26.2 baby, 26.2!!!

So sorry I haven't written sooner. There are a number of factors as to why I haven't written yet. One of which was that I didn't want my fellow Team In Training runners (especially the first time marathoners) to read my post and get nervous! Another is that I think I've been in disbelief that I actually did it! Anyway, I digress, here is how it went down:

I landed in San Francisco on Friday afternoon, and really couldn't believe it was actually happening. What in the world had I gotten myself into?!? I was REALLY going to run 26.2 miles??? Really. Yeah, right. I gotta say that it was such a strange feeling. Plus the excitement of being somewhere I'd never been. Very surreal.

We were really lucky with the weather, San Francisco is such a beautiful city, and it was pretty much sunny the whole time. I didn't get to see the famous fog, but what I did see totally made up for it.

My first day (Friday), was spent getting my packet, which included my race bib, and checking out the Expo. Free Ghiradelli chocolate samples, yum yum. There were stations for massages and manicures (it was the Nike WOMEN'S Marathon, after all), but the lines were too long, I didn't want to wait. So I got my free postcards, then made my way to Nike Town (I was hanging out with Robin, Tina, Asi, and others by the way).

Won't you take me to... NIKE TOWN! aka starting line.

...where I spent way too much money! It was all Nike Marathon stuff, so I felt justified. But still... I didn't spend any more money after that, well besides food. I was REALLY good about that!

The next day, I went with a small group on what I thought would be a short walk to Fisherman's Wharf. WRONG! Turns out we followed the wrong people. Still, it was a fun walk, we ended up walking through Chinatown on the way back to the hotel... but boy were my feets HURTING! Not the best idea, on the day before a marathon. (I can say that it was the first real Chinatown I'd ever been too, veryyyy interesting). One of the highlights of the walk was seeing the 'performance art' pieces in a park. Basically, a bunch of people were dressed as super heros, and they seemed to be playing a game against what were possibly 'ninja's.' Innnneresting. Oh yeah, and seeing the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge, Transamerica Building, Alcatrez (sp?), and Coit Tower (sadly, my only San Francisco knowledge comes from 'So I Married An Axe Murderer' references---great movie, check it out!) "Coit Tower, San Andreas Fault!"

Farmers Market

Me! Razorback Girls Rock! Arkansas beat Ole Miss that day!!!

Fisherman's Wharf

Coit Tower

"Performance Art"

Pretty church

Transamerica Building

See my name???

I was able to relax in my room after that, and had a great afternoon, see my other blog: http://www.chasingfireworks.blogspot.com/ if you want to read more about that.

So that night was the Pasta Party, and what a great night! There were about 8,500 people there, and we learned that $8.5 million was raised for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in this race alone. So Cool! Joan Benoit Samuelson, who was the first woman to win a gold medal in the Olympic marathon (literally the first ever to win, the first time they had a women's marathon event), gave an inspirational speech. Oh yeah, and some guy named the Penguin (a sportswriter) was the emcee, he kept it light and funny.


Then the REAL inspirational speech came. A woman who had been diagnosed with Stage III non-Hodgkins Lymphoma stood up to speak. I won't go into everything, but you can check out her blog here: http://www.ichoosehope.com/. She was amazing. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

Entrance to Pasta Party

Joan Benoit Samuelson

So I went back to my hotel, and got much needed sleep. The race started at 7 am, and we were all meeting at 5:30 in the lobby of our hotel. Whoa!!! That was early, but I got right up. Got dressed and went down to go out with the team. It was still dark, and FREEZING (mostly from the wind, I think). I was wearing my shorts, race singlet, and a trash bag to keep me warm! They had music playing, and were really pumping up the crowd. Let me tell you, if that doesn't get your adrenaline pumping, I don't know what will!

Front of race day singlet

Back of race day singlet, with all my donors names...

... and the rest of em. You are all on there, some you can't see, because they are on the side!

Starting line up ahead... not so great pic...

Golden Gate Bridge

The 'little' hill

Pretty views.....

Run Girls Run!!!

The race started out great, everyone was in such a good mood (by the way, on one account, there were about 23,000 women, and 900 men in the race). I got hot in my 'jacket,' and took it off around mile 2 or 3. The sun was shining, and it was a beautiful day! We passed a band that was playing No Doubt's 'Sunday Morning,' and I sang along as best as I could while running!

Things were great! We got to the dreaded mile 6 (next to the Presidio), and whoa!!!!! This was a hill that went straight up 350 ft. for one mile. Yikes! Then we had rolling hills for about 4 miles after that one. Let's just say we walked all of them. Didn't want to wear ourselves out (by the way, I ran with my friend Donna, who I had trained with, she was great!). Funny how going downhill, we would actually run, because it was easier to do that than to walk, the hills were so steep! But we were rewarded with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. I will never forget coming down that last hill and seeing the amazing ocean, the waves crashing onto the beach. Just... wow.

This is a little before the hill, wish I would have gotten a picture of it, you could see it from a mile away! Honestly, I just didn't want to look at it!

The Presidio, or part of it, or right beside it, I'm not sure...

And down the last BIG hill, with the great view of the ocean!
There's Donna, to the left.

There it is again, and this is the last picture I took that day. I have a slide show of the professional pics on the post prior to this one, check it out!

It was a little after that when the full and half marathoners split off. We ran into Golden Gate Park. And, as usual, around mile 13 to 14 my feet starting hurting. But I was good, I ran through it, and had Donna to help me go on. We got to the highway, and the sun was beating down. We got ahead of the pace guy, so felt that we were good to go. Mile 18.5 was ahead, and we had to make it there in a certain time, or they would turn us back. One of my coaches was there, saying, 'you have two minutes, you can make it.' We were in front of the pace guy, so I wasn't too worried. Well... we got right up to the place, and they turned us back! Oh gosh, how awful was that?!? As we started to head towards the finish line, our pacer ran right through the people blocking the road. Donna changed her mind and went after him, and I did too! Ran right through those people...

Now, I will say this is when it got reallllly hard. How discouraging was that??? I kept thinking, I messed up, I'm not going to finish in time. Donna was there, and saying that we were on pace, but I just couldn't help it. I started crying. I would cry in spurts. And we had to go around this (seemingly) huge lake. I really thought I couldn't make it. None of my tricks worked on me. Who cares about Matt Jones?!? (The former Razorback I said I would think of, as in 'if he can play and win a 7-overtime game against Ole Miss- check it out: http://media.www.thedmonline.com/media/storage/paper876/news/2003/10/24/UndefinedSection/Ncaas.Longest.Game.Filled.With.Lasting.Scenes-1587385.shtml which lasted 4 hours and 46 minutes, then I could run/walk this dang thing in 6 ). None of the songs that seemingly effortlessly came to my mind during my solo 20-mile walk worked for me that day. Nothing did. I was completely and totally in denial that I could do this. I guess you could say I ran out of faith in myself.

Anyway, it got to where my legs hurt soooo bad, I couldn't run any more. Donna stayed with me probably longer than she should have, and made sure I had a coach with me when she got her final burst of energy to finish the race running. I was so grateful for her, and for Coach Craig. I just kept crying in spurts, which oddly made me feel better. But I literally felt as though I wouldn't make it, that my legs would give out before the finish, that I would just fall down. Craig stayed with me, holding my arm, let me squeeze his hand... up until the finish. Right up until about 20 or 30 feet. Then I saw my DC coaches, Mark and Rich. They held my hands, told me how awesome I was (and I didn't feel it, believe me), and I made it across by myself.

It took me 6 hours 38 minutes 50 seconds. That works out to a 15 minute/mile pace, which is what I trained at. Obviously I would have liked to finish sooner, but I'm still proud of myself. I have the Tiffany necklace (handed to me a the finish line by a guy in a tux... in that nice blue Tiffany box), finisher t-shirt and official photos to prove it!

So fast forward to a week and a day later. I was really sore for two days, but on the third day... I was like a different person! No more pain. And I can tell you that what I felt that day was probably the worst pain I've ever felt. Oh my gosh.

Will I ever run a marathon again? Hmmmm, not sure. If I do, I want to be in better shape. The good thing is that I know when I hit that breaking point, and that before I hit that wall, I had a great race. Mentally... it was such a hard thing. Now I know what to expect. Still haven't answered that first question, have I? Well, for sure I would go back and do the half. Maybe work myself up to another full. And doing it with Team In Training... that just makes it more amazing. I get to help people out by fundraising for a worty, accomplish something as great as FINISHING A MARATHON, and meet great people in the process!

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support. I REALLY couldn't have done it without y'all!


Much love and blessings,
Mandi

P.S. I will say that having so many people cheering me on was so helpful! So much so that I made it a point to meet up with the TNT cheer station at yesterday's Marine Corp Marathon, so I could cheer my running buddies (and everyone else) on. Such a fun and great thing to do!

Check out my Slide Show!

I'm San Francisco Bound!

Tomorrow morning I leave for San Francisco! I can't believe the marathon is here. I have been going from extremely nervous to extremely excited.... Ahhh! ;)

You will have a full report next week. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, for when the race seems long and unbearable. One thing I've done is write ALL of my donors names on the back of my race day singlet (shirt). That's right, I had room for all of you, and of course my honored teammates. So, literally, y'all will be 'on my back,' throughout the race, reminding me of the generousity you displayed in donating in my name. I have other tricks, but will let you know if they work out next week. Here's a hint for one: I will be thinking about a former Razorback football player... and not just because he's SOOO good-looking!

Wish me luck!!!

Blessings,

Mandi

P.S. I purchased new running shoes, Asics-with more cushioning. They look a little something like this, saaweet!

20 Miles... all by myse-e-elf....

Hi gang! (warning, this one is kinda long).

Okay, so last time I mentioned that I have been sick, and unable to run. I missed both the 16 and 18-milers, and as of last Wednesday it had been almost 3 WEEKS since I had run a step.

And then... the 20-miler. Yes, it was looming large in front of me. The Team ran it last Saturday. I was going to attempt it, but chickened out Friday night. I had only done 3 miles last Thursday, in 3 WEEKS. My legs felt like spaghetti noodles, all limp and well... useless.

So I woke up Saturday morning, and decided to go for a 4-mile walk. I figured it would help me (possibly just mentally) to have done something with my leg muscles. Well, let's just say by the time I made it home, I had a sinus headace that 3 Aleve wouldn't put a dent in.

So I was stressed. Feeling as though I couldn't do this, and that was so depressing! Because how in the world could I run 26.2 miles without having run close to if before the race? I knew that yesterday (Sunday) was the last day possible for me to do it. This coming Saturday would be too late, you're not supposed to run such a long distance so close to the actual race day.

So I made a decision. I would wake up whenever I wanted Sunday (that meant no alarm clock), and if I felt fine, I would give it a try. I had already figured out a 10-mile course that I could do twice... yikes!

And wouldn't you know it, I lost my sports watch?!? I swear, it really was a comedy of errors, the hours leading up to my 20-miler.

I awoke Sunday morning feeling great, and just decided to go for it. I could always turn around and come home if I started feeling bad, I rationalized to myself. I took off with my fuel belt, full of Gatorade, shot blocks, my inhaler, some cash (for some reason, I had an overabundance of one-dollar bills, okay 8 of em), and my house key tied onto my shoe. Daunting? You betcha.

So I started out, and about 5 miles in decided to change my course. I decided to the do a 12-miler, then tack on 8-miles at the end (that would be approximately 2 laps of the Mall).

And oh my gosh, I did it! Since I didn't have my watch, I couldn't do intervals, but I ran in spurts. Luckily the weather was perfect, I think the high was 72, and it was breezy. I planned it to where I could run the last half on the Mall, because they sell water and Gatorade all over the place, for those thirsty, dehydrated tourists. Which was the reason I carried the cash, by the way, were you thinking it was cab money???

Wow, what a feeling, I really still am in shock that I did it... and without an iPod! (Yes, I'm a freak of nature, and can walk/run for 20 miles without music, sooo not easily bored!).

I talked to one of the coaches today, because he e-mailed me, asking me to call him. I told him I did it, and he was absolutely floored. He had been concerned about me, and even thought about switching me to the half-marathon (which is the same day/time as the full Nike Women's), but since I've done this, then he thinks I'm good to go! (I can't say that it's not tempting to cut back, but I won't! I've been planning all along to do the full, and so that's what I'm gonna do!).

And how, you may ask, did I not just simply die of boredom! I planned out little rewards for myself. On the way back from Haines Point (this is approximately 6-7 miles in) I ran the Tidal Basin. I love it down there, so that was my first treat. When I got back on the Mall, I had to do the loop twice. I planned on my last trip around the Washington Monument to actually go up and touch it, and I stretched there, that was my second treat. Also, I told myself that on my last loop, I would run through the Smithsonian Castle Garden. It's so pretty, and smells so wonderful. So that was my last treat.

By the time I made it in front of the National Air and Space Museum (for the last time), I was congratulating myself for not having lost my mind! That was about 1-mile from my house. A guy was playing the flute, and I decided to give him my last dollar. He said 'you look ready for a jog, with your belt on.' I replied, 'just finishing up 20 miles, almost done!' as I held up 7 fingers. So... maybe I wasn't all there, but at least I remember it!

The Mall was the perfect place for me to do it, because there were tourists everywhere, there was a band playing (for some reason I don't know) by the Washington Monument, and there was the MS Walk finish line in front of the Capitol, and they were playing fun music. Although I will say, please, if you are a singer, do NOT butcher U2. I don't care how you sing, but if you can't do Bono justice, please... just.don't.do.it.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. People were everywhere, no telling how many languages I heard, I met a photographer, and just had a great time. Now, will I ever voluntarily run/walk 20-miles all by myself ever again? Highly doubtful! But I'm soo glad I did it. It just proves that I have the determination it takes to do this. That my legs, feet, lungs and mostly importantly mind can do this. Such a great feeling. And I'm not even that sore! Okay, I am, but not near as bad as I anticipated!

That's my update. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Blessings,
Mandi

You take the good, you take the bad...

Hi all!

So, as I'm sure you've all been waiting anxiously for my "I ran 18 miles and feel GREAT" blog. Well, it didn't happen. I have been really sick for about a week, went to the doctor yesterday, and I have a sinus infection.

I do want you to know that I consulted some of my coaches before skipping the 18-miler. They suggested I not do it. I was so sad/mad, I was crying on the phone! But I also know myself, and I would have just gotten more sick...

So.... here is where I stand now. Apparently you shouldn't run if you have a fever higher than 99, which I have had a few times this past week. Also, if you try to run with a sinus infection, it will only make it worse, and could lead to pneumonia or (worse case scenerio) respiratory failure. These are possible even without a fever. I have started a 10 day treatment of antibiotics. Hopefully I can get back on track soon!!!

Here's an article from Runner's World, if you are interested: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-286--9082-0,00.html

Anyway, when I have good and bad news, I like to go with the bad news first. Because then the good news can cheer the hearer up!

The good news is that I only have $299 to go! I have had some recent donations, and raised $305 at the group fundraiser this past Tuesday night! Woo hoo! So that is great, all that money is going to an AMAZING cause, and I don't have to stress out about raising so much!

Yippee Skippy!

Anyway, that is all. I want everyone to know that I'm working really hard at getting better, resting up as much as possible. I've missed 1.5 days of work, and slept pretty much all the time. I am determined to do this... it's just another minor setback. 20-miler, here I come!

Blessings,
Mandi

780 and 18... oh yeah and 195!

Numbers numbers numbers... You're probably asking yourself, 'why is Mandi throwing these numbers at me?' Well, they actually mean something, patience patience!


780- I need to raise this much more to meet my fundraising goal. That means, that yes (with your help), I've raised $3,020! Wow, lots of money, and it's all going to such a great cause!

18- Yikes, this one... yikes! That is how many miles I will be running this Saturday. Yikes yikes double yikes. Will be writing about that next week...

and 195- That is the total amount of training miles I have ran since May 17th! I've really come a long way. The first 3 mile run we had... I was so nervous! Now, 12 miles... ha, nothing! Okay, not nothing, but at least I'm not nervous any more!

Anyway, that is all for today.

Have a blessed day,
Mandi

Been awhile...

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I was home in Arkansas for a week, where it was TOO BLESS-ED HOT to run very much. I swear my Gatorade was close to boiling!

So below, I have some pics that were taken of me running on the National Mall.

Little ole me, running...

Dee Dee and I.... running. Me again, TNT... DY-NO-MITE!

Okay, that's about all I have to say today.

Have a great and blessed day!

Mandi

Great news!

I was in Arkansas last week, and had a chance to visit one of my honored teammates, Miss Billie. She has three more chemo treatments to go, and the doctors say her cancer is gone! So so great!

Also, I'M AN AUNT AGAIN! My newest (of 3) nephews, John Austin, was born yesterday. Looks like his big brother, too too cute!

Now to my running. I was in Arkansas last week, and it was TOO HOT to run! I tried to do 5 miles last week, only got 3 in before I thought I'd pass out. I swear, the SUN is hotter down South (it is closer to the equator and all). My Gatorade got hotter in 3 miles, than it does running 14 miles in DC! Then I missed the second run, because I hung out with my family... and it was 100 degrees! Oh yeah, by the way, I got a new fuel belt (because the one I have is way too small). Here is a pic of it, I got the pink one...

You can buy these things at http://www.fuelbelt.com/. Very handy!

Anyway, when I was in Arkansas, I got to hang out with my nephew Noah. Such a cutie! He was saying my name... MandEEE! Caught a cold and stomach thing from him, so I missed out on the big run last Saturday (16 miler, SO mad I missed it). However, you can't be too mad about getting sick from a 1 year old. I wasn't about to not let him give me sugar, or feed me olives (which I normally hate), or share my strawberries with him. So it was definitely worth getting sick over.

I ran last night, 5 miles, and I could DEFINITELY feel the little break I took. It was harder on my lungs, so it is really noticeable now how much better my asthma has gotten since I've started running. It was also harder on my legs, but I can say that my calves didn't cramp up like they have been. And I kept to my usual pace, even though I walked more than usual. It helped that the weather has gotten better, the high is now in the 80's.

So, that's my update. Also, just to let you know, I now raised $2,570.00. I have $1.230.00 to go! If you can think of anyone that might like to donate, please forward my information to them. It would be greatly appreciated!

Have a blessed day,
Mandi

14 miles and whaddaya get?

Sore sore sore knees, thighs and calves is what I got. I can honestly say that this is the first time during my training that I felt as though someone had beat me up! I spent Saturday night icing my legs, drinking Gatorade, and pretty much being miserable...


So, I was reminded the other day of the time I volunteered at Arkansas Children's Hospital. I mainly worked in the play area. You would think that running and raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society would have jogged those memories, and it has, but I haven't let myself REALLY go there until recently.

It was a very fulfilling experience, but something that could often be draining. So many kids were there with many different types of illnesses. They never let us know what conditions the children had, and we weren't ever to ask. Their time in the play area was supposed to be one where they wouldn't have to think about any problems.

What I'm remembering most are the chemo patients. These little kids would come in, during their chemo treaments. They would be hooked up to the i.v.'s and machines that was pumping the live-saving chemicals into their blood. They played as if nothing was wrong, dragging the stands as far as the electrical chords would allow. Running as fast as they could, laughing and playing, acting as though they had no care in the world.

It was tough in that you got to know some of these kids, but then you never knew their outcomes. Did they go on to survive and be active, robust teenagers and adults? Did they lose the fight, even after all of the treatments and surgeries they went through?

Let me tell you, volunteering in that way is something that can be very fulfilling, and I would encourage anyone to give it a try...

So, fast foward to last Saturday. It hurt. Hurt bad. Especially the last 2-3 miles. Oh my gosh, did it hurt. It hurt all day and all night. 14 miles is a little over half the distance of a marathon. I'm not gonna lie, I had about 1 minute of doubting that I can do this. But it went away. So what if I hurt, so what if it hurt for a whole day? It's still not near what cancer patients go through. If they can take the pain to save their lives, then I can certainly take the pain it takes to run this marathon... and help raise money to find a cure.

Mandi

P.S. If you can guess where I got the title from... I'll give you a cookie!!! Here's a hint: I should have waited until the 16 miler to use that title, but it's all I could think of Saturday night...

Hot Town, Summer in the City

Wow, it's hot outside. Really really hot. So hot, it reminds me of home, which wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't training for a M-A-R-A-T-H-O-N. Oh yeah, and walking to and from work everyday. By the time I get home... let's just say it's not pretty!

Went for a run this morning, 6 am, it was 81 degrees, and really humid. Gross. I did 4 miles. Which is NOT gross. It's good. It feels good. I would go as far to say it feels great. My legs and feet are sore pretty much all the time, and it feels great.

I don't really have a point to this entry, just wanted to write. It's been awhile, it feels good to write. Two of my favorite things to do are to write and to run. Who would have thought run would be in there? Certainly not me!

I guess what I want to say is that I'm grateful. Grateful that thanks to my brother and sister-in-law, I get to be an aunt again... soon! As in any day now. That will make 2 nephews, and one neice or nephew for me (they want to be surprised, again). Also, that my aunt is okay. Very lucky, and okay. I think of the impact my aunts and uncles had on my life growing up, and how I want to be good aunt, too. The person I am today... let's just say I owe them a lot! I am fortunate to have a great family. A close family. Very loving. Yes, I am fortunate.

Sooo, as of this morning, I have logged in 133 training miles. That's a lot of miles! It's something that takes dedication, I'm so glad to be doing it. And so happy to be raising money for such a worthy cause. It seems like since I signed up for this, leukemia and lymphoma has entered my life any many ways. Ms. Billie, who kept me in the church nursery, and who I would say impacted my life in a big way, because she is a truly kind-hearted person (a great example!) was diagnosed after I started this. I found out about Joanne's husband, too. I am learning more and more about this disease, and feel proud to be raising money to help others. To help find a cure.

So that's it. Thanks for reading my rambling post today. May your day be full of hope and blessings.

Mandi

Run for 5 miles, what?

Okay, so I've been doing the week day runs by myself. This time, I ran with Stephanie and Tiffany. I met Stephanie through the TNT MySpace page, and she has been graciously inviting me to her weekly group runs. This time I finally went!

So, it was just the three of us, and tell me that they try to run the whole time. If you have read my earlier entries, I have been doing run/walk intervals. Haven't even attempted this. We were going to do 5 miles. I gotta say, I thought I couldn't do it. I just told them I would try, but if they needed to, they could leave me behind. Well, I did it! We ran for over 4 miles! Decided to walk the last bit, due to some aches and pains.

Let me tell you, never thought that would happen. So, I am very grateful to Stephanie and Tiffany. Wow, very cool!

It was a great run, started at 7:30, so it wasn't so hot, and the sun was going down. We ran down the Mall, past the Washington Monument, then around the Tidal Basin (where the tourists go to see the Cherry Blossoms). So pretty. By the time we go there, the sky was a pretty pink, great view from when we ran in front of the Jefferson Monument (my favorite).

So, thanks again, Stephanie and Tiffany!

Mandi

$559.20

My roommates and I had our annual summer party last weekend, and decided to add on a fundraiser. We raised $559.20! Awesome! I have raised a total of $2,374.00. Only $1,426.00 to go!

Here are some pics (hope to get more later, I only took one the whole night!).

Kim (our former intern) and me. I wore my vintage 50's-60's dress. Love it!

George and me. He should really get into fundraising, he went around, and got more donations from our guests (the one's who didn't know it was a fundraiser, I guess). Thanks George!

I will post more pics when I get them.

Have a great day!

Mandi

P.S. I have yet another honored teammate. Joe Fowler, who has completed treatment for non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, is doing well, but dealing with health problems due to the chemo lowering his immune system. I worked with his wife, Joanne, when I was in Little Rock. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

SURPRISE!

So, I went for a run last night, 4 miles. I can tell you that sometimes I don't think about much when I run, sometimes I think about things I would think about if I were just walking or sitting somewhere. Then there are times that I have what I guess you could call 'small realizations.'

I was running along, almost halfway to the Washington Monument, and I was thinking about how people can surprise you. In good ways and bad, people will surprise you. It's like when you think you know someone, and they exhibit traits that seem totally opposite of what you expect. Then it hit me. People who know me are probably REALLY surprised that I'm training for a marathon. As a matter of fact, I know people who had to blink, then look at the letter/e-mail again, just to make sure it was really from me. Because as I've said before, I've never done anything REMOTELY like this in my life.

Then I thought further. Because of anyone who is surprised by this, I think that I'm probably the most surprised. How cool is that? Surprising YOURSELF!

Now, I'm not writing this as a pat on my back, far from it. I'm writing this, because it's something I would encourage others to do. Do something different than you've ever done before. Something that others wouldn't expect (now I'm not saying something illegal or unhealthy or dangerous... let's not go overboard here! =) ). You will probably surprise everyone, but most of all yourself. It feels really cool, I promise!

Another thought I had last night was, I wonder how many tourists pics I've been in? You know, like in the background. As I was running the sidewalk that goes around the Washington Monument, it was a pretty nice scene. The Marine Band was playing, people were sitting in the grass - listening, and others were sitting around the Monument, taking pictures of their family and friends in different spots. Some in front of the Washington Monument, others of the cool views of the Lincoln Monument to the west, and the Capitol to the east. I felt kinda bad about not stopping when I saw someone take a picture, but they didn't seem to mind. That's when I had the thought... I wonder how many people get home from their vacations, develop their pictures, and there's little ol' me. Sitting in the background, or running by-my pony tail flying.

So yeah, running last night was nice. It was almost getting dark, nice breeze, tourists and softball players on the Mall. Glad I'm doing it.

Have a good one!
Mandi

Mile 100!!!

As of last night I have done 100 training miles! Whoa!!!

I didn't even realize (although I knew I was close). When I got home last night from my 4 mile run, I logged it on my blackberry/outlook. And there it was. 100 total training miles.

My run last night was nice, it was slightly overcast, and there was a light breeze. I went as soon as I got home from work, so it was still light outside. I really like my new route. I run from my house, down the mall,up and around the Washington Monument, then back home. So great!

When I do this route in the mornings, I run through the Smithsonian Castle's Garden. Soooo pretty!

Never would I ever have guessed that I would actually ENJOY running! I guess that's a good thing, since I'm only going to do more and more of it.

Have a great and blessed day!
Mandi

Double Digits, Baby!!!

Last Saturday I broke double digits, and did 10 miles! 10.WHOLE.MILES! Wow, never ever thought that would happen. Luckily, I had a great group of people to do it with, which makes it so much easier...

Not that it was easy, mind you. We started at Fletcher's Boat House, ran towards the Georgetown Waterfront (along the Potomac, really nice biking/running path), then turned around back to Fletcher's. That was 4 miles. The hardest part was not stopping when we got there (that was the second water stop). We ran past that another 3 miles, then back to Fletcher's for a total of 10 miles. Whew!

What a great feeling! Next Saturday, 8 miles, another 'break,' but with a good hill workout. San Francisco, here I come!

On the donation front; I have raised $1,564.80, that is 41% of my goal!

That's about all I have for now.

Peace out,
Mandi

P.S. I do have another honored teammate, Mrs. Billie Cole, I just found out she has non-hodgkens lymphoma. Please pray for her!

Mile 71

I just added it up, and I have done 71 training miles! In addition to walking 1 mile a day on weekdays (to and from work), my dogs have gotten a workout!


I had to do last Saturday's long run by myself, because I was out of town, so I did it Sunday on the Mall here in DC. It was uneventful, except for being barked at by a passer-by, and yes, he was human. Lovely.


I can just say that as for doing those long runs for myself??? No thanks! So boring, even my iPod didn't help. Having a big group to run with is extremely helpful in keeping motivated, and just maybe pushing yourself a little more harder than you would by yourself.


Well, thats about all I have to say. Much thanks for everyone who has donated so far, and all the moral support! Also, thanks to my sister for running with me last week, which I know she had to do considerably slower than usual. Also, to my Mom, who would wake up early with me, and go to Murray Park to walk the Big Dam Bridge. You go, Mom!


Have a great day!
Mandi

Pics from Arkansas and whatnot...

The Big Dam Bridge

Me and my sister after running 4 miles. In 90% humidity!

Me at the Big Dam Bridge after running with my sister.

Oh yeah, and one thing I forgot to add from my first run in Little Rock. Some guy passed me, and said, 'those shoes sure look heavy,' or something to that affect. I turned to say something to him, like 'I know, I need to buy new shoes! HOW DID YOU KNOW???' I looked down, and he was running barefoot! He passed me, and just kept on going. I caught up to him, because he had decided to walk, and spoke to him for a little bit. He was training for a 5k, and turns out, he runs races barefoot. Crazy! He said it takes lots of practice... well I would guess so!

By the way, I finally went and bought new running shoes yesterday at Georgetown Running Company. Asics, sweet.

X-TRAINING AND THE BIG DAM BRIDGE

Hi all! Just thought I'd give a little update...

The training process involves running (or running/walking for me) 3 times a week. On Sundays and Wednesdays, I am supposed to do cross-training. This can vary, sometimes I will go to the gym in my office building, and do the elliptical and bike. But the last thing I want to do is go back to work (yeah, I know I'm not working, but I'm going to the BUILDING).

Another possibly little known fact about me. I will buy exercise videos and very rarely if ever use them. So what are the chances, one might wonder, of me actually buying an exercise BOOK and using it? Well, here's your answer. About a year ago, I bought the book Smart Girls Do Dumbells, which I found by doing one of my favorite hobbies... searching different topics on Amazon.com. (yes, I know, I'm a nerd! ;) ).

So I decided to give this book a try. I have to say, in the short time I've used it, I think it's pretty good, but will have to give a complete recommendation in a month or so. It has easy-to-do exercises that focus on an area of the body... different arm and leg exercises, precisely. Then you do one ab exercise and one stretch. It has different combitions of daily exercises, for 30 days. I had decided that since they weren't that hard, I would just do them everday (which is what the book recommends). Couldn't hurt, right?

Well, I was about into the 5th day, and it was a leg day. One of the exercises was a calf raise, specifically an upper calf exercise. I will say that it hurt A LOT to do, but I just thought to myself, 'this has GOT to help with my running.' Was I SO wrong!

I could barely walk for about 3 days. I had to skip out on my Thursday run last week, because on my Tuesday run.... let's just say that I made it to the Washington Monument from my house (2 miles), but had to pretty much walk most of the way home. I couldn't BELIEVE how bad it hurt! I would stop and stretch, which didn't help at all. They would just cramp up... It was miserable. Plus the fact that I had to walk 1/2 a mile to work afterwards...

So the moral of this one is... if you are training to run a marathon, DO NOT, I repeat, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT do any excerise where you will be so sore that it will hurt you to walk. Because if you can't walk, your REALLY can't run!

Not to worry, I got right back on track, did my 5 miles on Saturday. The coaches call this a 'break,' because we did 7 miles the Saturday before, and will do 8 miles next Saturday. Had to do it on my own, because I am home in Arkansas for a week! Woo hoo! Sore, sore legs, but if feels good...

Oh yeah, and by the way, people in DC complain about the humidity SO MUCH, that they caused me to have a slight amnesia when it came to it being worse in Arkansas. I really had myself convinced that the humidity in DC might be worse than down here. COMPLETELY WRONG! I was drenched with sweat before my first mile, and never get near that bad running in DC. So there, I've been cured of that little case of amnesia. Gotta love the heat in humidity in the South.

I ran a path that goes by Murray Park (it's right down the road from my sisters house), and goes up to the Big Dam Bridge. It's the first time I've seen it close up. (I saw it at night with my sister and parents, how they have lights on it that change colors, might have been just for Christmas, I'm not sure). How pretty! For those of you who don't know, the Big Dam Bridge goes across the Arkansas River, and is so named because it is directly over Murray Lock and Dam. I remember going to field trips to the dam in elementary school, so it's cool to go back there now.

Anyway, the Big Dam Bridge is the nation's longest pedestrian bridge (built for that purpose), spanning about 1 mile across. It links 25 miles of biking and hiking trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock (for those of you who may not know, the Arkansas River separates the two). Definitely a must see for you non-Arkansans who find yourself in the area... check it out here: http://www.bigdambridge.com/.

So, here is my little mini-update. This would be my third set-back, the first one was when my inhaler ran out, and I missed a week of training (because my doctor's office took FOREVER to refill it). The second one was a very sore knee that I could barely walk on. I missed one day running (a Thursday) with that. It's amazing what stretching and a little ice can do! I ran 7 miles the next Saturday, and my knee felt BETTER afterwards!

The good thing about these set-backs is that they have been very minor, very easily overcome. It just makes what I'm running for even more poignant. Because they in no way compare to what cancer patients have to deal with. Believe me when I say that I use that for inspiration, because I really do.

Have a blessed day!
Mandi

P.S. I will be adding pictures of the Big Dam Bridge later on, after I take them! (or you can go to the website http://www.bigdambridge.com/, and go to the Gallery section).

Mile 47

So, I have ran a total of 47 miles since I started training. 47 MILES! Never in my life did I ever think I could be able to say that.

I run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The week runs vary from 3 to 4 to 5 miles, getting longer as the training progresses. I will start the 4 mile week day runs tomorrow.

The mornings I run during the week, my alarm goes off at 6 am. Now, I am DEFINITELY NOT a morning person, but surprisingly, I am able to jump right out of bed. I am outside by 6:15 am, and back in the house by 7 am, or a little before... I have been averaging 13 minutes miles (this is while running 4 minutes, walking 1 minute intervals).

Saturday mornings are a little different story. Since our runs begin at 7 am, I stay in on Friday nights. As I lay in bed, trying to go to sleep, I get nervous, 'can I really run 7 miles?', I think to myself. This was specifically going through my head last Friday. I try to come up with reasons not to do it, but my 'don't be a wimp' inner voice wins out, and sure enough, I am up and ready to go.

The great thing about doing something that I NEVER thought I could do, is the feeling of accomplishment after getting done. Last Saturday I did 7 miles, which I've never done before, and it is a GREAT feeling!

So, the moral of the story is, never underestimate yourself. You CAN do what you might have thought was once impossible. All you have to do is try.

Peace out,
Mandi

P.S. Much thanks to my running partner last Saturday, Sandy. She put up with me, weird noises and all! And those shots sure did help, too!

Honored Teammates

Throughout the training process, each team is given an honored teammate. Then, if you want, you can have personal honored teammates. I am lucky enough to have two great people in my life to have as honored teammates.

The first is Emily Lawrimore, she is a great friend who has been cancer free for 11 years. It just so happens that she participated in Team In Training a few years ago, running in Vancouver. She has already run the race for others, and I am honored to now run it for her.

The second is Greg Dugan, someone I have been friends with for 12 years, who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last fall. Thanks to early detection he successfully finished chemotheraphy last month.

I'm well aware that I am lucky to have them in my life because of the advances in cancer research. Again, this is such an important cause, and I'm very proud to be a part of it.

Also, we had an honored teammate picnic on June 16. We started out the morning at 7:30 am with a 6 mile run. It was a nice one, we were on the Georgetown Waterfront. My right calve sure was achey, but I ran through it.

This was a special day in a few ways. First off, since it was the honored teammate picnic, we had all the teams from the surrounding chapters (National Capitol, Northern Virginia, and Maryland). These included marathoners, cyclists, and the triathalon teams. We heard speeches from each teams' honored teammate.

Let me tell you, that was really emotional. The cute teenage boy who joked about how his friends all shaved their heads in a sign of solidarity, and how he didn't lose all of his through chemo-- the joke was on them! The man who was diagnosed long before the newer treatments came about, and how hard on his body they were. The ones who were diagnosed after the better treatments came about, and how thankful they were for the newer treatments. And the two women who have been in remission, but both recently found out their cancer is back...

That is why cancer research is so important. There is no absolute cure. It can always come back, and we need to try as hard as we can to help in whatever way we can to find a CURE.

Thanks,
Mandi

P.S. Thanks to Barbie and Melanie, my running partners that day, who helped me stayed motivated. The speeches I heard at the picnic will DEFINITELY serve as future motivation.

"We must run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1"

For those of you who didn't know, I am training for a marathon. Yes, a marathon, you read that correctly. For those of you who know me well, you're probably thinking... WHAT?!? It is true that I am not known for my athleticism. More like known for being just plain lazy.

Well, I am at that great age of 30. For me, it has brought thoughts of being healthier. Taking better care of my body. I have friends who have done the same training program as I am, and they say it is great. So I thought I'd look into it. I went to an information meeting, and just got hooked. The one line I remember most was from a video they showed us, where a coach's voice is in the background saying, 'the first mile is always the hardest. Just remember that whatever pain you are feeling, the people we are running for are dealing with much worse.' That really got to me.

And the great thing about this organization is that they train you to run and in turn, you raise money for such a worthy cause...

So, I'm going to do it. I'm going to try my hardest, and use the people I'm raising money for as inspiration.

I will keep everyone updated. This should be interesting...

To donate, go to: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaABerry