Race Recap: Shamrock Weekend 2016

I don't even know where to start with this epic weekend.  It was the first of many amazing things. First year the whole family ran a race including the 8k and Leprechaun Dash on Saturday and myself running the Marathon on Sunday.  I couldn't be more happy with the outcomes with PRs for the whole family.

First and foremost though I need to thank a few people.  I can't say anything without thinking about thanking Jerry and Amy Frostick aka J&A.  They are probably two of the most epic people I have ever met.  You know when you start in the Shamrock Marathon and #shamrockbob announces your name is pretty awesome, so thank you Bob.  Ryan Conrad, thank you for being an amazing friend, amazing coach, and amazing leader.  Josh Wade, you are an inspiration and many thanks for all that you do.  Rob Hunter, thank you for everything you do.  And last but not least, there are not enough thank yous that can go around to my wife, Lori, and our kids.  There are a lot of things I give up and they give up for me to train and also be a pacer.

So now onto the races.

So Saturday started with the 8k running with the family.  I pushed Avery and we had a blast.  We also ran with Becky and Steve Wyatt.  Sometimes as you train hard and race you forget about the fun moments.  It was a lot of fun to be able to run with Lori and Tim on their first Shamrock race.  They were there when I did my first Shamrock 8k two years ago.  I don't get to run a lot with Lori because I am either training or pacing the training team.  The best part was that Lori PRed her race by several minutes.

After the 8k we had a few minutes to get ready for the Leprechaun Dash.  It was pretty hectic.  It was so crazy I forgot to put Avery's bib on her and had to run back to the tent to get it and put it on her right before.  Then because of all the chaos we didn't get a good picture of Avery running.  She was pretty quick though.  I think she was the fastest in the first corral if it was time.  Just saying.  But the fun part was that all the training team members got #teamnugget shirts for our kids.  Avery loved it and it was adorable.  Who doesn't love watching an almost 2 year old getting a medal and a bib with her name?  It just shows how important family is to Shamrock Weekend and J&A Racing.

So here goes the Marathon part. Two years ago I was scared to run the 8k and here's me going for a 3:30 Marathon.  Who goes from a 12 minute pace to a 3:30 Marathon in two years?  Building up to this marathon I had everything lined up.  I know 18 minutes was a big gap for my goal but I knew I had it in me.  The week leading up to the race was pretty stressful.  The weather changed everyday.  As a pacer for so many, I wear my heart on my sleeves and this being the first race I was finishing in front of them was a lot of pressure.  I didn't want to let anyone down.  I didn't want to let Ryan down, the training team, my pace group or my wife.  I know I shouldn't feel this way but I always carry my team and friends on my shoulders.

So the weather sucked.  Let's just put that out there.  It wasn't fun for anyone.  Not the half or full was any fun.  During the marathon we had 30 mph winds in our face for most of the course from mile 8 to 18 and then right on you in Fort Story.  But weather is always there good or bad.  You just need to be prepared.

I started out with the 3:35 pace group.  It was pretty large and they stuck together most the race.  I stayed with the, into the first 10k then left them to get to my pace.  The only thing I would regret is not staying with them because it probably would've been easier in the wind through the middle quarters.  I felt strong.  The first 6 miles was with the wind in your back.  It was pretty awesome hearing my name from #shamrockbob.  I fueled like I trained and everything went well.  As we went out of on my own I was with a small group.  We got back on General Booth and crossed our final bridge.  A few of us traded blocking the wind onto the boardwalk.  It worked out well until me and this little lady were the only ones taking the lead.  The other runners just used us as blockers.

During this part, either the runners were getting faster or slower.  It was pretty frustrating going on the boardwalk and back onto Pacific.  We basically had the wind in our faces at 30 mph the whole time.  I stayed on pace until mile 20ish.  By this time we were getting into Fort Story and it didn't fail to show us how tough the environment is through there.  Fort Story is the toughest section of the half and full at Shamrock.  But on this race day, the wind was right on you.  It literally was pushing you sideways or in your face the whole time.  A lot of runners were either slowing down or walking for small parts.  I decided to slow my pace down and stop fighting the wind.  What would 30 seconds slower for a few miles do anyways.  But around mile 21 I cramped up instantly.  So I decided to stop and stretch my hamstrings.  My right leg had nothing left but I knew I needed to keep pushing.

At this point I was freaking out internally.  I was thinking I was going to crash like I did after I finished Detroit.  I was also freaking out because everyone was waiting for me and expecting me to finish at 3:30.  As I headed out from Fort Story and reminded myself that I got this, I have been through worse and I can do this.  From this point on it was a fight of me versus me.  I stopped and stretched basically every mile.  But when I got back on Shore Drive I remember seeing some of my teammates heading North.  I was hurting so bad but seeing them motivated me.  I remember seeing Sarah and reminded myself I got two miles and she has over 10.  It was what I needed to keep moving.  I wasn't going to quit.  I wasn't going to let the bad wolf win.  I wasn't going to let the weather beat me.  I was going to win.  As I got closer to the boardwalk, I saw one of my teammates Shannon cheering.  She ran with me and put a smile on my face.  As I ran onto the boardwalk I started to go through an emotional hurricane.  I could see King Neptune and I knew my team was waiting there for me.  I was so pissed because I couldn't kick up the speed.  I tried to pick up my pace but my hamstring wouldn't do it.  So I just stuck it out.

As I finished I could first see my teammates on the left, my family on the right and my coach right there at the finish.  I barely made it across the line and basically fell into Rob and Ryan.  I was cramping badly and they walked me to the fence.  My wife Lori yelled, I love you.  I told her that back.  At this point I was so emotional.  I stretched and finally got to give my wife and kids a hug.  Ryan wanted me to go to the medic tent and I told him, NO.  I was going to enjoy this one with my teammates.  And right there, Elizabeth, one of the ladies I paced who got injured finally put my medal on me.  It was an honor to have her do that.  And across the other side was my pace group and teammates waiting for me.  There isn't a feeling that I can describe that was like seeing the people you pace each and every weekend there to cheer you on.  I gave them a huge hug and I probably cried (I deny it).

There are some photos that perfectly show the emotions of the race and I got one that was perfect.  I might not of hit my 3:30 but even in my blog when I announced it, I said I would be happy with anything in the 3:30s.  And that I did.  3:39:21.  I PRed by 9 minutes and crushed my goals no matter what.  Jerry Frostick said it best, it's not always about PRs.  It's about moments, it's about people, it's about everything that surrounds you.

I did learn a few things out there this weekend.  I learned that no matter what, running a marathon is epic.   Doesn't matter your time.  I also learned that sometimes the weather is something that you can't plan for.  My legs gave me all they could.  I think they just got exhausted fighting the winds all morning.  But I don't have any regrets.  I gave it my best.  3 years ago I was 330 pounds (probably 339 at some point) and yesterday I ran a marathon in 3:39.  So I am changing my official goal to #339for339.  I am pretty happy with that.

The best part is I got to party and celebrate with my friends, family and teammates.  Shamrock weekend wasn't about me.  It was about everyone that is around me.  My wife PRed, My kids PRed.  #teamawesome all had amazing races.  And at the end of the day everyone on our team had smiles on our faces.

Shamrock: A Family Tradition

So in January 2014 I decided that I was going to attempt to run again.  As I was losing weight I knew I needed to start working out.  I would go to the gym, do some weights, the elliptical, and whatever.  But I knew I needed to do something much harder.  When I was younger, I ran with my dad a few races, nothing big.  I think the most I ran was a 5 mile part of a relay for the Detroit Free Press Marathon.

I knew March was coming and one of my favorite runs I ever did was the Corktown 5k in Detroit, which celebrates St. Patrick's Day.  I liked it because they gave you beer.  Simplistic, I know.  But it sold me.  So the next thing I did was Google, St. Patrick's Day races, and magically J&A Racing Shamrock weekend came up.  I kept looking and looking and I was really hoping for a 5k.

Needless to say, they did not.  I kept going back and forth with Lori and decided to sign up.  I got one 4 mile run I think before the race.

On race day I was scared, Lori (7 months pregnant and Tim) came with me that morning.  I didn't know what i was doing.  I didn't know anything about J&A.  I just knew the expo was awesome and ginormous.  Tim loved it because of the free smoothies from McDs.

Off I went.  I think I was in corral 13.  I joked then that I was the caboose of the race. I was running with old shoes that were completely the wrong type.  I wore baggy shorts and a cotton t-shirt on race day (I think it was actually the race shirt).  I also rocked my run with my phone in my pocket to listen to jams.  I didn't have a care in the world.  I was just running.  It was incredible too.  I remember after I hit Mile 4 and I had an epiphone that I had just gone the furthest I ever had.  I remember finishing and I was so excited.  The best part I was excited because I ran a 12:18 pace.

But that day started me on the path I have been on since.  After I ran that race, I decided that I could run a half marathon.  So I did the Crawlin Crab Half that fall.

And magically I was asked by my now buddy Ryan to become a Pacer for the J&A Training Team via Running Etc. Ambassador Randy.  I remember my first day as a pacer.  I didn't really know what I was doing.  I was pacing people who have ran way more than me, were stronger than me and just straight up intimidating.  I remember Denise scaring me with her MCM jacket with at the time felt like 40 MCM patches for every year she ran the race. I was so scared and intimidated.  But during the training, I learned my teammates and felt more comfortable.  I learned what they needed from me as a pacer.  That was consistency and friendship.

Shamrock 2015 was amazing.  I was lucky enough to catch up to Carla during the race.  We ran basically the whole second half together.  I remember at one time she was like you can leave my side.  I was like no way.  I was already going to PR my half time by a lot.  Which I did. But the best part about Shamrock was the Camaraderie on race day.  it truly transformed myself and I think the team. People became friends who at the time were just teammates.  Instead, there was a bond there that sealed.  The glue was in place during all those tough runs.  But race day solidified it.

And so after Shamrock a core group of people hung out each saturday and ran.  I got caught up with this crazy group of people that we now call ourselves #deezrunninghoez.  And through the summer into the Fall training we built a great bold among the runners.  As I have talked about in past posts, Harbor Lights was a success.

And then it came time to start Shamrock 2016.  The training team was basically double from the year before.  Each weekend we had so many people that we actually had parking problems at Murphy's.  But the coolest part about 2016 is that my family is doing Shamrock too.  Lori and Tim are both running their first 8k and Avery is going to do the Leprechaun Dash.

The greatest part about this all is that not just my family but many families have involved their kids and spouses.  So much that we have actually had #teamnugget #trainjanda t-shirts made up for the kiddos.  It makes me happy that we have that energy around us.  It makes me happy the whole team does.

So as the Shamrock tradition continues in my family I hope it grows stronger.  Without J&A I wouldn't have this.  I wouldn't have a weekend to remind me where I am compared to where I was.  Some people on the training team don't even know I was 330 pounds 3 years ago.  Some people don't believe me that I used to run 12 minute miles.  But Shamrock is that weekend for me.  My first one Avery wasn't even born and now she is running an event.

I couldn't ask for more.  I am fortunate to find a group of people passionate about healthy lifestyles.

As I reflect on Shamrock and go for my #330for330 I need to remember where I was and where I want to be.  And remember how much my family has truly grown.

Donate to the Access College Foundation = SHAVING THE #SPEEDSTACHE

So I have decided that I am going to help a friend fundraise for a good cause.  

By doing this, I am doing two things: 1. Making my wife happy and 2. helping raise funds for a good cause.  

If you don't know Megan Overbey, you should. She is an amazing person and not only is fundraising for this good cause but also works for it. She is raising funds for the Access College Foundation which helps students with all the costs getting into college and what not. It is also one of the official charities for J&A Racing's Shamrock Weekend.

So back to the #1 reason I am doing this. So last weekend, while running a friend asked, "when are you going to shave that hideous thing?" and I responded, "What thing". She said, "your creeper stache". As I thought about, I said hey, if people really want me to shave it, how about I ask people to donate some money to a good cause and they can help me shave it after the race on Shamrock Weekend. And by doing this, my wife, Lori, will be thrilled it's gone.

So here is the deal. You donate any amount you want to this great cause via this link: Megan's Access Fundraiser and you get to help shave my #speedstache or watch on March 20, 2016 (after I finish my marathon). Your choice. My goal is to help her raise at least an extra $100. I would like more but anything helps her program.  

Just think, you can help raise money to help get kids off to college and also make my house a happy place in one swipe of the card.

So Please, think about helping and no more #speedstache.

Thank you,

Steve

If Your Dreams Don't Scare You They Aren't Big Enough

This weekend the J&A Training Team finished our last cycle and we all completed our biggest runs of the season.  For some it was their biggest ever.  For others, it was the final long run of some grueling weeks.  For me, it was the final push of hard work that started last summer in August.

Most of #teamawesome decided to push themselves to their limits Saturday.  Most of the returning crew did their longest runs ever of 14 Miles.  For the newbies, they still killed their first 12 Milers.  And for the 8kers, they did awesome running the course.  Thinking about this just made me proud.  After doing two marathon training cycles back to back sometimes makes me forget how many miles 14 miles really is.  But thinking about it makes me so proud of them.  To think they decided to push their bodies a mile further than the toughest thing they have ever done is incredible.  This is going to be very helpful come race day when they can tell themselves, "It's only a half".  it was a tough day for most of them because one of their teammates, Elizabeth, got injured the week before and they dedicated the run to her.  She was an integral part of #teamawesome and her positivity shines through everyday.  The best part of Saturday was knowing as I held the rear of the group, the front pack waiting for two of their partners to finish.  As a pacer and leader of the team, I know I have done my job right by seeing this.

I always tell people being a pacer is an awesome job.  I get to watch and feel the emotions of what it's like each and every week a new runner hitting a new goal.  It rejuvenates me.  It motivates me on my own runs to realize how special running really is.  What my team doesn't know is how thankful I am for them.  I really can't wait to finish my race so that I can find out how they all did.

One of the quotes that our chalk master, Josh Wade, put down this weekend goes as follows: "If Your Dreams Don't Scare You They Aren't Big Enough".  Well, my dreams do scare me.  Running a marathon is like walking a thin line of epic proportions.  It's a big ugly scary monster that everyone has to respect.  Once you run one you understand this.  Until that happens there isn't any advice that can explain that feeling when you are running your last few miles of a marathon.  It is pure grit, strength and mental toughness.

Even though I have had an epic training cycle and really can't complain about my runs. I am still scared.  I am scared of pushing myself.  I am scared I might fail.  I am scared I might let my team, friends, and family down.  I am scared I am not good enough.  But as I read that quote on Saturday, I am glad I am scared.  Because as #thefitpetite said to me last week, "nervous means you care".  And I do care.  Everything I do in my life I have to be passionate about to do it.

No matter what happens Shamrock Weekend, my goal is 3:30.

But my bigger goal is to hear about how my #teamawesome succeeded.  Some it will be their first half marathons, first Shamrock weekend, first 8k, or even a challenge.

16 for 2016

Since my buddy Ryan came up with this idea of 16 Goals in 2016 and I thought it was a great idea, I decided to follow the trend.  Even though it is February already, I thought it was still early enough in 2016 to set out my goals.  But I needed sometime to think about it.

So here is my 16 for 2016:

1. PR Marathon: As stated my last post for Shamrock.  I am going big with a 3:30ish goal.  My training is going well and hopefully everything will align perfectly on race day.
2. Run with my wife for her first Shamrock 8K.  This is easy and probably my favorite.  
3. Help all of #teamawesome kick ass during Shamrock Weekend.  If I see smiles, tears of joy, and laughter from my team I will be pretty stoked.
4. Be a better Father.  This one is tough.  Being a Dad is the toughest but most gratifying job you can ever have.
5. Be a better Husband.  I can't be a better Dad without my wife so I better be work on this too.
6. Get rid of debt.  Most of my friends know Lori and I are on a tough budget for long term success.  Our goal is no debt except mortgage, student loans and car payments in a few years.  
7. Succeed on Weight Watchers.  Weight Watchers has helped me so far and it will in the future.  But working hard at it is important.
8. Spend more time in the woods.  I need to spend more time hunting, fishing, and just doing anything outdoors.  The world around us is such a beautiful place.
9. Go Camping.  some of my fondest memories are camping with my family.  
10. Take Lori and Avery up to camp for the first time.  It's my favorite place in the world.  
11. Put in new water softener in house.  Ugh.  The only problem in Pungo is water.  And we need a new Water softener system.
12. Take time for Just Lori and I.
13. Visit my grandparents.
14. See my brother.
15. See more movies in the Theatre.  
16. Enjoy life.  Don't let time slip by and regret.  Life is too beautiful to take it for granted and always be serious.

From 330 to 3:30

After my first marathon this fall I was kind of in shock. What do you do after you kill your first marathon?  Do you push harder or be content?  Some people would die for a 3:48.  Some people just dream of breaking 5 hours or 4 hours.  For a few weeks I didn't know what to do or say.  I remember when I ran my first half over a year ago and I was so happy for a 2:21.  I remember saying to myself, "if I run a marathon my goal is 5 hours".

Then I remember in April of last year I asked to run with these crazy marathoners who I just met.  We met up that Saturday and we ran 12 miles at 8:47 pace.  Amy and Kim laughed when we finished and saw our time.  I was shocked.  From that point forward I ran with this crew every weekend.  Then came my training for my first full.

Each week I kept getting stronger and stronger.  I remember my first 20 miler on vacation in South Carolina running an average pace of 8:45.  Then came my second 20 miler before my race I killed my run and had an average pace of 8:37.  But running with my friends kept making me stronger and stronger.  Sometimes when you run in a group the miles are shorter the temps or cooler or hotter and the time is shorter.  Not only was I lucky enough to find the J&A training team but I was also lucky to find a group of friends to grind with when the runs are tough.

Last Sunday, I had to do a long run by myself while all my teammates got their runs in on Saturday.  I was lucky enough to be able to run with one of my friends and teammates, Ashley.  Not only did I have a killer partner, she killed the run.  Even though it was a bit slower than my training pace, running with someone for 18 miles in cold and wind is way better than running by yourself.  You can't buy company on a run.  You can't buy good teammates or friends.

This morning I had my first 20 miler scheduled.  Not only did I kill it but I felt strong.  I felt like I could do a marathon right then.  My last 11 miles were averaged under 8 minutes.  In the back of my head I keep thinking what should be my next goal.  Should I go big or go home?  So today I decided I would announce my goal.  Sometimes you need to write it down.

So my goal is 3:30ish.

I said it.  There it is.  That is my ultimate goal.  And the reason this number is so important is because when I started my weightloss journey I weighed 330 pounds.

As with any race I will be content just finishing and feeling good.  And if I just squeak past my first marathon time I will be happy with that.  But I have a goal.  And I know I can do it.  I put in the work.  And if I have the perfect day, perfect run and everything works out then I will nail it.

So Bring it Shamrock.

Thankful for Life

This week was such a crazy week.  Between a crazy deadline at work, running, and oh, this thing called a teenager and 20 month old, it's been a fairly busy week.   Add in a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery and Lori's work schedule, we have had fun.

But today on my run with the Ryan Conrad, I was thinking about how thankful I am for all the things I have in my life.

Tuesday at the Memorial Service it was a bitter sweet day.  Lori and I took Avery with us because we know my Grandma Joanne would love to see her again.  Avery got to also spend some more time with her Great Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dan.  Uncle Dan was very thoughtful and got Avery a plate full of whip cream.  It was also a sad day because we finally laid my Aunt Linda to rest.  But rest assured, she will be where she belongs.  With all the other great men and women who have served our country.  Watching a service at Arlington is very different than any other service I have been to.  It is a very beautiful site.  I am very thankful to have such wonderful family like my Aunts, Uncles and my grandparents.

Thursday and Saturday was filled with great memories with #trainjanda.  Thursday, Lori ran with her running partner, Becky.  These two keep each other going when they want to quit or cut it short.  Saturday was a wonderful morning.  So many people had new accomplishments.  Lori and Becky ran their farthest run together and finally got to the water stop.  Stephanie, Bianca, and many others ran their longest runs ever.  Dennis, a 65 year old navy vet ran the farthest he ever has, most of #teamawesome including Julie, Debbie, Jackie, White Keisha, Elizabeth and Ashlee all killed their run and had dominant negative splits.  Watching my team grow is what I love about pacing.  Watching them do what they think is impossible makes my job so easy.  All this is what I am thankful for.  It motivates me.  It makes me happy.  I couldn't be more proud of being part of watching this team grow.

I am also so thankful for my wife.  She puts up with me.  She loves me for me.  And she supports me.  I can go on and on about things I don't have but I would rather talk about the things I do. I never thought seven years ago I would have a home to call home, a loving wife, a family and two wonderful kids.  All the things I have in my life are amazing.  I have amazing in laws and my family is amazing too.

Today I ran the best run I had in a while mentally.  I had some really great conversations with Ryan.  Sometimes all you need is a beautiful 65 degree day in January at the beach and a good buddy to run with. It refreshed my training. So Thanks Ryan.