First off, training for a marathon is not for the weak or faint of heart. It takes more than dedication and disciple; I think it takes a good dose of crazy. After registering for the race, I was feeling pretty good about myself. I mean, what an accomplishment I was endeavoring to conquer! Compared to the average human being, I was taking on the impossible and the most difficult thing known to man! At least, that’s the impression most people gave me when I mentioned marathon training. I’m not gonna lie, I was feeling pretty hardcore and bad to the bone, until I met Greg Mackenzie, a crazy south African runner and fantastic physical therapist in Vandalia. I went into his office, Xcel Sports Medicine, to get checked out and make sure everything was looking good before I began to really dig into my training. He began telling me about the Comrades marathon in South Africa, a 56-mile non-stop marathon. As my eyes widened and my jaw began to drop, he continued to tell me not only has he completed it 8 times, but his wife has also completed it twice! He continued to tell me about ultra marathons and people running 50, 75 and 100 miles at one time. I was quickly sinking back in my chair and instantly moving from the top to the bottom of the food chain of intense running. I soon realized that I was a couch potato compared to these amazing athletes! Not only were they running insane miles, but at an insanely fast pace! Who runs 56 miles in less than 8 hours? Who runs 56 miles period? I was completely ignorant to the incredible feats people are accomplishing and what the human body, I should say “some” human bodies, are capable of. Although I was feeling slightly like a little fish in big pond, Greg and his staff were very encouraging and motivating that a marathon in itself is quite an accomplishment. I left the office feeling pretty good about myself, and knowing that for me, I might as well be taking on the impossible.
Training for a marathon takes months of training; from early mornings long runs, ice baths, special nutrition and diet, cross training and many sacrifices on your life. Nevertheless, I was ready to face these challenges with a glad heart knowing that I was not only doing something I never thought possible, but I was fulfilling one of my greatest dreams in the process. Full to the brim of motivation and joy, I raced out the door one morning for a mid week run, a little 3-miler. Which for the journey I was on, was a cupcake compared to the miles ahead. It was a cool morning in March and I was wearing my new Nike running shorts (a must have for any marathon runner of course). It was brisk, but I couldn’t wait to wear them. About a mile into my run, I was crossing the train tracks and in my ever-so-graceful manner I tripped over the tracks and down I tumbled! I’m sure I was quite the entertainment for the morning traffic passing by as I lunged face first into the gravel. Natural, due to my cat like speed and reflexes, I stuck my hands out in an attempt to save my face. Although I did keep my face clean, the same cannot be said about my hand, knee and shin. Blood and gravel was now tattooed on my body, not to mention dirt. I had conveniently removed about 4 layers of skin off the palm of my hand, resulting in a pool of blood I now had to carry with me for the remainder of my run. My sweet and ever-so faithful running buddy, Katie Yantis, quickly came to my rescue making sure I was ok. She asked if I wanted to go back, but I was determined to complete the run and get my miles in. So I ran the rest of the way holding my little bloodly hand all the way back to the house. The whole time I was thinking to myself, “Really Tiff? You’re already bleeding and it’s only the first week!” I honestly was a little scared of what the weeks ahead would entail. But I assumed a few bumps, bruises and scars would be part of the process.
As my training progressed, so did my miles. I remember thinking that 12 miles was a lot! Man, was I in for a treat. J I am thankful to Hal Hidgon and his amazing marathon-training schedule, I recommend it to all runners; beginners or elite. It’s so easy to follow and truly prepares you, and keeps you running injury free. Which was my main goal in this race; I wanted to not only finish, but to run smart. Good shoes, a solid training plan, ice baths and listening to your body is vital for running injury free. Anyhow, summer came quickly and boy was it a hot one. We broke many records this summer as one of the hottest ones Ohio has seen in many years. Oh joy! My Saturday morning long runs would begin at 5am in order to beat the heat. Most mornings we would beat the sun out as well. Sometimes running for over an hour in the deep darkness of the bike path in an effort to stay somewhat cool. Tripping over tree branches, we pressed on determined to get in our miles. I will be honest, although running at 5 am is somewhat painful, we did get to see some of the most beautiful sunrises. The brisk summer air at 5am was quite refreshing but short lived. It wasn’t long before the time of day was no longer on your side and the temperature was over 80 degrees even at 3 and 4am. Lots of water drops, water stops and sweating; however, what can you do? Thankful for Up and Running and their headbands; sure saved my face this summer. Some of the things they don’t tell you when marathon training is your face will turn into 8th grade breakout session again and little did I know someone could even get “bacne”. All that sweat will cause your body to create mini colonies of acne all over your body. What a new and exciting experience! Not.
Also, they sure don’t tell you that your feet will literally feel like chopping them off would feel better than walking on them. Your body will ache in places you never knew possible. Pain becomes a part of your daily routine, almost to the point where you don’t feel it anymore. Your Friday nights with friends is quickly replaced with a pasta dinner and in bed by 9pm. Your best friends are an ice bath and a foam roller – plug, those are life changing and definitely make a difference in your recovery. Not to mention, TIME! Marathon training takes up lots and lots of time! Over 500 miles I have added up over the last 9 months, and those didn’t come free. You have to be ready to sacrifice, not only food and time, but activities as well. Like I said before, marathon running isn’t for the faint of heart. It is for those who want to painfully challenge themselves in an effort to truly accomplish something grand!
As the weeks began to shorten before the race, my body began to get tired. The excitement was quickly replaced with exhaustion. After months of training and early mornings, I was feeling worn out. I kept pushing through the tired feelings and kept tacking on those miles. Learning all kinds of things along the way, like what NOT to eat before a run, like poptarts. Now I know for some they are wonderful, and I had read that somewhere, so I decided to try it. HUGE mistake. About 4 miles into my long run, not even half way, I was feeling that feeling in my stomach no runner wants to feel; I think you know what I’m talking about. Those poptarts had to get out and I’m in the middle of nowhere on the bike path! The closest thing to me is woods. Instantly I started contemplating which side of the bushes I would be diving into! Although it was the last thing I wanted to do, I knew there was no way I would make it through the next 6 miles in this state. Let’s not forget to mention I was running with a new friend I had just met and this was our first run together; and I was sure it would be our last after this escapade. I finally had to be honest and tell her the painful truth; I needed a bathroom asap. She laughed and said, “the bushes”…my fears were quickly becoming a reality. My pace began to slow to a walk. As I slowly made it around the corner and began to walk to the trees, I saw a gate and a construction worker sitting there. I ran over to him and before I could spit the words out he pointed to the port-a-potty near by. I know this may be too much, but seriously this is what long runs are made of. As a person, I have a strict no port-a-potty rule, however this was the time to rebel against that. I was so embarrassed as the man sitting there just laughed at me as I sprinted to the bathroom. Needless to say, the damage was done and I walked out, face red and all from shear humiliation, and attempt to act as if nothing had happened. HA! I looked at my friend and said, “I won’t blame you if you never want to run with me again”. She smiled and just reminded me it happens to the best of us! These are things they don’t tell you about in the books. But that’s what long runs are for, to test things out and find what works for you. However, I would recommend that you test drive new foods on a route with a close bathroom.
From bathroom runs, to monsoon rains – training must go on. I have got caught in the rain, lightening, thunder, hail, blazing heat and shivering cold. It’s been quite the journey. I have learned a lot about myself, my capabilities and how you can, if you set your mind to it, truly accomplish just about anything! I am extremely grateful for my dedicated running partner, Katie, who stuck by my side for those early, hot runs, and even the few cold ones. She is an incredible friend, athlete and runner. I am so proud of her and I wish her luck as she tackles her first marathon in just a shy of a few weeks. I wouldn’t have made it to the start without her.
After running my 20 miles, I started to taper, then began my carbo-loading (personally my favorite part of training) and that was it. After 18+ long weeks of training, I was finally at the place I had worked so hard to be; the start line. The taper is a difficult time of training. As your miles decline, your fears and anxious thoughts escalade! All those questions on “can I make it?”, “I need one more long run”, etc raced through my mind daily. After about two weeks, the excitement began to build onto all those thoughts. I could hardly focus or get through the workday! To say I was freaking out would be an understatement. My roommates and amazing supporters, Betsy Meschke and Kaitlyn Alford, would remind me constantly to “BREATHE”. But little to nothing could contain my nerves and excitement for the day soon ahead of me.
Finally, the day arrived; I packed up my things, and began the drive to Chicago with my parents, and roommates. Inside I was freaking out and jumping for joy at the same time. My mind was racing with every question you could imagine; could I really do this? What if I hit the wall? What if get a stitch? What if….? You name it. I tried to breathe, like they say to, but that really doesn’t do much. Nothing can take away that feeling of wonder and the unknown. I just had to swallow and do what I had been training to do; RUN. I crawled into bed and tried to get some sleep, yeah right! I think I got about 2 hours of sleep the night before my race. My mind wouldn’t slow down. My alarm went off at 5am, and up I was! As I began to put my shirt on, and lace up my shoes, my heart pounding in my chest, I thought to myself “you are really doing it Tiff!”. My dad walked me to the gate. The emotions and tears were welling up inside me, but I barely managed to hold them back as I told him “Goodbye, I’ll see you at the finish.” I began to walk to my start corral. The feelings inside me at this moment are truly indescribable. I’ve wanted to run this race for over 5 years. And here I was, along with 45,000 other runners. The gun went off as did we, through Grant Park and headed to the long journey ahead. I tried to soak up every moment, although looking back now, it was nearly impossible; I couldn’t stop smiling! I was overjoyed to be running not only one of the largest races in the world, but the marathon of my life! Each mile was a joy to cross and time really flew by! The live bands, dj’s, supporters and staff were full of energy and encouragement. Over 1 million spectators lined the streets cheering us on, including my amazing friends and family. As mile 21 approached, I began to fatigue and get some sharp and unexpected pain in my right knee. Although the pain in my knee slowed my pace down, I didn’t stop. I kept telling myself, “You can do this! KEEP running!”. My goals in this race were two simple ones: to finish and to have fun. Through the pain of the last few miles, anyone who has ran a marathon knows those well, I pushed on towards the finish line. And finish is what I did! As I crossed that line, I burst into tears! The emotions filling my heart were overwhelming. I did it! Words truly can’t describe the feeling. As I tried to wipe my face, people are taking my picture, giving me water and recovery drinks and telling me to keep moving. I continued to push through the crowds to the runner reunite where I would find my family.
I have learned a lot over the last 10 months of training for a marathon and I can honestly say my life will never be the same. I was so happy when I finished that race and loved every minute of it. Sure, there were painful moments, and times I wanted to quit, but that’s what makes it all the more worth it! If you can push yourself through pain and wanting to give up, you can make it through anything in life, whether it’s a marathon or not. I woke up on the brisk morning of October 7, 2012 and I defied my impossible. And had the time of my life doing it!
Now I will be embarking on a new journey with the World Race! Excited to see the challenges, joys and fruit it will bring in my life and the lives of those we touch! Another great year ahead!
