Positive Phoenix Marathon Memories

Posted by hellyontherun in Phoenix Marathon and tagged with It Went Down in PHX, Marathon, Phoenix Marathon, Running Friends March 4, 2015

I didn’t actually finish Phoenix Marathon–if you missed the story of my DNF, you can catch up here.

Thank you so much to those who commented and reached out to me. Your support really does mean a lot. I love how amazing the running community is ❤

Thankfully, not everything about the weekend was bad.

The Expo

I left work early to get to the expo in time for the meet up of all meet ups.

It was definitely going down at the Pro Compression booth.

Pretty much everyone got there at the same time and I was surrounded by bloggers and Instagrammers galore! So many faces I recognized from ~~stalking~~ following on social media, I was like, “I know you!” and “I know you!” Except, of course, I didn’t really know them lol!

I saw my girl Meg (aka: @Maxfitgirl29) first and went straight up to her and introduced myself.

I ended up chatting with her the most and she was as awesome in person as she is on her Insta.

And the ever cool @dasilentassasin was also behind the booth.

Suuuuch a nice guy.

The infectious smile that is Carlee

I saw one of my faves @michrun4 again. I’ve seen her a few times around town as she’s local (but is moving–sniff, sniff)

Don’t gooooo!

Pavement Runner had sent me a good luck shirt and I sported it at the expo. I was lucky enough to snag a pic with him too. He is seriously an awesome dude.

#runallday

And then I got to meet RunEMZ and The Athletarian (so many of these peeps have such cool names I noticed. I’m just helly 🙂 ) RunEMZ is another local who is so amazing. She’s a well known ultra-marathoner around town (and elsewhere) who recently ran a 100 miler–having given birth less than 6 months earlier!–and got 1st female overall. Like, seriously whoa. Oh, and she trains on the treadmill. She is not only a badass but she is suuuuuper nice. And that’s the best. I love it when people are nice.

Me, RunEMZ, and The Athletarian

There were soooooo many people who were running this race it was difficult to find everyone. I was sad I missed Suz (who BQ’d!!) and Gregg and Smitha (and others) but it’s just another reason for a destination race 🙂

Race Day

While I waited for Runner Jenny to cross, I cheered several of those I’d met as they made their way to the finish. I was cheering and cheering and the guy next to me said, “You sure know a lot of people!” Eveeerryone was running this race.

And me, well I was an emotional mess. I was disappointed and super disheartened at having not completed the race but at the same time, I was rejoicing with every person’s accomplishment. Even those I didn’t know! I saw people crying as they crossed, people pumping their fist in the air triumphantly, and even others spreading their arms out wide and soaring in across the line. I saw kids running with their moms, husbands with their wives, friends pacing their friends–it was absolutely amazing. I had never stayed and watched at a finish line like I did that day. And even though the circumstances were tough to swallow, I am so, so glad I did.

The finish line

My friend Nadia had told me on the phone earlier that she herself had crossed the finish line of the 10k and snagged herself a second place age group award!! I didn’t get to see her to squeeze her but she sent me a pic of her awesome award later that day.

Post Race (The Next Day)

I could have stayed home and sulked the next day, drowned my sorrows in fast food and soda, but instead I went to my run club’s post-race celebration picnic and heard everyone’s race stories. Several of my friends had PRd, a couple won age group awards, and a few had ran their first 1/2 marathon and marathon. I didn’t want to miss their post race glow–we had all trained together.

Lisa, who snagged a sub 4 hour marathon PR, me, and Runner Jenny

So even though this race has a dark cloud over it for me in many ways, there are definitely spots of sunshine throughout the weekend that doesn’t make Phoenix Marathon 2015 a total disaster. One thing is for certain, I will return in some capacity next year 🙂

–What’s your favorite part of a race weekend? The day before (the expo), race day, or post race (all the food!)?

5 Thoughts About Phoenix Marathon

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Phoenix Marathon, Race and tagged with Marathon, Nerves, Phoenix Marathon, Race February 27, 2015

The day has arrived. We are less than 24 hours til marathon #3! It’s crazy to think that in one year, I will have ran three marathons! It all started with Phoenix Marathon one year ago 🙂

I’m linking up with the DC Trifecta trio Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for their Friday Five–this week’s topic: Friday Free For All.

I’ve already relayed to you that I was nervous about the race because of my sickness, I’ve got some news on that as well as some other things that are on my mind race related.

1. I’m still sick, but……I’m definitely feeling better!

I’m not as bad as I was and this makes me very, very happy. I didn’t want to have any excuse to not run well. If for whatever reason I don’t, I want it to be because of it happening the way it was supposed to. Of course, I’m hoping to run well, but I don’t want any of the “I wonder how I would’ve run if I wasn’t sick?” No, no, no. I’m going to go out there as if it were a run with my partner in crime like any other day(I’m running with my training partner 🙂 I call her Runner Jenny) and just go with the flow. We always have fun running together and this is going to be no different. Well, there will be some differences lol

2. I’m super pumped to meet some awesome bloggers/runners.

A TON of people are running this race. Let me forewarn you, you will see your Insta feed blow up with pics of/from the Phoenix Marathon. The full and half both sold out. I know I probably won’t be able to catch all of my faves, Suz, Emily, Meg, and soooo many others but it’ll be fun to at least meet some.

If you want to follow the fun and amazingness that will be the Phoenix Marathon, check out the hashtag #ItsGoingDownAtPHX There will be some epic pics for sure.

3. The weather looks like it’s going to refuse to cooperate.

There have been rumors of rain and it seemed like the weather gods would wait for the afternoon and the start time would be cool and dry but…..

Last year, the first 4 miles were raining and then it was just damp the rest of the way. When I crossed the finish line, about 20 minutes later, it poured like someone had opened up a faucet! I felt so bad for the people still running.

I really, really, hope that the rain waits til later, waaaay later.

4. Time goals have been set.

That’s goals, plural. I have my ultimate “A” goal if all the starts align and that would be to finish in 4:15. My training has shown that I can do it and it’s a possibility but….you just never know with marathons. That would mean a 9:43 ish pace and I really feel that could that, but again, we shall see.

My “B” goal would be sub 4:30. I would be VERY happy to see a four twenty something. Very happy. Ecstatic.

And then my “C” goal would be to PR. My fastest marathon to date is 4:44 at last year’s Phoenix Marathon. I really think I can beat that and if I did, I would consider this year’s marathon a success.

If I get worse than last year, I’m being completely honest, I’ll be disappointed. I feel like my training for this marathon was on point, I feel strong, I feel prepared (despite my sickness) and anything but a PR would be heartbreaking for me.

5. My husband is once again, my cheerleader for this race.

There is really no way that I could put into words how much it means to me that my husband is so supportive of my running. His constant motivation and encouragement is what gets me through training, through races, and through post races when I might not be satisfied with my results. He always reminds me how amazing I am to be doing this, something a lot of people will never do in their life. I forget that.

I’m not sure, I do try to express to him my gratitude, but I don’t think he knows how much his support means to me. When I’m running, and in pain, it’s thoughts of him that keep me going. I know that that will be the case again. In times of struggle, he’ll be there, either physically–running alongside me cheering me on–or in my thoughts reminding me that I’m okay, I got this. I’m forever grateful.

Me and my #1 fan ❤

Thanks also to YOU for your encouraging words and advice as I prepare myself for the big day. Sometimes I think no one reads my lil ‘ol blog and it always puts a smile on my face when I read a comment. I can’t wait to come back on Monday (or sometime next week lol!) to tell you all about how it went. You can also check facebook or instagram as I’ll be updating there over the weekend 🙂

I hope you all have a good weekend whether you’re racing or training!

❤ , helly

I’m Officially a Marathoner!

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Phoenix Marathon and tagged with Marathon, Phoenix Marathon, Race February 26, 2015

Throwback Thursday–Phoenix Marathon Edition (My First Marathon!)

hellyontherun

Boy, oh boy…..

That was without a doubt the hardest, most fun thing I’ve ever done in my life.

I’ll start at the beginning 🙂

You guys knew that I was dreading the inclement weather…not even so much the rain, it was more the wind that was making me nervous.

And it was definitely windy.

My husband dropped me off at the bus pick-up around 4 a.m. It actually wasn’t tough waking up so early and I actually felt like I slept despite my jitters.

The bus ride was about 20 minutes long. I sat next to a complete stranger who happened to be an Ironman (I found this out after some small talking). He offered some good advice, “Don’t start out fast.” “Trust your training.” etc., and even gave me an extra trash bag to protect myself from the rain. This would be really helpful later.

I wore shorts…

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