Hi Coach Paul,

After a long day of travel yesterday, we are finally home!  I probably could have floated all the way back to Georgia on a runners HIGH!  I am not even sure where to begin. But FIRST of all, thank you! I must confess that when I have done previous marathons, I had simple goals: "to finish and to finish upright."  So those were my goals and I was okay with them. But with this race, I wanted a goal time and a training plan. And thats what your online coaching  gave me. I wanted a PR and a good run (Marine Corps Marathon 2017 was such a disaster for me) - - so I also began thinking this Mt. Charleston run would be a revenge race to get back confidence, and feel at 69, I could do a marathon again. Your online program tailored to my goal was a challenge to me: getting the miles in, the speed work, learning  a lot of track terminology, figuring out how to actually do the speed, pace, etc. workouts, understanding the videos, the whys of a workout, etc.

But you were always an email away and prompt to respond to my questions and when I needed clarifications.  I needed the accountability on the training calendar to record what I had done - and see were I needed to go as well as see what I had NOT accomplished. The biggest change for me in this marathon training is ACTUALLY doing the speed work on the track. I HATE track runs, but in this program I got a HUGE satisfaction of nailing a time and completing the speed work.  I was the silver haired geek on the track with a clear mailing tape laminated" wristband with spilts printed on the band and smiled when I nailed it!

I have to do most of my running alone and am self motivated, which is a big reason your training plan worked for me.  Particularly, these past 2 months I have really tried to stick with the plan.  The last track work before race doing the 24 X 400m, I hit all my goals and then some.  It really gave me the confidence I needed before the race.  I knew by last week, training is toast and nothing I did would make me get to my goal faster.  There is so many variables that go into a marathon, and I also worked REALLY hard on my nutrition and hydration plan.  The fueling has hurt me sooo many times, even during half marathons.  I nailed the nutrition this time, which is HUGE for me.  I also drank water/electrolytes as much as I could, but probably could have done more - -but hydration was great on the course. 

All your advice was right on!  I felt like I knew the course after your power point and then drove it the day before the race.  Loved how you broke it into segments (which I wrote on my hand in magic marker!)  The las 5 miles were brutal - -HEAT, QUADS, TIRED!! etc.  You know what I mean! But I PUSHED for that PR!

AND:  I HIT my GOAL!  So thrilled for a PR - - - and the "cherry on top" is the BQ, which surprised even me.  So, which leads me to more comments:)  I know Boston is has a different registration/acceptance for BQ times (than other races.)  Do you think my 9 minute cushion might get me there?  If so, sign me up for Revel Boston 2019!  I would love to be part of another online coaching program of yours.  If ever need recommendations, Ill be happy to recommend.  I love to cheerlead programs that excellent as well as the support for the program.

Any hints on recovery (Ha! Ha!).my quads hate me and I have lots of stairs in my 70 year old house.  I go backwards down the stairs and I guess recovery will be when I can go forward down the steps!

So nice to meet you and Katie and become a runner in the Revel Program!  Cannot that you enough for the support and belief that I could make my GOAL!

Appreciate,

Sue

#silversue