me shouting "mile 9!" just as i exited the Speedway.
i ran in memory of my cousin, KC, who died of Ewings Sarcoma in 2000.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Monday, May 4, 2009
i've been delaying this post...partially b/c i don't know how to begin and partially b/c i don't want to face the fact that it's over.
Team in Training held a pasta party for us the night before the race. as we walked in, the walkway was lined with coaches and mentors and cheering and clapping, and our staff-liasion handed both Lauren and I an envelope. i had no idea what it contained.
when we sat down to eat, i opened the envelope out of curiousity. it was full of cards, emails and notes from friends and family. tears immediately came to my eyes and i could only read them in small doses. such an outpouring of love and support. amazing!
the night continued with success stories of cancer patients, remembering those who lost their battle and honoring those who struggle daily. yes...more tears. our head coach stood up to give us last minute advice and we were done. bellies full. excitement high. ready to run.
so, Lauren and i were up at 4 am, ready to head downtown to find a spot and meet the team for a group photo. we parked right next to finish line, which i was so thankful for later, and envisioned ourselves crossing it.
we were in our corral by 6:50, excited, bouncy. taking pics and videos with the camera Lauren would later regret carrying. we talked with our neighbors and laughed a lot. and couldn't help noticing that everyone was giving us strange looks...we didn't understand why until we got into the race...we were expending all our energy.
the race starts and it takes us nearly 35 minutes to finally cross the start line. i got through the first half with relatively few problems. seeing the Speedway in the distance pulled me on and filled me with great excitement. fans on the sidewalks and roadsides were awesome, clapping and ringing cowbells. a couple little girls were even advertising "Free Hugs."
i realized, about 3 miles in, that this would not be easy. that you don't get to just say you're running the mini, like i'd been doing for months. you earn every minute, every mile.
there was a lot of energy entering the Speedway. as we descended the ramp, bagpipes were playing and everyone was cheering. silly us...not even half way through yet and so excited.
i was told by veteran runners that the Speedway was the hardest, and i would have to agree for many reasons...first: it's the halfway point. second: it's hot. the sun was beating down straight on us with no chance of cover. third: it feels so long b/c all you have to look at is how far you still have to go.
my dad was waiting for me as i exited, around the nine-mile mark, which was so encouraging. and i found friends from small group just a little further down. it was like they were perfectly stationed b/c i had begun to hit my wall.
half-way into mile 11, i sincerely wanted to quit. i called my dad and told him to talk to me; he told me i was doing awesome and how proud he was. that didn't help. i loved him for it, but i couldn't get back in the game mentally. so i took a pit stop and used a portapotty. i tried to walk when i got done but it actually felt more natural to run, so i took off again. still, mile marker 12 seemed to take it's sweet time getting to me.
we hit the home stretch and i clung to the words a teammate said to me at the end of another long run: "there is always something left in the well." i kept wondering just how deep i thought my well was, but i prayed, nonetheless, for God to give me strength to finish.
finish i did. at 2 hours and 37 minutes. the longest run i've ever done. i didn't feel elated. i didn't feel like i was on top of the world. i just wanted my medal and to lay in cool grass and sleep for the rest of the day.
i was beyond spent. whatever was left in the well was long gone and i felt like i'd been hit by a mac-truck. i spent the rest of the day sleeping on the couch.
perhaps the most comical scene has been watching my sister and i walk down the stairs of our apartment as our legs begin to heal...we truly look like old ladies! i have to grip the railing and lean into the wall, taking one step at a time.
a friend asked if i signed up for next year yet, and i honestly could not answer. i am just now coming to grips with the fact that i actually did it, just coming to the place where i can say i might do it again. it took a lot more out of my than i expected...i am still very weak in my legs, exhausted and depleted.
but i accomplished what i set out to do. i ran the whole thing (save about 20 feet). i praise God for opportunities such as these, where we have the opportunity to set a goal, be pushed beyond our farthest boundaries and meet it. pictures will be posted as soon as i have them uploaded.
Team in Training held a pasta party for us the night before the race. as we walked in, the walkway was lined with coaches and mentors and cheering and clapping, and our staff-liasion handed both Lauren and I an envelope. i had no idea what it contained.
when we sat down to eat, i opened the envelope out of curiousity. it was full of cards, emails and notes from friends and family. tears immediately came to my eyes and i could only read them in small doses. such an outpouring of love and support. amazing!
the night continued with success stories of cancer patients, remembering those who lost their battle and honoring those who struggle daily. yes...more tears. our head coach stood up to give us last minute advice and we were done. bellies full. excitement high. ready to run.
so, Lauren and i were up at 4 am, ready to head downtown to find a spot and meet the team for a group photo. we parked right next to finish line, which i was so thankful for later, and envisioned ourselves crossing it.
we were in our corral by 6:50, excited, bouncy. taking pics and videos with the camera Lauren would later regret carrying. we talked with our neighbors and laughed a lot. and couldn't help noticing that everyone was giving us strange looks...we didn't understand why until we got into the race...we were expending all our energy.
the race starts and it takes us nearly 35 minutes to finally cross the start line. i got through the first half with relatively few problems. seeing the Speedway in the distance pulled me on and filled me with great excitement. fans on the sidewalks and roadsides were awesome, clapping and ringing cowbells. a couple little girls were even advertising "Free Hugs."
i realized, about 3 miles in, that this would not be easy. that you don't get to just say you're running the mini, like i'd been doing for months. you earn every minute, every mile.
there was a lot of energy entering the Speedway. as we descended the ramp, bagpipes were playing and everyone was cheering. silly us...not even half way through yet and so excited.
i was told by veteran runners that the Speedway was the hardest, and i would have to agree for many reasons...first: it's the halfway point. second: it's hot. the sun was beating down straight on us with no chance of cover. third: it feels so long b/c all you have to look at is how far you still have to go.
my dad was waiting for me as i exited, around the nine-mile mark, which was so encouraging. and i found friends from small group just a little further down. it was like they were perfectly stationed b/c i had begun to hit my wall.
half-way into mile 11, i sincerely wanted to quit. i called my dad and told him to talk to me; he told me i was doing awesome and how proud he was. that didn't help. i loved him for it, but i couldn't get back in the game mentally. so i took a pit stop and used a portapotty. i tried to walk when i got done but it actually felt more natural to run, so i took off again. still, mile marker 12 seemed to take it's sweet time getting to me.
we hit the home stretch and i clung to the words a teammate said to me at the end of another long run: "there is always something left in the well." i kept wondering just how deep i thought my well was, but i prayed, nonetheless, for God to give me strength to finish.
finish i did. at 2 hours and 37 minutes. the longest run i've ever done. i didn't feel elated. i didn't feel like i was on top of the world. i just wanted my medal and to lay in cool grass and sleep for the rest of the day.
i was beyond spent. whatever was left in the well was long gone and i felt like i'd been hit by a mac-truck. i spent the rest of the day sleeping on the couch.
perhaps the most comical scene has been watching my sister and i walk down the stairs of our apartment as our legs begin to heal...we truly look like old ladies! i have to grip the railing and lean into the wall, taking one step at a time.
a friend asked if i signed up for next year yet, and i honestly could not answer. i am just now coming to grips with the fact that i actually did it, just coming to the place where i can say i might do it again. it took a lot more out of my than i expected...i am still very weak in my legs, exhausted and depleted.
but i accomplished what i set out to do. i ran the whole thing (save about 20 feet). i praise God for opportunities such as these, where we have the opportunity to set a goal, be pushed beyond our farthest boundaries and meet it. pictures will be posted as soon as i have them uploaded.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
bib number: 40688
we got our confirmation booklets in the mail, complete with our bib number and corral number. tomorrow we go downtown to pick up the race packets. april is over and the race is on my doorstep. how did i get here??
when we started this venture, it seemed like such a distant reality. i had no clue what to expect, just did what they told me and began to learn the sport of running. we would increase our mileage with each week and i would continue to wonder about the race. would anticipate it, but only mildly, only to explain to people why i'm in training, why i need their money.
and here it is. and in just 48 hours, it will be nearly over. so wierd.
i was telling my small group about it last night and a bunch of them will be riding their bikes along the route to encourage people. it was good to feel supported and loved! i can't wait to see them!
all-in-all...i'm ecstatic! i'm anxious, a bit nervous, hoping my tendonitis goes away....but like a kid on Christmas morning, i want to rip into this one and enjoy it for all it's worth.
when we started this venture, it seemed like such a distant reality. i had no clue what to expect, just did what they told me and began to learn the sport of running. we would increase our mileage with each week and i would continue to wonder about the race. would anticipate it, but only mildly, only to explain to people why i'm in training, why i need their money.
and here it is. and in just 48 hours, it will be nearly over. so wierd.
i was telling my small group about it last night and a bunch of them will be riding their bikes along the route to encourage people. it was good to feel supported and loved! i can't wait to see them!
all-in-all...i'm ecstatic! i'm anxious, a bit nervous, hoping my tendonitis goes away....but like a kid on Christmas morning, i want to rip into this one and enjoy it for all it's worth.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
i've got shin splints. or tendinitis. either way, i have to take a break from running this week to let it clear up...don't want any lingering injuries for the race.
i'll be quite honest...it is extremely hard for me to be "resting"...i've developed this routine and it's hard to not be doing it.
10 days. the countdown begins. i'm growing more excited by the day, especially as coworkers keep asking about it. it's fun to know they care.
i'll be quite honest...it is extremely hard for me to be "resting"...i've developed this routine and it's hard to not be doing it.
10 days. the countdown begins. i'm growing more excited by the day, especially as coworkers keep asking about it. it's fun to know they care.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
and so we're tapering...
we're in the homestretch. less than 2 weeks until the race. racing pros call this "tapering": the runs have lessened, we are to be aware of any extra activities that could cause injury and we're to really take care of ourselves in preparation. this includes good foods, lots of water and, most importantly, rest.
on that note, i pushed myself during our run yesterday and ran a 5K in less than 30 minutes!! i was way proud! my pace has improved, in large part due to running with Laura. she is a bit faster than me, but i do most of my mid-week runs with her so i try to keep up. i usually want to die by the end, but it's made me faster. like swinging with two bats...i guess only baseball/softball players would get that.
and so, i'm ready. mentally. physically. ready. over training. over raising support (which is done!!). ready to do this thing. Mini here we come!!
on that note, i pushed myself during our run yesterday and ran a 5K in less than 30 minutes!! i was way proud! my pace has improved, in large part due to running with Laura. she is a bit faster than me, but i do most of my mid-week runs with her so i try to keep up. i usually want to die by the end, but it's made me faster. like swinging with two bats...i guess only baseball/softball players would get that.
and so, i'm ready. mentally. physically. ready. over training. over raising support (which is done!!). ready to do this thing. Mini here we come!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
dealing with failure...
bad run today. started out with a goal of 45 minutes, miniscule in comparison with Saturday's 2 hour run. i got about 20 minutes into it when i realized that i hadn't had a full meal in nearly 20 hours. no fuel = no running.
i'm a huge believer in running being a mental battle, so i continued to tell myself to push through, draw on reserves, i could do this...i couldn't. with nearly 3 miles to travel to get back to my car, i stopped to walk.
this is the point i wished i had dry-weave clothing, b/c all my sweaty clothes began to chill in the 40 degree air and i began to freeze. i'm a huge "all or nothing" kinda person, which usually translates to me beating myself up when i can't do something to the extent i want/expect to. so all the way back, i struggled with being ok just walking. i even tried to job, but my body wasn't having any of it. i had to admit defeat.
i sprinted the last half-mile, desperate to get to my car and out of the cold. bigger mistake...my sugar dropped, my energy was depleted. i had to get fast food and sit in a tub of hot water and then nap just to recover....
too often, i want to use/abuse my body like it's a machine. at some point, there has to be a line drawn b/w discipline and rigidity, "staying the course" and stopping to rest. i have to be able to figure out what's really important....
i'm a huge believer in running being a mental battle, so i continued to tell myself to push through, draw on reserves, i could do this...i couldn't. with nearly 3 miles to travel to get back to my car, i stopped to walk.
this is the point i wished i had dry-weave clothing, b/c all my sweaty clothes began to chill in the 40 degree air and i began to freeze. i'm a huge "all or nothing" kinda person, which usually translates to me beating myself up when i can't do something to the extent i want/expect to. so all the way back, i struggled with being ok just walking. i even tried to job, but my body wasn't having any of it. i had to admit defeat.
i sprinted the last half-mile, desperate to get to my car and out of the cold. bigger mistake...my sugar dropped, my energy was depleted. i had to get fast food and sit in a tub of hot water and then nap just to recover....
too often, i want to use/abuse my body like it's a machine. at some point, there has to be a line drawn b/w discipline and rigidity, "staying the course" and stopping to rest. i have to be able to figure out what's really important....
Friday, April 10, 2009
my shins started hurting a couple days ago. diagnosis: either shin splints or tendinitis. so i started reading about them on runnersworld.com and talked to friends, and pretty much have done everything they've told me, which include a lot of stretching and strength-building activities.
as of this morning, they are much improved! still a bit tender, but i'm not running again until tomorrow morning (2 hours!! ehhh....) to give them that extra bit of rest. will probably cross-train a bit today, load up the bike and head to Monon. we'll see what this rain does...or heck, maybe i'll just do it despite the run. sounds like an adventure waiting to happen.
as of this morning, they are much improved! still a bit tender, but i'm not running again until tomorrow morning (2 hours!! ehhh....) to give them that extra bit of rest. will probably cross-train a bit today, load up the bike and head to Monon. we'll see what this rain does...or heck, maybe i'll just do it despite the run. sounds like an adventure waiting to happen.
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