Ragnar Cape Cod 2014: Never Fear Winning

A few months ago my friend Ella, who I met through running and is also a senior at my college, approached me about participating in Ragnar: Cape Cod Relay. I had heard a little bit about these kinds of races before, but really had never thought about actually doing one. The Ragnar race is a relay race which covers about 200 miles and divided up between you and 11 other friends. Ella was creating a team with some other students and thought I would be the perfect addition. Of course I said yes, but lets face it, when she approached me in September it seemed like far far away in the future. Well, like every year May came faster than expected. After three half marathons in 3 months this past winter-spring, I was finally getting some rest in when I should have been training for this race. Here is my recap of 30 hours of no sleep, laughter, drama, running and stinky fun.

On Thursday night we headed to Ella's house since it would be closer to the starting line then if we were to drive from school. We got to Ella's house and carbo-loaded. I also got to meet the other people on our team. I knew a few of them but there were a lot of new faces. They were all Ella's friends from riding. We went over the basic information about the race and then went to bed. I was planning on taking on a total of 19.7 miles spread over 3 runs (or legs). My legs were the following: 6.3 miles, 4 miles and 9.4 miles. I was a little nervous for the 9.4 mile leg since I hadn't run more then 7 miles since the Mores Women's Half. Still I decided to take it slow and easy. We headed to bed, I was in the first van which meant waking up at 4am to get to the starting line at 6:30am. At 4:15am we woke up to Witty the dog with a shoe hanging out of his mouth. I hadn't gotten the best sleep on the floor and in someone else's house, but the adrenaline kicked in. When we woke up we learned that one of the people in our van was really sick and had been throwing up all night. We decided not to panic and just go to the start and see how she felt then. Not good. Half way to the start line we informed Ella what had happened. Who was going to take her legs? Was the whole race over? It was then that I decided stand up and take one for the team. I offered to take her first leg, which came immediately after mine. That leg was 6.2 miles, bringing my total first leg to 12.5 miles and 26 miles all together… Eeek! And I thought the 9.4 miles was daunting. I knew that it was right. I was the only one in our van who had run a half marathon before, or run more then 8 miles. I figured that if I took her first leg it would give us a little more time to figure out what to do with her other 2 legs.

Witty the dog!

We got to the starting line and cheered our first runner on as she started the relay. I decided to pick up some leg compression sleeves since I lost my other ones and knew that with the extra miles my legs would thank me. Our first runner did a great job, and then our second runner went off. At this point I was getting a little nervous, 12.5 miles, yikes. What did I sign myself up for. I knew I would be doing Jeff Galloway's run/walk program, but still 26 miles in less than 30 hours, thats a lot of miles.

 I got myself ready and off I went. The first few miles took some time getting used to. Also every time another runner saw me running/walking they would ask if I was alright. I know they were being nice and checking in on me, but I found myself being grumpy and annoyed. I run/walk. I run for 2 minutes and walk for 30 seconds. Its the way I do it. It has gotten me pretty far in running and left me with no injuries. I have run without walk breaks many times in the past and go slower and get more injuries. This way works for me, but when people call me not a true runner, I am hurt. I guess these people asking "are you alright" just brought up those feelings of not being a true runner, which really hurt. Anyways, I am getting off track. After the first 3 miles, I got the hang of things. This wasn't going to be bad at all. In fact I had negative splits.

At the exchange (where I would have stopped if I hadn't taken on an extra leg) I waited to see my team just to check in. While waiting there, a volunteer asked me who I was waiting for. I explained I was actually going to run the next leg as well but just wanted to check in with them. In her microphone she told everyone that I was doing a double leg and they all cheered for me. It was pretty cool! I finally checked in with my team and got some water. Then off I went. In this next leg every time someone asked me if I was ok, I explained that this is how I run and this was my second leg and how far I was actually running. Their response was much different. The second leg wasn't too bad until we hit a massive down hill and then constant constant constant up hills. WTF! I would have taken on a hillier leg.. my luck. I allowed myself to walk more then I usually do, since I knew I would have 4 more miles later that night and 9.4 miles early the next morning. But those hills were NASTY! At one downhill I was tweeting and running (not smart) about how brutal this leg was. A van came past me honking their horn, I was startled and rolled my ankle. I then tweeted about the rolled ankle :)

6.3 miles- 1:15:00 (11:54 min/mile)

6.2 miles- 1:16:43 (12:22 min/mile)

Finally I made it to the exchange and off the next runner went. Man I was beat. I iced my legs and ankles and hydrated. The weather was very deceptive. It was very breezy, but the humidity was nasty. Standing around waiting it seemed cold, but once you started running it was HOT! Luckily after the next runner finished our van had time for a break while our other van went off and ran their legs. We went to the big exchange and looked around, but there wasn't too much to see. We decided to go find lunch. We found one of the sketchiest restaurants ever, we just couldn't help but laugh the whole time. Bonding? We then went to the next exchange and slept/rested. I think I got in a good 20 minute nap. It was fun to see all the other vans all decorated up. The team spirit and excitement is pretty incredible at these race. It was also getting dark at this point which meant walking around in reflective vests and head lamps.. talk about looking hard core. GOOD NEWS was that the runner I had cover for was feeling much better and was going to cover the rest of her legs. At this next exchange we greeted our other vans runner and off one of our runners went. We made sure to grab a group photo before we went to the next exchange and they went off to their dinner reservations… pfff.

It started to get dark, and by the time I was off to run my 4 miles it was pitch black. These 4 miles felt like they took forever. I felt like I was running extremely fast, but looking down at my Garmin I was going really slow. Nevertheless I had my music on (a very weird mixture) and enjoyed this leg since it was my shortest. I finally finished and headed to the van. We had two more runners, it was getting late at this point. When our runners finished up we headed to the camp site. Others decided to sleep in tents, I slept in the car. I was so exhausted that I fell right to sleep at midnight. At 3:30am I heard "shit they are ahead of schedule, time to get up". Oh no! We all hustled to get up. Despite being the third one to run, my other runners had shorter legs this AM, meaning my 9.4 miles was coming up fast. Off our runner went, then exchange, then off I went at 5:45am.

4 miles: 50 min (12:30 min/mile)

Since it was still "night" hours (6:30pm-6am) I had to run in my reflective gear. I told my van to try to meet up with me along the course since I had no idea how my body would be doing. The first 2 miles were rough, my legs were in shock. However, everything started to loosen up and it wasn't too bad. I got into a good pace. I saw my teammates and told them I was actually doing great. I saw them 2 miles later and gave them my reflective vest and headlamp. I was still doing great. Then I got a text message from them saying they wouldn't meet up with me anymore because I was about to head onto the bike trail. I thought I would be ok since I had been doing fine. However at mile 7 mile, my body shut down. My legs were cramping, something I had never experienced before.. Ouch! I just took it slowly. Despite the last 2.4 miles being brutal they weren't as bad as the day before (during 12.5 miles). On this run there was no one mile left sign, so I texted my van when I thought I was a half mile away. Whoops, I was only .25 miles away. When I got to the exchange they weren't there. I was upset. I was looking forward to having them cheer me on during my final leg. Finally saw them and off the next runner went. When I noticed that my total for the 2 days was only 25.9 I ran around the parking lot to get it to 26 miles. Best feeling ever was BEING DONE! I couldn't believe it.

9.5 miles- 1:55:00 (12:07 min/mile)

Once our van finished we headed to my house on the Cape to take showers, then went out to brunch and came back and took naps. Man I was exhausted. Finally around 2pm we headed to PTOWN for the finish. We waited for Ella (who was running the final leg) and ran her in. We got our medals and decided to look around the finish and grab some food. The views were pretty awesome, but I was ready to go back home and sleep. We took a photo and then drove back home.

Running Ella into the finish!

Overall the energy and spirit was awesome. Despite being sleep deprived and extremely soar it was AN AMAZING experience, one I would really consider doing again.

Ella even gave me the slap wrist ban that had traveled 192 miles, for completing the most miles .

More Magazine / Fitness Magazine Women's Half-Marathon

Read about my adventures from the rest of the trip here!

Sunday… RACE DAY. I woke up at 6am and it was the first time ever the idea of not going to the race crossed my mind. As quickly as it came into my mind it disappeared. I got up, got dressed, grabbed a power bar and headed to Central Park. Walking out the door I knew it would be a warm day. I got to Central Park and waited for Ev. We met up and went into the park to check bags. I didn't know what to expect from this race. I knew Disney was for fun and slow (since the humidity is BLAHHH), NYC Half was a PR opportunity (but I didn't tell anyone going in since I didn't want to quinx it) but this race I had no idea how to run it. My head wasn't in it. In a way I was running it to be there with Ev as she ran her first half and as a bonus get another half under my belt. Anyways, we checked bags and searched for Hoda Kotb who was hosting the race.

Before we knew it we were lining up to start. Ev and and I decided to go at our own paces. I didn't want to slow her down. As we approached the starting line Hoda was cheering us on. I managed to scream my head off and get a selfie with her. Did I mention that I ADORE Hoda?!? What a great way to start the race. After crossing the starting line I tweeted the photo and started texting it to people, aka not focusing on what the hell I was doing and my head wasn't in the game. Finally I put my phone away and focused on what I was doing, you know running a half marathon.

The first few miles were ok, I was getting warm and knew it was going to be a hot race. Still Central Park was gorgeous with flowers blooming. The mile markers were confusing, some were on the ground and my Garmina started later, so the whole race I really had no idea what mile I was at. The first loop around Central Park I was focusing on/observing where hills were and how to tackle them the second time around. We even saw Deena pass us who ended up winning the race (she was on her second loop).

In the second half of the race I found myself texting and tweeting some more. It actually helped. Miles 6-9 went by quickly. Miles 9-13 on the other hand…. I was losing my energy quickly. I don't think I started out too fast, maybe it was doing those hills a second time around. There are pros and cons to doing two loops around Central Park. The pro, you know what to expect that second time around. The con, the hills on exhausted legs are PAINFUL!

Finally the end was near. I started seeing people with medals and capes. The spectators cheering us on the whole way were awesome. I was a little more than half way through mile 12, I got a text from Ev that she had finished. I hurried my bum up to meet her. Crossing the finish line was GREAT. I managed to jump, god only knows where that energy came from. Crossing the finish line is a bizarre feeling. You are so relieved to be done. Especially after the final miles where you are just EXHAUSTED and are ready to be done! At the same time as you cross the finish line I always find myself in shock of what I have just done and become energized.

While I was sipping on water at the finish line, someone tapped me on my back. A woman told me how I got her through the race. I asked her how so. She told me she tried to keep up with me the whole race (I'm pretty slow). She explained that the sign on my back kept her going and that me and Lisa inspired her. I told her the story behind me wearing the sign and who Lisa was. It was a moment that got me. This race wasn't easy, it wasn't a walk in the park…. But knowing that someone read my sign and thought of Lisa that day and was inspired by her made it worth it.

I found Evelyn and gave her a big hug. I am so proud of her. It feels like just yesterday she was telling me that she was ready to sign up for a half, after running her longest distance (to that date) 6 miles. We sat and talked about how it went. She made a comment that I always think about during races but always forget right after: how emotional races are. They really are. Watching people running together, alone, running for a cause, seeing people find family along the course and then watching people finish is extremely emotional.

Evelyn and I took a quick photo and walked through the park along the course cheering people on. We were planning on going to lunch, however I had to go to midtown and she needed to get back uptown. We went our separate ways. I continued to walk the rest of the course cheering people on. This was one of the highlights of my day. I gave people high fives and hugs, telling them how incredible they were. If I didn't have somewhere to go I would have run or walked some of them in. It's really emotional.

Exiting the park I walked to Times Square got tickets for a show to see with Miss E that afternoon. Then I went back to the house, showered and ate lunch. Miss E and I went to see Cinderella that afternoon. It was so much fun taking her to the theater, especially seeing such a magical show with her. I love this kid so much and spending time with her always makes me smile. After the show we were going to meet up with someone I know in the cast, but the stage door was flooded with Carly Rae fans.. EEK!

We headed downtown and went out to dinner. Once we got back I crashed. Literally fell asleep on the ground while watching Mad Men. I was exhausted

Official Results: 2:37.42 min (12:03min/mile average pace)

Running for a Cure: NYC Half Marathon 2014

Wow. I am speechless. After writing my gratitude list yesterday afternoon, I checked my NYRR profile to see if I had been chosen for the NYC Half 2014. I was surprised when I saw the green alert telling me I  was accepted! I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. This was one of my favorite races last year! I am so excited to be going back. I immediately called Evelyn who also had signed up. When she told me she hadn't made it, an enormous amount of guilt hit me. I felt guilty getting to run in this race again. I learned quickly that I am very lucky to have gotten in again.

Last year I raised money for MS in honor of my aunt. I'm not going to lie and say raising $1,500 was a walk in the park. It was pretty difficult. However, crossing the finish line at the half marathon, knowing I had not only run 13.1 miles but had also raised $1,500 for research and had spread awareness about  MS, made crossing the finish line even more powerful.

Originally I hadn't planned on running for a charity again this year. If I got an entry, I got an entry. If I didn't get an entry, I would find another race. When I got an entry, I was elated. However, deep down I knew I wanted to give back. I realized that the reason this race was so powerful last year was because of the money and awareness I had raised for a charity very important to me.

I debated going back to raise money for MS. I also looked into a couple of other charities. I came upon the American Cancer Society. Cancer is something that has affected so many family members and friends of mine. I was shocked to learn that 1/3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Earlier this morning I signed up to run with them. Truth be told, since I already have a spot in the NYC Half, I don't have to raise as much money as I did last year. However, I have all confidence that I can raise at least half of what I raised last year, if not more.

Please support me this year as I run the NYC Half Marathon on behalf of the American Cancer Society, so we can celebrate more birthdays and be in a world where we can finally find a cure for cancer.

TO DONATE: CLICK HERE

Crossing the finish line at last years NYC Half Marathon

Hot Chocolate 5K Recap!

This is my 3rd year running the Hot Chocolate 5K.  Last year I got to meet Cate, who was also training for the Disney Princess Half (and is doing so again this year). This race is the "big" race around here and over 5,000 runners and walkers show up. Like the previous years it was freezing cold and cloudy out. Steph drove Ev and I over to the race. We picked up our bibs and checked in our bags. The previous years my number has been 2000 plus this year I was surprised to see it was in the 600's. We ran into Cate and her daughter Ellie who were both running the race. Ellie and I are basically sisters. Must be the freckles :)

We took a few photos, headed to seed ourselves. Ev and Steph were planning on running together. I had no plan about running this race, only to have fun. In case you don't follow me via twitter or Facebook, I had an ovarian cyst rupture Tuesday night. I know, fun right?! Not so much. I have been on bed rest and pretty crampy. I have been able to sneak in some light workouts, but nothing too intense. I would have loved a PR, like always, but I was just going to listen to my body.
My goals were the following:
Reach goal: PR baby cakes
Reachable goal: Sub 11 min/mile pace
Other goal: finish faster than the first year I ran this race
and of course finishing, which having completed 5 half marathons didn't seem like an obstacle.

One final pre-race selfie!

3, 2, 1 and we are off. I started up the first hill feeling good. Only complaint was my whole body was frozen. Didn't warm up until mile 2. Into the first mile my shoe laces got loose. I thought it's only 3 miles, it will be ok. Then they became undone. Yup. Never mind. I had to stop to tie my shoe laces…. twice! In any other race I would have been pissed, not today. No fuss. 

Second mile came and I knew the hills were coming. I remembered this year that there were two. I paced myself. On the second mile I saw someone hug their father who was cheering them on. It was Steph! It was such a magical moment to see. Both Steph and I have close relationships with our fathers, and I just felt honored to see such a sweet moment.


Then before I knew it mile 3, and downhill and cross the finishing line. Wow I forget how short 5K's are. I still had energy left in the tank, but I ran a smart race! The whole race I was rocking out to Lesli Margherita's LOUD! Fun song to run to!

I ran into a couple of school friends at the finish line which was fun. Met up with Steph and Evelyn and got some hot cocoa. Some of Ev's friends had come to cheer her on. We all went out to brunch where we ran into Cate again. I wish I could have gotten to spend more time with Cate and Ellie, but Steph was my ride home. After this week with ovarian cyst drama, I knew a long day waiting for buses wouldn't be ideal. All that was on the agenda was race, eat, shower and back in bed.

Cheers!

Some fun swag!

Here are my splits:
Mile 1: 11:12 min/mile
Mile 2: 10:35 min/mile
Mile 3: 10:37 min/mile
Last .1: average 7:48 min/mile
Unofficial time: 3.13 miles 33:25 min (10:41 min/mile)
OFFICIAL TIME: 33:43 minutes (10:52 min/mile)