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!

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Let's start with my very first post, Peeps:

"Let go your heart; let go your head, and feel it now."  These are the words I sang along with David Gray on my playlist this morning.  I touched my heart, and I touched my head, and I pictured the pain, grief, and fear I have been feeling float away into air I left in my wake as I ran to the finish in my ten-mile run in the sun this morning.

Had you told me a year ago that I would be running ten miles in twenty degree weather in order to experience catharsis, had you told me that I would have willingly awakened early on a Sunday morning in order to do this, had you told me that the tears I shed were of joy, not sorrow. . . Well, I would have sarcastically laughed, poured another drink, and asked you if a bear would be chasing me when I did this.  I wouldn't have believed you because I didn't believe in myself.  Running can help.  Running changed my life for the better.  Run with me; run away from your troubles, and you may find one day that you are not running away from a problem, but running to a solution. 

 I did.

Touching, no? This was from 2012, and I've been running away from trouble ever since. My runs have taken me through 6 marathons, a trail ultra-relay, 3 Burning River relays, and countless half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, and I don't even know what other distances. Running away from Trouble has led me to making lots of new friends.

Trail Sisters 2018
Photo Credit: Steve Pierce

Mother Runners 2016
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors 2018
Photo Credit: Mary Sutter (?)

It has led me to feats of strength that I never would have imagined.

I never thought I would run a marathon, let alone 6!

Wondering why the heck I decided to run the night leg at Burning River

And it has led me to being a Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador.

I'm up front because I am more important than the others. I am.

Peeps, I am one of the lucky runners who get the "runner's high," and I want you to benefit from this while I am still in a good mood.

Here is how you can profit from my good mood. Do you want to run any of the races in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon series? (Choose from the 1 Mile Fun Run, 5K, 8K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Full Marathon.) Here is how you may get lucky:

1. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @itibrout. Each day I will post an opportunity to put your name in the hat for a drawing.

2. Respond in the comments to this question: What do you run away from, or what do you run toward? (The English teacher in me is cringing right now at finishing two independent clauses with prepositions.)

On April 4, I will randomly pick a winner from all comments on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and this blog.

Don't want to wait? You can register right now using my code, SI2019, for 10% off registration for any race.

What are you waiting for? If you are like me, trouble could be stalking you as you read this post! Run! Run! Run!

No matter what you run toward or away from, I hope you Run Happy, Peeps!

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

The Running Community Suffers a Great Loss

Running is a solitary sport. It really is because no matter what happens, your brain is telling your body what to do. At the same time, running is a community sport. We choose to run together, whether it's to train or to race or just to pass the time because we spend hours running.

Honestly, the solitude of running is what drew me. I spend hours being "on" for my students and my family. When I was young, this gave me energy, but now it drains me, so I cherish my time alone. This does not mean that I don't like running with others; I really, really do. My fellow runners push me to limits I don't even think I'm capable of reaching (I'm thinking of you, Marta), and they force me to make an effort to be kind and sociable, even when I don't want to be either of those things. Also, when I can't possibly be kind or sociable, my runner friends are STILL running with me, despite the swearing and/or the silence (I'm thinking of you, Jenn and Renee).  I appreciate that.

Anyway, we all have our quirks and weirdness, and we learn to run with that.  Some people evolve as leaders in their weird running tribes, and that is what I want to write about today.  On Saturday the running community lost one of our greatest leaders, Steve Pierce, who died on the trails.  If you are reading this blog, chances are pretty good that you know Steve. Maybe he took your picture for a race; maybe he joked with you on a trail run.

I met Steve through his wife, Jenn Pierce, whom I consider to be a good friend. She and I ran with the Towpath Turtles, and during that time, Steve would take pictures (for free) at the races we entered. After Jenn and I spent time seeing each other off and on the trails once in a while, she suggested to me that I needed to switch to trails and run with her group. If you know me, you know that this wasn't an easy switch for me.  I started running with Crooked River Trail Runners, and that is where I connected with Steve. I have a few memories I would like to share.

I wrote about the Ragnar Trail Relays in West Virginia here. In the spot where I refer to real trail runners I would like to emulate, I was describing Steve. When I panicked (in a lightning storm) he was calm. When I threw a literal tantrum due to lack of coffee, he gently reminded me that we weren't in real trail running circumstances, and real trail runners wouldn't throw tantrums. He didn't say these words; he lived them, and I took notice. I decided I wanted to be a better trail runner; I wanted to be more like Steve.

When I joined the Crooked River Trail Runners, I was nervous. I have a big ego, and I don't like to compete for attention. I also don't like to be in last place. Steve understood this, and he always welcomed me. We often had beers and/or food after the run, and Steve included everyone. This was particularly important to me when I ran the Christmas Lights Run with CRTR for the first time. There was a post to meet at a certain bar after the run, but I was nervous about being left out, so I posted, "What if certain runners (not me) are afraid of sitting there alone?"  Steve responded right away: "Hypothetical nervous runners should remember that their friend Steve is there, and he would never allow someone to be all alone."

Steve took many, many race pictures, all for free. If you were lucky enough to get him to take a picture on your phone, you got a freebie: a Steve Selfie:

Imagine looking for your group pic in your phone and finding this!

I took lots of pictures for social media on my runs, and Steve was present for many of them. The problem is that I am a lousy photographer, and somehow I often cut out Steve in our pictures, and if he was in my pictures, I didn't tag him. I honestly don't know why, but it became a joke. For example, one night we were in a local bar after a run, and I didn't tag him, and he told me he felt like chopped liver. I responded that it was probably because he was so grumpy in the picture:

Steve is on the far left staring into his beer. Seriously. Be happy.

Another time I took a picture after a run, and he wasn't in it, so he complained. I decided to take a picture of just the two of us, and he wasn't happy with that either, so he did this:

Who is that guy? Why is he avoiding me?

I want to share one last story: I had recently "friended" someone who had views that were drastically different from mine. I had looked at his/her social media posts and I was worried that we would not be able to get along. Steve set me straight in two minutes. He asked me, "You friended him/her, so he/she can see your posts, too, right?" Well, yes. "Ok, well do you think he/she is equally worried about getting along with you?" Ummmmm. . .yes.  Thank you.

I could talk forever about Steve, but I want to just emphasize that he was kind, gentle, funny, and incredibly cool.  Everyone, I mean EVERYONE in the running community loved him.  How could we not?

Steve leaves behind a family: his wife Jenn, his daughter Maddie, and his son Riley. If the spirit moves you, can you donate to help them during this time of crisis?

Click here to donate to the gofundme account for the Pierce family. 

I hate to take this back to me, but I have to (because the thing about me is that everything is about me). My father died of a heart transplant (Jenn and Steve were with me at the Ragnar Relay when he had the transplant and I was frantic). I knew that he was going to die pretty soon, regardless of whether the transplant worked or not.  You may or may not have read the posts I wrote around my father's death that addressed my difficulty to openly grieve. Please know, if you see me, that I am not unfeeling (something of which I've been accused). I have a difficult time dealing with my emotions, but like everyone, once I wear myself out, it will hit me.

Steve should have had more time. It's so unfair. Peeps, if you have ANY uncertainty about your heart at all, get some tests. I did. You mean something huge to many people; make sure you stay around as long as you can.

As for Steve, the only thing I can think is that he has progressed to the ultimate trail. I only hope that I am a good enough runner and person to run on the trail he has saved for me.

Jenn, I love you. Steve, I loved you.

Peeps, tell the people you cherish that you love them.

Peeps, I love you, and I appreciate you.

Run Happy.

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

Break It Down

So, last week I ran 17 miles on the long run, and this week I ran 18.  The way I've been making this work is that I meet my Trail Sisters Jen and Renee and Carrie for a trail run, but I show up an hour earlier, and I put in 4-5 miles on the Towpath. I feel like this gets me properly tired for all those hills and steps. So far it seems to be working.

Jen, me, Renee. Bundled up and happy to be done.

Peeps, when increasing your mileage, my one piece of advice is this: Choose your running partners wisely. I am a slow trail runner, so 14 miles on the trails is going to take me about 31/2 hours or so, depending on the conditions (the conditions lately have NOT been good). This means that there is a LOT of talking and not talking during that time. Jen, Renee, and I are English teachers, so we have a lot to discuss, and when we run out of things to say about literature, pedagogy, or just classroom pet peeves, we can always complain about our husbands. Then there comes a point where you just want the run to be DONE, and you start to do whatever it takes in your mind to make that happen. I am lucky that we have been able to share so many miles without them killing me and hiding my body in a fallen log.

Speaking of fallen logs. . .

Last Sunday we decided to run even though the weather forecast called for very strong wind gusts, up to 50 mph. We started together at 8:30 (I had put in 5 miles before that), and it was very pleasant, warm with little wind. We went out about an hour and a half, and everything was fine, so fine that our hubris got the best of us, and we scoffed at the forecast.  Big mistake. When we turned around, the wind started kicking up, and sometimes we had tiny pellets of sleet/hail. Then the trees started creaking and we heard cracking all around us.

I don't know about you, but I have heard stories about trees and branches falling on people, and I've always thought, "Seriously, I can outrun a falling tree. What is wrong with people?" What I've learned is that when the trees are cracking all around you, and the wind is whipping them everywhere, that sound echoes, and you don't know where it's coming from.  There were plenty of times on that trail that I wasn't sure if a tree or branch was going to hit us or not. We saw one large tree take down another, and at one point on an open part of the path a wind gust blew me over until I crouched down to make a wider base.  On the way back, we saw this, and it scared the bejesus out of me:

This all happened in the second part of the run. Photo credit: Renee Milhalyov

At least five big trees fell directly on the path we had run on the way out. We had to climb over some of them.  They were all heavy. We could have been pinned under any of those trees.

Don't laugh at the weather gods in Ohio, Peeps.

So, I am alive for now, and I am still building towards my 20 miler, which I think I'll run on St. Patrick's Day.  I am still on the wait list for Forget the PR, but I think it won't be long before I get an email saying I'm running it for realz.

If I survive this race, I swear I will take up some speedwork and PR the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.  Wanna join me? Register for any Cleveland Marathon race (1 mile Fun Run, 5K, 8K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Series) using my code, SI2019, and receive 10% off.  Let's do this together!

However strong the wind blows in your woods, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

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

"Baby, I'm a Star"

This was my second high-mileage week, and I believe I might just be getting stronger. On Saturday, I ran some icy trails with the Trail Sisters. After seven miles I called it quits because I was afraid I would slip and break my dupa. Then on Sunday Marta and I ran sixteen miles on the Towpath and a bit of road (that was a big, freaking hill).  The hill was Marta's idea, and I guess I will thank her because if I end up running Forget the PR, I will need that hill training.

This was a mile ten selfie in the bathroom at Boston Store. The bathroom is heated, and I didn't want to leave it.

I'm running down the big, freakin' hill. It stretches out for about a half mile. Going down was MUCH better than going up.
Photo Credit: Marta Pacur

I finished really strong with my second-fastest mile of that run being my last mile. I was cold, hungry, and numb from the hips down, so my motivation was at its height. I tried not to think about the fact that I would basically have to run double the miles in just two months. Don't think about it, Stephani. Just run the mile you're in. 

The best part of my weekend was the opportunity to be on WKYC's Live at Lakeside on President's Day! At our last Ambassador Meeting, I had told Jack Staph, Executive Race Director, that I need to be on tv, and could he please arrange that as soon as possible?  So, today was the day. Fellow Ambassador Leah Backo and I did a segment for Marathon Monday with Holly Strano and Michael Estime. Leah is a pro at this because she is on the news all the time, but I admit I was nervous.

Michael and Holly prep before the show. Be cool, Stephani; be cool.

Leah and I are ready!

I had a lot of fun talking about the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, and I think I didn't do too badly.  Judge for yourself!





So, that was my excitement for the week (as well as the forty-two miles I put in). I'm hoping for my next appearance to be on the day of the race.  Whaddya say, Jack Staph?

Here are some reminders about the race:

1. Check out my fellow ambassadors on FB, Twitter, and Instagram. We are all giving away registrations, and you might get lucky!

2.  Follow @Clevemarathon on Instagram and Twitter. The ambassadors are doing takeovers for the Instagram account. It's crazy over there, Peeps!

3. Don't want to take your chances at winning a registration? Use my code, SI2019, for 10% off registration for any race in the series. Choose from the 1 mile fun run, the 5k, 8k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, and series!



I'm steadily climbing toward my twenty miler. How is your training going in this weird weather?

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

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

How's that Weather Working out for You?

GAAAAAAA!!!!!!

It has been cold in Ohio, Peeps. Yes, I realize that you didn't need me to tell you that.  I have been confined to the treadmill for days, and it's starting to make me soul-sick.

The treadmill would be SO MUCH BETTER if I ate ice cream like this dude.

I have made a point of getting out on the weekends, and that really helps.  Last weekend I didn't get the opportunity to do back-to-back long runs because I was working in Columbus, so I decided to do a long trail run with the Trail Sisters on Sunday.

Our start at Boston Store: Me, Wendy, Renee, Marta

Stopping to catch my breath (Renee is patiently waiting for me)

As you can see, it was very snowy, very cold, and very steep.  Running in the snow was like running on sand, and at the end of 12 miles, my Garmin registered that I exerted as much effort as I would have on 17 miles!

This weekend, I ran 14 miles on Saturday and 7 miles on Sunday.  All of the miles were incredibly hilly, which is exactly what I need for Forget the PR 50K in Mohican.

This gives you an idea of Saturday's run: I am the tiny speck in orange and white on the left.

Halfway through the run, Wendy, Marta, and I crashed a golf and chili event at Hale Farm.

Wendy and Marta have no shame. I am hiding.

The chili smelled so amazing; it was difficult to leave.

Wendy and I reluctantly leave the Chili Open.

I made sure to nap and fuel after cleaning the house on Saturday, and I got up early to run with the Canal Rats this morning on Sand Run--more hills. Normally the Rats run WAY too fast for me, but they were kind enough to run a leisurely pace. . .which still kicked my butt.  

My runs this week totalled 42 miles, which is pretty darned good considering we had the polar vortex. I also managed to do yoga and strength training. 

At this point, if I don't get into the Forget the PR 50K, I will be in stellar form for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon in May.  Speaking of which, would you like to sign up to join me for any of the races in the series? If so, use my code, SI2019, for a 10% discount on registration for any of the races, including the whole series.  Come on--it will be fun!

No matter how cold it is, I hope you run happy, Peeps!

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

Training Time!

For those of you who didn't catch why I am in a tizzy:

This is EXACTLY how I look when I am in a tizzy.

I signed up for the Forget the PR 50K a month or so ago. Yes, peer pressure was involved. No, I don't want to talk about it.  Well, maybe just a little bit.

Every year I need a new challenge. I knew that I would eventually sign up for a 50K, but I actually thought I'd sign up for some sort of 24 hour loop type of race so that I could take my time and eat more food and stuff.

That didn't happen.

This particular 50K takes place at Mohican State Park, and it is a monster.  Think hills, lots and lots of hills. Think April weather in Ohio.  Think of how stupid I am to sign up.  Anyway, I didn't get in, but I can't be relieved just yet because I am on a waitlist, and I am NUMBER 7 ON THIS STUPID LIST!!!!

So, I've got to train.

I was running with my friend Jenn (who has done the Mohican 50K) a few weeks ago, and she asked me about my training plan. "Ummmmm. . . you're assuming I have a training plan," I replied. "I just thought I'd do a marathon plan with lots of hill repeats and painful stuff."

"You realize that you're supposed to do back-to-back long runs to get used to running on tired legs, right?" she asked, giving me the side-eye.

"Dammit, now I do!" I yelled, and that is how everything changed. I looked up 50K training plans and realized that I have to devote my weekends to running, and so I have.

For three weeks I have been running long on both Saturday and Sunday, both days on trails. I've started with shorter distances--8, 9, and 10 miles-- to get used to it.  I've made sure to build in long hills whenever I can.

This past Saturday I ran 10 miles at Pine Hollow with the Trail Sisters. Then, on Sunday I came right back to Pine Hollow to run 9 more with Katie, a fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassador.  Katie is training for her first marathon, and you guessed it--it's Cleveland!

I'm hiding my face in the shadow. Katie is looking uber-cool in sunglasses.

The group I ran with are all super-speedy badass trail runners, and I had NO BUSINESS running with them, so I made the decision to let them go when I stopped to take a picture and I dropped my gloves.

Morning at Kendall Lake. I never did find my gloves, darnit.

It was peaceful and beautiful running through the park, and I wasn't as sore as I thought I might be. I caught up with Katie later on, and we chatted a bit in the last few miles.  She is going to rock the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, and if I survive this 50K, I will rock the marathon, too!

Have you signed up for one of the races yet? Or will you choose the series?  Wanna discount on registration? Click here and use my code, SI2019, for 10% off any race or series.

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

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