32 Miles for 32 Years

Yesterday my dear friend Mary turned 32 year old. To celebrate this milestone (and yes...when you're fighting cancer EVERY birthday is a milestone) she set out to run 32 miles. She Tweeted her plans on Monday and I told her I'd like to join her for *some* of her run. People like to think runners are crazy. Especially runners who choose to run 32 miles...just for the heck of it. But I didn't see Mary's run as insane, I saw it as inspiring. A testament to everything she is as a runner and as a person.

I've talked about Mary's influence on my running career before. Without her, I would never have run a marathon. It just never would have occurred to me that *I* could actually do it. Thanks in large part to Mary I've not only done it once, but five times. Mary challenges me to look at running differently because it never occurs to her that she couldn't/shouldn't do a marathon or particular event. She's even run a 50-mile race. In. One. Day.

I called Mary after work on Tuesday and asked where I could meet her. She was criss-crossing town on the greenway system so it was easy to pick a spot to join her. When I laced up my shoes and hit the pavement, there was a another runner with Mary as well. It was the amazing Kathy Wolski, although amazing doesn't quite cut it. Kathy has won the Knoxville Marathon THREE times. To say I was intimidated is a massive understatement. I mean, just last Saturday I watched her cruise to a victory at the Butterfly Fund 5k in a time of 18:43. And there I was...sandwiched between Mary and Kathy...running like I even dared to belong among them. But that's the thing about Mary. She's so humble and encouraging. She can make a slow slug like me feel like an Olympian.

So while Mary thanked me for supporting and encouraging her as she did her 32 mile birthday run, it is me who is truly grateful for the miles I was able to share with such an amazing person on her special day. Plus it's pretty cool to see someone kick cancer's ass. The disease may have won a few battles against Mary over the last few years, but it sure as heck isn't winning this war.

And on the 39th Day, She Rested

I did it! I survive the Runner's World summer running challenge. I ran (at least one mile) every day from Memorial Day to July 4th. 38 days straight of running. It was a very good experience for me as a runner. I learned that there's always time for a run. No matter how busy you are, there is ALWAYS time. I also learned that every mile matters. Your speed is of no consequence. Every mile, even ONE mile a day, matters. I learned to run on tired legs which I feel will benefit me in my marathon training this fall.

Thanks to this challenge I tripled my June mileage from last year. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. And while I am resting today, rest assured, I'll be back out there tomorrow working on my next mile or two.

Summer Streaking

During the summer months my running has a tendency to take a back seat. The weather is often not cooperative and having all three kids at home all day means being confined to the treadmill. I checked my training log and last June I ran just 20 miles....for the entire month.

So when Runner's World posted on Facebook about joining them for a Summer Run streak, I was game. Basically, I pledged to run at least one mile every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That's 38 days straight of running! We're 18 days in and I haven't skipped a run yet. Sure, it's been challenging, like on Monday when it was pouring rain and I had to be out of my house for most of the day because of the flea treatment. But there I was squeezing in a mile between making dinner and my sister announcing she was having a boy. It was just 8:34. I mean, who doesn't have 9 minutes every day?

I'm typically a big believer in rest. But since this streak only requires a minimum of one mile, it's not really putting any extra stress on my muscles. I've found I really look forward to getting in at least a mile a day. On good days I extended the run to four or even five miles, but if the schedule doesn't allow I'll take my one mile and call it a day.

Running for the Sake of Running

I got a great Mother's Day gift...a six-mile run on the greenway Saturday morning. I knew the weather was going to be bad today so I asked to have my gift a day early. I made a stop at the farmer's market (hooray fresh tomatoes!) and then hit the greenway. It was a beautiful morning.

It's so strange to be running for the sake of running. No training miles to get in, no speed workout to complete. I won't start my next training schedule until August. So in the meantime, I'm just going to run for the fun of it.

Country Music Marathon Weekend: Race Report

I did not have the weekend I planned to have at the Nashville Marathon. I will admit that Nashville had me mentally intimidated long before I ever set foot in the city. I was mad about having to give up a marathon in my hometown, but I signed up anyway because I wanted a spring marathon. 

I picked up Anna in Chattanooga on Friday afternoon and we drove to Nashville. Her navigational prowess in Music City is second to none. Traffic was awful, as you can imagine when more than 28 thousand runners converge in a single spot. How we managed to get my race number and packet stuff picked up is beyond me. I had a mini meltdown, but Anna led the way and we got out of downtown as fast as we could. 

I slept great Friday night. Despite having been up for more than 20 hours on Friday, I really did feel rested. My amazing support team of Anna and my friend Sarah, who we stayed with, covered me in sunscreen and plied me with water and pep-talks. Thanks again to being with two ladies who know Nashville quite well, they dropped me as close to the start as was humanly possible. I walked around a bit to loosen my legs and then spent about 25 minutes in line for a porta-potty. The wait didn't really matter since I was in line right next to the starting corrals. 

I was slated to be in corral 12, but I managed to move up to corral 7. Unlike the Disney Marathon, no one was checking our bibs to make sure we were in the right one. I guess it was cheating, but since the race is chip timed, it really doesn't matter. I had just hoped to get a few more minutes of running in before it got too hot. 

I was pretty critical of this race. I paid a lot of money to run and didn't feel like I got what I paid for. The start was unexceptional. A so-so national anthem followed by a gun start that was very anti-climactic. 

The sun was on us almost immediately. The race doesn't start until 7 a.m. central time so the sun was well above the horizon and ready for battle. I was sweating profusely almost immediately. I always get warm when I run, it just never happens that fast. I'm not sure what the humidity was, but it had to be up there. I somehow missed the first mile marker which is not surprising considering the amount of people on the street. I hated not knowing exactly where I was.

The big selling point on this race is "A Band Every Mile." There were bands, but to be honest, they weren't that great. Spectator support was AMAZING though. They had funny signs (Worst. Parade. Ever. and "Do Epic Sh*t") and shouts of encouragement. Right around mile 4 I unexpectedly got to see my own support team!

That was a huge boost! We ran through the Belmont area which had some beautiful neighborhoods. All of the residents were out...some with suits and champagne...and some with garden hoses. I had to walk starting around mile 8. That's pretty unusual. I can usually go 12-14 miles without having to walk. It was just so hot and hilly. I was sucking wind pretty badly. I had to make the decision to switch to the half around mile 11. That's where the marathoners split off. The thought of being out in the heat and running/walking for two and a half more hours (or longer!) was completely overwhelming. People were being loaded into ambulances left and right. I saw runners on the sidewalk being attended to by medical personnel and this was only two hours into the morning! I was ashamed and embarrassed and let my shirt fall down and cover my running number. I was so out of it during the last mile. I couldn't even run the whole thing. 

If you are ever a marathon spectator...PLEASE do not offer course information to the runners. "You're almost there" and "This is the last hill!" sound like great things to shout, but if they are not true, they can be really demoralizing to runners, especially ones like me who aren't familiar with the course. 

I topped the hill before the bridge and did have enough steam to power across the river and down to the finish. I was wheezing pretty badly and I had a medic on my arm almost instantly. He held on to me until I had gotten my water and my ice towel. My breathing had evened out so he was satisfied I wasn't going to expire on the spot. 

I wove my way through the crowd to get a little bit of post-race food and then went to my designated meeting spot. Sarah and Anna had planned on me doing the half, but I knew the finish line would send them a text message saying I was done. Then I borrowed a cell phone from a complete stranger and called them. They were already on their way to find me. 

So the race is over and I learned a lot. I now have a new marathon rule. No Marathons between April 1 and October 1. At least not in the south. I'm very grateful for the support of my race team as well as all the support I received on Facebook and via text message. I feel kind of defeated and want to retreat to a cave and nurse my wounds. But I know that after a day of rest today, I'll be back out there running tomorrow.

Marathon Countdown

My next marathon is just about a week away. I must confess to being more nervous about this race than any other. It's in a city I am unfamiliar with so I'm stressed about packet pick-up and race day parking. I have no clue what the course is like. I'm worried about the weather being too warm and am honestly prepared to drop back to the half marathon if temperatures look to be in the 80's. I received my corral assignment and am not too pleased with that either. I'm told that I can move up to an earlier corral, but I don't know for sure.

But I've been training since January and I want to run next weekend. I am in good shape and am physically prepared for it, but clearly my mental training is lacking. I was going to share the tracking information so you could follow me online, but they CHARGE for that. Seriously? They charge people for that? Considering how much I am paying to run, the least they could do is send out some text alerts on my behalf.

While I am uneasy about a marathon in a new place, I'm not uneasy about the 26.2 miles. That part I know. I know what it's going to feel like at mile 20. I know how to eat and how to hydrate along the way. I know the stretch to do if my IT band flares up again. And that will have to be enough.


"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham


Photo Courtesy of Hope Photography.

Coyote Calamity

When push comes to shove, I will always chose to run outside. But this week, I will admit I chickened out....and not because of the weather. Nope, even last weekend's storm that dropped lots of stinging hailstones on me stopped my training run. It certainly wasn't the weather.

I love running on our greenway system.

It's just perfect....except when it's not. I had just started my run earlier this week when I heard dogs barking. But it was a weird kind of bark. Then the bark was followed by howling. The kind that will raise the hair on the back of your neck. I came around the corner and saw two coyotes running across the field (it's the one in the left of the picture above) and howling. I'm really not sure who was moving faster...the two coyotes....or me high-tailing it back to the house. This is why God invented treadmills. Because I have no intention of being a coyote's lunch!

Photo Credit: Wes Hope of Hope Photography

Running Update

With running, it's important to have your next goal out in front of you. Mine was the Knoxville Marathon, but due to a scheduling thing, that's out for this year. After much deliberating I decided I'm going to run the marathon in Nashville at the end of April instead. I'm strange because running 26.2 miles doesn't stress me out. It's the race logistics that get me all wound up. That's one reason I prefer to run a race in my hometown. I know how early I will need to leave the house, I know how to get my packet and race number picked up, and I know the lay of the land. But lacking all of that in the Nashville race wasn't enough to deter me. I needed my marathon fix. I get all jittery at the thought of waiting until next January for a marathon. I need to run a marathon like a whale needs to come up for air. Sure, he can stay down there in the deep for a while, but eventually, that sucker's gotta come up for air. And thus it is with me and marathons.

Also this week I signed up for the half-marathon at my very favorite race, the Chickamauga Marathon. I signed up yesterday because they limit the number of runners and it sells out every year. I'm kinda wary of sharing that race, but since Runner's World has named one of the most scenic marathons in the country....my secret is out. I very much look forward to running there this fall. And I'm also hoping to convince my dad to run the half with me next year as it will be the 150th anniversary of the battle.

I'm pleased with my monthly mileage for February. Despite illness and two less days than the previous month, I was still able to log a respectable number of miles. This weather certainly hasn't hurt my training either!

There is No Finish Line

It's a quote that is often tossed around on running posters and shirts, "There is no finish line." Corny? Absolutely! False? Absolutely not. Even though last month I crossed the finish line of my fifth marathon, my race goes on. I was thrilled with my monthly mileage for January. I am working harder to be able to run faster and more efficiently.

Thanks to my expert shoe folks over at Runner's Market, I've found the best pair of socks ever.

They are actually designed like a shoe so there is a left sock and a right sock! I love the way they make my feet feel when I run. I've got to get another pair. And in case you need a pair of your own...you can go to Runner's Market, or click here.

February is off to a good start. I'm very strict about running on the first day of the month, which I did last week. I feel like it sets me up for success in the days and weeks to follow. My next goal is the Knoxville Marathon on (appropriately) April 1st. I so enjoyed running a big race in my home city last year and I can't wait to do it again!

A New Running Goal

In 2010 I ran just over 450 miles. I worked hard and was able to top that in 2011 by running 696.5 miles. That .5 really bothers me. I'm one of those Type-A folks who always has to have her milage come out even. I have no idea how that little half-mile slipped though but I'm not going to let it happen again.

I was pleased with my almost 700 miles of running in 2011. I'd like to see it inch closer to 1,000. I have several running friends and one of them posted on Facebook that she'd run well over 1,500 miles in 2011....and she was injured for part of that. Seeing her number bummed me out and made me feel like a failure. But then I remembered...."Comparison is the thief of joy." Not sure who said it but it sounds VERY wise and is something I need to remember in all areas of life, especially in my running.

So this year, my only running goal is to keep running. I'm planning to do two marathons and hopefully a few other races. It's a huge part of my life and of who I am so I look forward to the miles I will run in the months to come.

Quotable Quote

I am a sucker for a good quote. I've got several hanging in front of my treadmill. They inspire me on so many levels.

Recently I read one that captures exactly the way I feel about running.

‎"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." -Jesse Owens

I love the "under your own power" part. It's absolutely the way I see it and one of the reasons distance races offer such a sense of personal accomplishment. No one else can run those miles for me. Yes people support me and watch my children so I can have the time to run, but when it comes down to brass tacks....those miles are mine and mine alone. They are mine to run and mine to quit. And I love that those miles can take me in any direction.

Notes From the Road: Marathon Training Update #3

Race day at Walt Disney World is less than a month away. I seriously feel like I was just there, but it has been almost a year since my Goofy feat. Now I'm ready to go back for more.

Running a marathon away from home requires a lot of careful planning. I'm already making a list of the vital things I don't want to forget. My notes include things such as The Stick, Vaseline, a mylar blanket (yes...I kept up with the one from last year's finish line for 12 months so I can use it to keep warm before the race), shoes, socks, safety pins, etc. I've run at Disney twice before and have been incredibly blessed with AMAZING weather each time. I didn't run in 2010 and the weather was dreadful. I'm hoping the 'ol Sunshine State can dole out another awesome few days for us.

I'm mentally prepared for the race although most of the time I doubt my physical readiness. But after 4 marathons and 5 half-marathons, I know these are normal feelings and pre-race jitters. I'm torn between wanting to go all out and shoot for that 4-hour (or sub 4 if the stars align) and just running a fun race. I'm so competitive with myself, but then again...

My family and I are fortunate enough to be able to travel to Walt Disney World under the best of circumstances. It's a luxury that has been afforded to us for many years and I'm grateful for the memories we've made there since 2005. But not all families are so lucky. And that's why I'm running for Inheritance of Hope. Please take the time to donate a few bucks to this worthy organization. They are doing amazing work in the lives of these families and that work extends far beyond the legacy retreats. EVERY dollar helps. Thanks to my friends and family, I've raised more than $400 already! Hooray!

My Favorite Gift

I realize it's only December 4th and having a "favorite" gift already might seem a bit premature. But over the weekend, I got a really awesome gift. It was a collaborative effort from Pop, Gran, Ryann and Scott.

It's a display rack for all my running medals.

Seriously...it's so cool! I love the Disney font too because as of January 3 of my 5 marathon medals are Disney ones. Plus, where it hangs next to the treadmill is right beside the Disney caricature of me running.

Not everyone understands why I run. They may tolerate it or they may question it, but sometimes I feel like no one truly "gets" it. I really appreciate a present that speaks to that and that they all worked together on it. A truly special gift indeed!

Running with Purpose

As if running a half marathon on Sunday wasn't enough, I capped off last weekend with a 5K on Sunday afternoon. But this wasn't just any run, it was one that works to help cancer patients in my area. Those patients include my dear friend and co-worker who is battling brain cancer. The station had an entire team and even had t-shirts made to show M how much we were behind her. As it turned out...behind her meant both figuratively and literally!

It was my job to record footage of M during the race. You will see us at the starting line below and you will notice a small camera in my right hand.

Running sort of takes all of my faculties, so running and trying to film M proved to be more challenging than I thought. It didn't help that she runs faster than the speed of sound. I tried to hang with her but dang - she was running quickly! Two other hard-core runners were with us at that point and I told them that I had enough footage of M and to go on without me. M and her pals were undeterred and refused to leave me behind. I wanted to say that it was a race course and not a battlefield, but it became obvious these good people were not going to give up on me. One of them took the camera from me to free up my arms so I could pump them up a particularly nasty hill. They were all wearing Garmins and knew that I was close to breaking my 5K PR. I refused to look at my own (non GPS-enabled) watch because I knew we were running much faster than I was used to. Despite my best efforts to lose them and drop behind, M and the others insisted I keep going. The dragged me kicking and screaming across the finish line in 23:44. Just two seconds shy of a PR.

It was thrilling to see see how hard I could push myself and just what I was capable of. But in the end, my near-victory paled in comparison to running with and being pushed by M.

She has taught me so much, about running and about life and I am very thankful we were able to be together on Sunday. And in case you were wondering...she came in first in the Cancer Survivor division. My hero and inspiration as always. You can click here to watch video of Mary at the race on Sunday.

These Shoes Were Made for Running

After my runs lately, I have noticed that I've been sore in places that I should not be sore. Which led me to realize I really needed to replace my shoes. Typically runners should replace their shoes every 400 miles or so. I knew I was well past that but finances were causing me to ignore just how many miles I had put on them. After yesterday's race, I looked at my training log and realized that my current shoes have logged more than 670 miles. Yikes.

So today after work Allie and I headed out to my favorite local running store. You know how I feel about buying from the local guys who know my name as opposed to the big box stores.

I was thrilled because they actually had ONE pair of the exact style shoes I bought last year. Running shoe companies are always "updating" shoes which often just means a slight modification and new colors.

Not only did they have the same style, they had my size! I consulted with the experts there and they agreed I should stick with the tried and true shoe that really seems to work for me. Can't wait to start breaking them in...but not just yet. It's supposed to be wet and icky tomorrow so I don't want to get them muddy on their first go around.

Battlefield Half-Marathon

On Friday afternoon Dad and I drove down to Chattanooga. We met my grandparents, two of my aunts and one of my uncles for dinner. It was such a nice evening! We crashed pretty early since we had to get up around 5:30 on Saturday for the race.

We were hitting the road for the battlefield when all of a sudden a rather large buck jumped out in front of the car. Fortunately dad had enough time to react and stop before we slammed into it. I'm thinking that when it comes to deer vs. compact car, I know who's going to win.

It was MUCH colder down in Ft. Oglethorpe than it had been back in Chattanooga. Fortunately dad had a large mylar emergency blanket in his hiking pack so I wrapped it around my waist to stay warm until the race started.

The race started late, which really peeves me, but it was out of my hands so I just hopped up and down for 20 minutes trying to stay warm. The race started with a bang...literally! Most races begin with the firing of a starter's pistol, but being on a battlefield sort of ups the pre-race ante and a canon was fired to send the runners off.

It was incredibly loud. It made you realize how terrifying those fields would have been with dozens of them firing at once. So with the canon fired, it was time to run. My feet felt like solid blocks of ice so the first mile or so was pretty painful.

Once I got moving though, my feet thawed out and I settled into a pretty good pace. I had to escape some annoying runners in the beginning....you know, the ones who talk SO loud that the entire course can hear their conversation (which included how many times they had run Boston....). Once we got out into the park, the scenery was breathtaking.

I've run this race before but the fall leaves and early morning light bathing the battlefield was stil a beautiful sight. It's interesting to run past all the historical sights along the way. We also ran past a cardboard cutout of Justin Bieber and some great marathon signs like, "Pain is temporary, Internet results are forever!"

To be perfectly honest, I had a great race. I rreally pushed myself, especially on the back half of the course. I ended up running the last 6 miles much faster than the first.

It was good enough for a new PR. The chip times aren't posted yet, but the gun (er...canon) time was 1:54:04. It was a wonderful race and I'm thankful dad was able to share it with me. It was really nice to enjoy time together. I am also thankful for a husband who supports me as I leave him home with all three kids and go run for hours on end. It means everything to me!

Notes From the Road: Marathon Training Update #2

Four years ago today I ran my first marathon. It was the Battlefield Marathon sponsored by the Chattanooga Track Club, Since then I have run a total of four half-marathons and four full marathons. But nothing really compares to that first finish line.

The last time I ran down at Chickamauga was in November 2008 as I prepared for my first Disney marathon. I'm so looking forward to racing there again this weekend. The course is beautiful and the weather is going to be nice although a little on the chilly side.

As I ran this week, I felt like I was in the best shape I've been in over the last few years. I can't decide whether to go all out and take a few minutes off my PR or play it safe and not risk injury that would put January in jeopardy. We'll see what happens on the battlefields of north Georgia when the time comes!

Notes From the Road: Marathon Training Update #1

People ask me a lot how my training is going. Truth be told...September was a rough month and training didn't go very well at all. The heat, home improvements, and life as a family of five often got in the way of my long training runs. Allie and I do our best to bang out a few runs during the week, but often my fatigue wins out and I slump into a kitchen chair while she plays with Playdoh or creates art with colored pencils.

October's mile are much improved. The weather is cooler which has an amazing effect on my running. I can go further, faster. Last weekend while we were visiting Gran and Pop, I squeezed in 15 miles. It was wonderful. I always love running in a place where I don't typically run. It makes the miles fly by.

So that's where I am....just plugging away. I feel a little less pressure this time around as I am only doing the marathon and not the Goofy. I'd like to slide in under the 4-hour mark, but we'll see. It's going to depend on how many long runs I can squeeze in over the next 12 weeks. Either way, Mickey and I are going to do our best to help out the families of Inheritance of Hope. You can click here to help support me as I run. I appreciate each and EVERY donation!

Yes, As Matter of Fact, I Am

I love it when people ask me if I am still "into running." It's said with genuine interest but with a tone that implies my running is akin to a fashion fad or the latest trashy reality show. Running is not something I am "in to." I've been running since I was in high school, and have been what I consider a "serious runner" since 2007.

I have a tattoo of a winged foot on my ankle for crying out loud! I guess people think that 4 marathons and four half-marathons would sate my appetite for running. But actually the opposite is true. It only makes me want to run more.

From the looks of things on the home renovation front, I'm going to have to drop out of the Disney Marathon in January. I haven't pulled the plug just yet because I am hopeful we can still work it out. Regardless of my participation in that race though, I have already signed up for (and paid for!) the 1/2 marathon at Chickamuaga in November. It was to be a part of my marathon training, but could become more than that if I work for it. I ran 5 miles in the rain yesterday and it was wonderful. Cooler weather has arrived and that means falling leaves and easier miles. My times are improving. I'm running more quickly and more efficiently.

So yes, to answer your question, I am still "into running." And I hope to be for many decades to come.

Inheritance of Hope

It's official! I am once again a member of Team IOH.
You may remember that in January, I ran a marathon and a half to support this organization. Many of you donated money to help me meet my fundraising goal and even if you weren't able to donate, you supported me in other ways with your prayers and encouragement.

While conquering the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge was an amazing experience, it was not one I plan to repeat and have settled for running the Marathon in 2012. I am very much looking forward to once again being a part of IOH and helping them with their mission. Sitting at dinner with the families that my fundraising directly impacted was a life-changing moment for me. I cannot wait to be a part of it once again. And if you're looking for something to do in early January...you could always sign up and join me!

And in case you need a birthday gift for a certain 31-year old tomorrow (hint, hint) then you could donate a few bucks to help me meet this year's fundraising goal and bring more families to the next Legacy Retreat. Click here to go check out my fundraising page.