Olympian Sightings...And Another Half

I was so excited when I heard that two Olympians were going to speak to the runners at the Kaiser Half Marathon packet pick up on Friday. Not being a runner for very long, I was only familiar with one of them. But Kent knew very well Johnny Gray because Kent has run for many years. He knew of Johnny's great 800 meter records and Olympian status while I was only familiar with Deena Kastor's records and Olympian status. Not trying to put them in "idol" status (and hope I don't anyone) these two athletes are great role models for runners. Johnny Gray still holds national records; he retired from running at age 40. He's now in his early 50's and is a coach at UCLA. He had some of the best sayings like: "If you give it up, you have to make it up"...speaking of not running as hard as you're able to at the beginning of a race you have to push harder at the end to make up the loss of time and it may be too late. I think of a negative split of sort. "Proper preparation prevents poor performance". "Impossible" means I'm possible...I love that one! He had several but these are all I recall right now. Deena said "You've got to believe it to achieve it". She also talked about if you want to be the best, then don't try to copy another. To try to improve in any way you can. I think of "be the best YOU can be" mindset. If you follow someone else's program you may reach the same level as they are; but if you want to be better than them, then you've got to figure out something different in order to beat them. Don't believe when someone tells you that you can't do something or try for something that seems impossible. It can be done! They had many good motivational messages that applies so well to running and life. After their talk, they had informational cards with all their stats on them that you could have with their autograph. I just happen to be first in line...what can I say, I was just standing there and wallah...the table opened up. Here's a picture of Johnny's card and autograph followed by my favorite, Deena's.



And, check this out...I'm soooo proud of this one!!


On to the race...I felt pretty good the morning of the race and felt I had everything ready to put on and go. I did this race last year and was really looking forward to it again this year. A friend of mine from Laurel, Deanna, and her family did it, too. This year she brought friends. It's a really nice course.

I've been running differently in the last month with really nice results. I had hope these changes would be applied effectively in my long races. With one long run down, I thought I'd give it a try in this race. As with all races, it is so easy to start out fast. Adrenaline flows like Niagra Falls, strong and somewhat uncontrollable! It was exciting to be doing another half. I reorganized my music, had a GU (though I've never used one in a half before) and felt prepared.

The first 3 miles were on the Backcountry Trail and I was running as I had planned. My pace was faster than expected and I was ahead of schedule. Mile 4 began on County Rd 2 going south to the Beach Rd. then east to Orange Beach where we went back onto the Trail System, to make a little over 2.5 miles...VERY windy miles! Man, it was strong. Oh, there wasn't a gust that I felt cause it was just wind. I almost got tickled thinking how in the world could wind withstand all the gorgeous sun and beautiful skies and views. It actually became a bit of a challenge. Many runners around me were talking about how tough it was. For me, I knew it wasn't going to last long because I've run this stretch of the highway several times before and turned around right at the trail head where we were headed. It was like I could hold my breath that long...well, not really...but you know what I mean. Glancing at my watch I was concerned that I was losing time with the headwind but, lordy be, I was maintaining the same good pace I had been. At the end of 4 miles, I was keeping a 9:38 pace, my best ever in a half marathon.

Back on the trail, I was feeling good still, but decided I better slow down a little because I was afraid I couldn't keep this pace up for 8 more miles. Oh, up to this time, I've had to get water at every aid station. This is rare for me. Usually, I have a sip or two twice in a half marathon but I couldn't seem to get enough water...and I drank a good bit each time. Coming up on Mile 10, my pace was back on track, 10 minute pace.

Then it happened!! I started getting cramps on the top of my left foot...slowly and not hard at first. I kept running hoping it would go away. At Mile 11 I loosened my shoe strings and it eased up some, but it wasn't long before it got more painful making me stop and stretch my foot in any way to get the thing out! I was getting so mad. I get cramps in strange places that make it so hard to get it stretched anyway and this place didn't surprise me. It wouldn't stop. I didn't know it yet but my running stride began to change to accomodate running with this cramping. I thought if I could walk a few steps I could get it eased and maybe pick back up running again. When I stopped, a guy came up beside me and said, "don't stop, you're pacing me!" Don't think I've ever paced anyone before and it made me feel good and I felt somewhat responsible to help him. He was a barefoot runner. We talked for a little bit and it helped me push harder. Then it hit...Mile 12!!! Immediately, I had to stop. My cramps got so bad and by now I was being plagued in both feet. I tried to ignore it and run...but that did NOT work at all. I pushed on more trees in one mile than any of these trees had ever seen! I was applying pressure in any way I could, and groaning became my close friend. I was hurting so bad. I kept up with my friend for a while, but he eventually went on. Another guy tried to encourage me but his words just didn't get through. So, with all of that, I decided to accept my plight and walk/run in. Another man caught up with me and I had seen him race in 5k's many times in this area. I had a very sharp cramp and he stopped to see if he could help thinking it was in my legs but no one could help my problem. He was mostly walking. As soon as I could, I would try to run. I'd pass him and have to stop and he'd catch up. This happened several times. One time I got so mad, I yelled out "I refuse to quit!!!" and didn't care who heard it. He was standing right there then. I'm sure he thought I was crazy.

I make one promise to myself and that is to run through the Finish Line of any race I'm running. And, that's what I did as you can see here. Whew, this thing is done!


I love running long runs and I shouldn't have had trouble with this one. It really came as a surprise. But I wasn't prepared either. First and foremost, I had not trained well enough. Having done a few half's already, I took it for granted that not having the miles in the last couple of weeks, I could whip this out easy. Distance running, friends, cannot be taken lightly. This is something you do well only if you treat your body correctly. Secondly, I'll find some way to carry some ACV with me in case of cramps again. That seems to help. And, finally, I had changed up the music on my iPod. Though I really like it, for a long run, it got really boring. I repeat several songs throughout to pick me up during my run but it got tough hearing them over and over and I couldn't stand to hear them another time-but this can be fixed!

Kent ran in the 5k instead of racewalking and received 3rd place in his age group. Deena presented him with his award but I didn't have the camera ready. We had no idea he was going to receive an award and on top of that getting it from her! Surprisingly, I got 2nd place and, no, there were more than three in my age group, ha! Oh, there were two more trophies...when I took my shoes off, I had a nice trophy (blisters) on both feet and a HUGE burn that my shirt rubbed under my arm! The worse I've ever had...it was so big and deep! Thankfully, these two things can be fixed in the future. Regardless of my trials, I still like this race course and would love to do it again. I am also pleased that I maintained and kept a little better pace for nearly all the race until the cramping set in. Therefore, I feel the race was a success on a gorgeous day!



Next week, is a new week and I plan to get my running back in order. Until next time...

Run 4 It!