Positive Results by Sabrina

Celebrating the San Jose Half Marathon and a May like no other! I participated in 4 races in one month. I ran in 3 and volunteered at 1. I saw hundreds of my favorite people and got to accompany a social media star to the finish line of his very first half marathon. May of 26 was life changing and heart affirming.

1. This was my third race this month, I’ve never done that before.

When I applied to pace this race for the second year, I didn’t do the math. Last year we raced 6/1. This year 5/31 and I already had two May races on the calendar. When I realized what I’d done, it was too late to change it, all I could do was train and plan with focus. Avenue of the Giants was my last bucket list race and one I went into without a time goal. (Read that post here) No time goal means less pressure for training and knowing that I’d have more fitness in the bucket for the rest of the month. Facing San Jose Half, I knew I had the fitness but I really needed the strength, mobility and mental training. Did I get every workout in that I wanted, nope? Did I have a sick kid for almost a week which caused me to change my routine? Yes. Did I show up on race day a bucket of nerves? Absolutely

2. This was my second time pacing

Last year I agreed to try my hat at pacing, only if I could run with my BRF. She’s mentally gotten me through so many races so I knew she could get me through pacing. This year, it was the same deal. But spoiler alert, the universe had other plans for us. She got sick and that sent me into a game time mental tail spin. Pacing is an extra layer of pressure. Can I do the miles? Absolutely? Am I confident that I can do them within the time goal on a course that is known to run long and get really warm in the end? Well…..not so sure. Last year we came in 20 seconds past goal but since our runners weren’t able to battle the heat at our prescribed pace, I didn’t feel so bad. We picked up other runners and got them in safely.

This year I ended up running with my mentor and coaching legend, Coach B. We started out with two nervous but determined ladies and I kept communicating the plan to them as we went. Yes we were ahead of pace but some of the miles were off and I knew that the over and underpasses, plus the end of race heat tend to get to people mentally. My biggest goal was to keep them conservative and build their mental strength so that they crossed that finish line with pride. And they did!!

3. This race holds my HM  PR and I know how difficult the course can be because it typically runs long, and gets hot in the second half

I know what it’s like to feel like you’re fighting for your life on this race course. You start out in the cool early morning feeling strong and confident. As the miles press on, the sun gets higher and your nutrition and hydration strategies really start to show their true colors, the voice of doubt in your head gets louder and louder. When I faced that voice in 24, I almost gave in. I was alone. I’d given up on catching my friends and I’d given up on reaching my goal. One of my running angels blessed me by coming back for me and she got me right again. She brought me water between aid stations, and literally poured it on me to cool me down and get my head right. Because of her, I pr’d by 1 minute and built the resolve that inspired me to want to be there for other runners during those miles. I can speak with experience to the difficulty and the strength we need to reach our goals. I love being there to remind them with each step that “we can do hard things.”

4. Racing three times in a month as a mensurating woman means you have to account for your cycle and how it will affect race day

Lucky for me, my body is an overachiever and decided I should have to account for the start of my cycle during my first and my last race of the month. Some women report feeling ‘period power’ on the first day of their cycle, when the estrogen drops and testosterone peaks. This has never been me. Plus, we have to account for the extra physical precautions needed. Luckily, with Avenue of the Giants, I only had to deal with cramping during the race. The physical flow didn’t start until the drive home. With San Jose Half, I wasn’t as lucky but I survived. Throw in some extra chafing and it wasn’t too traumatic of a situation. Bonus, I’ve been working on my pelvic floor exercises and I made it through both half marathons without a restroom break. That’s an amazing feat! IYKYK

5. Racing as a curvy woman means I have obstacles to overcome that you can’t see

Speaking of chafing, I don’t know that I’ve made it through a single race without some type of chafing issue. It’s just the nature of the beast with a curvy body, that is also a salty sweater that is also on a tight budget so I don’t have the top of the line gear. I’m thankful that Tatiana (I think that’s who posted it) suggested using KT tape around the bra line. I’ve had massive chafing and scaring there since training for my very first marathon and the tape did the trick this time. I tried adding some extra Salty Britches to my feet and didn’t redevelop the blister from the beginning of the month, but developed two new ones instead. For me that’s a sign that my shoes are officially at their limit and I probably wore the wrong socks for the warmer weather. Every race is a learning experience and I’m always accepting sponsors to help with shoes and gear.

6. I get to share this course with so many people I love and cherish

From volunteering during bib pick up to the finish line of race day, this weekend is always a type of family reunion. We see athletes in person that we only see online the rest of the year. We encourage each other before we start and yell when we spot each other on the course. We cheer for strangers at the front setting the pace and at the back holding on with everything they’ve got. We cheer for club names we recognize, even if the athletes have no idea who we are. For those few hours, we’re all equal with the same goal of getting to that finish line within the best of our abilities. Our manner of racing may vary but our hearts, dedication and resolve are all on display.

7. I am forever grateful for what my body allows me to do and who I get to have those conversations with

Sabrina of 10 years ago never would have imagined being here. I wanted to run 1 half marathon just to prove that I could do it. I never imagined running multiples in a year, let alone in one month. I never imagined being strong and confident enough to pace others. The people that we meet on the race course are special. The resilience and determination of back of the packers can’t be denied. You see it all over our faces, in our bodies and in our steps. We don’t always have the cheering and the music to push us a long like the people who pass an hour before us. We’re out there dependent on ourselves and each other. I don’t always remember to encourage every runner I pass but I sure as heck try.

Recently I told a table full of new friends, “I’m not the type of athlete that will try to talk everyone into a marathon but I’m the type that will try to talk everyone into a race.” You learn so much about yourself and the community around you at a race. Whether it’s your first 5k or your first half marathon, the bravery it takes to show up is powerful. The love, support and encouragement you receive from those around you is powerful. In a world where we seem to have more dark days than light, you deserve a few hours of love, celebration and encouragement like no other.