A Change of Goals

My plan was to race Musselman 70.3 as a check-in on my way to my goal race, IMNC70.3. However, in the summer, Coeur Sports's The Collective Beat team was given the opportunity to nominate a teammate to spectate the Ironman World Championships at Kona. I received an email alerting me that I was the teammate with the most nominations and would be going to Kona! After I got over the shock that I had been chosen, I was completely filled with gratitude and honor, and then it hit me that Kona was one week before NC70.3! I talked with my husband about me going to Kona, being away a week from the family, and he said to do whatever I needed to do to take advantage of the opportunity. I decided then I would make the most of my trip to Kona, and if I needed to adjust my goals/expectations for NC70.3, I would.

The Training

After Musselman 70.3 in July, I struggled with my performance and with feeling burnt out. I had been training really hard for a year and a half. I was extremely consistent, rarely if ever missing a swim, bike, or run. I had been scheduling life around triathlon, including training hard on Christmas, on family vacation, and during the "off" season. After my Musselman debrief chat with my coach a week and a half after I raced, I realized that I needed a change. I needed to bring the fun back into my training and needed to adjust my approach so that I was scheduling triathlon around life.

It was an adjustment, but in the lead up to NC70.3, I found joy in training again. I started working with Coach Sara, and she gave me some suggestions for new routes that I really enjoyed (for both riding and running). Based on my experience at Musselman and Sara's philosophy, we also started playing with run-walk intervals, playing with variations from 4 min run/30 sec walk to 12 min run/30 seco walk. Sara also rode with me and gave me some pointers to help get my outdoor riding pace closer to my trainer pace, giving me advice on shifting for the hills and suggesting I sometimes let my cadence drop some climbing rather than push so hard to keep cadence up with low power. For the first time ever, I also started doing some training by power on the bike.

Race Day Approaches

I had the absolute best time in Kona. I had many adventures with my teammate Camille, who I shared a condo with, and with my other teammates. We had a Coeur team swim and I did a training swim with Amanda, I got in some training runs with Camille riding a bike along with me and with Danielle joining us on a bike for one, and I also volunteered, cheered on our teammates racing the women's race and Scott racing the men's race, and stayed up way too late every night (and could not sleep in no matter how much I wanted to - thanks 6-hour time difference).

My flight out of Kona was scheduled for 10pm Sunday, and I was supposed to arrive in Raleigh at 3:30pm Monday. Due to a flight delay and then incompetence by Alaska Airlines customer service, I didn't get to Raleigh until about midnight and then still had to drive home. That left me Tuesday and Wednesday to see my family, take my middle child to get her cast off, and get ready for driving to Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach for NC70.3 - oh, and to get my body back on Eastern time zone!

No matter how much I prioritized sleep, I could not get rid of the exhaustion. I was SO tired. But I also was very excited to see what I could do on race day.

On Thursday after my drive and then checking in for the race, I saw my teammate Lilly and chatted with her while we waited for the power to come back on to check out at the Ironman store. I actually didn't buy much this year, although I couldn't turn down a new BOCO visor.

I slept in Friday, and then I checked my bike in and met up with a few of my Coeur sports teammates for a quick photo. I also met Brian, whose wife Merrill is on The Collective Beat. Merrill couldn't race due to injury, so Brian decided to switch from the relay to the full race and race for her.

Next up, I went and dropped my run bag off, and then it was time for dinner, recovery boots, and an early night's sleep.

Race Morning

I had a great race morning. I spent the morning hanging out with Brian. I was very happy to have my bike racked near the mechanics in T1, so I just wheeled her over and said hi to the guys from Inside Out Sports and had them put air in my tires. Once I had Danvers all loaded up with Skratch hydration, chews, and bars as well as Base Salt and AltRed, Brian and I headed to the bus.

It was a fun morning, one of my favorite parts of the day. I spent most of the morning hanging out with Brian. Although I had already used the port-a-potty twice, I decided to get in the line one final time, and that's where we ended up parting ways. I saw a few other people I know before the race, including a Blue70 teammate, someone local I did some open water swimming with, and a former The Collective Beat member. I talked with people around me all morning, which kept the nerves at bay. I was excited and ready for a great day. I was a little concerned that I had some pre-race nausea, which is unusual for me, but it was nothing I couldn't set aside and focus on what was to come.

The Swim

One of my favorite parts of the NC swim (besides going SUPER fast) is getting to see my friend Sami, who is the race director, at the start. I got a big hug and checked in to be sure that my coach Sara was in the water already. And then I was off!

I started in the right lane and felt like I got pushed a little wide and had to work my way back towards the buoys. I felt really good in the water. I felt stronger than I did at Musselman - I wasn't feeling it in my arms like I did there. I was having fun with the swim and, thanks to the current, moving along quickly. A couple times I got on someone's feet, but it never lasted long. I did a pretty good job sighting, and like always, I would see people around me to the far left or right and think I was in the wrong spot only to then realize I was on target based on the buoys. I feel like the second half of the swim went more quickly this year than last year, perhaps because I knew what to expect.

I swam to the ladders, climbed out, and that was it for the swim. It was super fast (again, thank you, current), but it was not a PR (that still belongs to NC70.3 2022) - not that I knew that at the time because I don't worry about my time and focus on my transition when I get out of the water.

T1 (Transition 1: Swim-to-Bike)

Cap and goggles immediately off as I exited the dock. Then I started unzipping my wetsuit and pulled it halfway down as I moved down the sidewalk. I mostly walked  - it was pretty crowded, and I was letting my heartrate come down a bit. I turned a corner and saw the wetsuit peelers. I've never been at a race with wetsuit peelers, but I talked the night before with my friend Scott, who told me to definitely use them. I lay down, put my legs up, and the young man just pulled it right off. It was MAGIC! Seriously - it was like those magic tricks where they pull the tablecloth out from under a table full of expensive china. He just whipped it right off. After a moment of amazement, I got up, grabbed my wetsuit from him, and I headed for the long trek to T1. I did some easy running. At the beginning, my feet were sensitive to the gravelly pavement, but I was focused on other things. I was debating while I ran if it would be worth leaving shoes next year or not. My transition at NC is always slow, especially because by time athletes get out of the water, get to the parking lot, run through the parking lot, run down the road, run into transition, run to the opposite corner of transition to get to the entrance, run to the bike, and then run with the bike to bike out, it's nearly a half mile. The best part of that long run definitely was hearing some of my teammates cheering for me as I approached the transition area.

Transition was good. I remembered to turn my bike computer on (I'm getting better at that) and put my extra chews in my back pocket. I stuffed my wetsuit, goggles, swim cap, towel, and water bottle into my bag to be transported to the finish, and then I put on my bike shoes, sunglasses, and helmet and headed with my bike to the exit. It wasn't a particularly fast exit across the grass in my bike shoes, but I did it with some urgency.

The Bike

I hopped on my bike, ready to rock and roll. I heard some more cheers from my teammates, and then I settled in for 56 miles of riding. It was a little cool, but I knew right away that I definitely did not need arm sleeves or a wind vest or anything.

I definitely am a stronger rider than I was a year ago. The only hills on this course are the overpasses at the beginning and near the end. I felt much stronger and kept a higher cadence on them this year. In fact, I never got out of the big chain ring this year. I was very steady. The first half of the ride, I steadily increased my pace. The second half of the ride, I did hit some headwind, but I still stayed strong. In fact, miles 45-50 were my strongest of the day. This ride was not as scenic as the Musselman ride, but I enjoyed it more. My mental game was much stronger. Sure, I didn't have any downhills, which are my strength and when I usually pass people, but I also am good at pedaling steadily so don't mind a flat route. I kept my heartrate in check because I wanted a strong run, but that did mean my power and pace were on the lower end of my goals.  

Throughout my ride, I stuck to my nutrition and hydration plan and, as always, made sure to have some fun out there - thanking the volunteers and chatting some with those around me, especially on that long stretch on the highway back to Wilmington.

As I neared downtown Wilmington, I knew that I had rocked the ride and had a new bike PR, meeting my goal of breaking 3:30. I was ready to see what I could do on the run.

T2 (Transition 2: Bike to Run)

I had heard/read many warnings about it being slippery on the pavement coming off the bike and into transition. It was a smooth parking lot sloped down. I was in my bike cleats and didn't rush because falling would not have been good.

Once I got to my rack and racked my bike, then it was time to move it along. Helmet and shoes off, run shoes on. Put my vest on and took my visor and race belt with me. Time to run!

The Run

I always start the run feeling so optimistic. I was feeling pretty good and working to not go too fast so that I could decrease pace as I went. Once again, that was not how the run went for me.

The good news was that my back was not as tight and sore as when I did NC 70.3 the year before. However, it still was a little tight. All I can think is maybe it's from being in aero so long on the flat course. Time to strengthen that core and be sure to spend lots of time in aero!

Coach Sara and I played with a variety of run/walk intervals leading up to NC 70.3. I had a really great long run with 12-minute run and 30-second walks. The walks helped me keep my heartrate down and also helped mentally. We decided I would start with that. I made it through the first interval feeling good. Then the second interval my pace started to slow up even though my heartrate was up. So I followed our plan and switched. Rather than 6-minute run and 30-second walk, since my watch was set on 12:00/:30, I went with 5:45 run and :30 walk. There was one time that I was running my strongest pace yet as I was approaching the 5:45 mark and decided to run through and do a 12-minute run, but a couple minutes later, my pace dropped again. From then on, I stuck with the shorter intervals.

The day did get pretty warm, but I feel like I managed it well with my Skratch hydration and base salt and with ice and water at the aid stations. Still, I found myself nauseous for much of the run. It never got bad, but nothing seemed to shake it. After talking with Coach Sara and with my nutritionist Stevie, I never did pinpoint exactly what caused it. My best guess is that my body was still recovering from the hole I dug in Kona. I was still exhausted and my body was out of whack, and by time I was running after 4.5 hours of swimming and biking, my body's reaction was nausea.

Overall, I stayed positive. I was able to speed up at points, but I never held it long enough to have a good mile pace after the first mile. I stuck with my intervals and never walked when it wasn't a planned walk - and I ran through my last interval as I was nearing the end.

This year, the end of the run was along the boardwalk, which is what I had done for the Wilmington Historic Half last December. We could hear the crowd well before we got near the finish. I started speeding up, and I finished with my usual strong finish. I was pushing hard and running with eyes only on the finish line. I could hear my family cheering. I heard Coach Sara cheering.

Post race

Post race was so much different than my last 70.3. The race ended where there was a large field for families and supporters to gather. I found my family right away. But before I even found them, Coach Sara found me! After she had finished, she stayed to cheer and immediately found me when I finished to give me a big hug and congratulate me on my PR. I had not even processed yet it was a PR - I knew my bike was a PR, but I wasn't sure if it was enough given my run was slower. After some hugs and picture, Coach Sara was on her way, and I spent some time recovering and enjoying my family before we headed off to get all my gear and head to the hotel.

Again, this wasn't the race I had wanted, the theme for 2022 70.3s, but it also was a really solid race given what my body had been through the 2 weeks prior to the race. I asked a lot of my body, and it gave me a solid effort and even a bike PR. I still have my eyes set on a really solid, strong run in a 70.3 and particularly at IMNC70.3, but there will be time for that. For now, it's time to rest and recover!

Shortly before my first half Ironman, North Carolina 70.3, I already knew I wasn't done racing that distance. I enjoyed the training a lot, and I wanted to do more. After a year of issues with my road bike, which ultimately is too big for me (anyone need or know someone who needs a really nice, excellent condition 54" Cervelo S-Series aero road bike, hit me up!), I invested in a tri bike that happened to come available. After NC 70.3, I waited until my post-race talk with coach to make any decisions about what was next. I did know that I would love to race NC 70.3 again - it is my home state race, which means it isn't much trouble as far as travel logistics, it was very well run and a lot of fun, the course plays to my strengths, and I want to see how I improve over the course of another year of triathlon training. In the meantime, I started talking about 2022 with my husband. We had many conversations in which I brought up Musselman 70.3, which my coach, my good friend & "gear guy" Scott, and other Coeur Ambassador and Collective Beat teammates were planning to race. I figured it was off the table because the date was ON our wedding anniversary. At some point, the conversation shifted to how we could make it a family vacation. We could drive up for the race and stay on the lake afterwards. When I finally talked with my coach, I raised the question about doing Musselman and NC 70.3 in 2022 - that would be a total of 3 70.3s in just under a full year! With the timing between the two races (3 months), she said it would work as long as I set realistic goals, with one as my "goal" or "A" race. So after more discussion with my husband, I decided I would do Musselman 70.3 on the journey to NC 70.3 - a race to check in on the growth I had made and fine tune training going into NC 70.3.

Getting to New York

Musselman takes place in upstate New York in the city of Geneva on Seneca Lake. It is a 10-hour drive from our house, without traffic and without stops - and you can imagine the number of stops with 3 kids. We decided to do the drive in 2 days, with a hotel stop along the way. Those two days were challenging for me. I had to accept that I couldn't control the schedule or how long it took. Issues like a constipated 3 year old who insisted she had to go to the bathroom every 45 minutes at one point just had to be accepted and addressed with patience. I focused on what I could control. I packed my own lunches for on the road and breakfast for the hotel. I got my Wednesday workout in before we left on our first travel day, but my coach wanted me to save my Thursday workout for when I arrived on our second travel day to get a shakeout from my travels. Unfortunately, we got to the lakehouse much later than expected. Jonathan and I had to problem solve - how to fit in unpacking the car and settling in, my hour ride and 30 minute run, his trip to the grocery store, making dinner, eating, and getting everyone to bed. Luckily, I have a very patient and understanding partner who helped me make it work. My ride felt really good and took me on part of the race route (which I didn't know the lakehouse we were renting was right by), and my run had some big descending paces as I loosened up.

Race Prep

Friday, two days before the race, I got up and went for a swim in the lake. I loved that I didn't have to worry about logistics - I could just put on my wetsuit and walk out the back door and down to the lake. The water was chilly but not the coldest I've been in. And I had a wetsuit on - I've been in water that cold without a wetsuit before I bought my Blue70 wetsuit (which I love). What amazed me was the water was clear! I could see through the water. Falls Lake and Jordan Lake where I swim in NC are completely brown, and the water at NC 70.3 you cannot see through, so this was a first for me as a triathlete. It was a combination of some awe and a little bit unsettling to see in the water for the first time. I did an easy swim out and then turned around. Besides being not 100% sure where I was swimming back to, it was a good swim back. My pace wasn't great, but it was just a shake-out swim.

Next, I hopped on my bike. Just a nice, easy 25-minute ride. Bike was feeling good. Legs were feeling good. And then a slow, easy 15-minute run for my final shake-out before race day.

Then it was time to pack everything up that I would need for the next day and for race day, eat some lunch, and head to race check-in. Again, I had to let go of control and recognize I was on kid time and couldn't be 100% on athlete time yet. I had planned to meet some of my Coeur teammates at 2:00 for check-in, but it was about 2:00 when we left. Then I didn't realize where we parked was a good 15-minute walk to check-in. However, I wasn't the only one running late, and I ended up getting to check-in at the same time as most of the others.

Check-in was fun. I loved getting to meet so many of my friends in person for the first time! And to give and receive hugs! Checking in together also meant we would be racked together. It was fun knowing our bikes would be "having a sleepover" together as Michelle put it and we'd know the people around us race morning and transitions.

After checking, in a few of us hit the merchandise tent. After some debate, I settled on a few items (less than my first 70.3, but still plenty). I got a tshirt with athlete names on the back, (of course) a new BOCO Gear hat and visor, and a Musselman 70.3 sticker.

I met back up with my family, who drove me to my hotel room. We had decided to take on the extra expense for me to stay in a hotel before the race. First, I wanted a good night's sleep. Second, we didn't want the whole family to have to wake up to get me to the race super early Sunday morning. Since I wouldn't have transportation, I needed something near the race. The hotel right there had a 2-night minimum. Later, I found another without that, but we decided to stick with 2 nights so I would have some space to sleep, relax, and mentally prep for race day. So despite the stress and anxiety of traveling with kids to a race, I would have 2 days of being on my own to get ready for race day. Once we unloaded my stuff into the hotel, I realized I forgot my triathlon bag, which had almost everything I needed for race day! Luckily, I forgot it at the lakehouse, not at home in NC. We decided the family would bring it by the next day. Then, I got my hugs and kisses and settled in with my Normatec boots and my pre-made dinner to relax for the evening and get some sleep.

Saturday I slept as long as my mind and body would let me (not as long as I needed, but that's race weekend for you), and chilled in bed for a while enjoying the quiet, lazy morning. I ate my pre-made batch of Kodiak cakes and banana, getting in some good carbs for the next day. Then, I took my bike to check it into transition and met up with Debbie for the athlete meeting.

At noon, there was a meetup of Coeur teammates for a photo. It was so fun seeing everyone in person! We had people racing the full 70.3, a couple relay teams, and even teammates there just to spectate and cheer.

After the photo, I headed back to the hotel room for some lunch. I started getting all my race nutrition and hydration ready. So many bottles of Skratch! Pre-race Skratch. 4 bottles for the bike. 3 bottles in a bladder and soft flask for the run. Plus allllll the bars and chews for the bike and run. Once that was all ready, I chilled in my room until Scott was ready to drive the bike course.

I rode in the van with Scott and Sean for the 56 miles of bike course. It was interesting hearing their take on the course. I was seeing lots of false flats and several big inclines. I also noted that quite a few of the downhills would involve braking or not going hard because they went into a sharp turn. It was good to have seen the course. It also is the first time I drove a bike course of any distance much less 56 miles, which put into perspective what we do. Around Mile 44 or so, we stopped by the lakehouse that my family rented. Scott got to meet Jonathan, Caleb, and Emma (Zoe was being shy and stayed hidden), and I got my tri bag so my family wouldn't have to drive out and drop it off.

Back at the hotel, I got everything situated for the race, ate my dinner, put on my boots. After my boots, I stopped by Scott's room to get a room key for the next day (I would be racing during checkout but Scott was staying another night, so in the morning, I would stop by Scott's room and drop off my stuff to get after the race). Then it was time to get some sleep

Race Morning

Up when it was dark and getting ready for race day! Drank my pre-race shake. Ate as much of my gluten-free English muffin as I could. (The brand that the NY Wegman's carried was not tasty at all.) Then I realized the hotel fridge was VERY cold and that some of my bottles had frozen. I put some hot water in the bathroom sink and let the two most frozen ones soak in there. While those soaked, I gathered my belongings and took them down to Scott's room. I came back, gathered my gear, nutrition, and hydration, and headed down to transition.

At transition, I got everything set up. The bottle of Skratch I had planned to dump into my front hydration system was still a solid block of ice in the middle! I found another bottle that was thawed and dumped it into the front hydration system. At least I knew I'd have some cold drink on the ride! I borrowed a pump and pumped up my tires. Then I debated what to do with my bag since I didn't have a support person with me that morning and there wasn't a bag drop. (This was something I was very disappointed to hear the day before. For those of us without a support person, it is really helpful to have a morning bag drop.) Since I had that extra water bottle and my hoodie, I decided I'd go back to the room to drop things back at Scott's room and to use a real bathroom. I hurried back to the hotel, and Scott was ready to leave about the time I was. We walked back toward transition where I had left my inhaler. I was a little stressed about the time, but Scott was cool and calm. I got into transition and got into my wetsuit. As we were leaving transition, I remembered my inhaler and rushed back and took it. Then I met back up with Scott. I had him help pull up my wetsuit and zip it. I have never had someone lift up my wetsuit and secure it up on my arms as well as he did. It felt great! We talked some more as we walked to swim start. Then we said our good-byes as he went to the faster area of the corral.

I went down the corral asking what time people were because I couldn't see the signs. I found what I thought was the right section. Then another woman told me that we weren't actually in the corrals. There was a large group of people about the width of the corral adjacent to it. The corrals didn't have enough space and people didn't even realize they weren't in the corrals. I talked with the woman, who was doing her first 70.3. We had a great chat about kids, training, how we got into triathlon, etc. She found a spot we could get into the corral through the fence, so we decided to do that. We moved in and waited for our turn to start.

The Swim

We got in the outer chute so we could have a little space as we started. (Little did I know until later, but the timing mat for that chute got disconnected - those of us who went through that chute did not get an official swim time!) The water was chilly but not bad. Last year before I got my Blue 70 wetsuit (which, have I mentioned, I love), I swam in water this cold without a wetsuit. It was very shallow, and as I was swimming, I could see people walking instead of swimming. The water was also clear. It took me a little while to get into a groove, but then I was going. I had a little trouble sighting because of where the sun was in the sky. I had my usual experience with longer distance open water swims - I would feel like I must be way off course because I wouldn't be near people or could see people off to the left or right from me, but then when I sighted I would realize that I was pretty close to on target or on target. Overall, I felt like I was swimming pretty well, but I also felt like I struggled to really get in a groove the first half. There were a lot of people swimming over/past me, and I was having to navigate around people a lot (likely due to the terrible swim corral situation). The nice thing was with the clear water, I could see the other athletes around me and could try to find some feet to get on for a little bit and could avoid the breaststroke kicks.

I picked it up on the second half, with some strong kicking the last couple hundred meters. I saw the sandbar shortly before the swim finish and knew that we were close but not done, despite seeing some athletes stand up and take off their caps and goggles. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, and then I was done.

Overall, I felt like I never had a comfortable, strong groove. I need to work on my effort level in long course open water - finding the balance between not going out too hard that I either can't sustain it or burn out for the bike and run and not going out too easy so that I don't have the swim I'm capable of. My time was slower than I expected and than my goal, although it seems that a lot of athletes found it to be a slow swim. One possible explanation I heard was because the water was so shallow that times tend to be slower.

T1

Out of the water and time to head to transition. It was nice not having the looooong run that we have for NC 70.3. I had a good transition, even remembering to turn on my bike computer before I got everything set. It was nice having my bike  relatively close to the bike in/out so I had less space to run in the grass in my bike shoes.

The Bike

On the bike and on the road I went. The first 10 miles I worked on getting my heartrate down and getting into a groove. I felt pretty good, although my splits were slower than I wanted. The next 10 miles were strong. I averaged 18.9 and 18.0 mph, which is really fast for me. I was within my goal heartrate zone and making sure to fuel and hydrate. Then, I started getting into the hills and false flats. Climbing is not my strength. As we'd go up, I would get passed. As we would go down or flat, I would pass people. The next 15 miles were slow and a bit of a struggle. I couldn't keep my cadence up where my coach wanted, and it was frustrating me. I remember saying out loud, "This is a really long day!" We went up one of the largest hills in full sun, and I decided to grab a water from the aid station, the first time I've ever done that on the bike, and used it to pour on me to just cool off a moment and reset. It helped me refocus going into the next hill.

During those miles, I was frustrated, but I still made friends out on the course, cheering for teammates and other athletes. A guy I kept leapfrogging with and I cheered each other on later on the run. There were a couple others who I recognized from the bike that I exchanged "hi" with on the run.

With the biggest of the hills done, I was able to pick up my pace again the next 10 miles. And then more false flat and just keep chugging along. I laughed as I came out from under an overpass and headed up the final false flat, remembering Scott talking about how it was the last stretch and flat, but it did not feel flat at that point.

Finally, up that final stretch, turn the corner and head towards transition. I passed a couple more people and then the lane narrowed. And then I heard them - my kids and husband were there cheering me on as I came into transition!

T2

Once again, I was happy to have my bike rack near bike in/out because it was little running in my bike shoes. Helmet and bike shoes off. Run shoes on. Grabbed my running vest, visor, and race belt to put on as I ran to run exit. Since my bike was racked near bike in, that meant a longer run to run exit, but that also gave me time to get my running vest on and buckled, my visor on, and my race belt on. As I was exiting T2, I heard my Coeur teammates cheering for me. I was ready to go!

The Run

I felt good starting the run. The course was a small out and back and then went out away from transition, past a water stop and then up a hill and a stretch uphill to a loop through the park, and then back to that stretch and big downhill, past the water stop, then back along the path that went to transition and repeat with the short out and back.

First mile was strong. My watch was completely out of whack. It somehow lost like a quarter mile. But I was feeling good to start (like often happens) and keeping my pace in check. I passed my family two times in that first mile because they were in that short out and back. I loved getting to see them and knowing I'd be back to see them again. Heading out away from transition, things started to slow down. I came up on a big guy running close to the same pace and jokingly told him I was just going to draft off him for the whole run. We laughed together and kept running, seeing each other here and there throughout the course.

The best thing about a two-loop course is that I got to see my faster teammates running in to finish their race while I was going out. I also got to see teammates throughout my run, whether they were ahead of or  behind me. The worst thing about a two-loop course is that you know you have to do it all again.

As I said, I was feeling good as I started. In my race planning chat with my coach, she mentioned I might want to consider walking through water stops. This is not a strategy I have used before (especially because I carry all my own Skratch hydration with me), but I was willing to give it a try. I walked through that first aid station and then picked right back up running. Somewhere around this point, I realized that I didn't have my little tube with my AltRed with me! It had fallen out of my vest pocket. But I did have my little tube with Imodium, which was much more important given my IBS.

It was about Mile 2 that suddenly things started getting slower. I kept fighting to stay in it and keep my body moving. Miles 3 and 4 were slower than the first two, but I was still moving forward. After walking through the water stop before the hill and then hitting the hill, it was mentally challenging to keep pushing, especially with people all around me walking. I made it up the hill, and then we had a long false flat. It's somewhere around here that I started adding in some more walking, which is not typical of me. I was just struggling both mentally and physically with this run. I never gave up, I kept moving, but my pace wasn't where I wanted it.  I was working hard to stay positive, cheering for those around me whenever I had a chance and always thanking the volunteers and police. Mile 5 was slow, but I picked it back up for Mile 6. When I ran by the athlete finish area just before the transition area, I gave up some cheers to my Coeur teammates who were chilling out enjoying some food since they were done (ah to be fast or to be on a relay) - they were happy to see me and gave some cheers back. On the out and back, I was SO happy to see my family again twice. It really was the highlight of my race. I LOVED seeing them so many times. Zoe was proudly holding a sign, Emma was on Jonathan's shoulders at one point and never seemed quite sure what to make of me out there running, and Caleb ran up ahead with his "Hit here for a power up" Mario sign that I made sure to hit. It was hard leaving them and going back out again!

Miles 8-11 were kind of miserable. I was trying to run. I was going so slowly. The hill and especially the false flat following it really got me. There were fewer people on the course. I just kept going. As I hit the false flat to come back, I heard two guys behind me doing run-walk. The one guy was explaining to the other guy that he was doing 30 seconds run and 30 seconds walk. I realized that the guy joining him in his intervals was the guy from early in the race that I said I was going to draft off. I decided to join them. We'd run hard for 30 seconds, then I would power walk for 30 seconds. I would get ahead of the guys while walking, and then just as they'd catch up on the run we'd be walking again. As we got to the big downhill, the first guy asked if we were going to just run through the walk intervals, running all the way downhill. The other guy (who I learned was named Rodney) and I enthusiastically said yes. We ran hard and fast down the hill. Just after the bottom, it was a walk interval. We started walking and realized we were near the aid station. The guys decided to walk through it, but I decided to keep the intervals going and went on. I used my cadence to count and just kept going - 30-60 seconds running, no more than 30 seconds walking. I was now feeling good and making progress. In fact, that last mile and a half I was back to my pace at the beginning of the race! I was moving again!

I was feeling good and on a walk interval when I saw Scott and Lectie on a bench. Scott told me to stop walking - that I needed to be running for my photo and that I could just run to the end. I groaned, but I started running again. I was close. I kept going, kept pushing. I could feel the energy building up, I could hear the noise of the finish line. Just. Keep. Running.

As I approached the finishing stretch, I started to kick. This was it. Run hard and FINISH. I could hear my teammates and my family cheering for me, but like usual, I only had eyes on the finish and pushing myself as hard as I could.

I had done it. It was not the race I wanted, but I had once again completed 70.3 miles. This was my third time, counting my virtual 70.3. It was my second official race, only 7 months after my first. Even with my struggles on my run, I finished very strong, and I had almost the same run time as my first race.

Post-Race

Post-race was challenging. I went through the finisher area. I came out and had no idea where to find anyone. I couldn't find my family or my teammates. I walked down towards transition hoping to find someone, but no luck. I saw a guy with a BOCO ambassador hat on and asked to borrow a phone. I called and left Jonathan a message where I was. Then I was done. I just sat down where I was. It was hard to be alone so long after such a challenging day, but eventually, my family found me and I was surrounded by their love. No matter how challenging the day, they were SO proud of me. And it meant so much to have them there and to have gotten to see them at the end of my bike, 4 times on the run, and at the finish!

I did eventually see my coach, who said she had a difficult day and told Caleb who was wondering why we weren't talking about my race that we'd debrief later. I also got a big hug from Jess Smith, who I had never met in person before, and Scott came along and we talked about our races and he talked with Caleb about swimming, discussing the challenges of doing butterfly stroke during triathlon.

Then it was time for me to load up my bike and gear and head back to the lakehouse with my family. Was it the race I wanted? No. But I'm proud of the race. It was my second official 70.3. I finished strong and always kept moving forward. I had a lot to process from this race and my training. It was definitely a good test run to consider what to change before IMNC70.3.

Signing up for this race, the two river crossings were a bit intimidating. I wasn’t worried about it being cold because I've run plenty in the cold (although I always hate trying to figure out what to wear when it's cold so that I'm not too hot later in the run). The day before the race I did a shakeout trail run and realized how muddy the trail would be. We had snow last week, and it was still melting in the woods and the ground was super wet and muddy. The river actually was very low, but the trails were very muddy and slick.

I got to the race early, parked, and realized I didn’t bring my race belt. But that’s a minor issue for a running race, and I had everything else. I usually get to races early because race parking stresses me out, but I was there extra early for this one so I could be situated in time to register my kids for summer camp. That’s right - the summer camp my girls really want to go to most weeks of the summer was opening registration half hour before my race and goes to a waitlist quickly. So there I was with my phone held outside my car in the drizzle trying to get enough signal to talk my husband through registering one girl while I registered the other. (Seriously, why is this so stressful and demanding?) It was a stressful way to spend my pre-race time, but we got them registered and I ran to the long portapotty line. I chatted with two women in line, eventually got to go, and then came out in time to line up and do some dynamic stretching. Then it was race time!

Like the other trail races I’ve done, this started with a long stretch on the road, which gave us a chance to spread out. Unfortunately, the half marathoners and five milers all started at the same time, which meant it was quite crowded. We hit the single track trail and very quickly our run turned into a walk as a bunch of people ahead of us carefully maneuvered around/through the mud. We’d get to run a few steps and then be back to walking. Whenever there was a chance the person in front of me, me, and the person behind me would pass on the left. Somewhere in the second mile, we were able to get ahead of enough people going slowly to get some good running in. I started running steady, with some brief moments of walking when it got too slippery (someone commented at one point that he didn’t realize we signed up for a mud run - it really did feel that way throughout!), and kept checking in with myself on heartrate and rate of perceived effort. I knew it would be a long morning and wanted to be sure I had enough for the end, especially since I’d been warned about the elevation gains in the last 2-3 miles.

I was around people until close to around mile 4 when the half marathoners and 5 milers split, and then it got more spread out and I was mostly alone. Shortly after the split, I came to the first river crossing. I ran across the river with joy - I’d been waiting for this part of the adventure. On the other side of the river, there were some out-and-back stretches and some loops, which were nice because I got to see other people and a couple volunteers. On this side it wasn’t quite as muddy, so I also got in some long stretches of running. I was pushing myself but still keeping heartrate and effort in check. At one out-and-back segment, I hit a particularly muddy section that was pretty technical with some roots and trees, and one of the faster runners coming the opposite direction complimented me on my technique, which totally made my day!

After the halfway point, I found myself catching up to other people. It felt good to know I was still feeling strong and executing my race plan. Just after I passed one runner and was coming up on another, we came to the downhill to the river. We took it slowly given it was muddy, and then the other two women started carefully walking across the river while I went running and splashing! I ran up the hill and was off again. My feet were definitely cold, but it didn’t last long. My watch said 4 more miles, but a volunteer told me 5. I was hoping she was wrong, but I wasn’t going to spend energy worrying about that.

We were back on the muddy side of the river. I hit mile 10 and started increasing my pace, pushing my heartrate and perceived effort since I was feeling good. I kept passing people, which was a confidence booster. This side of the river had a lot of slippery sections of trail, so I would run when I could and do some fast hiking through the mud when necessary (often when I started sliding from going too fast and realized it would be more efficient to slow down a bit). Those fast feet going downhill I learned from Liz and that Coach Sara had me practice the week before kept me upright more than once. As I was slipping, I was already be taking more steps and finding my footing again. I did hit one steep incline that was a sheet of mud, started to slide down, and had to put my hands out to stay up. I grabbed a root and pulled myself up. I wiped my muddy hands as best I could on my shorts and kept going.

I hit 13.1 miles and was still in the woods. Every once in a while I’d wonder if I had missed a turn or something, and then I’d pass someone. Soon, I came out of the woods. Now for the long run up the hill and around to the finish line. I kept running strong. I was surprised at my pace given I had already run a half marathon and was going uphill. I kept pushing knowing this was the end, and I finished strong.

I’m so happy with how this race went. I executed my race plan really well, with a steady heartrate and running stronger once I hit 10 miles. I didn’t fall, always a risk trail running and more so given the mud. I got a compliment on my technique, a highlight and bonus. And most importantly, I had a lot of fun. I approached the race as an adventure and chose joy throughout.

I definitely am not done trail running, but I do need a break from this distance for a bit so I can go back into tri training refreshed and reenergized.

Today was a great race day. Water temp was 81 degrees, and water was calm. There was some cloud coverage, and temps were no longer in the 90s. I spent the morning talking with other racers, including a trio who were doing their first triathlon. Then it was time to get in the water.

***Swim*** My swim felt strong. I got into a rhythm right away. I was a little wary about those who were breaststroking since I was kicked in the face by a breaststroke kick in rough water last race, but otherwise, I was quite at ease in the water. I was surprised to find myself near other swimmers the entire race, and I did a little drafting. I went out strong, like a 400m time trial (it was a 750m course). I had an aggressive pace but one I could maintain. When we rounded the second turn buoy, two things happened. First, I realized that I was in a sea of 3 color caps - purple (my wave), blue (the wave ahead of me, which left 3 minutes earlier), and white (the wave before that, which left 3 minutes ahead of blue caps). Second, I hit 500m and turned it up a notch. It was time to go harder, and it was also time to start kicking and getting the blood flowing in my legs. I went hard until I needed to stand up and exit the swim. I was pleased with how well my breathing was under control and how I got my legs under me for some jogging to transition. Overall, I'm super happy with my swim and had negative splits.

Transition went well. I had two kinds of Skratch chews with me for this race so I practiced putting some in the back of my kit since that will likely be what I do for my 70.3. Like always,I forgot to turn on my bike computer first thing but did get it on before moving to bike exit.

***Bike*** I went out hard. This is a sprint, not a 70.3 My coach wanted me to practice getting comfortable being uncomfortable, to really push myself. In a 70.3, I stay in my Zone 2 (tempo) heart rate on the bike. For this, I was pushing high Zone 3. The bike felt strong. I played leapfrog with a couple people - them passing me on the uphills, and me passing them on the downhills and straights. I was pleased that by the halfway point I had left behind some of the people I had been doing that with and still was in sight of the others. There was a fair bit of passing, being passed, and out-and-back so that I got to do lots of cheering for my fellow athletes, which made it fun and took my mind off the hard work I was doing. What I could have done better. (1) There was one straight away that I felt like I needed another gear. I was spinning with no power. Shortly after, I realized I had shifted from my big chain ring to my small on the last hill and forgot to shift back into the big ring so *did* have more gears. (2) 2/3 of the way into the ride my watch beeped at me that it was going into power save mode. Instead of hitting the lap button at bike start, I had hit the stop button. Sigh. There goes my Garmin data for the first 2/3. At least I would have my bike data (or so I thought....). (3) I still want/need to get stronger on the hills. A different cassette? Stronger legs? Better shifting? All of the above? What went right: I pushed hard and stayed in it. I kept my cadence up, including on most of the uphills. I let myself be uncomfortable *and* I had fun. Overall, I'm super happy with my bike. Was it negative splits? That is unknown. Sadly, my bike computer had issues today too and even though I had it on the entire ride, it didn't save the file.

Transition was short and uneventful. This season, I'm so much better at putting my visor and race belt on as I'm running out on the course. I did have to stop a moment a minute into my run to fix my shoes, but otherwise, transition was good.

***Run*** This course is along the road and then goes into the trails. It's not technical, but it isn't paved and has rolling hills. I went for it. Again, I usually stay in that Zone 2 (tempo) heart rate zone for a 70.3, but today I was hanging out in Zone 3 a lot of the run and even saw some Zone 4. Again, the course had some out-and-back to it, which meant I got to do lots of cheering for folks. I definitely have come to love out-and-back triathlon courses for this reason. I felt strong on the run. I never faded, never had issues keeping HR up or pace down. I had beautiful negative splits. The course was a little short (same last year), so I might have been able to push a little harder a little sooner, but overall, I was happy with how my run went.

OFFICIAL RESULTS (compared to same course last year)
Swim (750m) - over a 9 minute PR!!!
T1.- 35 seconds faster
Bike (25k) - over a 4 minute PR
T2 - 31 seconds faster
Run (5k) - 1.5 minute PR
Overall - over a 16 minute PR

I am thrilled with how the day went. I let it hurt. I embraced the discomfort and pushed hard. My nutrition and hydration plan was solid and carried me through with no GI issues. I had some electronics hiccups, but I was happy with the execution of my race. I still have more work to do, especially on the bike as well as continuing to get my run speed back, but I have made HUGE gains in the past year.

The icing on the cake was a first place win in the Athena category. Second place was 11 years younger than me and 4 minutes behind me. After we were on the podium (third place didn't stay for awards), she commented on the time difference and how she will need to work to catch me next year. But she won't be the only one working over the next year!

Rest day tomorrow, then it's time for my 2-week overload to prepare for my first 70.3 of 2022!

The days leading up to leaving for Wrightsville Beach were busy. I think I was just as stressed (or more) about prepping for the trip and the logistics of the trip and pre-race as I was about the race itself.

On Thursday, I woke up and got my children ready for school. Emma typically only nurses at bedtime, but I offered her some Mama milk since we would be apart for several days. After getting lots of hugs and kisses, knowing I wouldn't see them in person again until I was in the middle of my race, I got one last swim, bike, and run in. All three were nice and easy and focused on having some fun and enjoying my time outdoors. While I ran around trying to get all my gear, clothes, fuel, etc. packed, Jonathan took a break from work and cleaned and lubed my bike chain so I wouldn't have to stress about doing it at the hotel. In case you didn't know, I have the absolute best, most supportive partner ever.

As I packed up, I made sure to include the posters that Jonathan's cousin Rachel's kids made for me. They absolutely made me smile and were great to have in my hotel room with me!

Car loaded, lunch eaten, I headed to the Wilmington Convention Center. I headed straight to Athlete Check-in. I got my bib and packet, my shirt and backpack, and my event bracelet, As I was leaving the check-in area, entering the shopping area, I saw Kitty, whom I had met during the triathlon camp I had done during the summer. It was great to see her. She let me know she'd be at the last turn buoy in the water and on the run route.

As I was shopping around, picking up allllll the swag - jacket, long sleeve hooded shirt, short sleeve shirt (all with participant names on the back), BOCO gear hat and visor, and a NC 70.3 sticker - I ran into some of the women I met during tri camp. It was great to see them. As I was checking out, Lee, one of my Coeur teammates, arrived. We found each other and decided to go to the Athlete Briefing. As we headed out of shopping, I stopped by and said hi to the mechanics from Inside-Out Sports, who just recently switched out the stem of my road bike to a shorter one.

After the Athlete Briefing, I headed to my hotel, checked in, and got settled in. I fixed my dinner and relaxed. On and off all afternoon and evening, I was dealing with some tummy issues and nausea. I kept thinking it was nerves. That evening, I realized it wasn't just nerves - I also started my period. I did my best to fuel through the issues I had, and I was grateful that it wasn't race day.

I got some good sleep Thursday night and had a relaxing morning on Friday. I made a batch of Kodiak cakes and ate those along with a banana, per my dietician's directions. Loading up with lots of good carbs for race day! I headed out and met up with my Coeur Sports teammates. It was so funny seeing Lee and Kendra again and meeting others in person for the first time!

While eating lunch back at my hotel, I got a message from one of the ladies from tri camp about meeting them at T2 (bike-to-run transition) so they could braid my hair for me. I put the finishing touches on my run bag, including putting my running vest into my cooler bag with ice packs, and I packed up my car for both transitions. Unfortunately, I hit some traffic, and they were ready to leave T2, so we decided to meet at their house before dinner.

I found a parking spot and headed to Wilmington and T2. My spot was in the middle and towards the end away from the run start. I hung my bag on the post and noted my spot. On the way out of T2, I saw Kitty again. She told me about how the chute from bike to transition would be set up and let me know I didn't need to pack everything up at T2 when I headed out to run. We chatted a bit, and I felt confident about T2. I hopped back in the car for the drive back to Wrightsville Beach to drop my bike of at T1 (swim-to-bike transition).

T1 was pretty uneventful. Having already added air to my tires at the hotel, I just had to rack my bike. I saw Natalia, Lee, and Christine while I was there.

Time to head back to the hotel and get ready for meeting up with Bev, Janna, Sarah, and Jackie for my race braids. After my dinner, I stopped by Natalia's room and got a super sweet goodie bag that she had prepared for me. Then I headed to the girls' place. I had a lot of fun laughing with them while Janna did my hair.  When they started prepping their bike and morning bags, I started to get a little anxious and decided to head back to my room.

In my room, I finished getting everything ready, put on my Normatec boots, and Facetimed with my family. It was time for some good sleep before race day!

***RACE DAY***

Thanks for reading this far! Now I'm at race day! I slept hard. When my alarm went off, I woke up ready to prepare for my day.

As planned with Stevie, the dietician I work with, and with my coach Lisa, I was up 3 hours before the race for my first breakfast. I got dressed, grabbed my morning bag and my bike bag, put a hoodie on, and started the walk to T1. I saw Natalia and said hi, and she headed out of T1. At T1, I unpacked my bike bag - put Skratch hydration in my front hydration system and put it on the bike, put 2 bottles of Skratch in the cages on my frame, and put my bike computer on the bike. I then took my bike to check the air. I found someone with a pump and borrowed it to add air to my tires, then I took it back and racked it. About that time, I saw Bev, Janna, Sarah, and Jackie again. It was so good to see friendly faces to ease the nerves. The five of us finished up at our bikes, masked up, and headed to the shuttle to swim start.

I am forever grateful for summer tri camp for bringing these awesome ladies into my life. I could not have imagined a better pre-race experience. I joined them at their coach's house where we had constant access to a bathroom, took our time applying Tri Glide and Vaseline and Zealios Betwixt and got into our wetsuits, all while having so many laughs that I forgot all about the race nerves.

We decided it was time to head to the swim start. We decided we would all start together. We are within a few minutes of each other. I am so so so so so glad that I was with them at the swim start. So many laughs. And when I would start to get in my own head about what we were about to do, I would just make sure I pulled myself back into the group (mentally and physically). We talked about triathlon, about peeing, and about non-triathlon related things like children and Hamilton. It was a fantastic way to pass the time. After my final photo, I put my phone into my Coeur fanny pack and put that and my bottle of Skratch into my Morning bag and dropped it at gear check. Back at the group, I realized I hadn't taken my inhaler so ran back, took two shots, returned my bag, and rejoined the girls.

As we made our way to the start, I realized my goggles were fogged up, so I grabbed a random jug of water that someone had discarded, and several of us rinsed our goggles. When we got down towards the water, where there were 3 people going off at a time, we saw Sami, the race director. It was fun to see her there and get a final word of encouragement. They were sending 3 athletes every 5 seconds with a tone, so I kept moving closer and then it was time to go!

***THE SWIM***

We were warned multiple times to NOT swim towards the first buoy but to swim straight as the current would take us towards that first buoy. The current was definitely moving!

I was surprised how quickly I got into a rhythm. In my open-water sprint and mini sprints, it felt like it took 100m at least to get a rhythm and calm my breathing, but I very quickly got into a rhythm for this race. I felt very at easy and focused. Part of it may be that although this was BY FAR the largest race I had run, the rolling start gave me lots of space. Don't get me wrong - there was the person who accidentally grabbed my arm during their stroke and others who crowded me, but I generally had space and could keep my rhythm. There was one guy near me for a lot of the race who seemed to keep struggling and having to roll onto his back. Somehow, I kept finding myself near him. I drafted off a couple people's feet and a person or two's side as I swam, but I never really found someone the right pace and with good sighting. I seemed to be moving pretty well. After the first turn, I became a little worried that I wasn't sighting well and was off course. There seemed to be several people a ways from me. I kept going forward and tried to just swim my swim. I was convinced I must have taken a long route, but looking at my Garmin chart, I swam some pretty straight lines.

The swim seemed to be going by pretty quickly. I was feeling strong. I kept reminding myself to reach out and to pull all the way to my hips. Just as Coach Lisa told me, it was pretty easy to not kick while swimming in my wetsuit. I let my arms do the work until after the final turn when I started kicking to get the blood flowing through my legs. I was aware enough and sighting enough that I saw Kittie on her paddleboard at the final turn. It made me smile and also know that I was close to the finish of the swim. How had it gone by so fast? I was having fun but also ready for the next step.

Just like in my short races, that final stretch was the longest. I was pushing harder and harder, and the dock was slowly getting closer. I could see people starting to climb up the ladders onto the dock, and it was getting a bit more crowded as everyone funneled in to find their spot. I chose a ladder and just swam in to it. I totally forgot Natalia's recommendation to take a moment to wipe off my face before getting out of the water - I was focused on making my way up the ladder. I got onto the dock and joined the line of athletes quickly walking down it. I was already thinking to what's next and had my goggles and cap off by the end of the dock.

***T1***

T1, the transition area where my bike was, is a ways from the dock. According to my Garmin, from the dock to transition, down the row to my bike, and then out to bike start was half a mile. Despite my coach insisting it would be carpeted, there was no carpet. However, I never found myself wishing I had stashed some shoes. The ground had little pebbles but it wasn't too bad, and I had plenty of race adrenaline. Also, in my wetsuit, having just finished a 1.2 mile swim, about to bike 57+ miles and run 13.1 miles, I didn't need to run much faster than I was running barefoot. I didn't realize it at the time, but the large archway that led into and out of T1 had the timing mat a little too far and for those athletes (including me) who ran too close to the side of the in archway, which bordered the side of the out archway, the timing mat registered them as finishing T1 and heading out on the bike. My friends thought I had an incredible transition (especially given the distance) - and my first bike split was slower than it really was. Nope - that was just the time to get to the entrance of T1 - then I had to run all the way down and around T1 to get in and across to my bike, actually transition, and head back out of T1.

I made my way to my bike, getting the top half of my wetsuit off as I went, per Scott's instructions. I got to my bike and quickly got the rest of my wetsuit off. I had a bottle of water there and squeezed water over my head and body quickly to rinse off some of the salt water.  Socks on. Shoes on. Helmet and sunglasses on. Wetsuit shoved into the bag and bag tied for transport to Wilmington where it would be retrieved at the end of the race. Bike off the rack, and I was gone.

As I quickly walked my bike through the bike out archway and went to mount, I realized that I hadn't started my bike computer. Despite all my visualizing of me turning it on as soon as I got to my bike, because it's always the thing I forget, I had forgotten. Oh well. My watch was still going, and I just hit to turn it on while I mounted and got started.

***THE BIKE***

I got started on the bike. As expected my heartrate was up from transition, so I just worked to settle into a pace. The start of the bike isn't very wide, and there were a fair bit of riders. Shortly after leaving transition, someone commented that I was about to lose my Nuun, and indeed, one Nuun bottle fell out of my pocket just then, and I secured the other two deeper into my pocket. Luckily, those were just my extra Skratch just in case I went well over 3 1/2 hours or needed extra hydration. With my GI issues, Stevie and I had an exact plan for me. Between the hydration bottle between my aero bars and the two large bottles on my bike in bottle cages, I had enough Skratch for 3 1/2 hours. If I needed more than that (because I lost a bottle, because I was drinking a lot more or taking a lot longer, whatever), I would need to get water from an aid station and add my Skratch to it. I had enough Skratch bars and chews in my bento box on my bar to last me a little more than 3 1/2 hours, with some extras in my back pocket, and I had some salt and some Imodium on my bento box as well.

I am super proud of how my bike went and how well I executed our plan. I settled into low Z2, my aerobic zone. I found my groove and was riding. I was a little surprised by all the elevation at the beginning (on ramps and bridges), but it was not as hilly as riding at home. The drawbridges weren't too bad and were very short. Once we were out of town, it was very flat. The road out was pretty long and on a major road without much to look at. I saw a couple of the ladies I hung out with that morning and a few Coeur teammates. There were stretches where I was riding by myself for a while, and stretches where it was hard to have distance from other riders because there were so many of us. I paid attention to my heartrate, I followed my nutrition and hydration plan, I thanked the volunteers and police officers along the course, and I said hi, gave words of encouragement, and enjoyed being out there with the other racers.

As we went, I started increasing my heartrate. I was feeling great. I was excited to get to the back half of the route since I had ridden some of that during tri camp and it was a little more interesting. I passed a fire station and smiled thinking of my good friend and "gear guy" Scott who helped me in so many ways prepare for this race. There was one stretch of rough road that was not particularly fun. It was a bumpy ride, and I (along with everyone around me) was happy to be off that section of road when we finished.

As I hit the main road heading back towards Wilmington, I increased my heartrate again. As planned, I was still within Z2, but now I was at the top of Z2. I was feeling good and enjoyed pushing a little harder. My left lower back and right knee both bothered me a bit here and there, but overall, I felt good. I started passing people who had passed me early in the bike leg. At one point, I heard a familiar voice, and there was Sami again, cheering for me. I got a huge smile and felt good. On that home stretch, I was focused, I knew the bike course was long so was not surprised to hit 56 miles and not be able to see downtown quite yet, but it just made me push harder, while still respecting my heartrate. I had someone ride up behind me and mention that I was riding so strong and looked really good. I acknowledged her, but I really was dialed in and focused at that point. She then said she couldn't keep up and dropped back. I just kept on going, heading as fast as I could for T2. Once I hit some familiar streets from athlete check-in and dropping my bags at T2, I knew that I was close. With the extra turning here, I let off the effort a little and quickly found myself approaching the chute for T2. I hopped off my bike very close to my time goal for that leg and feeling good.

***T2***

Off the bike and on my way to my spot. I have pretty good spatial sense and knew right where to go. It helps that I talked to Kitty the day before to orient myself to where I would be coming in from. Bike racked, helmet off, running vest on (and could feel the Skratch was still cool - given I had to put it out the day before in the midday heat, I put it in a cooler bag with ice packs - worked perfectly!), swapped bike shoes for running shoes. Only hiccup was there was something strange when I put my shoe on - had to take it off and investigate. The pill container with Imodium that I couldn't find when I was packing my transition bags had fall into my running shoe! Dumped it out, slipped my shoe on (yay, Caterpy laces for easy slip-on ability even with my picky lacing), and was ready to go. I wanted to just go straight to the run course, but I knew if I had hydrated properly on the bike (which I really tried to do), I wouldn't last the entire run without needing to use the bathroom, so I made a very quick stop in the portapotty on my way to the run course. Then, it was time to run!

***THE RUN***

I started the run excited I had made it through the swim and bike so well and was now in familiar territory. I've run half marathons before! I was smiling and feeling good, my pace was good, my heartrate was good, and I was passing a few guys who were not looking so good coming off the bike. Now was the time to settle in and run. I did notice that the right side of my lower back was tight, but I figured it would loosen up. The first aid station was great. I saw Beth, the coach from my summer training camp, and saw Kitty again.

It wasn't long before that good feeling was gone. That tightness in my lower back was persistent. Throughout the run, I would stretch with my arms high overhead to relieve some of the tightness, but it bothered me all 13.1 miles. I also quickly realized my legs weren't there. I couldn't keep my heartrate up in my tempo zone - I just couldn't get my legs to turn over and push the way I needed them to. By Mile 2, I was thinking about what a l-o-n-g run this was going to be. I was thinking about strategy. How was I going to make it through it? Around Mile 3, I saw Jonathan and the kids. They had signs and were cheering, and I was SO happy. That was what I needed. I got a little more pep in my step. I never felt good running, never got my heartrate to progress like I wanted it, but I knew I could do it. Being an endurance runner kicked in - at this point, I knew I could make it "just" 10 more miles.

I was hot on the run. I have never done the "throw water on yourself" thing, but I also usually didn't run half marathons in the afternoon or after swimming and biking! As I ran, I stuck to my fueling and hydration plan, and at aid stations I would grab a cup of water at the start to throw over my head and one at the end to throw over my chest/back. This was great for cooling me down, but sadly, I did end up late in the run realizing that my feet were getting wet in the progress, and I had developed quite the blister on my right baby toe.

I got to see Jonathan and the kids around Mile 5 as well. It really was what I needed in those early miles. Also, the run is an out-and-back, so that meant I got to see lots of my Coeur teammates and the ladies from the morning. I loved seeing familiar faces and cheering them on. I focused on making it a mile at a time, on making it to my next bit of fuel or hydration, to making it to the turnaround, to making it to the next aid station. Around Mile 4 or so, my heartrate monitor went wonky. It wasn't picking up and reading. I got frustrated. That's the point when I gave up trying to push into my tempo zone. Instead, I had a new goal - to run the entire 13.1. I knew I could do it. It would be much slower than I wanted, but I could run it all. One foot in front of the other, keep moving forward.

At one point, I remember thinking, "I guess it's good I already bought a tri bike. I don't have to think about if I ever am going to do this again. I am committed to doing it again. Even though this sucks right now." I knew this was not the run I wanted to have, but I also knew that it's not just about race day. I enjoyed the training, the challenge of pushing myself, and despite my run, I was having a great day.

I made it to the turanround and came back around the park. At that point, you leave the shade and head out into a stretch that doesn't have great scenery, but you're also getting near downtown. Just. Keep. Moving. Forward. As we hit downtown Wilmington, I started trying to push a little more. This was it. I was almost done with my 70.3 (plus a couple) miles! There were more people here - spectators and triathletes who had finished. As I got close to the finish line, I heard one group of people get really excited cheering for me. Then I realized they were calling me Natalia, one of my teammate's names. I thanked them and let them know Natalia was on her way (I had seen her as I came back up the run course).

A few moments later, and I could see and hear Barb and Heather cheering for me. It was so exciting to see them as I came to towards the finish. I was picking up speed, my natural "kick" kicking in. I remember wondering what it was that let my body have enough to both pick up the pace to finish and have a strong kick but be so heavy and hard to push up to that point. I definitely had some work to do before next time.

And then I was crossing the finish line and getting hugs from Jonathan, Caleb, Zoe, and Emma. I remember just leaning on the fence separating the finishers and the spectators smiling big and saying multiple times, "I did it," to Jonathan.

****

And now, it is just over 7 months later. I'm a week away from my second 70.3. I came to review this and realized I never finished it and posted it. So I'm calling it a wrap. Overall, it was a great day. I had so much fun, even when I was struggling on the run. I am super proud of my swim and bike, which were the two new disciplines for me. I have some work to do on my triathlon running. I am happy with how the day went and with my training and excited to keep doing this. And I am SO thankful for all the people who supported me on race day but also during the journey. Training for long course triathlon is a lot, and I couldn't do it without such amazing friends and especially my super supportive and awesome husband and children.

I've been registered for North Carolina 70.3 since registration opened in November, but I had not registered for any other races. Recently, I compiled a list of local-ish races and their dates and had a call with Lisa. This year, I am focused on my big goal - my first in-person 70.3, and we are making decisions based on that goal and my training for that. Initially, we didn't find any races that hit what we were looking for - open water swim, 2 hours or less from home (although I was willing to consider farther for an Olympic distance event), and on my recovery weekends. Then, I found a race series on Wednesday nights that has an open water swim. They're short sprints, but they're nearby and can fit into my training schedule. I was in shock with Lisa said to register for all 4 coming up - one a month starting in June because that meant my first race would be in only 2 weeks!

Recently, I joined a couple new Facebook groups to find out about local open water swim meet-ups and hopefully some bike meet-ups at some point. In one of those groups, someone posted on Thursday asking about who was going to be at the Triangle Triathlon. I was curious and looked it up. It was an open water swim sprint only 45 minutes from my house and on Saturday - the end of my recovery week! I wasn't sure how I missed it in all my searching for local triathlons. I emailed Lisa about it. We went back and forth, but it was clear from the start I'd be doing it. That night, I talked to my husband about the logistics because there was an athlete meeting and/or packet pickup on Friday, both a bit of a drive and not near each other and then there was race morning.

On Friday morning, I hadn't registered yet, but I got on a call with Lisa. We talked about race strategy and nutrition, we talked through my questions, and she told me to get registered! I hung up and immediately registered for my first in-person triathlon, which I would be finishing in about 24 hours! One of the questions Lisa and I chatted about was which division to register for because there were three that I fit. First option was novice. Lisa commented that although this would be my first in-person triathlon, she doesn't consider me a novice. After all, I've completed a 70.3 on my own. Second option was age group. This is the standard division where you compete against others the same age as you. The third option was Athena. For those who don't race, some races have an Athena (women) and Clydesdale (men) division based on weight. I had mixed feelings about identifying as an Athena. I have raced in that division before as a runner. For my virtual 70.3, I would not have qualified as I had lost so much weight after having my baby and getting into triathlon. However, since tapering, racing, and recovering, I managed to put back on some of that weight and was definitely in the weight range to qualify. I ultimately decided to register as Athena. Lisa really helped me through my thinking on what it means to identify as an Athena triathlete. I decided I may still be working on nutrition and wanting to lose the weight I gained because I feel better without it and race better without it, but ultimately, this is where I am now. And this body, regardless of its weight, is STRONG and FIT. This body has grown, birthed, and fed three children. And I am a triathlete no matter my weight.

Friday was a busy day. I had to take my older daughter to school to drop off her laptop and say good-bye to her teacher she's had for remote first grade all year. Then I had to take my son to drop off his laptop and say good-bye to his teacher he's had for remote third grade all year. When my friend and fellow Coeur ambassador Natalia saw my Facebook post about my race the next morning, she had texted me, and we chatted back and forth. After I got the kids settled for lunch, Natalia and I got on Facetime, and we walked through transitions. She showed me her set-up and gave me advice, and mostly just gave me peace-of-mind to have literally visualized everything and come up with a plan. After I hung up with her, it was time to practice what we talked about during my bike and run. I chose my TCB (The Collective Beat) team kit because I wanted a tri kit so I wouldn't need to change between bike and run and because I knew the team kit would help calm my nerves. I got everything set and, for the first time ever, tried the "triathlon" activity setting on my watch. I started it up, immediately lapped to indicate my swim was "done" and quickly put on my helmet, sunglasses, and shoes and got on the bike. I made sure to turn my bike computer on before walking out to my "mount line" (end of the driveway) thinking about how I would need to turn it on early in transition the next day. I had a great, easy ride. I always have fun on my outdoor "ride as you feel" easy rides. Then I did a very quick transition - no stopping in to go to the bathroom or changing shirts or anything else like I sometimes do. Helmet and bike shoes off, visor and run shoes on (yay for no-tie laces!), grabbed my water bottle, and off I went. It was SO hot, and I just kept it slow and easy knowing the next day I'd be pushing hard. That hour and a half of working out was the calmest I felt all day!

After my workout, I quickly had a recovery drink and protein bar and then had to run my big kids to swim team practice. After a very fast shower, I drove 45 minutes to the race site for the athlete meeting. They pointed out where the swim, bike, and run each would start and end. They talked through some race day logistics. There was confusion about the swim start - the website said and race company assumed a time trial start, but a pdf said a wave start so that was TBD. I stayed after the meeting and just listened to some of the individual questions people were asking, taking it all in. I scouted out the port-o-potty situation - there were not very many. The closest ones to transition were a good distance away, and only 2. Not ideal, but at least I knew what the situation was. Then it was back in the car to drive home - I was going to get home in time for a late dinner and then still had to organize all my stuff and get ready for a very early morning!

We had my usual pre-long run or race dinner: chicken, green beans, roasted potatoes. I drank a bottle of Skratch after dinner while getting all my gear ready. I made a smoothie for when I woke up and one for 1-1.5 hours before the race. I made a bottle of Skratch for 30-60 minutes before the race. I made a bottle of Skratch and a bottle of water for the bike. I packed my Skratch bars and Skratch chews for the bike and my Skratch chews for the run. I filled a handheld of water for the run and another bottle of water for in transition to drink or pour on my feet if needed. I filled a bottle of water for drinking in the morning. (See, husband, all those water bottles I'm collecting really are needed!) I packed three towels - my IronmanVR finisher towel to use for my transition space, my Coeur Velo towel to use to wipe my face or feet or whatever as needed in transition, and another smaller one just in case. I packed my ID, credit card, $10 (hoping to buy an event shirt there since I missed the cut-off when I registered), van key, and inhaler. Then to my event-specific gear: goggles, extra goggles, extra swim cap for the swim; bike shoes with cadence sensor on them, sunglasses, socks, and powder for inside the socks for the bike; shoes with no-tie laces, visor, and race belt for the run. I packed everything up in my BOCO gear ambassador backpack. Then, I got out my Coeur team kit, my sports bra, my Wahoo Tickr heartrate monitor, my TCB hoodie, my Zealios Betwixt and sunscreen, and my Oofos sandals for the morning and sprayed my Got Spit into my goggles to sit overnight. Time to charge my watch, my ELEMNT, and my shifter batteries and get to sleep!

Despite feeling a little hectic like I was throwing everything together the night before, the morning went smoothly. I got up, drank my smoothie, got dressed, put my bike and bag in the van, and headed out the door.

The parking lot for the race was about 3/4 mile from the race, so I got to take my bike and transition bag with me as I walked. I thought about riding my bike, but ultimately, I'm glad I didn't. First person I saw when walking out of the parking lot onto the road was a fellow TCB member! It was nice to see a friendly face and to chat a few minutes. Then as I was walking, I recognized the guy just ahead of me from the athlete meeting. I was walking faster than him, and as I caught up, we started talking. He is a college student doing his first triathlon. We had a great conversation as we walked. Then we split up as he went to transition and I went to packet pickup since I opted not to drive out the extra 30 minutes for that the day before given how much I had going on. I picked up my number (321) and then when I got my timing chip, I met Candace, one of my Coeur teammates, who wrote my number on my hands. I went to transition, found my space, and got everything set up.

I was ready early and got to really just relax and talk with the people around me. I chatted with quite a few people in transition, especially those who said it was their first triathlon.

I spotted another Coeur teammate, Lilly, and went to meet her, visited the port-a-potty a couple times, texted with Lisa, and just took it all in.

We also found Alexis and took a photo of the three teammates together and ready to race.

I headed down to the water so I could get in and warm up a bit. I was worried about the water temp - someone in the Facebook group I mentioned before said it would be about 70 and in transition someone initially said 68 degrees. It ended up being 76 degrees, so plenty warm! I still got in to do a few strokes. I swam for about 3 minutes and came up and heard, "Mama!" I immediately looked up and spotted my friend Barb, the one who talked and talked about triathlon and the triathlon community when we were running together during my third trimester and who inspired me to become a triathlete. I got out of the water and went o see her. She had seen me post about racing my first triathlon, she figured my husband and kids wouldn't make it (which they didn't), and she had come to cheer me on! It was so awesome to have her there with me!

Barb introduced me to some of her friends, including fellow BOCO gear ambassador Alexis. We found out the swim would definitely be a wave start. We watched as the first group of men got in the water and went. I knew right away I was going to start towards the back. I am not a fast swimmer, and I didn't want to be in the throws of the front of the group. We watched as the second group of men got in the water. Then they called the women in white caps - that was me! I saw several familiar faces in my wave - Candace, Lilly, Alexis, a woman I met in transition who was doing her first race, a woman I met in line for the port-a-potty who was doing her first race, another friend of Barb's. It really helped the nerves to be talking with others and not focused on what was ahead of me.

They had us line up and walk across the timing mat that they had set up for a time trial start and then get in the water. As planned, I hung out near the back. They counted us down, and then off we went. We would swim past a buoy and then around one, a long straight past a buoy and around another, and then towards the shore past a buoy. My swim went great. I got into a rhythm pretty quickly. It was 750 meters, shorter than any of my open water swims, so I knew I could do the distance. When I hit the middle buoy on the long straight, I started picking up my pace. Throughout the swim, I would occasionally catch glimpses of another Coeur team kit, and it was comforting to see out there! A couple times I had someone pass over my legs or right in front of me, but I didn't have any issues getting kicked or anything. The open water swim clinic I went to was SO helpful. I felt confident not only in sighting buoys but also just in my awareness of where other swimmers w1374ere. I even did a little drafting at one point but not for long just because it was crowded and I wanted my space. As I made my final turn, I pushed harder knowing I wasn't going to get to swim much more. In the end, my swim was great. My last 1/3 was faster. After the race, people were saying the swim was long and sharing the distance they had. The course was supposed to be 750 meters. My distance was 758 meters! When we looked at our maps, I could see why mine was shorter than others' - check out how straight I was! Again, that swim clinic really was worth the price I paid!

I got out of the water and started walking/jogging up the bank. I took a second to catch my breath and then started running. I remembered my teammate Jessica's advice to me to PR in fun and soaked it all in, smiling as I went. I heard cheering for me, and of course it was Barb! I couldn't stop smiling. I was having fun. The swim went great, and I was headed to T1 (the first transition).

It was over a tenth of a mile to transition. I got there with goggles and cap in hand and decided to sit on my Coeur Velo towel. I quickly squirted the dirt and grass off my feet and wiped them with the other towel, slipped on my socks (which went on easily thanks to being rolled down and having powder in them) and bike shoes, put on my glasses and helmet, grabbed my bike and went. I turned on my bike computer as I walked the bike out of transition, over the muddy ditch, and to the parking lot where the mounting line was. I didn't quite get clipped in and my foot slipped, almost causing me to fall, but then I righted myself, clipped in, and off I went.

The first half mile was a little tricky because it was a narrow, single lane. There were two people I caught up to quickly. I hung behind them until a guy came up and made space to pass them, so I followed behind him. Then the cones were gone and road opened up and I passed that guy. My bike computer was showing gobbly-gook, or at least that's what it looked like to me (my bike and running sunglasses are not prescription, and I don't wear contacts). I couldn't figure out what was going on. About 3 times I shut it off and tried to restart it with no luck. I decided to just shut it down. I had my watch going. I could ride by feel without seeing my heartrate and cadence. I had ridden enough miles to know what it felt like.

I pushed hard. The nice thing about being a sprint is I knew I would be riding out there about an hour - I had pushed hard for that long plenty of times before. No need to conserve a lot for later in the ride or for a long run afterwards. I went hard, although I tried not to go so hard I'd burn out. I heard Coach Jess from the Couer Virtual Training Camps in my head on the hills. She talked about being smart going up and that you might get passed by guys just powering up it but then you'd be passing them on the downhill while you had power to push and they were recovering. That is exactly what happened. One guy got irritated late in the race passing me saying, "You're going to pass me again soon." And sure enough, I passed him again and then never saw him again. There were a couple out-and-back segments, so I got to see lots of other racers and cheer for them. I saw the college student from that morning, I saw Candace (who was so impressive and strong on her bike!) and Lilly and Alexis, I saw the women I met who were doing their first tris, I saw the 14-year-old girl whose mother was at the athlete meeting concerned because she'd be out there on the course "alone." I cheered for them all. I cheered for the people I passed and for the people who passed me. I was smiling and cheering and having a blast. But I also was pushing hard. I kept going. I pushed aside the thought that popped into my head at one point about having to go more than 40 miles farther in October. I focused on the race I was in and on pushing. If I started recovering, I made sure to push harder again. After the 10-mile mark, I really pushed hard, with my last 1/3 being my fastest. I came to the dismount line and into transition with a big smile on my face, having so much fun. More than once on the bike leg I thought to myself, "I am so grateful I get to do this!" I was definitely making the most of my first triathlon!

I got my bike back over the ditch and back into transition. I racked my bike, traded my helmet for my visor, traded my bike shoes for my run shoes, grabbed my race belt with my number, and grabbed my water bottle and headed out to the run start. Less than 90 seconds wasn't bad. As I started across the grass, I heard Barb cheering for me. It was so awesome seeing her at each transition of the race!

I knew to just run that first half mile -  to just do what my body could do and settle in. I knew that it would feel different once I got my run legs under me. I felt like I was running slower than my watch said I was. During that first stretch, I was sharing the road with cyclists coming in, so again, I got to keep cheering for other people. Then we turned off the road and went onto a packed dirt path. The run course also had some out-and-back segments, so I got to cheer for other runners there as well, although not as much. I didn't have any pace goals and didn't worry about my heartrate since it was only a 5k. My goal was just to push hard and to increase pace as I went. My watched beeped. Mile 1 was done. It was a decent pace, and I was feeling pretty good at that point. Time to keep pushing. I was still smiling and having fun. Mile 2 felt the longest. It just kept going, especially looking for the turnaround. My pace was 6 seconds faster than the first mile, so doing okay. I was feeling pretty good too. Time to push harder for that last mile. I picked up pace a little and then when I hit 2.5 miles and picked it up more. My plan was to have enough to really push the last quarter mile. I started speeding up, but the finish line came faster than expected - at just over the 3-mile mark! I turned the corner and saw it and really turned on my kick, running with everything I had left. My third mile was 43 seconds faster than the second mile, and the final kick was about a 6:07 pace!

I stayed at the finish line with Barb, catching my breath after my wicked kick, and chatting with her. I also got to meet a woman who follows Mama is a Runner on Facebook but whom I had never met before.

Barb asked me if I needed to let my husband know I was done. I told her eventually I would go to transition and get my phone and let him know. She commented that he had complete faith in me, and she's right. Before heading to transition, I did take this photo to show him that I finished:

And I was right - he had complete faith in me, as did my 2 year old. On my phone I found a video of her saying "Woohoo!" and a video of her saying "Go, Mommy, go!" I also found this text from my husband:
Me: Emma, what do you want to wear today? Do you want to stay in jammies?
E: Workout!

And here she is in her "workout" shirt, her Coeur shirt!

After sending him the photo of me at the finish line, I went off in search of a shirt since this was my first in-person triathlon. I was drinking my protein shake and grabbing a banana from the post-race goodies when a guy walked up to me to tell me he saw my finish and how amazing and strong I was coming across the finish line. That definitely made me smile since the finish line kick is something I really enjoy and take pride in.

On my way to go pack up my gear, I found Lilly again, and we got a quick photo together now that we had finished the race.

I went back to transition and packed up all my gear. I then decided to spend a little time stretching before I went. While stretching, I saw Alexis, Candace, and Lilly again and decided to hang out with them. We chatted while waiting for awards, hoping to see Alexis podium in Athena and Candace podium in Aquabike.

The awards finally started and the first name they called was Jill Adelson, Bib 321. I was in shock. That was completely unexpected. I got up there expecting it was Athena and then saw the other two podium winners. They were not Athena athletes. I checked the award in my hand (a gift certificate to a local tri shop), and it was the Advanced category. The announcer, who is a friend of Barb's and whom I met after my finish, was surprised to see me up there and made a comment about it being my first triathlon. I am not sure how their system ended up putting me in Advanced (I later found out it put Alexis in Advanced too, but she saw it beforehand and got it corrected). But there I was, on the podium for Advanced. (I later checked the online results - I just missed the Athena podium and was actually 2nd in Advanced.)

After awards, during which Alexis was on the podium for Athena and Candace was on the podium for AquaBike, it was time for the long walk back to the parking lot with my gear and bike. When I got home, I was greeted by one adorable girl who stole my visor and announced, "I wanna race! I wanna race!"

When my husband showed Zoe, my 6-year-old daughter, the photo of me finishing, she exclaimed, "Yay! She looks so happy!" The comments from these two girls were the icing on the cake of an amazing race day. I raced strong. I had fun. And my girls are learning a lot about being an athlete, about finding what makes you happy, and more.

A little backstory, especially for those who haven't been along for the journey. I am an adult onset athlete. I started running one day because I was strength training and doing cardio kickboxing and was amazed that I could run. I ran for fun and did some 5ks that year. Then I moved, became a professor, and had two kids. I toyed on and off during that time trying to pick running back up, but truth-be-told, I wasn't a runner. It wasn't part of who I was. After my second child was a year old, I knew I needed something for me. I was Mama and Dr. Adelson, but I needed to reclaim some identity that wasn't a mom and wasn't connected to work. My family and I made a commitment for me to do a 5k training program with Fleet Feet Louisville. At the end of that program, I decided I'd do a 5k a month, the thought being that that goal would give me motivation to keep running and not stop like I did before. Less than 2 months later, I was signed up for a half marathon training program and a half marathon! And before you know it, Mama was a Runner. It became as much a part of my identity as being a mom.

With about a dozen half marathons, a marathon, and countless shorter distance races completed, I was a pregnant runner. I was able to run through my entire pregnancy, with my last run less than 24 hours before third child's birth. I completed 2 half marathons, a 200-mile overnight relay, and at least one race every month. As I mentioned in my last blog - http://mamaisarunner.com/2021/04/17/mama-is-a-triathlete/ - I was inspired during my third trimester to set a goal to train for and complete a sprint triathlon before my unborn baby turned 1.

Early in my sprint triathlon training, I realized that a sprint was not much of a challenge for me and did not take much training. I wasn't a biker, but I could bike. I wasn't fast or efficient, but it wasn't long before I could swim the distance for the sprint triathlon. And a 5k definitely was not a challenge for me. I was enjoying triathlon training, and although I hadn't raced yet, I knew I wanted to keep training and to have a longer goal. My thought was that maybe by October 2021, a year and a half later, I would be able to do a half Ironman, 70.3 miles (1.2 miles swimming, 56 miles biking, a half marathon (13.1 miles) running).

I spent my spring doing Coeur Virtual Training Camp. I went from the classic trainer my friend Barb gave me to use to a Wahoo Kickr. I eventually found a bike fitter who would do a bike fitting with masks outdoors, and I got a bike fitting and bought an aero road bike that we put aero bars on. I would do the Coeur camp bike workouts and then do some maintenance running, keeping my long runs about 6-8 miles. Eventually, the pool opened back up, with masters being 1 person at each end of the lane for 30 minutes and lap swimming being 1 person per lane up to an hour. With Coeur camp finally coming to an end, I knew I wanted to keep training but also knew that while I was pretty good at writing or finding a running training plan, I had no idea how to incorporate all three disciplines, especially with no goal race on the horizon. I decided it was time to invest in a coach.

Life-changing decisions during the pandemic (besides starting my own consulting company): #1 Joining Coeur Virtual Training Camp and The Collective Beat (TCB). I found a triathlon community. These women are supportive, encouraging, inspiring, always willing to answer questions, and fun. If you're reading this and want to know more about TCB or want to know about Coeur Velo (the riding group that was formed later based on the riding we did in camp), please reach out! I can answer your questions and help you decide if it's right for you! #2 Hiring Coach Lisa Holt. Lisa has been such an amazing fit for me. She pushes me hard, helping me be the best triathlete I can, and she makes sure I am respecting my body, not pushing too hard, getting the recovery I need, and having fun. Sadly, I don't get to see her (she lives in NY, and we've never met in person), but we talk almost every day. She knows when I'm exhausted because Emma hasn't slept well, she knows when I'm starting to have some issues with my knee, she knows when I crushed a workout. She has worked with me not only on the physical side of triathlon but also the mental side. She reminds me to give my body a chance.

So, Summer of 2020, I hire Lisa to be my coach. There were no races planned, we just focused on what I needed to work on - mostly improving my swimming and biking. Don't get me wrong, my running was definitely getting faster, but it wasn't a focus. Generally, my longest long runs during the fall were 7-8 miles. Which reminds me of some other changes I made when I started working with Lisa - I now do heartrate training (which was actually really nice to not worry as much about pace) and also train by time, which was foreign to me.

This backstory is getting quite long. I'll try to wrap it up. All fall and winter, I kept training. 26 days of training and 2 days of recovery every 4 weeks. My birthday? Biking and running (and hiking with my family). Thanksgiving? Masters swim. Christmas Day? Working out. Yes, Mama is a Triathlete. I was committed. I trusted the process and did what Lisa said, making sure I communicated. I also found that my struggles with exercise-induced IBS were getting worse, so I invested in a registered dietician. I went almost entirely gluten-free and dairy free, changed my nutrition and fueling, and focused on what my body needed. In November, literally the moment registration opened for North Carolina 70.3, I was registered. (I got out of the pool, got on my phone, and got registered - I have registered for enough Disney races to know how to register as soon as a race opens!) I was (and am) hopeful I would get to race a sprint or Olympic or two before NC70.3 on October 23, 2021, but this was my goal race and the countdown was on. I had over 300 days to get ready for my first 70.3...or so I thought.

Lisa definitely knows what I'm capable of better than me. She knew I was ready for a 70.3, race or no race. So in February, we did an intense 2-week build. At the end of those 2 weeks, I had a 4-hour trainer ride called "Testing Limits," followed by a 25-minute transition run. The next morning, I had a 90-minute aerobic/tempo run, waited a couple hours, and then had a 45-minute aerobic run. And then on Sunday, I had a 3900-meter swim. And I not only rocked the workouts but had fun doing so. Don't get me wrong, they were tough and I worked hard. I also had fun because I was doing it - I had worked so hard, and I was doing it.

With my intense build behind me, it was time to taper and do a 70.3. Lisa had decided I would do a simulation 70.3. It just so happened that the Ironman Virtual Race for the weekend we chose for the simulation was 70.3 distance. So a virtual 70.3 was on my training plan!

Overall, taper went well. Typical race nerves. A couple days before race day, Lisa and I talked on the phone. Like with any big race, I had been constantly checking the weather. The weather forecast was not promising - hot, humid, chance of storms. We finally decided that my bike ride would be on the trainer. We didn't want to risk me being out on the bike if a storm hit. Also, I am still a newbie on the bike without a lot of outdoor rides under my belt. I was a little anxious about 56 miles on an open course at race intensity. It might have been on the trainer, but Lisa wasn't going to let me off easy. She picked a Zwift route that I would do 2 loops on, and each loop included 2 KOMs (King of the Mountain). I took about 3 pages of notes during my talk with Lisa. We talked through race logistics, we talked through nutrition and hydration strategies, and we talked through the mental aspect of each leg.

I came home from a workout one day, and my husband let me know that we had vaccine appointments! I was so excited. We expected our turn to come a lot later. But, a pharmacy had openings for us if we could come Thursday or Friday. I was a little anxious getting my vaccine just 3 days before my 70.3, but this was top priority.

On Friday, my arm was a little sore from my vaccine. I went and did my swim, which actually helped with the soreness. Then I had a 40-minute ride. I kept it easy and that went well. Then, my schedule had a 20-minute recovery run. However, somewhere during the swimming and biking, I thought I was supposed to do the run I did the day before and did 40 minutes of descending pace starting in recovery zone and progressing to top of aerobic zone. About 25 minutes in, I couldn't believe that Lisa was having me do this 2 days before my race. I was achy, whether from the vaccine or just from the load of the workouts, I was cranky, I wanted to quit. But I didn't let myself. I kept myself going. I couldn't believe it when I finished and looked in TrainingPeaks and saw the orange block indicating I did a lot more than I was supposed to. I was frustrated with myself. I was just done in general. As always, Lisa was there to assure me that this one workout wasn't going to "ruin" it. She told me the next day I needed to rest and not workout and not stress about the extra running. And that is what I did, while watching the weather with a bit of anxiety. I don't mind running in the rain, but Saturday it was storming pretty badly, and storms were predicted for Sunday.

Originally, I had planned a 9:00 start time, with Pamela coming by at 7:30 to French or Dutch braid my hair. However, the storm predictions were starting around 2:00, and the morning started looking clear around 6:00, so I decided I would forego the sleep and get an early start. My lane was reserved for later, but no one wants to swim that early on a Sunday, so there were open lanes for me to switch to. Luckily, Friday night I had slept in a room by myself and got some good sleep. Saturday night I would sleep in that room again, but does anyone sleep well on race night?

Before bed, I went ahead and got everything ready. So. Much. Nutrition. And. Hydration. With the heat and humidity, there definitely was extra attention paid to hydration. I prepared bottles of water and Skratch hydration and baggies of Skartch bars cut into quarters and of Skratch gummies for the bike. I prepared soft flasks with water, my hydration bladder with Skratch hydration, a baggy of Skratch chews, and some Base salt for the run. Then I laid everything out to be sure I had it all ready. My Coeur team kit, socks, and visor. My Wahoo heartrate monitor. My Roka goggles for the swim. My Coeur Velo towel, Zealios Betwixt chamois cream, Coeur Ponyaband, and bike shoes for the ride. My Aftershokz Aeropex bone-conduction headphones, Roka sunglasses, and long-distance shoes for my run. All there - time to move them to the appropriate transition spaces and head to bed!

Lisa told me to get to sleep, and I really tried. It was hard to believe what I was going to do in the morning. I also felt like there were so many details I needed to be sure I had considered. The one thing that didn't bother me at all though was that my race countdown calendar said:

My husband commented a day or two later that he saw it and thought about changing it. I never did countdown to this race. It wasn't something I had planned on. This happened because I had worked hard and trusted the process and I was just ready. There weren't any questions about whether I was going to do it. I just accepted it as part of the journey. So yes, I was racing in the morning, and yes, I would be racing 70.3 again 209 days later!

I woke up 2 hours early, per Lisa's instructions since that is what it will be like on a non-virtual race morning. After downing my pre-made breakfast shake, I, of course, checked the weather. It was currently pouring down rain, and the bad news is the storms were expected to continue until about 7am now. I decided I'd have to delay the start a little, but I was already awake.

I was able to leisurely get ready, although I was constantly checking the weather. Finally, it cleared up, and I made the 3-minute commute to the pool. I was ready. I quickly got situated to start the race. I got out my swimcap and my Roka goggles. Inside my bag, where my swim instructions live, I found two notes placed by my middle child, Zoe -

It would be the most uneventful race start, especially for a race so momentous to me, but it also was a beautiful race start. Our pool had kept the bubble off all winter so that we could safely swim during COVID, and it was so worth it for that moment before my start. The pool lit up. The flags swinging in the wind. The absolute quiet of the pre-dawn, post-storm world. The calm of the water. This would be my day. I had done the work, and now I was going to get to celebrate how far I came over the next many hours.

For my swim, Lisa wanted me to do a 1000m time trial. This meant doing a 700m warmup, 2 all-out 50s, my 1000m time trial, and then 200m of easy kicking. My warm-up was right on the pace that Lisa had set for me. I did my two all outs. Then it was time for my time trial. I set out at a good pace, hearing Lisa telling me to trust myself that I could hold it. And I did hold it - and got faster. I finished faster than I started, giving it my all. I would have to check my stats later, but I knew I had a personal best for the 1000m time trial. Later, Lisa would text me excited with my 1.2m swim time, even with the drills in there.

To give you a sense of how far I came since starting to work with Lisa, here are my 1000m time trial stats:

August 21, 2020
1000 TT = 22:38.2
Pace = 2:16

January 8, 2021
1000 TT = 21:51.8
Pace = 2:11

March 28, 2021
1000 TT = 21.17.4
Pace = 2:08

I didn't take time to look at my stats. Just then. I had a big smile knowing I had a great swim, and kept moving - I had a transition to make. By that point, the sun was up, and I wasn't the only person at the pool. I hopped in the car and drove the 3 minutes home, ran into the bathroom next to the garage for a quick stop, and hopped on the bike.

Lest you think that I escaped the heat by riding on the trainer instead of outdoors, my bike is in my garage. I do not escape the outside temperatures. I have to wear toe covers in the winter and have lots of sweat towels handy when it's hot.

56 miles on a trainer is a long time. I had a Coeur Spotify playlist playing on the Sonos in our garage and had Zwift on my computer, and I just rode. My biggest concern was needing to keep having to go to the bathroom, because that's often a problem when I have a long ride on the trainer. However, whether because my teacher bladder kicks in on race days (I didn't stop for the bathroom during my marathon either) or because the humidity was greater than my Skratch and water consumption, I didn't have to stop once during my ride. The hills on the course Lisa and I picked out were challenging, but they kept it interesting. In fact, I mentally struggled most on the two flat sections because there was nothing to think about besides just ride, ride, ride.

When the ride was challenging, I would look at what was taped to my laptop. The first is a quote from my good friend, gear guy, and triathlon "big" brother (despite being younger than me since he has much more tri experience), Scott (affectionately known as #andScott to the Coeur community). He and I have spent many hours on the phone and texting. Not only have we geeked out about the inner workings of Zwift (which is how we first got to know each other, when I was using Zwift with my hybrid bike), not only has he patiently taught me so much about tri gear and about triathlon - always explaining and helping me learn rather than just telling me what to do, but he also has been supportive and encouraging during my journey. I wrote this quote on a notecard after he texted it to me one day, and the night before my tri, I got it out and taped it onto my computer.

Zoe was very excited to help me get ready the night before my tri, so when she saw that, she also wrote a note to go on the other side of my laptop (and the swim note above). I still vividly remember pushing up the Zwift volcano, down in aero and taking a moment to stretch my hand out to touch this note and then push even harder up it.

One loop done. Two mountains conquered. During that first half, I had texts coming in from Lisa, my friend Kate who was tracking me via text messages and had a link to my run when it started, and my husband. So despite being alone, I was never really alone. Plus, I knew I had so many people cheering me on and waiting to hear how it would go. I entered the second loop feeling good. My heartrate had been right on track so far, and I knew I could keep going. I had no time goals in mind when I started, but as I went into the second loop, I started to think that I might be able to finish the bike in less than 3 1/2 hours. I picked up speed in the second half, although still keeping it within the heartrate zone Lisa and I had talked about - after all, I still had a half marathon to run after this. I was climbing my third hill, working hard to finish it faster than the first time I had done it, when my kids opened the garage door to cheer me on. It was perfect timing! It was so good to see their smiles and to hear them cheer for me. And then, I was at the top - with a pace about 18% faster than the time before if I recall correctly. My final hill was similar - finished it at a faster pace than the first time I had done it. And the flat sprint was also faster. I kept my heartrate in check, but I had done negative splits. I kept my head and legs in the ride, and I finished strong. I was so proud of it. Finishing in under 3 1/2 hours was just icing on the cake. But once again, I didn't have time to celebrate that leg because I had another one that I needed to transition to. Off the bike, bike shoes off and running shoes on, Ponya off and visor, sunglasses, and AfterShokz on, and into the bathroom for a pitstop before heading out for my run.

On my way out of the garage, I grabbed my running vest with my Skratch and water in the flasks and bladder and stuck my bag of chews in my kit pocket for easy access. I walked into the driveway, and there at the end of it were my support crew. All three kids and my husband were so excited to see me and to cheer me on as I started running out of our driveway, into the cul-de-sac, and out into the neighborhood for my half marathon. It filled my heart having them all there.

In my pre-race talk with Coach Lisa, she prepped me for those first couple of miles. She was right. They were hard. I start by going up a pretty good hill right after the first tenth of a mile. Close to the end of Mile 1, my stomach started getting iffy, but I couldn't believe I was having GI problems so early in the run so decided to push on rather than change my route and go back home. A half mile later, I knew that a pitstop was needed, so I altered my route and ran towards the backyard. A quick stop in my house to take care of my GI issues, and I was off running again. I decided to alter my nutrition and hydration plan a bit, which seemed to work. More hills. I felt like my legs were heavy and I was going slow, but I knew I could do the distance and was determined to finish it. It was hot and humid. I kept on top of my hydration, nutrition, and my electrolytes. When things felt hard, I would touch my right running vest pocket, where I knew there was this note from my daughter:

Although the first few miles were tough, I was super proud post-race to look at my stats and see that those miles were my highest cadence miles, just like Coach Lisa told me to do. I also heard her in my head saying "You are a runner" and making sure I had good form. Eventually, my legs loosened up, and I got into a groove. I hear in my head Coach Lisa telling me at the halfway point to start having more fun, and that is about the time I relaxed and did really start enjoying the run. I never did hit what Coach Lisa and I predicted my race pace to be. This was likely in part due to the heat and humidity, also in part due to running a hilly half marathon with no race environment - just me out running and running and running. My second half was faster than my first half, so that was fantastic. I never doubted I could finish. I really tried to pick up my pace the last couple miles, but I managed to raise my heartrate and keep my pace about the same (which Coach Lisa had also warn me might happen - that as I tried to pick it up my heartrate might go up but not my pace).

It wasn't the pace we wanted, but (1) the second half was faster than first half and (2) my half marathon time was 20 seconds faster than my last stand-alone half marathon time from March 2020. For my stand-alone half marathon, the weather was great, it was virtual but I ran the first half with other Fleet Feet Carrboro & Durham runners, I pushed hard, and I was super happy with the pace. This day, the weather was not in my favor, and I was out on my own - yet even with 57.2 miles completed before my run, I managed to finish in a faster time. My training has been paying off!

Enough talk about pace - back to my actual race. In the final miles, it started to drizzle. In a way, it was a relief from the humidity. I was trying to keep up (or ideally pick up) my pace and heading towards home. As I went up my last hill climb back towards and into my neighborhood, the rain was picking up, and all I could think about was that I was almost done - I had almost finished. I was pushing hard, running with everything I had left heading towards home. My husband had a live feed of my running thanks to Garmin, and as I rounded the final corner and could see my house ahead, I also could see my family out there waiting for me! They had a finish line stretched out for me to cross.

They were so excited and couldn't wait to put my medals on me. Get ready - I'm about to hit you with so many finisher photos!! This was the BEST part of the day!

As the adrenaline started to come down and the rain picked up more, I was ready to go in the house. However, Caleb and Zoe had a special request for another photo. They remembered this photo from the finish of my marathon in November 2017 (the two medals are the marathon finisher medal and the Ultra Indython medal because I also did the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben that fall):

And they insisted they wanted another photo similar to that one with the two of them next to me, each holding one of my medals.

I can't believe how much has happened between these two photos. Look how much bigger these two kids are! Plus, we have another child in our family and have moved states and I started my own business. And now I'm not only a marathoner but also a triathlete - a triathlete who finished a half ironman.

Next, we went in the house, where I finally got a closer look at my medals:

Caleb made the medal on the left. It is very Caleb that the medal says "Good." Zoe made the medal on the right. She had Jonathan help her with the trophy in the middle, and she made sure there was an "M" on it for Mama.

After having my baby, I was focused on building up my running safely while respecting my body. I tried to add some swimming in for a while, but just figuring out being a mama of three, returning to work the earliest of any of my kids, keeping my running up, was enough. So I kept mentoring the Fleet Feet 10k program and kept looking forward to my long-term goal. I did register for the training group Barb mentored, which started in February, and I registered for the Ramblin' Rose, a women's sprint triathlon on May 17, shortly before my baby's first birthday.

In October, I ran the Carrobo 10k, helping push the people I had mentored that season. Then, I ran the Bull City Race Fest 5 Miler, running continuously and pushing myself. My running was starting to feel more like me again, a slow me, but me. I decided it was time to add in some swimming. I have always loved the water, but I had never in my life swam laps. I completely stepped out of my comfort zone and showed up at a Master's swim. I went once a week, making it 50m continuously, then 100m, then 200m, then 300m... I was getting better, getting stronger, improving my technique. I still remember a few practices in when I decided to try a swim cap (given to me by Barb) - even that felt like a huge step and, again, something outside my comfort zone. I even watched YouTube videos afraid I would be putting it on wrong.

I usually struggle with a Christmas list for my in-laws, mom, and husband. This year, I had no problem. I put triathlon books, a water bottle cage for my bike, and so much swim gear - kickboard, pull buoy, second pair of goggles, swim cap, towel, bag. I shopped locally and bought fins and paddles.

In February, running was ramping up. I was mentoring for the Fleet Feet program, training for a mid-March half marathon, with a goal of it being my first continuously-run postpartum half marathon (and also to get a proof of time for my November Disney races). The women's beginner triathlon training began. Unfortunately, it is based on Raleigh, with practices being about an hour drive from my house. I already was going out one night a week to Fleet Feet runs and Saturday mornings for Fleet Feet long runs. At this point, I started swimming two mornings a week - once with my masters group and one with two women from North Durham Runners Club. Mary, a triathlete, was helping Bonnie, a new swimmer, and me build up our swimming at a community pool. I also was doing OrangeTheory fitness twice a week for the strength training and for some extra running and cycling. I decided not to add in a weeknight bike/run with the tri training group or one of the two weeknight swims with them - I did not want to commit that time away from my family, and I could not imagine being out that late with my schedule. I did, however, join them for Sunday rides. I had never really ridden my bike except for the occasional commuting  (I lived just 1.5 miles from my office in Louisville) and bike ride pulling the kids in the trailer.

After our first bike assessment, I went home to my neighborhood and rode up and down the rolling hills practicing my gearing as I don't think I had ever used 2/3 of my gears. By the end of that ride, I was feeling great. In fact, overall, my progress felt fantastic. I was swimming 2 hours a week, my running was progressing well and I was feeling prepared for my half marathon, and I was enjoying my biking. I had not yet done my sprint, but I started looking into Olympic triathlons because I knew I wanted something to train for - that I could do the distance for a sprint and would be doing one, but I wanted to keep training and try further distances.

As everyone knows, this story takes a sad turn, thanks to COVID-19. The Thursday before my half marathon, it got cancelled. It was the first weekend of what was to become a long series of cancellations. I met up with a few friends (one last time, for what we didn't understand would be a very long time) to do a virtual half marathon. I had an amazing run - I felt great and increased my speed as I went. I ran the first couple miles with some runners from the group I mentored, then I moved up to the next faster group and ran with several runners from that group, and then at the halfway point when they stopped for the restroom, I kept running and even picked up the pace more. I not only ran continuously for all 13.1 miles, but I ran it strong. I felt great! I was disappointed not having that finish line moment with my three children there, but I was proud of how far I had come through pregnancy and postpartum.

Little did I know that would be the last time I ran, swam, or biked with someone else for a very long time. Both running and triathlon training groups were cancelled. Pools were closed. I kept running solo from home. I kept biking solo from home. I downloaded a 4-week dryland swimming program and started doing resistance bands and core work 30-45 minutes 3x a week instead of swimming. I also made a life-changing decision to join the Coeur Virtual Training Camp.

<<This is where I stopped writing this blog 10 months ago. I'm going to pick it up with a very short conclusion as there is something more recent that I'm wanting to blog about!>>

The Coeur camp was amazing. I did my first bike workouts, I attended talks from sponsors and coaches and learned so much. I used a classic trainer that Barb had given me to use, and I started doing bike workouts with the Coeur camp on Zoom and Zwift. I became stronger and was loving all 3 disciplines. The weekend that my calendar said "Jill becomes a triathlete", I didn't get to complete a triathlon, but I did do the next best thing. Ironman had started some virtual races. That weekend was their sprint triathlon, but with pools closed, they replaced the swim with a bike. So I went out and did a run-bike-run in succession.

It wasn't a swim-bike-run, but I knew that I had become a triathlete. When I put that on my calendar, I thought that racing a triathlon would be what defined me as a triathlon. Somewhere along the way, I became a triathlete though - it wasn't about racing. It was about getting up before my children to get a bike ride in, it was about structuring my nutrition to support my training, it was about being consistent with workouts, it was about devoting time to learning more and improving, it was about having fun. Although I had not done a swim-bike-one, I knew I was a triathlete. If nothing else, the fact that I continued to swim, bike, and run with no races in sight confirmed that, indeed, Mama is a Triathlete!

Returning to running postpartum has been going well. Just as I listened to my body and tapered for birth, I’ve been listening to my body and doing a “reverse taper,” as recommended by Coach Jenny Hadfield. First, I took my time letting my body heal. Then I started walking, going further and getting more consistent. Then, I started run/walk intervals and as my body was ready increased the run interval and decreased the walk interval.

I’ve done two postpartum races, both wearing Emma. The first was a 1-miler that Zoe did with me at the end of our beach trip when Emma was a month old.

The second was a 4-miler we did when Emma was about 6 weeks old. She slept through most of it but woke around mile 3, just as we were nearing the big, long hill. My running partners stopped a moment so Emma and I could get a good latch, and we kept on going, right up that hill! She nursed about 3/4 of a mile and then was set for the finish. It was our fastest mile :)

Now that I’m running without Emma (she’s not old enough for the jogging stroller yet), I’ve been having to figure out when to get a run in. This morning was my first 6am run in a couple months. I was out before the sun was up. Although it wasn’t sunny, I still had to deal with 89% humidity. My legs were sore from yesterday’s tough OrangeTheory workout - my first one since just before Emma was born. So I listened to my body. I shortened my mileage and ran a “sexy” pace. (A “sexy” pace is when you run at a slow, easy pace.) Even so, tonight I’m feeling it - and it feels good. It’s that feeling that tells me I worked hard and that I’m getting stronger.

I had forgotten how peaceful the world is that early in the morning. Very few cars. The sounds of insects and birds waking up and going about their morning. The sun gradually brightening the sky. My easy pace gave me the time and space to appreciate the beauty of the world as it woke up this morning.

Running has actually made postpartum and the fourth trimester easier for me than it was in the past. It was my anchor. I ran right up until Emma was born, and running was there for me again, ready for my reentry. When I felt uncomfortable in my postpartum body, running helped remind me of my strength. (Also, when I felt uncomfortable in all my other clothes, I felt surprisingly comfortable in my Skirt Sports tanks and skirts - of course it would be running clothes that made me feel the most normal and comfortable in my body during this transition time! I've been wearing them for running, for my OTF workout, and for everyday wear.) When I needed to feel like me again, running was there. And, of course, with running came the running community. We were so incredibly blessed with a meal train, grocery trip, gifts, visits, and more from my running family near and far. And when I got out walking with Emma or running at the track without Emma, they were there cheering me on.

I’m still working hard. I have to build my endurance back up. I have to work on my pace again. I have to figure out how to be a mama to two big kids and a newborn and be a professional and be a runner and to integrate it all and manage my time. There will be tough runs, there will be disappointing runs, there will be exhausted days, there will be days I think I just can’t do it, AND there will be easy runs, there will be great runs, there will be exhilarating days, there will be days I know I can do hard things and that it is all worth it. And through it all, there will be running, the running community, and above all else, my family.

So I've started a blog about my first trimester races, but life has been a little busy in the last few months. I have now been at my new job for 7 months. My children are now nearly 7 years old, already 4 1/2 years old, and 29 weeks in utero. I still have on my to-do list a blog about first trimester, which includes a 200-mile relay and a half marathon, and about second trimester, which includes the Runner's World Run Streak (running at least 1 mile every day Thanksgiving to New Years) followed by Ragnar's 31-Day Challenge (workout every day, which for me meant continuing my run streak to over 70 days). However, I went to post on Facebook about my race today and needed more space, so I decided a quick blog is in order.

My routine has become OrangeTheory Fitness workout Monday morning before the kids wake up, run with the Fleet Feet Carrboro/Durham family on Tuesday evening, get some sleep before getting up early for another OTF workout, then Thursday get up for a third OTF workout followed by work and then prenatal yoga. Friday is a rest day - letting myself sleep that extra hour and a half to recover a bit before Saturday's long run with the Fleet Feet family. I'm now tapering for my next half marathon.

Yesterday, I ran 6 miles with the awesome "F&Gers" at Fleet Feet. Although Sunday is usually my one day to sleep in and usually involves staying in bed extra long snuggling Zoe, I had plans to get up this morning for the Pie Day Pi K today. Jonathan asked me yesterday why I was running this race. He knows I run at least one race a month and that I have a half marathon planned for next week so don't "need" this one.

So...why did I register for this race? Way back in November on Black Friday, I was early in the second trimester and saw a sale on some races, including this race. It drew my attention immediately because it's for Pi Day. As someone who loves math, I was super excited for the theme, and I was even more excited when I saw the fun shirt (all my math friends, enjoy reading the sentence on top!).

At the time, I had just finished my first trimester half marathon. I was still running, but I had not started training for another half yet. I assumed at some point I would need to stop running. I always gain a lot of weight with pregnancy, and I figured it would get uncomfortable at some point and I would need to stop. I was registered for the Durham Women's Half - I had registered for $1 plus fees (so about $5 total!) before I was pregnant. Back in November, it was hard to imagine running 13.1 miles while 30 weeks pregnant. In fact, I had the thought that the Pi Day Pi K would be ideal because it was just under 2 miles, and surely I could at least walk 2 miles still at this point, right?

So after 6 miles yesterday, I got up this morning for the race. I had no expectations. I just wanted to finish and enjoy my pie :) I had the pleasure of meeting up with 3 other North Durham Runners Club runners and one awesome 9 year old.

We all were excited for a fun run ahead (and pie). Sarah, who had a baby 3 months ago, has been working her way through the Couch to 5k, inspiring me for when I return to running after Baby Jalapeño is born. She and I started running together, and I let her know that I likely would switch to my run-walk intervals at some point. Those have become necessary for me to enjoy (and survive) my long runs. However, I was enjoying the company and just not ready to walk. We saw a hill up ahead, and I commented that I would switch to walking when we hit it. However, we got to the hill, and I pushed right up it (I actually do miss the hill repeats in Cherokee Park, believe it or not). We hit the second hill, and Sarah and I both kept pushing. As we reached the top, she said she needed to walk. We had made it a mile, and we made it in just over 12 minutes! (Yes, expectations for pace change drastically when you're 29 weeks pregnant or 3 months postpartum!) We walked for just a minute or so, and then we were running again. For the second half, we continued pushing ourselves but being smart - running most of it, but walking the hills. If we walked, we'd find a point to start running again. When we'd approach a hill, we'd find a point on the hill to run to, and we just kept going. We came to the top of the final hill, and Sarah said, "I'm running to the finish!" By then we had met up with Katherine, and the three of us started running around the corner. We were all determined to finish strong. Katherine finished first, with Sarah and me running strong right behind her.

And for those who want to see a picture of what my belly is looking like at 29 weeks pregnant - this one is for you --

A year ago today, I ran the Anthem 5k in 26:28 - a PR that I never dreamed I'd reach and one that I pushed my body to get. Today, I ran a Pi K in 25:04 (10th in my age group). Yes, I ran 3.14 kilometers in about the time I ran 3.1 miles about a year ago. Yet, I am just as proud. I did not push my body like I did last year. This was not about pushing myself to my physical limits, especially because (a) I'm tapering and (b) I am being smart about my running and doing it in a way that is healthy for me and my baby. But this still was about pushing my boundaries. This was about running, and running at 29 weeks pregnant. This was about feeling strong and enjoying the run. This was about finishing a race with a friend. And, it was about enjoying pie!

Now to finish my taper week, run a half marathon, and keep moving until this baby is ready to join me Earthside!

This summer was a lot for my family. In late April/early May, I received a job offer, and my family and I decided we were moving to North Carolina. We lived in 5 places in 2 months, and we finally settled into our new house in Durham, NC, just in time for me to start my new job (our furniture arrived the day I started at Duke Talent Identification Program - Duke TIP). Through it all, my kids were troopers. They had very positive attitudes, were great helpers, and were nothing short of resilient.

My mileage dropped off after the Flying Pig Marathon Relay that I ran with my running big sisters Laura and Sandy and running big brother Tim. It was overwhelming all that had to be done for the move, and it was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. Once we got settled into our 6-week temporary housing, I started to pick up running a bit more. There was a convenient greenway right by the apartment complex we were staying in, and I could go get a run in before the kids got up for summer camp. Although my miles weren't consistent or high, I kept up enough running to continue my streak of running at least one race a month.

My July race was Four on the Fourth. Zoe was especially excited because she turned 4 on the 4th, and there was a kids' race following the 4 miler. She and I picked out matching outfits, and we were ready to start her birthday with a race!

I ran my 4 miler. It wasn't my best race, it wasn't my worst. It felt good to be out there running steady. I did come in 3rd in my group and get a cool locally-made award. But that wasn't what the best part of the race day was. By far, the best part was yet to come.

First up was the 3-year-old race. Zoe was excited that for the first time she wasn't in that race. Several parents ran with their children. One man standing near me with a 4-year-old was judging them. I politely informed him that some kids like running and like the idea of running but aren't ready to do do it independently and that it's great there is an option for them to enjoy the sport at their comfort level.

Next up was the 4-year-old 100 meter. Zoe and Caleb had not run a race in several months. Zoe was excited and said she was going to run on her own. She went to the start line. There was a large crowd of children. The person yelled, "On your mark! Get set! Go!" And with that, Zoe became distraught. The excitement of the start was too much for her. So I calmly and kindly went over and offered her a hand. She clearly wasn't excited, but she grabbed my hand and ran. I offered to let her stop, but she wanted to run her race. So the two of us ran her race. Although it wasn't the race she wanted to run, she was proud to get her ribbon at the end.

LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes, we go to the start line with high expectations. We want to run strong, we want to be fast. However, it's not always our day, and sometimes we change our minds. It's okay to change your mind. It's okay to change how you approach the race. And however you cross that finish line, you should be proud because you crossed it!

Next up, was Caleb's race. His was a 200-meter race. This was the longest race he had done solo, and with our move, neither kid had been running much since March. He was excited and he is a competitive kid, so we talked a little bit about expectations before his race (for as much as an excited, competitive 6-year-old can take in that information and adjust expectations just before a race). My husband went to the start with him, and I was around the corner about 125 meters in. In typical racing fashion, Caleb went out a little fast, and then he started to drop back. By time he hit where I was, he was clearly in last place with no chance of catching up. I was worried about how he was doing. But as the photos clearly showed, he was determined and was racing his little heart out. I cheered loudly for him, and he spotted me on the sidelines. My boy gave me the biggest grin, a little wave, and just kept running forward. He was have a blast. As he approached the finish line, I saw him put on the burst of speed we always talk about - he made sure to finish strong.

I was SO proud in that moment. I couldn't have been prouder if he had come in first in the race. My boy has so much heart. After the race, he was excited to talk about the race with me. He talked about keeping the people in front of me in his sights, and even at the end trying to catch up with his strong finish. He never once gave up, and he never despaired that he was in last. He ran his race and was proud of what he did. Even now, months later, writing about it, my heart swells with pride with how he ran and about his attitude during and after his race. For a very competitive kid, one who didn't want to do cross country team because he didn't want to compete (and lose) against other kids, he sure displayed the best attitude I've seen at a kids' race.

LESSON LEARNED: Racing is about doing our best in the moment. We run with heart and we run with determination, regardless of whether we're in the lead or in last. The goal is the finish line, not always how many people we pass or stay ahead of. What makes a runner strong is being able to keep running, keep pushing, stay determined no matter what other runners are doing - to run OUR race to the best of our ability. That determination on his face as he ran, and especially that smile when he saw me, showed his heart and reminded me of the kind of runner I want to be. And of course, the lesson I strive to live, to pass on to those I mentor and to my children, is to finish strong! Even when the race may be tough, dig down and grab whatever is left in the tank for a strong finish. It feels great to have that final burst of adrenaline and to know you gave it everything you had through those final steps!

Both kids were so proud of their Four on the Fourth ribbons, as they should be. This was not a race about speed for Caleb or independence for Zoe. This was a race about heart, and they both showed they have a LOT of heart!

The day would not be complete without a photo of all three of the Adelson runners with their ribbons and medal from the day!

And now, almost 4 months later, my kids are getting ready to go to their last day of Kids' Run Club. They've had 5 weeks of run club. Each week is formatted like a mini track meet, with multiple waves of the 100-meter, 400-meter, 800-meter, and mile run.

Zoe and Caleb both run in the 100-meter race. Caleb loves being able to just run as fast as he wants without worrying about running out of energy from going out too fast. He's also at the upper end of the age limit for that race (the only one with an age limit), so he has a chance to be up towards the front of his heat. He always has so much fun running the 100m race.

Zoe is still working on her confidence running. Although I don't hold her hand, I do run along the path near her and cheer her on. She usually does pretty well until we get near the finish where there is a large gathering of parents cheering, and then her emotions get the best of her. I always give her the option not to run, and when she gets upset while running, I give her the option to stop. However, she loves running, and she loves the idea of racing. She is determined to make it through her 100-meters. After the fourth week of Run Club, she had yet to finish strong and happy, but she was working very hard at it. Regardless of how emotional she is at the end, she's always proud of having run and talks about running again the next week.

Caleb runs in the 400-meter race as well. This is pushing him to work on his pacing, especially on not going out too fast. This can be challenging for him because he is not the fastest one out there and sometimes gets a little swept up in the excitement of the start and then finds himself struggling to keep running. No matter how the first 375 meters go though, he has finished STRONG every time. When he comes around to the finish and hears me cheering for him, his face becomes determined, and he puts everything left into the final stretch. I LOVE to see him finish!

Luckily, I had not posted this yet, and now my kids had their fifth, and final, Kids' Run Club session of the season. To say I'm a proud mama is to put it mildly.

First up, the 100-meter race. As we walked to the start, Zoe talked about finishing by running all the way to the end. She lined up at the start with her brother, looking anxiously to be sure I was over on the side ready to run with her. When the kids started running, she ran her hardest yet, and I let her run slightly ahead of me ("I'm going to catch you! Hey, you're too fast!"). She was doing great. As we neared the crowd of parents at the finish, I saw her hesitate and the emotions on her face, but then she sped up and pushed on. She ran all the way through the finish! The guy who works the finish line was so excited to see her running through. After the finish line, she let her emotions out, and through tears she said to me, "I finished fast like you and Caleb!" This nearly brought me to tears. Once she calmed down, she said to me, "I"m so proud of me!" And I couldn't have been prouder of her, either! The improvement she had made in 5 weeks was incredible - not physical improvement but emotional and mental. This was a challenge for her, and she didn't give up. She tried each week. She had a goal, and she was determined to finish strong. I love that my kids have that goal - to finish strong - and I especially love that she pushed through to do it and that she recognized what she had done and was proud of it.

After she calmed down, Zoe asked if I had a picture of her run, which of course I didn't since I was running with her. So I had her run a little so I could take a photo. When she ran the Run Club races, her arms were always stiff, she didn't swing them, and sometimes she kept them in her pocket. However, after that race, she ran with such joy, arms swinging and smile on her face! This girl - this girl overcame so much more than 100 meters, and she knew she had done it!

After the Halloween parade, it was time for the 400-meter race. Caleb had walked most of the parade, so I wasn't sure what his performance would be like. As Zoe and I watched for him, looking down the bridge to where the kids turn the corner to come towards the finish, we saw him running strong. It was the strongest I had seem him at that part of the race. He had a look of determination, and when he saw me, he smiled. He turned on his final kick a little earlier than usual and finished very strong. When he was done, he came over to me, proudly telling me that he ran the entire way.

My kids have requested to do Run Club next season. Of course, I love that they're interested in the sport that I love. What I really have loved this season though is watching them grow and learning from them. It's helped me think about why I love to run, abut the challenges I'm having this season and what it means to keep pushing even when you have to change your goals - and when those goals have nothing to do with speed or time. These two set goals completely unrelated to time. At the beginning of the season, Jon and I were curious if their times would improved and talked about having them practice - but that is not what this season was about for them. They set goals about personal improvement, completely unrelated to speed or time, and they worked hard and with determination to do them. Caleb often ran with joy, although some days that 400-meter race was more than he wanted to do, and Zoe continued to love running and the idea of racing even if it was emotionally challenging for her. They looked forward to Run Club each week, and they would talk about what went well and what they wanted to do differently the next week. And they both finished proud of how far they had come in the season.

Before I just start (or perhaps continue) rambling, I'm going to end this blog post. I'm going to end it with one of my favorite photos of the season. For the first day of Run Club, the kids chose, on their own, to wear their "Mama is a Runner" shirts. Zoe also chose to wear her Fleet Feet Sports Ponyaband. And when it was time to take a photo of them, they had to do their running pose.

It's true: #ZoeisaRunner #CalebisaRunner. And I am #OneProudMama because they have the heart and determination that makes for a good runner who enjoys the sport.

I had every intention of blogging about the Papa John's 10 Miler before racing the Derby Festival (KDF) Minimarathon. My life has been extra hectic and overwhelming recently, and it didn't happen. But, it ends up that it is better that I didn't get to blog about it before because it has so much more meaning now, in context with KDF. Some races you fly. You feel great. You push the pace. You exceed your own expectations. Some races you struggle. You fight for each mile. It's hard. You don't meet your time goals. And the thing is - you can't always predict what type of race it will be. And certainly it is not weather dependent. In 3 weeks time, I experienced both these types of races, and now I get the opportunity to share what being a runner is all about - the good and the bad.

Papa John's 10 Miler

It was the first Saturday in April and time for the third leg of the Louisville Triple Crown of Running. I had had two great legs so far. I PRed the Anthem 5k. Then I paced a friend to her PR at the Rodes City 10k. Now it was time for the Papa John's 10 Miler. Although it was spring, it didn't actually feel like spring. In fact, it was snowing. I had trained in the cold and trained in the snow. I had run with frozen eyelashes. I was ready!

That morning, a fellow KDF ambassador came to pick me up. We were running late thanks to having to scrape the windshield, but we made it in time for the ambassador photo.

Then, I rushed down to meet up with Bekah. Bekah had just run a marathon and Boston Qualified, so she was going to pace me as her recovery run. When she offered, I decided this was a good opportunity to practice my goal pace for KDF. If I could run a 9:45 pace, I would PR.

We decided we'd start at 9:45, speed up a bit the next three miles to "bank time" for the hills of Iroquois Park, ease off the pace while running the 3-ish miles of Iroquois, and then pick the pace back up when we came out.

Bekah, Jennifer, and I started off. We didn't get caught up in the push at the beginning and hit our goal almost exactly - Mile 1 was a 9:46 pace. I was feeling good, and we sped up a bit. I was dressed appropriately for the temperature. My feet did get wet in that first mile, but I quickly didn't notice the issue at all.

Miles 2-4 I could definitely tell we were pushing the pace, but I felt strong. We easily banked time on all three miles. Then we hit Iroquois. We slowed down a bit on that first mile of hills, and then we sped up the next mile, and then we had our fastest mile yet for the third mile! I felt so strong on those hills. I never had any doubts about being able to run them, and I never backed off my pace. We were talking, we were having fun, I was taking in the snowy woods, and the run felt great.

Back on Southern Parkway, I knew it was a straight shot with the only hill left being the overpass in the last mile. I had done so well this far, and I was feeling great. I kept the pace going. We hit Mile 9, and I knew I was going to have my best paced double-digit race. I started speeding up. We turned onto Central and started up the overpass. Luckily, someone warned us that the overpass was freezing over. Sure enough, the overpass was icy and slushy. I slowed a bit but found a path that was pretty clear and kept on going. Once we were off the overpass, it was time to really push. Up Floyd, turn the corner, and there was the finish line and time to leave Bekah as I sprinted for a strong finish. That final mile was my fastest mile yet!

I couldn't believe my time. I had crushed my goal. But more than that, I ran strong. I felt so strong the entire race. I pushed the pace and kept at it. I also took time to appreciate the beauty of the snow on the trees and to talk with Bekah and Jennifer and to enjoy the race. It had really been a fantastic race in every way.

After crossing the finish line, I felt some little arms wrap around me. I was surprised and happy to see Jon and the kids there and to find out they had seen my strong finish! They had gotten there for the kids race. They were all bundled up, and Zoe looked so cold. I got a picture with Bekah and Jennifer - I was so grateful for the opportunity to race with them and for how well Jennifer and I had done.

After talking with the Fleet Feet family and finding out how everyone's race went, Jon, the kids, and I got some pizza and went off to try to find the kids' race.

We found out that an announcement had just been made that the kids' race was cancelled. I asked about getting the kids their medals so we could do our own race since they came all the way out and stood in the cold, but they weren't giving them out and said they'd mail them. I put Zoe up on my back, and we headed in the cold to the car. We were disappointed about the cancelled kids' race, we were all very very cold, we were tired of the long walk to the car, but I was so happy. It had been a fantastic race day, and I was with my family!

Derby Festival Minimarathon

I was feeling great from the 10 Miler. I backed off on the intensity that week to let myself recover from pushing so hard for the race. The next weekend, my long run was in New York City where I was for a conference. It was a tough run, but we all have tough training runs. I got the mileage in though. The next week, I felt good in training, and then I was ready to taper. I had some easy runs, took it easy at OTF and worked on stretching, and got ready for KDF.

On Thursday, I did my last OTF workout before the race, got a long massage with Abby, and then Michelle and I got race henna from Rose. For my left arm, my watch side, I chose a pegasus flying to the finish line, which featured the Churchill Downs twin spires. For my right arm, I chose the shape of Kentucky with a heart for Louisville and "Mama is a Runner," with initials for Jon, Caleb, Zoe, and Indy. I wanted to recognize not only that this was KDF but also that this is my hometown, and this would be my last race here as a resident.

Thursday night, I didn't sleep well. I got up to let the puppy out in the middle of the night, and it took several hours to fall back asleep. I was anxious about the race (and about needing to sleep so I'd be ready), about work, and about everything going on in our lives.

After work Friday, I got everything ready for race day. After Zoe's gymnastics class, Jon and the kids dropped me off at the Marriott downtown. As a KDF ambassador, I had earned a stay there for race eve. It took me a long time to fall asleep, and I woke up before my alarm. Two days in a row of not sleeping well had me a little worried, but I was excited for race day!

I got ready and decided to head out early. I was originally going to meet up with two LDP first-time marathoners that I had been mentoring, but I decided to drop my bag for after the race at gear check first. On my way, I got to see the Oscar Mayer weiner-mobile.

After that, I met up with Mandy and Tim! They were a little nervous but excited about the day. I knew they were ready. They had trained hard, and today was the day they'd become marathoners!

This season hasn't been a good one for me being in the LDP pre-race photo, but I was plenty early for this one! It was great being with the Fleet Feet family pre-race. The group I had been training with got one last pic together (well, two - one with the amazing Kim Weiter jumping across the photo!), and we were headed off in our separate directions to get ready for our races.

Next, was a photo with the KDF ambassadors. It had been an honor to work with them throughout the season to promote the race and answer questions, and now it was race day!

With photos done, I hopped in line for the port-o-potties for one last bathroom stop before the race. While in line, Bekah found me. We got a quick photo with some LDP folks, went to the bathroom, and headed to the corral.

A couple Moms Run This Town (MRTT) women joined us that morning. Valerie decided to join Bekah and me for our attempt at a 9:30-9:45 pace. Allison also started with us. I was a little anxious but feeling good and was excited to run.

The first mile went exactly as planned. We ran about a 9:45 pace to get warmed up. We stayed to the left to try to get around the slower runners and the walkers who had moved up into our corral.

The second mile felt tough, and sure enough, we had averaged a 9:23 pace. After that we started to settle into our pace. Even though I had run further faster, I was struggling. The pace never felt comfortable. Bekah and Valerie stayed a couple feet in front of me having an easy conversation, and I just kept focused on moving forward and allowing myself to be distracted by their conversation. I tried to take in my surroundings, my city, but it was hard given that I was struggling. At one point, Bekah asked how I was doing. I told her, "This feels hard. But I know it's because it is hard, and I'm doing it." I was trying to stay positive, but I wasn't finding my rhythm.

About Mile 4, I started to feel nauseous. I've never felt nauseous on a run before. I tried to shake it off. I drank some extra Sword hoping the electrolytes would help. By Mile 5, Bekah had me take some of my Base Salt to see if that would help the nausea. I had to walk a moment because I felt so ill. I wasn't going to let nausea stop me from seeing my family and having them see me running strong though. I knew that a little after Mile 5 we would see them. They would have woken up early, gotten dressed, and walked a block from our house to the minimarathon route and would be their cheering for me. I ran by them with a smile and blew the kisses. My kids were wearing their bright yellow Mama is a Runner shirts. It was what I needed to lift my spirits.

From there, we headed towards Central Park. I continued to fight waves of nausea. I continued to struggle with my pace. Bekah and Valerie were great about slowing down and encouraging me to slow down and to just try to keep going. Mile 6 was tough, and my pace crept to 10:02, but then I was able to speed back up as we pushed towards Churchill Downs.

I was struggling again as we went into Churchill Downs. Bekah reminded me we had to look good for the photographers, so I needed to run and smile. She even took some selfies of us entering the infield.

Once we got in Churchill Downs, things kind of fell apart for me. I was still not comfortable in my pace, I was still dealing with the waves of nausea, and I was not enjoying the race. I thought about my texts with my running partners Laura and Sandy. They knew I was trying for a PR, and Laura reminded me to have B and C goals as well. I told her, "I even have a D goal - just finish and enjoy it - so if I'm not going to make a, b, or c, I'll make sure to switch on the fun and do high 5s." I did some walking as we went around the infield at Churchill Downs. I wanted to remember running there. I wanted to enjoy it. The nice part is that several marathoners I knew ran by me during that stretch. They encouraged me, and my spirits were lifted by seeing them running strong.

We came out of Churchill Downs. My pace for the 8th mile had been 10:53. I knew that I didn't have it in my to PR today. Bekah and Valerie had tried to wait for me, which was super sweet and made me smile. I waved them on. I knew there was more walking in my future. I was frustrated with myself that I wasn't running strong, but I also had no intention of quitting. I was going to finish this race, I was going to have fun, but I also knew it would be a mental and physical struggle. Throughout the next several miles, I ran. I walked. I shuffled. I did whatever I needed to in order to mentally and physically keep moving forward. I gave high fives to spectators. If another runner started walking and seemed discouraged, I encouraged them and would run a bit with them. I talked to MRTT runners, I saw some LDP runners, and I took in my city. We passed UofL. We ran through Old Louisville. I was so excited when I came to my family again - a block over from where they saw me earlier. Instead of my usual run by and wave, I went over to them and hugged them. Jon told Caleb to be quick because I needed to keep running. I shook my head and said, "No, I'm done." Caleb thought that meant I was done racing, but Jon explained it didn't and encouraged me. I felt better. I knew I still had to keep pushing, I knew I was done going for my PR, but I also knew I was going to keep enjoying the race.

I continued to run. I continued to do some walking. I did things like tell myself I was going to walk through the next intersection and then keep running. I talked to lots of people. I came to some LDP spectators. I knew they had tacos, and I yelled, "I run for tacos!" Lucas was holding out a box, so I reached in to get what I thought were tacos. They were pieces of donut. I was so disappointed. Cristin yelled that she had had the tacos (of course she did!), and as I continued towards the finish line, Michelle came running after me with a little mini taco!

I was walking again less than a mile from the finish line. I knew I was getting close, but I also was ready to be done. Just then, Allison came up behind me. She also had had a tough race. We decided we were going to finish strong, and the two of us ran together. Turning the corner and seeing the finish line ahead was amazing. That last stretch, I was running a 7:53 pace! I may have struggled through those last 5 miles, but I finished strong! I was beaming the entire last tenth of a mile as I ran towards that finish line. I was so happy. I was happy to have run in my city. I was happy that I kept going and that I had fun. I was happy that I was finishing strong. I was happy that I was finishing.

Post-race, I had another Ambassador perk to take advantage of. I headed to the VIP tent. There, I was able to change into dry clothes and eat some amazing food.

I also had a recovery stretch with the PT. The PT couldn't believe I had had a massage just two days before because my hips were so tight.

Then, I had a moment to say hi to Shanna, the race director, and Chris, one of the ambassador leads.

Once I had recovered a bit, I found my Run Crew. Sandy and Laura were anxiously waiting for me to see how the race had gone. I was ready to shake off my bad race and focus on being with my running family.

We were in the stands near the finish line and ready to cheer on the relay teams and marathoners. The Runner Girls relay team joined us, and Sean showed up with McDonald's burgers and fries. I don't remember the last time I had McD's, but there's something about a tough run and being with family that makes food taste better!

The rest of the race was a lot of fun. We got to see JWill and the Women RISE team cross the finish line and saw all our marathoners, including the first-time marathoners, cross the finish line while we cheered and cheered.

Next up, taking Tim E. and Mandy to the PR bell. They completed their first marathon and finished strong! We were so proud of them! And Tim has already signed up for his next marathon - Indy Monumental!

Before we all went our own way, we, of course, had to get a photo of all the Fleet Feet Family still at the race. Laura pointed out that somehow we managed to have all the people I had mentored in the last two seasons together in one photo - Laura, Sandy, and JWill from our marathon training season; Kat from Run the Bluegrass; Zoe, Tim E., and Mandy from this past season. All together. This was my last season with Fleet Feet Louisville. These are people who had become my friends, my family. This was a moment I will always hold in my heart - being with them, being accepted, having encouraged and supported one another, having cheered each other to new heights this season and having supported each other after a tough race.

It had been a long time since JWill and I had been together for a post-run selfie, so we made sure to get one (in our matching Goodrs). After a season of so much time together as we trained for our first marathon, it had been strange not to run together much this past season since Jennifer was so busy with work. We spent some time after the race catching up (including getting some ice cream).

Finally, it was time to head home and see my family. They are so awesome at supporting me. They are proud of me for each race I run, regardless of my time and whether it is a PR. Zoe and Caleb couldn't wait to hug me and see my medal. They both were wearing there Mama is a Runner shirt and were excited for me to be home.

It was time to enjoy the rest of the day knowing that I had finished my 11th half marathon, 2 years since my first half marathon. Although it wasn't the time I wanted and included some walking, although I struggled mentally and physically, it still was faster than my first time running KDF two years ago, and I still finished it strong and smiling. I have grown so much in those 2 years - as a runner, as a mother, as a woman. I am stronger physically, emotionally, mentally. And at the center of it all is my family. As we went out to celebrate completing my goal race for the season, I had to smile taking a photo of the kids in their Mama is a Runner shirts sitting in the backseat holding hands just like their parents.

I have a real love-hate relationship with Run the Bluegrass. It is an extremely well-run race with a great medal and swag, good post-run food, fantastic expo, fun Director's Challenge with cool prizes, and more. It is behind Keeneland in Lexington, KY, by a lot of horse farms. That means it is extremely beautiful --- and EXTREMELY hilly. I've heard counts ranging from 27 to 37 hills in the 13.1 miles. As I said last year, the hills have hills. They just keep coming. Run the Bluegrass also has a really great kids run - our favorite one. I'll talk about the kids run first since it's on Friday night, and then I'll share about the half marathon.

The Kids Half Marathon

There is a one-mile or a "half marathon" option for kids. For the kids half marathon, the kids log 12 miles of training runs prior to race day. They then run the final mile of their half marathon on race day, and they earn a larger medal. The kids and I really love doing the kids half marathon. It gives us motivation to get out and run together in the winter. We try to run a mile for as many of the training runs as possible. This year, we did something new. Instead of all the runs being Zoe, Caleb, and me, as much as possible, I would run a mile with each kid separately. This let them each go their own pace and kept them more focused. We had a lot of fun on our training runs, and both kids were getting better and taking fewer walk breaks and enjoying their run. Caleb learned a lot this season about pacing for short runs versus our mile runs.

For race day, Zoe chose to wear a Flash shirt because she was going to run so fast like Flash. Caleb had planned to wear the RtB shirt from the previous year, but he had worn a red shirt during the day to support Kentucky teachers and said, "I want to keep supporting them." I was so proud of him!

On Friday, Jon picked the kids up, I came home from work, and we headed to Lexington. We did the race expo, making sure to get all my prizes for being in the top 50 in training miles logged (the Director's Challenge) and stopping by to see the Sword team (I was so excited there would be Sword on the course!). Then it was time to get the kids' bibs on and head to their race.

The kids were ready for their race and practicing their runner poses.

There was a little drizzle, but that didn't bother them! As the race was getting ready to start, the rain started to clear up, and the sun came out. We even got to see a rainbow!

Caleb had decided he would run this race by himself this year, which would be a first for him. He only had one concern. Last year, he had convinced me that this was a really long race for them and they needed nutrition like I use on long races. So once again, I had some Honey Stinger gummies for each kid, and he was concerned about not having a parent running with him to give him gummies. We agreed that he would have several before the race and then have some at the end.

Caleb had a great race. When I asked him afterwards how it went running by himself, he said, "It was good. I did get lonely. But then a girl came running by me, and I ran with her after that and talked to her." Jon told him, "That's good. That's what your mommy does when she runs. She makes new friends while running."

I was Zoe's race crew. By 0.10 mile, she was asking for a gummy. She also dealt with some side stitches while running, but she did a good job of running and walking. The two of us ran most of the mile holding hands, although she did some fast running to beat me on occasion, especially when we were near her brothy and daddy who were near the finish cheering her on.

The kids race was a complete success. They both had fun and finished the kids half marathon. Caleb had his gummies, the kids got their goodie bags, and it was time to go get some dinner so the kids could get home and go to bed and I could get to my hotel room and go to bed for my race the next morning.

Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon

RtB 2017 was a very tough race for me, perhaps moreso mentally than physically. I had started off strong, with a pace too aggressive for the course. I had been running half marathons less than a year, and I wasn't mentally prepared for all the hills. I started the race with my training partners, but I ended up running the 2nd half of the half marathon by myself and I mentally struggled with walking up some of the hills. I had trouble with hills for quite a while after that race, particularly with my confidence. This year, I was determined to have fun at the race.

The fun started with the expo where I was able to meet several runners I had chatted with, supported, and received support from online in Coach Jenny Hadfield's Challenge group.

After the kids' race and this photo, I had dinner with my family and headed to my hotel. Emily met me there. Before bed, I laid out my outfit for the day and got my breakfast and my Sword ready.

That's right - my goal was to have fun at the race. How can you not have fun in a blue tutu and bunny ears and tail?

The next morning, we got a little bit of a late start and got stuck in traffic getting into Keeneland. However, Emily and I still were the only two to make it to the KDF Ambassador photo that morning.

I had time that morning to drop my bag at gear check (after getting it back because I decided it would be better to keep my inhaler with me just in case), go to the bathroom, and find friends along the starting corrals. I was able to say hi to the Runner Girls and passed Jaclyn, who I had picked a costume with.

I then went to find Laura and Sandy, my training partners, since I had not seen them yet. I found them in the corral along with Laura's daughter, Kathryn. I had not been sure who I was running with for this race. I originally had planned to run with JWill when I signed up, but due to work and buying a condo, she wasn't able to make it. I decided I needed a fun run with my training partners, and that it would be good to stay with them since I was planning on an easier run and I knew Kathryn was planning to walk some and there was some concern about Laura and Sandy wanting to go on and Kathryn not - I told them I'd run with them and was happy to hang back with Kathryn if they felt good.

During the first couple of miles, we saw several horses. They were out running as well. Several mares and foals were among the horses out running. However, no horses were up by the fence for a selfie, and we didn't see horses later in the race when I wanted to get a pic. A friend did get this photo of a mare and foal (and some other great scenic pics).

Early in the race, Sandy went on ahead with Scott. However, Laura, Kathryn, and I stayed together the entire race. We talked a lot, we ran a lot, we walked some. We had a good pace and stayed positive. When the hills started taking their toll on us, we would pick out a point on the hill, such as "that big tree," and try to run to it and, if we needed to, start walking after it. When we would get near the top of the hill, we would pick out a point to start running again.

Did I mention there were just a few hills?

As we ran, I had fun - talking with people and waving at the cameras. I did have to stop on one hill and take my inhaler, but my tummy did great for the race and I felt fueled with berry Sword in my handheld and apple Sword on the course.

In RtB, runners hit Mile 12 and think you're done, but it's still not flat. Laura and I could tell the hills were taking their toll on Kathryn by this point. She stuck with it though. As we went uphill in the last half mile, she was determined to keep running and not walk. As we approached the Mile 13 mile marker, Kathryn started speeding up, and she was staying stride-for-stride with Laura and me. A guy was in the middle of the road dancing to the Michael Jackson song they were playing, and we finally made our way around him. Once we passed the Mile 13 marker, it was time for the final kick. I started speeding up and kept encouraging Kathryn that she could do it, that she couldn't give up, that we were almost there.

I was feeling good - I had met my goal of finishing RtB enjoying the race and having fun through the end. It was not my fastest half marathon by any stretch, but speed was not the goal for this race this year.

After we crossed the finish line, Kathryn immediately broke into tears. She had just finished a very tough course, and she had finished it very strong.

And the three of us ran all 13.1 miles together!

For two weeks in a row, I ran the race with someone, and she cried at the finish line. It's good to be a part of a running family and to be there for the moments people need someone - whether it's after crushing a PR or just finishing a very tough course.

Instead of just my usual post-race banana, I enjoyed a post-race donut, and it was SO good. There's nothing like 30+ hills to make a donut taste AMAZING. I then was able to enjoy a post-race mimosa and celebrating with friends.

I couldn't have been happier with how the race had gone. I may have had a much slower time this year than last year, but I enjoyed the race so much more! I set a goal, a goal not related to time, and I met that goal!

I also helped others meet their goals. I had lots of comments on the course about my costume, and I had 3 people stop me after the race to tell me how I helped them finish the race. One told me I was a good pacer. All of them said that they just kept my bunny ears in sight. That helped them move forward and kept them motivated, just seeing the bunny ears ahead.

I also got a medal that was as big as Zoe's face. The kids were excited that it was so big and was the same as theirs.

Next, I changed out of the bunny outfit into my race hoodie, and it was off to lunch with the Runner Girls!

We had great conversation about running, about food, about life. I am so grateful to have such an awesome running family and to have had the opportunity to spend time with so many of them throughout the day. Afterwards, I enjoyed driving home with Rebecca, Amanda, and Michael - a great way to end a great day. Rebecca recently moved to Utah, and we miss seeing her for our weekly runs. It was awesome to get to spend more time with her, and I hope we still are able to meet up for races in the future!

Thanks for reading such a long blog post with so many photos. It really was a wonderful day, a race day that I will always remember and cherish. I definitely plan to continue to have my primary race goal for more races in the future be to have fun!

Since I race at least one race a month and am busy being a mama and professor, I don't have the time to blog about every race I run. This one definitely needed more than a little blurb on Facebook though.

I ran the Anthem 5k the past two years. In 2016, my time was 31:31. That was a PR by more than 3 1/2 minutes. I was thrilled. Last year, I decided I wanted to PR it again. What I really wanted was an official time under 29 minutes. I had run the Run Run Rudolph 5k in November. I ran 5k in a time of 29:02, but the official course was 3.5 miles and my official time of 32:51. Then I ran the Hangover Classic 5k in January, but the lead runners took a wrong turn and we ended up running long. I finished 5k in a time of 29:08, but the course with the wrong turn was 3.68 miles and my official time 34:30. The night before Anthem 5k 2017, I told this story to the Fleet Feet owner, and his response was, "Well, Anthem is a sanctioned race and there's no way the course won't be right." Cristin had offered to pace me for the race and jokingly told everyone I was going to get a sub 27 minutes. It ended up that they blocked the course out wrong - it was only 2.95 miles! My official time was 25:29 for the shortened course. My pace was 8:38, which would be a 5k time of 26:49. I felt pretty good with that as a PR given that I had done negative splits and was going strong. I had PRed by so much! But yet, it wasn't a full 5k, so it was a bit tainted. I focused the rest of the season on my half marathon (which I also PRed), and then the next season I was marathon training and not racing. I had my eyes set on Anthem 2018 as my next chance to PR a 5k.

I came back from Disney World (5 days of walking the parks and a 5k, 10k, and half marathon) worn out. I took the week after recovering my very tired legs with some easy runs and OrangeTheory Fitness workouts and a massage. Then the next week, the week before Anthem, I ran Monday and did OTF on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I flew out for a short work trip - I left Wednesday and came back Friday night. It was the first 3 consecutive rest days I had that I could remember in forever. I got in Friday night, so I was not sure if I'd try for a PR or not. On Monday, I had talked to my training partners about the race. Laura and Sandy were not planning to race hard (which I didn't believe - I told them they were in for big PRs). Zoe and I had very similar PRs - her Anthem 2017 predicted time was about 26:45. And Tim is training for his first marathon, so he didn't want to try to run as hard as the previous year when he had a 22 minute 5k. Zoe was very positive about the two of us PRing together. She knew we could do it and was encouraging me to start with her. So I wasn't sure, but I figured I'd see how our warm-up went and likely start with Zoe.

I woke up early Saturday morning and had a leisurely morning getting ready. I ate a Honeystinger waffle and drank some Sword to fuel me. Zoe and Tim met me at my house at 7:00 in the morning. The three of us had an easy warm-up run of about 2 miles to get downtown. It was a great way to start the morning - easy pace and good conversation. We arrived to find out we had literally just missed the Fleet Feet family photo, but since our group and another group had just shown up at the same time, they agreed to do another photo.

Next, I ran a block away to meet up with the Derby Festival Minimarathon/Marathon ambassadors for a group photo.

Finally, all photos done, it was time to head to the start line. I found Laura, Sandy, Zoe, and Tim, and we headed to corral C. We were talking about our plans, and Zoe, Tim, and I decided we were going to move up and start faster - Zoe and I were going to go for a PR. Zoe wanted to have an average pace a little faster than 8:30. I suggested a first mile of 8:30-8:45 and then increase in speed. We tried to find the other Tim and Scott to maybe start with them and then let them take off, but we couldn't find them. We ended up right where corrals B and C were mixing.

We went out a little too faster. I told Zoe once that we were at an 8:05 pace and once that we were at an 8:10 pace. Our first mile ended up being 8:22 - definitely too fast. The air was thick - cold and wet, and my asthma kicked in. Combine that with my fast first mile, and I found that I needed to ease up. I started dropping back. Zoe was going strong, and she kept going - it made me happy to see how well she was doing. After a little while of solo running, I started debating if I should ease up a little more since I wasn't going to PR anyway. About then, Tim dropped back to run with me, and I told him no PR today. He told me I still had it and was at a good pace. We ran together. I ran hard but was focused on just not giving up and pushing myself, not on a PR. My second mile was 8:43. The last mile, I started pushing a little harder again. Tim wasn't letting me give up, and neither was I - 8:33 pace. I was telling myself my mantra - "This feels hard because it IS hard, and I'm doing it!" Then Tim asked if I had a sprint left in me. I said "I don't think so," but my body starting going faster anyway. Final 0.13 mi was 6:40 pace! It was a PR by over 20 seconds!

The race photos are not my best race photos. I look like I'm dying, but I felt like I was dying so that's pretty accurate lol. Tim said it doesn't look like I'm dying but like laser focus. He's right - I was focused on that finish line and on pushing myself and not giving up.

Like with my marathon, we soon met up with our training partners, and we found out we all were within a minute or so of each other! Zoe ended up dropping her key and having to get knots out of her shoelaces, and she finished with a time of 27:00. Sandy was just under that, and Laura was a second over that! Tim H. and Scott also had amazing PRs!

Before we sent Tim on his way to run another 11 miles as part of training for his first marathon, the warm-up runners took one last photo.

Then, Tim headed off to run, and Zoe and I started our cooldown of 2 miles back to my house. Along the way, we passed the KDF office, so we stopped for a quick pic with the pegasus.

I got home, drank the remainder of my Sword, and then headed up for a hot shower. My usual race routine is that after the race I shower and then spend the day in my race shirt and 2XU recovery tights. However, Laura had picked up my race packet since I was out of town during packet pickup, so I didn't have my race shirt. Instead, I chose to wear my new Fleet Feet Durham shirt that I acquired on my trip (with my Disney Princess Challenge hoodie).

Although the plan was an easy recovery day, I was excited when Caleb suggested we take a family walk across the Big Four Bridge (about a mile) to have lunch and then walk back. What a great way to celebrate a new 5k PR - a family walk and some yummy food!

I already blogged about the morning of the marathon. Last I left off blogging, I was excited to start the race. I was with the Fleet Feet family and ready to run. I was looking forward to seeing both friends and family along the course, and I trusted my training - I knew I could do it. Now, I'm going to write about the marathon itself. Be warned, this blog is going to be full of photos!

The race started off. The guys and Dana went on ahead, and the rest of us stuck to our plan to keep each other from going out too fast. We were chatting and taking in the atmosphere and, of course, running. Within the first couple of miles, Jennifer needed to stretch her calf out and dropped back, and Sandy, Laura, Rebecca and I continued on. Around Mile 3, I had my first sighting of my awesome family! There was Jon, Caleb, and Zoe cheering for us! It was great to see them, and it gave me renewed excitement for all that was too come. I was feeling good, and my family would be there again.

We continued on, keeping a steady pace. We were wearing our Fleet Feet Louisville Distance Project shirts, and we had several inquiries about the program. One runner, Zoe, joined us for about half the race. She is a Louisville runner who had been training solo, and it was her first marathon. In this pic, you can see me and Sandy in our FF shirts (and in my incredibly awesome custom Ponya) with Laura hidden to my left, and just behind us is Zoe.

As we ran, Rebecca kept us talking and enjoying the race. She had questions about our lives so we could get to know more about each other as we ran. We saw a group of Fleet Feeters who had driven up from Louisville to cheer on the LDP runners.

Around Mile 10, I got quiet. My stomach was feeling a little iffy. I was staying with the group, but I had dropped back just a little and wasn't participating in the conversation. It was this point that the enormity of what lay ahead of me sank in a little bit. But, I wasn't giving up, and I wasn't easing up. I kept right on running and focusing on running a little at a time.

Then, I heard the shouts of "Mommy!" and saw a very welcome sight! There was my family holding a Super Jill sign and cheering for me! I immediately teared up. I was doing it - and they were there supporting me! Sandy was next to me when we saw them, and she teared up as well. We also started running faster, and Laura reminded us we still had half a marathon to run. That moment lifted my spirits a lot.

We continued running. I felt lighter. My tummy was tolerating my nutrition and hydration. I had worked so hard to find what worked for me, and I was still running and had good energy.

By Mile 15, it was starting to hit that I had been running with no bathroom stops and no walking. The uneasiness in my tummy from earlier had passed. I had a new confidence. I could do this. I could finish this race without stopping. Then, around Mile 16, we heard the Fleet Feet crew cheering again. I saw Cristin, who I had trained with in the past and who had run with me for my 5k, 10k, and half marathon PRs during the Spring season, leave the group to join me. We welcomed her joining us, but it also felt good that I wasn't in need of the distraction - I was doing great, and I talked a little bit with her about how I was running steady and still going strong. You can see here that she took her job as Run Crew seriously, and I was really enjoying my race!

Shortly after Cristin joined us (which she said was at the only hill in Indy, although Laura, Sandy, and I don't remember there being any hills), Laura and Sandy decided they needed to stop at the bathroom. I was doing great - my stomach was doing pretty well and I had not walked at all at that point, so I decided to keep on going, as did Rebecca.

We were still going strong. Our pace had slowed down a little bit, but we were continuing on and in good moods. Cristin picked up where Rebecca had left off, except instead of questions for us, she just talked to us as we kept moving forward. She was fresh and there for moral support, so she kept the spectators entertained - she'd run over to the sides and high five and she'd run ahead and tell people to cheer for Jill and Rebecca. At one point, she found a woman with a megaphone and convinced her to chase me for about 1/10 of a mile while yelling "encouragement" at me through the megaphone (the highlight of Cristin's running career).

The further we went, the more I was determined that I was going to finish this marathon without walking or stopping. I had enough water in my hydration vest, I had enough fuel, my tummy was doing well. It was hard - there was some headwind and my pace slowed down as we hit mile 22 or so - but I was doing it. I would remind myself of my mantra - this feels hard because it IS hard, and I AM doing it. Cristin kept chatting, Rebecca kept running, and I knew I could do it.

Miles 23-25 were my slowest. I kept saying, "I may be going slow, but I'm still going. I haven't stopped yet, and I'm going to finish." I was determined. I was going slower, but I was still feeling good. But once I hit mile 25, I started speeding up. This was it! I was going to finish my first marathon. I remember Cristin saying to me, "So this is what we're doing?" I had hardly noticed I was speeding up - the adrenaline was going. Mile 26 was 36 seconds faster than Mile 25!

Then, I hit 26 miles on my watch and could see the 26 mile marker about 0.10 mile ahead. Cristin had already gone off the route. Without thinking about it, I started to push my pace. I took a moment to wave to the camera as I headed towards the finish.

As I started to round the corner, I was picking up speed. Suddenly, I wasn't aware of much else besides my body - my legs pushing hard, my breath, my feet hitting the pavement, my arms pumping. I wasn't fully aware that I had left Rebecca behind. I was just running, and running hard.

I could see the finish line ahead. I was going hard and passing other runners who were exhausted and just trying to finish. The crowd started to notice my kick, and people started to cheer. I thought I heard Jon and glanced that way. He thought I saw him, but I didn't - I didn't see anything but the finish line. I could hear the cheering, I could see the finish line, and I could feel my body. I remember thinking that I had kicked too soon and wouldn't be able to make, but I couldn't stop - I was so close! I just had to keep pushing and get through that finish line, and then I would be done. That last 0.3 of a mile was an 8:41 pace. My overall pace was about 11:00 pace - so I definitely had kicked it up despite having been running for 4 hours 50 minutes nonstop. Some of the Fleet Feet family was at the finish, and Amanda took this great picture of me. It's one of my favorite race photos ever - it captures the strength and speed I put into that final stretch.

The emotions to be running that hard, to have been running that long, and to have finished. My goal had been to finish. My "if everything goes right, don't dare speak it aloud" goal was to finish in under 5 hours. I never thought to set the goal of running the entire time. I had exceeded my goals and expectations! I had become a Marathoner!

After getting my medal and getting my breath back, the first people I saw were my husband and kids. WE had done it! I had become a marathoner with their love and support and patience! I gave them hugs, thanked Cristin and told her I did it, and then it was time to take finisher photos. First up was a solo photo:

Right behind me was Rebecca. She and I ran the entire race together until that final kick I had. While I was racing my heart out at the end, she was soaking up that final stretch waving at the crowd, knowing she had just PRed.

Within minutes, we were surrounded by our run crew! We had all finished within 10 minutes of each other! It was amazing seeing Laura, Sandy, Dana, and Jennifer join us before we could even leave the area! We had all done it!

Before we went to join our families and the Fleet Feet crew, I had to get one more picture with the woman who I had spent so many hours on training runs with. Jill and JWill - we had done it! Through the season of ups and downs - the good runs and the bad runs - we had encouraged each other and supported each other and had fun together - and now we were both marathoners. We had just finished 26.2 miles! And we both had exceeded our goals!

Next, it was on to celebrating! The pizza did not interest me at all. What did was the pink milk that Solomon, who had been my three Fleet Feet coach for my half marathon training seasons prior to that season, had brought just for me since I don't eat/drink chocolate. My feet started to cramp, but I had planned ahead and had brought some Sword for recovery. I quickly mixed some up, and wow, did it taste good. More importantly, my cramping stopped, and I had no more issues! I was starting to get cold and changed my shirt into a 26.2 Finisher shirt :) Otherwise, I was tired, but I felt great. I had a really major blister on my little toe but no other aches or pains.

Soon, Cristin came by for a congratulatory hug. It was so wonderful having a good friend there keeping me entertained and going. She was like my running doula. I could have done it without it, but she was a rock that made it easier.

As my body relaxed, I continued to get cold. I had bought an Indy Monumental finisher pullover for just this occasion. I also had my Indy Monumental hat that I got at the finish to wear. I just sat there, enjoying the moment and being with my family. It was so awesome to have them there celebrating with me! It wasn't until this point that I realized my kids had on the most awesome shirts! Cristin's parents had made them Mama is a Runner shirts!

I came away from this experience stronger, prouder, and also with more hardware :) I earned the Indy Monumental marathon medal as well as the Indython Ultra medal, which was for running the Half Marathon at Fort Ben and Indy Monumental Marathon.

Before we headed back to the hotel, I stopped and got my first marathon medal engraved with a time I was very proud to have earned!

Back at the hotel, I finally had a moment to take in the poster my kids and husband had made and proudly displayed for me. I was, once again, overwhelmed by the moment and that WE had done it. I also couldn't believe Jon managed to get the kids around to 3 places on the course and the finish line!

I continue to think about my first marathon. What an accomplishment! I cried when I opened my mail more than a month later and found this ornament from my good friend Lisa who I texted with throughout the seasons - me supporting her in her first half marathon training and her supporting me in my first marathon training. She had followed me that day and was so proud of what I accomplished!

It's hard to capture the beauty of this necklace with both my kids' birthstones that Jennifer (JWill) gave me at our end-of-season celebration party with the Fleet Feet Family. If it wasn't clear before, it was definitely clear now - Mama is a Runner!