Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Wings

Tonight was Track Night. This is when the team gets together and we work on our endurance. Last week was Fartleks along the Esplanade. There was something a little more special today planned. A member of one of the other teams was running 26.2 miles in honor of a special girl that passed away exactly one year ago today. Our team was going to join her for a lap around the Esplanade. Full marathoners were going to do 2 laps around tonight (close to 6 miles!)

The little girl that we were running in honor of was one of my former patients at DCH. So halfway through the first lap was N's grandma. I stopped and gave her a huge hug. About 3/4 miles later I almost emotionally lost it. I was flooded with memories and feelings that I could no longer keep down. At the moment the tears almost came one of the mentors came up behind me and starting joking around. He had no idea how I was feeling, so it was completely coincidentally. But it broke me out of my funk, and made me feel better. So while I had about 2 miles left the dark cloud of rain was above us, and a few sprinkles slipped out but no more. It wasn't until the last team member entered the pizza place where we were meeting did the sky open up and tears from Heaven fell.

It was a difficult run for me. My feet are not what kept me going though, it was the wings of those that have lost their battle. I came home and let it out. Let the feelings come out and the tears fall. Cancer is horrible, it breaks my heart that there are so many out there fighting this battle.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

You Have The Right To Remain Silent.....

Ok, so this may be a bit of a long post. Just a warning. I will start with the recap on my team run today. It was a good day. Thankfully, the weather co-operated and it remained sunny and (fairly) warm throughout the run. Today was a 12 mile run. Since my half marathon I haven't done too many long distance runs.

I started at a decent pace, and the course was fairly flat. Well I have learned that I actually do not do well on flat terrain, I have trained too much on hills. My body does well on hills and my times are better, but put me on flat land and I kind of suck. So here I am trucking along on Saturday  morning, and I realize the course that is set out will be taking me down Broadway Avenue in Downtown Portland. For those of you not from the area, this is pretty much the "heart" of downtown! I was 5 miles into the run and passing people carrying their Starbucks cups. In my head I am thinking, "it is not socially acceptable to tackle someone for a cup of coffee." Finally I turn off Broadway and head toward the Brewery blocks. Ok, who chose this route? I am beginning to crave beer, at 9:00 am! And I am not a huge beer drinker. Pretty soon I am in the Northwest 23rd area, aka...one of the trendiest areas of Portland.

After 8 miles we have our 2nd aid station, and I meet up with two other runners that I have been playing leap frog with all morning. They asked if I wanted to join them, and I was all for some company! After 2 miles though I was sore, and tired and slowed WAY down, so they went ahead of me. Yeah, it was hurting but it felt so good. The bridge to go back over the Willamette River has a pedestrian bridge and there was a barge coming through, which meant it was up. So instead of stopping I chose to take the hill and hit the bridge.

Finally, after 12 miles I walk into the lobby of the Doubletree hotel to see my coach and one of the mentors and get a high five! It sure felt good to see them! After a good stretch I grabbed some chocolate milk and headed home. I felt so good, and I could actually walk :)

WARNING: The following may be too much for some to handle, after this moment I take NO responsibility.
My boobs are about to be arrested for assault and battery.After running I almost give myself black eyes. I for the life of my can not find a sports bra that will give me the support I need. I hear of some women that run their boobs away, well I do not have that problem. I have tried two bras, I have tried a bra that is too small, I have tried a tight tank top and sports bra....and nothing works.

I was a little worried today when I heard a siren on my run. So if you ever see me running, and hear a siren....don't be surprise if I start ducking in a bush. I really don't want to go to jail because my boobs have assaulted me.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

I prefer my laps to be approximately 3 miles

Last night was track night. This was only my second one I have been able to attend, and I really enjoy it! It is a nice way to get to know more of my team mates. After the workout there is usually a beverage consumption session. (This means non-Alcoholic for me). Our workout last night was called 30-30s. For 30 seconds we pushed hard then recovered for 30 seconds and repeated this. The full marathoners were supposed to do 15 repetitions. Oh yeah, I did that.....at least I think I did. I lost count. Hey, don't judge me....it is hard to remember so many numbers!

E and CB were able to join me post workout, and it was fun. Although I am sure my team is pretty sure I feed my child crack.  It didn't take too long for her to fall asleep once we were in the car. I think we have a future Team in Training participant!



E was returning to work for a little bit today, and needed a ride. So guess who got to volunteer? Oh yeah....a 5:45 am wake-up call. His suggestion when I woke up was good though, he told me to just through on my running clothes and I could run downtown. Hmmmm, sounded good to me! So after dropping CB off at school and taking E to work, I hit the streets to get to the Esplanade. Last night I was able to run a little over 3 miles doing it once, so I thought I would see what I could do today. The schedule called for 60 minutes. Instead of just keeping the pace, I threw in a few one minute fartleks (hey 30 seconds was just too short, ok....they 30 second recovery was too short.) and also some stairs. After running for an hour, I thought heck....lets do a second lap. So I did. Well as I was getting close to finishing that second lap there was a bridge lift. So I would have to stand there for 10-15 minutes. No, that didn't work for me. So I turned around and went back the way I came.

Getting back to Eric's office I pulled out 8.08 miles and an hour and forty five minutes. My pace wasn't great, but keep in mind I was doing stairs too. And it was pretty windy, and I am slow. Part of me really wanted to do another lap, but I didn't have enough time in my meter. Oh well. Saturday I have a 12 mile run scheduled. I am loving this!!!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Weekend Plans

So it is going to be a jammed pack weekend! Eric gets home today, tomorrow and Friday i work until closing (praying there will not be a Sniper Friday), and family will be coming starting on Saturday for spaghetti dinner. And that is just my "social" calendar!


Saturday is scheduled to be a 12 mile run day. It is going to be tough, not going to lie. I am also participating in a virtual 5K, which I think is an AWESOME idea! The link is here to find out more. I have talked about Mel before, and what a great fundraising idea. How will I fit it all in? Not sure! But I will. I need to work on my sleep management, maybe getting up earlier.

Tonight is track night, looking forward to it! And it involves pizza, YUM!!!

Monday, March 22, 2010

"Yeah I Am Good....Just Slow"

Ok, I will admit the fact I have been slacking. But in my defense, I have been sick for the last two weeks. So today was 30 mins. on the schedule, so I set out to do that....and maybe a little more. After dinner I hit Kelly Road. Once again, Kelly Road is HILLY. So I decided to take an off the map road, which took me on a killer hill! Well, I was huffing and puffing as I hit my turn around point, which was the highest part of the hill. At the top of the hill was a woman that was walking. As I go to turn around I notice that she had stopped and had turned around to watch me. I pulled my ear bud out and she asks me if I was ok. Unable to stiffle my giggle, I said "yeah....I am just slow, really, really slow."

I am really working on controlling my pace heading down a hill, because if I don't people will be asking what the heck is rolling down the hill? When I got towards the end of the hill the music on the iPod stopped and out of nowhere a huge Trailblazer zoomed past me. I probably looked silly when I jumped, high.

Ahhh...tomorrow is a cross train day, I may try some Birkram yoga. I have heard some great things about it. Plus I love to sweat, somehow it makes me feel really good. 

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Track Night

Each Wednesday our team has track night. It is Week 9, and because of the craziness going on the past few months this was my first one! It was awesome. It kicked my butt! It was fun :) I really need to build my endurance, and I can tell that this is what has been lacking in my ability to decrease my time. All in all I ran almost 3 miles tonight.

After the tough workout, some of the team went over to this little dive across from the track. I was able to finally get to know a few more people that didn't include huffing and puffing! Can I say (yes, once again!) how GREAT Team in Training is! Tonight was so relaxing and enjoyable. With things returning to normal (what is normal again?) soon, I will get to enjoy these nights a lot more if my work schedule allows! Next week is a pizza run. Not sure exactly what that entails, but I am pretty sure it involves two of my favorite things!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Is This What Recovery is Like?

This weekend was supposed to be a 10 mile training run on Saturday with TNT. I still have a horrible cough, so I set out to do the half marathon training schedule, which was only 5 miles. My body is still a little sore from last weekend, so I had a hard time getting those 5 miles out. My pace was only a 12 min. mile. It was a little discouraging, but then I kept thinking about the HUGE accomplishment I had the week before.

We started with our team meeting, and the coaches read a letter from the mom of our Honored Teammate, Hunter. Hunter passed away earlier that week. Then the father of a survivor got up and talked to us. It definitely is an inspiration to the purpose of what we are running for. We each got a picture of Hunter to keep with us. Cancer Sucks!

Sunday was the Shamrock Run. I signed up for the 8K, so another 5 miles. It was great to have Eric home, he was finally able to see me finish a race that he wasnt in! The course took me through Downtown Portland. It was a nice course, and some unexpected hills. My pace was a little better than on Saturday, but still not as good as usual. I was glad I did not sign up for the 15k! It felt good to finish, although my knees were killing me.

I still have the cough, and I am still sore. Yesterday was my rest day. I am gearing up to go out for a small run, just to get out there. I am hoping to feel better because tomorrow is Track Night! I have not been able to go yet, and this would be my first time.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Damn Cancer

Our TEAM received some horrible news this week. The TEAM's honored teammate Hunter, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday evening. I personally had more awful news that one of my honorary team members Luke has had his AML return. A family friend also had a co-worker lose her husband to leukemia.

The fact that anyone has to go through this is unacceptable. We need to take Cancer down, and we need to take it down NOW. Tomorrow I have a ten mile run scheduled with my team. I am not feeling 100% but as long as it is not harmful, I will be running all ten. Then on Sunday I will be running in the Shamrock Run 8K in Portland to benefit Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

I wouldn't normally say this, but it is how I am feeling today....and I apologize if I offend anyone.
Cancer....
You have taken too many people away from their loved ones. It is your time to be taken away. All I have to say to you, is Fuck You.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

To the Finish

Well, I promised the rest of my experience, so here goes!

After hobbling to the refreshment area (I didn't feel any of this pain until I finished) I got some water, PowerAde and a banana. The lines to get a picture was way too long. My patience just wasn't there, and I really wanted to see CB and the rest of my family. My brother came up to me with a huge hug telling me how proud he was as well as my mom, CB and Andrea. CB was wearing her Cinderella dress and came up to me and told me she was also proud of me. She wanted my medal though, and I was NOT going to part with that!

There were princesses all around, and not just the runners. So CB and I got our picture with Snow White. Then as we were walking away from her Cinderella came up to CB and we got her picture with her. Cinderella was so sweet. Then I walked over to the merchandise tent, I could now get the "I Did It" shirt. I couldn't move too well, so I  opted not to have my medal engraver there and I just wanted to eat. So we tried to find a place for breakfast. It is amazing when your body can tell you what you need. I just want salt, lots of salt. So I broke down and got eggs, hashbrowns, bacon and pancakes. Sadly, I ate almost all of it. And since my run I have been SO hungry! So I am trying to eat healthy foods, but vacation does not make that easy.




CB kept touching my medal and telling me how she was so proud of me. It made everything worth it. The medal was nothing compared to her telling me that. I know that I am teaching her to be healthy. My brother and his girlfriend had to head back down to Ft. Lauderdale, which was hard on my mom, CB and I. Thankfully my mom took CB to the pool so I could take a nap. My body was still really sore when I woke up, and Eric sent me a message telling me to go get a massage. So he twisted my arm, I did. What a great idea! The resort was giving a free 30 min. massage with each 60 min. massage. So I was able to get a 90 min. massage. I almost fell asleep so many times. It felt amazing.

 What a princess looks like after finishing a half marathon :)
(Just kidding.....the wine bottle was already empty!)

I feared that Monday morning I would wake up unable to move, but surprisingly I felt great! CB and I took my mom to the airport and then hit DisneyWorld again. I was able to walk without any problems. Today I can tell my body is ready for a run. I just want to get out there, even if only for a few minutes. This afternoon CB and I might go for a small jog. Amazingly, that is about the only thing she has really wanted to do today. I had no idea how great it would feel.

Sadly, one of the children I am running for in June may have relapsed. He was admitted this weekend to DCH to have a biopsy done on a mass. It breaks my heart. He has had two bone marrow transplants, and survived. Now he and his family have to deal with this. He is such a fighter and has such a strong faith. His parents and siblings are heartbroken. Too many families have had to go through this. Cancer SUCKS! Please, if you are able in any way visit my TNT fundraising site and donate. Remember, even something as small as a $5 donation can go so far! Help me to help find a cure for this horrible disease.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Officially a Princess!

I DID IT!!!! I completed the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Honestly, I was not sure I could do it. The farthest I have ever run at one time was 7 miles. Not the greatest training plan but sometimes life gets in the way. In fact, I was contemplating not even running it a few weeks ago because I was not sure if I would have anyone to watch CB while I ran since Eric was probably not going to join us. Well, both my youngest brother (who lives in Fort Lauderale) and his girlfriend came up and my mom came out to Orlando with me and CB. Eric also asked me to run, so I decided I would.

We arrived in Orlando on Wednesday night, after a long day of flying. My body was a little cadywhompus from my jaunt to Tampa two days ago. So I was exhausted! I just wanted to sleep. Getting to sleep about one am was not good for me. We then were able to check into our resort early and my mom, CB and I headed over to Shades of Green Resort to get our tickets to the Disney Parks. With Eric being on Active Duty, I got to enjoy one the benefits of 4-day passes for $99 to four of the parks. What a beautiful resort! We will definitely stay there the next time we come down here. My little brother then joined us that evening.

Friday we hit the Expo at ESPN World of Sports. I was greeted with Fairy Dust. Then I got my bib for the race! After I got my bib, I went to collect Clair's bib and ears. She was running in the children's race the next day. Then it was to get my goodie bag! Each runner got a purple mesh bag that had our t-shirt and other goodies in it. I then bought another t-shirt. I was not going to get an "official" shirt that said "I Did It" quite yet, just bad juju. Then it was off to Disney World! The only time I had been there was when I was pregnant with CB. The excitement on her face was awesome! Getting onto rides took awhile though with the lines. Taking a four-year old through DW and having to explain patience is not fun. But Splash Mountain was a hit! She loved it. After about 7 hours, we left to pick up my brother's girlfriend at the airport. Another late night! I was a little disappointed I didn't get a short run in, but I was just too tired.


Clair's race was Saturday morning and we were supposed to be there at 9:45 am. Well, because of some frustration and confusion, we didn't pull into the parking lot until 9:55. Our spot was almost a mile from the entrance, so I took off with CB. I started carrying her, but it didn't last long and she wanted to run. So I let her down and she took off running. She was hustling! I was running right behind her, and she ran the whole way to the track. I was very impressed. We arrived at the track and a volunteer told me that we were ok on time....relief! So after they finished the mile run, CB ran the 200 meter race. I ran behind her and got video of her running for Eric (too bad he will probably get motion sick watching it). When she crossed the finish line she was so happy (and I was SO proud!) She was then given her medal. It brought tears to my eyes. Then we hit Animal Kingdom. It was so much more calm than DW. CB ate her way through the park. By the end of the afternoon she was crashing, and I knew I had to get some sleep.


My brother bought some GREAT Italian food, and I was ready to carbo load. Oh my goodness! It was so good. About 9 pm I crawled into bed. I needed to get up at 3 am on Sunday, and I wanted a good night sleep. Well, sleep never happened. At 2:30 am I decided oh well....I am going to do my hair. At 3:25 am I left the hotel room to get to Epcot. When I got there the area was full of people ready to run. At 4:30 they had us walk to the start line. It was a mile walk to get to the corrals, but a good warm up. I hit the port-a-lets and got into Corral B. It was an hour before the run started and I was freezing. At 5:50 I couldn't feel my  toes. Then the Fairy Godmother came out to inspire us to find our inner princess. My corral start time was 6:07. So the first corral started to fireworks and cheers at 6 am. Then we started. It was so exhilarating! But after I passed the first set of port-a-lets I felt like I had to go to the bathroom again. Damn mommy bladder! So next stop was the next station. Thankfully they were not too far apart. So at mile 2.5 I hit the bathroom and started back up. My pace was about an 11 min mile. My goal was to never hit a 12 min mile.

The course was great, there were Disney characters along the way. I didn't stop because I was afraid near the end I would need to walk, and that would slow my time down and I really wanted that finisher's medal! Along the way I sent texts to my brother and mom because I wanted them to know when I was expecting to hit Main Street, which is where they were. We came into Disney World at mile 5.4. The crowd was cheering everyone on, and I saw my brother, his girlfriend, my mom and CB. I kissed CB and kept going. It was surely an energy boost. Winding my way through DW I came through Cinderella's castle. I kept telling myself, I can do this...I can do this. Then the course took us through Frontier Land and out of the park. After mile 7, I knew I was over the hump but I had never gone farther than this. I told myself if I was tired, I could walk after the Clif Shots station at mile 8.4. Well I may have slowed down (alot), but I didn't walk. Since my time was still good, I decided heck I was going to take my picture with some characters! Mile 9.5 had the heroes of Disney....5 (incredibly) cute guys and I was in the middle of them! Soon after that was Jack Sparrow....(and OMG, he looked just like Johnny did in the movie!) SWOON. Well the photographer couldn't get the picture to take on my phone, so after holding him for a few moments I decided oh well!

The miles then hit double digits. My confidence was bursting. I was going to finish! So I continued to go, my pace was getting up to a 12 min mile. I didn't care anymore, I wanted to keep going no matter how slow I was. The course was going up the ramp to Epcot where the finish was. Mile 11 was getting closer. I couldn't believe I was only 2 miles from finishing. My time was 2 hours and 10 minutes. I set off with 2 hours and 45 minutes being my finish time. Mile 12 came and went. I couldn't believe I was only a mile away. There were people everywhere cheering all of the runners on. As we made a loop at mile 12.5 the volunteers told us we were only half a mile away, keep going. Tears started welling in my eyes. I was ecstatic that I was finishing and sad because Eric wasn't there to share this with me. He has been a huge support to me, and I know that without his encouragement I probably would not have done this. As I made the turn towards the finish line I looked for my Chear Squad (the name given to those who had reserved seating at the finish line....). As I neared the finish line, I saw them (literally AT the finish line!) and threw my arm in the air, I DID IT! About 200 feet from the finish line the finisher's medal was placed around my neck! And guess what....my official chip time was 2 hours, 45 minutes and 49 seconds! (Which did not take into consideration my bathroom break). So I even beat my goal! But I hurt like hell. My knees hurt, and I could hardly walk, but I did it. What an awesome feeling!



Stay tuned for the rest tomorrow......

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Run Like A Princess

Tomorrow is the day! I will wake up at 3:00 am to head to Epcot Center to run in the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Sorry for the lack of updating....it has been a busy and CRAZY week and a half. So be thinking of me while you are sleeping soundly :)

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Eric joined me on beautiful run along the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday. We ran about 5 miles in perfect running weather. Although, I am beginning to discover that I enjoy running on hills, and this was all flat. The farthest distance to date that I have ran in 7 miles. On Sunday I will be pushing myself to do 13.1.

Today I embarked on a solo run through the rain and the chill. Logged in almost 4 miles. So I have now hit 100 miles since January that I have run!! With the races it will only increase.

Sunday will be the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I still need a tiara ;) And some bling. Making sure I have enough packed for myself as well as Clair has been proven to be not such a simple task. I look forward to exploring the parks, seeing my little brother and hopefully enjoying some sunshine.

I am now at $950 in donations for TNT. Once I hit $1400, I recommit and I WILL be doing this soon! Thank you to all that have donated.

Well better get some sleep. Leaving tomorrow with a long day of flying, with a four year old!