Tag: Route 66 Marathon

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Runner Like You – Run Tulsa – Jessica Mace

by Run Oklahoma July 6, 2016 No Comments

People run for all sorts of reasons. Beyond the health benefits and weight loss advantages, it’s not uncommon for mothers with young children to use running as  a way to get a bit of “me time”. Running provides a break from the trials of parenting and offers a way to get that much needed stress relief and maintain mental well being. But there are so many things to consider when starting to run again after child birth. When is your body ready? What to do with the sweet bundle of joy while you run? How to balance it all?

Tulsa runner, Jessica Mace, gave birth to her youngest son earlier this year and has made it back to running after a few hiccups along the way. She is a half marathoner, a wife, a blogger, and streak-er. But more importantly, she was willing to answer a few questions about her experience of running while pregnant and getting back to racing after baby. Thanks, Jessica, for sharing your experiences with Run Oklahoma.

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your running history.

A. After I had my oldest kid 11 yrs ago, I couldn’t run a block without stopping to walk.  Some gals at work were doing the Jingle Bell Run in 2006 and they convinced me to sign up.  I ran it without training in just under 39 minutes and then couldn’t walk properly for a few days…but I was hooked!  I ran my first half marathon in 2013 and have since done 6 halves, 4 15ks, and countless 5ks.

 

Q. You were a runner before pregnancy and continued to run during pregnancy. How did running change for you while pregnant?

A. Oh man, it was different!  Before I got pregnant, I had just gotten to where I could comfortably run 8 min miles.  I became pregnant in the summer and I was nervous that the heat would harm the baby, so I toned it waaaay back.  I did 3 5ks, a 2 hr trail run, and the Quarter Marathon with no problems.  But, after the Tulsa Run 15k, I started having a lot of contractions.  They went away with some rest and water, but my doctor and I decided that it would be best if I stop running.  I ugly cried the entire way home from the doctor that day!  I continued walking and completed the Route 66 5k.  Then I took it easy, just walking a mile or two a few times a week, until baby arrived in Feb.

 

Q. Now you have a sweet, new baby at home; it’s been a hot summer so far; and you even had a few health issues including a broken arm several weeks ago. What has been the hardest part of returning to running?

A. Motivation and stamina!  I decided to start back with a C25k program, so as not to overdo it.  Like you said, I fell and broke my arm the first time I ran postpartum, so that made getting out there even harder!  It’s definitely hard to get out there when baby keeps me up at night, and it’s even harder when the heat index is 116°!  Making plans to run with friends and siblings gets me out there when I feel like staying inside. We’ve been going out to run early and, thankfully, I have a treadmill when it’s too hot for baby.  With the C25k app, I’m up to running 28 minutes without stopping.  I’m not trying to increase my speed yet, I’m just trying to build up my stamina! 

 

Q. What’s been your biggest motivation to begin running again?

A. Running is good for my mental health! Even when I’m pushing a 25lb stroller with a 15lb baby, it’s just so freeing to get out there and run.
I think it’s so important to set a good example for your kids. I like my boys seeing that mom isn’t going to give up. I like it even more when they come with me!
Also, fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes, for sure. My husband would appreciate if I didn’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe!

 


Q. If you had to give advice on running to other women who are pregnant or just had a baby, what would be the key things you would suggest they consider?

A. Listen to your doctor and your body. After the contractions at the Tulsa Run, I was still determined to run the Route 66 half, but I had contractions every time I ran, even when I would go very slow. So, I went to the race and watched my friends and family run instead of running it myself.
Many women can run distances during pregnancy with no problems. It’s important to know your body and to listen when baby says to slow it down!

 

Q. Do you have any upcoming goal races?

A. I’ll be running the Firecracker 5k on July 4 with my family and the Bedlam 10k on July 30. I plan to run the Tulsa Triple (the Quarter Marathon, the Tulsa Run 15k, and the Route 66 half). Say hi if you see me!

 

Lightning Round

  • Favorite way to run right now, with or without a baby stroller?      Without!  That thing is HEAVY!
  • Favorite Tulsa area race?      The Tulsa Run and the Route 66.  It’s always fun to cross the finish line with a crowd cheering you on!
  • Favorite after run treat? food or nap?      Post race banana and then a shower!
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Funny Things #HeardonRT66 and a New Personal Record

by Run Oklahoma November 23, 2015 4 Comments

I remember my first half marathon. I ran it in 2009 as a challenge to myself to see if I could do it. I didn’t have kids at the time and I don’t know what in the heck I was doing with my free time but I didn’t stick to my training plan or cross training and ended up with multiple injuries. I hobbled my way through that race and loathed the entire experience. I checked it off my bucket list and didn’t really think about running another half marathon until this year.

2015 started with me making a promise to myself to get my physical and emotional health back on track. After two kids and a serious bout of postpartum depression, I still felt like a stranger in my own body. I didn’t recognize the spare tire around my mushy mid section and was riddled with anxiety. In January, I decided to get in shape. Like, really get in shape. So I decided to sign up for the Route 66 Half Marathon. I would give myself plenty of time to train and incorporate strength training and cross training to be sure to prevent injuries this time. Eleven months later, I found myself at the start line of the Route 66 Half Marathon feeling mentally and physically healthy, strong, and injury free.

IMG_5113
Photo Cred: Rt 66

This was the first time I had ever run the Route 66 Half Marathon and I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been warned about the hills and I’m glad I was. I had prepared and trained for them. I repeated my mantra for 90% of the race. “Your quads were made for hills. Your strong legs can handle these hills.” And luckily, the hills made the course more interesting. It was more like an interval run rather than a flat, pounding tempo run. The only time the hills were a problem was at mile 12 when my legs were shredded, my knee was aching, and my feet were cramped up (I think I tied my shoelaces too tight and didn’t know it cause my feet were frozen at the start line).

Photo Cred: RT 66

I had effectively trained for the hills. However, I wasn’t prepared for the ruckus of this particular race. There was crowd support basically the entire course. And I don’t mean just clapping and cowbells. I mean beer flinging, jello-shot having, loud music blaring dance parties along the course. There were live bands at some locations, cheerleaders at others. The city of Tulsa was seemingly completely taken over by this race, its participants, and its supporters.
So I disconnected. I took my earphones out, and put my phone away. I didn’t listen to any music. I didn’t have the voice of the Strava lady telling me my pace and distance. I didn’t need any of that. I wasn’t pushing for a pace. I was running by how I felt and enjoying the fun along the course; talking to other runners, high-fiving supporters. It was exactly what I needed. On that race, I was just running for the fun of it. Celebrating the reasons I signed up for the race in the first place; to be happy and healthy. And I couldn’t believe it. I crossed the finish line and had a new personal record. I had beat my test run half marathon time earlier this year by about 20 seconds. 

Because I didn’t have my headphones in, I eaves dropped on many conversations. Some of the conversations were mundane, some sad, some funny, some disgusting (there is no shame about bodily functions for runners). Here are a few of the gems I heard along the course.

“What do you think the dog is doing right now? He’s either sleeping or licking himself.”
I hope the dog was sleeping but as luck would have it he was probably licking himself.

“Hey handsome! You’re cute! Can I run with you for a little while?”
Who knew picking up a date during a race could be so easy.

“Why? Why do I do this to myself. Never again. Never again.”
Okay, this quote was from me at mile 8 and 9. It never fails. Mile 8 is where I break down. It’s my kryptonite.

“You know that porta-potty back there? Somebody pooped all over the floor.”
This guy kept talking but I couldn’t really hear him and I was too busy looking for poop on the bottom of his shoes.

Have you heard any funny, crazy, surprising things on the race course before?

Wow, what a difference from my first half marathon several years ago. I had so much fun at the Route 66 Half Marathon and am ready to sign up for next year. But that’s an entire year away and I’ve got the bug. I’m fully addicted to this half marathon thing. So what’s next? Maybe Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Dallas?

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HITS Running Festival Recap – OKC

by Run Oklahoma October 20, 2015 1 Comment

It’s been six long years since my last half marathon. That race was quite a humbling experience filled with IT Band issues and foot injuries. I was new to long distance running and thought the only training I needed to do was to run and still ate whatever I wanted. Since then I have moved to a different state, changed jobs, had four surgeries, and two kids. My biggest take away from my first half marathon and subsequent life changes is that taking good care of myself goes a long way in my training. So over the past few months, in addition to my runs I incorporated clean eating principles and strength training using The 21 Day Fix. The half marathon I ran this weekend was so vastly different than my last. I wasn’t plagued with injuries, I felt strong, and had a bond with the local running community. This was also my first race in my Oiselle singlet. It felt amazing getting to rock that thing, FINALLY! Considering I got a PR, this race gave me loads of confidence to continue training and striving towards my fitness and running goals.

This past weekend I ran in the HITS Running Festival in downtown Oklahoma City. I was hemming and hawing for months about whether or not to sign up. So the day before the scheduled event, I had the brilliant idea that it could serve as a good dress rehearsal for the upcoming Route 66 Half Marathon and decided to go ahead and sign up. Ultimately, I’m so glad I did. I have so many positives comments on this race.

  • Field Size – The number of runners was drastically lower than events like OKC Memorial or Route 66. So the start line wasn’t crowded. I was able to arrive 30 minutes before the start, get a nearby parking spot, and had plenty of room to warm up. 
  • A Distance for Everyone – They really offered every distance from Marathon to 10K to 1 mile fun runs. I saw a lot of groups and families (mine included) with members each participating in races of various distances. Families could watch and cheer each other on throughout the morning because each race had a staggered star time. For example, the half started at 7am and I was done in time to see my husband start his 5K race at 10am.
  • The Course – Each race followed a flat and fast course along the manicured River Trails of the Oklahoma River. The flat course was appreciated. Also, not having to fight cars and traffic was great as well.
  • Refreshment on the Course – Each water aid table along the course was stocked full of water, gatorade, oranges, bananas, and mini candy bars. A varied and delicious selection.
  • Ballpark – Each race FINISHED inside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. This was sooo much fun. It made it nice for spectators because they could lounge in the stands and watch for friends and family to enter the stadium and cross the finish line. For the runners, you can feel like a super star athlete when seeng yourself on the jumbotron in the stadium and the soft and well manicured track feels so good on tired feet at the end of a long race. 
  • Treats After the Race – Lots and lots of donuts, bananas, oranges, grapes, bagels, coffee, and more. Super good snacks. I had a great time just snacking on treats and hanging in the stadium while waiting for friends and family to race.

Every race has some downsides and this one had only a few.

  • Smell – holy smokes y’all. You may be running on a well manicured path along the river but when you run by the stockyards the smell gets pretty rancid. It was a cool, windy morning and the smell was still pretty bad. And because it’s an out and back loop race you have to hit that smell a second time on your way back. phew!
  • Confusion at Starting Line – When you were finishing your race you basically crossed back over where the starting line to get into the stadium to finish your race. This was confusing for some marathon and half marathon runners finishing their race while the 5K, 10K, and mile racers were starting their races.
  • Not Enough Finisher Medals – They had many runners register last minute (like me) and therefore didn’t have enough finisher medals for everyone. It’s a bummer but it happens. They are ordering more and will be mailing them out to folks though.

In speaking with several other runners from the event, there seemed to be a consensus between our opinion of the race and how it was organized. Ultimately, it was a great race that was executed well. I would run this race again and encourage others to check it out next fall.

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Run Less Run Faster – Book Review

by Run Oklahoma August 3, 2015 No Comments

School is about to start and cooler temperatures are just around the corner. Those anticipated cooler temps make great weather for marathon and half marathon training.

The last half marathon I ran was about six years ago. When I was training for that particular race I suffered a few injuries and was afraid I would never be able to run more than a mile without pain again. Part of the reason for my injury was running too much and running without a plan. I didn’t know anything about tempo runs or interval training. I just ran as long as I could and as often as I could.

Over the past few years I’ve been reading much more about training plans and focusing on different cross training exercises. I’ve personally seen a substantial benefit to my running by building a better cardiovascular base with cross training such as cycling, rowing, and swimming.

RLRF 2012 webHowever, the book that has been the most influential to my running and the one I will be using to train for the Route 66 Half Marathon is Run Less Run Faster from Runner’s World. The initial chapters of the book provide a base knowledge of their recommended 3-run-a-week training program. The rest of the book includes training programs for many distances (5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, and Marathon) as well as a Boston qualifier plan. The book also includes recommended stretches and strength training.

Books about running and training plans themselves will always have supporters and naysayers. It seems that everywhere you turn there is an expert ready to oppose one plan because they have the “best” or “right” training plan. However, as an amateur runner, my humble opinion is that sometimes you have to do the best with what you have. Furthermore, a training plan is just that. A plan. Ultimately, I will listen to my body while training for my next half marathon but will use this book for a guideline to prepare myself for that race.

rlrf2The benefits for me, with regards to this book, are that it’s easy to understand (full disclosure, I didn’t understand interval runs such as “12 x 400 with 400 RI” until I read this book) and even easier to follow. The 3-run-a -week offers plenty of flexibility for me to not overload my demanding work and family schedule.

Are you planning to run a fall marathon or half marathon? Which training plan are you using?