Monday, September 29, 2014

31 Miles Is A Long Way To Run

Once upon a time, there was a woman (not me) who walked sometimes but never ran. Over the years, this woman began to run short distances, but only on the treadmill. She refused to run outside. She had no real goals for her running, just to keep in shape. Her friend (me) started to do marathons and one day this woman wondered if she could too. She started to run outside. Her short distances turned into long training runs. She fell in love with running, not just on roads, but on trails too. She did her first half marathon (2010), then her first marathon the next year. She kept running.

This woman trained wisely. She did not over train. If something hurt she took a day off. She learned how to fuel herself for her long runs. She recovered well. Running became her sanity. Over the years she has come to believe in herself as a runner. Her confidence has soared. She wanted something more so she signed up for a 50K. And, this weekend, she did it.

Tom Bartel's photo.

This ^^^ is my friend Joie who I’ve trained with a lot over the years. I think she’s a fabulous example of someone who simply made her goal happen and has stayed healthy and balanced while doing it.

I haven’t done much coaching lately, but I did do Joie’s 50K plan. It was a plan that alternated hard and easy weeks with back to back long runs on the weekends. Her mileage topped out at 51 miles per week. She did some intervals and some hill work. And, she did lots of trail running.

The day started chilly….

Beth Meale Risdon's photo.

Nervous and headed for the start line:

photo

She did her first loop (10K) and came in looking strong and confident.

photo

After her second loop, and 18 miles into this 31 mile journey, the day was heating up and getting into the 80s. She was feeling the sun and was tired. I paced her for about six miles trying to encourage her to not throw up and to keep moving forward. I knew at points it took everything she had, but she kept going. It made me smile, just knowing how hard it is to feel like dogshit and to have the courage and strength to keep going.

When we hit the start of this “hill” I said goodbye and left her, because that is the kind of friend/coach I am (actually pacing wasn’t really allowed so I had run behind her for the six miles, just as company not to provide assistance).

Joie headed up Mt carbon

I knew she was hurting, but I also knew how strong she was physically and mentally. We waited – her husband, her kids, her mom, Ken and I - and after 6 hours and 20 minutes, I put the medal around her neck.

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Tom Bartel's photo.

She was a bit tired and I’m really not sure why.

FullSizeRender

Joie completely shocked herself by coming in 2nd out of 18 in the 40-49 age group for women. She was 2 minutes behind first place, but that was only because she had to squat behind a bush for an emergency evacuation during the last five miles.

I write this post as a reminder that the sky is the limit. It is cliché, but the truth is that the only true obstacles in our way are the ones we put there ourselves. I’ve got to say, that there is NOTHING like watching someone you love work their ass off and meet their goal.

 

What’s the next big goal (that scares you shitless) that you are going to commit to? I don’t know. I’m thinking…what should it be??

SUAR

53 comments:

  1. AWESOME job!! So inspiring! She did it!!! WAHOO! And damn those pee/poop breaks.

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  2. Yay for Joie! It was certainly a hot day out there and I am impressed with everyone who ran. Glad the volunteer handing out medals let you be in charge of medaling her :) Haha-good to see you out there!

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    1. Yes, thanks for that. Oh, and for that beer you gave me even though I didn't run.

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  3. Awesome story. Thanks for sharing it.

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  4. Congrats to Joie!!!

    I'm thinking about doing my first 100K this November. I'm in the best shape of my life and feel like I'm ready for it, but I'm just not sure I want to put myself through that much suffering. I'll probably wait until the last minute to decide. :)

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  5. Congratulations to Joie - that is exciting.
    I know when I trained for Leadville, I always said to myself that dreams should scare you, they are that much more rewarding.

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  6. What an amazing accomplishment. Congrats to Joie!! The next big goal I will be committing to is a full Ironman. To say I am scared is an understatement.

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  8. Too many typos in the last post.... I blame the pain meds.

    Congrats to Joie! What a wonderful accomplishment and how great to have the support of friends and family during the event!

    I just committed to the Moab 50k in March. Any chance you could share your training plan? I wouldn't hold you responsible for anything other than awesome results. hahaha

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  9. Congratulations, Joie! I tackled a 50k trail run a couple of years ago so I know exactly how tough it is - even without those crazy hot temperatures. Well done, you!!

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  10. I love a great story about amazing women! Great job, Joie!

    My "scared shitless" goal is run a "50 by 50" and that started with my first 10k and half marathon over the summer, and my first marathon on November 8. I didn't specify km or miles when I set that goal...so maybe I do both?

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  11. What an awesome post, give me chills. I am terrified of my goal for next year, but I think that's what makes it fun. I hope to finish my first 100 mile ultra-marathon and my heart is set on Leadville.

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    1. Yay, Beth! That's awesome! My running buddy does 100s. Such an amazing sport. I've spectated at a few and they are truly awe inspiring. Best of luck to you!

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  12. Yay Joie!

    I signed up for a half Ironman next year and I'm so scared - and excited! - that I can't stand it!! The fear of worrying that I can't finish is nothing compared to my belief and courage that I can

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  13. Thinking about Pikes Peak Ascent next summer. Ever wanted to do PP marathon?

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  14. Next race season my goal is to improve my 5k and 10k race. I'll work on strength and power over the winter. I'd like to get under 20 minutes on my 5k. Then the year after that I'll improve my half marathon. After that I'll be in the 50-54 age group and will work on getting my Boston time. I think it's 4 hours for that age group.

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  15. What an AH inspiring story. I have a thought in my head that I might actually do a 1/2 marathon. Too me that is scary.

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  16. Congrats to Joie!!! So inspiring!!

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  17. My big "scare me goal" was yesterday when I ran my first marathon.

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    1. Congratulations! Yay!! You did it! How did it go?

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  18. Right now I am aiming to run a sub 45 min 10k! It is scary because I don't want to mess it up... and in a 10k, there is little room for error!

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  19. Congrats Joie!!

    I'm training for my third marathon (my first since turning 50) and I'm hoping for a PR! There... I said it.

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  20. Congrats to Joie and her most excellent coach!

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  21. What a great inspiration you and Joie both are! Congratulations to Joie! What a great accomplishment. It brought tears to my eyes thinking about what you both have accomplished. What a great feeling to put the medal around her neck!

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  22. The sky's the limit...this brought tears, thanks for sharing! Her story is similar to mine, and the 50k is what my heart has been calling for. Congrats to her!!!!

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  23. That's awesome! So happy for your friend. I hope to complete a 50k some day! -L

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  24. wow, amazing performance.. keep on holding these things on!

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  25. Congrats to Joie! What an awesome accomplishment.

    I've mentally committed to doing a full next year. I've only run two halves, so a full is a big step up for me! I'm trying not to think about the actual mileage, or all the training runs necessary right now. Just finishing!

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  26. Congrats Joie! What a touching story. The sky is the limit... I like that... Next goal... I'm aiming for a 70.3 in July 2015 in the Basque Country. 2nd attempt at it (first ruined by a PF) Trying to build a base until Dec. 15th when my 30 week training plan officialy starts... eek!
    WTG Joie, you've made my day!

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  27. This is awesome! Congrats Joie! I saw her at the AS I was volunteering at...now I know why she looked familiar! It was stupid hot out and she did amazing! Serious congrats!

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  28. HUGE congrats to Joie - what an amazing accomplishment and how great that you were there to put that medal around her neck at the end. Sharing in friend's accomplishments is one of the things I love most about the running community.

    This post is SO timely, as I am about to throw caution to the wind and sign up for my own 50k, which will be in December. I am terrified, but then again, what's 5 more miles of running, right?

    ...right?

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  29. Congrats to her! That's amazing!

    My next big thing is hoping/praying/wishing/trained-for-it-so-I-hope-it-happens PR at my half marathon. Then a 10 mile race in my favorite city. And then a spring half that is really a difficult course. And then... another full marathon in the fall. That makes my stomach hurt thinking about it. But I think I can do better than I did this past spring. So I'm going to try.

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  30. Love love LOVE this! Congrats Joie!!!

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  31. I loved this "fairy tale". Even better, she had a happy finish line with more starting lines in the future! Congratulations Joie!

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  32. What a great story. My next big goal is my marathon in 2 weeks!! I have only been running for 2 years, did 3 half marathons, but this is my first marathon. Still trying to get my mind around the 26.2!

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  33. Truly awesome! Gives me hope for my own goals.194 days until my BQ attempt.

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  34. Congrats to Joie!! My next big goal is running 3 marathons in 8 days; October 12th, 18th and 19th. I've run a double before, but never attempted this. I'm scared but excited!

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  35. Wahoo Joie!!! That is definitely aw-spiring....yes I absolutely just made that up! I have officially signed up for my first Marathon for next spring and of course I had to challenge myself and not read course reviews to find out it is a "hilly" one! Oh well, I am not trying to set any records just to cross the line healthy and happy (kind of, I am sure I will hate the sport for at least 5 min when I am done)

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  36. AMAZING!! I need to build up to around 35 miles by February for an Ultra Ragnar. I'll think of her and her tenacity!

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  37. That's a great achievement for Joie, but if she broke the rules by having a pacer it's not really fair that she accepted an award. Running 50k is running 50k and I'm not trying to take away from that, but someone else might have earnt that spot on their own merit.

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    1. Considering I ran behind her the whole way (not exactly pacing) and that the third place person was more than 20 minutes behind her I think she did just fine running on her own merit.

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    2. I only thought you paced her because you said in your post that you did, and that you were aware it was against the rules. It's done now, so neither the third place getter nor Joie will ever know what would have happened had she run unassisted. That's a bit sad for both of them.

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    3. I don't see anything sad about completing 31 miles for either of them.

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  38. Wow, I can't imagine 31 miles. I signed up for a Tough Mudder next year. It's already scaring the crap out of me.

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  39. Congrats Joie!

    Mine is the full I'm doing in less than 2 weeks. I'm woefully under-trained due to a niggling injury and lets face it, laziness. I'm dreading how I'll be feeling from mile 18 onwards - but the excitement of being at the start, and the high from finishing are (hopefully) carrying me through...

    One day I'd like to do a 50, but its not on my radar just yet.

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  40. Wow!!! That is quite an undertaking. Off to read your posts !

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  41. FInding the time and money to do what I want to do...nothing scares me really- I just need to find the means/ways to go and do it.

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  42. Maybe I will do another Grand Canyon double...Pikes Peak...two mile ocean swim....double century ride...hell- been there done those, so come up with something for me would ya?

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  43. I did a Grand Canyon double. Great way to get in 40 and experience the canyon and get in some ELEVATION changes!

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  44. مشتریان تمایل دارند کرکره برقی مرغوب خریداری کنند هرچند قیمت تندی داشه باشد. کرکره اتوماتیک یا کرکره برقی خدمات ایمنی محسوب نمی شود. لیست تیغه بروز بوده دسترسی آسان به قیمت برای مشتری فراهم است. از فاصله 30 متری اتوماتیک باز می شود. شرکت فعال در زمینه نصب راهبند اتوماتیک در تهران و شهرستان ها برندهای داخلی حرفی برای گفتن در زمینه راهبند ندارند. رو به ایمیلم بفرستید . تمامی شرایطی که منوی فیلمبرداری عروسی قید شده اند را حتما در قرار داد ذکر کنید تا بعدا به مشکل برنخورید . گرون چه امکاناتی داره ؟ رو به ایمیلم بفرستید . گرون چه امکاناتی داره ؟ سفارش پایان نامه و پیاده سازی, اجرای پایان نامه تز پایانی یا انجام پایان نامه خود را به افراد با تجربه بسپارید. پايان نامه کارشناسي ارشد و انجام پايان نامه دکتري سفارش پایان نامه و پیاده سازی, اجرای پایان نامه پايان نامه کارشناسي ارشد و انجام پايان نامه دکتري سفارش پایان نامه و پیاده سازی, اجرای پایان نامه پايان نامه کارشناسي ارشد و انجام پايان نامه دکتري مخزن لباسشویی ما خرابه تعمیر نمیشه. هزینه تعمیر لباسشویی در سطح تهران غیرمتعارف شده. نمایندگی های تعمیرات ماشین لباسشویی در سراسر دنیا. مخزن لباسشویی ما خرابه تعمیر نمیشه. یرای رزرو وقت آتلیه نوزاد یک هفته قبلا حتما با دفتر آتلیه هماهنگ کنین . نمایندگی های تعمیرات ماشین لباسشویی در سراسر دنیا. مخزن لباسشویی ما خرابه تعمیر نمیشه. برخی از مترجمین ترجمه انگلیسی به فارسی را ارزان و برخی گران حساب می کنند. نمایندگی های تعمیرات ماشین لباسشویی در سراسر دنیا.

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