I'm back...

I apologize for my absence for anyone who has been checking in to see what I've been up to since the MCM.  After completing a marathon, half marathon and 10K in less than 30 days I was really run down.  I thought it was my body recouping from all the physical and mental dress I had put myself through, but it ended up being Epstein-Bar Virus (EBV).

EBV is much like mono - we all come into contact with it at some point in our lives and sometimes you feel its affects and some times you don't.  I happened to get hit with it hard...and it is possible it is chronic. The symptoms consist of extreme/sever fatigue, foggy head/trouble concentrating, sore joints, mood swings, depression, etc.  I know it sounds like every Mom out there.  What got me to go to the doctor to see what was wrong was the day I barely got out of bed after 8 hours of sleep and then could feel my  body falling asleep while I was at my computer at work.  Something just didn't feel right.  This wasn't more normal depression down swing and after three weeks I should have been on an upswing ready to conquer my next goal.

So the  doctor did more blood work than you could think of.  We looked at everything from vitamin deficiencies, to my thyroid, liver and kidneys functions, Lymes, Lupus, arthritis, mono and EBV.  The only thing that came back positive was the EBV.  The good news from the blood work (because I always have to find a bright side) was the rest of my body was in great shape!

There is no treatment or cure for EBV.  Based on my symptoms and the fact we have been treating similar ones for 9 years as depression the EBV my be chronic.  So what did we decide I would do first was:

• 1 week of NO exercising - this was torture when all I wanted to do was run to relieve stress
• Up my anti-depressant to try and get ride of the brain fog
• Lots of IB prophin
• Sleep

Now, my day to day did not stop.  I kept working, did housework and tried to function as normal as possible.  After about a week the brain fog lifted, just in time for Christmas.  After two weeks (this week) I'm starting to feel less tired and actually get busts of energy.  I even started jogging again.  With sore joints running is slow and uncomfortable.  I still love it, don't get me wrong.  I'm just annoyed that I cannot go as fast and as far as I used to.  My longest run this week is 3 miles.

I may have to live with what I will refer to as 'flare ups' for the rest of my life.  That isn't so bad.  I know what to look for and I know to rest/sleep more than I used to. 

Will I still run half and full marathons - you bet.  I'm not giving up on my fourth love (James and the kids take the first three spots).

Keep coming back to check in.  I will have a post up in a few days about our magical Christmas!

Tidbits from the MCM

Here are some interesting tidbits about my Marine Corps Marathon:

• $3,125.00 raised for the Susan G Komen Foundation
• 26 names/families came along for the ride on my shirt!!!
• 26.2 miles run
• 2 states
• 6 monuments seen
• 6 bands
• Saw James, Paige, Ian and Linda 4 times (before mile 18, after mile 19, round mile 23, and right before the finish)
• Saw Kathy and Ainsley between miles 18 and 19
• Saw the Annapolis Striders between miles 22 and 23
• I finished in 5 hours 37 minutes and 42 seconds
• The fastest female finished in 2 hours 45 minutes and 28 seconds
• Youngest runner, age 14, finished in 6 hours 8 minutes and 18 seconds
• Oldest runner, age 90, finished in 7 hours 2 minutes and 30 seconds (now he deserves a special medal!)
• Overall I finished 17,566 out of 20,895 runners
• Overall female finish was 6,708 out of 8,530

With my training and marathon combined, I ran 577.90 miles.  Here is some distances to put that into perspective:

• Annapolis, MD to Charleston, SC (572 miles)
• Annapolis, MD to Augusta, ME (572 miles)
• Annapolis, MD to Bloomfield Hills, MI (561 miles)
• Annapolis, MD to Lexington, KY (559 miles)
• San Diego, CA to Napa, CA (521 miles)
• San Diego, CA to Reno, NV (557 miles)

It's not to late to donate to the Susan G Komen Foundation.  I am able to accept tax-deductible donations until November 30th.  If you would like to make a donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  Thank You!

FINISHER

Finisher is defined as - to arrive at or attain the end of.  That seems like such a simple definition for such a great accomplishment of completing a marathon.  Each person who crossed the finish line Sunday at the Marine Corps Marathon will always be known as a 'Finisher'...its even on the medal.  The pride we each feel cannot be described in words, tears, or screams of excitement.  

I'm going to warn you now - this is going to be a long post to recap the race...

I reached the start line and a calm came over me. I knew that I would finish.  The route starts by winding us through the rolling hills of Rosslyn and dropped us on the George Washington Parkway.

We crossed the Key Bridge into Georgetown and turn down Canal Road circling the Georgetown Reservoir.  There were not many people along this part of the course because there was no place for them along the side of the roads. 

At a sharp turn just before mile 7 there I went up a steep climb to head back towards downtown Georgetown.  Soon after this I made a restroom stop that took a little over 10 minutes.  I then understood why so many people (women included) were ditching off the course into the woods. Once in heart Georgetown the crowds increased and the excitement grew.  

Around mile 10 I passed the Kennedy Center and then turned towards the Lincoln Memorial.  This is around the time I remembered I had my phone to take pictures, but still didn't stop - the mind and body were telling me to keep going.  

When I reached the half way point I was relieved, however I started to have some stomach issues.  I felt a bit sick and knew that I needed to listen to my body and I slowed down.   I told myself the goal was to finish and it didn't matter how long it took.   I then spent the next few miles jogging and walking trying to figure out what I needed to do to feel better.

I made it to James, the kids and Linda, between miles 17 and 18.  I asked James to grab a pretzel at a stand and meet me on the other side, just a mile run for me.

As I passed by the Capital I saw Kathy and her daughter cheering me on.  It was so great to see them!!  A real spirit lifter that energized me to run down to James.  I grabbed a part of the pretzel, took a bit and spit it out.  I couldn't chew so I ate the salt. Yes, I really did look this exhausted when I got to James but I still had a smile on my face:

I took off again past the Smithsonian Castle.  I had to 'Beat the Bridge'!  So what do I mean by 'Beat the Bridge'?  Well at mile 20 I crossed over the 14th Street bridge that take us back into VA...however because the bridge has to open back up if a runner does not reach the bridge by the cut off they are picked up and driven over instead of being able to run.

As I approach the bridge the crowds grew, there were guys filling signs that said "Beat the Bridge" and there was an amazing drum troop.  Once on the bridge everything got really quite.  There were only runners and the bridge went on forever - about 2 miles.  I was starting to feel better, the salt was really helping, so I jogged more than walked with a group of men that had "Team Griff" on their shirts.  When they said run, I ran, when they said walk, I walked until my momentum kept me going. If it weren't for them it would have taken me forever to get across that bridge.


Crystal City and mile 22 was on the other side.  Around the bend and there was the Annapolis Striders coaches and cheering group!  I was so happy to see them!!!!

I gave high fives, grabbed some gummie bears and pretzels and was off running.  Just another mile and half up the road was James and the crew again!  I realized how it important it is to have people along the course cheering me on - it gave me something to focus on.


With just three miles left I needed to keep chugging along.  The last two miles took me around the Pentagon where there are no crowds.  The last mile went on forever passing me by where I had dropped my bag in the morning, ran along the area were we stood for the opening ceremonies and...oh my goodness, there was James and the crew again.  I couldn't believe it, just a half mile from the finish line, they were along the road cheering me on!  Seeing them pushed me to get running again.


I made a sharp left with just .2 to go and went straight up hill to the finish and the Iwo Jima Memorial.  That is right!  The end of the race is up hill and around a bend.  When I say up hill, I mean up a steep hill.


As I crossed the line I began to cry.  I couldn't believe I had made it.  Having not felt well for over half the race and taking 5 hours 37 minutes and 42 seconds to reach the finish line I was overcome with so many emotions.  I had trained 18 weeks, run over 577 miles and accomplished such an amazing goal.  I was officially a FINISHER!


As I walked forward, Marines were shaking my hand congratulating me, patting my back and asking me if I was okay.  I got into a line and was greeted by a very happy Marine who gave me my medal.

From there I got a finishers photo in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial and started to make my way to my bag where I met up with James, the kids and Linda.

Such an amazing day!


Thank you to everyone who followed me on Facebook Sunday.  I LOVED going back through the posted times and reading everyones encouragements and cheers.  It brought tears to my eyes that each of you was watching Facebook for over 5 hours waiting for me to finish.  


A special thank you to James, Linda the kids and Kathy for coming down to DC and following me along the course.  Had you not been there I'm not sure I could have finished in the time that I did.  James your dedication and support these last four months has been amazing!


To everyone who donated to the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure - you are all amazing!  You helped me raise $3,125.00 to fight breast cancer and no words could ever express how much I appreciate your generosity.  


I'm going to continue my blog instead of stopping until I begin fundraising next year.  I'm going to blog about my continued dedication to my health, fitness, my family and hopefully breakthroughs in the fight again breast cancer.   My goal for 2012 is to inspire others and I hope I can inspire you!  So be sure to stop back every so often...like in the next few days - I'm going to post some fun facts about my training and the race!


Thank you again!

Getting to the Start Line

To tell my adventure of the marathon I have to back up to the day before.  I had planned for weeks and it was finally time to head out the door and go to the hotel.  Once I arrived I laid out my gear for the race and sat down to relax.

It had been cold all day and the weather man said it was going to snow.  As I looked at the George Washington Masonic Monument out my window trying to think of something besides the race it began to snow. 

Luckily it never snowed enough to accumulate, but it definitely was pretty to watch.  I went to the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure pasta dinner and met some wonderful people.  Each had a story for why they chose Susan G Komen to raise money for.  So far the team has raised $97,464.03 and we still have 30 days to collect donations:

I surprising got a great night sleep and woke up at 4:50AM ready to go.  I stuck to my plan and was at the metro by 6:00AM heading to the start.  At each metro stop more and more runners got on and the excitement grew.  When I arrived at the Runners Village I dropped my bag at a UPS truck with what I would need after the race.  I then had time to walk around a bit before heading to the start.  I lined up near the sign that had my goal finish time listed:

At the starting ceremony there were parachuters from the Army Rangers and Navy Seals as well as was an awesome fly over:

As we waiting for the race to begin I took a quick picture of all the people in front of me...if you notice you cannot see the start line:

I was one of 20,895 marathoners from across the country and all over the world.  It was so inspiring and a bit overwhelming.  As the start grew closer people started taking off their 'throw away clothes' (sweatpants and sweatshirts) and started tossing them to the side of the road.  These clothes are later picked up and donated to charity.

Finally there was a countdown from 10 to start the race and then...we stood still.  It was a bit anti-climatic, then the music started and everyone around me started dancing and signing.  I became energized ready to go.  It took about 6 minutes for us to start walking forward and another 5 minutes to get to the start line...To Be Continued (tomorrow)

24 hour to go

I'm posting early today because I will heading to the hotel this afternoon and wanted to make sure I got a posting up.

The weather is not so great today, cold, windy and rainy with a chance of snow.  That is right snow is in the forecast for the DC/MD area.  It is supposed to blow out by late night and be sunny tomorrow.  The weather at the start of the race will be 35 with a wind while of 29.  I've prepared what to wear best as I can considering I didn't have any training runs in those temps.

I also will be dropping a bag (upper right hand corner of the picture) to pick up after the race with a second set of sweatpants, sweatshirt and shirt so I can from getting a chill.

Tonight I'm going to a pasta dinner with the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure Team.  It should be a nice evening that will really get me motivated.

If you come to DC tomorrow to see the race and possible see me here is what you should look for:

You can also go to the MCM website and track my number to see where I am to make seeing me a bit easier. Click here for easy access to the website and just enter my bib number

My next post will be a MCM recap. Thank you for all of your support!

Less Than 48 Hours

I took today off of work so I could go to the Marine Corps Marathon Expo to pick up my bib (race number) and look around at the vendors.  Before I could go, I had to swing by the office to pick up my shirt from Ada.  Ada was nice enough to write everyone's name who donated $50.00 or more to the Susan G. Komen Foundation on the back of my shirt.  The shirt looks AWESOME!  Thank you Ada!!!

I then proceeded to kidnap Ada from the office to take her with me to the Expo.  It was really nice to have the company and she was a big help navigating to the DC Armory.  I think I would still be driving around trying to find it if she hadn't been with me.  The first we did was pick up my bib:

I was only a little bit happy to get it!  I hope I have that same smile on my face when I cross the finish line.  We then headed over to the roam around the expo...there were a lot vendors.  We picked up my MCM shirt, which I will not wear until I finish the race, and also grabbed a few freebies.  GE had a booth in the center where I was able to get a Body Composition done.  I was a bit nervous since I have been eating carbs non stop for two days, but thought it could be some good information and help for a starting point for after the race.  So I jumped on the machine:

After the machine did its thing, I received a print out of my composition and an analysis.  I learned that I'm still a bit overweight (again expected with my current eating), that I have lost 1% body fat (I had a body fat test at a doctors appointment a few months back and that is how I know this) and that my lean body mass is perfect.  The guy who read over my readout was impressed that my muscle mass was evenly distributed throughout my body.  So overall I'm happy with what I learned and look forward to improving some of the numbers.

On the way out I just had to get a picture that I'm sure most 1st time MCM runners get:

After the Expo we headed to Metro Diner in Annapolis for a carb meal and then went to Target so I could grab some last minute items.  The weather has turned very cold here, the weather man is even saying we could see snow tomorrow, so I need to make sure I'm prepared for anything.  I grabbed gloves that I won't care if I lost them and found a pair of men's sweatpants on super sale that I can have on until the start of the race and toss them...or wear them for a few miles until I warm up then toss them.  At this point I think I have everything I could possible need.

Tonight I will start to organize what I will need Saturday night at the hotel and Sunday.    I will rest and get a good night sleep because tonight's rest is what really makes the difference, not the night before.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last 18 weeks.  Your words of encouragement, donations and pep talks have meant the world to me.  I could not have done it without each and every one of you.  I will have all of you in my thoughts as I run the 26.2 miles to the finish line.

3 days to go - time to carb-load

I started the day at the gym completing a 2.75 miles walk/run.  I needed to burn off some of the energy I have as well as loosen up my legs.  It felt really good to get moving again, however it seemed strange to do such a short workout.  I'm used to my short runs being 5 miles so less than 3 felt almost uncomfortable because I wanted to keep going.


Carb-loading began today and am already ready for a low carb/no carb diet.  (I will be staying off the scale until after the race.)  The purpose of increase my carb intake between now and Saturday is to max the glycogen in my muscles to then burn as energy during the marathon.  If you don't have enough glycogen stored up you may hit the "wall" sooner in the race and your body has to turn to fat for energy which isn't as efficient.  Most everyone thinks the night before is the time to carb-load which actually makes you feel heavy and weighted down because the big carb meal has not fully digested.  By carb-loading over several days during your tapper the muscles can store more glycogen.  Runner's World has an article in their current edition called Fill 'Er Up which explains this fueling process.  


I'm taking tomorrow off work to go to the MCM Expo to pick up my bib for the race and look at all the vendor booths.  This will kick off the final preparations for the big day!    

Energy & Relaxation With 4 Days To Go

I've been told by many and read in magazines that during the tapper week leading up to the race I would have lots of energy and be a bit moody from lack of running.  Until today I didn't believe this, probably because I have been sick.


I woke up feel groggy (again) wondering if I was ever going to shake what I have.  Within 30 minutes I had my answer - my heart was racing and I had a surge of energy.  I thought I was going to bounce off the walls.  This surge of energy came several times throughout the day.  Thanks goodness I didn't have any meets because I couldn't sit still for very long, however I got a ton of little things done today (which puts me in a great place to take of Friday).  Everyone I spoke with must of thought I had had 6 cups of espresso because I was talking really fast all day.


Luckily I had set up a massage for today to relax and stretch out my muscles.  I wouldn't say I relaxed much because my mind was racing and there was still a lot of energy running through me.  What I did get, that was more important, was confirmation from Kim at Massage Envy (Festival at Riva location) that my legs were in great shape for the race.  My calfs were lose, my IT band was in excellent condition and though my hamstrings were a bit tight they would feel great by Sunday morning with the work she did.  I did find out that my shoulders and upper back are a complete mess, but we will worry about that another time.


I left the appointment feeling physically relaxed and mentally STRONG.  Knowing that my body is in great shape and ready to run has charged my mental strength!  I now know I WILL complete this marathon!  So a special thank you to Kim for giving me the information I needed to get over the last huddle before the race.

Its still not to late to made a tax-deductible donation to the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure.  I have now raised $2,100.00 so. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

Matt, Cheryl & Yuengling 

Jenn, Randy & Aiden Smith

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Leslie Family

The Harris Family

The Hannon Family

The Donnelly Family

The Dove Family

Lucky Number 5

My lucky number has been 5 as long as I can remember.  Today it held true for me, thought I wasn't sure of it when I first got up.  

This morning I thought the universe was trying to tell me that things were not going to get better quickly.  This is what I found on the front page of The Washington Post:

The front of the Health & Science section is all about the medical tents, specifically the "Alpha" tent.  The article very clearly describes what runners may experience if they are brought to a medical tent for anything from camps, upset stomach, chest pains and over heating.  Not exactly what I wanted to see after having spent the past 24 hours fighting the flu.  The article is very informative and now I know what other runners may experience in the medical tent because there is NO WAY I'm ending up in the "Alpha" tent. If I end up in one of the ten aid stations around the route, it will only be for a blister.  So if the universe was trying to tell me something, it was, "You will not be going here!"

This evening I'm feeling SO MUCH better.  My energy is coming back and I'm able to eat full meals again!  I'm hydrating and working on organizing Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.  As many of you know I'm a planner and for some reason I've been procrastination putting the final plans in place.  Probably because I cannot believe the marathon is 5 days away.  Okay, now that I'm thinking about everything I need to get into place I'm starting to freak out - so that means it is time to stop blogging and go relax.

I cannot thank everyone enough for all of their support and generosity with donations.  It means the world to me!!!

6 days to go...

And I have the flu.  That is right, it wasn't a head cold I have been fighting and fatigue from traveling, it was the FLU!  I spent the day between the bed and the couch trying to stay hydrated.  So what does someone who is just 6 days away from her first marathon do when she gets the flu - cry and then email her coach.  


I didn't know what my plan should be for my runs this week so I emailed my coach Susan.  Plainly put I needed to take it easy and not run this week or maybe a light jog at the very end of the week.  Brisk walks would be just fine to keep my legs loose as long as I could keep food down and I had the energy.  I have trained hard enough and as Susan put it I could sit around all week eating cookies and be fine (little does she know I would totally do that). 


So the nerves are now through the roof and I'm hoping that I wake up feeling better tomorrow.  

7 days to MCM

One week from today I will start and finish the Marine Corps Marathon.  I've been counting down for so long, being in the single digits is very exciting.

Last night I went out with some friends I've know since college.  Kathy set up a fun night for us at a few restaurants in DC.  I missed the first stop, but was able to catch up a Jaleos, a wonderful tapas restaurant near the Verizon Center.  Then we went to America Eats for desert.  The food was amazing at both locations and I would recommend them to everyone.

Kathy, Me, Laura, Ellie and Erin

America Eats take on Key Lime Pie - YUMMY!

I spent today relaxing, running errands, and watching football.  I was supposed to get in a 4 mile run but I'm feeling a bit run down.  I've been fighting a head cold since I got back from Atlanta and I think today it won.  I hope to wake up tomorrow feeling better.

Ian and I watching football

It's still not too late to make a tax-deductible donation to the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure.  I have now raised $2,100.00!! Thank you everyone!!   Click here to visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.  I must say my shirt is going to be quite full of names!!

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

Matt, Cheryl & Yuengling 

Jenn, Randy & Aiden Smith

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Leslie Family

The Harris Family

The Hannon Family

The Donnelly Family

The Dove Family