Vermont City Marathon: Where Heat and Humidity are abundant.

At this point, a week after race day I imagine that everyone (in the running world) knows that VCM was cancelled mid race due to some pretty extreme heat and humidity.
Spoiler: I managed to finish.
I have participated in some very warm, even hot races before but can honestly say that other than Boston '12 (which I spectated and it was too hot to even live) I have never experienced such relentless heat.
Anyway. More on this as my story unfolds.

Eric and I had VCM on the calendar for a few reasons. We were running the 2-person relay, I was using it as a back up plan marathon on the chance that Boston was a complete shit show and we had heard nothing but good things about this race. So off we went, in 90 degree weather knowing that we would just have to be smart and make good race day choices.

It was an unusually pleasant drive in the scenery department and we arrived at the expo late-ish in the day on Saturday (and it was still 90, we basically stopped looking at this point!)

The expo was straightforward and we collected our various numbers with ease, had some samples of beer and bourbon because VT race expos are cool like that and off we went.
I also caught a glimpse of the New England double medal, which (If I can actually complete both races) will be MINE later this fall. Bwa-hahaha. MINE!

The things we do for a finishers medal.....

I've never been to Burlington before and we were able to do some exploring before our dinner reservation. Lake Champlain was far, far bigger than I imagined it would be and I spend a number of minutes exclaiming over my delight in this. I'm a weird kid.

So big. So hazy.

Since half the reason I was excited about this trip was to sample some VT beers I was delighted to snag a Heady Topper right off. (I was worried that I wouldn't be able to buy cans to take home. Heady Topper is  big deal. Like, you need to be there when the truck rolls in and, needless to say that seemed unlikely what with the running and all...) The beer was great and when 90 degree running is staring you in the FACE you have to just man up and drink beers. Works every time.

Beer is fun

Saturday morning dawned cool and crisp.
OR NOT. NOT. NOT AT ALL.
It was like, 379 at 6AM and we planned our 0.0 MPH pace to the finish line in great detail.

ALL DAY bitches

I'm going to be honest for a sec. I really wasn't too worried about the heat because I did not care how I did. I hoped to finish the 13.1 so that we could complete the relay but I wasn't gonna hustle and I wasn't gonna die on my way there. I had already made the decision to go slow af, drink all the water and take 400,000 walk breaks. Maybe I would quit at 13.1. Maybe I'd continue to 16 which was basically back at the start. Who knew. The weather was batshit and there was nothing that anyone could do about it!

So with all that in mind I slow jogged away for, no shit, the hottest first mile of a race that I have ever run EVER in the history of ever. It was quite remarkable.
Obviously, it was all people were talking about. "It is SO HOT this is HORRIBLE" was the outcry.
I had to agree at that point, the sun was beating down relentlessly, there wasn't even a puff of wind and it was hot as balls.

Hot. Hot. Hot as balls. Balls. Balls. Balls are hot.

I have good news. After the first hellish mile there wasn't another long stretch where there wasn't a tiny bit of shade, a teeny puff of breeze or a waterstation to break it up a bit. Right away at mile 2 there was a nice stretch of shady road and during this time I was able to get it together and get my head right. I began to feel good and knew I would keep trudging along happily as long as the good feeling continued. *and good was the feeling of sweat literally pouring into my EYES!!*

There was a most unpleasant bit of road (mile 4-8ish) that was on a stretch of highway. I was pleased to be feeling quite well because if I had not, this would have been rather awful. Also, during this time the "warning" flags went from yellow to red. I was taking 2 or 3 cups at each water stop and walking leisurely through each one. Basically, leisurely was my pace throughout.

Starting early, around mile 4 there were runners down on the course. It seemed (to me) that medical staff was plentiful on course and that people in trouble were getting help quickly. Seeing that many people on the ground that early certainly made me take stock on how I was feeling, and I was fine.

Up to mile 13.1 things continued in very much the same manner, run cautiously, take a lengthy water break every mile, take oranges from strangers and, through the sweat try to look around and see the sights.

I came to the 13.1 mark in 2:03 which, while certainly not at my normal race pace was very good for the weather conditions. Eric and I had a chat and he gave me my relay medal which was lucky not to get lost during the later part of the race! I said something helpful about how it was "hot but totally do-able! just be smart not a douche! be safe have fun!" and, clearly inspired by this Eric ran off.

I sat down on a rock and drank a beer.
Well, not quite. If anyone saw my snap, at this point I said "It's hot! But I feel good! I'm going to keep running because this is kind of fun!"
Logic. The logic is strong.

Basically, to mile 18 my life continued on much as it had to this point. I was very very sweaty, like pretty inappropriately sweaty. I felt fine. Running was not feeling like a problem, which is always good. I needed sunscreen (despite a very thorough pre race application I must have sweated most of it off) So I found a mom spectator and she hooked me up. Mom's are always good like that.
There were quite a few spectators braving the heat, hosing us down, running DIY aid stations and playing dubious rock and roll.

More cowbell people, MORE

Also around this time I found Eric!!! This was very exciting and we had a nice chat as well as some ice pops. He was even sweatier than I was and his shoes were making "slop-slop" noises as he ran which was quite impressive.

YAY! We are lovely.

We saw some interesting things like a twerking T-Rex which is somewhat unexpected, at mile 19. The T-Rex actually chased me which caused me to squeal and scamper away, as I found his actions to be untrustworthy.
Eric considered taking a beer from a beer aid station. He did not... He still mourns this choice.

This little fucker chased me!

As much as we love each other, sticking together wasn't meant to be, mostly because I am a big jerk who really just wants to get done quick once mile 20 goes by.
So, we tearfully parted ways and off I went.

THANK THE LAWD at this point the damn sun had gone away and once I turned onto the bike path by the lake it was *almost* comfortable and I was able to run faster than I had all day. Cranking along. Like at a sub 9 pace which felt pretty darn quick after all the jogging.
Things were good. I was happy to almost be done and I was rejoicing in my hydrating skills and in how much nicer my legs feel at mile 24+  when I'm being cautious than when I'm not..!
And then.......
Just before the final aid station we were told that the race was cancelled. People continued to run, so I did as well. Follow the sheep? Perhaps.

EXTREEEEEEEEME.

At the aid station I stopped and asked a volunteer what I should be doing. She asked if I felt capable of walking to the finish, and I said I felt capable of RUNNING to the finish. She advised me to continue with caution. During the last mile I had a little time to think about what was happening. I assumed that they had turned off the clock and that my time would not count, which I found disappointing but I was ok with that. I wondered if I was going to be arrested because I had not stopped (this really did occur to me, I have never experienced anything like this before!) Eric texted me to see if I was still running and he was not impressed that I was. However, he was still on course too. From what I could observe, nobody else seemed to stop and since I was still feeling in excellent health I concluded that getting to the finish and cooling off was my best bet.

Was this a good choice? Since I finished healthy and did not require the attention of med staff then yes, I think (as an adult who knows her body) that I made a fine choice. I understand that not everyone might agree with this. In my defense, I had always assumed that in the case of a cancelled race we would actually be "forced" to halt and removed from the course. I know now that is not true.
(from what I understand, people who had to go through several aid stations were told that the race clock was off, that medical was unable to take more patients (the race directors say this is untrue) and, eventually from what I gather people were more strongly encouraged to stop and take shuttles back. I did not witness any of this. At the time that the race was cancelled, while I was still on course things seemed no more dramatic than they had a mile earlier. )
I finished (running thru very enthusiastic crowds, even in the heat) in 4:09:20 (so I was not lying about taking it EASY!)

1.1 was my race pace

 I was hot. I snagged some ice and evaluated the scene unfolding at the finish.

Phew. Hot.

The med tent did seem full and there were many runners being carried off the course. There were, what I assume to be EMT's doing triage on the grass outside of medical. There was a mild buzz of confusion as it seemed that many people were not able to tell med staff who they were, and had not filled out their bibs.. Mostly though, the med staff seemed to have it under control.

At this point there was a level of frustration/anger coming from runners who were upset thinking about how their time would not count. I actually chose to walk away from a conversation with a woman who was so upset and intense that I couldn't really handle it.  I had finished feeling well but I was quite hot, concerned about what was happening and there was a stress level coming from the ever increasing crowd that was undeniable. I didn't feel up to heated debate about decisions that the race management had made that I wasn't even clear on.

Eric was able to finish as well and he was concerned. There is no doubt that the on course tension had increased 10 fold as time rolled on and he was worried about my safety. When you have local law enforcement yelling that "there is no room in the med tent!!!" that certainly inspires a feeling of worry.

Someone was grumpy

In the post race emails that we have received it seems like concern for the well being of the runners was the number one goal of the day. In an emotionally charged situation there is always room for things to go wrong and on this day, it mostly went right. Nobody died. Was it the "right" choice to cancel the race? Well, there were guidelines and they followed them so no discussion is needed.
Would I be singing a different tune if I had not finished? Who knows. All I can speak to is my own experience. What I experienced were the words of one aid station's worth of volunteers saying to "consider walking." I know this, quickly, became more intense. And yes, I was motivated to finish. With just over one mile to go, and feeling good it was a no brainer.
(I also know that this was an amazingly well supported race. Abundant aid stations. Ample fluids. Tons of ice, including roving vehicles carrying ice, lots of med staff on course and PLENTY of cups!)

Despite the challenges of the day I give VCM respect for hosting a really great race. I wouldn't hesitate to return and I can't say that about every race (as you all know.)
We learned, after the fact that everyone who finished prior to 4:30 would have an official time. Thank heavens that my 4:09 is valid ;-) Looking at the results it appears that 932 people have a finishing time, which appears to be less than half of the starters. A tough day. 
Eric and I also enjoyed our time in Burlington very much, it was a beautiful town with lovely people are great beer!
To top off a fun weekend we were able to catch a Heady Topper truck and come home with an abundance of beer. WIN.  (Eric requests a whole blog post to cover this topic, which is valid.)

It was a unique situation to be part of and has, in the aftermath sparked some lively discussion about the responsibility of the runner, and the race on a day such as we saw.
I'm curious to get your thoughts. What would you have done if you were me? Would you have stopped or continued on? Would you have been concerned that you might get arrested!?

MDI Marathon Relay, Badass Crow Chicks win it all! (almost)

To continue my story about how MDI worked out this year...

The original plan (due to my extremely tardy entry) was to use about 18 of the 26.2 miles as a good solid training run and then just faff along for the final 8. While I was not terribly thrilled about this prospect I knew I could manage to get it done and MDI is a spectacular place to have a nice 8 mile hobby jog. So there was that..

Much to my delight, just a couple of weeks prior to race day I spied a post on FB requesting a partner for the 2 person relay. Even better, it was somebody that I know like CRAZY on the internet which clearly means we are also BFF in real life. YAY! Internet friends for the WIN.
(in reality Jamie and I believe we might have met once in real life before MDI. But it is a hazy recollection and the details are unclear...!!)

Eric and I scooted up to the island during some crazy ass weather the day prior to the race.

Weather to the left, weather to the right. No lie.

We proceeded to do all the normal pre race things.
-Lunch with friends which involved copious amounts of mac and cheese? CHECK.
-Taunting the ocean and subsequently, and deservedly, getting drenched? CHECK...
-Dinner with friends, and then more friends that involved one or more bourbons? CHECK and CHECK!

Pre race beer? CHECK.

I got my butt up the next morning and was ready to roll. It was cold and since I am a compulsive weather checker I was prepared for the coldness.

Well, being cold with friends makes it better.

Jamie was kind enough to let me run the first half of the relay, I had decided to get 19 in and wasn't too excited about wearing my legs out beforehand (or, even WORSE if I had run the second half, having to run after the finish) No fun. Anyway. I was delighted with the arrangement.

Basically, MDI rocks every year without fail. IT ROCKS.

I had a great time. Even though I had completed a big week of training my legs were feeling pretty good and I had a blast. The people are nice, the views are legit and the waterstations are well above average. I kept up a steady pace and only froze half to death.

Only half frozen

I had an interesting first few miles as I seemed to be running with a group of people who were either hocking huge, loud loogies, burping uproariously or farting wetly and repeatedly. I understand and appreciate that these things happen but I wasn't into it. So I did my very best to gain some distance without burning myself out in the first 20 minutes of the race.

I was successful. By mile 5 the dulcet tones of juicy flatulence were nothing but a bad memory and I had found a good group of people to stick with.

These people were not spitting or burping

After quite a few miles of rolling hills (they don't quit) there is a little flat section around mile 12- I was able to pick it up a little in order to look impressive running to the 13.1 and the relay hand off point.
I made it in 1:45 and change and yelled at encouraged Jamie to run fast and bring it on home!

I ambled off to finish my miles and after a short time found myself running with Danielle which was just lovely. We seem to enjoy running together much more on days where it is not a 100 degree sauna out. She was having a kickass race and looked great, it was nice to see her motoring along like a boss and basically dominating.
But suddenly, my miles were over. Typical, I find a great running buddy and BOOM I'm done. I ran away from her and hopped in the car with Eric (best race support EVER) and she more or less beat us to the finish :-)

If you look closely you can see me on the left and D on the right.

Jamie, being freakishly speedy really DID almost beat us there! She managed to bust out a 1:38 half which is just stupid, stupid fast on that course. So badass.

We ran through the finish like a multi colored, winning (4th place) team and I FINALLY collected my damn claw medal!

Yessssssss. Badass Crow Chick for the WIN!!!

There were many things that made for a fantastic day, fun people, a great race and the obvious fact that the Relay option made for a much more desirable experience for me! I was very happy that the opportunity arose and want to give a huge shout out to Jamie for letting me join in her team- I loved every second (even my extra miles!) And let's be real, she totally carried the team to a solid finish. Crazy fast woman!!

Whooo! We are awesome! With awesome medals!!!

So once again, MDI makes the list of must do races. There really is nothing like it and every year I am happy to be there, with great people in a great place.
I plan to sign up like a responsible person (nice and early) for next year. Since I am just a bit obsessed with their medals I may need to choose another distance to run in order to collect a different color medal. You guys, these are the things that *serious* runners like myself contemplate. How to best enhance ones medal collection! (and the place to do just that is MDI, but back off on signing up for next year until I do!)

Guess who's back?

And just like that, I'm back.
Just your typical 2 month blogging break!

Clearly, after such a long hiatus I have a lot to catch up on and absolutely no idea where to start.

Last time I was in a blogging mood I was about ready to begin my training for Philly and was being thwarted by a grouchy hamstring. I am pleased to report that my theory of time off equals healing proved to be true and I was back on my feet in no time. I was about 10 days late onto my short plan training program but being late is better than not showing up at all because you are an injured hot mess.

As is per the norm with my crazy self, once I began to train I was in, whole hog. While I might not want/need to run every day of my life, it seems that once I embark on a training cycle there is not much that stops me. I like the routine and I just suck it up and get it done with very little angst.
(I will post more later (maybe) about details of this round of training.)

In the meantime, let's recap shall we?

In early October Eric and I participated in the run2respond relay, a cross country relay to benefit first responders and to encourage them to have a healthy lifestyle.
We seem to jump into crazy adventures happily if it is for a good cause, especially if we have friends joining in. Once the baton had reached Maine we knew probably 90% of the people running so we concluded that it would be a fine adventure.
We began our leg/s quite late at night in Kennebunk and carried the baton straight up Rt 1 to Scarborough.

The handoff (s)!! And yes, MUCH darkness!

The moral of the story is that running at night on Route one is pretty scary and that I got a lot of confused looks from drivers who were clearly shocked to see me running at 1AM.
I do not suggest that anyone, ever, invite me to be on their 24 hour relay team because I am a terrible night runner.

To sum it up: I saw quite a few police vehicles in the first miles of my run and I prepared a lovely statement to give them should they pull me over for running in the pitch black night. "I am running to benefit YOU!!" I would say, joyfully. "Look a all my reflective/LED gear, I am clearly SAFE and running for a GOOD CAUSE!!!"
....fast forward 10 or so miles.....
*sees cop car*
"ARREST ME I AM CLEARLY UNSAFE!!!"
Sigh. We finished and I fell asleep, post haste.

A couple weeks later I ran my way down (literally) to the Waterford 5K for a bit of speedwork over hills. I had just run 15 the prior day and had zero expectations other than to sweat and suffer.
I got exactly that.
Actually, it was a nice time and a nice day. I enjoy seeing all the people in my town and they do a lovely job with awards (medals for overall winners and AG placements- plus legit jugs of maple syrup!)
Typical 5k performance for me, I managed to lope in as the 4th woman and take 1st in my AG with a 22:51.

The big finish!

Through the early days in October I was a bit disturbed, knowing that running MDI was going to be a little challenging for where I was at in my training.
(by the time I signed up for MDI they only had slots available for the full- totally my lazy fault!)
I had formulated a plan to run to a certain point (18/19) and then basically schlep to the finish and collect my Lobster Claw medal in a blaze of glory.
This was a solid plan with the exception of those 8 or so miles that I wasn't really excited about getting my legs over.

Anyway, as things have the tendency to do it all worked out.
While most of you know the story by now I will sign off for today on this cliffhanging note, and a guarantee that I will be back soon to conclude this alluring tale!

Before I sign off for good, it merits mention that the weather has been absoultely spectacular for the past couple of weeks! Sunny, mild to downright warm and basically delightful.
I will leave you with a pic from my hilly run route, a picture that seems to be making a regular appearance as the seasons change.
Top pic, late August. Bottom pic, late October. Hashtag no filter!

You just can't beat this view!

Lobsterman Relay, McTriple domination.

Saturday marked the end of Triathlon season in my neck of the woods, as it is fall and the lakes are about to freeze up solid.
The theme of the year certainly has been Tri-Relays- I have had SUCH a fun time participating in several and this was no exception.
The destination on this particular day was Lobsterman, an Olympic distance race in Freeport. I haven't done a 10K in a "real" racing way this year and with my schedule being heavily into marathon training I wasn't positive of the outcome. I predicted a 45-47 minute finish if the course was relatively flat (it was not. more on that later.)



Looking athletic per the norm!

The team today was my sister's friend Taylor. My sister Kate and ME! After much deliberation Kate had come up with the genius team name of "McTriple" paying homage to our favorite pre race snack (brought to us by Rev3 and Reggie!)
 An important side note is that from what I understand after spending the day with her, Taylor REALLY, REALLY hates swimming. With unbridled passion. Poor kid, a mile swim is a significant undertaking if you hate swimming in the face.
She was in the last wave which seemed promising as she wouldn't have fast, collegiate men swimming over her (scary.) We knew she was going to finish but we also knew that she was absolutely hating her life (and us) while attempting to swim thru the seaweed and murk of the ocean.

There she goes!!

The thing about the Olympic distance vs the Half is that everything flies by much more quickly. Except the stupid swim. Basically, the way I see it is that an Olympic swim is the same damn thing as a half. UGH!!! (and word on the street is that the swim actually measured long, as in 1.2 miles. whoops. and apparently the currents were fierce and the sharks were everywhere!!)

Taylor made it out alive, which was a great relief and Kate took off on the bike.
She was relatively coherent and only said "NEVER again" once or twice.

During this time I also saw Eric speed off on the bike (he then had multiple bike mechanical issues. blah!)

Zoom.

I had just enough time to pick out who I needed to chase down in the run portion of the event. Standing around in transition for a while gave me quite the opportunity to scope out the competition (and there were an ass ton of teams. more than we have seen all year.) I am a jerk (as we know) and certainly won't be beaten my someone wearing today's race shirt, or other things that have already been discussed. Anyway, I knew who I would be chasing!

Kate was quick on the bike coming in at 1:28 after chasing down several Relay bikers on the hilly course. Not wasting any time I ripped off her timing chip, she smacked me on the butt and yelled "go get it" and I scampered off.

Hello mud run!
See, my bogs were totally justified!

And then....
I scampered straight up a fucking mountain. What the hell? I was not at all shocked to see that my first mile was done in an abysmal 7:50 due to the fact that the course was legit retardo mountainside stupidity. Things only were slightly better during the first half coming in at 7:33 and 7:40 as I struggled and wheezed my way laboriously past a couple of Relay-ers.

At mile 3 I told myself to man up already and run, that it was only a 10K and that I could stand to kick it up a notch and quit whining. So I did. The final 3 were in 7:17, 7:15, 7:04 which is much more reasonable given the distance at hand! My watch read 46:14 but my official time was 46:46. This has be baffled as I started and stopped my watch exactly (and I mean, EXACLTY) over the timing mats. While it certainly did not impact my results I'm a person who always defers to the official time and I'm sad that I added mysterious seconds. Either way, I was done, I was happy, and in the end I passed a few people which brought our final placing up another couple notches to 48th out of 62. Hey, we'll take it!
Oh, and for those keeping track. I did a damn good job predicting my finishing time today! Boom!

McTriple for the win! Or... For 48th but who is counting?

Then we had beers.
The end!