On the Run: Detroit Women's Half Marathon 2014

Forgive me if I've used this analogy for races before, but the Detroit Women's Half is like childbirth.  What does this lady without a baby know about childbirth, you're asking?  Just hear me out for a moment.  

I was all excited for it when I signed up last year.  A women's-only race on Belle Isle sounded awesome!  It was on my training plan and I was ready.  As it got closer I started to wonder why I signed up.  Wait, ALL women?  2+ loops around Belle Isle?  What was I thinking?  The actual event was going to be awful!  It would be painful mentally and physically.  But finishing a race has it's rewards.

It did end up being kind of cool, what with the support and camaraderie of the other women and all.  I showed up by myself and ended up meeting some great girls after the race.  The field wasn't super fast so I placed 1st in my age group and 5th overall.  I won a bottle of wine!  All of that, however, blocked out the horrible parts of the race - the boredom of 2+ loops around Belle Isle, the desolation of running most of that ALONE except for when you're dodging 5K walkers, the wind that is inevitable on 80% of the course, and the weird end of the course around the Casino.  Oh, and did I mention the utter BOREDOM and DESOLATION of the course?  I did?  They get a second mention because they were the worst parts.  

Yeah, so when I decided to sign up this year, I was remembering the good times and the award wine from last year - the post-race fun - not the actual mental and physical discomfort of running the race.  It also fell nicely into my training plan this year because I needed 15 miles that day so there was also that.  

Photo credit: Brian Wolski

Thankfully my teammates Sarah and Lindsay decided to sign up at the last minute, as well.  We all got there early to warm up and hang out before the race in the RUNdetroit tent.  I had pegged Sarah to win until Dot McMahan, one of the Hansons Brooks elites, showed up to do a sub-6:00/mile workout for the race so...  Yeah.  

Dot and Sarah were off like shots.  After the first turn around the fountain both were gone and I didn't see them until the race was over!  Two other women were next.  Lindsay and I ran together for the first couple of miles.  I got a little ahead of Lindsay and eventually passed one of the other women to fall into 4th. Once I got ahead of Lindsay I regretted it.  I should have just stayed with her for company.  3 miles in and I was already regretting this whole race.  I stayed very close behind 3rd - only 3 seconds difference for the first loop.  Even though it was boring I was hanging in there. 

Photo credit: Brian Wolski

The second loop is where I fell apart.  Once we got to the back half of the island the wind was even worse (20-30mph) and I was slowing.  My pace was inconsistent and negative thoughts abounded.  I tried to run hard enough to keep 3rd place in my sights (she had black compression socks on - I just wanted to be able to see those socks!) but she was getting further and further away.  I knew I couldn't catch her and didn't have it in me to try.  She had 3rd place in the bag and I was hoping to hold onto 4th.  But if not, whatever.  I was so over this race.  I just wanted it to be done!

At mile 10 I got hungry and didn't have a gel with me.  I never need one for a half but the wind was making me work harder.  Thoughts of "It's only 3 miles" turned into, "ONLY 3 miles?  STILL 3 miles!  That's a whole 5K!"  I thought I was going to puke.  My mantra became, "Don't lose your sh*t.  Don't lose your sh*t."  My hamstring was sore and getting worse.  Around mile 12 I saw some of the RUNdetroit boys with a big sign for me so that really helped perk me up.  If I could run just a little faster it would be over sooner!  That lasted for a couple of minutes and I slowed down again.

Getting to turn off the main road onto the bridge felt so great!  Until I realized I was turning into more wind.  And I also realized that when I made the turn toward the Casino that would also be into the wind.  Argh.  Running toward the Casino, however, I did see some familiar faces - Sarah (already done!) and my friend Bridget.  They were directing me where to go on what was a confusing portion of course.  I had to vault over a large puddle and zigzag around the Casino and past walkers who didn't realize they were on the course.  I was a little disoriented when I got to the finish area (or needed caffeine?) and accidentally almost ran toward the coffee cart instead of the finish line.  Thankfully a few friends were there to point me in the right direction!  

Despite the horribleness of it all, I did run it a bit faster than last year.  I finished 3rd open, 4th overall (3rd place was master's).  Sarah was 2nd and Lindsay was 5th.  RUNdetroit women's team top 5 - wahoo!

Photo credit: Brian Wolski

While we were waiting an eternity for the awards ceremony to start, Sarah, Lindsay, and I made a pact never to run this race again.  Never EVER EVER.  There are plenty of other races out there - more scenic, single-loop or point-to-point, non-desolate, and with guys to pass for competition.  SO, for those reasons - NEVER again.  Sarah and I opened up our prize envelopes.  Want to guess what we won?  Free race entries for next year!  HA!  

Looks like I'm expecting . . . another unpleasant half marathon next September!

 Time 
1:32:48

Pace 
7:04/mile

Fuel
Vanilla chia pudding, banana 

Tunes 

In the Sun / She & Him  
Water Fountain / tUnE-yArDs
Move Like You Stole It / ZZ Ward  
You've Got Time / Regina Spektor
Rattlesnake / St. Vincent
Violet / Hole 
We Found Love / Rihanna
Blood for Poppies / Garbage 
Just a Girl / No Doubt  
Dance Apocalyptic / Janelle Monae 
Fruit Machine / The Ting Tings
Stranger to My Happiness / Sharon Jones & the Dapp Kings
 Shake it Off / Taylor Swift

Hot Summer Night / Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Anklebiters / Paramore

Party in the USA / Miley Cyrus

Turning Japanese / Liz Phair

All Hands on the Bad One / Sleater-Kinney

Bootylicious / Destiny's Child

I Love It / Icona Pop

Bitter Rivals / Sleigh Bells

Everything's Just Wonderful / Lilly Allen

Born This Way / Lady Gaga

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) / Kelly Clarkson

Man / Neko Case

Brave / Sara Bareilles

Don't Save Me / Haim

I also won a medal hanger and Hanson's gift card

How do you push through races that aren't going well?

On the Run: Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 10K - 2014

Hot damn!  I'm so excited to write this post!  September 14th was a special day for me.  Not only did I get to run my favorite race for the 7th consecutive time AND celebrate my 7-year racing anniversary, but I also WON said favorite race!  How awesome is that?!  

I did NOT expect to win this year!  I had a great race the previous week but I'm still having hamstring pain and am not in top racing form.  I trained hard all week, running 20 miles the day before this race.  My goal was to go out and give it my best shot, definitely beating last year's time of 43:17 but I knew I wouldn't hit a PR.  Top 3 would be nice but I would have to see who showed up that morning.

I arrived at the race early as usual.  I needed to eat my banana, pick up my bib and shirt, do a mile warm-up, and use the port-a-potties before the lines were too long.  The weather was perfect - sunny and low 50's.  (Although looking around at some of the other runners' outfits - hats, gloves, tights - you'd have thought it was winter!)  I debated about the arm warmers but kept them in the end, figuring I could roll them down mid-race if I got too warm.  

My timing was perfect as I lined up at the start with about 5 minutes to go.  I scanned the front of the crowd, which consisted of mostly men and a smattering of women, none of whom looked too serious about the race.  With 30 seconds to go, however, one woman stepped up ahead of me and I knew I had competition.  She had beat me by 48 seconds at Back to the Beach in May, after I took a wrong turn and added on extra distance.  After racing this course 6 times, however, I wasn't about to make any mistakes today!

My strategy for a 10K is to not go too hard out of the gate, knowing I will pick up the pace as I go.  First place was ahead but I was okay with that because I was steadily closing the gap.  By the first mile marker I caught up to and passed her.  I didn't look back but continued to race as if she was right behind me, just in case.  I didn't want to let this one go!  I steadily increased my pace for the first three miles but around mile 4 my legs were starting to feel the long run from the day before.  I kept pushing but with an inconsistent pace for the remainder of the race.  

This is a lovely neighborhood course - shady, tree-lined streets with gorgeous homes.  There are a lot of turns on the course so there's always something new to look at.  Considering it's a smaller race it has a lot of neighborhood support and plenty of volunteers.  The course and the people were nice distractions to keep me going when I wanted to slow down!  Running down the final stretch into the zoo, I was so excited to be finishing first female.  I heard someone shout out, "Girl power!" and that made me laugh.  I felt strong running across the finish line.

After the race I was interviewed on camera by Michigan Runner about my win.  My part isn't until the end but there are a few shots of me running earlier in the video.  I'm not comfortable being interviewed but it turned out ok.  You can view it here.  I even got to brag about RUNdetroit and the women's racing team when asked about my jersey!

I was excited to see my friend and fellow RUNdetroit Flight Club member Megan finish her race and then we did our mile cool-down together.  She's such an amazing person!  I love that I always have friends at races now!

Then I went to the awards ceremony where I received one of the better awards from a race - a 90-minute massage (either deep tissue or sports) from Massage Envy.  Talk about a useful award!  All top finishers and age-group winners also got medals.  I was so excited to run a great race, have fun, and support the zoo all at the same time.  

Best day EVER!!

Distance
 10k  

Time 
42:22

Pace 
6:50/mile

Fuel
banana

Tunes 

Fever/ The Black Keys
Bring Me Your Loves / St. Vincent
Animal / Langhorne Slim & The Law 
Happy / Pharrell Williams
Gotta Get Away / The Black Keys
Violent Shiver / Benjamin Booker
Animal / Pearl Jam
Move Like You Stole It / ZZ Ward
50 Ways to Say Goodbye / Train
Dancing Shoes / Arctic Monkeys
Get in My Way / Robin Thicke
The Walker / Fitz & the Tantrums
Man / Neko Case

On the Run: Head for the Cure 5K

Last week I raced the inaugural Head for the Cure in Detroit- my first 5K since Nain Rouge in March.  I had planned to work on speed over the summer so that come September, I could get my 5K time under 20:00.  Due to my hamstring injury, however, speed has not been my friend!  In the past couple of weeks - thanks to an oral cortisone taper and an anti-inflammatory drug - I've been able to pick up the pace a bit.  Not back to what it was in the spring at the peak of Boston training but I'm getting there.

So back to last week.  I had no idea what I would be able to do for the race and I didn't put any pressure on myself.  I just wanted to go out and give it my best.  I lined up at the front with runners of all ages.  Many of them were high school cross country runners. A few girls gunned it right out of the gate but several slowed down after the first turn.  One was WAY ahead of me and there was no catching her!  I passed the other girls quickly (and a few guys) to fall into place for 2nd female and maintained that position for the rest of the race.  Near the 3-mile marker, I chicked one more dude so that I was able to finish 6th overall.

I loved this race!  The course was awesome.  Out and back, flat, with just three main turns, plus a loop around a building at the end.  It started and ended on the Detroit River.  We got to run along The Dequindre Cut, which features some of Detroit's finest graffiti.  It was a good cause, raising money and awareness for brain cancer.  Best of all it was organized by RUNdetroit - my favorite running store!  I got to be there with several of my friends and they all had amazing races, as well!  It was great to support them, cheer them on as they finished, and celebrate their amazing PRs!  I loved the feeling of racing a 5K again!

Distance
 5K 

Time 
20:35

Pace 
6:38/mile

Fuel
banana

Tunes 

Bring Me Your Loves / St. Vincent 
Animal / Langhorne Slim & the Law
Violent Shiver / Benjamin Booker  
Runaway Baby / Bruno Mars
Dance Apocolyptic / Janelle Monae  
The Walker / Fitz & the Tantrums
Heart Attack / Raphael Saadiq

Age Group Award - 1st Place

Injury Update - Still a Pain in the Butt

It's been 4 months since the pain in my butt started and unfortunately, it's still there.  It's a persistent bugger.  My diagnosis started as piriformis syndrome but now we know it's actually high hamstring tendinopathy.  Here are the things I've done to try to heal the injury:

• 8 sessions of PT at Henry Ford Fairlane (30 min each, not very aggressive)
• 10 sessions of PT at ATI - Ann Arbor (60+ min each, aggressive therapy)
• 2 week complete break from running
• Yoga 3-4 times per week
• Deep tissue massage
• Thai yoga massage
• Acupuncture and cupping therapy
• Daily stretches for hamstring
• Strength training for accessory areas - hips and glutes in particular

While at ATI (which, by the way, is an amazing place to go for PT), the physical therapists used a few different machines - ultrasound, E-stim, and something they called "The Hammer" - all to help speed up the healing process.  They had me working hard while I was there and closely monitored my progress.  I had the chance to work with Tim Broe, who filmed me running and gave me exercises to help correct my form (posture, stride) so that I can prevent this injury from happening again.

The therapists at ATI did everything they could for me.  I had made progress but not enough.  It was time to see an orthopedic doctor.  Thankfully I was able to get an appointment right away at Dearborn Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.  I saw Dr. Plagens, the team doctor for the Detroit Red Wings.  He concurred with the inflammation diagnosis and put me on an oral Cortisone taper for 6 days (6 pills on day 1, 5 pills on day 2, etc), followed by an anti-inflammatory drug.  I am supposed to be stretching several times throughout the day.  He also advised to "take it easy" with running - whatever that means. I see him again 2 weeks from today.

It's hard to say how much better I'm feeling.  The pain is less intense when running - more of a dull aching than a stabbing - but it's still there.  I can drive for longer periods of time before it becomes excruciating but it's still uncomfortable.  My legs are seemingly always tired and my speed just isn't there.  Am I better than a month ago?  Yes.  But I am far from "better."  It's frustrating.  

So I will continue with the stretching and anti-inflammatory until I see Dr. Plagens again.  He said if things are not improved he will look into other options for me, including an MRI to see if there is more going on.  

I will keep you posted.

On the Run: Rock CF Jorts Jaunt

Last week I did a little fun run organized by Emily, founder of the Rock CF Foundation. She's such an amazing person!  She puts on THE most amazing half marathon out there, has some super cool Rock CF swag, and works tirelessly to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis. And I mean tirelessly!  She's going on a 500-mile bike ride in September to raise money and awareness about CF.  You can learn more about Jerry & Em's Great CF Adventure and support her here.

Oh, and did I mention she's freakin' hilarious?  Being with her is a laugh a minute!  And she's also one of the most positive people I know.  

When Emily announced a while back that she was planning a group run in August - The Jorts Jaunt - I was so excited!  I set out finding the perfect pair of jorts, both for myself and for my Rock CF groundhog.  Finding jorts for myself was easy.  I went to my local Goodwill store and found 2 pairs in my size.  I went with the pair that had a lower rise, were a bit shorter, a bit looser, and had more holes for air circulation.  They were basically the jorts version of my favorite Lulu Lemon shorts.  Perfect!

Finding jorts for my groundhog, however, was another matter.  He really has a most unfortunate body type.  Because he has short legs and no waist, he needed a custom pair. Lucky for him, my mother is great at sewing so she was able to make him some.  I'd say she did a fine job, wouldn't you?

The group met at New Center Park, across from The Fisher Building.  14 people RSVP'd to the event but in the end, only 6 of us were brave enough to flaunt our jorts.  (Plus one non-jorts wearer.  Emily let it slide.)  What our group lacked in size we made up for in enthusiasm as we headed onto West Grand Boulevard past the Fisher Building and turned onto 2nd Street.  We ran through the Historic Boston-Edison district, which has gorgeous homes everywhere you look.  Running through that neighborhood never gets old.  Then we turned on 3rd and headed back toward the start.  The route was basically a big rectangle (with one little detour down another gorgeous street) that brought us back to New Center Park.   

We had pockets of crowd support along the way as people cheered for us from their porches and driveways.  Some kids wanted to run with us and others shot water at us with their water guns.  We didn't get any comments on our jorts but we did hear compliments on the various Rock CF shirts in the group, which was awesome!

This was one of the most fun group runs I've done!  Good people, fun conversation, a great route, and hot sweaty jorts.  

When it was done I had to run back to my car, which was parked at RUNdetroit, 1.3 miles away.  So yes, besides the official Jorts Jaunt, I also ran 2.6 miles through Midtown in my jorts, carrying a stuffed groundhog.  Just another day in Detroit.