I'm a Marathoner!

I ran a marathon!

2007-07-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

I ran a marathon! Does that mean I have to change my blogger address???

The marathon was one of the best experiences of my life. It was fun, grueling, really really hot, annoying, emotional, painful, happy, sweaty, way cool, and most of all... totally worth it.

The first 6 miles we were in downtown San Diego and it was the most overwhelming and hardest 6 miles of my life. There were so many PEOPLE both on the course and off, that the overstimulation of it all gave me a headache. Somewhere around miles 6 I hear someone exclaim as we passed a clock that "Hey, the winner is already halfway done!" Everyone within earshot was fortunately just dilerious enough from the crowd and getting up at 3 A.M. that we managed to laugh.

Once we got out of those first 6 miles, we cruised along for awhile until we made a pit stop at about mile 13 or 14 so Bree could experience the porta potty. She wanted to stop earlier, but the lines were soooo long that she had enough sense to know that they would take way too long and would be disgusting with no toilet paper.

Not long after, my foot started to hurt - pretty much a lot. We spent 3 1/2 miles on the most ridiculous sloping freeway (sloping left to right, not up or down) and onramps that each step I took really did my foot in pain wise.

We kept cruising along, but we were so out of it from lack of sleep, trying to maneuver around everyone and from sheer noise of the bands and people around us that our attempts at normal running conversation were futile. Bree tried to teach me a song at one point, but I was so focused on ignoring the pain in my foot. I think it was about animals eating other animals. Not sure.

Wow. So we finished! I raised over $2700 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and combined with the near 4,000 people that ran with Team in Training that day, we raised $12.5 million dollars for the Society.

What next? Well, I have to take it easy running for awhile to let my foot heal, but there may be more involvement with TNT in my near future. I'll keep you posted.

Lazy pre-marathon days

2007-05-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

By popular demand, I will not be running any more training miles pre-race day. In an effort to not allow my foot snap in two, I've been advised by many parties to minimize the strain on my fragile little foot bone. However, I was assured by one of my TNT coaches that I'm not going to lose all the training by not running for a week. She swears that the cardio, muscle memory and ability to run 26.2 miles is all there and it can't be lost overnight. Despite her reassurance, I am desperately terrified that at mile 18 my foot is going to kill so bad that I won't be able to continue.

The Doctor Visit

2007-05-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

So I gave in and went to the doctor today. I mean, the overwhemingly excruciating pain when I run a long way finally got to me. Everything went pretty much as expected. ..

"So Brooke, what brings you here today"

"Well Doctor, my bone hurts when I run more than 5 miles at a time. I'm running a marathon next week and I want to make sure that I don't cause any serious damage by running on it."

"Does it hurt right now?"

"Well, no."

Doctor pokes and prodes affected foot a little.

"Does this hurt?"

"No, it really only hurts when I run a lot on it."

"Let me see you walk."

I walk around the small examination room completely normally.

Doctor looks thoughtfully at my foot.

"Well, I think you should get that x-rayed."

"Oh, ok great, so do you think it is a stress fracture or something more serious or nothing at all?"

"The x-ray will tell us if there is a stress fracture in which case I would recommend you don't run."

"Hmm, ok, well I thought that stress fractures often did not show up on x-rays"

"If it doesn't show up, then it shouldn't be too serious, but if it hurts, you shouldn't run."

"Oh, ok, well, thanks, you've been a wealth of information Doctor."

"I'll call you on Tuesday with the results of the X-ray."

The taper begins!

2007-05-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

Longest long run: 20 miles!

Most people think I'm crazy when I tell them I am training for a marathon. Lots of people keep asking me about it, want to keep up with how far my longest run was, find out why I'm limping that day. Of all the motivation I've had, I have to thank all the people that have remembered on a daily basis and asked me about marathon training. I honestly would not have come this far without their support.

Unfortunately, just because I'm finally not limping, does not mean I'm not injured. Starting on my 20 miler, my foot really started to hurt. (My right foot, all my injuries are on the right) I figured it was just part of running twenty miles. Then I ran 14.5 and it hurt even worse. On the shorter runs it starts to feel a little sore, but It really doesn't hurt that much. Last night I went to a TNT get together and one of the coaches had heard I might be injured. I told her about it and her diagnosis? Stress fracture. Great. 3 weeks before the marathon and I have an injury that will only heal with rest. Her advice? Since I've already done the 20 miler, to just do whatever doesn't hurt and go to marathon day. That being said, I'm still (quite obviously) going to attempt the rest of my runs before M-day. Oh right, and I'll go ahead and schedule myself a little visit with the doctor, say, the day after the marathon?

Go Team!

I'm a stud(ette)!

2007-04-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Total training miles: 313.32

Longest long run: 16.4

Total fundraised: $2710

Hope your jaw didn't hit the floor too hard after reading my stats for this week - but you have to admit - I am a stud(ette)! I mean, most people take a car to go 16 miles right? Heck, most people take a car to go any distance. Not me - I'm a runner now! (Now is probably not a good time to admit that I drive my car four blocks away to the store, huh?) Not only that, but I've convinced almost 50 people to part with their hard earned cash to help cure cancer!

OK. So not only did I RUN 16 miles this week, but that brings my total training miles to over 300! I love stats. When I am old, I am going to be one of those ridiculous people obsesses over their running log. Oh wait, I already do that! In fact, I am so obsessive that I have my training log saved in google docs so I can access it anywhere and anytime I might need it.

Fundraising is going well, less than $300 to go to meet my ambitious goal - and a surprise donation this week from the finite monkey (Oh, and if any donors out there are getting ansy for their thank you card - they are coming - but not until after the marathon so I can give you a full report!)

Any regrets? I mean, this is a big commitment, right? Training to run a marathon isn't like telling someone you'll meet them for lunch. The difficulty level far surpasses that of choosing between french fries or a side salad. I don't regret spending the time and energy fundraising or training, but I do have one small regret - that I didn't do this sooner!

Go team!

(That's it for my ultra-peppy post - watch out Amber - I'll have your job yet!)

The Great Race of Agoura

2007-04-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

I ran my first half! For one of our training runs, we were asked to sign up for the Old Agoura Half Marathon on the 31st. Bree couldn't make it so I ran it by myself. I had so much fun! My sister offered to have my son over for a slumber party with her son which trigger my husband to want to come - and boy am I glad he did! I was not looking forward to getting up before the crack of dawn and driving an hour away, by myself, only to have to trudge around agoura in shorts and a tank top until the race finally started.

The race was great, it had this really steep downhill start so I got a good start on my pace, then it evened out and by mile 3 we were running on a dirt fire road. I'm still a pretty slow runner so there were some run/walkers around me, but I ran an honorable chunk of the race. Around mile 6 I encountered a women I affectionately called "Elbows" because she was a super-speed walker and her elbows seriously came out 2 feet from the side of her body every time she thrust them out. I had made the mistake of stopping for a second at one of the trail water stops because they had scared me so badly about not leaving trash on the trail. She passed me and then I got stuck behind her on a really narrow section of the trail. Mind you, I would have been able to pass her had her elbows not been thrust out so far. I was afraid to pass her and get knocked down by Elbow woman.

Then I had myself all psyched to climb til mile 8 and then it was downhill from there. Sure enough, at mile 8 we began to decend as we turned around a hill. As we began the turn downwards, I looked up and noticed the steepest hill ever. The decent was not over, I saw a little ant line of people struggling to walk up this hill.

Phew! After I made it up that last unexpected hill, it really was all downhill from there. I made up some time as I forged downhill at top speed, passing a number of people. Then I evened out my pace when we hit the flatter pavement and finished in 2:40 and some change with a 12:04 pace. (Yes, I am a very slow runner!)

I saw my husband as I turned the corner to run the last 100 yards or so to the finish line and that gave me all the motivation I needed to sprint my way to the finish.

Week End States 03/02/2007

2007-03-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Longest long run: 13.29 Miles

Total miles for week ending 03/02/2007: 25.69

Total miles since official TNT signup: 185.17

Total fundraising collected: unsure, but over $2500. Will update soon.

Wow! What a wierd week for running. I flaked on running until wednesday, but still managed to run the most miles this week of any other week thus far! I also crossed the half marathon milestone with my long run and this coming week I should be crossing the 200 training miles mark. Woohoo!

That being said, today's run left me completely knackered. We didn't get going until after 9 o'clock in the morning and boy was it hot! Somewhere around mile seven I was sure I was going to keel over and die from the heat and dehydration. But then we stopped to drink a ton of water, eat some jelly beans and I was good again - well, in all honesty I was sure I was going to lose my first toenail to marathon training - but I didn't. Unfortunately, Bree thought otherwise, we met a headwind at about mile 10, which I thought felt wonderful after the dry still heat we had felt earlier, but she was done. Once we made it up a big hill she wanted to walk for awhile, and granted, I didn't mind walking for awhile either, but I was getting anxious because I knew the end was near. Anyhow, we started running again soon enough and the rest is history. We planned on running 12 miles, but our internal mapping systems were a little off and we actually ran about 13.

Ok. Now any queasy stomachs should stop reading now because I have a someone disgusting albeit proud moment to share. On Wednesday's run, I ran 7.5 miles by myself. I felt really good, (probably from taking 3 full days off to rest???) and was especially bouncy. So at about mile 3 or 4 I just started running really hard until I couldn't go any longer at that pace, slowed it down until I caught my breath and started over again. I kept that up until about mile 6 or 7. Then I came home, ate, and yes, threw up! Is it wierd to be proud of that? Possibly, but it was totally worth it.

Week End Stats 01/24/2007

2007-02-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Longest Long Run 10.5 Miles

Total for week ending 1/24/2007: 22.08 Miles

Total miles since official TNT signup: 159.48 Miles

Total Donations collected: $2479

It's been away awhile - but only because I've been busy running. Actually, I had a bad running week so I didn't feel much like sharing my disasterous week with my few readers. I've had a couple weeks to recouperate and now I'm back on track.

In the past few weeks, I've crossed a bunch of hurdles. My longest long run is up to 10.5 miles. My total training miles has crossed the 150 miles mark and my fundraising goal has long surpassed the $2,400 mark.

Training is going great, though it's tough to find the time to keep upping the mileage every week. I figure it out. I'll have to stop sleeping and eating, but I WILL get the mileage in that I need for this marathon. I really prefer my long runs because by mile 3 or so running really becomes something I do on autopilot.

I received the most unexpected, unsolicited donation in the past couple of weeks. I want to thank Scott for his generous and completely unexpected donation to my Leukemia and Lymphoma fund. He is the author of a really great and inspirational marathon blog. I stumbled across his blog as I was beginning mine and it's great - take a look.

Go team!

Week End Stats 1/20/07

2007-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Longest Long Run: 8.2 Miles

Total for Week Ending 1/20/07: 20.21 Miles

Total since official TNT signup: 80.41

Total donations collected: $1913

I raised over $1,000 this week thanks to my letter and e-mail campaign. This leaves me with just over $1,000 to raise to meet my fundraising goal.

This week, I was the cranky one on Saturday so we didn't run until about four in the afternoon. We ran from my house down to the beach and came pretty much straight back. We didn't completely think out the route ahead of time so we ended up having to cross over the railroad tracks and scramble through some bushes, but we had enough sense to take a more direct route back.

Our Team in Training kick-off event is next Saturday. I'm really looking forward to meeting the coaches and teammates. I'm also really glad I've been able to build a good running base before jumping off the couch to go run a marathon. Go Team!

Week End Stats 1/13/2007

2007-01-13T17:02:00.000-08:00

Longest long run: 7.4 miles

Total for week ending 1/13/2007: 18.09 miles

Total since official TNT signup: 60.2 Miles

Total donations collected: $881

I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the donations, encouraging words and motivation I have received in response to my letter campaign.

I have also been made aware of a few more honored teamates, those that are struggling with, have overcome or died from leukemia, lymphoma and related diseases. With every person I am made aware of, I realize how important this is to collect the donations and be thankful that I am healthy enough to run in their honor. My new honored teammates include: Jeremy Brit, Penny Dinsmore, Bina Crowe, Vicki Mayer, Gloria Cronk, Anthony Avalos, Curtis Stiles, and Fred McFarland.

I have also recieved very sweet notes and letters enclosed with the donations. I've looked at these more than once this week to motivate myself. One in particular really made me smile. It seemed to me that this particular donor really 'gets it.' She writes, "I commend you for this effort...whether you finish the course is not as important as the fact that you ARE participating." That statement alone sums up all the reasons to run the marathon.

As for the running part of the week, it went pretty well. I only ran four days this week instead of five, so I didn't make it to my goal of 20 miles this week, but I'm completely ok with that, especially since I ran 7.4 for my long run and felt great at the end. Originally, Bree and I intended to go to the Westlake TNT training run this morning but we decided it was pretty far and Bree didn't want to have to get up early. So then we tried running in a nearby neighborhood this morning at 8 A.M. However, there were near gale force winds and the temperature around sunny Ventura dropped like 20 degrees so it was especially cold and we had to don the cold weather hats and gloves. We made it, maybe half a mile? before we stopped at a park bathroom because I had to pee. When I got out, Bree had her arms folded and I knew she wasn't going to run anymore. So she suggested running home, but I figured it wasn't worth it so we walked. Bree was having an anti-running day. It happens. I had one a week or two before I decided to start TNT, unfortunately, I didn't have anyone to walk home with.

Anyway, I decided not to run until my husband got home so I didn't have to push the jogging stoller. I ran down to the harbor and it turned out to be 7.4 miles. I stopped at the halfway point down by the beach to get a drink of water and stretch out my calves a little. Then I headed home and it turned out to be a great run. It was crisp out, but the winds had died down so I just had this perfect gentle breeze to cool me off when I was down by the water.

Here's to another great training week. Go team!

Getting Faster!

2007-01-08T22:19:00.000-08:00

Bree and I had the best run tonight. We ran a three miler around the neighborhood and we kept commenting to each other, "are we running faster than usual?" The first time one of us commented, we tried to slow down a little bit so we didn't wear ourselves out, but after that, it was really just stating a fact. We were running faster than normal.

At some point in the run, Bree threw out that it might take us three whole hours to finish the marathon. I could hear her jaw hit the pavement when I told her it would probably take more than five hours. Apparently, she'd never thought about how long it might take - which is why I love her. She's game for anything.

Week End Stats

2007-01-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

Total miles for week: 18.42

Total miles for long run: 6.2

Total miles since official TNT signup: 42.11

Fundraising total: $67

This weeks long run was GREAT. I went out with Team in Training, we met in Newbury Park at the brisk 7 A.M. hour. Boy was it COLD! It took me almost the first full mile to get over the cold, up some hills, and really into the run. I made it a good chunk of the way up the first hill before I walked for a couple minutes. But overall, I walked less on this run than either of my previous 5 mileish runs. I missed having Bree there, especially in the beginning as I was getting into the groove of things, but the last half was a breeze. It felt SO good. My legs hurt a little bit (I am NOT used to running on hills) but I knew that I would be able to run the entire way back.

When I got back, I ran to the post office to get stamps for my SASE's and I threw the stamps on and stuffed the envelopes in. Today was the last day to get them to Amber (the program director) so she would pay for the postage. I really had to stretch to find 100 people to send this letter to, but almost everyone on there has met me at some point in my life. (For those of you that don't recognize the name - my maiden name was Quarnstrom) There were also some unsuspecting residents of Westlake Village that will soon be receiving a letter from me.

But, I also met a fellow TNT member from New Jersey. Officially, his name is Mark from New Jersey. He helped me stuff my envelopes and we swapped blog addresses. His is pretty neat - he actually runs in a 0.3 mile circle in his yard for some of his runs. Now THAT takes willpower. Check out his blog at: www.thefinitemonkey.com

Just do it? Not always the best idea.

2006-12-30T20:06:00.000-08:00

I came up with a great rule of thumb this morning (with the help of Runner's World forums). IF I CAN EAT, I CAN RUN. It made so much sense when I heard it, I immediately adopted it as my new running sick mantra. It automatically rules out running when vomiting, having surgery, battling Montezuma revenge and a whole slew of other very practical reasons not to run.

So I woke up about three this morning with an attack of the eye and nose. I didn't want to take any more NyQuil for fear of not being able to wake myself up in the morning. So what did I do? I compromised, I took DayQuil tablets. Boy did those make me feel weird. I didn't get much sleep, but by the time I was ready to jump out of bed I felt pretty good and the whole nose/eye thing had subsided. Whew - was I relieved I took the DayQuil instead of NyQuil. (That and NyQuil triggers my gagging reflex big time).

So I ran the 5k with Bree. I ran it strong too. I even tried to talk Bree into doing the 10k but she said I was too sauced on the DayQuil to make rational decisions.

This is the point in the story where everything goes awry.

I go home. From here on out it is a battle between the seriously severe sinus pressure, the earache and the intense amounts of liquid coming from my nose and eye.

Now it's 8:20, I just took a shower, so I've cleared up enough to stare at the screen properly, but well, it's time for my date with my NyQuil bottle now.

Moaaaan!

2006-12-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

I'm sick! Two full days with the flu and going on three. My eye is still dripping on the keyboard as I type. (This blog is not for weak stomached people). At any rate, most of the aches are gone so I'll be running tomorrow. I'll have to wear my shorts with pockets so I can pack tissues for along the way. I talked to Bree earlier and she has tendonitis and since I'm sick, we're just going to do a boring 5k tomorrow. I was SOOOO excited to do my first 10k.

On Sunday night, Bree and I also have a big 5k race planned at Point Mugu. It's year to year run so it starts on December 31, 2006 at 11:50 P.M. and you finish in the year 2007! It probably a lot cooler to think about doing something like that than to actually do it. Like going to Four Corners so you can be in all four states at once. Just a big tourist trap. It's just a big tourist trap for runners. I LOVE tourist traps!

What I think about when I run

2006-12-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Bree and I did a 3.6 miler this morning. Our route started at the Marina Park in Ventura and followed Pierpont down to the San Buenaventura State Beach where we took the long way around the park down to San Jon and then turned around and came straight back.

When we got back, we discussed what we think about when we run, especially when we are thinking about running. (I spend a lot of my time disassociating from running and thinking about anything but). Bree thinks a lot about her arms and form and never about her feet. I like think about my feet and listen to each footstrike as I feel myself roll through each step. I sometimes also think about how much distance I travel with each step. I can eat up a lot of running time trying to figure out distance math in my head.

Week End Stats 12/24/2006

2006-12-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

Long Run: 5.26 Miles

Week's Total: 13.85 Miles

Training total since official TNT signup: 16.95 Miles

This weeks long run went a lot better than last time we tried this route. We walked a lot less, we were able to talk a lot more and we were just overall in better spirits about the whole thing. We stretched this run out so we ran down to the entrance of the RV park just to make sure it was a full 5 miles. The entire there and back route came out to 5.26 miles. (See long run link for exact route)

Somehow, I feel much more accomplished for being able to say that I ran "a little more than 5 miles" instead of "almost 5 miles."

About the last 1/2 mile of the route, Bree stopped for a quick breather and I almost killed her for it. In my mind I was ready to plow through to the end, so as soon as I stopped, all of a sudden I could feel every little muscle in my legs. In fact, each of these little muscles was screaming at me for stopping and telling me that they weren't going to start running again. Fortunately, by the time Bree was ready to run again, I was able to bargain with them to run just the last little bit.

Caroling for a Cause

2006-12-23T01:14:00.000-08:00

We raised $42 each and a round of cookies!!! Bree and I and three others went out to downtown historic Oxnard and went caroling door to door. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous at first - about asking for money - not so much about singing. But as it turned out, everyone was very open and generous. (Well, that and Bree was our Leukemia and Lymphoma spokeswoman, I was merely the guide)

We met all kinds while caroling. One very sweet lady invited us in and showed us her Christmas present - a cute little light one of her daughters sent her. We really made her day. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we later caroled at a halfway house where we met the wolfman. We also had a couple of people sing along with us and really get into it. Families rushed off to get the kids so they could experience the carolers and great amounts of holiday cheer we were spreading.

It was so much fun. We only wish that there were more caroling holidays before next Christmas.

New Shoes

2006-12-21T23:21:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to me! My husband bought me two new pairs of running shoes for Christmas and it has made running a whole new experience for me.

I was running on a pair of Asics trail runners I picked up on sale at Sport Chalet about six months ago. But when I bought those, I was just planning on riding my bike in them. Then one day I decided to start running. What I didn't count on was the extra half size I needed for big swollen running feet so my toes would start to touch the top of the toe.

Anyway, I went to Roadrunner sports in Newbury Park and they fitted me in two nice stability shoes. The white one is a pair of Asics Gel-Kayano XII in a size 8.5. The other one is a pair of Mizuno Wave Alchemy 6 in a size 9. I didn't even look at the size of that one until I got home. I was shocked. I've owned one pair of 8.5's prior to this and I swam in them. But these two pairs hit the nail on the head for comfort, cushiness and support.

I've run a couple of times in both pairs and they are both GREAT. I feel like I could run forever in them. Fortunately for my feet, I'll just need a few hundred miles out of each of them.

Knee pain!

2006-12-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Injury scares me. I haven't run since Saturday because my knee is bothering me and I never know if it pain I should be having and should run right through, or if running on it will cause a life altering injury. The really bad part is that the more I read about all of the various knee injuries, the less I know.

My first donor!

2006-12-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

My first official TNT donation came in today from non other than an ex boyfriend! My first official $25!

Best Book I've Ever Read

2006-12-13T15:31:00.000-08:00

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Whitsett

Hands down the best book I've ever read. This book covers injury prevention, hydration, physical preparation and most importantly, mental preparation. It was a true page turner and I really feel more confident about running the right way and preventing injuries.

The best part? Well, the book is based on a college class that two professors have offered 4 or 5 times. Out of over 200 students that participated in the class, only 1 of them didn't complete the marathon. Why? Because he didn't follow the advice given on hydration. He got about halfway through the marathon and had to stop because he was dehydrated. The book is also packed with inspirational quotes from some of the class participants and most of them had little or no running experience before the class began.

At first I was worried I wasn't athletic enough, I would hurt my self and a long list of other worries. Now I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that anyone can do this, and I plan on being one of them.

First Non-Official Long Run

2006-12-10T17:13:00.000-08:00

Bree and I had our first officially non-official marathon long run. We ran 4.81 miles along the beach. Here is the route we took: Ventura Beach Route. We started out strong, chitchatted for maybe the first 1/4 mile and then we geared up to do our own thing. I have to admit, there was some walking involved, but we did pretty well for our first non-official time out together.

Why a marathon?

2006-12-08T09:46:00.000-08:00

Why the heck not? I don't claim to be a runner. Had you asked me to run a marathon a 6 months ago, I would have laughed in your face - loudly. 6 months ago I couldn't even run to the end of my driveway without keeling over, gasping for breath.

Originally, my goal was to run a 10k. Then I requested information about Team in Training. A couple days later, a very chipper, very excited girl called me to rope me into their program - and it worked. I'll be running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In exchange for raising money for their society, they will provide me free training and pay my entrance fees and lodging for race day. I'm signed up for the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon on June 3rd, 2007.

I tried to think of other ways I would stay focused and still be able to train and complete the marathon, but I don't think - especially for my first one, that I could do it on my own. I need the accountability of the Saturday meetings and the commitment of the fundraising to get me to race day.

I'm going to finish this marathon - because I can. Just do it, right?