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!
