Beating the Heat | Mini Marathon Race Recap

At 5:15 AM Saturday, I slapped the alarm off and stumbled out of bed.  The house had really cooled off overnight, and I was hopeful that the forecast had changed.  I fed the dogs (who apparently are just as hungry at 5:15 as 6:45), and went about making my own breakfast.  Before every race, I eat two whole grain Eggo waffles with peanut butter and banana.  Shortly before my very first race, I found this recipe in an article about high-energy breakfast foods.  It works for me, so who am I to mess with it.  As I ate, I looked over the course map and made notes of when I would stop for water and Gatorade.  I decided I would use the pace band, if for no other reason than to keep from going too fast at the start.

I got dressed, remembering to put Body Glide on my toes.  I packed up everything I thought we would need for the morning (double-checking for the iPod and phone), and we were on our way downtown by 6:30.  As we walked to the garage, I felt a bit chilled, and let myself think for a brief second that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.

As we were driving, it seemed lighter out than in the past, and I began to worry that we had left later than usual.  About a mile from the house, I said, “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”  My husband’s response, “Don’t you always feel that way?”  At least I’m consistent.

We got closer to downtown and the traffic started to pick up.  I began to see people with bibs on carrying Finish Line bags walking blocks from the start line, and the worry that we had left too late increased.  I was afraid my super secret parking spot was going to be taken.  On top of that, I already needed to pee again.

I turned onto the street where I wanted to park, and was immediately relieved.  The whole block was empty.  We took off towards Washington Street.  Again, I thought about how pleasant it felt, and was surprised that I wasn’t enveloped in a blanket of humidity.  We turned down the south spoke of the Circle, and essentially met a wall of people.  I know this was only my third time running the Mini, but I did not recall this many people meandering this far east on Washington.  We MUST have left later than usual.

Within a half a block, I was getting impatient.  We could barely move.  People were just standing around as if they had nowhere to be (and I could tell by their bibs that they certainly did have somewhere to be).  After much muttering and cursing under my breath, we ducked into the Westin to use the bathroom.  The line for the first floor restroom was, of course, insanely long.  Up we went and found one with no wait.  The timing was perfect, because the line had started for form when I came out.  We went out the south side of the Westin and avoided the throngs of people until we were close to my corral.

I gave everything, including my phone, to my husband, he took a quick picture (how do I always look hideous in my before-race pictures?), and I dashed into corral F thinking I only had about ten minutes or so to wait.  I pushed to the very front of the corral, and began to look around for my running buddy.  Despite the announcement that it was the “last call” for runners to get into the corrals, I had over 15 minutes to wait. Once again, the nerves got the best of me.  (Also, I’m now convinced that we left the same time we always do).

I tried to stay calm and focused, and ignore all of the chatter around me.  The sky was still overcast, but I was beginning to feel the humidity.  I kept checking my watch, and despite it ticking closer and closer to 7:30, I didn’t hear any announcements, music, or the national anthem.  Before I knew it, we were off.  I still have no idea what was going on.

As the crowd around me began to surge forward, I began walking towards the start line.  Everyone was running past me, sometimes running into me, but I refuse to run before the start line.  As my first coaches told me, you are about to run 13.1 miles.  Why do you want to add more to that?  So despite the jostling, I continued my walk, and fell in behind two guys that were walking.  I crossed the start, and concentrated on going slowly.  If I went out too fast like last year, I more than likely would not finish.

My first mile was at a 9:11 pace, and I decided I could pick it up.  Amazingly, my hamstring was not bothering me.  Miles two and three were decent, but I was already beginning to feel hot, and there was still cloud cover.  My 5K time was only slightly off of my ideal time of 1:47:00.  I picked it up a little more, stopped at a water stop, and hit mile four with a decent pace.  At mile four and a half, I knew I couldn’t keep it up.  It’s amazing how much can change in just a half mile.

I spent miles four and five trying to figure out what my strategy was going to be for the rest of the race.  I did not want to be miserable like last year, I wanted to finish strong, and I didn’t want to walk except through water stops.  I decided the best way to achieve this was to abandon pace and run solely on how I was feeling.  That decision saved the race for me.

I hit mile six as we were about to go into the track, and the sun was high in the sky to greet us.  Around this time I also decided I would take water any time I pleased, so I grabbed a cup at the last stop before entering the track.  I stuck with my plan to have some Gatorade right after entering the track (and making it up that steep hill), and that was a mistake.  Lemon-lime Gatorade is gross.  I took two sips, but then my mouth was thick with Gatorade.  All I could think about was getting to the next water stop so I could rinse my mouth out.

I ran through the spray station, got onto the actual track, and thought for the first time that I wasn’t sure if I would be able to finish.  I was getting so hot, and the spray stations weren’t enough to cool me down.  I wasn’t even halfway done yet.  I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind and just focus on putting one foot in front of the other (it didn’t help that the winners were upon the big screen).

I came to the first water station inside the track and decided I was going to pour half the water over myself.  Wow, did that feel good.  As I was approaching the Yard of Bricks, I heard someone shout “You’re almost halfway there!”  I didn’t want to think about it, because a lot of times people cheering say “You’re almost done!”, and you’ve really got three more miles to go.  Then it registered that I WAS almost halfway done.

I hit the Yard of Bricks, tried to smile for the camera, and focused on my music.  As hoped, my playlist strategy did not fail me.  I hit another water stop, another douse of water over the head, and there was the mile eight marker.  Once I was past it, I let myself acknowledge that I had less than five miles to go.  That mean some distance with a four in front of it.  I could do that.

Around this time, the sun went behind the clouds, and I started to feel stronger.  I looked at my watch for the first time in about three miles and realized there was still a chance to break two hours.  It was also around this time that I began to see runners to the side of the course receiving medical attention.  I reminded myself to run based on how I felt.

I exited the track, and as I got back on the street I saw a Back on My Feet supporter cheering.  We saw each other at about the same time and both screamed out “Yeah!” or “Hey!” or something.  Regardless, it was the encouragement I needed, and a reminder that by fundracing, this was already my most successful race.  As I was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, there was mile nine.

The next three miles were tough.  I knew I could finish, but I really wanted to stop and walk.  I compromised by taking some extra time at the water stops.  It was hard forcing myself to sip water, because by that time I just wanted to chug everything in sight.  However, in addition to not walking, I also try to make it a rule not to vomit.

I was almost to mile eleven, and I knew there would be a Gatorade stop, but no water.  I didn’t know if I could make it.  Then, unbelievable, right in front of me was a table with water that four or five girls had set up on their own outside their house.  I saw them pouring the water out of bottles, and I didn’t think twice about grabbing one.

By this time, I knew under two hours was out of the question, but I wouldn’t be far off.  I just hoped I had enough to give a little kick at the end.  My muscles were fatigued, and I could feel the blisters on my left foot (the same two places I always get them).  I knew that without the Body Glide, it would have been even more painful.

The last water stop appeared right at mile twelve, and I grabbed two cups of water.  I walked slowly, knowing I was not (hopefully) going to walk again.  I sipped on one cup, and poured the entire contents of the second over my head and down the front and back of my shirt.  There was so much water that my shorts ballooned out as if I’d just jumped in a swimming pool.  I may or may not have giggled at that.  I tossed the empty cups and took off.

Once I could see the finish line (or at least the structure), I let myself start to think about the race. As hot as it was, I still felt better than I had the year before, when I did spend most of the last three miles (including the last half mile) walking.  I decided I would give it all I had at the half mile mark, but it never came.  I thought I’d missed it, but then I saw the thirteen ahead of me.  (Just like the lack of sound at the start, I have no idea where the markers were this time.)  I picked it up, very conscious of the fact that most of the people around me were moving slowly and looked miserable.  I felt for the people receiving medical care so close to the finish line.

I gave it everything I had as I crossed the finish line, proud that I had conquered the race in that weather.  Unofficially – 2:02:11 (officially 2:02:09 – that never happens!). I grabbed on of the bottles of water being handed out, took a few big gulps, and went to get my medal.  As I was walking down the finishers’ lane, I realized that my husband and I had not discussed where we were going to meet.  I took my time getting all of my post-race goodies, and even got my picture taken (I never do that, and can only imagine how terrible it will be, but I wanted a memoir).  I was hoping he would be able to find me right after I entered Military Park like he had last year.

After about thirty minutes of wandering and eyeing people who I thought might let me borrow their phones, we finally found each other.  Turns out we had gone to all of the obvious places (results tent, Blue Mile tent, family reunion area) but at different times.  Yeah, yeah, had one of us just stayed put…

We walked back to the car and shared our experiences as participant and spectator.  I checked Facebook and Twitter to see how all of my friends fared, enjoyed a long, hot shower, and capped off the morning with Pancakes and More and a mimosa from Good Morning Mama’s.

While I didn’t reach the goal I’d set at the outset of this training, this Mini is the one I’m most proud of.  I ran a smart race, I had a good time considering the heat and humidity, and I raised over $1,800.00 for Back on My Feet Indianapolis.  I’d call that a win.

What’s next, you might be wondering.  I might be crazy, but I think it’s time to register for my first marathon (not Chicago – if Saturday taught me anything, it’s that I will never run Chicago).  That still scares me a lot, but I think I’m ready.  Follow along with me for that adventure, too, won’t you?

Here We Go

I can’t believe in less than twelve hours this will all be over.  All the training, the hard work, the preparation has led to right here.  And I have to say, I’m not where I thought I would be mentally, physically or emotionally.  Aside from the issues leading up to today, our A/C is broken at home.  It’s been hovering around 80 inside the house for the last two days, making sleep miserable.  This makes me worry about getting a good night’s sleep, which then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.  A storm came through a bit ago and cooled things off a couple of degrees (actually three degrees – woohoo!).  Let’s hope Pete doesn’t decide to sleep ON me again tonight.

I don’t feel nervous, which I suppose is normal. The nerves usually start in the morning while eating breakfast, and then on the drive downtown.  I have all of my clothes set out for tomorrow.  It’s weird to not have an outer layer that I shed right before the race and then put on immediately after.  It’s also weird to set out sunscreen (don’t worry – I’m not using the 15 SPF.  The 50 is in the car.  This is just a reminder).  I’m proud to be running in a Back on My Feet shirt (and possibly hat if the thunderstorm forecast holds true).  I’m proud to be running with the names of everyone who donated on the back of my shirt.  I’m proud to have such awesome friends and family who helped me raise over $1,800.00 for BoMF.  (By the way, it’s not too late to donate – I’ll add you name in the morning!)  In that regard, this is already a PR.

I’m still worried about the heat and humidity.  Right now the forecast calls for temps of about 66 at the start and 76 by 10 am.  I ran at 5:45 this morning, and the humidity had already set in.  I’m also concerned about thunderstorms, not because I don’t want to run in the rain.  Well, I don’t REALLY want to run in the rain, but I don’t mind it.  In fact, I think it would be welcome tomorrow.  What I am concerned about is lightning.  I don’t want the race to be called!   I want to cross the finish and get my medal.

My pace is going to be dictated by the weather.  My hamstring is much improved, although not 100% yet.  During this morning’s (very) easy run, it hardly bothered me at all.  I hope that the same is true tomorrow.  I’ve got a pace band sitting in front of me, but I’m still not sure whether I’m going to use it.  I’m afraid if I put it on, I will push myself to try for that time – against better judgment.  I think it will be race-time decision.

I spent the evening working up my new playlist.  I’m pretty excited about it.  It’s taken me a few races to get the hang of proper music selection, and more importantly, proper music placement.  My first race, I loaded so many songs that I had four hours’ worth of music!  I know it was my first, but it did not take me that long.  By the time I finished loading the music, I was too tired to organize the songs.  The next race I was more careful.   I put the songs that help me kick it into gear at 15-20 minutes before I expected to finish.  It worked out beautifully.  Last year I ran without music.  That was a huge mistake, mainly because I learned that the music helps to pace me.  I can’t wait to put the headphones in and just run tomorrow.

Believe it or not, I’m glad that I got up at 5 this morning, because I’m starting to feel pretty tired.  I hope to sleep like Pete and Maggie tonight (ie, nuclear war may or may not wake them up).  Usually I toss and turn the night before, afraid that I will sleep through my alarm.

Good luck to everyone else running tomorrow.  Look for the race recap before the end of the weekend.  I’m off to dream of overcast skies and swift feet.