The week after my double was a bit of a surprise. I REALLY thought I'd be sore. I wasn't. Not at all. No tightness anywhere. I was pleasantly surprised. I was also overwhelmingly exhausted. I was not at all surprised over that. I'd barely been sleeping due to my schedule for nearly two weeks and running two races with little to no sleep didn't help my cause. I lost five pounds over the weekend and was having trouble making myself eat enough to stay fueled so my energy levels were flagging even more. All in all it wasn't a good combination with Denver and Kansas right around the corner but I did my best to push through my crazy schedule. By Tuesday afternoon I found myself completely overwhelmed and I let myself fall into a little bit of a pity party. I skipped my leg workout and spent the evening vegging/moping over everything I had to do and how tired I was. By Wednesday afternoon I decided it was time to snap out of it...the mounds of things on my to do list weren't going anywhere but the days between me and Denver were slowly slipping away and I'd come too far to let self pity rob me off my work...I hit the gym.
I'd only fallen one day behind in my workouts and I purposely schedule them to allow for wiggle room without negative recourse, so I was able to get myself back on track and end up with no workouts missed for the week. Of course the endorphins helped get me out of my funk; too bad they didn't clean the house or check any of the other boxes on my to do list...but those things will get checked off...one at a time. I hit my workouts the rest of the week and nearly ran myself into the ground getting everything accomplished. I hit the bed Thursday night knowing I had 3 hours to sleep before having to be up and ready, heading to the airport, but was ok with that thought knowing I could sleep on the plane. And I did just that. I literally passed out before take off and woke up thinking we hadn't left yet, only to find we were cruising along at 30,000 feet; then dosed off until the wheels hit the ground.
Denver wasn't at all what I expected. I woke up on our final approach and looked out the window to see a lot of flat...yup, you read that right, flat....everything was flat. Where were the mountains? I literally had a moment of panic as I had booked my flight into Denver and out of Kansas for this trip due to the double and I momentarily thought I'd screwed up and booked into Kansas and out of Denver (this confusion wasn't helped by the recent lack of sleep or the fact that I was literally waking up from my flight naps). Soon enough we were on the ground, I'd collected my car, and I was headed to the hotel...knowing full well I was indeed in Denver, but still really confused about how flat everything was. Once at the hotel (after getting a little lost and circling the block a few times due to confusing one ways, weird roads that don't actually connect, and a host of other bizzare road features), I checked in and decided to walk over to the expo. It was just a mile and a half but it was equally confusing. Denver was not at all what I expected. When I said as much to a friend they asked what I meant...basically, I expected more Colorado and less city. I was not impressed.
The expo was great though! I didn't meet up with friends as we all had crazy schedules for the weekend with many of us doubling various races. I bought a new pair of Maui Jims...that I absolutely LOVE...and picked up my packet before heading back to the hotel...thinking a nap was in order.
I stopped at the Capital City Tavern for lunch and had an amazing salad and sandwich. Then I headed back to the hotel. I spent the rest of the afternoon chilling around the hotel, updating my playlist, and syncing my iPod. I headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. I parked a block away from the restaurant and started walking to the restaurant. I passed a group of 3 girls and 2 guys in their early to mid 20s. I was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a simple black tee, not completely bumming around but not dressy by any means. As I passed the group one of the girls yelled, "Whoa! Nice rack!! Yeah, I'm talking to you...amazing rack! That deserves props!" I have to say that was a first...
As I walked up to the restaurant I took in surroundings and momentarily wished I'd planned more time in Denver. The shopping, nightlife, and dining options all seemed to be really worth checking out. But...not on this trip as I was exhausted and wanted to do decent at the race in the morning. After dinner and grabbing my shot glass (there are now only 3 US based cafes I haven't been to/don't have the shot glass for), I headed back to the hotel, laid out my race stuff, and crashed. I woke up with no issue and got ready then headed to the start line. George was already there and introduced me to a new friend, Hugh. I was very excited to see Joseph was there as well, as was Sherry! I hadn't seen either of them for quite some time. David rolled up and we stopped for a quick group shot.
I also snagged a photo with David to keep the pre-race photo streak going during our double double weekends - even though the final race we wouldn't have a shot as I was doubling Kansas and he was doubling Montreal.
What I didn't realize at the time was that Sherry and George were also doubling! They both headed to Omaha for their second race of the weekend!
The start/finish area of the race was really nicely organized and laid out and before long I found my way to my corral. While waiting to start I saw that Joseph was also in my corral and we chatted a bit and decided to start out together...both of us aiming for anywhere between 2:15 and 2:30 for the day.
Joseph and I stayed together for the first mile and a half to two miles with near constant chatter (mostly me)...it made the miles go really quickly. A few times I noticed I was a little short of breath, but I couldn't tell if it was altitude, talking, or a combination of the two. A short pause in conversation and a deep breath and I was fine. When we hit the first water stop we decided to part ways, I was feeling pretty good and didn't want to walk just yet and Joseph typically walks water stops so we said goodbye and I kept my pace. The course was rather interesting with a lot of twists and turns and plenty to look at. There was quite a bit of crowd support and I just enjoyed winding through the streets and taking in the sites. There were a few little rises and falls, but nothing crazy in the way of hills. I did begin to realize it was the altitude and not the conversation as even running alone and not talking I occassionally felt short of breath...same thing, a deep breath and I was fine.
Before long the course came into a beautiful park and the energy of the race picked up even more. In addition to the crowds of people supporting the runners, the course wound through the park and went through several switchbacks, resulting in you seeing the runners ahead of you and behind you just across the fields of the park in various locations. This gave the course an added boost of energy as there were sooooo many runners in such a condensed area, yet it didn't cause crazy congestion and logistical issues as we were all at different points on the course with plenty of room.
While really fuzzy (because it was taken on my phone while I was running) this photo shows one point where just before I turned you can see the runners just ahead of me who have made the turn to head back through the park and in the distance you can see those who are just ahead of them and already out on the road passing the park. If it were more clear you would also see the runners on the opposite side of the road who have passed the turn around point and are coming back on the road. This particular area of the course was absolutely electric! It was also beautiful. I also really tuned into my body during this portion of the run and was surprised at how strong I felt. I'd been a little concerned about running at altitude having never done it before, but doing so and doing well made me feel incredibly strong.
As I came out of the park and headed down the street I began to wonder if I'd see George. I guestimated that the runners approaching were approximately a mile to a mile and half ahead of me and I couldn't help but hope. When we first entered the park I thought I saw him across the park on a switch back and estimated that to be about the same distance ahead but I couldn't tell if it was him or a really tall guy with a red head due to the distance. I ran down the center line of the road to avoid the crowds and in no time, just before my mile 8 and just after his mile 9 there was George! A quick hug and we kept on our ways...
I began to wonder if I'd see David and I looked for about .1-.2 miles and just as I zoned out and got distracted I heard "Michelle!!" I whipped my head around just in time to see David's back going the other way! After my own turn and heading back we wound our way into another park which was equally beautiful. You could also see the course looped the perimeter of this field and exited on the other side and again the close proximity of the runners kept the energy high. The only negative thing I encountered on this race, and it wasn't truly a negative - just something to consider, was the fact that there was no GU until somewhere between miles 10 and 11. I always carry PLENTY of GU with me, so it wasn't an issue for me (I typically load my race belt with 3 plain GU and 3 Roctane for every 1/2...way more than anyone would need but enough to share if needed and drop some without worry of not having any), but if you rely solely on race supplied GU and you need one prior to mile 10 you may want to carry your own. There was PLENTY once you got to the GU stop, but if you need it sooner than plan ahead!
After we left the park we round through the streets for the last mile of the course and were greeted with a welcome site...a downhill to the finish! (I don't check elevation charts before the race typically, so this was indeed a surprise.) I was feeling incredibly strong and just let loose on the downhill and across the line.
I finished in 2:08:50, surprisingly cutting even more time off of the previous weekend...even at altitude! I was thrilled but at the same time a little stressed as I had now progressively shaved time off of three consecutive races and had one remaining the next day...and frankly, didn't know if I had it in me. I spent very little time at the finish line, chatting with Hugh, Sherry, and Joseph and then it was off for a quick shower before heading the 7 hours to Kansas for the next day's race. I did quickly roll my legs out (the Stick sometimes gets confiscated by TSA so I brought my small foam roller for the trip) and put on a pair of Abercrombie skinny jeans for a little compression during the drive...just in case.
The drive itself was a whole lot of nothing! I've driven cross country twice (once north route and once southern route) but I can honestly say I have never been through such an extended period of flat, boring terrain with just nothing for so long. I couldn't help but wonder what people in this area do for a living. There seemed to be nothing. I realize there's agriculture, but I covered a lot of land in 7 hours...there can't be THAT many people that can make a living off of farming in that close of a proximity can there be??? I grew up in small town on the water...we had a seafood industry and tourist industry to keep us going, in addition there was a NASA and Navy base very nearby and a variety of construction companies as well as nearby farms...we had a little bit of everything, this area wasn't exactly drawing in tourist and there seemed to be nothing else in all directions. It just left me curious.
Upon arriving in Hutchinson, Kansas I checked into the hotel and went across the street to the Lone Star steakhouse to fuel before the next morning's race. If I haven't discussed fueling yet....I'm an odd bird in that way. I don't carbo load like your typical endurance athlete. I tend to eat a steak and potato the night before a race. It started as a mental thing and it has just stuck. I've also been anemic. Iron carries oxygen in your blood, so my low iron meant I didn't carry as much oxygen. When I started running distance I'd eat red meat for the iron and a potato for some carbs. It worked for me, so I've kept it up. In Hutchinson, however, I had a hankering for ribs. I was a little afraid to mess with what worked, so I just added them to the mix!! Yes, I fuel differently than most!
After dinner it was back to the hotel for a good night's sleep!
I woke up feeling miserable. I looked in the mirror and realized my face was swollen. I have no idea if it was altitude changes, fluid intake, sodium levels, water retention, or a combination of all of the above but I looked and felt a hot mess. I dressed and decided I wasn't feeling the braids so went with a pony tail and headed out the door. It ended up being a good thing I went with a ponytail because when I got to the start I realized I left all three pairs of sunglasses at the hotel and the sun was starting to come up brightly. Thankfully the swag bag included a really nice technical cap, so I pulled it on hoping to cut down the glare somewhat. It did the trick throughout the entire race.
It was rather chilly outside but I'd brought a cast off hoodie so I was ok. Lesson learned on this trip...when purchasing cast off clothes for races...READ THEM!!! The cast off hoodie I had for this race I'd purchased at a Goodwill in South Carolina prior to my 2011 Myrtle Beach Mini, anticipating needing it there. I looked for fit, warmth, and cheap. It fit the bill. Somehow it made it 11 months without actually being cast off. I wore it that morning, but when it came time to toss it there was Garret cheering mom on, so he grabbed it and brought it home. The other races I've taken it to have ended up being either too warm and it wasn't needed or just warm enough that I threw it in my checked bag just before heading to the start. As I walked up to the start area I noticed people reading my hoodie and looking VERY confused. For the first time in 11 months I read what I'd worn MANY times to MANY start lines "Fun, sun, trails, and males!!" Ummm...not exactly the message I wanted to be sending. But...this particular morning was cold enough that the hoodie did indeed get worn and then did indeed get cast off somewhere between miles 1 and 2.
This was a small town race and honestly I'd not looked into it too much. I'd pulled up the half marathon calendar in a browser window and mapquest in another. I looked at any races in states I hadn't completed on 9/23 and mapquested Denver to their location to determine if they were doable. When I found any that worked I verified they had finisher's medals. Turned out that this was the closet drive that I didn't have the state that did have a finisher's medal, so I registered. I hadn't really looked at the course map and had no idea where we'd be running. It turned out that much of the course was on running/biking trails...and I'm honestly not sure how I feel about that even after having completed it. The weather was really nice so time of year was a good choice for this area. I had expected Kansas to be crazy flat, but I considered the course to be more of rolling hills personally. The trails were probably a really nice place for training runs and if you lived there would likely be awesome; but personally one of the things I LOVE about racing is the fact that you get to see so much of the area while running. I didn't feel like I saw much during this race. The first 5 miles were on this trail that was named after some man and then "sunflower trail"...there wasn't a SINGLE sunflower anywhere on that trail! There were a few brown eyed susies...but that just aggravated me because it seemed they didn't know their flowers...of course I REALLY wasn't feeling the run so it didn't take much to aggravate me!
Much of the first five miles looked EXACTLY like this shot from somewhere around mile 2 with an overpass coming up. Boring. The narrow trail wasn't an issue though..it was paved and the field was rather small as far as number of runners so there was no crowding issues. Much of the time I felt as though I was running alone, which wasn't necessarily a good thing. I was indeed miserable. My normal rough first 3-5 miles started immediately. I usually am ok until about mile 2 and then mentally battle til somewhere between 3 and 5 before getting in a rhythm and enjoying the run. I wasn't even at the startline and I wasn't feeling this run. I was cold and tired and just flat miserable. When we did start my legs felt like lead for the first 4 miles or so. I seriously considered walking before I even hit the one mile mark and each mile seemed to drag on forever. There was zero energy on the course. At the start line there were pockets of people cheering on loved ones, then for the next 5 miles you'd encounter the occasional person or two on an overpass or one dude on a bike that obviously was watching someone running about my pace because he popped up pretty much everywhere I was that the road crossed the path and then took off again. The small field meant often times you were running with just a person here or there around you so there wasn't even the energy of fellow runners. It truly seemed more like a training run than a race, but I kept telling myself at least I was checking off the state! There were ample water stations...but they were terribly confusing! Typically there were just a couple of tables and a few people and there was no rhyme or reason as to who had water and who had gatorade...the cups were all the same so you couldn't differeniate that way, it wasn't your typical water first then gatorade or vice versa everytime, it was just who grabbed what off the table and happened to be standing there. So, basically it was a surprise what you were getting until you tasted it. The same went for flavors, most races there is one flavor of gatorade at all stops...this one I grabbed water once and had yellow gatorade, went for gatorade another time and had water, and at the stop that I finally asked who had gatorade and got it was shocked that it was grape. The cups were also not very full (a couple of sips at best) and you weren't getting two unless you stopped and waited around. If you tend to have greater hydration needs and/or a particular hydration strategy (I tend to alternate water and gatorade at each stop), you may want to consider wearing a fuel belt for this race rather than dealing with it. There was also no GU stop. Again, I carry plenty so it wasn't an issue for me, but it is something to consider if you do this race. EARLY on at one of the water stops there were little boys given out dixie cups of M&Ms or Skittles, but it was too early to be needed in my opinion, plus I can't chew/eat candy while running. Not my thing.
Just around mile four I was really beginning to question my own sanity for this double double weekend thing and thinking it may have been the dumbest thing I'd ever done. Oh, did I mention that I began having issues with blisters on my 2nd toe on each foot at the VA Beach 1/2 so I decided for this weekend to take out my orthotics and use the shoes' inserts just in case that was the issue. FYI it wasn't, but running without my orthotics did cause my tendonitis in my right knee to flare up. Yeah, mile 4 = totally miserable...
As a matter of fact, we all have the occassional picture where we look at our face and cringe...suffice it to say there were more pictures from this race that will NEVER be seen by anyone than probably all of my races combined...I was making some pretty horrid faces!
Just after mile 5 we finally broke off of the trail and came into a subdivision! At last, a change of scenery and something to distract me from my misery and stupidity. I had by this point noted that my heart and lungs felt good and I had begun to shake the lead out of my legs, plus the dull twinge behind my right knee cap wasn't really anything to worry about long term though it would likely require some 800mg ibuprofen and possibly a little ice...and the orthotics would be going back in the shoes.
Now, once in the subdivision I was aggravated by something else entirely (told you I was easily irritated this particular day)...a guy in front of me happened to suck down a GU just about the same time I was. And he proceeded to toss his wrapper on the ground. Now, I will freely admit that in large races with thousands (think Rock N Roll, Disney, ING, etc) I will toss my wrappers...but I always make sure its' near a water stop or in an area that they will obviously have a street cleaner going through and only when it's a big enough race that you know that's in the budget. And even then, if I can hang on to it until a trashcan I will. But seriously??? We are in a subdivision during a tiny little race and you just throw your trash in the middle of their street after having carried the packet of GU for nearly 6 1/2 miles anyway??? You couldn't carry that empty wrapper another half mile to the next water stop and toss it in a trashcan or even toss it in someone's can that's on the corner for trash service? I personally think that's a little arrogant to think just because you are running an endurance event that you can litter. So....please do us all a favor on your next run and think before you toss that wrapper! You've carried it this far full, will it really hurt you to carry it a little longer empty?
Somewhere after the GU packet incident I realized I was actually finally feeling pretty good and feel into my normal routine of counting off the halfway point, mile 8 - only 5 left, check mile 9 - almost to double digits, mile 10 - only a 5K left, etc. But today I really needed it unlike Philly where I went through the motions. Also around mile 10 we left the subdivision and went back on a trail...again...boring...again very few people. Well, the subdivision had been a nice distraction. It wasn't long before we came back out onto the "highway" in the area...not a MAJOR highway but still one of their busiest streets and I recognized the area as just down from my hotel. We'd come out on 23rd street and I knew my hotel and the finish line were around 11th so I started counting down blocks. We made it to 14 and took a turn towards the finish. I was starting to REALLY want to see that line. I hadn't looked at my time at all...I had no idea what my splits were or if I was close to the previous day and honestly didn't really care, wanted to check off the state and be gone at this point. As we rounded the corner to the back of the community college there were cheerleaders and a few spectators cheering for us and a little energy...it was a welcome change but it was literally at the end of the course. As miserable as I'd been nearly this entire race and as much as I wanted it done, when we passed the 13 mile marker and turned the corner onto the track for the final .1 miles I LOVED the rubber track! It was such a nice track and such a welcome relief I literally wanted to take an extra lap on it just to get to run on it longer...note to self, speedwork will now be done on base on the rubber track...too nice of a surface.
I bounded around the track, completely enjoying the surface and totally oblivious to time until I turned the corner and saw the finish line sitting there with the clock reading 2:07...crap! I knew I'd started a few seconds after the clock as I was a little ways back and if I pushed it was indeed possible that I'd finish 4 1/2s in 9 days with each one getting faster...enjoying the track or not it was time to push. I turned up the heat and crossed the line in 2:07:29....over 11 minutes faster than the first 1/2 of the double double weekend...motivation in and of itself to keep training!
Now, to give this race a fair shake...their finish line was really nice and they had the field set up with pretty much anything you'd want/need to refuel - including chocolate milk!! (and while I am not a Team Refuel member I do whole-heartedly subscribe to the practice and grab a lowfat chocolate milk after my tough workouts...you do see a difference in future performance...and it's really tasty!) I indulged in a free finish line massage and it was very nice. I did not take the time to have a chiropractic adjustment as I didn't want to be unfaithful to my doctor, but it was available. All in all, if you're just looking to check the box and finish Kansas...this is a nice little race and it has a nice medal and good swag...if you're looking to really experience Kansas, this may not be your best bet. If you do opt to give it a shot...I was surprised to see a space museum, the Cosmosphere, right at the finish line, so I checked it out after my shower...turns out it is a Smithsonian museum and it actually has a REALLY nice collection including the original Liberty Bell 7 and the Apollo 13 capsule, Odyssey; as well as a couple of actual sections of the Berlin Wall! Definitely neat stuff for any space buff but also interesting to someone not particular crazy about space (like myself).
After checking out the museum it was time to really refuel and head back to the airport...and after all of the calories burned in the last two weekends my usual healthy eating habits and cravings were out the window...I wanted a Son of a Baconator and a cheese potato...and there just happened to be a Wendy's down the street! I chuckled to myself as I recalled somewhere in the subdivision passing two young girls as one told the other "I can't wait to finish because I'm going to eat anything I see for the rest of the day and not worry about it!" Yup...sounded about right...
As a matter of fact, I had just enough time between my connection in ATL to run into the candy store and grab a chocolate covered caramel apple. It was my second double weekend in two weeks afterall...I'd earned it!
