B& A Trail Marathon

March 17, 2007
You know that feeling when you're all, "I know I forgot something!"?! Well I had it the entire drive to Severna Park, Maryland for the B&A trail marathon. Clif blocks? Check. Hammer gels? Check. MP3 player? Check. Lipgloss? Check. Propel? Check. Tylenol? Check. I went through this list a bajillion times before I finally realized why I couldn't shake the feeling...I forgot my watch. And the race was in 20 minutes.

According to the locals, the closest Target/CVS/similar was more than 15 miles away. The only thing they weren't selling at the expo was, you guessed it, watches. Now I know I said I was "running not racing" this one, but COME ON- a girl needs her split times!

After getting some looks to kill when I asked my fellow runners for the time (one woman even asked me "why?"...uh, I don't know. Maybe because I'm in a race!) I decided to just focus on running. Many of you know how competitive I am as well as how intense I can be during a race...so needless to say, a focus on only running was a "first" for me!

The miles flew by. I got lost in my music (read: sang out loud with hand motions and everything). I took in the the scenery. I gave thumbs up to spectators and high fived all of the kids. I pondered Gu versus Hammer, course changes, UNC/Duke rivalry, and the freezing point for lipgloss with other runners. Before I knew it, we were at mile 20!

The only split I do know is the half (13.1): I was at 1:56. So a 3:45:09 finish definitely solidified my streak of negative split (second half faster than the first) races. 3:45 is also my new PR and, to be honest, I didn't think it was going to get any better than the 3:54 in Chicago! Turns out I didn't even need a watch to run a great race...!

To celebrate the finish, I signed up for a massage and took advantage of the post race feast the Annapolis Striders provided all 300 marathoners. Imagine my surprise when, face down on a massage table, I heard my name called for overall finishers during the awards ceremony...I was the 4th female overall and 2nd in the 25-29 age group! No lie, they called it and I looked up and screamed, "shut up! I'm Suzy Holt!"

Why have I been avoiding small races all of this time? Packet pick up is seamless, registration is half the cost of big races, start is not at all chaotic, crowds thin out within the first few miles, and a 4 hour finish can get you an age division award!

Las Vegas- the windy city?!?!

December 10, 2006
So I had a love/hate relationship with the Las Vegas Marathon this weekend!

The start was amazing: Blue Man Group performed the national anthem, we got a HUGE firework display, 16K runners. The first few miles we went down the strip, by the Bellagio fountains "dancing" at full force, and through a festive Fremont Street! We even had a tailwind for the the first 6 miles...so if the crowds of spectators, showgirls, runners dressed as Elvis, and live bands weren't enough to keep you going, the wind literally pushed you!! There was even a "run through" wedding chapel where several couples got married during the race. Of course, nothing topped the shirts our spectators Natalie, Balyint, and Ali wore, which read: "Pace yourself in Vegas...for the RUN and the FUN!"
The wind picked up after the first hill around mile 10 and didn't stop until 14! Hats were flying off people's heads, water cups were spilling at the stations, mile marker signs blew off completely…kind of crazy, just really heavy wind against the direction we were running. You'd be pushing really hard almost as if battling a hill, but different because it was just a constant strain against your whole body…you had to "zone out" to fight it. Thank God for my playlist...Kanye, Gwen, and the Boss helped me do exactly that!

We got more harsh wind from miles 21-25, but that was the least of our worries at that point. Remember the missing mile markers? Well, people were asking the volunteers at water stations how far along we were (since we had no clue) and somehow it got mixed up. At mile 23, they told us 24. At 24, of course, they told us we were at 25. Then we saw the "real" 25 (an actual mile marker and official time clock) a full mile later...needless to say, everyone was really pissed off. This one dude in my pack was trying to be Mr. Positive and was all, "come on guys, we can do it!" He got a few grumbles, lots of eye rolls, and one "f*ck off".

For those of you who know Jen Cox, I've gotta throw some props her way. The conditions on the course had to be especially overwhelming for someone doing their first 26.2 and she was awesome! She even smiled and blew kisses down her finshing stretch...FOXY!!
Anywhoo, I ended up with a 4:00:55, which was straight up disappointing. Marathon running can be a very unforgiving sport. You commit to a pretty intense training for 18 weeks and have one shot to make it happen. Bad race? Unless you want to be victim to an overuse injury, you have to wait several months to compete again. Not like high school when you can just redeem yourself in next week's meet...!

Pity party aside, Vegas was the "smartest" race I've ever run in terms of my own mental toughness and strategy. I ran negative splits, which can be risky but felt awesome...Runners World said "empowering" and although I laughed at that word in the article, I now agree!

So marathon number 7 down, 3 more races until I can "officially" be in the 50 in 50 club…

Country Music Marathon

Dear Mizunos,
I haven't been with you for several weeks since I started running with those new Nike Shox. Okay, so they were better looking. Can you blame me for looking in the direction of pretty pastel pink when YOU had not even bothered to change your colors for 2 consecutive models?! And I have to admit I enjoyed the attention of simply having new shoes. After being with the same brand/model through 14 repeated pairs and 3 years of marathon running, the exciting and fresh feeling the Shox gave me was something I haven't felt in a long time. And yes, we've both known for some time that I had planned on taking them to that big fancy race in Nashville...to do the thing that we used to do for 26.2 miles.
Leaving you was the worst decision I have ever made. The comfort and support that you give me is special. I realize now that the inside is much more important than what is on the outside. The shin splints turned acute compartment syndrome benched me 10 weeks into my Country Music Marathon training. Stubborn as always, I decided to take up biking and pool running in an effort to maintain cardiovascular fitness. Against my physical therapist's wishes, I ran the full 26.2, clocking a miserable 4:18:18. Yes, my Dad and boyfriend were there to share the experience- but you were not.

I never even want to think about sharing my miles with anyone else. It was just a silly fling, honest. I know I don't deserve you, but please forgive me and take me back. I love you, Mizuno Wave Riders and I cannot imagine life without you.
Yours Forever,
Suzy

Chicago Marathon

October 9, 2005
I do marathons because it takes all of me to do one well. During the sixteen weeks of training, I enjoy the challenge of preparing my mind and body to go 26.2 miles. Marathons are my favorite race because I can relax, find my groove, enjoy the sights, scenes, and people, run hard, and draw from the excitement of the crowd.

I love the feeling of giving my best and accomplishing a huge goal. Seeing the finish line at the end of 26.2 miles makes you want to shout, cry, and laugh all at the same time. Hearing my timing chip beep is a sweet sound.

I have had races where I could have run 30 miles on race day. I have had some where I thought I was going to die at mile 22. That is where your will takes over-- where your mental strength gets you to the finish line. On those occasions I sometimes question why I’m putting my body through such torture. Yet after I cross the finish line I always say, “I’m definitely doing another one in a few months.”

My highlight of 2005 was running the Chicago marathon. To run with 40,000 people, many who had come from all over the world for the race, was absolutely intoxicating. I stretched and lined up with a group of runners from China. I ran the first 8 miles with girls from Iowa and Utah.

I enjoyed every second of the race. With streets filled with spectators ten deep (over 1 million total), we began in Grant Park, ran north through Lincoln Park, back down through Boystown (where the hot gay men dressed as cheerleaders), into Chinatown, beside Comiskey Field (in only 2 weeks from that time, the White Sox would sweep the World Series), and finished with a breathtaking view of Buckingham Fountain. I would recommend Chicago to anyone looking for the ultimate marathon experience- my expectations for this one were exceeded, as I clocked my first sub-4 hour race (3:54:10)!

My long term goal is to run a marathon in all 50 states. So far, I have completed 26.2 in GA, NC, MI, FL, and IL. My next race is the Nashville Country Music Marathon in April. Check my blog in 2026…at the rate I’m going, that’s when I’ll complete all 50!

Walt Disney Marathon

So I'm in the library yesterday checking out a book on marathons. A young girl in line behind me saw the book's cover, which featured someone running, poked me and very assertively (almost challenging) asked, "Do you run?!"

"Yes, I do"
"What do you run?"
"Well, I run long distances and compete in marathons."

Not impressed. Clearly, the girl had no idea what a marathon was.
"Whats that, like miles?"
"Yeah, actually about 26 of them."

This still wasnt good enough for her.
"How many LAPS is that?"
"A mile is 4 laps, and I do 26 miles, so it would be a little over 100 laps."

Now the feat is in full perspective and all of the sudden I am this girls HERO! After convincing her that it is possible to go that long without stopping, she went into great detail about her middle school track career in the 800 meter run.

When we got up to leave, she shook my hand and said, "It was so great to meet you. I cant wait to tell my coach I met someone who ran 100 laps."

...perhaps I should have told her that my 4:18:02 at the Disney marathon beat Diddy's 4:24?! Then she'd have something for her coach and her friends...!

Carrollton Road Races: What lap are you on?

I decided to run the marathon in the Carrollton Charity Road races in Saginaw, MI simply because I wanted to run a summer marathon somewhere in my Great Lakes sales territory. My friend from college, Mike, had just moved to Grand Rapids and agreed to train and race with me. With all of these things falling into place, why look at the course, right? Right?!

Mike, Jen (spectator extraordinare from Tybee and Charlotte), and I arrived at packet pick-up the morning of. As we claimed our (awful looking!) shirts, a volunteer informed us that there would be an early start in...oh....5 minutes. Huh?! In a split "game time decision", Mike and I started early- after all, then we couldn't sit around and get nervous for an hour, right? Right?!

I was in denial about the course until mile 8ish. The race begins with a 2 mile loop followed by the SAME 3 mile loop & wait for it, that's right, 8 times. With NO water stops, mile markers, or time keepers on the course I kept thinking, 'This cannot be for real!' There are very few local spectators; however, the small loop allowed Jen (i.e., our personal fan club) and a few random enthusiastic onlookers to stay in one place and see us run by multiple times! It was great to see OUR support and see her often! Jen even went to a nearby grocery store for several of my mid-race requests (Gatorade, flex all, batteries for my headphones) during the race and STILL made it back to see me on the next loop.

Everyone knows that a marathon isn't exactly a spectator sport, but in a way, this one was! From the Boston qualifiers to the weaker runners, the back and forth allowed me to see runners of all levels DURING the race. This was incredibly inspirational for me and somewhat helped the mental toughness and positive attitude needed to run in Saginaw.

Our splits/loops were recorded by a volunteer who asked, by show of hands, 'what lap you are on.' The race finish (and last of the repetitive loops) ended in a different area. Several runners, myself included, did not account for the change (as it is not marked) and ran away from the end of the race- agghhhhh! I had to turn around and run an extra quarter mile back to the actual finish., where I clocked a 4:35:04...almost 4 minutes faster than my last race in Charlotte! Mike finished only a few minutes later and, minus bloody nipples (who knew?!), felt great. Right?! ;)

Charlotte Observer Marathon

Wow- I grew up only 30 minutes away, but never knew that Charlotte would be sooo cold. It was approximately 15 degrees with the wind chill factored in when I arrived the morning of the race with Mom and Jen, my (brave!) spectators. This would be my 2nd marathon, but the first one I had trained for individually...I was kind of doing it just to prove that the first wasn't a "fluke" and I really could run 26.2 miles without a partner.

The water stations were consistent and the race was very organized. There were tons of people cheering runners on from cars in addition to the spectators that came out the support the race. I was amazed at how friendly the volunteers were...and pleasantly surprised at how CUTE the police officers working the road blocks were. Of course I couldn't say anything ("Hi, I'm Suzy. Uh, I'm usually not this sweaty. You single? Meet me in a few hours?!"), but the eye candy was nice and I'm considering spending my Saturday nights in Charlotte instead of Greensboro!

The 2004 race offered a new course- one loop around center city, then a rolling course in residential areas with an upward climb back to uptown (is that why they call it UPtown?!). I did not train properly for the hills. I did enough long runs, but they were not hilly enough for this race. Myself included, I think the hills surprised a lot of people. Why? Because they are not obvious hills, instead they are l-o-n-g grades that you can't see driving around, but THEY ARE THERE and MY QUADS FOUND THEM.

As if the hills weren't enough of a challenge, it began snowing around mile 16, just about the time I found myself running solo. It was hard to keep momentum (or find ANY wind break) when other runners are far away. Nonetheless, I finished with a 4:39:04 chip time, just shy of Oprah Winfrey's 4:35 in Chicago but a 40 minute improvement over my first race. Even better, I proved that I can run 26.2 miles by myself!

Tybee Island: My First Marathon

I finished my first marathon! I can officially call myself a "runner"...I think?!

I decided I wanted to do this way back in high school, when I overheard my cross country coach tell another runner that "completing a marathon is one of the greatest accomplishments in one's life". So when my sorority sister, Amanda, began training for her first marathon in 2002, I showed enough interest (read: I was her overwhelmingly curious groupie) that she invited me on board for her second.

After committing ourselves to 18 weeks of training (and NO trips to the bar!), we made the trip to Tybee Island, Georgia with a group of other runners from Camp Seafarer. In addition to the group support, Amanda and I had quite the fan club: my Mom, Mima, Phi Mu little sis Neena, roommates Jen and Shannon. The start of the race offered big crowds and lots of excitement. I had tears in my eyes....it was just awesome!!

Miles 1-10 were nice and steady. I ran with Amanda and was sooo happy to have someone there with me during my first race. I wish I would have paid more attention to my surroundings...and less attention to the super cool running acessories and outfits the people around me had on. Every once in awhile, Amanda would point out funny things that I was missing since I was checking out the shoes in front of me.

We got to see our support crew at mile 7, which didn't take much effort since Mima had on a bright orange beanie and Shannon looked like she just walked off of a runway (fur coat, pageboy hat, full make up...gotta love her!). It was good to see familiar faces. I ran up and jumped on them with excitement, but also secretly hoped they would piggy back me the next 19 miles...of course, they didn't offer!

The hard part of the race came at mile 13, when the half marathoners finished and we had to keep running. The island itself is very small, so the course is essentially one lap around for the halfers and...you guessed it...two laps around for the full marathoners. It took every ounce of emotional strength I had to stay cool when I saw the finishing runners stop, get their medals, hug their loved ones, and cry/smile/shout with the sheer joy of accomplishment. I had another 13 miles to go before I could do any of those things...

I was not prepared for the last 6 miles. Since my training "long runs" had consisted of 16,18 and 20 miles, I did not have the experience to be able to feel strong on this bit of uncharted territory. I seriously had to have some mental talks with myself to keep going; my legs felt like they weighed 100 pounds each with the strength of rubber bands! Amanda and I were not chatting at this point, but we both knew we were "in it" together.

I finally saw the chute and just took off sprinting. Amanda and I finished together and our final time was 5:19:52. Since my goal was simply to finish, this was great news! Amanda beat her previous marathon time by almost 20 minutes, too. For these reasons (and the simple satisfaction of being able to STOP), we were both crying our eyes out as our crew greeted us with flowers, stuffed animals, and high fives.

Although the pain was more than anything I've ever experienced (yes, I'm counting the all 4 impacted wisdom teeth thing), running a marathon was VERY worthwhile. After all, I'm a "runner" now!