Yes, I know. It is Thursday night and I am supposed to be doing the Crossroads 9 mile run... don't remind me. I have a very good reason for postponing the ritual Thursday 9 miler until tomorrow morning (it better be a good reason if I'm voluntarily getting up early). After three weeks of grueling training (AKA re-watching seasons 1-3 on my lap top day in and day out) the season premiere of Lost is finally here!!! I can't wait! It's a big relief, really, that this night has finally arrived... you try dragging yourself out of bed on a Sunday afternoon to go running after you've firmly snuggled yourself under the covers for three hours watching the Lost crew roam about on a deserted island. Trust me, it is not easy. So now, after tonight, I will officially be rid of all marathon training distractions... that is until I think of something else to do... :)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I'm Baaaaack
This is how my vacation went:
Ashley and I had an awesome time in Turks and Caicos. The weather was perfect (most of the time), the beach was beautiful, and the whole trip gave me some much needed rest and relaxation. As I woke up for work this morning on my first day back, I realized it was the first time in months that I wasn't completely exhausted and having to drag myself out of bed. I do have to admit that, although I did bring my running shoes and clothes down to the island with me, I didn't actually do any running while I was there. Part of me feels a little guilty about it, especially the part of me that knows that the DFMC team ran 16 miles this past weekend. The other part of me, though, feels like a little rest never hurt anyone and now I'm ready to tackle my training with renewed energy and dedication.
The marathon wasn't completely forgotten while on my trip. Ashley and I met a very nice couple from Chicago on the first night on the island and somehow Ashley ended up telling them about my marathon training and fundraising. We saw them yesterday at the beach before we left, and they asked for my fundraising website to make a donation! Dana Farber has told us time and time again to tell everyone we know, meet, see and come in contact with that we are running the marathon and raising money for a cure for cancer and we will be amazed at the response. Though I am beyond proud of the cause that I am running and raising money for, I have been hesitant to go around to almost strangers spreading the word. Luckily, I've got an awesome roommate to do the word spreading for me!
In more fundraising news, I'm now up to a total of $3703.97! I can't believe how quickly the donations have added up. According to the DFMC website, only 2 months and 21 days until the big race... that's about $64.50 a day in donations to meet my fundraising goal. Almost there! Now about that training...
Ashley and I had an awesome time in Turks and Caicos. The weather was perfect (most of the time), the beach was beautiful, and the whole trip gave me some much needed rest and relaxation. As I woke up for work this morning on my first day back, I realized it was the first time in months that I wasn't completely exhausted and having to drag myself out of bed. I do have to admit that, although I did bring my running shoes and clothes down to the island with me, I didn't actually do any running while I was there. Part of me feels a little guilty about it, especially the part of me that knows that the DFMC team ran 16 miles this past weekend. The other part of me, though, feels like a little rest never hurt anyone and now I'm ready to tackle my training with renewed energy and dedication.The marathon wasn't completely forgotten while on my trip. Ashley and I met a very nice couple from Chicago on the first night on the island and somehow Ashley ended up telling them about my marathon training and fundraising. We saw them yesterday at the beach before we left, and they asked for my fundraising website to make a donation! Dana Farber has told us time and time again to tell everyone we know, meet, see and come in contact with that we are running the marathon and raising money for a cure for cancer and we will be amazed at the response. Though I am beyond proud of the cause that I am running and raising money for, I have been hesitant to go around to almost strangers spreading the word. Luckily, I've got an awesome roommate to do the word spreading for me!
In more fundraising news, I'm now up to a total of $3703.97! I can't believe how quickly the donations have added up. According to the DFMC website, only 2 months and 21 days until the big race... that's about $64.50 a day in donations to meet my fundraising goal. Almost there! Now about that training...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
An Ode to Advil
A ten mile run
Can be lots of fun
But running lots of hills
Makes me reach for these pills
When my joints start to ache
These pills I will take
Small, orange and round
They're the best cure around
Without this magical cure
I'd be done running for sure
Advil, without your pain healing powers
I'd be writhing in pain after long runs for hours
So, to you, Advil, I dedicate tonight's long run,
You'll carry me over the Newton Hills and into Boston
So, I'm clearly no Shakespeare, but I think my feelings on Advil are quite apparent. Moving on...
Crossroads run tonight! I am going to try (key word here is try) to run my long run tonight because Ashley and I are going away on vacation this weekend and w
ho really wants to run 16 miles when they could be on the beach in Turks and Caicos drinking Pina Coladas? (Not me) Speaking of Turks and Caicos... look where we're going to be this weekend...Pretty amazing, right? I am super excited to take a break from the cold and spend a little time in the sun :) But, because I am going to be basking in the sun I am going to miss our group run this weekend. So tonight, in the frigid Boston night, I am going to attempt to run 16 miles; my longest and most daunting run to date. My reward? Some Advil. Oh, and a beach vacation... I'd say that's pretty good motivation to get it done.
Monday, January 21, 2008
LFA Caxy Posse...
If you didn't go to Lake Forest Academy for high school, you probably have three questions upon seeing the title of this entry; 1) What the heck is a Caxy? 2) Why in the world is she using the term posse? 3) What does this have to do with a marathon? As far as a Caxy goes, in literal terms, it is a frog noise. But it's not just the noise of any frog- it's an ancient Greek frog, and it was our high school mascot at LFA. (Yes, our mascot is an ancient greek frog noise... don't get me started on the psychological damage this has caused many of us LFA alumni) For more info on a caxy (if you really care) visit the LFA website, they go to great lengths to describe it and to make it sound like a legitimate mascot. Anyways... moving on to question number 2- the phrase LFA Caxy Posse is part of one of our favorite cheers at LFA sporting events. So, what does all of this have to do with marathon running? This past week the teachers and faculty at LFA kicked off my most successful week of fundraising yet! The grand total as of today is just short of $2000. I have never been more proud to be a Caxy!
And now for something completely different- it is VERY cold here which is not exactly providing me with much motivation to run outside. We also didn't have a group run this weekend, further adding to my lack of motivation to just get myself out there. Add to that the fact that yesterday was the big Patriots game (Tom Brady is so dreamy...) and you have the perfect storm for me not going running this weekend. I'm feeling a little guilty about it, but I somehow weasled my way out of having to work today (I work in international markets and therefore rarely get to celebrate holidays such as MLK day) so, I'm thinking I'll do my long run today. 10 miles is our scheduled run, so at least it won't be too long. I can't even believe I just said that...
Friday, January 18, 2008
Allll byyyy myyyyself...
Last night, once again, I participated in the weekly run from the Woodlands T stop into town to Crossroads. I was a little late, so by the time I got to the T station everyone had already embarked on their run; I decided to give it a go on my own. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from myself. If you've read any of my previous posts, you would know that I give 90% of the credit for finishing my last few long runs to the people I have been running with and their ability to push me past my limit. Last night, as I lost sight of the T stop in the darkness, I wasn't feeling too confident in my ability to push myself for a full 9 miles without the support from fellow runners. It was funny though, I don't know if I was lost in my own thoughts or I was in a trance from my music, but the run went by so quickly I was running down Beacon St in Brookline before I knew it. The run was a total breeze! Maybe I should start giving myself a little more credit for those long runs...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Robert Frost... marathon runner?
Ok, I know, Robert Frost was not a marathon runner... but while perusing the internet at work today for inspirational quotes to get me going on my training I came across this quote from one of my favorite poems:
"The woods are lovely dark and deep,
but I have promises to keep,
and miles to go before I sleep,
and miles to go before I sleep."
Kind of reminds me of my run this past Sunday through the woods of Lincoln. It is also an excellent reminder not only of the many (many) miles I have to go before my training is completed, but also of the promise that I have made to Dana Farber and how far I have to go until I reach, and hopefully surpass, my fundraising goal. It is really easy to get wrapped up in the enormity of simply training for the marathon but it is important to keep reminding myself what my most important goal here is; raising money to find a cure for cancer. So, armed with my new inspirational quote (thank you, Mr. Frost) it is time to start concentrating more fully on my fundraising. Bring on the donations!
Monday, January 14, 2008
"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?"
This girl ran 12.6 miles yesterday!! That's right, yesterday, Sunday morning, my favorite morning for sleeping in and general laziness, I dragged myself out of bed at 6 am, made myself a peanubutter and jelly sandwich (we don't have much for breakfast food at good ol' 53 green) tied on my running shoes and loaded myself and all of my worldly running possessions into a zipcar for a nice drive out to Waltham, and then I ran 12.6 miles! Go Me!
Once again, I cannot in any way take all of the credit for this extraordinary display of motivation. It all came with the help of the awesome people at Dana Farber and all of my fellow runners. Honestly, if left to my own devices, I probably would have stopped my run at mile 7 or 8, but with the help of my new running buddy, Lindsey, and the cheers of "good job" from our fellow runners and volunteers at all of the water (and more importantly peanut m & m) stops, we made it through. We even ran a little farther than planned. Upon coming to the point where we had to decide either to run 11.9 or 12.6 miles, we consulted one of the women at the water stop as to which way she thought was less hilly; she pointed to the 12.6 mile road. Given that we had already run 4.5 miles of hilly (albeit, quite beautiful) terrain, we chose to do more mileage over more hills. You know you've got serious problems when you will run further to avoid hills. Speaking of serious problems... why is it that when you run your butt always remains the coldest part of your body? (this just goes to show that when you run with someone for 12 miles the conversation really does wander...)
All in all though, despite the hills and the distance and the cold butts, it was a great run. I didn't even feel too horribly afterwards! That being said, I did go home and sleep for 2 hours and then make myself a huge thing of baked macaroni and cheese...
Off day today... I'm going to the Celtics game with my roommate Ashley! Funny thing is though, I'm actually looking forward to going running tomorrow!
Go Celts!
Once again, I cannot in any way take all of the credit for this extraordinary display of motivation. It all came with the help of the awesome people at Dana Farber and all of my fellow runners. Honestly, if left to my own devices, I probably would have stopped my run at mile 7 or 8, but with the help of my new running buddy, Lindsey, and the cheers of "good job" from our fellow runners and volunteers at all of the water (and more importantly peanut m & m) stops, we made it through. We even ran a little farther than planned. Upon coming to the point where we had to decide either to run 11.9 or 12.6 miles, we consulted one of the women at the water stop as to which way she thought was less hilly; she pointed to the 12.6 mile road. Given that we had already run 4.5 miles of hilly (albeit, quite beautiful) terrain, we chose to do more mileage over more hills. You know you've got serious problems when you will run further to avoid hills. Speaking of serious problems... why is it that when you run your butt always remains the coldest part of your body? (this just goes to show that when you run with someone for 12 miles the conversation really does wander...)
All in all though, despite the hills and the distance and the cold butts, it was a great run. I didn't even feel too horribly afterwards! That being said, I did go home and sleep for 2 hours and then make myself a huge thing of baked macaroni and cheese...
Off day today... I'm going to the Celtics game with my roommate Ashley! Funny thing is though, I'm actually looking forward to going running tomorrow!
Go Celts!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Back by popular demand... My blog!!!
Ok, well that may be stretching the truth a bit seeing as I don't think anyone even read this before I stopped doing it in October (although I do recall my roommate, Ashley, expressing some regret when I stopped doing it... I think she read it for laughs). Anyways... for the first month or two after I stopped doing the blog, not a whole lot of progress was made on the training front. I was doing pretty well for a while there and then the holidays hit, I got sick and it got cold. Come New Year's I was definitely feeling VERY behind in my training. But with the start of the new year also came a renewed dedication to training and I've definitely gotten myself back on track.
Now, I can't say that this has all been a result of self motivation. In fact, that has probably only been about half of it. I've also started running with some great people who I have met through Dana-Farber and they have really helped to push me when I feel like I can't possibly take another step. Last night specifically, I had one of the greatest running experiences to date, on a Thursday night Crossroads run. Let me explain: Thursday night runs start at a bar called Crossroads which is in Back Bay on the corner of Mass Ave and Beacon Street. There are runners from all different marathon groups there, but DFMC runners were definitely in the majority, at least last night anyway. So after we drop off all of our stuff upstairs at Crossroads, everyone hops on the T and takes it allllll the way out to the Woodland T stop, the second to last stop on the D line. To a person who has never done this run before, it seemed like the longest T ride of my life. Then, from Woodland, we all run back into the city via the marathon route. This run takes you through the last 9 miles of the marathon- over the hills in Newton, up heartbreak hill, by BC, down Beacon Street, and through Kenmore square- and it is not an easy course, but being there with fellow DFMCers made all the difference in the world, and I felt better on this run (I believe, my longest yet) than I have felt on any of my others. The best part of Crossroads runs is the ending. You end your run at Crossroads (obviously) and everyone hangs around and has free pizza and beer. How can you beat that! It's a great way to meet fellow runners and definitely makes running that whole nine miles worth it. Pizza never tasted so good...
Which brings me to now. I was talking to a woman last night who told me that we should definitely keep some sort of journal or blog or scrapbook or something in order to remember all of our marathon memories because there was no way to remember all of the great experiences that we have had and will have in the coming months. So, armed with that inspiration, the blog is back... and hopefully I'll actually write it this time.
In fundraising news: I have passed the $1000 mark! Huge thank you's to everyone who has donated thus far. I am so grateful for how generous everyone has been and I hope the generosity keeps on coming! I still have 0ver $7000 to go...
Now, I can't say that this has all been a result of self motivation. In fact, that has probably only been about half of it. I've also started running with some great people who I have met through Dana-Farber and they have really helped to push me when I feel like I can't possibly take another step. Last night specifically, I had one of the greatest running experiences to date, on a Thursday night Crossroads run. Let me explain: Thursday night runs start at a bar called Crossroads which is in Back Bay on the corner of Mass Ave and Beacon Street. There are runners from all different marathon groups there, but DFMC runners were definitely in the majority, at least last night anyway. So after we drop off all of our stuff upstairs at Crossroads, everyone hops on the T and takes it allllll the way out to the Woodland T stop, the second to last stop on the D line. To a person who has never done this run before, it seemed like the longest T ride of my life. Then, from Woodland, we all run back into the city via the marathon route. This run takes you through the last 9 miles of the marathon- over the hills in Newton, up heartbreak hill, by BC, down Beacon Street, and through Kenmore square- and it is not an easy course, but being there with fellow DFMCers made all the difference in the world, and I felt better on this run (I believe, my longest yet) than I have felt on any of my others. The best part of Crossroads runs is the ending. You end your run at Crossroads (obviously) and everyone hangs around and has free pizza and beer. How can you beat that! It's a great way to meet fellow runners and definitely makes running that whole nine miles worth it. Pizza never tasted so good...
Which brings me to now. I was talking to a woman last night who told me that we should definitely keep some sort of journal or blog or scrapbook or something in order to remember all of our marathon memories because there was no way to remember all of the great experiences that we have had and will have in the coming months. So, armed with that inspiration, the blog is back... and hopefully I'll actually write it this time.
In fundraising news: I have passed the $1000 mark! Huge thank you's to everyone who has donated thus far. I am so grateful for how generous everyone has been and I hope the generosity keeps on coming! I still have 0ver $7000 to go...
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