Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Fundraising!
Well, I've been keeping busy these past few months, and brought some of my knitted hats to local craft fairs as a fundraising endeavor. It's been a fun way to spread the word about my 50 States Challenge, raise awareness, and raise funds for this great cause! You can click on "Hats for the Cause" if you would like to see some examples of my work.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Finished in State #4 - The Maine Marathon
10/3/11
Well, I made it through! It rained for the entire 26.2 miles, but it was still a great race. It had rained the day before, and was supposed to clear up for marathon day, but what did I hear the pitter patter of outside at 5am? RAIN! Well, I wasn't about to let a little rain get me down, so off we went to Portland. I didn't have a rain jacket with me so I (in the company of many other runners) wore a trash bag through most of the race. Hey, it's a marathon, not a fashion show! Though I was glad it was a clear bag so I could still show off my Train to End Stroke singlet and let folks know about my 50 States Challenge.
Most memorable moments of the marathon:
The Start:
I didn't let myself think about the rain at the beginning, I just thought about the race. I only had a month of training under my belt after 3 months off of running (I was recovering from surgery), and so my plan was to run as I had been training, with a one-minute walking break every 5 minutes. I was ready to go, as was everyone around me who were varying levels of soaking wet. We crossed the start line to "Baby we were Born to Run" which can't help but get a runner in the right mood for the 26.2 miles ahead of them.
Somewhere between mile 3-4:
At this time, the adrenaline of the start was diminishing and the fact that it was raining pretty hard and it was not going to stop was heavy on my mind. At my next walking break, I made sure I was in the clear of any runners, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought of my Gram, my Pop, my Grandpa, and my Dad. My Gram was the reason I started to run in the first place, and I thought about memories of Gram and Pop when I was growing up. I thought about how if my Gram were here, she would be so mad that I was out running way too far in cold and rainy weather, and would be telling me to get inside. I thought about everyone I've met who has been touched by stroke, including all of my Tedy's Team and Train to End Stroke teammates. Before I knew it, I was off and running and mentally ready to face the rain for the next 4 hours. And you know, it wasn't so bad!
Mile 12ish
I remember this well, because we were running down the second nice big hill of the run. This was mostly an out-and-back race, and at that point runners were passing back in the other direction, and I couldn't help but think that running up the hill on the way back was certainly not going to be my favorite part of the race...
Mile 16-17
But I ran up those hills! Oh yeah, not gonna let some hill beat me! I even got some cheers from crowd members who were out braving the rain to cheer us on for not giving in and walking. I didn't care who was walking and who was running, I only cared that I was not going to give into some hill. And I didn't.
Mile 17-26.2
I have no idea how this happened or where my energy came from. I started this marathon prepared to finish well over my normal time (due to the reduced training time), with a time of 5:15-5:30. Despite my walking breaks every 5 minutes, I somehow managed to run faster during my 5 minute running time than my usual pace. I finished in 4:46:14, which is my 4th fastest time of the 8 marathons I have run. Not bad for one month of training!
Maybe I was able to make this time because of the rain, and the desire to get to the finish so I could have some food and dry clothes. I think more likely it was the cause. In all of the marathons that I have run for this cause, somewhere along the race, it hits me. I think about what I'm doing and who I am running for, and I have a moment or two when a tear will come to my eye. I usually carry a note with me that my Gram wrote, but I didn't this time because of the rain. It didn't matter though because I carried her and everyone I run for with me, and that took me to the finish line. I think it hit me around mile 25, and I took that with me to the end, and crossed the finish line of my 4th state in this challenge feeling great.
Now onto #5 at the Walt Disney World Marathon!!
Race Highlights:
In clear weather, it would have been a beautiful course, with the start and finish right along the water
Plenty of water stops with lots of great volunteers
The hills are not as bad as one might anticipate
Very well run and well organized
My favorite tech shirt so far: Maine... The Way A Marathon Should Be.
New for this race: #1 Song that got me through a tough patch
Flashdance (What a Feeling)
Love those 80s tunes.
Well, I made it through! It rained for the entire 26.2 miles, but it was still a great race. It had rained the day before, and was supposed to clear up for marathon day, but what did I hear the pitter patter of outside at 5am? RAIN! Well, I wasn't about to let a little rain get me down, so off we went to Portland. I didn't have a rain jacket with me so I (in the company of many other runners) wore a trash bag through most of the race. Hey, it's a marathon, not a fashion show! Though I was glad it was a clear bag so I could still show off my Train to End Stroke singlet and let folks know about my 50 States Challenge.
Most memorable moments of the marathon:
The Start:
I didn't let myself think about the rain at the beginning, I just thought about the race. I only had a month of training under my belt after 3 months off of running (I was recovering from surgery), and so my plan was to run as I had been training, with a one-minute walking break every 5 minutes. I was ready to go, as was everyone around me who were varying levels of soaking wet. We crossed the start line to "Baby we were Born to Run" which can't help but get a runner in the right mood for the 26.2 miles ahead of them.
Somewhere between mile 3-4:
At this time, the adrenaline of the start was diminishing and the fact that it was raining pretty hard and it was not going to stop was heavy on my mind. At my next walking break, I made sure I was in the clear of any runners, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought of my Gram, my Pop, my Grandpa, and my Dad. My Gram was the reason I started to run in the first place, and I thought about memories of Gram and Pop when I was growing up. I thought about how if my Gram were here, she would be so mad that I was out running way too far in cold and rainy weather, and would be telling me to get inside. I thought about everyone I've met who has been touched by stroke, including all of my Tedy's Team and Train to End Stroke teammates. Before I knew it, I was off and running and mentally ready to face the rain for the next 4 hours. And you know, it wasn't so bad!
Mile 12ish
I remember this well, because we were running down the second nice big hill of the run. This was mostly an out-and-back race, and at that point runners were passing back in the other direction, and I couldn't help but think that running up the hill on the way back was certainly not going to be my favorite part of the race...
Mile 16-17
But I ran up those hills! Oh yeah, not gonna let some hill beat me! I even got some cheers from crowd members who were out braving the rain to cheer us on for not giving in and walking. I didn't care who was walking and who was running, I only cared that I was not going to give into some hill. And I didn't.
Mile 17-26.2
I have no idea how this happened or where my energy came from. I started this marathon prepared to finish well over my normal time (due to the reduced training time), with a time of 5:15-5:30. Despite my walking breaks every 5 minutes, I somehow managed to run faster during my 5 minute running time than my usual pace. I finished in 4:46:14, which is my 4th fastest time of the 8 marathons I have run. Not bad for one month of training!
Maybe I was able to make this time because of the rain, and the desire to get to the finish so I could have some food and dry clothes. I think more likely it was the cause. In all of the marathons that I have run for this cause, somewhere along the race, it hits me. I think about what I'm doing and who I am running for, and I have a moment or two when a tear will come to my eye. I usually carry a note with me that my Gram wrote, but I didn't this time because of the rain. It didn't matter though because I carried her and everyone I run for with me, and that took me to the finish line. I think it hit me around mile 25, and I took that with me to the end, and crossed the finish line of my 4th state in this challenge feeling great.
Now onto #5 at the Walt Disney World Marathon!!
Race Highlights:
In clear weather, it would have been a beautiful course, with the start and finish right along the water
Plenty of water stops with lots of great volunteers
The hills are not as bad as one might anticipate
Very well run and well organized
My favorite tech shirt so far: Maine... The Way A Marathon Should Be.
New for this race: #1 Song that got me through a tough patch
Flashdance (What a Feeling)
Love those 80s tunes.
If you are curious... yes, we were instructed to wear our numbers sideways.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Getting Ready for State #4 - The Maine Marathon!
September 18, 2011
Well, I have finished the last long training run before the Maine Marathon! The training schedule has been a little rushed, because I've only had a total of about 40 days to train, after taking 3 months off to recover from surgery. Yesterday I ran a 30k race at about an 11 minute pace - not too bad for only 3 weeks of training, and considering I usually run long distance at about a 10:30 pace (I never claimed to be fast!). The run 5 minutes/walk 1 minute method seems to be working, and I was even pretty comfortable.
When I came home from the race, I turned on the TV (to take a little rest), and the Terry Fox story was on, which was an incredible inspiration. As I watched this movie, I felt connected to it in my own way, and inspired by someone who did far more that I could ever do, and who had far more to overcome. It is incredible what the human spirit can accomplish when faced with adversity.
While I'm not running across the country, I am running 26.2 miles in all 50 states in the country for a cause that I am personally connected to. I have watched my family members suffer from the affects of heart disease and stroke, and I carry them with me whenever I run. I am very lucky to have my own health that is allowing me to pursue this endeavor, though I have not gone without my own physical challenges in my life. More than anything I am honored to have the opportunity to run my 50 marathons while fundraising and spreading awareness for a cause that is so close to my heart - heart disease and stroke.
If you are able, please click the Train to End Stroke link to make a donation to this cause on my fundraising page. My goal is to reach $5000 before the Maine Marathon on October 2nd, and I need your help to reach the finish line!
Here are some pictures from the 30K race - my longest training run before the Maine Marathon
GMAA Common to Common 30K Race - September 17, 2011
September 10, 2011: Getting ready for #4 in Maine!
Well, only 20 days until #4 at the Maine Marathon! I'm still far away from my $5000 goal, and so I need your help to get there! I'll be running a little slower for this one, as I've only recently gotten back into training after surgery earlier this summer (not to fear, it was not related to running!). And boy does it feel great to get out on the road again, my legs have been itching to get out there all summer! I've gotten some great tips on how to train safely for this marathon. Not going for a PR, just aiming to finish and not get injured. I'm planning on running 5 minutes/walking 1 minute for the entire 26.2. Who knows, maybe I'll end up finishing at about my normal pace! But time doesn't matter anyway, because the whole purpose of my running is to raise funds and awareness for Stroke!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
First 3 States of the 50 State Challenge!
May 30, 2011: Finished in Vermont!
Finished my 3rd marathon in 6 weeks! The VT City Marathon was a great race yesterday. The weather was not ideal... rained for the first hour, followed by sunny, humid, 80 degree temperatures for the remainder of the race, but I made it to the end. The heat definitely slowed my pace, and that darn IT band that seemed to be doing better since Providence came back screaming towards the end. I knew with the heat I wouldn't make it in the 4:30s, and with the IT band, my goal became to finish in under 5 hours. Every runner has good days and bad days, and you hope a marathon never falls on a day when you are not at your best, but sometimes it happens. I did make my adjusted goal, finishing in 4:55 (my slowest marathon yet). My motto for this race was "just keep swimming". But it's not the time, it's the cause that matters, and I'm over $3000 since I kicked off the challenge this spring. I have 47 more marathons to improve on my time, and to keep working towards my $25,000 goal!!
Highlights from VT City:
Awesome course and great support
There were lots of people out spraying us with their hoses which was awesome
Beautiful scenery
It's my home state so lots of people I know running and cheering!!
My first Marathon as a Marathon Maniac!!
Only 2 days until the Vermont City Marathon! Training has been going well and I am excited for the big day. The weather forecast is looking a little toasty, so perhaps I'll have to run fast so I can finish before it gets too warm out there! The IT band is doing better since Providence and I'm hopeful it will not cause issues along the 26.2 miles. I'm aiming for a time in the 4:30s but have a feeling I might be a little slowed down by the heat. We shall see!!
Finished in State #2! I completed the Cox Providence Rhode Island Marathon yesterday and it was great! It was a beautiful day (it was actually a little toastier than I would have liked!). At mile 25 the IT band tightened up and made it difficult to run comfortably, but this is when the cause takes me through. I thought about my Gram and all those I am running for, and it gave me the inspiration to keep running to the end. A little pain in the leg is nothing compared to what someone goes through when they suffer a stroke, and I wasn't about to let it stop me (especially with only a mile left!). I dug deep and made it to the end, and crossed the finish line for my cause. And in less than a month I will do it again in VT!
Highlights from the Cox Providence Rhode Island Marathon:
Small race
Beautiful course
Well organized
Qualified to join the Marathon Maniacs!
April 23, 2011: Finished Boston!!
Well, I made through my first of the 50 States Challenge!! I could not think of a better place than to kick off this fundraising endeavor than at the Boston Marathon as part of Tedy's Team. From our pasta dinner, where our team gathered to share our stories of what motivates us to run for this cause, to hearing inspirational words from our team leaders, Tedy and Heidi Bruschi, to the incredible 26.2 miles and the celebration that followed, this was an amazing start to this challenge. This was my second Boston (I ran both as part of Tedy's Team), and I managed to knock 6 minutes off of last year's time, which was a great way to start. The legs are a little tired, but will be ready for #2 in Providence in just 1 week!! I hope to reach $1500 in fundraising before I step to the start line next week, and so please join me in supporting the American Stroke Association!!
March 23, 2011
26.2 days until the Boston Marathon!! I am so very excited that the big day is getting so close! Most of the snow you see in the post below has melted, and I even had a nice run in sunny 45 degree weather this past weekend! Today we're back down to 20s though... gotta love New England!!
March 8, 2011
Well, I'm off to a good start getting ready for the first 3 marathons... although the 2 feet of snow that just landed on us here in VT a few days ago (yes in March!) has made this week interesting. To illustrate just how much snow we have, here is a photo of my basset hound versus the depth of snow along my driveway :). As you can see, he is having a difficult time seeing over the snow!!
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