We haven’t had a recent installment of this series of What Would Another Mother Runner Do scenarios in a while–and we’ve missed it. So when Erica Richards, a 49-year-old mother runner of two in New Hampshire, told us about her recent marathon–and her ruminations since–we knew we had to feature her story.
In 2010, Erica ran her first marathon, the Baystate Marathon. After that, she’d joke she’d be 65 by the time she qualified for Boston, but in 2012, she ran her first sub-2:00 half-marathon followed by a sub-25 minute 5K. According her trusty friend, the McMillan Pace Calculator, she could run a 4:04-4:10 marathon. Given that she turns 50 this month, it got Erica dreaming and scheming how she could qualify for Boston, as she “only” needed an under-4:00 marathon. Her marathon PR was 4:31, but she felt strong and capable this summer, so she signed up for Baystate again.
As she told us, “While the amount of time I needed to take off my PR seemed daunting, I was willing to give it a try.” She’d reached her personal best using the Marathon: Own It Plan from Train Like a Mother, so she decided to use it again. Even in the heat of the summer, she was pleased to hit most of her pace runs. She remained uninjured and was feeling ready heading into the race, her fourth marathon.
Race day came and the weather looked ideal. The only issue was the wind: Erica hates the wind. She started out and ran the first half conservatively, crossing the 13.1 mile mark in 1:58:30. During the first half, she was able to tuck in behind people to get a bit of a break from the headwind. During the second half, not so much: The pack had thinned and it was getting gustier, up to 30 mph. She tells us she, “got pretty beat up both mentally and physically for miles 14 to 18.” She was also having trouble with heart palpitations, which she is working on with her doctor. The heart palpitations came around mile 15. While she and her doc are pretty sure they are some sort of a deficiency, they understandably still freak her out. She had to slow down to make them go away. Calf cramps came around mile 20.
Still, Erica fought hard and finished in 4:13:53, which was a 17:55 minute PR. “I feel like I did the best I could on that day.” But while she’s been recovering, her brain has been working overtime to decide what to do next. Her debate: Does she try to qualify for 2016 Boston with a spring 2015 marathon, or does she move on and shoot for other goals?
What would you do?
Sarah answers: Given that Erica ran such a strong first half, then soldiered on even in the face of a headwind and heart palpitations, I say she’s gotta make another run at a BQ time. (‘Cuz I want to hang with her before the start of 2016 Boston!!) After working with her doctor to control and eliminate heart palpitations, she should choose a rolling course where there’s little threat of wind and a small-ish race field, then hire a coach to get her to her goal. While the TLAM plans are awesome, there’s nothing like the accountability and personal attention that comes with a coach. Keep dreaming big, Erica: You proved–and learned–a lot at Baystate!
Dimity answers: Oh, this is a tough one because it bridges the gap between pushing yourself to your limit (and maybe over the edge) and running for the simple joy of it. Please note: that’s how I classify my running—and maybe it’s not how Erica or you do. The one time I really chased a goal—a sub-1:50 half-marathon—I ended up really injured and burned out and with a 1:51 PR. I’ve shied away from time goals ever since then, and focused on experiences. So if this were a question like should I try a trail race or a triathlon? I would absolutely say yes. But a 15+ minute improvement in an already speedy marathon time feels pretty intimidating to me, so I’d let it sit for a few more weeks in your heart, Erica, and then see how you feel. Whatever you decide, congratulations on a great run!
What Erica is doing: She registered for the Philadelphia Half-Marathon, then doing a turkey trot with her husband and kids. The Thanksgiving race will be her husband’s first race since having an aortic valve replacement in July. Writes Erica: “There will be a lot of happy tears when we cross that finish line together. Hope it’s sunny so I can wear my shades!”
What happens: Who knows?! She has some options scoped out for 2015, but so far no decision. Erica is looking forward to getting input and insight from the tribe to help her make a decision.
What would you, another mother runner, do?
And if you’ve got a running-related moment you’d like some clarity on, via WWAMRD, feel free to email us at runmother [at] gmail [dot] com. Thanks!
Give yourself time to think about it until your heart tells you what you really want, not your mind. It’ll come and you’ll know it’s the right decision.
Go for the BQ just one more time. I agree to get a coach/running group and do your best to train for it but if it doesn’t end up happening the next time then at least you know you really gave it all you had. I bet with coached training and a not windy race you will kill it!! Best of Luck!
On a hilly windy course with heart problems Erica you were rocking it only 13 minutes shy of BQ. I agree with Becca and Sarah, you’ve got a BQ in you. First hoping your heart replacement valve works well for you. If so, hire a coach, find a small rolling to flat fast course, and I bet you will nail that BQ!
I was there Ericaand had expected to do 10-15 minutes better than what I had actually done-the wind killed me
Too!!! I hope You still go for your BQ in the spring…I think you’ve got it
In you for SURE!
I am a mother runner from New Hampshire too! And I ran the half this year. The wind really sucked. To answer the question, if you want to try to be do it, but do it for good reason
I’m with Dimity on this. I’m all about running and having FUN! Having said that tho, I recently ran Chicago with a 1 hour 10 minute PR over my last attempt. The difference was my training and my attitude. Yes, I had a time goal–which was to beat my last horrible marathon time of 5:26; I knew I had sub 4:30 in me. But what I really had my eye on was a smile at the finish line and to feel good enough to celebrate with a beer. Because they serve local favorite Goose Island to the runners.
I probably have a sub 4:00 marathon in me, but would it be fun? Would it be worth risking injury? I don’t know. I really, honestly have to say that this was the best, most fun race I’ve ever run and that’s how it should be.
I would vote like Dim and celebrate the big PR and then find other runs, tris, or trails, etc… maybe in a destination the whole family could enjoy or just a group of girl friends could enjoy. The daily/weekly miles just to survive life should be the most enjoyable ones but having a goal is fun, too.
I would say go for it and here is why:
Wendy is at the bottom of a new age group
She has already trained for the distance
She ran a course that other runners felt was slow
It sounds like it is a goal for her, and she will always wonder if she doesn’t do it
Wendy should look for a fast course and go for it.
Running (IMO) isn’t always about having fun. Sometimes it is about being strong and accomplishing something you didn’t think you could.
Best of luck!
Clearly, the most important thing is your health. If you and your doc can figure out the palpitations, I say go for it! Find a flat, fast course, hope for good weather and go for it! Even if you don’t BQ, you wont be asking yourself if you could have done it in different conditions. (Disclaimer…this advice is coming from someone who has never run a marathon (only halfs), so easy for me to say, right?).
I once heard some smart AMR ladies say to set a series of goals for yourself. One that you share with everyone like finish a marathon, one you share with a few trusted souls like getting a PR and one you only share with yourself (like qualify for Boston). That has helped me with each race and I don’t end up disappointing myself because usually 2 out of 3 is good enough for a job well done, a big smile and kudos from family and friends. Set your goals but be realistic and always have fun.
Go for it Erica. You did the right training program that worked. The only factor of not qualifying was the wind. I hate wind too! I would give it another shot and after that marathon, evaluate your next move. Hopefully it will be what to wear at the start of Boston! Either way, the best of luck and you are an inspiration!
Loved reading this! Though other birthdays didn’t do so, turning 50 really got me focused on a Bucket List. My List includes a sub-25 5K, sub-50 10k, and a sub-2 hour Half marathon. I’m 52 now and have checked off the sub-25 5K. I haven’t added a marathon goal to the list because I’m not sure the body can handle it. (Either that or I’m a big chicken.) However, if a BQ was within reach, I would go for it!
I agree with Dimity, each time I’ve tried for a time goal, I’ve gotten hurt. I’d stick to running for the fun and experience!
It sounds like Erica wants a BQ, so I think she should try to get one. I would go for it, if she struggles with the training and isn’t feeling well going through she can back off even before marathon day. I wouldn’t want to lose all the hard work of an almost 18 min PR by backing off now. She should definitely keep chipping away at that time. Good luck!
I say go for the BQ! You had a perfect storm of factors working against you this last marathon. If you can get your heart palpitations taken care of, then I would try again. Regardless, you’ve accomplished so much already and know that you should be very proud of yourself. Awesome job!!
Since I’m in Utah, the land of the fast downhill race… in addition to the counsel given my SBS and Dimity, she could also scope out one of the western downhill races that has a high yield of BQs, such as Big Cottonwood (usually 2nd week of September) and St George (usually the first weekend of October). Both races have pacers and good support. I’ve found pacers to be an invaluable help for my own goals, and have paced a couple of times myself. Just a couple more thoughts (and she could stay with me for Big Cottonwood!).
I would go for the BQ provided you can get the heart issue under control. Reading between the lines, I think you want it enough that the quest itself will be fun (I do agree with Dimity that it has to be fun–no one is paying us to do this). I believe you can do it. I do also agree with SBS’s advice about hiring a coach–it has worked wonders for me.
I think she should go for the BQ. She’s clearly in great shape and, as long as the heart issue is figured out, she seems to have a very good chance at making it in the right conditions. But she should also really savor this PR – pretty amazing!
Sounds like you might always wonder if you didn’t give it a shot. I totally get wanting to try again, being so close. So, I say give it a shot but give yourself permission to dial it back if you sense burnout or injury is on the horizon. Good luck as you mull it over!
do it!! If I were even close to that, I’d strive for it! How many can say they’ve BQ’d — or even come close! Run a fast & flat… Come to Modesto, CA. We have a March marathon. You can have my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. And drive you to the start. And pick you up. And feed you!
i ran Baystate this year too and missed my BQ due to a bad stomach. I hit the half exactly right but I knew already that it was going to be hard to keep pace the second half because my upset stomach was sapping my energy. I didn’t really find the wind to be a factor for me, thank goodness. And I did still PR by almost 15 minutes with a 4:04, which was 9 minutes short of a BQ.
I’m waiting until next year to try again for a BQ. My training was on target but I need to resolve why I get race anxiety that upsets my stomach so badly. It is tempting to try again right away since I wasn’t sore or very tired after the race because I did get to run the race I was trained for. But I don’t want to get injured so I will wait. But I haven’t given up my BQ dream.
Good luck in figuring out what you want to do next.
I think you’ll be left wondering “what if?” if you don’t try… The sugarloaf marathon in maine in May is a fast course with lots of BQs! Good one to try :)
I somewhat agree with both Dimity AND Sarah. My experience was this: 2012 (1st full) ran 4:23. 2013 improved to 4:09 but had a terrible race. This was, however, enough for a BQ (I’m 55) but not enough to make the final cut at registration. October 2014 ran a 4:10:04, not a BQ, but I had a great race, and I feel like I’m ready to go for it. So, I would say, address any health issues, try again but give yourself time to improve–it may not be the NEXT race, it may be several cycles. But, don’t push yourself into the burnout zone. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. (Well, maybe, except for those last couple of miles…)
I’d love to do Boston, but if its not to be, then I know there are other fun bucket list races to do. Life’s short.
Well, I can understand the fears involving the heart palpitations. But the training went well, and look how much you improved! I would vote for going for it in 2016…
So, my first marathon was a 4:33 and it was terrible. Swore I would never run a marathon again Then, I met some girls that were fast runners and they were trying to get to Boston as well. It was perfect that they were training for the same race that I was training for and I decided to go for qualifying for Boston too. Turns out, they worked my butt off to get to that qualifier. I ran a 3:39:55 with their help and I cut 53 minutes off of my time from my first to second marathon. It was one of the most exciting days of my life to cross that finish line. I decided that there was no way that I was going to be left behind and not get to Boston with all of my friends and I did it! It was tough. I am not going to lie, but it was so worth it. It is certainly possible and I am proof of that. I ran Boston in 2012 during one of the hottest on record and although my time was a 4:12, it was everything and more that I hoped it would be. I would do it all over again, so I say, don’t give up on your dreams. They can come true with the right training and push. You can do this. I know it!!!! Good luck to you:)
I ran my first full marathon this fall and finished in 3:40:32, which I didn’t even realize until later (because it wasn’t even on my radar) is 33 seconds off a BQ for 2016, at which time I will be 35! I felt SO strong that race, though, that I feel like I could shed a few minutes off that time now that I know specifically what I’m shooting for, so I’m considering a spring marathon too. I’m signed up for a 30k road race in my hometown (Around the Bay – oldest road race in North America) and there’s a marathon in a city nearby 5 weeks after that, so it might be a good springboard. Good luck to Erica whatever she decides, and congrats on a great pb!! An AMR meet-up before Boston 2016 would be an AMAZING thing to attend!!
I would go for it, and race a half 5-6 weeks out from her next full. She was so close this time around and in my experience building (uninjured, strong) full marathon cycles back to back reaps great rewards! I went from a 4:04 last December, to a 3:57 in June, to a 3:42 (and a bq) this October!
I would go for it. My first marathon, 2012, was 4:24. One year later, I ran my BQ, a 3:45. It took a lot of effort, but I was so glad I went for it. I’m registered for Boston 2015!
I actually read that quickly and thought of Adriene’s post with the chicken BBQ a few weeks back. I thought, “Of Course I’d go for the Chicken!”
Thank you everyone for your feedback! I think I am going to take some time to decide what to do. Right now I am leaning towards another attempt in May so I have a bit of time before I need to commit. Until then, I’ll be running for fun, as I always do, and recovering from my racing. Again, thanks so much!!