Phoenix Marathon 2014: Made me cry, again.

Coming up on Mile 22, this year I was determined to LEAVE NO DOUBT!

I had an absolutely fantastic time in Arizona last week.  I got to see my Aunt and Uncle in Bullhead City and do some gambling, met up with any number of friends including my former colleague Rebecca(although next time bring your hot single friend Mandy.  I'm still single you know.), my former neighbors Everett and Wanda who just celebrated their 40th anniversary!, my dear friends Nancy and Pete, got to hang out with my brother Jeff, stayed with my good friends Doug and Kristin, and my old running mate, Gregg, got to see my parents, visited my old neighborhood, met with my Friday morning St. Pat's group, went to Mass by Fr. Eric, ran on the trails, climbed Camelback Mountain., saw some spring training baseball, enjoyed the warm weather and sun, and oh yeah, there was that marathon at the end of the trip....

Circling back to exactly a year ago last weekend, I ran my very first marathon, the Phoenix Marathon, and anyone that has read my blog or knows me, you know that didn't go exactly as planned.  I wish I could say that I wasn't obsessed with how it went down, but it had indeed affected me over the last year.  So I vowed to return to the Phoenix Marathon in 2014, to have a better experience and run like I had always hoped.  The 2014 Phoenix Marathon, as coined by my good friend Bacon, was to be StuDemption!

After the race last year.  I had Earned the Bird, but it hurt.  Close up reveals an actual tear in my right eye.  Not good times.

I got into to Phoenix on Saturday and stepping off that plane and seeing and feeling the sunshine was glorious!  I then drove the 3-4 hours to Bullhead City and stayed at my Uncle Al and Aunt Rae's for a few days.  I love to gamble and Al and I went right over to the Aquarius and planted ourselves in the Sports Book.  Although my bets were horrible, he had a great weekend, so I was pleased to have brought him some luck.  I got to do one of my favorite runs, a 6.5 miler up and down the hills by their place and Rae made me one of her famous burritos as well.  It was  great start to my trip and I then headed down to the Valley of the Sun.

I stayed with my friend Gregg, who I met running when I lived in Scottsdale.  He and I became regular running partners, every Wednesday night at Papago Park in Tempe.  As well as many other times.  Gregg is also a local, born and raised in Phoenix, so he has been a tremendous friend and asset for helping me to navigate my way while living there.  Knowing I was eating a controlled diet that week, he took me to a Vegan restaurant by his place.  I'd never been to one before and I had the Kung Pao Chicken bowl.  I have to admit the chicken tasted pretty legit, I was shocked.  But a big thanks to Gregg for his hospitality and continued friendship.

Gregg and I remembering our Papago Park runs.  Good times.

Part of my plan for the marathon was to have a great week of vacation ahead of time so that no matter what happened with the race, I knew that I had a great trip.  So far it was working out very nicely and with my brother Jeff flying into town for a work conference, coincidentally, I knew the week would only get better.  I met up with Jeff and we had a great dinner Wednesday night before meeting up with my friends Doug and Kristin, who had acquired a party suite for the Cubs-Diamondbacks spring training game on Thursday, the very first game at the new Cubs facility in Mesa.  It was fantastic!  Being a VIP is certainly the way to go.  Great seats, all the food and drink you can consume and great friends, the only negative being I couldn't really eat all that I wanted too, but it was still awesome.

Being a VIP is really the only way to go.

Studenka Brothers taking in some spring training!

Thursday my parents got into town from Las Vegas and we all met up and had a great dinner at Majerle's, because, well, I shouldn't have to explain it to anyone reading this by now(Hint: Fire Up).  Friday morning I joined Doug and the Men's Group I belonged to with him at the Wildflower Bakery in Scottsdale.  Everyone showed up; Sammy, Matt, Mike, Bill, Robin and Doug, and it was great seeing them all again.  This group had a tremendous influence on my life last year as I struggled through my divorce and life at that point.  It was quite meaningful at the end of our time when Doug said a prayer and they all prayed thanking me for being able to join them that day and for strength and health for the race on Saturday.  Doug lives by the mantra, Leave No Doubt.  He has even created red bracelets and I've been wearing one every day since and trying to live my life that way in all aspects.  Thanks to everyone in the group.  I still vow to be back permanently someday.

Leave No Doubt in all aspects of life!

Friday morning my parents and I went to one of my favorite restaurants, Butters, for breakfast.  Apparently Joe Biden came in just after us, seriously.  Then Jeff and I climbed Camelback Mountain and then Friday night, my parents, brother and Doug and Kristin all went to the All-American Sports Bar in Fountain Hills.  For my last meal, if you will, I ate some mac and cheese and grilled asparagus.  I then stayed with Doug and Kristin that night.  I really was thankful to their hospitality because I've stayed with them before and I thought the familiarity of their house beat a hotel any day and I wanted as much normalcy as I could leading up to the race.  I had to get up at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, so around 9:00 p.m. I tried to go to bed.  It was difficult but around 10:00 p.m. or so I fell asleep and was able to get a solid 4+ hours before the wake up call.  All week long the forecast for Saturday had been rain, but not just sprinkles, a downpour of an inch and a half.  There wasn't anything I could do, so I wasn't stressed about it.  Running in rain, no problem, but a torrential downpour, ugh.  When I woke up at 3:00 I could hear it raining.  I was about 20 miles away from the course, so I was hopeful it would either end before race time or maybe not be raining at all in Mesa.

A new pre-marathon ritual; Climbing the Camel. Shouldn't I be resting or something?!?!

With Doug the night before.  Thanks again to you and Kristin for letting me stay over!  After we took this photo we realized we were photobombed by Jesus.  I took that as a good sign.

Just like last year, I had to drive to the finish line and board a bus to be taken to the start in the Usery Mountains.  It wasn't raining at all so far and when I got to the drop off, I had an hour and a half to kill.  It wasn't as bad as I thought though, as the anticipation is usually a killer for me.  But I talked to some other runners, read my secret weapon book, and before you knew it, they were sounding the horn for us to walk out to the road.  As all 3K of us were lining up on the road, with about 10 minutes until the gun, that's when the rain decided to appear.  It came very quickly and pelted everyone as we all stood there shaking and cold and ready to just get started.  Not a fun way to start any run, but nothing you can do.  My goal was to go out with the 3:15 pace group for as long as I could and then hang on for dear life at the end.  I wasn't really sure I could run a 3:15, but I was desperate to break 3:30 and figured that was my best chance.  Turned out the pacer, Derek,  was the same guy that I tried to pace with last year.  He is an incredible pacer, so I knew I'd be in good shape sticking with him as long as I could.

My secret weapon.  My parents found this in an antique store.  Notice where the marathon takes place.  I read this ahead of time to keep me calm, relaxed and to try and have some fun.  I didn't get any weird looks from anyone either.

When they finally shot the gun at 6:30 a.m. and sent us off, the first mile or so was really just spent trying to not knock someone over or get knocked over.  But after we made the first road turn, people started to separate into groups.  And as an added bonus it stopped raining, but it still looked horribly threatening so who knew what was ahead.  I felt great the first few miles, as I imagined I would.  I fully expected the first half+ to go really well, then I'd see what would happen.  But this year as a real added bonus my parents, Jeff and Doug were all going to be at multiple spots along the course to cheer me on.  First spot, right at Mile 4.  I had told them ahead of time, that I was going to run with the pacer and that I would guarantee to be at Mile 4 right at 7:00 a.m.  As we were getting close I started looking for them and right at the corner, just like we planned, there they were.  It felt awesome!  This was my 20th road race and besides my parents coming to the marathon last year and only being able to be in one spot, I have never had anyone at any race I've run be there to cheer me on.  What made it even better is that they turned this race into a true spectator sport, at least for me.  They were cheering wildly, Jeff made a sign, and taking pictures and video, I ran by and slapped five with all of them, it really was a lift.

My Pit Crew Doug, Jeff, Dad (my mom took the photo), The sign Jeff made is an inside joke between he and I.  It definitely made me laugh when I ran by.

Right after Mile 4 you do the only uphill on the course, Thunder Mountain.  However, after living in Seattle this last year and running the disturbingly unfriendly hills there, this became a piece of cake.  I guess the struggling and cursing of the hills I ran everyday, finally paid off.  Thank goodness.  The next few miles went really well as I was right with the pace group.  There were maybe 6-8 people trying to stick with the 3:15 for now.  I talked to a number of them, amazing all you learn about someone in a really short time and then you never see them again.  But you have to do whatever you can out there to get yourself through.  After running by Mile 4 and my crew being so excited and voiceful, a number of the other runners made mention of how cool that was and how lucky I was and they were 100% right!  As we turned down McDowell and were heading towards the Boeing plant, the plan was I would see them again around Mile 11 or so.  When we got close, I ask Derek(Pace runner) if I could carry the 3:15 sign when we went by and he was fully on board.  So as we got close and I could see Doug's bright yellow jacket and hear him yelling, I took hold of the sign and ran by them all, feeling very strong and confident, slapped high fives and got yet another lift.  All of the runners around me were laughing and happy for me.  As marathoners, any lift you get feels incredible and those that didn't have anyone out there for them, we'll I've been there and the support was making a difference without question.  Although for the record I told all the people in our pack that if you can tell me that you hate scUM, I will be sure to have my group cheer for you as well.  They all laughed and goes to prove, once again, that hating scUm pays dividends.

I can now officially say that I have been a marathon pacer!

High fives all around!  Feeling great at 11.5!

Last year about this time is when the leg issues really kicked in for me.  However, today I was feeling really good so far but I thought of that as I passed the point in the race last year where my legs locked up, I just thought to myself, keep going you're already ahead of last year and every mile after that, I said the same thing. I was still with the 3:15 group and as we turned onto Brown Rd. I knew this was going to be a tough stretch.  At this point we'd run 15.5 miles, so you are already fatigued. You run 4 miles down Brown, a very straight road, with it being blocked for traffic, there is absolutely no one around so you have to dig deep as you try to work to the end of it and to Mile 20.  As part of my plan, knowing this would be tough, I had my crew scheduled to be at Mile 20 and so without question, the thought of them being at the end of the road helped spur me on.  I was starting to feel it, but still on pace, hopeful to see them up ahead and get that lift.  It had never rained again since the starting line, but it had stayed cloudy and kept the sun from beating, which was fantastic.  By this time I really didn't need my gloves or removable sleeves.  Knowing I'd see everyone up ahead, I took them off, wadded them in a ball and carried them with plans to drop it off as I ran by.  Since it had rained at the beginning and I had, obviously, sweated a great deal by this point, it was basically a giant, 5 pound ball of sweat I was running with in my hands.  Eager to unload it, I started looking for them as I neared the end of Brown Rd. and turned left onto Mesa.  They were nowhere around.  Did I miss them?  Impossible, but maybe they were up ahead.  Ran to Mile 21, still not there, so I proceed to throw my sleeves/gloves sweatball off to the side of the road.  Whoever found it, I hope you had some purel.  At this point  I was still feeling okay, but I had slipped off the 3:15 pace, not by much, but I could tell I was slowing down.  Figuring I wouldn't see my supporters until the end, I knew I was going to have to dig deep to finish this race.  Plus I always knew the last 10K would be the toughest.  As they say, anyone can run 20 miles, the last 6.2 is what makes you a marathoner.

Somewhere around 22-24, feeling slow, but still confident.

I was starting to feel fatigued and knowing I was falling off pace was somewhat discomforting.  Not terrible, but disappointing.  However, the night before my friend Jon Laing, aka Bacon, had texted me and wished me good luck and he also said to have fun out there, run your own race, don't worry about the results.  I cannot tell you how many people have told me that before, but for some reason Bacon telling me that, it resonated and as I was struggling the last few miles, I really kept thinking back to that.  Slipping off the pace last year, killed me mentally, but he was right, I needed to just do my own thing and be proud of it.  As I was getting closer and could see the Mile 22 flag up ahead,  I could hear someone screaming and it sounded like my name.  Keep in mind at this point of a marathon your mind is really shot, so you aren't exactly in tune with what's going on around you.  But as I got literally right up to the flag, there was Doug, Jeff and my parents, cheering wildly.  It honestly was almost like a mirage as I ran by.  But, wow, was it ever a great feeling!  It definitely kept me going and as I got near Mile 24 I heard it again but assumed there was no way, I had to be imagining things, but there they were at Mile 24 cheering wildly again!  I can't even begin to describe how that felt and how much that made a difference.  With only 2.2 miles to go there was no way I was going to crack this time.  As I got close to Mile 25, they drove by in Doug's car, purely by coincidence, but literally right up next to me.  Turns out they couldn't get near Mile 20 like we planned so they found some other spots to be.  Lucky me!  As I hit Mile 25 at the water/aid station, I took some water but they were also handing out red licorice sticks.  I'd never seen that before at a race, but figured it was for the instant sugar rush, as your body can really use it by then. I took one figuring the chewing, albeit difficult, would be a good distraction as I ran the last mile and it was.

As I turned onto Alma School Road, with less than a mile to go, I was tired for sure, but not beaten.  I made the final turn into the Mesa Riverview Mall complex with 1/2 mile left.  I knew I was going to make it, but what would my time be?  I knew I was way off pace from 3:15 but had I held on to break 3:30? I wasn't sure  but when I got to the final straightaway I could see the finish line and the giant digital clock and it said 3:27:10, I knew I was going to make it. I knew I was slow, but I felt like a million dollars and as I ran the last 1/10th of a mile and crossed the finish line, I raised my arms in victory because I truly felt like I had run the race the way I wanted and this time it worked out as well.  StuDemption had indeed happened as I officially crossed in 3:27:44 and in 199th place out of 3K.

Last year when I was finished, my legs were a wreck and I couldn't wait to sit down.  On this day, I certainly didn't want to run another few miles, but I was so hyped and although fatigued for sure, I just was too excited.  As I was going through the finish chutes, I saw my crew and ran over to them, gave them all a hug and told them how much they inspired me and how much of a difference they had made.  It was great.  They were all just as excited for me and I cannot tell you how great of a feeling that was and how I will never forget that moment.

Right after finishing with Doug, still in the runners chute.  I don't look too bad for having just run for 3 1/2 hours.

Afterwards I went back to my parents hotel and sat in the hot tub for about an hour, getting my core temperature back up and soaking my legs.  I had some soreness in my quads, but nothing major.  After a brief rest in the hotel, we all went out to one of my favorite places, the Blue 32 Sports Bar, near my old place in Scottsdale.  A few other friends joined us and it was a fantastic way to celebrate not only the race, but a great week, just like I had hoped.

My Dad at the Detroit Marathon in 1979.  He held the family record for 35 years.  I may have beat his time, but he'll always be #1!

As I look back on everything it really is no surprise to me that I ran my best race, the race of my life, when I had my family and friends there to support me.  Sure I had to do the training to even make it possible but as I had learned before, a marathon is just a long, long race and even if you are in physical shape to do it, there are a ton of variables.  So having support all week and especially that day, well there is No Doubt that made a huge difference.  I am truly blessed to have so many people in my life supporting me and there for me.  The last few years have been difficult to accept that I've needed extra help, more than I ever did before, but how lucky for me, that it's even an option.  Did I really need this race to turn out this way for StuDemption?  No, because I already have awesome parents, siblings and friends and that is far more important than any race and realizing that and having such a tremendous week with everyone really put that into focus for me.  A big THANK YOU to everyone who wished me good luck or even thought it, everything helps out there and I am truly blessed to have so many supportive people in my life. However, just between you and me, I sure am glad the race turned out like it did, tears again, but this time tears of joy.   

FOREVER FIRED UP!



With my parents at the after party at my favorite place!  StuDemption!