Race Day

Typically, the day before a race is time for resting and mentally preparing for the big day.  This time around I had a different approach: work half a day, take a five-hour train ride, eat two semi-decent pasta meals around 9:00 pm, and then set the alarm for six hours later.

Typically, the morning of a race I like to wake up, have my peanut butter roll-up, banana, cup of coffee, and Gatorade, with time to spare to chill out and relax.  Again, this time around was a little different:  I woke up at 3:00 am, made my coffee, stumbled out the hotel door onto a shuttle bus, tried to sleep for another hour, then had my banana and Power Bar and coffee, hoping that I could make it the entire journey without needing to pee (or worse).

Fortunately the scene at the race start was quite familiar:  a buzz of excitement from everyone trying to find where to go and where to put their belongings; nervous energy while warming-up and stretching; strategizing the best way to handle the inevitably long lines at the port-o-potty.  Of course all of this was taking place in a small brick courtyard surrounded by mountains fading into the mist (ahem, pollution?), with the faintest outline of the Great Wall rising and falling with the peaks and valleys.

The pre-race vibe was fantastic.  People literally from all over the world had come to this race to test their strength and endurance.  I felt quite lucky to be a "local" participant, already comfortable with the Chinese quirks (like having an ayi clean the squatter port-o-potties) and questionable air quality.  My Texas shorts were a great conversation starter, not only before the race, but during the long haul too.  I bumped into several people from school that I didn't realize were running, so that was a nice boost in positive mojo as well.

Despite its relatively small size the race is really well organized.  They were very strict about the wave starting system, corralling each group up to the START and counting down each time.  There must have been at least 100 volunteers along the course waving flags, holding signs, and pointing which way to go.  It was pretty obvious on the wall, but out in the village there was potential for getting lost and wandering onto some farm far, far away.  The water stops were well-stocked and appropriately placed, and there were even a few designated toilet stops (not that those are a true requirement for a seasoned runner).

I was assigned to Wave 2 but didn't have anyone to join me, so I buddied up with a good friend and other ladies in Wave 4.  Right out of the gate I knew I wasn't going to keep up with my pal Ingrid, so as the road inclined ahead of us I made a plan with another woman to stick together.  It was Liz's first ever half marathon, so I was more than happy to be part of her experience.  

The initial climb was ridiculous.  It wasn't all that steep (San Francisco hills were worse) but it literally was a steady ascent for three miles.  Holy cow, my legs have never been so tired so early in a race.  Then we got to the Great Wall.  What a view.  It was really spectacular, and I immediately felt guilty that I was supposed to be hurrying past, trying to "run" this race.  That feeling came to a halt as suddenly as my Aasics when we had to stop and wait to descend the first staircase.  It was so narrow that only two people could squeeze by, so there was quite a long line.  Well, good thing I wasn't aiming for a personal best!

The section on the wall was truly remarkable, with sweeping views across the gray mountain tops dotted by fluorescent athletic gear.  The steps really weren't too bad: as soon as my butt and calves were screaming from climbing up, they got a break and let my thighs get jiggly trying to control my way down.  The professional photographers were positioned at just the right place to catch people in the most dramatic strides, tumbling down uneven stairs, or huffing and puffing their way back up.

After the section on the wall (which was the longest hour of my life!) we finally got a reprieve on flat surface back near the courtyard.  What a motivating course, getting to cruise past the spectators immediately after the most grueling part of the run.  We felt like we were flying or ice-skating, now that we could really cover some distance.  Liz and I made sure not to get over zealous with our pace, and decided that as long as we could chat we were alright.

Texas Pride

And chat we did.  Because there was nothing else to do.  The course after the wall went down a long stretch of village road (yes, with traffic) and then onto a dirt road leading to some farms and small houses.  The field had definitely spread out, and we were already seeing the super-speedy elite racers coming back toward the finish.  I got to practice some of my rudimentary Mandarin, shouting to the local-local spectators "ma shan hue lai" which means I'll be right back!  They chuckled, which I took to mean I said it correctly.  "Right back" may have been a loose term since it was more than another hour before we passed by there again.

Out in the village the roads turned into paths, and the paths into trails.  If this had been my first time in China I would've been amused by the rustic lifestyle.  But since I've lived in Hanoi and I used to be a regular hasher, this was all quite routine.  I was actually disappointed in the lack of free-range wildlife: no chickens or goats, not even a stray dog or cat.  We still got laughs from the children and stares from the old folks, but otherwise it was just another dusty dirty run.  Our biggest motivation was to get to the finish for a cold (or at least not hot) beer.

Liz was a perfect running partner; she even knew that she was calibrated to veer left, so she always made sure I was on the right.  Since we just met we had plenty to talk about, and I could share all of my running, racing, and traveling stories with her without the fear of her getting too bored.  We also chatted with a few other fellow racers, some from South Africa, others from Australia (Brisbane, and yes Bronwyn they knew Cue!), and several Americans and Europeans.  

Road conditions worsen; running brain takes over

As we returned to the large dirt road and then the paved road we came across other runners just on their way out.  We felt a surge of energy knowing that we were getting so close to the end.  We tried to talk ourselves into ignoring our tight muscles and pounding hearts, and we focused on keeping a solid pace and even stride.  If the crowd along the street was too quiet I rallied them with some hooping and hollering, because I've learned in previous races that cheering for yourself is way better than no one cheering at all.  Who cares if you look like an idiot?  You're already an idiot for choosing to run 13.1 miles just for fun, so you might as well make it as rewarding as possible.

Looks like a Hanoi Hash, but it's China

Liz made me promise I'd keep pushing her through to the end.  That wasn't necessary or even possible because I was struggling to keep up with her!  In the last half mile we pulled out all the stops and blasted (well, it felt that way) down the final stretch and around the corner into the courtyard.  I think she said something like, "OK, you go ahead,"  (one can never be truly certain of what's happening at the end of the race) and I might have replied, "No, we're going together," (yep, a real Hallmark moment) and we continued on side by side across the finish.  We each got our photo and our medal, and I was lucky enough to literally run into Chris because my legs just weren't going to hold me up anymore.

After we caught our breath and hugged through all the sweat and grit, we did make our way to the refreshment tent for that beer.  It was divine.  I met my goal: finish with a smile, ready for a beer.  A wave of relief and pain set in as expected, and the running high lasted on and on as I chowed down on a Subway sandwich and Goldfish.  The bus ride back to the hotel was uneventful and not terribly uncomfortable, and at the end of the day I knew it was all a success.

Sweet Success!

Ingrid, Neely, Me, Liz

The fine print - here are my final results. Nothing to brag about, but hey, I did it.

The Final Countdown

It's here.  The end.  This is the time known as "the taper" - when you ease up on your training to let your body get good and relaxed and recharged before the big race.  I tend to take tapering to a whole new level: I've only run a handful of times in the last month and have spent more hours fighting a sinus infection than I have out on the road.  Typical.

The only consolation is that I'm not setting out to crush any world records, or even set a personal record for that matter.  I'm sticking with my usual goal:  finish with a smile, ready for a beer.  Actually, this race will fulfill all sorts of superlatives like "biggest change in elevation," "most expensive," "most polluted course," and quite possibly (at this point in my running career) "most stunning scenery."  And there's the familiar assumption that come race day I'll be so amped up on excitement and nerves that my body will just do it's own thing and my mind will be the one to keep it all going at mile 11 and 12 when I'm certain my legs will fall off or my lungs will collapse.

So the schedule for this week is pretty easy:  massage on Monday, easy 3 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday, big pasta dinner on Thursday, easy 3 miles with lots of stretching on Friday morning, train ride Friday afternoon, and 3:30 departure from the hotel on Saturday morning.  Somehow I convinced C. to let me drag him along as my Number 1 Fan, but fortunately for him the spectator bus doesn't have to leave until 6:00 race morning.

I'm going to assume this will be my last Great Wall race for a while, so rather than aim for a personal best I plan to maximize the experience and capture as many awe-inspiring moments as possible.  That's fancy talk for "I plan to run slowly."  For now I will leave you with a few images from my recent runs in Shanghai...

Chulo, my canine neighbor 

Empty metro before my early morning run

What a 250-air-quality day looks like compared to...

...a clear day.

Run #26: Quickie

Here’s a quick summary of a quick run.  I was amped up from my busy week at school and ready to blow out some extra energy on my run.  After chilling to Adele on the metro to the track, I pumped up the tunes and hit the stairs.  Bam, bam, bam!  Then I got tired.  So I went back to the track to play around: skipping, heel-to-butt kicks, quick steps, and long strides.  Oh what fun!  And then I was done.

The Fine Print
Date: 4/17/13       Time:    5:00 pm           Location:  Shanghai, PRC
Time:    ??    Distance:  ??       Pace:  ??
Music: Running Mix

Run #25: My Mistake

Before I get started with the details of this run, I must briefly mention a reaction to the Boston marathon bombings.  I’m not an emotional blogger, so I’m not going to get all profound and gushy.  It’s just that this tragedy reminded me that the running community is a global community.  

A class parent said the next day, “Oh Allyn, we thought of you when we heard about the bombing.  Have you ever run in Boston?”  I was amazed that she thought of me when she heard the news, simply because she knew I was a runner.  The running community is not just for marathon runners or regular racers; it includes anyone who’s ever laced up and hit the pavement and everyone that supports them.  I have become, and will always be, a runner.  Even if I never run another full marathon, if I never break two hours in a half, or if I never enter another race, I’ll still be a runner.  As long as I stay connected to the sport as an enthusiast or a friend, I’ll be part of the community.  

The bombings in Boston were l a disgusting display of the darkest side of humanity, but the global running community will persevere and continue being a positive force in the world.  I’m thankful to be a part of it.

*****
An early Saturday morning run typically calls for plenty of hydration and an early bedtime on Friday.  I know these things.  My brain knows these things.  My body definitely knows these things.  But do I listen?  Not always.

This Friday night called for evening cocktails overlooking the Bund and a later dinner with outstanding red wine.  Sometimes being the dutiful wife of the executive isn’t all bad, but it can conflict with my running plan.

Needless to say my alarm at 5:15 was not music to my ears, and my stomach was not ready to process my peanut butter roll-up.  Regardless, my duty as a running partner outweighed my suffering from my own irresponsible behavior and compelled me to get my act together and head out the door.

My run with Heather was beyond interesting.  We desperately tried to find a path along the creek, but failed miserably over and over and over again.  We found markets, apartment complexes, and parking garages, and only a few hundred meters of “water front” running.  We were certainly distracted by all the detours, so time actually passed by quickly, but around 8 miles, when I was really feeling the pain from my Friday night, we were nowhere near a familiar landmark.  Fortunately I had my Shanghai transit card, and thankfully Heather is a forgiving running partner and didn’t hate me for ditching her and hopping in a taxi.

Uff.  What a tough reminder for what I already knew.  I first learned the lesson that “crap in equals crap out” in 2005 when my McDonald’s value meal sank like a brick in my stomach as I ran through Forest Park. I guess this is just confirmation that my body is not the same alcohol-processing machine as my buddy Donna, much as I wish it was.  Conclusion: take care of yourself or suffer the consequences!

The Fine Print
Date: 4/13/13       Time:    6:00 am           Location:  Shanghai, PRC
Time:    1:43:00    Distance:  8.77 mi        Pace:  slow
Music: Running Mix, then chatting with Heather

Run #24: Fast Track

So it's been about two weeks since my last training run, but no apologies here.  This break, or lull, or down-time, or whatever you want to call it seems to be a standard part of any training plan of mine.  I'm not saying this is the right way to do it; I'm just saying it always happens and I always end up ok.  Just sayin'.

Fortunately I'm still on a total vacation high from last week's trips to Kashgar and Yellow Mountain.  Honestly, the 2.5-hour uphill climb on Thursday and 4-hour down and up and up and down hiking was really good preparation for the Great Wall.  I can only wish for the same forgiving weather with overcast skies and cool temperatures.  I'll have to use those memories as motivation as I battle heat and smog in Beijing mid-May.

Anyway, back to today's run.  I went out to Jiaotong University again to hit the track for some methodical intervals.  The training plan actually called for three reps of 2-mile intervals with a minute rest, but I kept it to just 1.5-mile intervals with the goal of maintaining a brisk pace for all three.

I really love running at this track because the energy of just being on a university campus isnostalgic and almost tangible, and the track is a real gathering place for a fitness community.  Again there was a little girl digging in the long-jump sandbox, a group of old men walking together, a few serious sprinters literally running laps around everyone, and plenty of casual joggers.  And of course there were a few soccer games, a few uncoordinated couples attempting to play badminton, and another girl trying out her rollerblades.

I also like running on the track because I can focus more on my body and less on the road hazards and traffic.  I can feel how my feet land on the track, notice which point is the last to push off, check how steady my hips are, feel whether I'm maintaing good core control, listen to my breathing, and use my arms to balance out each stride.  I like imagining that I look like a runner on the cover of Runners World magazine with powerfully extended legs and easy confidence in my gaze.  I'd much rather imagine all that and try to make it happen than look in a mirror beyond the treadmill and see reality.

In the last quarter mile of my final interval I still felt strong and decided to go full throttle for a 100-meter stretch.  I like to kind of hunker down, extend my stride, pump my arms, and lead with my sternum and my head tilted back like I'm some sort of world champion setting a new record.  Again, how it looks to everyone else could be quite different, but for those few seconds,when I'm not sure if my legs are even still connected to my body, I feel the runner in me burst forth, triumphant.

The real test will be to find that feeling again after 13 miles of a grueling race for that final .1-mile push to the finish.  I hope I can. I know I will.

The Fine Print
Date: 4/10/13     Time:   5:30 pm         Location: Shanghai, PRC
Time:  51:55       Distance:  5.25 mi     Pace:  9:55 (average interval was 9:35)
Music:  Running Mix; best heart-thumping song intro: LMFAO "Party Rock Anthem"

Run #23: Tragedy on the Street

Spring in Shanghai can be rather pleasant, but only after the rain finally stops and the sun finally gets a chance to start warming up the budding trees and blooming flowers.  Fortunately, this morning the rain slowed to a trickle and didn't hinder my run at all.

However, I encountered a most shocking tragedy on the sidewalk in the first mile of my run:

Imagine the horror: an innocent trash can brutally knocked down, rendered useless in its overturned state.  These trash receptacles are quite possibly one of the finest, albeit overlooked, features of this great city.  They most likely were installed in preparation for Expo 2010, and since then have most certainly received their fair share of soda cans, cigarette butts, and dumpling boxes.  It's just unthinkable that someone could be so careless and cruel, that they could commit such a senseless act of violence.  Why knock over a defenseless trash can when there are plenty of other targets in the street like babies in strollers, children nestled on scooters, or old ladies hobbling with canes - why??  Through rain and snow, smog and sun, these soldiers of cleanliness stand erect ready to receive any kind of garbage, solid or liquid, putrid and foul, day in and day out.  It is simply incomprehensible that anyone could abuse a public figure in such a violent way.

Anyway, after I recovered from my devastation over the trash can I continued for a most lovely run through our suburban area, right past my dear school.  Let me just say that "it's what's on the inside that counts."

Continuing along the busy roads I came across two other important features of Shanghai streets: one is the biggest joke and the other is the biggest threat.  In most other cities a pedestrian crossing (or zebra crossing for those who think that anything with black and white stripes must be a zebra) evokes a sense of safety, or at least a sensible path with minimal danger for anyone wishing to cross the street when the green man indicates it's the right time.  Hah!!  In Shanghai this is just another splash of wasted paint ignored by all, just like the lane stripes and turn arrows.

And this, the city bus.  Again, in other cities this is a symbol of affordable public transit.  In Shanghai it is a symbol of road rage, driver arrogance, and universal impatience.  It essentially turns everything on the road into a potential target; the only safe place is inside the bus itself (assuming the driver is not texting while driving).  These buses accelerate at red lights, blare their horns at previously mentioned strollers, scooters, and grandmas, and swerve through traffic as if they're gunning for the checkered flag in a Formula 1 race.  Ever since my near-death experience with a city bus on the Bund back in 2008 I've learned to check carefully for the green monsters with every step I take.  I've even taught my Toddlers that "red means stop, green means go, unless you're a Shanghai bus and then you can do whatever you want, so if you're just walking you better watch out."

Amazingly, I did not have any close encounters of the city bus kind, and then I crossed a new bridge near the end of my run.  Ahhh, what a glorious view of the uncharacteristically sensible traffic flow on the Middle Ring Road.

The Fine Print

Date:  3/24/13  Time:  7:50 am    Location:  Shanghai, PRC

Time: 1:04:12    Distance:  6.0 mi    Pace: 10:35

Music: Running Mix

Run #22: Double Digits

This morning the sun was already shining when I came downstairs for my peanut butter on toast with half a bottle of Gatorade.  That's my favorite pre-run meal, although I prefer a flour tortilla to toast.  Anyway, spring has unofficially hit Shanghai, so I was looking forward to a very pleasant run.

This week Heather K. came out to the zoo to meet me, and when I suggested we go 10 miles (or 16 km for her) she gave me a look of "Ya right."  I acquiesced and said we could just go as far as we felt good, and if it was close enough to 10 miles then great for us.

We did a long block around my neighborhood and then ventured into the big Xi Jiao park.  Unfortunately we ran into the same "Do not enter sign" and had to turn around, and yet again we were turned away as we approached the main road through the park.  Obviously some high-ranking official was staying in the hotel, or else they were preparing for one hell of a wedding.  Either way, we turned right around and left the park.

I piqued the attention of a guard across the street as I darted into some bushes and disappeared from sight for a minute.  Believe me, that option was way better than any public toilet I was going to encounter.

We continued on along familiar streets; the sunshine warmed us up significantly and the neighborhoods came to life with people out walking dogs, picking up their morning snacks, or running errands.  Then we came to a new sort of road block: the biggest pile of trash I've ever seen outside a landfill.  It smelled like it was fresh, full of all kinds of animal waste, bodily fluids, kitchen scraps, and lord only knows what else.  At that moment Heather and I decided it would be worth mapping out our next long run to try and find another more serene and clean route.

As we approached the zoo on the return we determined we could still go a little further, so we did another long block.  By then we were up to 9.4 miles which was right at Heather's threshold so she head off to the metro stop while I doubled back into my neighborhood.  One small loop inside our compound was all it took to get me to that magical "beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep" notifying me of my arrival at the 10-mile mark.  What a relief.  And it was still early enough to enjoy a post-run breakfast of scrambled eggs and cinnamon roll with a big cup of coffee, all well-earned.

The Fine Print

Date:  3/16/13  Time:  7:00 am    Location:  Shanghai, PRC

Time: 1:53:09    Distance:  10.0 mi    Pace: 11:18

Music: conversation

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