A little shout out...

I've met some many amazing people during the last few months of training. I'm grateful for all my new running buddies and I hope to write more about all of you as the months of training continue. I did want to specifically write about two people today. These two people have never met, have nothing to do with one another, and came into my life for very different reasons. Yet this week they have both really effected me.

My friend Marisa is a friend from college. She is originally from PA, went to Occidental College (in Los Angeles) with me, is an Environmental Consultant(I think that's her title), and lives in Pasadena with her husband. While most of our communication has been over the internet (specifically Gmail Chat), she has helped me tremendously. She helped me design my blog. She has also been so supportive and understanding of my frustration with my injuries. She keeps reminding me of all I've accomplished, even when all I can focus on is how far I have to go. I appreciate her support more than I can express in words. I know that many of her family members have had cancer and she will be in my thoughts on marathon day.

The other person is my friend Heidi who I met at the first timers run. I have not seen her in a few weeks. I emailed her yesterday to make sure she was ok only to find out that she was hit by a car while she was running last Tuesday night!!! She is ok. She went to the ER and did not have any broken bones. She is lucky, but it makes me wonder how many other runners are struck by cars and bikes. I know Heidi will rebound quickly from this (having personally been hit by a car before-it sucks) because she is strong and determined. I look forward to running with her soon and wish her a speedy recovery.

The Sound of Silence (and sneakers hitting the pavement)

We had our longest group run to date on Sunday: 16-18 miles. I was very nervous about this run. I've never run more than 14 miles. I woke up on Sunday morning to a little more than a dusting of snow. I drove the 30 minutes out to Wayland where there were 30+ runners ready to go. I started out running with a few people but as we split based on pace I ended up by myself. The course went through Wayland, Sudbury, and Concord. The snow came down and coated the streets and the trees. The course took us through a National Wildlife preserve. The course was beyond beautiful. I ran to the sound of the snow, the sound of my breath, the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement....and the pain in my right knee.

When I turned around at mile 8, I had excruciating pain in my right knee. The pain eventually subsided a little, but both knees were achy the rest of the run. I have to say it was one of the hardest runs to date. I spoke to Jack afterwards and explained to him about my knee. He thought that I strained my IT Band (iliotibial band), the fibers that run on the outside of the thigh from the glutes to the knee. His solution was to take a week off from running...still do cardio and work-out but not run. My family friend and DO Andy agreed with Jack's diagnosis. SO here it is...two days later and all I want to do is run. I'm bored, anxious, and feeling like I'm going to be behind on my miles. I know I need to listen to my body and heal, but I'm nervous. Hopefully, I can do enough cardio and strength training this week to keep me active and feeling like I'm moving in the right direction.

And I do have to keep reminding myself....I did complete 16 miles....in the snow...with the beauty of nature, my thoughts, and a note tucked in my pocket from my friend Adrienne Hutt which read "You Go Girl!! Love, A"

Signs

Death is one of those difficult things. We understand in theory what it means. We understand that grieving takes time and that life changes even if you will it to stay the same. The question we all have is what happens after: Is there an afterlife? Are we Reincarnated? Is there a Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory? Do spirits stay around to watch over us? What happens to the ones we love when they can no longer be here physically??

I've come to realize that even though my Dad is no longer physically here, he is still present. I now believe in things that one year ago I would have thought were crazy ideas. I believe he watches over us. I believe in ghosts. I believe that he is here to comfort me and when I need him most he will show up (hopefully with a drink in hand).

I know he has spoken to me on at least one run. I also had a sign from him today (at least that's what I want to believe it was). I went to the gym today. They always show two movies at the gym. I always look to see what they are and today I did not. After my workout, I saw a friend who I have seen in awhile. She said she had gotten my fundraising email and was excited for me and proud. This made me feel so good. On my way out I looked to see what two movies were playing: "Can't Buy Me Love" and one of my Dad's favorite movies ,"Young Frankenstein". My Dad loved Mel Brooks movies. I've seen Blazing Saddles more times than I can count. Maybe this isn't a sign...maybe it's coincidence...but whatever it was I know he was with me today.

I get through 9 miles with a little help from my friends

Thursdays means it's time for Crossroads. I've had some pain in my left quad this week. I lifted on Monday with my Personal Trainer, Heather, not to be confused with my running coach Jack (I feel like a movie star with all these trainers). I haven't done much strength training since I started training for the marathon. Heather worked me pretty hard on Monday and I was definitely feeling it on Tuesday. I had planned to run a slow 9 miles last night with Lauren...however....

We met two new women last night, both of whom are experienced marathoners. One of the women who is running her 12th marathon is a breast cancer survivor and qualified for Boston over 10 years ago (I believe her fastest marathon time was 3:17!!!) These women pushed us to run about a 10 min/mile or less for 9 miles. It was an amazing run..much faster than I've been running.

Baby It's Cold Outside....

Ah the joy of living in New England....fire places, snow, and freezing cold temperatures. I ran yesterday morning (Tuesday) at 5:30am. According to weather.com it was 13 degrees out with a windchill that made it 6!!! I was definitely cold when I started, but warmed up about 5 minutes into my run. I bought new Hind running tights on Monday which I am in love with. They kept me warm, wicked away my sweat, made for a great run. I wore a dry fit top, with a light weight fleece and a running vest. I was actually too warm. Ideally I should be wearing a dry fit-wicking shirt and either my vest or a jacket. I keep putting off buying a running jacket though. I found one that I loved-Sugoi Response Jacket-but couldn't bring myself to spend $130 on it. I'm gonna try to find it online. Wish me luck finding it.....

Whoever said running was a cheap sport didn't run in New England in the dead of winter.

If at first you don't succeed...

This past week was difficult and frustrating. I was exhausted and my running was less than stellar. On Tuesday, Jan. 15th, I tried to go to the gym to run 5 miles on the treadmill. I got through 1.75 miles!!! I realized that the reason we have tapering weeks (weeks where you cut down on your mileage) is to let your body heal. I've been pushing past my limit and I think my body is rebelling. I am trying to learn to listen to my body. I need to sleep more. I need to eat when I'm hungry. I need to take days off when my muscles hurt. These things will allow me to continue training and run this marathon.

I treated myself to a massage this past Friday. What a difference that makes.....I ran 9.77 miles on Saturday.

Let's see what this week brings....

SNOW DAY!!!

Part of the joy of living in New England is snow. What makes it even better is when work calls a snow day. What a nice way to spend a snowy Monday. I got up late, had breakfast, went to the gym.....and now onto it's time to focus on the marathon.

We had a group run on Sunday, yesterday. Our run yesterday was 12-15 miles. The group I was running with decided to run 12 miles. It was out in Waltham (a suburb of Boston) and into the town of Lincoln. The area was beautiful: along a reservoir, past at least one farm, and past beautiful houses. Very few cars, very few people aside from our group. Very different from running in the city. A good portion of the course was hills. It was definitely good practice although my knees were killing at the end. This next week is a lighter week with our longest run being 8-10 miles. Hopefully this will give my body time to heal itself. I'm definitely sore all over, especially my neck, back hips, and glutes. I'm definitely treating myself to a massage this week.

Meet me at Crossroads

It seems that runners do two things well: run and drink. Last night I went to the weekly run at Crossroads Irish Pub (in the Back Bay). There were runners there from all different charity groups. There were a number of people from the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. It is a great social event, but also a great time to get in mileage. We took the T (Boston Subway System) out to Woodland (on the D line). From there we started the 9 mile run back to the bar. Nine miles of the marathon course...and once again...Heartbreak Hill. I was definitely tired by the end, but felt good. It is amazing to me how simply nine miles feels. What was once an unimaginable goal is completely attainable and more. I just hope I feel this way as I get into my longer runs.

I also met some amazing people last night and got to know some more of the DFMC runners. I met two women who ran last year. One woman has run the Boston Marathon with DFMC 8 or 9 times in a row!!! The other woman ran her first marathon last year and was featured in TV special about marathon training. These women really hit home that the marathon draws people of all abilities who all love to run. I can't believe I am about to say this but I am definitely enjoying training. The people are making it all worth it...now all I need to do is my fundraising.

14 miles and counting...

One of the great things about being part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) team is that we do group runs. And yes....I ran 14 miles today. It is the first time I have ever run that far. We ran from Watertown to Newton and did part of the Newton Hills on Commonwealth Avenue (part of the marathon course). My back hurts, my knees hurt, I have at least 3 blisters on my toes, and a rash of unknown origin on my side.....but I did it and I ran the whole thing. Part of what kept me going was my friend Heidi who I met at the First-timers meeting. She pushed me through the 14 and I couldn't have done it without her. Only 12.2 miles to go....

My first ever blog

Hi all,

SO here it goes. I am training for the Boston Marathon and what a perfect way for friends and family to keep up with my trials, tribulations, leg pain, desire to eat constantly and excitement in running. I will fill you in on more over the next several months for training, but in the meantime thanks for your support.