Houston, We have a problem....

 

I believed the third time would be the charm.  My time to make a huge breakthrough, that big PR, my time to get after it.  My legs and lungs had a completely different plan.

 

Approaching the race, I was confident in my race plan and hard work.  I landed on Thursday, excited to meet some friends racing Saturday's USA Half Marathon Championships, loaded up with some good carbs and got a restful night of sleep.  Friday, I rose for a quick run with some friends, then back to the hotel for a good long nap and off for run #2.  I felt stale and sluggish, but knew that dinner with the other runners would give me some pep.  I never feel great during taper, but something just felt off.  Saturday morning, Tom and I ran a pre-race workout, cheering on Ryan Hall and Jen Rhines as they passed us at mile 12 of the Championship.  I rested while my excitement grew, knowing all I had to do was follow the pacer and enjoy the journey to mile 20 and then let the race begin.  Unbeknownst to be, I would have never seen mile 20 or for that matter really even enjoy the run.

 

I woke Sunday morning feeling relaxed, rested and ready to go for it.  I was ready to show what all those months of training had done.  The weather was a bit warm, but the forecasted storms held off and the race would start on time.  After a pre-race prayer and national anthem with the other 22,000 runners, we were off.

 

I tucked in behind my pacers and joined the three other woman dreaming of a sub 2:40 marathon.  I was thankful for the tall guys to block the wind and do all the hard work, but by mile 2 I knew there was something wrong.  I didn't get nervous, as many of my training runs started sluggish but would settle into my rhythm.  I continued on, but my breathing was labored and the pace feeling fast.  I would fall off the pacers and then sprint back up to them, but by mile 11, my sprint wasn't strong enough to catch back on to them and off they went.

 

I told myself to stay on this pace and I would run a 2:41 marathon, still a huge PR.  The road was slippery and every step I took felt like I was going backwards.  Each mile got progressively slower but I still didn't give up. At mile 16, I saw Tom and continued on, but at mile 17 we made the decision to shut it down.  DNF.  Those three letters are the most painful thing to see together, especially next to my name.

 

I was numb... embarrassed... disappointed... in shock.  I wasn't injured, didn't have stomach issues or muscle cramps.  What was happening to me?  I was stale.  Mentally, I was ready, physically my body wanted a break. Deep down in my heart, I believe if I ran a marathon a week or two prior to Houston, I would have achieved my goal.

 

I am still extremely disappointed, but am trying to keep perspective.  Marathons, whether good or bad, are a learning experience.  I learned that with a strong running base I need a shorter training cycle.  I learned that no matter how hard you train or focus on all the little stuff, it all depends on that day.  I will be thankful for the learning experience in Houston this year when I return to toe the line at the Olympic Trials in 2012.

 

A final thanks all of my training partners, family, friends, Coach Tom and Dena, and a big thank you to my number one supporter, Paul.  He biked with me during my long runs and paced on his bike during my hard long workouts.  He cooked for me, cleaned the house, did laundry, and was there when I wanted to hide after the race.

 

Thanks for taking this trip with me. I hope you learned something too.

Three

Patience, Trust, Confidence

The final three weeks before the big day. Reflecting on my short and sweet training cycle, three words continually surface in my mind from my training runs and races: patience, trust and confidence.  These three words will keep me focused for the 26.2 mile endeavor I will embark on.

Patience

The key ingredient to racing success and the most difficult to achieve.  My best workouts have all begun with patience, going out slower than I think I should and finishing strong.  It is amazing the enjoyment and confidence a workout can provide when you have the mental and physical energy left in the tank to bring 'er home.  A recent 10 mile race during my peak training showed what happens when you forget this and try and push when you shouldn't and struggle home. That is a memory that I will draw on early in the marathon and hold back even if I feel good.

Trust  

Trust my coach... Trust your plan... Trust my training... I have relentlessly followed the plan to the last mile and workout for months on end, so why question it now. I have surrounded myself with people to instruct me in what will make me most successful on race day. Early on in working with Tom I ran a half marathon a month before the Napa Valley Marathon and he had me rest for three days after, something I never would have done and somewhat questioned at the time. “How am I suppose to run well at Napa if I am resting and not running hard???” I went on to run a huge PR in Napa and never questioned again. Trust the plan.  I just finished my mini break after my 10 mile preparation race leading into my final marathon pace workout and I nailed it. Maybe there is something to this believing in your plan?!?

Confidence  

The one common quality all the runners I idolize possess.  I hear it in their post race interviews, the ones believe they have the most heart to push when their legs are screaming ends up on the podium. They believe in themselves and all the work leading up to it. I know that going into Houston injury free and healthy will deliver the race I am dreaming of. Everything that I will encounter in the race I have experiences to draw from and push me through. I will toe the line more confident than I ever have, fearing nothing.


As the old saying goes, “ Third Time is a Charm.”   It's my third marathon in the last twelve months,  Chicago being three months ago.  Will Houston be my Charm I have been wanting for some time now?

My legs are ready, my head is ready, lets go!  

Claudia