2019 Air Force Marathon

First day of January this year I felt as if I needed an additional physical goal. I was busy starting my senior year of undergrad, completing my Air Force upgrade training, planning for promotion, taking my GRE testing, etc etc, however I had not changed my physical goals in or out of the gym in some time. I wanted to get back into my first love, running, so I started thinking of ways I might want to. In 2012 I did the Air Force Half Marathon and in 2014 I completed and placed 1st overall in the Deployed Location Air Force 10K in Kuwait at Ali Al Salem Air Base, so I thought why not do them all- the 10K, the half, and now the whole. I signed up for the Air Force Full Marathon and started weaving running workouts into my normal routine. I experienced a few minor injuries, the biggest being my right hip, but with stretching and changing my gate I was able to minimize the discomfort while running. In May, my "real training" started, 5-6 days per week were running workouts. I would train first thing in the mornings often before dawn over the summer months to cut down on my heat and sun exposure. I'm not a huge fan of the sun, so I try to avoid being in it for extended periods of time.

I trained for 14 weeks from a running schedule I designed myself. I was a runner for years, and did some research and decided what would work best for my schedule and would allow for me to still get the majority of my weight lifting workouts in. I'm a meathead, so cutting my workouts down in number was a bit rough for me at first and in true Ariel fashion, I attempted to do it all. I was practically doing 2 a days or working out for 3-4 hours a day with my run included, but then I started increasing in miles and my lifts had to take a back seat. Which surprisingly became refreshing, all I had to worry about was my run and it was a great "me time". Throughout my training I still maintained a 3 lifting day schedule even up until the week of my marathon, at that point and time I was just at the end of my taper so it felt good. I didn't lose any strength in my lifts with the exception of my legs because I haven't done a leg workout since mid-June, the first one back will be a doosey. I learned a lot about my body, my mind, and running during my training. Our bodies are amazing- truly amazing. I wanted to share my experience and the things I found just in case any of you were thinking of taking on a new goal or even training for a marathon yourself.

First things first, if you have been thinking about it- do it. If you have the means, the appetite, and want to do something go for it. If you plan accordingly and spend the time to train, you will do great and it's such a great feeling when you cross that finish line, the first thing I said out loud was, "I did it". I'm proud of myself and all of the hard work and dedication I put into this training.

Next and probably the most important thing I learned a lot during this process. You will stretch or you will die. Okay, maybe not die, but you won't be able to move. I spent more time stretching than running I think. I would stretch every morning I woke up, in the afternoon, before and after workouts and runs, anytime I saw a place I could prop my leg up, and before bed. Carve out significant time for stretching and DO IT. When I was younger I never stretched much and hated doing in, but it makes a big difference in your recovery.

EAT: Seriously, you need to focus on nutrition. When I was entering my final 2 weeks of building longer runs (17/21 miles) I was not eating properly. My body wasn't feeling hungry and I was still participating in normal life. I was heading back to school for my final fall semester before graduation, my husband had left for training in Mississippi, I was training clients, managing the household by myself, still getting in three weight training days weekly, and trying to maintain everything else in between. I was not eating enough, I thought I was, then I'd wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning with my stomach growling. A simple way to fix it was, I would make my normal breakfast, then about 30 mins later I'd eat a large bowl of cereal or have two pieces of toast with jelly. I was adding carbs all over the place because my body went from utilizing and having enough glycogen storage (stored form of glucose in our bodies) with my normal training regimen to adding these over an hour runs on top of them, depleting these stores and shifting to utilizing these stores initially. My body wasn't sure what was going on. Fuel pre and post needs to be figured out with what works for you during these runs and just as importantly, after. My stomach didn't have too many qualms about what to eat/avoid before my runs and same for after. I focused on a carb rich snack, 200-300 calories pre and then after I would almost always have my favorite oatmeal since all of my runs except for a few were done first thing in the morning.

Some days you run like garbage, others I felt like I was flying. Don't expect everyday to be a basket of kittens. Some days your are going to feel like you are running with tree trunks for legs, some days you may struggle with mental barriers, or even motivation. I trained solo, I was never one to need motivation or accountability, I keep myself on tract and motivated easily and always have been this way. Everyone is different, I kept myself accountable by marking in my calendar what I would complete and when. Some days I would go out and just move, move, move with great mile paces and others I just honestly was happy to complete the mileage. It's ebb and flow, there's no reason to beat yourself up, always listen to your body.

One thing I struggled with early on into my training was my rest days, however once I started getting into those longer ones and adding more miles I physically couldn't not take time off. These days consisted of some walking and LOTS of stretching and foam rolling. Also, can we talk about foam rolling??? I maintain that is a workout in itself, that thing would almost bring me to tears, but it sure did help with those tight leg muscles.

Friday before my race I picked up my bib and was ready to go. Chris and I had a great dinner and I was in bed early. Race day was filled with so many emotions, I woke up that morning just before 3am, not sure if it was the loud noises from hotel members or my nerves but none the less I couldn't sleep. I ate breakfast, oatmeal and did some dynamic stretching in the gym at the hotel. We arrived 1.5 hours prior to the race starting, be sure to pay attention to their suggestions for how early you should get there before the beginning of the race, depending on how large it is you may need to be there 2-4 hours early. We walked about 1.5 miles to the race area and found a restroom and then the skies opened up and it poured on us. Not the greatest start to the race, but it was for our safety to have a rain delay. We started an hour and a half later than we were supposed to, which wasn't great since that day's high in Dayton was 92 degrees, so now instead of finishing in 80 degree heat it would be into the 90's. I was never nervous on that starting line which was a good feeling. I was ready at that point to just get started after the delay. Finally it was time to go & we got started.

I felt great until mile 5 when my hip started tensing up, but I was still averaging a 8:21/mile pace. The first half of the marathon was quick and then the heat turned up and fast. The AF races are known for their hills and miles 21-24 had hills everywhere, the first one in mile 21 was actually an on ramp into the installation which killed me, I felt as if I was in quick sand, it felt like that hill alone took me 10 mins. I was exhausted, my hip was tight and in pain, and my legs were starting to betray me. It was so hot and even with all of the summer running I did, I was not prepared for FULL sunlight, heat, and hills for my final miles. My pace took a big dip at that point, but hey I never stopped to walk. That was my second goal of course after finishing, always kept that motion. After mile 25 I could hear the announcer and crowd, so I kicked it up (as much as I physically could), and increased my pace a bit. The finish line stretch was the most beautiful sight I had ever saw. After crossing the finish line it took everything I had to not fall over, then I just needed electrolytes & FOOD.

Completing the Air Force Full Marathon was a huge accomplishment and I'm glad I did it, however I will never run that far ever again in my life. That race was tough on my body, I still have a bit of a hitch in my giddy up when I walk and it has been 3 days. I have been stretching every free moment I get and nutrition has been key this week because I don't want to get sick with the hit my immune system took completing this race. Overall, I think no matter what you decide to train for, goals are amazing and even more amazing are our bodies, they do so much for us everyday. I completed this marathon because I am capable of doing so and am blessed enough to have the means.