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!

Finished State #7 in NH!

Last Sunday (September 30th), I finished my 7th state at the Smuttynose Rockfest Marathon in Hampton Beach, NH.  It was a great day even though it rained for pretty much the entire 26.2 miles.  I even set a new personal record (PR) for my time!

I knew it was going to be a rainy day for about a week before the big day, and so I just accepted it and tried not to let it get me down.  I had run a 30k race in the rain a few weeks before the race, which was good practice.  Our hotel was only a few blocks from the start, and so we waited until the last minute to get to the start so that I could stay warm until I started running (and so my friend didn't have to stand in the rain very long either!).  I jumped into the coral with about 10 minutes to spare, and happened to jump in right next to another runner who had run for Tedy's Team (Tedy Bruschi's team for the Boston Marathon and American Stroke Association).  There couldn't have been a better way to get my mind off the rain and focus on my cause than to talk about our incredible experiences with Tedy's Team at the start.

Soon we were off and running!

I'm the one in the blue shirt - it was my extra throw-away layer until I warmed up a little :)

I started the marathon with no expectation of PRing, but found myself running at a little bit of a faster pace than usual, and feeling pretty comfortable with it.  I try to be very careful about pacing myself and not getting off to a fast start, but I was feeling very energized that morning, and so I went with it.  In the back of my mind I thought that the faster I finish, the less time I would have to be out in the rain!

This was a pretty flat course, and I was off to a great start.  There were two loops for the full marathon runners, and it was a little tough to see the mile markers for miles 18-22 when we were only in the first half of the race, but I tried to just think of how good it would be when we were hitting the higher miles.  The full and half marathoners were on the same course until just about mile 11, when the half marathoners headed towards the finish and us full marathoners broke away and did another loop.  There were a lot more half marathoners than marathoners, and so the road became very sparse with runners after that point.  That was the only time that I slowed down, I think because I didn't have many people to compete with anymore.  The rain also started coming down a little harder and that was when I had to dig a little deeper and think about my cause.  I started thinking about memories of my Gram and Pop, and also about everyone who I know that has been affected by stroke and heart disease.  That always gives me the motivation I need to keep going.  Soon I was back to my normal (even a little faster than normal) pace and ready to make it to the finish.

Hitting the half point can be a bittersweet time.  While it's great to know you've made it half way, you also know that you still have 13.1 miles to go.  It's the miles between 13.1 and 19-20 that I think take the most mental toughness.  But that day, they went by easily for me as I thought about my cause, and also about how nice it would be to get out of the rain when I finished.

Once I hit mile 20, I knew that chances were good that I could PR!  My first marathon had been my PR for 12 straight marathons (4:33:48), and I was ready to finally beat it.  I think the rain actually helped me to run a little faster throughout the 26.2 miles.  I kept up my pace and only slowed a little during mile 24-25, but not enough to lose my PR for this race.  I could see the finish from about mile 25.5, and I picked up the pace for what seemed like forever, and made it to the finish line to set a new PR of 4:29.23!

 

The clock is showing gun time, which was about 4 minutes off of my chip time.

Sometimes I stop and think about what Gram would think if she knew what I was up to, and I'm pretty sure that she would have been a little mad at me running 26.2 miles in the rain.  But what I wish she could know is how much her stroke has changed my life.  It was devastating to watch her suffer through the effects of her stroke, and then to lose her a year later.  But now, years later I have found something I love that gives me so much fulfillment that I can do in her honor.  It keeps her close to me even though she's not with us now.  

With that... onto State #8 at the Roxbury City Marathon in CT in December!

Race Highlights:
A nice flat course

Lots of support along the way - those volunteers were much colder than we were out in the rain, but they gave us great support!

GREAT jacket with registration 

Even though it was raining, it was a beautiful running along the Hampton Beach coast for parts of the race

#1 Song that got me through a tough patch:
Some Nights  - FUN

The First Year in Review...

Well, I'm including NJ, which makes it a little over a year, but that's okay.  So how has the first year of the 50 States Challenge gone?  It's been wonderful!

I kicked off the Challenge at the 2011 Boston Marathon with Tedy's Team, lead by former New England Patriot Tedy Bruschi, and I cannot think of a better way to have started this challenge.  Running from Hopkinton to Boston as part of this team is one of the most incredible things I have done.  Everyone at the American Stroke Association, Tedy, and all of my teammates were amazing in making this a fantastic day for all of us!

Only 13 days after Boston, I was hitting the pavement for State #2 at the Cox Providence RI Marathon.  Despite less than two weeks of recovery from Boston, I managed to run a faster marathon that day.  This was a great marathon, and I was fortunate to have a good friend come along and support me.   Running two marathons that close together also qualified me to join the Marathon Maniacs!

One month later, I was running the Keybank VT City Marathon for State #3.  Not my best marathon (perhaps due to rediculous humidity and tired legs after 3 marathons in 6 weeks), but the thing about running this challenge is that my time doesn't matter.  It's raising awareness and funds for the American Stroke Association, and honoring all of those I know who have been affected by heart disease and stroke that matters.  So if I have a not-so-great marathon, I still feel good about what I have accomplished.  My Dad is one family member who I am running in honor of, and he came to watch me run that day, which gave me motivation and inspiration to get to the finish line no matter what.

Well, a few weeks after that, I had surgery (unrelated to running) which kept me down and out for most of the summer, so I didn't get to make much progress over that time.  Three months of no running left my feet just itching to hit the pavement, and the day I was cleared to run, I went home and put on my running sneakers!   I had about 40 days to train for the Maine Marathon in October - yikes!  I had never run a marathon with that little training, and I almost backed out, but thanks to some great training advice from fellow runners, I was able to get in shape and ready to go.

40 days later, I was at the rainy start line of State #4 at the Maine Marathon!   This was the first time I had ever used a run-walk strategy, and I liked it so much that I've continued to do this ever since that race.  I  knew that I wasn't ready to go all out and push myself and risk getting injured, and so I took a one minute walking break every 5 minutes from start to finish.  Despite not having ideal training and the rainy weather (and wearing a lovely looking garbage bag through most of the race, since I had managed to forget to pack anything water resistant), I was able to keep good spirits by thinking of the cause, and this took me to the end, which surprisingly came at about my normal finishing time.  It's amazing where pure inspiration can take you.

I had originally planned to run one marathon in November and one in December, but I realized that I still needed a little more recovery time, and so I took it easy with training and opted out of those two marathons.

I rung in the new year at the Walt Disney World Marathon for State #5, and what a wonderful escape from the winter weather!  This was my favorite marathon yet (except maybe Boston - nothing can really beat that).  Train to End Stroke had a team running Disney, and it was absolutely wonderful to be able to have the support of all of the awesome folks from the American Stroke Association.  And who wouldn't want to be cheered on by Disney characters while running through the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom (where there were many cute little animals cheering), and Hollywood Studios!  It was awesome :).

This was also my first attempt at taking pictures while running - hence the horrible photos from this marathon :) 

Just a few weeks ago, I finished State #6 at the New Jersey Marathon, which was another great run.  Perfect weather and beautiful views, and we even had a Kentucky Derby style start (with the horn).  

It's hard to believe I've run 6 marathons in the past year, and that I'm feeling disappointed that I didn't run more!   Overall,  I have run over 157 marathon miles (plus a whole lot more in training).  Since I started the Challenge, I've gone through 3 pairs of running shoes, taken in gallons upon gallons of gatorade, eaten endless packs of Sports Beans, and greatly expanded my list of songs on my ipod.  I qualified to become a member of the Marathon Maniacs by running 2 marathons in 13 days, and after 2 more states, I can join the 50 States Club.

You might wonder what has kept me going, and the answer is simple: it's the cause.  I think about my Gram, my Pop, my Grandpa, my Dad, my teammates from Tedy's Team and Train to End Stroke, and all those for whom donations have been made in honor of, and it gives me the inspiration to keep my focus on making it to each finish line so that I can complete this challenge.  I am doing this to fundraise for a cause I am passionate about and that makes it easy to push through each race, even when I find myself struggling. 

In the past year, I have have raised a total of $3866 for the American Stroke Association, and my goal is to reach $10,000 in the upcoming year.  Please click my fundraising link at the top of the page if you would like to help me to reach that goal!  Together we can make a difference in the fight against stroke.

Onto year 2 of the Challenge!!  

Finished State #6 at the New Jersey Marathon!

Another great 26.2!  On May 6th, I crossed the finish line for State #6 at the New Jersey Marathon in Oceanport, and what a perfect marathon day.  It was a little chilly waiting for the start, but I had a garbage bag to keep me warm (a cheap alternative to throwing away an old sweatshirt).  We headed out at about 8:00 in the morning and I was feeling pretty good.

All was going well and I was running at good comfortable pace through most of the race.  The weather was perfect - 50-60s and cloudy with a little bit of a breeze.  I met a few folks and chatted along the way, which made it go by even faster.  At about mile 18, the sun came out and it got a little toastier, but not bad.

At mile 20 I was feeling pretty good, and discovered that this was the first marathon I have run where we ran through the middle of a building!

Shortly after passing through the building, I suddenly started feeling a little bit under the weather.  I figured I probably needed some fluid and electrolytes, and so I took a longer than usual walking break while munching down a handful of Sports Beans.  I drank a cup of straight Gatorade at the next water stop (usually I cut it with water), and a few minutes later, everything kicked in and I was able to run from mile 22 to the end with only a few short walking breaks.   However, on my extended walking break, I was able to enjoy a pretty great view.

Even when I struggled a little around mile 21-22, I thought of everyone who I was running for and it gave me the inspiration to know that I could make it to the end.  The last miles of the marathon went quickly, and soon I was across the finish line!!

Race Highlights:
Very well organized race
Met lots of fellow Marathon Maniacs along the way
Scenery was great over the last few miles
Flat course
Perfect weather for a marathon

#1 Song that got me through a tough patch:
We Are Young - FUN

Finished 26.2 Magical Miles in State #5!

What an incredible marathon!  On January 8th, I headed south to run in the Walt Disney World Marathon, and loved every minute of it.  It was an early morning (had to get up at 2:30 to catch the 3:30 bus to the start for a 5:30 start - yikes!), but it was worth it.  We started in Epcot, but by the time we reached Magic Kingdom, the child in me realized that I had to let go of worrying about my time and just have fun and enjoy the run, and that's what I did.  I finished in 4:54:14 - not my best time in the world, but it was worth it to stop and take a few pictures and just enjoy the sights and see the Disney characters along the way.  And best of all was that Train to End Stroke had teams running the half and full marathons, and it was so great to be running with others for the cause, and to see the awesome support crew from the American Stroke Association along the way.

Most Memorable Moments from the Marathon:


I would say the whole thing!  But here goes...

The Start:
This was the first marathon I've run where we had fireworks at the start!  What a great way to get pumped up to run 26.2 miles.  It was a little chilly waiting for the start (although nothing compared to our VT winter weather), but the fireworks and music helped to get everyone ready to hit the start line.

Mile 9-10:
We entered the Magic Kingdom!  What a way to relive childhood memories of visiting Walt Disney World.  We came around the corner on Main Street to see an enormous Christmas Tree, and the streets still lined with decorations.  Crowds of spectators were along the street, and it was then that I realized I needed to let go of worrying about my time, and just have fun.  I pulled out my camera for the first time ever in a marathon and started snapping pictures.  I was a little distracted by seeing characters and rides that I hadn't seen in years, and I twisted my ankle on the tracks for the parade cars (I saw the parade later in the day).  It briefly sent me into a panic, but it wasn't bad and I was able to continue without much of a change in stride (and without too many people noticing, at least I was hoping not too many people noticed!).

Mile 16-17:
This was where we headed into Animal Kingdom.  We came around one corner and there were a number of folks walking animals, and among them was an adorable pig, which I would have stopped to say hello to if I had seen him/her with time to get to the other side of the road.  We were getting closer to mile 20 and I was feeling pretty good.  It's amazing how running through the parks takes your mind off of the fact that you are running 26.2 miles!

Mile 22 - Finish:
Here we were running through the Hollywood Studios park and it was great!  At mile 22 I saw some familiar faces from the American Stroke Association and it was a great motivation to get to the finish line.  We came out of the park and along the boardwalk, and finished back in Epcot.  What a great run - I felt great after finishing my 5th state for this cause!!

And of course, that evening I couldn't help but end the day with a trip back to the Magic Kingdom to enjoy the park, the rides, and the fireworks!

Race Highlights:

I think the name of the marathon speaks for itself - if you love all things Disney, you will love this marathon!  

Everything was very well organized from the expo to the race itself.

Disney characters and entertainment all along the way.  Even in the quieter stretches between parks, there were lots of characters that you could stop to have your picture taken with.

The early start is a little rough, but it's worth it!

What better way to spend 26.2 miles than running through Walt Disney World.

The weather was absolutely wonderful, especially for a Vermonter in January (started in the 50s at 5:30 and finished in the 70s - the end was a little warm for those of us who are on the slower side, but not bad).

I would definitely run this marathon again - next time I'll go for the Goofy Challenge!

#1 Song that got me through a tough patch:

I don't think I really had a tough patch in this race, so it wasn't so much a song as it was the music and Disney sights and characters along the way... and of course seeing my friends from the American Stroke Association!