Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about some of the 2020 Bass Pro Pacers and the amazing runners that joined them.
And to show just how much a pacer can help you reach your goal (with a smile on your face), check out what some first-time marathon runners that joined a Bass Pro pace group on Sunday had to say about their experience...
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| Kelsie is second from left, Melissa in middle, Shannon on right |
After 12 half marathons, I decided to take the plunge and run my first full marathon. I chose the Bass Pro Marathon due to the values of the Bass Pro Fitness organization and one of my pacers, Melissa Martinez. I am so thankful to have used a pacer in my first marathon as it allowed me to stay on pace for the entire race, not just the beginning. Being an experienced runner, I still found the marathon to be quite different than what I was used to. This is where the pacers came in! Using a pacer also kept me motivated to keep running on pace and inspired me to push harder. This was the first race I have utilized a pacer during the entire race, and I was not disappointed! My pacers, Melissa and Shannon kept our group on pace and motivated each of us individually. They were constantly checking in on us all while keeping our group on time. I had a wonderful experience using a pacer and would recommend using your pacers! - Kelsie Linebeck, 4:45 marathon group
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| Pacer Jody in front, Ed in back 5:30 Marathon Group From left to right (Gretchen, Randi, Randi's sister, Angi, Jeanette) |
The fun banter between them and with us was great. They made sure none of us got left behind, even while staying on pace AND most importantly with potty breaks. They really fostered that team family spirit. And even though it was directed toward all of us, they seemed to know just when I needed encouragement - Angie Betran
I liked that I didn’t have to worry about what pace I was going because I knew we’d get done in 5:30. And everything Angi Betran said lol- Jeannette Luttrell
I absolutely loved our pacers! They kept us smiling and laughing and whooping and hollering and cheering the whole way! When things felt tough, Ed Green said to us, "it is hard, if it was easy everyone would be out here doing it but they're not". That really hit home with me and kept me going! My parents said we were the only big group they saw all cross the finish line together. We really were a family out there, we all helped each other all along the way - Gretchen Puett
Our pacers were more than pacers for our group even before the race started. As we were in the corrals getting ready for the race to begin, Ed and Jody were already laughing and having the best time together and with all of us. This time together at the beginning of the race set the tone for the rest of the day. For 26.2 miles, Ed and Jody didn’t just work together to run the pace we needed to finish in our goal time. They laughed and whooped with us, encouraged us, and really took the time to get to know all of us. There was never a time during the race that I wanted to fall behind or pull ahead of our pacers, because we were all having so much fun together. I am so thankful they were able to help me reach my goal of completing my first marathon in my goal time, and make it an experience I will never forget. - Randi Cicardi
Are those great reasons to join a pace group or what???
And those people being paced are not the only ones that finish with a smile on their face. Pacers love what they do! And they always have fun or interesting stories to share. Here are a few of them...
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| Melissa on left, Shannon on right after the race |
My funny story is that even though I knew better, I listened to my co pacer, (whom I’ve been running with for a decade), and totally underdressed. Twenty three miles of numb. Thankfully, the aid stations were stocked well because I couldn’t unzip my belt to get to anything I needed. I couldn’t go to the bathroom because I couldn’t get my skirt unhooked, I had to stick the entire package of fruit snacks in my mouth and squeeze them out with my teeth because my lips were not functioning and I ran 13 miles with chocolate GU smeared all over my face because it was numb and I couldn’t feel it. And no Melissa, I will not submit a picture to you because this is all your fault. - Shannon Briscoe
In defense of Shannon's statement, I have paced and run many races with her when all I heard was, "It's so hot. I'm nauseous. Why did I dress so warm? What is the heat index anyway??" that I feel I know what she needs to wear... so I tell her over and over how she should dress until she breaks down and listens to me. Who knew we were going to get a strong wind that would literally make the GU she squeezed out freeze to her cheek? On a good note though, I am such a great friend that I pointed it out to her BEFORE we approached the finish line so her photos would be good. Ahhhh.... the joys of pacing. We sure had a good laugh after she warmed up! - Melissa Martinez
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| Miguel is on the left, Ken on the right - 5:15 marathon pace group |
Ken Fattman and I brought in two. One runner, Hayley, was running her first race ever, had trained 18 weeks. We picked her up early, I think around mile 13 and she held close and finished just 3 minutes behind. I think Ken's walk run walk method and even pacing. He held the pace like a champ and I chewed everyone's ear. - Miguel Drew
While it’s a great idea to start with a pace group, sometimes life gets in the way of our plans. This dedicated nurse was running with the 5:00 pacers when a young man doing his first half went down. She stayed with him until the ambulance arrived then tried sprinting to catch up with her group (which was long out of sight). By the time she realized the energy cost of her effort, it was too late. She was reduced to walking it in. Until the 5:15 group caught her. She saw that we were doing 2 minute run/30 second intervals and decided to join us. It proved to be just what the doctor ordered. She was so grateful for being able to salvage the race that she refused to go ahead when we sent the others on because she wanted to finish with us. We crossed the mat at 5:14:20 but she had paused her Garmin while assisting the fallen runner... and ended up breaking 5:00 actual running time after all. - Ken Fattman
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| Elizabeth is on the left - 2:20 half marathon pace group |
From the start, we had a gentleman who ran right with us until about mile 4. He had raced a half marathon the week before and finished around 2:30, but knew he had more in him, so at BP he decided to stick with the 2:20 pacers. Around mile 4 he ran off. My co-pacer said, "We will see him about mile 10." And sure enough we did! RIGHT at mile 10! However, he told us that since he was 53, he knew he would need a restroom break, so he ran ahead, hoping that when he was done, he would be able to find us. He said, no sooner had he come out of the port-a-pottie, then there we were, calling his name! He ended up finishing slightly behind us, but found us at the end and thanked us for helping him stay on track. One of the BEST parts of pacing....helping others not go out too fast, or to pick up their pace a little. - Elizabeth Schulte
So there you have it... being part of a pace team will most definitely help you make it to the finish line. Like I said, pacers love what they do and will do whatever it takes to keep a runner motivated to press on, including singing to them (yes I did that), telling them stupid jokes (yes I did that too but Ed from the 5:30 group told even worse ones) and talking their ear off to keep their mind engaged on the conversation rather than their pain. So whether you're looking for a PR or a great time, join a pace group on your next race. You'll be glad you did!
Happy Running!!!
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