Marathon Training: That's a Rap, Newport Marathon 2022 PART ONE (pre marathon)

Newport Marathon: PART ONE, Pre Race

Some people tell me, why do you run marathons? It's a loaded question and honestly, it would take more than a simple conversation to answer it. Some days I don't know that I could even answer you! But I do know one thing, I know in it's simplest form, it's about a GOAL! 

This weekend I've spent a great deal of time talking with different people about goal setting! One person hit it on the nose! He said, the only way you could get me to even think about running something like a marathon is a goal to work for, like eventually qualifying for Boston! BINGO! That has become one of my "whys." Honestly, I have many more, but that has been exactly it for the last many of years! 

Newport 2022 wasn't my first rodeo! I've run 15 marathon's leading up to this moment and have had many set backs. If it wasn't for goals, I would of stopped running a long time ago. I haven't been able to run well since 2018 when I had an excellent training cycle leading up to Eugene 2018. Before that it was year after year of chasing little goals that slowly climbed into a desire to be the very best runner possible for me! I also hold a strong desire to help others be the very best they can be. It's interesting, those who take this to heart, who truly look at themselves and not compare with others, seem to excel the most. It's so important to remember this. My motto is to be inspired by others, not try to be like others. I have a hard enough time trying to be me, and I feel like being myself is what is the very best.

I went through a struggle of a year back in 2021. I was training for Pacific Northwest Marathon. Half way into my cycle I pulled my calf. I was able to stay consistent in easy running after a few weeks off with PT and taking it easy. I had to drop the thought of a full marathon that year. I waited until I was pain free, dropped some weight and started my climb back into heavy mileage and started back up with a coach. 

It's been interesting as I think back on this last year. A change of jobs has given me freedom to not have to stand all day, giving my feet a break. I also was used to getting up early from my former job position. I used this as a positive excuse to keep getting up very early and running before work. Running before work and having a good chunk of time off my feet while working was a good combo for my training. 

I was able to get through training with no major issues. I was sick once, setting me back a week. That's always expected in a marathon cycle, at least once! I was able to do three pratice races leading up to Newport Marathon. That wasn't just fun, it was three positive experiences. Coming out of no races anywhere due to shut down made for lots of sad runners. 

Most of my training was done with my husband or myself. My friend Tonya would join me when she could in the early mornings as well. I am used to bigger group runs in the weekends so this was a change up. I didn't think I would enjoy it but I felt like it took the pressure off me. I didn't realize how much I needed that for this period in my life. Jerry and I just got up and headed out the door. No planning, no messages being sent out. No big route plans. We just ran and I loved it! I do miss group running and know there will be more of that as we go into summer training (my least favorite time of year.) 🥵

I choose to blog every week during this training cycle in hopes that a few people would be interested in joining me on my little journey. I almost didn't do it. It makes me feel silly at times but deep down I felt I needed to this, even if nobody read it. What ended up happening, was an overwhelming display of encouragement and many really cool conversations. This made my journey so much fun and so much more fulfilling. 

If you need some encouragement getting started in a healthy version of yourself, please reach out! 

.....to be continued 😘

Marathon Training: The Race Newport Marathon 2022

Newport Marathon: (PART TWO) The Race!

975 miles went into leading up to Newport Marathon. The marathon topped off a four month training cycle at just over 1000 miles! 

I don't spend a whole lot of time writing or talking about my training as most people wouldn't be the slightest bit interested or even understand what I'm talking about. That's the grit that's made me a halfway decent runner along with years with years of consistency. I can't stress consistently enough friends, in all areas of life.

Saturday came. Jerry (my husband) and I had stayed the night in Newport as bib pickup was Friday. With the 7:00am race start, we new it was needed. We slept well and got up ready are we could be. I had a horrible headache that had followed me from last week. Horrible headaches galore hasn't been easy lately. Unfortunately it was a crummy week leading up to race day with (weather changes) pressure pain in my body. If you deal with this yourself, you know it's no joke! 

We parked near the finish line and did a slow warm up mile up to the starting line. I was starting to get excited at this point. The fresh ocean air and the mist in my face was just wonderful and refreshing.

At the starting line I ran into a few people I know from races and from Dallas. I got to visit briefly with family and check in with my coworkers who came to support me, Karin and Felix. I handed off my long sleeve top and phone and got into the race shoot. 

7:00am on the dot, runners were off! It was tight at the beginning, but I started in a good place so I never felt boxed in. We weave the neighborhood of Nye Beach, seeing a quick glimpse of the ocean and looped back around the Yaquina Bay State Park. These 3 miles where so fun. There were lots of people out cheering for us runners. The weather was wonderful, 50°s with a mist and people were actually along route that knew me, calling me by name. The first group of women was Molli and Jill's group from Dallas. They were walking up to start the half and Molli yelled, "JULIE!!!! We were just talking about you!" She must of been reading my blogs 🤷‍♀️🤣

I rounded the corner and there was Karin and Felix in all their splendor, signs in hands yelling like two crazy people "JULIE! Go Julie!" Just down the way was Steven and Kristy some running friends heading up to the half. It just keeps going! Next was Brandon and Stacy, waiting to head up for Stacy's big half start and then more friends yelling as I ran back through the park! It a shame the whole race couldn't be lined up like this....lol! I've heard this is how Boston is, the whole way! 

I ran down under the glorious Newport Bridge. In years past I remember a school band playing. This year it was simply lined with cars. Instead of running on the beautiful sidewalk deck that lines the bay, I ran on the cement sidewalk in fear of slipping as it was really wet. 

I made my turn, heading to what would be the finish line in about 3 hours and there was Bob and Tonya! Tonya told me where they would be and she didn't disappoint. She had her RED rain jacket on, ensuring I would see her! I then headed up the nasty hill that didn't seem nasty at all this time. I was at mile 4.5! 

I was heading out away from Newport

towards Toledo at this point. I knew these would be the lonely miles and was prepared mentally to just run!

I was in a good headspace and started just getting into my grove. I often try to make a "friend" so to talk to when racing. It often helps with the long miles. This time I wasn't looking for anyone. A girl I was calling orange shirt seemed to be running a similar pace for a bit. Finally she said, "I'm Lou, what's your goal time?". She seemed to want a little company and so we ran together for a little while. Soon a guy came into our group. His name was Danny. These two people were really awesome. We ran for a while but all had slightly different goal times. Lou beat the 3 of us in the end, 11 month post partum. Simply amazing!  

I made it to the turn a round (mile 15.2) with no issues or self drama, lol! I remember telling myself, it's just a ten mile tempo run back and then a mile into your finish line!!! I started imagining the finish line in my head and I could see my friends waiting for me. I had this! 

Mile 16 I started to feel a twinge of what might be having to use the bathroom really soon. This pissed me off because I don't usually need a bathroom when racing. I was able to keep up my pace for a good mile and begin to think this whole bathroom thing was in my past! 

In the meantime Tonya was making quite an appearance. I didn't think I would see anyone out on this part of the route and there she would be, mile after mile. It was so wonderful! By mile 18 I knew I had to stop to use a bathroom. I knew there was a port a potty at an upcoming aid station, thankfully I made it! I was just so mad. I don't normally swear but I yelled out a swear words as I went into the potty. The spectators and volunteers looked really worried. I lost a good two minutes but I felt a million times better.  As I ran by those worried spectators I yelled, "it a good thing for port a potties!" I felt pretty good for another couple miles, my pace slipping just a bit but not enough to be too worried. 

Mile 22 I started to feel off again. I was glad Tonya kept making an appearance because I knew I would continue to see her at this point. She definitely had come with a plan. Just before I hit mile 23 I had projectile vomit. I've never experienced that before. Usually if anything, I have a little dry heaving but this came out of nowhere! No wonder I was feeling off. I was glad no one was running right in front of me!

I knew I had about 5k left. I totally felt like I could do that but had slowed down. I didn't feel I needed to stop or walk. I didn't feel I wasn't going to make it, I just had slowed down and couldn't seem to get back into my planned pace. 

As I crested the top of the last bit of hill I started my desend to the finish line. The last .2 miles and downhill. I should of been hauling but as I started going down, something in my right side pinched from the inside. I was able to speed up, but not at all like I should have. It hurt! My husband had finished and joined me for a minute. He then started saying, "I can't do this, I have to quit!" A spectator got angry at Jerry, arguing with him, "how can you quit, the finish is right there!" Little did he know, Jerry was already done! 

I heard my name over the loud speaker and crossed the finish line! I had done it! I had

run a sub 3:40, my marathon goal for the last five years. There was all my friends waiting patiently for me. I thought I would cry more but I just cried when Tonya and Kristi hugged me. I think I was too exhausted to cry. After a bit I needed to sit. I was so wet and my head was starting to pound and I was unsure if puking would start up. The cool thing was my friends just seemed to be enjoying the moment with me. As horrible as it sounds, it was glorious. They let me sit and gathered with me in celebration! 

I mentioned my goal being a sub 3:40, it

was my C goal. In running I often make an A, B and a C goal. Typically the C goal would be the worst outcome besides having to walk off the course. I have never been so happy with meeting my C goal in my life. I made huge goals this cycle and shared them more openly then I usually do. I know to reach my A and B goals I have more work to do! Thus the vicious cycle of .... signing up for another marathon! 🤷‍♀️ 

Thank you all who have encouraged me for this training cycle. Every message and comment was read and noticed. My love goes out to you 💗