Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon

What a gorgeous day to run! Exciting and exhausting, I reluctantly ran my second 1/2 marathon, the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon.

After the last long run I had, my 18 mile training run, I had my confidence shaken. I was fatigued, sore and just wore out. I questioned my goals and my physical ability to complete my goal of running in the Chicago Marathon in Oct. 2009.

I had signed up for the Rock and Roll months ago, so I was already committed to running, even though I really didn't want to. I had not slept well for the last 2 days, as usual I was coming off a 3 day 12 hr stretch from working in the ED. I was exhausted and near tears the night before the run.

My parents are out here in Virginia visiting, so my mom wanted to see me run. We were up at 0430 after only a few hours of sleep. With at least 15,000 runners, I was nervous and not ready to run. I just kept thinking, "you were supposed to do a 10 miler training run this week anyway...so whats 13.1!?"

It was a great day to run, the weather was perfect and the music and people were great. Although I was tiered I tried to enjoy myself. I ran it in 2:26 which was 6 minutes slower than my first 1/2 Marathon, but this course had 2 trips over a bridge, the last course was flat.

What I learned today is that you have to get back on the horse, if you have to stop to stretch it is better to than to injure yourself, your not a quitter if you have to walk for a bit, and that your mother will always be proud of you whether your first or dead last place.

I got some of my motivation back, some of my confidence is showing and I am realizing that my goal is to finish the marathon, bring awareness to childhood cancer and raise money for childhood cancer research, I have completed the last two. Now to run and finish the Chicago Marathon!!

WE DID IT!!

Thanks to all my wonderful friends and family, we have met our goal of raising $3200!!

Thanks to you we have raised this money for Rally Foundation and their commitment to Childhood Cancer Research.

I am so blessed to have the friends and family that have been so supportive to me.

Words can never express how thankful I am! Look out Chicago, here I come!

Where did August go?

August was a long month with a lot of long runs, 12 mile, 16 mile and the last 18 mile that made me cry!!

Sept first! and I am on my last 6 weeks, now running at least 5 days a week and working with a personal trainer 2 days a week.

I'm at the final push with the last 2 long runs of 20 and 22 mile runs!! I'm getting scared and finding it hard to stay focused. But know that does not matter, I just have to gut it out these last 6 weeks and make it count. Push past the fear and doubt and just get those miles done! Its all guts and glory now baby!

6 weeks and counting. Going to bed early so I can be up early for a quick 5 mile.

Fund Raiser Update!!

We have now reached $2548.00!! Our goal is $3200.00 but I hope to exceed that by October!

Thanks for your continued support and generous donations! I could not do this without the love and encouragement that I receive from everyone!

Now I'm off to stretch these sore muscles of mine!

http://www.active.com/donate/rallyathletes/RUNMOMRUN

Now I Understand!

I'm well into my marathon training with 2 long runs under my belt (10 and 12 miles) I have begun to understand what it means to have "black toes", "chafe" in areas that should not chafe, taking "ice baths", "fartleks" and "pickups".

I have had runs that when I was done I seriously wanted to cry, or could barely walk due to cramping muscles are chaffed thighs!

Garrett my fiancee can not understand why I take and tolerate an ice bath when he can hear me screaming from the other room.

I'm getting nervous and I am doubtful at times if I can really pull this off. I am scared!

I run on the treadmill, run on the track, at the beach and anywhere I can. I sing out loud to the songs that pump me up and I even at times find myself doing the "Rocky" salute!

I have never been one for "self motivation" as far as working out, but I do find myself motivated when I gear up for a run.

I proudly wear my headband 26.2 and wonder if anyone really understands what that means.

You understand I am not an athlete, I have never been one for running or training unless I was being forced to. But I am on a mission and I have forgotten lately why. So I look at my pictures of Johnathon and I remember the long nights in the hospital, the long days after his passing, it is then that I remember WHY I am doing this.

Thanks for your continued support in my efforts to train for this marathon.

Still here!

Just an update to let you know I'm still here and still training. I have been busy with the kids now that they are out for the summer. I'm still training and it is harder some days than others. Right now the hardest part is finding the time to run before it gets too hot. I'm on the count down now it is about 15 weeks before Chicago and I am scared and nervous. I just take it one day at a time and keep moving forward. I have a few races coming up in July, so that will keep me busy and motivated.

Thanks for all the support and I will be back with more updates.