Slow but Steady

Mar8

If you are in the running community, you probably saw the post from the fast runner lamenting how slow charity runners basically stole her spot. Now I am not going to call her out by posting her post because I am sure she is not the only speedy runner to have thought that. She may be the only one though silly enough to post that online…….. Then again, here I am posting online my thoughts. So there’s that.

I saw the people with the pitchforks come for her. Poor woman apparently deleted her social media account or so I heard. I personally, feel a little bad for her. I’m sure she was upset about not getting into the race and technically she isn’t wrong…. But, yet, she is.

By the numbers that I could see:

2025 total finishers: 59,226

Charity runners: 14,000 who raised over $80,000 million.

2026 over 240,000 people applied.

From a Runner’s World article: “This year, NYRR only accepted the top 10 percent of non-NYRR marathon time qualifiers, which means athletes needed to run at least 22 minutes and 52 seconds faster than the qualifying standard for their age group.”

Here is my take as someone who has run for Charity multiple times.

  1. NYRR is a business. Yes, they are non-profit, but make no mistake….they are a business. This is a business decision as a non-profit giving back is key to their goal. They also have a goal for 2026 charity runners to raise 100,000 million for the 600 charities these runners support.
  2. Running slow and running for charity is hard….

Let’s talk about number 2

When you get in as a charity runners, you know that if you do not reach your fundraising goal that you are PERSONALLY responsible for it. On top of that, most charities do not cover the cost of your bib which is over $300. When you sign on to be a charity runners, you sign a contract stating that you agree to these terms.

Being a charity runners means that besides training for your race, you also need to spend a LARGE chunk of time fundraising to meet your goal. This is why I tell anyone who runs for charity to make sure that it is a charity that is near and dear to you.

When I ran for Sandy Hook Promise, a charity near and dear to me, I spent A LOT of time fundraising. Yes, there were family and friends who were supportive. I also did bake sales, auctions, shoe collections and other events. It was daunting, scary, and a lot of work to meet and surpass the fundraising goals.

Then there was the “normal” training. Slow runners train just as hard as fast runner while actually needing to find more time in our day to do it since our runs take longer.

Then there is race day:

This is from a previous post marathon slow runners train post of mine:

“There is something about having the grit and determination to get to the finish line while they are rolling up the carpets so to speak. When the crowds are sparse…… When the sun is setting…….. When it is dark in the park……. When you have to be your own cheerleader……. When you have to dig in deep to find your own grit and determination because you are the reason you are there in the first place and you will be the reason that you get to the finish line. There are no massive crowds to carry you to the finish line, but those that are there know how much that you need them. I was lucky to have a friend cheering on 5th Avenue. I almost missed her but she strained your voice to scream my name loud enough that I turned to see her………. It was perfect”

Bottom line

If you are a fast runner – great!

If you are a slow runners – great!

If you are a lottery winner – great!

No matter how you get there….. No matter how you run it……. When standing in the coral, we are all just runners.

I also put in for the lottery this year. I did not get in. I don’t hold that against the other random lottery winners. I just know that is just the way it is.

Running is for EVERYONE. Not just the speedy ones:)

If You Can Run 10…

Feb21

I remember before my first half marathon years ago, I was out just running to run with my MRTT running group. I wasn’t signed up for anything but just running to run. It was a weekend run and Janna, a badass runner, asked what I was training for as most were training for a Superhero half. I said nothing. She told me I should sign up with the words, “if you can run 10 miles, you can do a half.”

So I did.

Janna paced me through it including how to run away from someone singing Klingon Opera. I kid you not.

One of my fastest half marathon’s too at 2:09:24

After that it was history.

When I started training for the NYC Half, I thought I would try to train for a 2:45 half. That training plan has come and gone.

Now I just want to finish without injury and with feeling good. The event is in less than a month. As I said in my last post, I am doing the no training plan training plan. Lots of biking. Some elliptical. Some cross training. Very little running and really not enough overall training.

We are getting more snow tomorrow. I needed to get out today for my long run. i wanted to go for 10, but would have settled for 8.

No need to settle.

This is the run I needed. I ran not by pace, but just trying to keep it “easy” and ran entirely by feel.

I stretched and hydrated when I got home.

For my Hypopara peeps……. I have not added any calcium to any training including this one since starting Yorvipath. I will say as a precaution though that I always have some with me.

So if I can run 10….. i believe that I can run 13.

In the meantime, I will keep the training up and fine tune it.

The No Training Plan Training Plan

Feb15

4 weeks to go.

Bib pick-up is secured. Van to start is set up. Talking with friend on how we will take the train home. all is set.

Training has been what it has been. The weather in NJ has not been cooperating for running outside. My garage treadmill has been unreachable due to car in garage. Even the gym has been to packed and treadmills are not always available.

This doesn’t mean that I’ve been doing nothing. It just means that I’ve been doing my own thing. I have a training plan loaded in Training Peaks.

Have I been following it?

Nope.

I’ve been looking at it more as a guide and then doing my own thing.

Today, I wanted to run a real run. I had thought about going outside, but there is still so much snow and ice. The roads and sidewalks are really not that clear. So while warm enough to run outside, I took myself to the gym.

At the gym, I ran into a badass running friend. We got to talking about what we are training for right now. I told her how I had the NYC Half in a month, but wasn’t really following a plan but loosely training. She said she was just talking to another person about the No Training Plan Training Plan.

It hit me…. That’s it.

I know the reason too as I said it to her. Running a half doesn’t scare me anymore. Yes, I need to train and run to finish. That being said; I know that even on days where it will be hard, I pretty much know I will get to the finish line.

Now I’m not saying this to sound like I can show up and finish well or have a pretty race. I just know that for the most part, I will finish. Especially when finish time is no the goal.

I had thought going into this training that I would want to do around 2:45 for this half. I no longer think that is where I will be. Who knows though because I still have a month of training.

Today’s training run was to run 60 minutes straight. No stopping. No walking. Just run and see what happened.

So I did.

We shall see……

I will say though that I am signed up for a July event that will scare me enough to train. It’s only a 10K, but it is a Spartan 10K that I am doing with 2 of my boys and others. That will require a different training. As will a September Sprint triathlon.

For now though, I need to run NY.

Looking Ahead

Nov28

I had been thinking about challenges/goals for the coming year. I wasn’t sure what it would be.

The goal came to me.

I had forgotten that I put in for the NYC Half lottery. I was reminded, when I got the email.

I wasn’t sure how happy I was because logistically NYC events are a bit of a pain. Worth it, but still a pain. The exciting part is that 2 of my running friends also got in. So misery loves company.

I’ve been thinking about goals for event now too. I’m thinking if I could finish the Bethlehem Running Festival in 2:41:08 after running 3 other races that weekend, I would train for a possible 2:30 half. We shall see. We shall see.

Then after wrapping my head around that, two of my suns have roped me into a 6K Spartan race. Fortunately that won’t be till summer. So one goal at a time.

One day at a time.

One goal at a time.

One run at a time.

Reflection

Oct26

Last year I trained as hard as I could for the Bethlehem Running Festival.   I went in feeling like I could do it and I did.   This year I followed the same training plan and went in feeling like I could do it and I did.

This year though, I went in with goals.   I picked a goal race.   Mine was the 10K.    I also planned to start the half with the 2;45 pacer and see what happened.    As it was, I ended up running the half with my son.   By about mile 9 we came across the 2;45 pacer and we went back and forth with who was in front.

The biggest difference this year though was being on Yorvipath.   It allowed me to follow my training plan more closely.   Although I will say towards the end, I was less perfect than I should have been.    Last year, I was worried about adding calcium supplements and making sure not to crash and burn with calcium crash.   On Yorvipath, those fears are less and less, but I do still keep calcium with me.  

So how do things compare

While on face it doesn’t look like a huge on the smaller races, there is a huge improvement on the  half.  

Another big difference is the almost 25 pounds I have lost, but that is for another post.

I do know that I would not have had this improvement if not for the Yorvipath.    No, it doesn’t make me run faster, but it does make my body work the way it is supposed to work.   I have more energy.   I don’t have the muscle cramping and I have not had a calcium crash or anything close to it since I started.   Now, I am still figuring it out.   I’ve recently upped my dosage and hope to go for blood work this week to see how levels are looking.

So now that this goal is done, it is time to look forward and figure out my next goal.

There will be a day I can not run…… Today is not that day!

Day 3 & Done

Oct20

Day3 was the warmest of all three days, but a perfect day for running.

Not too cold.

Not to Hot.

Just right!

Luckily I only packed shorts to run in because I really wasn’t prepared. Day 1 & 2, I wore the long sleeved race shirts. At the trail event, I wore the bright orange from last year. Then Saturday, I wore this years grey. I have to say while nice, I think a bolder color is better.

Sunday, I ended up going with short, tankand running sleeves. Perfection.

As you can see, I started in the back…….In the way way way back. The goal for me was tru a smart race. While I had no concrete goal, I did plan to start around the 2:45 pacer and take it from there.

I started with my son and his friend. This was both their first marathons. Justin has not been running long and his training was lots of hiking, climbing, and. Some running. His longest run was 10 miles. I wanted him to run conservative as I knew he would finish either way, but I didn’t want it to be the hard way.

So we ended up starting together behind the 3 hour pacer. We did our own thing. We walked when needed and I tried to keep conversational. There were some times where I would point out we were running in the 10’s. We pushed when needed. We walked some of the hills. We ran and most of all, we had a good time!

Then at mile 11, I told them to run the paces that they wanted. The ran ahead and I kept doing my thing.

By this point we were running near the 2:45 pacer again. so I thought maybe, just maybe it would happen.

Then it did!

Official time 3:41:08

Celebrating the victory!

Done is done!

More. To come tomorrow:

Day 2

Oct18

Another day. Another race. Actually 2 races today.

Logistics: 5K stared at 7:30. In order to get there, find parking and not feel rushed we decided to leave at 6:00. That meant an early morning waking up at 5:00. Only race mornings will get me out that early.

Hypopra: New dosage of 24 of Yorvipath seems to be working. Still, I did prepare taking calcium with me. Did not need it at all. Did not feel symptomatic either. So we will call this a win.

Races

5K

We lined up at the start. Willa went to the front of the pack as see had fire. Worked for her as she placed number 1 in her age group. Justin and I started towards the back. This was not my goal race, so we ran together.

This was the first time my son did a big event like this and it was fun to run the race together. We chatted the miles away and kept an easy going pace.

I will say at the end, I jokingly said lets race to the finish…. So we did.

As you can see, he smoked me! But it was fun:). Finish time was 39.10 which I was happy about. This was supposed to be exactly what it was…. A run with more runs to follow.

10K

This has been my goal race. Justin and I started together, but did not run the race together. I did not for a specific time, but to run it and run it well. I feel like that is exactly what I did. I pushed. I walked some. I ran and I ran hard. It was reflected in a strong finish.

Overall, I am pleased with the way I have been running the races. Tomorrow is another day and we shall see what happens there.

After the race there was some down time, refulling and now an early night to bed.

Stay tuned……

Day 1

Oct17

Today I ran the first of my 4 races at the Bethlehem Running Festival

I signed up to do this one again because of my son and his girlfriend. They signed up and so I had to do too.

As you know, this is my first big event after starting Yurvipath. Training has been going well on it. I did just up my dose (like on Sunday). So we will see how it goes. Honestly, I am not worried since it is higher dose. Anyway, still running with extra calcium pills just in case.

Started off morning getting manicure and relaxing with my mother.

Then lunch followed by getting it together for bib pick-up. I then met my son, girlfriend and their friend at bib pick-up as they were driving all the way from AlbanyNY

This is first time running this event where I was running with others. I have met running friends during event but this was first time going with others. So special that it is family!!!

Last year I ran the trail run with 16:10 Pace finishing in 1:01:25.

This year

So far so good!

Stay tuned

3 Weeks to Go!

Sep28

It seems like training lasts forever and then before you know it the race is around the corner!

Training has been going well.   While I have not been sticking to my trianing plan 100%, I feel confident in my training.    I’ve been for the most part hitting all the long runs or the multple day runs.

As a reminder, I am training for the Bethlehem Running Festival which consists of 3 days, 4 events totalling 26.2 miles.   I’ve done this event a few times and am excited to do it again.   I wasn’t planning to do this but got talked into it by my son and his girfriend to do it with them.   How could I say no?!

Todays run was 11 miles.   It was hot today.   I’ve been having some very minor low calcium symptoms . 

Dancing muscles as I call them.   Technical term is muscle spams.

I’ve had a few other very minor symptoms.   I had blood work done Thursday and my levels were just at the low level.  My  doctor plans to up my Yorvipath dosage, but since it’s a daily injection I need to wait for new pen.   The pen has 3 different dose levels and my current one is already the max for the pen   

So in order to make sure that I didn’t have any issues, I put some powdered calcium in an extra water bottle that I took on the run.   My thought was to just see if I needed it.   Well since it was in the mid 80’s, I needed it.   I didn’t wait till I felt like I needed it, I drank it preemptively which I’m glad I did.   When I got home I did show minor symptoms but nothing to worry about.

The run was hard.   I took it easy and tried to be consistent.   The heat made the run not as enjoyable as it has been but you can’t pick your wheather.   I feel like I am ready for this event, but we shall see.

After stretching, I made a protein calcium packed smoothie.

I am starting to form ideas of how I want to run this event. More on that this week. As its tine for some rest

Running, Running, Running

Aug9

I can’t believe how much Yorvipath is making a difference. Not just in my running, but my day to day life as well.

While I love what this is doing for my running, I am not just taking this to be able to run. That is just a bonus. Living with untreated PTH loss (aka Hypoparathyroidism) was like living with one hand tied behind my back. Some days both.

As I told my family, I made it look easier than it actually was because what was the point otherwise. The constant worry if my calcium would crash. The self monitoring. The leg cramps. The cramping of hands.

So even if I wasn’t running, I would happily take it. The running is just a bonus.

Training has been going well. I even hit 20 miles for the week. Runs have felt good. Legs have felt good. To be honest, I am waiting for the shoe to drop it has been going so well.

I have also been working on controlling my pace. Thinking about which of the fall races will to be my goal race.
Consistency will be the key.

My goal is not perfection, but to follow the plan as best I can.

So far. So good.