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@runforyourlives-blog1
Team Run for Your Lives is just TWO weeks out from the Marine Corps Marathon. Help us make our 26.2 miles more meaningful by supporting us and the American Cancer Society! http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=84231&pg=team&team_id=2200469
Sunday Runday in the mile high city! Donate to team #runforyourlives at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=84231&pg=team&team_id=2200469
#teamrunforyourlives is half way to #marinecorpsmarathon and half way to our fundraising goal for #americancancersociety
#teamrunforyourlives is 3 months from #marinecorpsmarathon and half way to our fundraising goal for #americancancersociety
Dear Mr. President
Don’t worry...it’s NOT what you think!
While a lot of folks are all about the Benjamin’s, I can’t get enough of the Roosevelt’s. Teddy and Franklin, that is. I mean come on - national parks AND social programs?!? It’s enough to make this social worker’s heart skip a beat!
So last month when I got to run another race through a national park. Well it just doesn’t get any better than that.
The George Washington Parkway Classic is a beautiful 10 mile course.
And this race was such a great way to celebrate reaching 50% of our teams’ fundraising goal in less than the first week.
What’s that you say? Haven’t donated to team Run for Your Lives yet? We’re pounding the pavement and stomping out cancer!
Click HERE to donate!
George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler
Why run for your lives?
I started running - like, for real this time - just two years ago. After years of starting and stopping. Trying it and hating it. After years of caring about health and fitness for 6 months at a time. And ignoring the concept entirely the rest of the year. And after 18 rounds of chemo and six or so surgeries to get rid of cancer that had taken up residence inside me...and then put me back together. Oddly enough, that had left me a little out of shape. Who knew!
Also oddly enough, those fits steps back on that treadmill weren’t torture. In fact, they felt kind of ... good! That was pretty much all it took to become a “runner”. Not a particularly good runner. Not a particularly fast runner. But a runner nonetheless.
So each year as I put more and more time between today and April 18th 2012 - the day I was diagnosed - I look for ways to celebrate. In 2014 I celebrated by finishing graduate school. In 2015 I had the honor of giving the keynote address at a Relay for Life Survivor Ceremony.
Now, I get to celebrate two birthdays every year. The one my parents remember better than I do. And one on October 22nd - the day I was given the all clear. This October 22nd will mark FIVE years of getting the all clear ... and is the same day at the Marine Corps Marathon. There’s just no way that can be a coincidence!
So this year I’m celebrating by running my first marathon. Because five years ago I couldn’t.
And because there are still over 1.6 million new cancer diagnoses every year, I’m asking for your help.
I’m asking you to RUN, GIVE, and CHEER.
If you can RUN join my Marine Corps Marathon team Run for Your Lives.
A sold out race, bibs are available through American Cancer Society’s charitable athlete program DetermiNation.
If you can GIVE, make a take deductible donation to my team.
And join me on race day to CHEER your heart out for my team!
We’ll see YOU at the finish line!
In the cherry blossom’s shade there’s no such thing as a stranger
Running, as with most things, is even better with the people you enjoy. The 45th running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run has come and gone, and plans for next year’s race are already underway.
Despite the damage endured by the blooms it was a beautiful race. Which is kind of an odd thing to say of running 10 miles through D.C. But it’s not often - running or otherwise - you get to watch the sun rise over the Capitol. See the Washington Monument surrounded by 14,000 runners. Cross the Memorial Bridge on foot towards Arlington National Cemetery. Then turn around and do it again back towards the Lincoln Memorial. Run past the Kennedy Center, then circle back around the Tidal Basin. Muscle through to the furthest end of Hains Point. And have the Washington Monument great you at the finish line. So - yea - I’d say that’s kind of beautiful.
And running it with these two...and the power of purple eyeliner...made it just that much better. Congrats on your first 10 miles, C!
The magic happens at mile 7
The 2017 Marine Corps Marathon 17.75K is done, sir, done! All 11.03 magical miles.
Every mile tells a story. And the first three usually lie. Those are the miles which tell you how much nicer it would be at home on the couch sipping coffee. Miles four, five, and six? They’re slowly accepting their fate.
But mile seven? Oh...lucky mile seven. It’s not the fastest mile. It’s not even necessarily the prettiest mile. <Sorry, seven.> But mile seven is where the magic happens. Your body stops listening to your brain and just...moves! Your feet go, one in front of the other. Without thinking, without feeling. Just running.
And before you know it, there’s nothing but a 5k left...
And then? Oh then your new bestie MILE TEN shows up. And you say to yourself “One more for the beloved Marine Corps!” <You also look slightly crazed at this point.>
But then your new new BFF the finish line shows up and its. a. PARTY!
Bring. It. On.
So…we’ve had some minor set backs in training. But it’s early in the season and all will work out! Tomorrow marks the first real race if the year. As well as three back-to-back weekends of racing.
I’ve mentioned this before, but I LOVE running the Marine Corps Marathon 17.75k. And how lucky am I to do it two years in a row?!? Answer: very.
Yesterday was the last training run for this race and packet pick up. I went a little further than scheduled because (1) I could and (2) I missed my runs earlier in the week because of a bum ankle*. The good news is, said bum ankle held up like a champ. Better news is, this year’s race shirts aren’t hideous. I’d actually wear** this one out of the house.
“Go time” is 0700 tomorrow. I’ve got my Flat Kiki ready to rock. Now it’s rest and hydrate for the night. What? Isn’t that how you spend your Friday?
Oh! And I met a UFC fighter. All in a days’ work!
*A week ago I fell while celebrating an annual weekend away with two of my favorite people on the planet. Fortunately it didn’t hurt. Unfortunately my left ankle grew three sizes that day. A trip to urgent care confirmed a low grade sprain. But no major damage. I’ve been RICEing it up for the week. Rest Ice Compression Elevation!
**Another one of my favorite people on the planet and running inspiration - whom I refer to as The Oracle - says “Never wear a race shirt until you’ve finished the race. It’s bad luck to wear it when you haven’t earned it yet.” Also, She ran the 17.75k on a broken foot two years ago. So possible is anything!
Access granted.
It fascinates me that races sell out. First, perfectly good people pay perfectly good money - often times a lot of it - for the privilege of running miles. Often times many of them. Not only that but *so many* perfectly good people are willing to pay their perfectly good money for races that there's not enough room for all these perfectly good people. And the races sell out! As is the case with the Marine Corps Marathon. Which is why the lottery system is used. Which is also why MCM introduced the 17.75k as an "access granted" race. Which ALSO sells out! Luckily, my number one running buddy and I played the odds and BOTH managed to register for a race that sold out in minutes. I was also lucky enough to run it last year, so I can tell you just how cool of a race it is. Apart from guaranteeing access to the Marine Corps Marathon - First, it's a small race with less than 2,000 runners. Nice when you're going through the hills and trails of a national forest. Second, you're running through a national forest. The awesomeness is obvious. And third, the distance...is a little unorthodox. Why 11.03 miles, you ask? Because (number 1) races run by the metric system - it makes you faster, trust me - and (number 2) the 17.75 kilometers is representative of the beloved Marine Corps birthday. What more motivation do you need? But if you do need more, the Marines have that situation well at hand. And then there were many celebratory miles ran and hiked this weekend taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. Surely it won't last, so get out and pound the pavement while you can!
Valentine's Day 5k
Valentine, I love you just the way I am.
If you're looking for a training plan, you'll find no short supply of them online. Who knows which one is "better" than the other? The "best" plan is the one YOU can stick to. And for me that's Hal Higdon. There's an app for that - which I haven't tried, so I can't say whether it's worth the $9.99. But I like Hal's plans and CAN recommend you check them out. Yesterday started Week 7 of half marathon training. I'm using that plan for the 17.75k because the distance is close enough. I like to start my weeks on Sundays with my long runs. Partly because most races are on Sundays so your body gets used to it. And mostly because it's really relaxing...and Sunday brunch after is never a bad idea! Week 7 is a little different. Instead of a long run the week kicks off with a 5k for speed work instead of distance. I choose the Bishop Events Valentine's Day 5k & 10k benefitting the American Cancer Society. With a scenic - and relatively flat - route along the Rappahannock it was a small race, with less than 150 runners between both distances. The weather was cooperative and the course was pleasant. And I placed solidly in the middle of the pack with an official race time of 32:29.5. Easy like Sunday morning.
So what makes you think you can run the Marine Corps Marathon?
1. If you're going to run a marathon, why not #runwiththemarines? Seriously, that's their hashtag. That alone is reason enough.
2. This guy right here I'm fortunate to call my hubby wore that uniform for many proud years.
And, 3. I was lucky to be a social worker for the Marine Corps for eight years What can I say...I miss you guys!
The office the Marine Corps Marathon actually has an entire running series, about which I cannot speak highly enough! The races are well organized, well attended, and reasonably priced. I really recommend checking out their whole calendar.
Now, even registering for the MCM isn't easy. This race with over 30,000 runners is never not sold out. But here's how you can get in a join me.
1. Run the "Access Granted" 17.75K on 25 March. It's just over 11 miles and once you cross the finish line you'll receive a registration code for the marathon. This race sells out immediately. So be ready to register as soon as it opens at 1100 EST on 17 February.
2. Be on Active Duty. There are 3,000 registrations reserved for you beginning 3 March.
3. Enter the MCM Lottery on 22 March and cross your fingers with everyone else.
4. Register with a charity team and do some awesome fundraising along with your training.
5. Keep your eyes and ears open for anyone willing to transfer their registration.