The 17th Annual Run Thru The Woods took place on Thanksgiving, and we have made it a family tradition that at least one of us in our family participate in this event every year. This year there would be three “Hagers” at the start line. My oldest daughter, Lauren, decided to tackle the 5 mile race (along with me) and my youngest daughter, Hanna, made her racing debut in the 1-mile kid race.

The 1-mile kid race is ran first. It is fun to watch the children race with so much enthusiasm. Their pacing techniques are quite interesting, but they always seem to have enough energy to sprint in the homestretch (and make it look so easy). I joined Hanna at the start line (parents are allowed to run with their children) but I was immediately informed that I was not needed and that she was ‘big enough’ to do this on her own. With that, I jogged off to find a spot from which I could applaud her efforts.

As soon as I saw Hanna, I began to run along beside her and cheer. She, of course, reminded me to ‘keep my distance’ and told me again, “I don’t need your help!” So, I ended up jogging along the perimeter of the course, and kept encouraging her to run strong. All smiles, she completed the race…without stopping to walk…in 9:02. I was so proud of her!

Soon thereafter it was time to get to the start line for the 5 mile race. My usual pre-race warm up was altered a bit due to Hanna’s race, but I was more focused on enjoying the day and experience rather than having any specific goals in mind. Being able to participate in this race this year was special for me because last year at this time I was recovering from knee surgery and was unable to run. For me, I was just thankful to have the ability to be at the start line.

As the race began, I found myself in a nice rhythm from the start. Around the half-way point, I felt strong and picked up the pace. I continued to pick up the pace throughout each mile, and as I ran towards the finish line, I was cheered on by my many friends and all the spectators. Taking the overall female title is always special and something I never take for granted, but there is something ‘extra-special’ about winning a home-town race.

After I finished the race I went back out onto the course to find Lauren and encourage her. I think Lauren gained full appreciation for just how long 5 miles can be, especially since she had never ran this distance before. When I found Lauren on the course, she drummed up the energy to yell, “I hate running!”

I thought about pointing out the fact that her run training was basically non-existent for this race, but I figure that sometimes the best lessons learned are those we learn on our own. Besides, I was just proud of her for stepping outside her comfort zone, taking a risk, and for pushing through the discomfort and pain.

At the awards ceremony, Hanna was up to the podium to receive my awards before me. She graciously accepted the trophy. Hanna had hoped to earn a trophy herself, so I told her that the overall winners can give their trophy to somebody they feel deserves the award. I gave my trophy to Hanna and told her that she won the trophy for running the entire 1-mile and for giving her best effort in the race. She has not parted with the trophy yet.

The best part of spending Thanksgiving morning at our local race is that I get to visit with friends and spend some quality time with the family. I have a lot to be thankful for…and the bonus is that I do not feel quite as guilty eating heaps of mashed potatoes and extra slices of pumpkin pie because I participated in the race!

Happy Training.

On Thanksgiving day in Sheboygan it has been an annual tradition for the past 19 years or so for my dad and I to do the annual 10k “Gobbler Gallop”, held along Sheboygans lakefront. This year my original plan was to put in a top time here in an effort of run focus this fall, but following IM WI I ended up battling a medial plica inflammation in my knee which knocked down the running quite a bit. I had finally managed to get over that, and started running a little more consistently 2 weeks prior to the race. So I was just going to be happy with running the 10K all together.

Down at the race it is always a fun day because I am able to see a lot of friends that are back in town for the holiday. This year the weather was unbelievably mild, almost 50 degrees. Some years we are running in parkas and ski goggles!

Despite not having run consistently lately due to injury, I still put in one of my better times; a 37:52 for a 6:08 pace. I was very happy with this, and I managed to place 7th overall and 1st in age group. Teammate Laurel Kleiber was also running, being in good form in her return from California running XC at USF, and taking 1st overall in the womens 10K!

Being back in Sheboygan also means that I was able to return to the local YMCA masters group down at the Y on Friday morning. It is always fun to come back and swim with the guys that got me started in the pool. I also got back onto the local mountain bike trails with top local pro and training partner Brian Matter http://b-matter.blogspot.com/. Being on the dirt is a nice change of pace from the pavement, especially with the wind this time of year, when in one direction you’ll be zone 5 at 13mph, while the other direction your going 30mph without breathing hard.

The trails that we ride in the local city park have quite a variety of singletrack, slickrock, roots, and rocks and can be pretty technical. It is a really nice trail system to have less than a mile from our house. These trails were where I got my start in cycling. They also hold the season finale of the Wisconsin Off Road Series race here. Back in my mountain biking glory years I won the Pro/Elite race in back to back years here.

Now that the Thanksgiving break is over it will be back to La Crosse to finish up the semester. Next time I come home we will probably be busting out the x-country skis rather than the mountain bike.

5x200 (swim, kick, drill, kick, swim) :20 rest  (1000)

5x300 pull 3:45  (2500)

5x501:00 fly  (2750)

5x150 IM (fly, back, breast) 3:00 (3500)

5x25 :30 no air (3625)

and one more 5…

Date: November 19, 2006
Event: ITU Long Distance World Championships
Location: Canberra, Australia
Racers to Watch: Stephen Bayliss, Kimberly Hager
Website: http://www.triathlon.org

“Each day of the journey is precious. We must strive to make it a masterpiece.” -John Wooden

Ironman Florida was my fourth race of the season. After having to pull-out of two Ironman races earlier this year due to illnesses, I figured I would just be grateful to make it to the starting line healthy. The one goal I had for this race was to run a sub 3:30 marathon, but in order for me to accomplish this, I knew I had to manage my nutrition and race smart on the bike. I felt if I could accomplish this one goal for the season, I would be happy and could enter the off-season with some confidence that I was finally regaining my running form since knee surgery.

Since my husband and girls would be traveling with me, we decided to drive to PCB. As usual when traveling with family, the trip is never uneventful. Mistake #1: we departed on Halloween day. Halloween is a big ‘holiday’ for my 6-year old. By the time it started getting dark, and after being stuck in traffic for an EXTREMELY long time while driving through Baton Rouge, my daughter began to cry and tug at my heart for ‘ruining her Halloween.’

For some reason, bribing her with offers of all the candy she wanted did not put a dent in her desire to go ‘trick-or-treating.’ Scrambling for ideas, my husband and I pulled off an exit and went on a hunt searching for a place to take her to ‘trick-or-treat.’ Dressed in her Supergirl costume and carrying a Starbucks paper bag to collect her goods, we took a break from driving and my youngest daughter was able to go ‘trick-or-treating.’ A delay…yes…but the peace and quiet it brought to the vehicle was well worth every minute.

The first day in Florida greeted us with typical weather conditions. There was some breeze along the waterway, but the temperatures were mild and the water was fairly calm with only a mild current. By the evening, there was talk of some wind-advisories for the next few days and (ugh) a cold front. Things got down-right chilly the day before the race and many athletes were busy searching for arm-warmers and toe-booties at the expo.

Race day arrived and without a doubt, this was the coolest weather I have ever encountered in an Ironman. Typically I worry about staying hydrated, but for this race day, I was most concerned about staying warm. Thankfully the water temperature was fairly mild, at least with a wetsuit, and I could not wait to enter the water just to keep my feet warm. The wind had stirred up the ocean quite a bit and the chop was wild. Furthermore, things did not get any calmer the further we swam out. Instead of fighting each other in the water, we found ourselves fighting the elements.

I was so glad to exit the water but my elation was soon met with a cold slap of wind in the face and a long jog to transition. By the time I entered the change tent I could not feel my fingers or toes. I had made the decision to change out of my wet clothes in an attempt to stay warm on the bike. However, trying to change into clothes with fingers that were not functioning was quite a task I was not prepared for, but thankfully the volunteers provided some much needed assistance. After a slow transition, I was off onto my 112 mile bike.

Earlier that morning the race officials told us that after seven miles into the bike, that there was virtually no wind. Things must have changed because the wind was very prominent and steady all day. My plan for the bike was to stay in a certain heart rate zone, and with help from my awesome new mid-size Timex Bodylink monitor, I had no problems keeping track of my heart rate.

I only had a little stomach distress on the bike, but it never got real bad and I was able to stick closely to what I had planned for my nutrition. I felt in-control for the entire bike ride…I knew I was not going as fast as I had hoped, but for this race, the run was my focus and I kept that in mind. Oddly enough, the bike seemed to pass by relatively quickly and was basically painless (with the exception of my left ankle which had some pain). I was just glad to be out there racing, which is something I did not get to do much of this year.

As I came back into town I anxiously awaited for my favorite part of the day…the run. I was glad to hand my bike off to another wonderful volunteer as I slowly hobbled to the transition tent. I wish I could say I had a quick change, but I had another slow transition. I took some time to get my legs back, stretch my ankle, and mentally prepare to embrace the run, which I think was time well-spent.

It is always fun to start the run because there are so many fans cheering (the bike can get a bit lonely) and the energy moves you along…it is like the previous 112 miles on the bike just disappear from your body, even if it is for a brief, fleeting moment during that first mile. I was relieved to not have any side-stitch at the beginning of the run nor did I ever encounter one and my ankle did not bother me on the run.

I ran the first several miles with a guy and we seemed to have a steady pace. We did not share any words but there is an indescribable comfort one has when pacing with another individual. My run was interesting, as I felt good and then I felt not-so-good for awhile, but I found that if I just kept plugging away even when I felt like I stopping, that eventually I would feel better again.

When I completed my first lap of the run I realized that I was on pace for a run PR and I only hoped I could keep things going. I saw my husband and girls at the turn-around, blew them a kiss, and I was off for 13 more miles. There is nothing that motivates me more than hearing my girls yell, “Go Mommy” so I always look forward to seeing them out on the race course. Miles 15-20 were definitely uncomfortable for me.

With ten miles to go on the run, I was reminded of my friends back home that had recently completed the “10 for Texas” running race and all the hard work and effort they put into completing that race, and again, I was motivated to push through the discomfort. A well-placed and vocal Kevin Grogan, another Timex teammate, was cheering loudly around mile 18, encouraging me to “race tough.”

He was right, I had to stay tough and his words were just what I needed to hear. I wanted to make this run goal more than anything. I kept telling myself that my body and legs know what to do so just trust them. At the 20 mile mark I had this unexplained (but welcomed) energy take over me and I knew I would make my goal. I savored the remaining miles and that glorious finish line.

What a wonderful opportunity it is to be able to participate in such an event and a big thank you to the awesome volunteers who make it possible for us athletes to race. I am truly fortunate to have such a supportive family, coach (Dana Lyons with Finish Strong Coaching) and wonderful sponsors such as Timex and Bike Lane of Houston.

I am also blessed to have so many friends, an awesome training partner, and a great group of runners from Luke’s Locker and The Woodlands TNT program whose words of encouragement and well-wishes truly motivated me while out on the course.

Happy Training.