Erica hitting her impressive even splits in the first half of 2014 Baystate Marathon. (In her Boston Strong Sweaty Beand!)

Erica hitting her impressive even splits in the first half of 2014 Baystate Marathon. (In her AMR Boston Strong Sweaty Beand!)

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.

Erica tucking in with some other runners aiming for sub-4:00 marathon finish. (Turns out the gal in green tee missed her BQ, too.)

Erica tucking in with some other runners aiming for sub-4:00 marathon finish. (Turns out the gal in green tee missed her BQ, too.)

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!

Erica and her massive PR finishing time.

Erica and her massive PR finishing time.

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!