20 miles! Now that's hardcore...

This blog has chronicled many firsts for me in my marathon training & fundraising experience with Team in Training. And this post will detail my 20 mile run yesterday. That's right, I did it!!

I was blessed enough to be able to take off work early yesterday to meet some TNT peeps at Lake Zorinsky in Omaha. I ran with two people for the first part (yay, Gabe, another WDW marathoner & his co-worker Rebecca), then they went about their day and two others joined (hooray for EJ, who's running the Goofy race at WDW--a half marathon Saturday and a full marathon Sunday) and Heather (who's running Phoenix in mid-January). For some reason, a song from the movie School of Rock was in my head. We got to laughing about the lyrics..."You know you're not hardcore...unless you live hardcore." EJ, Heather and I decided that there was nothing more hardcore than what we were doing. :)

Bless EJ's heart...he brought along a shovel and cleared the bridge along 168th Street. On the first loop, we decided to try out the 'back half' of the lake...there was some off-roading for 1/4 mile where it wasn't possible to plow, so we slowed it down and watched our footing. The first half of the run, we maintained a pace of 10-ish minutes per mile. As the mileage increased and my running partners changed along the way, my pace definitely slowed (because of me, not them!). Thankfully, EJ had brought flashlights--we needed them by the end. After another loop, I only had a short distance to reach the official 20. I was intent upon having my new watch track 20 miles on the DOT! So, like a dork, I ran around the parking lot until it did, ha.

In between loops, we stopped at our cars to change socks, get a drink, etc. I should have taken my water fanny pack (so cute, despite what you're thinking about the phrase 'fanny pack') along, but EJ brought us water along the trail so that hit the spot.

I was so glad I brought along dry clothes to change into. As EJ and Heather went on to finish the last 2 miles of Heather's 20 mile run in the pitch black, I warmed up the car and changed in the backseat. I was SO cold from being outside for that long (3 hours and 42 minutes, folks!) and I just shook the entire way home. I asked Tim to help me into the house because I was afraid I was going to drop stuff going up the stairs with my soreness and shakiness. He, of course, agreed--despite having a sinus infection and not feeling his best, either.

I headed straight to the tub for a warm shower. When I was sufficiently warm, I turned the water cold and soaked in the tub for 15 minutes, followed by another quick shower to warm up. The cold soaks REALLY make a difference in muscle recovery. Tim told me I reminded him of Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite (remember the scene where he shaves off all his hair and wears a hoodie?) By then, I was starving so Tim went to pick up some pizza & breadsticks. I ate four breadsticks and two pieces of pizza! I iced my ankles and knees which were pretty sore and went to bed early.

Today, I feel like a new woman. I am so proud of this awesome accomplishment. It was such a privilege to run with others...and even though we didn't know each other well at all, we really bonded. As I reflect on my learning moments during yesterday and think about what the actual marathon will be like, I have come to the following conclusions.

• Despite what I have been telling myself about my all-cotton socks, they are more likely than not contributing to my blister issue. The bottom of my toes are a bit oddly shaped (aka, pointy) and I run more on the balls of my feet...but even on flat terrain without lots of turns like an indoor track, I still was having blister issues even with almost all toes taped up. TO DO: buy some new socks. Consider going back to shoes with more arch support to relieve some of the weight going to the ball of the foot when running.
• Running with a group is great! TO DO: find a group and run with them. :) If possible, contintue to remain involved with TNT.
• Realize that the conditions of yesterday's run, though my pace was slower, have helped me prepare for the marathon. WDW will be flat and it will be much warmer..and even though I will have another hour more to run beyond what I did yesterday, the conditions will be more favorable. TO DO: Reflect on my learning from yesterday's run and visualize the marathon going well.
• CELEBRATE! This is a huge accomplishment. Can't wait for Disney!

Keep on steppin'!

It's coming!

I am SO excited that my big day is getting so close! At this time four weeks from today, I will be done with my first marathon! It's such a relief to focus on the holidays and my running, knowing that my fundraising is complete.

The cold weather has been rough the past week. I don't mind that so much as all the snow. Fremont doesn't have the best sidewalks as it is...but couple that with the nearly one foot of snow that has been cleared from the streets and it doesn't leave many options for outdoor running. I've been putting in lots of miles on indoor tracks. Midland's indoor track (in a building just across the street) is fine for short runs, but is 11.6 laps per mile. On long runs, I prefer to head to the YMCA (about 6 blocks away) where the track is 10 miles per lap and is suspended above several basketball courts.

Today, I'm headed out to the Y to put in a 13-miler. My new watch is charged up and so is my iPod. Next Saturday is the BIG training run...20 miles. I am praying that the snow will have melted off some by then so the trails at Lake Zorinsky are clear enough to run outside. If not, I'll plan to run inside somewhere in Omaha with other TNT folks even if I have to pay for a one-time gym membership somewhere. There's no way I want to run all that alone and with it being Christmas break at MLC, there aren't many students around whom I could recruit to run a few miles with me and rotate out.

Miles run this week (after today's run): 29

Keep on steppin'!

I Gotta Feelin'...

...that tonight's gonna be a good, good night. Why am I quoting this Black Eyed Peas song, you ask? Besides it's presence on my iPod running playlist I am celebrating three milestones tonight. I'll share in chronological order, though the BIGGEST news is at the end (for those of you who don't like suspense).

1. I ran 17 miles yesterday! I got a bit later of a start in the afternoon than I'd originally planned, but I ran 11.25 miles outside and finished on an indoor track after it got dark. Again, the long distance helped me to build my confidence. My legs did not fall off. I did not want to puke at any time (well, maybe I shouldn't have ordered the big salad at lunch, ha). The decision to use energy gel with caffeine in it (despite no longer drinking caffeine since May) definitely makes a difference as I can really 'feel' a boost about 5 minutes after I down the gel. Mmm, Power Bar Gel Double Latte. :) This picture shows me all decked out in my layers of running apparel--two shirts and a jacket, earmuffs, tights under pants plus iPod and a hydration belt.


2. I got the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS running watch for my birthday! A huge thanks to my husband Tim and his parents Terry & Kitty for this awesome gift. Now, I'll never run alone again because I'll have a virtual training partner...and I'll always know how far I've run, at what pace and about a million other super cool things that I'll be figuring out over the next few days. This will most certainly be something that aids me in continuing my training, even once my first marathon is over. Yes, I'm already thinking of 2010 races...

3. I have reached my fundraising goal! Not only that, I have exceeded it by a bit even! I was so excited to see the donation notification from some dear friends Adam & Christina that I cried. (And yes, there have been many tears during this experience...it's hard not to be overwhelmed with the generosity of others!) My hope was to be done by Christmas with fundraising. Now I can rest assured that any additional donations that come in are icing on the cake!

Miles run this week: 28

Keep on steppin'!

What does the number 3 mean?

So, I started out the day teaching kickboxing at Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. At the end of class, one of the gentlemen who works out there handed me a check...and it's the largest single donation I've received to date! I opened it in the car and started bawling. The experience of running and fundraising is SO humbling in countless ways...I am continually amazed at the generosity of others, despite it being holiday season and tough economic times. And the long runs continue to keep me filled with humility as well (especially on long, hilly workouts!).

As I look ahead, I see 3s in my future. The countdown of days is at 38. The amount of money I have left to raise before I reach my goal is BELOW $300 ($291.50 to be exact). And I have three more really long Saturday runs.

I really am running for a reason. If I had known the truly transformative experience I would have with Team in Training, I would have signed up years ago! I am running to bring awareness to Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma through fundraising. I am running in honor of Haleigh, who won her battle with infant leukemia. I am running to prove to myself that I can do it. And when it's all said and done, I'll be in the most magical place on earth--Walt Disney World!

Today gives me the courage to keep on steppin'.

Thankful to be Alive and Well

There's a fairly new song out on country radio right now--it's a collaboration between Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews called "I'm Alive." It's a pretty mellow song with an acoustic sound but it has a great message. One of my favorite lines is something like "I thank my lucky stars that I'm alive and well." I, of course, am thankful to God and not the stars :) for all of the blessings in my life. This holiday season really provides many opportunities to think about all the events of the year and be grateful for the wonderful challenges, successes and experiences placed in our paths. I have been enjoying time with family in celebration of the holidays--as well as many family members enjoying holiday-time birthdays. :)

It's been a super busy past few weeks in my life and unfortunately, my mileage has taken a hit. With lots of nights trying to sell Younkers Community Day coupons at a store in Omaha, along with some evening work commitments and a slight cold I've been doing lots of running around, though not necessarily for exercise.

I'm pleased to share that this week has been a GREAT running week. I've gotten in four great runs and today ran my longest run EVER! :) I mapped out a 15-ish mile course in West Des Moines, IA, where my in-laws live, and got up early this morning. It was a bit chilly for a while, which is what happens when it's not even 8 a.m. but by the end I was wishing for a t-shirt and shorts. I felt pretty strong overall, despite the lack of mileage the past few weeks. I wasn't running as fast as I would have liked-11-minute miles- but considering the odds, I was glad to be out there.

I ran 10 miles on an indoor track on Monday-yikes for the knees with all those circles-- and on both of these long runs, I have been experimenting with electrolyte gels. I had been really nervous about this, along with the mileage creeping up, as both of these are new territory in my runing. I experienced a fair amount of anxiety about this, but have done my best to relax and not be "in a wad" as I say :) and just listen to my body. For someone who likes to plan all the details, this is a growing point for me! I had no major aches and pains--just the usual that comes with running 10+ miles--and found that the gels were surprisingly not as horrible as I had imagined. I actually even LIKE the Power Bar Gel Double Latte. It tastes a lot like those Starbucks refrigerated frapuccino drinks you can buy at the grocery store.

I am also THRILLED to share that I have less than $550 to raise until I reach my fundraising goal! WOO HOO!

As I look back on this year and the many unhealthy habits that were part of my life, I am amazed at how far I have come along my journey. I would never have guessed that I would actually have committed to running a full marathon. I have made exercise and nutrition a more integral part of my life since June and I feel radically different inside and out. I am so thankful that I am healthy and have the physical abilities to attempt this feat. I am thankful for the opportunity to run for those who can't.

I hope this finds YOU alive and well...and I mean, REALLY living and well physically, emotionally and spiritually. And...keep on steppin'!

Miles run this week: 34

Welcome back!

Hello friends!
Wow, it has been too long since my last post. I have taken my running to Missouri, central Nebraska and New Mexico during the past month. It's been challenging to get all the miles in while I've been traveling (actually, I've done a pretty decent job at it...but it's the when I get home and I'm exhausted part where I'm struggling) but I'm hanging in there.

I'm thrilled to share that I am nearly to 70% of my goal of raising $3,700 for Team in Training. I am currently selling poinsettias for those of you in the Omaha area (drop me a line if you're interested--orders are due by this Friday and the plants are potted, red, 5-6 blooms and $15) and Younkers coupon books. I didn't think I would enjoy standing by myself at the door of a store asking people to buy coupon books, but it's actually been such a pleasant experience. (And I'm selling those until Friday, too! :) Each book is $5 and contains a $10-off coupon, a 30% off coupon, 20% off coupons AND a $25 off Columbia coat coupons--what a steal!)

As I think about how hard it is to be vulnerable to others by asking for financial support, I think of Haleigh. As I vacillate over going for a run, I thank God I have the health and ability to allow me to be active and I grab my shoes. As I think about how much easier it would have been to drop out of this program, I signed my travel paperwork and sent out more letters. There are so many things to be thankful for in our lives and I am grateful to continue being part of this awesome program. I will continue running and I will continue fundraising--I have less than $1200 to go!

Keep on steppin'!

Taking my running on the road

Wow! All of a sudden, things have gotten a LOT colder in NE. Though I have worn some of my new running apparel this week, I didn't really NEED to due to the temperatures. But today, I needed it because it was 39 degrees. You're supposed to dress like you would if it was 15 degrees warmer, so I figured I'd be all good in tights and a cold-weather pullover. I did fine, but 9 miles outside in this weather definitely left me feeling chilly by the end. It will soon be time for me to make the mental transition to running inside. It's been a long time since I've done a long run inside, as I try to soak in as much time outside as possible during the warm months. :) I got new running shoes on Thursday (they're hot pink!) and so far, I think I like them.

The next few weeks will be busy ones. Tim & I will be going to Missouri with his mom Kitty for a week to see his grandparents and help with Town Meeting on Tomorrow--an awesome leadership conference for high school seniors from across the nation. After that, it will be back for a few days, then on the road/in the sky to a few more conferences and family gatherings. I will look forward to running in some new locales--and let's hope things will be warmer in New Mexico in November! My mileage will continue to increase over the next few weeks.

Miles run this week: 18

Keep on steppin'!

Feeling 40..and 4, all at the same time

I took a day and a half off work to travel to Alexandria, MN with my dear friend Amanda. While there, we did lots of scrapbooking and I was able to enjoy some running after taking a few days off after the half marathon. Saturday morning, I took off for a solo run outside. It was great to just enjoy being outside, listening to the pounding of my feet on the pavement. I left the iPod at the hotel and just enjoyed myself. I stopped to pet some horses, saw some awesome lakefront properties on Lake Darling and dodged the light ran that accompanied my run. Seven miles is a great way to start the weekend. I also stocked up on some cold-weather running gear at a Nike outlet store, so there are NO excuses not to run just because it's cold and/or rainy. :)

When I got back into the office today, the dreary Minnesota fall weather followed me back to Nebraska. I was feeling kind of 'blah' due to the weather and I was wondering what would be waiting for my in my email inbox. What a pleasant surprise to find several envelopes in my mailbox with donations in them! I was totally blown away by the generous amounts people have given. I felt like a 4-year-old at Christmas as I opened each envelope! So many of you wrote encouraging and thoughtful notes--thanks to you for that. I am keeping them to take with me when I travel to FL and also to look at if/when the day comes that I don't feel so much like going for a run.

I'm feeling 40 because....with all of your generosity, I've officially hit 40% of my fundraising goal! I am continually amazed at how giving people are, despite the tough economic times facing our country. Each donation really does make a difference. I am thankful for each of you!

Less than 100 days...Keep on steppin'!

100 days!

The countdown is on--officially 100 days (and a few hours) until the big day! I'm also nearly at 25% of my fundraising goal. I have taken a few days off running after my half marathon on Sunday, but I'll be starting up again this weekend. Yippee!

Keep on steppin'!

Official Results

Apparently, something happened at the half marathon yesterday and my start time did not register. I've been in communication with the race timing company and my official race time is (drumroll please...... :) )

1:59:22!

That's definitely the motivation I need to keep on steppin'!

Exceeding Expectations

Today turned out to be a beautiful race day. Tim & I 'slept in' until 4:30 a.m., ate breakfast and headed to downtown Omaha. We found relatively close parking with no problem, checked our bag of stuff, waited in line at the porta-potties and we were off.

I felt extremely relaxed today and my running felt very smooth. I hadn't really checked out the course before today, so I wasn't paying too good of attention to the location of the mile markers and I missed seeing the first three; so I basically had no idea what my mile time was. A lady nearby with a fancy GPS running watch said her pace was 8:40 per mile and then I realized I was going a lot faster than I realized.

I settled in to a decent pace and continued to feel very relaxed. I had heard that the course was tough because of all the hills, but I didn't find them to be as intimidating as I had heard. I saw Tim & some of my TNT friends along the route (as well as someone who works out at my gym!) at the half marathon turnaround. Unfortunately for Tim, he was so excited giving people high fives that he missed the turnaround and ran a mile past it along the marathon course--meaning he had to turn around still to come back to the half marathon course. (He ended up putting in two extra miles but still kept the pace he'd trained for). The TNT water stop along the course was great--the way the route was set up we actually looped around and hit it twice. Lots of encouragers there!

I tried to pick it up around mile 11 and really kicked it in at mile 12. The finish wound along the riverwalk and I couldn't quite see the finish line, so I kept praying I'd see it soon and kept my legs a-movin'. What a blessing to see my mom and dad, sister and nephew cheering at the finish line! According to the race website, my 'gun time' (the time from when the gun sounded to when I crossed the finish line) and my 'race time' (the time I crossed the starting line (after the gun sounded because I was far back in the crowd) and finish line) were the same, so my time is not accurate. According to my watch, I ran 13.1 miles in 1:59.30. The website says 2:01.13. Either way, I very much exceeded my time goal of 2:15!

After an ice bath, my legs feel really good. I am in a lot better shape physically and mentally than the last half marathon I ran in June and I can tell. I really don't even have muscle soreness right now. Some of my joints are a little sore (knees) and I rubbed a spot raw under my arm, but those are minor in comparison to major leg pain or blisters. I am hopeful that with consistent training over the next few months that I continue to progress and have a wonderful marathon experience.

A few race pictures are included.

Keep on steppin'!

Tomorrow = a big day

Good morning, friends! I joined my TNT peeps for a light jog this morning (many of them were doing their 20 mile run in preparation for marathons next month) at Lake Zorinsky in Omaha. What a beautiful place! I am feeling pretty good and I am looking forward to the half marathon tomorrow.

Please keep Tim & I in your prayers that we will have a great time, finish strong and have no injuries. If you'll be in the area--look for the TNT water stop at 12th & Cuming! I'll post results and pictures tomorrow--after my ice bath, of course.

Keep on steppin'!

FALLing into place

Hello friends! I'm just back from an easy two-mile jog. Tim joined me--we cracked up laughing and talking the entire time. It's fun to run with a buddy! It was a beautiful fall day. The leaves are starting to change colors ever so slightly and there's a sense of fall on my mind. I am praying for cool running weather Sunday morning for the Omaha Half Marathon. I'll be thinking of you when I get up at 4 a.m. to get prepared for the 7 a.m. race! (I'll have to eat, drive 45 minutes to downtown Omaha, park and then warm up--it'll be an early night Saturday! :) )

Donations are starting to fall into place too. Today I hit the $500 mark! That's 13.5% of my total goal of $3,700. I'm on target to reach my goal of being halfway done with fundraising by mid-October. So far, I have been amazed with how quickly people are responding with their finances, well wishes and encouragement. This is a fun journey!

I'll run one more time on Saturday morning at Lake Zorinsky with my Team in Training (TNT) peeps on Saturday morning--another easy couple miles. Then the big day is on Sunday! I'm shooting for 2 hours and 15 minutes for my finish time, but I hear that the course is kind of tough. If I'm feeling good, I'll try go to for closer to 2 hours. Either way, that will shave many minutes off my 2:29.19 finish in the Council Bluffs Marathon in June.

Keep on steppin'!

Milestones

The best way to measure progress is by milestones along the way. Today, I achieved two important milestones: I have received $100 in donations online (Thanks, Amy!) and with my run today, I have now run more than 100 miles since I began my training! While I should have had a few more miles under my belt as far as miles go, I am proud of what I have accomplished so far.

Miles run September 14-20: 30
Days until the Omaha Half Marathon: 6

Keep on steppin'!

It's a Beautiful Day...

I had an absolutely FANTASTIC 10-mile run today. For those of you who aren't runners, you're probably wondering how any mileage in the double digits can be pleasant--but today truly was. The temperature was wonderful, it was calm and peaceful outside (i.e. no crazy gnats to dodge like there are on evening runs!), my legs felt great, no stomache ache and I ran slightly faster than my goal pace for next Sunday's half marathon. I expected to be sore when I was done running (as is typical) but even four hours after I finished my run, I still feel great. What a blessing!

It's really amazing to think about how 'easy' it was to do this run. I have aches and pains regularly, but luckily no lingering injuries (and now that I have limited the number of days I wear heels to work, even my calf tightness has disappeared! :) ). But what I feel when I run (and after) is nothing compared to the true pain--both physical and emotional--that is experienced by children who have cancer and their families. That's why I'm doing this. I am running in honor of Haleigh Pentico. Haleigh was born in May 2007 in Omaha. At one month old she was diagnosed with AML M7, a rare form of leukemia that impacts only 100 U.S. infants annually. Haleigh spent 145 days in the hospital, underwent chemotherapy, several procedures and battled multiple infections. She was released at Thanksgiving in 2007, but still visits her cancer doctor monthly. The experience has been grueling, but the Penticos are grateful for the work done by Team in Training participants to strive for a cure for children like their daughter. Check out the darling shot of Miss Haleigh last Halloween.

It's also a beautiful day because (drumroll please)....I received my first online donation! Okay, so it was from my husband Tim, but it's still thrilling to know that this is finally real! I am stoked beyond words to be training for my first marathon and raising funds for an organization as truly fantastic as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Be checking your mailboxes for a letter from me! :) If you are too excited to wait until then, visit my website (listed above in the blog header). Thanks for your generosity!

Until next time...keep on steppin'! :)

Crossing things off the to do list...

I am so excited about this new adventure! Today, I got my first batch of letters ready to mail. I hope to get an email/Facebook post out yet tonight. I am praying for a successful response so I am able to reach my fundraising goal of $3,700. Last night, I had a good medium-distance workout of 8 miles and I took a 12-minute ice bath...my first one since 10th grade cross country! Today, my legs feel amazing so I am going to keep that in my arsenal.

I am running the Omaha Half Marathon on Sunday, September 27 in preparation. The weather has been beautiful for training so it's easy to stay motivated right now.

Not only is this my first marathon, its also my first blog. I will figure out posting my training schedule, pictures, etc. and as my mileage increases--so will the content on this blog! :)

The reason

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I have officially signed up to run my first ever full marathon--at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL on January 10, 2010. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. To read more about my marathon training adventures, visit my blog at iamrunningforareason.blogspot.com. Thanks for your support!