Phlot on

Chasing States... Challenges, Choices and Chuckles and what is a "Back to Back" anyway?

Funny story, my colleague is from Mexico. She's not a runner, but her uncle recently qualified for Boston and he posted on one of his social media accounts about his "PR." She knew I had run Chicago and Berlin and so had he. I asked her about his regimen, training and suggested, jokingly that he coach me (because he is many miles away). I later inquired about his PR and she chuckled. She told me the first time she saw it she thought it meant for "Puerto Rico." I said but he's from Mexico. She said I know, but I couldn't figure out why else he would post PR! (runner peeps now you know that tickled me)😂😂. She was so serious too.

This reminded me how we can have a complete conversation using jargon that keeps so many out of the loops. Although it is unintentional it tends to isolate others from the conversation and the sport. With that being said, I thought I'd take some time to break down some of our jargon! 😀 Obviously you are reading this because you have some type of interest.

So, this 50 state quest is a chore. Along the journey I decided to pursue the Abbott World Marathon Majors. As if a half marathon (13.1 miles) in all 50 states was not work enough! There are six marathons (26.2 miles) that happen annually in six distinct locations of the world. They are difficult to get into. There are qualifications for each and of course the most popular to most U.S. citizens is the Boston Marathon. Many individuals are setting their alarms all over the world when the individual races open registration. The elite who complete all six also receive a six star finisher medal.

world marathons major 6 star finisher medal; photo from orca.org

In 2017 I completed my first world marathon major, the Chicago Marathon. The bug bit me. In 2018 I completed the Berlin Marathon and I hope the journey is a successful one to complete the remaining majors. Why? I cannot explain that to you. There is definitely an adrenaline rush that comes with the completion of every goal, whether large or small. I still remember completing my first half-marathon and there is nothing like the first! 

The Chicago Marathon was crowded and it was right after a U.S. tragedy (Las Vegas shooting) so the tone was different. There were many federal agents with rifles and firearms, but that did not take away form the overall experience. The crowd was supportive and cheering along majority of the course. There was plenty of aid stations and it was majority flat. The day unfortunately was unusually hot for Chicago, Ill. It was in the 80s and that is pretty tough for a marathon. I counted Chicago as a success even though I did not get the time I was aiming for and I did not earn a PR (personal record). As a result of the heat I needed to be pleased (I couldn't tell that to my ego though. It was severely bruised! Ha!)

My first major was complete and I was on to the next adventures. I was back to completing half-marathons in 50 states. Up next was a back to back. This is a common term to express that you will be completing a race right after another. It usually means a day or so apart. The Nevada and California back to back was what took my hamstring out. It was not my first back to back and certainly not my worst, but it was "the time." I don't remember a specific time. It just happened and before I knew it I was limping most of race 2, which is located in California. It of course also had the most strict cut off finish time! 😟 This meant that if I did not finish in the time printed and set but the race director and team I would not earn a medal, a finish time, and the state essentially would not count for me. Think of it this way, I showed up, but I didn't participate. :-( Two states conquered with the injury. The adventure continues...

(raised hand) Physical therapy Party of One PLEASE!