Finished States #12 and #13 at the NU Hartford Marathon and Steamtown Marathon!

Last weekend, I finished my second double marathon weekend to complete states #12 and #13, and it was awesome!  On Saturday 10/11, I made my way to the starting line of the NU Hartford Marathon (Hartford, CT). It was a cold and rainy morning, but I've made it through a few rainy marathons, and so I didn't let that get me down.  I put on my super lovely looking garbage bag jacket, and it helped me stay warm at the start.  I timed it pretty well though, with only about 10 minutes of waiting before starting.

Knowing that I was going to be running another marathon the next day, I took it nice and slow to go easy on my legs and feet.  I took off my garbage bag after the first few miles, but kept it with me, which I was sooooo happy about at around mile 14, when every part of me started to freeze from the rain.  I pulled it out and put it back on, and it kept me warm until the end.  It's amazing what a little garbage bag can do for keeping you warm!  It seemed like it took forever to get to the half, which is when I usually feel like I'm getting somewhere in the marathon (it's kind of where it starts in my mind).  But after the half, things went a little faster.  I ran by some very fun houses that were decorated for Halloween, and the foliage was awesome.  There was also a DJ playing Irish music that we passed at mile 10 and again at mile 24 that picked me up a little bit.  I wanted to take some pictures along the course, but it was so cold and rainy that I lost dexterity in my hands because they were so cold!  Even just getting my sports beans out of the package was an interesting challenge!  The legs got a little sore around the same time I started getting pretty cold, and so that was when I needed to dig down and think about my cause to get me through.  I kept a nice run/walk pace, and it got me to the end pretty comfortably.  I had a new singlet made up before the marathons, and one of the things I love about having the cause printed on my back is that it strikes up conversations with other runners, and I get to share my story, and also hear others' stories along the 26.2 miles.  I crossed the finish line of State #12 at about 5:19 feeling good and energized for the next day!

After the finish, I went to the food tent and had one of the tastiest grilled cheese sandwiches - I've never thought of grilled cheese after a marathon, but it was really good!  I also got some good recovery drinks and snacks, made my way back to the hotel to pack up and make the 3-hour drive to Scranton, PA for the Steamtown Marathon.  The trip to Scranton went pretty well, and I arrived there with time to have a nice pasta dinner, get everything ready for the next day (including taking care of some of the biggest blisters I've ever had - thanks to the rain), and get a good night sleep.

Sunday was an early morning, as the the Steamtown Marathon is a point-to-point marathon, so there were early buses out to the start.  We rode the bus to Forest City, where there was the most welcoming group of people I've ever met at a marathon!  On the bus ride, I met some awesome runners and we were able to share our running stories of why we run, which was great.  One of the things that I love about running is getting to meet new people and learn their stories, and then hopefully see them again at other marathons.  It's also a great opportunity to share my story and raise stroke awareness.  I still can't get through telling my story without getting a little teary eyed.

We were able to stay inside and warm while waiting for the start, but luckily it was a much nicer day than Saturday - it got up into the 60s and was sunny throughout the entire 26.2 - a perfect day!  We made our way to the starting line, and I was ready to go.  The first few steps reminded me that I had run a marathon the day before, and the first few miles involved some grumpy muscles, but after about mile 3, everything loosened up and the legs did pretty well for the day.   The second day went much faster (even though I was running the same pace), and I reached the half in what seemed like no time.  The next mile that I get excited to see is mile 17 - I have no idea why, but it gives me a feeling that the end is in sight.  The next mile I look forward to is 21, because it's a nice countdown from there.  I had some great conversations with other runners along the way - getting thumbs up for the cause, or questions about what states I've done and what states are next.  I also met some fellow Marathon Maniacs along the way, and it's always awesome to meet more maniacs :).  Surprisingly the legs and feet made it through pretty well, with just about the normal amount of soreness, and I crossed the finish line at about 5:21 feeling great!

I had a pretty comfortable 7-hour drive back to VT after Steamtown, but I could definitely feel the muscle soreness/tightness when I got out of my car at home (yikes!), but no major issues, and the legs were back to normal by about 3 days later.  I was so excited to have finished the double marathon for Tedy's Team and the American Stroke Association, and to spread the word about stroke!

The next marathon (State #14) will be the Publix Georgia Marathon in March, but I'm hoping to fit at least one more in before then.  And I'll be looking for another double (or triple) in the spring!

NU Hartford Marathon Highlights:
Great course support
Very organized
Beautiful foliage
Nice option of mailing the race packet out ahead of time if you can't make the expo
The Irish DJ!

Steamtown Marathon Highlights:
Very organized leading up to event (lots of emails)
Organized buses to start
Nicest welcoming group of people ever in Forest City
Beautiful foliage - nice trails
Packet pickup option in the morning
Great marathon all around

#1 Song that got me through a tough patch:
I think I might have listed this one before, but:
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Finished the 2014 Boston Marathon with Tedy's Team!

What an absolutely awesome day April 21st was.  With 76 runners strong, Tedy led us to the starting line in Hopkinton and we were ready to make it to the finish line this year!  Many runners on Tedy's Team didn't get to cross the finish line last year, and were back this year to take back the finish line, and we did it together! There were so many stories along the 26.2 miles, that I can't begin to share them all, all I can say is Tedy's Team is a a team like no other!

We started the weekend with our pasta party, where we learned that not only did we blow past our first goal of raising a half a million dollars for the American Stroke Association, but we blew past our second goal of raising $540,000 (to match Tedy's # with the Patriots, 54) to raise $557,000 for the cause!  That is the most that Tedy's Team has ever raised for Boston, and I am so incredibly proud and honored to have been a part of it.  Thanks to everyone who came out to my fundraisers and supported the cause, I raised more than I have ever raised for one marathon, with a total of $6,303 for the American Stroke Association, bringing my grand fundraising total since I started the 50 States Challenge to $10,724!!

On Marathon Monday (Patriot's Day), we had an early start to the day, with a 5:00am bus from Boston out to Hopkinton.  We had a good 5 1/2 hours before most of us started at 11:25, and spent the time at our meeting house having fun, taking pictures, and getting ready for the 26.2 miles.  I had so missed being a part of the Boston Marathon team over the past two years, and could not wait to hit the pavement and make it to the end for my cause, my team, and the city of Boston.  Tedy and our teammates gave some incredible inspiration, and we made our way to the start with enourmous excitement.  This year was also special because Tedy himself, along with 2 of the Tedy's Team staff, conquered the 26.2 miles along with us.  I took a picture of the start with the famous sign in Hopkinton ("It all starts here").  Some of our team members even had personal introductions as we crossed the start line!

So how did it go?  Well, in 17 marathons up until Monday, I've never struggled quite as much to make it to the finish.  I usually don't dwell on the days when I struggle, but wanted to share this because of how much getting to the end meant to me, so here is the story.   I crossed the start line feeling pretty good, but could tell that I was going to have trouble with side stitches, which worried me a little, but I didn't care much because today was the day I was running the Boston Marathon with Tedy's Team.  At mile 5, I realized just how badly they were going to be a problem, with the worst pain I've ever had in my abdomen while running.  I took some long walking breaks and managed to make my way to the half marathon point on schedule.  However, all of the walking ended up giving me massive leg cramps since I wasn't trained for speed walking such long distances.  I made it to mile 14 when the pain was so much that I knew I couldn't keep up my pace if I wanted to finish.  It was a hot day and I was dehydrated and couldn't get myself back to normal.  I made my way, mile by mile, to mile 18, where I collapsed onto the side of the course due to nausea and dizziness from dehydration and stomach and leg cramps (this has NEVER happened to me in 17 marathons!).

At that point, the spirit of the marathon and team came out.  One of the spectators near where I went down ran into his house and came out with a huge bottle of ice water and told me to keep that bottle because he didn't need it back.  As I sat on the side attempting to recover, three of my teammates passed by together, and I found the strength to get up and join them.  The crowd cheered as I picked myself up off the ground and joined my teammates.  I walked with them for about a half a mile as we encouraged each other, gave some inspirational words, and then said goodbye as they started to run ahead of me.  At mile 19 (caution - this is gross), all of the water and gatorade and sports beans that I had taken in for the first 19 miles found it's way back up onto the side of the course, and I collapsed again (this has also NEVER happened to me before!).  This time there were some medical folks who came over to check on me, gave me some water, and made sure I was okay.  Again, I laid down on the grass on the side with spectators and runners offering support, and oddly, felt just a little better (a little less nauseous!).  But I knew I was dehydrated and couldn't run anymore if I wanted to cross that finish line because it was so hot with the sun beating down, I no hydration left in me, and I couldn't keep down much (if any) fluid.  But I was determined to finish, even though by that point, my stomach was so painful and my legs were seizing with cramps.  I picked myself up and received the biggest ovation I've ever received from the crowd and runners passing by.  I walked to mile 20 where I saw some familiar faces, who gave me huge motivation to get to the end (while also reminding me that there were medical tents along the course if I needed one - but I avoided those at all costs).

I had to dig deeper than ever before and think about my cause - my Gram and Pop, my Grandpa, and my Dad, everyone on Tedy's Team and everyone they were running for, all those affected on April 15th, 2013, and everyone who had supported me to find the courage to get through those miles.  And even during those last miles, 6 hours after I had started, the crowd was still out jumping and cheering my name and for Tedy's Team and giving me the strength to get to the end.  I went to the ground one more time at mile 23 and one of the spectators came over to me and looked me in the eye and said "you know you're going to finish, right?  You've only got three miles to go and you're going to finish!"  I said, "oh I'm going to finish alright" and got myself up for one more ovation, as another runner gave up her water bottle to me to help me get to the finish, and walked my way to the end Boston Strong and Tedy's Team Strong.  In 3 Boston Marathons I have never been so happy to take that right hand turn onto Hereford and left onto Boylston Street.

No, it wasn't my fastest race by far (about 2 hours slower than my fastest race, in fact), but none of that mattered because I was running for the cause and to take back the finish line that was taken away from so many last year, and that's what I did.  But I don't know if I could have done it without the support of my team and the crowd, and just knowing that that finish line was waiting for me.  And I even managed to get up the energy to run the last 500 yards down Boylston street and under the enormous Boston Strong sign to the finish.  Absolutely awesome.

So that was a bit more detailed (and gross - my apologies) than most of my posts, but at the same time, it tells the true story of the spirit of the marathon and how the cause, the team, and Boston got me
to the end.  In the end, it didn't matter that I finished in 6:28 when I was aiming for my usual 4:45, because that is just a number.  The experience of being a part of Tedy's Team in the Boston Marathon and knowing that we raised $557,000 for the American Stroke Association in honor and in memory of all of our stroke heroes and all those affected by stroke (yes, that fundraising number is the number that matters to me!), and were also running for all those affected in last year's marathon is what it's all about, and the experience was awesome no matter how long it took to get to the finish.

So how am I doing now?  Well, it took about a week for the stomach and legs to feel somewhat normal and the nauseousness to go away, but all of that got better and the experience (and my medal) will stay with me forever.  And I can't wait to do it all again as I work towards the 50 states! Although hopefully the dehydration part won't happen again :).

I'm still figuring out my schedule for the summer and fall, but for right now, States #12 and #13 will be a double marathon weekend with the Hartford Marathon in Hartford, CT on October 11th and the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA on October 12th.  I can't thank everyone who has supported me enough for all of your support in helping me to reach my fundraising goals and to run the Boston Marathon as part of Tedy's Team!!

Fundraising!

With only 58 days to the Boston Marathon, I've been working hard to reach my $10,000 fundraising goal!  This past week I held a fundraiser at Alex and Ani, and it was awesome!  Thanks to all who came out to support the cause, and purchase some pretty awesome jewelry at the same time!

And in January I held an event at the Harpoon Brewery in Boston, which was also awesome!  Lots of friends came out to support the cause, and we had a great time!