It's a long way, but I'm comin' home...

You learn to run, you learn to race through life, this unforgiving pace
These lines we’re tracing to the truth
And, stepping over endless cracks, I navigate these crooked paths
But all my roads lead back to you… 

(Casting Lines by Jacks Mannequin)

These were the lyrics that popped on my iPod as I trudged up the hardest part of my hilly run, this morning.  As it came on, I remembered hearing it in my last mile of the marathon, last weekend, and I remembered the irony of being in my home town of St. Louis looking forward to seeing my mom and my brother within minutes. 

In another 3 weeks it will have been 14 years since my dad passed.  A lot has happened since he passed away – marriage, divorce and 5 marathons.   Ron asked me on our flight out to STL why I spoke of my mom all the time, but never mentioned my dad.  It was odd; at 38 I guess most of my friends still have both of their parents.  Yet, I haven’t had a full set of parents for over a decade – and I was sad to realize that (I guess) my dad doesn’t come up much when I talk to friends, anymore. 

My dad was my running inspiration for a lot of years.  I first started running when I lived in New York City shortly after my dad had passed – it was a great outlet.  I’ve always said “it’s tough to cry when you run.”  There are simply too many endorphins and, of course, running was something he and I had done together for many years when I was a child.  In fact, my dad loved to be outside – running, skiing, biking, tennis.  He was proud that he had raised a relative athlete.  I cannot remember a sport he didn’t encourage me to play.  He was the parent on the sidelines of every soccer game, every volleyball tournament and every tennis match. 

But now, I look back at all of those accomplishments and I think about how much I would have like to have had him there, standing with my mom and my brother at the finish line, last weekend.  And, the more I think about it, the more I realize, he would probably not have joined them – he would have joined me, for all 26.2 miles.  

Cheezy faux-marathon finish pics (at the expo).
I'm wearing Doc Martens for crissake!

What a fantastic weekend this has been.  I lived in the St Louis area for 12 years as a much younger person, but I never appreciated it until this weekend. 

My running friend, Ron, and I arrived in STL mid-afternoon on Friday and were met by my mom who whisked us off to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery to catch one of the last tours of the day.  Ron and I knew we had to do the brewery tour on Friday – Saturday needed to be about water and smart eating.  The tour was fantastic!  Naturally (and as I remembered), the greatest part of the brewery tour was the drinking we were allowed to do at the end.  One thing I did learn was that, although InBev (a European bottler) purchased Busch last year, it wasn’t such a bad idea – after all, we weren’t relegated to Budweiser-only products at the end.  Rather, Ron and I drank Shock Top and Stella!  Bam – a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Ron's Shock Top Wheat on Left; Mer's Shock Top Pumpkin on Right

Friday evening, we checked into the hotel and I finally got the official word on the Associate Dean position at the college.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen – looks like things will be changing for me in the next couple of weeks!  That evening, Ron and I enjoyed a nice dinner at an Irish Pub about ¾’s of a mile from the hotel and retired to our rooms early. 

Interesting little tidbit – my mom is a very involved locally and made arrangements with someone she knew to get us into this hotel, The Crowne Plaza, (which we would not have chosen due to the price).  However, her friend gave us a GREAT rate, so we accepted.  Little did we realize that we would have such amazing rooms.  I was practically on top of the STL Arch – balcony and all. 

Literally the view from my balcony at 6:45am Sat morning.

Saturday morning, Ron and I got up early to stretch our legs and head out for a 2-3 mile easy run.  I took him through more of the downtown areas and he absolutely fell in love with the charm and amazing architecture of the city.  I confess, I was not able to see it until seeing it with Ron.  He was like a child in a candy store – appreciating every architectural nuance of the city.  I even brought him down to the water-front on our little jaunt and he touched the Mighty Mississip!  Yuck!

A break to capture the Cardinal Red water, the old courthouse and the Arch on our morning run.

Ron touching the Mississippi River

After our run, we found a great little breakfast spot called “Roosters” – a delightful little mom-n-pop joint with super strong coffee and breakfasts that were creative and delicious!  After breakfast, we did a tour of the new Busch Stadium – since the Cards were in Texas for the World Series.  The vibe in STL around the Cards was amazing the entire weekend, making the tour THAT much more interesting.  We learned a ton about STL Cards history and the 3 ballparks they have had.  I even had the chance to sit in the radio announcers chair and see the field from his vantage point! 

I was sitting on the announcer's exercise ball while taking this -- totally a blast!

My mom, grandmother and brother, Michael, took us to dinner on “the Hill” Saturday evening.  “The Hill” is the Italian area of St. Louis – and they knew light pasta was on the menu for the two marathoners!  Lorenzo’s Ristorante was benissimo.  Ron and I both had a simple angel hair pasta dish with some fresh tomatoes and shaved parm. 

After dinner that night, we both knew we needed to get to our rooms to do “our own thing”.  It was 12 hours from the start of the marathon and we were hopeful we would sleep through most of the night.  We gave each other a supporting hug, and off to our rooms we went.

When I rose the next morning, I learned that the Cardinals had won (16-6) and that Pujols had delivered three amazing homeruns during the course of the game.  I am pleased I didn’t watch it – I would never have slept through any of that!  (Naturally, they have lost the last 2, but we’re still in it!)

This was waiting for me in my email on race morning - Thank you, Anne!!!

Ron and I met at 6:30am in the lobby of the hotel and walked to the starting line about 2/3’s of a mile away.  The weather was beautiful – 50 degrees and overcast.  As everyone knows, I spend the entire time I am waiting for a run to start in line at the port-a-potties.   In fact, we finished with only 6 minutes to spare and had to bob and weave our way to corral 11 – where the 4:30 anticipated finishers were lining up.  This race seemed ridiculously overcrowded.  The ½ and full marathoners lined up together – in the same corrals.  So, those finishing the ½ in about 2:10-2:15, were with us in corral 11.  Naturally, the corrals were STUFFED to the brim.  But, no one was in a foul mood – we chatted and embraced one another.  We all knew what was ahead. 

The gun went off and corral after corral we were led into the streets of downtown St. Louis.  Ron and I planned to stay together for the run – just as Lora, Cat and I did the year prior – but within 30 seconds, the crowd gobbled us both up and I couldn’t find Ron, anywhere.  So, I put my music up louder and smiled my way through town. 

The route was odd, we literally twisted our way through narrow streets in the main portion of downtown STL for several miles.  At mile two, I was rounding the bend and saw a familiar face ahead – my good friend, Loretta.  There she was right next to me – finishing what was probably her 100^th ½ marathon.  I passed her, smiled and told her “Good Luck”.  She seemed equally as thrilled to see me on the run.  It was truly a delightful start.

The scenery only got better the more we ran – the old buildings, St. Louis University’s campus and so much more – and we were only to mile 6!  As I was making my way to mile 7, I peeked to my crowded left and there, right next to me was my now good friend, Ron.  “It took me an hour and six minutes to catch up with you.”  He uttered with a laugh.  I said something not worth repeating here, but feel free to ask me when you see me (or ask Ron – personally, I think he tells this story better than I). 

By mile 10, the hills were starting to get to me.  Ron and I chatted and marveled at the town I once knew as home.  We talked about some of the crazy people we saw, I told him what little I knew about the regions of town we were running through – we were doing fine. 

As we rounded a corner, coming down the 12^th mile hill, I saw my college dorm-mate, Nancy, and her 6 year old daughter, Lily.  Lily was holding a little sign that said “Go Mer!” with a drawing of Hello Kitty running on a street.  Adorable.  I took a moment to walk with them, and Ron obliged.  Lily was so excited to see us – so much so that she was willing to leave us, get back in mom’s car and meet us several more miles down the route.  I had no idea if they would figure out another spot, so I left them with hugs and love and continued down the path.

Don't you just want to squeeze her!  <3 Lily!

Sure enough, somewhere around mile 15-16, there were Nancy and Lily – all smiles!  I told them I wasn’t going to walk this time – but that I would call them after the race.  Nancy and I stayed in touch after college for several years – but its only been in the last couple of years that we’ve really made an effort to talk and spend time together.  Seems extra special to me, now, that she would take the time on a Sunday to show her daughter the marathon and cheer me on.  I cannot express my gratitude – I am simply humbled. 

The hills were REALLY killing me, now, and I became pretty whiney.  Ron smiled and laughed at me as I complained about them.  But, there, as planned, at mile 18, was Michael – my devoted brother.  “Did you bring water?” I asked.  “Oh, I left it in the car.”  He uttered.  He was so cute – standing there waiting for us!  He took pictures, but you’ll have to zoom in to make us out!  It was fantastic to see him, but it was short-lived and Ron and I were back at it moments later.  “See you at the finish line,” he uttered as we ran away.  I couldn’t wait!

Michael swears that's us running towards him.  

At this point, the only thoughts going through my head were getting this horrible, hilly thing over with.  I could not believe that every inch of the marathon was either up or down.  In fact, we went up so much that Ron actually said “come on, the rest of this HAS to be all downhill, right?”  But, it never was.  It just seemed that we went up for ¾’s of the race and down very little.  Only my Garmin showed the truth. 

We ran through and around park after park – the trees had recently changed and the colors were incredible.  They could not have planned this weekend better.  We had slight overcast and 50-65 degree the whole race.  So, for all the hills – the weather was ideal.

Mile 19 seemed impossible – I was losing hope.  Ron sang to me, talked to me – and occasionally patted me on the back.  I don’t know what I would have done without him.  I was sore everywhere.  However, I got a HUGE lift just before the mile 19 marker, when out of nowhere I heard a group of people in kickball tshirts yell “Meredith” in the distance.  I could see her.  She was like a light at the end of a very dark tunnel.  Lorena and I ran to each other and hugged and hugged and hugged.  There she was – another amazing friend, waiting for me on the marathon route.  I had only met Lorena 6 months prior, but we worked closely on a project together – which made our reunion that much more special.  I was sobbing with excitement (and pain).  But, just like Nancy, Lily and my brother, we had to leave her (and all of her supportive friends), too.

Lorena gave me a boost for a couple of miles – which I know pleased Ron.  He looked at his watch and said “I predict we finish in under 5”.  I didn’t care – I knew I would finish, whether 4:45, 4:55, or 5:15.  This was the hardest marathon I had ever done – I would be happy with my medal regardless of my time.

Out of nowhere, at mile 22, was my mom and her friend, Nancy.  I almost passed right by them!  But, you always know your mother’s voice! “Meredith, Meredith, Meredith!”  There she was, like a ray of sunshine.  I embraced her (poor woman – she commented on how disgusting I was later in the afternoon).  I high-fived Nancy and was off to finish this horrible race!

Sadly, as we rounded the next corner, the sun came out in full force.  I was annoyed – I knew that had I made my 4:30 time goal, I would have been running in cloud-cover the entire time.  But, now I had 4 miles to go heading into the sun.  Yuck!  The next four miles were hard – some I got through well, some I suffered through, but at my side, cheering me on the entire time, was Ron.  I know he could have completed the marathon sooner, but he wanted to finish with me.  He felt he’d made a promise and he would keep it.   I couldn’t have been much fun for that last 30 minutes, but we did it.  We rounded the final corner and pushed our way to the finish line.  My mom and Michael were there to witness my accomplishment for the first time.  Nothing was more special to me than to have them there. 

Ron and I reflected on the weekend and the marathon as we sat at the airport and on the plane the following day.  It was probably one of my favorite marathon experiences.  I owe a lot of that to Ron.   He may not be the most prompt person, but when it counts – he’s there. 

…next.

Final Run Pre-Marathon!

A couple of days ago my friend, Brent, mentioned (in a FB status update) failing on his 10 mile run in the middle of the week.  Half joking, I told him he could make it up on a ten-miler with me on Sunday (today).  Immediately, Brent took me up on it.  I admit, I thought (at first) that he was merely being sweet.  He’s a nice guy and all, but the only thing we really know about one another is that we both love to run.  In fact, Brent and I met three months ago at a 5K in Tempe – hosted by Ben Davis.  It just so happened that after the 5K, we sat at the same table gorging ourselves at a local Chipotle.  And, honestly, while we keep up with one another on FB and the various blogs – we don’t really know each other.  However, he was willing to meet me at 5:30am – and he was also willing to run at my pace.  So, who was I to doubt him.

Sure enough, 5:28am, Brent pulls up to my house ready to go.  “Good morning,” he announced loudly in the dark.  I knew it would be a good run; he seemed in great spirits!  I asked him if he was ok with some hills – knowing that even if he said “no” he’d have to find a way to endure them, anyway. 

Off we went.  The great thing about new friendships is that there is really an endless supply of topics to discuss.  We both went through relatively recent separations/divorces.  So, that was an easy topic.  In fact, I always find it interesting that we (runners) often date/marry non-runners.  Not only do we get into relationships with non-runners – we go head first into relationships with people who loathe the amount of time we spend running.  We both cackled as we firmly agreed that were either of us to do it over again – we would make sure our partner was as passionate about running as we are. 

We chatted about baseball – after all we’re both Midwesterners which means we are baseball junkies.  He recounted the 1985 World Series where the KC Royals beat my beloved STL Cards – but he then also confessed that that was really their last hurrah!  Naturally, we (STL) have had a few successes since then.   Brent is 27 – this means he was a baby when the Royals did anything interesting.  I give him credit for his enthusiasm for his team. 

The miles seemed to fly by.  I don’t think either of us even took in the scenery or gorgeous sunrise.  We just gabbed our way through the hills and miles.  Brent is finishing his PhD in Rhetoric (forgive me for not remembering the exact specialization, Brent) – and we even chatted briefly about assessment and student success.  He loves assessment – finally, a normal English major!  In fact, he joked about NOT being a literature major – which seems to be the norm for PhD’s in English. 

As we finished our last couple of miles, Brent mentioned that he is training for a marathon at the Grand Canyon the weekend of my birthday.  Only 300 marathon entrants – crazy!  It will be his very first FULL marathon and I look forward to hearing the stats. 

As for me – I have 6 days until St. Louis…6 days.  Next Blog will be post-marathon.  Thanks, Brent, for an absolutely enjoyable 10 miles!  Our friendship makes me very proud to be a part of the running community!!

13 days 'til D-Day!

The marathon is 13 days away and anyone who has ever trained for a marathon before can probably tell you – these are the worst days.  Tapering simply fills your head with anxiety.  Last weekend I finished a 21 mile run in 85 degree temps and felt accomplished, ready for the marathon and what lies ahead.  This morning I awakened and thought “…only 12?  Maybe I should do more…13?  14?  Is 12 really correct?”  But, I have done this before – with 13 days left, 12 (miles) is correct. 

Honestly, the run was relatively easy.  I selected a very hilly route with miles of climbing – I wanted to make these 12 count.  As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the St. Louis Marathon route has quite a number of hills – some short and tall, some long and arduous.  So, when I say this morning’s run was easy – I mean it and it feels good to be able to say it, here.  I didn’t struggle through a single mile and found myself only frustrated with the traffic and the lights. 

I was watching my pace for the final couple of miles and really pleased to see numbers below a 9:30/mile.  This is huge (for me).  Most of the run saw times right around a 10 minute pace – what with the hills and lights, but to be pulling sub-10’s at the end has really given me the confidence I need for St. Louis. 

Speaking of St. Louis, I returned last evening from a trip (with students) to St. Louis.  It’s a conference the Student Government and I have attended for the last several years and I always look forward to it.  It really helps to reinforce that what we (the students and I) do is important.  I wasn’t able to run outside while there (which of course is very frustrating) because the conference hotel is near the airport (and not downtown) and is therefore right smack-dab in the middle of the St Louis ghetto.  As a result, I was relegated to the treadmill inside the hotel – the treadmills, of course, were situated right in front of a wall – and, while they all came equipped with TV’s, none worked.  :(  Those were some tough miles staring at the wall – with my butt hanging out for the rest of the gym-goers to peruse.  Yay!

Anyway – next week’s long run is a mere 10 miles.  Then it’s back to St. Louis and the marathon – holy smokes!  

21 miles – I completed a 21 mile run, this morning.  I am officially done with my long runs (prior to the marathon). 

As with all long runs, I checked the weather before heading out at 5:15am.  The report was NOT great – 82 degree start and then the temps were going to rise faster than usual.  However, the report mentioned some clouds, so I was optimistic about the rising temperatures.

Honestly, I was fine for about 14 miles – really until I saw Anne at our second meeting spot.  After leaving Anne (who by the way, showed up twice in her PJ’s – which I found adorable, but it evidently mortified her) my tummy felt funny, so I walked it out for a couple of tenths.  As I started to run again, the temps were drastically changing – and those clouds the report mentioned – well, there was not a cloud in the sky.  By mile 16, I was dreading the last 5 – DREADING.  I have never ever had sweat pour off my head during a run.  And, I mean it POURED off my head; I couldn’t control it.  It was like someone had turned on a faucet.  I worried I would be dehydrated – the sweat was ridiculous. 

I cannot tell you how difficult it is to pull 20+ miles in the heat with the sun on your face.  I was overheating with every step and literally walked much of mile 18 – I was heading east, into the sun, and Ocotillo Rd in Chandler has nary a tree for shade.

I was never so happy to see the finish line approaching and all I could really think about was stripping off my shoes and standing in Anne’s pool.  I was hoping it would be ice cold – but that’s a bit too much to ask for after one of the hottest summers on record in the Phoenix area.  It was definitely cooler than my body temperature so it felt phenomenal on my legs and bare feet.

Literally standing in Anne's pool!

Now we wait and taper.  Three weeks from today, Ron and I will be completing the St. Louis Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.  I am hopeful that all of this heat-related training won’t kill us for our 26.2 miles.  Wish us luck!