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Need Motivation? Try an "Inspiration List"

Hey gang! This week’s Marathons+Moderation guest post is from someone who loves running! She’s run over 200+ races yet is still so humble and willing to help others! I hope you all enjoy this guest post from Erica as much as I did!

One of the first things people learn about me is that I love running. I try not to be a “runnerd” (spewing splits, coaching advice and nutrition tips). I just love to run and am so energized about it that I have had many a friend or co-worker give it a try despite “not being a runner”. I have proudly helped many a friend train for and pace a first race (or first distance). I have many happy memories (and tons of friends) found on the run. I have also run 200+ races in the last 18 or so years. Last winter, I was selected for a "real runner" campaign by Fleet Feet Sports for their inaugural Women’s Half Marathon in June. They dubbed me "the Expert"! (I also got made up, put on cool posters and flyers, got free New Balance gear and shoes and 15 minutes of “fame”)

When Ashley asked for posts for her Marathons + Motivations segment, I was the first to volunteer! I just completed my 35th marathon last Sunday in Dallas at the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon. This was an interesting running year for me. I moved to Chicago in 2006. 2005 and 2006 were my fastest years with personal bests in the half marathon and marathon (and several other distances.) I was "unstoppable". I ran 15 – 20 races each of those years and did well in all of them. In late 2006, I experienced some leg pain and did what most red blooded runners do, I ignored it and kept on running. Well, I ran 4 marathons in 2007 and they got progressively slower and more painful. As did every other distance. My confidence was shot and my streak of injury-free running was over. By the time I went to the doctor and PT in 2008, the recovery was slow and painful. It seemed like one step forward, two steps back. The desire was there, but I could not seem to get my mojo back. I won’t bore you with the long, painful detail, but things kept on that way until 2010 when I had a big health scare (I had a blood clot in my leg that caused small clots in my lungs and major breathing issues.) I finally gave myself enough time off and followed doctor’s orders to the letter! In the beginning of 2010, I started running less and cross training more. Between the rest and cross training, I felt that I was regaining some of my form and speed. 2012 was a great year for me – especially for running. I entered a new age group at the end of 2011 and took it by storm! I wrote several posts on my running including: 15 Minutes of Fame and Other Fun Stuff, Binge Racing – 4 Races in 8 Days, Race Report from Lululemon’s Seawheeze Half!, Run with a Little Help from My Friends, Vanity Versus Joy (a post about race photos!) and Greetings from NYC – (No Marathon Sunday). I know this is supposed to be about marathons, so here goes…I trained extremely well for NYC 2012. I did my three 20 milers, speed work and even paced a friend in the Indianapolis Marathon. I was READY! It was not to be. It seemed like a no-brainer to capitalize on the training and run in the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon on December 9th instead. In the mean time, we took a two week vacation. The date also extended the marathon training period five LONG weeks. With two weeks to go, it seemed like a crazy idea — or maybe just an overzealous one. As I was trying to pump myself back up, remember how well I have trained, and how much I have enjoyed running this year, I was reminded of an article I read in Runner’s World years ago. Kristin Armstrong (one of my favorite bloggers) wrote a post about dedicating each mile to someone she loved. She called it a "prayer list" and said the only thing she did not like about the idea was that she "hadn’t thought of it herself." She said each person inspired her and the miles flew by. My friend, (and "engine") Marie, also mentioned doing a similar thing in the Steamtown Marathon in October.

I asked my readers to help me find this smiling calm mojo! I also saw this was first on the list of Self’s 20 Best Fitness Tips: Best Motivation: Make like Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington and dedicate each mile you jog (or walk, bike, etc.) to an inspiring person in your life. You’ll never bonk midworkout again. "I’ll think of someone who reminds me that I can do more, like my mom, and I’ll push so much harder during that mile. When I get home, I’ll call or text all the people I thought of—and it turns into a productive workout and a lovefest." —Marissa Stephenson, SELF fitness editor I asked my friends, and readers, to nominate people who inspire them to "borrow" for my marathon. I compiled a list of 26.2 people to think of and honor in my run. These are people who have inspired me, or my friends, this year. I was not sure how well I would do with this exercise once I started running but I decided to give it a go! On race day, my friend L. and I decided to run together and keep each other in check (we both have a tendency to start fast). We chatted up the Clif Bar pacer, Chris. At age 41, he was running his 106th marathon. Makes me look like a slacker at #35!!

 

Chris, the pacer, was running his 106th marathon!!

Our goal was to aim for 8:00 minute/mile for the first half and we started well on that goal. The first mile was a bit of a cluster due to a large half marathon and relay segment. After mile one, we were pretty evenly paced (except for a 7:32 mile 4-oops!) I shared my list and stories with L. as we ran. (I wrote the names on a band and scotch taped it to keep it dry and taped it on- it worked! Not pretty but effective.) I enjoyed this exercise – no pun intended! At a few points, I read all of the names again to stay positive. It really helped me to stay focused and motivated. I finished in 3:36.36 (8:16 pace). I was shooting for 3:30-3:40 so I am pleased with the time. It is my best marathon since Boston in 2007. It caps off a great running comeback year for me. Dallas was fun and had good crowd support and other than the start being a cluster due to having a big half and relay, I would recommend it. (The new course is NOT downhill in the end though – I think the people are confused!) They also had nice finisher tech shirts from New Balance, a fun post party and L and I got hats for being in the top 100 women! I do think that this is a cool way to stay motivated during a marathon. I recommend giving it a try! (For my full recap with 26.2 inspiring stories, you can read my full post HERE) Some photos:

Top 100 finisher "Doublemint" twins at the finish- purely an accident but we worked it!

What do you think about this idea? Have you ever done something similar?

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Surviving The Runner’s Wilderness

Kristin here, known as Mrs. Miller and teacher by day, wife runner and puppy mommy by night.

I’m a two time marathoner, five time half marathoner, and lover of all things running. When Ashley asked me to post on Marathon+Moderation, I immediately knew what I wanted to write about: when good races go bad. To be more specific, when you enter the Runner’s Wilderness during a race.

I’ve experienced everything when it comes to a nightmare race day. I ran the More! Fitness Magazine women’s Half Marathon in 2009, which was turned into a fun run. Why? Because of a fluke 85 degree day. In April. It was dangerous, but I hydrated often and finished the race in about 2:15-2:18 (these were my pre Garmin days…amateur hour!)

I experienced bronchitis during my second half marathon, the 2009 Hamptons Half. I had just been diagnosed a day before, still had a fever and a hacking cough, but I lowered my expectations and finished the race in 2:29:44. (Not very smart running the race sick, but hey, it’s a pricey race!)

I experienced races that have gone well despite lack of training. My next two half marathons, the 13.1 NYC in 2010 and 2011, I had a cold for two weeks leading up to the races. Both times I did well, including running my current half marathon PR 2:06.

I experienced a perfect marathon in 2011. I ran the NYC marathon, my first, with ease. Despite a stomach flu and a cold during training, I never hit the wall and finished in 5:10:38 with the largest smile on my face. I recovered well, barely sore, happy with my accomplishment.

I experienced coaching a friend through her first half marathon. We ran the 13.1 NYC together. My friend struggled significantly at the end. As we walked, I’d set up landmarks and say "Once we reach that, we’ll run again." We finished in 2:29, and I couldn’t have been more proud.

Despite finishing races, there will always be some where its a true labor of love. Those races where you look back and think, "What the heck just happened?" And not in a good way. During the Philadelphia marathon on November 18, 2012, I experienced one of those races. Although I faced a nightmare getting there (you know, that little thing about the NYC marathon being cancelled? Oh, and I left my Garmin at my parent’s house….gasp!), I could not have been happier. Everything was in place; perfect weather, a great friend to run with, support from the best cheer squad around, a "flat fast course", and a shiny new pr within grasp. I set my goal to run a 4:45; lofty but completely doable based on my training runs. Then, the race happened. Up until mile 15 I was confident, then my confidence faded.

I went to a dark place, a place where many runners should avoid going to at all costs. A place where words like "can’t" and "won’t" and "quit" try to permeate your psyche. A place where tears are ever present, where walk breaks become inevitable. I call this the Runner’s Wilderness. Despite being in this place, there is a way out. Here are my tips for getting to the Promised Land: The Finish Line.

1. Remove detrimental words from your mind. If you are struggling in a race which was supposed to be a big race for you, it’s all but certain that self doubt will creep in like a nasty flu. What you need to do is speak to yourself, and if necessary, speak words of encouragement to other runners. The mantras I used during my time in the Runner’s Wilderness included "You are a Finisher" and "You can do it and you WILL do it."

2. Pump up the jams. The power of music is incredible. I reverted back to my first marathon mix because the songs had meaning for me and reminded me of a successful race. I channeled energy from Pink, Kings Of Leon, Rihanna, Kanye, Drake, Chris Brown, amongst many others. Their pumped up music pumped up my spirit.

3. Set perimeters when your dream race comes to a bump in the road. You have to make a plan to make finishing a reality. During the Philadelphia Marathon, I chose to walk 30 seconds at the start of each mile and 30 seconds during that mile if I absolutely needed it. with little breaks, the run seemed doable. I was reminded of an old bible verse: When you’ve done everything to stand, stand. I thought of it in my Runner’s Wilderness. When you’ve done everything to run, RUN. Do everything you can to run, whether it be a set walk break, a set stretch break, or a sprint and slow down pace. Make a plan that will help you become a finisher.

4. Enjoy the Promised Land. As I finished, with my husband by my side and friends cheering my name, the words softly playing in my headphones "if you can’t hold on…hold on…." I almost forgot to relish in the joy of the Promised Land: the finish line. In your last half mile, plant a smile on your face that no one can take away. It may be a smile drenched in tears, or it may be forced, but smile anyway. You’re finishing. You’re coming to the Promised Land. Forget the bad race, forget your time, you’re finishing what you set out to do. You’re becoming a finisher. It may be your first race, or it may be your tenth race; number and distance make no difference. You’ve fought hard, now finish your race on your terms. With joy. With excitement. With happiness.

In the end, by sticking to these steps, i ended up with a two minute PR and a second marathon medal. It wasn’t my dream race, but it was a race I finished. So, if you find yourself suffering during what was supposed to be your "best race yet", follow these steps to run from the Runner’s Wilderness and finish in the Promised Land.

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Running Should Be Fun

Hi ya’ll! I’m Tess from Cross Country Cajun. I’ve been running regularly for about 6 years and have run 3 marathons thus far. I’m currently in the last few weeks of training for my fourth marathon in December. Ashley’s Marathon + Moderations posts are some of my favorites, so I was super excited to contribute to her series.

My best marathon advice can be summed up in the acronym – RUN 26.2

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Run for you – Run because you love running – let that feeling guide you. There will be plenty of solo miles over training and times during the race where the motivation must come from within. When those times happen, always go back to why you run – because you love it.

Unsuccessful runs will happen – Not all of your training runs will be pretty or spectacular. You might not hit all the perfect distances or paces. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that it’s just one run and move on. In the end, the bad runs help your mental muscle.

Nudge outside your comfort zone – This training season, I tried some new things outside my comfort zone. I signed up for two different track groups, joined some running groups around town, and helped mentor/coach some others. These helped me become a stronger and smarter runner and connected me to the running community in Nashville in ways I didn’t know possible.

Take rest days – You’ll spend plenty of time on your feet during training. Make sure you take advantage of rest days. A smart coach once told me that to be a successful runner long-term – you need to push it hard on the days when you need to test your limits and rest really well on the days you need to rest.

6 (point) people for marathon sherpas  – While you need some motivation within, having some sherpas along the way to support and encourage you is crucial as well. Some of my best sherpas are my husband, family, friends, blog friends (blends), running buddies and members of my training programs. Not all of your sherpas need to be expert runners. My husband isn’t a distance runner, but he is my biggest cheerleader. He has been at every one of my marathons, holding up funny signs, giving encouraging words and making sure I had all the right fuel. My parents are non-runners but they always ask how my training is going and let me know how proud they are of me. It’s amazing how far little bits of encouragement go.

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Trust in your training – On race day, you might have doubts, and you might let those little negative voices dance around in your brain. If you forget all the tips above, just remember to trust in your training. It’s amazing what your body can do and will do. Put in the work to your training and it will pay off!

Lastly, have fun with it! Running should be fun – finish that marathon with a smile on your face!

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