2014 In-Training for Peachtree Course Run

Saturday I woke up bright and early for the 2014 In-Training for Peachtree Course Run. It felt pretty good out and although groggy I was looking forward to the run. When we (the Bird and I) arrived at the start there were several hundred runners running around, signing in, stretching, or searching for porta potties. We coach for the Atlantic Station team whereas this run was for all teams including midtown, Alpharetta, Suwannee just to name a few. (If you wanted training more likely then not there was a group near you.)



It was cool to see all the runners out there. It was just like a race day- people were pumped.



Just like any race we started out in corrals. And just like in any race, most people over estimate their abilities... Not, me I know I rock the 11:17-11:30 time unless its a 5k. After about a mile or two people slowed down and I was able run freely. Ya know, at my own pace, not shoulder to shoulder with someone else. Of course, I tried to stay near people to ensure they had the support they needed and I ended up talking to a woman who dragged her husband along to run with her ;). I loved that her husband, who isn't a runner came out to support her. It reminded me of the Champ. Hopefully, he wasn't to sore the next day but he did seem to keep his own. Being that she was new to running, I will say she was pretty strong. I actually commented on that to her early on in our run...

So if you have run the Peacthree Road Race you always hear of Cardiac Hill, well I've only ran this race once back when I was in not such great shape so I remember the entire race being hard. Two years later, I'm running the course and I was in my own zone not thinking, breathing fine etc..

After about two miles we were doing the Galloway method. I saw a hill and really thought nothing of it. I told the woman and her husband what I was doing and they joined- after all its only a 3 minute run. Turns out, that was the infamous Cardiac Hill. Ha and we ran right up it.

Good news, if she can run that sucker without stopping or slowing down she will have no problem race day. Proud moment for her and for me. I knew she was strong :)



Compared to my first Peachtree where I wasn't trained this run was effortless. Running with a group everything went by so, so fast. I mean, not once did I think screw this I wish it was over. I just enjoyed the banter, the socializing, being outside. It was lovely.

The finish was sweet as well. I didn't indulge in anything since I knew the Bird and I were going to hit up a cafe. But they had cliff bars, some other bar (it had peanuts so I paid it no attention), water bottles, Gatorade, chiropractor and ice pops. If that was my longest distance ever as it was for many runners, I would have LOVED this finish. I feel like ATC really took care of their runners after the race. So of course, that made me happy. (Because you know I feel when runners aren't taken care of at the end of a race or course. The a bad experience can totally ruin the whole experience if not done right) Luckily for us Georgians, the Atlanta Track Club knows how to do things right!



Overall, it was a great run. Could I have pushed myself further, yeah. But I finished feeling strong and more importantly happy.

And cause everyone likes a good photobomb from a stranger....

How I Try and Be A Good Coach

If you've read my blog you know I am no stranger to training programs. I just love em and I am the point where I can volunteer and be a Coach. Before I started helping out I really though about what made "great" coaches great and here are my thoughts on how to be a good running Coach:
I try and keep a mindful eye that no one is running alone. Personally, my least favorite program I ever ran was one where the Coaches treated it as THEIR run. Mm mm. This isn't my nor any other Coaches run. I walk, I jog I do whatever it is the group or individual around me does because that is what you do to support and encourage other runners. You don't leave them in your dust and try to break any records sorry, but your an asshole if you do. (IMO)

I don't push anyone. I believe in listening to your body. I believe if you can't talk you need to slow down. I don't push people to meet a goal because "it's only a mile" or something like that. I let the individual set the pace. It's their goal, their run. I am there for encouragement not to come down on them like a boot camp coach.

Second, I try and read the runners. I'm a talker especially when running I could talk you ass off for hours but I try and gauge the runner to see if they want to talk or not. So far almost everyone wants to talk or at least they eagerly listen. Why do I do this? I remember running solo before, out of breath, dreading the remainder of the run and having someone talk really helped me get my mind off what lied ahead and it pepped me up. It also allows the individual time to ask for tips or tricks of they want. I get more questions while running then before or after the run.

Third, I celebrate milestones. Yes, if Jo Bob ran up that huge hill and couldn't last month then he deserves a little holla. I try and remember what it felt like when I made such accomplishments and how special they were to me. I try and recognize every step that the runner took to make that accomplishment or goal.

My first time running double digits- just a little excited

I suppose Coaching has some drawbacks. You give up your Saturday mornings and you don't get your own "long run in" but there is just something about working with other runners. They make me want to want to be the best and give them the best. What else can I say?
 
“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” 

The Biggest Loser 10k Run Walk

About a month ago I received an email from the Atlanta Track Club looking for pacers for the Biggest Loser 10k Run Walk. It was right near my house and I was down for a good run so of course I volunteered.

I did though, volunteer with some hesitation as I never paced before. I was put with the 15 minute pace group, a group I could defiantly handle. But the fear came from either running to fast or too slow and messing someone's time up! So I printed out a pace chart and taped it on the back of my phone and ran my stop watch.

I arrived early as always. It was held at Six Flags Over Georgia. I actually expected many more people to be there. Even I, who lives just miles away hadn't heard about the race so I guess I wasn't surprised when I didn't see thousands of people.

The check in was smooth and they had vendors (stickers, jewelry, head bands) for people to look at. I thought that was nice. Ya know, help out new people that may have the jitters get the run off their mind while waiting for the race to start.

We, the pacers lined up and waited for the crowds to form around us. I had lots of people ask why I was holding a sign and explained what I was doing. I was more often then not greeted with an excited face. As we waited they blared music. I tried to shout, clap, and bounce my sign up and down to help get the people around me pumped. I wouldn't say I was a cheer"leader" but I defiantly added a lil something ;)

One of the individuals that released the corrals was one of the former contestants from the show. Not ever seeing the show I was unaware of who he was but I heard tons of people around me talking about him with tons of excitement I must add.

Then the race started. I wasn't really sure how to pace 15 at first. Is it a slow jog? A fast walk? An interval? I ended up walking fast. I was in the back of my corral and like with most races all the people around me took off and I was walking solo.

It wasn't until around a mile in one lady joined me. She came from North Carolina and was a HUGE BL fan. She had lost over 40 pounds and this was her first ever 10k. Of course this warmed my little ginger kid heart right up. A little while later a group of Black Girls Run were right behind me "taunting me" that they were gonna catch me. I played right back!

I had a small group for a while. Most of the BGR passed me :) and my NC runner friend stayed with me. The first 3 miles were different. You were in a parking lot and it was like a maze you had to run through. Actually, it was kinda cool to see all of the different paces and since it was maze you passed a ton of other runners who cheered for you. After I want to say 3 miles you entered the park. You got to run by all the roller coasters and actually run around the carousel which for some reason just made me light up.

My pace group (NC Runner Woman) was awesome.  It took me a little while to gauge if she wanted to talk, focus or what. But once I realized she was down for a conversation I did what I could to pump her up and keep the conversation going.

It wasn't until the very end where there was a a challenginig hill that I lost her. Even then she did catch up me-determination people!

I did finish a little ahead of her but I waited at the finish line. Soon as she saw me she gave me a HUGE hug. It was so exciting to see her finish. They gave out medals for the race which made it even better. She had talked about how she couldn't wait to get it and how she was going to wear it all day. I loved it. It was exactly what I did when I ran my first race.

It was a great race, I checked the prices to run and they weren't bad at all. Not to mention, you got a medal and a nice shirt. Typically, you don't get medals for 10ks or 5ks unless you place so I thought it was great that this race that promotes wellness and personal accomplishment had finishers medals.

Defiantly a race I would recommend especially for first timers. Oh, and pacing was awesome.

Photo credit: http://www.marontherun.com/2013/07/

Have you ever paced?
Ever ran a BL event- I heard they have half marathons too.

Sweetwater 50k

My running club puts on several races each year. Like last year, I volunteered for the 50k over at Sweetwater Park. Last year I was a sentry with the Bird, while this year, I worked the registration table, met with the Bird played cheerleader/sentry, then swept part of the course.

Again, it was freaking awesome. The weather was just lovely, everything was in bloom and where we were sentries this year rocked. In fact, I would say we hit the jack pot. We were stationed at the water crossing.

If you look closely you can see the ropes being tied off by the two rangers in the right of the picture.

Another view of the creek crossing from the bridge....

















Located right in front of where the runners crossed. HA.

Seriously, I've heard of the "the water crossing" but never actually saw it. It was so cool to think these runners just ran a hard 17 miles, then they crossed this huge ass creek. You can see them behind me in the picture below.






I want to say we were out there for four hours before we began to sweep. The four hours or whatever it was went by fast. Hanging out in a gorgeous park with one of my best girlfriends while cheering for runners- I mean could it get any better?

Once the final runner crossed we began to sweep. I wasn't prepared like I usually am. I had my fuel pack but I had downed so much of the water while acting as sentry that I didn't have much left when we started to run. Nor did I have any food. I had only one gu and left the extras in my car so I was a little worried about my blood sugar dropping and bonking.

Luckily, even though the aide stations were packed and ready to go by the time we got to them they had some snacks i.e. peeps. I ate like 5 of them. I mean by this point it was around one and I had been up since 5. I needed to get something in my stomach if I was going to run anything in the double digits.

Those peeps were divine.

We also refilled our fuel packs. But it was hot man. Before you knew it we were both running out of water again. Luckily, the sentry located near the top of the world had some water bottles and shared.

Despite being a little nervous about improper fueling, the run was awesome. When I ran the race route last year it was so hard. I ached for days after it. But this time, I felt so strong. I mean, we weren't going fast but I was able to handle the elevation gain with such ease. It felt so damn good to see and feel how much stronger I was. (Yes, I impressed myself.)

After sweeping we made our way back to the group shelter where all the runners were chilling out or finishing the race. While there, I totally grubbed out on some bbq. That's one thing trail runners do right. The after party. Everyone always eats and chills out together. Trail runners are such a unique and tight knit community.

Its funny, I am by no means a "trail runner" yet each year this race is must on races to help with.
Love it. That's all there is to say.