The Struggle is Real: My First Road Race in Three Years
Just like Ace of Base, I saw the sign, and knew I wanted in.
The sign? One stuck in the ground near the grocery store, advertising The Firecracker 6, a 6 mile or 6k in Indianapolis on the morning of the 4th of July.
I was in Indy for the Junior National Volleyball Tournament with my 16-year-old, and as any parent who has been to multi-day sports tournaments knows, there is a ton of sitting around and waiting. While the kiddos exhaust themselves competing and being social all day long with their teammates, the parents sit. And sit. Then pass a little time on the elliptical in the match-box sized gym before sitting some more.
So I rounded up three other volleyball parents (registration was $35 or 4 for $99: love a bargain!) to save $10, create a little parent bonding, and take away a little of our collective sitting time.
I also knew that having three other adults there to chat with pre-race would mitigate the anxiety I’d have about feeling more than slightly out of place (yes, truly) in a sport that is the focus of my career. Since my decision to step back from running high mileage, I have become attached to the cheerleading squad, a safe place to land in the world of fast legs and many miles.
I rationally know that nobody (except me) expects anything of me, physically/running-wise, but still. I was pretty ramped up both with a mix of excitement and regret. Psyched to pin on a bib, of course, but the whole scene felt a like visiting high school when you’re in college: full of memories of who you used to be and expectations that often fall short.
The volleyball parents.
I haven’t been in a straight-up road race in about three years, and my longest run for the past year has been 4.5 or so miles. I knew I could finish the 6k. Wanting to maximize fresh air during my workout (yes, I mentally painted it as a workout, not a race), I signed up for the 6 mile, knowing I could—but let’s be honest, probably wouldn’t—head to the 6k finish line if my body wasn’t having it.
Pick a 6, any 6.
The good news? Any emotional angst I felt disappeared as soon as the (ahem, really loud and not spectacular) fireworks started us off. (My only complaint about the race, by the way.)
That always happens, by the way: most worry/fear/anxiety disappears as soon as I start to move forward, whether I’m “racing” or simply running or swimming or cycling.
And it turns out, not much about what goes down in a race for me has changed in three years. To wit:
—Even if I haven’t trained–or run fast in a year–it is still ridiculously hard not to go out too fast in the first mile.
—I continue to feel a bit claustrophobic in race crowds. I hug the edge of the road–not for swift, run-the-tangent purposes, but just because I like to have as much space as possible.
—My mind will always slingshot every which way but into my performance. At the time, I thought this was the coolest mural and thought of Adrienne and the flock of #motherrunner knitters. Seeing it now, it’s not jaw-dropping, but it served its purpose: diverting myself from the fact that I was around mile 4.9.
—Timing mats still make me self-conscious. Not sure why, but I don’t like them.
—Even though it’s not much wider or whiter than my everyday grin, my finish-line smile always feels most authentic–and is the way I like to picture myself.
—The post-race nap always feels much deeper and sweeter than one after a regular workout.
—My perspective on life always feels crazy positive and in technicolor after a race: I had a lovely conversation with the barista who made me the best latte ever. Then, as I hunted down a CVS, these two nice ladies were my BFFs. Finally, the cashier at CVS, who called me “Honey” about seven times seemed quaint, not annoying.
—A day spent on tired legs, even if I’m sitting most of the day, is surprisingly fulfilling.
—I can talk about the race all day long afterward. While the volleyball parents and I sat and watched volleyball off-and-on for the next nine or so hours, we compared our races a couple of times, talked temperature and humidity (SO much sweat!), marveled at Gavin, who finished first in his age group, and otherwise felt accomplished and connected.
—Speaking of connection, as I was Struggling (and no, that capital S is not overly dramatic), somewhere between miles four and five, Emily, pictured above, recognized me. As I lumbered along, she chatted me up a bit, telling me that she was once an intern for #motherrunner Rachel Jones, our previous Mother Runner of the Month who lives in Djbouti.
I couldn’t keep up with her and her running partner, so they went ahead. As they trotted off, I was truly bummed. My Old Me could’ve easily kept up the running and the conversation.
But as I moved forward towards the finish line, legs feeling done, shirt soaked, and spirit renewed, I got over myself in the way that always has—and always will—work for me: One step at a time.
What little quirks about races do you notice?
#373: The 7th Annual Summer Reading Podcast
Sarah and co-host Ellison “Book Bully” Weist converge once again to suggest summer reading options. Here are the books the duo discusses:
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
The Sentence Is Death by Anthony Horowitz
The Farm by Joanne Ramos
Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera
Plain’s Song by Wright Morris
The Editor by Steven Rowley
Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard
Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene
Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 by Mitchell Zuckoff
Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
Get your Goofy (or Dopey) on with our comprehensive 24-week training program. It’s the running equivalent of pixie dust!
Go to ThirdLove.com/amr to find your perfect-fitting bra—and get 15% off your first purchase!
Thanks, Native. Get 20% off your first purchase by going to nativedeodorant.com and entering promo code AMR
Feel powerful; look beautiful: Get 20% off your Sweaty Betty purchase of full-priced items by visiting sweatybetty.com/podcast and use promo code AMR
AMR Gears Up: Running Sunglasses
Running Sunglasses: the next edition of Another Mother Runner Gears Up. We have #motherrunners put key running gear to the test, then deliver the results to you so you can grab the gear that works best for your running and body.
Even for those of you who live in cloudier climates, running sunglasses are critical–and not just for sunny summer jaunts.
Besides protecting eyes from standard threats like sunburn, wind, flying debris and bugs, and poorly aimed squirts of hydration, a good pair of sunnies can help to protect against cataracts, glaucoma, and the fine lines that come from squinting against the sun.
In fact, our ranking of run essentials goes bra, shoes, sunglasses, then black capris, of course!
As you consider a pair of running sunglasses, take into account the quality of the lenses and the protection they offer, as well as comfort, functionality, and style.
The good news? Whether you want to spend a little or a lot, there are loads of stylish, functional glasses for you to choose from.
We had testers from coast to coast run in many of the latest styles; cast your eyes on their reviews–and then grab a pair that works best for you.
Goodr “What in Carnation”
Tester Rating: 5
Review: Thanks to the rubberized frames, these running sunglasses stay put with no bouncing or sliding, even when you’re sweaty and running in 110% humidity. While these have a fun flower flair to accompany the polarized lenses (amazing at this price), depending upon the style you choose, you can go full sporty (in solid frames) or be stylish and know that you are good to break into a run anytime. For the ultimate endorsement, the husband of our Houston tester said, “You look like one of those cool, strong runners that’s secure enough in your running ability that you don’t need to work your marathon training into every conversation.” Remember to try them on for size, as one of our testers felt these let in more light from the sides than her other glasses.
Price: $25
Perfect For: Syncing up and styling with your run squad.
Grab them here: goodr.com
Oakley Low Key
Tester Rating: 5
Review: Our tester said the polarized Prizm lenses were her favorite feature of the glasses for the crystal clear, vibrant, and undistorted vision they provided. These also fit like a dream with no pressure points and no fiddling on hour-long runs, two-hour bike rides, and window shopping strolls around San Francisco. Look at these as a worthwhile investment. “If you are the type of person to consider high-quality sunglasses because you hold on to them for several years, invest in a pair of Oakleys,” said our tester, “They are the gold-standard for shades (in this case, the rose gold standard!)”
Price: $166
Perfect For: The stealth runner who doesn’t want to look like she’s going straight from work to a 10K.
Grab them here: oakley.com
Sunski Mattina
Tester Rating: 5
Review: With bold, cat-eye frames and dark lenses, these stylish champagne-colored shades garnered plenty of compliments for our tester. On the functional front, they stayed put without slipping or bouncing and have a comfortable fit. Polarized lenses give eyes a relaxing break to make sure you’re ready for your best finish-line photo yet!
Price: $68
Perfect For: Those who want every run to feel like a glamorous vacation.
Grab them here: sunski.com
Tifosi Optics Swank SL
Tester Rating: 4.5
Review: This sleek, rimless style of glasses has a welcome hint of femininity integrated into their inherent sportiness. Outfitted with polarized, polycarbonate lenses that are shatter- and impact-proof, these sunnies have soft rubber on the ear and nose pieces, to keep them in place as you go. One tester, who’s been running in sunglasses for more than 30 years, was more than impressed with all the Swank SL offers at a sweet price. “Yes, these are another $25 option, but with higher-quality lenses than Goodr.” These were marked down half a point because they come in a soft case instead of a hard one and because our tester feared the piece at the bridge of her nose might cause discomfort on longer runs.
Price: $25
Perfect For: Runners who are serious about protecting their eyes and getting the best deal going.
Grab them here: tifosioptics.com
Julbo Elevate
Tester Rating: 4.5
Review: Our tester, who called these the ‘athleisure of sunglasses’ loved the photochromic lenses (which automatically adjust according to light levels) most of all, with their crazy, light weight coming in a close second. These glasses will carry you from trail to town in style and stay-put comfort. Be sure to try them before you buy; one tester said she felt some pressure behind her ear while another said the frame rested on her cheekbone. (A good reminder to keeping trying on glasses until you find the style that works for you.)
Price: $130-$209 depending upon the lenses
Perfect For: For trail runners who go from blaring sun to dark shade in a step–and others who want the just-right-lens for every situation.
Grab them here: julbo.com
Roka Oslo
Tester Rating: 4
Review: Performance functionality is combined with sleek European design for on-point style. “These would work as well running the Paris Marathon as they would strolling the streets of Paris,” says one tester. Hydrophilic nose and temple pads hold the glasses right where you need them, although they can pull on hair a bit. A bonus with purchase? Two differently sized nose-pad pieces, so you can customize your fit.
Price: $150
Perfect For: Those who refuse to sacrifice serious style for sweat.
Grab them here: roka.com
Knockaround Premiums
Tester Rating: 4.5
Review: While one tester said these ran too large for her face, another said these were her absolute favorite of all the glasses she tested because of the perfect fit. (Not to sound like a broken record but try them on for the best and most flattering fit!) Even at the lower price, the glasses perform like their much more expensive counterparts. They’re great for going bold with your accessories or sprucing up a running costume. Rest assured, underneath those bold colors is a pair of glasses that perform.
Price: $15/$20 polarized
Perfect For: Anyone who likes a crazy good bargain!
Grab them here: knockaround.com
Check out all of the AMR Gears Up columns here!
Did we miss your favorite pair of running sunglasses?
Let us know in the comments below!
Dry Martini: A Woman’s Right to Run
Once I saw the forecast for Saturday’s Right to Run 5K, I strongly considered skipping the trip to Seneca Falls, finding an air-conditioned movie theater, and staying put for the duration of July and maybe most of August.
Only two things kept me from my plan:
- my kids had been on a trip to Seattle with their Rochester, N.Y., based grandmother and she was handing them off in Geneva, N.Y., which is only about an hour from her house and not far from the race’s starting line.
- if I can run 13.1 miles in a nor’easter, I can run a 5K in its weather opposite.
Besides, this race captured my curiosity — and I didn’t have anything more interesting to write about. Some people do it for the ‘grams; I do it for the blogs.
My daughter brought me this souvenir from her trip west. For the record: my first mile was red; second was yellow, last was blue.
The Right to Run event is part of a larger weekend for the Women’s Hall of Fame and is all about honoring the suffragettes who organized to pass the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which is the one that guarantees a women’s right to vote.
By some measures, the whole movement started here. The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention adopted the Declaration of Sentiments, which stated that women should have a say in their representation. Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Burns, Alice Paul, and many, many others spent the next 70+ years fighting for women’s voting rights. The amendment wasn’t fully ratified until 1920, which means the country is only just closing in on 100 years of letting women have a say in their government. I remain awestruck by this.
Fun fact: the 5K goes past Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s house. She was one of the leading voices for women’s suffrage but died before it was enacted.
I found another mother runner Penny before the race. She was fresh off a couple of pre-race miles because she is a badass.
The Right to Run organizers did a great job keeping everyone up-to-date on heat-related changes to the race. The longer race, the 19K, was scaled back to 8 miles so that no one would be on the course when the temps and humidity reached dangerous (as opposed to incredibly uncomfortable) levels. The 5K, which had been scheduled to start at 8:45, was pushed back to 8:05.
Once it became clear that Voldesun and his humidity henchmen wasn’t going to pass us by, I started hydrating. My 2.5 hour drive up to Geneva took longer because I kept stopping to pee. You will be happy to know that Crystal Light levels were achieved.
On Saturday morning, I abandoned my sleeping teenagers in the hotel and drove 20 minuted to the start. I was drenched with sweat 20 seconds after leaving the car. Even now, 24 hours later, my Brooks Ghost 7s still squish when you squeeze them.
Running suffragettes at the 5K start.
Initially, I’d planned to run this 5K as fast as I could. Last week, I was feeling pretty confident I could get down to 32 minutes, if not faster. I could set a new amazeballs PR. But part of being a more mature runner is the realization that a fast time isn’t worth dying for.
I had that same attitude as a younger runner, too, mind. Ending the race upright and breathing will always be my first goal.
I did want to run the first mile reasonably hard, however, just to see how it went. I swam through it in just under 11 minutes. The second mile was a minute slower. The third mile was slower still so I stopped for pictures when the spirit moved me. I emptied the tank for the last .1 and finished in 67th place, with a time of 37:11 and Not Dead. Good enough.
During mile three, I stopped to take a picture with Susan B. and Elizabeth C. I’m standing in front of Amelia Bloomer (who invented exactly what you think she invented) who introduced them.
During mile three, I decided that I’d much rather run in a nor’easter, because oppressive heat is just plain boring. At least gale-force winds and stinging rains (to say nothing of crashing surf) command your attention. That kind of weather is majestic and invigorating. Eighty degrees with 90 percent humidity is just a monotonous, sticky grind.
Regardless, this was a race worth doing, if only for the reminder of how far women have come and how far we still have to go. The organizers keep the suffragette spirit alive, as did many of the racers, who showed up in their purple, yellow, and white gear. It’s not a women-only race but is a decidedly women-forward one.
Also, it was an emotionally rewarding run, if a physically exhausting one. I felt like a total badass who can do hard things on the drive back to the hotel. I was greeted with an even bigger reward: my rising high school senior and rising high school freshman had not only woken up and repacked but had also helped themselves to the hotel’s breakfast bar without anyone calling security. When I walked in, they were cracking each other up and genuinely enjoying each other’s company.
This could have been a heat-induced hallucination. I’ll take it as a win, regardless.
Which would you rather encounter on a run: hot and humid or cold and windy?
#372: One-Day Relay Running Races
Sarah and Adrienne Martini talk with the Hood to Coast director, Felicia Hubber, and avid relay participant Cyndie Pelto about single-day relay races. The conversation covers:
-relay-race logistics
-the inside scoop on race port-a-potties (!)
-why one-day relays are a fun part of a girlfriend getaway
-secrets to relay-race success
-gear and nutrition advice for relay races
In the intro, hear why Adrienne has scrapped plans for a speedy 5K and learn what Sarah’s arts-loving son is up to. Plus, Adam Driver in the house! The duo hands off the conversation-baton to the first guest at 13:20.
Make over your beauty routine with Wander Beauty: Here’s the lip gloss/oil Sarah is loving. Save 20% at wanderbeauty.com/amr
Running the Senior Olympics 5K at Age 91
“I’m going to be last!”
You have probably said this at some point in your running life, maybe when you’ve entered a 5K or gone to a track workout or something else outside your comfort zone. Or at least thought it.
“I’m going to be last!” said my mother before the Senior Games Road Race 5K in Albuquerque, NM, on June 21. “But that’s okay. I’ll get a medal.”
This is my mother. She likes to run the 5K in the Senior Games. And also get a souvenir hat. She is 91.
Mother was banking on the fact that awards go at least three deep in five-year age groups and that she probably wouldn’t have much competition in the 90-94 age group. She’s been going to the Senior Games since 1997. She knows the deal.
Mother is 91.
The National Senior Games—or the Senior Olympics, as we irresistibly, erroneously and possibly illegally call it among ourselves—is a biannual competition open to anyone over the age of 50, and offers 20 sports, including basketball and softball (my mother’s original and preferred sports), pickleball (I have at least two mom friends over 50 who love pickleball), road race (5K, 10K) and track & field.
You have to qualify in a State Games (your own if the event is offered in your state; a partner state if it is not). You have to pay the not-insubstantial entry fee ($165 for the 5K). You’ve got to show up, as my mother is especially and keenly aware at this point in her life.
You have to be in it to win it!
This was my third time running the 5K in the Senior Games with Mother and big sister Leslie (who because she turns 70 in August competed in the 70-74 group).
And yes, you do have to make peace with admitting that you are a “Senior,” even if you are “just” 57 (me), which I think is particularly hard for women in our youth-obsessed culture. Then again, our race results are all over the internet. There’s no hiding from age.
And we’re fit, dammit! It will surprise exactly no one to learn that the Senior Olympics are extremely popular with the athletic over-50 set. More than 13,000 athletes representing all 50 states registered for the Games this year.
And the Baby Boomer generation of women aging up, many of whom didn’t have the opportunity to compete in the pre Title IX era before 1972, are setting new standards all over the place.
This year in track and field events, four women between the ages of 70 and 85 set American records. Wow!
You may have heard about or seen the video of Julia Hawkins, a k a the Hurricane, who ran the 100 meters and is believed to be the oldest woman to formally compete on an American track. The Hurricane is 103.
In the Road Race 5K, Jane Trevelen of Gig Harbor, Washington, set a new Senior Games age group record.
Jane, who is 71, ran 22:59. Kids, that is 7:24 per mile!
To be honest, I was worried about Mother. Honestly, I was worried about me. Albuquerque is high desert at 5,300 feet altitude; we are flat-landers. June in Albuquerque, which has not a lick of shade, defines blazing-sun hot. Various health matters have curtailed Mother’s training, though she still manages a mile on most days. Travel is hard; racing away from home is hard. Even if you are an athlete, being 91 is no joke.
The 5K course was sort of like a lollipop, with an out-and-back stem. So as I was heading back, I passed my mother heading out, doing what she herself describes as “the granny shuffle.” She was indeed in last place, and this was a blessing, as a man riding sweep on bicycle was beside her. I yelled to him: “You keep your eye on her!”
Why do we love older runners so much?
Why do we call them “inspiring”? Because they (we!) are out there still trying and for those of who run hope we can follow the same path for as long as possible. Because most of us aren’t Jane Trevelen or the Hurricane. We’re going to slow down. We’re going to feel aches and pains. We’ll lose our balance and maybe our recollection of where we set down our sunglasses (in the hotel lobby, but not to worry, someone had turned them in to the nice man behind the desk).
But as long as we can keep putting one foot in front of the other, well, there’s another day to be had. With possibly a medal.
For those of you keeping score, I finished in 27:06, a full three minutes slower than a practice 5K I had run one week earlier! Did I mention the altitude, the travel? I placed 18th out of 43 women in the 55-59 age group. Kids, these “old” athletes are seriously fit and seriously fast. The winner in my age group ran a 6:58 pace. Laughing-crying emoji.
Here comes Mother!
I grabbed a water bottle and circled back to the finish line. The no-trees high desert setting provided a clear sightline to see Mother granny-shuffling along the last stretch to the finish line.
If you’ve ever been at a finish line when the lone last person is coming in (or if you ever been that person), you know what kind of ruckus a good race announcer can kick up.
“Here comes Terry Hamilton of Greensboro, North Carolina!” Race Announcer boomed. “Terry is 91 years old!”
People yelled and screamed and clapped and cheered. I choked up. People swarmed her, taking her photo, asking to take selfies with her, wanting to interview her. Mother beamed. She loved every minute of it.
Just keep showing up and one day you might win a gold medal, too!
And guess what? The only other female entrant in the 90-94 group didn’t show. Mother won the gold medal! She who is last shall be first, as they say in some running bible. Never dismiss the last-place finish, says me. It is better than the alternative. You gotta be in it to win it, kids.
Senior Games 2021 is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mother will be 93, and I will worry about the heat and humidity.
See you there? I sure hope so.