Boys Town Memorial Day Run - A Family Affair 5/30/2011

Yikes! That was hot, hilly, and humid...oh and windy...and our kid is heavy! We ran for the first time as a family, after my 1 mile warm up on Flanagan Blvd. During the race, it was helpful having Rodney there to prevent any potential accidents with runners and the front wheel. The only near miss was running into the back of Rodney's heels.

After completion of the 2nd mile, on the longest uphill of the run (Walsh Dr), Rodney offers to take over. I can't resist and move away from the stroller. I can barely keep up with them for that quarter mile. 

I realize that my Garmin was strapped to BOB, so I work to catch up. I take over the reigns, and slow the pace down. We take the hill on Doyle Dr easy, and thankfully it's shaded. The last mile is a little chaotic with people suffering the effects of the heat - people are stopping for water, aid, to walk, or collapse. It is kind of scary scene at the finish line.

Our splits are: 8:29, 8:02, 8:37, 8:55, 8:30. Garmin reads: 5.06 mile @ 43:11 (8:33 ave pace). Taia had a good time tailgating post- race and I think she'll be ready to run the 400m next year.

Jody & Taia on Memorial Day 2011

Lincoln Marathon 5/1/2011

This is the longest I've gone without writing anything about a race. I usually have so much to say and so much I want to remember that I can sit and just let the words pour out, my fingers type as my memories of the race float through my head. Not this time. I'm not sure why. I've become so much more introspective and a lot less able to share what I'm feeling into words. Sometimes things come out right when I speak, but more often than not, I am speechless.

Technically I BQ'd for 2012, but the way things have changed with the registration process, favoring the fastest runners (rightfully so), I doubt I will get the chance to run it. The standards for 2013 and beyond will drop the times another 5 minutes per age group so I'll have to run another marathon to re-qualify and again, the registration process will weed me out. Do I care?

Not at all.

It's funny how things change.

I helped people along the way (Anne, Linda, John, Body lube guy, Hawaii National Guard). I hugged people along the way (Jesus, Cooper, Lauren, Rosina). I was a cheerleader to people on the course (Jordan, Brian, Justin, Tim, Kaci, Todd and then Greg, Kathy, Beth, Texas Half Guy). And I talked to people, like actually had full conversations (Ivan, Will, Van, Matt & Julie). It was probably the most relaxed race I've ever run.

I guess I wasn't technically 'racing'. I'm not even sure what that means. I don't consider myself fast - never in contention to win anything.

I run best when there is no pressure. Anything that I call a 'training run' always happen to be my PRs and I have no idea why or how it happens. I did it during the Half in Omaha last September and I did it on this day in Lincoln. Who would have thought I could PR in a marathon a day after running 20-miles?

Not I.


Maybe I run best when I'm just running to run. I've always been a defiant individual, so maybe this is just me rebelling against myself, against the pressures that tell me to be something I'm not.

My fueling plan was pretty basic. I took a Clif Shot at the start, and then one at mile marker 5, 13, and 22, each time running with the packet for 2 water stations before consuming the entire contents. I drank from those nifty cups with the straws at every single water station.

My race plan was even more basic: Just Run. 

I wanted to feel good enough that if for any reason, someone added another five miles to the end of the marathon, I'd be strong enough to run see those five, and raise the stakes. I just wanted to feel like I could continue running. After all, I am training to be an ultramarathoner, not a faster marathoner.

I just kept running.

Sure I didn't win anything, but my thoughts are this: I run with my heart and therefore I always win.

Jody 3:44:29 (PR) & Rodney 3:55:50 (PR)