Bataan Memorial Death March

The Bataan Memorial Death March (marathon) serves to memorialize a group of American and Filipino soldiers who worked to defend Luzon, Corregidor, and the Philippines during World War II. On April 9, 1942, these soldiers were surrendered to Japanese militants and forced to endure unimaginable atrocities. Over a four day period of time, they were forced to march in blazing heat through the Philippines, where thousands of them died. 

This year marked the 25^th memorial march on the White Sands Missile Range, NM.

Ben told me several months ago that this was a race he wanted to do. I had mixed feelings, but thought, what the heck, it fits perfectly into my training plan and has been said to be a difficult race (I also had mixed feelings about this… I mean, really? Hills and sand? I do live in Colorado). As the day for the race approached, I actually began to dread the trip to New Mexico, only because it added stress to an already busy schedule.

We packed the car and made the 9 plus hour trip to the missile range to pick up our packets. I must admit, I have never felt this out of place at a packet pick up before. I was surrounded by what felt like throngs of military units, interspersed with individual military personnel. We were promptly provided with our packets, including bags, shirts, and commemorative time chips (I thought that was a joke until I saw them). The expo was surprisingly organized. The only negative thing I have to say is the shirts were huge and now, Ben has two and I have none. Really though? I will get over that.

Ben and I headed back to our hotel to prep our fuel and finalize getting ready for the next day. We did an easy 3 mile run in the neighborhood, grabbed dinner, and went to bed. We needed to leave our hotel by 4 the following morning. Well, being the procrastinators that we are, the alarms went off way to early, we grabbed our stuff and headed out. Security was better than we both had expected and soon enough, we found ourselves sitting in our car in the dark (we were on base and parked by 5:10 for a 7 am start), on a military base, eating hard boiled eggs and bananas in order to fuel before the race. Around 6:15, we made our way to the bathrooms in order to make it in time to the 6:35 opening ceremonies.

The opening ceremonies began promptly on time (strange to me, considering the joke about hurry up and wait in the military). The ceremonies were more moving than I had expected. Roll call was called for current survivors of the Bataan Death March, and a silent roll call was called for those who have passed in the last year. This was followed by the playing of taps. Let it be known that taps gets me any time, and this year for some reason, reminded me of my grandparents, who have passed away in the last year and a half. While I stood in the crowd shivering, I was glad I was there, in that moment, to memorialize people who had fought for my independence.

The race began at 7. It was led by wounded vets and followed by those in the “heavy category,” meaning, those who were going to carry 35 pounds on their back for the length of 14 or 26.2 miles. We waited and moved slowly toward the finish line and could not figure out what the hold up was… until we saw the survivors shaking hands of runners and marchers at the start line.

I must admit, there is nothing quite like starting the race off by shaking the hands of several old men who fought so valiantly for our country.

After we hit the start line, Ben and I bobbed and weaved around people to try to find our comfortable pace. I have never seen so much variety in a marathon before. It was amazing to see how many people had come together to memorialize. Starting at mile 2 and ending around 8, Ben and I were mostly able to settle in, while battling the sand. Yay sand.

Around mile 8, we turned off from those doing the honorary 14 mile run and began our long ascent uphill. Every time it seemed like it was going to end, we were really just cresting and restarting to climb. The climb up, which looked short on the elevation profile was really about 5 miles. After reaching the top, it felt glorious to relax and have some downhill running. We ran downhill on dirt and sand for a while, before rejoining the road where throngs of people were still climbing up, some rucking with their 35 pound packs, some running, and others in large groups wearing shirts to memorialize veterans who had died in the line of duty. I was struck by the fact that many of these people cheered us on, while they were so clearly the ones doing the hard work.

While we were coasting downhill, we were passed by a friend we had met while running TransRockies 3 years ago. While I had thought we had passed through the dreaded “Sand pit,” he was nice enough to remind me that we had yet to actually hit it. Sure enough, around mile 20, we ran through a section about a mile to a mile and a half long that had spots where the sand was ankle deep.

It was in this area that we rejoined individuals who were doing the 14 mile march. At one point, I found myself pissed off by the sand and angry hamstring when I looked up and noticed a man a few yards in front of me… moving along on his forearm crutches and single amputation, with no prosthesis yet. He had covered about 10 miles with 2 crutches, 2 arms, and one leg. We then also passed at least 2 individuals with bilateral amputations, both wearing prosthesis. I was humbled in that moment and reminded that what I was going through was nothing in comparison.

Over the last 3 miles, Ben worked really hard to dig deep (and not throw up… which was amazing). We gained strength from a unit running near us, who was working hard as a team to get the job done.

When we finally crossed the finish line, I felt elated… and I could feel Ben about to keel over. There was a brief moment that passed and suddenly, I felt a new surge of energy and I could tell Ben felt it too. At the finish line of one of the more difficult races I have done, sat survivors of the real Bataan Death March. What I had just completed did not even begin to compare to the brutality and atrocities they had experienced, so that I could run freely. What a way to end a run!

Needless to say, the Bataan Memorial Death March is like no race I have ever competed in. The organization was phenomenal, aid stations were well stocked with fuel and spectators. The other marchers around me were humbling. The purpose for the race- beyond the imaginable.  

Regardless of whether or not I do this race again, I am beyond thankful that this is a run I have now completed.

Dear Brooks...

Dear Brooks,

I have a confession to make….

I cheated on you.

I took my eyes off your glorious shoes and customer service and everything else you stand for… and cheated on you.

I ran mile after mile in another brand. I realized about 100 miles into my shoe that I had gone so terribly wrong, but I was already so far gone, there was no turning back.

Please forgive me. I do not know what I was thinking. I allowed my heart to be swayed, even though my mind never was convinced. Now, I am back. I see the error of my ways.

Brooks- you never let me down. I have had poor fits, and you have righted the wrong. You have stood by me mile after mile and kept me feeling great.

Let it be known that I am back and will not be looking back. I am moving on from my cheating ways.
Brooks- yours truly, so long as you keep me running happy.

Love, Rebecca

Ruts

There are times when I find myself in a running rut. This year, the rut seems to have lasted quite a while. We have had some amazingly cold days, where running just feels like a slog. Let’s face it, I do not live in the best of neighborhoods, so if I start my run from home, I am limited in where I can go and a drive to a trail requires some planning.

Twice this winter, I have traveled to visit family in Southern Caifornial. Each time, I commit to running every day I am there, as I tell myself this should free me from the boredom and allow me to run in shorts in the middle of the winter. My last trip a week ago was no different. I planned to escape from my rut and enjoy some Cali sunshine.

The first run I did, I left my parents house and decided to run a different direction than I normally do. It was raining and about 60 degrees, and I was getting weird looks for jumping in puddles in shorts, while the Californians sported their puff jackets and umbrellas. Ben and I ran down a busy street, where we were watching for cars at every intersection, to eventually meet up with a path that ran alongside a bus route. About 3 miles in, I realized that we had passed one other runner and the majority of other people had ignored our Colorado courtesy wave. About 3.5 miles in, Ben waved at a guy walking by, and he instantly geared up with a loud clearing of his throat and gushing in his mouth to spit at us. That’s right… spit at us.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have been cat called, honked at, yelled at, growled at, but spitting? That is a new one to me! It took about two minutes of running and some serious brain power before we both realized what had happened. In fact, I think I am still processing what exactly happened…

The next day, Ben and I ran from my brothers house and explored some awesome neighborhoods… not without being looked at suspiciously… again in our shorts while everyone else wore puff jackets. Truly, despite all the weirdness of the prior day, running in California in the middle of the winter was an awesome thing to be able to do.

A few days later, after seeing some very sick people at work, I was running one of my normal routes in Colorado, it occurred to me that everyone I passed either nodded or waved. I made it to my turn around point and was instantly struck by the way the sun was setting over the mountains and the way it was reflecting on the local “creek.” How often have I missed this? I realized in that moment, I have no reason to be stuck in a rut. I have two legs that allow me to run, healthy lungs and heart, and eyes to see the amazing creation around me.

I know I will struggle with this in the future, but for now, I know without a doubt, Colorado is where I am meant to be.

Beauty

I am going to be really vulnerable here and share something that I know so many women (and yes, men), struggle with… image. I so often feel fat, ugly, out of shape, and the list goes on. I even compare myself to my 4 sisters (who are, by the way, gorgeous!).

As I was running this afternoon, I looked down to see pasty white legs (finally in short) that needed a shave, my misshapen knees from falling so many times, and arm hair plastered in every direction from a long sleeve shirt on an earlier run. I found myself thinking, “Woah, girl needs some work!”

Right at that moment, I ran past a construction site, looked at a guy I thought was staring just a little too long. I realized in that moment, he was looking at me, with my pasty thunder thighs (as I define them) and I was hoping he saw me as a strong runner.

Society does such a nice job trying to paint an image of what we should look like, and unfortunately, because we are fed these images for so long, it is easy to buy into them. I feel pressure as a woman, to be skinny, well proportioned, and always well manicured. This, my friends, is unrealistic. We all come in various shapes and sizes and our beauty is unique to each individual. But, don’t get me wrong, as a health care provider I am can’t condone obesity. On the flip side, a perfectly proportioned size 1? Not gonna happen. I was challenged today too by a post that I had seen recently by a well known marathoner (http://www.runnersworld.com/womens-running/lets-keep-it-real-about-our-bodies?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Blog-_-KeepingItReal) , who challenges women to realize how much goes into the media perspective of beauty.

I kept running past the construction site and thought, these misshapen knees and pasty thunder thighs will get me up the next hill I need to. These legs will carry me through my work day, with enough strength in them to work all day at a hospital and then go run a speed work out. I may never have six pack abs, but there is nothing like enjoying a beer after a long, hard run… and I love cheese. ..and I need to get used to it.

I know I will need to keep coming back to this line of thought, as this is something I really do struggle with, but I think it is vital for us all (men and women)  to remember that we were uniquely created and we are each beautiful. Next time I look at my thunder thighs I will try to think, “Damn, those thighs are awesome… and so vitally important to me.”

A New Adventure

I have decided to make the jump…

Last year, I completed my first 50 miler and my first official trail 50k (did not make the cutoff for the 50 miler, but that is another story).  I was talking to a friend while running one evening, several months after the 50, and she told me I had qualified for the Western States 100 mile race based on my time. I did not believe her and did some research of my own. Sure enough, I had. I began to research the race and had all the registration and lotto times saved into my calendar and set to alarm on my phone.

You can bet I registered the day that registration opened! I then followed the number of lotto entrants closely, checking at least once a week (ok, probably more). When the official vetted list came out with the number of lotto tickets, I swear I checked it at least 3 times for my name. Yup… I was listed with one ticket. I had to work on lotto day. It felt like every time I went to the computer to do documentation, I was pulling up the list on my phone. I was convinced I was going to walk into a patients room beaming and unable to control myself from announcing my great news to everyone. Well, the time came and went for the lotto and despite checking the list 3 or 4 times after it ended, my name did not show up on the list… as if another refresh was going to magically change that.

I was bummed, but if you know me at all, you know I am determined. Over the course of the next few days, I plotted ways to get into WS 100. The most obvious, and for me the only way to have another chance was to run another qualifying race. This year, the list has changed and is comprised of mostly 100k’s and 100 milers. I spent time looking at calendars, travel time, race accessibility, entry availability, course profile (for likeness to the WS) and reviews. My first choice was full, my second was a lotto, which I did not want to chance again. I settled on my third choice, the Bighorn 100 miler.

I should preface this next paragraph by saying that I do not wake up easily. I set at least 3 alarms that require me to solve math problems to turn them off. The third one requires me to get my butt out of bed and take a picture of something in the other room. Guess what? I have outsmarted that one and have figured out that if I turn off the phone, the alarm stops. Go me. Anyways, the morning registration opened, I was sick as a dog and had the day off. Ben came in, of course, after being awake for at least an hour, and asked about registration. I do not think I have ever woken up that fast. The house alarm could be going off, sirens in the front yard, dog barking, and I still think I would get up slower to that than I did this morning.

I immediately registered, and of course, went promptly back to sleep. When I did finally wake up for the day, my first thought was “Oh, no! What have I done!” This was then quickly followed by excitement, followed by fear, followed by panic, followed by more excitement, and so the cycle started.

I spent my free time the next several days researching training plans and reading tips from experienced runners. One would think I should have done that before signing up, but I do like to just go for it. I ordered a book, created several online bookmarks, and set up an excel spreadsheet with daily and weekly mileage.

I still need to work out a few kinks in my plan, but I am also about to wrap up week 5 into a 20 week plan. My goal is to start to share my experience leading up to my first ever 100 miler with you. In the meantime, I have 130 days between now and then and lots of miles to cover to prep!

Reality of the Moment

As I perused social media this morning, I noted notices the abundance of people racing. I was already mopey, and this just made matters worse. I wanted to race. Of course, I then perseverated on looking for races that are: 1. on my day off 2. cheap 3. distances I actually want to do. This of course, forced me to postpone going out on my long run, which I was already cranky about. I was planning to run alone.  Ben is working through a minor injury and I had not made plans with any of the friends I have that like to run far for fun. I mean seriously, woe is me. I have to go do a long run by myself and don’t even get to do it with someone. To top it all off, I was not planning to do a trail run, instead, I was stuck running the same, usual places I do all my other runs.  Seriously.

I headed out through the neighborhood to a local path that follows a creek and can be taken for miles in a few different directions. As usual, I was grumpy for the first 2 or 3 miles, and then I finally found my groove. Between mile 3 and 4, I was struck by the fact that I had been running for a little while and had seen only one other person. I was essentially alone. It then occurred to me that I was surrounded by beautiful scenery, with rabbits in the brush and the trees at the height of their color change.

It was in that moment that I realized I am always wanting more… more trail, more miles, more races, more people to run with, more time to run, more more more. I stopped for a moment to just be. I had started to miss out on the reality of the moment. Here I was, an introvert, getting to spend several hours alone, doing something I love. I had been given the gift of time, to be alone to pray and to think and to just enjoy the quiet and the scenery. I realized that this same old path, is an amazing place to get to run on. I was surrounded by trees and could hear the creek and just barely make out the sound of distance traffic. I was not racing, but it occurred to me that on a day off of work, for fun, I decided to go run the same distance many people trained to race… and I did it for fun. That is awesome.

It really is so easy to get wrapped up into planning and looking for the next thing to come along. Sure, dreaming is a good thing, but too much and we lose sight of the current moment. I was struck by how easy it is to ignore the here and now. It really is gone in an instant and if we are not paying attention, all we are left with is a vague memory and possibly some frustration. Enjoy the moment, who knows it may actually be worth it after all.

Defeat {Or Not}

If you ever read any running literature, you know it is not uncommon to read about high level athletes who drop out of a race for one reason or another. In fact, just the other day, I read an article by Rickey Gates, an amazing trail runner, who had a DNF (did not finish) at a race.

I have now run a handful of races and have had one DNF. In fact, it was a DNF that I am proud of. I was signed up to run a half marathon in the middle of training for a full marathon. I had injured myself and had just begun going to PT before the half. I got to the start line of the half, knowing that I would probably not finish. At mile 8, I knew that if I wanted to be able to run my marathon a month later, I needed to drop. It was a tough decision in the moment, but one that I was grateful I made.

Apart from that, my other races and runs have mostly been “successes.” Well, last weekend, I was signed up to run the Devil Mountain 50 mile race in Pagosa Springs. It was going to be my second 50 mile race and I was trained for it. I had spent the months since my last 50 miler trying to hone in on my weeks spots. When it was time to taper, I did such a good job that my legs ached from not running (weird, right?)?

Race day came shortly after the flooding in Colorado, with some additional raining the day before. The morning was crisp and cold, and I was determined to do well. The race started and I went out at a steady pace, knowing in my mind exactly what I needed to do in order to make the cut off to be able to continue on to 50 mile race.

The first 10 miles or so were awesome. My legs felt good, the weather was cold but perfect, and I felt like I was buying time. When we hit the climb (pretty much mile 10-18), I was determined to be consistent and run what I could, while power hiking the rest. Then… we hit the mud. Not mud like “oh, it is still cold enough to be frozen” mud or “oh, I guess the trail is a little muddy” or “oh, I love mud!” kind of mud. This was real, awful, deep mud. The kind of mud that when you take three steps forward up hill, you inevitably slide back four steps. The kind of mud that tries to take your shoe if you aren’t paying attention. The kind of mud that when you look ahead at the runners on the hill ahead, you immediately have the life and excitement sucked right out of you because you can see them backsliding downhill. This was not just any mud.
By the time I made it through the climb up, I realized that making it to the cut off was going to be a stretch, but was hopeful that I could make up time on the downhill. Wrong. The downhill mud was at least as bad, if not worse than the up. When I would try to start to run, I would have moments of panic as I tried to keep my butt and head directly above my feet without slipping and sliding all over the place!!

I reached a mental spot where I was hopeful that the cut off would be extended, knowing how the trail conditions were, yet realizing that I needed to embrace the fact that I was still “going to be able to” finish as a 50k runner. Well, when we got to the aid station at the 50 mile/50k cut, we were told that the cut off was a firm cut off and that we had missed it, but could still finish as a 50k runner without penalty. Ben almost yelled at the man who told us and I almost cried.

I wrestled with myself over the next several miles (ok, not just miles, hours if we are being honest)about my anger/sadness/disappointment/feeling crappy about myself/doubting my ability/grief about not finishing the stupid race I had signed up to do. Sure, I had told myself early that at least I would “get to run” the 50k, but really?? I had worked my butt off for months to train for a 50!! How could I let myself down like that??

Ben basically had to encourage me the entire way to the finish because I was so distraught about not being able to run 50 miles (again, weird, right?). Then he had to coax me not to run 19 more miles after crossing the line. Unfortunately, this part is not a lie. I spent at least an hour after crossing the finish stewing about my performance, whether or not I was going to go run 19 more miles. I am not going to lie… I may have even shed a tear or two.

After I finally calmed down, I had a beer, some food, and started to converse with other finishers, several of whom had set out to run the 50 miler and had missed the cutoff. Ben and I started to hear rumors that only 8 people had made it past the first check point and then only 7 past the second. As I started to ask around, it was confirmed that only 2 women were among these 7 individuals.

As I began to process the information and over the next several days, it occurred to me that even though I had trained well (I felt amazing the next day), I was not alone in missing the cutoff. In fact, I was more the norm than not. It occurred to me that even though I may have felt defeated, I really had no right to feel that way. I began to realize all that I learned from my perceived defeat.

I had set out to run 50 miles and had been unsuccessful. The beauty of running is that regardless of how hard you train, every day is a different day and no one can ever fully predict the outcomes. Even the best of the best fail. I had trained well for a 50 miler and can easily use this same training plan again in the future.

I skipped a step between the marathon and 50 miler but can now say that I have my first official 50k on the books. I even placed in my age division for my first 50k. What if I had set out to actually race a 50k and not a 50 miler? 

Defeat is a beautiful thing. It is really only defeat if you allow it to be. There is a lot to be gleaned from perceived defeat. The best thing to do, I think, is to embrace it, learn from it, and keep running.

Needless to say, Devil Mountain 50 miler, I will be back , and I will make you mine… one day…

The Racing Spirit

I am sure the bombings that took place at the Boston Marathon last week impacted just about everyone in this country in one way or another. As I runner, who had several friends who ran Boston (but were all safe), the impact was an emotional one for me. Although I was not directly impacted, being able to run is something I place a high value on, and this has been trampled on for me, as well as for many other runners.

Running provides a sense of peace and freedom to me. Many times I find myself free of all other concerns of life, if for a brief moment. Racing brings people together. We all run for different yet with somewhat similar reasons. We come from varied backgrounds, yet we run to accomplish a goal: cross the finish line. To many, running is sacred. Even though the intent of the bombers is still unknown, such an attack diminishes the sense of peace and freedom found in running. This is a difficult thing to wrestle with!

Today was a big day for me. Today, I set out to complete my 10^th official marathon at the inaugural Horesetooth Marathon, and first marathon in Colorado since the attack at Boston. There was some apprehension on my part leading to the start, due to the fear now associated with racing. That said, early this morning, a small group of runners gathered in Fort Collins, not willing to allow fear to dampen their spirits. Prior to the start of the race, the course director asked for 26.2 seconds of silence for the victims in Boston. In that moment, I offered up prayers for the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. Then it struck me; in this brief moment, this diverse group of runners had stopped all movement, ceased all activities, and turned their thoughts to others. Regardless of their backgrounds or personal belief systems, we had found yet another source of unity. We remembered the tragedy of last week, yet we were resolute in not letting heartache deter us from taking part in the struggle and triumph of the marathon.

The race itself was one of the most difficult races I have ever done, due primarily to the conditions on the course. It was also a beautiful course! During periods of the run, I found myself thinking about how amazing it is that runners, who often run in isolation or small groups, have the ability to come together for a few hours to support and push each other to accomplish a goal.

As we neared the last mile, we could hear the cheering at the finish line; it occurred to me that it was a similar sound to what all other runners hear as they approach the end. The last mile can often feel beyond difficult with everything hurting and it feels like it can take so much energy just to cross that line. Runner after runner finished to the same cheering I did, after pushing through hard mile after hard mile.

A runner’s spirit can be bruised; but it cannot be crushed, trampled one, or taken away. A runner’s spirit is a testament to endurance, perseverance, and hard work. However, in a race—even though we run as individuals—in unity we push towards the same end and the same goal. As a runner, I will continue to find peace and joy and freedom in running, despite the challenges of this life.

Race Day...Hiccups

First off, for those interested, I do still plan to post about our Gore-Tex TransRockies Run experience. There is just so much I want to say.

On another note though, I LOVE running marathons! One of the cool things about marathons is that you can prepare, train, visualize,  organize and study profile maps prior to race day; but come race day, anything can happen prior to or during the race.

Ben and I ran another marathon on Labor Day (I will review the race in another post). We felt pretty prepared for it after coming off of such high mileage during the TransRockies only a few weeks before. We packed up with all our gear (and some extra to be prepared) and headed to Colorado Springs. Needless to say, my allergy meds, which I rely heavily on (especially as seasons change), conveniently jumped their way out of my bag prior to leaving. I added some Benadryl to my bag of electrolyte tabs and mentally psyched myself out of thinking anything could be wrong.

We arrived at the pickup spot on time. However, the buses ended up leaving a few minutes late which caused a time crunch at the start line. Conveniently, at the start line location, there were too many runners for the porta potties that had been provided. As the announcer was making the five minute call, I decided to skip the line and head to the bushes. I found the prime spot, took care of business, and headed out of the bushes to meet Ben near the start chute.

 I felt something weird on my shin and when I looked down, I thought I had mud on my shin. As I wiped some away into the grass, I quickly realized the smell was much more reminiscent of poop that it was of mud, and I started to panic as the announcer was counting down the minutes to start. Ben sprayed water from his hydration pack onto my leg as I frantically wiped it away and stifled a gag. When we got to the chute, it occurred to me that I had more than just a unique runner smell… I smelled like crap. What a great way to start a race.

The race started without another hitch and no one did ever comment on me smelling like crap, which was a really good thing. That said, throughout the entire race, I had to be so very conscious of not using my hand to wipe sweat off of my face or high five people as I ran by. I was so relieved to finally have clean hands as soon as we were done!

I will continue to embrace the unknown of the marathon, but I can tell you that from now on, I will always look before I squat!!!

Things I look forward to as a second time Gore-Tex TransRockies runner

For those of you who do not know me very well, I should start by saying that I can be a little on the rigid side (ok, sometimes rigid is an understatement). I like to have facts, data, info, control; especially pertaining to what will directly impact the flow of my day. Last year, when Ben and I prepared for the Gore- Tex TransRockies Run, my biggest fear was not wondering if I would finish, even though I started with a nagging foot injury. My biggest fear was not feeling like I knew all of the logistics, which caused me to feel a little out of control. I remember having so many questions prior to starting and trying so hard to let them go.

As it goes, everything turned out wonderfully last year (ok, except for the fact that Ben got some nasty bug on day 4). This year, as I prepare for Gore-Tex, I come at it with a new sense of peace and excitement. I feel like I am able to relax quite a bit more, knowing that there will still be unknowns, but also knowing what I came away with last year. I am downright excited. I know most of you reading this won’t be doing the race, but I feel the need to share what I learned last year and what I am excited about. Here are just a few of these things.

·         Anything can happen in this race. Last year, Ben and I had awesome training and he got sick on day 4. We still finished, together, and had an awesome time. This year, we had good training with fewer miles, but I know we are both stronger runners overall.

·         It is important to have fun, especially if you are not running as a competitive runner. Take time to soak in the views, laugh all the way through the creek, talk with people you run next to, and remember to savor and enjoy the present moment.

·         The shower trucks are amazing.

·         It is easy to gain weight during this race. Strange, considering you run 120 miles in six days, but the food (and the beer) is just that good.

·         The volunteers are amazing!

·         There is nothing like the nervous excitement at the start line in Buena Vista. I mean, who would not be excited to run 120 miles in the mountains and then camp with a bunch of random people?

·         Recovery is so important. Getting into the frigid streams is tough, but oh so helpful.

·         The food on the night of day five is amazingly good. Don’t miss out!

·         During stage one, the first aid station is almost like a mirage in the dessert. Take advantage and enjoy the volunteers!

·         It is ok to look like a nerd in spandex pants and compression socks under your shorts. Everyone else will be doing it by day two.

·         There is no water late at night or early in the morning, so if you like to wash your face first thing, face wipes are the way to go!

·         The first night can be a tough night of sleep with all the different noises coming from the tents around you. Bring ear plugs if necessary. By night two, the sleep is so much better!

·         Don’t be afraid to stop and help a fellow runner. Everyone is trying to get to the finish! Last year when Ben got sick, we collected at least 3 different remedies from friendly runners trying to help out.

·         Day six is especially tough. You are so close but so far. The sounds of the finish line from the top of the mountain are well worth the climb.

·         There is nothing quite like being off the grid almost completely. Apart from sending updates to my family and checking on them, it is so nice to have next to no communication with the rest of the world!

·         The people that run this race are some of the coolest, hardest working people in the world. Have fun making new friends!

·         Take advantage of the PT’s who set up shop at the camp. Even if it is something as minor as a blister needing to be popped and disinfected, they’ve got the goods.

·         Spending five nights in a tent with your running partner/husband, sharing the views, pushing hard together, and crossing the line together is so worth the work!

Here  is to an awesome 2012 Gore Tex TransRockies Run!

Running with purpose

It is really easy for me to find reasons to run. I know I usually run because: I love to, it is good for me, it keeps me balanced, I sleep better, I love to, and the list goes on and on.

Sometimes, it is also really easy to forget that there are other reasons to run. Recently, my community, the one in which I live, work, play, and run, was traumatized by a tragic shooting at a movie theater nearby. In these situations, it is often easy to feel overwhelmed and at times, helpless. Well, I know that there are two things that usually help me refocus and find joy: prayer and running.

That said, I found myself wondering how to use running as a way to support those affected by the recent shooting. Last night, the Boulder Running Company in Greenwood Village (if you have never been to this specific store, I would strongly recommend it… they are awesome!!)  hosted their weekly pub run. Instead of just getting together to run and enjoy beer and food afterwards, Adidas decided to pay $3 per mile, up to three miles for every person who ran to a fund for the shooting victims. Fifty-five people showed up to run. As I watched people filter in, I was struck by the fact that most of us don’t know each other and many of us were probably not directly impacted by the shooting. The one thing we all had in common was that we could gather to do the one thing we enjoy to serve a greater purpose. How cool is that?

So, if the next time you start to wonder why you run, I would challenge you to look around and see if there is some greater purpose you could be running for.

You know you are a distance runner when...

I know there are a number of these lists floating around, however, I decided I would make one of my own, so here goes…

You know you are a distance runner when:

*        Body Glide is a normal part of your daily routine, similar to deodorant

*        You often have fewer than 10 toe nails

*        You continuously scrub your ankles and your elbow pits (cubital fossa is the correct phrase) thinking they are dirty, but alas, those are tan lines

*        Weekend plans are determined around mileage, not the other way around

*        An eight mile run no longer feels like a “long run” and four miles goes by really fast

*        An eight mile has become “just eight”

*        You start to plan your vacations and visits with family around races

*        Compression gear is a normal part of your attire and you wear it around shamelessly

*        Fuel for runs gets its own line item in the budget, just like groceries and gas

*        You own more running shorts than you do casual shorts and you can’t wait to buy the next pair

*        Chaffing in strange places is almost expected

*        You find people starring at you in public (such as in line at the grocery store) as you realize you look like a contortionist as you stretch those sore muscles

*        You spend more on running shoes than any other shoe in your wardrobe

*        Snot rockets don’t phase you

*        You watch for updates on the WS 100

*        You know what the WS 100 is

*        Cotton t-shirts given at races might prevent you from signing up… who wears cotton any more anyways?

*        You know what a fartlek is

*        A foam roller has a special spot in the house

*        Life celebrations start to involve a run of some sort

*        There is no better smell than the smell of a brand new pair of running shoes

*        A taper with runs no longer then 4-6 miles in incredibly painful

*        The USA marathon and track and field Olympic trials have made it onto your calendar as events to track

*        You know who Gordy Ansleigh is

*        You could lick salt off of a cracker without ever worrying about eating the cracker

*        Your coworkers comment on the amount of water you drink and you find yourself wondering why they don’t drink more

*        You know precisely how many miles are on your current pair of running shoes

*        The second half always hurts so good…and often feels easier than the first half

*        Being called a “jogger” hurts a little

What are your “you know you are a runner when…” moments?

Race Day Lessons

It has been a while since I have run and not set another PR. Just over a week ago, I fell while trail running and banged up my knee. Considering that I had a half marathon four days later (review to follow), this felt like a bit of a set back to me as I realized the possibility of setting a PR was almost decidedly out the window.

The race came on Saturday and my knee was incredibly stiff in the morning. Over the race course, 2,000 feet of elevation are lost. I tried to relax on the downhill and not fight it, while attempting to maintain form on the uphill (which actually hurt more). I had one of my toughest races physically on Saturday! Because this was not my end goal with training, I knew that I needed to be somewhat conservative and not overdo it, but if you are a runner and even the slightest bit competitive, you know how hard that is.

When I crossed the line, I realized that although it was not a PR, it was definitely not my slowest half marathon. Initially, I was bummed with my performance. As I processed through this, I realized that not all races will come with PR’s and that is not what running is all about. I had a wise person remind me that running is about challenging yourself and pushing with all you currently have.

Racing at the non-professional leve is about so much more than a PR or a place in your age division. It is about seeing how far you can go despite all of the extenuating circumstances. It is about talking with a girl at the start line that you met at last year’s race about her running over the last year. It is about meeting a woman on the course who, after having two children, is feeling stronger than ever and it trying to PR. It is about realizing that your running partner, who has been on the injured list, is now running right beside you. It is about looking up as you descend that hill and seeing the glorious view of the mountains and the sun peeking over the top. It is about the sound of feet and heavy breathing running down a mountain road.  It is about the race shirt and the excitement of checking the goody bag. It is about crossing the finish line, knowing that another chance will come and still feeling that joy of being exhausted, knowing you pushed hard regardless of what the clock says.

See what I mean? Racing truly is about so much more than a PR. What is it to you?

Another attempt...

Man, it has been way too long since I have blogged. I feel like I started out well, did ok for a little while, disappeared, came back, and disappeared again. Ahhh, life. If only someone wanted to pay me to blog…and run… and test gear… Anyone???

Anyways, a lot has happened with running in the last month, so here is my attempt at bringing you up to speed.

On May 6^th, I ran the Colorado Marathon. If you remember, I was really nervous about it, as this would be my first full alone. Well, when I got to the start line, I met another girl who usually runs with her husband, but was also running alone as he was also suffering from an injury. We started talking about our pace, decided to run together, and stayed together for the first 23 miles. It was such a cool experience to with someone I had just met and was easy to talk to and who paced really well! We both ended up breaking 4 hours for the first time! (Nice job, Alicia!!) Ben also completed in the half marathon and did not PR but still had a great time.

I attempted to take the entire week following the marathon off of running (my goal was to make it until Saturday). Well, I caved and ended up running Tuesday and then Friday. Hard to keep me away for long! It just seems like it is in my blood!

Training for Gore-Tex Transrockies started officially for us the weekend the following weekend. Training for us for this race consists of increasing hill work, hitting the trails consistently, and having weekends of three long back to back runs. Already, we have been trying to hit the trails hard and we have done two beautiful runs in Rocky Mountain National Park and a few others in Evergreen and Douglas County. Last week, we were able to log 30 miles on trails, which is such a nice change from the road.  I addition to that, Ben had his highest mileage week last week since December… and still felt good at the end of the week!

Saturday, Ben and I raced in a local 5k sponsored by Boulder Running Company (have I ever told you I love those guys?) and both placed for our age divisions. It was a small, but really fun event to be able to participate in! We followed it up with a 9 mile run in 90 degree heat, which is a first for us this year! Time to get used to heat and full sun exposure.

This time of year is one of my favorites for running. The weather is great (except for tornado warnings and record high days) and it is common to see other runners out. Trail expeditions and races both increase during this time of year. What will you be doing this summer?

Race Day Jitters

I will be the first to admit I can get a little anxious sometimes (for those of you who know me well, feel free to laugh at this understatement). For example, I almost threw up on my drive to take my GRE’s when I was in undergrad. After graduating from grad school and studying practically all summer before taking my boards, I am pretty sure I sobbed all the way home thinking I had failed (good thing I passed!).

When I started running marathons, I would get super anxious beforehand and could not eat certain foods in the morning, purely because I would gag from the jitters. The jitters started to decrease, but returned right before my first trail marathon.

As I have raced more, I have learned that during racing, as with any run, the unexpected can always happen. With the right prep, you can be ready to tackle a race, even if the outcomes are not what you hope for. It has been several races since I have actually experienced these jitters (Gore-Tex Transrockies was the last time, but let’s face it, 6 days, 120 miles, 20,000 + elevation gain and the general unknown, who wouldn’t be somewhat nervous?).

That brings me to this week. Ben and I signed up to do the Colorado Marathon several months ago as a redo for me, since I was returning from an injury last year when we ran. This week, Ben decided he will not be doing the full and will be transferring his entry to a shorter race (still working out this nasty injury!). I am extremely saddened that he is still not 100 % and that we will not be completing this race together! We are running partners. Recently, while running in the evening together, we realized how well we run together. It has become easy to sense what the other person is about to do or how they are feeling without the use of words!

Even though I have done the bulk of my training alone, I was optimistically hopeful that Ben would run. Without him running, I will be racing alone. We have started all of our marathons together and have finished all but two together. This time, I will start, and finish alone. This time, I have the jitters! This time, I feel like there is even more unknown. No one will be by my side to push me when I struggle and vice versa. I won’t be able to share observations about the gorgeous scenery (we will be running in the Poudre Canyon. Sure, there will be other runners, but there will be no Ben!

While I prepare for this race with mixed emotions and am in fact, nervous, I am reminded that the “jitters” we experience are probably a good thing. If I don’t ever get nervous before racing, I am probably overly confident in my abilities or I am probably not prepared to push myself. The jitters might be present in full force but I hope to be at the start line on Sunday morning with peace and a smile on my face, excited to see what new heights can be reached!

The Platte River Half Marathon- A Review

Around this time last year, I was rehabbing through an injury. I had a tough time walking, let alone running. I kid you not; it felt like my world was coming to an end! Ben and I had been signed up to do the Platte River Half Marathon when this injury occurred and even though I knew I would likely not be able to finish, I wanted to start and see how far I could go. I made it to the aid station at mile eight. At the risk of sounding insanely dramatic, at the time, making the decision to not finish was one of the toughest, gut wrenching decisions to make. Go figure, I did get back to running shortly thereafter and thankfully, my world did not really come to an end and I did get back into running!

I do not get the chance to run much on the Platte River Trail and have only run on certain sections during this specific race. I knew where this mile 8 aid station was on the trail but sometimes these things don’t translate out of the race course. Recently, however, I was driving between PT home visits and realized that I was driving right past this spot. I had very bittersweet memories! I decided at this point that I needed to do the Platte River Half once again to run past that spot and reminisce. I convinced some friends to do it with me (Ben could not due to scheduling) and signed up right away.

The race was held on April 15^th. Packet pick up was the Friday and Saturday prior to the race. In the past years, packet pick up was at a local Runners Roost. This year, packet pick up location was moved to Arapahoe Community College, just down the street from the start line. This new location felt like a trek relative to past years! That said, the new location did allow for sponsors to be present with booths at pick up. When I arrived (right as it opened), I felt like pick up was set up strangely. Racers ID’s were checked and they were given bibs and chips, and then sent to a table to get ties and pins. Then they were routed to a spot to get bags and shirts. I think it would have been handy to have the shirt in the beginning, but no bigs. It was nice to see who some of the sponsors were for the race, but I did not feel like spending money (and I really needed a haircut, which I was scheduled for that afternoon) so I left pretty quickly.

The bibs this year had racers first names on them, which is nice for anyone wanting to cheer on a specific runner. That said, they were made relatively cheaply and mine ripped three separate times. The shirts on the other hand were fantastic. Long-sleeve tech shirts made by Brooks were provided. The logo was an attractive logo and these shirts tend to be in my top favs of long sleeve race shirts!

The start time for the race was 9 am, but we planned to get to the race super early to get good parking. Lucky us, we were one of the first cars in and were able to park close to the start and the metro. Race day temp was pretty cool (it has been cool for 2 of the last 3 years I have done this race) and it made it difficult to decide for sure what to wear. For the first two miles, I swear it warmed up, but in the end, it ended up cooling and I was glad I wore what I did.

The start line was in downtown Littleton. Here, the organizers had plenty of porta-potties for the crowd. Bag drop was also conveniently located and it was a breeze to drop my bag in the truck. The race start had some awesome energy. Because it has become such a large race, the organizers decided to start it in waves this year, which made the start actually feel a little less chaotic. I did not have to worry nearly as much around weaving in and out of people. The first two miles were through down town Littleton and then racers were dumped onto the Platte River Trail. The one drawback of the entry location to the trail is that runners immediately go under a bridge and then have to cross a narrow wooden foot bridge over the water. I knew this was coming and was prepared, but running is always slowed to a walk here and can add some time to your overall run time.

The rest of the course is along the Platte River and enters and exits several cities. Because this race is held in early spring, the course is generally pretty course. That said, there is one section of the course that runs right near a dump and is not what I would call a picturesque location. The course eventually ends up on 8^th Avenue and runners are greeted with an overpass in the last mile, which seems daunting. At any other time, this hill would seem like a cinch, but it’s placement seems just evil. After the overpass, racers drop down and finish on Mariposa St. This year, to celebrate the 10^th year anniversary, finishers were awarded with a medal at the finish line. This was a nice surprise and a fun addition to my collection!

Aid stations along the course seemed well placed and well manned. The volunteers were very helpful and even cheered the runners on! Porta potties were also available along the course. I guess I should add to that the organizers did a great job having enough porta potties for the crowd on the course, and at start and finish.

After finishing, runners were directed to bag pick up, which was easy to find and then down around a corner, past several sponsors (with food) to the post race party. The food itself was fantastic and featured foods from Wahoos, Ted’s, Garbanzo, the Buckhorn Exchange, and several other local restaurants. I was a little disappointed to not see the Melting Pot at the race this year! The beer garden was sponsored by Michelob this year. It is always great to have beer after a race, but let’s face it, I am kind of a beer snob and preferred when this race was sponsored by a local brewery!

Because it was freezing and windy after the race, we did not sick around long. Upon exiting the post-race party area, racers were given passes to the Light Rail (metro) to get back to cars. The race organizers did such a fantastic job with location that runners did not have to walk much at all to get to and from the metro (the party is basically at the entrance and the parking lots are about 2 blocks from the exit).

Overall, I really did enjoy this race and would do it again. After doing it three times, one can assume I would say that, right? The one thing to note, as with any spring races, is the weather can be very unpredictable and colder than hoped for!

Would I do this race again? Clearly

Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely (I even had two friends run it with me this year!). I think it is a great first half marathon as well for new runners.

Would I change anything? I would bring The Melting Pot back as a sponsor. Let’s face it. Who does not love fruit with chocolate dipping sauce. I would also bring back a local brewery for the post-race part. Michelob is… well… Michelob.

Is it worth the value? The shirt, the food, the race support all make it worth the value

Overall race experience: Great

Milestones

Less than a year ago, my friend Beth, had a baby. About eight months ago, she said she would never do a half marathon. She even went so far as to say it was a stupid idea. Several months ago, she decided to start increasing her mileage to work up base mileage with the *potential* of doing a marathon in September. Less than two months ago, I convinced her to do the Platte River Half Marathon. Yesterday, she completed her first half marathon!

I love milestones. A huge part of what I do for work is focused around milestone accomplishment. Running with Ben and with other friends has been filled with literal and figurative milestones. In these last several months, I have been able to be a part of Beth meeting several of these milestones, including her first 5k run distance, her first 7 mile run, and her first half marathon.

It has been awesome to see the transformation from “what a stupid idea” to “I just ran my first half.” For those of you who have worked to increase your distance, you know this is not an easy transition. Runs can often be “ugly” during, yet leave you with a sense of accomplishment afterward. That increase in distance becomes an increase in so many things- joy, health, energy, and time with friends.

For those of you out there struggling to make it through each mile, remember, it is one foot in front of the other. You really can accomplish more than you think. Tuck your head and keep moving, but also remember to look around and enjoy the journey! You will get there!

And to Beth, nice work yesterday! Keep on running!

Boulder Spring Half Marathon

Ben and I ran the Boulder Spring Half on April 1st. For those of you who don’t know, it was my first race of the season and Ben’s longest run since his birthday run in December! I love spring racing and was a little nervous that Ben might not be able to participate, but he did and we did better than I expected! When we started the race, we both agreed to have a conservative pace, and I agreed to let Ben set the pace (plus, my GPS had gotten left behind so I could only be of limited help with the clock). The start was a little breezy and chilly, but I was glad I had opted to wear my warm weather gear, as it heated up fast and the course was almost fully exposed! For the first half, we really focused on having fun and taking in the sights.

Once we hit the turn around, Ben indicated that he was feeling good and wanted to push it a little harder for the last half. As a PT and his running partner, I was a little hesitant but decided to roll with it. The back half of the course is a little tough, as there are a few relatively long slow hills that you can see for an eternity before you even get to them, so I was not sure how this was going to turn out. With one mile left, we realized we would potentially be able to beat 2 hours (not near our PR, but still a good goal), but only if everything played out just right. Ben and I love hills (most of the time) and remained consistent with our pace as we climbed the last few, dropped into the reservoir, and made the final, smallish ascent to the finish line. Somehow, even with a very conservative start, we were able to finish in less than two hours, both feeling great!

Overall, I was extremely excited about our race. That said…I know right before this post I talked about pre-race prep. Well, let it be known that things do not always turn out how you think they will. For example, my GPS was ready to go and was accidentally placed into the wrong bag. I also decided to wear a black visor, which proved to be a problem with how hot it ended up being.

Now onto the dirty details… Races are one of my favorite things to do. They feel like mini vacations from reality. Races bring runners in the community together for one common goal. Let’s face it, unless you are trying to place, races are a time to challenge yourself, meet other runners, and have a good time. If I could afford to, I would race every weekend!

Needless to say, I had been looking forward to this race for a long time. We registered almost as soon as the race was open. Because we had both been race marshals for the full marathon in September, our entry fee was comp’ed.  I was disappointed that I was not able to go to packet pick up, but in reality, it turns out I am glad I did not get to! Packet pick up for the Boulder Spring Half occurs at the Fleet Feet Store in Boulder. The store itself is relatively small, so it truly is just packet pick-up and not an expo. Ben’s report of packet pick up was less than satisfactory. It took over an hour for him to retrieve three packets (his, mine, and one for a colleague of mine), not including drive time. It took a while for the volunteers to find Ben’s bib and then some additional time to rematch it to the correct timing chip. While the shirts were rather large, and Ben was originally given the wrong size, the glasses provided are always an added bonus of this race.

Parking on race day can sometimes be a little intimidating. The Boulder Spring Half, however, does a fantastic job with parking. Parking is available to runners in the reservoir, so your car is close to the start and finish and entry to the lot is quick and painless. Apart from parking, I am always worried about porta pottie access at the start line. There were abundant toilets in the parking lot and close the start/finish line, so the line was kept to a minimum.

The race was off without a hitch and some amazing weather. The course leaves from the Boulder Reservoir and runs through the “back roads” of Boulder. Some are paved while others are dirt. The roads provide an awesome view of the foothills on the way out and the reservoir on the way back. In addition, there are some pretty decent long hills and with the way the roads are set, you can see other runners plodding along before you even get to the hill! Most of the hills are rolling, however, be forewarned that there are two climbs in the last mile just prior to entering the reservoir that are not bad, but feel brutal because of their location. The finish is also on a slight incline- not enough to really matter during any other run, but enough to notice when you are pushing it out at the end! The one disadvantage of the course being on roads is the exposure. There is absolutely no shade on the course.

Aid stations were well manned and appeared to be well stocked and the volunteers were very friendly! The finish line was packed with spectators, which made arriving back at the reservoir so much better. The race had a variety of sponsors but food was primarily provided by Udi’s. Post race food included vegetarian burgers, bagels (with cream cheese, who doesn’t love cream cheese?!), oranges, energy drinks, and water. Beer was provided in abundance, (who doesn’t love post race beer?!) by the Boulder Beer Co. and could be enjoyed while soaking in the sun on picnic tables.

Overall, the race experience was a positive one. The volunteers are very helpful (they even exchanged Ben’s shirt on race day!). The course is a great course and the post-race party leaves little to be desired (maybe some shade?).

Would I do this race again? Absolutely! I would love to do the full in the fall as I think they do a great job with volunteer coordination.

Would I recommend it to a friend? I would… with the caveat that one needs to be prepared for a few hills!

Would I change anything? Packet pick up could have been a little more organized. Although the shirts were tech shirts and had a cool design, I am not a huge fan of the way shirts made by Leslie Jordan fit. They tend to be oversized and baggy.

Is it worth the value? You bet

Things to consider: Time of year can make weather unpredictable, the course is fully exposed

Overall race experience: Fantastic

Race Day Preparations

So, Ben and I are running the Boulder Spring Half Marathon tomorrow morning. I love spring that spring racing is here. The weather is supposed to be perfect for race day. This will be my first race of the season and Ben’s longest run since beginning to recover from his injury (he is still not 100 % there yet but is making progress). Needless to say, we are not looking to PR tomorrow, rather, we are looking to finish and have a fun time while doing so.

I realized that there is a lot I think about going into race day and felt I would share this with you. Beginning a few days before the race, I start to monitor my water and food intake more closely. I also *try* to get more sleep leading up to the race. That being said, I have been completely off this week as I was preparing for and attending a conference, which puts a damper in hydration, nutrition, and sleep! Dinner the night before is usually a mix of protein and complex carbohydrate with some good veggies. Beer is usually included in this mix!

One of my favorite parts of the pre-race is packet pick-up. I love to get a taste of the race before the morning of. It is really cool to be around a lot of other runners and to feel the sense of nerves and excitement. At big races, the expos are a nice way to see a variety of vendors and get connected with some cool people. I like to try to get my packet prior to the morning of the race so that I can lay everything out, including my race bib, the night before. Unfortunately (and maybe not so… I will add this to the review of the race after it is completed) I was unable to attend packet pick up for this race, so Ben took care of it for me.

As I said before, I like to process through what I am going to need for the race the night before so I can make sure nothing is missing. Let’s work from the feet up.

Socks: I prefer to wear socks that are wicking and breathable. My favorite brands for distance runs are Smart Wool and Darn Tough. That said, for race day, I tend to lean toward wearing Smart Wool. I tend to blister less, if at all in these. I appreciate that they offer a variety of thicknesses and heights. On cooler mornings when I want to wear shorts, but still want to be a little warmer, I will wear the PhD Outdoor Mini (they are a bit taller). On warmer mornings, I will stick with the PhD Light Mirco. The verdict is still out for tomorrow.

Shoes: Shoe selection is based off of whether the race is road or trail. Tomorrow, the race is road, so I will be wearing my trusty road shoes. I love Brooks. I wear the Brooks Glycerine in a men’s style and have been very happy with the shoe and the company (I will write a review on them another time). I will never wear a brand new pair of shoes on race day as I think it is important to have some break in time.

Shorts/pants: Based on the weather forecast, I will be wearing a pair of running shorts. My two favorite brands (that I have tried) are Nike and Oiselle. The Oiselle tend to be a little on the short side, but I love the way they fit and move with me as I run.

Tops: Top selection is also based on weather. I like to wear either a wicking tank or a wicking short sleeve that is fitted. I will wear one light weight long sleeve shirt that is light enough to be tied around my waist or hooked onto my hydration system. With clothing, it is especially important to not wear something that you have not tried out on a long run before. For example, I once wore a tank top with a criss-cross back and my hydration pack for a marathon. I had never worn these two items together (in fact, I had never worn the tank before) and ended up completely blistering right in the middle of the criss-cross. It is important to know you will be comfortable and won’t be fighting shorts that rub the wrong way or shirts that ride up, etc.  

Gloves: For cooler mornings, I will wear a pair of cheap gloves that can be donated or discarded. Target makes great, cheap acrylic gloves that are some of my favorite to run in and are cheap enough to part with on the race course.

Hat: I am a fair skinned individual and will burn rather easily when out for prolonged periods of time. I like to wear a visor to shield my face from the sun, help keep the bugs out of my eyes, and allow my head to breathe a little more easily than a hat. That said, I will wear hats, but prefer these for trail runs that tend to not get as hot.

Skin: Body Glide has become my best friend. I tried it once under my hydration pack and have never looked back. On race days, I try to put it anywhere I could possibly chafe (even if I do not normally), which might be excessive but does give me a bit of peace of mind. I do have yet to find a good sunscreen for running but will make sure to be wearing it tomorrow!

Hydration: I am still up in the air about what I will be taking tomorrow. I have only run a few races without my own hydration system. I like to be able to drink on my schedule, even if there are supposed to be a fair number of aid stations (the race tomorrow should be well stocked). I find it to be easier to drink at regular intervals and not deal with the traffic of an aid station or the joy of figuring out how to pinch the cups just right while drinking the right amount and not inviting a side cramp. That said, I think I might have just convinced myself to run with my Nathan Intensity Pack (which I will also review later). It is nice to be able to have a place to store a phone (in case we are separated at the finish line), my fuel, and my ID!

Nutrition: For a half marathon, I am a little more flexible in my fuel options. I really like Hammer products, so the majority of what I use is Hammer. I will most likely use a mixture of the Hammer Heed product and Accelerade (a protein/carb blend) as Hammer’s carb/protein blend (Perpetuem) just does not agree with my stomach. The Heed and Accelerade can be mixed with water in a bottle and is much easier to ingest while running that the Hammer gel packs.

Watch: I started using a Garmin GPS just over two years ago. It has revolutionized the way I train. I will make sure it is charged up and ready to go. I have it set to beep at the mile but also really like to have a 7 min timer to cue us to take in fluids. I have yet to figure out how to do this on the Garmin. Any ideas if this is possible?

Bag check: For the race tomorrow, the parking is close enough to the finish and the after party that it is not really necessary to check a bag, in the literal sense. I will still prepare a bag with post-race essentials. This will include: more sunscreen (I tend to sweat a ton and it seems to all come off prior to the post-race party), a dry long sleeve and short sleeve shirt as I tend to get chilled easily after running, a water bottle to make sure I am staying hydrated, flip-flops, a camera, and my post-recovery drink (also a Hammer product- Recoverite in the chocolate variety).

I know this seems like a long list and it will change depending on the weather and the distance of the race, but it includes the essence of what I feel is necessary.

What do you find to be vital in your race day preparation??

Now, it is time to go prep and look forward to race day! Look for a review of the Boulder Spring Marathon later!