10 Racing Tips I Learned from "The Hunger Games"

Aiming to bring out my inner KatnissJust like that, it was the end of April. As a young girl, I never believed my mother when she would tell me that as you grow older, time begins to speed up.  However, now, I’m biting my tongue as I feel the days blending in to weeks and the weeks blending in to months. 

In the past 5 fleeting weeks, I have also seen a track season emerge before my very eyes. I’m still trying to figure out how this happened. I had vowed to my friends, co-workers and myself, that this spring I was going to be a “new, laid back Brooke,” and that track was not on the schedule; intensity and minutia not part of my game plan.  I ran that “Ok mile”, and felt frustrated. Coach Tom and I agreed that my speed needed to be tested on the track, and I popped in to a 1500. After a near PR, I felt encouraged and signed up for another.  That race prompted a shot at a longer 3k, and now, this weekend, I’m entered in the third heat of the 5k at Payton Jordan.

Payton is no “laid-back” race. The best in the Nation will be there racing the clock for an entry to the 2012 Olympic Trials in June.  As the days until the trials grow fewer, this meet, for many is their last chance at the big dance.  So how did I get here? Bottom line, I love to train. As I see improvements, I feel compelled to test myself to validate the training. I’ve never been a fierce competitor like my we, but at a race like Payton, one must muster up their most fierce “A” game. Searching my soul (and not my training log) for this spirit, I reflected on the characteristics of Katniss Everdeen, quite possibly, the fiercest female lead I’ve been introduced to.

Below is a list of 10 tips I learned from the Hunger Games that  I’m planning on using on Sunday as I enter my personal version of “the arena”

1. Know your strengths

Katniss has the bow and arrow, I have the strength of a marathoner. I may not be closing the 5k in a 63 (Molly Huddle, you ARE a goddess) but I have been known to clip off laps with pin-point consistency.

2. Being nice reaps dividends

Katniss befriended Rue in the arena and Thresh from District 11, loyal partner to Rue, spared her life because of this.  I’ve been able to cultivate strong bonds with fellow runners.  10k pro Kaitlin Gregg was nice enough to set the pace for me in the 3k I had to run to get in to Payton. Instead of feeling anxious about not hitting a time standard, I felt strong and supported beside a friend.

Kaitlin and her perfect pacing

3. Promote your assets

Katniss needed Cinna to help her dazzle in the games interview process.  I turned to coach Tom to help “talk up” my finish at trials to get me in to Payton Jordan.  On race day, I will conjure the emotions I felt crossing the line there. The work that I put in for that is still in the ol’ legs.

4. Find your own turf, and get comfortable there first

Peeta and Katniss found a safe haven in the cave. My sweet spot for the first 8 laps is going to be the inside of the rail, behind two svelte bodies. Never do all the work in a 5k!

 5. The rules of the game can always be changed

Katniss and Peta were able to leave the arena together because of last minute changes made by the gamemakers. As much as I want to believe that I can clip off consistent paces for 12 laps, I know that there will be a number of unknown obstacles and changes that present themselves. Having foresight with this will make dealing with mishaps less devastating.

 6. Learn how to blend in

When Lions are in the “hunt”, you don’t want to be a solo gazelle standing out amongst the others. It’s said that if you lead a race, you can lose 8% efficiency. I plan on blending in amongst the other women until it’s “go time”.

7. The small, quiet ones, have a shot at greatness

I preform my best when I am the underdog. No one expects you to do anything. I'm not sponsored; I’m not on a top 10 list. I’m just an emplunner with a serious running habit. Like Katniss, I’m hoping to beat out the Katos and Glimmer’s of the arena.

 Blending in amongst the Lions

8. Don’t be content with your success

There is always a point in the 5k where I think, “I’m happy here. 16:30 is a good time. I can just coast in.” I can’t let this be the case. Katniss escaped the arena, but went on to lead the revolution. If I’m going to put in the effort to toe-the-line, I’m going to go big (or go home!)

9. Get by with a little help from your friends

Haymitch got Katniss out of several sticky and impervious situations. Without him, books two and three most likely would not have been written. I am fueled by the support of my coach, teammates, and friends.  I’m incredibly excited to hear them yelling at me from the rail of the track.  Their support and enthusiasm is what  I rely on when the lactic sets in.

World's Best Fan Club 10. The odds are ever in your favor

No matter what happens on Sunday at 5:40, I am still incredibly blessed.  I might run a PR, I might not. Unlike many of the victims in the “Hunger Games”, I can always try again.  The beauty of this sport is generally in the process and rarely in the result. 

Control F5

It's Saturday, March 17th, and I have one last fleeting day as a 26 year old. This last year was a roller coaster of highs and lows. I can painfully remember laying sobbing on my bed with the We's hand on my back as I bottomed out in the depths of "the butt injury". I can also joyfully recollect the feeling of crossing the line at Olympic Trials knowing I had accomplished my goal. I've felt completely bored and at a loss at work, and I've also felt inspired, enriched and successful. This all being said, I'm grateful for 26, but ready and prepared to embrace 27 and dead-set (no pun intended) on NOT becoming a member of the 27 club. 

Last Sunday, my most cherished girls came over for a night of eats, chats and life blood (red wine). Since freshman year in highschool, we have gathered and talked about goals and dreams and 14 years later, we sat doing the same. I told my dears about how recently, my life path has felt a bit windy. I'm used to the straight and narrow. Trying to work and train has forced me to live a fairly repetitive, goal focused existence and since trials, I feel that my fire to be so driven, has dwindled. I've been more intrigued by travel and adventure than 1,000 meter repeats, and I've been able to find numerous excuses on why I should be pleased when the pace of my workouts are too slow, or when I've not put 100% in to a work project. Kristin proposed the idea that this new state of mind might have something to do with "my Saturn Return". "My what?", I thought. When they left that night, I did a little reserach. 

The girls at 15. The girls at 26.

Turns out, 27 is the new 21. I jest, but astrologists belive that at 27, with a person's first Saturn return, you leave youth behind and enter adulthood. This news made me re-think my somewhat pessimistic approach to how I have been feeling. I'm now choosing to look at my upcoming birthday as a chance to press control F5 on my attitude and feelt lightened by a hard re-set. I really have NOTHING to be upset about. I am healthy, I am surrounded by loving friends and family, really, I have my whole life in front of me. 

I know from experience that if I want my running to improve, I need to start working harder. It's not ok to be ok with "ok". Ok doesn't make you faster. I ran an "OK" mile last weekend, but in my heart, I know that I'm capable of more. So today, I connected my Garmin to the social fitness site Strava.com, so I can start tracking and being more mindful of the work that I am putting in. Finishing the "ok" mile

I'm also going to be committed to see where this spirit of adventure leads me. Perhaps my entrance in to adulthood means I am looking to challenge myself in new ways that don't involve running. I'm looking forward to travel later in the year, and the ongoing fun with my WE. Last weekend, I was his #1 beer girl in the West Valley Beer mile. T

Until I figure out this windy road, let me leave you with a few of my favorite things as I leave 26 behind. Enjoy!

Favorite Dress Up Day: Oscar Night 2012. Went as the infamous Lisbeth Salander

Favorite New Recipe: Butternut Squash Buffalo

Favorite New Friend: Bentley, Mom and Dad's new pup. Moderately obsessed with him

Favorite Picture: Beautiful and Sweet Pic taken by the We in Sun Valley, ID.

Favorite Joke: If you've read it, you can't disagree.

Favorite Snack: Square Bars. My girl Sarah has her ish figuered out!

Nature's Medicine

Nature's Medicine at the Boqueria Market in Barcelona, SpainFive busy weeks have passed, and yet Olympic Trials still feels like it took place yesterday. Since Houston, I've been to Mexico, Maryland, Nevada, and Arizona. Every week has felt like a bit of a whilwind, and this is the first weekend in a while that I've found myself able to sit down and {exhale}.

It hasn't just been the travel that has made the time since trials feel like a blip, it's also been the way I've felt about training and racing again. I'm just not quite ready. It's interesting, because four years ago, I likely wouldn't have payed any attention to the fact that I'm not rearing to go. However, now, with the proliferation of social media, I am reminded on a daily basis of how many people are back out pounding the roads and tearing up the track. I haven't let it freak me out, or get me down, but I have used it as a boost to start reviewing my training, critique my habits (both good and bad) and starting to set goals.

I met with coach Tom two weeks ago, and we began to strategize for 2012 and beyond. The goal is long term success in the marathon, but it's agreed that I need to aggressively work on the shorter distances and improving my speed endurance. There are a lot of things to get done in the next four years, with no forseeable time in the day to get these things done. Therefore, the conversation then turns from how we can train more, to how we can train smarter.

I admitted to Tom, that although I feel I have very good nurtition, there are a lot of bad habits that the we and I have picked up over time. Number one being a sick, disgusting and yet beautiful addition to sugar. The more processed the better. One particular favorite of ours, are Guittard milk chocolate chips. Almost nightly, I will pick these out of the jar, dip them in almond butter and savor them. This then gets repeated....several...times. Add in the red wine, and the morning after is a hangover of inflammation.

Morsels of the GodsI set out on a quest to research how I might achieve a higher level of nutrition. I was inspired by two friends form highschool who both recently went on the Whole30 Challenge.  I contacted Jenna, whom I call Kilzer, and heard how this 30 days had competely transformed her life. Kilzer sleeps better, moves better, and feels more postiive. Coincidentally, another friend, Sarah, completely cured herself from chronic and life-threatening Asmatha by removing inflammatory foods from her diet. She has been so transformed by her nutritional changes, that she and her fiance started a natural food bar, Squarebar, that encompases all the values of her new diet. (I'm acutally backing Squarebar because I think it's going to be such a success.

After hearing these stories, I decided to try Whole30 for myself and attempt to slay my evil sugar dragon. This means 30 days of no sugar (or fake sugar!), dairy, grains and alcohol. What CAN I eat, you may ask- well, I can eat WHOLE FOOD. Everything, real, pure, good. Just the way nature intended. I was so inspired by Magda when I was with her in Tahoe last October. I don't think she eats anything that comes packaged in a wrapper. Everything is prepared in the home. Everything is seasonal. Everything is colorful. My goal is to do a hard re-set on my system. Suck out the inflammation that plagues it, feed it with the medicine nature intended- WHOLE FOOD!

How am I doing? Well, I will be straight up with you. The first 4 days SUCKED. They sucked so bad, I can laugh at them now. I really think I was addicted to sugar. I felt very low energy, cranky and just run down. Then, something interesting started to happen. When my alarm went off in the morning, I was UP. Not eyelids barely cracking open up, but slap on the watch and get me out the door up. I also felt much less "snacky" at work. This is because I've introduced a lot more healthy fat (primarily in the form of coconut EVERYTHING) to my diet. My skin is more moist, my nails are getting stronger. How do I feel when I run? I feel.. ok. This is NOT intended to be a long term program. Normally, I would have grains and oats, which provide a great deal of important carbohydrates. Now, I am getting most of my "quick energy" from greens, sweet potatoes, fruit and coconut milk. I am also not running much. This is why I chose to do this. I would not recommend this for anyone in a period of high training.

I'm also enjoying being more active in the kitchen. Prep work and cooking time is extenstive, but it's a passion of mine, and I'm getting to play and be creative. Here are a few things that I cooked up today for the week:

1. Cauliflower Paella

2. Banana-cado Pudding

I promise it tastes better than it looks!

3. Clay Pot Roasted Chicken

A few days of eats! (I hope!)

 I am 14 days in to my journey and grateful for what I have learned thus far. I am confident that I will continue to bring several of the priciples in to the next 16 days and far in to the future. I will however, be sure to enjoy a glass of red (just one) when I'm through.

Not for the Faint of Heart...

For those of you that get queasy with needles, this is not for you! After my fall at mile 8, during the trials, I developed a large hematoma on my left hip. Twelve days and a Mexican vacation later, it had still not gone down, and chiropractor, Taylor Rabbetz, could not work on adjusting my busted hip until I got all the fluid removed. I took a trip to Concentra Urgent Care yesterday and the following magic happened. Enjoy!

Mastering Mantras- A Recap of the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon

On Christmas morning, I received a text message from my Impala teammate, and friend Effin' J. It contained a motivating message, and the promise that for the next 20 days leading up to the Olympic Trials, I would receive a mantra each day. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received and it ended up saving my race and helping me cross the line in 19th place at the 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trials.

Friday January 13th
Mantra 5: "Fear is not created by the world around us, but in the mind, by what we think is going to happen. Be fearless!"Can never get enough Peanut Butter GU!

The day passed as any pre-race day would. It started with a high carb breakfast of oats paired with a drizzle of the finest Peanut Butter Gu a girl could ask for. This was followed by the technical meeting, flush out massage and treatment. I was fortunate enough to get a tune up from the 'Miracle Worker' JB and the "ok" that my hip capsule was ready to go. A massive intake of water took place, followed by several bathroom trips and the feeling that if I ingested one more carb, I might just roll away like the purple chick in "Willy Wonka".Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose.
At about 4pm, the nerves started to kick in. Until this point the we and I had distracted ourselves with back to back episodes of "Mad Men" and power reading sessions. After these distractions, my mind began wondering,Had I done enough? My one mile at goal race pace (5:55) that morning had not felt spritely. What was I doing? My we and I sat in the hotel and without saying anything, had a full conversation about the ration and irrational fears going through our heads. I sat and listed out my splits and looked through all the supportive emails and texts from my friends, family and amazing coworkers and reminded myself the only time fear present, was the one I was creating for myself. I tattooed mantra 20 on my arm, "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose", and said a prayer for strength and trust. We had a nice dinner with immediate family and watched one last "pump-up" episode of "Mad Men" (nothin' like a little 60's sexism to get you fired up!).

Mantra 14: "One chance is all you need"

The alarm went off at 4:45 and I dressed in the dark for my mandatory/superstitious 10 minute pre-race activation run. I exited the Hilton and my heart rate rose immediately...wind! The on and only thing I HATE while racing. I forced myself to not think about it as I jogged around Discovery Park. My legs didn't feel snappy, but I convinced myself I just needed a little coffee. I christened a port-o-potty, and headed back inside.
After a pre-race bagel, pb and banana, Dr. Taylor Rabbetz came to the room to wail on the we's Achilles and make sure my sacrum was in alignment. Twenty pops and snaps later, we headed down to the athlete holding area and I met up with coach Tom and several of my Impala teammates.
The room was buzzing with energy. You could see everyone absorbed in their own pre-race ritual. I longed to be an observer for just five minutes, but I put n my headphones with will.i.am's, "The Hardest Ever", on repeat and chanted, "You can go hard, or you can go home", to myself on my five minute warmup. I kissed the we, double knotted my laces and headed outside to the cheers of the huge crowd and the bite of the cool Houston air. I aimlessly circled the warmup area doing drills and a few strides and visiting the port-o-potty. Fellow athlete Ester Erb (who I ended up running a majority of the race with) sang the National Anthem and just Iike that we were off. "All I need is this one chance", I thought.

The Mega PackMantra 8: "The gun goes off and everything changes, the world changes, and nothing else really matters."-Patti Sue Plummer

Just like the trials in 2008, the pack went out painfully slow. I ran side by side with teammate Teresa Mcwalters and we tucked in to avoid the wind. At mile two, I ran shoulder to shoulder with Shalane Flannigan and I nearly tripped her graceful back kick hit my toe. "Holy %#!*". I almost took out Shalne. Every distance runner in America almost hated me forever! I laughed to myself, and tucked back in. At mile three, the leaders surged and Teresa and I established ourselves in a pack of about twenty women running everywhere between 5:47 and 6:03 for the next three miles. Seeing Catha Mullen, and having Teresa beside me, I pretended we were running the path on Sawyer Camp. I relaxed and rolled on though the pace never felt comfortable as I hoped it would.

Mantra 6: "Pain is weakness leaving the body. Semper Fi."

I knew from the pre-race information session on Friday that my bottles would be on table 25, so as we passed the sign for "Elite Fluids", at mile eight, I moved to the right to position myself. Just as I grabbed my bottle, I felt the ground fall out beneath me and I felt the rough surface of concrete tearing away my flesh. I was down. Without hesitation I got up and started chasing my group. I was startled and had blood dripping down my arm, but hell, I was still running functionally and caught back up to my pack. The fall took away any unneeded fear and pressure I was holding on to and allowed me to better concentrate on the task at hand. My worst fear had just happened and I was still ok. I willed on.

Warrior Wounds.
Mantra 10: "Ask yourself if you can give more. I bet the answer will be yes. Dig deep."

My pack came through mile thirteen in 1:17:10 (ish). Immediately, BAA runner, Janette Faber, who I had been running with, surged ahead. We had talked before the race ,and I knew J was settling her sites on 2:35-2:36. As she forged ahead, I forced myself to leave the safety o the group and try to chase. Although I knew this meant I was going to be running alone, I could sense this was my decision moment to "pull the trigger" or be complacent. I asked myself to give more and rolled the dice.Awesome fans- Eddie, Jeff and Matt

Mantra 2: "Your legs are strong, but your heart is stronger. Believe you can."

Miles fourteen to twenty are a it of a blur. My feet began to burn at mile fifteen and my will would falter, but then I would see Crosby's sister, Libby with an American flag cape screaming my name or I would see my Mm's "Go Hard", sign, or I'd switch my focus to the hundreds of people saying, "Looking string Wells!," only recognizing me from the name on my bib, and I kept going. At mile eighteen we passed our hotel And I allowed myself to have on e final thought of,"Should I drop out? I would be so much easier!", before I righted my mind, focusing on the people who thought I would never make it here. As I entered the last lap, I visualized it as one huge 400 meters. "I know I can run a 400," I thought. "I can do this".

Mantra 12: "The body achieves what the mind believes. Believe I am."

Around mile nineteen, I started to see women dropping out left and right and I was passing people who I've always idolized, but never thought I would be in race contention with. Around twenty, someone in the crowd yelled out that I was in twenty-seventh place as Ester Erb and I ran side by side. She said to me, "We are going to catch them," and I got a second wind fueled by competitive fire. I believed that I belonged. At twenty-two, out of the blue I saw coach Tom running o the right side of the course. He yelled,"Twenty-fourth! Get five more! Do this now!" With my coach there, there was no option to do anything but execute orders. I knew I was not overly depleted and if I concentrated on nothing but what was ahead of me, I could do it. With three miles to go, I could feel the finish line sucking me closer to it with a magnetic-like force. I split a 5:53 and I saw the woman in twenty-first place ahead. I passed with intention and Tom reminded me to not stop or get complacent. At twenty-five, I entered twentieth place. My goal! I was doing it! I was amped, but also terrified of being out kicked by the talented women behind me. Tom re-emerged at twenty-five and yelled,"Run one last mile Ike it's that last of your life." at twenty-six, I moved in to nineteenth place and rounded the corner to the finish. The crowds were roaring and I drove my arms to propel me forward, as my legs would not move faster. I crossed the line, I wobbled a lot, and I felt it. I felt the relief of a job well done, a goal accomplished and a build up two-and-a-half years in the making, coming to an end.Turning the final corner to the finish
As I left the race area after getting bandaged in the Medical tent, I realized, this is in fact, not an end, but a beginning. It's now time to balance my scales and focus on an entirely different side of me for a bit. Try new things, relax a little, live, play and figure out what's next. It's exciting. It's a new chapter. It's a fresh start.