Dry Martini: 13.1 Epic Miles
Generally, the only weather you won’t get during a Nor’easter is lightning, which means that the odds of cancelation for the Cape Cod Half Marathon were virtually nil. Which meant that running 13.1 miles in all manner of wind, rain, sleet, or snow wasn’t out of the question. Each of the retreaters who’d been planning to run had to figure out just how epic they wanted their Saturday to be.
Given that I’d just set a half marathon PR a few weeks prior (did I tell you about my PR?), my only goal for the race was to start at the start and cross the finish line in however long it took me to get there. I didn’t count on 40 mile gusts or pelting sleet but life is full of surprises.
Like how surprisingly fun it is to run in near-apocalypic weather. That’s not the lingering hypothermia talking. It was a total hoot. Because I love a list, here’s why (in no particular order, because that’s how I roll):
- Once you embrace the suck, you have freed yourself for pleasant surprises. I expected to spent three hours frozen and wet and miserable — and was mentally prepared to just get it done. But it was ten degrees warmer than anticipated, which was almost balmy.
- Every time your thin plastic poncho develops a hole, make a knot. Soon you’ll have more knots than holes and a metaphor for life to ponder for the last few miles of the race.
- The course, which winds along the shore, is gorgeous. The white caps and flat gray skies are even more impressive than the perfect blue you usually get.
- Blowing sand and salt spray is an effective exfoliant.
Erica, Michelle, Lisa, and I model the latest in flimsy plastic running gear. Look out New York Fashion Week.
- Marianne, a BAMR from NJ (who you might remember from our Seneca 7 sojourn), and I solved all of the world’s problems while we ran. Or, at least, chit-chatted away about pretty much everything when we could hear each other over the wind and surf.
- When you are soaked to the bone and your shoes are squishy, you can’t get any more soaked. This is surprisingly comforting.
- It’s also comforting when 50+ BAMRs are out on the course, too. There’s something to be said for doing something supremely silly with a group.
- The purple bibs the race organizers made for the AMR Retreaters made it incredibly easy to cheer for members of the Tribe when we saw them. I’m not sure if I was hoarse after the race because of the cold or because I was whooping it up so much.
- When it got hard around mile 11 — not gonna lie, I was ready to be warm and dry by then — a cheer squad emerged from the rain to high-five us home. If you can run down a line of women wanting nothing more than to encourage you to the finish and who you’ve spent the last 48 hours laughing with, do that. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
- Post-race cider donuts. ‘nuf said.
One of the better choices SBS and Dimity made about the retreat’s location is how close the hotel is to the start/finish line. Not ten minutes after leaving said line, I was stripping off all of my clothes in my room’s kitchenette and, then, in a hot shower. Which was one of the better showers I’ve ever taken. It was up there with rinsing off after my babies were born. It was that good.
In the kitchenette post-race but pre-shower. I left a puddle.
That’s not to say there wasn’t a little bit of damage from running through the storm; my Brooks Ghost 10s will never be the same. But $120 for some new kicks is a small price to pay for the ego boost this race gave me. That is priceless.
Which extreme weather events have you run through? And did you feel like a total badass at the end?
PS: Thanks for all of the race suggestions. I’m going to compile a list and plot my next moves in my next column.
Another Mother Runner Cape Cod Running Retreat: The Recap
Although we had nearly 80 #motherrunners at our Cape Cod Retreat this weekend (27 states + Canada, represent!), there was one mother who crashed our party: Ma Nature.
She blew in in the form of a nor’easter on Saturday, the day of the
Cape Cod Half-Marathon.
She blew in in the form of a nor’easter on Saturday, the day of theOnce we realized the weather forecast wasn’t going to budge, two perspectives prevailed:
—Running 13.1 miles in a nor’easter? Pretty much the definition of b*d*ss.
—You can only control yourself + your attitude. Energy or anxiety towards the weather is only wasted energy that could potentially go towards your running.
So we pepared as best we could. Justin Ross, mental mathematician he is, wrapped our minds around being clear about race day goals—and reminded us that psychological pain always lasts longer than physical pain. Ellie Kempton, nutritional guru, warmed us with nettle tea as she talked through hormones and plenty of other topics.
Kolleen, a TriggerPoint guru, took took care of any physical niggles we knew about—and plenty we didn’t as well. Coach Amanda, Coach MK, and Dimity met with athletes one-on-one to help them figure out their goals, plan for 2019 or otherwise smooth out a few running wrinkles.
And #motherrunner Carrie, also a yoga instructor, helped us ground ourselves—and open our hips—with two lovely yoga sessions.
That said, Ma Nature was a team player for most of the retreat.
Before the retreat started, we shot a few photos for some upcoming projects—and were reminded how many #motherrunnners run things.
Erica + Adrienne catching some waves and Vitamin D.
A Von BAMR Trapp family moment before we walked over to pick up our race bibs.
Lots of flat #motherrunners took to the private Facebook page on Friday night. The best part of this cute outfit? The purple bibs, special to BAMRS; with an out-and-back course, runners were able to identify each other easily, even in driving rain.
Lots of flat #motherrunners took to the private Facebook page on Friday night. The best part of this cute outfit? The purple bibs, special to BAMRS; with an out-and-back course, runners were able to identify each other easily, even in driving rain.
The purple bibs also helped our unbreakable cheering squad spot our runners. (The runner in the picture? Not a BAMR. Using this pic because it shows all our signs before they melted. Fortunately, the cowbells stayed intact throughout.)
This group of five BAMRS ran together with plenty of stops for pics—and sang songs along the way. Even with the multiple stops, Alana (in braids) was <60 seconds off her half-marathon PR.
Speaking of PR’s, these eight BAMRS hit a personal best while Mother Nature was at her personal worst.
We left no BAMR behind; Donna, in green, was all smiles + steadiness as a few of us accompanied her to the finish line.
Once we dried off, showered, dried off again, ate, napped, visited the Kennedy Museum and otherwise found our groove again, the celebration was ON.
Mother Nature might bring our clambake indoors, but she can never take away our sense of humor.
Mother Nature might bring our clambake indoors, but she can never take away our sense of humor.
Our mother/daughter pair for the weekend; Kathy, the mother (and grandmother) ran her first half-marathon this weekend—and the retreat was a holiday gift from Liz, her daughter!
Lots of other firsts at the retreat: first race expo for one; first yoga class for another; first time eating lobster the “real” way for many.
And then? Karaoke! Sarah + BAMR PAMR warmed us up.
Soon it was a group affair though, with roughly 88 backup singers + dancers on every song.
Soon it was a group affair though, with roughly 88 backup singers + dancers on every song.
Including the friendliest bartenders ever.
So.much.fun. (And yes, this is Dimity, a very reluctant dancer, typing this and starfishing on the dance floor.)
So.much.fun. (And yes, this is Dimity, a very reluctant dancer, typing this and starfishing on the dance floor.)
Some of us wrapped up Sunday morning with—surprise!—more running on a dry, sunny day. (The marathon started later that morning.)
And some of us chose lattes + laughs from perhaps the best boulangerie most of us have experienced. (“Croissants?” said one BAMR. “I don’t even eat croissants, and I’ve had about four this weekend!”)
And some of us chose lattes + laughs from perhaps the best boulangerie most of us have experienced. (“Croissants?” said one BAMR. “I don’t even eat croissants, and I’ve had about four this weekend!”)This post might come across as hear-all-about-my-vacation, which isn’t the intent.
If you’ve read this far, you are a part of the #motherrunner tribe, and our tentacles stretch far and wide, across oceans + politics + lifestyles + religion + every other thing that could easily group us otherwise these days.
But this retreat cemented (again) what we know to be true: there are certain traits that all #motherrunners, whether they’re beginners or have been at it for decades, inherently have—determination, a sense of humor, perspective, self-confidence, generosity, and, of course,an inclination towards endurance sports—that connect us both quickly and intimately.
We will always love rooting for and chatting with you via a keyboard + social media, but to be able to give + receive hugs in the middle of a nor’easter AND a half-marathon?
It just makes our bonds that much deeper.
#335: Author + ESPN Contributor Kate Fagan
Dimity McDowell and Adrienne Martini have a candid conversation with Kate Fagan, ESPN columnist and author of What Made Maddy Run, the heartbreaking story of Madison Holleran, a collegiate runner who committed suicide during her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania. As they talk through the book, the trio discuss everything from the intensity of college athletics—and freshman year— to the impact social media has on our psyches to missing signs of suicidal tendencies. In the intro, Dimity and Adrienne, the author of Hillbilly Gothic: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood, share about their own experiences with mental illness.
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Training for my First Marathon: The Mental Game
Pam after setting her 5K PR. The special is El Super Pam. Coincidence? Think not!
[Follow—and cheer for—Pam, a #motherrunner of two in Decatur, Georgia, as she trains for her first 26.2. Previous entries.]
Last week Sarah and Dimity addressed my question on mental preparation for training to run a full marathon on AMR Answers, and Dimity suggested I discuss the mental aspects of my own training. As I begin tapering for my fall half marathon—hello, energy!—this seems like the perfect time.
Coming off the DC Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon this spring, I ran a 25:57 5k, which is far faster than I ever could have expected. What was even more incredible was that my first thought, post-race, was that I could have run even faster.
To quote Joey from the 90’s sitcom Blossom: Whoa.
Elation, disbelief, doubt, and pride all fought for top emotional billing. I immediately texted Coach MK to both share my news and to ask, “What now?”
For someone who always limited the view of her own potential to somewhere in the middle of the pack, this sudden ability to run with what I consider great speed was both confusing and overwhelming. MK suggested a one-on-one session with sports psychologist Justin Ross (of Perform Like a Mother fame) to examine my feelings and learn how to work past them to achieve whatever my full potential may be (ahead of mid-pack, apparently!).
Justin helped me recognize that my biggest challenge is believing in myself at the starting line. I trust the plan enough to dedicate myself fully to training six days a week. I believe enough to set goals and to tap into the depths of my reserves in the final kick. My doubts set in at the starting line, and sometimes in the very middle of the race. Knowledge, however, truly is power!
My biggest takeaways from talking with Justin via Skype:
Create the habit of “putting away my run.”
After completing any training run or race, he suggested, I should take a moment to intentionally examine the workout, acknowledge what went right and what could use improvement, and tuck it away.
Doing so trains the roots of my running to grow both deeper and broader in order to build a solid foundation.
Before I walk in the door to greet my family, I pause for a moment and consider my run: How did the run feel? Did I get what I needed, regardless of how strong I felt? What is at least one“win” the workout yielded? More recently, I’ve been writing that information, along with basic stats such as splits and average heart rate, in my COMPETE journal.
Work on finding the place between anxiety and excitement at the starting line.
He encouraged me to practice finding that sweet spot that will during the recovery intervals of a hard workout. Yesterday in preparation for the Cape Cod Half Marathon, I ran a series of 20 one-minute intervals at half marathon goal race pace (somewhere around the 9:00/mile range), interspersed with one minute of easy running (I hovered somewhere in the 12:00/mile range).
During the race pace intervals, I let a grin spread across my face as I settled into sustainably fast speed, focusing on my breath and my footfalls.
In between, I slowed enough to catch my breath, and let my mind relive what my body had just done: the turnover of my feet, the even and steady breaths, how I drew my shoulder blades together and subtly leaned forward. At the same time, I visualized myself going through these same motions on race day, creating a well of inspiration and experience on which to draw both at the starting line and mid-race when things begin to get tough.
The requisite post-Peachtree selfie.
Later that summer, I ran a 3+ minute 10k PR—my first sub-60!—at the storied Peachtree Road Race on the 4th of July. My wave began a little after 8:00 am, and with the sun beating down on the asphalt, conditions were already brutal. In addition to the heat and humidity, Peachtree runners have to fight the crowded course of the world’s largest road race.
Standing on the starting line, trying to find that sweet spot, I decided I would not waste energy zigging and zagging and fuming. Instead I tucked in behind whoever was ahead of me, scanning for openings.
I was in the zone as my “Run Fast” playlist—think punk rock covers of showtunes by Me First & the Gimme Gimmes—blasted into my Trekz Air headphones. I barely registered the crowds , both on and off the course. Every other mile or so, I’d look down at my watch as it buzzed to display my splits, but overall I ran entirely by feel, slowing for notorious Cardiac Hill, trying to fly without pushing on the downhills.
As soon as I rounded the curve onto 10th street and into the final half-mile stretch, I turned on the gas, and crossed the finish line in 59:37, about 96% spent.
I remember reading somewhere that a marathon is simply a 10k race with a 20-mile warmup. I look at a half marathon much the same way: I spend the first five miles getting into my groove, the following five slowly picking it up, and really dial it in that final 5k.
Considering the marathon that way also gives me perspective on the roots I’m expanding as I tuck away run after run. I’ve put in close to 1,000 miles so far in 2018, and I’m going to put in several hundred more before February 10, 2019. My roots are deep, and they are broad, and they are solid. They are roots worthy of a Mary Oliver poem. I trust absolutely that week by week I will build to 20 miles.
And after that? I will put my head down, keep a smile on my face, move my feet forward, and call upon that well of experience and inspiration to take me through that final 10k and past the finish line.
26.2 Tips for 26.2 Miles
Nearly 30 (!) years ago, I ran my first marathon in New York City; when I run it again on November 4, it’ll be my 53rd-ish.
26.2 miles is a long way to run; 26.2 tips is a lot to read. So let’s cut right to the chase!
Not exactly in order, 26 tips, truths, and thoughts about the marathon.
*1 Is this your first?
Coaches and other experts will tell you not to focus on a particular finish time. Just ENJOY the experience. You might well ask, Wait, does anyone really ENJOY running 26.2 miles? And I might say, NO! I mean, yes yes yes yes YES!
*2 Do you have a time goal?
Actually, it’s good to have three! Acceptable (just finish), good, and deliriously fast (or personal record). Whatever you do, start slow, 15-30 seconds per mile slower than your target is not unreasonable. Your Best Race Ever is running the first half slower than the second half, a k a “negative splits.”
50,000 or so runners will start the New York City marathon on November 4th, me among them!
*3 How’s the weather?
If the weather gods have blessed you with that rare ideal overcast day of 45 degrees, low humidity and no wind, say your thanks and get ready to run the best race that your training, fitness and health have prepared you for. <<< You see what I did there? A perfect weather day can’t save you if you didn’t get in your long runs or you’ve been up every night for the past week dealing with your 3-year-old’s nasty stomach flu. Be glorious, yes, but also realistic.
*4 Is it warm?
For marathoners, anything above 45 degrees is “warm.” Temps above 55 will slow your pace per mile, and every degree above that slows you more. This is not just anecdotal, there’s science behind it. Sorry. If you’re running the Marine Corps Marathon, the last 10K-ish is in full-on sun, no shade.
“But I have traiiiinnnned really hardddddd,” you might wail before a marathon predicted to be in, oh, the 80s. “I’m just going to stick with my planned pace as long as I can!”
A dear friend who stuck to her guns (refused to listen to me) and went out at the pace for her planned 3:30 finish on a sunny day that saw the high 80s threw up on the course and finished in 5:10.
I still love her anyway.
*5 Is it cool at the start?
45 degrees may be perfect for running, but it is COLD for waiting around before the race. Wear “throwaway” clothes to the start—old pajama bottoms, a sweatshirt, a robe (genius because you don’t have to pull it over your head or feet).
Every big marathon collects, cleans, and donates throwaway clothes. At a smaller race, you can probably tuck the clothes behind a bush near the start and pick them up after the race. (I’ve done that.) Or even hand them off to your family. (Nice!)
*6 Is it cool on the course?
Pro tip: Wear layers that you can peel off when you warm up and then PUT BACK ON when sweat makes you cold again or after you cross the finish line and start shivering: gloves (pro tip courtesy of legendary Kathrine Switzer) and/or knit cap (tuck into waistband when not wearing; it’s a super good look) (not); arm warmers you can push down or pull up; a super lightweight jacket you can tie around your waist (another fine look).
*7 What’s your pre-marathon dinner?
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, skinny runners in short-shorts ate big bowls of spaghetti the night before the race, called it “carbo-loading” and ran sub 3-hour marathons. Today, we are none of those things. You want a normal sized dinner that includes, yes, some carbs, but also protein and healthy fats, and afterward you don’t want to feel like you have a bowling ball in your belly. I like chicken, rice and salad. You know what sits well with you.
Pro tip for travelers: Go online NOW to research a restaurant that serves what you want for your pre-race dinner, check the menu and make a reservation. And make it on the early side: like around 5 or 5:30. Better to eat early than stress out, sitting around waiting for a table.
*8 What’s your pre-race breakfast?
The New York City marathon has “wave” starts, and mine is 10:40, which is when I am usually DONE with long runs (like many mother runners). What I choke down before a 6:30 a.m. long run— a handful of animal crackers, a spoonful of peanut butter and coffee—isn’t nearly enough to sustain me until 3:00 or later, which is about when I’ll finish NYCM. So I will eat a bagel, animal crackers and a packet (maybe two) of Justin peanut butter and honey. I know this works for me (see 53-ish marathons); what works for you?
Near the 24-mile mark of my first New York City marathon in 1989. Keen observers will note NO other women in this photo–a sign of the (old) times.
*9 My favorite marathon
New York City is my favorite. (Don’t tell the other kids.)
*10 The marathon legend
Legend has it that Greek soldier Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of victory in battle, cried “Rejoice, we conquer!” and promptly keeled over dead. And he didn’t even run a full marathon! Just 40 kilometers, or 24.85 miles! And he wasn’t even taking care of small children!
*11 The first “modern” Olympic marathon
Was in 1896 in Athens, Greece. Spyridon Louis won the 40K course in 2:58:50, a time that would’ve put him just in the top 1,000 of the 2017 NYC Marathon.
The adorable Joan Benoit, after winning the first women’s Olympic marathon in 1984
*12 First WOMEN’s Olympic marathon
Wasn’t until 1984! Women weren’t allowed to run the marathon in the Olympics because, you know, (male) doctors were afraid our uteruses were going to fall out. It took legendary rabble rouser Kathrine Switzer, who famously crashed the 1967 men-only Boston marathon, more than a decade to help get women into the Olympic marathon. Joan Benoit Samuelson won that inaugural race, in 1984 in Los Angeles, waving a painter cap and two weeks after knee surgery with a time of 2:24:52. Now 60, she ran the Chicago marathon a couple of weeks ago with her daughter in 3:12. She’s the OG cool.
*13 The marathon distance
For the 1908 Olympics in London, the marathon was lengthened from Pheidippides’s 40K, or 24.85 miles, to 26 miles and 385 yards so that the runners could pass by Windsor Castle and wave to the Royal Family, who presumably called out, “Looking good!” and “Almost there!” 26.2 miles has been the standard distance ever since.
Nov 5, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Shalane Flanagan celebrates after winning the professional women’s division at the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
*14 Running in the (female) family
In 1971, Cheryl Bridges became the first woman to break 2:50 in a marathon, her first 26.2. Ten years later, she had a daughter, Shalane Flanagan, who won the 2017 New York City marathon in 2:26:53, the first American woman to win it since 1977. Wowza. (Shalane is scheduled to run NYC again this year.)
*15 Finishing IS a BIG deal
Every year, the cumulative total of U.S. marathon finishes is around 450,000. Some of those numbers represent repeat marathoners (e.g., people who ran more than one 26.2 in a year). The U.S. population is 325.7 million. That puts you in the top .1% of the country, no matter what your finish time. Seriously, that is cool.
*16 Expect low moments
The 20-mile mark is when people warn you’ll hit the famous “Wall”—when your body runs low on its supply of glucose and your brain starts shouting like an exhausted and stressed mother STOP. THIS. INSTANT.
But the truth is, you can (and likely will) have low moments as early as the 16-mile mark, when there’s still a long way to go. Don’t despair (yet): In marathons as in life, low moments pass. Have a snack.
*17 Speaking of snacks …
Amby Burfoot, one of my favorite former co-workers, WON the 1968 Boston marathon consuming nothing along the way but a few sips of water. He is 6 feet tall and weighed less than 135 pounds and finished in 2:22:11. You and I are none of those things. Our bodies (and brains!) need fuel, especially those of us out there more than 4, 5 and 6+ hours. There’s not a one-size-fits-all rule for what and how much to take in. I hope you’ve learned in training what works for you, whether that’s gels, sports drink, pretzels or gummy bears.
Nina on the blue line of the 2008 Olympic Marathon course, Beijing, China.
*18 Did you see the blue line?
You might see a blue line painted on your marathon course.
Daughter Nina and I were on a “homeland tour” of China in 2012, four years after the Olympics were held in Beijing. In a city park, our tour facilitator pointed to a blue line painted on the ground and asked, “Who knows what this is?”
Me! Me! Me! “The blue line is painted on the marathon course so the runners following it can run the shortest distance between two points, also known as the cutting the tangents!”
“WRONG!” shouted the tour guide. “It’s for the Olympic marathon!”
The New York City marathon has a blue line. It also has more than 50,000 runners. Unless you’re Shalane Flanagan, it’s probably not worth spending energy trying to find it, or even trying to cut the tangents. Which is also why your Garmin might report that your marathon was actually 26.83 miles.
*19 Not to be confused with the Marine Corps Marathon’s “Blue Mile”
The famous “Blue Mile” at mile 12 of the Marine Corps Marathon honors the service and sacrifice of members of the American military, lined by Faces of the Fallen posters and military family members holding flags. Yes, you’ll cry.
*20 Now, what about that Wall?
When your body runs low on glycogen, it’s actually your protective brain—not your mindless muscles—that screams at you to STOP. Feed your brain. There is science that says just swishing (not even swallowing) sports drink reassures your brain that you’re not about to die, allowing you to proceed (if slowly). M&Ms work too.
*21 What if you get a cramp?
I have stutter-stepped through the last miles of many a marathon wondering if my calf muscles were going to go into full gasping Charley horse spasm. Piercing side stitches have bent me sideways. Mindful-meditators will tell you to “acknowledge the pain and let it float away.” Uh-huh. Stretch the calf, breathe into the side stitch. Like a low moment, it’ll pass (and may come back!). Just. Keep. Moving. Forward.
*22 Can you just take a subway/taxi/uber to the finish?
It’s tempting, isn’t it? In 1980—in the dark era before chip times and social media—Rosie Ruiz famously allegedly hopped the T and crossed the finish line of the Boston marathon for the “win.” Actual Boston marathon champ Billy Rodgers looked at her askance—she wasn’t the whippet you’d expect from someone who could run 2:31:56, nor was she sweaty—but it took nearly a week to uncover the deception.
Of course, we’re not cheating anyone but ourselves if we cut the course, nor would it be possible to claim Shalane Flanagan’s win (can you imagine?). But late in a marathon, you might understand the temptation, even just a little.
PRO TIP: With a little joint-effort pre-race planning, family members watching you in the Marine Corps or New York City marathons can see you in several locations via public transportation and a little legwork. There are so many runners and spectators in each race that it’s smart to arrange super-specific sightings, e.g., Family will be on the northwest corner of First Avenue and 83rd Street.
*23 Marathon Mania
If you are counting down the days to your Big 26.2, do not be surprised if you find yourself unusually snappish, irritable, tired, impatient, distracted. It’s perfectly normal (if unpleasant to be around). I am not sure why, but I can tell you that I still get marathon-mania crazy, even after 53-ish marathons. Warn your (hopefully understanding) significant others—including small children and even the dogs, who may be the only ones who still like you. Do something really nice for them to express your gratitude AFTER the race. (Sorry, Rick! Sorry, Nina!)
*24 Run the mile you’re in —Deena Kastor
Stay focused on the present moment—whether internally (hello, knee, I hear you creaking but suck it up for now, okay?) or externally (hello, Brooklyn!). Try not to regret the past miles or project the future ones. See how neatly marathons mirror life? Why we keep coming back for more.
*25 Thank your body
With each passing day, week, month, year, I am mindful of how lucky I am—we are—to have legs, lungs, body, mind and the wherewithal to run even one mile, let alone 26.2. It’s a really cool thing we get to do. Thank you, body. Thank you, family and friends for joining me in this madness. I am grateful.
*26.2 CELEBRATE!
It’s a long journey from the FINISH line of the NYC marathon back home to a shower in NJ. Rick, Nina and I will (hopefully) join my dear pal who is also running, Fast Teacher Friend, and her family at our local pub for burgers, fries, wine, beer, and the relieved laughter of people who’ve survived running 26.2 and living with marathon maniacs! Cheers to all of us!
THE MARATHON: DO YOU LOVE IT, LEAVE IT, OR SIMPLY DON’T NEED IT?
#334: Live from KC: GPS Guidance from a Garmin Expert
Sarah and Dimity welcome a bevy of guests as they record in front of a live audience at a lululemon store in Kansas City just days before the Kansas City Marathon. After extolling why they are so pleased to return to the place where they launched their second book, Train Like a Mother, the duo kicks things off with Kim Fassetta from AfterShokz. This mother runner and marketing whiz talks about round 2 of marathon training after opting out of her debut 26.2 the day before the race—in Greece!
Next, father runner Joe “Mr. Garmin” Heikes joins the conversation along with Jenni Prado, a mom of three who is running her second half-marathon on Saturday. Like Jenni, Joe sees the wisdom in keeping it simple and tracking workouts online. Next is empty-nester Catherine Brown, who’s using the Kansas City Half-Marathon as a training run for the Disney Dopey Challenge. A convert to heart-rate training, Catherine admits to having to check her ego at the door when she made the switch. Joe explains the differences measuring heart rate at the wrist versus the chest; for all runners, Mr. Garmin suggests two critical-yet-underutilized GPS watch functions. The final guest is mom of two Katie Hearn, whose tenth half-marathon this weekend will be her second post-baby—and she admits she’s aiming to better her pre-baby 13.1 PR!
During a segment when Dimity and Sarah pepper Joe with questions based on their personal GPS experiences, Joe talks about why it’s more important to check data on some training days than others and how to best use a Garmin during a race. (SBS is now fired up to run a race just to utilize to the “set-a-target” feature!) Toward the end of the show, Joe answers the burning question all GPS-wearing runners wonder.
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