The Benefits of Training with a Training Program

As many of us are gearing up for fall marathon training, here are my two cents on why you should choose to train with a training program for your fall marathons.  

 I started running with the Potomac River Running Training Program (PR Training Programs) in the fall of 2014.  Since then, I have gone on to run multiple races (including a full marathon as well as countless other distances) and have continued to see improvement in my running and overall fitness. This post is focused on my experience with PR Training Programs but there are various options all around the country (I personally recommend the PR Training Programs if you are in the DC/NOVA area). I am not being paid for this blog post. 

The benefits of training with a training program are immense and the following are just a few examples:

• the camaraderie of group runs 
• having support out there on the longest long run days
• having a schedule to follow (and people to follow it with)  
• having people cheering for you during your race 
• having coaches who can relate to where you're coming from and help you through those tough runs
• having coaches that will push you just enough to be better 
• making new friends (because who doesn't want more friends)

I have been fortunate to have run with multiple different groups within the PR Training Program (101/201, the Distance Training Program (DTP) and Base Camp) and each of those groups has been made up of amazing individuals who all have their own goals and abilities but are all out there for the same reason: Their love and passion for running.  

In my OPINION the BEST part about training with a group is that there is ALWAYS someone there with similar goals and abilities.  From the slowest runners to the fastest runners, you will always find someone to run with.  If you are not a social runner (you like to run alone), youhave the piece of mind that there is someone on the trail with you if something were to happen... oh, and there's Gatorade too (that's pretty nice). 

Don't just take my word for it though, I have asked a few of my fellow PR trainees and coaches a couple of questions about what they think about training programs, below are their (unedited) responses. 

1.)  What has been the biggest benefit of training with a group?

Coach Emily - The camaraderie and accountability that a group provides.  Even if I wake up on a Saturday morning at 4:30 and just want to stay in bed, I know that there are people out there expecting me to show up to run with them. 

Coach Leesy - The friendships! It's such a supportive community and everyone has common goals and interests. 

Sallie G - The biggest benefit of training with a group is having people to encourage you and cheer you on.
Rachel K - Being able to meet other people who are also passionate about running who can give you advice.
Jamie S - Making friends and finding people to run with.  Running alone is always so much harder.  No matter what the mileage is, having buddies to chat with while running make it go so much faster!  And they can help motivate you to keep going if you’re having a tough run.
Deb B. - For me running with a group is one part social and one part educational.  I find that I learn a tremendous amount from hearing people's stories about how they started running and why, things they found that worked, and just the input they can provide by watching me run and making comments that make me better.  On the social side I've found that contrary to what I first thought, other runners are SOOO encouraging -- they really do cheer everyone on!  Plus since you run into them in a multitude of places -- favorite running spots, running stores, and other races it really does make it feel like family.

2.) What has been your biggest accomplishment that you can attribute to training with a training group?

E - I owe my biggest running accomplishment to date to the PR Training Programs.  Without the program training for and running the Marine Corps Marathon last year would have never happened.  I also attribute having the guts to even consider a marathon to the amazing coaches and trainees with the program.  

L - Racing!! I would have never raced before training with PR.

S - My biggest accomplishment that I can attribute to training with a training group is running not one but two full marathons in 2015.
R - Meeting people I can run and train with. Also having people on the same goal path as you is great
J - Finishing 2 marathons.  I never would have been able to finish the distance without a group of coaches and friends to support me.

D - Well this question is two-fold for me -- one is through actually training with a training group I was able to get to the point where I really liked the 5K distance.  I'd like to say that they helped with some of my bigger goals, but I ended up alone for most of those and that did make it tougher.  The second part of that question is that I'm part of a National Running team -- Illuminati Racing (www.weruneverything.org).  We are a non-profit team with folks all over the country and we do everything from small races to ultras -- and that's on-line component of encouraging people -- similar to the PR DTP FB group -- has been incredibly encouraging and motivating.

3.) Would you be where you are if you didn't train with a group?

E- I would definitely NOT be running, that's for sure.  I never thought that I liked running until I joined the group in 2014. Before joining PR Training Programs I was in the gym 4-6 days a week and I could feel myself getting burned out.  The group taught me how to run and how to love running. 

L - 25lbs heavier, pale and with less friends. (Editors note:  This is my favorite response out of all of them.)

S-  I definitely would never be where I am running-wise if it were not for Shannon Scalan and the PRR Running 101 training program as well as the PRR DTP program!
R - I would probably have never finished my first marathon. I signed up for one before but never was motivated to train.
J -  No.  Maybe I would have finished one marathon without a training group, there are lots of online training programs, but I doubt it. I don’t think I’m motivated enough to coach myself.   But I most definitely wouldn’t have run a second, since it was essentially peer pressure from the friends I made the first time around that made me sign up for the second one.
D - I don't know if I would have stuck with it as long as I have (started in 2012) or that I would keep coming back to it after setbacks.  The group and the people you meet there keep you accountable and they do check on  you -- like family!

4.) What would you say to a new runner that was scared to attempt longer distance races?

E- I was in your shoes not long ago.  The training is tough, there will be times that you don't want to put in the time and effort, but in the end when you cross that finish line and you collect your medal it is all worth it. 

L - Just stick with it. Running is hard, FOR EVERYONE. Even professionals have bad days but you'll be glad you stuck with it when your cross the finish line. 

S -  I would tell a new runner that was scared to attempt longer distance races not to stress about it. If you really want to do a longer race and just afraid you are not ready, then the DTP program will get you ready for the race you want to do; BUT you have to want to do that distance and be willing to train for it. Not everyone wants to be a distance runner or has the desire to run more than 3 or 6 miles; and that's okay. Don't run a race just because "everyone else is" or "all my friends are".
R - Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I never thought I would actually be able to finish a marathon but the training group helped me so much.
J - Just go for it.  The only way you’ll find out if you can do it is to try.  I still have trouble wrapping my head around running 26.2 miles, but I’ve done it twice now.  Doesn’t matter where you are in the pack, the back-of-the-packers run exactly the same number of miles as the fast runners at the front.  And they are ALL passing the people sitting at home on their butts watching TV and stuffing their faces.  If you want to do it, you can.  And finding the right group makes it that much easier.  

D - Live your dream!  If you want to do a longer race and are willing to put the work in don't let anything or anyone stand in your way -- including yourself (only wish I could follow my own advice :) ).

 5.) Any other thoughts or comments about why someone should consider a training program. 

E- I have met some of the most amazing people through training with a group.  People that are there to listen when I inevitably have bad runs and to cheer me on when after (during) the good runs.  I have people (who are just as crazy as I am) willing to head out for a 20 mile run in the pouring rain just because the schedule says we have to. People to run with when time constraints force one of us to run earlier than the group. 

L - The groups hold you accountable and help you develop a schedule and routine. For someone new to running, this is huge!!

S - As I said in question one, having a group of people who will encourage you and also hold you accountable is invaluable to accomplishing your running goals. Add to that the expertise of the running coaches and the fact that you know there are other people going through the same fears and accomplishments that you are makes training with a group the best way to train in my opinion. Also, especially the PRR training programs have something for every skill level of runner.
R - A training program can help you to achieve a goal and have people to help along the way. 
J - Training with a group gets you through the tough times.  While training for both marathons I hit a wall and got burned out.  But I was able to check in with my coaches and friends and realized it was totally normal and I wasn’t alone, I just needed to push past it to the other side.  If I had been training by myself I probably would have stopped and never made it all the way to the starting line.

D - It does push you and encourage you and it keeps you accountable.

6.) How long have you been training with a group?

E- I joined the PR Training Programs in September of 2014, since then I have run a full marathon, 4 half marathons, 5 10 mile races, and numerous 5k and 10k races. 

L - (Editors note: I forgot to ask Leesy how long she's been running with PR but I know it's been a few years consistently. She has been in every training program in the Arlington/DC area that I've taken part in since 2014.) 

S - I have been training with PRR since the beginning of 2012.
R - Near two years. 
J -  I’ve been training with groups off and on since the summer of 2012.  And if you told me back then, when I signed up for my first 10k training program, that I was going to training for my first marathon 2 years later, I would’ve laughed so hard!  Just goes to show you what a little training can do!  :)

D - I started training with Florida Running Company in May 2013...and have done it off and on since then...

There you have it! Do you have a fall goal race? Do you want to increase your weekly/daily mileage? Do you want to start running but don't know where to start? Do you want to increase your fitness and/or ability? Do you want to train with an amazing group of athletes? If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, YOU should be training with a training program. 

What do you think?  What are the benefits of training with a group?

Getting Lost in the Woods and Finding my Way Out

Whew, last week was a tough one for sure. It's gotten warm here in the DC area and it's really been taking it's toll on my not training (but sort of always training) running. Most of May so rainy and cold (it started raining the day Prince died and didn't stop for what felt like forever) that with the arrival of summer temperatures it was tough to get in any sort of quality runs last week.

After the Historic Half (see post here), I was kind of DONE with running.  I decided that I would take a week off and enjoy a week of doing absolutely nothing physical. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my week off of ADULTING, I missed running and jumped right back into it... kind of.  For the last two years I have been one of those people that feels GUILTY missing a workout and the last few weeks I have been making a concerted effort to not feel guilty.

I am generally an after work runner (I'm one of those people that will talk myself into sleeping more rather than run) so the heat and humidity are always at full force during my summer training.  Last week was no exception to that...

Monday morning, I packed my gym bag and made plans to go out for an easy 3 miles after work, However, mother nature had other plans for me.Normally I would totally run in the rain and love it (during training in the summer), but a huge storm rolled in and I just did not feel like running in a thunder storm and since I'm not officially training for the NYC Marathon yet. I decided that I do not HAVE to run in the rain at this point, so I didn't, I went home and opened a bottle of wine and watched the storm roll in and roll out from the comfort of my balcony.

Tuesday and Thursday I met up with a group that I usually run with at and took out to the trail.  I was super excited that the temperatures had FINALLY reached the 80 degree marks and it was time to pull out the tank tops and shorts for good.  In all of my excitement (BOTH DAYS) I totally forgot that the humidity SUCKS in DC in the summer, it's kinda like running through soup and it makes it hard to breathe and keep going.  I tried to press through on both days but for each day I broke down around mile 1.5 and by the end of my 3 miles on Thursday I was starting to feel defeated... which is NOT the way that I want to lead into Marathon Training.  My intervals (yes, I am an interval runner) went from (run/walk) 2/1 to 1:30/1:30 to 1/1 and I was GUZZLING water at every walk interval, which was not helping to not feel bloated and sloshy (yup, I made up a word). I decided that I was going to chalk it up to a bad running week and make a plan for everything to be better.

Saturday morning my friends ventured out to my neck of the woods (they all live 30 minutes away and we generally meet near them) to try out a different route to shake things up. The first couple of miles (we did 6) were fairly normal and being mostly downhill they felt easy.  I was do happy that running had FINALLY become enjoyable again.  We ran 2 miles to Roosevelt Island and started down the path.  About a quarter of a mile into the run we were suddenly on a small trail in the middle of the woods complete with tree roots, fallen trees, DEAD SNAKES and large rocks. As we adopted the "run when you can" mentality I couldn't help but think to myself "of course we get lost in the woods when I'm just starting to feel good running again".  After about a quarter of a mile, we found the large packed gravel path (the one that I thought we would be running on for all of our time on the island) and picked up the pace again (there was also a large section of dock that we ran on).  I was feeling great at this point and we were rocking and rolling off the island when BAM! I hit the freakin' wall at MILE 3.75. The next 2.25 miles were a nightmare of an uphill battle (both figuratively and literally) and I felt like I was losing bad! The last 1.75 miles were uphill through the Rosslyn Neighborhood of Arlington and the hill which I lovingly call HELL HILL (ok, maybe not so lovingly) was kicking my butt.  Jamie and Rachel were totally having a great run and bounding up the hill, while Natalie and I were walking more than running and complaining about the hill the entire time.  I think that at one point Jamie and Rachel were at least a quarter mile ahead of us and we couldn't help but curse them a little. **I am not usually a hater, I love it when my friends have a great run and/or PR a race, but my run was going that terribly at that moment that I couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous that they were feeling unstoppable.

FINALLY, we got back to the car, the run was over and I was so GRUMPY about what had transpired.  I was starting to feel like I would never have another good run and that I was probably going to fall apart during training (cue the balloons and music for a pity party for one).  We decided that we would hit up the diner for some well earned breakfast (there may have been some chanting the word "bacon" but I'll never confirm nor deny that). As I was eating my chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon.  I had an epiphany... what was different this year from last year? I was eating better last year and incorporating some cross training (until marathon training started taking off and I discovered that the cafe in my work building sold chocolate muffins and I started buying cartons of moose tracks ice cream). It was at that moment that I decided that I was going to eat healthier and try to get back to my "ideal running weight" (you probably wouldn't be surprised what 6 months of eating like you're training for a marathon while only training for half marathons will do to your weight).

So here I am, on the brink of marathon training to begin, embarking on a journey to lose a little weight and trying to get back into a cross training and strength training routine... I believe I can do it, so I WILL do it.  I am determined to knock a good chunk of time off of my marathon this year and I'm beginning to feel optimistic.

What do you do when you're having a bad running day/week/month?  What is your "reset" to get back to feeling amazing?

Marine Corps Historic Half - Recap

At the finish (photo credit: MarathonFoto)

On May 15, 2016, I ran the Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredricksburg, VA (my 4th half marathon).  This race was not in any way my target race for the season and was barely on my radar from the beginning; but it was AWESOME. I will race this race sometime in the future but after 2 half marathon PRs this season and a tough (almost PR) 10 miler a few weeks earlier, I was EXHAUSTED going into this race, then circumstances leading up to the race sealed my quest to just have fun with this one...

RACE WEEK: 

The week leading up to the race was a tough week and I abandoned all hope that I was going to reach my 3rd Personal Record of the season.  For starters, the weekend before the race was Virginia Gold Cup and I skipped my long run to watch the horse races and hang out with my friends.  Sometimes as runners we have to make a choice to prioritize friends and social obligations over our runs and try not to feel guilty about it.  I am the type of person that feels guilty about not running when I feel that I am "supposed to be" or not giving a race my all, I am working on this and practiced this at the Marine Corps Historic half this week.

The Monday before the race I decided that I was going to go for a hilly run to prepare for Hospital Hill and knocked out 3.5 hilly miles.  When I got back from my run, I looked down to see that my ankles were super swollen, about an hour later (after freaking out and putting on compression socks) they hurt like I had just run 10 miles. Ughhhhhh... that was another indication that racing this half was NOT going to be a smart idea.  The next day was spent icing my ankles (which still hurt) and convincing myself that I was not going to run because preventing injury is more important than a run (my weekly mantra).  I decided that my ankle problems were probably from the shoes that I bought online (from a not so reputable shoe retailer) and they were probably factory rejects.  So I headed to Potomac River Running to try on different shoes.  I ended up buying a pair of Asics (I am a Mizuno girl all the way, but they felt so good on my feet with the extra cushioning) and am super happy with my new purchase.

By Wednesday, I was finally feeling better and decided to join the Potomac River Running 101/201 training group for a short run. I managed to knock out 2.5 miles with no swelling and no pain.  I felt good like I could go a couple more miles but did not want to push it.  The next day I took off to go out to dinner.  Friday, Cristina and I went for an easy "shake out run" of 3.1 miles and it was HARD (even though we tried to keep to a relatively flat course)! Why is it that some runs are so hard when two days earlier you felt like you could run  forever?

This leads me into Friday night before the race and the reason that I had to squash any time goals that might have been lingering in my head for this race... MY SISTER HAD A BABY on Saturday morning, but I was woken up at 1:30 in the morning to go to the hospital for labor support.  This is probably the BEST REASON to not race a race!! I was on the fence about whether or not I wanted to leave my sister and my niece's side but decided that I was going to go an treat it as a 13.1 mile fun run.

THE EXPO: 

Rachel, Natalie and I having fun with 13.1

I picked Natalie up on Saturday around 3:00 pm and had to run home to feed my little monsters (they were already not happy about being left around 1:30 am) and pack for the race. I was seriously so sleep deprived that I almost forgot my running shorts... I'm not sure how decent it would be to run in just a sparkle skirt, but I'm glad I didn't have to find out. 

We were on the road to drive the 100 or so miles to Fredricksburg around 4 pm and the GPS was showing some heavy traffic, luckily we still had a good buffer because traffic was terrible!! 

We Arrived at the race expo at 6pm (plenty of time to get our bibs and shop a little while), Rachel got there about 45 minutes before us so she had already done her shopping.  All in all, the expo was ok, there was no line to get the bibs and shirts (they had plenty of sizes left), the other race merchandise was marked down and really picked over.  I was ok with there being a limited selection of race merchandise, I do not need any more race shirts.  I bought the obligatory race pint glass (I started collecting them at MCM), a pair of sunglasses and body glide (I forgot to grab mine in my rush to pack and get out the door - also, sleep deprivation). 

After the expo we headed to downtown for dinner and ended up at Jay's Downtown Sport Lounge.  Without going too far into details, we were there for over an HOUR AND A HALF and by the time we left we had still not eaten dinner (even though we did order... TWICE).  We ended up stopping at the Panera by our hotel on the way to check in.  Upon check in we were given a welcome bag (it had a Gatorade, two granola bars and a water), and we were immediately offered a 1 pm checkout... it was probably the first time anything had worked in our favor since leaving NOVA and we were so happy to not have to worry about packing up before we left in the morning.

Flat Emily ready for race day - I changed 

hydration on race morning for some reason

THE RACE: 

During the race I used a 2:1 run/walk interval... except when I got distracted and/or the hills were too much.  Like I said, I did not take this race seriously I was out there to have fun and fun is what I had. 

Pre-Race

The alarm went off at 5:00 am on race morning and, unfortunately, I woke up feeling like I had not slept AT ALL. After not sleeping on Friday night and the ladies in the connecting room next to us being extremely loud until midnight, all I wanted to do was skip the race and sleep.  I finally peeled myself out of bed and began my pre-race ritual... body glide feet (I don't chafe but if it's humid I get blisters), chug a Gatorade, get dressed, fill water pack (why I thought that the marines wouldn't have enough water is beyond me... I was delirious).  On the way out of the hotel I grabbed a blueberry bagel to eat in the car. 

Thankfully I grabbed my old OBX sweatshirt as a throw away because it was CHILLY! We parked across the street from the start line and headed over.  Marathonfoto was out in full force and they were offering free downloads on all photos so we totally took advantage of FREE PHOTOS!! 

Heading to the start (photo credit: MarathonFoto)

We arrived at the start line with just enough time to use the porta potty and meet up with our friend Jen before the howitzer fired.

Obligatory Pre-Race Selfie

miles 1-3

Nutrition: 

- Clif Shots - Razz before the start and at mile 3.5

- Sips of water on walk breaks and Gatorade at water stops.

The start was pretty chilly on race morning, but I opted to not go with my throw away pants as planned since I was wearing compression socks.  I was glad that I didn't wear them and ditched my throw away sweatshirt within the first 1/4 of a mile.  The temperature seemed a lot warmer than when we were standing around waiting for the gun to go off.

The first two miles of this race are run through strip mall after strip mall and it was really hard to get my mind into the game. It was especially trying at Mile 1.3 when the Semper5 racers where passing by and only 1.5 miles to the finish.

After Mile 2, I FINALLY reached my comfortable stride and started feeling pretty good.  Then at mile 2.8 (or so) came the first HELL HILL... I decided that since I was not racing this race and I was sleep deprived and just out there to have fun, I would take the hill at a slightly faster pace than a walk (but not as fast as I could've or normally do take my hills).

Starting at Mile 3, I started taking selfies with the marines at the mile markers to give me something to look forward to and as motivation to keep going - a DNF is never an option for me, but this race was trying that rule.

Right before the Mile 3 marker a family was out in the road with a hose that they were spraying up in the air, I was so hot by this point that I ran through it and it was probably the highlight of the race thus far... it's the little things, really.

Favorite Sign: 4 More Houses Until Downhill (this was about 1/2 way up the first hell hill). 

miles 4-6

Nutrition: 

- Clif Shots - Razz  mile 6 (or 6.5)
- Sport Beans at mile 8 (ish)

- Sips of water on walk breaks and Gatorade at water stops.

Mile 4 was the slowest mile I had, I realized after running through the hose that I had to stop and use the dreaded porta potty.  I lined up with 10 of my new BFFs and waited, and waited, and waited for my turn.  This was painful even though I was not trying to beat or make any sort of time in this race, I knew that the longer that I waited in that line, the harder it was going to be to get back into the race.

FINALLY, I got back to the course (after about a 10 minute stop) and was finding my groove when all of a sudden THIS HAPPENED:

I name thee OSCAR

For anyone who knows me, I am a HUGE sucker for a feline and I will stop and pet a cat (or a dog - I pet plenty of dogs during this race too) any day.  This cat was super sweet and he gave me the "where the hell are you going? I didn't say you were done petting me" face when I had to run -- thankfully I spotted him on a walk break and my watch told me that I should keep moving or I would've sat there all day.

At the end of Mile 5 for about a 2 block radius there was a wonderful fresh donut smell wafting down the block.  Anyone who has run a race with me knows that I crave donuts while I'm racing and this was absolute blissful torture. If I had had some cash, I may have stopped and ordered one... I'm kidding... sort of...

Miles 6-7 were pretty uneventful.  They were through downtown Fredricksburg and the streets were pretty quiet. There were some people in amazing costumes, my favorite was this kid:

Mile 8 was the blue mile and as usual with any race with a blue mile, I removed my headphones and ran in silence while looking at every photo of every fallen soldier featured in the first part of the mile.  The blue mile ALWAYS gets me and I always tear up thinking about the fallen, how young most of them were and the sacrifice that they (and their families) made for our country.  The second half of the blue mile is always volunteers holding flags and cheering you on, I try to high five and thank every single person holding a flag.

Headphones out, time to run in silence and contemplation

mile 9 - 13.1

Mile 9 was one of my favorite miles of the race.  I was feeling beat up and tired entering into it and at about the half mile marker I saw the (what I would later realize) Team RWB giving out bottled water.  As I grabbed a bottle of water, I told the guy handing it out that I loved him (and at that very moment, I did).  Then (my new friend) Thomas called me over and asked me if I wanted a beer (Do you think it had anything to do with the "How Far To The Bar?" headband that Rachel got me at the expo? Me neither.)... DID I EVER!! I stopped long enough to drink half a Bud Light and chat for a minute and take a selfie with Adam: 

The Team RWB crew really helped me keep going

After mile 10 came (what everyone said was) the most dreaded hill in the whole race.  This hill had been hyped up almost as much as Beat The Bridge at the Marine Corps Marathon, and just like beat the bridge at MCM, this stupid hill was not that bad... ok, so I didn't run the entire way up in, and I was prepared to run it slowly, and I can see how it would be terrible if you put forth 100% effort the whole race. I just didn't really think it was as bad as some of the other hills on the course, for example the hill in the last half mile of mile 11 was worse in my opinion, at one point I was walking up it BACKWARDS.  

FINALLY I hit mile 12 and all I wanted to do at that moment was be done running the race, shower and have brunch.  This meant a final push to the finish at my normal race pace to finish strong.  Even though I had not hit anywhere close to my race pace the entire run (and I was ok with that).  Unfortunately my body had other plans for me during Mile 12... about 1/4 mile in I had to PEE again!!! Ugh.  So I did what anyone would do... I stopped at McDonalds on the corner, ran into the bathroom with the whole restaurant staring, and begged the woman at the front of the line to let me go first because I was still in the race... I told her I was going to win (she had already finished).

After my unexpected bathroom break, I finally hit my stride for the last 3/4 of a mile and finished at a pace that I'm proud of. All of the Marines at the end were so awesome and encouraging, giving me high fives and cheering me on.  I finally crossed the finish line THIRTY MINUTES SLOWER than my first half marathon (which was a terrible - but fun- trail race that ended up being a "run when you can" type of race).  I am not going to reveal my finish time right now (I probably will for other races) because there are a lot of haters out there that may get angry to know how not seriously I was taking this race... However, I did cover the same distance as everyone else and I earned my medal just like everyone else and I am displaying it proudly as my second favorite medal (the 40th MCM medal is my favorite... that one is dope).

FINISHED!!!! (photo credit: MarathonFoto)

This cutie marine gave me my medal

Our friend and training buddy 

JEN HILL getting TWO

personal hotties escorts to the finish line. 

All in all this race was awesome.  I will be back to actually attack Hospital Hill head on in a year or so. Before I make plans that far in advance, it's time to take a few weeks of rest before JUNE 18, 2017 when I start training for the 2016 TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON... STAY TUNED. 

Have you ever just run a race to have fun?  I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments below. 

Introduction: My Running Journey Begins

Hi! Welcome to my blog!!  I'm glad that you've decided to join me for this crazy ride! A little bit about myself: 

My name is Emily, I am a Litigation Paralegal and distance runner in the DC area.  I am also a single woman trying to date in this crazy atmosphere that we call the DC dating scene while trying to juggle work, friends, marathon training and family time. This is my journey to run ALL THE RACES!

I embarked on this crazy running journey in September 2014.  My sister decided that she did not want to buy me "stuff'" for my birthday that year, she wanted to get me an "experience"... I'm positive that she did not realize that, with that purchase of a Potomac River Running training session (101/201 program, whoot whoot), she would create a total monster.  During that first 8 week session, I realized for the first time in my life that I LOVED RUNNING!! 

Let me back up here, I have to say that I was NEVER EVER EVER anything close to a runner at any point before I was 32 years old... seriously, never.  I was the kid in middle school and high school that would walk the track so slowly that the gym teacher would get irritated that I was only a half done with the mile by the time that gym class was over.  I was never athletic at all, I preferred watching TV and playing Sega Genesis while eating ungodly amounts of junk food. Yes, I played some sports when I was young but never more than a season and I never put any effort into getting any better (swimming, dance, softball, lacrosse).  I just wasn't into it and I was lazy.  This did not catch up with me until after college, I was always rail thin until my 25th birthday when it all caught up with me. 

When I embarked on that first 8 week session, I could not run a mile, at all, and I never thought that I would ever improve or get better.  At the end of the session I ran my first 5k (Potomac River Running Turkey Day 5k) and I could run it almost ALL THE WAY THROUGH (I only stopped to walk twice)!  After that I was HOOKED.

Turkey Day 5k Around Mile 3

I decided that I was going to sign up for the Potomac River Running (anyone else see a theme here) Distance Training Program (DTP) and attempt to run a half marathon the next spring.  Yes, I threw myself into running hard core; and no, I don't necessarily suggest that someone do the same.  

After another 5k and a 15k, I was ready to run the 2015 Rock n Roll DC.  Then a week before, I came down with a nasty case of Bronchitis, basically my doctor told me that I would need a miracle from God himself to be better by race day. I was not better by race day, in fact it was still rough to get out of bed and/or off the couch by race day and I was still using my inhaler like my life depended on it!  So I had to do what most runners fear (including myself) and go into race day with a DNS, It was a lesson in moving on and really visualizing the idea that there is ALWAYS another race to focus on; and that's just what I did, I set my sights on running the 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and I have to say that the race was AWESOME!!

So, funny story about this time in 2015... I was out on a run with my friend and running buddy Cristina (who also started running with Potomac River Running 101/201 at the same time as I did) after she ran RnR DC (I had convinced her to run with me and then had to bail).  As she was recapping her race day experience (think monsoon) and casually mentioned that she had signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon Lottery.  All I said was "ok", meaning that I was going to sign up too. 

On March 18, 2015 I received the greatest and most frightening email that I had ever received...

The email that changed my life

I was registered for the 40th MARINE CORPS MARATHON!!  My initial thoughts (after I almost dropped my iPhone) was: "HOLY CRAP, I haven't even been running for a year, how the heck am I going to run a MARATHON??? At that moment I knew that sh!t just got real and I was actually becoming a serious runner!"

... and so the journey began...