Enjoying the half marathon

I finally ran the Big Sur Half Marathon after several years of watching from the sidelines. I feel like Quin, who usually throws his arms up and yells, “I did it!” after scoring a basket or eating a cracker in one bite. Usually I am against racing while I am training for a marathon for one simply reason — they never go well. I have always found it hard to get psyched up when it’s not THE race. I have also discovered, the legs just don’t want to go. Strangely, I run faster in practice.

But this year my coach and I decided it was stupid to not run the race since it was so close to home. It was also eight weeks out from the Olympic Marathon Trials in January, so it would help break up my training and give me some variety. I would have had to do a similar workout the day before anyway, so it made sense to use the race for some preparation.

My early enthusiasm started to wane two weeks ago when I began getting sick. If my coach had his way, I would not have run, but he also knew that I wanted to run in front of the hometown crowd. I finished a round of antibiotics the day before the race. It's never fun to try and train through an illness. But when race day came, I was really happy with how I felt, although I wasn't 100 percent.

The race started out as I figured with my Olympic teammate Magdalena Lewy-Boulet and me running a 5-minute, 30-second first mile. Although we slowed, I pulled ahead after mile 2 and ran in the lead until just after mile 12 when Magdalena made a final surge to the finish and won by 19 seconds. I was bummed to lose the win so close to the end, but considering how bad I have felt training the past two weeks, it could have been much worse. I warmed down by running another 5 miles after the race which gave me an even 100 miles for the week.

I got back from warming down to the pier where the elite athletes go to collect our clothes, and found my husband Jon waiting for me. I asked him where Quin was, and he replied, “Don’t be mad.” That is never a good sign. He pointed around the corner where Quin was running back and forth through a giant puddle and was soaked up to the waist. Quin looked up with a big grin and said, “I run through puddle, Mama.” Oh well, so much for going out to breakfast. I am just relieved the rain held off long enough for most of the runners to make it to the finish line.

Thanks to the Big Sur staff and volunteers and all the DLI volunteers for making it a wonderful and special race. The course, which runs along the Monterey Bay, is probably the most scenic half marathon in the country. Seeing that I run those roads almost every day, it made for a mentally easy race because I knew the race course so well.

There was also some excitement at the fourth water stop as a pregnant runner seemed to be experiencing labor pains. Although the baby didn't arrive that day, maybe the Big Sur race director should get naming rights? I propose “Suri” if it was a girl. I truly appreciate all the great cheers from all of the runners I passed on may way to the finish on the out-and-back course. I wish I had had the energy to cheer for each and every one of you. Next time I am on the sidelines I promise to reciprocate.

thanks to big sur half marathon folks

Thanks to the Big Sur staff and volunteers and all the DLI volunteers for making it a wonderful and special race. The course, which runs along the Monterey Bay, is probably the most scenic half marathon in the country. Seeing that I run those roads almost every day, it made for a mentally easy race because I knew the race course so well.

Puddle runner

After finishing Sunday's half marathon, I returned to the pier where the elite athletes go to collect our clothes, and found Jon waiting for me. I asked him where Quin was, and he replied, “Don’t be mad.” which never is a good sign. He pointed around the corner where Quin was running back and forth through a giant puddle and was soaked up to the waist. He just looked up with a big grin and said, “ I run through puddle, mama.” Oh well.

second place at Big Sur

From this morning's race wrapup in the Herald: I was just trying to run my own race. I pushed the middle part a little and didn’t have enough toward the end. I didn’t even know what was going on behind me. You always want to win, but you never know what to expect when you’re in marathon training. You’re not as rested as you’d normally be coming in.

Big Sur Half Race weather forecast

Hope everyone is getting excited and geared up for the Big Sur Half tomorrow. I just checked the weather, and they are still calling for thunderstorms after 4am tomorrow morning and throughout the morning, so make sure you are prepared. If you don't have a raincoat, a simple trash bag will be better than nothing. Keeping your core dry for as long as possible will help you maintain some heat, as will a hat. If you decide to chuck it during the race, make sure you hand it to a volunteer so it does not float into the ocean. If you have friends and family coming to watch establish a meeting place and, make sure you bring plenty of warm, dry clothes to change into as quickly as possible. Well, let's hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Good luck everyone.

detailed forecast
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Pacific+Grove&state=CA&site=MTR&lat=36.6175&lon=-121.921

Breaking down the Big Sur competition

In this week's Herald column Don Buraglio and Mike Dove run down the elite field for Sunday's Big Sur Half Marathon

Keep Fort Ord Wild

I admit, I am a nature-lover, so when I learned about the proposed highway through the middle of Fort Ord Land I was beside myself. My coach and I used to be on the Fort Ord Users Committee which a committee of concerned citizens working with the county and the Fort Ord Reuse Committee currently doing the "cleanup" of Fort Ord. Since Quin was born, I have not been invloved, but Sev goes to meetings almost weekly, sometimes until 9 at night. His goal is to keep the trails and land open to everyone-period.

It is shocking to learn about the political process and realize that there are 5 people on the Board of Supervisors Committee that are making enormous decisions for the future of this beautiful area. Not only is a highway planned, but the Board has approved additional housing projects, and a large equestrian center complete with hotels and a racetrack. All of this through miles and miles of pristine land that local and visitors have come to love. I say, take that 12 million and widen existing roads. Help save our land..

Read a full article here:
http://keepfortordwild.org/2011/11/15/citizen-group-files-suit-against-monterey-county-board-of-supervisors/

Marathon Brain

Well, there's mommy brain, and did you know there is also marathon brain? Generally, I have always heard that exercise makes you smarter. Not so much for this guy who forgot where he parked his car...for two days after running the NYC Marathon. Bet that was a pretty hefty price to pay.

Check out the full article here:
http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2011/11/marathon-brain-strikes-again.html

Mommies, Daddies and Half Marathons

The other day Quin and I were sitting down for lunch, and I was telling him how I had just met my coach for a run.

“You run on the track, Mama?”

“No. I ran on the roads. I have a big race coming up on the roads.”

Quin was silent for a moment, and then asked, “You get hit by a car, Mama?”

“No, thankfully, the cars aren’t allowed on the road while we are racing.”

Again, I could tell the wheels were turning inside his brain. He asked, “Other mommies running?”

“Yep,” I said, “and daddies too.”

He got quiet again, and I waited for another question about next week’s Big Sur Half Marathon. But then he giggled.

“Hee hee,” he said, smiling “I tooted.”

Great. Boys will be boys.

Last year I remember the Big Sur Half Marathon announcer saying that 60 percent of the runners were women, which no doubt included a whole bunch of mommies. In Quin’s eyes, I may be a runner, but I am his mommy first. Our little conversation made me remember a similar talk I had with a co-worker years ago.

My friend, Janice, was not an avid runner, but had decided to enter a local 5K for fun. Her husband and two daughters were out there near the end to cheer her on. As she crested a final hill, her family spotted her and she could see her daughters jumping up and down, getting pretty excited.

Just as she got close, her youngest shouted, “ Mom!

Mom! . . . What’s for dinner!” Caught up in the excitement she had just shouted the first thing that popped in her head. I am not sure what my running friend said, but hopefully, it was a “Ask your father!”

Though Quin has been to many races, he hasn’t seen my husband Jon or me run much (so many more interesting things tug at his short-attention span). He will be traveling to Houston for the Olympic Trials, but I don’t plan on seeing Jon or Quin until after the race, so I can concentrate Next weekend for the half marathon, I think my mom and her husband will watch Quin as Jon and I run. Quin might have his first sleep-over at grandma’s house since the race starts so early.

This year I am happy to be on the starting line of the half marathon as a runner rather than the official starter as I was last year when I was coming off an injury. Though, I admit I did enjoy sitting in McDonalds eating pancakes with Quin while Jon was huffing and puffing along the streets of Monterey and Pacific Grove. Thankfully, this year I am healthy and excited to run.

It’s the first time I’ve run the Big Sur Half. I run along Ocean Boulevard almost ever day, so I’m interested to see how it feels to race on it.

It’s a nice rolling course, and there are usually pretty good crowds of spectators around Lovers Point.

I will be in good company with the returning champion and course record-holder Belainesh Gebre and my Olympic marathon teammate Magdalena Lewy Boulet from Oakland. Both are coming off a great 2011 seasons with personal bests set at many distances.

Boulet, like myself, will be coming in off heavy marathon training with the Olympic trials looming in January. The timing of the race is perfect and allows us both to race and practice drinking water in preparation for the full marathon. The Big Sur Half will be my last race before the Trails in January. I am just looking for a solid race and am not expecting anything spectacular since I cannot afford to back down training now.

More syrup!

After reading the story of my friend whose young daughter was so excited to see her in a race she yelled, "Mommy, what's for dinner," editor Dave asked what I thought Quin would yell. Knowing Quin, he’d probably yell, “Mama, more syrup!” The kid is going to turn into a waffle. It's a regular at our breakfast table.
I think my Mom and her husband, Alan, will have Quin the morning of the Big Sur Half since Jon is running too. Though Quin has been to many races, he hasn’t seen Jon or me run much (so many more interesting things tug at his short-attention span). He will be traveling to Houston for the Olympic Trials, but I don’t plan on seeing Jon or Quin until after the race, so I can concentrate.

Mike Dove

If you run in Monterey County you've no doubt heard of Mike Dove. Not only does he co-author a running column in the Monterey County Herald, he also helped establish the Just Run program, which encourages school children to exercise. 

 Some good news came our way today about Mike, he has made it to the finalist round of AARP Create The Good’s “Win & Do Good” national volunteer story competition.  He is one of seven finalists, and has already won $5,000 for his preferred charity, the Big Sur International Marathon JUST RUN program. Online voting is underway to select the grand prize winner, who will be awarded an additional $10,000 for their charity of choice. 

Dove’s volunteer story was one of more than 1,800 entries from across the nation in the Win & Do Good contest. The public is now voting online to select a grand prize winner from among seven finalists.

Voting in the Win & Do Good contest is open to the public.  Finalist entries can be viewed at http://www.createthegood.org/sweepstakes.  Voting is open until November 18, and individuals may vote as often as once a day.

  So remember, vote early and vote often. 

Recent interview

Check out a fairly lengthy Q and A on my marathon preparations done by Gary Cohen.
http://www.garycohenrunning.com/Interviews/Russell.aspx

Half marathon thoughts

This year I am happy to be on the starting line of the Big Sur Half Marathon rather than the official starter like last year because I was coming off an injury. Though, I admit I did enjoy sitting in McDonalds eating pancakes with Quin while Jon was huffing and puffing around the streets of Monterey and Pacific Grove. Thankfully, this year I am healthy and I'm excited to run the race for the fist time. I run along Ocean Boulevard almost ever day, so I'm interested to see how it feels to race on it. It’s a nice rolling course, and there are usually pretty good crowds of spectators around Lovers Point.

Mommys and daddys too

The other day Quin and I were sitting down for lunch, and I was telling him how I had just met “Bev” for a run.
“You run on the track, Mama?”
“No. I ran on the roads. I have a big race (the Big Sur Half) coming up on the roads.”
Silence for a moment, and then Quin asked, “You get hit by a car, Mama?”
“No, thankfully, the cars aren’t allowed on the road while we are racing.”
Again, I could tell the wheels were turning, and he asked another question. “Other mommys running?”
“Yep,” I said, “and daddy’s too.”

What's for dinner mom?

My friend, Janice, was not an avid runner, but had decided to enter a local 5k for fun. Her husband and two daughters were out there near the end to cheer her on. As she crested a final hill, her family spotted her and she could see her daughters jumping up and down, getting pretty excited. Just as she got close, her youngest shouted, “ Mom! Mom!....What’s for dinner!” Caught up in the excitement, she had just shouted the first thing that popped in her head. I am not sure what Janice replied, but hopefully, it was a “Ask your Father!”

NYC marathon video

For those of you up early wondering what to do with your extra hour, check out the link to the live NY marathon Sunday morning. A great elite field and perfect weather will make for some exciting races on both sides.

http://www.universalsports.com/marathon/events/event=US0100723/index.html

More barefoot running

More internet buzz about barefoot running this week. I just can't imagine going sans shoes on the streets of Pacific Grove in a couple of weeks for the Big Sur Half.