Crawlin Crab Highlights 2016

Crawlin Crab is my run-versary.  2 Years ago I embarked on a journey I never thought would bring me where I am today.

Two years later and I have a giant group of amazing friends, running friends, and family.  Being an ambassador for Running Etc. and being a Pacer for J&A Training Team has allowed me to be part of the Hampton Roads Community.  And our community is the best.

Crawlin Crab would be the only half I am doing this fall.  This race was also very important to me because of its meaning in my past and because of my friends. There were a lot of big moments that really reminded me why I love running.

Here's a few of the highlights..........

Karen, my tempo running partner and friend, kicked cancers ass this weekend.  About two months ago we were running and she wasn't feeling right.  She instantly went to the doctors and found out she had lymphoma (short version).  But instead of wallowing in pity, Karen decided to kick some ass. Right now she is on her 3rd round of chemo and she still decided to run a half marathon.  If you want to watch or meet someone who has handled this gracefully and positively, shes the one.  I am actually kind of scared when she comes back.

I ran because I could Sunday.  I ran for Karen. And Karen ran for herself.  And she kicked ass. Luckily, she had an awesome race partner in Kristy who supplied Orange Crushes via Christian on bike support.  You know you have a good set of friends with you when they supply Orange Crushes during a race (Am I right ELO?)

Then there is this fierce lady I know Tina Babcock.  A lot of people on our team didn't know Tina ran her first half this weekend.  Oh yeah, I forgot, she also has MS  and her speech at our Training Team's Running Reflections night was amazingly inspiring.  It was awesome watching her finish. She is one of those people who just supports everyone with positive energy and love.

I also wanted to talk about my favorite lady from Wales, Leonora.  Leonora is on her second training team with us.  She trained her ass off last winter and the season ended with her missing Shamrock because of her father's passing.  She trained for 16 weeks and didn't even get to celebrate it with her teammates or for herself.  Instead she turned it around and has worked her ass again and finally finished her first half at Crawlin Crab.  She did phenomenal too.  This was a well deserved weekend for her.  On top of all this, she found out this past year she has Lupus.  She also doesn't dwell on the bad parts but instead she decided to be an amazing example of positive energy.

Next is Allison.  She finished her first half this weekend also.  She is one of those people when you hang out with them they are just always upbeat, positive and just all around awesome.  I don't need to say too much because she just destroyed her race and is basically the most awesomist (that's a word) person ever.

Lynn Dove, my favorite neighbor.  Lynn is a good friend of Lori and I's.  She lives down her in Georgia (Pungo).  Lynn is also part of the amazing group in our community called the Running Turtles.  She and the Running Turtles represent the true meaning of what a running community is about.  They are always smiling, always fun, and always kicking ass.  Why I want to bring her up is because she was the 1775 out of 1775 finishers.  I am only posting this because she is very inspirational.  She's always positive and always a lot of fun.  I was pretty excited seeing her coming in at the finish so I actually gave her my beer.  Which was great for the finisher's photo but not for security (sorry Jerry and Amy).  She is always #1 in my book.

What about Elisabeth too.  She has trained for the 3rd time with #teamawesome and the first two times she got injured.  Crawlin Crab was basically her coming out party for races.  I couldn't of been more excited than watching her come across that finish line healthy!

Man, I can't forget Rachel.  Who Freaking ran 6 months pregnant.  She took care of herself and baby Steven James very well I might add.  But kudos to Rachel for kicking some pavement.  She has an awesome attitude while running and really inspires the rest of the team.

If I missed a highlight I am sorry.   These are just some of the stories from this weekend.  I can't even wrap my brain around them all. Honestly, there are so many that I can't even name them all.  From Rebecca Denny running with me at the finish to other teammates who held the rope the whole race for our group.  Also have to give shout outs to all the teammates who cheered us on (Thanks Boo).

And also mad props to our coaches, Ryan and Josh.  Amazing coaches and even better friends and human beings.

One race down and a few more to go.  Looking forward to Wicked, Harbor Lights and Surf and Santa.

So proud of #trainjanda and #teamawesome

PS- mad props to my #runninghoez Amy for PR-ing.

TEAMMATES

I have been thinking a lot lately about running, friends, life, and everything else.  Running is something that has (since I started) always given me happiness.  I remember the two biggest moments in my athletic career before I started running was the last games I ever played in lacrosse and football.  Too bad both were losses.  Lacrosse was the state semi-finals and football was the playoffs.  It always sucks ending with a loss.  But what was worst was trying to figure out what to consume my competitive nature and team atmosphere with.  I lost that for many years.  I was completely lost after high school.  I didn't have the competition and most importantly I didn't have the camaraderie.  The grind of two-a-days.  The pain of wins and losses.  The emotions of giving everything you have on the line with other people.  I missed that a lot. I never really found that.

Until I found running.  And not really until I found #trainjanda.  And most importantly my running partners.  You don't really figure it out until it happens.  You don't really feel the emotions and bonds of these people until that we make over training runs it just happens one day.  If it’s while you are running in First Landing State Park and your crappy past comes swarming in your head and you break down.  Or when you are hammering tempo miles repeatedly and your partner stops and breaks down.  Or when you are running with a new team member and she starts to cry and hyperventilate.  This happens and that is what makes running friends so important.  You don't know it until it just happens but these are the people who are there when you need a laugh, a cry, a hug, or just a hard damn run.

You see these emotions sometimes too rarely.  Some people don't feel it until the race day when we cheer everyone on and we bond over cold shitty weather.  But the reality is these real emotions and the bonds are what make these friendships and memories.  We talk about marriage, kids, life, death, love, friendships, bodily functions, and a whole gambit of funny stuff and sometimes real shit.  But we are always there when we need it.  

When I run, I enjoy it more with company.  The painful slog of every run is always better with a partner.

When I race, I am racing for them.  I am racing for my tempo partners, my hoez, and #teamawesome.  And I know they are all running for each other too.

Sometimes shit gets in the way of training and running.  Sometimes shit gets in the way of life.  It can be dramatic, painful, and sad.  It can be as simple as an injury.  And sometimes it can be something bigger than you can ever imagine.  

I remember when I was 20 years old, I ran a 5 member relay with my dad and his friends.  My dad’s running buddy from when he was 18 had been fighting colon cancer.  We had two teams of five running the Detroit Free Press Marathon (it was my first running medal).  I still remember the feeling I got passing my section during my first full marathon this past fall.  But the relay was awesome.  Even though my dad’s best friend couldn’t run, he was there supporting us.  Cheering us on.  I remember as a kid, watching him and my dad, after their first marathons together, in pain, hobbling around, drinking a beer.  You could tell in both their eyes what that day meant.  It was the result of many tough miles together during training and that moment will never be erased. 

Just as running was my dad’s answer to competition and friendship so has it been mine.  Without I would be lost.  Without my friends I would be completely lost.

The best part of running friends is that we will always be there for each other.  Through the easy, the hard, the unthinkable, and the unimaginable.

So sometimes you need to re-analyze your goals, pace, and life in general and just enjoy the miles together.  No matter how hard they are.

Being Thankful

This weekend I got to visit my Grandparents in South Carolina.  It was a an amazing trip filled with memories of our kids spending time with their grandparents.  I was pretty fortunate that both my kids got to meet all four of my grandparents.  But being able to spend time with them and watching my kids talk and play with them was incredible.

This trip topped off a month of visiting all the grandparents in the month before the summer ends.  Two weeks ago Tim and I headed to Pittsburgh to visit my Pap.  Lori stayed home with Avery because she had Pneumonia and a double ear infection.  But Tim and I did our best to cheer Pap alone by talking and catching up.  Selfishly, I always think about how sad it is watching my grandfathers age.  I remember a time in High School my Pap could beat me in an Arm wrestling with his left hand (I'm left handed).  Its a selfish thought because I have to remind myself how lucky I am to still have them around.  But visiting Pap was great.  Checking out his new facility during the tour gave me comfort that my cousin put him in the best facility for him at this time of his life.  Having the conversations is always what is about.  Tim knows how important my Pap is to me and he purely loves just listening to my Pap's stories just like I did and still do.  Tim always wished he got to go hunting with him at least once.  But through his stories and our memories of our own, Tim can dream out them and make new stories with me.

Visiting my grandparents in South Carolina is always fun.  Aiken, South Carolina is very different from any other place my family calls home.  But it was just nice visiting and spending time.  We got to visit my Grandpa everyday at the nursing home.  he got to watch Avery run around crazy outside.  he got to talk to Tim about baseball, girls, and school.  My grandma is the coolest.  We spent hours catching up with her.  Telling us about her weekly brewery current event meet-ups, her new room mate, her dulcimer band, and her new cat.  My grandma is basically what a hipster wants to be.  She doesn't even know it.

We got to go see my grandma's Dulcimer Band play.  It was hosted at the Aiken Visitor Center.  The center is a re-built version of the old train station in Aiken.  Upstairs it had the history of the southern rail lines that went from Augusta to Charleston.  Avery and I spent a lot of time checking out the trains.

We also got to catch up with my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dan.  They have always been wonderful hosts.  My aunt is actually the one who gave me the confidence to run a half marathon.  They both came up with my two cousins and ran the Crawlin Crab in 2014 to cheer me on.  It was two years ago on one hot morning that I ran with my aunt and she told me I should sign up for a half.  They picked a different family half marathon just to support me.  Clearly the running bug stuck with me.

Two weekends is never enough with family but I am so thankful for having such wonderful grandparents and family.  I would not be who I am without my grandparents.

Be thankful for your family.  Go visit them.  You might learn more about yourself.

Slow Ride Virginia Beach

One of my favorite things to do with my family is biking at the Oceanfront of Virginia Beach.  One of the coolest things we have in Virginia Beach is the beach.  We are pretty fortunate that our city has built and promote biking and walking facilities throughout the city.  We have the Oceanfront Boardwalk and bike lanes, trolley lanes, miles of multi-use paths and soft surface trails in many of our great state and national parks.

But the one thing we don't have is a community outlet for average bikers.  Yes, we do have a ton of spandex riding groups who ride from Fat Frogs and Conte's but we don't have an outlet for the average biker.  The average biker isn't road biking fifty miles.  The average biker is taking their kids to the park, for ice cream, or just for a nice ride at the oceanfront.  The average biker is a me, my wife and kids.

As an "active" transportation planner of seven years (Bike and Pedestrian Planning) I have learned that there really isn't any push by the average biker.  For instance I work for the City of Chesapeake.  Our Bike Month events were either Road Bike events or school bike rodeos.  In Virginia Beach they had Bike to Work events, Road Bike events but nothing really for the average person.  The City of Norfolk had several events and have had great success with their events.  But how can I change this?  Do I plea to the City Council of my employer or the city I live in?  Do I go to every bike store and plea for the average biker?  I don't know. Until now.......

After I moved away from Detroit, I watched something happen that was pretty cool.  It was called Slow Roll Detroit.  It is basically the idea I am looking for.  It is a community based bike event that is free, fun, and slow.  Anyone with a bike can show up and ride.   I would watch Slow Roll Detroit grow via Social Media and it was beautiful.  Seeing thousands of citizens coming together riding through places that some would seem dangerous or unsafe and at the same time promote a healthy lifestyle and community engagement.  With numbers comes safety.  So the more you have the safer it is.  A vehicle is more likely to yield in the face of multiple bikes versus a single bike.

I was sad Slow Roll Detroit starting only after I left Michigan.  before I lost weight, I never thought I would enjoy biking as much as I do now.  But now my family probably bikes 3-4 times a week when its nice out.  Even if its a short ride around the block.

So because I can't attend Slow Roll Detroit, I decided I needed to find something similar.  I looked and looked and looked.  Nothing came up.  So I decided I should try to start something.  Why not, right?

So I contacted my social media little sister, The Fit Petite, and we texted back and forth and she loved the idea.  It was simple.  Pick a start and end point, pick a watering hole, and post it on social media.

So I did and out of that came Slow Ride Virginia Beach.  Our first ride will be June 27 starting from the Virginia Beach Convention Center and end at Back Bay Brewing Co.  We will ride off at 6:45 and ride about 7 miles.  It will be a safe and slow pace so all can participate.

At first I was scared to do it but I would regret it if I didn't try.  Worst case scenario, a few of my friends show up, we go for a ride and have a few beers after.  best case, I start a revolution.  Hopefully a revolution of promoting bike safety, healthy lifestyles and local businesses.

So come join me on June 27.

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