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Chasing Unicorns LLC

Setting Goals and Entering the Realm of Possible

Upcoming Races

December 8, 2019: California International Marathon (Sacramento, CA)

April 20, 2020: Boston Marathon (Boston, MA)

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Could celebrate with a post for #medalmonday but instead I want to talk about this guy for #mancrushmonday. . Ross and I have been together for over 8 years now and he has seen so many of the ups and downs of running over that time. He was there at the finish line of my first full marathon, he was there to hold me after I DNF’d from hypothermia in what would’ve been my second marathon, he was there to see me qualify for my first Boston in Berlin, then at Boston itself where I ran my dream race, and he was there for nearly every other race in between these last 8 years. . I realize that most of our vacations these last several years have stemmed around running a marathon and I’m lucky he’s so supportive of me chasing these dreams. When I punched my ticket to the @nycmarathon this weekend, he joked, “hooray, another running vacation!”, but in all seriousness he knows it’s been a goal to complete all 6 stars, qualifying where I can, and this is a step towards going after star #4 (and he had lots of fun at Oktoberfest after I ran Berlin last Fall 🍻). . It’s no secret running is a big part of my life, but there’s no way I would be able to do any of it without this man’s support. I will never take it for granted as I’ve seen other relationships where spouses aren’t as supportive because they don’t understand. While he might not be a runner himself, he understands setting big goals and chasing them down and that is more than enough. . Thank you, Ross, for putting up with my early Friday nights and Saturday mornings during training, for always being there to cheer me on at races, and for encouraging me every step of the way. I’m so lucky to have you in my life and you’re the best teammate I could ever ask for ❤️ . . . #runnersofinstagram #runnergirl #runlove #supportsquad #chasingunicorns

“Why not you?” was the question I asked myself at mile 10 of yesterday’s half marathon when things began to hurt but I knew deep down there was still more in the tank. In that moment I realized that I was still questioning if I belonged in the 1:2x club. It was like having imposter syndrome, even as I was clearly seeing via mile splits that it was possible for me to do. Full race recap over on the blog today; link in bio. I wanted to get my thoughts out while they were fresh in preparation for CIM. I’m still in disbelief that I am a 1:27 half marathoner, but my muscles seem to be believing it 😂 ouch! . . . #bemonumental #indymonumental #halfmarathon #road2CIM #marathontraining #racerecap #chasingunicorns #marathoner #runnersofinstagram #blog

That was so, so fun. Until very recently, I never thought I would run a half marathon where every mile split started with the number “6”. Today I never hit the wall but did go to the well for a negative split, PR, first sub-1:30, and a NYC Marathon qualifying time. Gosh today was a good day ❤️ dream really freaking big and chase down scary goals. 4 more weeks till CIM and I’m so proud of where I’ve been and where I’m going. More thoughts to come but I need a nap and some food. . . . #indymonumental #bemonumental #halfmarathon #road2CIM #marathontraining #teamsugarruns

We get to do this ❤️ but first, carbs 🍝 . Racing 13.1 tomorrow through the streets of Indianapolis. The legs are feeling good despite the 1800+ miles logged on them this year alone, and I’m confident in my training, my race plan, and just so happy to be here healthy with the opportunity to run my heart out. To everyone racing tomorrow, good luck and have the most amazing time out there. Let’s go make some crazy dreams come true! . . . #indymonumental #bemonumental #road2CIM #halfmarathon #race #racing #runnersofinstagram #dreamreallyfreakingbig

Today’s run thoughts by segment... Mile 1: Warm-up. See the kids all throughout this mile waiting on different street block corners for the school bus. Want to look strong to maybe inspire some of them to pick up this crazy sport or at least give them something to talk about on the bus “did you see that girl in bright blue Superman colored tights??” Mile 2: Warm-up some more. Going uphill, then comfortably downhill, then closing out the final part of the mile climbing up a steady incline. It’s nearly time to push the pace. Mile 2.25: 400 in 86 seconds. Got a little extra energy from more kids waiting for the bus. It was fun to cruise right on by them and got to pretend like they were fans on a course. That felt pretty comfortable. Mile 3.25: Ah some flat running. Working this mile and going out a bit hot, trying to slow down but feeling really smooth and in control. 6:40 mile doesn’t seem so bad, but it really should’ve been 7:00. Mile 3.5: I’ve had 2 mins to recover and somehow old marathon pace is now recovery pace. This is weird. Mile 3.75: Another 400 in 87. GPS definitely was off for that one and it was frustrating to be pushing so hard to make it dip under 90 seconds. Realize that I need to sometimes let go of GPS and focus on the fact that I’m in tune with my body and know that GPS isn’t always accurate. Mile 4.75: First part felt nice cruising downhill, had to work a bit on the rolling hills in the second part but somehow still pulled off a 6:32 (again, too fast when it was supposed to be a 6:50 but I didn’t want to get slower as the workout went on because that I wasn’t the point...). Mile 5: Another 2 mins at old marathon pace. What in the world is going on today. Dang it Katherine when are you going to start believing that you’re fit and that this isn’t just a fluke? Mile 5.25: Final 400 in 87. Imaginary points for consistency. Mile 6.25: Final mile was a grind. Slow through halfway at about 6:43 pace. Wanted to stop, arms got super tight in the cold, note to self that I need to figure out what to wear in this cold this weekend so avoid arm tightness. Side stitch from breathing in cold air. Repeat to myself to stay in the mile and *cont below*

A letter to myself on race week... . Hey There, That familiar feeling of nervousness has crept back in and it’s kind of scary. The questions start to pop up, “what’s that new twinge?”...”have I trained enough?”...”what if my digestive system isn’t cooperating?”...”how will my asthma do in 25 degree weather?”...”how will very untapered legs fare running fast?” Remember that a race is simply one day in a calendar year to try to run your best. Remember that you’re doing this for yourself and that at this stage in your life you’re choosing to do this; there is no one making you do any of it. Remember that it is not simply the 12 training weeks up to this point that have created your fitness. Remember that it’s about having fun, testing your limits, and seeing what your mind and body can bring on Saturday. It’s been 3 months since you last raced and this is a chance to go chase down some scary goals and big dreams. It’s ok to be nervous, it’s not ok to start doubting now and dismissing the hours and hours spent in the gym and on the roads. You have worked too hard to start to question your fitness or if you’re capable. The question really should be how far are you willing to push on Saturday because deep down in your heart you know you are ready. Just breathe, close your eyes and visualize what it feels like to be running strong on the course. Visualize the hurt and working through a rough patch just like you have done in many workouts before. Visualize the finish line in sight and your response is pushing off your toes and pumping your arms getting closer and closer to that line... You are strong, you are capable, you are ready. Go have some fun out there and remember that this is a gift. ❤️ . . . #raceweek #road2cim #marathontraining #halfmarathon #runnersofinstagram #runlove

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