Recently someone told me they were running Chicago Marathon. I wondered why since registration closed months ago. Upon inquiring I learned they had bought the race bib/number from a friend (who is injured).

USAT (and the Chicago Marathon website) clearly states that such actions are prohibited.

And states:

• Participant race number bibs are specific personal identifiers and may not be exchanged with or transferred/ sold to any other person.
• Sale and/or transfer of race entry/bibs is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events.

I know we all hate rules, but there is an actual reason for why this policy is in place. A few reasons are below.

#1) Liability/Medical If something were to happen to the new runner (Joe), no one would know. The runner that was injured (John) paid for the bib/number & race day privileges (plus 18 weeks of training hell fun!), although each person is responsible for their own race day health, there is a reason that USATF is in place for races (and not just Chicago Marathon). It covers that person who paid, not for a “illegal” person running.

#2) Age Group One of the biggest reasons is the it will skew the results. Bob ran under Susie’s name. Bob won his age group (although really Susie). See what happens? Now you may say, I have no chance of winning anything let alone placing in age group. My response? It doesn’t matter if you are the 1st person or last one to cross the line. Its an integrity and ethical issue. You can get banned from life from races if you are caught. Its kind of like crashing the White House State Dinner. Just. Don’t. Do It.

#3) Other Some races (like Chicago Marathon, NYC Marathon or Marine Corps Marathon for example) are difficult to get into. There is a reason why there is a lottery or registration closes early. Some have transfer deadlines. Use them. If you want to run a “big” marathon, then sign up for it or enter the lottery. Train for it. Don’t do it on a whim or because you don’t want it to go “to waste”.

This person told me they didn’t want to the bib “to go to waste” (friend was injured/couldn’t run). Its not going to waste. Its called life. We will all get injured at some point in our life training for a race (or just walking down the sidewalk). Its for the reasons I stated above.

Rules are for two reasons. A) Someone caused the problem in the first place so the rule was made B) For our safety. Obey them.

Please run a race, a marathon, whatever, but do it the right, moral way. And for sure as hell get proper credit for it!

What are your thoughts?

Photo by Julian Mason

It must be Summer. Not because I have been sweating just standing still, but because the number of heat related questions asked to me, has been off the charts. “How can I beat the heat?”. “How do I run in the heat?”. “How can I stay cool?”. “Can I just bake cupcakes instead?”. While the later does sound tempting, it probably won’t help you in running. 

Here are 6 ways to beat the heat.

#1) Early Bird Gets the Shade. The best way to beat the heat is to run early in the morning. I encourage people to run before work as a general rule of thumb, but when you are trying to stay cool, running in the early morning hours is a good habit to get into. Yes, that might be running at 5:01am. I promise you’ll be a better person when you finish:)

#2) Get used to it. If you are training for a half or full marathon, chances are that you will be running in heat and the sun on race day.  So don’t avoid the heat completely. Your long run on the weekend will probably encounter some of the sun/heat, so consider that good prep for what could happen on race day.  

#3) Stay cool. Wear moisture wicking clothes. I know I harp on this a lot, but I am still seeing people wear cotton T-shirts/shorts. While cool (no pun intended) for the casual outing, it is not what you want to be wearing to run in (or any exercise for that matter). Take yourself to a running store and invest in some “technical” running gear. Also, wear a sweat band or a running cap. A cap will help shade you from the sun beating down. If you are a guy without hair, then you’ll probably really appreciate this. Getting a sunburn is no fun! Personally I detest sweat in my eyes. So in addition to wearing a running cap, I also carry a washcloth. I wipe the sweat from my face & eyes. While probably physiological only, I think it helps. I also have been known to dunk it in a river or whatever water source I can find while running [ultra marathon]. Also, protect your eyes, wear sunglasses

#4) Stay Hydrated! This doesn’t mean start drinking water 29 seconds before a run. Or start during a run. You can’t cram hydration. Hydrate through out the day. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go. Also, make sure you are getting enough electrolytes. Try Smart Water or AquaHydrate. Don’t over drink. Don’t under hydrate. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your urine is the color of lemonade. A sweat test is also a great indicator for how much water you should be drinking. Most likely you’ll need more then 8 glasses a day in the Summer. 

#5) Move. If you don’t like the heat, move to a different climate in the heat months. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of going to Australia, then maybe the Summer is your chance to make that dream happen. Probably not possible for 99.9% of us, but we can dream, right?  

#6) Adapt. Back in the day, people didn’t have AC. Depending on your living arrangements, turn off the AC. I recently heard this tip from another running coach. Yeah, the first week might suck, but when race day comes, you’ll be 90% ahead of the other people toeing the line.  

Exception: If you are training for an ultra marathon, heat training is most likely a part of your plan. But that’s a topic for another day.

For more sarcastic running wisdom sign up for the monthly “not your average” e-newsletter here. 

Photo by jurvetson

Part Four.  When you run an ultra, you need to eat. And drink (not beer!). What kind of fuel does your mind and body need in order to survive running for hours on end? Here are some guidelines for a successful race.

#1) Me vs You. Remember what your body likes might be different from what my body likes. Every Body Is Different.

#2) Test! Use [long] training runs to try out different foods, hydration, gels, gus, blocks, and bars. And don’t forget times. Timing is critical to making sure you prevent bonking, cramps, digestion issues and fatigue.

#3) Fluids. There are many fluids on the market. I admit it is hard to make sense of them all. One thing you always want to keep in mind is stay clear of any drink that has HFCS (AKA, High Fructose Corn Syrup) in it. This is probably the only time I will ever say this, but drink your calories. Some people swear by Ensure. I like chocolate milk (cold in the Summer, hot in the Winter). You might not be able to stomach (pun intended) solid food down at mile 36.2, but you might be able to drink something. Try Athlete’s HoneyMilk if you are looking for a great source of protein on the go.

A) I swear by AquaHydrate Water. This water has minerals & electrolytes in it. Without sugar or food coloring!  I mix powders in & it gives me an extra boost. I also try to make sure I drink some a few days before a long run or race. To locate the water near you, click here (or have it shipped to you).

B) Emergen-C. You may not realize it, but Emergen-C has electrolytes besides vitamins and minerals. The B Vitamins are very useful in fighting stress, and lets face it, your body is under a wee bit of stress while running many miles over a long period of time. I always take a packet before flying as well as on race morning. Most stores carry them. For more info & a laugh or two, check this out. Another good one is Trace Minerals Electrolyte Stamina Power Pak. It can be found at Whole Foods or here.

C) As a rule of thumb, I don’t recommend sports drinks (and foods) with a lot of sugar or HFCS. Your body needs substantial liquids, not fake fillers. Personally I have had trouble with Gatorade. Look for fluids that are natural and don’t have added sugar and food dyes.

Tip: Don’t guzzle water/fluids at one sitting. Hydrate during the entire training run (or ride) and race. Don’t over hydrate. Don’t under hydrate.

D) I have had pretty good success with Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem. I have also used Hammer Nutrition Heed and Accelerade (**disclaimer, I am not a fan of the food dyes it is made with). You may also want to try CLIFF SHOT Electrolyte powder, NUUN, CytoMax,  or GU2O. Again, test them out and find what works for you. Before race day!

E) Tart Cherry Juice. If you haven’t seen the recent research information, then you’ll want to perk up & read this. Research suggests that consuming cherries (particularly tart cherries) helps with inflammation/joint pain, and aids in recovery. A natural way to manage pain! Personally I mix some Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate in my water bottle. For more info, click here.

Tip: Consume protein (and some carbs) within 30 minutes of finishing a long run/workout.

#4) Food. This is what separates boys from the men, the Nemo’s from the  Dora’s and the marathoners from the ultramarathoners. For longer distances, you need substance. And by substance, I don’t mean donuts. Nice try though.

A) Savory. At least with ultras you get to hit all the different food styles! Chicken Soup, PB&J (or almond butter) Sandwiches, Grilled Cheese (depending on aid stations at races) and other variety’s of soup. Also try Lara Bars. Made with nuts & fruit, they are wicked awesome. And Gluten free to boot. I will even admit I have a healthy craving for a Lara Bar.

B) Salty. You need to replenish the salt you are sweating out. Besides salt tablets, here are some popular salty foods. Chicken Soup, Pringles, Pretzels, Potatoes dipped in salt (personally this is usually my go-to food) or a banana. And yes, the first time you dip a cold, banana in salt, you know you have reached the dark side). Dean Karnazes likes Soy Sauce on his PB&J (yes, I said “ON”). If I want to try Soy Sauce, I think I would dip potato’s in it. But that’s just me.

C) Sweet. Okay, so maybe I wasn’t joking about the donuts. A little (and I said a little, NOT a LOT) of sugar might do you some good at mile 79. Or 82. Brownie Bites, Graham Crackers, Gummy Bears,  Popsicles, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Chip Cookies are all sweet options.

D) Fruit. I ALWAYS crave Red Grapes when running long distances! Also a big fan of sliced Oranges, Bananas,  and Watermelon.

E) Gu’s, shots, & Besides real food, you also have the standby’s, such GU Chomps, Clif Shot Blocks & Roks, Hammer Nutrition gels & bars, PowerBar Gel Blasts, bars, gels, and Sport Beans. These will help you in between aid stations. For gel/gu most people aim for 1 every 45-60 minutes.

TIP: Aim for 300 calories per hour.

Other: While not a “food” per-say, I will add this. Make sure you incorporate Electrolyte’s into your training. Salt Stick, Hammer Nutrition and Succeed (S!Caps) are all really good options for you to try out.

The key to nutrition while on the run is to find what works for you. Not the person next to you. Not what works for me. Not what works for your dog. Try to stay away from processed foods (you don’t want to put your body under more stress by having it to digest it). Don’t cram hydration. Don’t eat everything in sight. Run and eat smart.

Part Five will cover training.

Sarah Stanley is a sponsored endurance athlete, coach, and loves to sweat. A healthy side of sarcasm is always on the plate. For kick ass running, health, wellness advice & inspiration make sure to sign up for the monthly newsletter here.

Photo by annia316

Running an ultra is more then just pulling on a pair of shorts, tying your shoes and hitting the trails. It’s not rocket science to run an ultra (remember you already said goodbye to your brain:)). But there are a few things that will make life easier for you, your feet and other body parts. Use your imagination.

Gear. So in case you haven’t guessed it, a birthday suit isn’t going to cut it. I know, sorry to break the news. One thing to ALWAYS remember. No matter the sport, never,  for the love of god wear cotton! Nothing against cotton, but it is not the type of material you wear to sweat in. Period. End of story.

Top Gear ( feel like Top Gun writing that!). Guys, read on. Consider yourself lucky- wearing a bra is actually hard work. And a expense you don’t have to worry about!

Bras. Women, wearing a bra is essential to running (this goes for ALL types of running). But maybe a little more critical in the longer distances. I’ll do an article in the future dedicated to bras, but for now, here are 2 of my personal favorites. CW-X and Moving Comfort. You want a high impact bra, so buy wisely!

Shirts. By now you know to buy technical apparel – right? Good! Depending on the weather, you’ll wear either long, short or sleeveless shirts. Personally I only wear sleeveless (I have the shoulders/arms of a rower) or long sleeves. One thing to remember, 30 or 35 degrees really isn’t cold when you will be running a lot of miles. Your body heats up very quickly. Remember this! If you are in doubt, wear layers. For cold weather, check out Under Armour Cold Gear long sleeve shirts. They rock. A tip: arm warmers come in handy when wearing a sleeveless shirt. I really like these.

Shorts. Okay, here is a little secret. The whole world will know. But who really cares anyway? I don’t wear underwear. Wearing shorts with liners means you don’t need to! I can’t imagine running a mile, let alone 50 miles or 100 miles with a wedgie. If you enjoy that feeling, knock yourself out! All I know is when you have to strip at about mile 60, you’ll be REALLY glad you don’t have to pull them off. I prefer either fitted shorts or mid quad shorts for running ultra’s. Brooks Running has some awesome ones as does LuLuLemon, However, recently I have switched to CW-X Compression Shorts. I ran my last 6 races with them. They provide the support, protection and of course compression. Check them out.

Pants. Again, don’t wear pants just because there is a chill in the air. For the truly cold days, I wear Under Armour Cold Gear pants (and shirts for that matter). They really do work. I have run in 5 degrees and have been warm. If it is really cold, double up. Wear a Cold Gear pant and a loser pant over top. I also love Mizuno special running gear.  A few key layers make all the difference when running in the REAL cold weather.

Socks. My last 7 races (including 3 ultra’s) I have fallen in love. With Mr. Compression. Caught ya didn’t I? I still swear by wearing Balega Socks. I put a pair of them on first, then pull on my knee high compression socks. Zensah makes calf sleeves, so that is another option. A lot of compression gear out there. Some of my favs: Under Armour, Trigger Point, InVigorators, and

Shoes. Call me a wimp, but I prefer to wear shoes. I’ll be writing another article on barefoot & VFF running. Some ultra runners wear trail shoes, I have found up to this point in my running life that I run better in regular running shoes. There are excellent running trail shoes on the market. Montrail makes some top notch ones.

Transportation. So, how are you going to eat and drink while running for long periods of time? I have tested out a few gadgets. I used to wear a Nathan Fuel Belt, but switched to a hand held a few weeks before my 100 miler. I knew I didn’t want to have that bouncing on me for 24 hours. I already was using a handheld in conjunction with my belt, so making the change was relatively easy. I use a 24oz Polar bottle from Hammer Nutrition. CamelBak Hydration Packs come in 30 oz. – 100 oz. They are a great option for long periods by yourself. Just be sure to try this option on a training run before race day. Extra pockets! I really like SpiBelt for carrying extra stuff (need a place for my BlackBerry!). I have the two pocket option. You can also attach your race number/bib to it.

Keep dry! Have things that can’t get wet? Like a phone, pills, or food? I use ZipLoc bags. The sandwich size is perfect. I always keep a box handy.

First Aid. Prevent chafing before it starts. Slather Bag Balm or Vaseline on your feet (don’t forget heels!), under your bra strap, under arms, back, little pinky (kidding) any place you feel you need it. Body Glide doesn’t quite cut it for long distances. And besides, buying the little sticks can really add up. There are many ways to take deal with blisters. I have had great success with duct tape.

Let There be Light! For overnight runs you’ll need flashlights and/or headlight. I really like my Black Diamond Spot LED Headlight. In fact, right now, REI has them on sale. Petzl (also from REI) has some great ones. Some are pricey- hey if you want to spend $400 bucks, be my guest! And get me one while you’re at it, pretty please! Get one that you can remove the battery cover EASILY. Nothing worse then fumbling around in the dark trying to either open the cover or show someone how to do it. For flashlights, easy to carry, lightweight, and one with a strong beam are best.

Be Safe! Regardless of your sport, make sure you are safe. RoadID has a fantastic way to let someone know that you are okay if you had a mishap. Make sure you get one ASAP.

Other. I can’t stand sweat in my eyes. In the heat, I wear a breathable cap. In the cold I wear a hat. Don’t forget gloves either! I actually always carry a washcloth with me when I run (remember that whole I-can’t-stand-sweat-in-my-eyes thing?). Not only does it keep my face dry, but it can also serve as a nice refresher if you happen upon a cold stream. Remember sunglasses, and of course a watch (Garmin or Timex are great ones). And ALWAYS have a sense of humor when running any distance!

These are a few (okay, a lot) of things that might make your next run or ultra a little more comfy.

Don’t forget to sign up for the awesome monthly newsletter!

Photo by cogdogblog

If you read yesterday’s article, you now know what an ultramarathon is AND isn’t. Here are some nitty gritty training tips.

#1) Adapt.  Every body is different. What works for one person, may not work for you.  Some ultra runners run really high miles (85-140miles/week). Others run 25-50miles/week. Depending what distance ultra you are training for, depends what your weekly mileage is. For a 50k, it probably won’t be much more then training for a marathon. Maybe a longer run of 22 or 23 miles. For a 50miler, 100k, or a 100 miler, probably the main thing to remember is this: time on your feet. You could be on your feet anywhere from 8 hours to 36 hours. That’s a lot of time! For the majority of you (myself included) you won’t be running the ENTIRE time. That’s when you walk. Rule of thumb is to walk the hills. Become a great walker. Seriously. When I ran my 100 miler, I believe one of the keys to my finishing was that I knew how to walk. It may sound less than inspiring, but trust me, it will pay off in the end. Also, remember, “time on your feet”. For a long training run of 28-36 miles, make sure you include some walking time. If it is a lot of hills, you shouldn’t have a problem with that:)

#2) Not just running! It’s important to have strong legs, butt and core – no matter the distance you are training for. Incorporate one leg squats, reverse lunges, butt kicks, and walking lunges in to your training. Bridges are also a great exercise. Try them on a ball, take it to the edge and use one leg at a time. Plank and side plank are really great (and body shaking) core exercises. The key is not to stick your butt in the air, but to keep your neck and back in the same line. Don’t let your hips sag!

#3) Balance Baby! Running on trails will quickly test your balance, or lack thereof. You can’t always  prevent a fall, but you can prepare for one. Yoga poses are really good for balance. One of my favorite poses is table top and extending opposite arm and leg. Hold for 3o seconds. Then switch. Tree pose, Eagle, Warrior Three and Boat are all great for core AND balance.

#4) Nutrition. Nutrition. Nutrition. If you don’t get it by now, nutrition is key. Use your training runs to test out what GU, Gel, Shot Blocks, liquid, solid food works for YOUR body. Remember what works for your training buddy, may not work for you. One thing you don’t want to do is finding out on race day what DOESN’T work for you.

#5) Be Flexible. Be Patient. Be Smart. Did you just start running? Ran your first marathon and you are hooked? That’s great! But a word of caution. Going from running 26.2 miles to 31 miles, 50 miles, 62 miles, or 100 miles is no joke. It is a long freaking day(s). I believe the more running years you have, the better. Your body has adapted to running over a period of time and “gets it”. If you start going after the longer distance to soon, your body may react by getting injured, fatigued, or tired. Run a few marathons, then start entertaining the idea of an ultra.

#6) Commitment. If you think training for 26.2 miles is time consuming, try training for an ultra. If you have family, make sure it is okay with them. Long runs will take up a good portion of your weekend. It will require dedication. It may mean getting up at 3am to run 30miles before 9am so you can take your son to soccer practice. It means getting a good night of sleep. If you typically go out on Friday/Saturday night, you should probably reconsider.

An ultramarathon is more then checking your sanity at the door, it’s about running smart for a freaking LONG time.

Stay tuned for part 3 . I’ll cover gear and training/coaching.

Part 4 will cover nutrition (during race as well as pre/post race).

Part 5 Q & A (send yours to me: sarah [at] sarahstanleyinspired [dot] com

As always, make sure you sign up for the monthly e-newsletter. Personally promise you won’t be disappointed!

Photo by wanderingYew2

Got ultra on the brain? And by ultra, I don’t mean the beer brand. I mean running.

I have received a lot of questions on ultra running. Some from people who are training for their first one! So here is part 1 of a TBD part series.

What does it take to run a ultra? A lot of stupidity!  Kidding aside though,  it takes a lot of mental toughness, strong-will and a can do attitude. It’s also about being okay being by yourself. I think that is what separates running a marathon from an ultra. Running a marathon has crowds, cheer stations, girls kissing you (Boston Marathon), and oh yeah, special things like porta potties. Running an ultra typically is run on trails, so the only crowds are trees, deer, and hopefully no snakes. The woods serve as the bathroom. Seriously.

So, what exactly is an ultra? Besides losing your mind:)

First a definition. Ultrarunning/ultramarathon= a distance longer then a marathon (26.2 miles). Typical distances are 50k, 50miles, 100k, 100miles. Another definition could be to check your sanity at the door.

Where: Ultramarathon’s are typically run on trails as opposed to roads. Usually involves hills, rocks, boulders, crossing streams, creeks, rivers and encountering snakes, bobcats, bears, and even pretty things like flowers and snakes (not).

How:  Your mind. Oh and your feet/legs/arms help too.

When: Races always seem to be held during the toughest part of the season. So expect high heat temperatures,  rain, cold, snow, wind- otherwise known as hell.

Where: Outdoors. Trails. Mountains.

To run an ultramarathon you should be prepared to be self-sufficient.  You will be by yourself for long periods of time. Don’t carry everything but the kitchen sink, but make sure you have enough water/hydration and food/GU/Gel’s. A lot of my ultra’s I have run I have had to rely on the good graces of the people I encountered along my route. But they were an added bonus.

But for most ultra races, there are aid stations. AKA, an oasis in the woods. They are stocked with food, hydration, first aid (Vaseline, duct tape, tweezers, scissors, etc), and helpful people. Personally, my goal is just to make it to each aid station. Before the cut off times. If you don’t, you are out of the race.

Some ultra races have drop bag options.What it is not: a body bag. What it is: some of your favorite things. Like your teddy bear (kidding), socks, maybe a pair of shoes for a 100 miler, change of clothes (again for a 100 miler), food/hydration you use. This is probably the key thing. Most aid stations won’t have what you train with. So if you train with GU, Hammer, and other like products, make sure you have them with you. If you are Vegan or on a special diet, having the nutrition your body is used to, is key to running a ultra.

I have run a lot of distances over 26.2 miles and I have never used a drop bag. I have never used one during a training run, so I knew I would be okay on race day. If I can run 36 miles for a training run, then I can run 31 miles or 50 miles without such a luxury.

For a 100 miler however, I would recommend having a crew. Running 100 miles is no cake walk, so having all the support you can get is critical this race distance. When you have a crew they will have all the food, supplies, gear, special touches that you need. More on this in a future article.

Running an ultramarathon is a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, tears and conquering fears, but when you cross that finish line, man is it sweet. And the chair you fall into? Priceless.

Have ultramarathon questions? Send me email to sarah [at] sarahstanleyinspired [dot] com. For more useful running tips sign up for the e-newsletter. Happy trails!

Photo by Wolfgang

Some call it crazy, insane, freak, nuts, badass, or animal. They are really all words for “I want to be just like you”

Why on earth would someone want to run 26.2 miles, let alone twice, and to top it all off, the famous Boston Marathon course? Because this girl is so freaking passionate about kids, health & fitness, she decided to run the Boston Marathon. Twice. Having just run a tough 50miler 9 days before hand, it was going to be a real challenge. But childhood obesity needs awareness & thus the double, an epic day was on.

As you know, Laura Yasso & I were chatting via Facebook 6 days before the Boston Marathon & mentioned the double option. After I arrived in Boston Thursday I talked with Mark G & 2 minutes later, I confirmed I would indeed make the epic trek from Boston to Hopkinton and repeat.

On Sunday I met up with Josh Cox, Andy Baldwin, Michael Chitwood. For some reason my Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem was not in my race bag. Needless to say I panicked. Thankfully Josh is sponsored by PowerBar and hooked me up. Thanks Josh!

Michael, Andy, me, Josh

While everyone else was having dinner & eating bon-bons, I was tucking myself into bed at 6:30pm. Thank god for really heavy shades.

Woke up at midnight because I kept thinking that the 3 alarms I set wouldn’t go off. Dork.

3:30am finally came & I heated water in the coffee pot for my oatmeal. It never really got hot, so I ate half cooked oatmeal. Yummy.

Slathered on the Vaseline, got my fuel ready, looked longingly at the bed wishing I could crawl back in and knowing when I did so I would in serious pain.

4:30am, 32 degrees. Marathon Monday. Patriots Day. Double Boston Marathon day. Bring it.

4:45am. It was early. Nothing was open. Not that I drink coffee, but when the city is empty it just feels slightly lonely. Made my way to the finish line, um, start line.

Finish line at 4:30am

There were 5 (I think, brain is still fuzzy) guys that were also running a double. Translated, that means I was the only woman running it this year. Thanks Laura for leading the way:) She and Bart started this “tradition” in 2001. After a few photos, chilly hello’s and a few pleas to go back to bed, we were off at 5am. The guys took off. Laura & Richard hung with me for a few miles as they were fun running 15 miles or so. A garbage truck almost took me & Laura out in the first 300 yards or so. No, we didn’t scream, we just ran for our lives:)

About 3 miles in, Laura had to make a potty stop and they told me to keep on running. More like a slow trot, but whatever. It was fun to watch the sun come up, although it was behind me. The trees were beautiful. Grass was green (thanks to the 11 inches of rain the previous day).

Lovely trees on the way out

I was posting updates via Twitter & Facebook. I’ll post them here for your amusement.

5:31am. 30min into double #bostonmarathon. Twill be a long day

6:02am. Running past people’s cars getting towed. Oops.

Because I am used to running for hours, I will admit that the first hours are like running in a twilight zone. A very slow & painful twilight zone.

7:01am. Monday Fun Fact. I am the only woman running a Double Boston Marathon in 2010. [I believe this qualifies me as a badass.]

Now 2 hours in to the run & I ditched the sweatshirt. I kept the gardening gloves Laura gave me. Thank god. My hands are always cold.

8:05am 15miles in. Tad on the tired side. Very lonely out here. Getting water when I can.

This was not only a solo 26.2 jog, but to top it off, was also a self supported run. Not the easiest thing in the world. I planned the best I could, but one can only carry so much GU, water, fuel along with my dear blackberry of course.

I saw 2 guys up ahead at one point. With a water bottle. I ran up beside them & with one breathe told them what I was doing & 2 seconds later I had fresh water. Yay.

8:23am. @richroll And keep an eye on @sarahstanley doin a double Boston 52.4!

8:26am. 52.4miles to raise awareness for childhood obesity

8:43am. You can’t be shy when running long, slow AND solo. Just pawned off a banana & 3 bites of a bagel from some kind person. [ My eyes were running faster then my legs. I tried to spot people with grub WAY before I reached them. Poor things. They had no clue that their breakfast was about to become mine. ]

Thankfully as time went on people were setting up chairs, tents, couches (yes, seriously) and other paraphernalia.

8:45am. Thank for ALL your @’s means much. I’ll finish one of these hours:) [the @'s I received were my source of encouragement. Really kept me going. If you are reading this and sent one, thank you, thank you, thank you].

Prime real estate

9:02am. Just passed the 10k point. Saw the elites fuel bottles. Cool! [This was neat. I didn't have a chance to snap a photo, but I wished I ran back & took one. I was afraid the elite bottle police would arrest me:) ]

I knew I had to somehow pick the pace up. My legs were not getting with the program! GRR.

Because the route is mostly closed at this point on Patriots Day, cyclists must plan an annual cycling event because at least 877.456 bikes passed me. I was ready to ask for a ride. Talk about torture!

A group of teen girls were having bagels. With cream cheese. Strawberry cream cheese at that. Heaven. I made that bite last a very long time.

9:18am These next 5miles are going to be the death of me!

9:44am. Wheelchair runners passing me on the way to boston. Almost to MY half way point.

9:59am. I can the sounds of the Athletes Village. Music to my ears. About damn time!

This is where things began to get interesting. The first wave went off at 10am. It took me longer to run then I estimated (can you say 50miler 8 days previous were haunting me?!). I heard and saw the fighter jets go over head. And while super cool, I knew I was in trouble. 10 seconds later I was faced with a crowd of guys. Running straight AT me.

I saw Ryan Hall & shouted “go Ryan!”. That was wicked cool. Then the real joy began. I stuck to the left hand side because well, I had no other choice. By this time I was ready to kill the next person who told me I was going the wrong way. And the herd of boys did not disappoint. They shouted everything you can think of at me.

As if running 25 miles solo isn’t bad enough, picture the last mile running against 15 thousand super speedy people, men peeing on you (why they have to go 13 seconds in to the race always baffles me), crawling over uber excited spectators, getting smacked it the torso & face from high fives and navigating rocks, bushes, briar’s,  valley’s and ditches, well, I was glad that mile was done. And I made it out alive. Barely.

10:25am. Made it to Hopkinton about 15min ago. My drop bag is MIA. Shoot. Had to run against the 1st wave cause I was slow:(

So I arrived at Athlete’s Village. Or so I thought. Later I figured out that it was Spectators Village. Oops. I went over to the Medical Tent where my drop bag a friend had left for me. Or so I thought. The Medical Tent was a grass plot. I was SO looking forward to the PB & J. Damn it! I felt fine. Well, as good as one can feel about just running 26.2 miles only to do it all over again in about 9 seconds. I wandered around, trying to snag food. One lady gave me $5.00 ( I guess I won after all. Ha!) I came upon a shutter tent & they really hooked me up. I had a banana, fiber bar, chocolate chip cookie & some water. Before you judge, I needed calories. Remember I had 26.2 miles STILL to go.

I knew I needed salt. I saw 3 boys with a big bowl of fresh French Fries. With Salt. I was in luck. I walked over, told them I needed some and grabbed a handful. Yeah, that’s how I roll.

10:28am. Scored $5 bucks for food & a LOT of “OMG”. I feel ok. Ready for the 2nd half!

I heard the 10:30am start wave go off & I made my way over to the runners. Now the real test was going to happen.

10:28am. Back on the course. 1st mile done. Right leg not having fun. I’m still smiling though:)

11:23am. Someone told me for running 30 miles I still look beautiful. Little things in life!

I knew I still needed food, so I was looking for spectators along the route. With food. They were super awesome.  I will always remember ripping off a slice of bread & asking for salt. They dumped it in my hand. And I had to lick it up. Yummy.

After I left the self induced aid station, some dude shouted at me “taking a lunch break?”. Wrong thing to say buddy. I told I just ran a marathon, and “be careful what you say”. I don’t think he will ever forget it either!

My right leg really started bothering me. And by bothering me, I mean stabbing pain. It was already injured from the previous run. I knew that the 22 miles would be hell. And they were.

11:46am. Sad fact Marathon Monday I am super slow today. Shocker. However I don’t care!

12:20pm. I would do anything for a pb&j right now. Mile 34+ Its a beautiful day. Simply awesome out!

As the miles wore on, my run became a jog, which turned into a hobble.

1:11pm. Crazy. Insane. Freak. Its ok if people call me names. I know I’m doing the right thing.

This guy was amazing!

1:12pm. And FTR being at the back of the pack is kind of cool:)

Since I wasn’t going for any world records (hey, I was already the only women and won $5 bucks!) I decided to “enjoy” (read with a grain of salt) and talk with kids along the way. I was doing this for them after all. And this was the highlight of my run. While besides getting peed on of course.

These girls were so inspired by what I was doing!

It was awesome to be able to chat with kids and teens along the route back. I will do this again for this very fact alone.

Encouraged them to be active!

The miles wore on and so did my discomfort. All I wanted to do was sleep. Get another right leg. And eat a PB & J!

1:41pm. I love you guys/girls. Feeling very tired right now & your replys are really helping me. Keep em coming please:) 3/4 done

1:58pm. Mile 40 or mile 14 Boston finish line can’t come soon enough!

Big kid at heart fan

The weather changed. The sun was now clouds and a slight breeze. Thankfully I was able to score a random jacket on the ground so I wore that.

1:59pm. My face hurts from smiling so much:)

Didn't know I ran to NOLA!

These people actually made this for the race! How cool is that?!

2:19pm. It should also be noted I ran #50miles 9 days ago. Perhaps that’s why my legs/body are protesting right now:)

2:48pm. I’d kill for a chair, nap or anything doesn’t involve my legs being the main source of power:)

Love the kids!

3:11pm. Today is an epic day:) just wanted to use that word, haha!

Sadly they didn't pick up hitchhikers

The pain wore on and the miles loomed ahead. Why didn’t they move already? Running mile after mile with no familiar faces to cheer you on, wave a sign at you or give you a pat on the back………I was starting to feel very emotional. And yes I cried. I was in major pain, damn finish line was NOT in sight and all I wanted was a hug for Pete’s sake. God must have heard my plea because I was running up heartbreak hill and a little 5 year boy ran over to me and gave me not one, but TWO kisses. Hershey Kisses. Before you get all critical, just try running MANY miles without support. Yeah, I thought as much. His dad ran hobbled along me, gave me a pat on the back & told me to go get ‘em. It was just what I needed. Thank you to them!!

2 kisses!

To be honest the hills were not as bad as I thought they would be. But that’s probably because I have run many hills that were much, MUCH worse.

I was fading fast and just wanted to get the hell done. And with that I posted my last tweet.

3:47pm. I need a hug. Like 1 million actually.

All I remember was trying to run, but being forced to hobble. Crap. Crap. Crap. My goal was to get to the Citgo Sign. Because when you reach THE sign, it is exactly 1.2miles to the finish line.

1.2miles to go!

The sign seemed to loom in the distance. But with time, I FINALLY reached it. A few people were still out cheering for us stragglers. I for one, was happy about that. I must have looked rough because quite a few people kept asking me if I was okay. A few guys shouted “go baby go” and “come on sweet heart, almost there!”. It was great to hear those words. I was too tired & in to much pain to even explain that I was on mile 50. I high five’d a the few folks that put their hands out. Barely made a connection.

And then, I knew Boylston Street (finish line) was right under my nose. I rounded the corner and there she was. The FINISH line. Home sweet home baby. Home sweet home.

11:56:23hours, 52.91miles

I actually ran 52.91 miles in 11:56:23 hours. And it sure felt like it!

I did it!! 52.4miles

Reward.

My feet are very happy to be done. No amount of Vaseline could help them. Poor babies.

Best. Medal. Ever.

It was great to finish. And to get the most coveted medal ever. How I love thee! I had to drag myself back to the hotel. I was really in bad shape. I made a promise to myself to never do an ultra with out having someone with me. That night I had two allergic reactions. Not being able to breath or swallow is kind of scary. I think even the hotel was scared. I posted this before I went to bed:

I’m not doing any more races “solo”. I need someone to pull my socks off. Applicants will be selected very carefully:)

After a fitful night, I did wake up. A long recovery road ahead. I tore the muscles behind my knee. But even though I was (and am) in pain, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I know that besides kids lives being changed, kids at heart were too. And that is why I do crazy, insane, nutty distances and challenges. I’m not fast (not yet anyway), but its my passion for helping others that drives runs me.

And that my friends is a Double Boston Marathon EPIC race recap. I’m going to pass out now. Cheers!

Post photo by Randy. The rest by yours truly

I promised updates. And I have them. PLUS video’s AND photos. Enjoy!

My run yesterday turned into just enjoying the snow falling. The peace. The quiet. Yes, it was a diversion from my triple A personality. Shocker I know. I took some photos. And shot a video:

Live from DC Snow Pocalypse update 2

It didn’t stop snowing till LATE evening. Like 10pm. Midnight perhaps?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Woke to a white blanket. Nope, more like a white duvet cover. A very thick one at that. 23 inches. Felt like 50.

There is a pool under there!

It was 26 degrees and about 16 degrees with the wind chill. Downright cold. HOWEVER. The sun was out. And you know what that means? A perfect morning for a run. A few layers, and MicroSpikes.

Pardon the interruption, but let me just state that this run was ONLY made possible by MicroSpikes. No, they didn’t pay me to wear them. I bought them at REI. Worth EVERY penny. All 6000 of them. Check them out here: http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html

Okay, back to the 2009 Blizzard update.

Front yard, wrap around driveway

Then it was down the trail. A self made trail.

Snowy trail

I was so happy to be running & enjoying the beautiful Winter Wonderland, all I wanted to do was take pictures and shoot video. This is where we need live or reality TV. Just sayin’.

Second diversion. The past 2 months I have been on recovery. Still training. But no set running miles. It had been a while since a “long” run, but I really wanted to “do 10″ miles. I know my body pretty well and the poor thing has learned to just be quiet and suck it up. LOL.

Back to business.

Congressional Country Club

It was FUN to run on the road. When else do you get a chance to do that? Okay, yes I will admit that I have been know to run on the road on sunny days. Remember my 36 mile long that started in Long Beach, CA in July? Yeah. I MADE cars get over. Today was a little different. Just me. The snow. Some ice. A few cars. Snowplow. And drivers who thought I was crazy. I think they wanted my autograph. Just kidding.

Snow filled wall.

I ran down to the end of the road. The road I usually ride (bike) on. It was a nice change. Did I mention how peaceful it was? And my MicroSpikes. Totally the bomb. A couple was at the end of the road. They needed a ride to the Metro. The bus service was closed again today. The sad part? NOT one person had offered them a ride. Makes me mad. I was only at 3 miles. I told them I would run back, get my truck and come back to get them. I started running back home. On the way, a H3 passed me. Thank god another person had compassion and gave that couple a ride.

So, I stopped to chat with a gentleman (Jim) shoveling. Nice to meet new people. Yeah, hard to believe. Me talking.

Avenel Country Club. Golf anyone?

Ran on. Almost got killed by a Honda Civic going to fast down hill, slammed on breaks. I dove into the snow bank (no joke) and almost got stuck myself.

Running up snow & ice filled roads was tough. But I did manage to run some 7:45 pace miles. THAT was cool.

Talked to another gentleman (Pete). He actually knew what an ultra runner was!! SCORE! We talked for a while. He said I DID NOT look my age and to keep up the good work. Aw, how sweet.

As I was running down a hill, a snow thunder “storm” came up. In my haste I left my ski mask at home, so my checks/face felt the FULL affects of it.

Snow Thunder!

Ran on. Snow plow almost plowed me over. The sun was shinning and it was just breath taking out.

Why people let a little snow, ice, cold temps stop them I don’t know. Their loss. Running outdoors in the winter is the best.

Tennis anyone?

Just look at that SNOW!!!

Hole in one! Snow in one! CCC

As I ran back home, I was thankful for legs to run. The freedom to run. The opportunity to be alive. To enjoy the moment. The feeling of working hard and being proud of it. Someone asked me why I run in the cold. My reply (in 140) was this: You realize that nothing can stop you. Makes you strong. The satisfaction of a run well done (when you peel off the sweaty layers). And that’s that. 11 miles in about 1.5 hours. Yup, slow. But you know. I had the BEST. RUN. EVER.

And here is a sweaty take! Enjoy!

2009 Post Blizzard Run

Want to run faster? I have 10 tips for you. They will really help you.

#1) Leave your change, random keys, pens, and any other jingling thing at home.

#2) 40 degrees is not cold. 20 below is. Remember your body will get warm. Really, it will. Dress lightly. You probably don’t need ear muffs, 2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, 1 jacket AND the parka. See you just lost 5 pounds.

#3) Race number goes on the front of your body, NOT your back (unless in some rare race they give you 2 race bibs and instructions to do so). By wearing your race number on the front it lets the race officials know that you are in the race and not crashing the party. We don’t need any more party crashers if you know what I mean:)

#4) If you must stop at the water stations, and don’t want to get pushed down by human plows please for the sake of all us, grab your cup and run till AFTER the stop. You’ll be able to run faster because you won’t have to pick yourself up off the ground.

#5) Start in the right corral. If you run a 6 minute pace, you know where you need to be. If you run a 12 minute pace, yes, you are in the corral that is further back. There is a reason. You don’t want to get run over by the speedy people. And second, it is not kind to the other runners who have to leap over you.  Call it “race niceness”.

#6) Arrive early. Not on time. You’ll save yourself stress of finding a parking spot, lines to the potty’s, and of course the starting line.

#7) You don’t need to eat every carb & protein in sight. Have a banana. Or a bagel. Skip the Egg McMuffin, donut,

#8) Water. Depending on the race distance, you generally don’t need to chug down a gallon of water before hand. All that will happen is you’ll be searching for a tree rather than the finish line. NOT a good idea. Hydrate during the week. You can’t cram hydration!

#9) For women only: it’s called running,  not a beauty pageant. Leave the makeup, perfume at home. Your fellow runners will thank you. Trust me.

#10) For men only: Wear deodorant, but not the whole stick. And please wear shorts that cover everything. I am sure you are proud of what’s underneath (as your sig other is as well) but for the love of god, we don’t want to see it. Trust me. Seriously. We don’t.

Now go run. You should be at least 10 pounds lighter. How’s that for a quick weight lost plan?!

Photo by a tai

My Day Job Versus IS My Passion

A lot of people who ask me “what I do”. I have a passion for fitness. I have a passion for running. I have a passion for life. For me it is not “my day job versus my passion”. My day job IS my passion. I believe in living your passion, not just talking about.

I think that sometimes we think that we can’t make our passion a vital part of our life, just a hope that it can be. Life is too short to not make your passion a part of your life.

So what do I do? I write. I coach. I train full time. I run (a lot). I inspire others to live a healthy life. I motivate & encourage people to get their butt off the couch & get moving. I speak to groups. I network. I engage others. And oh yes, I am passionate about everything!

Hi, I am Sarah and I am passionate. What can I do for you?

Photo by Annia316