Kristy Maute

Shamrock Spotlight: from the Everyday Runner to the Elites

Over the weekend, more than 28,000 runners will run the streets of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Every single person will show up to start line with a different purpose, a different goal, and a different strategy for the run. This is what I love most about running races. From the walkers to the elites, every single participant travels the same distance. We all cross the exact same start line and finish. This is why I’ve loved the shamrock spotlight series. We’ve been able to tell the story of new runners and veterans, 8kers, half-marathoners, and marathoners. There are runners who run to celebrate life, to raise awareness for a cause, or to pursue their own goals. Running is an individual sport, but it is a community of supporters made up of each and every single runner.

The one story we haven’t told is the Elite Story.

Last year while running the full marathon, I was able to witness the front-runners fighting for first place. The energy they brought to the race was inspiring. I was at mile 16 as they were making their way to finish, and they still smiled and cheered me on. They accepted my words of encouragement and returned the gestured.

This year, nearly 100 elites will run during Shamrock Weekend. Elite runners from 20 states and 3 countries will place their hand over their heart at the same time as I do when the Star Spangled Banner is sung. If you are on the sidelines cheering on the runners or if you happen to catch a glimpse of them as they fly by know that you are cheering on three former Olympians, a former US recorder holder, five 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers. All of the big brands in running will be represented during Shamrock Weekend: Brooks, Saucony, Newton, Oiselle, New Balance, Adidas, Asics, Puma, Sketchers, and Power Bar. All branches of the US Miltary will be represented amongst the elite runners. Seven of these elite runners will be taking a shot a qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials during their Shamrock Race.

This group of elite runners aren’t coming to town to just run. They are also donating their time to our community. A group of these athletes will be visiting four local schools in Virginia Beach on Friday to participate in Final Mile Pep Rallys. The Elites will also be at the start line of the Final Mile on Saturday and at the finish line of that race greeting runners and handing out medals.

Read Dave's story on the Shamrock Marathon Facebook Page — Read Dave’s story on the Shamrock Marathon Facebook Page

Not only do I love running, but I love our running community. I can’t think of another sporting event that embraces the everyday runner and the elites in the same arena as running does. If you’ve never spectated a race, this weekend would be a great time to start. Come out and cheer on the elite runners and the everyday runners. A smile and a high-five does a lot for a runner who is fighting for the finish line.

(Thank you J&A Racing and Ryan Carroll for sharing information with me!)

My Shamrock Story.

To an outsider, race day is just another run. It’s a sporting event. It’s a day to embrace pain and to discover self pride. All of this is true. It is just another day, but race day is always something so much more than a run. It’s a story.

Race day forces me to be present. It forces me to take inventory of life. The harder I push, the more that bubbles to the surface. The faster I run, the more I engage with my entire life outside of running.

2009, although I didn’t run, was a story of hope. After Christian and I accidentally stumbled upon the race in an early morning walk to the beach, I knew I needed to run again. This race was about learning to dream.

2010, my first race, was a story of “I can”. There was a lot of doubt about if I’d actually follow through with my race plans. This race was about learning that I am capable.

2011, sidelined with a stress fracture, was a story of patience. Even though I couldn’t run, I could still cheer. This race was about learning to listen to my body.

2012, my first race after having Chet, was a story of identity. I needed to find my space in the world after a year of pregnancy and child birth. This race was about learning who I was again with a new baby.

2013, my first marathon, was a story of comfort. Too much happened in too short amount of time. This race was about learning how much I need and want support in my life.

I don’t know this year’s story yet. I just know that I plan on showing up to the start line open and receptive to what the day has to offer. There is nothing I can do at this point to train more or better. I plan on listening to my body. I plan on smiling a lot. I plan on laughing. I just have to run my race on Sunday.

My coach has been great about reminding me that my race isn’t about the race clock. My race is about beginning again. This race is the kick off to spring races and the foundation for running in 2014. (Maybe he already knows my Shamrock story for this year!)

“Early in the journey we wonder how long the journey will take and whether you will make it in this lifetime. Later you will see that where you are going is HERE and you will arrive NOW…so stop asking.” ~Ram Dass, Be Here Now

Whatever the outcome on Sunday, I promise you I’ll be smiling. I made it to race day. That alone is worth celebrating.

Shamrock is not my finish line. It’s my starting point. It will always be my starting point.

(With Christian in 2009 on the morning my heart knew I needed to run!)

Shamrock Spotlight: Heidi Calma

We are so excited to be bringing you the “Shamrock Spotlight Series” on our blogs! The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 8k Races bring thousands of runners, of all ages, abilities and locations, to the Virginia Beach oceanfront every year! As J&A Racing Live Love Run Ambassadors, we decided we wanted to celebrate these races, J&A Racing, and our community by doing a series that highlights participants, both local and out of town, on their journey to this years’ races.

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: HEIDI CALMA

Age: 35

Current City: Virginia Beach, VA

Training for the Shamrock Half Marathon

“Being a runner in Virginia Beach, it seems a mandatory race to add to my calendar! The Shamrock weekend is more than just races to me; it is a celebration of community, of running, and of emerging from the frosty winter. Since 2008, with the exception of just having my third baby and two injuries, I’ve always participated in a Shamrock race. I wouldn’t miss it!”

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? My half-marathon PR stands at 2:14, which I set at that very first race in 2008. At this point it is a bit infuriating to know that even though I wasn’t really prepared for that race and had no idea what paces I was running, and I still haven’t broken through it yet! I have been recovering from a chronic knee injury, which plagued me for two half races. Another race found me coughing and wheezing with a sinus infection. I also trained for a half-ironman triathlon last year, which moved my focus from running just a bit. I came within two minutes of it during the Zooma Half in Annapolis in 2012, but I wasn’t prepared for the hills, and it was my first half post-baby.

So many excuses!

What it all comes down to is a lack of focus, so this winter season I’ve been running more courageously and trusting that even though I am breathing hard and it hurts, I am not going to die. My coach, Denise Wood, has been an amazing source of support and guidance. I am excited for Sunday’s race and hoping that I can finally lay that old PR to rest!

When did you start running? I’ve run periodically since I was a teenager, but I wasn’t consistent until around 2003 after I had my second baby, and even then it wasn’t something I really loved. When I was in the midst of my divorce in 2005, running saved me. Everything else felt so chaotic and sad; through running I felt in control, capable, and happy. Since then, running and triathlon has been a very important part of my life and a source of fulfillment and amazing life lessons.

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? So many races! Too many to really tally at this point. My first 5k was in 2003. This year, I will complete at least four running races and four triathlons.

Shamrock half-marathon will always be my favorite running race. It was where I found strength I never knew I had. Before 2008, I never believed I was capable of running more than a few miles. My favorite triathlon will always be the August 70.3 half-ironman. That is another level of strong I never believed I had.

Where do you prefer to run? The oceanfront is always my favorite spot. After my divorce, I rented a tiny cottage, and I when I returned to running, I would count the numbered streets to get me through those tough runs. My heart always remembers that girl who found herself again out there.

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? I ran 14 miles on the trails in First Landing before. It is still one of my favorite running memories.

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? This is a hard question, but if I had to find something, I think it would be the first mile or two of just about every run. That warm-up phase is always tough!

Favorite post-run indulgence? After a long run, it’s definitely an iced latte and breakfast wrap at Bad Ass Coffee.

Favorite running shoe? I’ve been through so many different running shoes in the last two years. I keep getting blisters/painful callouses on the inside of my feet. I’ve recently started running in Brooks Ghosts. I still get the callouses to an extent, but they are much better than before.

Favorite song to run to? That’s Not My Name by The Ting Tings

Favorite website to waste time on? Facebook, of course

Favorite running moment? There are so many! I think my very favorite running moment would be the entire half-marathon portion of the Augusta 70.3. I can so easily mentally defeat myself during any run, short or long. But in Augusta, I was able to stay mentally focused and stick with my running plan. I didn’t mentally check out or melt down; I smiled and cheered. It was the strongest I’ve ever felt, and I’ll never forget running the final stretch towards the finish line after seven hours of movement. It was incredibly emotional and an amazing experience.

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? I’m not interested Hollywood celebrities, but someone I’d love to run with is Chrissie Wellington, a three-time winner at Kona Ironman Championships. I read her book last year, and what I love about her is she came from modest athletic roots. She didn’t become a professional triathlete until later than most, so she really had to fight her way through. Her perspective on racing and living is so positive and encouraging.

GOOD LUCK HEIDI!

You can follow Heidi on her blog, Love Each Step, Facebook, and Instagram.

Shamrock Spotlight: Emily Garcia

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: EMILY GARCIA

Age: 25

Current City: Virginia Beach, VA

Training for the Shamrock Half Marathon

“I am a Navy wife, mother to my beautiful 5 month old daughter, Elliott, and a runner. My husband is a pilot assigned to the George H W Bush and is set to leave on a 9 month deployment in about a week. I started running when my daughter was 6 weeks old to get back in shape and to inspire my daughter to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Two weeks later I ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k and haven’t stopped running since. I have really enjoyed getting involved with the running community. Calling myself a “runner” still sounds a bit weird to me considering before my pregnancy I could barely run a mile. But running a marathon has always been a dream for me and I’ve devised a plan to get there. I recently started a blog (http://www.racingthroughdeployment.com) to chronicle my journey to the Marine Corps Marathon in October as well as my husband’s homecoming in November. I will be running one race for every month my husband is out to sea in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon. It also doesn’t hurt that all that running will keep me plenty busy while my husband is away (not that I’m not already busy enough with my adorable monster Elliott.) The Shamrock Half Marathon will be race number 1 out of 9 for me and I couldn’t be more excited to get this “marathon” of marathons started!”

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? I am running Shamrock as part of a series of races while my husband is out to sea.

When did you start running? I started seriously running when my daughter was 6 weeks old and haven’t stopped running since!

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? I have run 3 races. The Race for the Cure 5k, the Wicked 10k and the Surf’n’Santa 10 Miler. My favorite was the Surf’n’Santa because it was the first race I ran completely alone and it gave me such a great feeling of accomplishment!

Where do you prefer to run? I normally run just around my neighborhood because I like to stay close to the house when running with my daughter in the stroller. But I prefer to run on the trails at First Landing, especially for my long runs.

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? The longest I have run was the Surf’n’Santa 10 Miler.

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? One thing I don’t like about running is pushing the stroller! I love that it is one on one time I get to spend with my daughter but it sure does burn!

Favorite post-run indulgence? I just started drinking chocolate milk after my runs. It is a refreshing and delicious treat!

Favorite running shoe? I have really only had one brand of running shoe, Mizuno. So, I guess it’s my favorite!

Favorite song to run to? My power song right now is “Cant Hold Us” by Macklemore. The beat really keeps my pace up.

Favorite website to waste time on? I hate to admit it, but Facebook….

Favorite running moment? My favorite running moment is taking pictures with my daughter after a race. I hope she looks back on those pictures and is proud of her mommy

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? If I could run with any celebrity it would be Eldrith Gosney. I know you’re probably thinking, “Who?” She is a 73 year old ultra runner who always runs with a smile. She is my inspiration!

Good Lucky Emily!

You can follow Emily on twitter @racingthrough13 or on her blog http://www.racingthroughdeployment.com

Shamrock Spotlight: Sharon Wood

We were incredibly fortunate to get the response we did when asking for volunteers to be spotlighted, and are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories with you!

Kristy and Lesleyanne

SHAMROCK SPOTLIGHT SERIES: SHARON WOOD

Age: 26

Current City: Virginia Beach, VA

Training for the Shamrock Half Marathon

“I am a mom, fitness instructor, and blogger who found the love for running after having my second son.”

Why you are running a Shamrock race in 2014? It’s the one 1/2 Marathon I make a point to run each year, it is sort of my running anniversary race

When did you start running? March 2011

How many races have you done and what’s your favorite? 16. The Wicked 10K is my favorite by far

Where do you prefer to run? Anywhere that is not the treadmill

What’s the longest distance you’ve run? 14 miles

What is the one thing you DON’T like about running? Running out of time to run more

Favorite post-run indulgence? PIZZA

Favorite running shoe? Brooks Ravena

Favorite song to run to? Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

Favorite website to waste time on? my own 🙂 Momondealz.com

Favorite running moment? Crossing the finish line of my first 5k in May of 2011

If you could pick one celebrity to run with, who would it be? Will Ferrell so he could keep me laughing the whole time.

GOOD LUCK SHARON!

You can follow Sharon’s shamrock journey on facebook and on twitter.