Marathon play-by-play

I realize I really should have made myself sit down and write this the day after the marathon, but life kind of got in the way and I feel like I am non-stop busy these days. Oh well, better late than never! Here it is- the low down details of my 26.2 mile excursion!

I believe I wrote before about having to be in our hotel lobby by 5 AM. I still have no idea why that was- we basically sat around for about an hour and a half while all of us were getting antsy. Finally the A-team girls and I (we call ourselves that because during training, we were broken down into G-O-T-E-A-M groups- Group G was the fastest group, all the way down to M. So Team A wasn't the absolute slowest, but we were close.) Anyway, my girls and I finally had had enough by about 6:15 AM, and we decided to head out into the cold San Francisco morning and join the throngs of people assembling at the start line. It was quite chilly, but luckily I was very bundled up. When we were in the crowd, it wasn't too cold because of all the people around, so I probably could have done without my disposable $6 target sweat pants.

We were grouped by pace and the crowd was massive- stretching over and around entire city blocks. Finally, 7 AM rolled around and there was a big cheer- it was time to start! One of my biggest concerns was that there would be a slow start and it would take a long time for me to reach the start line, but this was very well organized and I crossed the start line at 7:12 AM, much less time than I thought it would take. We were off! To be honest, the first few miles are a bit of a blur. It was a little bit surreal and I was testing out my legs, seeing how the felt, since we had been tapering for 2 weeks and not doing as many miles as normal, I was concentrating on not going out to fast and just warming up. My fancy GPS watch was going a little nuts for the first mile through the tall buildings in San Francisco, so I was having a hard time telling exactly how fast we were going. I took off my sweatshirt and gloves sometime within the first mile and felt really good- it was really good weather for running. We headed down toward the water and hit the Embarcadero at mile 1. Sometime between mile 1 and mile 2, we paused briefly so I could take off my sweatpants and others could shed clothing as well. The first 3 miles looked like the dressing room at Old Navy- clothing strewn everywhere. Apparently this is a regular occurrence for marathons- people wear disposable clothing and folks from charities come and pick up the leftovers from the side of the race. We were making great time over the first few miles, plus, starting earlier than I thought we would start, we hit the mile 3 "Family Cheer Station" before 7:50, much earlier than I was expecting us to get there. Pat and I had spent a lot of time Saturday night deliberating on where he should try and go to watch, how he should get there, etc., and we decided that he would take the Nike provided shuttle to the first "Family Cheer Spot" located at mile 3. That shuttle didn't leave the start line until 7:30, and he didn't arrive until after we'd long since passed, so he missed the first stop. I was feeling fine, though, mile 3 had the first slight incline (although nothing like what was waiting further down the road,) and we all continued to feel great, taking in the sights of fisherman's wharf and north beach.

From there we headed along the marina. I will state for the record that parts of San Francisco don't smell so hot- more on that later. The marina was particularly pungent. It was early and we were all very excited to be running, though, so even the fishy smell didn't really get me down. Miles 3-5 took us through a stretch of pretty flat running through the Marina, and then we got to the Presido and our first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, and also the first of the bigger San Francisco hills.

Mile 6 was pretty much all up hill. And none of the San Vicente, gradual uphill for a mile action, this was one big, steep hill. We decided before we started the race that we would walk the 3 big hills at mile 6, 9, and 11, and none of us had a problem slowing down and taking this one bit by bit. That hill was actually kind of fun- we were taking it at a really manageable pace, and the scenery was beautiful. The Presidio used to be an Army post, and there is some gorgeous officer housing we got to run past. Also got great views of Golden Gate Park.

Once we finally made it up to the top of the mile 6 hill, Mile 7 was a nice little change- it was mostly down hill, and we made good time. I'm pretty sure that this downhill section is where I saw Sarah Reinertsen, who I was first introduced to on The Amazing Race a few years ago, and who is an amazing athlete, who happens to be an above-the-knee amputee. I'm not too proud to admit that I yelled "I loved you on Amazing Race" as we passed her, and she said "Thanks! I hope you have an Amazing Race today!" I wonder how many times she yells that during any given race. Anyway, it was enough to give me a little kick in the pants- there she is on one leg, moving along like running a marathon is the easiest thing in the world.

Most of mile 8 & 9 were uphill again. We wound through some beautiful neighborhoods of big, expensive homes, and somewhere in there was the "Kaiser Permanente Orange Mile" where they handed out orange wedges to everyone. All I could think about was how we were running past these multi million dollar homes whose yards were COVERED in half-eaten oranges. Gross.

From mile 9.5 to about 11 were the biggest downhill portions of the race. We came out of the neighborhood and decreased about 300 feet of elevation in that 1.5 mile section, and I was starting to feel the race about then. Going downhill uses totally different muscles than going up hill, and although I was still feeling great at that point, I had a premonition on that downhill chunk that if I was starting to feel it right then, only 10 miles in, the next 16 might be a little rough. We made it downhill on our first little run on the Great Highway, and turned the corner at mile 11 into Golden Gate Park.

It was here at mile 11 that we said goodbye to dear Angela, one of my favorite running partners all season. Angela was running the Nike 1/2 Marathon, but had been training for the full marathon with us all season because NEXT weekend (November 4,) she runs the New York Marathon! Good Luck Angela! We stopped at the porta-potties at mile 11 and it is a miracle that I didn't ralph. It was touch and go, but I pushed through, and we were on our way again!

Mile 11.5-14 were uphill again, and somewhere around mile 11.5 Pat found me for the first time! He had made very cute signs and was a welcome sight. He took lots of photos, had a huge grin on his face, and ran about a mile with me, I think. He then looped around and found us again at mile 14 at the end of that downhill push. Miles 11.5 through 16 were a big loop around Golden Gate park, which was good because pat was able to find us a couple of times. Sometime around mile 13 our group started to get spread out and it was down to just Katy and I. Katy is awesome- she's mom to 2 beautiful girls, one of whom is in remission for Leukemia. She has been a huge support and encouragement all season, and I was happy to get to be doing this last, big run with her. We both started to get hungry for something more solid than the GUs we'd been eating, and kept hoping for a Luna moon stop, to no avail. by the time we saw Pat again at mile 14, we were both still doing well, but you could begin to see the tide turning, I think, and could see the "bite me zone" on the horizon. Pat took off via cab to meet us further down the line, and we continued on.

At mile 16, we made the turn onto the great highway, and this is where I think we fully entered into the bite me zone. From Miles 16-18.5 we ran parallel to the folks who were on mile 23.5-mile 26- folks who were close to finishing. While this was incredibly inspiring, it was also really depressing, because we knew we had quite a few miles and probably 2 more hours of running before we got to where they were, and we were really ready to be done running. Alas, that was not the case. And the folks on the sidelines, cheering us on, bless their hearts, but everything they said at that point was just wrong. People kept saying "You're almost there!" And it took EVERYTHING I had not to snap back, "Um, have you looked at a map?!? I have 10 FREAKING MILES LEFT." Not good. What sent Katy and I over the edge, though, was the 12th person who yelled out "Go KATHY!" Now, Katy's name might be a little easier if it was spelled Katie, but she is not the first person I know who spells her name Katy. And maybe from 10-20 feet away, it just looks like Kathy. But for some reason, at mile 17, when the 900th person of the day yelled "Go KATHY" we both just lost it. We were giggling hysterically and both cursing under our breath, which was pretty funny, and is how Pat found us next. He could tell the change in the mood of the group, and thankfully didn't say much. I think he realized that anything he said at that point would probably be wrong, so he just ran along for moral support. He did try to help me fix my water belt and wasn't moving quite fast enough for my liking at that point, and I'm afraid I might have snapped at him for it. I'm sorry Honey.

At mile 18.5, we made the turn to go around Lake Merced. Ah, Lake Merced. The bane of my existence. That is, without a doubt, my least favorite 5 miles ever. Hands down. It kind of smells bad, you're running against traffic for a time, I had significantly slowed down at that point and was really feeling it. It just was awful- everything they tell you about distance running and hitting the wall, happened around Lake Merced. There was a mile in there that I repeated "Chemotherapy is so much harder" over and over with every footstep. It lifted my spirits temporarily and I kept telling myself what a wimp I was- that folks with Leukemia and Lymphoma went through much worse, and that this pain was temporary- I would be better within a couple hours and those with blood cancers would trade places with me in an instant. On and on I trudged around Lake Merced, and it was tough.

The really great part, though? Somewhere around Lake Merced, I knew I was going to do it. I was going to become a Marathon finisher. I didn't feel a great flood of relief or a burst of speed, no, for me that realization was met with a crashing wave of reality that yes, I was going to be a finisher, but it wasn't going to be pretty and I was going to feel every single step of those last few miles. It was going to take everything I had left, including a few tears, to finish. And Katy, bless her heart, wasn't going to leave me. I was moving pretty slowly at this point- mile 22 was particularly bad, but she kept slowing down with me. I'm pretty sure she wasn't in quite as rough shape at that point as I was, but she was as determined that I finish as she was that she finish, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Because it feels nice to know that you are not alone at those low points. I don't think I was adequately conveying to her that I knew I was going to finish- either way, she wasn't going to leave me until she knew I was going to cross the finish line, too. At mile 23.5, Pat was waiting again, and Katy finally listened to me and picked up her pace and took off. I think she trusted Pat to keep me going to the finish.

I kind of broke down a little bit at mile 23.5. It was uphill again (although looking back, it was a pretty small hill, but at that point, that was all it took.) And I was just exhausted. We walked the hill, and I cried a little, but I kept going. I took off my water belt and Pat carried it. I also think that this was the point that I looked over and told Pat"I think this is quite possibly the worst idea I have ever had." (I also noticed then that Pat had spilled the contents of a full Gatorade bottle on his shorts, making it look suspiciously like he wet his pants. At the time, nothing could make me laugh, but later in the day the memory of him jogging along with a wet crotch area made me giggle instantly.) So off we went again towards the great highway, this time with me on the victory side of the road.

The last 3 miles were the hardest thing I have ever done. Knowing that I had to keep going for 3 more miles was a bit overwhelming at that point. Pat jogged along with me I think until mile 25, and then he ran ahead to get to the finish. I couldn't tell you much of what happened that last 1.2 miles. I just remember thinking "Even though this hurts, remember this feeling- you are doing something great." I remember the sound of the pacific ocean off to my left, and the clumps of spectators on both sides of the street, cheering me on. I remember seeing the mile 26 sign and thinking- this is it. This is that moment I have run the last 26 miles for, to get here, to be right here, in this moment. One of our coaches, Marissa, found me about then and jogged with me through the ever thickening rows of spectators. She'd been out there for hours and was still as excited as ever. I saw Pat, with the biggest grin I've ever seen on his face. (I hope I get a grin that large at our wedding when I walk down the aisle- this was a HUGE grin.) I started to cry, knowing that I was a finisher, the finish line was in sight, and I was going to cross it. My biggest fear over the last 6 months was that something would happen- I would get injured somehow and not be able to finish. That I would let all the folks down who had donated money to LLS in support of my marathon, and that I would let myself down. Well, in that moment, I was conquering that fear- I was doing something I never dreamed I would do- I was finishing!

I crossed the finish line and was met by tuxedo-clad firemen, handing out Tiffany boxes with our finishers necklaces, and then herded through another line of folks handing out bananas and Luna bars and then another set of folks were handing out Tee shirts. Unfortunately they were out of the tin-foil blankets they hand out as runners finish (I was pretty mad about that at the moment- for one I was cold and could have used it- I ended up putting on Pat's extra clothes, 2nd, I secretly had always wanted to be that chick walking around with the cool metallic blanket. Third- you know how many people are participating in the race- how hard is it to order that number of blankets?) Then Pat found me and gave me a huge hug, and we set out to find some food- I was REALLY hungry and ready for something non-gel to eat.

The rest of the afternoon, we vegged. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich from room service and hung out in bed watching football, more sore than I had ever been in my life. But I couldn't wipe the grin off my face- I was a finisher.

I wasn't sore for that long- by Wednesday my legs were pretty much back to normal. And by Monday, as crazy as it sounds, I was already thinking that maybe I could do that again. If I could just do this, and next time I wouldn't do that, and maybe if I did a little more of this ahead of time...

Thank you for being a part of this crazy journey. For reading along and for the donations and the words of support and encouragement. Each one of you helped make it possible for me to cross the finish line- something I never imagined I would be able to do a year ago, and something I only half believed I could do 6 months ago. Thanks to those of you who donated early, so I knew I was committed and had to follow through. That sense of obligation helped get me out of bed at 6 in the morning every Sunday for 5 months, and helped me cross the finish line. Thanks to my cousin Ashley, to our family friend Bob, and to everyone else battling Leukemia or Lymphoma, for fighting harder on a daily basis than I did for those 6 hours. Yours is the race we must win, and I am grateful to have been a small part of the fight for a cure.

I haven't forgotten!

Life got very busy, but I PROMISE that I will post my marathon wrap-up by tomorrow at the latest! (I'm aiming for tonight.)

Stay tuned!

Pre Marathon

Ok- Tonight I'll recap the weekend events leading up to the marathon, and stay tuned for the play by play of the actual event. First I need to say a huge THANK YOU to Pat, who not only provided endless support to me during the race, but also provided an amusing play-by-play on the blog as I was running. Thanks sweetie!

I really can't believe it is over! 5 months of training and thinking about it, wondering if I could do it, and it all comes down to 6 hours on a chilly Sunday in San Francisco. I'm not going to lie- I was nervous. All I wanted to do was finish- I had so many people supporting me and cheering me on, so many people who had donated to LLS on my behalf- I didn't want to let anyone down. Mostly, though, I didn't want to let myself down- I KNEW I could do it, but so much of it was out of my control. I did the work, did the training, but who knows what kind of day you're going to have when it actually comes down to go time? All I wanted was a good day- the kind of day I had on our 21 mile run when I felt like I could run for days. But for the last week or so- while we've been tapering- I've had a little twinge in my left ankle and my left knee, so I've been a little nervous that I wasn't going to be able to get it done. I think that is the hardest part of the taper- I've been so used to running so consistently that when we started to taper, I didn't really know what to do with myself, and I wasn't running enough miles to test whether I was actually hurting, or if I was just imagining it. So I was nervous.

Pat and I got to San Francisco Friday evening and headed out to the Mission to have dinner with some friends of mine from A&M. Adrianne and I backpacked all over Europe together, and Abbie was my Martha's Vineyard buddy. I have shared adventures with both of them, and it was so great to catch up with them before I embarked on this next adventure. Abbie's awesome sister Aimee was also there, as was Abbie's man Steve. We had a great dinner and then hung out at Abbie's house- it was really good to catch up with old friends.

Saturday Pat and I got up and visited the Expo and picked up my race packet. It was a really fun atmosphere and made me feel like a serious athlete. Then we went in search of some Marathon swag- I wanted wearable proof that I had done the impossible. Unfortunately, Nike town was out of Smalls (which seems like a really bad purchasing decision on their part, given that this was a WOMEN'S marathon, and that, while this may be a gross generalization, I think it is safe to say that athletic women can tend to be smaller. First shot is the billboard on the side of NikeTown- it says "Congratulations to the 20,000 runners who raised $18 Million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!" The second is me with my race packet, the last is me with my name on the sign.


Saturday night, we had a pre-race Pasta Party to carb load. It was pretty amazing- 5,000 TNT runners, all there as part of the same great cause. We had some great speakers- Joan Benoit Samuelson, John Bingham from runner's world, and a woman who has beat Leukemia several times and run 2 marathons- quite an inspiration. First photo is the Westside Team, then Pat & I, then running buddy Kimberly & I.




The next morning arrived bright and early- 4:30 AM to be exact! I am not the biggest morning person, but I didn't sleep that well the night before, so I was awake and ready to just get things going. We had to be in the lobby of the hotel at 5 AM for a lot of hurry up and wait- the actual race didn't start until 7, so there was quite a bit of nervous anticipation. Here are some shots of the getting ready process. First- me not looking quite so bright and shiny at 4:30 AM. Second, the shot of my Jersey- why I'm running. Third, me all bundled up and headed out the door.



More to come soon!

The start...

more to come...

Thanks to Tony & Amy Galvez!

When Pat ran up to me at mile 18, he had all kinds of encouraging messages from friends and family, and he also let me know that I'd gotten an email notification that AMY & TONY GALVEZ had just made a donation in support of my marathon! I can't tell you what a boost that gave me- I needed that little reminder right about then as to why I was doing this whole thing. It puts things in such a great perspective when you remember that the pain associated with running a marathon is temporary, and even now, just a day later, I feel almost back to good. But those with Leukemia and Lymphoma don't have the luxury of brushing it off, or of quitting if it gets to hard. That helped keep me going.

So thank you, Amy & Tony, for that much needed dose of perspective when the going was getting tough. And thank you for your friendship- you are both amazing friends that I feel lucky to have in my life!

One note- more detailed post coming soon!

First off, thanks to Pat for mobile blogging on my behalf yesterday, and thanks to all of you for following along and sending comments- Pat would read them as they came in when he caught up to me, and it really did help- it was like a virtual crowd of supporters. Believe me- I needed it around mile 20. Things got tough- but I knew I had lots of folks cheering me on!

One small note- it did not take me 20 minutes to run that last mile. I did not do it super fast, but Pat didn't do that last "Amy's done" post until we were either in the tent after the race or back on the shuttle to the hotel- I can't remember. Either way, I wasn't QUITE that slow, although I was pretty slow at that point.

More to come (including photos!) tonight or tomorrow night, as soon as I get a chance!

Thanks again!

26.2

Ladies and gentlemen Amy Polk has finished the 2008 Nike Women's Marathon!

Sent from my iPhone

Close

1 mile to go!

Sent from my iPhone

3 Miles to Go!

Amy has 3 more miles. It is very tough at this point but she's toughing it out. I will write from the finish. -Pat

Sent from my iPhone

Waiting

I'm waiting for Amy at mile 22.5, which is in the middle of a long gradual hill. After that it's flat to the end. She should be here in about 20 minutes.
-Pat

Sent from my iPhone

Mile 18.5

I just left Amy and her teammates at mile 18.5. They are not having much fun at this point but they are keeping a good pace and the distance remaining is becoming more manageable. They have also made the time cutoffs so there's nothing left but to do it!

Sent from my iPhone

Mile 14

I just left Amy about mile 14. She was appropriately tired for having run that far, but was hanging tough. I have been passing along everyone's messages. I just hopped a cab put to around mile 18. This NOT running thing is okay. If I get there early maybe I'll stop for a beer... -Pat

Sent from my iPhone

Mile 12

I just ran a couple minutes with Amy and her teammates around mile 12. They are all in good spirits and don't have snot running down their faces or anything. They are finishing up the last of the hills and running a very smart race. More to follow... -pat

Sent from my iPhone

Update

At mile 13 walking backwards so I don't miss Amy again. Me getting exercise was NOT part of the deal! -pat

Sent from my iPhone

On the shuttle

I'm headed to the halfway point to try and catch up. So far Amy is quicker than the shuttles. -Pat

Sent from my iPhone

Mile 4.5

I just got a phone call from mile 4.5 as I was waiting at mile 3! I got to 3 as fast as the shuttle would allow so I think this means Amy was able to start very close to 7 am which will help with the time cutoffs. So far so good. Hopefully by the next update I will have actually SEEN Amy! -pat

Sent from my iPhone

Go Time!

I just left Amy at her pre-race team meeting area. I've never seen her get up so willingly at 4:30 AM so I think she's ready! I will update the blog throughout the race. Thanks for your support! -Pat

Sent from my iPhone

San Fran Bound!

I just wanted to send a quick post that later this afternoon, Pat & I are headed to San Francisco to meet up with the rest of my TNT Team! Pat may try his hand at posting a thing or two to the blog as I'm running- If not, I'll be sure to post a little something on Sunday letting everyone know when I'm done running. Wish me luck and say a prayer or two, please!

THANKS TO KELLY ELLIS!

Big thanks to my New West coworker, KELLY ELLIS! Kelly has been around for the whole Amy Running journey, right from the start. Kelly has been super supportive the whole way, and I really appreciate her donation! Thanks, Kelly!

Week 21: In the Home Stretch!

First off, I have been an inconsistent blogger lately, and I apologize to the 3 of you who check this regularly. Things have been a little busy around here- first and foremost- Pat got back from Iraq last Tuesday! It is such a joy and relief to have him home, but I don't want to get into too much detail about that here. After Sunday, I'll let you know what a deployment more closely resembles- TRAINING for a marathon or actually running it. I still suspect that it is the former.

I also had a minor set back with my training- as reported earlier, I was feeling great after the 21 mile run two weeks ago- I was on top of the world! Then I woke up that next morning and had the same pain in my foot that I had a few weeks ago, only this time it was in the left foot. I didn't think a lot of it as I seemed to recover in about a week the first time, so I tried to stay off of it (although I didn't do as good of a job this go-round,) and iced it, etc. This time it didn't get better as quickly, though, and I actually missed our 12 mile training run for week 20. Luckily it finally started to feel better by early last week, and now I'm back in the game and pain free! Oh, and I completed week 21's 8 mile training run with no problems, AND I saw Ryan Reynolds (see post below) at mile 6! We yelled all kinds of encouraging phrases at him and told him that he would be fine in his marathon, and gave him the anti-nipple bleeding tips we've read. I think he thought we were crazy.

Here we are now in the home stretch- the marathon is just DAYS away, and I am still somewhat amazed that I am going to run a marathon. I AM GOING TO RUN A FREAKING MARATHON! If you had told me a year ago that I'd be headed to San Francisco on October 19, 2008 to run 26.2 miles, I would have laughed at you, and then sat down on the couch to watch TV while eating a bag of potato chips. No lie. But here I am- living proof that anyone can do it. I watched Spirit Of The Marathon this weekend, and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about attempting one of their own- it goes to show that anyone can do it. There is a 70 year old guy in the movie that started running the Chicago Marathon 5 years ago and runs it every year... amazing.

I don't think I would have been able to do this on my own- no way. Team In Training is a remarkable organization, not only in the training and support that they have provided me, but for the hundreds of thousands of dollars that they raise for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and treatment. At this point, I have raised $5,625, which is nothing to sneeze at, but my Westside Los Angeles team has raised- get this- OVER $257,812 as a team! A quarter of a million dollars- imagine what that money can do. It's a whole research grant, it is patient aid and education. It's pretty cool. My team consisted of 81 folks fundraising, which averages out to about $3,200 per person. Now- an even more impressive figure? There are 7,000 TNT participants running in the Nike Women's Marathon this Sunday! If each one raised even $1000 less than the $3,200 per person our team raised (and I am estimating low- I imagine the figure is actually higher,) That is over $15 MILLION dollars raised! How amazing and awe-inspiring is that?

At the end of the day- at mile 24, when my feet just don't feel like they can go any further, that is what is going to get me through. That so many of you believed in me enough (even when I didn't believe in myself) and care about this cause, and you reached into your wallets and helped us make a difference. I have no illusions- I know that Sunday will be hard. But I don't think it even begins to compare to the chemotherapy or radiation or any of the other tough stuff that folks battling blood cancers go through every day. I am running on Sunday for my cousin Ashley, and I will think of her and the folks like her when the going gets tough, and I will know that I can keep going, because I can. And I know that any one of them would choose a marathon over chemotherapy any day of the week. This is the least that I can do, even if it is more than I ever thought that I could do.

Please say a little prayer for me between 7 AM and 1 PM PST on Sunday as I will be slogging it out on the streets of San Francisco and I'm sure I will need all the help I can get. I heard rumors that there was a website folks could go to and enter your bib number to track your progress as you go- if that is in fact true, I will post that info here. I'll send an update once I'm done on Sunday when (God willing,) I am a Marathon finisher, and will post photos later next week!

Thanks again for everything- I can't believe it is here!

Thanks to AMY TROENDLY!

Thanks to my dear friend, AMY TROENDLY, who's name I seem to consistently misspell, along with the name of her awesome fiance, Andrew Buck. I'm not sure what my problem is- where the mental block comes in- but it happens on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure I have it correct here, but It wouldn't surprise me if I got it wrong again. That should be no indication of how cool I think they both are, or how much I value both of them and their friendship! Amy was one of my HOB girls, and I always look forward to our reunion dinners. Thanks, Amy!

Hopefully neither Ryan nor I will vomit or bleed at the end!

I read this yesterday and thought it was worth sharing- from actor Ryan Reynolds.

Why I'm Running the New York City Marathon
by Ryan Reynolds

A couple of years ago, I walked uptown to Central Park on one of those perfect November days. The air had a bite to it while the sun shone bright. It was the day of the New York Marathon and I thought it might be fun to watch the runners nearing the finish line. So, I joined the crowd about a half-mile before the race's end at Tavern On The Green. With my arms resting on the cold cordon, I saw an incredible spectacle of people pushed to the very brink of collapse. I expected exhaustion, but what I didn't expect was to see just how much these runners had to EARN their prize. It was emotional. The pain was etched into their faces so deeply, you'd swear they'd spend the next 3 weeks looking like Abe Vigoda. I saw guys coming in to finish with bleeding nipples. Why in the hell were their nipples bleeding? People were crying. People were limping, hobbling, screaming, crawling. But most importantly, people were experiencing a sublime rapture that I couldn't even hope to understand. They were touching something magical no stalk-still mortal simply watching the race could comprehend. These people had accomplished something real. At that moment, with all the energy, inspiration and passion swirling through the crisp autumnal air, I breathed in deeply and decided something: I'd never fucking do that ever, ever. What in the fuck were these idiots thinking? Bleeding nipples. Bleeding. Nipples.

Two years later, by some tragic backwards prophecy, I find myself signed up to run in the New York City Marathon. Every other day I train. I run like a bastard all morning. Not since the discovery of Junior High School has a torture been so effective. Why on earth would I willfully do this? On behalf of my Father, Jim Reynolds, who's spent the last 15 years in a life or death struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

Let it be known at the outset, I am not a runner. I am a running joke. Waking up at 4:30 am and jogging anywhere from 11 to 23 miles has been nothing short of horrifying. Although, I've never given birth to a professional basketball player through one of my tear ducts, I can't imagine a worse way to start the day. Conversely, some people have real problems. I digress...

A year and a half ago, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Michael J. Fox. Like so many before me, I found it impossible not to be touched by his story of overwhelming strength, passion and relentless commitment to help those afflicted with this insidious disease. The man is inspiration exemplified. Plus, he was in Back To The Future. Which was, well, awesome. In a moment of extremely poor judgment, I offered to do something big for him--I offered to compete in the New York City Marathon. Which was, well... dumb.

While I'll probably never fully understand Michael's struggle, I've had a first hand peek behind the curtain of Parkinson's. I've watched my father -- a strong and proud person who successfully raised 4 arguably insane children - slowly, cruely stripped of his independence. His golden years robbed without explanation. It quite obviously sucks. Witnessing my Dad suffer over the years galvanized my need to step up. On November 2nd, I'll join thousands of other men and women to march in lockstep solidarity toward searing psychic pain and physical humilation.

One of the reasons I chose RUNNING specifically, was because (as Murakami so eloquently put it) my competition is the most formidable foe of all; ME. The person I have to beat is the guy I was last week. The person I was yesterday. Indescribably worse, those affected by Parkinson's wage a similar war in their own bodies every single day. Unlike a marathon, their struggle won't end in a shallow pool of vomit just outside Tavern On The Green while waiting for an ambulance. They continue day in and day out, silently battling away in the most personal of struggles.

Yes. I'm asking for a donation. I don't do this with any degree of levity. I know we're in rough times and there are literally millions of causes worthy of your hard earned cash. It's my hope the story of my father combined with my own goal of becoming the first person in history to sob uncontrollably for 26.2 miles straight, may inspire you to give something too.

Please know that NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL - and certainly, no donation is too large. And If you don't give anything at all, maybe I've primed you for a future donation in someone else's name. For someone else's cause.

If you visit the site below, you'll be directed to my page on the Team Fox Website. Michael's foundation has raised over 100 million dollars in the fight against PD. On my page you can leave a personal note of support or mockery along with your donation.

In the end, no matter how much I mythologize this run, no matter how much I choose to romanticize this campaign against my own will, lungs and ambition... there's always going to be that guy who finished the marathon on a pair of prosthetic legs. And there'll always be my Dad. And Michael. And Millions of others who bounce back off the ropes against all odds. So, I promise I won't congratulate myself too much.

Finally, if you happen to be in New York on November 2nd, come down and watch. Feel free to bring a smile, automated defibrillator, or a fresh set of nipples.

Click here for my Team Fox page

On behalf of Me, my Father, and everyone struggling with Parkinson's, our endless gratitude.

Thanks to the Vescovos!

Just wanted to send a thank you to my dear friends, the VESCOVO FAMILY! Brooke is one of my best friends, and I think, knowing me so well, she had a few doubts on my marathon aspirations. I distinctly remember a time in college when Brooke made it her goal to get me off the couch to go for a run. I think I made it a quarter of a mile when I decided- Nope, I'm done. But I'm glad to have made it to the end of this training and am so thankful for her support for over a decade. Thanks Brooke, Peter and Peej (Peter Jr.)!

Week 19: 21 miles? PIECE OF CAKE!!!

Who ever would have thought I'd say something like that? Much less, who would ever have thought that I would actually feel like that? We ran 21 miles today, and and it wasn't so bad! I actually would say that it felt pretty good! Particularly miles 13-17. For the first time in my life, I kind of get what people mean when they talk about the runner's high. I felt like I could have gone on and on at that point- I was running fast and feeling really, really good! I felt pretty good the whole time- my legs got pretty heavy the last couple miles, but I could have gone another 5 miles one way or another to get the marathon done.

So I feel great- I KNOW I can do the marathon! Who'd have thought 6 months ago that I would ever be here right now, but it feels really good to be here. We "taper" the next 2 weeks- we only go 12 miles next weekend and then 8 the week after that, and I'll probably only do 3 miles or so 2-3 times during the week over the next two weeks as well, so I'll be plenty rested for the Marathon!

In other great news- Pat gets home VERY soon barring an act of God or Robert Gates. I've got a very exciting next 3 weeks!

Personal Best

Well, I think I hit a milestone at our Wednesday night track practice this week. I think I ran a personal best on the mile, at 9:43! Given that up until this year, my most recent experience with a timed mile was probably back in the Spicewood Elementary School days, and that back in those days I was KILLING myself to finish it in the required 10 minutes, I'm pretty sure that running it in a full 17 seconds below 10 minutes must be a personal best. I feel like 10 year old Amy might have been at a slight disadvantage since my legs were much shorter then, but we are letting that slide.

As part of our track workout, we were running for 10 minutes then walking for 3, and repeating it for a total of 3 reps. I ran the first mile 9:43, the second in 9:59, and the 3rd in 10:10, so I averaged less than 10 minutes for all 3 miles! I feel good!

Week 18: Much better than week 17

Good news! I saw the very nice Orthopedist (Dr. Kwong) last Friday and got a clean bill of health to keep running! My feet felt back to normal by Thursday but I decided to keep my appointment to get things checked out anyway. I got some X-rays done of my feet, and Dr. Kwong did all kinds of wiggling and tapping of my feet and ankles- it was actually pretty cool.

I learned that:

1. I have "abnormally long" first metatarsal bones. I couldn't really tell that from the X-rays, but Dr. Kwong could. I'm not sure what to think about that. Apparently if I end up having pain at the sesamoids (where metatarsal bone connect to the toe bone,) this can be the reason. So far so good as I've never had pain there.
2. The big toe on my right foot is less flexible than the big toe on my left foot. Again, no idea why this is.

None of these things seem to be contributing factors to the arch pain I was having last week, but they are interesting none-the-less. I have always had a weird fascination with X-rays. Something about seeing your insides.

So Dr. Kwong thought that my arch pain was probably caused by the uneven surface we'd been running on last Sunday, and said I could have stepped funny, into a hole or something and not really even realized straining my foot. So he said just to be aware and if I had any pain at all, to stop, but that I should be fine to keep up with my training, which was great news!

So Sunday we were on a "down week" which means we only ran about 12 miles. Can you believe I just typed that we only ran 12 miles? 4 months ago 12 miles seemed like an impossible task. The run went great- no problems with my feet at all!

Next Sunday is our big 20 miler- the last big run before the marathon! So please say a prayer or two Sunday morning as you're beginning your day- I'll probably be somewhere around mile 14 and in need of a little divine intervention!

Week 17: Cautiously Optimistic

So Sunday's run did not go well. It was one of those things you hope doesn't happen- I got a little injured.

We were supposed to run 18 miles on Sunday, and we took a little field trip to Palos Verdes, south of LA. It was a perfect day for running- overcast and cool, and we were running along the ocean. It was going well- I made it 12 miles and was a little sore, but other than that, fine. At mile 12.5, however, I got a sharp pain in the bottom of my right foot- on the arch. I thought it was just a cramp, so I slowed to a walk and tried to walk it off. Walking seemed to help a little, so I carried on that way for another 1/2 a mile. Then I got to a fork in the road where I could have either gone straight to head toward the start/end point and gone about a total of 14 miles, or I could turn left and do a big loop, going the full 18 miles. I decided to push through it and go for the whole distance.

So much of a marathon is mental, and I have had aches and pains before, but usually I can work through it and finish. I was looking at it that way at that point- this was not easy but I would get through it and it was just a cramp. I kept telling myself I could do it.

Well, that turned out to be the wrong move. This was not just a cramp. As soon as I picked up the pace, it started hurting again, and a couple hundred yards later, I was done.

The fabulous TNT folks took good care of me, though. Coach Ed came along a couple minutes after I stopped and offered some good advice, and he called Ivanne, our Westside campaign coordinator who came over and picked me up in her car. She took me over to visit with Coach Gary. All three were really supportive and did their best to make me not discouraged that I wasn't finishing the run. Because at that point- that was what I was most concerned about- I really wanted to finish the full 18 miles and was concerned that I was going to be behind if I couldn't finish the miles. Gary particularly gave me good advice and a lot of confidence that I already have what it takes to finish the 26.2.

Well, I headed home, quite discouraged on the 45 minute drive back to Santa Monica. Getting out of my car was the first time when I thought- uh oh. I might have bigger problems than not finishing my 18 miles today- what if there is something really wrong? The coaches had thought it might just be a bad cramp, or it could be plantar faciitis, which is the stretching of ligaments that run along the bottom of your foot connecting the bones in your heel to your toes, or some other kind of muscle strain. Regardless of what it was, it HURT. I really couldn't put any weight on my foot at all. Not good.

I got home and did the ice bath thing- soaking my legs and feet/ankles in ice cold water, and then iced/elevated my foot all day long.

I woke up yesterday and unfortunately it didn't feel much better, and that's when I really started to worry. You know that feeling when you first get a sore throat, and you realize how much you take it for granted when you don't have a sore throat? Or a stuffy nose, or the Flu? How all you can think about is how much you wish you could just feel "normal" again? Yeah, so that was yesterday. And I started to really feel down and wonder what I would do if I couldn't run my marathon. I have put in so much work and to get sidelined by something that feels SO out of my control- I didn't even twist my ankle because I stepped in a hole- it was seriously fine one minute and debilitating the next. And I feel like I've got 80 people behind me, supporting me that I don't want to let down. That's why I didn't post yesterday- I didn't want to put anything out there when I was feeling so down about things. But I got some good advice from some runner friends on Facebook yesterday, as well as coach Gary and Ed from TNT, and I resolved yesterday to try my best to be patient- something I can always use some practice on. I iced it off and on all day yesterday and bought an ace-bandage type thing to sleep in last night that several people recommended.

I woke up today feeling cautiously optimistic- my foot feels much better. Not 100% by any means, and I think I am off running at least until the weekend (something else I'm having trouble being patient on- the idea of being "behind" frightens me even though everyone keeps telling me I've got the training in me already,) but it feels significantly better than yesterday. I have an appointment with an Orthopedist on Friday that i am going to keep regardless, and I may get custom orthotics for my shoes that should help keep my feet in line and keep this from happening again, assuming I get a clean bill of health and can keep going for the marathon.

I'll keep you posted.

16 miles on week 16!

So I was a little nervous this week, because our run was 16 miles, and when I ran 15 miles a couple weeks ago at the Rose Bowl, and the last week I had a down week when I only ran 6 miles in the Nike Human race. But I'm happy to report that 16 miles was not so bad! We ran from the Santa Monica Civic Center, along Ocean Blvd to Amalfi, which is really hilly, all the way to Sunset Blvd and then over to 26th street. It felt like we had been running forever and it was only 6 miles! That was the roughest part.

From there we ran up San Vicente all the way to Wilshire and then back down to the Brentwood golf course, did a lap around the golf course through a farmer's market, which was a little cruel because there was yummy smelling breakfast. Then all the way back down San Vicente to Ocean, and back down Ocean all the way to the Civic Center. I was definately ready to be done at the end, but I concured it! Just 5 more runs to the marathon!

Thanks to the Jureys!

Big thanks to my good friends, MARY & JOHN JUREY! I work with Mary at New West Records, and I feel really lucky that I landed some really great co-workers. Mary has been there since the beginning of the running journey- she got herself up really early and came and cheered me on in my very first race- the Santa Monica 5k last December. She's also one of the first people who suggested I think about doing a 1/2 or full marathon with an organization like Team In Training. I have so much fun every time I hang out with Mary and John, and they've both been so supportive of this crazy running thing I've gotten myself into. Thanks guys!

WEEK 15: Human Racing in Austin!

So I spent Labor Day weekend doing a little bit of wedding stuff in Austin. Some good friends threw me a wedding shower, and my wonderful new mother-in-law Sara flew in town for it. We had a really great time, and I had the opportunity to run in the Nike Human Race in Austin. The Human Race took place in 25 cities all over the world, with over 750,000 runners participating. In Austin alone there were close to 14,000 runners participating. It was a great race, just REALLY hot. We ran a 10k (6.2 miles) at 6:30 PM and it was over 90 degrees. Tough conditions, but I did it! I ran it in less time than I thought it would take me, too. I walked a bit more than I thought I would on the first half (mostly up hill,) but I stuck with it and finished! I also felt like a pro doing the water toss- it was so hot that I poured more water on myself than I drank, but it helped quite a bit!

Here are some race photos:

The crowd at the start of the race:

Sara, Me, Mom, Dad














Me near the end of the run:














Austin's own Lance Armstrong:

Thanks!

Thanks to MO SHARPTON! Mo is one of Pat's good friends from growing up. I feel really lucky that I get to kind of inherit so many cool friends through him. I always look forward to getting to see Mo when we go back to Charlottesville. Thanks Mo- can't wait to see you soon!

Also, thanks to KAREN HERNANDEZ! Karen and I worked together at House of Blues back in the day, and her and I share a love for a certain boy band that pretty much every 20/30 something woman I know loved back in the day. The difference is that Karen and I got to re-live our youth a couple months ago and squeal like 12 year olds, only this time, with cocktails. Karen and I, along with a bunch of other former HOBers, have participated in the Revlon Walk for Cancer a few times in memory of our dear friend, Liz Fitzsimon. We all share a desire to wipe out all forms of Cancer. Thanks for your support, Karen!

THANKS to KATY KYLE!

I got a donation from my old friend KATY KYLE yesterday, and wanted to say thanks. I guess we aren't THAT old of friends, but we go back to college days, and that time is getting further and further away! Katy & I lived together (along with 3 other girls- it was a pretty full house,) our last 1/2 victory lap semester in college, and had a whole lot of fun. We had the same major as well, so we had a bunch of classes together and she always managed to make boring MIS classes a lot more fun. She's one of those great folks who I always love being around because we just have fun together. It's been too long, Katy! Hope to see you again before too long. :)

WEEK 14: No pain, no gain?

First off, Thanks to JANETTE BAXA! Janette and I worked at House of Blues together for about 2 years, and she is a whole lot of fun. We don't get to see nearly enough of each other now that we don't work together, but it is always so great to see her and catch up. THANKS JANETTE!

OK, now I've got a confession to make: Sometimes, I really still hate running. Yesterday was one of those days. First, let me explain- we moved our normal Sunday runs to Saturday this week, because the San Gabriel Valley TNT team put on a "mock" 1/2 marathon for all the LA TNT Teams. It was really cool- there were probably 300+ folks out at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena at 7:30 AM on a Saturday- each one raising money for this great cause. So I got up bright and early and drove inland yesterday to participate. But I thought I'd do one better, and make up for the miles I missed on my trip to Palm Springs last week. So I arrived at 6:30 and met another teammate to do 2 miles before we started on the 13.1.

Those first 2 miles were no problem- it was still pretty cool and there was quite a bit of cloud cover. So I was feeling good about the 1/2 we were about to run.

Then we ran the 1/2 marathon. It was suppose to start at 7:30, but in typical TNT fashion, it didn't start until nearly 8. (I'm really glad I'm training with them, but my one pet peeve is that we ALWAYS seem to start late. I am not a morning person, and I'd really rather get things over with that early in the AM.) We did one loop around the Rose Bowl (about 3.3 miles,) and then part of another loop. Then we headed off on a trail, and that's where it got tough. It got hot and there was no cloud cover, and large parts of it were up hill. I think I was pretty OK up until mile 10, but I kind of hit the wall after that. I had a hard time letting go of the fact that I was really on mile 12, and kind of regretting my idea of running those 2 extra miles in the beginning. The last 3 miles were a pure battle of mental toughness. And I almost lost, unfortunately. It's good that I've had tough runs before where I don't feel so great, because I'm learning that I can press through it, but man, it isn't fun to do. I got a cramp in my left IT band at about that point (10/12 miles, depending on how you are looking at it,) that made finishing seem impossible. But I stretched and walked and kept going, and made it to the end. It was the kind of run where I was asking myself why I was doing it for the better half of it. But I finished, and it felt good. I now know that I can drag myself through 15 miles, even if it hurts.

Week 13: Taking the weekend off.

Ok, so this week's post is going to be VERY boring. There was no long run this Sunday. I knew when I signed up with TNT that there would be a few weekends when I couldn't run because I would be out of town. This was the first of those. 2 of my closest girlfriends (and bridesmaids) Brooke and Debbie flew into town from on Friday. We headed to Palm Springs for the weekend, along with another friend and bridesmaid, Briana. It was kind of my bachelorette weekend, in a really low-key kind of way. We vegged by the pool and watched a lot of Olympics and just hung out and caught up- it was exactly what I wanted to do. I can't have imagined a better weekend. I did manage to get in a 2 mile run on Saturday morning, although it was RIDICULOUSLY hot (already in the 90's and humid by 9 AM when I ran) so 2 miles was all I was willing to do. It was definitely worth skipping the long run, it was a great weekend. I'm making up for it this week, though- I ran 4 miles yesterday and 3.5 miles today. We run 16 miles on Sunday.

In closing, I want to thank my good friends JASON & ERICA PELERIN, and their newest addition, RAEGAN for their support of my marathon with Team In Training! Jason was in Pat's unit during his first tour of Iraq so Erica and I got to be friends during that tour. They deployed together again in 2006, and I don't really know what I would have done without Erica that time around. The USMC moved the Pelerins to Florida about the time Pat moved to Orange County, and I miss getting to see them! Hopefully we'll end up in the same spot again sometime soon.

THANKS!

First, thanks to ANJALI RAVAL! Anj was one of my first bosses at House of Blues, and more than being a boss, I'm so lucky to be able to count her as a friend. She is also an inspiration- about this time last year neither of us were runners and I think we both would have laughed at you if you told us we'd be marathoners. Anj, however, surprised us all by training for and completing the LA Marathon this year with AIDS Marathon. Looking back now, I'm not surprised at all that Anj did it, though. Anj is extremely dedicated and once she makes a commitment, you know she'll follow through. Finding out she'd done the marathon made me think, humm...maybe I could do it, too. So thanks, Anj, for both the donation and for the inspiration!!!

Next, thanks to BRONWEN GREGORY! Bron was one of my college roommates, and has always been a bit of an inspiration in the physical fitness department. She has completed quite a few century rides (I think that is what they are called,) to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and has one of the coolest jobs out there- she works for Backroads travel, and leads excursions all over the world. Her cool job means that I don't get to see nearly as much of her as I would like.

And finally, thanks to DEBBIE & TRAVIS KOZAR! I also lived with Debs in college, and I'm getting a little nostalgic sitting here thinking about the good old days when Bron, Debbie, Brooke and I lived in somewhat sketchy houses on Puryear and then Walton. Debbie is one of the most loyal friends I've ever had and I feel really lucky because I'm going to get to have some much needed girl time with her this weekend! It has been way too long since we've gotten to just hang out (the trouble with living so far away in California.) Her and her husband Travis are expecting their first child in December, and I know they are going to be the best parents.

Week 12: I feel like Michael Phelps...Ok, maybe not. But maybe like Eric Moussambani.

I have always loved the Olympics. I was totally that kid with the Mary Lou Retton leotard, imitating the moves while watching the 1984 games in Los Angeles. Some years seem to be more exciting than others, but I always enjoy watching. And this year is no exception- I was wowed throughout the opening ceremony (the thing with the people in the boxes is way up there on the list of coolest things ever,) I admit I cried a few times during the sappy Olympic commercials, and I've watched Michael Phelps win 5 gold medals so far, and set 5 world records in the process. But the thing that I think that touched me the most so far has been the entry parade.

Sure, it was long. I think I got up 3 times to make snacks (a by product of the marathon training is that I am now ALWAYS hungry.) But what's so cool is that there are so many countries for whom THAT is their Olympic moment.

In the US, we've got the Michael Phelps, the Shawn Johnsons, the "Redeem Team," these athletes of epic proportion who break records and amaze us with the ease and grace with which they perform.

But for other countries, that march into the Olympic stadium is as good as it gets. And let's be honest, that's pretty darn good. Just to make it to that stage- to set a goal and do whatever it takes to get there and make it happen. Even if you know from the outset that you aren't going to come home with a gold medal around your neck- you pushed yourself and challenged yourself and showed up to compete.

And their reward is that moment- walking into the stadium, knowing that you've made it. Have you ever heard of Eric Moussambani? Maybe, but probably not. Eric is from Equatorial Guinea, and competed in the 100m freestyle in the 2000 Olympics through a wildcard slot that encourages developing countries to participate. Through a stroke of random luck, the other 2 dudes in his preliminary heat scratched, so all Eric had to do was finish the laps and he would win his heat. Keep in mind that before coming to the Olympics, he'd never seen a 50m pool and had taken up swimming only 8 months before, practicing in a 20m pool at a nearby hotel. In the Hollywood version of the story, Eric would have gone on to swim the best race of his life in the final round, winning the gold for Equatorial Guinea and stunning the Russians, Chinese, French or Germans, or some other country the US likes to beat. But in the real world, some other guy set the world record at the time at 47:58, and our boy Eric, well, that's where the story gets good. It took him about twice the time it took the leader, but Eric finished the race with the stadium cheering him on as if he were going for gold. (If you want to watch his race, this is the best video I could find on youtube. No idea what language the commentators are speaking in, but the crowd cheering him on is great.)

99.9% of us are never going to win a gold medal. Heck, most of us are never even going to march in the entry parade, or even be Eric Moussambani. But we can all create our own Olympic moments. Moments when we can look back on what we've worked so hard for, and think, OK, I earned this moment right here, and I am going to enjoy it. I think mine will be around mile 25. Where all that stands between me and the finish line is a measly 1.2 miles. And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it, every step of it- because I earned it.

I could tell you about this week's long run, but in some good news, they are getting a little routine. This week was a mere 9.5 miles (which seems like peanuts after last week's 13,) although it was a little hilly which will be good practice for San Francisco. I could wax poetic about how crazy it is to be halfway there in distance, and over halfway there in time left training. I could spend this time thanking all of you who have donated so generously so far- I've collected just over $5,000 and that figure amazes me beyond words. For those of you who keep thinking, "Oh, I'm going to donate but I'll do it later," Thanks! Although we are kind of running out of later, so if you'd still like to donate, please do so at the link at the top right of this page by SEPTEMBER 15 (One month of fundraising to go!)

No, Instead of all that, I'm going to close by challenging you to find your Olympic moment. Life is too short not to push ourselves to do things that surprise us, and then to reap the rewards when we have done so. And I am proof that we've all got it in us. It doesn't have to be a marathon, heck, it doesn't even have to be an Eric Moussambani-style 100m freestyle finish. But find something...it feels good.

FINALLY back up and running!

I'm not sure how it happened, but some of you may have noticed that my blog disappeared for the last few days. Apparently, an automated "spam robot" identified my blog as computer-generated spam. Not sure how that happened. Then it took 3.5 days to get restored...but whatever. Let's just hope it doesn't happen again. It is late and I need to go to bed, but stay tuned- tomorrow I'll be posting an Olympic-themed blog.

I do want to thank ELLEN, MATT & KATY ANN EVANS for their generous donation! I've known Ellen and Matt for a LONG time, we grew up at St. Matt's Episcopal Church in Austin, and then we all wound up at Texas A&M and also worked at Camp Allen for a summer together. I love both of them and really can't wait to meet their daughter Katy Ann. I actually can't believe I haven't met her yet...

Check out this sunday's run...

We go down in mileage this Sunday to 9.6 miles (from 13,) but apparently it is a somewhat hilly course. Here's what we'll be running:

Thanks to THE MAV!

Big thanks to MIKE MAURO! I work with Mike at New West, and he is responsible for our fabulous website, among many, many other things. I could tell you the story of why we call him the Mav, but I think it is probably more fun to leave it up to your imagination. Anyway, THE MAV is ridiculously talented in all things technology, and he's also ridiculously nice. THANKS MAV!

Week 11: 13 miles??? That's NOTHING!

First off, super thanks to JOANNA RUIBNER! Joanna is the one of the other 4 snarky ladies I had lunch with after mile 8, and she has quite possibly the coolest job ever. She does voice over work, and I actually just heard one of her commercials just now, which reminded me that I needed to blog. "Serious morning workout? Serious morning fuel! Carnation Instant Breakfast!" Thanks, Jo!!!

So this morning we ran HALF A MARATHON! Yes, that's right- I am now officially halfway there! And I gotta say, 13 miles wasn't nearly as hard as 11. I'm learning so much about how to listen to the signals my body is giving me. Last week my legs were NOT happy to be running past mile 7.5. Today, I did a much better job of continuing to move and stretch when we stopped at water stops. Today, my legs were fine!

My feet, however, were another story. I've been getting pretty bad blisters on my big toes for the last few weeks. They started on the outsides of the right big toe, and then moved to the inside left. I had 2 pretty gnarly blisters on my left big toe this morning, and by mile 7 I knew that I had a matching blister on my right inside big toe. I like to think of it as my toe's own personal way of asking me "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU THINKING?!?" I would post a photo, but I think that would probably make some folks stop looking at my blog all together. Completely gross.

So FINALLY it occurred to me today that my shoes might be too small. They fit fine for 6 miles or less, I can wiggle my toes and feel good as new. But I heard early on that once you start building up distance, your feet can swell up to a size. Sure enough, there was NO wiggle room in my shoes at the end of this run. So as soon as we were done with the run today, I headed over to top-to-top. By the way TTT is my new favorite hang out- I am in there at least once a week. I think it is fun to be surrounded by all the running gear and stuff, and the folks in there just know a lot. So today, I had them measure my 13-miles-in-totally-swollen feet, to see what they thought.

I am now the proud owner of a brand new pair of clown shoes. Not really, but that's how I feel when I'm not 6 miles deep into a run, because my new shoes are size 10!!! I was an 8 1/2 all through college, and my current running shoes are 9s. Apparently 9s are fine for a 10k, but for distance running, I'm one of the lucky many who's feet swell. The guy who fitted me for shoes brought out 9 1/2s and they were still not going to cut it. I am an over achiever in the swelling department- mine swell a WHOLE size.

I'm excited to give them a try next week and see how I feel with lots of room- I can't wait to see if it takes care of the blister problem, and if I feel like I actually feel like a clown in my new shoes.

Off Topic: The not-so big one!

I just survived my first REAL earthquake! I've been in a couple where you hardly realize what is happening until it is over- not so much with this one. This was kind of a slow build- It started out smaller where my desk and monitor were shaking, and everyone in the office realized it was an earth quake. Everyone just kind of stopped what they were doing and started giggling in that way you giggle when something really strange is happening. I, on the other hand, think I shreiked. Totally understandable, but I also covered my mouth with one hand and my head with the other, like that was going to protect me if any debris started falling. I started to climb under my desk, but remembered that was for hurricane/tornado drills circia 3rd grade.

Then it just kind of stopped, and that was it! Pretty cool...

CNN info:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/29/earthquake.ca/index.html

Epicenter map:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/US2/33.35.-119.-117.php

Week 10: 11 miles is a lot of miles.

So I'm not sure why it took me so long to recap yesterday's training.

Oh sure, yesterday was kind of busy- I had a friend in town (hi Mindy!) that I had to take to the airport, and then I drove to Irvine to go see John Mayer (no, no Jennifer Anniston sightings) at Verizon Wireless. (Big thanks to Tracy Becker and the Live Nation digital folks for the tickets!) Today at work was nutty, so there was no time to dash off a quick recap. So all that makes sense.

But I'll admit that I had some time right after I got done running, before I took Mindy to the airport. But let's be honest, right about then, all I really wanted to do was sit on the couch and kind of revel/wallow in the knowledge that I had just run 11 FREAKING MILES.

Yes, that's right folks. 11 MILES. And I am not lying, or stretching the truth by telling you that 11 miles is a long way. Oh sure, going 60 miles an hour down the freeway, 11 miles is a drop in the bucket. But 11 miles when you're running them is quite a long way. According to my really cool GPS watch (on loan from the fabulous Jen Butler,) I burned 1,097 calories. Yeah, that's a lot of calories. It took a little over 2 hours, and I will admit that I hit a little rough patch at mile 7.5.

I was cruising along for the first 7.5 miles. We ran about 2 miles along the beach, hit a water stop, turned up San Vicente and ran all the way to Brentwood to water stop #2 (if you'll remember my blog from 2 weeks ago, this was the stretch where I got sidelined by the banana I had for breakfast.) I am happy to report I made it all the way there feeling great this week. That was about 5 miles into the run. Then we did a loop around the Brentwood Country Club Golf Course, back to the water stop, which was about a 2 mile loop. Well, I got to the water stop at the beginning of my group- we always wait for everyone else to catch up before starting off again. I SHOULD have continued moving, stretching, but I didn't. I drank some water and chatted- didn't stretch like I should have been. Well, when we started up again, I immediately felt pain in my left hamstring. It was pretty bad- there were a few minutes there where I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep going. But I slowed down and walked it out, pausing to stretch quite often, and slowly I worked the pain out and was able to catch up to my group at the next water stop (they had all passed me by this point.) We continued on back to the civic center all together- 11 miles down!

Usually I feel like I could keep going- that I'm glad to be done but I've got a little bit left in me. Not so much this time. I was completely ready to be done, but really proud of myself for hanging in there and getting it done.

Now if I can just get through the 13 miles next week! Can you believe it?!?! Pretty much running 1/2 a marathon next week! Stay tuned...

Thank you!

Some thanks:

First off, thanks to BOB & DEE McDONALD! I've known the McDonalds just about my whole life- as long as I can remember. They live down the street from my parents in Austin and are wonderful people.

Next, thanks to ERIN & ANDREW OLIVER! Erin is someone else I've known just about my whole life- 24 years to be exact. We've been friends since we were 5- I spent as much time at her folks house as I spent at mine, growing up. Erin & Andrew got married last year and I love the both of them.

Finally, thanks to CRISTINA & STEPHEN COX! Steve & I went to college together and recently found each other again on facebook. Ain't technology the best? It is so great to be able to reconnect with people you might otherwise lose touch with.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated! I can't tell you how much it means to me- the coordinator for West LA Team In Training called me today to talk to me about incentives for big fundraisers- she wanted to see if I thought I could get to $7,500! I think that might be a lofty goal, but who knows- I've gotten so much support from so many friends near and far- it just might happen!

Week 9: The HILLS are alive with the sound of...panting.

So today we took a little field trip to Griffith Park for this morning's run. I'd never been there before, and it is a really cool park in the middle of LA- I had no idea how big it was. We had to be there at 7:30 AM, and it is a good 1/2 hour away from my house, so it was an early morning. Low and behold, there was some sort of construction or something, so even at 7 AM on a SUNDAY, there was traffic. I was stopped on the 110 freeway for about 10 minutes. Gotta love LA!

So today's run was 8.5 miles, but I might venture to say that it was the toughest run we've done so far. The first 1.25 miles was flat, and then we went off the asphalt for some trail running. Our coach Marissa said it would be hilly, and she wasn't lying. The next 3 miles were INTENSE. We're talking about some hills that were steep inclines where we'd be going uphill for a 5 or 6 minutes, and then pretty steep downhills for the same amount of time. We basically did 1 1/2 miles through the trail to a water stop, then we turned around and did the same thing back. The tough thing about that was knowing on the first half- ok- this downhill is going to be a TOUGH uphill on the way back. It was a WORKOUT and I know I'm going to be sore tomorrow, but I'm glad I conquered it. A girl I was running with has done the Nike Women's marathon in San Fran before, and she said the hills today were worse than the ones there, so that was good.

So after the hills we were only through with about 5 miles of our 8.5 mile run. We came off the trail and did a 2 mile loop around a golf course, and then jogged another 1 1/2 miles up back to where we started.

It was a good workout, and I felt MUCH better than I did last week. I think I made better food choices, and it was overcast and cool, which really helped. I'm back to feeling good about it, even though I had several "what the heck was I thinking" moments on the trail today.

Thanks!

Big thanks to JULIA RUBINER! Like Jeannie, I know Julia through my good friend Lisa Jenkins. She's 1/5 of the snarky women, and I could listen to her and her sister Joanna tell stories all day- they are a hoot. I should send Lisa a fruit basket or something, to thank her for introducing me to so many cool ladies.

Thanks

Big fat thanks to REID PRICHARD! Reid and I started at House of Blues at about the same time. Then Reid got a great job offer in Seattle and moved up there for a couple years- I got to visit once which was a lot of fun. Then they moved back to LA for a year, but Seattle proved too tempting, and they recently moved back. I'm sad I don't get to see more of Reid, but hopefully we'll make it back to Seattle soon!

More Thanks and mid-week hill training!

First off, today was a great fundraising day!

Thanks to ABBIE CONLEE, who I shared many great adventures with a few years ago when the two of us picked up and moved to Martha's Vineyard for the summer to sell overpriced T-Shirts and live it up on the east coast. It will always be one of my very favorite summers, and every spring when the weather starts to get warm, I start to reminisce about it. People say you can never go back in life but sometimes I really wish I could go back there! There is no one else I can imagine spending that summer with, and I wish I got to see her more often!

Next, JEN JONES! Jen and I share a special bond- we're both in love with US Marines! Jen's Fiance Keith is currently serving in Afghanistan, and it is so nice to have a friend in LA who knows exactly what I'm going through. Keith is one lucky guy, because Jen is the coolest.

Also, thanks to DAVE FORTIN! Dave and I worked together at House of Blues, and I have always been a little bit awe-inspired by Dave. He's been doing triathlons for as long as I have known him, and I distinctly remember overhearing him describe some of his latest training runs and bikes and swims while I was eating a chili cheese dog and fries. It feels so much better to now be in the healthy club!

JEANNIE LONG also gets big thanks!! I know Jeannie through my good friend Lisa Jenkins, and I'm so glad Lisa introduced us. We have a fun group of snarky women who sometimes lunch, and I hope we all lunch again sooner rather than later.

And thanks to JEANNE HART! Jeanne is a fellow TNTer who I've actually never met- she's completed 2 TNT events already and will be serving as the PR captain on the Long Beach team soon and just wanted to show some support! That's one of my favorite things about TNT- I really feel like I'm part of this really large family now- everyone who has ever completed an endurance event through TNT is so supportive and encouraging! I know I will be now from here on out, for the rest of my life, too. It is a great organization full of the best people who are working for a great cause, and really want to see you succeed. What more can you ask for?

Finally, thanks to BILL JOHNSON! Bill is my 2nd cousin, I guess. Or maybe another 1st cousin once removed? I think it is the same amount removed as Susan Kennedy. He's my mom's first cousin, and he's great. I have the most wonderful family! I wish I just got to see them all with a little more regularity.

Ok, so we did our first mid-week hill workout. It was pretty tough at first, but I got the hang of it and finished strong! We did 3 minute intervals where we ran up a pretty steep continual incline hill for 3 minutes, and then jogged back down. We repeated it 5 times. I know it sounds not too tough, but my butt is burning! I just kept thinking about what a workout it was getting and that got me through. I like these mid-weeks because it is always easier for me to work out with the group than by myself.

Beginning of the middle update

Those of you who know me pretty well know that my fiancé Patrick is a marine who is currently deployed in Iraq. This is our 3^rd deployment, and I’ve always said that getting through a deployment is a bit like running a marathon- it is an endurance event- not a sprint.

I’m glad that in just 3 short months, I’ll be able to say with some authority, whether or not a deployment is in fact like a marathon. I’m beginning to suspect that it may more closely resemble TRAINING for a marathon, and I’ll tell you why:

The toughest part of a deployment to me is the beginning of the middle- the part where the homecoming still seems ages away, and it already feels like the deployment has been going on forever.

I kind of feel that way about training right now. The first few weeks were new and exciting- each week I surprised myself with how far we ran. Then you get down into the thick of it when it turns into just plain hard work. Last Sunday I ran 9.5 miles, and it was a great accomplishment- I’m so proud of myself for knocking it out. I prefer to look at it like a 10k plus a 5k all in one morning. A 15k if you will.

But There are still 3 months and many miles left to go, and I must admit that this evening I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed by how many more runs I have to go before the big day. And I was tired and just didn’t feel like running. I had made up my mind that I was just going to skip tonight’s run and pick up tomorrow. Then I got an email from one of our coaches that said the following:

Finding it’s tough to get out the door for your midweek runs/walks? Very few of us are skilled enough at biochemistry to get in the lab to help find a cure. Does that mean we should throw our hands in the air and say its someone else’s problem, there’s nothing I can do about it? Absolutely not. TNT has already funded research that has directly saved lives, and that funding came from people just like you. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) used to have less than a 20% survival rate. Drug companies had done some initial research on Gleevac but had decided not to pursue additional research. Then LLS came in and funded the additional research, and patients using Gleevac now have a 95% survival rate after 5 years. How’s that for everyday people like us making a difference? The lead researcher responsible for Gleevac wanted to show his appreciation to LLS, so he went and joined TNT, fundraised, and ran the 2003 Rock ‘n Roll Marathon himself. So when you’re faced with the temptation of a comfortable couch versus going for a run, remember that you’re a part of something much bigger, and getting those shoes on and getting out the door is part of a much bigger fight. And helping to win that fight is something to be immensely proud of.

That was enough of a kick in the butt to keep me going for the rest of the week. I’m running for something much bigger than myself, and what I’m doing is really important. I am running for my cousin Ashley, who just celebrated the one year anniversary of her diagnosis with ALL T-Cell Leukemia. She’s doing much better, and you can read her story at ashleywingo.com. Her fight, and the one that all cancer patients go through is tough, and I feel like a weenie for even thinking about sitting on the couch.

I am proud to report that our West Los Angeles team has raised over $88,000 to date. I am humbled and honored to report that I am currently the lead fundraiser for our team, with my donations totaling $4,450, thanks to the generosity of all the folks who have donated thus far. My goal is to exceed the $5,000 mark, which will make a huge difference in the fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma. If you’d like to make a donation in the fight against Leukemia, you can do so by visiting my fundraising page here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nikesf08/apolk