Coach Randi - 29029 TRAIL - Tuesday, October 6 - Saturday, October 10
When I signed up for 29029 TRAIL at Lake Tahoe, I knew I was taking on something big. 3 marathons, 3 days in a row! Mountains, miles, elevation, months of training, and a healthy dose of questioning my own judgment.
Very early in the process, my mindset shifted. It stopped being about completing TRAIL and became about becoming the person who could complete TRAIL. It might sound small, but it made a huge difference in how I approached the experience: instead of worrying about whether I could finish, I focused on what I needed to give myself the best chance of showing up ready to finish.
And that meant showing up. A lot. Even when I didn’t feel like it. There were early mornings, long hikes, tired legs, sacrifices, and plenty of opportunities to talk myself out of doing what I’d planned. But I kept at it. I stopped focusing on whether I could finish TRAIL, and instead I became increasingly confident that I could handle whatever the experience threw at me.
Then there was Tahoe. The scenery was spectacular, the challenge was enormous, and the experience was more emotional and meaningful than I ever expected. I also made an unexpected and incredible friend for life with whom I did every step of the 80 miles!! And while finishing TRAIL was an incredible feeling, I realized that so much of what made the experience special had happened long before. I had pushed through setbacks, learned a lot about myself, and become someone willing to take on something that once seemed pretty intimidating.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciated the encouragement, the questions, the check-ins, and the cheering of my Titan family. It really did mean a lot. Titan has been such an important part of developing the strength, discipline, and mindset that helped me take on this adventure. So, if there’s one thing I’d love for you to take away from my experience, it’s this: What’s your TRAIL?
Brendan Webster - Baltimore Running Festival Marathon - Saturday, October 17
I started my 20 week training block at the beginning of June. Over that time I had to completely change my normal training schedule with a lot less CrossFit, with the last 2 months including almost no CrossFit at all except a supplement of 1-2 strength sessions a week. I ended up running on average 40-45 miles per week throughout training - an increase from about 15 miles per week from my marathon training last fall. It was a nice change-up in training to have a different focus, and to find success with a full focus in my training; I ended up with a 42 minute PR, from 4:19 last year to 3:37 this year! I’m proud of the dedication and sacrifices I made over the past 4 months and can’t wait to get back to some CrossFit training in the coming weeks!
Coach Pat - Baltimore Running Festival Marathon - Saturday, October 17
I decided to sign up for the marathon after an anonymous someone told me that I was strong, but didn’t have the best cardio. Harsh but true, I’d say. A marathon requires great cardio so I instantly became motivated to train for one, even though to-date my longest run had been 6 miles. The first few weeks of training were awful, and I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I stuck with it and committed, but still had my doubts the morning of the marathon.
Ultimately, I persevered and finished faster than I thought possible. I came away with some valuable lessons and learned that consistency and discipline can carry you quite a ways. The support I received on race day was beyond words, from family to friends to unfamiliar spectators. I haven't experienced anything like it. Crowds lined the Baltimore streets and neighborhoods, offering snacks, laughs, and cheers. I still can’t get over the feeling. I’m eager to do another and would highly recommend my fellow Titans sign up for any race that the Baltimore Run Fest has to offer. It will teach you toughness, discipline, and the positive power that good people can provide.
Rylee - Columbus Marathon - Sunday, October 18
Training started in the summer with me peer pressuring all of my closest friends to do this race with me, and my wife doing the same with her friends, for the half. The only sucker to sign up for the full with me was one of my best friends who helped me train for the Disney Marathon in January - she’d even ran with me in the dead of winter last year. But she hurt her hammie, so ended up walking with my wife, who had her two besties not show up due to their own injuries.
A sort of sudden and unexpected move, which brought me to Maryland, led to me joining Titan. Training kept me sane through starting a new job, buying a house, living with my MiL and being long distance with my wife. There were a lot of early mornings I didn’t want to do, but did anyway. I missed two long runs due to illness - I think from traveling back to Cincy - and horrific weather that I refused to run in, so I pushed my 20 out a week.
When the race came, I was READY to go. I crushed the start, perfectly on pace for my 5:30 goal. My heart rate was better than my January race, legs felt better, my summer running was paying off! But then at about 18 miles I got a soreness on the top of my foot that I’ve never felt before. It turned into severe pain and by mile 21 I slowed way down. From there I hobbled my way to the finish. It was a super difficult mental battle, and I just kept telling myself that Hayley didn’t marry no bitch.
I finished with a PR of 18 minutes at just over 6:02. My rookie mistake, tying my shoe too tight, killed me. But I now KNOW I can do 5:30, so my new goal for the next one, likely Baltimore or MCM 2027, will be 5:15.
I LOVE marathons now because I feel like they’re the perfect example of consistency and dedication leading to an accomplishment that so few are willing to even start training for. It’s like life: if you’re consistent and keep chugging away at that goal, it’s going to happen. You just have to DO THE WORK.
Coach Katie - Death by Iron - October 24
Two weekends ago, I competed in my 2nd Powerlifting meet, Death by Iron. As someone who has done 30ish Weightlifting meets, it's been a lot of fun to learn a new sport! And yes, they are similar, but they are also REALLY different.
Ultimately, I decided to try powerlifting almost by accident - postpartum after baby #2, power lifts made me feel stronger, faster than Oly lifts did. I leaned into that feeling of strength and thought I could actually be pretty decent if I were to compete. Turns out, I was right! And not in relation to a podium finish, though that has been a really fun bonus - but competing for ME and getting better each time.
Competition for me is acknowledging 9+ weeks of hard work and dedication. The sessions that gave me butterflies so bad, I had to workout first thing in the morning. The sessions that felt overwhelming, because I was constantly pushing myself to do more. And when that last training rep hits the platform… The overflowing gratitude and pride in accomplishing the work that it takes to improve is unlike anything else. I wish more people could experience what that feels like. I’m too competitive to say that what happens at the meet doesn’t matter, but in that moment I’m proud because in a way, I’ve already won.
Results: 395kg total
Back squat:
Opener - 132.5kg/292lbs
2nd - 137.5kg/303lbs
3rd - 140kg/308lbs (lifetime PR!)
Bench:
Opener - 82.5kg/181lbs
2nd - 87.5kg/192lbs
3rd - 90kg/198lbs (lifetime PR w/comp pause!)
Deadlift:
Opener - 155kg/341lbs
2nd - 160kg/352lbs
3rd - 165kg/363lbs (lifetime PR!)
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