A Smart Race Plan Pays Off: Gansett Half Marathon Race Recap

So. Robyn is not the only who is swamped. I just emerged for air after finishing our fall term, coaching our last cross country race of the season, and wrapping up my own fall running. 

Before I get into the details and highlights of my running life lately, I’d like to take a minute to shamelessly plug my fundraising efforts for the Boston Marathon in 5 months (!!). I’ve set an incredibly lofty goal of raising $10,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institutes to give back to the doctors and organization that helped my brother overcome his cancer last year. I'm so excited to run Boston and support my brother and Dana Farber, and I hope you'll support me as well.

Here's the link to donate. 

The real reason why I'm back blogging is that I ran a PR at my last half marathon! I wrote my last post about my training leading up to the Gansett Half Marathon and how well it went. As the training went on, I gained confidence in my ability to be competitive in this race. Between the long runs, hill workouts and strength circuits, I was in good shape. Not college or sub-20 good shape, but good shape nonetheless. I also wanted to try a new race strategy. I often preach to the girls on my team about starting out conservatively and taking down runners as you speed up. And yet, I don't often practice this myself. So this time around I told myself to actually take this seriously, and it really made a difference.

You know what else made a difference? The race started at 11 AM, which meant that we didn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn. Bestie, co-coach and training partner, Jillian, and I drank some coffee and headed down to Rhode Island. Among Jillian's many talents is that she can curate a killer playlist, so we blasted the tunes all the way into the Ocean State. After checking in, entering the raffle for a pie (which we didn't win), and warming up on the course, we were ready to go.

We even had time to braid our hair

The first few miles were like a short out and back peninsula before we headed out on the body of the course. My PR half marathon pace was about 7:38 but for the first few miles I really tried to control my pace and keep it at 7:45-7:50. I knew I felt good but I wanted to wait to surge. After the first 3 miles, I let myself go and slowly reined in the runners in front of me. The course took us right by the beach and as I passed by I had to remind myself to take in the beautiful scenery. Needless to say, I was focused. As I hit the halfway point, I came upon another woman who was moving at a good clip. I wanted to draft behind her but I ended up getting impatient behind her and passed her as I turned the corner at mile 8.

At my previous half marathon, where I was 4 seconds off my PR, I ran so well because I kicked it in for the last 5k of the race. This strategy felt good for both for my body and for my competitive spirit, so I wanted to do that again. There was a group of girls running in front of me, and to be honest, they didn't look like they should have been running as fast as they were. I'm not talking body size or shape, but rather because they were wearing leggings. This is one of my biggest pet peeves, when people overdress for running. It was almost 60 degrees and cloudy, ain't nobody got time for leggings! I set my sights on this group and used them as motivation to start dropping time. 7:22, 7:17, 7:27, 7:23, 6:57. At mile 11, I passed finally passed those girls, wished them good luck, and didn't look back. Then I came upon a total bro and we raced to the finish. I generally don't have a strong kick, but I just can't let myself lose to a guy. I'm happy to report that I did out-kick him, and in the process I ran a new half marathon PR of 1:38:26!

Yeah, I beat him

Before the half marathon, I knew my training had gone well but I didn't want to be overconfident. Honestly, staying calm and listening to my body helped me to run a smart race that happened to be my best time. It was such a great feeling to run a strong race and know that I still have some speed in me. Since the race I've been focusing on other parts of my life and work and haven't run as much. Once I start gearing up for Boston, I'll definitely call upon these feelings to motivate me to train and race harder.

Until the next race,

Rachel "appropriate running clothes please" Runner

When rest doesn't repair

When rest doesn't repair. It's something we as runners dread -time off for an injury. But it's also something we assume is a problem-solver. Unfortunately, some of us learn the painful way (pun intended) that rest is not synonymous with repair. 

It's been a while since I've posted. It's also been a while since I've been able to run regularly. This past spring I was training for outdoor track (1500m) but became derailed by a nagging lateral leg pain. Not typical IT band, but more of a traveling tightness between my outer thigh, hamstring, and hip. 

I took to the foam roller, ice packs, tennis balls, lacrosse balls, massage, chiropractors, rehab hip/core exercises - but nothing helped. Finally deciding that it was severe enough to warrant time off from training, I stopped for a week in July. No change. Instead, the tightness gradually turned into constant pins and needles as well. I did whatever I could over the summer to figure out what was going wrong to no avail. The only thing that I was sure of was that not moving made it worse. The occasional crippling shooting pains and the constant pins and needles frustrated and exhausted me. I couldn't sleep, couldn't find a comfortable sitting position, and most importantly, couldn't get a moment of stress relief by popping out for a run. 

I'd had enough, I decided that if I wasn't going to get any better with the diligent rehab, I might as well just be running while I figure out this injury. I started running again and one night took a nasty fall because my injured leg decided not to lift up mid stride. One watermelon-sized knee later, I was held up from running for 2 more weeks.  Luckily the damage was superficial and my tendons and bones were unscathed.

Sunny morning run at Marine Bio Lab in Woods Hole

Now it's 3 months since I stopped training, and the swollen bursa below my knee had reduced enough to allow my kneecap back in its regular position, so I started out cautiously. I should mention that several visits to my chiropractor were sprinkled in there and the pins and needles feeling had almost subsided, with no change in the tightness feeling. I built up gradually and have finally reached a point where I feel like I'm really running again. And amazingly, the tightness in my leg is inching (millimetering?) towards feeling normal, it's probably about 25% better than it was when I stopped running back in July. I have a partner in crime - of running and science- in Diana who has also been coming back from injuries. It's nice to have both of us out there again and this morning we had a fantastic beach run in Woods Hole that was delightfully warmer than when we ran there earlier in January!

We finally figured out how to not look directly into the sun.

Anyway, I'm excited to be in a state of repair and getting to the point where I can run long enough for it to tire me out.  I've been very good about containing my excitement and I'm not allowed on the track for a while yet. Although I often find myself daydreaming about track workouts. Who knew that I found so much comfort in discomfort? It seems I'm happiest when I get to put my body through the physical discomfort that is training. I've known this for a long time, but sometimes a long struggle can make you question that again. 

Looks like I'm still head over spikes for this running thing...

Until next time,

Robyn "spikes over heels" Runner