Racing and Pacing

A few weeks ago I had my first race of the year, the Colonial Half Marathon. It had been awhile since my last stand alone running race so I actually had to ask my coach (Tara Norton) how to warm up... annnnd had a 5K PR by a second during the race (haven't run a 5K in a loooong time..) We were treating it like a really hard training day but that didn't stop me from trying to chase down girls. Even though I was pre-warned, the course was tougher than I expected. I was really happy with my effort though and how my training has come along. A 3 minute PR and 8th female was also pretty nice, my previous PR was off the bike at Muskoka 70.3. I also got to wear my awesome new Kalani's and active compression socks from Zoot. I mean its most important to look good right? I'm loving the neon this year. I haven't ever worn compression during a race so was skeptical, but my calves felt awesome the next day so there must be something to it.

This past weekend we shifted gears a little and paced our friend Brenda Carawan for the Graveyard 100K. We paced Brenda last year when she finished first overall (male and female) in an incredible time of 16:33 which puts her at the 5th fastest female 100 time in the country.

Pictures from last years 100mi:

We get a little goofy sometimes....

(all the pictures were taken by her husband Russ Carawan)

We met Brenda through her husband Russ at a few cycling rides. He asked Brian to pace her for the Rock n Roll half marathon. Best part of that race was when Brenda exclaimed "oh no the bridge" and Brian said "the bridge? You just did 8,000 ft of climbing over 135 miles at Badwater and you're worried about a bridge?!" and she replied "actually it was 14,000 ft of climbing..." After that race I started running with Brenda and we hit it off. We both have coaches so there was a mutual understanding that we had to do what our coaches had given us and if we were able to make our runs coincide then awesome. We had some great conversations and I was definitely sad when she moved to Texas.

Brian and Brenda after Rock n Roll VB

I had some tightness in my foot flare up on Friday so I had to actually tell her that I didn't know if I was going to be able to run 5 miles much less the 22-26 (broken up) that we had originally planned. She was so fine with it, and wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything stupid, so we decided to play it by ear with her friend (and crew) Jon ready to step in if I had to stop running. The guys at Ghent Chiropractic always come through for me and did some ART as well as cold laser therapy. It was feeling good on Saturday so I decided to run and stop if it bugged me.

Cold laser therapy

I ended up running with Brenda from mi 17 to mi 37 with no issues so that was a relief. Jon was ready at each aid station to step in though and he ended up running a few miles after me and then Brian brought her in for the last 18 miles.

Brenda was using this as a long training run since she has some bigger races coming up later in the year. Last year we had to pull her along a little more. This year it was all about holding her back. I can't even tell you how many times I had to be like "Brenda, you're doing it again, slow down there buckaroo." We also had the task of reminding her (tricking her into) about nutrition/hydration. I accidentally brought her through some high water instead of taking a detour so we had to do a quick shoe change that involved teaching Jon how to tie a double knot. She also got an ovation when she ducked into a restaurant to use the bathroom. She was good and only asked where 2nd place was a couple times since this was just training. That being said we lost track of 2nd place around 20 miles in and they ended up wayyyy back. Brian had to deal with bigger issues, like Brenda losing her eyesight around mile 50? when her eyes got too cold but they handled it expertly.

Brenda running on her own in the first 17 miles and the water I accidentally led her through... it was dark...

















The crew (Frank, Jon, Brian and I) had way too much fun. It was a good thing Brenda didn't end up eating everything she packed the van with because we managed to get into the pringles and cookies...then Frank accidentally ate her sub... so dinner after the race consisted of scrounging at the 7-Eleven. We were driving a huge Expedition that Frank renamed the Sexpedition. And there was also the in depth discussion of throwing pancakes at runners to round off the evening. Jon suggested it, and Frank agreed that they would appreciate the carbs.

Our renamed crew vehicle and the whole crew: Frank, me, Brenda, Brian and Jon

Brian decided to ride back from the Outer Banks the next day to get his long ride in. He got a flat and Brenda and Jon were driving by around the same time and stopped to help and give him extra cookies. Our other great training buddies/friends Meghan and Clint were nice enough to watch our pup so I picked him up (I don't think he wanted to leave, it was like a puppy vacation) and then did my long ride in the afternoon (beautiful day for it too!).

Brenda is incredible, and a really valuable friend, confidant, advisor, training partner etc. This being just a training run, I can't wait to see what she does the rest of the year.

                                                  Brenda with her overall winner medal :)