Monumental Marathon 2014 - Race Report - I DID IT!

The title says it all. I did it. I designed an entire year of running around one goal: running a marathon without stopping to walk, and doing so in a goal time that kept migrating northward (4:30, 4:22, 4:15, etc.). Here's the story of the day I did it.

(Note: If you'd just like to get to the gist of it, scroll to the heading The Finish, and read from there.)

Race Eve
I spent the days leading up to the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon literally counting the hours until the race start. I was tenaciously awaiting the moment I could slay the course that had slain me in 2013. On Monumental Eve, Mom, Wendy, Wes, and I enjoyed the race atmosphere at the expo and at dinner. However, somewhere around 11 hours to go, while Mom and I were playing games of Crazy 8's in our room at the Westin, I quit counting the hours.

The feelings in my gut made a shift from tenacious to tentative.

I was worried about the distance. I was worried about my tummy. I was worried about my heels. I was worried about the weather, particularly the wind and it's accompanying 18°F chill. I didn't want anyone to know about my sudden anxieties, so I kept them to myself, except for occasionally saying things like, "Twenty-six miles is a long way," or, "Boy, it's going to be cold tomorrow."

I slept about 45 minutes that night.

Race Morning

Before the start

My little group grew as we met Sam, who was running her first half, and my husband Ed, who was spectating. Those of us running dressed in many throwaway layers. Wendy kept reminding me of the plan, which was to start slow, and cut down the pace every six to seven miles.

All of the sudden, we were outside walking toward the start. All of the sudden, Sam, Wes, and I were in the corral. All of the sudden, we heard the gun. All of the sudden, we were moving forward. I started my Road ID GPS app on my phone so Dad could follow me at home.

And then we crossed the start line.

Miles 1-7ish
The first two miles were all space management because half and full runners were crowded together on Indy's downtown streets. Wes, who was charged by Wendy with task of preventing me from starting too fast, kept telling me to slow down. Our first two miles clicked off at 9:54 apiece. We lost information on the third mile because we ran under a long overpass, but it felt the same effort-wise. If you had told me then that those three miles would've been the slowest of my race, I'd have never believed you.

Sam told us to go ahead in mile three due to some hip pain she was experiencing. Wes and I continued navigating Indy's downtown. My friend and former student, Zach, who was running the half, happened upon us at mile 4. Later, we hit the 10K mats at 1:00:01, at which point my phone began pinging with texts from Wendy that I did not consult, but I knew what they said, anyway.

SLOW DOWN.

I knew the trap of "going out too hard." I knew that too much now meant misery later. However, I also genuinely felt that I was being conservative, so I pressed onward.

Miles 7ish-14ish
When the full marathon course splits from the half course, the "protection" of the downtown architecture is eliminated. Suddenly, we were vulnerable to the 15mph winds and 30mph gusts that were coming directly from the north. Wes let me draft, but I had difficulty managing the unpredictable gusts.

On the ninth mile, something strange happened. My left leg went numb. I couldn't feel it moving nor hitting the ground. My muscles didn't know when to fire without sensation information, and I started to stumble a bit. It was the only time in the race Wes seemed concerned. I tried not to panic. After about a half mile, I regained sensation, and let out a big, "Whew!" That mile was my fourth slowest at 9:51.

The subsequent miles into the cold wind were very discouraging. Also unsure if the leg numbness would come back, I started to feel very downcast. We crossed mile marker 10, and a spectator tried to give me his coat. Last year I felt great at mile 10, I thought, and I passed out during mile 23. Does that mean I'll die sooner this year?

Wes detected my distress. "Nothing is lost," he said. Let's just run the next three miles around 9:40, and see how we feel at the half."

9:40, 9:40, 9:37. I hit the half mats in 2:06:51. A few meters later, we turned out of that Godforsaken wind, and everything changed.

Miles 14ish-19ish
What I remember most about these miles is how good I felt. How strong. Wes presented a constant string of encouragement. "You're killing this... your form looks strong... Wendy will be here soon." (Wendy had planned to run the last six miles with us.) I looked at my watch at 15.5 mi. and told Wes, "Ha, I thought we were at 14.5," evidence of miles slipping away quicker than I could register them.

Together again

Our pace slid into the mid- and low-9:30s, and I didn't notice. We passed the eventual above-the-knee-amputee female marathon world record holder while she was setting the record. Then I beheld a fuzzy, mirage-like vision at the entrance to a park at the beginning of the 19th mile.

Wendy.

WENDY!

"I am upset!" she yelled, but she was smiling. So was I. "How do you feel? What is happening?" I told her I felt wonderful, and Wes informed her of the details. She understood why we had be going "so fast." We hit the 30K timing mats in 3:00:06.

Miles 19ish-23ish
Wendy told me the bits of news I had missed while running—race winners, details about friends in other races, what she and my family had been doing. When we hit mile marker 20, Wendy took a video to send to my family that was markedly different from last year's 20-mile video.

Mile 20

I started to become very conscious of all the people we were passing. Folks who had used too much energy on the first 75% of the race were beginning to slow. Occasionally, I would hear Wendy quietly ask Wes, "What was that split?" and I tried not to listen to the reply. When we hit mile marker 22, I looked at my watch and noted aloud that if I ran in at a 10:00 min./mi. pace, I would bag 4:15. "And you're going quite a bit faster than that," Wes replied.

The race took a poignant turn in these miles, because I was covering all the places where I self-destructed last year. Here's where Wendy wiped my drool... here's where I started walking... here's where I passed out. Those places were hard to see, but they empowered me.

NOT THIS YEAR.

Miles 23ish-26
When we turned onto Meridian, I started to feel the wear and tear on my body, but I still felt strong. Every time I felt tired, I smiled. It reminded me that I chose to complete this race, that it was my most ambitious goal to date, and that I was thrilled to be here. I thought about Mom's and Ed's faces, waiting at the finish line, yearning for a better experience for me than last year's. I thought about my Dad at home, fretfully watching what Wendy called "my little dot" on his GPS screen, urging it to keep moving. And I kept moving.

Mile 24

Meridian is usually a drag because it's a long straightaway. However, I savored each step. I pointed out sites to Wendy. I enjoyed the wind at my back. I passed and passed and passed people. Our original plan was for me to push hard on the final mile, but I had run faster than planned during the entire race. At mile marker 25, I told Wendy, "I'm not interested in running any faster than this," which elicited a laugh.

We turned off Meridian at 25.5 mi., and the spectators multiplied. I heard screams of support everywhere. I started to get extremely emotional because the climax of all my hard work and fun was about to be realized. My legs flew down New York Street, then onto West Street. One more turn. We passed mile marker 26 (9:24, faster after all). Wendy was right in my ear, talking about my family. "Your Dad," she said,"he's watching your little dot. He's on his feet. He's pacing. You're doing this, Jo. You're doing this."

The Finish
I turned onto Robert D. Orr Plaza, and was met with the most welcoming sites. Tons of people. The clock. The line!

Steps from the finish

MOM!

Mom, I'm going to do it! I'm doing it!

Dad, I know you're watching my little dot!

Ed, I know you're right on the line with your camera! Oh, what would I do without you?

I heard Wes tell Wendy she would have to cross the line, that there was no way out because of the barricades. (She wasn't chipped, anyway.)  I heard Wendy say to me, "Enjoy it. Remember it. You've earned it!"

I crossed the line in 4:12:53.

I did it.

Finish scenes

The Aftermath

With Ed and Mom (hidden) afterward

I did it. I was sore and tired, but strangely also comfortable and energetic. I couldn't wait to hug Ed and Mom, and call Dad. I walked in a dreamlike state through medals, pictures, goodies, and back to the hotel.

Here are the results and stats 'n' such. My splits were solid throughout the race.  Here are the official timing splits:

10K - 1:00:01, 9:40.81 overall pace
Half - 2:06:51, 9:40.99 overall pace
30K - 3:00:06, 9:40.97 overall pace
Finish - 4:12:53, 9:39.12 overall pace

I am proud of that consistency, and of the negative splits (2:06:51/2:06:02). Also, I passed 749 people in the second half of the race—over 20% of the field.

In the days since the race, I've wondered, "How did I do that?" but I've figured out the answer. I was extremely well prepared, my mental state (with one slight lapse), remained strong, and I have the best support system in the entire world.

Thank you, family and friends, for your encouragement and your belief in me. This freshly minted 4:12 marathoner would not have near this fun or success without you.

More Pictures

Throwaway clothes

The start

Near the finish

With Wendy after the finish... Wes gave her his finish jacket.

Neat pic!

Official pic

Cheerleaders!

The One

I've been staring at the blinking cursor for several minutes, wondering how to start this blog. A gal of many words, I don't often find myself at a loss for them. Nonetheless, here I am, stunned.

Monumental '14 training is done.

AND I NAILED IT.

The eerily empty Pull-Tab Chart, just before my final training run

Every run that was scheduled? I ran it.

Every mileage that was planned? I reached it.

Every pace that was set? I hit it.

And I'm NOT INJURED.

Terrific Training
I have never had a training cycle that wasn't at least temporarily derailed by injury, illness, or just plain malaise. Over four months and 500 miles of training, one would expect a missed or aborted run somewhere, but I have been incredibly fortunate... or stubborn, take your pick.

Every run, ran. Every mileage, reached. Every pace, hit.

I still can't believe it.

For my Crohn's-y body to make it to a starting line healthy, doing all I've done in training, is truly remarkable. The training experience has me absolutely brimming with confidence and tenacity. I want that course. I NEED that course. I have a score to settle with that course. Never have I been in a better position to perform.

Goal
As previously mentioned, my goal with this marathon is to run the whole thing without stopping to walk. I originally wanted to finish sub-4:30, but I adjusted that goal to sub-4:22 after a reassessment of my current fitness. Truthfully, I want a sub-4:15, and also truthfully, I could probably run much closer to 4:00. However, I don't want too much, too soon. I just need a good, well run marathon.

The Plan, Man
My plan is to start the race extremely conservatively, a 10:00 min./mi. pace. Every 6-7 miles, I will accelerate gently. I will take fuel every five miles. I will sip water or a sports drink at every water station. I will be paced by Wendy's brother, Wes. Sam Rightmyer will run with us for the first seven miles, until she takes the half marathon exit. Wendy will join us at mile marker 20.

And then I'll run 6.2 more miles to the finish, where Ed and Mom (and Dad in spirit, and maybe Sam Cobb), will be waiting for me.  Collapsing into Ed's arms will be a splendid reward.

Now in taper ("Tapertober" just doesn't have the same ring as "Tapril"), I am taking every precaution to make sure my body is primed for the purpose. I'm hydrating. I'm monitoring sodium intake. I'm eating Vitamin C tabs. I'm staying off my feet. I'm visualizing success. I'm even doing the silly things like knocking on wood, avoiding walks under ladders, and calling shooting stars "good omens."

I've done the work, I've attended to the details, I've memorized the plan. All I must do is execute the plan that will carry me the last 26.2 miles of this story.

This is the one.

This is finally the one.

****
Follow me and other Monumental participants on Nov. 1 through Athlete Tracking.

My "First" Marathon

Fall Marathon Training

I am running a marathon in nine days. Nine days. It's difficult for me to explain what a strange feeling that is. I started official training when everything was green, it was hot and humid, and "fall marathon" sounded like a distant dream. Now, everything is colorful, I wore arm warmers for the first time in months on a training run recently, and the calendar says the number of days until this marathon is in the single digits. Nine. Nine days. Did I mention that? Sorry. (Not sorry.)

I'm not scared. I am, however, apprehensive, because this is my first marathon.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. You've run marathons before!" says you.

"Yes, I have," reply I. However, this marathon is a first of a different sort.

Allow me to explain.

Kona Marathon - June 28, 2009 - My First First Marathon
One summer in Hawaii, I completed what was truly my first marathon. (You can read about it here, but be warned: I had not yet learned to write succinctly.) I was awarded a Lilly Teacher Creativity Endowment to complete that race, which happened to be the Crohn's and Colitis of America's Team Challenge marathon that year, and happened to be on Ed's and my third wedding anniversary, and happened to be run on the World Championship Ironman marathon course, and happened to be in HAWAII.

Kona Finish Line

This race was held in a time long before I cared about core strength, injury prevention, and the like. I had already endured one stress fracture, but I thought it was a fluke. However, because I was hazily aware of my Crohn's-y fragility, I decided to train to run/walk the Kona Marathon. I got hurt anyway. Tendinitis in my hip. Shocker.

My longest training run for my first marathon was 14 measly miles. However, unless I seriously scaled back training, there was no way I'd be able to participate in this once in a lifetime race. So I kept my mileage laughably low, flew to Hawaii, and still had a blast.  I ran/walked the Kona Marathon in 5:53:27 with my husband as my cheering section. The last 10 miles were brutal. Through that experience, my life was changed forever.

Success. I crossed the finish line.

Monumental Marathon - November 2, 2013 - My Second First Marathon

Monumental - Pre-Collapse

Fast forward to Nov. 2012, right after I was hot off a huge, post-major-injury half marathon PR at Monumental. Wendy suggested that I train to run the full marathon the following year. Kona was an achievement of which I was proud, but it always goaded me a bit. I wanted to properly train to run an entire marathon. Wendy set up a training program for my second marathon that was safe but effective.

I started calling this marathon my first marathon, because it was the first I planned to run entirely, and the first for which I would I have a complete training program. Well, almost. All was well with the exception of some nagging hip pain that caused me to miss a chunk of my last three weeks of training. We toed the 2013 Monumental start line with high hopes.

You know what happened there. Digestive peristalsis failure. Collapse on mile 23. Ambulance. Telling some EMTs what was up, then apologizing. Leaving the ambulance. Walking—nay, limping—the last 3.7ish miles on what we later learned was not a hernia, but a fractured pelvis. (No wonder my hip hurt.) I finished in 5:26. I don't know the seconds because I never cared to look.

Successful failure. Like Apollo 13, things didn't happen the way we'd planned, but I finished in spite of tremendous adversity.

Monumental Marathon - November 1, 2014 - My Third First Marathon
See why I'm calling it my "first" marathon now?  This marathon is the first that I will start running and not stop until I cross the finish line. Of course, that was the plan last year. However, I am in much better shape this year. Sam's training has my strength high, and Wendy's training has my endurance and confidence high. Also, nothing is broken or severly injured. The only pain I'm experiencing is some minor plantar fasciitis in my heels. Everything is aligning for me to run the whole race and meet other goals about which I'll write later. I just need a good marathon day to realize success.

So, this is my first marathon, meaning the first marathon I'm going to whip in the rear.

Success.

Bedford Half Marathon - Race Report

I have run lots of half marathons. Prior to October 2014, I had run nine organized road half marathons and countless training runs of 13.1 miles or more. In those nine races, I've run alone, with friends, for fun, for time, with good results, and with rough results. However, no race was quite like my tenth organized road half marathon, the Bedford Half Marathon.

Hometown Race
In November 2013, my hometown, the city of Bedford, Indiana, received some exciting news: we would be hosting a half marathon on October 4, 2014. Local runners rejoiced. We embraced the opportunity to share our sport and our town all in one event.

Bedford-born Chris Galloway was at the helm of the planning. As the months progressed, so did plans for the race. The challenging, hilly course map was released. Folks started registering. Volunteers joined the effort. Bedford was abuzz with running talk. However, one question was on the mind of every Lawrence County dweller: can Bedford pull off this event?

Race Weekend

Welcome to the Fitness Expo!

Wendy and I signed up to volunteer at the Fitness Expo, held the night before the race, where we were charged with the task of greeting folks who entered the expo. I've been to a myriad of race expos in big cities. Though this expo was small, it did not lack big-city energy.  Participants and volunteers were all smiles, jittery with excited energy, and looking forward to the race. The final count reported about 750 people registered for the three races (half marathon, 5K, and 1-mile walk).

Still... could Bedford pull off this event?

Pre-race support from my favorites

Race Day
Race morning dawned cool and breezy. I was able to walk with Wendy to a start line that was only a half mile from my home. Once in the "race village" (Bedford's downtown square), I was immediately impressed with the area. The finish line and chute were organized and professional. Boxes of post-race necessities were prepared for finishers. A stage promised a band and an impressive awards ceremony. Volunteers were ready to assist runners and spectators. As time passed, the downtown area became a hub of activity. It was later reported that Bedford's downtown had not seen that volume of people since the 1920s.

So far, so good, Bedford.

Times-Mail photo of the start by Garet Cobb

The Race
The start was a rush of energy as we headed west on 16th Street. Bedford citizens lined the streets to cheer on the runners. Instantly, I knew that this race was something special to the city of Bedford. As we continued on the course, I became even more aware that the Bedford Half Marathon was more than just a race. Droves of people came to support the event, whether they were participants, volunteers, or roadside cheerleaders. People were coming together.

Nearly every cheer I heard was accompanied by my name. "Go, Jo!" "Get it, Mrs. Cobb!" "C'mon, JoAnna, run!" People here knew me.  I usually thank policemen and volunteers when I run an organized race. This day, they answered, "No problem, Jo!" When I finished, the announcer didn't need to look up my number before he announced, "Look folks, it's JoAnna Cobb!" In the chute, familiar faces offered a medal and hydration.

Everyone was happy. Every. One. Was. HAPPY. It was a beautiful day. Runners inspired the volunteers and the crowds on the streets.  The crowds and volunteers inspired the runners. My facebook was full of photos my friends took of the race. My phone pinged all day with messages from friends, all of them excited about the Bedford Half Marathon.

Bedford, it seems, pulled it off.

Mile 11 with Jon, Mary, & Zach

The Race, Again
Oh, you wanted some of the usual info? :-)  Here it is...

I paired with Zach, a former student of mine who was running his third half marathon and looking to PR. My plan was to run comfortably hard, but not race. I didn't want to jeopardize my performance in the upcoming Monumental Marathon. I figured I would hang with Zach around a 9:00 pace and see where it took me. We were joined off and on by Mary, a friend of mine who was trying to break two hours.

Near the finish

This race story is better told holistically. We managed to nail very consistent miles in the 8:50 range, faster than I had planned, but oh well. The hills were challenging, but very nearly fun. The long trip up Mitchell Road wasn't as hard as I thought, but the rolling hills in the last 5K made up for it. Zach and I talked the whole time. He asked the age old question, "Why does the blacktop on John Williams Blvd. stay black when all the other pavement goes gray?" We saw a guy lose his lunch (breakfast?) early in the race. We talked about school. We talked about how we liked the cold (39°), but not the wind. I gave advice when I thought he needed it. Ed, Mom, and Wendy kept tabs on us, Ed and Wendy on bikes and Mom via car. Wendy kept us informed about our racing friends. We sped up at the end, and Zach and I separated with about a half mile to go. He finished in 1:55:33, and I was six seconds behind him. Mary joined us less than a minute later.

Let me just say that again: I finished a half marathon, without racing, with challenging hills, talking the whole time, in just two minutes above my PR. I could not be more thrilled with my fitness.

Here are the results and the stats 'n' such. Hooray to my friends Becky and Kyle for being the first Lawrence Countians, and to all my friends and neighbors for their great races.

Afterglow
...and what an afterglow it is. Bedford did it. We did it. We ALL did it. It took everyone coming together to make the Bedford Half Marathon what it was. What was it? It was an event that made every single person in attendance appreciate something about someone else. It built and strengthened relationships and community pride. It was everything I love about Bedford, Indiana, and running.

Some More Pics

A finish line with Bedford on it!

Starting with Yancy and Zach

With Mary and Zach on Mitchell Road

Finishing

Did it!

In the chute with Zach

Got it done!

PS - September
Here are my September running stats:

Miles Run: 135.52

Runs: 13

Hours Run: 21:54:26.2

Average Run Distance: 10.42 mi.

Average Run Pace: 9:42.0

Average Run Duration: 1:41:06.6

Average Temperature: 54.25°F

Longest Run: 7.00 mi., September 1

Shortest Run: 20.10 mi., September 20

Favorite Run: September 13, 15.01 mi.
Trips To Gym: 6
Total 2014 Mileage: 908.62
Total Lifetime Mileage: 3,861.36

(Current 2014 total is 929.27 mi., and current lifetime total is 3,882.01.)

A Monumental Blog Entry - JoAnna Kai Cobb

Note: This blog was written to be featured in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon's launch of the Monumental Blog.

"I am a runner."

That simple sentence, only four words, conveys a great deal of significance. It reveals to others a hobby I enjoy. It reminds me of who I am. It explains my often ravenous hunger. However, its impact in my life moves much more deeply and has been extremely varied.

From Compulsory To Curative

Jo in a 2011 race

Prior to 2006, running was an unenjoyable activity forced upon me in PE classes. That long-held opinion changed when I discovered that the act of running could temporarily erase some of my symptoms of Crohn's disease, a chronic and painful autoimmune disease that affects my digestive system. Running freed me from the constant abdominal discomfort I had experienced for years.

Suddenly, I couldn't get enough of this new and effective method of pain-control. Even after experiencing a series of running-related injuries due to Crohn's-weakened bones, I continued to return to running, often starting back at "square one," in order to regain my moments of liberation from hurting.

Building for better running

...And Competitive
A few frustrating injurious years gave me an impetus both to focus on nutrition and to gain core strength that would allow my body to withstand longer, faster running. I began working with a trainer and eating foods that acted as good fuel for my body. Able to withstand more training miles, I had a strong base that allowed me to finally break two hours in the half marathon, a longstanding goal.

Though becoming a more robust runner was a dream come true, I recognized that something was still missing in my running life. Setting and reaching goals was thrilling, and sharing the fun with my family at the finish line was icing on the cake. However, all the training and racing miles were awfully lonely.

...And Social

IMM 2013 - Wendy & Jo

I had always been too timid to run with others for fear of being "too slow." However, teaming with ultrarunner Wendy Miller proved to be a perfect match. The slower training pace required in preparation for her 50-mile races paired perfectly with my half marathon training, and we began enjoying many miles together. Her suggestion to run the 2013 Monumental Marathon together was met with my accord.

Running with Wendy brought new excitement to the sport for me, and I found myself eagerly anticipating every long run. After a wonderful training cycle, health issues limited my performance at the 2013 IMM, but Wendy and I still had a wonderful time on a beautiful fall day in Indy. We left with good memories and a score to settle with the racecourse.

Motivational pull-tab chart

...And Now
The 2014 IMM looms on the horizon. I've spent the spring and summer working with my trainer Sam to become physically strong enough to withstand training miles. My dear friend and training partner Wendy is now also my coach through Limestone Distance Training. Though she will be unable to join me on the IMM course due to injury, she still keeps a close eye on my training as she bikes beside me on long runs. I keep track of my progress toward my marathon goal with a silly pull-tab chart that isn't so silly when I feel the satisfaction of pulling off a tab after a run. Every day, I feel more excited, more tenacious, and hungrier for that IMM course and the wonderful weekend that accompanies it.

Running has given my life new perspective. It has allowed me the chance to appreciate everything—even the support of my wonderful husband, Mom, and Dad—with new perception.  My running is curative. My running is competitive. My running is social. My running is now.

I am a runner.

Mile 18 of an early morning 20-miler

Completed!

JoAnna Kai Cobb
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Awesome August, Awful August

August. August gets a bad rep in the running world because of its weather. Hot. Humid. Muggy. Pop up thunderstorms. However, running a fall marathon demands August training, so it is a necessary evil. August had its share of awful moments for me, but I had some really great August moments, as well. Here's a summary.

The Stats
My August stats boast the highest monthly mileage and training hours I've ever accrued. Check it out:

Miles Run: 140.33

Runs: 15

Hours Run: 22:01:11.2

Average Run Distance: 9.36 mi.

Average Run Pace: 9:24.9

Average Run Duration: 1:28:04.7

Average Temperature: 68.7°F

Longest Run: 18.03 mi., August 23

Shortest Run: 3.00 mi., August 6

Favorite Run: August 2, 16.13 mi.
Trips To Gym: 4
Total 2014 Mileage: 773.10

Total Lifetime Mileage: 3,725.84

I ran over 140 miles, much of it before sunrise and in super muggy conditions, without getting injured in any way. Do you know me? Have we met? One hundred forty miles, UNINJURED. It's amazing. Awesome August.

The Injury
I didn't get injured, but dear Wendy did. On August 7, our orthopedist (yes, we share a doctor), put her on crutches due to a broken femur. Awful August. Three weeks later, tests revealed that Wendy's leg was not broken after all. Her "fracture" was a substantial nutrient vessel (haha), and she was cleared to run. Awesome August. However, the three weeks of rest did nothing to heal her or curb her pain, and doctors surmised and later confirmed that she has obturator nerve entrapment. She will need surgery and will not be able to run the entire Monumental Marathon course with me. Awful August.

The Long Lone Ranger

Post-Run Coffee with "Whitney"

When Wendy's injury took her out of the training game, I lost a running partner. Many of our friends have run with me; however, with the exception of Wendy's brother Wes, no one wants to run at o'dark thirty, and not even Wes likes to run that early on the weekend. That meant I would have to do two and three hour runs alone. It's not terrible to run long by oneself, but it's certainly more fun with a friend.

However, I've found that I enjoy listening to lectures and books on tape while running long. I've also had great success with my long runs, especially  a 16-miler on August 2 where I felt like I could run forever. Also, Wendy has made it a habit to be involved in my long runs, whether she takes me to a destination starting point or drives beside me while I run. We also get lunch/coffee afterward. Awesome August.

Back To School
School started. Awesome August. It's been hard on my voice. Awful August. My students are great, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be paired with them for a school year. Awesome August.

Cobbs +2

The Claude
Every year, Dad, Ed, Sam, Mac, Mike, and I play as a team in Otis Park's famous Claude Akins Classic Labor Day Scramble. (Mom is cheerleader.) It absolutely poured rain on us ALL DAY, and we didn't win. Awesome August. Hey-o, orange you glad I didn't say, "Awful August"? I truly had a good time losing in that monsoon. I love playing with my guys in The Claude every year. I recorded the stats from The Claude, too, and they're pretty funny to see.

Summary
August had lots of highs and lows, but I feel like it was mostly a positive month. I'm so happy with my running right now. Wendy is coaching me through a great training cycle, and Sam continues to keep my body in shape to endure the pavement (or trail) pounding. I look forward to every run, and tear off each run on my pull-tab chart with a good feeling of accomplishment. School is great, family is great, and all the other "Awful August" stuff will eventually resolve and become a memory. I can hardly wait for Super September and the fall days that will follow.

The Summer That Was 2014

Summer is an interesting time for me, because I suddenly find myself without a job. Many people would consider that situation awesome, but it's not for me. I became a teacher because I like to interact with middle school students. I dearly miss my students when I have to "give them up" in May. I spend the summer counting the days until school starts.

However, not one to wish away a period of time, I always try to make the most of the 10 or so weeks that I am "unemployed." This year, my corporation's summer break lasted 67 days for teachers.  Here are some of the cool bits that went down during Summer Break 2014.

Boot Camp
I joined an 18-session boot camp with my trainer, Sam, at Anytime Fitness. Though I got a total body workout, Sam and I focused on my core, hamstrings, and glutes—the muscles that needed the most attention in order to make me a better runner. I can actually feel the strength Sam has given me.

Bridge
Every summer, I try to learn something completely new. This summer, Ed, Mom, Dad, and I took bridge lessons.  I know that a card game doesn't sound like momentous learning, but this bridge stuff is super involved. We have had four two-hour sessions, and we still aren't done learning. The game is growing on me with each class.

Headlamp Trail Run - Wendy's Bday

Milwaukee Trail
I've run this topic into the ground, but really, what a great thing that trail is. The temps are cool, the scenery is great, the folks are friendly. I spent a lot of time on that trail with Wendy and other friends this summer.

Surgery/Vocal Therapy
I had surgery to repair a damaged vocal cord and completed the subsequent therapy at the IU School of Music. Believe it or not, the therapy was a lot of work. I had to strengthen all the laryngeal muscles and retrain my cords to speak and sing properly. What a great feeling it was to get back the voice that I didn't appreciate until I lost it.

No Speaking
This item is similar to the note above, but really, not making a sound (except for that Chicken Fat incident), was a pretty significant thing for me. It's the longest I've gone in my life without vocalizing.

No Grooming
I've also broken a personal "no makeup" record (as an adult). All 67 days of summer were makeup and flatiron free. I loved it.

Using the Ginger Threads Longarm

Jelly Roll Quilt
I made a jelly roll quilt in less than a week using the longarm and techniques learned from Jessica at Ginger Threads. I gave the quilt to Mamaw, and she loves it. That was fun.

Fun Events
There were a lot of other little events that are worth mentioning, like our fireworks, the Monumental Mile, golf tournaments, trips to French Lick/West Baden, sitting on the porch with Ed, running the Red Eye Relay with the Zoooomin' Cabbits, taking walks with Ed, working in my classroom at a leisurely pace, etc.

Running
The accomplishment about which I'm most proud this summer is my running mileage. 300. Did you hear that? THREE HUNDRED MILES. I ran three hundred miles this summer. That wasn't a goal when summer began; it just happened. To have run that many miles and still have pain-free legs is a first for me. I know I owe a lot of those miles to the Milwaukee Trail's soft surface. I'm very proud of that statistic because it shows that my training, including my work with Sam, is producing positive results. Here are my summer stats, which include 67 days: June 1-August 6:

Miles Run: 300.35

Runs: 40

Hours Run: 48:27:56

Average Run Distance: 7.51 mi.

Average Run Pace: 9:40.91

Average Run Duration: 1:15:41.9

Average Temperature: 66.0°F

Trips To Gym: 18
2014 Mileage: 670.06

Total Lifetime Mileage: 3,622.80

What a great summer it has been! As wonderful as it was, I'm thrilled to be headed back to school tomorrow, and to meet my new students who will come on Friday. Here's to a great 2014-2015!

Go, Cutters!

PS
I don't think I ever posted July stats. Here they are:

Miles Run: 137.60

Runs: 17

Hours Run: 21:51:18.5

Average Run Distance: 8.09 mi.

Average Run Pace: 9:31.79

Average Run Duration: 1:17:08.15

Average Temperature: 63.6°F

Longest Run: 16.11 mi., one, two, three legs at Red Eye Relay on July 19-20

Shortest Run: 2.50, July 29

Favorite Run: July 19-20, one, two, three Red Eye Runs
Trips To Gym: 12