Completed Marathons!!"We know that the effects of training are temporary. I cannot put fitness in the bank. If inactive, I will detrain faster than it took me to get in shape. And since my entire persona is influenced by my running program, I must remain constantly in training. Otherwise, the sedentary life will inexorably reduce my mental and emotional well-being,
So, I run each day to preserve the self I attained the day before. And coupled with this is the desire to secure the self yet to be. There can be no letup. If I do not run, I will eventually lose all I have gained." Dr George Sheehan #12 - 7 Bridges, Chattanooga, TN - Oct 19, 14 - 5:36:23
2013 was a hard year for me to stay motivated both with running and sticking to a clean diet. I lost my mojo after running the Everglades Ultra (50 mile trail run). My sister and I signed up for this back to back marathon week-end, thinking it was the motivation we both needed to become more active. Unfortunately, having this goal did not change my mind-set at all. Before I knew it, race day was here and I was nervous. My goal at this point was just to make it to both finish lines. The weather for both races were perfect. In Jackson, MS at the Blues Marathon, I started the race with my husband and sister who were running the half marathon. Keith took off like a rocket but Mary and I ran a few miles together before Mary picked up the pace. Then about half way, I met up with an amazing group of Marathon Maniacs. A few of them had also signed up for the First Light Marathon in Mobile, AL. Keith finished the half in 2:18:38 (a PR for him!) and Mary finished in 2:14:50. All and all the race was great! However, it ended with me feeling exhausted, stiff and filled with blisters on my feet. The next morning, the last thing I wanted to do was run another marathon. It is the first time I had to drag myself to the start and was wishing I had never signed up. My sister and I were both running the full with Keith and Joshua being our support. Mary was going to run a few miles with me but I was so slow that I encouraged her to go at her own pace. I would have loved to run more with here but I knew this would be a struggle and didn't want to push it too hard or force her to go too slow. I met up with some Marathon Maniacs (that I had met the day before) they helped to keep me motivated. It is amazing what some of these other runners had done. Although I was in so much pain (especially my feet), I was feeling energized by all the people I was meeting. Having done ultras the last two years, I had forgotten how much I love the energy of a marathon and the interaction with so many other runners while you are running. I ended up becoming a Marathon Maniac (MM#8517) and found the motivation I needed to get back into staying more active and clean my diet again! Mary finished the race in 4:50:17. On a side note - during the First Light Marathon everyone who ate the meat sauce at the pre-race dinner got food poisoning. I was extremely happy to not be a meat eater, I couldn't imagine the extra struggle from the food poisoning.
#9 - Belgium Marathon (Brussels) - Oct. 2, 2011 - 4:32:39My first International Marathon and the International battle between McInnes and Montigny. My sister and I had been planning to compete against each other since we decided to run this race and motivated each other with this upcoming challenge by comparing our training habits. She had the fastest marathon title when we ran the A1A but I took it during the Cox Marathon in RI. She was convinced she was going to get the title back. My main goal was to take 36 minutes off my previous marathon (which I wondered if that was a little too ambitious). The week before the marathon, my cousins, husband, sister and I were traveling Europe. We went to four different countries and partied like Rock Stars. Right after the cannon went off on race day, Mary took the lead and yelled "See you later" within seconds she disappeared into the crowd. Around mile 4, I ran past the cousins cheering and wearing the shirts they had made with my logo on the front and McInnes vs Montigny Challenge on the back. It was the first time I saw the shirts and loved them so much that I stopped to take a picture with them! Around mile 6, Mary and I passed each other on an out and back and I could see she had a 15 minute lead. Around mile 20... I passed her!! And kept the lead until the end; I finished 7 minutes and 24 seconds ahead of her!!! She finished in 4:40 (Great job Mary!). My husband did the half marathon and finished in a great time of 2:29 (So proud of you Keith!). I am happy my family was there with us. What a fantastic event and great way to explore Belgium!
#8 - Myrtle Beach Marathon (SC) - Feb. 19, 2011 - 5:35:41Knowing what is right and doing what's right are two totally different things. I guess I needed a re-run of Virginia to remind me how important training consistently and eating right is. If I were to quantify my training and how well I stuck to it, I would say 65% - 70%. I skipped a lot of training runs and then when I was at the peak of my training, I tried to make up missed miles and over-trained. Knowing that one should never do that because it breaks down your immune system. Of course I got a head cold and an injury... (inflamed hamstring tendon) causing me to take more time off from running to get better. THEN instead of tapering, I came to a complete halt as I ate everything in sight (still no meat of course but tons of junk food). I gained about 12 pounds in the last few weeks leading up to the event. Talk about self destruction! I don't know what I was thinking. The only thing I can conclude is that I was so disappointed in my last race that I lost focus and motivation. I am happy I completed the event, beat my slowest marathon time, had another fitness reunion with my mom and crossed another state off the list but can't help feeling disappointed. Especially, since I know better and would never advise you to follow the training regimen I did.
#7 - Marine Corps Marathon (DC) - Oct. 31, 2010 - 5:27:04Wow and Ouch!! Train Hard - Race Hard. My husband and I moved to Southern Florida, in Nov of 2009. I did not realize how much the weather and terrain would effect my training. Prior to this marathon, we had been living in Maine where I was used to power training on hills and took the cool temps for granted. I trained hard but could feel myself getting slower and slower. I made a habit of training at the wrong time of day by hitting the pavement at high noon during the summer months. I put in the miles but not the speed because it was just too hot... my muscle memmory suffered. Although I had a bad finish time, I had a great time at the event. It was on Halloween so my mom, husband and I dressed like inmates. This is nick named "The People's Marathon" and I can see why. If you don't like running in huge crowds, you'll have a hard time with this event. But if you like to party while running, you NEED to do this marathon. I highly recommend this marathon and it is the only one I would consider doing again.
#6 - Manchester Marathon (NH) - Nov. 1, 2009 - 4:23:42 ~~Current PR~~ Fourth PR in a row!!! This marathon was a lot different from other marathons. Running is always thought to be an individual sport (especially running an endurance event because it is hard to find someone who runs the same pace) but during this marathon, I talked my good friend Leslie into running it with me. We trained many hours together... it was my chance to coach, inspire and push someone to show them what they are able to accomplish. I was able to pass the torch that Dawna gave me. As we trained together we created a close bond and a never ending friendship. We ran the entire marathon together as we sang, talked, laughed and bonded even more. People along the way thought we were doing the relay because we looked like we were having too much fun to be doing an entire marathon. Both of our husbands and Leslie's family were there to show their support. We were a great team and she pushed me along the way, just as much as I pushed her.
#5 - Cox Marathon (RI) - May 3, 2009 - 4:31:52Third PR in a row!! If this doesn't drive home my mantra of "Train Hard - Race Easy", I don't know what does. I remember my training went really well. My mom and I did a 20 mile race a few weeks before the event and it felt amazing. After the 20 miler I started telling everyone that I was going to cut another half hour off my PR. No one believed me and said that was a lot but I knew I could do it. It was all I could think about for the weeks leading to the marathon. My training was right on target! This was also another one of our famous family reunions. If you know our family, you know our reunions revolve around running, races, hiking, biking or some other athletic activity. My mom and I ran the full and my husband and grandmother ran the 5K... that's right! I said grandmother! My grandfather cheered all of us on and I remember the proud look on his face as we all crossed finish line. I think this may have been the moment he decided to get into running 5Ks too!
#4 - Rock N Roll Marathon (CA) - June 1, 2008 - 5:03:22Another PR!!! What?!?!?! Training really is an amazing thing!! I almost didn't make it to this marathon because I was low on funds, my husband (to be) and I were planning our Jamacian wedding which took place in August. My sister and mother were both stationed in Cali and planned on running the marathon. When they first told me about it, I was excited and thought I was going but then I took a look at my budget and realized I couldn't afford to go. To my surprise, they paid for my airline and registration!! I am so lucky to have such an amazing, supportive family! They told me there was no way they could run it without me, especially with my goal of running every state. The event had so many people racing, cheering, bands at every mile and I got to meet some of my sister's friends who were doing their first marathon. I highly recommend this race or any of the Rock N Roll Marathon. My husband was unable to make it to the event but cheered me on via cell phone and watched my progress through the power of technology on the Rock N Roll Marathon's website.
#3 - A1A Marathon (FL) - Feb. 17, 2008 - 5:23:21Great family reunion!!! I ran the full marathon as my mom, sister and husband ran the half!!! There is nothing like having your family at an event!! My husband and I ran together until the half marathon split off from the full marathon course. I ran most of the event alone but my sister ran to the 26 mile point, to help me push through the last .2 miles. She kept telling me to pick up my speed and finish strong. I wanted to kill her at the time because I felt exhausted and had a hard time finding the extra energy for the last push. But at the same time, she was exactly what I needed for that last push. I was able to take almost 30 minutes off my previous race and got a PR by a few seconds. This is what happens when your dedicated to your training schedule. This is what Train Hard - Race Easy is all about! I would be lying if I said that I wasn't in any pain but it was nothing compared to Virginia.
#2 - Shamrock Marathon (VA) - March 21, 2006 - 5:52:44This was by far the most challenging marathon I have ever completed. The course was flat, the weather was perfect and my support system was there to help me along the way. Sounds like I would have a great time, right? It would have been if, I had trained more. This is where my mantra came from "Train Hard - Race Easy". I remember reaching mile 8 with 18.2 more to go, thinking there was no way I was going so see the finish line. I was exhausted, there was a blister on the arch of my foot getting bigger by the minute and my entire body ached but at the same time, there was no way I was giving up. I walked and ran my way to the finish line after kicking myself for almost 6 hours as I learned how important training really is. My mother was there to run the marathon "with" me and waited with my husband to cheer me on as I stumbled through the finish line. I made it!! Had this been my first marathon, I am not sure I would have ever wanted to run another one. As it was, it took me almost 2 years before I did my next one.
#1 -Mt Desert Island Marathon (ME) - Oct. 16, 2005 - 5:24:02Great event!! The course was extremely challenging but beautiful!! I was running against the wind, up hill in a down poor the entire time. There were moments I remember feeling as if I was running backwards, as gusts of wind pushed against my exhausted body. I cried at mile 24, knowing I was going to finish... "I have ran 2.2 miles thousands of times!!" I told myself. I also cried as I ran through the finish line into my husband's arms. My first marathon was an emotional event for me, I could not be more proud of myself. I was hooked right away and wanted to make it my life goal to run all 50 states. I give thanks to my good friend Dawna for encouraging me to do a marathon and being with me every step of the way, as she helped me train. I soon realized I took all that training for granted.
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Running TotalsGoal for 2015 run 1000 miles
2015 miles
Dec = 80.1 miles 2014 = 527.4 miles Dec = 41.8 miles Nov = 16.8 miles Oct = 36.8 miles Sept = 34.7 miles Aug = 48.1 miles July = 45.5 miles June = 11.7 miles May = 46.1 miles Apr = 93.6 miles Mar = 24.6 miles Feb = 41.5 miles Jan = 86.3 miles 2013 = 471.6 miles Dec = 8.9 miles Nov = 57.7 miles Oct = 30.6 miles Sept = 13.5 miles Aug = 17 miles July = 36.5 miles June = 49.1 miles May = 36.8 miles April = 17.4 miles March = 18.5 miles Feb = 70.3 miles Jan = 115.4 miles 2012 = 903.3 miles Dec = 171.9 miles Nov = 187.6 miles Oct = 156.9 miles Sept = 104.9 miles Aug = 76.4 miles July = 49.1 miles June = 15.6 miles May = 9.7 miles April = 37.5 miles March = 32.1 miles Feb = 41.3 miles Jan = 20.3 miles 2011 = 829.95 miles Dec = 72.39 miles Nov = 25.6 miles Oct = 71.2 miles Sept = 60.8 miles Aug = 97.43 miles July = 83.62 miles June = 96.32 miles May = 70.1 miles April = 46.9 miles March = 59.75 miles Feb = 48.35 miles Jan = 96.5 miles 2010 = 900 miles Dec = 113..8 miles Nov = 26.9 miles Oct = 94.9 miles Sept = 94 miles Aug = 83.3 miles July = 75.3 miles June = 87.4 miles May = 56 miles April = 52.9 miles March = 44.7 miles Feb = 37.3 miles Jan = 133.5 miles |