McMillanElite :: Training Blog - New Blog Every Monday and Thursday!

Entry #184
Week of February 1, 2010
by Alvina Begay

It has been week two now since my marathon. Downtime has ended, and I am ready to get back into the full swing of training. It felt strange to go from intense training to not running everyday. I took advantage of my two week break by sleeping in, staying up late, and visiting family and friends. I also started the spring semester of graduate school.

I'm excited to say that I ran a 5 min. PR in my marathon. It feels awesome to say that I am now qualified to run in the next Olympic Marathon Trials with the A STANDARD. It also feels good to just come out and get it done fast. The workouts prior to the marathon indicated that I was fit and ready to go.

I was on pace to run 2:35 until mile 21. I felt bad from then to the finish. I ran the last 14 miles all alone in no man's land. My mind and body were screaming at me to stop. My legs started to feel heavy. I was looking for anything to stay motivated and to keep going. I kept saying to myself that I could do it. I tried to keep from thinking too much about the pain by focusing on positive things like how awesome it would be to finish as the first American and win money. Trent and Trina gave me words of encouragement and different things to focus on to distract me from feeling the fatigue. Looking back now, I know the mistakes I made and I will continue to work towards getting stronger and faster. People also kept complimenting the color of my shoes (Adidas Adios) during the race. They are a very bright yellow.

It was amazing to have Trina, Trina's family, my teammates, friends, and family out on the course cheering and supporting me. Thanks guys! Emily did a wonderful job pacing me. I think she will be a great marathoner someday. Thanks Emily! To have my parents at the finish and to hear them scream in excitement after learning that I got the time standard was my favorite part of the entire event. My family, coaches, and teammates have really been the only ones to see my roller coaster ride of trying to get healthy and fit since 2008. They have been there through it all. It is so true when people say that the tough and rough times make the good times feel so much better and sweeter.

[Have a question for the McMillanElite Athletes? Let us know, email us here and we would be glad to give it an answer in the next blog!

Entry #183
Week of January 25, 2010
by Emily Harrison

Well, this past week has been interesting, to say the least. The snow started falling here in Flagstaff on Monday and continued through to Saturday morning, ending with several feet of pretty, white stuff. Well, it’s pretty until you have to shovel your way out of the driveway every morning. I look at it this way, we just got some extra strength training in this week!

Needless to say, running was an adventure. Logging in 100+ mile weeks is no light effort in an average week, but adding in the winter conditions really makes you step back and appreciate what we are doing day in and day out. You seem to be much more aware of those miles when you’re on the treadmill twice a day. Luckily, there were some runs that could be done outside to keep you sane.

There was an attempt at some fun in the snow with sledding, but it was a little difficult with the snow being so deep. Thus, sledding down the middle of the road was the best, if not the smartest option! Maybe within the next week, the snow will be perfect for another attempt at sledding...

Everyone who’s raced recently has certainly had great results. I’m sure everyone knows from last week’s blogs and news of the great marathons from last weekend. I was honored to pace Alvina through the first portion of her marathon. It was a great way to experience the marathon without having to complete one just yet. Alvina ran great, and it was a much deserved five minute P.R. On Friday, Jordan and Ian continued to have impressive indoor races. Jordan met the IAAF “A” standard for the 3k, while Ian was close behind, with both of them qualifying for the USATF Indoor Championships.

I’m looking forward to what 2010 has to bring for the McMillan group, as thus far it’s looking very promising and exciting!

Entry #182
Week of January 18, 2010
by Lindsay Allen

Alvina raced in the Rock and Roll Marathon in Phoenix this past weekend, so naturally a group of us went down to cheer her on. I’ve never seen a marathon live, and let me tell you, it’s amazing! Trina mapped out the race course and road blockages so our 3-car caravan followed Alvina and Emily, her pacer, along the race course where we could cheer at numerous points. I felt like we were in a high-speed chase. We’d back our cars into parking spaces near the race course,
sprint to the roadside to cheer as Alvina passed by. Before we could even catch our breath, all 10 of us would high tail it back to thecars, adrenaline pumping, and speed off to the next vantage point, often neglecting road sign ‘suggestions.’ As the race wore on, I was in awe at Alvina’s persistence and tenacity. She kept her game face on the entire time. She was focused and making it happen, resulting in a 5 minute PR! I’m so proud of her and lucky I was there to see it all go down. Amidst cheering for Alvina and Emily, we were getting Houston race results, which only further increased the excitement. When we heard Brett’s finishing time of 2:10.36, I believe there was some fist
pumping. And when Paige’s time came in, right around her PR, we let out a good cheer. It was a fun day to be a part of McMillan Elite.

As Greg said lovingly before he left for Houston, ‘The marathon’s the worst event,’ in that so much work goes into it and yet so much can go wrong on race day. Luckily, we had 3 people in the marathon this past
weekend, and all 3 produced inspirational results. That’s a testament to their dedication over the past few months. Congrats to you all! You made us proud.

Entry #181
Week of January 18, 2010
by Andrew Middleton

It was a great weekend of racing for my teammates – both Saturday and Sunday saw breakthrough performances, demonstrations of developed fitness and true examples of grit. From Flagstaff, to Houston to Phoenix, McMillanElite started 2010 exactly how we left off in 2009 – on fire.

At the first indoor track meet of the year, Ian Burrell and Jordan Horn completely disregarded the lack of oxygen in the air and opened up with a great time in the mile, going 1 and 2 in the race.

Down the mountain in Phoenix, Alvina Begay locked in her spot for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials with a huge personal best of 2:37:14 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon. Alvina has been very dedicated to improving all aspects of her running since joining the team and this race is a direct result of that. Congratulations Alvina on your awesome effort!

I had the opportunity to be in Houston for the marathon this year and was able to cheer on Paige and Brett at the 20 mile mark of the race. If you have ever run a marathon, watched someone race or heard their battle stories, you most likely know this is where a race can go from good to bad. Accordingly, this is where I positioned myself during my morning run in order to give them any and all of the energy I could impose on their spirits. I gave them the best advice I could conjure up in the short 5 seconds in which it took for them to pass by, hoping it would make an impact on their race, even if only helping them get to the next mile marker.

In the end, both Brett and Paige had excellent days with Paige running very close to her personal best and finishing fourth, and Brett running the 4th fastest debut marathon in U.S. history. I’ve seen the way these two work through marathon training, and I’ve been taking notes for my own use leading up to L.A.

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