Point to Point Courses

I'll admit I'm a "lazy" racer. I prefer races where I can wake up and walk right to the starting line from my hotel or wherever I'm staying. I am the worst race participant because I often show up at the starting line 15-20 min. before the gun goes off. On two occasions someone has had to help me over the blockades in order to get into my starting corral because they've closed them off. I know it's bad but I just like to run! It's also usually too cold to be standing around an hour before the gun goes off. I think I tend to drink too much water and eat too much when I do arrive early just because I think I should be and I'm just waiting to get running.

Due to my race laziness, I do not sign up for point to point races. I have run in a countless number of point to points and thinking back, they weren't that bad. Getting up early and being shuttled to the starting line isn't really as much of an ordeal as I make it out to be in my head. I've always had success on these courses and it's fun to know you're actually running from one place to another. My first and second marathons were both point to point (Napa Valley Marathon and Boston). My new appreciation for these courses comes after talking to the race director of the Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon. He has designed 5 half-marathon courses, all point to point. As a race director, I would think he'd prefer a loop course or out and back. Having the same start & finish area cuts down on so many logistical issues but he likes mapping routes that take people along unique courses that do not cover the same area. It was interesting to hear someone talk so enthusiastically about point to point courses. I will no longer avoid point to point races, in fact, I think I'll put Grandma's Marathon back on my race to-do list.

35th Annual Grandma's Marathon (6/18/11) Opens Registration, Revamps Website
Grandma's Marathon - our favorite summer destination - is blowing it out for their 35th anniversary with a new website, early registration opening, and the announcement of extra runner perks. Named after the original sponsor, Grandma's chain of restaurants, Grandma's Marathon is the largest Summer Marathon in the USA (and always one of the largest 15 in the country). The marathon is embraced as the largest annual event in Duluth. On the shores of Lake Superior, a short flight or 2-1/2 hour drive north of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Grandma's is unique in the world of marathoning as this city of 85,000 hosts nearly 20,000 runners participating in the marathon, half marathon and 5K. Being in Duluth for the weekend, it seems like the city was created just for the marathon, as - it appears - nearly everyone in town is wearing their volunteer shirts 24x7 and are there just for the runners... In addition to posting many of the fastest finishing times in the country, Grandma's was chosen to host the 2012 and 2013 USA Half Marathon championships on the Half Marathon course which covers the second half of the marathon course.

Race Report - Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon

This is definitely not my typical race report as I did not run in the race but had an amazing opportunity to volunteer at the finishing line! I have volunteered at races before but at water stops or with on course support, never at the finishing line.

As the motorcycle escorts made their way down the final stretch I was super excited to watch the lead runners come flying down the final straight away and cross the finish line! It was awesome to be able to watch the winners and elite runners finish. Adding to the excitement, the course record was broken by over a minute!

Watching all the runners come in and seeing the sense of accomplishment and excitement on their faces was inspiring. It was great to hear people screaming and so happy to have finished, especially those who were completing their first half-marathon. I especially enjoyed watching and congratulating those runners whom I remembered and chatted with at the expo the day before.

This was a completely different race experience and I am surprised at how much fun I had helping rather than running. I was jealous of all of the runners out there on the course running while I couldn't. I was especially jealous as the clock ticked along at my average half-marathon time, wishing I was crossing the line! It was great to be able to experience the event and post-race activities and break-down from a different perspective. I loved being able to see what's involved, the large number of volunteers required and congratulating the runners. I helped break down the event and finish with all of the clean-up. Usually I leave the race right after finishing which I probably won't do anymore. It was awesome to talk to runners hours after they had finished, see them with their friends and families and being a part of all the post-race festivities take place.

There is so much that goes into a running race, it takes a strong group of people and volunteers. I have a greater appreciation for race directors and organizers after helping out this weekend. I will definitely be less critical of races that I don't feel are well organized and I will make an extra effort to thank as many volunteers as possible!

http://www.sonomanews.com/news/article_98b83666-939d-11df-a305-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story

Napa-to-Sonoma Race Expo

I had the most amazing time volunteering at the Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon Race Expo today at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma. I was able to chat with so many runners from all over the country. It was great to hear people's individual stories, their motivation for running, why they chose this race, who they were with, and their nerves, anxieties and excitement for the race tomorrow morning. This is a small race limited to under 3,000 runners and 70% of the field are women, many of which are running their first half marathon tomorrow morning. It was so rewarding to talk to these first timers, calm their nerves, and get them jazzed up for the race. Tomorrow morning I will be looking out for a couple of these runners that I had a great convo with and will be there to congratulate them at the finish line!

I also talked to a woman who traveled here in a group with her girlfriends and planned on running until she suffered an injury while cross training a couple of weeks ago. She, like me, is not running tomorrow and we sympathized and reminded each other that it's just not worth it to go out there and risk an even more debilitating injury that would sideline us once again. She was super sweet, gave me this big hug and shared my frustration about not being able to run tomorrow.

There were so many great people at the expo today I could go on about hundreds of them, but I'll just mention one more. A man and his beautiful wife and two young children (elementary school age) came in to pick up his race number and set his wife and kids up to volunteer tomorrow morning. I thought it was incredible that her and her two kids would be willing to get up super early and volunteer while he was running. He told me that they volunteer at every event he participates in, which is about 4-6 a year. They've volunteered at Ironman competitions and the Chicago Marathon! I was totally amazed and think it's great that him and his wife are involving their children in volunteer activities at such a young age. I can't wait to see them tomorrow morning too!

I haven't actually ran in this race since 2006 and the expo was held at the Carneros Lodge. I do not recall too many of the specific vendors that year as it was smaller but I don't recall anyone selling any shoes or running gear. The race could definitely use a major footwear and apparel sponsor. Many people were wondering why there wasn't a major footwear/apparel company at the expo and were looking to buy new running gear. I of course was sporting Brooks (outside of my Napa-to-Sonoma shirt!) and I had so many people ask me about my RUN HAPPY hat and my ST Racers, I couldn't believe it!

This race series, Wine Country Half Marathon Series, has two more events in the next couple of months (run4oregonwine.com, September 5th, and runhealdsburg.com October 30th) and I look forward to being a part of both races, ideally on the course running but I had such an amazing volunteer experience today it completely made up for not being able to run tomorrow and I would have no problem being at the races but not running.

I'm so super excited for race day tomorrow! This is a completely new race experience and I absolutely love it! I'm usually nervous and anxious and stressing out about whether or not I'll wake up to the alarm and going through those pre-race jitters. I'm exhausted from today and my fractured toe is killing me but I have such an adrenaline rush and am totally jazzed about tomorrow. For anyone who is forced change their race plans due to injury or being unprepared, I would urge them to take part on the other side of the race as a volunteer. It has been such a great experience thus far, meeting and talking to so many runners of all different abilities, ages and backgrounds - it's very inspiring.


http://www.destinationraces.com/

Alive but not kicking

I am experiencing my first major running injury. It's been two days and I'm already going nuts. During the last couple miles of my run on Saturday morning I started to feel an intense pain in my left big toe. I barely made it home but had a kayaking adventure to get packed up for so I didn't give it another thought once I got through the front door. By Saturday evening I could barely move my big toe and my foot was killing me. The pain continued through Sunday and when I woke up Monday after taking it easy and doing nothing all day Sunday I knew something was seriously wrong so I headed to the doctor and sure enough - stress fracture! 4-6 weeks of no running! I have a string of events coming up and now I'm afraid I'm going to have to pull out of all of them which is a total bummer because I was really getting my speed back and feeling much stronger on my long runs. I'll begin cross training when I the pain isn't so bad. Right now, I can't even walk without being in pain and it's absolutely awful! Like I said, it's only day 3 and I'm frustrated, super depressed, stressing out that I can't run and totally bummed!

From now on, I'm training smarter. I'm a glutton for hill repeats and I'm sure the pressure of running on my toes up my favorite hill and back down on the balls of my feet contributed to this stress fracture. I'll cut down my hill repeats and replace one day of hills with a track session (yuck!). I'm also going to stock up on the calcium and try to find a pool to strengthen my feet and ankles (and I love love love swimming but have the most difficult time finding a good lap pool). I am going to try and be patient but I can now sympathize with everyone who's had to cancel race plans due to an injury.

The first race I'll have to drop out of is the upcoming Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon (www.napa2sonoma.com) this Sunday. At least I'll be able to participate as a volunteer but I'm not sure how I'm going to handle watching all the healthy runners participate!

Saturday was only the second run in my new blue Launches (http://www.brooksrunning.com/product/1200601B/123200/Launch). To make this awful 4 weeks of no running more depressing I have to look at a nice new pair of shoes waiting to be broken in!

Athleticode

Most all runners and triathletes have suffered from at least one training related injury, if not more! Runners and triathletes are susceptible to overuse injuries that can often completely derail training or force one to lower their race day expectations and goals. I know from experience how aggravating an injury can be! You want to run, you think you can run, you tray and run but your body just won't let it happen. Or, if you're smart, you take the doc's advice and stay away from any and every sort of activity that could possible aggravate the injury or prevent you from getting back out on the road ASAP.

This morning I read about this great new genetic testing company founded by a former NFL linebacker, Jim Kovach. He played with the 49ers for two season, during the mid 1980's when they were at their peak with Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice. The company, Athleticode (http://www.athleticode.com/), conducts genetic testing and utilizes bioinformatics to help athletes perform better and educate them about how their genetic make-up and traits can be related to their training and athletic performance. This is a new company offering this unique genetic testing to the everyday athlete for $350. While it may seem expensive, think about it? When you think your shoes are causing your injuries you may go out and but 2-3 pairs of $80-$120 shoes yet continue to experience the same pain or injuries. How many doctor's or physical therapy appointments do you shell out big bucks for to hear someone tell you to stretch more, work out certain muscle groups or rest - something you could easily self-diagnose through Runner's World or any other running forum. This is an amazing concept and one that could really help those athletes who repeatedly find themselves sidelined with an injury.

Imagine getting an analysis of what your body can handle based upon this genetic testing and incorporating these results into your training plan? How awesome would it be to receive an overview of what injuries you're more likely to suffer from and also training tips on how to avoid and prevent those injuries? That's what Athleticode is all about - this could completely alter how one goes about creating their next marathon training schedule and get them to the starting line injury free.

Western States 100

This past weekend was the 37th running of the Western States Endurance Run. It is one of the oldest ultra trail events in the world and is one of the most challenging. It is a 100 mile trail run beginning at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, and it follows the original trails used by miners in the 1850's. It is a remote trail and the course is limited to a specified number of runners who are accepted through a lottery system. This is the first year I have had much of an interest in the race and its participants. It hit me today, as I continued to read all of the Facebook updates and amazing stories of people I know who participated, either as a registered runner, course volunteer, support crew member or pacer. Through Brooks Running I have had an amazing opportunity to meet and get to know runners from all over the country, of varying skill and preferable distance. It is through these runner's enthusiasm and inspiration that I had an interest in the outcome of the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) this year.

Fortunately, this year the race was run under ideal conditions and many runners took advantage, including the men's winner who set a new course record. Scott Jurek (an amazing, Brooks sponsored ultra runner) held the previous course record which he set in 2004 with a time of 15:36:27. This year the men's winner, 34 year old Geoff Roses, finished in a super fast time of 15:07:04. The woman's winner, 41 year old Tracy Garneau, finished the course with a time of 19:01:55! The woman's course record has remained unchallenged since 1994 when Ann Trason completed the course in 17:37:51.

Today on Facebook many WSERs posted thanks you's and updates on their post-100 mile condition, minus the gory details of their feet and other injuries they were no doubt nursing! It was truly inspiring to hear about the huge group of people who made the race happen for so many runners - pacers, on course support, crew members and course volunteers. Also, the emotions that the participants expressed upon completing the arduous run, whether it was their first or 10th, had me thinking about my next super long run (and regretting that I cut my long run yesterday from a tentatively planned 18 to a wimpy 8!). I love the marathon distance. To me, 26.2 miles is the absolute perfect distance but something about this great race yesterday and the group of people who made it all happen definitely got me thinking...

I do not know whether or not I will ever have the desire to train for and complete the WSER (or any 100 mile race) but after this year's WSER I would love love love to be a part of this amazing event! I think I'll start encouraging some ultra runners I know to enter the lottery for next year so I can have to opportunity to participate in the race as a pacer!

Congratulations to all the Western States Finishers!

Do I Know You?

Everyone has been in a situation in which they see a familiar looking face and ask the unaware stranger, "Do I know you?". Or has been addressed with that all too familiar question to which one usually looks around at whomever else is standing nearby, has that confused and bewildered expression before politely answering "No", or "I don't think so?", fairly sure you've never seen this strange person before yet racking your brain trying to rung through everywhere you've been and from where it i that you could have, possibly, might really know this person. I would never walk up to a slightly familiar looking person and ask if I knew them but I am frequently confronted with this question in the most random place.

I often see people who I don't actually know but seem all too familiar. These are people I encounter on my morning runs. Our alarm clocks are probably set at the same time, we share the same pre-dawn path and even if it's just a head nod or slight wave, we very well may be the first personal interaction of each others' day. I see the same people out in the early morning hours, before the rest of the world has woken up and the roads are still quiet. I love seeing the same people enjoying their routine, as I am mine, each of us starting our day with our morning ritual. We may say "G'morning" and "Hi" as we pass each other and even though I don't know their names, I feel like I know them.

I was in the grocery store (after a roughly 8 mile run with some hill repeats during the middle) when someone excitedly came up to, "How are you?!". I looked around wondering who this woman was talking to, trying to put together how I know her and how I'm going to respond if she asks too many questions because I have no clue who she is?! We exchange the usual nuances, "fine, how are you?". Then it clicks, she's the lady I see on the bike path on weekend mornings with another woman of similar age. I asked her how her walk was and from there she took over the convo going on about how her and her walking partner look forward to seeing me, try to predict what color shorts or shirt I will be running in that morning, and on and on. I'm flattered by her compliments! I'm also immediately embarrassed that I'm standing in front of the pastries looking at something I would probably never buy but nonetheless have been drawn to stare at for far too long and for who knows what reason (I probably earned a pastry after this morning's run!). Then I glance in her basket, wondering what it is she's buying, trying to find out as much as I can about this woman I don't know yet feel like we're good friends. I try to see if she's buying junk food or healthier food options. I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, or even why I care for that matter, yet I continue to snoop into her basket.

The conversation ends as people are trying to navigate their carts around us in the aisle. I am excited that I had such a great convo with this woman who I feel like I know so well, yet really don't. As I'm walking around the store, trying to get back on task, I search for her name which she just told me. Bummer! I was too focused on trying to identify where I recognized her from to remember her name! I may not remember her name but the next time I see her I will be super excited!

I Am A Runner

It took me a while to embrace the “Runner” pseudonym and define myself as a “Runner”. I love to run, I run a lot and I cover a lot of ground but it took a while for me to identify myself as a runner. I had no background or experience in running therefore I did not think of myself as a runner and didn’t think that I had earned the title. It wasn’t until I had a completed a few marathons, including the Boston Marathon, that I really began telling people I was a runner. Defining myself as a runner was a slow transition. It began by not disagreeing with people, including strangers, when they asked if I was a runner or told other people I was runner. Now I describe myself as a runner and love being called a runner because of the great connotation that comes with being a runner and being a member of the running community within our society.

One of the great things about running is the sense of community between runners. Running is an independent sport and your toughest competitor is yourself. I prefer to run by myself rather than with a running partner or group, however, I love the sense of community and the mutual understanding and respect amongst runners. It is the encouragement, support and energy from other runners that creates this strong sense of community that I love and which is but one reason why I love defining myself as a “Runner”.