What My Training Has Looked Like Since MS Run The US

June 14, 2018 by Stacy McAllister in MS Run The US, MS Run The US Training

Happy Friday eve Friends! I hope you enjoyed my relay recaps and if you skipped them, well welcome back to your regular scheduled programming! I really enjoyed reliving my relay and it already got me dreaming about what my next BIG goals should be. I've got a few ideas ; ) What are you planning for the weekend? Is anyone racing?!? I'm really excited to just be "running" for the rest of this month and not in "training" mode. I've got my 50k mid-July and know that I'll need to fit in a 20-miler later this month, but otherwise I'm just running however long and wherever I like! My goal for the 50k will to just finish it, since I've never done one before!

SO, since I'm NOT training here is a breakdown of what my running has looked like post-relay (remember I didn't really feel anything besides just tired after my relay, so I started running much sooner than I originally anticipated):

Monday, May 28th (one day post-relay): OFF

Tuesday, May 29th: OFF

Wednesday, May 30th: OFF

Thursday, May 31st: 30 minutes on the elliptical

Friday, June 1st: 10 minutes on the stairclimber/ 10 minutes walking on the treadmill/ 20 minutes of strength work

Saturday, June 2nd: OFF / 3 mile hike with Alex & Stella

Sunday, June 3rd: 7 miles @ 9:08 / 20 minutes of Yoga / Light Strength Work

Monday, June 4th: 6 miles @ 9:30

Tuesday, June 5th: OFF / 4 mile hike with Stella

Wednesday, June 6th: 7 mile progression run 9:56 --> 8:01 pace (last mile cool down @ 10:36)

Thursday, June 7th: OFF / 35 minutes of strength work

Friday, June 8th: 6 miles @ 9:57

Saturday, June 9th: 3.26 miles @ 9:49 462' UP/ 3 mile backpack with Alex & Stella

Sunday, June 10th: OFF/ 3 mile backpack with Alex & Stella

I've just been basing my runs on how I feel and not running if I don't feel up to it. I may do a hike or strength work or just take it completely off if I don't want to. While I LOVE the structure of training, I'm kinda loving the freedom of this relaxed running schedule.

What's your favorite thing with off season running?

What's something your most looking forward to this weekend?!?

MS Run The US Reflection

June 13, 2018 by Stacy McAllister in MS Run The US Training, MS Run The US, Thoughts

It's been over 14 days until I finished my segment and it's just now starting to hit me the magnitude of what I accomplished. It's funny how sometimes accomplishing a big goal doesn't seem "real" right away. I obviously felt over-joyed at the finish line and throughout my entire segment to be able to run and have a strong enough body to carry me through so much, but it's taken me a while to really process it all.

I remember following the relay for several years and always being in absolute awe of the relay runners and the miles that their body was able to handle. I never even once considered that I could do what they were doing. I loved how passionate and determined they were, while also raising awareness of MS. At the time, I had only one marathon under my belt and had been dealing with a nagging injury, Achilles tendonitis, that just wouldn't go away. My first marathon had left me feeling depleted and it took me over a year to even think about signing up for another one.

I someday dreamt of being part of the relay, but it was always just a silly idea to me.

I finally got my tendonitis under control (I had a PRP injection in my Achilles and was in a boot during most of Summer 2015) and slowly started running again. I missed the regime of marathon training and decided to give 26.2 another shot. After running a few more halfs and running a breakthrough marathon, I thought maybe I could be a relay runner. But life got away from me and by the time I started researching it applications had closed (they close at the end of September every year).

Another year passed and I watched closely as Abbie, from Steamboat, ran segment #7. I looked everyday during his segment to see where she ran to and how she was doing. I was entranced by it all. When my grandfather passed away in August 2017 and a week later applications for MS Run The US were closing, I knew this was my year. I had my purpose- to run in memory of him- and had a stronger body than I ever had had before.

When I found out I had to fundraise $10,000 I was shocked. I had no idea how to raise that much money! I lived in a town without any family/ very little friends and far, far away from them. I began brainstorming fundraisers and set monthly goals of where I'd like to be in regards to $ amounts. I reached out to many, many businesses and potential fundraiser opportunities. I maybe heard back from 1/8 of those that I contacted. I contacted potential donors again and again and again and again until I heard back a response. I didn't feel guilty because I was so passionate about what I was doing and wanting to share my story. I finally hit my fundraising goal 2 weeks before my segment start and have now surpassed it- raising $10, 911 for MS.

Before my segment began, I was intimidated. I questioned how my one measly 69-mile peak week would have me prepared enough to run a 175 mile-week. I hoped that my body would hold up and my nagging injuries (knee/ shin/ achilles) would subside. I wondered how the dynamic with the road crew would be and if I could really get to each location I hoped to. I had nightmares of getting run-over by cars and getting captured by some random person along my running route. I questioned whether my nervous stomach (I eat very specific items before long runs/race day that work well for me) would allow me to eat anything during my journey.

I had so.many.people tell me it'd be OK if I didn't finish. They would say, "you know, Denver is a really long way away. You don't have to do it all if you don't want to". I would always reply nicely, but know that not finishing was NOT an option. My relay runners and grandfather were counting on me. I was going to do it and I was going to crush it.

In the end, my stomach was ok. I never got abducted or run-over. I met and exceeded my fundraising goals. I made it to every location I wanted to along my segment. My body held up and hardly ever gave me any aches or pains. My feet swelled (not by much), but putting them up kept it at bay. I conquered 2 Rocky Mountain passes and still had energy to spare. I crossed the finish line with the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face and haven't been able to wipe it away since then.

2 weeks out and I'm still riding my runners high. The feeling of being part of something much bigger than just your 175 mile segment is incredible. Whether you have a connection to MS or not, I highly encourage you to apply. The amount of confidence that I gained through this journey is immeasurable. Something that once seemed impossible now seems possible all because of what this relay has taught me. I'm still on cloud 9, but I'll let you know when I come back down ; )

MS Run The US Recap- Day 7 Part 2 - Miles 174-175

June 12, 2018 by Stacy McAllister in MS Run The US, MS Run The US Training

"Miles For Bernard" ~Day 7 Mantra

Miles 174-175 ; Civic Center Park -> Woods Boss Brewery

1 mile left. I had covered 174 miles on my journey to get here from Steamboat. I had battled wind/ rain/ snow/ traffic/ no music / heat/ tired legs to get to this point. I tried not to look back on my journey because I didn't want to get emotional. I wanted to celebrate and enjoy the experience. I wanted this to be the slowest mile ever because I didn't want it to stop. My legs were a bit tired, but never feeling to the point that they do when I race a marathon. My feet were definitely ready to get out of sneakers for a few days and into some recovery Oofos sandals, but my heart wanted to keep going.

Alex left for the brewery a bit past 11am and mom & I headed to Civic Center Park. It was already pretty warm, but thankfully the shade from the sky scrapers helped keep the temperatures down. We waited for a bit and Rob delivered me my baton! I can't believe just a week earlier I had gotten the baton passed along to me. While we waited for my orange army to run to me from the Brewery, we took some photos and watched the traffic. Soon enough, they were here! I started to tear up just a little as I saw the sea of orange running towards me. I'm very much a solo runner, but to see all the people that came to run my final mile with me and raise awareness of MS it was amazing. I loved the support.

We started our run at 11:50am and it went by so fast. I don't remember stopping at the lights or really what was around us. I remember chatting with Ashley about what I would do next and I had no idea. It still didn't seem real. I mean, I ran from Steamboat to Denver! What?!?

We crossed the final intersection and crossed the road. I saw the finish line chute and brewery up ahead and immediately put my hands up. I held back any emotions because all I wanted to remember this day by was pure joy and happiness. That's what my grandfather would have felt had he been there, so that is what I channeled. It was 12pm on May 27th, 2018 and I had just ran 175.88 miles to raise awareness of MS.

Finish Line photo on pointe! Photo Courtesy of MS Run The US

I couldn't stop smiling! I ran to the finish with my baton and finally stopped running. My body kinda just wanted to keep going - it got into such a nice rhythm but I was also definitely looking forward to getting some much-needed SLEEP! So many people came up to congratulate me and that made it seem more real. They were in-awe of what I had just done and thanked me over and over again.

Ashley, MS Run The US Founder, gave me a hug and Sam from MS4MS was also there to congratulate me. The owner of Woods Boss Brewery where we finished also congratulated me. It felt weird to be the center of attention (something I normally don't like, but today I relished in it). My 175 mile journey had finally come to a close, but I wouldn't begin to process everything until weeks later.

Alex headed home and Mom & I headed out to do some shopping (all the essential places ofcourse... ;) ....)! We got ice cream, went to Sephora, TJ Maxx, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods before heading home through Rocky Mountain National Park.

MS Run The US Recap - Day 7 Part 1- Miles 169-174

June 11, 2018 by Stacy McAllister in MS Run The US Training, MS Run The US

"Miles For Bernard" ~Day 7 Mantra

Miles 169-174 ; Lakewood -> Civic Center Park

We woke at 6am in the hotel and I can't even begin to describe to you the grittiness and pure disbelief that I had less than 6 miles left. Mom and I were going to run the 4.85 miles this morning together to celebrate my journey and grandpa/her father, Bernard, who inspired me to take on this crazy fundraising/ running goal in the first place. It was Sunday morning (and the day before Memorial Day), so traffic was exceptionally quiet as we drove to where we finished yesterday. The road crew met us and I began the final run into Denver.

It was so odd to not have my Ultimate Direction pack with me or water or really anything. I was actually wearing just a regular t-shirt because I had only brought along one outfit for the last day (I wanted to wear it for my "final" mile later that morning). I think my legs felt heavy, but honestly everything felt so surreal that I didn't even notice.

Mom met me along less than mile into it (when she found a safe place to leave her rental for a bit) and we began our journey along side streets into the heart of Denver. A few smalls hills made us both wince, but the views of the city in front of us were stunning. We looked to our left and saw the Mile High Stadium, which was amazing.

you can't really see it, but it's Hazel St (which was my Grandfather's Mother's (my g-grandmother) name)- a definite sign!

The weather stayed cool for the hour that we were there and I just kept thinking how bad I had to pee (ha), but no restrooms in sight! Oh well, guess I really was in the city. We started making our final descent into the city and before I knew it, we had arrived at Civic Center Park! A perfect spot to meet everyone that wanted to run my final mile with me later than morning. We planned to meet the crew back here at 11:45 and had the morning free! Our hotel was within 2 blocks of the finish, so we walked back there to meet Alex and then went to VooDoo Donuts / to retrieve mom's rental.

It was really odd to have a mile left to still run, so I still never felt like I was "finished" because my job wasn't yet completed. I celebrated with a donut and a breakfast sandwich at Corner Bakery and some coffee and showered ready to run it home!

MS Run The US Recap - Day 6 - Miles 143-169

June 10, 2018 by Stacy McAllister in MS Run The US, MS Run The US Training

"Run When You Can. Walk If You Must. No Matter What- Just Keep Going" ~ Day 6 mantra

Miles 143-169 ; US 40 East -> Colfax Avenue -> Lakewood

The heat was expected to get really hot after 11am in Denver, so that was my cut-off time. I had no idea how far I'd get (ideally less than 7 miles as the remainder for Sunday), but knew I had a time limit today. We awoke at 4:15am and left before 5am. We were around an hour from where I left off the day before, so with a long drive I brought along my pillows & pop tart in the car. Rob was in the jeep and I rode with my mom in the rental car. We did one pit stop in Idaho Springs at a gas station because I really had to pee and arrived at my starting point at 5:45. I didn't sleep well the night before and was pretty exhausted, but knew I just had to power through the morning and I would have a nice and comfy bed awaiting me that night. Alex was planning to drive down in the afternoon and mom had booked a room at the Sheraton Downtown for all of us to stay at. It's definitely one of my favorite hotels to stay at downtown (great location/ comfy beds/ fantastic shower), so I was pretty pumped.

I began with my 5 miles on US 40 and maybe met 2 cars, but I turned the corner as I got into my groove and music only to find that a fellow past relay Alum runner, Kaitlyn, and her friend, Nancy were there to surprise me/ run with me! Kaitlyn and I had been messaging via Facebook for a few months about running a part with me, but this was a total surprise! She had previously ran my segment twice, so I genuinely looked up to her (and she's also a total badass ultra runner). We took off and luckily she was pretty familiar with the route, so I didn't have to spend extra energy wondering where we were going next. They ran with me for the next 9 miles and it seriously flew by. Around mile 13, we parted ways and I was off on my own heading towards Golden!

It was starting to get really warm (especially with all the concrete) as I ran along Colfax Ave for a bit then started to get onto more side streets (much preferred from a pretty busy road like Colfax). I ran by Stevinson Toyota, where Alex & I had spent several hours at several various times over the years, and stopped every 2-3 miles to keep up with my hydration/ s-tabs / pickle intake / sunscreen application. I came across another hill *ugh* and definitely thought to myself I would be happy to not see any more hills for a bit!

Most of this section was pretty residential and I hit mile 21 before my energy really started to fade. I asked to go another 2 miles, then my mom would join me for a 3 mile walking cool-down. I passed by Moe's Barbecue (we have one here in Steamboat) and was somewhere in the heart of Lakewood (I think). I ran a mile on a bike path, then mom was dropped off and we began our cool down before 11am. I was so excited that this would leave me with less than 5.75 miles tomorrow! I had basically done it! Surreal.

Legs were definitely a bit heavy by this point...ha

I had been dreaming of a Jimmy Johns' sub since early that morning and let me tell you- it did NOT disappoint! Ha. It's funny when something not so great for you tastes like the best thing in the world. Rob left shortly after that to return to the RV Park (less than 10 minutes from where I finished) and my mom and I headed off to do some errands (I badly needed allergy meds at Target) before we came to the RV to meet the MS Run The US founder, Ashley (who is just as sweet and genuine as I imagined), and grab my clothes.

After chatting for a while, we left to check in at the hotel and had the most fantastic shower ever. Alex arrived shortly afterwards and we headed to the Woods Boss Brewery (where I'd finish tomorrow!) for the joint-fundraiser of MS4MS & MS Run The US. We hung out for a bit then headed to dinner at Grimaldi's (I was craving a giant pizza). It was so crazy to feel like this was basically "it", but I didn't want to accept it yet because I still had 5.75 miles left to cover before I could really celebrate.

We were all in bed by 8:30pm (apparently my bedtime the trip) and planned to get up at 6am. My mom and I planned to meet the road crew at where I left off in Lakewood (15 minutes from the hotel) at 7am to run 4.75 miles and leave the remaining for later in the morning for my finish line mile. ONE DAY LEFT!