Athlete Feature
Oriana Montani
Outside Boston, Massachusetts
How did you become a runner?
I started running regularly after I graduated from college in 2007. There have been a few down periods since then, but that’s when it started.
What does a typical training day look like for you?
On a typical training day, I wake up around 6 (sometimes earlier if I am good about getting to bed early or later if I am especially bad about getting to bed timely), drink some water, have a coffee and a ucan bar, reply to some emails and spend a little time with my three kids, do about 10 minutes of mobility work, and head out the door, followed by a pretty busy work day, that usually, with the exception of dinner and kids bedtime, ends around 10-11pm. On the weekends, the mornings look similar but I try to sneak in a couch nap or two if I can in the afternoon. All that said, there are training days where I start working early and have to find another time to squeeze the run in, sometimes it’s late afternoon, sometimes is 8:00pm. As a lot of people with kids and/or busy jobs experience, sometimes typical can more aspirational.
You've been working hard towards a marathon PR/BQ and you just got a huge one at Chicago! Tell us about your journey to get there.
In my mid twenties, after running a few half marathons and two marathons, I set a goal for myself to try to BQ in my mid-thirties (very specific, I know). In 2019, after running a very poorly executed half marathon (my first half marathon in many years and my first since having children), I decided that maybe I should let the BQ goal go, that being fast enough just wasn’t something I could do. Then I started reading more about training properly (easy running and workouts had never been a part of my training or even my vocabulary) and coaching. With a busy job and kids, I decided a coach was the best plan for me. I registered for the Chicago Marathon for 2020 with the Finish MS team and started making a lot of progress and feeling more confident that a BQ could be in the cards for me. Then, a few months after hiring a coach, the pandemic started and I got pregnant with my third son. I was fortunate that the Chicago Marathon was so generous with pandemic deferrals and I was able to defer my entry to 2022. In February, 2021, about two months after my son was born, I started Neely’s return to running plan and used it to get myself back into a regular running routine. It was a slow process to get back to where I was pre-pregnancy (I was not really able to run much after my first trimester, but was diligent about spinning). That fall, about nine months after my third was born, I signed up with Get Running and told them my BQ goal. We started with a half that I had been training for with a race plan to run 8:05-8:15 pace, and I surprised even myself, running a 1:43 with a sub 7 minute last mile. Three weeks later, I surprised myself again and ran my town’s turkey trot in 21:41. After these races, I talked to Bridget and we decided that my Chicago goal was not to BQ but to see what I could do. This spring, we kept working, and I eeked in a half marathon PR in May, however didn’t have a great race, which I attribute to not getting enough sleep and a whole lot of self-doubt. It was around this time that I started working with a sports psychologist (@emilysaulboston) to help with my mental game. It was a hot summer and it took more than one pep talk from Bridget and Neely (and my wonderful and supportive husband) to keep me moving forward, but little by little things really started to click - after a cape cod vacation in August, I felt rested and started prioritizing rest and sleep when I could and despite the miles ramping up to numbers I had never seen before, I was feeling better than ever (albeit, tired!). I came to Chicago feeling like I had everything I needed to succeed, but still nervous about the GPS, hotel sleep, pre-race fueling while traveling, etc. I went out race morning, linked on to the 3:30 pace group to get me through the first six miles, knowing that I wanted to start conservatively, and took off from there. Everything clicked, not only did I beat my time goal, but I had an amazing race - I followed my plan (pace and nutrition) and finished really strong.
You employed a unique strategy to keep calm in your race. Tell us about it!
About 6 weeks out from the marathon I started to really think about what I was going to listen to during the race. I always listen to podcasts and audiobooks on my long runs and I tend to really enjoy my long runs, but I always listened to pump up music during my work outs. I discussed this with my sports psych and she suggested that I try listening to an audiobook for the marathon. I practiced during two longer marathon paced workouts and decided to go for it. So, I listened to an audiobook for the marathon and it was great. My headphones actually died around mile 22 and I was able to stay really calm about it. In the past, this would have really thrown me off, but I think I was able move on easily in part because I had been listening to a book and not music.
What's your proudest running moment?
There are so many things that have made me feel proud over the past 5 months, from doing a threshold track workout at 9pm on a Thursday after a really tough work call, to making it through a comically bad 18 mile run without quitting, to my six year old telling everyone we met in Chicago that he was there to watch his mom run the marathon, but the biggest is definitely running past my husband and three boys as I approached the finish line in Chicago.
What’s next on your race calendar?
The next race on the calendar in my town’s Turkey Trot.
What’s your “why” when it comes to the daily grind?
I think there are many - time away from work/technology, exercise, hopefully modeling working hard toward a goal for my kids.
Athlete Feature
May Shek
Houston, TX
How did you become a runner?
My running journey started about 15 years ago when I was working abroad in Calgary. I did not want to purchase ski equipment so I decided to join the local outdoor club. The first thing on the schedule was the Sunday Morning Run. I started with 10 mins run and 1 min walk approach. Very soon, I was able to run continuously and consistently; after all, it was hard to say no to running, breakfast and friendship. In the Spring of 2018, everyone in the group was training for the Calgary race weekend (10k, half and marathon). Under the encouragement of the group, I signed up for the 10k race and I was hooked. The rest was history. As of 2022, I have run 15 marathons of which 3 of them as the Houston Marathon official pacer, over 20 half marathons, and over 40 5k (and less than 5 10k’s)
What does a typical training day look like for you?
Most of the days I get up close to 5am so that I can get a run in before going into work. Most days, I will try to get in 5-mins stretch before run, hydrate (with small dose of electrolyte), put my shoes on and go. These days I am working on getting a bit more time after the run to stretch and include mobility work.
You’ve been diligently chasing a sub 20min 5K for a while and recently achieved that! Tell us about your journey to get there.
My sub 20 5k chase is a classic story of keep showing up.
I signed up for my first official 5k race back in 2010 and completed it in 23ish mins. In the next 2 years, I was able to work down my 5k time and consistently ran between 21-22 min 5k. Very soon, I found myself stuck in a plateau and desperately trying to break that 20 min barrier.
I have put 5k’s in the backburner for most of the last few years in pursuit of the house Marathon record (another story later). My goal for chasing a sub 20 min 5k rekindled during the pandemic. With Team Get Running’s help, I found confidence through 5k time trials. I found the silver lining in the pandemic situation, and I was able to putting in the work to build strength for the 5k. When racing returned 2H of 2021, I gave several attempts and each time getting closer to the goal but yet not quite there.
Neely had been there supporting me along the way. We analyzed our race pacing strategy and adjusted what did not go as well. We focused on what I could control (instead of stressing out about the weather). During the 4th of July 5k in 2022 (Starting temperature was 82 deg F with 90% humidity) , with my husband’s help, I saw the clock hit 19:XX when I crossed the line. 5 mins later, I found that the course was short. Neely and I laughed about it and then quickly focused on how we can sharpen my training and capitalize on my fitness when the weather is cooler. The day finally came on 10/1. On a cooler 57 deg F day, I gave my all and focused on effort. And finally, after a decade long chase, I achieved my breakthrough and reached my goal. The 20 min barrier had been broken after over 40 5k’s in the last decade (not counting time trials).
What's your proudest running moment?
So many to choose. 1) My first time pacing the Houston Marathon as the official pacer. Words cannot describe how fulfilling it felt to hear that my runners achieved personal bests or their goals when we crossed the finish line together. 2) Crossing the finish line with my running friend at Fargo Marathon as she cemented her BQ minus 5 mins (after missing the cut off by a few agonizing seconds the year before). I was so proud of her – she was one of the many inspirations on why I kept trying for my sub 20 5k!! 3) First time qualifying for Boston in Houston Marathon 2012 (also my first Houston Marathon). I saw so many familiar faces on the course. One of my friends was at mile 25 at the Houston Marathon 2012, and she screamed, “you are going to Boston.” This motivated me to picked up my strides and crossed the finish line with two fists in the air. I guess, the rest was history they say?!
What’s next on your race calendar?
On 10/30, I conquered my fear of 10k races (irony as it was my first official race), and ran a personal best. My next race is the Cypress Half on 11/13.
What’s your “why” when it comes to the daily grind?
Running has helped me become a better person. I learned that I have to be introspective and truly listen to my body to run with joy. Running helps me start the day right. It helps me focus on the why YES vs. why NOT. Above all, I find many running days with friends are quality time to catch up with my friends. Equally as important are the solo days where I get to reflect and clear my head. Running also allows me to channel my competitiveness positively. Over the last few years, I have grown to translate what I learned via running into my professional life.
What advice would you like to share with the Get Running team?
1) Consistency pays off. 2) Celebrate little wins along the way. 3) Choose to be kind.
Race Results
Chicago Marathon
Shannon C - 4:29
Lauren D - 6:27
Todd F - 2:59
Moncef A - 2:54
Lilla F - 3:23
Julie H - 2:44
Adam S - 3:15
Oriana M - 3:25
Erin O - 3:21
Marathon
Katy S - 3:20 (PR, London)
Angie C - 3:56 (PR, London)
Alexis S - 3:31 (Steamtown)
Steph G - 5:01 (Marathon debut!!)
Heather C - 3:35 (PR, MCM)
Brieanne S - 3:17 (Albany)
Half Marathon
Erika P - 1:23
Rochelle J - 1:31
Elizabeth H - 1:18
Neely G - 1:16 (Boulderthon HM)
Bridget M - 1:39 (PR, Boulderthon HM)
Katie C - 1:29 (Boulderthon HM)
Caitlin Y - 1:43
Michelle C - 1:49
Ericka M - 1:17
Lizzy C - 3:10
Marjorie N - 2:01 (PR, Twilight Red Rock Trail HM)
Ellie T - 1:34
10K
Beth R - 58:32 (Trail race)
May S - 41:41
Alonso M - 46:22 (PR)
5K
May S - 19:54 (PR)
Mike F - 24:29
Kara F - 18:09 (PR)
Other
Danny P - 5mi, 36:06
Beth R - 15K, 8:30 pace (as long run)