The Day I Turned 30 {And ran 30 miles}

4 or 5 years ago a friend asked me to run a 50k with her. I told her she was crazy and no thank you! 30 miles?! Nope. Not this girl. Every year since she's asked me to run it and I've said no way every time. 

Except this year.

This year when I saw that the race was being held ON my 30th birthday I thought... why not? 30 miles on my 30th birthday seemed like the perfect way to celebrate. (I later found out that the race was actually 31.1 miles but whats one more mile right? haha) My friends and family thought it was kind of weird to want to spend 6 hours running for my big 3-0 but it seemed perfect to me. I made the decision the beginning of the year around March, so it was a long but amazing year of building miles and training every weekend. I ran the Philly Marathon at what I deemed the peak of my training and then took a week off and ran a 20 miler 2 weeks before the 50k.

So the morning of my birthday I woke up before the sun started shining on my 30th year and headed down to First Landing State park for the longest run of my life. The forecast was constant rain but also uncommonly warm temperatures for mid December. Philly was legit freezing temps so I was struggling to switch gears from what I had worn for Philly to now a close to 60 degree race with rain. I walked around with a rain jacket on at the starting line but finally decided to ditch it 10 minutes before the start because I figured I would rather be wet than hot. 

I was super intimidated walking around before the start seeing several obviously experienced and serious "ultra" runners. It was a small race, only about 300 people, and it seemed like everyone knew each other and were a part of an elite club of ultra runners! I heard them saying things to each other like "So are you going to go for it today?" (it being winning the race!) and there I was all by myself, just hoping not to die! haha just kidding, I was pretty confident in finishing, I just wasn't sure what that would look like and I knew for sure I wouldn't be in the front of the pack.

The first .75 miles was on pavement so it was an easy out and back as we got started. There wasn't much room on the road so you kind of just had to run with who you were behind. That wasn't a big deal though because I wasn't in a hurry. Once we hit the Cape Henry trail you could hear everyone's excitement, it felt like the race was really starting once we hit the trails. Missy (who ended up not being able to run the whole thing with me after all because of an injury!) met me at the aide station at mile 3 and ran with me on the main Cape Henry trails! It was so good to see her face! When the course turned off to the side trails for a few miles it helped keep me motivated to know she was waiting for me back at the main trail.

The side trails were way more difficult than I thought. Lots of hills, roots and even a downed tree in the middle of the path that we had to climb over. The rain made the trails really muddy and the wooden bridges super slick. I lost my footing few times but I never actually fell, which was a huge victory! 

The first 15 miles I was still running in a group of a few people. It was hard to pass anyone on the side trails because it was pretty narrow in some places and actually could've been a little dangerous. So again I just ran a long with who I was with. It ended up being a good thing because I almost missed the orienteering punches you were supposed to punch your race bibs with! me and 3 others ran right past it! It was marked really well with bright orange ribbons but I guess my head was down concentrating on not tripping so I totally missed it. Thankfully the group behind us saw it and called out to us to come back! There were plenty of opportunities on the main trail to move ahead of people if you wanted. I passed a few people but I wasn't running fast by any means!

There were two aid stations but since the course was two 15ish mile loops you passed them 4 times on each loop. You could hear the volunteers cheering a minute or 2 before you actually reached the aid station and it was incredibly encouraging. The aid stations were different than the other races I've ran where people just run right through them, drinking water and tossing cups without stopping. This time people were actually stopping to eat sandwiches, chips, pretzels, etc. It was weird for me at first. I grabbed some pickle juice and Tail wind the first time I stopped at the aid station and just kept going. The second time I stopped I drank a little chicken broth and the sport jelly beans I had brought for myself. Unfortunately I must've eaten them super fast because I ended up with side cramp that had me walking on and off for a mile. When I reached the turn around point around mile 16 I was able to stop and grab the bag I had left for myself. Again, it was a little weird because I've never stopped to change anything during a run! But I needed to change my socks, dry my feet and reapply some vaseline because my feet were soaked so I sat down to do all that and ate a little PB&J while I did. I was surprised at how prepared I was for all of this since I felt like before the race I wasn't even sure what was going to be happening and if there was even going to be a chance to change anything! Thankful to God for that small blessing.

I was still feeling pretty good when I headed back out for the second loop but I could feel my quads getting tired. I was super thankful that Missy waited around for me to come back to the main trail and ran one more stretch with me before going home. She waited around for about 30 minutes each time I  left her, just hanging out in the rain, until I got back to her. She's seriously the best. Right before she left when I hit the side train, at around mile 18, I did have to stop and walk a little. I still had a half marathon to go so I tried to come up with a strategy. On the side trails I decided I would walk the uphills and run the down hills and flats and then run when I got back on the main trail for the entire length. This worked out really well until mile 25. My Nike App was a little off so it said I was coming up on 26.2 and I couldn't believe I was about to pass the marathon mark and just keep going. I was so proud that my time was only 4 minutes slower than my Philly time, it really boosted my confidence and kept me running until I got to the aid station and they had a mile marker that said 25 miles! I was a little bummed so I fueled up and walked a bit on the main trail. I knew I had to keep going so I decided to run for 2 songs and then walk for 1 song. Surprisingly this really helped. 

The longest part of the race was getting back on to the main Cape Henry trail until I reach 64th street. It was only 1.1 miles long but it seemed like it took forever! My family had texted me telling me that they were at the finish waiting for me and I started feeling like I was so close but so far away! I was ecstatic as I passed the last aid station at 64th street and the volunteers were still there cheering us on! I texted my family to let them know I was close.

Only 2 miles to go! 

I ended up running the last 2 miles with a guy who would walk and I would pass him, then I would walk and he would pass me. We went back and forth like this, encouraging one another as we would pass until 2 of his friends came running towards him cheering for him! He stopped to walk and I pushed ahead wishing someone would come and get me! haha I needed something to help me finish strong and my theme song for my year came on "the break up song" by Francesca Battestelli about breaking up with fear! It brought tears to my eyes and I kept running. I came around another turn and saw my friend Melissa standing on the trail cheering for me! I was so surprised, I had no idea she was coming down to the finish line and I screamed when I saw her! I knew the finish line was close! I kept running. A few steps further and my sister, cousin and their boyfriends were standing there cheering! They joined Melissa in running behind me... I was excited but dying for the finish line to come in to view. I started to hear a little more noise and around another turn Mark and the girls, my parents and Erin were holding a sign for me! I stopped to give hugs and kisses and then they joined my little entourage as I broke into the clearing to cross the finish line. I squealed again as I saw my friend Sydney standing at the finish getting video of me finishing!

Ahh!!! I finished! I ran 31.1 miles in 6 hours and 24 minutes. Mark said later that everyone was staring as I crossed the line because there were so many people running with me and cheering and yelling. The nobody from the starting line who knew no one and was finishing 13th in her age group (out of 37) had a crazy group following her and cheering her on. I'm so thankful to God for that moment! I'll cherish it forever. I'm so thankful for my family and friends coming out in the rain to wait for me to cross, to run me to the finish line, and to be genuinely thrilled for me.

My man. My girls. They put up with a long year of mommy being gone running on Saturday mornings. and they waited in the freezing cold in Philly and the rain at home to see mommy reach her goals. I couldn't have done it without their support.

Some of my tribe. <3

After the race we went back home for a little after party where Mark and Erin suprised me with having the house all decorated for my birthday!

I ate soup and cheesecake and all the yummy things they had made for the little party because... well... 31.1 miles makes you a little hungry!

My legs were achy and I was a little tired, but overall I felt so good and my heart was full of joy.

So thankful for being healthy at 30. So thankful for completing the goals I had set. So thankful for my family and tribe supporting me through it all. So thankful for the grace of God evident in my life in all of these things.

Turning 30 isn't so bad when you have people like this to do life with. <3

Thanksgiving {2018}

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

Thanksgiving Day started with my annual little "Turkey Trot" with Piper first thing in the morning!

We had a lazy morning eating cinnamon rolls and watching the parade with the girls. I got the cutest video of them getting excited when the sesame street float came on the TV.

I was so glad I listened to Reaghan's suggestion to finish making our desserts the night before because it made a for a relaxing morning! Around lunch we got dressed for usual routine of lunch at the Poindexter's and Dinner at the Kessler's!

Thanksgiving outfits coming in hot with Lilly wearing Reaghan's hand me downs and Reaghan's being free using my points on Amazon. *high five to me!*

{Please notice Lilly's foot. This was snapped a SECOND before she stepped right off the fireplace taking her sister down with her *facepalm* it was actually pretty funny and they thought so too!}

Thankful to be the mama of these equally beautiful but completely different little girls. 

Their poses and smiles say it all. : )

There's not much to do for the girls at Mark's 94 year old grandma's house, besides potentially knocking into china cabinets and a hundred picture frames, so I always try to bring along a little craft for them and the other younger cousins to do. This year was turkey head bands!

We headed to my parents around 3 where I got to snuggle with this little man. My heart is so thankful for him this year! <3 

We made a head band for Blakers too!

Reaghan had fun looking at all of the Black Friday Ads with Grammie.

Until it was time to change into her PJ's and head home with Lilly and Daddy so I could go shopping with the girls!

I used to be hard core about not shopping on Thanksgiving at. all. In fact, past Meghan would be so disappointed in me. But once its time for the girls to go to bed... *shrugs* So the last couple of years they go home with daddy and I stay to go shopping.

We wear matching shirts and shop at all the stores, all the crazy hours!

We have a blast together and usually get more new funny memories than we do great deals.

The next day we did a little more shopping and then the girls hung out with my parents so Mark and I could go out to do a little Christmas shopping together. Mark's definitely more of an online shopper, but its nice to go out together. : )

Thankful for health, family, my marriage, and our traditions. 

26.2! {Philadelphia Marathon}

On November 16th we packed up and hit the road for another big road trip!

Reaghan and Lilly are the best little travelers. Lilly has her occasional cranky moments and it helps that we have a tv in the van that we use on and off during the trip, but they travel so well for 2 littles!

It took us about 8 hours to get to my cousins house in Pennsylvania where we stayed the night before heading into Philadelphia for the Marathon Expo.

It was so nice to hang out with family for a night and let our girls see each other again after they met for the first time at our family reunion this summer. It's such a blessing to be friends into adulthood with your cousins and their spouses. 

There was snow everywhere! It apparently doesn't snow in PA much before Thanksgiving but a day before we headed up there they got almost 8 inches. Thankfully 8 inches isn't enough to shut things down there like it is here in Hampton Roads! But it still meant it was freezing up there!

We drove about an hour from my cousin's into the city the next day so we could go to the expo and pick up my race packet. It took us forever to get there because driving in the heart of Philly is sort of like driving in New York City and we paid $24 to park for an hour! The girls were starting to get a little weary of the travel so even though I love race expos and looking through all the vendors we didn't stay too long. Which in hindsight was probably for the best because that meant I didn't buy anything!

Mark was so supportive, making sure I got pictures even though his stress level always goes up in busy, crowded places, you can see below that Lilly was about to have a melt down, and we couldn't find a pizza place to deliver to our hotel! 

Thankfully we eventually did find a pizza place for the hotel. Pizza is my pre-race, carbo load dinner of choice and it was wayyy easier with the girls to just have something delivered to the hotel then spend hours in traffic driving around the city to find something to eat. It was the perfect pre race night. We got checked into the hotel, had an early dinner and an early bath and bed time. I did my usual pre-run stretching video from Sydney Cummings Workout Channel and was in bed around 9! I have a ritual of laying all my race gear out the night before to make sure I don't forget anything.

I didn't sleep super well. Does anyone else wake up every hour when they know they have to be up early for something and CANNOT be late? It always happens to me. But it was okay, I had mentally prepared for that and tried to get good sleep the few nights before, so I was excited to get up at 4 to get ready even though I hadn't slept well.

 It was supposed to be 30ish degrees at the start so I was layered up with a tank, my long sleeve shirt, a light weight zip up hoodie and an old thick hoodie. I had capri's and calf warmers pulled up over top. Gloves and of course an ear band.

 

It was definitely COLD at the starting line. I kept bundled under a foiled blanket until the race started and spent some time in warming tent before heading to the starting corrals. 

This was my first full marathon running solo and it was a little weird not having anyone to share the excitement with, but I also trained all by myself this year too so it was all good. 

Despite the cold, it was a beautiful morning!

Back at the hotel my little family was staying nice and warm and making me signs before they walked from the hotel down to the finish line to wait for me! It was a mile and a half walk but Mark said they enjoyed strolling through the city and the Christmas Markets that were set up.

Race day makes all the long training miles worth it. It's a blast to run with so many others, especially through a new city! We ran past Ben Franklin's resting place, through the streets of down town Philly, and along a beautiful river. Although the river got a little boring after 13 miles ; ). The first half of the race was exciting and interesting but with more hills than I anticipated. My knees were feeling the down hills about half way through. I had been hanging out with the 4:30 pace group for the first half of the race but lost them around mile 13 when I stopped to use the bathroom. I never caught back up to them and wonder if I would've been able to push myself a little more if I had been able to stay with them. But even so, I'm happy with the race I ran. 

The last half of the race was a 6 miles out/ 6 miles back in a park along the river. It was tough mentally because you had to pass the finish area to start the out and back and the whole time could I could see runners, faster than me, heading the opposite direction back towards the finish! I seemed like it took forever going up/down hills to get to the turn around point and I started to walk the up hills and run the flats and down hills. Thankfully the last 6 miles on the way back seemed to go by a little faster! I grabbed my phone out and texted Mark when I was getting closer to the finish line so I could find out where he and the girls were standing!

I loved kissing their precious faces right before finishing.

I wanted to get a picture in front of the famous Rocky steps but unfortunately I finished the race at 12:10pm and we had to be out of the hotel by 1pm to avoid the $85 late checkout fee so after the race we took a couple pictures and made a mad dash to the shuttles to get back to the hotel! Haha

We got back to the hotel at 12:50! We raced up stairs and Mark took the already packed bags down to the car and turn in our room keys while I kept the girls and took a quick shower! We left the hotel room at 1:05! I don't think I've ever moved so fast after a long run!! I was surprised at how well I was feeling after the race. I think sipping on the warm chicken broth they gave out at the finish line really helped restore some sodium and keep me from feeling faint and cramping. That and the adrenaline stayed peaked a little longer with the hotel checkout excitement! haha

My official finish time was 4:41:56! 

I was thrilled! My goal was just to break 5 hours because I hadn't in my previous two attempts! 

But I'm liking my Nike Run app a little more that said I ran 26.7 miles and finished the 26.2 at 4 hours and 34 minutes. : ) Both times are great for me, but I'll take the second! 

After we left the hotel we stopped and got a legit Philly Cheese Steak. Mark says it was one of the best he's ever eaten! My favorite post race activity - stuffing my face!!!

We then drove the 6-7 hours home with 2 little sweet hearts who did amazing again.

I don't recommend sitting in a car for 6 hours after running, talk about being sore and stiff every time we stopped at a rest stop! I was super sore the next day, but stretched and soaked in an Epsom salt bath and by Tuesday I felt almost normal! I was surprised but a friend at work made a good point that all of my training runs were done in the morning and I would come home and have to be a mom for the rest of the day which was good recovery training for my body! Who knew caring for 2 littles came with marathon recovery benefits?

I'm so thankful for my husband who loves me enough to drive 8ish hours both ways and help take care of the girls in a busy city just so I can run! It was a crazy, busy weekend but it was phenomenal. I'm so thankful to God for the breath in my lungs and the physical ability to do something fun like this race. Memories and accomplishments that I'll always carry with me!

{Two weeks after the race I did a 20 miler to keep me primed for my 50k on my birthday in 9 days! 

I've never run that far following a marathon so it was weird, but it totally got me pumped for my last race of the year. Can't wait to reach that goal and then, honestly, be done with long distance running for a little while! I love it, but I'm ready for the break!}