Encouragement

The dictionary defines encourage as – to inspire with spirit or confidence.  Over the past four and a half weeks I have received tons of encouragement from those around me: family, friends and even strangers.  Your encouragement drives me to run each day and fundraise as much as I can.

The encouragement I have received includes:

      Running hills with me (both at 6:30AM and in the heat of the afternoon)

      Sending me articles on training

      Asking me how my last run was and listened to every miles detail

      Sending me emails letting me know how proud of me you are

      Applauding me or flashing your car lights as I run up hill (please don't honk it really scares me)

      Having made, or committed to make, a donation to the Susan G. Komen  Marathon for the Cure

A special thank you to James and the kids for, well, everything:

      Calling me a "toughy tough"

      Tell me I'm looking good, even when I dripping with sweat

      Letting me nap on Saturday and Sunday

      Yelling "Yeah Mom-my" after I clean the toilets (that was Ian)

      Informing me that I smell after my second run of the day with a cute smile on your face (that was Paige)

Even my Mary Englbreit's day calendar has encouraged me:

Thank you to everyone, I really couldn't do this with out you!!!!

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please 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.

George S.

Don and Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.
The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

Reflecting while running

Today was another early morning out to beat the heat.  I decided to push myself a bit and make up the 5 miles I didn't do yesterday and instead of the scheduled 4, I did 9.32 miles. This brought my total for the weekend to 20.35 miles.  I spent the run reflecting how far I have come in 4 short weeks and the reason why I took on this challenge.  


What I have accomplished so far:

• $1,000 raised!
• 128.47 miles run.
• Started running with a group - Annapolis Striders.
• Have come to appreciate all the other Mom's who get up super early to get their workouts in.
• Spent more time with James and kids even though my schedule is tighter with training.
• Come to realize I am a strong woman with a lot of drive - not just a wife, Mom and employee.

Why I've taken on this challenge:

• To honor my amazing Mom and the other survivors I know.
• In 2011 there will be approximately 300,000 new cases of breast cancer in the United States.
• There will be approximately 39,520 breast cancer deaths.
• About 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of our lifetime.  When I take a moment to think of all the women I know and apply this statistic it becomes more real and frightening.
• For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
• Besides skin cancer (please stay out of tanning beds and wear your sunscreen), breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women. More than 1 in 4 cancers in women (about 28%) are breast cancer.
• A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer.
• About 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
• The treatments for breast cancer has seen great improvements in increasing survival rates, but there still is not cure.

I will continue year after year participating in some fundraising event for breast cancer until their is a cure.  I will walk, bike, cut off my hair and even run another marathon.  To help find a cure I need your support through a donation.  If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please 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.

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

16 miles turns to 11

I'm sure everyone has heard about the intense heat across the country.  It has made training runs a little more interesting to schedule.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week I was up by 5:15AM to get ready and out the door to get my miles in.  Only on Wednesday did I complete a second 4 mile run in the evening.  Even my neighbor yelled out to me I was crazy as I started the run - the heat index was still in the mid 90s.

Today was no different.  As you know on Saturdays I run with the Annapolis Striders in Annapolis for my long runs.  Due to the heat the coaches decided that attempting 16 miles was not a good idea - it was going to feel like 94 at 8AM, which would only be 1 1/2 hours into the run.  They decided a 6AM start was best  instead of 6:30AM and were limiting us to 10 miles or 2 hours, which ever came first.

The earlier start required me to get up at 4:40AM (I only get up this early when we are taking the 8AM flight to Cali).  I surprisingly jumped right out of bed and got ready.  As I headed out I ran into a little problem - BGE had Shady Side Road blocked to fix a power issue.  With Shady Side Road being one way in and one way out, I wasn't going anywhere.  It was clear I was not going to make it to Annapolis and the 10 miles would have to be done alone.  I turned around and began planning my route.

I was out the door at 5:45AM so the sun was not up yet.  I worked my way around the neighborhood and down Shady Side Road to the end, the opposite direction of BGE.  I then ran to the Captain Salem Avery Museum (which we still have not visited in the 4 years we have lived here).  From there I headed down Idlewilde Rd. where I stopped to take a photo.  From there I looped by the kids daycare in Snug Harbor.  Then, the last 2 miles home.  Click here to see a map of  the area.

View from mile 7

In the end I ran 11 miles in 2 hours 2 minutes and 34 seconds giving me an average pace of 11:03.  This is the pace I'm comfortable going the distance and could have lasted a few more miles today...even with the heat.

Because I'm a numbers person I am going crazy having not completed the 16 miles my training plan called for.  The total mileage for the weekend is supposed to be 20 miles - so to make sure I meet that distance I will be getting up early again tomorrow to beat the heat and run 9 miles.

I'm now 99 days away from the Marine Corps Marathon!!  I'm more motivated than every to stay on track with my training and continue to raise as much money as I can for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  To date I have raised $975.00 of my $1500.00 goal and I cannot thank everyone enough for their donations and support.


If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please 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.

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

Amazing Weekend

WOW what a weekend!!  Everything about this weekend was super special.  Here is a recap of all the fun:

Andrea and me after our 12 mile run

Saturday

I met up with a friend from Radnor High School, Andrea Weber, who I hadn't seen in 16 years, for my long run.  She is currently lives in PA and is training for her second half marathon (check out her blog about balancing healthy living, parenting and daily life at http://www.reallifeinrofo.com/).  We have been keeping touch through Facebook and when she told me her family was coming to DC, staying in Alexandria, VA just 45 minutes from my house, I knew we had to get together.  We met at her hotel at 6:45AM and headed over to the Mt. Vernon Trail.  We had a beautiful 12 mile run and caught up on everything from our kids, running successes and challenges, and future plans.  I have to apologize to Andrea for my poor performance at the end of the run – apparently I haven't figured out proper hydration and had to do some walking the last 2 miles.  She was super supportive and jogged along side of me.  This was my BEST training run yet, even with the walking.

James and Father Matt that 20 yr high school reunion

That evening James and I went to his 20 year high school reunion (I just realized there was a high school theme for the day).  MeeMaw came over to watch the kids and sleepover so we could stay out late (and when I say late I mean 12:30AM).  We got dressed up and headed into Baltimore to Little Havana to meet up with the Bowie crew.  James has an amazing group of friends who have not only stayed in touch over the years, some go back all the way to elementary school, but they all live in MD, VA and DC – honestly they are an extended family to each other.  We hadn't seen everyone in several months so it was a super fun night getting caught up and making plans for the coming months. 
                    

Sunday

The most important day of the weekend – Paige's 5^th Birthday!  I'm not sure where the last five years has gone.  She has grown so fast and is so excited to be starting Kindergarten in the fall (which the thought of brings tears to my eyes). 

Paige's new unicorn pillow pet

The day started with Paige coming into our bedroom saying, "I'm five!"  Then she proceeded to ask if she could open her presents (hey, she has her priorities straight).  We went down stairs and had her open Ian's present (a purple unicorn pillow pet which I would like to add here is super soft and I want one), our present (clothes) and MeeMaw (who remember had slept over the night before) let her open up two presents as well (a scooter and v-reader cartridge of Shrek).  Then it was pancakes for breakfast before James took the kids to the gym so I could run (that is right even for Paige's birthday I don't stop running).  Right before they headed out the door James just couldn't wait any longer to give Paige one more gift he had picked up for her – a kid size megaphone with voice changer.  Yes, everything you are thinking is right – it is loud, funny, annoying, and only a gift a Dad would buy.

     

The afternoon was spent splashing around in the kiddy pool and getting ready for the family birthday celebration.  The Benson family showed up around 4PM and of course Paige wanted to open her presents.  She received everything from clothes, shoes, an art easel supply set, books, Rapunzel Barbie and her backpack for school.  After dinner we had cake – and this is the best part – with no singing!  Paige does not like it at all when people sing her Happy Birthday (enjoy the video below).  So she made a wish and blew out her candle on her princess cake, took two bites of cake and was off to play with the super cool balloon her Aunt Val and Uncle Scott gave her.

                       

After the Benson family headed home we went upstairs to Skype with my parents.  That's right, we weren't done yet.  As the Skype video came through my parents were sitting there with party hats on singing Happy Birthday.  Of course Paige started screaming to make them stop.  After a little bit of chatting about the day Paige was able to open her presents from Grandma and Pop Pop – A puppet theater and puppet making kit. 

Paige opening her gift from Grandma and Pop Pop as they watch via Skype

It was a super fun, and slightly exhausting, day.  The best part was everyone, including my parents in CA, was able to see Paige open her presents and celebrate the day with her.

This weekend concluded week 3 of my marathon training.  I have run 89.32 miles over the course of three weeks and raised $770.00 of my $1500.00 goal.  The coming week includes my longest run EVER – 16 miles on Saturday.  Thank goodness for the Annapolis Striders group I run with because I don't think I could go that distance by myself.


If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please 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. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.

Dear Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,

I call UNCLE!  Your intense heat and humidity are becoming too much.  I've had to start getting up early (between 5 and 5:30AM) a few days a week in order to beat your fury but that doesn't seem to be working.   I understand you are upset that we have damaged your beautiful planet but frying us all like eggs is not very nice.  We will try harder to find ways to use less and recycle more.

Today I got up and started Holly's Hills at 6:45AM.  It was already 78 with 88% humidity making it feel 89.  Really Mother Nature, 89 at 6:45AM, that just isn't nice.  You have been like this for a few weeks and I'm not sure how much more I can take.  I'm not a morning runner - I'm stiff and grumpy and am never pleased with my runs.

Apparently tomorrow you have the same HOT & HUMID plan as today.  I will not let you stop my training so I'm going to get up early again and run a short, flat, easy 4 mile run outside then do weights in the afternoon at the air conditioned gym.

So all I'm asking for (and so are my fellow runners) are a few day of low 80's with low humidity so I can open up the house and have a few nice late afternoon runs.

Sincerely,
Amanda

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please click here and visit my fundraising page.  So far I have raised $670.00 towards my $1,500.00.  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. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.

2 Week Recap

I have now finished 2 weeks of my 18 week training for the Marine Corps Marathon.  The 2 weeks have been spent trying to get into a grove with my training and balancing it with my day to day.  I will admit as I type this I'm tired and also encouraged by the progress I have made over the past 2 weeks.  James has been wonderful with helping around the house and watching the kids a bit more than normal so I can get all my miles in.  I really couldn't do it without him!


Here are some fun facts from the first two weeks:

• Week 1 
• I ran 28.24 miles
• Longest run of week 1 was 10.27 miles in 1hr 43min 50sec
• Week 2 
• I ran 34.63 miles
• Longest run of week 2 was 12.32 miles in 2hrs 9min 14sec
• I've run a total of 11 hours, plus I have biked, swam and lifted weights
• I have raised $645.00, which is 43% of my $1500.00 goal.

Tonight I finish the week by working on scheduling next weeks training, making lunches, finishing laundry, straightening up and preparing for Paige's 5th Birthday on July 17th.  The time and energy is worth the challenge and opportunity to raise money for the Susan G Komen Foundation to find a cure for breast cancer.  I cannot wait to see what the next 16 weeks will bring!

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please click here and visit my fundraising page.  So far I have raised $645.00 towards my $1,500.00.  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. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.

Heat + Humidity + Speed Work = BLAH

Thursday's are my speed work days.  For non-runners that is when I go over to the local track and run really fast once around it (.25 miles also known as a 400), pause for 30-45 seconds and repeat over and over again.


Today I headed out of the office at 10:30 thinking I was going to beat some of the heat.  Boy was I wrong! As I arrived at the Annapolis High School track, a little over a mile from my office, the heat and humidity really hit me.  The black track was emitting its own crazy heat and the light breeze was hot.  I was aiming to complete 7 x 400 but soon realized that wasn't going to happen.  Not only was I tired from the 15+ miles I had already completed since Monday but it just was unbearably hot.  Now some will say working out in the heat this time of year will only make me stronger and faster for a marathon in October - I say it just isn't worth it, especially this early in my training.


So I completed 4 x 400 with the following times:
1:44
1:46
1:56
1:58
Now these are GREAT times putting me under an 8 minute mile, however the thought of going another three more time just wasn't in me.  I know, three more times doesn't sound like a lot and I probably could have done it, I just wasn't in the mood for dehydration or heat exhaustion - plus I would have been worthless the rest of the day at work and I don't think the people I work with would have appreciated it.


I slowly chugged my way back the mile to the office feeling BLAH and defeated.  I don't like when I'm unable to complete my training activity.  I know I can do it and I need to push myself.  I also need to learn to be a morning person so I can get up at 5AM to beat the heat.


Tomorrow is my REST day - my favorite day of the week!!

Thank you to everyone who is supporting me through my journey.  Your words of encouragement and donations mean the world to me.  

If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please click here and visit my fundraising page.  So far I have raised $645.00 towards my $1,500.00.  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. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.