Wearing, but not feeling, blue: Laura puts on her game face as she and Sarah (in hat) pose post-run.

Hi, gals, Sarah here with an update written by my “cadet” in the Saucony #26Strong program, which culminates on October 11 at Chicago Marathon. At long last, after a summer of recouping and rehabbing my busted-up ankle, Laura and I ran for the first time together earlier this month. To a casual observer, it would have looked merely like to mother runners on an on-the-go gab-fest running a not-very-scenic rambling route around the inner eastside of Portland (albeit both decked head-to-toe in Saucony awesomeness!). But the run was special because we each got to showcase our strength–Laura with the endurance she’s honed all summer, and me on my first run with no walking segments. A few more hills than I would have liked, but laughter and conversation kept us going strong. 

If you want to read more from Laura, you can find posts here and here, and here’s a fun podcast introducing her. 

It’s 1:00 am and I’m running alone on a dark country road. I have to climb 950 feet in five miles, half of it on gravel. My headlamp is the only light I have, save for an occasional flash of lightning in the distance, and it starts to pour. But instead of the dread of getting wet or the fear of running alone at night, I am thrilled to my core to be on this winding hill, and I push hard to meet my teammates waiting for me ahead. It’s my second leg on Oregon’s 200-mile Hood to Coast relay race, where teams of 12 runners race from Mount Hood to the Oregon coast. I’m a native Oregonian, and I’m running this epic relay for the first time at age 46.

Laura (back row, middle) and her Hood to Coast teammates.

Laura (back row, middle) and her Hood to Coast teammates.

This incredible experience – I ran three different legs and shared a van with six inspirational women for more than 30 hours – was possible only because I started training for my first marathon in June. Don’t get me wrong: Anyone can join a Hood to Coast team, regardless of their running experience or weekly miles, but personally, it was my summer of marathon training that gave me the confidence to say yes when I was asked to join the team only three weeks prior to the race.

Everything from the AMR training plan itself, with its detailed running schedule, to the weekly AMR podcasts, to Sarah’s gentle guidance regarding fueling, has given me multiple opportunities to learn about myself as a runner, which in turn has made me more self-assured about taking on new running and racing adventures.

I know, for example, how differently I run on flat courses versus hills, and accurately predicted my pace on my three Hood to Coast legs which were a hot-and-flat 6 miles, cold-and-hilly 5.75 miles, and gentle rollers for 4.25 miles. I’ve learned when to use GU Energy Gels, what flavors I like best (Caramel Macchiato), and when to use the caffeinated flavors (after 10 miles). Thanks to Saucony’s generous ‘sponsorship,’ I know which Saucony shoes are best for long runs where my feet are likely to fatigue (Guide 8s) and those I prefer for quick speedwork at the track (Kinvara 6).

Ignore the swoosh on her yellow hat: Laura was feeling Saucony 26Strong after completing damp, blustery Hood to Coast.

Ignore the swoosh on her yellow hat: Laura was feeling Saucony 26Strong after completing damp, blustery Hood to Coast.

Taken individually, these are minor details in the life of a runner and may even seem trivial to non-runners, but collectively these little insights give me the peace of mind that I’ve done everything I can to prepare for a long run or race, and like Hood to Coast, I feel really prepared to run in Chicago in October.

Unfortunately, not everything about my marathon training has gone smoothly. After my first 18-miler in early August, the ball of my right foot was so painful, my podiatrist diagnosed metatarsalgia and insisted I start running with an orthotic and never walk barefoot again. Did I mention this was in August? Sigh. The pain has subsided only a little and I’ve had to sit out two short runs, but I’m used to the orthotic now and I’m just going to run on it until the marathon is over then give it a nice long rest.

Another bummer was not being about to run with Sarah until early September. Her multi-fractured ankle prevented her from running over the summer, and I missed the occasional run with my 26Strong coach. Sarah is so easy to talk with, and having girls who are both teens would have given us enough conversation fodder for hours, but we both missed out on this fun. Fortunately, because Sarah worked so hard at recovering from her injury, we finally had the chance to run together last week and it was super. It was Sarah’s first run without walking breaks, and she led the whole way. I can only imagine the little wisdoms she would have thrown my way had we run more together, and of course, the money we would have found on the streets. Believe me, Sarah was looking! [Editor/coach’s note: Guilty as charged.]

Pointing out who brought us together on this journey: Thank you, Saucony!

Pointing out who brought us together on this journey: Thank you, Saucony!

Looking forward, I am so excited to run my first marathon in Chicago, and feel completely prepared to tackle the distance. I don’t believe it will be easy and I fully expect to feel the fade at mile 20 or so, but it no longer feels impossible. I’ve pushed my body to the limit several times since June, and it has surprised me by responding and recovering well. I feel strong. Sarah plans to jump in at mile 20 and run with me for the last 10K with me, which will help me stay #26Strong; I know I will desperately need her encouragement. I also love the idea of running in the state where my parents grew up, dated, and dreamed about the life they would eventually create and live together. It feels strangely full circle to travel to Illinois for the longest race of my life, even though I haven’t yet logged a single mile there.

Maybe this is just further proof that the magic of training for a marathon – the lessons learned from rising early five days a week and running no matter what the conditions – is as much about gaining new insight into ourselves as thinking and feeling individuals as much as it is about pushing the limits of our physical selves.

I hope your summer training – whether it’s for your own first marathon or a 5K– has rewarded you as richly as mine, and that running gives you the confidence to take on new race and life adventures you never thought possible.

Sweaty and goofy: Coach and cadet showing off Saucony kicks post-run.

Sweaty and goofy: Coach and cadet showing off Saucony kicks post-run.