McMillanElite :: Paige Higgins

When I got home, I found a box filled with my big sister Shannon's homemade cookies. Then I received another package with the racers I will wear for Chicago. About an hour later Bri and I got a formal invitation to be part of the Elite field at the Chicago Marathon. Becky and Lindsay weren't home and it was probably a good thing because I think I was spastically running around the house yelling at the top of my lungs for a good 10 minutes. It was a "dream come true" phone call to say the least. I was riding off a high because the day before I was able to talk to my brother Patrick, whom I am so proud of. He is currently an Army Special Forces Infantry Officer in Germany. I laugh thinking back to when I threw a frozen Cadbury Egg at his head and almost gave him a concussion. Now he's in charge of an entire unit and I'm hoping he has a freezer full of those apparently effective little tranquilizers to keep him safe...ha. Other really fun things for the week included an absolutely delicious team pizza party courtesy of Lindsay, and talking to my Mom about the possibilities of getting my own place up here one day (Anyone who knows me could've probably bet I wouldn't have ever left Colorado, but now Flagstaff is what I think of when I think "home").

Every week I only further appreciate what I have been given and try to do my best to earn it for the runners who haven't been given this gift - runners and all athletes who have to hold down a full time job while still trying to pursue their dreams. Props to all you out there, I humbly tip my hat to you. Sorry I always end up rambling in these things, but thank you to everyone who supports this program and this team, you have given me what I only thought I could dream of...I'm doing the best I can to respect and honor this gift. This is the last blog for me before Chicago, so a special thanks to my family, friends, and teammates who have been there through it all, the good times, the injuries, my moodiness (stubborn? ME?), my quirks...all of it. My official "thank you" will physically manifest itself on October 12th. I'll be running for all of you...

Everything I have,

Paige

Greg posted in his last blog "there is something in the air;" he couldn't be more spot on. I really came to realize that during last week's long run at A-1. Greg and Tracy were at every few miles with our bottles waiting, which on a long run is more cherished than gold. The girls started out a little before the boys so we wouldn't be so stretched out this time. We did an out and back, then another few miles to add on as needed. Bri, Becky and I were going at a really strong pace and feeding well off each other. It's a great dynamic, because in the course of 22 miles, you are going to feel good and bad at different points. If we ever get separated, it's not competitive, it's a positive push. More of a "do you wanna come?" or a "good job, keep on rolling!" Anyway, Becky showed us how tough she is by running with Bri and I her entire run, even though she's only been here a week. As the boys passed us, they gave us a "good job" and we returned the encouragement. It felt effortless, and at mile 22 I was still pumped and wanted to go more. The support makes all the difference in the world. Such an amazing team, everyone is here to help each other. I am thoroughly looking forward to getting my butt kicked this week on the Chevron Hills by Bri, she's awesome at them and pushes me more than I could ever do alone.

I would also like to make a shout out to two unofficial members of our team, Angus (Greg and Tracy's son) and Courtney (Ian's fiance). Courtney has come out to all the long runs, helping us with water, encouraging us as she drives or bikes by. Even if you're feeling like crap, you just can't help but smile when you see this happy little blonde girl smiling at you as you pass by. Thanks Courtney ;)

Angus, though only five months old, is showing every single one of us up when it comes to core/circuit training. He can hold a V-up longer than anyone on the team, and he can't even crawl yet! He's always in tow at the long runs with Tracy and Greg, and as far as I know he hasn't complained once (although Tracy and Greg might argue that, I'm not there at 3am!). So thanks Angus!

O.k. this is getting too long so I'm outta here. Like Greg said, something is happening up here, something big, and as far as I'm concerned, we're going to come in like a hurricane for the Olympics and then in October…Twin Cities and Chicago better get ready!!!

ADJUSTMENTS
So far the biggest shock to my system is the altitude and the sun. Today we started my first phase getting prepared and ready for Chicago. We started practice at 8:30, which is late for me. I usually get up no later than 6am to start a run because I'm not the greatest in the heat (I guess for our long run saturday I was covered in white salty sweat when I got in...I didn't get to see cause by the time I got home it was all about shower and eating!!). Bri and I went out for an 80-90 min run, and by the end I was dizzy and thought I might black out. It was so weird, because my legs felt fine, but the sun up here is sooooo strong it gets to you. I got a little burned on Saturday's long run as well, so I was a little smarter today and hit up the 45 SPF!!! I think I've got about a gallon of water/powerade in me now and feel much better. I gotta recover here soon so I can go out and get in another 30 mins this afternoon, then come home to make dinner for the team. Sara Mitchell (who is staying with us for month during a break in her PhD studies) and I are trying to impress. We're making Chicken Curry Crepes. We want to start off with a good impression, but it got a little expensive so next time it's going to be spaghetti!! ha
Anyway, today was a little hard, but I have really good days as well. Yesterday I ran my favorite run thus far, it's on Schultz Pass road. It's a dirt road that goes up until you want to go down or until your legs decide they're not going up anymore!! The key of 7000 ft I've discovered (the HARD WAY!!) is to start off slow and build into it. If you start out at regular pace, you feel like crap after about 10 minutes and spend the rest of the run trying to recover. I've been stupid a few times to say the least but when I'm smart and I head up Schultz, I feel like a rockstar. Then, when I turn around I try to open up my gate and pick it up a bit. I want to shout out to Bri right now because Greg said the otherday I was "half stepping" her. I want to apologize and thank Bri for being so patient with me, I'm not used to running with people. I'll get better at it, I promise!!

SETTLING INTO LIFE AS A PROFESSIONAL RUNNER
Outside of running, I'm really enjoying just getting to know the town, getting to know my team, and reading a book or napping with my cat Boston sleeping on my stomach. Right now I'm reading "Lone Survivor", a book about Navy SEALS. My brother just left for Germany for the Army, and I love the comraderie the soldiers speak of. There are things in there that inspire me when I run. It's about strength, toughness, and a deep desire within to be something bigger than yourself. It's also about never leaving someone behind, to grow and work together, push each other and help one another in all situations, no matter what. Anyway, we've got an amazing view outside our front window and there's just an amazing sense of peace and relaxation. I miss my friends and family in Denver, but I couldn't be more happy or more grateful to be in the situation I'm in. It's hard, it hurts, and I've got a lot to learn, and that's exactly the way I wanted it to be!!! I'm so pumped and excited to see what my team and myself as a runner will do this upcoming year. But I promise we've got something special going on up here. You can feel it!!!

TTFN-

Paige