runninghalf

Hurrah!

2006-11-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

I did it! We did it! Yay for the me and Taryn and Margie and Lisa and all of the rest of the TNT gang!
I finished my first marathon and it was quite an amazing experience. I confess that over a week has passed and I haven't been quite ready to write about it. It was a big experience and I am not sure I can put all of it into words and do it justice.

The first thing that comes to mind when people ask me about it (and good lord did I tell a LOT of people I was doing this -- good thing I finished!) is that it was hard and cold. Sad, I know. But it was hard -- it was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done both physically and emotionally -- and it was really cold. I wish, my only real regret is that I had worn the damn running pants instead of opting for shorts. But the mantra that was drilled into my head over and over was "nothing new on race day" and I took that literally -- I think I ran in pants exactly three times over six months. Now I know, when it is 35 degrees on race day morning -- where that damn pants.

What was hard about it? Well the cold really got to me by the end -- the temperature dropped and the wind picked up later in the race (and when it takes you 6 hours to run 26.2 miles you can imagine that the weather may change). My glutes started cramping around mile 19 or 20 and I would have to walk to alleviate the cramping. I had never experienced that before so I don't know what I could have done about it -- I attribute it to the cold but who knows. I had a couple of mental challenges but managed to grit through those. I was having a hard time during the middle third but after we got to mile 16 I felt better -- somehow my brain could deal with "only 10 more miles" -- a phrase I thought I would never utter in reference to running. Running is crazy.

But it wasn't all hard -- it was really wonderful and fun as well. Fun, I know, I am sick. But it was. The excitement and the emotion was intoxicating during the buildup to the start and seeing the crowds and the signs and the sights along the course were wonderful. There were rock bands playing, amps and all, cheerleaders jumping and singing to Bon Jovi, drill teams dancing and twirling their fake rifles, marching bands in full gear, transvestite cowboys dancing on a stage, and hundreds of thousands of people cheering you -- me, by name, on. That was one of the best things -- people, strangers, cheering for you -- "go Molly" and "you're doing a great job, Molly" "Keep it up Molly, you can do it". It helped, it really did. And sometimes during a bad moment someone would cheer for you and you muster up the energy for a smile and nod and it helps, you keep that smile on your face because you realize -- I am really doing this. I am at mile (Fill in the blank) and I am doing great.
And the best part -- seeing your friends on the course. Taryn and I have the greatest friends -- three of them came out to Chicago to cheer us on and their friends led them to different places to see us and got caught up in the excitement along with everyone else. And that was the best thing -- seeing a sign with your name on it as you round a bend, tired, cold, determined and the jolt that gives you when your friends run out to talk to you as you run, encouraging and excited for you. Jenny, Christina, Amber, Becca and Kathy -- thank you so much for being out there on Sunday -- you cannot imagine how much it helped to have you there!
And seeing the TNT runners along the way -- giving and getting encouragement from all the people in purple -- it was great.
And of course, Margie and Lisa. I am so proud of us for doing this and doing it together! It was a happy accident to meet you on the first day of training and a pleasure to share your Saturday mornings for the past 6 months. Congrats on finishing and thanks for running with me!
There were some bad moments but all of them were followed by good or great moments and the best feeling of all was crossing the finish line (26.2 miles) with Taryn. (The worst was when we were separated and I didn't know if we would finish together but she found me again).

Now the a week has passed and my body is recovering I can think about the whole experience with some distance and I know that I will do another marathon. I don't know when or where, but now that I have done it, I do know that I want to do it again. Someplace warmer (I don't care what anyone says, 35 degrees is too damn cold) and not anytime soon, but definitely again.

Anyone that is considering training for a marathon a few words of encouragement: I had never run more than three miles until last May. Never. I ran 26.2 miles just 6 months after that first 3+ mile run. You will be amazed what you are capable of.
And if you are considering it, I simply cannot recommend Team in Training enough. It is a wonderful organization -- great coaches, great support staff, great mentors, great cause, great people. With Team in Training, 99% of participants who make it to the starting line finish their event.

A final thanks to all who supported my throughout this process -- I was able to raise over $2700 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I don't know how to wrap this up so...
XO,
Molls

still here, still training...

2006-10-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that I haven't posted a blog in ages, I have been training and have crossed some important threshholds in the distance running game. I would like to proudly state that I have completed the 18 and 20 miles run without serious mishap and I am eagerly looking forward to the Marathon in LESS THAN 10 DAYS!
Hard to believe that it is almost here and those mileage milestones are behind me -- the long runs that I was dreading are over and done with.

I have learned the toll that this level of training can take on your body -- felt mostly in my knees (the right one) but also in my feet (also the right one). The weight has not been falling off me the way I had anticipated (the opposite in fact) but I am hoping to tackle that issue once the marathon is over with.

I have mixed feelings about life after the marathon. I know that my weekly focus will change -- I have had that Saturday run to look forward to every week -- seeing my group, chatting with Lisa and Margie, this thing that is both mine and the cause of others, my identity as one who is in training for a marathon... all of that will end and I am not sure how I feel about it. Well, actually, all of that I will miss very much. But on the other hand I am looking forward to having the flexibility of Friday nights again, and of Saturday nights, and of joints not aching after sitting for too long. I know Eric will be glad when it is over. But I am also afraid of losing this momentum. I can already feel it slipping away during this taper period -- I find less and less time to run (partly because work is crazy again right now).

And soon, I won't be training for a marathon and after having done this, I don't know if I ever will again (a marathon, I will train for more, many more half marathons but I don't think a full again for a long while). And that is sad and makes me rethink my reasons for not wanting to do it again. Is the training really such a commitment (yes), can my body take the intensity (no), do I have to do this to fulfill some kind of internal need (maybe). So I am already in the post-marathon blues and the marathon isn't over with yet!

Strangely, I have no serious concerns about the marathon (thanks to TNT and my pace group), I have no doubt that I will make it to the finish line. I feel (today, this may change of course) as confident about this as I did for the half just 2 months ago.

Sooo, where does this leave me? I guess I am as ready I can be for this event, sad that it will be over when it is over and unsure of what the next step is. Every runner goes through this right?

mia and 16 miles

2006-08-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA since finishing the half marathon -- not just from blogging, but from training as well. I know, bad little runner. I managed to get in two runs the week after the half and two runs last week but I was really unprepared for the 16 miler on Saturday and my body is still very angry with me. I wanted to train, I really did. Sort of. The week after the half Eric and I went away for our anniversary and I had good intentions. I packed running clothes and was going to train while on vacation. Once we hit the bar the first night, all of my good intentions were gone. When you realize that you haven't been out to a bar with your husband in a while and say so to him and he replies "not since you started running" with a little irritation in his voice you know that your plans for a solo 10 mile run in the wee hours of Saturday are not going to come to fruition. And that's okay. Except that I never got back on track. Suddenly my 16 mile run was only days away and I was very nervous. I was not prepared.
The run itself was uneventful for the most part. It was muggy but not terribly hot and Lesley's group had planned to start at 6 am again this week. We assembled and started heading north but were prepared to bag that plan depending on the situation with the children's triathalon setting up to the north. We made it to the .5 mile marker and then turned back so the plan was to head south to the 8.5 and then head back. Lesley said this we Lake Point Tower and Navy Pier (it was not).
Later, I had no recollection of the first part of the run, I think Lisa and Margie and I were so engrossed in catching up that we paid no attention the soccer fields or the tennis courts. Really the first part of the run where I started noticing my surroundings was once we passed the 5 mile marker at Fullerton because from then on it was unfamiliar territory. We crossed Lake Shore Drive on the overpass and then all of the sudden we were on North Ave Beach -- it was beautiful! I can't believe I had never been down there before. We ran down along the water to Oak street beach and then toward Navy Pier -- we could see a whole slew of tri-swimmers between Oak Street and Navy Pier. (As an aside -- it was probably the most supportive and friendly run I have had -- especially the Chicago Endurance Sports folks -- they gave us a GO TEAM! every time they passed us and there were a lot of groups passing us!) This is where the mental part of the run kicked in. Lesley has said that 8.5 would be Lake Point Tower (where Oprah used to live) so that is what I was mentally planning on. However, we kept going. We ran around LPT then across the Chicago River on Lower Wacker (! Ugh, if you have been along here you know this is not a pleasant place to run). Then we hit the path again and rounded the bend and there was Grant Park and we were still going! Finally we saw Coach Jack and I knew the turnaround was near. (Funny aside: after a brief moment of confusion on Jack's face since we, the "slow group" were hitting the turnaround first. We explained that we started an hour earlier. Only a few minutes later we saw the first of the fast tnters. Sigh, for a few minutes we led the pack.)

The way back was uneventful and I was feeling good until mile 14 and then, everything on the right side of my body started to hurt -- foot (arch), ankle, knee, hip. I think the arch of my foot is root of the problem but once in college I had foot pain and it turned out that problem was in my hips. Anyway, I will have to visit the doc or a sport medicine place this week because the foot is still ouchy and I am walking like an old lady even today.
Anyway, miles 14-16 were tough, mentally and physically. I was tired and starting to feel the effects of the previous mileage as well as my lack of training in the past two weeks. BUT, I finished the run and I finished it running. Lisa stopped and walked with me for a minute in the last half mile when I was really struggling, which was very sweet of her and we finished together.

And joy of joys -- there were bagels! And Lesley had this yummy nectary juice for us. I had half of a sea salt bagel which ordinarily would be far too salty for my taste but was just the thing after that run.

After getting home I gimped upstairs, my legs were already tight and my foot was screaming. I filled the tub with cold water, dumped in the ice and soaked my aching muscles and joints. Armed with gatorade, ice water, two ice-packs and the crossword puzzle I climbed back into bed for a snooze.

Now ordinarily I wake up feeling much better -- less sore and achy and generally more human. Not so on Saturday. I woke up, ate some lunch and creaked my way back to bed. I am still creaky and achy. I soaked in a hot bath last night and felt great during then just hours later was as tight and creaky as before.

Ugh.

I will see the doctor and let you all know what they say. Anyone wanna take bets: is it the hip or the foot?
More soon,
XO,
Molls

I did it!

2006-08-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

and it was awesome! I finished the Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon and I have to say that it was a great time. A huge part of the fun is due to my running group -- Ma Spencer's run/walkers, but especially to Lisa and Margie. As always, we were together every step of the way. They, of course, made it fun.

This was, as most of you know, my first competitive running event ever. What a way to start. There were over 7,000 runners participating in the event, according to the CDC website, and it was very well coordinated, at least in my opinion. My take on the day may be colored by the fact that this was my first event, so keep that in mind as you read. I was infected by newbie enthusiasm!

I got up at 4:50am (UGH!), I had set two alarms - the hotel alarm clock and my cell phone. I jumped out of bed and turned around in a couple of circles before deciding that my first step would be to put on the running gear. I suited up (I am a huge dork and had laid out the clothes the night before, all of it: shoes, socks, body glide, shorts, singlet (with the bib already pinned on), sports bra, watch, visor, sunglasses, fuel belt (already stocked with GUs -- vanilla bean, yum). My water bottles were chilling in the fridge -- one lemon lime gatorade and one water. I managed to eat a Luna bar and most of a banana and drank some water. Eric and I set off for the tents and the start area around 5:30. Eric was going to walk me since it was still dark out and we were walking on Wabash under the El tracks. We had gone less than a block when I see Lisa parking her car across the street! Eric left me to walk with Lisa the rest of the way. I immediately perked up with Lisa, at least she knew what was ahead of us. Eric, bless him, tries but he really doesn't care to know all of the gory details of a half marathon. It is much more fun to geek out with your running buddy!

We got the tnt tent and got our temporary tattoos, found Margie, assembled with Lesley's group and headed to the port-a-potties to wait in line before the start. Finally we walked to the start and found the 12:00 min/mile pace sign (waaay toward the back -- we could see the start from there, but it wasn't close, mmkay). I was trying to soak in all of the excitement and energy at the start. With 7,000 people it was crowded so I am having trouble imagining 40,000 people on Marathon day -- yikes!

It took us about 7 minutes to clear the start once the gun sounded and then ... we were off! (So it should take about 30-40 minutes on marathon day?). The course was great -- we headed north on Columbus Dr and across the river up to Grand Ave. Then we turned west to State Street and headed back south to Jackson. The bridges were, well, interesting. I liked them at first but by the time we crossed the river for the fourth time on Canal street after heading west again I wasn't liking them so much. The grating was hard to run on and I got a touch of vertigo looking at the green water below. But the city looked gorgeous just after dawn on a beautiful sunny day. We had the streets to ourselves and it looked so different without the buses and trucks and taxis bearing down on you. We passed by the Monadnack Building and the Dirkeson Federal Building and the Sears Tower. We ran under the el tracks past the Harold Washington Library and out onto Michigan Ave along Grant Park. We hit the 8K marker going up a hill (! it felt like a hill, okay.) as we neared the Musuem campus and turned south onto Lake Shore Drive. We ran through a tunnel or something under McCormick Place which was nice at first because it was shady but then the air got still and close and I was ready for open air again. We crossed Lake Shore at 31st and then ran on the Drive south to 39th until we got to the lakefront path. At 39th we turned back north and were greeted with the most stunning view of the city skyline -- it was incredible! Incredible because we had just come from there and now we had to go back! This was around mile 8.5 or 9 I think, and we stayed along the lakefront path all the way to the Musuem Campus. We passed the back (lake side) of McCormick Place, there is a waterfall back there in case you didn't know that) and along Burnham Harbor and Soldier Field and then out on the peninsula (east) to the Adler Planetarium. We made the turn back west and were greeted with another gorgeous view of the city as we headed toward the Aquarium. We ran along the water side of the Aquarium and then past the Field Musuem, under the Drive, and up to the finish.

It was incredible! There are people cheering and yelling and screaming our names as we neared the finish. My group decided to finish together with Lesley in the middle and the rest of us flanking her so in last 100 yards (?) we turned on the gas and sprinted into the end -- together. I even heard my name called as we crossed the finish line. Someone handed my a sopping wet towel and my big old penguin finisher's medal and it was over.

We finished in 2 hours 53 minutes and 29 seconds (according to my time on the website) which was perfect -- I wanted to finish in under three hours and I did. I felt great throughout the run but after about 6 miles I had no control over my pace and my body just went into autopilot. It actually felt better to run than walk at this point. When I was running I could only feel numb pounding but when I started to walk I could feel distinct aches and pains. But really, I have nothing to complain about -- no bad blisters, no bad chafing (thanks to Lisa who let me use her mini body glide on my arm where I was starting to chafe!), no serious joint pain, just overall achiness which I attribute to running exclusively on concrete for 13.1 miles.

So in the end, it was awesome. I realized after finishing, that regardless of what the marathon is like in October, I will continue to do 1/2 marathons in the future. It was a good level of difficult -- challenging but manageable. I can handle that.

And as happens every weekend, I had another PR. 13.1 miles, the furthest I have ever run and in less time that it took to do 12 miles three weeks ago -- hooray!
This weekend, 10, next weekend 16. Another PR.
Thanks for the support and encouragement throughout and know that it paid off -- I finished my first 1/2 marathon and I finished with a smile!
XO,
Molls

One week to go ...

2006-08-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

til the CDC! I can't believe it is next Sunday! It is hard to believe that I have been training for this for 2 and 1/2 months and it is just around the corner. (Although Eric is getting pretty sick of my Friday night sobriety, poor guy, and still 2 and 1/2 months to go until the Chicago Marathon.)

This week Lesley's group opted to start at 6 am (to beat the heat) and stick around the lakefront for the 10 miler today rather than make the trek out to Busse Woods. It was a good decision. We had a great run -- much faster than last week (about 2 minutes/mile faster which just goes to show you how miserable it was last Saturday!) and the benefit of starting earlier was apparent from the get-go. The sun has just come up when we convened and it was still below 80 when we finished a little over two hours later. Go team!

I paid attention to me fluid intake as compared to last Saturday too. Last week I consumed appoximately 100 oz of fluid over 12 miles. This week, around 40-50 oz for 10 miles -- HUGE difference. And while I was very sweaty this week I didn't feel compelled to dump water over my head and splash my arms and legs like I did last week. That is neither here nor there -- but what a difference between the two runs.

Now next Sunday is the CDC and I am hope hope hoping that the weather is much like it was today -- cool and partly sunny with a nice breeze off the lake. Hope with me here folks.

I have been in touch with other TNT chapters in the Midwest as Eric and I are going to Des Moines, IA in a couple of weeks for our one year anniversary (I know, so exotic and foreign, we really know how to live!) and I am going to go up to Madison, WI over labor day cuz my parents are going to be visiting my Aunt and Uncle up there. The people I have been in touch with in both locales have been very helpful and I am hoping to run with the TNT groups in both places. Both weekends are 10 milers (thank god, I can't imagine doing the 16, 18 or 20 milers without my regular group), which was very smart of me to plan, dontcha think?

Next monday (aka, the day after the CDC) Lesley is organizing a little send-off party for Keegan up in Deerfield. I am going to try to go. It will be a nice reminder of why I did what I will have done (whoa confusing) the day before and be a good inspiration for the coming weeks of training leading up to the Marathon. Besides, he is just so dang cute. I don't know all of the details but since they located a donor for him I would imagine that the chemo and possibly radiation have been increased in order to kill his bone marrow off to prepare for the transplant. This must be a scary time for him and his family. Keep him in your thoughts and think positive thoughts for him.

More after the CDC! XO
Molls

warriors!

2006-07-31T09:59:00.000-07:00

12 miles, no problem. Lisa, Margie and I are warriors. We did that 12 mile run in incredible heat and humidity. We ran into the finish and we all felt pretty good at the end -- hot, a little achy from the pounding, sweaty (oh lordy), but all in all we were looking pretty good at the end. Not everyone had a good run, and it was no surprise considering how awful the heat was. The coaches had us run north to 0 mile marker and back to home base (3 miles), then south to the 3 mile marker (the totem pole) and back (3 miles) and then north again and back and south again and back (6 miles) for our total of 12 miles. This kept us close to the home base and forced us (twist my arm) to pass by the home base water stop. Lesley's group also stopped at every other water stop and drinking fountain along the way. Several people were hurting in the last mile or so and had to walk it in. The three of us asked everyone we passed (which never happens -- we are usually getting passed) if they were okay, cheered them on, and kept on going. I was proud of our finish -- for all three of us it was the farthest we had ever run -- no small accomplishment. I felt good throughout the run -- my left knee had been hurting lately but it didn't bother me at all on Saturday. And after all that distance I felt tired but nothing hurt. Later my toes were sore (!?) and I was stiff and a little achy but otherwise I felt amazingly good. I think my strategy for saving the knee worked -- I ran one of my midweek runs on the elliptical trainer at the gym at work. I cranked the level up to 10 so that I would still be working my legs but the lack of impact really saved me, I think. Then Friday I just ran a really easy 2.5 miles outside so that I would be somewhat acclimated to the heat. And Saturday the knee felt fine. When I got home I was soaked from sweat (gross) and from pouring water over my head and dousing my arms and legs with water along the way. I started filling that bathtub with cold water and dumped in all of the ice we had in the freezer. I swear by the ice bath. I took some ibubrofen, drank a big glass of gatorade and went back to bed for couple of hours. Seeing as how the bedroom is the only room in the apartment with A/C Eric and I also spent much of the day (and whole weekend) in there.
The 12 miler really boosted my confidence about the half marathon -- which is just 2 weeks away now! We only have to do one more mile than we did on Saturday and I know that with proper hydration and lotsa carbs and a good night's sleep I can finish it.
This week we have a 10 mile run and rather than go out to Busse Woods with the whole team (which I feel a twinge of guilt about) Lesley's group is going to run on the lakefront as usual but start an hour earlier -- 6 am. Sounds insane but that way we can avoid the worst of the heat.
That's all for now, but more soon,
XO

Hot.

2006-07-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Holy hotness. It sucks out there today. I know that we here in Chicago have been spared the worst of this nationwide heat wave (so far, knock on wood) but it is really miserable out there today. Severe heat warning goes into effect tomorrow through Tuesday night. Let's think about that for a second. Tomorrow morning I get to (snort) run 12 miles and it is going to feel like 102*? That is just fantastic. Ugh.
This morning I did not want to run. I woke up at 7, when I was planning on going, and promptly rolled over and opted for more sleep. When I did eventually get up I considered running on the elliptical at the gym at work again but realized that I hadn't actually been outside running on pavement since Monday. This didn't really motivate me still though. I really didn't want to go running.
So I checked my email and discovered that someone had donated $25 which helped inspire me a little. Then I checked Taryn, Margie and Barb's running blogs and finally that gave me enough inspiration to put on the running clothes and mentally agree to a three mile run. And once I got out there it felt good. It was hot but legs were rested from running on the elliptical on Wednesday and taking Thursday as the rest day. There was a lot of shade to hide in and I hit a good stride pretty quickly. So the moral of the story is even when you don't want to it can feel good to do it. And if you need to motivate yourself into doing it I recommend reading runners blogs to get you in the mindset.
I finally got to work (we won't talk about what time) and I am now loving the air-conditioning. Did I mention that only reason I really wanted to come to work today was for the air-conditioned drive in my lovely (dirty) Jetta and the fact that my office is always freezing cold? Oh, and I love work.
Actually I really do love my job, it is just a little slow right now.
Anyway -- we have a big weekend coming up. Eric and I are going to the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park and with the crazy heat warning that should be a real treat! I predict much crankiness all around. At least we aren't scrambling to get the wedding invitations done and out the same weekend like we were last year for Intonation -- that was hell.
I will update you all (all two of you who read this) about the 12 miler tomorrow. That is, once I have recovered with an ice bath, tons of water and gatorade, a pedilyte pop or two and a long nap in the only air-conditioned room in my apartment -- the bedroom. Ah.
XO
Molls

So close...

2006-07-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't checked out the fundraising page lately -- I am so close to making my goal of $2700 -- I am less than $400 away! That is really incredible -- I can't believe that I was able to raise that much money since late May -- that is really a testament to how generous my family and friends are -- so thank you again for your help!

Running update: After crossing the 10 mile threshold on July 9th we had a cutback week last Saturday -- only 8 miles. I can't believe I just wrote that -- "only 8 miles" -- but it is true, it was pretty easy to get those mile done. A lot of that may have had to do with the lovely cool, partly cloudy and blessedly breezy morning weather last Saturday. As you may recall -- July 9th was a miserably humid and hot day -- even at 7 am.
I experienced a similar misery yesterday for my 5 mile run. In short: it sucked. It was hot and somewhat humid, but I don't think that was really the problem. It might have been the fact that I never really got rehydrated after the sangria at the Wicker Park Summer Fest the night before. It might have been the fact that I was running at 6 pm rather than 7 am. It might have been the piece of cheesecake that I had at Mary Pat's birthday celebration (I don't even like cheesecake all that much but far be it from me to turn down birthday cake!). It was probably all three but in any event -- it was not a good run.

This weekend we have 12 miles and I have already been checking the weather -- I want cool, cloudy and breezy. Hope hope.

The CDC is coming up so soon -- only three weeks to go. I feel pretty confident about the CDC. It will be great having Lisa there -- and Margie (where are you Margie, we miss you), to keep pace with and keep me motivated. I am not too worried about the mileage, I think I can do the 13 miles. (Let's not talk about the marathon yet, I am still pretty nervous about that one).

I feel fortunate to have chosen TnT to train with. I know how much it helps to have my teammates there every Saturday morning. It is wonderful to have Lesley and Marty and Lisa and Margie and all the others in my pace group to keep me motivated and just to talk to. I can't imagine trying to do this on my own and I hope that Taryn knows that she is with me on every run -- I wish she actually were here though!

More soon,
XO

Update!

2006-07-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

I have been quite MIA lately and I have a lot to fill you all in on.
First things first -- Keegan has a donor! Mimi announced this at our last group training and the crowd of about 150 erupted into applause and cheers! Keegan is one of our patient honorees -- he is 8 and has been battling leukemia for three years. He recently learned that he would have to have a bone marrow transplant and his family was devastated to discover that no one was a match for him. Many bone marrow drives were planned in an effort to get as many people in the registry and in the hope that one person would be a match with Keegan. It worked!
It was a really special moment that set the tone for our grueling 10 mile run in incredible heat and humidity. As terrible as I felt at parts during that run -- I am healthy and capable of doing this and that is a wonderful gift. I can do this little thing so that other people can continue to live. That is really what makes Team in Training special and has been a wonderful experience learning that with my teammates.

The other announcement was from Coach Chris who shared the sad news that his brother-in-law lost his battle with leukemia just the previous week. We started our run with a few moments of silence for both people whose lives inspired us this week.

Last week Megan announced that over 150 people were participating in the CDC on August 13th -- that will be amazing to be out there with all of the other TnTers. And over 450 people are running with TnT for the Chicago Marathon! These are the biggest groups that LLS has had for either event. So far we have raised over $750,000 this season for the society! Wohoo!

And the final piece of great news is that my friends Christina and Jenny will be coming out from Seattle to support Taryn and me for the Chicago Marathon! I just learned this today and I am so excited!

The grisly details about the 10 mile run can wait -- and surely will be surpassed by other grueling runs once we get up around 16 or 18 miles. Until then, cross your fingers or say a prayer that it is not even close to 95 degress the day of the CDC -- hope for 70 degress okay?
XO,
Molls

List-O-Donors

2006-06-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

The complete list of fantastic donors to date follows.
Christina and Peter
Mary Pat F.
Carolyn E.
Shanna C.
The Rutherfords
Judy P.
Judy L.
Dan B.
Inez R.
Sharon T.
Hana J.
Heather P.
Christine K.
Collene and Mike L.
Emily F. (TNT Alum!)
Pete and Trudie B. (My awesome in-laws!)
Brina M.
Dick and Phyllis D.
Kate and Jake N.
Alecia and Scott H.
Jim and Peg
Lynn and Don M.
Torie R.
Ellen M.
Heather and Rich B.
Dave and Lisa C.
Grandma Hickey
Bernie H.
Rosie and Hank W.
Erin and Dave A.
Ryan and Becky W.
Thank you so much for your generosity.
I am really close the fundraising goal all thanks to you!

almost there...

2006-06-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

I totaled up the checks I have received and my mentor sent me the latest Paycor total and I am thrilled to say that fundraising goal is mere dollars away from being met! I need to raise $2100 and I am currently at $2021! Hooray and thanks to everyone who has donated. I am amazed at the generousity that people have shown and I am deeply grateful.
Now, about the training -- 8 miles. That was the goal for Saturday's run and I did it. I won't say it was easy because it was not, but it wasn't all that bad either.
I got some new kicks and this was the big test run for those -- they felt great. Funny thing about the shoes, they are pink and silver -- very girly.
I have also been testing GU energy gel and I must say it is working pretty well. It is strange and doesn't go down easily but it does the trick so I will perserve in finding a flavor that doesn't gross me out. Orange, yuck. Espresso -- okay but I could taste it after. Vanilla will get a try this Saturday -- I'll let you know.
8 miles. I am pretty proud of that.

Awesome News

2006-06-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

One of my dearest friends, Taryn, is coming to Chicago to run the Chicago Marathon with me! I don't know if I can express how excited I am about this -- it is so awesome! Taryn and her husband live in Okinawa Japan so I don't get to see her very often. I think part of the reason this is so exciting (aside from the fact that I will get to see her) is that it is another adventure that Molly and Taryn get to do together. When I moved out to the Midwest Taryn drove across the country with me from Seattle. We stopped in every state and national park along the way. Right after that trip they moved to Japan and I have only seen her twice since then.
So, long story short, I am thrilled that she is coming and we can do this together.

6 miles!

2006-06-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
That's right! Six miles! The longest run of my life (so far).
I woke up to the sound of rain on Saturday morning. Pouring rain and wind and cold. But no thunder and lightning so the training was still on. As I drove into the parking lot to meet the group it occurred to me that my running partners, Lisa and Margie, might not be there, but as soon as I got out of the car I saw them -- bundled up in hoods and hats and layers, but there and grinning in the rain.
It was a much smaller group this Saturday, due to the nasty weather, but you never know what it is going to be like on race day -- it could be cold and nasty and raining.
In other big news, I have decided to run both the Chicago Distance Classic (CDC) and the Chicago Marathon with Team in Training. My mentor, Barb (Hi Barb!), was very encouraging and supportive while I was deciding. After completing the six miles on Saturday I decided to do it. Either way I was going to train for the Chicago Marathon but I didn't know if I wanted to do the combo with TnT or just switch my registration over from CDC to the marathon. I decided on the combo so now I am running 13.1 miles on August 13th and at least 13 miles on October 22nd. Oh yeah, Margie and I are playing with the idea of training for the full in October. That, my friends, I will decide on later, once we get up to 16 and 18 mile runs. I may not be able to walk after those!
So big news and more money to raise but I know I can do it!
More soon,
Molly

considering training for another event

2006-06-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,
After conferring with my TNT running pal, Margie, I am considering training for another half marathon in October. We may be getting ahead of ourselves but it seems like good idea. I am really enjoying these long runs on Saturdays (they are not really very long yet, but they will be, just you wait) and I don't want to find myself completing the half in August andonly to lose momentum after. I had been playing around with the idea of another event and was thinking of signing up for another half in October. Margie and I discussed this and we are of the same mind.
After checking the CARA website for events we realized that the Chicago Marathon was our best option, however, registration is closed (imagine! 40,000 people have already registered!). If we swtich our TNT registration to the Chicago Marathon (and plan on running half only, maybe, more on that later) we can register for the Distance Classic on our own and do both. Or we could do that combo plan with TNT but that would be mean the fundraising committment is higher.
What do you think? My goal is $1500 right now -- and I am at about $700 right now, almost halfway there. Can I raise $2100 in order to participate in both events? I am still mulling that over and I need to decide soon as recommittment is coming up soon. Hmm.

As for the training it is going really well. Our coaches keep telling us that we should feel good after our group runs, like we could run another mile. So far so good. Last Saturday we did 4 miles and I felt like I could easily do another mile -- and I did it almost as fast (relative term here) as I ran three miles on my own on Friday. I am not sure what to make of that but I am going to consider it a good thing.

This leads to my considering training for the Chicago Marathon and attempting to run the full marathon. I still have some serious reservations about it though. With the history of arthritis in my family I am not sure if it would be good for my joints to take it on. Aside from that, I keep reading these articles about avoiding marathon related injuries and post marathon blues, and keeping your immune system up after an endurance event and I am kind of freaking myself out. But them the old competitive instinct kicks in and I want to do it. For anyone who has played a board game or trivial pursuit with me knows, I can be very competitive. Sometimes it is not so pretty. Knowing that about myself I have to consider this carefully. So for now, I am planning on running two half marathons, one in August and one in October. For now.

Oh, last Saturday after training our mentors organized a brunch at Zephyr's on Wilson and Ravenswood. Nothing is better after a run than waffles, let me tell you (and eggs and breakfast sausage and hashbrowns and coffee, yummy).

Weekday training

2006-05-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have to confess that this is the first week I have been really following the training schedule -- I have been training each week but more on an ad hoc basis. This week I have buckled down. Depsite the heat and humidity I have been running my weekday runs this week. I actually like the heat -- my legs feel better when it is warm out. I do stick to the shady side of the street when I can though.

I don't have much else to report but I do want to include a donation update: More and more checks have been arriving lately so I thought this would be a good time to thank more people for their support. A gigantic thank you to: Bernie, Cleo, Hank and Rosemary, Molly A., Chris, Sharon, and Hana for their generous donations. I am not sure what the total is now -- $475 on the webpage but I have another $200 or so in checks that should be added to that total soon! Thanks again everyone!

$400 and counting!

2006-05-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't checked out my TNT donation page (https://www.active.com/donate/tntil/mollyb) lately, as of this morning people have donated $400! That means that I am only $100 away from my recommittment goal $500. The recommittment deadline is June 13th and by that time I have to have raised 1/3 of my goal in order to continue with the program. I can't believe how quickly the total has jumped in the past few days again, I just want to thank the people who are supporting me (in no particular order): Dan, Maggi, Inez, Judy P., Carolyn, Mary Pat, Shanna, Jennifer and Brian, Christina, Mike and Colleen. I think that is everyone so far -- again, a huge thank you!
I sent out 60+ letters last week and another 60 or so emails so I hope to be able to add to the above list in the coming weeks.

Running update: ran for 45 minutes yesterday and man shins were hurting the whole time but I gutted it out. I don't know if I was distracted and pumped up with adrenaline or something on Saturday, but Monday my body was protesting. I iced my shins last night and today they feel fine so I am sticking to my schedule.

In case you care my schedule is: Run about 3-4 miles 3 days a week (M-W-F), Cross train Tuesdays for 45 minutes, and a longer run at the group training on Saturday. These will get progressively longer leading up to race day. Sunday and Thursday are rest and stretch days. Sounds fun doesn't it.

First Group Run...

2006-05-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

was FUN! Yesterday was the first group run and I actually had a good time. At first I was a little worried because Eric dropped me off at the parking lot where we were meeting and it felt like the first day of school. I was really nervous! I checked in and then milled around with the rest of the group, introducing myself to people and lazily stretching. I couldn't believe how many people were there by the time we started -- over 100 easily. We broke into a couple of smaller groups and I found a group of five people who were discussing a pace that sounded doable to me so I joined in with them. We had a mission moment before the run started. The mom of a little boy named Keegan told us about Keegan's fight against ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) meanwhile Keegan and his older brother played behind her -- they are really cute. It really drove home the point of this whole undertaking -- to help people like Keegan and his family. (As an aside: Keegan will probably need a bone marrow transplant because despite two years of chemo his cancer has returned. No one in his family is a match so they are asking people to join the national bone marrow registry in hopes that someone will be a match for him -- or someone else who could benefit from donated bone marrow. Hint hint. I am going to get tested and entered into the databases this week. You should to.)

Once the run started I was amazed at how much I enjoyed myself. I felt good, my shins didn't hurt too bad and it was a glorious May Saturday morning. Our course was along the lakefront and the sun was shining -- it was a very enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning. I am actually looking forward to next week. (Just wait until we start running at 7am -- I may be singing a different tune!)

Before I wrap up this update I want to thank everyone who has donated already -- thanks to you I have raised $250 on the website and received checks from several others already!
Thanks for your support -- I feel like I can raise the money needed to participate and it gives me the inspiration to train to complete the event! If you haven't visited the donation website the link is http://www.active.com/donate/tntil/mollyb.
I am going to take some pictures at training next week so eventually this blog will be more visually exciting.
More soon!

Training Starts in one week

2006-05-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

As you know, if you are reading this blog, I am training to run as a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training in the August 13th LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon. Having never been a runner, nor particularly enjoyed running, this may come as a surprise to you.

Why am I doing this? I don't know that I can really explain it. All I can say is that it feels like something I should do. I had heard about LLS TNT through my friend Emily who ran the San Francisco Marathon a couple of years ago but I can't say I really thought about it until I got a flyer in the mail in February. Now I am committed and running regularly (well, sort of, at least I am starting to run regularly). I figure I could walk 13.1 miles now, so the better challenge seemed to be running that distance.

Anyway, the training officially starts on May 13th and my goal is to have my donation letters ready by then. I set up the webpage so that donations should start rolling in now. Right?

Actually, I do have one donation already -- thanks Christina! It was very exciting to see that when I checked the site earlier today. It makes me feel like maybe I will be able to raise the money after all!

As for the running... it still kicks my ass every time but I can do it. Everyday I get stronger and can go a little further. I am actually excited to run when I plan for it and I am looking forward to the group training days because I think I will start to see some real progress.

Thanks for checking in. More soon.