by Monica on December 18, 2011
Wow, this is so overdue! This was my second running of the Philadelphia Marathon on the 10 year anniversary of my first time and first marathon. It was just after 911 so the details of that run are vivid. I have clear memories of a changed and weary world as we all stood there, pre-race, for the national anthem. It felt a little like running this race was a tribute that moment and to the last ten years of pretty consistent running. It still proves to be the factor that keeps me sane and healthy and connected to a great group of people.
The best part of this marathon was the beautiful fall race day. Philadelphia was full of colorful foliage and crisp blue skies. The temperature was perfect. It’s amazing how much you come to appreciate that on race day. It’s like a gift. Philadelphia offers a great marathon course. There are a few hills but nothing too daunting. There is much to look at and the crowd was great. It was a good running day for me –all except miles 20-26 (3:43 finish). I know that what happens in those miles is the heart of the marathon, but I struggled with them unlike I had before. I was crawling. My running LDF Andrea met me at mile 20 and her calm talking and encouragement really helped me to keep going. I can’t help but think age has something to do with it, but after hearing other older runners talk about this (there was a Masters Runners Panel at the Expo), I am now inclined to think it is my training that needs adjustment. I plan to work more on this is the coming year and before another race.
Jean (we are pictured above with Bart) and I (minimally) participated in the Runner’s World Challenge which had some great perks. We loved meeting Bart of course and the other editors from Runner’s World on the shake out run the day before. Their infectious enthusiasm for running and positive energy is great for both beginners and enthusiasts. The pre-race bathroom, no line bag check, warm hang-out room in the Four Seasons Hotel near the start was totally worth the money. Jean did their post-race massage and post race fruit smoothy which sounded like heaven. I would recommend doing the Runner’s World Challenge for any race if it’s in your budget.
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by Monica on August 8, 2011
Joan Benoit Samuelson
It’s already week two of the Runner’s World Challenge for the Philadelphia Marathon. My e-mail from Bart Yasso came this morning and I started to sweat a little. My goal for the Challenge is to adjust my running to my aging body. I am staring down the barrel of the big 50 (49 in Oct…50 in 2012!). “The joys of aging” signs have crept up on me this past year. I am no longer able to read the fine print of menus and maps without my glasses. I notice saggy skin that makes me feel for a chicken. I never thought I would miss having a period. Then there is the weight gain in new places and my skirt length concerns me. There are bitter sweet melancholy moments when considering the empty nest–it’s hard to visualize life without children in my immediate orbit. The goal is to keep running as I age. I feel it is time to make the necessary adjustments for longevity. My last round of marathon training for the Shamrock Marathon made me realize that this change was needed. My usual plan left me tired and energy zapped. My toughest finish yet.
I was thinking of Joan Benoit Samuelson on a recent college visit with my daughter to Bowdoin College in Maine. As noted on their website: Nike donated the track renovation in honor of their corporate relationship with Joan Benoit Samuelson, a 1979 Bowdoin graduate and the 1984 Olympic Marathon champion. I was wondering how often she gets to that track and how graciously she has mastered the age thing. Joan Benoit at 54 is a huge inspiration.
I seem to find more and more information for the aging female runner and I am excited about that. It’s not only the young mothers and women hitting the road. The mid-life or “menopause marathon” seems a great way to transition through this milestone. I see the changes in my long distance friends. It’s almost as if at 48 it suddenly becomes hard to ignore. I am reminded of the elementary school years with my own children when a few years can make a noticeable difference. Fellow runners that are 42 or 43 show few signs of this pending metamorphosis. Don’t get me wrong, these older competitive women are taking nothing lying down. Their spirit is ageless. They are training as hard as ever with tweaks to accommodate for this aging process. Here are some areas to for me to consider/work on:
- Figuring out the best rest/run combination: I know I need more rest and cannot run as many days in a row without feeling exhausted.
- Energy from food: I cannot eat as much as I did before without gaining weight. My body seems to need less food.
- Pace: learning to run at a gentler pace. My mind wants to race but my body cannot keep up. Learning to be OK with a little slower pace so I can be out there longer.
I am excited to get training and figure it out. Bring it on! (but maybe not quite as fast !:)
by Monica on May 16, 2011
Wow, this running weather is motivating! This morning was cool and crisp and made for a great 8 mile run. It motivated me to pull out my training log and start plotting my course (goal). It’s time to get back to work. I need to get my base mileage up again before the heat sets in…starting in mid-summer can be brutal. I signed up for the Runner’s World Challenge at the Philadelphia Marathon 2011. It will be my second official (jumped in with a friend once) time running this race. Philly was my first marathon ever so I was excited to learn that Runner’s World had chosen it for the fall. I missed the San Francisco RW Challenge last summer due to my husband donating his kidney that same weekend (the nerve:). I later met some of the runners on a Philly reunion run and then decided that I wanted to be a part of it for another race. Although it lacks the intrigue of a new destination, it provides close proximity and the added bonus of sleeping in my own bed. This has become for me, no small amenity. I have struggled at mastering the travel/sleep/race art. I look forward to meeting new runners (from both this area and otherwise) and gaining added insights/support on training/racing offered by Runner’s World. I am also hoping familiarity of the course and weather will serve me here. I promise to report on the whole Runner’s World Challenge experience for those entertaining the added expense for your next marathon.
by Monica on October 25, 2010
When the alarm went off this morning at 5:45, I was on the fence about getting up for a run with strangers. I could easily have slept in. If it wasn’t for the fact that I thought they might be waiting for me, or that I had just had a conversation the night before with my teen about branching out, and oh yes…and that new refrigerator magnet (“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”), I would have pressed snooze. I was resorting to tough love already and I had not even left my bed–just (frigging) do it! I could surely use a change of pace (is there a card in that?). I made it out the door and to Philly in record time. It was a beautiful morning. The crisp, fresh air settled among the colorful backdrop of leaves was enough to make me glad I made this trek. I had joined the Runner’s World Challenge for the San Francisco race–I never got to run–but editor Jen had e-mailed me to invite me along for this Philly reunion/run anyway. Jen is warm. Her nurturing manner fuels the runners around her. I met some great people. Fun and interesting conversation made the 11 miles fly by. It really made me wish I had gone to San Fran with this group. I am now considering the RW Challenge for a future marathon.
It felt so good to be running just to run. I don’t fair well without a goal for too long but this race-free reprieve was energizing. It was fun to run with strangers who also love to run. I loved the stories about their runs, lives and questions. Although we had never met before, they just felt familiar. I especially liked hearing about Jen’s attitude toward the many races she now runs with Runner’s World. She doesn’t race them all (although she threw in that she qualified for Boston in Chicago)…I liked that. Her input was comforting. Meeting these runners today renewed this tired running soul…(and as usual) so glad I got up!
