Nike, A Race to Remember

It has been quite some time since I've blogged, for no better reason than laziness and not a ton to write about since I missed recapping adventures from Summer racing.

I flew to San Fran last Friday afternoon, later than the Team because I had to work, and was thrilled to get away for this long awaited weekend.  Sat was filled with the "expo" (that was not really an expo) and a search for running shorts - which I had to buy because I left mine at home (dummy).  After stops at about 7 stores, I found a pair of spandex that were long enough at Macy's.  Note to self: Nike does not make many pairs of shorts that cover your ass; 4 inch inseams do NOT cut it.  I was lucky to catch up with my Uncle Eddie and family for a little while Sat afternoon; it was really nice and I only wish I had more time out there.

My TNT singlet, with all of the names of those I ran for.

Sat night was the TNT Inspiration Dinner.  Having worked many TNT events, I have always loved this.  This red carpet (aka the cheer squad when you arrive) was tremendous!  I have always got a little teared up at these, and I definitely did at the long line of TNT staff and coaches cheering us participants on - with a special friend at the end, Erica :)  A super exciting surprise was having the founder of TNT, Bruce Cleland, and his daughter, Georgia there as this is the 25th anniversary or TNT.  This made me even more emotional, as Bruce started TNT to honor his daughter as she was battling a blood cancer.  Bruce invented this amazing program, and it was my honor to run this race with Georgia.  And our mission moment was delivered by a very special little girl, Mickey, and her mom.  Mickey has beat her blood cancer as a child with Down's Syndrome as well.  She was so adorable delivering her speech, and Mickey ran and walked 13.1 miles in memory of her own patient heroes.  She is the definition of determination. This was the perfect way to send off us participants, and get us motivated for the big day ahead.

After decorating our singlets with our small EPA TNT team, we prepped for bed and the next morning.  After stretching, I meticulously wrote the names of the 29 people I was running in honor and in memory of on my arm as my race "playlist" - to refer to on race day when I needed a reminder of why I needed to push on during the rough patches of race day.  These individuals are where I draw my inspiration, they are my heroes.

My heroes.

Race morning always comes so quick.  After getting everything together and forcing down my traditional bagel with PB, it was off to our starting corrals.  After a quick goodbye to Doreen and best wishes.  Despite hearing how crowded Nike is, I somehow seated myself very fast (HA) and was in the first corral, which positioned me very well to start the race.  I was able to stretch and relax prior to the start of the race, but the fireworks after the national anthem (only at a women's race) were a fancy start to my marathon.  Along with thoughts of Uncle Willie.

The first miles were fast and downhill.  I met a friend around mile 3, Karen, who ran with me until about mile 6.5 by chance.  Chatting about racing and tri's was a nice distraction early on.  Mile 6 came the "big" hill (note: there were very many hills).  I took this with caution, purposefully and lost Karen.  As I started to feel winded and thought of David W., who this mile was for.  This helped carry me up the hill to Little Bear, who greeted me with big cheers and pics!

Photo Credit Erica Jane Boles.

Mile 11 marked the half marathon split, which was a tease because at mile 15 we met back up with the half folks as they were finishing.  Around mile 13.5, I met up with a friendly TNT face, Stella from the NJ Chapter who I've met through Dor as she did Timberman with EPA.  We ran together for about half a mile, enough to push one another through a tired few minutes.  Then at mile 14, I found my friend Liane, who now lives in SF.  She gave me a big hug and made me really happy!

I held my own for the beginning few miles starting on the 10 mile out and back on the highway, which I knew was the boring, but supposedly flat part of the course.  Well, I started to slow down (as anticipated) but was surprised at how many "hills" there still were.  Mile 18 felt not great and 19 was worse, but I thought of Mickey and then Mr. Donovan.  I had some strategic heroes placed for miles 18 on.  At 20, I got a boost as this was dedicated to Mrs. Massimini, Mike's Mom and the woman I have been robbed of meeting.  October 20 marks the anniversary she passed away, and race day was the 12th anniversary.  Right as I thought of her, the sun came out and I smiled.  This helped and was very special.  

However, about half a mile later I felt myself crashing into "the wall."  This is what ever marathoner dreads.  I kept thinking Erica will be here soon, but she got stuck in traffic getting to cheer station 2.  My telling myself "only 6.2 miles left turned" and quickly that turned into "WTF 6.2 miles left?!?"  Then, one of our national TNT coaches (we had no EPA TNT coach or staff) appeared.  Jen from MD was my savior.  I must have looked like I needed a boost as she was the first coach to come run with me, and upon asking how I was and who I was running for, I lost it and shed some tears as I told her I thought I was hitting the wall and that I was running for many, but right now specifically for Mrs. Mass at mile 20.  Her response was amazing, a simple "there is no wall, and we will get through this together!"  Jen stayed with me for 3 miles, and during the last one up one of those annoying "hills" we met another friend, Orlando, a TNT friend from NY.  We ended up running the rest of the race together, which helped a lot in pushing one another to the finish.  

At mile 24, Liane showed up on Izzy, her bike and my bike's twin :)  She rode with us, sharing stories to pass the final, painful miles before speeding up so she could capture some pics during mile 25.  Having Liane as my personal cheerleader was really amazing.  

The final mile was filled with TNT coaches and spectators cheering, and I got my final kick to bang out an 8:30 pace for the last half mile (which felt incredibly fast at the time ha).  The support was amazing and I thought of all the people I was running for, especially those who I've lost and my Dad.  I thought I'd lose it at the finish, but I was just really, really happy!  Happy to have carried my heroes with me, happy to have done this in Uncle Willie's memory and to have thought of Aunt Stella at mile 25, happy to be done, and happy to have my first standalone marathon in the books, with TNT!  And happy to have some new, shiny Tiffany's bling :)

The race was challenging, the hills were no joke (and btw, there WERE hills in the last 10 miles despite what people said), but the experience was completely worth it.  Feeling wonderful to have been apart of a team that raised $30,000 among just 9 people, and a national team that raised $9M this year for Nike.  Thanks for all of the support I've had, and so glad I was able to share this with my fav too.

I feel like I'm finally getting back my endurance and am ready for another big year.  Let's hope the speed comes too because it's needed as I have some PR's to chase ;) 

Celebratory breakfast with Liane.