I Wanna Be Faster!

I have many speedy friends in the running community. On my best day, I am a middle-of-the-pack runner.  What does that mean? Well, if coyotes attack my running group on the trails (something I am certain will happen some evening), my friends will escape without even breathing heavily; I will be a tasty coyote dinner.  If there is a zombie apocalypse, I will be just fine with my 5K pace of 8:30/mile. If the zombies can hang in there past 3 miles, I am brainfood.

Be careful of zombies--seriously!

  

If you are a slower runner, you might be tempted to compare yourself to your faster friends and decide that it’s no use trying to improve your time.  I disagree. While I don’t compare my running times to those of other people, I do like to set my own time goals and then beat them. There is nothing like the feeling of a PR, especially if you pay yourself five bucks for every PR (See my post about paying yourself for running). So, how can we run faster, even if we don’t run like Meb?  Here are some tips for any runner. Use what you like; there is no one plan for everybody.

 Speedwork 

This is the number one technique (obviously) to getting faster.  If you google the term, you will see lots of different methods. Choose anything you want to try; try everything!  I like to do speedwork twice a week, and here are some of my workouts:

10s20s30s.  This is a great beginner’s method. All you need to do is count or use a watch if you don’t like to count.  After a warmup, I run for 30 breath cycles (more on this in the next tip) at an easy pace, then 20 cycles at a moderate pace, then I sprint for 10 cycles.  If you are using a watch or the clock on a treadmill, you can do 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 10 seconds. Repeat for 2-4 miles; then, cool down.

Intervals: Warm up for a mile. Run 400 meters (or a quarter mile) at 5k pace. Recover for a minute by walking or slowly jogging.  Repeat up to 12 times. Cool down. When you feel comfortable with this pattern, you can either speed up your pace or lengthen your running to 800 meters (or half a mile) for up to 8 intervals.  Cool down.

Tempo Runs: Warm up for a mile. Run 3-6 miles at half marathon pace. Cool down.  Increase your speed and your middle miles as you get more comfortable.

Breathing

Your ability to bear discomfort has a lot to do with your breathing. As someone who bore two children, one without an effective epidural, I can tell you that breathing is the number one non-drug way of managing pain. Running faster is a matter of working with discomfort and even sometimes pain.  How do you breathe when you run? I read an article (Boy, a better blogger would have that reference for you here, but I can’t find it) that claimed that in-out breathing patterns should be grouped with footstrikes, and they should be in uneven number cycles in order to alternate each side.  This is how I breathe when I run: three breaths in (I chant in my head, “In-In-In) and two breaths out (“Out-Out”). Each breath occurs when my foot strikes the ground. It takes practice, but it really helps me to run faster and endure the discomfort that comes with it. I even have mantras that go with those cycles:  I am Strong (In-breaths), Runner (Out-breaths); I am Fast, Runner; I Got This, Runner.  
Recovery


Here is something I learned when researching speed work. Do you know why we call 400s or 800s Intervals? The interval part isn’t the running, which is what I originally thought.  The interval refers to the recovery. Recovery and rest are super-important for overall health, and you won’t get faster if you don’t respect this. When we work hard, we cause minute tears in our muscles. Protein and rest repair those tears, and the muscles become stronger. If you don’t consume protein, and if you don’t rest, you will continue to strain those muscles, and they will get weaker instead of stronger.  It’s that simple. Take a rest day between difficult workouts. Do yoga. Stretch. You’ll be better and faster for it!

Use your newfound strength to race at the Cleveland Marathon series! If you want 10% off registration for any of the races, use my code RUNCLESTEPHANI10 !

Whether you run speedy or slow, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

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Giveaway Week!

Peeps, you may have heard (in very subtle hints) that I am a Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador.  This means that I get to give away an entry to the funnest (yes, that is a word) race in Ohio! This week starts my giveaway; I will post each day from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  Respond to my posts, and I will give you a chance at registration for any race in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon series!

To kick this off, I thought I would present 13.1 things about me. It should be 26.2, but I am not that interesting.

Shut up.

1. I didn't start running until after I turned 40.  I got a late start, but I'm in it for the longevity.

2. I originally started running so that I could run the 3.1 mile leg on Sand Run Parkway for the Akron Marathon. I tried and tried to run farther than 2 miles, but I would be winded. Finally, I joined a running group, the Towpath Turtles. The day I reached 4 miles, I burst into tears. "I never thought I would be able to run this far," I sobbed gratefully to my coach. "Of course you didn't," she replied, "because you were running like a dumbass before."  Huh.

Me with my first running group, the Towpath Turtles

3. I signed up for that very leg on an Akron Marathon Relay team. When teaching a unit about Carpe Diem (seize the day!) in my literature class, a student challenged me: "Why not run the half marathon? Why run only 3 miles? What are we really doing here?" I realized she was right, and I switched to the half.  There was no looking back.

4.  I ran the Akron Marathon when I failed to break the 2:00 barrier for the half marathon (I was 53 seconds short!).  Again, there was no looking back. This year will be my 5th consecutive Akron Marathon. I have run the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon 4 times. Will this year be the 5th?

My first marathon!

5.  I ran my first 50k this year for Forget the PR. It was brutal, but I had a great time.

Wendy and I finish my first 50K!

6. Sometimes I think about a 50 miler. . . and then I remember how miserable I feel in the last 6 miles of a marathon. So far that is a NOPE race.

7.  I am a high school English teacher. I love teaching high schoolers.  Seriously. I use running analogies all the time. My favorite: Education is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to build your endurance. Sometimes your runs are super-fun, and sometimes they suck and you feel like they will never end. They all have purpose, and they all make you a better person.

8. For three years I lived in Paris, France, where I met my husband. We had a neighborhood restaurant called Cafe Le Bouliste. When we retire, we plan to move back to Paris and open a Browns backers club called Le Dawg Pound.

My husband--the Kabyle Chef

9.  Although I am an English teacher, the language I speak at home with my husband is French. Go figure.

10.  I am obsessed with food. I think about it constantly, and I am always hungry. I feel like I ran my 50K only for the trail food and the opportunity to drink a lot of beer after the race. Unfortunately for me, I was wiped out after 2 beers.  Ok, maybe 3. Favorite aid station food? Grilled cheese sandwich triangles with pickles on top.  Runner up? Bacon.

11. Trail running is not my first love. In fact, I hated it for my first two years of running. I didn't even buy my first pair of trail shoes until I was three years in. Today I like to run trails if I am with my friends, but if I am alone, give me roads any day.

Love me some roads!

Love me some trails, too!

12. I struggle with my weight. A lot. When I started training for marathons and ultras, the wheels came off a bit, and I've gained 20 pounds that I am now trying to lose. For me, this means logging every bite I put into my mouth. Somedays I wish I could eat like a "normal" person, but I know where that kind of thinking leads me. . .right into my fat clothes.  I've lost 10 of the 20 pounds, but every day is a battle.

13.  I belong to some super-cool running groups: Trail Sisters, Crooked River Trail Runners, Phillips' Phlyers, Canal Rats, the Lawn Wranglers.  I truly enjoy running with people in these groups. Runners can be the nicest, most welcoming people in the world.

The Trail Sisters

13.1. I want to give YOU a free entry to any Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon race!

For a chance to win, tell me which of the above snippets relates to you. Want more chances? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout! I will post a chance for you to respond each day. At the end of the week (Saturday, February 8), I will draw the winner, and I will announce it on Sunday, February 9.

Don't feel lucky? Use my code, RUNCLESTEPHANI10, for 10% off any race registration.

What are you waiting for? Join me!

However, whenever you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!

There's a Needle for That.

You hate this title, don't you?

Last post, I wrote about my problems with Morton's Neuroma in both feet. Honestly, I have been really freaked about it.  You can read about it here.

Since then, I have been trying to figure out the problem and take care of the situation. Here are some things I have been doing:

1. I have cut back on my running by about 10-15 miles per week. I have been substituting strength training. I plan to put in some swimming soon.

Pretty soon I'll look EXACTLY like this. . . but hopefully with hair.  And, well, not as a man.

2. I have purchased a new pair of trail shoes, and I haven't worn trail shoes as much as I usually do.

Saucony Peregrine Ice.

3. I have continued my visits to the chiropractor.

4.  I now use YogaToes (when my feet aren't too cold).

5. I have had 3 acupuncture treatments so far, and I have another scheduled.

I basically get needles in my feet (soles and tops), my calves, my lower and upper back, my hands, my ear, and my head.  It doesn't sound relaxing, but somehow it is. . .well, after the needles in my feet go in. I can't feel any of the needles going in except for those on the soles of my feet. Even so, I don't feel them once they are in. 

I really like my acupuncturist. She instructs me by explaining how all of it works, and I find Eastern Medicine to be very interesting. I also like the idea that sticking me in different places can help different problems, all at the same time. You got a problem? There is a needle for that.

The marble-like sensation hasn't completely disappeared, but it is definitely dissipating. I have hope, so much hope that I'm thinking ahead to the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. I haven't registered yet because I can't choose between the Challenge Series or the marathon, but I'm definitely going to be there, and it's going to be amazing! Do you want to join me? Register here and use my code, RUNCLESTEPHANI10 to get 10% off any race, even the Challenge Series!

Clearly, I am excited to run Cleveland!

Wherever you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

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My Lumps

Yes, I know that isn't the song.

I have Morton's Neuroma on both feet.  This is some kind of  bullshit because I NEVER wear high heeled shoes. In general, my shoes are supportive, rather than cute. I first noticed the feeling of a marble in the ball of my left foot about two months ago. After the Akron Marathon, I went back to my trusty chiropractor, who previously had cured my Achilles Tendinitis. I like my chiropractor because she won't tell me to stop running.

This is EXACTLY what a Morton's Neuroma looks like.  I guess. What the hell is this???

What has caused my neuroma?  Here are some guesses:

1. Shoes.  I have worn the same brand of trail and road shoes since I started running about eight years ago. Maybe they are no longer the best shoe for me? I notice that I feel worse after trail running more than five miles.

2. Weight. I have not been able to shed fifteen pounds that I put on when I started marathon and 50K training. I'm not sure I buy this one, however, because I was much heavier when I first started running.

3. Stress. I have been in a dark, stressful place for a while. (I am sure that because of my naturally sunny disposition, you didn't notice.) I think my stress is slowly killing my body, piece by piece.

4. Dampness? This is a weird one, but my acupuncturist said that Chinese practitioners believe that dampness causes neuroma. This has certainly been a damp time outside.

5. Running. Gulp.  I don't want to believe this one. I'm going to just skip over it.

What am I doing to treat my neuroma?

1. Shoes. I am wearing completely supportive shoes at all times. I just bought a new pair of the same brand of trail shoes, but I might go to Second Sole to discuss changing brands.

2. Weight. Let's be honest here. Nothing yet.

3. Stress. Ummmmm. . .Move on. Nothing to see here.

4. I am currently experiencing acupuncture, a first for me. My acupuncturist seems really confident that she can take care of the problem.  I really, really hope so. I'm combining that therapy with my chiropractor's sessions, so I'm currently getting my neck cracked and needles stuck into the bottoms of my feet. And the top of my head. And my ears. And my back. And my legs. And my hand.

5. Running. I have cut way down on the mileage, and I"m not happy about it. I have been doing other exercises, but running has always been the best way to keep down the crazy.

How will this end? I haven't a clue, but I have hope. I have so much hope that I registered for a fall marathon.

Also, as a Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador, I am still your connection for discount race entries!

Would you like a free race entry? Take your chances by following the Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors. You can find their social media info here.

Not feeling lucky? You can get a 10% discount on your race entry if you use my code, RUNCLESTEPHANI10. Join me! I promise I won't keep talking about my lumps.

Wherever/whenever you run, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!

We Honor You: Cleveland Recap Part II

Last week I gave a first impression recap of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. In that post, I said that I wanted to write at least one other post to address my feelings about Taylor Ceepo's death.  I was avoiding writing the post because I was avoiding processing my feelings about all of it. I ran the Medina Half Marathon today (recap to come later), and several people asked me when I would continue my reflections on the events of the Cleveland Marathon.

So, I guess that will happen today.

Sunday was super-difficult for me, as you read in my post. It was difficult for most runners, but it was the MOST difficult for Taylor Ceepo's family.

If you haven't heard yet, Taylor Ceepo, Medina resident, St. Vincent alum, Walsh University graduate, died about a quarter-mile from the finish line while running the half marathon at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Here is a link to her obituary in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Taylor Ceepo

I didn't know Taylor; I don't know her family. I teach at Medina High School, and I have heard/read that Taylor was a coach for a soccer club in Medina, so I'm thinking that some of my students knew her.  I know that we have some mutual friends who have talked to me about the memorial services.

When I think about Taylor, who was only 22, I think about her parents. I have two kids, Punkin (17) and Butterbean (12), and I am old enough to have had a 22 year old child. My first thoughts when I heard of her death were for her parents.  Elizabeth Stone summed it up perfectly when she said, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

 When Punkin was 3 years old, I told my husband (the Kabyle Chef), "I think we need to have another child. If something happens to this one, I could never survive it."  The Kabyle Chef agreed with me almost immediately. Ok, ALMOST.  There is another part to this conversation; I also said, "They say you have one good one and one bad one."

The Chef's response was, "OMG. What if she IS the good one????"

Punkin at 3 years old.  Just kidding. It's a statue of Regan from The Exorcist.

Regardless, because I am neurotic, I have had nightmares about something terrible happening to one or both of my kids. It is the absolute worst thing to happen to a parent. So, that is why my first thought was for Taylor's parents.

My second thought was a jumble. As you may have read, the running community lost another great member in March: Steve Pierce. Click here to read my tribute to my friend.

Both deaths have hit me hard because they happened so close together and because they are SUCH A GODDAMNED INJUSTICE.  It isn't fair.  Steve's death made me angry and afraid, and Taylor's death has magnified that fear. With Steve's death, I had an existential midlife crisis that I thought I had scheduled for myself when I turned forty: What if I die? What is death? Is there an afterlife? All of these questions have tormented me since we lost him. When we lost Taylor, I had greater fears: What if my kids die? How will I go on?

Today, as I ran with a friend, she talked about the Greater Purpose behind death, specifically deaths that we feel happened too soon. I said that while I respect the beliefs of those who cling to the Greater Purpose, I do not believe that there is any purpose to an untimely death. It's wrong. Steve's death was wrong. Taylor's death was wrong. It's not fair. Screw this.

So, what do I take from this? There is no good from the deaths of two people who left suddenly and too soon.  There is no lesson; there is only the reaction.  I can't always control the circumstances of my life, but I can control how I react to them.

When I fear death, mine or someone else's:

I must remember to fiercely love my children, even. . .ESPECIALLY when they are unlovable. I must hug them and hold them and kiss them and remind them that I NEED  them.

I must look to my community and my friends, and I must remind them that I value them and I love them. . .because I may not always have them. This is not easy for me because, well, I'm sort of prickly.  That is my reaction, and I need to change it. My friends deserve more from me.

I must remember that everyone around me has a story and a history. We are all dealing with shit and a struggle, and my job is to find a better reaction to their struggles.

My favorite novel in the whole world is To Kill a Mockingbird, and I am lucky to be able to finish every school year with it in my Sophomore Language Arts class.  Atticus Finch, the best role model for a parent and leader that I can ever imagine, said, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” 

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch

I can look at my world with more empathy because frankly, I don't know how much longer I or those I love will remain in it.   

I can choose to be angry, or I can choose to love. Actually, I choose both. 

As you can tell, this is a rambling way for me to square my thoughts. I have no answers or assurance. 

I will run away from my troubles, as I have always done. This time, though, I will recognize the journey and friendship of those who run with me and around me.

I love you, Peeps. Run happy.


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Hot in Cleveland: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Recap

Sooooo. . . I've spent my time training in the coldest of cold temperatures this winter and spring. Zero degrees? PSSSHHHH.  Who knew that Cleveland would smack me in the face with 80+ degrees on race day???? But. . . I've gotten ahead of myself.

I worked the Expo on Saturday morning for a little bit, but things were slow, so I was allowed to go pick up my packet and browse the expo. So many fun things to do! I got a free blood pressure check and facial screening (Scary! Peeps, wear a hat when you run outside), and I bought socks, Bondi Bands, and a 50K car magnet (in honor of Forget the PR). I also took a pic, of course:

What bib number are you? Do you have any ID? NO???? NO BIB FOR YOU!!!

I'm official!

This is EXACTLY how I look when I win a marathon wearing Birkenstocks.

I met Marta for a pre-race dinner, took a two-mile walk with the kids, and then went to bed early.

The next morning was a 4:00 wake-up.  I had already laid out my clothes and gear,  so it was a matter of drinking my coffee and eating my bagel and fretting about finding a parking space. FYI: There is no need to fret about parking spaces, but I do it every year. This year I pulled right into a lot just feet away from the finish area. Easy peasy.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am fretting about  parking. Notice that I am ALREADY SWEATING.

I met up for starting line promo pics:

2019 Ambassadors

This year the photographer didn't pick me to stand in front of everyone else. I am less special this year, I guess.

Marta and I took pictures with everyone we could find:

Women of Cleveland: Melissa, Pam (nice tongue), Stephanie, Katie, Melissa, Me, of course.

Marta and I walk to the start.

Marta found Jeffery and Nikki, who brought Rico Suave to cheer us on!

Corral Shenanigans: Here we go!

Normally, the first 13 miles of a marathon are pretty chillax for me because I don't push myself too hard. It's a time to warm up, talk, take the beer miles when/if you can, high five little kids. This year was different. Even after mile 2 I felt like I was on the struggle bus, and that bus was not where I wanted to be. It was so hot and humid; I was already finding it difficult to breathe and find a good pace.

There were definitely some great moments--like the Bishop, for instance:

I was hoping to get a picture with this dude! He made my day!

We took a beer mile, and it was very refreshing in the heat. I don't regret that at all.

Lots of bridges. So cool.
Photo credit: Marta Pacur

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am pretending I am not on the struggle bus.
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

I love the Cleveland Marathon course. It has all kinds of neighborhoods and scenery: Downtown, The Flats (both East and West banks), Tremont, Ohio City (Hello, Speedo guy again this year!), Clifton, Edgewater, Battery Park, Gordon Square. Everything is so interesting, and the course really highlights what makes Cleveland special. I love running the out-and-back stretch to Rocky River and back to Edgewater because I can look for my fast friends to inspire me on the way down. I saw Ryan (3:05 pacer!), Steve (3:45 pacer!), Eric,  and Pam. When we were around Mile 14, we saw Luke, who was looking super strong, even in the incredible heat and humidity. He gave us hugs and high fives, and yelled, "Who made me sign up for this?" Marta and I both pointed to each other and shrugged.

The wheels really came off around mile 17. I was really, really hot. I wasn't sweating, and my heart was beating too fast. I was worried that I was getting heat stroke. I started walking a bit during almost every mile. I didn't want to fuel after mile 15 because I was feeling nauseous, but I knew I needed the fuel. I also felt like I was drinking too much water, so I started swishing and spitting at the aid stations and dumping water over my head instead of swallowing it. God bless the people who sprayed us with hoses because they probably saved me.  God bless Marta, too, because she stuck with me even though I told her to go ahead because I was definitely not going to make a good finish time.

Seriously, Peeps, it was really difficult out there. One mile out from the finish, I couldn't even get excited enough to run it in until Lee came by us just before the bridge. She gave a great pep talk and really helped me buck up. "There is serious carnage out there," she told us. "Even the elites have dropped the idea of a PR today, so you are badasses for being out here. Now, you are allowed to walk up the hill to that bridge because you are trail runners, but then you are going to run it in to the finish. Get going!" I managed to run and finish, and I fell apart as soon as I stopped my Garmin.

Marta doesn't know it, but I was crying and hyperventilating here.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I fall apart after I stop my Garmin.

I'm a mess. Luke is fine; Pam and Steve are fine.
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

I drank some chocolate milk, but I couldn't handle more sugar, so I drank a beer, and it actually made me feel better. Then I was able to interact a bit more.

Ambassadors Finish! Eric, Pam, Me
Photo Credit: Steve McGowan

Marta, Me, Pam, Eric, Luke
Photo Credit: Steve McGowan

Me, Luke, Marta
Photo Credit: Eric Geyer

This race was no joke, Peeps. I have never walked so much in a road race in my entire life. Today I feel like a long train ran me over. 

I am grateful that I was able to finish, and I am grateful to my friends who supported me in this journey.

I have more to say about the race, specifically about the people who couldn't finish, and more specifically about Taylor Ceepo, who collapsed and died a mile from the finish line. I will honor Taylor with a separate post, but I wanted to acknowledge that this day was marked by tragedy. My heart goes out to Taylor's family and friends.

Lastly (for this post), I want to thank all the volunteers who helped out in this race. You gave me water, Powerade, and HoneyStinger gels, you sprayed me with the hose, you smiled and cheered and awarded me a sweet medal. Thank you for giving so generously of your time and spirit. Thank you to the Staph family and all the organizers who put all of this together. Thank you to my fellow Ambassadors who are more than social media friends to me; they are my family.

And thank YOU, Peeps. 

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter @itibrout!

Run Happy, Peeps!

20 Miles: Goose, Collie, Buzzards

Marta and I ran 20 miles today.  Here we are at the beginning of the run. One of us doesn't want to do it. I'll let you decide who that is:

It was rainy and chilly, but I was ready for this run because I planned most of the route around West Akron. I decided we would follow my old, old Blue Line route combined with my morning run around the mall. These two combined would give us about 14 miles, so I came up with extra miles along the way. It was an adventure, to be certain.

Our adventure started when a goose attacked us. I know what you are thinking. You think a goose ran after us, but you are mistaken. That goose flew up into the air and came at MY FACE, hissing at us. Marta was looking at a storefront, and I pushed both of us out of the way of the dangerous beast, yelling, "Jesus! It's attacking us!"  I saved our lives, Peeps.

This is EXACTLY how the goose looked when it came at me, Peeps.

Then, as we were running (ok, we were walking here) along the sidewalk on S. Hawkins Avenue, a Collie came out of the yard and aggressively charged us, barking and growling. I thought, This is how it ends, with Lassie tearing out my throat. Luckily, the owner came out, got the dog, and apologized. She saved our lives, Peeps.

Here is a picture of me telling Marta to get out of the way of a car behind her. I saved her life, Peeps.

As we ran up S. Rose, we saw two buzzards tearing apart a brown paper bag. They were ginormous. I wanted Marta to take a picture of them because my phone was in my pack, but she refused because taking pictures of buzzards brings about Bad CroMo. This is short for Croatian Mojo. She did pull out my phone for me, and I was able to take the pictures for you:

We also had a tiny dog yip at us as we passed its territory, but I wasn't scared. It was on a leash.

As we ran, the sun tried to come out, and the sky turned from gray and gloomy to blue and fluffy. Marta and I discussed houses we passed, and before we knew it, we were finishing strong by running down the Portage Path hill to the end of our route.

20.11 miles.  Done.

Now I taper for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Would you like to join me there? Click here to register, and use my code, SI2019, for a 10% discount on any of the races you choose. Get on this, Peeps, the race is quickly filling up!

May you run happy sans wicked geese, dogs, or buzzards, Peeps.

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!

Race Recap: Forget the PR 50K

It was a really stupid decision, Peeps.

A while ago I got on the wait list for Forget the PR 50K at Mohican. I don't know why I did it. Ok, I do know why I did it. Peer Pressure.  A yearning for a new challenge. Mid-life crisis. Other things (if you know me, I'm sure you can guess what that means).

Anyway, I was on the WAIT LIST.  The key word here is WAIT. I thought I wouldn't get in, and the Universe would be to blame, so I didn't have to blame myself.

Wrong.

This showed up in my email. Dangit.

So, I was in it.  Luckily, Wendy (whom I was training with for this race) was in it, too.  We decided that we were as ready as we were going to be.

This is EXACTLY how Wendy and I look when we are ready.

This is how Wendy, Sarah, Marta, and I look when we are ready. Notice the Trail Sisters shirts!

Forget the PR is aptly named. It takes place at Mohican (in Loudonville), and the elevation goes well beyond 4,000 feet in the 31 miles of the race. Wendy had a great idea for mentally tackling the course: The first loop was 18ish miles; therefore, the second loop was much easier. Period. That was all we had to think about. I added some rules: For the first loop, we could talk about how beautiful it was on the course and how lucky we were to be outside on such a beautiful day. For the second loop, we would discuss food and beer.  This was a pretty good strategy all around.

After about two hours on the course, I had to find a bathroom, so I told Wendy to go on without me. We had agreed ahead of time that we would run our own races, and I didn't want to hold her back.  She said she'd see me later (which I should have picked up on), and she moved on. I found a bathroom, got back on course, and then I promptly moved off course.

I blame the beautiful scenery.

Luckily for me, I heard a voice behind me: "Have you even seen a pink flag around here?" I turned around; it was Wild Bill Wagner, one of the race directors for Running Forward and Giving Back. 

"No," I replied.

"Well, I'm following you, and I think we are lost, " he said.

Irritated, I snapped back, "What the hell are you doing following me??? I've never run a 50K before, and I've never been here before, and you are a RACE DIRECTOR!!!!"

Anyway, we reversed our course and found our way back. In this way, I lost (or gained) about a mile. Thank you, Wild Bill, for getting me back on track. I'm sorry I yelled at you.

I eventually found my way back to the Covered Bridge, and Wendy was waiting for me, something I didn't expect. I know she had been waiting at least 20 minutes (because I had gotten lost), and I felt TERRIBLE. I didn't expect her to want to finish the loop with me, yet there she was. Wendy, I'm still SO SORRY that you had to wait so long. If I had known that you intended to wait for me, I would have told you to move on.  

So, we were back together again.  Honestly, we had a great time. It was hard, but I didn't have any meltdowns; I was focused on finishing the first loop because Wendy said the second loop would be better (She is a liar, but oh well). 

Let's talk about an iconic part of the course: Big Ass Hill.  Everyone talks about this hill, and Peeps, it is really a steep, long hill. 

This doesn't seem steep and long, but believe me; it is. What you perceive to be the top is NOT actually the top.

This is Wendy coming up Big Ass Hill on the second loop. Yes, we had to climb that damned hill twice.

I had heard about Big Ass Hill, but I am not easily intimidated. I put my head down and I plowed up that hill.  As I climbed, I talked to a Dude in a Kilt who had an Australian accent. When I got to the top, I made my signature move: I threw my fists in the air and shouted, "Yes! The hill is my bitch!" The elation didn't last long, though, because after a slight (and deceptive) downhill, I saw this:

Mother. Of. God. Are you kidding me????

When I verbalized my disapproval (use your imagination here), Dude in a Kilt said, "I wanted to say something earlier, but you were so happy. . . "

Anyway, we made it back to the start for the first loop. We fueled and started right back out again. At this point, we met up again with Jason, who ran us to Big Ass Hill as moral support. The nice thing about Forget the PR is that you see lots of friends on the course who are just running to train and cheer on idiots like me. Wendy and I had seen Jason and Jennifer several times on the loop, and they lifted our spirits. We also saw our Trail Sisters, Kate and Talula, in the first loop. Thank you, friends, for being there for us!

Honestly, I don't know how we did it, but we finished that race under the deadline. The cutoff was ten hours, and we finished in 8:47. If I hadn't had to go to the bathroom, I wouldn't have gotten lost and slowed us down, and we would have finished under 8:30.  Never mind. I am SO HAPPY with my finish time.

Wendy and I finish strong.

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am happy with my finish time (and my buckle).

Peeps, I am so proud of myself. This was a truly badass race, and it was my first 50K. I thought I would be really upset after the race, but. . .I wasn't. I ran this course in the best possible circumstances: The weather was perfect. The Trail Sisters (and other friends) were all there (in fact, the Trail Sisters ran us in to the finish). Wendy and I are well matched in long distance trail running.  It was really a great time. Was I in pain?  Hell, yes! But a bit of hot tub time (along with ibuprofen ) was a great remedy for that.  You know what else is a great recovery tool for your first 50K? Birthday cake:

Marta got us a cake!

Sarah, Wendy, and I blow out the candles.

There is no problem that food can't cure.

This was a great race. Will I run it again?  Hell no.  I love the course, but I don't want to run it twice, so a 25K is a real possibility here. I am so grateful that I have a supportive group of friends--not just the Trail Sisters, but all the members of our running community that I saw that weekend. Runners are the best, Peeps.  Really. 

What is next? I'm still training for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Will you join me? Use my code, SI2019, for 10% off any of the races in the series.

Wherever you run, whatever your goals, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout!