IMT Des Moines 1/2 Marathon race report - Oct 2014

Throughout the summer I have struggled with my runs.  I started working with a trainer in mid July in an effort to have a stronger run and bike as the triathlon season progressed.  It seems the training worked.  I decided to sign up for the half marathon about six weeks before the race for two reason.  I wanted something to close out my season and I wanted to see how i would do taking on a race of that length.  My goal is to race another half Ironman.  I have wanted to do another one since I finished my first one in 2011.  Health issues had me sidelined in 2012 and 2013.  This year was a building year… building my confidence and figuring out what I am still able to do after my MS diagnosis in February.

I wasn’t sure how I would do going into this race.  I had a great 8 ½ mile training run three weeks out.  I had a super slow 10 ½ mile training run two weeks out and meh short runs before and after this one.  Then I missed my last long run (soccer tournament out of town) and actually had seven days with no runs, followed by a decent 5 miler 5 days out and another 3 miler two days out.  Because my runs did not feel consistent the last couple of weeks I had no idea what to expect race day.  

I was struggling with what to wear to race so I had on enough clothes at the start not to stand around shivering, but not need to take off clothes during the race.  It was 36 degrees when I left Ames but around 45 by the time I got to the course.  I chose compression shorts, a short sleeve dri-fit and a long sleeved running shirt with thumb holes to keep my hands warmer.  I also had a spibelt (holds phone, gels and key), bia gps watch, and a number belt plus my Altras and a pair of smart wool ankle socks.  I end up getting a little warm around mile 10 but I didn’t want to wrestle off my top layer with the belts and my watch on over it.

Somewhere in Water Works Park*

I woke up feeling good and got myself to the course around 7:15 hit the kybo and stood around watching people.  I ran into a neighbor and some other friends before the race.  Then i queued up for the race start.  My goal was 10 minute miles for the race so i lined up between the 10 minute mile and 10:30 pace people.  I chatted with a lady named Mollie who lives near my hometown and it turns out we knew some of the same people.  We ran together the first couple of miles.

By mile three we were both in need of a quick bio break (my MS doesn't let me go more than five miles without one) and with that taken care of she could see that I was ready to let things go and put on a bit more speed.  I hung out there a little too long and the fourth mile end up being my slowest.  Rolling into Water Works Park just after mile 5 I pulled out a honey stinger gel.  My plan was to take on gel at mile 5 and alternate between water and Gatorade as needed.  I took on fluids at 80% of the possible locations.  Every time I started to feel like I was slowing down I used one of the principles from the book Chi Running by Danny Dreyer and took on a forward lean.  The great thing about this is then gravity is pushing me forward instead of my leg muscles so I can go faster for longer.

It ended up being a beautiful day to race.  I enjoyed all the fall colors throughout the course and was happy to see a few triracer teammates cheering along the course.  All in all I really enjoyed the race and probably had a smile on my face for most of it.  My final stats are below and I had a lady come up to me after the finish and told me she had been chasing me down the last five miles and was impressed with my burst of speed the last couple of miles (yeah me too).  I am now on a mission for a 70.3 with a run that won’t be too hot or humid in 2015 so chime in with options for me.  I had a great time until I realized I lost my car key.  My cousin came to my rescue and I was able to get back to Ames in time for a shower and get to Abby’s soccer game just in time.  

Close to the end and still smiling*

The data for 13.1 miles (13.4 by my GPS start to finish), Duration 2:10.39 (I stopped my watch before the bio stop… Official time 2:11.26 but this includes time in the potty), Pace 9:44 per mile average.

mile 1 - 10:11

mile 2 - 9:43

mile 3 - 10:04

mile 4 - 10:29

mile 5 - 10:07

mile 6 - 9:45 (gel must have kicked in) - official time at 6.5 miles 1:10.04 (says expect finish notification at 10:29… finish notification hit at 10:20)

mile 7 - 9:05

mile 8 - 9:07

mile 9 - 9:18

mile 10 - 9:53

mile 11 - 9:55

mile 12 - 9:45

mile 13 - 9:43

mile 13.1 - 8:38 pace

As always thanks for reading and thank you to all the great people who have supported me this season.  I still have two races left in 2015 but they are just for fun.  STAM chocolate run Nov 15th with Abby, and the Living History cross country race Nov 20 with some of my triathlon teammates.   I had a great time this year and am already plotting for 2015.


*Photos by Greg Grandgeorge

MS Update - Stress is bad but life is good

It has been a while since my last update that isn’t a race report.  The last month has been filled with ups and downs.  I finished two triathlons both of them sprint distance and now I am preparing for my next race which is my first half marathon in nearly three years (yes I am excited and terrified… I have a ten mile training run on Sunday).  While life isn’t all about sport it does keep me going to have a goal or three to work towards.

Outside of my workout schedule, my days are full of a busy work schedule, shuttling kids, and keeping the train on the track so to speak.  Both of the kiddos are in school now with Joshua in Kindergarten and Abigail in fifth grade.  Both kids are playing soccer (five days on the pitch this season with new coaches and teams), Abby is in band and choir, and I am still leading Abby’s Girl Scout troop.  Throw in a geriatric cat and dog, a second nervous dog, a crazy kitten and a lizard… well It has been a bit of an adjustment for everyone.  All of these school year activities on top of some other family issues took their toll on me and I knew I was not managing my stressors well.  

I have also been having troubles with my sleep.  I seem to wake up at 2 or 4:30am and struggle to settle back down, the big old cat fighting for my spot in bed isn’t helping. :)  After over a month I fear I am dragging a bit.  It all caught up with me a couple of weeks ago in a week long struggle with fatigue that left me toppled at home for a couple of days.  That followed up with three days of wrangling a migraine.  

It is obvious to me that I need to do more to manage my stress.  I am trying to work meditation into my routine and am hoping to start up tai chi again once I am not running long miles.  In the meantime I had my three month bloodwork done last week.  My white blood count went from 5.5 (normal) before meds down to 2.7 (May) but has been creeping back up closer to normal 3.7 (July) and my latest test was at 4.1 (normal is 4.8).  I am not bruising as easily as I was when my counts were lower and my body seems to be fighting off any germs that come at me so far.  The meds are still giving me the morning muddles with a mild headache the day after taking them.  It isn’t enough to have me breaking out the advil but frustrating and a bit distracting none the less.

I am still collecting data so to speak on what is working and what isn’t with managing my MS.  I find I am struggling to do the injections.  It was easier in the early months but now I feel like I need a longer pep talk and some thumb overriding to actually push the button.  Not sure what that is about however I really do hate doing injections.  At least it is only three times a week instead of daily and my side effects are mild.  I am also still having random issues with my bladder, along with mild hand and feet numbness, and all this has me not knowing what to expect from my body each day.

I continue to manage my foods keeping processed carbs and sugars to a minimum, and focusing mostly on whole foods.  I am finding however that the colder weather has me craving comfort foods so now I need to figure out some warm version of breakfast and lunch options to support my body.  I never seem to have enough time to sit down with some recipes(depsite my growing collection) and try new things so looking forward to November and the end of soccer season to get a handle of some of this.  If you have a great recipe to share send it over.

Well that is enough rambling for today.  I am still working to raise my own spirits some days but all in all still optimistic about the future.  Until then I will keep moving, learning, evolving… faking a little optimism here and there… but overall very grateful for my place in life and the capabilities I have.  As always thanks for reading.