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It's Go Time Saturday!
LIFE. LOVE. LONGEVITY.
This weekend I am running for my “Longevity” medal. Thats right- I'm naming or labeling the meaning of this medal. I have lots of them since I’ve been running races forever - lol but this one will stay outta the basement.
Saturday is the Greater St. Louis Marathon or the Go! St. Louis, which is my hometown race. I hold the record and have qualified for the Olympic Trials here as well. Lots of great memories. Well, im back…again….lol
And well, time for a blog.
The excitement and fire are real; That feeling when you know you are MOST alive; the reflections on how this training cycle has once again taught me invaluable life and love lessons- the two greatest gifts!
In my town where I've lived within a 5 mile radius my whole life, I am the girl who runs. I've been running these streets and competitively on the track, roads, and trails for over 35 years. This means I have had some roadblocks along the way- pun intended.
These last few years have been some fun training because I adore my training partners and community. I've broken some 40 plus Missouri records, won some races- which I do not take for granted given how long I've been racing around St Louis. I'm proud of my longevity in this sport - I think it's the thing I am most proud of - not the one course record or the Olympic Trials or whatever, it's the fact I keep showing up. That's a medal I want to wear!
But to be honest, from 2020-23 , I was on a run/injury cycle -every 3-6 months, get fast then get injured. So, I have been relentlessly committed to figuring out how I can continue to do the thing I love to do most, for as long as I can, and in the most healthy manner so that I am skipping along at 90 plus!
Well, on a whim early winter, I signed up for the Go St Louis marathon with major skepticism that I would ever “make it” to the start line - after all, the last few years have been training annnnnnd a week before "said" race - injured. It was getting so ridiculous, I couldn't make destination racing plans with my pals due to the odds of my having to bail at the last minute!
So, I thought, I will coach myself and take it week by week with the healthiest yet committed mindset I could. With all the knowledge, experience, and awareness of self I have aquired over the years I knew I could do this. This means as always, I did show up every training day with zero excuses (thank you training buddy Brooke), BUT I listened to what my body needed that day: recovery practices, extra sleep, more and better nutrition, easy pace, intervals, long run, strides, whatever.
I didn't get overly involved with paces and numbers. I listened to my body and accepted that what it told me was real. I checked of course after running what pace that effort produced just for some confidence and momentum - but I never let it dictate the training cycles' worth. Work is work. Good intention, honesty is real.
And the greatest impact has been my renewed commitment the last couple years to PT then Strength work - SPECIFICALLY for runners! I worked with the best chiros, doctors, strength coaches, physical therapists, coaches, and came up with a philosophy and routine that works through my unique strength and mobility training. The time I give to these things is intentional, specific to my goals as a distance runner, and time sensitive.
I know you're thinking that someone like me would never be inconsistent with those. But, let me tell you: distance runners run A LOT, we love to run- especially the further along we get - lol so the result is less energy and oomph for the little things that really start to matter the most: CONSISTENT mobility, activation, and strength for runners.
Well, I didn't miss a beat with this the last 9 months post hip surgery. I didn't overdo it - just what was recommended and I have never felt more athletic and powerful except when I was consistently and specifically training at Emerge Fitness in St. Charles with my brother Matt and Keelin -leading up the 2012, 2016, 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. Coincidence???? I think NOT!
So, if you are in a spot that I was in - starting to doubt if you would ever run the way you truly wanted to run again and losing hope- DON'T!
Get your posture, stride, function, strength, and power back so you can do what you were meant to do- run. You can always reach out to me- if I can't help you, I can refer you to who can.
Also, Saturday will be my first marathon in like 4 years!!!!! Yippee - lol
I just want to finish with a smile- tears are ok too - I like to cry while finishing marathons - that emotional high is overwhelming! This one though- and I don't wanna jinx it - but this one means very much to me. This experience has the potential to perhaps be one of the most uplifting marathon races I've ever run albeit slower - I will finally get my LONGEVITY medal I have been desiring for years. This is what it's all about really for me.
Longevity- showing up with your heart, effort, and being true to your story and self all while accepting that each year, training cycle, race, will be different. Each will and rightly so have its own hidden pearl and “medal” So keep doing you. I am. And well, I don't wanna be alone so let's go - ha!
Good luck to everybody running the Greater St. Louis Marathon races this weekend - we are in this together! I understand all of you; the work, the time; the commitment is never wasted. What we do is self promoting AND in turn allows us to give of ourselves on a deeper more personal level than we ever could give back to this world without this sport we love. So thank your close family and friends for encouraging you - even when you come home tired and doubtful - they tell you to keep going because this is what we love; this is how we give back; this is our work of art. Now let's go have some fun!
Some Tips Marathon Day Notes:
Alarm 2.5 hours pre race
Carb fuel breakfast: I do white bagel, banana with a little peanut butter and or honey. Then sip on my carb drink up to the start of the race.
Arrive at race (if local) an hour prior for small shakeout and strides.
Go out a tad slower than goal pace for the first 10k-half then see what happens - lol
Drink and get nutrition earlier- 10 kish and continue throughout
Afterwards, smile and be happy with your accomplishment of finishing and showing up for yourself and all the other people at this race or those who couldn't make it to the start line.
Also, definitely allow yourself to recover after the marathon, but then get back to it! The finish line is really another starting line.
Oh, and one more thing - thank your training partners: Brooke Shulte- from the time we trained for the 2020 trials together and through all the ups and downs with our careers and bodies- you have ALWAYS believed in us, our sport, and me- so fiercely. I could not ask for a better friend and partner than you. Prayer hands here!