woman stayed with me. I mean that literally! She was alternating run/walk as well! So for the next few miles- up to the finish when I couldn’t let her cross before me and I pushed through with an amazing finish sprint- we played a little unspoken tag, I’d pass her as she walked and she would pass me when she started running again and I would have started walking again. All the while I was thinking about this post.
Because in that moment with her, I realized SO MUCH! It shouldn’t matter to anyone if I’m walking in a race. No one but me… and well, now all of you… know what I’m working through or what I have going on.
The long and short message- I walk in all of my major races and it’s the best thing I’ve allowed myself to do. Yes, at first I felt like I was failing and not worthy to take on these major races. But now, now I am finishing races and not feeling like I’m doing to die. I feel stronger and happier during and after each race. I’ve accepted what works for me so that I can continue doing something that I love. I not longer feel like a failure, I feel like I can take on any course and any race I pin on a number for!
What helps you through long runs? Share, comment, and like! Most importantly, don’t worry about what anyone else says or thinks, this is just for you.
Always,
C
Having never been on the Staten Island Ferry, I was very content to stand at my spot in the front and watch the morning unfold over the city. Seeing the Verrazano Bridge come into view and pass Lady Liberty was pretty amazing.
I was actually excited to hit the 59th St. Queensbouro Bridge at mile 15/16. I’ve heard about this bit sense I started talking about going the Marathon and here it was. *Disclaimer, by this time I was rocking the “jog a mile, power walk a mile” option. So YES, I walked parts of the bridge.* The view was amazing and a photo op. was definitely taken. But it’s true it’s so QUIET! I usually run with music and this race was no different- although I turned it off when the crowds were cheering or bands where playing- and I had to turn it off for part of this bridge. To hear the talked about quiet and just take in that we were shutting down the city to do this!
Coming off the bridge- the Wall of Sound! As we turned on to 1st Ave. the crowds were AMAZING. The noise and the signs. So many people right there to share this amazing experience with us. Megan and family found me a few times along the way, as did friends Amanda and Tyler. Seeing signed with my name on them was totally thrilling and encouraging. I didn’t run with my name on my shirt…. it’s SO long… but that didn’t stop me from enjoying support from every single spectator I locked eyes with.
Snapped this pic and had that medal hung around my neck. I DID IT. Still smiling, I finished the TCS NYC Marathon.
Monday Marathon Monday
Saturday morning was for coffee, monument viewing, and packet pickup. The Expo… sort of disappointing I have to say. Either I’ve been spoiled by the BK Half party of an expo or I was looking forward to the massive Marathon every… There just wasn’t must to see or things to do. Get your number, get your shirt.. look over the green of the ball park and head back to the car. Ok, so at least it was easy to get into and out of! With race numbers acquired, the only other thing to do was eat well and sight see- not wearing ourselves out to much- and rest before the race the next day.
“Ruin is the road to transformation” ~ Eat Pray Love
A: Integration of various forms of movement and exercise is important because, in my experience, nothing does everything. Yoga is great for stretching the hamstrings, but there are no asanas that strengthen the hamstrings as effectively as running does. We do a lot of pushing in Yoga, working the triceps and serratus anterior, but there are more opportunities to work our pulling muscles like the biceps and lats in TRX (not to mention grip strength!) When students ask me if Yoga will help them lose weight, I hate to break it to them, but as great as Yoga is for finding more range of movement and developing a stronger sense of proprioception, it doesn’t really count as cardiovascular fitness (sustained aerobic exercise). Those students are better off going for a jog, swim, or bike ride.
run.live.love. 