The Yeti 100 "Goal Completed!" by Gina Giordano
Almost 2 weeks ago Gina Giordano completed her ultimate goal of the year, the Yeti 100 Mile Endurance Run, in under 24 hours. Not only did she complete the goal, she did even better with a 22:54 finish and won her age group in the process. Congratulations.
Gina contacted me in April with a goal of completing a rugged mountainous 50 miler in Squamish British Columbia (Squamish 50), then 7 weeks later wanting to break 24 hours in a pretty flat 100, called the Yeti 100, sounds a little crazy, but we did it!
My coaching philosophy involves strength training, corrective exercise combined with quality workouts. Not everyone performs well with high volume, especially folks with imbalances or other distress. I often address weaknesses before I even begin to program a running schedule or if a goal seems out of reach for their base, etc. I suggest to focus on something smaller with keeping their ultimate goal in sight.
Coaching is a role I take seriously and each person’s journey is never the same and not everyone’s goals will be achieved, but the process often holds gifts that will be rewarded down the line. The puzzle is never easy, but as your experience grows the placement of the pieces become clearer.
It was a wonderful rewarding challenge as a coach to guide Gina to completion of her amazing goals. Way to go Gina & congratulations to everyone who toed the line!
Below is a brief description of Gina’s journey in her own words.
2nd 100 at Yeti 100, Abington, VA
In 2018 I self coached myself to complete the VT100. Although I finished, I didn’t feel I actually accomplished it after straining and tearing my calves at mile 81. There was a dreadfully slow death march to cross the finish line in 29 hours. Feeling defeated, I wanted to give this distance another try and signed up for the Yeti100 on 9/27/19. In mid April of 2019 I was dealing with a knee injury from a fall in January 2019. It was time to hire a Coach.
Coach Elizabeth and I started May1st. She assessed me and quickly got me out of my pain. Her goal was to get me to the start as injury free as possible. The next few weeks Coach Elizabeth worked on making me stronger in my core and gave weight work to strengthen my weaknesses. When race week finally came, we set up a solid plan for the day to help me achieve my goal of a sub 24 race. She assured me I was capable of breaking 24hrs and I believed her of course! I had a near perfect race day following my race plan as best I could.
The toughest parts were holding back in the first 17 miles due to an elevation drop of 1500 feet and managing the heat during the day so I could set myself up to run when I met up with my awesome pacers Joe, also my husband, at mile 66.6 and my brother, Frank, at mile 70. Coach had a lot of wisdom to share with me and I was prepared for all the challenges I was faced with throughout the race. By mile 70 I was right on target to break 24 hours. I blew by mile 81 when I fell apart last year at the VT100 and I knew I was going to be ok. By mile 91 Frank told me if I was able to pick up the pace a bit, I had a good shot at sub 23!!!! There was no talking only action at that point. When I saw the finish line and the time 22:54 I could not be happier.
This experience was quite different than the Vermont 100. Being able to run into the finish line without a death march was a dream come true. Many thanks to my most amazing crew, Joe and Frank who chased me around all day. A big thank you to Coach Elizabeth Azze!
