Let’s start with the race, shall we?

As you all know by now, I chose to run with Team in Training for this half-marathon to raise money for the LLS in memory of my Dad. This was – by far – the best decision I’ve ever made. TnT is a huge organization that provides so much support in training and along the race that you can’t help but be swept up in the cause. Between the exhaustion of travel and the shin splints from the day before; not to mention the poor training I did – I was very concerned starting the race. However, the TnT group lifted my spirits and the cheers of “GO TEAM!” along the way from spectators who recognized the purple jersey? That was enough to pull me through. And with the mosaic above pinned to my back – I got back pats and words of encouragement along the way. Everytime I felt like walking someone would pat me on the back and say, “You’re doing great” or “Your Dad would be proud” and that reminded me why I was there. And of course – I cried the entire time.

I also loved the race itself. I highly recommend the Disney Princess Half Marathon to any beginning runner. It’s a very fun and casual atmosphere. My only regret was not having a running buddy because so many runners stopped along the way to take pictures with the Disney characters cheering us on. And there were so many tutus! And tiaras! Everyone seemed to be dressed up and it was GREAT. Just a feel-good event in all senses of the word. Next time? I’ll bring a friend. Any volunteers?

All in all – the race was wonderful. The shin splints started crippling me about mile 8 so I started taking walking breaks. But – I still ran most of those last few miles. Considering my training did not go well I am very proud of my success and I thought about Dad the entire time. I knew he’d be laughing at me and rolling his eyes at my tiara. It was an emotional day and I thought of many of you along the way. Thanks for your support. I’ll come back tomorrow and talk about the rest of the trip, but here’s a few race-related photos for your enjoyment.

I thought I’d give you an update on my half-marathon training for my Team in Training event in March. I’ve got a few more giveaways to do but I’m SO behind on mailing out thank you cards to those of you who have already donated, that I don’t want to solicit anymore donations until I’m caught up. My hand cramps up after about 5 cards because when training for a marathon? THE HANDS ARE NOT STRENGTHENED. Just an FYI, you know.

I started Jillian’s 30-day shred this week as an attempt to add some cross-training type fitness to my running schedule. Everyone tells you this is important but let me tell YOU something: I skip my runs some days. Actually, I skip my runs many days. So, if I don’t even make it to my training run for my half-marathon, you can rest assured I won’t do my cross-training. I’m just trying to be honest. But, the 30-day shred video? (Which is on my OnDemand box for FREE right now) only takes about 28 minutes. Start to Finish. I promise you, if I don’t have to leave the house? I can find 28 minutes to work out. The tough part of doing my runs is getting out of the house. Do I wait until MrZ is home so I can run without worrying about the kids? Do I try to schedule a time when the daycare at the Y is open? (Which means the chances are much greater the treadmills are full.) Do I go before or after I pick up LilZ from rehearsal? All these factors have me often just skipping the runs. WHICH IS NOT GOOD. Lucky for me, I run slow and have a pretty resilient body so this has not actually set me back too much. I do, however, want to do better. So, I added in Jillian. I’m on day three now and so far? Pretty Good. I really like it and it’s easy to just do when the time is right. I even still ran my five miles last night! Even when I was in Jillian pain! Woo Hoo!

I’m still up 7lbs from the holiday gluttony. I actually put on 9 all together, which is so embarrassing when it took me 8 months to lose 20. But, I’m back on track this week and I’m ready to get those 7lbs back off and maybe even a few more before the race in March. All in all? Not a bad place to be. Not the best place, but I’m running five miles without stopping, I’m doing my 30-day shred workouts, and I’m not eating cake for breakfast. For me? This is awesome.

Today is the day I launch my Official Fundraising Efforts for Team In Training. On March 7, 2010 – I will be running 13.1 miles in the Disney Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World as part of Team In Training. I have signed a form saying I will raise at least $3500 to be part of the Team In Training Program. I am financially responsible for any amount I lack – but that doesn’t phase me because I know I can raise that much plus some. Today is the official day I start my fundraising and I have already raised over $900 thanks to many of you jumping in early. You have made me feel much more confident that I can raise the amount needed and much, much more…thank you. If you’ve already donated, feel free to move along. However, I do go into a little more detail as to why I’m doing this and you might want to read it to understand what your donation means to me.

WHY THE LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY?

You’ll see on the LLS Home Page that this organization raises money for research for all of the blood cancers. One of which is Myleoma – the cancer that took my Daddy from me on March 31, 2009. It seems serendipitous that the race I’ll run in Dad’s name will almost be exactly one year after he died. Myeloma did awful things to my father before it took him from me, awful things I’ve not really talked a lot about because it seems so terrible that it happened to him. However…to help you understand why I really want to do everything in my power to someday prevent others from the same suffering, today I’ll share some of them with you.

My Dad was initially diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma based on many tests and exams from many doctors. However, to make it a solid diagnosis he had to have a bone marrow biopsy done. This is when they take a huge needle and jab it in the largest bone in your body (your thigh) and suck marrow out of it. We all know from medical shows how much this hurts and Dad knew it was going to hurt. They did it to him when he was in ICU. Here’s the thing — he was in so much pain already from the damage the cancer had done to his bones? That he actually was shocked at how little the procedure hurt. He said to the doctor, “No, it was great…” with a surprised tone in his voice. That’s how much pain he was in – the bone marrow biopsy didn’t hurt him compared to everything else.

Myeloma does so much damage to the cells in the marrow that one of the first symptoms is bone pain. But Dad was notorious for thinking pain was just normal with aging and didn’t get it looked into until his kidneys started failing (one of the other symptoms of the cancer). By the time he was hospitalized, he had micro-fractures and lesions all over his skeleton. This is why he was in so much pain.

And then, they put him on dialysis. Took someone living every day in agony and forced them to be hooked up to needles for four hours a day several times a week and sit still while blood was filtered. This was one of the huge catalysts for him deciding not to fight any longer and to enter into a residential hospice to let the kidney failure just end his life. But it didn’t stop there.

The worse part was between the kidney failure, the pain, and the initial chemotherapy – Dad’s digestive system pretty much stopped working. The man who lived his life with more dignity and pride (for good reason) than I could in a million years – he spent some of his final days dragging his agonizing body to the bathroom. First, in his home and then in hopsice. He didn’t always make it and he shamefully had to apologize to us for the mess he left at the home we had to clean out once he was in hospice. He also shamefully asked us to buy him protection to wear in case he couldn’t make it. None of this mattered to us at all, but to my Father – the man who deserved a long and proud life – it would have killed him alone if he wasn’t already dying. The cancer broke him. Into pieces. It will be my mission in life to raise as much money to research this cancer so that maybe somebody can be spared the death my Dad had.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHILE WE GIVE YOU MONEY?

Good Question! First of all – I’m training to run 13.1 miles. When I’ve trained for past long-distance runs, I would call my Dad every weekend to tell him what distance I was up to. He ran 5Ks several times a week for his entire life, just to stay healthy. But, he never understood why my brother and I wanted to run more. He was very proud, and loved hearing about it, but never quite got it. He supported all of our efforts, however. He went out to Nevada to cheer on my brother when he competed in an Iron Man distance race. (Over 140 miles of biking, running and swimming.) He came to Nashville to cheer me on for my marathon. He fed me crackers along the way. At one point when I was reaching a spot he was at near the end of the race, I started running just so he’d be proud when in reality I had been walking for miles. That stupid move popped my double-layered blisters. I’m a genius. So – 13.1 miles! That’s a lot!

I’ve also decided to make one big sacrife while I raise this money: I am giving up Diet Coke. For those of you who know me well, you know this is probably my biggest vice ever. I’ve never given it up completely, even when pregnant. I won’t tell you how much I drink in a day because it’s embarrassing. But – my family and friends in the real world? They are all scared for me. They see me drink it every second of every day. They’ve all been with me when I’ve gone through the McDonald’s drive through just for a Diet Coke. (They have the best fountain drinks, you know.) But until I meet my $3500 goal? None for me. And not just Diet Coke, no sodas at all. I don’t like Diet Pepsi or Diet Dr. Pepper as much, but if I’m desperate I’ll drink them. So, I’m taking that all off the table. I’m hoping this will help motivate me to keep pushing the efforts.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR US?

Giveaways! Giveaways! Giveaways! I’ve already emailed the winners of the Pioneer Woman Cookbooks and the $100 Visa Gift card. That could have been you! Every week I’m going to have a batch of prizes to have drawings for. Anyone who donates that week is eligible. I’m trying to make a smattering of prizes to appeal to everyone. I’m choosing prizes that I either love myself, or that somehow support other writers or artists or crafters that I support. This week’s drawings are for:

1. $25 gift certificate to Julie Rose Jewelery at Etsy. You could get almost THREE RINGS with that if you wanted!
2. No One Cares What You Had For Lunch: 100 Ideas For Your Blog by Maggie Mason of Mighty Girl.
3. The Glee Soundtrack Vol 1 which comes out Tuesday.
4. One “Pro” membership (for one year) to flickr
5. One Camera Strap of your choice from VMJESS whom made both of my straps for my Nikons.

I’ll announce the winners on Sunday!

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

Because I feel like it is entirely unfair for my Dad to have died so early. I’m pissed off and angry at the universe that took him from me. I’ve been aching all year to do something to give a little bit of reason to his death. Make some good come out of it. This is my first attempt and I hope to make many more. Because this short video below is one of the examples of the little things he is missing every day. If any of this money helps keep someone else from missing out on the little moments? Then maybe some of my anger at the universe will eventually fade.

Man, I know times are rough. They are here too. I got laid off this year. If you can’t donate? Please don’t. Seriously. But maybe post a link on your next blog entry for me? If you do, email me the link so I can see it and thank you on my sidebar. Maybe send the link to anyone in your family who may have someone affected by a blood cancer and want to donate. Anything you can do to help, even beyond the money, I appreciate. And if you can spare a few dollars, click the logo (or here) and give what you can.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart – and my blistered feet.

Today is my first long run of my half-marathon training. It’s just four miles since I’m doing the novice training which starts assuming you’ve at least made it to the 5K level. Which I have. Barely. So, the first long run is 4 miles. I’ve taken Hal Higdon’s 10-week half-marathon training program and extended it to give me must more reasonable transitions between distances. The 10-week program worked fine for me last time, but I don’t have as much confidence this time. So today? Four miles. The weather is going to be great and I have a running partner this time, so I feel good about today.

Wish me luck. I’ll be later with predictable reports of pain and agony. And hopefully success.

I finally succeeded in something I’ve been trying to do for years. I talked someone into running a half-marathon with me. I’ve felt like I could use some accountability in my training and haven’t really found anyone even remotely interested. But then I ran into a certain someone at the 5K on Saturday (not literally, although it could have been considering how clumsy I am) and thought, “Hmm. Maybe she’ll be up to it.” Turns out? she is.

So now that I can’t back out – (Right Sarah? I can’t…Can I?) I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I learned the first time around. I was completely new to running then, especially distance running of any sort. Since it’s been 2 years, I feel like I’m starting all over again. Suddenly these lessons/tips are creeping back into my mind. I thought I’d share them with you in case any of you are starting on the same type of journey. If you have any to add – I’d love to hear them.

• Most half-marathons give out medals TO ALL FINISHERS. This was the most awesome thing to discover. I overheard a few women talking about the medals at a race a few weeks before my first half-marathon. I was convinced I misunderstood. Surely those medals are for the winners. Right. Nope. They’re for EVERYONE. When they handed that to me after I crossed the finish line I didn’t think there would ever be anything I could cherish more in my life. EVER. I was not a super-athlete growing up…what few trophies I had were the kind the whole team gets at the end of a season. There was also that gymnastics trophy my Dad had made for me…just for the hell of it…but I don’t think that counts either. So the medal? MOST AWESOME THING EVER.
• You need to find a way to carry water with you when you run. When I first started doing my weekend long runs, I faced the dilemma about water. It’s easy on the treadmill: They have cupholders! But how do I stay hydrated when I’m running outside? Races have water every mile or so, but where would I get water during my training runs? I started running with your basic 20oz water bottle in my hand. That ended up getting annoying so I went to the local running store (Fleet Feet: Soon to become one of my favorite places on earth.) and looked to see if they had any solution. Turns out? There are TONS. There are waistbands that hold one large bottle or several small ones. There are bottles with hand straps. There are even backpacks meant to just hold water! Tons of options, you just have to find what works for you.
• Clothing choices become important with longer distances. The longer time you are running, the more likely certain clothes will start to chafe you. I remember my brother discussing his mistakes in fabric leading to chaffing and then bleeding nipples. This struck fear into my heart because, while I was fairly certain my sports bra would prevent that occurrence, the fear of bleeding nipples was enough for me to take chaffing VERY seriously. I did learn that on runs longer than 45 minutes I should eliminate the cotton t-shirt. The sleeves chaffed my underarms. I also learned that some shorts chafe my thighs on long runs. I had raw spots on my inner thighs for weeks one time after I had the brilliant idea to wear a new pair of shorts I had never tested for a 7-mile run. Everyone is different but NO ONE should run long distances in UNTESTED CLOTHING. Never. Ever. If you feel like something is going to chafe regardless of your clothing, coat that area with Vaseline. First Aid stations along most half-marathon courses will even have vaseline on hand just for those moment. Nothing like asking a complete stranger for Vaseline to make yourself feel vulnerable.
• The goal is to FINISH. When you set out to run a certain distance, whether it’s for a training run or the race itself, a beginner’s goal should just be to finish the distance. If you have to walk? It’s okay. You can still say you ran a half-marathon even if you walk periodically. Some trainers recommend you run ten minutes and walk one minute if you’re a novice. Others recommend you take the water breaks along the course (usually about every 1.5 miles) to take a walking break. I chose the latter to be my method. I walk through the water breaks. Not only does it give me that glorious break from running, but it allows me to maximize the water I ingest because drinking water and running simultaneously: Not as easy as it looks.
• Don’t become dependent on your iPod. Every race is different, but nowadays it’s difficult for certified courses to get insured unless they insist that runners NOT wear headphones. Now, you could always do it anyway, but you won’t get your name listed in results, you won’t be eligible for prizes if you’re fast (not a concern for me), and you might not get a medal (HUGE concern for me) if they’re handing them out. If you’re used to running with your music, it might be very challenging on race day to give it up. Keep that in mind.
• You can never spend too much money on socks if you’re prone to blisters. I am very prone to blisters. I have therefore tested every sock on the market. I have found the pair that seems to be LESS likely to give me blisters (although I do still get them sometimes) and they cost $10 a pair. That’s an awful lot for a pair of socks. But I only need one pair if I’m diligent about laundry. An take it from someone who had 3 layers of blisters one time, it’s worth every penny. (Yes. I’ve tried your blister solution. Trust me. I didn’t work. Thanks for telling me though!)
• A new running outfit can be a great motivator. This is actually something my Dad taught me. If you go out and buy a new running outfit, what are you going to want to do? GO RUN IN IT. Very simple but also very brilliant. Now, don’t buy a new outfit before the half-marathon unless you’ve tested the fabric/style before. (Remember: AVOID BLEEDING NIPPLES AT ALL COSTS.) But if you have a favorite pair of shorts (I do!) then buy a new color for your big race. It’s amazing how much of a difference that can make in your running mood.
• Good running shoes shouldn’t need to be broken in. This was a HUGE shock to me. I bought my first pair of real running shoes after my first half-marathon but before my 2nd one. Turns out I didn’t need to worry about breaking them in, they’re designed to be run in from Day One. The first run I did in my new shoes? Was a half-marathon! And it went VERY well. I am still using those shoes currently – dreading the day I have to replace them. I have no idea where the line is between “real” running shoes and generic running shoes, but I felt safe that anything I bought at Fleet Feet would work. They have never let me down on any recommendations and they actually suggested I buy the least expensive shoe of the group they recommended to me. “If that show does not feel 50% better, then you should not spend 50% more on it.”
• Salt is very important when you run. I was very confused the first time I passed a table on a race where people were handing out salt packets. I found myself thinking, “Um…is this candid camera?” Turns out? It’s very important. This is why so many sports drinks are loaded with salt. And why – when I ran my marathon – I found myself CRAVING the sports drinks that tasted SO BAD. I just needed the salt in them, even if they did taste like urine.
• Pace Yourself. It is very easy to get caught up in the runners around you in a race or a running group. If other people are running faster, you’ll want to do the same. I have done poorly on SEVERAL runs because of this, but most dramatically at my first half-marathon. I never felt like I was running too fast until I would get to the first mile marker/time keeper. Then I’d find myself going, “Wow! Good time! I feel great!” And I usually did because adrenaline will do that to you. Then…Mile 2? Not so great. Then…Mile 3? Dead. And I had 10 to go. When I ran my second one in Tucson, my brother helped me keep pace with his GPS watch. That one went MUCH better. Yes, lots of people were passing me. But you know what? I didn’t fizzle out. I walked through my water stations and ran every other step along the way.

Maybe something here will help you along the way. Maybe it will just teach you something new. Hopefully it will help you avoid chaffing. That’s my goal, you know. To make sure your nipples don’t bleed.