First of all, a very big thank you to brother Darren for helping me get on track with an actual training plan, now that we are officially ONLY 4 MONTHS OUT! It seemed like there was so much more time! In any case, not only did my dear brother make up a training plan, but he put it in a beautiful calendared spreadsheet that changes colors as I complete each week's mileage. It's pretty much AWESOME and I'm extremely grateful. Thank you again!!
Also, much thanks and gratitude are due to Kristina Selters. She met up with me last weekend to impart some wisdom about her own marathon experiences over breakfast. Hopefully she'll forgive my lack of interviewing skills. She had a lot of really great things to say and I've tried my best to get them all down here.
Enjoy!
Kristina: My mom; that's the short reason. The first one I did, it was a Christmas present to my mom. It was in Dallas, and I said I'd never do one again. Before that, I'd run a half that October. In 2012, I ran my 2nd one. I had done a lot of halves that spring, so I'd thought I'd try another full. The last one, a friend of mine was trying to qualify for Boston, so I said I'd try with her. Now that that goal's in my head, that's why I'm trying another one. But my mom is my inspiration and the reason I run. But she actually started running because of me so, it's been a funny role reversal.
M: How many marathons have you completed? Do you plan to do more?
K: Three. The next one is in Kansas City in October.
M: What advice would you give to someone contemplating their first marathon?
K: Go for it! It's not something a lot of people do. Your body tells you no, but your mind can say yes. Put in the work. Find someone to do it with you; those miles suck and it's hard to do by yourself. After you finish running, keep walking! When you get done, keep your muscles moving. The miles you put in beforehand will determine how sore you are afterwards. And the people at marathons, the supporters, are so great. What's the saying? "If you're starting to doubt humanity, go to a marathon finish line,"? I love finish lines.
M: What is the best advice someone gave you about running marathons?
K: It's mind over matter. Your body will tell you no, but your mind has to tell you yes. I haven't fully grasped this one yet. Your body will break down at mile 18 and you've gotta just say, "Yes." Some of the signs there are awesome, too. ("You trained longer for this than Kim was married," "Britney made it through 2007 - you can make it through this!")
My first one, I walked. The 2nd one, I said I was done at mile 18. The last one, I ran the whole thing, but drastically slowed at mile 20. So I keep making it further. Maybe just think about the beer and the food you can eat all day afterwards.
M: Any tips or tricks for training? For race day?
K: Don't do anything new. You don't know how your body will react. In training, make sure you do the work, even the speed training, especially if you have a goal time.
Find someone to run with you. I never realized before how much I liked running with people. I always thought I liked running alone. Having someone to go through it with you, you get to talking and you learn a lot about people.
There are 2 theories. One is that if you can do 20, you can do 26. Or the other, do 26 or more beforehand so you know you can do it.
If you've got to do 15 miles for the day, maybe run 6 or 7 in the morning and the rest in the evening. That way, you're running on tired legs. Or cross train; go swimming and then go run...
Sometimes you just have to rest, especially if you're not going for a certain time. You have to listen to you body. You don't want an injury.
M: When you're in the thick of the race and digging deep for some motivation, what keeps you going?
K: I try to think of a couple people...When you feel like you don't have anything else, run for someone else. I run for people who can't. I think of my dad and Jayden, people who are fighting cancer. My pain is so temporary. You're choosing to do this. Some people are not choosing their pain; you can run for them. It doesn't always work. People come to me and say I inspire them, but I'm just a girl who likes to run. It clears my head. I just think of people who are going through real stuff and not just a race that's only going to last a day.
M: Do you have a favorite race moment or memory? Or a favorite part of marathons in general?
K: My favorite moments aren't really about me. I love seeing people doing it for the first time - like, I'd love to see you in Chicago! When I did the Plaza 10K a couple years ago, this lady had just finished and was in tears, because she had never run that far before. It's such an accomplishment for people and I forget that. My last race, I didn't get what I wanted...Seeing other people finishing their first half or whatever distance it is, is by far my favorite part. I forget sometimes to see the big picture and take a step back. Right now I'm so focused on time, it can take the joy out. It'll be that way for the next few months.
M: What's next? Do you think it's important to improve (i.e. run the same distances faster)? Or is it just all about finishing/continuing to run?
K: I'll be doing the KC marathon in October, and the Ironman in Lawrence next summer. I may try a trail half next March, too.
Those people that run a marathon a month, I couldn't do that. It's not great for your body. For me, it's a speed thing. I want to qualify for Boston. After my last one, I said if I did another one, I want to qualify for Boston. For your first one, just cross the finish line. For shorter distances, it's all about the group and the community. Everyone has an opinion on how to do it; it's really up to you. Right now, I just have the one goal. After the first one, you'll probably say 'I hate it, I'll never do it again,' but keep trying. Try different distances. Try running with groups.
Much thanks again, Kristina, for sharing your thoughts, and very best of luck to you on all your upcoming running adventures!
The Totals:
Running:
- June: 13.0
- 2014: 114.8
Biking (non-stationary):
- June: 0.0
- 2014: 58.5
