We're In This Together

A key to having a good race, whatever distance you're doing, is to approach it with a plan in mind. For M and me, that sometimes involves deciding whether we will be running a race together the whole time, or just start the race together and run our separate races to the best of our individual abilities. We've done both, and as long as we have an understanding of how we're approaching the race, either way works out fine. That's one thing I really love about our running partnership -- we are both happy to see each other succeed. While it grinds my gears to get beat by some people, I honestly never mind if McKenzie has a better race than I do because I'm genuinely pleased for her and I know just how hard she's worked for it. We're now officially in different age groups for most races, but even when we were in the same bracket, this was always true. 

Ya win some, ya lose some -- but you're always happy for your teammate.

So, after some deliberation, we came to the conclusion that no matter what, we were running Boston together. We trained for this together, sweat for this together, and probably went a little crazy for this together, so we want to finish together. Decision made. Plan, in hand. Let's do this. 

Well, not quite so fast. 

I must say, I had a bit of a panic upon finding out my bib number. With 39 days to go, I checked the BAA Twitter feed (OK, I really checked it every day, several times a day), and saw they had just alerted that bib numbers and starting times were posted. I was SO EXCITED to go online and type in my name to find out that I , Victoria Dugger of Perrysburg, Ohio, would be sporting bib number 18396 and would be leaving on my journey from Hopkinton in Wave 3, Corral 1 -- right up front! Yeah, buddy!

The 118th Boston Marathon is slated to have 36,000 runners, and there's not enough room for them all to start at the same time. The streets in Hopkinton are narrow, and it would be a logistical nightmare to release everyone at once. So, there are four waves with four different start times to space it out. Being in Corral 1 meant I'd be among those leading the third bunch of runners as that squad of 9,000 started the 26.2-mile march toward Copley Square. 

With McKenzie by my side, the race was bound to start out great! With McKenzie by my side ... oh. Oh, no. That couldn't be right. A quick search of marathon runners from Oregon, Ohio, (she's the only one) showed my training buddy, with whom I've logged literally hundreds and hundreds of miles, gallons of sweat, dozens of inappropriate jokes, several long-run induced hallucinations, and buckets of tears ranging from heart-breaking sorrow to delirious joy, was in Wave 2, Corral 8. She might as well be running the marathon on Mars. 

A furious texting exchange ensued that involved plots to sneak onto the bus of another wave (which we determined might get you disqualified), me trying to catch up with her after her wave starts (seriously, impossible -- I'm of stubby French-German-Welsh descent, with nowhere near the Kenyan-type closing speed I'd need to do that), and then ended with the resignation that, well, we'd at least be able to hang out at Athletes' Village together until our respective waves started. I texted that I'd hold out hope and dig for more information -- surely the BAA wouldn't intentionally try to stop two training partners and best sister friends from running together. 

Whaaaaaaa??

Digging into the marathon Web site's frequently asked questions section, I found my answer. 
"WE CAN MOVE!!!! WE CAN RUN TOGETHER AFTER ALL!" I triumphantly texted. 
It was going to take some shuffling -- McKenzie was allowed to move backward into a later wave. However, she couldn't go into the first corral, which makes sense -- otherwise people way in the back of earlier waves would want to crowd into the first corrals of other waves, pushing out those who were seeded up front. So, I needed to move into a corral further back -- the best we could hope for was to be in Wave 3, Corral 2 together. But, oh, sweet relief. I've done marathons by myself, but I really couldn't picture doing this one -- The Big One -- without her. As McKenzie texted back, "Super happy!! I don't give a crap what wave or corral we are as long as we are together!!!"

***

Speaking of being "in this together," I really feel like we're bringing so much support with us -- it's been incredibly touching and overwhelming to be on the receiving end of so many well wishes from family, friends, loved ones, and co-workers. I've honestly been moved to tears by such expressions as a video card made by co-workers, and cards sent by family, and even a Boston Cream Pie that my "copy desk mom" Heather brought in on behalf of the desk. Yes, I cried over Boston Cream Pie. Then I ate it. It was delicious (hey -- carbs, right??). 

Boston Cream Pie! 

But seriously -- we can't thank everyone enough for how gosh darn NICE you've all been! I feel like I'm taking you all with me, and we're really all in this together. From the bottom of my shoes, thanks a million. 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other.  -- V. 

Change is a Good Thing -- Welcome Back

Wobble, wobble, wobble, WACK!! KaBLAM. POW!!! Stumble-tumble-roll, roll, roll. Owie owie owie OUCH! 

What was THAT, you ask? Well, that was me. Falling off the fitness wagon. I won't say I've been totally unhealthy, I haven't, but I have been slowly backsliding from where I think my potential fit level is. I've gained a little weight (no one would really notice but me), my fast doesn't come as easily, and I'm strong, but not as strong as I could be. Do you know what the awesome thing about this is, though? These are all things that are within my control, and I can choose to get back up to the level where I want to be. 

Summer really can be a tough time to train, with vacation time, kids being out of school, hotter days, and general fun things to do that pop up. Who'd rather do a long run than attend a family barbecue? Well, not this girl. This is one reason that I generally do not like fall marathons -- I just have such a hard time consistently training for them. Strange as it might sound, I'd much rather wake up early in January and knock out a 14 miler when it's 14 degrees out than run outside in the summer. 

This is in full view from my treadmill. Helps keep the mental meanies out of my way.

Falling off the wagon doesn't just have a physical effect on me -- it also wreaks havoc with my mental game. And even when I'm at my fittest, my biggest challenge is always shutting up the voices of self-doubt that can creep up on me during a run -- most especially during a race. These voices generally say, "Why are you doing this?" "This is stupid; you aren't really a runner." "Remember when you dropped out of that 800-meter race in high school? You're still not an athlete." "I can hear your heart beating. And, you just got passed. Ugh." And so on. If that's what I'm facing when I logically know I'm physically able to conquer anything, you can believe the chorus thrums louder when I start to skip workouts. 

Yes, Virginia, there really are fit girl problems. That sounds like fodder for another blog post. 

So, this is my rededication to running, my commit to fit. While our kids are over just part-time during the week, having them back in school provides more of a routine for me that I can take advantage of.  (Sidebar: I commend all of you caregivers who are working your healthy routines while doing parenting 100% of the time, day in, day out. You are my heroes and are setting a great example for your kids. Kudos.) Also, I had nothing to prepare for during the summer. There was no greater cause for me to be disciplined. Well, I am going to do at least a half in October, if not the full. I'm planning to register for the inaugural Northern Ohio marathon, which is Oct. 13 in Lake County, Ohio, home to the lovely family of Coach B. Lesson learned: Be working toward something. Set goals and don't meander aimlessly. Focus your energy, be it in the gym, on the road, at work. Know what you are working toward, otherwise you'll go in a circle and not upward. 

The swag for the Northern Ohio marathon includes a Brooks Essential half-zip pullover. I'm IN.  

As a springboard,  I'm somewhat crazily doing a half marathon this Saturday in Bowling Green. I'm not as prepared as I'd necessarily like to be, but M and I both agreed we're viewing this not so much as a "race" as it is a "run." :-) I passed the tests I'd set for myself to see if tackling this half was feasible. I wanted to run 5 on Tuesday, then 10 on Thursday. I did both of those, but on a treadmill. In air-conditioning. I'll rest Friday, and try to focus on miles and not time on Saturday morning. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. 

As far as the blog goes, I've got to be honest: The RW Streak challenge had me b-u-r-n-e-d out. The collages. The mileage. The entries ("I ran. I ran again. I ran alone. I ran with M. I ran, it hurt. I ran, it felt good.).  It just got to be too much. SO: I pledge to write once a week at minimum, on a thought-out topic. I'm not intending my portion of the blog to be a workout diary, but I'll include a little bit of what I'm up to, just to stay accountable. I know M is dedicated to her fitness and her running, and she's an Advocare rep now, too, so if you need the supplement hookup and other amazing products, she is your woman! Link to M's Advocare Site

M is so dedicated that even disgusting dive-bombing bugs wouldn't keep her from completing a muggy night run. I took the treadmill route. I'm a bug-fearing wuss. M is not. 

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, our email inbox is always open (solesisters2014@gmail.com) and we would love to hear from you and what you are up to, and what your goals are! Keep in touch!!! 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other.  -- V.   

One Run For Boston -- Why We're Running This Once-In-A-Lifetime Relay Event

In this uncertain world, there is one constant that you can count on this summer. You might be at a cookout, swimming, at work, watching a drive-in movie, or even sleeping. No matter what you are doing, at any time between now and June 30, you can stop and say to yourself, "Right now, at this very  minute, one of more than a thousand runners is making his or her way across the United States clutching a lighted torch that says 'One Run For Boston.' " 

The design concept of the baton, created by UK artist Jon Parlby, is based on a lily flower, representing a symbol of strength, hope, and solidarity for the One Run runners and Boston.

 On June 6, One Run For Boston, the first-ever cross-country relay, began near Los Angeles. The brainchild of three Brits, the nonstop relay is scheduled to conclude June 30 at the Boston Marathon finish line. The relay covers more than  3,000 miles and is raising money for those most affected by the April 15 bombings at the Boston Marathon. The relay spans 14 states, and runners from the United States and beyond are running day and night to get the baton to the finish line. There are 319 stages, and each stage varies in length from as few as 5 miles to about 12. The stages can consist of one solo runner, a smaller cadre of up to 25 runners, or be a big group stage in which up to 500 runners can participate at once. It is up to each runner to decide, plan, and navigate the exact route they will take between the specified start and finish points for their stage.  

I'm pleased, honored, and humbled to let you know that the Sole Sisters and Coach B are in charge of Ohio Stage 237 -- E. Livingston Ave. outside of Columbus to Etna, Ohio. We have a 7.5 mile stretch that we have to map out and not screw up.  I can tell you now that I did have a mild freak-out session when I learned that the person who was originally taking command of our stage had dropped out, leaving me to plan the path -- from nearly three hours away. I've never been to Reynoldsburg/Pataskala, Ohio, yet here I am studying maps and charts and satellite images to make sure our little part of the 3,000 miles doesn't cause the whole relay to be thrown off track. As of right now, 22 other people are welcome to come and join us (after you donate your $50 relay fee) -- we are scheduled to step off at 9:45 a.m. on June 25. The location is near the Parkview Presbyterian Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio (6969 E. Livingston Ave.). If you'd like join us, either leave a message in the comment section if you need more information, or just sign up for our stage at onerunforboston.org and we'll see you there.

The bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line affected me deeply, and more viscerally than any other tragic news story has since Sept. 11, 2001. I have been involved in newspaper journalism since my college days, starting around 1998. Usually, I can withstand the daily barrage of fatal car accidents, missing child cases, domestic violence incidents, and overseas terror attacks that I have to read about every single day. I guess you could say I've become hardened to it, as both a defense mechanism and as a result of overexposure. This, for me, was quite different. Coach B and I had woken up early on Marathon Monday to watch the start of the marathon, eat breakfast in bed, and take in the spectacle of the elite men and women running at their unearthly speeds. 

Rita Jeptoo and Lelisa Desisa Benti were the women's and men's champions of the 2013 Boston Marathon, finishing well ahead of the bombings.

At this time, the Glass City Marathon was about two weeks away, and Sole Sister M and I were still dreaming about qualifying for Boston 2014. For me, it was a quiet goal and I hadn't told anyone outside of our small training circle. But I dreamt of it, and was wishing for it, and every step I took was in the hopes that I would be good enough to make my qualifying time at GCM. That Marathon Monday, Coach B and I watched the conclusion of the men's and women's elites, then went back to sleep so we would be rested for work that night. I woke up around 1 or so, then hopped in the shower. When I came out, I turned on CNN like I usually do to get caught up on the news world. I heard the report of explosions before I saw them. At first I thought it was probably some car bomb in Iraq or something similar, which I'm unfortunately pretty inured to. And then I looked at the TV. And saw -- wait a second, that looks like a race course; that looks like a scene I am intimately familiar with. That looks like a finish line. I had the flash of realization: that is no desert outpost -- that is BOSTON.  That is what I'm working for, that is my goal, I was just watching this earlier this morning -- Oh, my God, what is happening here? 

I started crying, and I honestly couldn't stop. My runner friends and I texted back and forth: Have you seen what's happening? Do we know anyone there? What happened? Who's responsible? How many are hurt? People have died? Oh, my God. Just hours later, I was in the newsroom, facing reading and laying out stories about the bombing and selecting photos to illustrate all that had happened on Boylston Street. It was honestly one of the hardest days I've ever had at work -- mercifully at one point my boss saw how upset I was and sent me outside for air so I could try to gather myself.  It was like that to some degree every day up to and beyond that Friday when the bombing suspect was finally apprehended, which gave some measure of closure though the thought of both the victims still hospitalized and the fact that this storied running tradition was marred by a senseless act of violence was enough to make my blood boil. 

If there was one thing I was dead certain of, it was that these terrorists had picked the wrong subset of people to target. If you  think a runner, especially a distance runner, is going to be intimidated or back down, I'm sorry but you are very, very wrong.  Just a few days out from our marathon, we dried our tears. We redoubled our efforts. We dedicated our running to those who no longer could. We felt a fire in our bellies. We raised money. We raised awareness. We toed the start line at the Glass City Marathon. We swallowed down the lump in our throats during the moment of silence. We celebrated the starting gun. We ran our asses off. We hugged at the finish line. We screamed out with joy that we were going to Boston, baby.  

There aren't many things you can be sure of in this world, but there are two I am counting on right now. One, there will be a runner from now until June 30 making his or her way to Boston -- making a triumph out of a tragedy. And two, that third Monday in April, you will count me in Hopkinton among the thousands massed at small Massachusetts town -- ready to reclaim a storied marathon that is poised to come back, Boston Stronger. 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other. -- V. 

We're Going Streaking -- Day 13 Country Roads & Campgrounds

Well, V and I will officially hit our two week mark in the streak tomorrow!  Pretty remarkable for both of us!  I can't lie, there have been a couple days where it has been difficult to squeeze a run in or I just plain haven't wanted to, but I am always very happy (and proud of myself) once it's done!

This weekend is busy, busy for both of the Sole Sisters!  V is unplugged and camping for the weekend but was able to send me a quick collage to keep me updated and stay accountable.  Looks like she got a solid 5k in surrounded by nature!  Can't beat that!  I know the weather was perfect at home and where she currently is, so I am sure it felt good!  Great job, V! Can't wait for you to get back so we can catch up!

(not too fond of her staring at me like that... I may have to have a word or two with her)

My weekend is pretty busy as well.  I started it this morning with a run accompanied by fellow streaker Jodi Zeigler.  It was nice to catch up and run in her neck of the woods.  She lives in a rather rural area so it was wonderful to run and not get stuck at crosswalks and worry about city traffic!  We got a solid five miles in and Jodi said she needs to work on talking and running... She wasn't quite used to it and I think I gave her lungs a real workout today!

(those are her horses, dogs and goat you see in the above pic... I think the dogs wanted to join us, but I have a feeling they would have ran us instead of us running them!!)

After my run with Jodi, I headed into work for a brief work meeting and then hit up some local garage sales... I scored a pretty sweet set of colorful Tupperware in case any of you readers wondered.  Then it was off to lunch with a great friend of mine!  Mama Meg!  She always brightens my day and is just a great source of positivity!  I am a firm believer that real, strong women uplift each other.  It is why it is so important to surround yourself with like-minded people!

(lots of laughs and love at lunch today!)

After lunch, I had to pick up Sole Child Lu from a softball game and then it was time to head home and get ready for the sprint car races at Fremont Speedway!! A customer at work gave me the tickets so I thought I would give it a whirl! I had NEVER been to anything like it before, but it was a blast.  The kids LOVED it and we will definitely be back!  

We were joined by fellow streaker Allan Detrich, his wife Mary and their son Noah.  As you can see, the Sole Children has a fantastic time.  I was happy to catch up with Allan and Mary since we hadn't seen them in quite awhile.  Good thing we grabbed a bite to eat beforehand... Those races were no place to chat!  Super loud, but totally fun! And yes, the most important thing to little Jo was her grape sno-cone... Oh, to be three again.

Well, readers, runners and fellow streakers... Thanks for reading and we look forward to another fabulous run tomorrow in the sun!!

In the words of V-Money: Be kind to yourself.  Be kind to each other.

Scorch the Mile, Not Your Skin: Sun Protection Tips for Runners

WHEN the weather turns warmer, I just want to lace up my shoes, pop on my headphones, and run run run to some awesome, uplifting, hard-charging summer songs. You know those summer songs: the ones that come around this time every year, are super catchy, and you just can't hear them enough (until you reach that point where, yes, you actually ARE sick of "Call Me Maybe" for the thousandth time, thank you). If it's got a beat, I'm moving my feet. 

There is something any runner should do, however, before heading out to add a little shimmy to your stride under the summer sun: Slather on that sunscreen, brothers and sisters, because studies show runners have a greater risk of developing problems that stem from sun exposure. 

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a study by dermatologists at the Medical University of Graz in Austria revealed marathoners have a greater risk of developing melanoma than non-distance runners. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color. The Mayo Clinic notes that incidences of melanoma seem to be on the rise in people under 40. However, reducing your exposure to UV rays can help reduce the risk of developing melanoma.

Practice good sun safety to keep you on your feet.

The lead researcher in the Graz study noted the most obvious reason for marathon runners' increased risk was excessive exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Nearly all of the 420 runners in the study regularly wore shorts and short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts,exposing  their legs, arms, and upper back to the sun. Only 56 percent of the runners regularly used sunscreen. A less-obvious reason for runners' higher risk involved their lowered immunity that develops with all the high-intensity exercise. Researchers say this may have left them more vulnerable to skin damage. 

If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable, but if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Give me sand, give me sun, give me miles of beach to run.

I'm not citing these facts to scare you, really. I LOVE being in the sun as much, if not more, than the next person. I'm an August child of summer -- a beach baby. I've also had more than five suspicious moles cut off me by my dermatologist. While none of them turned out to be cancerous, I do now have scars and it did slow down my exercise time, as I had to heal from the stitches. I don't even fall into many of the "greater risk" categories that Mayo Clinic cites: I'm neither fair, light-eyed, blonde, or freckled; I don't have a family history of melanoma, and I don't live close to the equator or at a higher elevation (I have to drive to find a  hill, remember?). I DO have a lot of exposure to UV radiation and I DO have many moles (holy moly moly moly). But it's the sun exposure that is the biggest factor here for us, runner friends.

Concentrate on scorching that mile AND not getting scorched.

So, what can you do? I mean it's getting to be summer: it's HOT out there. Running in the least amount of clothing possible is generally the most comfortable way to make it through your miles. 

Here is what the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that distance runners do to protect themselves: 

• Run during hours when the sun is less intense. Generally it is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you train during those hours, find shady places to run.
• Put sunscreen on before your running outfit, not at the race/training site. This will give it time to soak in, and keep you from applying it less thoroughly or forgetting it altogether because of pre-race excitement. Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. Look for stick formulations, sport, or water-resistant versions.
• Run in a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Polarized lenses help beat the glare.
• Always keep sunscreen in your race bag.
• Have a friend posted somewhere in the second half of the race to hand you a small, one-use, wipe sunscreen (or keep a small packet in your pocket), so that you can reapply it to your face, neck and arms as you run. You can do that without really breaking stride. Sunscreen starts to lose effectiveness at about the two-hour mark, or even sooner if you are sweating heavily. Sunscreen is the best protection for shorter runs, while sunscreen plus sun-protective clothing is the best bet for a long run. 
• Before post-race festivities begin, reapply sunscreen, and give yourself a quick massage in the process to help relax your sore muscles.
• Post-race clothes should include a lightweight but long-sleeve T-shirt and sweats. Darker colors offer ideal sun protection. Or opt for special sun-protective clothing. Also, when choosing the clothes you'll be wearing, both during and after the run, check out the weave of the fabric as well. If you can see through it, it's not likely to offer you much in the way of protection.

So, it is possible to run in the sun and reduce your risk of overexposure to the sun's harmful rays. Just practice some common sense skin safety to prevent your "Soak Up the Sun" from turning into "Burn Baby Burn" on your summer running playlist. 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other.  -- V