HYROX COmpetition breakthroughs and marathon coaching moments
What a weekend it’s been! My training week was quite unstructured, with a 5k race on Monday and a local HYROX competition on Saturday. I aimed to fit in a few quality sessions and ran much less than usual. This adjustment was definitely needed.
I didn’t anticipate being sore from the 5k, but it was my fastest ever on a hilly course, and my legs definitely felt it. Despite this, I managed two gym sessions and one track workout with my track club on Thursday.
Lately, I’ve really been enjoying HYROX training. It still involves a lot of running, so my run training doesn’t change too much. As someone new to HYROX, it’s refreshing to see significant improvements. In running, I’ve reached close to my max potential, so PRs come less frequently and with smaller gains. HYROX has given me a new focus and renewed excitement.
The highlight of the local HYROX event was using my Garmin lap watch to track and compare each station to my previous race in NYC. I couldn’t believe how much I had improved and felt much more confident in my pacing. It seems silly, because it was such a small event but It brought tears to my eyes. I actually truly felt proud of myself. Something I hadn’t felt for a long time.
My husband had to leave early and so when I ran out to share my excitement with him he was already gone. It made me realize how much it means to me to have a “cheerleader” or “support” during my competitions and races.
This truly made it even more meaningful to me to be also traveling to Erie to be there for one of my runners running her second marathon. While I can’t always watch my athletes, I cherish these opportunities to support them and share in their accomplishments.
I didn’t arrive at the hotel in Erie until around 9:30 pm. With the race starting at 7 am, we went straight to bed. I set my alarm for 5:30 am, and we planned to head over by 6 am. Parking was a decent walk from the starting line, but we made our way there. The weather was cool, and while the wind by the lake was noticeable, the conditions were ideal for a PR attempt. The course was a double loop and very flat—perfect for a personal best.
I’ve been coaching Michelle throughout this training block and knew she was set for a PR—it was just a matter of by how much. It was only her second marathon, and she had already run a Boston qualifying time in Cleveland in May. As we neared the start, she took one last bathroom stop before lining up for the race. I positioned myself about 200 meters from the start to cheer her on. A fellow spectator suggested I move about three miles up the course for better views at two separate points, thanks to the round loop design.
I saw Michelle at miles 9 and 14, and she was right on pace for our goal. She looked strong. I then returned to the start area to see her at mile 25 before heading to the finish line. Watching the runners pass through their final mile brought back memories of the grit and determination needed to complete a marathon. Many runners had a focused look, pushing through their pain to reach the finish. This is the point in the race where you really find out what you’re made of. It was inspiring and also gratifying to watch.
What I love about Michelle is that she always looks like she’s having “fun” when I see her on the course. After the last checkpoint, I raced to the finish line. My heart was pounding, and I kept checking my watch. I knew she would PR, and she did. Watching her finish was a gift to me. Being a coach is incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to supporting more of my athletes in future races!
