Finished State #11 at the Chicago Marathon!

On October 13th, I hit the pavement at the Chicago Marathon for state #11, and it was awesome.   About 45,000 runners swarmed the streets to conquer 26.2 miles through 29 neighborhoods in the Chicago area.  Everyone had there own motivation and story that got them there, and it was amazing to be a part of the marathon this year.   There was a record number of finishers in 2013.

This was while I was getting ready for the start in Grant Park.

Getting closer to the Starting Line!

The weather was perfect for marathon running - a little cool in the morning and then it warmed up to mid-60s, but boy did that sun make it feel a lot warmer!  I knew I had overdressed a little, and got myself into quite a pickle trying to lose a layer early on in the race (my arm got stuck in my sleeve briefly), woops!  But I managed to get myself together after a few minutes to continue to run more comfortably.  

This was the biggest marathon I've run in, and just the number of volunteers at every water stops was impressive.  They were incredibly supportive and motivating as they cheered us on.  I had forgotten to put my name on my new TTES singlet, and so volunteers and folks in the crowd cheered for me as "Train" or "Train to End Stroke" if they had time to read my full singlet.  I actually like that just as much as hearing my name because it keeps my cause in mind and lets me know that people are looking for all of the different charities that people are running with.  Although, since Sarah is quite a popular name, and there seemed to be another Sarah running near by me for at least some of the marathon, I also just pretended that the signs and cheers were for me as well as the other Sarah's running that day :).

When I was somewhere between mile 12-13, an announcement was made that a new course record had just been set for the men.  While I know I'm a fairly slow runner, to think that someone had just run 26.2 miles in the time I had run 12 was amazing.  I can't imagine running 26.2 miles that fast.  But I just kept plugging along and enjoying the city, race, and crowd.

The miles that are usually the most difficult for me mentally are between 13-18, but they seemed to go by faster than usual that day.  I was without a watch and thought I was behind the 4:45 pace group for most of the marathon, but saw them pass me somewhere around mile 22.  I hadn't realized that I was running faster than my typical pace until then, which caught up with me around mile 23 when the heat from the sun beaming down on us got to me and I knew that I was down on electrolytes, which I worked to replenish at the water stops (lots of sports beans and gatorade).  This was also when I needed to dig a little deeper because I wasn't feeling so well while I was waiting for the sports beans and gatorade to kick in and work their magic.  I thought about my Gram and what she would think about me running in this marathon.  I always smile a little when I think about this, because I'm pretty sure that the thought of me running all of these marathons through heat, rain, snow, wind, and whatever other conditions would not be something she would approve of, but at the same time I think she would be proud.  I also thought about my friends from TTES and Tedy's Team, and found the motivation to make it to the end despite not feeling my best.

Seeing the finish line is always awesome, but there is something about these big marathons that makes it extra special.  There is such a huge crowd cheering everyone on, and then to hear your name announced and know that you've made it to the end for your cause.  It is something very special.  I crossed the finish line and received my medal and lots of goodies (snacks, recovery drinks, etc), and it was an awesome end to an awesome marathon.  At that time I had no idea what my time was, but I knew it was slower than usual.  I wasn't out there to PR that day, but to enjoy the marathon and finish State #11 for my cause (which was also my 17th marathon!).

I'm looking forward to State #12!!

Race Highlights
Awesome Expo!
Huge Marathon with awesome crowd and volunteer support
Nice flat course
Love it when people break out the hoses on a hot day to spray the runners and cool them off
Extremely well organized for such a big race

#1 Song that that got me through a tough patch
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Finished State #10 at the Missoula Marathon!

On Sunday July 14th, I hit double digits in my 50 States Marathon Challenge by completing State #10 at the Missoula Marathon in Montana, and it was awesome!  I had a very tight schedule of flights, and was running on only about 2 hours of sleep (due to flight delays), but I made it to the finish line for my cause.

The Missoula Marathon was one of the most beautiful courses I have run - the views were incredible, and everyone involved in the race from runners to volunteers to staff were awesome.  We started bright and early at 6:00 am, and I was feeling great, even with only two hours of sleep.

Despite the heat wave, it was much chillier than expected at the start - only in the 40s, yikes!  Thankfully I had packed a set of arm sleeves, and I had my marathon race shirt for an extra layer of warmth while we were waiting to start.  I met some of my friends from the Marathon Maniacs at the beginning, which was a great way to start the day.

I was a little worried about the elevation for the race, but having spent a week in Denver prior to the race, it didn't seem to be much of a problem.  I also decided to go partially "tech free" by not wearing any kind of watch for the day (I couldn't let go of my tunes though, hence the partially tech free comment!).  I planned to go without a watch well in advance, so I wasn't too worried about it - I just wanted to take in the experience without worrying about time, and let the cause take me to the end.  And it was great!

The course was relatively flat except for between miles 12-15ish, where there were some challenging hills, but we made it through.  The hills were where some of the most amazing views were though, and so I tried to just enjoy the scenery and think about my cause.  Looking back at my time splits that were posted online after the marathon, I was actually running faster than usual for the first half of the marathon, but once we hit the hills I slowed down and ended up finishing at right about my usual time.  But I had no idea what my time would be until just before the finish when I could see the time by the finish line – I was surprised to see that even without focusing on time, I still finished right at my usual finishing time, which was great (especially because I had to finish in under 5 hours to catch my first flight heading home!).  It was fun to hear my name called as I crossed the finish, as I don’t think there were too many Vermonters there that day.  I was proud to finish my 10th State and my farthest marathon from home yet for the American Stroke Association at the Missoula Marathon.

I can’t wait until State #11 – right now that is Chicago, but I’m hoping to fit at least one more in before then!

Race highlights
This is an absolutely awesome marathon!
  Views are incredible
  Staff and volunteers are excellent and super helpful
  Very easy to get to the start with shuttle buses
  Free photos after the marathon!
  The medal and shirt are very cool ☺
  I hope I will get to run this one again some day!

#1 Song that got me through a tough patch:
“Cups” – Anna Kendrick

Completed States #8 & #9!

This week began in tragedy as the Boston Marathon bombings created devastation in the city of Boston.  Having attended graduate school in Boston, and having run the marathon twice with Tedy's Team (the sister program of Train to End Stroke, and whom I kicked of my 50 States Challenge with for the American Stroke Association), I felt this very personally, and was, as many were, overcome with emotion throughout the week.  I remember running those 26.2 miles as being one of the most incredible experiences of my life... taking the buses out to Hopkinton and feeling an excitement that can only be felt at Boston, our team making our way to the starting line, and running 26.2 miles without one single stretch of road where there wasn't a crowd cheering us on.  This crowd is made up of people with such inspiring enthusiasm, who cheer on anyone and everyone no matter if they know them or not, no matter if you are fast or slow, and when they see that a runner is down they will do everything they can to pick up your spirit and carry you through to the end.  The Boston crowd is like no other, and are a huge part of what makes the marathon such an incredible experience.

As the events of the week unfolded and we began to learn about the victims, and then about more violence as the suspects were pursued, I knew that I needed to do something to honor all those affected in Boston, including Tedy's Team, who was running the marathon that Monday.  There was nothing better I could have done than to run my first double marathon (back-to-back Saturday/Sunday marathons) to honor Boston and Tedy's Team only 5 days later.

I made my way to Carmel Indiana while obsessively checking my phone and airport televisions for news updates in Boston, worried about everyone I knew who was there while the city was locked down.  Once I knew the city was safe again, I was able to transition my focus to my running and why these marathons were so important to me.  Only a week before I was becoming incredibly nervous about running my first double, but this quickly fell to the background on April 15th, when I realized that I would get through it no matter what, because I was running not only for the American Stroke Association, but I was running to honor a city that I love and a team that I hold close to my heart, Tedy's Team.  I would wear my Tedy's Team singlet that I last wore in Boston with ribbons for the city and my team.

I arrived in Carmel to meet an incredible group of runners (fellow Marathon Maniacs), who I came to know well over the 3-day trip, as many of us were running the same double.  I found great comfort in being with runners as we all were processing what had happened earlier in the week.

On the morning of the marathon, I knew the city was safe again and that I could put my phone away for the 5 hours I would be running.  I could focus on the causes I was running for, and there were more Boston colors than I have ever seen at a non-Boston marathon.  Runners were wearing ribbons, bibs, and running shirts to honor all those affected.  The crowd and fellow runners cheered for Boston when they saw a runner wearing something to support the city.  It was an incredible show of support that was very special to be a part of.  I shed tears before, during, and after the race for all those affected.  I started and ended the marathon with thoughts of my cause and my team and all those affected, and it carried me through.

Given that it was my first double, I really didn't know the best way to pace myself and I think the emotion I carried motivated me to run a bit faster than I had planned, and the 26.2 miles seemed to go a little faster that day.  I finished in 4:47:58 - slower than my most recent, but I had planned to slow down to conserve energy for the second marathon of the weekend.  I finished ready to conquer day two of my marathon double.

Not long after we finished the Carmel Marathon, we said goodbye to some of our fellow Marathon Maniacs in Indiana and some of us made our way to Lansing MI to run the Lansing Marathon the following day.

The next morning I had no idea what to expect - my legs didn't feel too sore from the first day of the double, though I didn't know how they would respond to a second 26.2 miles only a day later.  But I knew that I would get to the end keeping in mind everything that I was running for, and actually, the second day surprisingly felt a little better, and I was only 7-8 minutes slower than the first day.  I know that what carried me through were thoughts of all those I'm running for who have been affected by heart disease and stroke all of those affected in Boston, and the fellow runners and crowd who were so supportive.  The stories of the victims that had begun to be shared ran through my mind, and even though the legs and feet became a little bit sore, I knew that it was nothing compared to what they had gone through.  I wanted to cross the finish lines for those who didn't get to cross it on Monday and take them to the finish with me.  I wanted to take all those affected across the finish line with me.  But, just like in Boston, it was them who helped me to the end.

Accomplishments this weekend:  These seem of little importance given the bigger picture of Boston, but I will list them here:

*Earned 4 star Marathon Maniac status by completing a double

*Qualified to join the 50 states club

Onto State #10 - The Missoula Marathon!