Minneapolis-Star-Tribune-runningkellometers

Since my little "funk" continues, I thought I should embark on another "inspiration" post talking about all those that inspire me.

Today I'm going to talk about the running community. I first started running as part of the track team in high school. There was definitely a huge sense of community as you were part of a team and all that jazz. When I started running again in college and afterwards, I did it by myself. I would run on the treadmill, around the city, just because I liked to run. I would run with a few friends here and there but I did the majority of my training on my own (including my first half marathon).

It wasn't until I decided to tackle the marathon that I realized I wouldn't be able to do this on my own. I signed up for the local CARA group and started training.

With some of my training pals at the CARA compound before the Chicago Marathon 2011

After the Illinois Marathon (and half marathon) 2012

After the training for my first marathon was over, I didn't know what to do. I had all this extra time on my hands and I had made all these new running friends! The training group kind of dispersed afterwards so I decided to get in touch with my local running group, the FNRC. I had run with a few of the folks a few times, but over the winter, we really got the chance to do some bonding over the weather conditions and general running talk.

My first long run with the FNRC

First time meeting Maggie

After the marathon was over, I also decided to start this old blog. That opened me up to a whole entire world of the running blogger community. Some of these folks started off as acquaintances but have become friends over the months we've known each other. We do meetups, race, drink, eat and do all other sorts of things together. I really am lucky to be friends with so many great ladies.

My first ever  blogger meetup before the Shamrock Shuffle 2012

Girls weekend at Zooma Great Lakes 2012

Oiselle teammate meetup on the Chicago lakefront path

Chicago Blogger Holiday meetup

To me, all of these runners are inspiring in so many different ways! Whether it is my pace leader and pal Jeanne qualifying for Boston for the first time; Maggie PRing all the time getting faster and faster; Amanda W PRing when not planning it while overcoming injuries along the way; Amanda TTF who somehow manages to run marathons, complete triathlons while also raising a family at the same time; Kim who works full time, helps run a company with her husband, and maintains a vegan lifestyle; Sara who loves running marathons more than I ever thought possible; Erin who always looks adorable whether she is or isn't wearing running clothes; and Kelly who (has an awesome name) always shares great recipes and goes after her dream of becoming an Ironman, something I can only imagine in my wildest nightmares... And all the other ladies who I didn't mention but who continue to inspire those around them without even realizing it!

This post has got me feeling all warm and fuzzy... and very fortunate to have such great ladies in my life! I may be taking a little bit of a break but I know when I'm back at it, these ladies (and a few guys) will be there for me, no matter what. Who do you run with and how do they inspire you?

Wow. This past weekend was pretty much a runnerd's dream so it will take me a few days to talk about everything that happened! First, I'd like to talk about spectating the Chicago Marathon.

I headed downtown bright and early because I wanted to see the elites run by. One of my running group friends, Diane, carpooled with me as we parked and walked to our designated spot: Mile 17. After watching some of the speedy wheelchair racers go by, it was time for the elite men. Diane had never spectated a marathon before so I told her she was in for a treat! The first pack sped past us in a blink and Diane grabbed a quick pic (better than mine).

Not too far behind was the elite I was most excited about seeing, Dathan Ritzenhein!
I absolutely love this photo. Dathan looks like he is literally FLYING. He ended up finishing 9th overall in a very tough field and shaved 2 minutes off his previous PR, finishing in 2:07!! This interview video from Flotrack is great. Dathan talks about some of the mistakes he made (even elites make mistakes) and how he struggled with the "Roosevelt Hill" (just like the rest of us)!

After the elite men went by, it was time for the elite women!

After the elites, we had some down time before our first group of friends came by. We decided to make the most and take some more photos!

Diane and I at mile 17

My general store was quite the site.

Diane was meeting her friend Jeni at the halfway point so she hung out as long as she could at mile 17 before making the walk to mile 13 (due to logistics of the course, this walk was actually less than a mile). Due to the wave start, my friend Kate S. passed Maggie so I walked to try and run with Kate! I walked to try and meet her but with the wave of runners and spectators, I totally missed her and a bunch of our friends that she was running with. I was so upset!!!! :( I was so worried looking for Kate (and obsessively checking my phone for the next update) that I almost missed Maggie! Thankfully, she spotted me in my bright FNRC shirt and we were on our way! Maggie was running this at her own pace and just enjoying the scenery. (You can read her full recap here.) I took a lot of pics but this one is my personal favorite.

I ran with Maggie from mile 16-23. It was nice to sing along to Gangham Style (complete with the dance) as well as cheer for the runners while they were running. People looked at me as if I was crazy and that I had too much energy! That was why I was there! To help boost the energy of those that didn't have it anymore. :) I hopped out at mile 23, knowing that Maggie could finish this race at ease (and she totally did). Next up, I hopped in with Amanda and ran with her until they pulled me off the course.

I think Amanda was smiling much more here, at mile 24 than when I left her at 25.5. Either way, I'm glad I was able to help her reach her goal! Amanda got a shiny new PR and finished under her ultimate goal time as well. You can check out her race recap here.

Afterwards, I walked to the Congress Hotel to congratulate all my Yankee Runner friends. The FNRC was pretty split up after the race so it was hard to get together.

Either way, I had an absolute blast out there cheering for all my pals along the way! I'm surprised I still have a voice, to be completely honest. It was a great day and this only fuels my desire to get out there and give the Chicago Marathon another attempt. We have some unfinished business! (To read about my Chicago Marathon experience the first time around, you can check out my post here.)

CONGRATULATIONS to all the finishers, whether you PRed, completed your first marathon, or just crossed the finish line with a smile on your face. You are all awesome and I hope to join you out there again some day! :)

Time for another post about a Mag Mile Runner photo challenge! This week's challenge is:

Your running group. Who do you usually run with? A running club? A group run at a store? A buddy? Your dog? No one? Whatever, take a picture of it, even if it’s just you looking lonely.

There are a few different groups that I like to run with, and I am very lucky in this sense. Running with a buddy or a group has that important element of accountability.

My Number 1 running buddy is:


We meet to run if it is hot, cold, rainy, snowing, or anything in between. Some days there are large groups and other days there are only a few. We still get out there and run, and have fun doing it!

As I mentioned earlier this week, I planned to run the Palos Half Marathon as a training run. When race day arrived, I met up with the FN Runners beforehand and also saw a few Yankee Runners before heading to the starting line.

I've struggled with progression runs in the past, and my coach had offered up the option to run this race as such. The plan was to run the first mile at 10:00 pace and increase the mile splits by 10 seconds. The hardest part about this plan was starting out slow. Everyone was blazing past me in the first mile. It was so, so difficult to keep a steady pace because I wanted to go faster! But I stuck to the plan!

My new favorite race photo!

I saw the FN Runners again at mile 9 which was very much needed. My splits were getting tougher and I really appreciated the support our group gave us! My aunt also surprised me and gave me a high five on the course. It was a great surprise and I was feeling great!

This is my "Please let this be over" face

With some of my FN Runner friends (L to R: Susan D, me, Aurelia)

More FN Runners! (L to R: Wayne, Susan M, Brian, me, Kevin)

Thanks Maggie for the great sign and for coming out to cheer for us!

With my friendly 10:00 marathon pacers!

The Yankee Runner crew!

Many moons ago, my friend Amanda and I met during marathon training over the summer. We started the Chicago Marathon together and she went on to finish the race! After I had my DNF in Chicago and decided to run in Grand Rapids, Amanda hopped in her convertible and made the 3 hour drive to run the race with me. This past fall when Amanda decided to run the Illinois Marathon, I knew I would be returning the favor! A large group of my running friends (Yankee Runners) were also running the race so I had a lot of folks to cheer on during the race. I had planned on meeting at mile 15 and running the last 10 with Amanda.

The weather for the race had been questionable all week. Predicted thunderstorms, 40% chance of rain... It poured rain the entire time we were heading to Champaign. Once we arrived, the skies cleared. The rain was gone, the sun was covered by clouds, and the gun was about to go off. Once I parked my car, ate my oatmeal, and secured my outfit and additional supplies (banana, Gu, etc), I headed out to mile 15.

I was at the spot pretty early and the 10k folks were walking by (this race had a 10k, half marathon, and full marathon). I got comfortable and sent a text to Amanda letting her know I was here and at mile 15.

After settling in, it was time to wait for the elites to go by. Once I heard sirens, I knew they were close. Bikes and cars leading the way, the first place runner went by in a blur (literally).

I couldn't help myself but cheer really loudly when I saw fast women run by. I mean, girl power, right?! I saw some of my Yankee Runner and FN Running Club friends when I got a text from Amanda. She said she was tired and wanted me to meet her at mile 14 instead of 15. I didn't think that was a good sign.

I saw Amanda at mile 14 and she looked happy to see me. I hopped in, asked her what she needed and tried to bring some pep and energy to race day! Amanda had a rule during her first marathon to smile at every mile. Sooo I tried to take a picture of us smiling at every mile (or at least, tried at every mile)!

Mile 15

Mile 17

Mile 19

Mile 20

Mile 22

Mile 24

We saw Erin on the course too, but I didn't think to get a photo. She ran with us for a few feet and gave some words of encouragement. Thanks Erin! :)

Amanda's quads were sore and she didn't end up beating her time from last year. However, she had a lot of injuries this time around (you can read more about them on her blog) and we were both happy that she finished (well, obviously).

Some Yankee Runner friends qualified for Boston while others finished their first marathon. We had a cookout afterwards with tons of burgers, chicken, and snacks (new addiction = sweet potato chips).

L to R: Cy, Jeanne, me, Amanda, Dan, Lynn

It was a fun time to enjoy and celebrate!! Congrats to all of the finishers!!

I enjoyed jumping in for part of the marathon experience without having to go through the pain of completing a full marathon! I enjoyed being able to support Amanda, have fun with it, and read all the fun spectator signs! :)