Boston Marathon

Lehigh Valley Marathon Race Recap

September 12, 2011 by Kristy 22 Comments

Where oh where do I even begin?! I thought a lot during the race about how I would approach writing a recap and decided to break it up into 3 components: pre-race, the first 13.1, and the second 13.1. And…no worries, I’m not going to give an exhaustive play-by-play. Nothing screams “mark all as read” in Google Reader like a lengthy race recap! Here goes…

Pre-race
Matt and I drove up to Allentown on Saturday, went to the (lame) expo, and headed out for my standard pre-race dinner (pizza). I was surprisingly calm, cool, and collected. A funny thing to note: Matt was flipping channels in the hotel on Saturday and he caught a quick snippet of a bad music commerical…ya know the ones where the songs scroll on the screen while the singer sings in the background? The only words Matt heard were “come visit Boston in the Springtime”. He asked me if I heard it (I didn’t…I was busy laying out all my race day clothes like a psycho). I pretty much took that as a sign that Sunday would go well and I would get that BQ. As for visiting Boston in the Springtime, we’ll see how that goes.

Race day weather was perfect, at least for early September. Overcast the entire time with just a touch of humidity. There was even a nice breeze at some points. Sorry, Mother Nature, for calling you a bitch last week.

I was all ready to go.

I wrote some mantras on my hand to keep me focused (sidenote: this was the first time I ever did this and found it very helpful during the race).

DSCN1699 — I think Nike has the best slogan ever

The First 13.1
My goal was to run even splits; keeping my average pace around 8:30 for the entire race. During the first 5 miles, 8:30 pace felt ridiculously easy. It has never felt that easy! I knew it was going to be a good day right then and there 🙂 But I held back knowing full well 8:30 pace would feel hard eventually. The first 5 miles were re-routed due to flooding and they were some beautiful miles. We ran on back roads in Allentown past these gorgeous houses. There were some rolling hills but nothing substantial.

Then we moved on to the towpath. It wasn’t as muddy as I though it was going to be but I couldn’t wait to get back on paved road. It was narrow so I had to dodge a few runners and I just felt like I was working a bit harder to maintain my 8:30 pace.

I passed the halfway point around 1:50-something and smiled. My half marathon PR is 1:49 (from September 2010). I can’t wait to crush that PR in November!

Splits for the first 13 miles. Pretty consistent. I was a slave to the Garmin but it worked! I was still feeling very good.

The Second 13.1
We entered another towpath in Bethlehem for an eternity. I think we stayed on that same path for 8 miles. No spectators, just you and a few runners, and lots of labored breathing. At Mile 17, negative thoughts started to creep in. I quickly ignored them and checked my “objective” legs. They felt alright, no different than my 22-miler 2 weeks ago. So why was I suddenly doubting myself? I kept looking at my hand, where I wrote “believe”. I knew I could do this. I just needed to hang in for 9 more miles. I just focused on the mile I was currently in. I didn’t worry about the future. I also took 2-10 second walk breaks. I would stop, count to 10, and then resume running. It was such a short break but it helped tremendously.

Finally, at Mile 20, we exited the towpath and climbed a hill to paved road. I checked my pace band – I had a 2 minute cushion. I decided that once I reached Mile 22 I would allow myself a 20 second walk break (I know, I was getting a little crazy here). I looked forward to that walk break like you would not believe. It was heavenly…but extremely brief. I also thought about seeing Matt, my sister, and Hawk at the finish line. I was starting to hurt but there was NO WAY I was going to let 22 miles of hard work (and a BQ) slip away. I wanted it too badly.

Mile 23 to 24 were rather interesting. I was faced with a monster hill. My pace – no lie – slowed to a 11:00 minute mile climbing that hill. I didn’t freak out because I knew I had a cushion. I just wanted to get “up and over” that damn hill. Once I reached the top I saw and equally steep downhill. Ahhhh, thank god! As you can tell from my splits below, the only time I went outside of 8:xx pace was Mile 24.

During Mile 25, I got an awesome surprise. Some of the Mains (who? what? see here) came out to cheer me on! I couldn’t believe it! I hear all these people calling my name and then I see an orange sign saying “Cams, Cams, Cams!” (a nickname). I was floored and shocked. AND, on Friday before the race, I received a gift card for a post-race pedi from the Mains. I am blessed to have such amazing and caring friends.

The last 0.2 miles were slightly uphill. At that point I knew I had the BQ in the bag and it was so surreal. Soon I spotted my sister, Matt, and Hawk on the sidelines. My sister was screaming. I may have done a fist pump or jazz hands as I approached the finish line. I’m not sure what I did but it caused the announcer to say “here comes Kristy…she looks very happy”. I crossed that finish line in 3:43:46 and was FINALLY a Boston Qualifier. I have DREAMED about this moment for years and it was finally coming true.

I immediately start to cry, or attempted to cry. I was sobbing but no tears were coming. I guess I was dehydrated. Volunteers thought something was wrong and I just kept saying over and over “I (sob) qualified (sob) for (sob) Boston”. They couldn’t understand me so I just gave them a thumbs up. These next few pictures are priceless.

DSCN1701 — I was overwhelmed with emotion...and exhaustion.

DSCN1702 — My sister is attempting to give me the blue towel on her arm but I seem frightened.

Almost forgot…my split times for the second 13.1.

In addition to the awesome orange sign, the Mains also made BQ letters for me. I later asked them what would they do with the letters had I not BQ’d. They said they would have hid them from me. How great is this?!

DSCN1713 — Me and my sister. I'm surprised she had a voice post-race.

DSCN1717 — Seeing your dog at the finish line is awesome.

DSCN1719 — My biggest cheerleader and supporter. Matt encouraged me to run the LVM back in May because he knew I could BQ.

Official results:
3:43:46
overall: 243/667
division (F 18 to 34): 28/90

There is still a permanent smile on my face. I think it will be there for quite a while!

I cannot thank you enough for the encouraging comments, tweets, and messages. The blogging community is really incredible and I’m so happy to be a part of it.

To my family and friends…I am so lucky and fortunate. You have all been an amazing support system and I could NOT have done it without you.

Now comes the hard part…registering!

I Am A Boston Qualifier!

September 11, 2011 by Kristy 33 Comments

9/11/11
26.2 miles / 3:43:46 / 8:32 avg pace (official results)

I AM A BOSTON QUALIFIER!!!!

I feel like I’m dreaming! Ten years (yes, 10 years) of hard work finally paid off today when I crossed that finish line with a minute and 14 seconds to spare. I immediately started to cry. It has been my dream to have the title of “BQer”.

I am overwhelmed by the support, well wishes, and congrats from my family, friends, and readers. I cannot thank you enough or put into words how much it means to me.

I have A LOT more to say (let’s see how long I can milk this ;)) and will provide a full race recap this week.

I’m still hopeful about registration but realize my chances of actually running the Boston Marathon in 2012 are slim. I get the chance to register on 9/19/11 if slots are still available. But…crazier things have happened, so you just never know!

I am celebrating tonight with beer and a DQ Blizzard. I bet you’re shocked.

what we want vs. what we have

August 30, 2011 by Kristy 10 Comments

8/30/11
6 miles speed
*6 x 800m at 10K pace. It was freezing this morning! OK, that’s a slight exaggeration but it felt amazing out. I cannot wait for Fall running weather.

Don’t we always want what we don’t have? Aren’t we supposed to be grateful for what we have and make the most of it? Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream or ~~make a list~~. Here are some of my current “wants”.

Want: bangs
What I Have: curly hair
Yeah, there’s no mixing the two. Kinda like oil and water. I would also like to run my fingers through my hair on occasion but they would get stuck. Actually, I love my curly hair (I never straighten it) because it’s different and, most of the time, pretty low maintenance.

Want: long, lean legs
What I Have: short, muscular legs
So my legs will never look like Kara Goucher’s. But they power me through marathons and totally came through on last week’s 22-miler. This might be the worst picture ever, by the way.

Want: a career involving running (talking, writing, blogging, and most of all, coaching)
What I Have: a job
I’m fortunate enough to even have a job but that doesn’t mean I can’t complain! I’ll get to the running career someday…baby steps. At least I’m lucky enough to spend a good deal of time outside my job coaching. That’s where my passion lies and that’s what I will do someday…for a job and career.

Want: a pair of TOMS wedges
What I Have: not a pair of TOMS wedges
This isn’t the best “I want vs. I have” but I’ve been eyeing these shoes up for awhile. And then Holly had a pair on at the HLS and raved about how comfortable they are.

(via)

Want: to run the Boston Marathon in 2012
What I Have: a slim-to-none and crappy chance of even registering
So this is my biggest want, obviously. If When I qualify on 9/11/11, it won’t be by more than 5 minutes (i.e., 3:40 or sub-3:40), which is the rumored time you might need in order to get priority registration. I could worry about that now or I could put that energy into qualifying and leave the stuff that is out of my hands to fate.

Now it’s your turn. Give me a current “want” vs. “have”…or two!

Please keep voting for RTLR for CBS Philly’s Most Valuable Blogger (click here to vote)!

T-Minus 30 Days

August 11, 2011 by Kristy 7 Comments

In 30 days I’ll be running marathon #9, trying to qualify for Boston. I’m in a much better place right now then I was for the NJ Marathon. I’m training for an actual BQ time, instead of just trying to wing it. In hindsight (it’s always 20/20) I should have never tried for a 3:45 at NJM. I trained for a 3:50 and I should have stuck with the plan. Always stick with the plan!

If I could come up with a race day wish list (key word being wish, not magic) here’s what I would request:

1. Obviously, perfect weather. For me, that’s overcast skies with temps in the high 40s/low 50s. Or, for September, I’d be happy with no humidity 🙂

2. An 8:34 pace will feel just as easy at mile 23 as it does at mile 5.

3. I have no dehydration issues and resulting quad cramps.

4. No phantom chafing! You know…the kind that never happens on a training run but rears its ugly head on race day?!

5. I look photogenic in a race day picture. Hey, this is my wish list…

6. And the big one – I cross the finish line with the biggest smile on my face because I am finally a Boston Qualifier!

What are some things on your race day wish list? What do you consider “ideal” race day weather?

Looking Ahead

May 4, 2011 by Kristy 20 Comments

So that Boston itch remains UNscratched. What next? Funny you should ask…

Two weeks ago Matt put the idea in my head to search around for another marathon prior to September (when Boston 2012 registration opens up). This way I wouldn’t have so much pressure to BQ at the NJ Marathon (especially since I didn’t train to BQ). I told you he was my biggest cheerleader and supporter.

After Sunday’s race, I didn’t think I was mentally up for doing this again. But a changed perspective has me thinking that if I don’t go for it again, I will regret it.

I found a somewhat local marathon on September 11th, the day before Boston 2012 registration opens. I had to laugh because their FAQs clearly state:

Per the Boston Athletic Association: A qualifying race run on September 11, 2011 can be used to register for the Boston Marathon as soon as September 12, 2011. The Boston Athletic Association verifies races online through our Results page.

Well, that’s all I need to know. So I’m in! Sign me up 🙂

This actually works out well time-wise for me. I get to take a brief break, go to Ireland, and not worry about training (this makes Matt very happy). Then when I get back I will still have a full 15 weeks to train. And you bet I’ll be training to BQ this time around!

NJ Marathon Goals

April 26, 2011 by Kristy 19 Comments

4/26/11

5 miles (2 mi easy, 2 mi @ MP, 1 mi easy)

44:57

8:59 avg pace

I’ve given a lot of thought about my goals for Sunday’s race. I also drove Matt crazy in the process.

My current PR is a 3:58 at the Steamtown Marathon last October (great race, by the way). For this marathon, I’m using the FIRST program to run a 3:50 (8:46 pace). I remember thinking I’m nuts thinking I can shave 8 minutes off. But I wanted to try and adopted the “go big or go home” mentality.

Then a funny thing happened. I ran an 18-miler at 8:40 average pace in early March. I couldn’t believe it. But, it happened again. This time during my last long run – 22 miles – before the taper. Then Boston started creeping into my head. What if I can drop my average pace from 8:40 to 8:34 and qualify? The thought made me sick to my stomach with nervousness. I had NO intention of even thinking of BQing this training cycle.

I have A LOT of motivation for trying to qualify for Boston 2012:
* I’m 34 now but will be 35 come Boston 2012, which means I can qualify with a 3:45. Hooray for getting older and having an early birthday!
* 2012 is the last year to BQ using the “old” qualifying times. Come 2013, I would need a 3:40.
* 2012 is also the last year the B.A.A. is allowing the 59-second grace period (meaning I could run a 3:45:59 and still qualify).
* The only (huge) drawback? The new ~~unfair~~ registration process starts this year, meaning the fastest runners get to register first and then the people that qualify by the skin of their teeth (i.e., me) would register last, IF there are still slots available. Essentially, you could BQ and not get into the race.

Goal A: try and BQ
I’m well aware that it’s going to be mighty tough dropping that pace from 8:40 to 8:34. The weather conditions would have to be ideal and I may have to don a cape and become superwoman. This is probably a long shot, but crazier things have happened! If everything falls into place, I have to go for it. If you could BQ on determination and will alone, I would have done it a long time ago.

Goal B: 3:50
This is what I trained for and I feel confident that I can maintain a 8:46 average pace.

Goal C: anything better than a 3:58
The weather for this race is a crapshoot. It’s at the Jersey Shore so it can be quite windy at times (just ask my Mom who lives there; she complains about the wind all the time). Last year it was ungodly hot; the year before cold and rainy. Right now the forecast looks OK, maybe a little too hot. If it is hot, I’ll have to scale back on my pace and just try to PR.

Needless to say, if Goal A or Goal B is attained I will be doing lots of this…

and a whole lotta this…

Did you ever PR (or BQ) in a race unexpectedly? Any race, not just a marathon.