Why Do We Race?

I have asked myself that question alot over the past season, especially towards the end, towards my first Ironman. Why on earth do people do races like that? And I still haven't quite figured it out, but I think it has to do alot with our sense of self- fullfillment and proving to ourselves how tough we really are. And sometimes we probably compete with others as well. I can't imagine a life without racing right now, I would feel a huge void without that sense of accomplishment. Is it bad or good? I think it's healthy, as long as you keep a balance. Everyone has at least a little bit of a competitor in them, some more than others. Those are probably the people who revel in sports, especially endurance events such as running and triathlon.

I guess it all started in high school senior year that I discovered racing and competing. Up to that point I was a swimmer, participating in races but not really caring all that much. My senior year I was introduced to running and after I proved myself to the XC team by leading most races for the team, I thought that maybe racing could be fun. I loved competing in XC, the purity of it, running through woods, unexplored terrain and redlining it most of the way. It was the only way I knew how to race. I went on to run track and was told by one of the coaches that I should give it a try in college. That part is covered in my previous post, and it taught me alot about myself, tactics in racing and how it all relates to life in the end.

Needing to feed the hunger for speed and accomplishment led to me joining a running team out of college, chasing my marathon dreams. But it was the small races I really loved. The 5ks and 10ks on a Sunday morning, where everything just clicked and I felt smooth as butter and everything felt effortless like I was floating. Those were the times I set most of my PRs that I am still trying to break now, 5 years later. But I think it was the feeling of effortlessness, lightness and personal pride that keeps me coming back to racing those small town events. After having now raced some of the longest events in endurance sports, a 5k is such a welcome relief to just let it all hang out and gut it out, wire to wire. Nothing like being in complete O2 debt for 3 miles. It hurts so bad, but it feels so good! All the more so up here at 5400ft.

So back to the original question, I guess racing just lets us feel like a child again, free and with possibilities and goals as wide as the horizon. Each time we toe that line, on land or in water, or even on a bike, we have a chance to do something special. For a moment we forget all the pain we put ourselves through to be successful, to get that new PR, and as the gun goes off, our chances are 100% to have the best race we can have.

So after all this rambling, I guess I am just really excited to do a 5K this Sunday, without any taper, equipment to worry about or other factors that so often let doubt creep into my mind in triathlon racing. This is pure sport and I can't wait!

The Marathon

Inspiration

I have decided I need a goal over the winter to keep from getting fat. I have decided to revisit the event that turned me towards triathlon two years ago. I am going to run another marathon this winter!

After 6 marathons that had me training myself literally into the ground, with times going up instead of down, and injuries reaching an all-time high, I put an end to the sky-high mileage three years ago after running yet another disappointing race. The next summer I was wetting my feet in my new sport, still running, but less, and cross training as a means of training for the other two, which as it turns out, actually has kept me mostly injury-free.

Marathoning was a natural progression for me post-college, and wanting to try something new and "outrageous" (when distance running means 3-10k prior) I signed up for the NYC marathon lottery and was accepted my first time around! I was so giddy when I found out, I dedicated the entire summer (sound familiar?) and half of fall to running, with no specific goal in mind, other than to finish. Ok, well I think I thought that 3:20-30 was manageable. I was doing workouts my college coach gave me, and she thought I could go 3:15 or under. Come race day, I pulled a 2:56 to the surprise of everyone, including myself. And the best part was that it felt easy, and after crossing the finish line, I felt like I could have gone another 5 miles!

At the time the Olympic Trials B qualifier was 2:48, something I thought was totally in reach. I trained like a horse, with triple digit mileage over the next year and hopped into the Chicago marathon in hopes of breaking 2:50. Not so much. I ended up running 3:01 on a somewhat warm day. Already signed up for NY again that year, I ran that marathon only 3 weeks after Chicago, with 'just running to enjoy it' attitude. After my disappointing run at Chicago, I wanted to run just to enjoy the moment, and besides, NYC was my favorite race venue. I jogged a 3:05 and raised some eyebrows for running so soon after another marathon. That year I qualified for Boston and toed the starting line there in April 2004. It was the second hottest day in race history, actually prompting the RD to finally move the start time back to earlier in the morning, instead of noon. I managed a 3:20 in upper 80s, after training in close to 0 degrees all winter. Heat exhaustion was just the beginning. I ended up in triage, sipping on chicken broth after an already 'hot as can be' run, and felt miserable. At this point, it seemed like my goal had slipped away for good. Clearly, the 2004 trials were out of the question.

IN 2005 I ran the Vancouver marathon in May with my mom and finished 7th overall ( I think) and 1st in my AG in 3:03 (I think) Again, just over 3 hours, and feeling slightly annoyed. That fall would be my last shot at the distance, at the Twin Cities Marathon, on a warmer than average day (notice a trend?) and once again, I disappointed in a 3:07. I had a reality check after this one, and decided my body needed a break from the pounding and the high mileage, and so started my current love, Triathlon.

I am really excited to train for a marathon again, especially now in the off season,
where I don't really need to worry about getting enough time on the bike or in the pool in. I can focus on my running and recovery and chasing that goal that has eluded me since 2003. In 2009 I will be wiser, have oodles more endurance, experience, cross training and miles in me, than I did back then. I shall make my return to the long distance running scene on January 18th with the Rock 'n Roll Arizona Marathon, and hope to finally set a new PR. It seems that half of Boulder will be there as well, it should be a good time!

Oh, and not to bring it up AGAIN (ha), but today is the 1 month anniversary (exact date) of me finishing my first Ironman and so I went for a bike ride this afternoon only to be reminded of the dark 6 hours I endured on the Queen K last month. It was windy, with enough cross winds to keep me on edge...

Happy (dark and cold) training!

Paula Inspires and Training Resolutions for Winter

It's events like this that get me all fired up to start running seriously again, well, as in turning in some good splits in running races. This morning was the ING NYC Marathon and although I couldn't be there again this year, I followed the race online and had massive flashbacks from the years I ran the marathon. There is nothing like coming into Central Park with 3 miles to go and having people cheer for you 5 deep on each side of the road to the finish. Imagine Ali'i Drive, only 2.5mi longer. The race reminded me alot of the 2002 one, my first, as the weather looked crystal clear but crisp, as many runners wore arm warmers and gloves. I had my best marathon in that weather, and watching the race on my computer this morning sure had me wishing I was there.

Paula won in a convincing fashion and after her horrible and devastating run at the Olympics this past sumer, I was so happy for her. She deserved a good race! What's almost more impressive was third place Kara Goucher, a CU Grad, who was running her debut and she was only 9 secs behind second place. To think that only 4 years ago we were supposed to hook up for some runs while she was still living in Boulder, and she emailed me saying she was only up to 45 mins a day and wasn't sure if she could keep up with me. Ha, after Beijing and now this, I think she would dust me after her warmup.

I can't wait to feel faster again on my runs and in races. I want to dedicate part of this winter to becoming a speedier runner again. Triathlon kind of makes you forget what it's like to run on fresh legs and the thrills a fast pace brings. I want to go back to the days where 6:45pace for 26 miles felt easy and I know I can go faster than that. The tricky part will be steering clear of injuries as they like to creep up when I increase my speed sessions. It will be interesting to see what kind of fresh marathon I can produce after taking almost 4 years off from racing that distance. I now have sooo much more endurance from Ironman training, so being on my feet for 3 hours or less should be a breeze! Ofcourse the pain will be there, it will be different pain, but it will hurt nonetheless.

I will complement my running with trying to get my swim up to speed as well, so I can hold my own in the water next year. Then there is also the bike that needs some work, sweaty trainer sessions are on the agenda as well. Well, I have my work cut out for me. Happy off season training and enjoy the rest of fall!