Get Strong Run Strong

"In times of stress, women seek out community." --Amy Morin, 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do

This weekend fueled my soul ❤️. Cheering for my friends near and far who CRUSHED their goals while cheering on 7,000 women taking up space in the streets of Savannah was so empowering. Women are amazing, and women runners -- the best ❤️.

Witnessing the marathon would have been enough, but I'm lucky to have also explored the city and its complicated history (that we're still grappling with in the present -- shout-out to our insightful and astute teacher-turned-tour guide at the Owens-Thomas house for making this crystal clear).

The icing on the cake was spending time with & , crying with after she reached a big running milestone, meeting other runners from all across the country, seeing another RRCA rep , game changer , sharing Ubers with and her adorable mother, and getting a long run in with blast from my past !

"If you're ever losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon." Kathrine Switzer 

Race recap #4: the second half

The second half was easier to run from a logistical standpoint. Less thinking, more flowing. I didn't have any more splits to aim for, which made the second half feel longer, but I also didn't worry as much about pace. Every time I did look at my watch, I saw 7:55. That felt holdable to me. I kept taking my gels every 25 minutes, grabbed my last water bottle from my hubby, and got a personal cheer and a laugh from who told me I was beating Keira D'Amato (I thought she was being funny, since I didn't know that Keira had dropped out early on).

I kept waiting for the dark thoughts to come, the feeling of wanting to quit, of feeling like I couldn't keep this pace. I've felt this many times before, including at mile 15 last year. I know some tricks to work through it now 😉, but it never came. Yes, I got tired around 22 miles when I could see mile 24 across the way but I still had to run the loop out and back to get there (that is mentally abusive at that point!) but I still felt strong. I knew I just needed to keep moving and that I would be there soon.

When I did pass mile 24, I felt relieved. I picked a few people to pass, tried to kick it up a gear (but without much success) and kept thinking about how lucky I was to be here and feeling this good (relatively speaking) at this point in yet another marathon. Quick mental math assured me I would be sub-3:30 if I could just hold on. And once I hit 25, I was celebrating.

I did not dread the last (only) Hill this year. In fact, I welcomed it. My glutes were strong and ready, and I knew I was so so close to the finish. I gave that hill everything I had 💯 and then flew down to the finish line.

I've heard over and over to not look at your watch at the finish but I couldn't resist: 3:27:39. I had achieved my A goal, one I had set for myself 5 years ago when I was coaching myself. Beat it, actually (3:28 was the time I had set). And more than 7 minutes cushion with the updated qualifying times for Boston so 2026 looks pretty good 🤞🤞🤞.

Yes, I had set a time goal years ago and I finally hit it, but what I'm more proud of is how much going for this goal has changed me.

This picture is of my 5k splits 5 years ago today. 👀 (Peep that retro Garmin!)

This pace was me pushing, reaching, racing.

I was doing so many things wrong. But I was determined to get better. To keep running. To move forward. To LEARN.

I've now run a few marathons with paces faster than this. 🤯My progress did not happen by luck or accident. It happened from 1) a dogged belief in my potential and 2) lots of hard work.

I had to seek knowledge and find people who would help me. I had to make decisions and sacrifices. I had to change to make changes.

As I prepare for my 8th marathon this weekend, the word "gratitude" keeps popping up in my head.

I'm so grateful for taking the steps I did 5 years ago.
I'm so grateful for my health that has allowed me to build my fitness.
I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful runners and runner-friendly people in my life who support me in one way or another.

I'm so dang grateful that I get to do this. 💯💯💯

Running doesn't get easier; you just get more resilient.

CHItown, I can't wait to celebrate with you ❤️.

Meetup at the bib pick up!