Success Story: Going the Distance
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Becky and Amber on race day
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In April 2009, coworkers Amber Siever and Becky Blackford made a big commitment by signing up for the Des Moines half-marathon in October. Neither was an experienced distance runner – Amber had run 5K races before but hadn't run in the last couple years, and Becky had just taken up running for the very first time.
Here, these 2 runners share how they accomplished their goal.
Why did you sign up for the half-marathon?
 Amber: I participated in the Live Healthy America  100-day fitness challenge and had success increasing my regular physical activity through the program. I knew I needed a big goal to keep up the momentum.
 Becky: I wanted to see if running was right for me, but I didn’t know where to start. A coworker took me out on my first run. We ran/jogged a block and walked a block. We did that for about 2 weeks, then started working up to running 2 blocks and walking 1 block, running 3 blocks running and walking 1 block and so on. Pretty soon I was able to run a whole mile without stopping.
Amber: Becky and I partner on projects all the time, and when I heard she’d taken up running, I knew she was the perfect person to ask to be my training partner. She’s positive and hard working, and I knew I’d keep up with my own training because I wouldn’t ever want to let her down.
Becky: I always wanted to try and run a marathon, so when Amber suggested that we sign-up for the half-marathon, I said “Why not?”
How did you train for it?
Amber: I had completed several 5K races before, but after having a baby and well, that turning into a 2-year hiatus from running, I was starting from scratch.
The first – and biggest – hurdle was getting back on the treadmill again. I started a 5K training program (a great one to try is the Couch to 5K program ) and ran the 5K Dam-to-Dam race in Des Moines in June, and several other 5K races with Becky.
For the half-marathon, we followed a 12-week program that gradually increased the distance and time we’d run each week: 2 shorter runs during the week and 1 timed run, and then a long run on the weekends. Plus it mixed in cross-training and strength training and stretching, to prevent injuries.
Becky: Amber and I ran our first 5K together in June 2009. I’ve never been so scared in my life. We started running, keeping up with the crowd, but then slowly the crowd pulled away. I was crushed. But we kept going and, with the help of Amber, I made it!
During one 5K, I was really struggling, so I cut Amber loose. I watched her up ahead, and she was running with everything she had. It inspired me to keep going and I finished the race 5 or 6 minutes behind her. Now, when I’m hurting, I think of Amber and that hot summer day and it inspires me to keep going.
Amber tells the story a little differently. She says she felt bad for leaving me behind, so she vowed she’d never leave me behind again, especially during the half-marathon. And she didn’t. We stuck together the whole way.
What kept you motivated?
Amber: More than anything, having a training partner was what kept me going. Whenever I didn’t feel like doing a run, Becky’s face would immediately come to mind. I knew she’d be out there putting in her mileage, so I needed too, as well!
Our work team also was incredibly supportive of Becky and me. They cheered us all on throughout the training. They hosted a “carb-loading” lunch before the race, and during the run, several co-workers stationed themselves along the marathon route to encourage us.
Becky: Amber and other co-workers. And, I wanted to see if I could do it. My husband told me right before the race “You’ve got this! You’ve done the training, now go out there and have fun.”
What was the most challenging part of training for the race?
Amber: The 10-mile training run during the first snowfall of the year. It was cold and windy and pretty miserable. But having completed that training run in those conditions, I knew I could handle the full race the following week. The day of the marathon it was sunny and beautiful – a perfect October day.
Becky: The most challenging part of the training was the long runs. Some of them we did by ourselves. Toward the end we ran with each other, all the time. Finding the time to train was also a big challenge. I’m a slow runner so running 10 miles takes me 3 hours.
The biggest challenge of the race was showing up. I was really scared. Amber and her husband helped me by picking me up on race morning so that I’d make it to the race. But once I got to the race area the people and the atmosphere were so upbeat that I really had a great time!
How did you feel when you finished the race?
Becky: Toward the end it was hard, but I never thought of quitting. I remember turning the corner and seeing the finish line banner about 3 blocks away, and I thought, “I’m really going to do this!”
I was tired, but I felt good about finishing the race. I really didn’t care what my time was, I just was happy that I had accomplished what I set out to do.
Amber: I started getting choked up at about mile 12, because I knew the finish line was near, and I was overwhelmed by the emotion of having come to the end of my journey.
My husband (who also ran the half-marathon and finished about an hour ahead of us) was at the finish line, cheering and yelling for us, as well as Becky’s daughter and several coworkers and friends.
Are there any more races in your future?
Amber: I just ran the Dam-to-Dam 20K race in Des Moines. It was nearly a mile shorter than the half-marathon, so I felt good about my chances. And I didn’t have to worry about any training runs in the snow.
Becky: I took a bit of a break to help with preparations for my son’s wedding. My daughter was inspired by her old mom and she’s going to run the Des Moines half-marathon this fall. I’m going to run with her this summer to help her train and to keep her inspired. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me at the half-marathon again!
Want to run a 5K race, half-marathon, or even a full marathon?
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Make sure the shoe fits. “Shoes are your most important piece of equipment, especially as you get to the longer running distances," Amber advises. "I buy a new pair of shoes every 3-4 months.”
Buddy up. “Not only did I have Becky, my husband was training for the half-marathon, too. Because I didn’t want to let them down, I didn’t let myself down,” says Amber.
Go at your own pace. “Train, train, train!” Becky says. “But if you need to take a rest day, do it. Or, if you need to walk, just walk. Enjoy the sun on your face and the sounds of nature around you. It’s just you and the road — no pressure."
Reward yourself. “Especially on solo runs, I like having my iPod and good tunes with a solid, steady beat,” says Amber. “I reward myself for staying on track with my training by buying new music or workout clothes.”
Take it one step at a time. “No matter what, I made time to work out,” Amber says. “Just a year or two ago I couldn’t run more than a few blocks. Now I run 3 or 4 miles several days a week and twice that distance on the weekends.”
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