BEYOND SATISFACTION: MARINE CORPS MARATHON 2012

Marine Corps Marathon. Sunday, October 28, 2012. I ran it. 26.2 miles. My first marathon and I now say, with surprising certainty, not my last. Six days deeply embedded in my heart and mind. An experience that has not only touched my very core but become a major part of who I am as a person.

I worked hard to get to that race. Really, I like to say that I'd been training for that very moment, that very race, since I started running 3 years ago. Ever since I became a runner, I have always set before me a race, a goal. If I don't have a goal in front me, I don't seem to perform as aggressively. The thrill of training for a race must be like the thrill of a hunt. The challenge propels me to do my very best and often pushes me beyond limits even I knew I possessed...whether those limits be physical, mental or emotional.

When I first started getting fit, first started working towards losing those 100 (now almost 105) pounds, I didn't exercise at all...let alone run. I hated exercising. Hated sweating. Training for my first 5k, I couldn't run 1/4 of 1/4 mile. I couldn't run more than 5-10 minutes at a time. I chipped away at it. I added cross training and strength training, got stronger and developed endurance. Now? If need be, I can run for 3 hours straight. I've become smarter in my training. I love long distance running, but I've learned to work in walk breaks on very long runs...not only to avoid injury, but to alleviate exhaustion. I've learned how to add hydration and fuel properly. 1/4 mile turned into 1 mile...1 mile turned into a 5k (3.1 miles).... a 5k turned into a 10k (6.2 miles)...a 10k turned into 2 Half Marathons (13.1 miles).... and the Half Marathons turned into the Marine Corps Marathon.

I had been planning for the Marine Corps for well over a year. I had actually planned on running it last year, but health issues prevented me from running it last October. I left a few days early to spend some time with my good friend Lynn from college that I hadn't seen in decades, and to just take time preparing and adjusting to the days before the race.

I had a wonderful time with Lynn. She was my best friend in college and we spend 4 close, fun years together and kept in touch for some time afterwards. We lost touch for many years, and facebook reconnected us a couple of years ago. I had the pleasure of staying with her family, meeting her wonderful husband and great kids and was even able to go back one day and have lunch with her and her mom. Lynn and I spend time catching up and it was so good! It really made me miss her all the more and wish we lived closer.

Before my brother Doug arrived in town, I spent time settling in my hotel room, exploring the area a little bit and getting ready for the race. I even went to Chinatown for lunch one day. Best lunch I've had in a long time. I walked around, went to a mall that was within walking distance a couple of times and just enjoyed myself. I have to admit, words can not even begin to describe how nice it was to be pampered in the hotel...Relaxation totally washed over me every time I stepped into my room. Now, driving in D.C.? Well...that's another story. I went to the Expo and picked up my race bib and took a few more pictures. Always love picking up race bibs!

Race Day. There was this little issue of Hurricane Sandy. Ended up being a horrific disaster for many, many people in the days to follow. Very sad. The day I got down there, and the days that followed, the weather forecast fluctuated back and forth between 30% chance of rain to 90% chance of rain. Runners were glued to the television and at the Expo, the buzz was about how everyone was going to prepare for game day. How was everyone going to dress if it was storming aggressively? Generally, I won't even run in the rain, because, frankly... why? If I have to, I will, but I'm at the age where if I don't have to be uncomfortable, I won't. I bought a baseball cap to help block the rain and thought..."Well, it is what it is and I can't do anything about it." Sunday morning they called for 30% chance of rain. IT DID NOT RAIN. At all. Nice. Now, the wind? The wind picked up significantly about halfway through the race. Made it a bit more challenging. But, thank God, it did not rain. Truth be told, I don't know if I would have been able to finish the race if it had been raining non-stop for 26 miles.

The night before the race I switched hotels to the Ritz Carlton to be in the same hotel as Doug. Very nice. Because of a comedy of errors, that were not so funny to me, my plans to be in bed early the night before the race did not materialize. I got to bed late and ended up racing the marathon on FOUR AND A HALF hours of sleep. That's right. Fortunately, adrenaline kicks in somewhat, but seriously, for a race this big, you need to be rested. Hmph.

Doug and I got up at 5:00 a.m. and I hoped and prayed I had everything packed (to take to the car to check out for the ride home), hoped I had everything in my UPS gear check bag (to take to Runner's Village) and hoped I was rested enough to complete this race. The hotel lobby was buzzing with runners awake and ready to go. Many of the runners were taking the Metro to Runner's Village, the gathering place, where runners drop off their gear bags and hang out until it was time go to the start line. Doug and I decided to walk. We began the trek in the dark to Runner's Village. We walked, walked, walked down Army Navy Drive and the other various streets, following the packs of runners towards Runner's Village. I love the camaraderie among runners...we're like a family...everyone enthusiastic, everyone encouraging each other, everyone so excited, sharing stories.

Runner's Village. We found gear check and checked our bags. Now began the wait in the porta potty lines. You get in line whether you think you have to go or not. The lines are always so long. If you don't have to go when you get in line, you will by the time it's your turn. Then, if you're smart, you'll hit that line at least one more time before the race begins.

It's still pitch black outside and it's getting close to the time to begin the second part of the journey. The walk to the corrals. What are the corrals? When you sign up for a race, you determine how long it will take you to complete the race. They place marked "corrals" where runners gather until the gun goes off. On the walk to the corrals, some runners, mainly guys, decide they need to take a leak in the bushes alongside the road. Just a fact in runners' land...a perk of being a guy. Occasionally, you'll see a determined, extremely rushed and focused (crazy) woman squatting alongside the road in the bushes...usually she's a bit more discreet than the men.

Finally, we get to the corrals. Doug is MUCH faster than I am. He does a sub-8 minute mile...which means he'll be done 6 days before me...we hug each other goodbye and I am standing among thousands of people ready for the adventure of their lives.

The start line was located between the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. The howitzer fired at 7:55 a.m. officially starting the 37th MCM. Some of the highlights that runners passed were the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Korean Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the National Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and  the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. The finish line was alongside the Arlington National Cemetery then offered a final uphill challenge to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

The race was amazing. Unforgettable. I can not explain to you the feeling of pure joy I felt to even be standing at the starting point. So, so overwhelmed with feelings of happiness and gratitude that I had even made it to that point, I had to hold back tears.

While waiting for the howitzer to blow, I looked around me. Runners of all ages. Runners in costumes. Very serious runners. Very nervous runners. Very excited runners. The howitzer fired. Because I was at a corral with a slower pace mark, I did not actually cross the start line until close to 8:30 a.m. There were over 33,000 runners registered.

I tried to stay focused. This is just another long run I told myself. Another REALLY long run. Don't start out too fast. Pay attention to your pace. Fuel every 5-7 miles. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Pay attention to your knees. Enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the crowd. Appreciate. Appreciate. Appreciate.

The first 20 miles weren't too bad. Long about mile 13-14 I did seem to hit a bit of a wall. I remember thinking I needed to get my act together because I had a long way to go. I remember thinking not to panic. I was determined to remain on pace as much as possible. The second half of the race the wind kicked up and that made it a little more challenging. I knew I had to get to the Gauntlet by mile 17.5 and I needed to reach it by the shut off time of 12:20 p.m. Runners who didn't get to the Gauntlet in time would be rerouted off the official marathon course. They would be allowed to complete the run, but it wouldn't be considered an official marathon. They also would be asked to not take a finisher's medal. That first 20 miles, I took one bathroom break. Stopped at  a bathroom area similar to a park bathroom...better than a porta potty...took about 10-12 minutes off my time because of waiting in line. I debated going off into the woods, as I knew I needed to get to the Gauntlet, but I thought I could make my time. I probably took a few 5-10 minute walk breaks as well during that 20 miles. A bunch of us got to the Gauntlet. 12:15. A Marine hollered at us, "Reroute! Reroute! Shut off! Shut off! You didn't make it! Take the alternate course!" WHAT?!?!? We were yelling we had a couple of minutes to go, but the guy made us go the other way. We were angry. We stopped running and couldn't believe we busted it to get there and they shut us off. As we stopped to catch our breath and tried to figure out what was going on, the same Marine started screaming at us, "WAIT! WAIT! COME BACK! COME BACK! You have 5 more minutes!!" We went nuts, booking it back to the Gauntlet. We were like, "No kidding!!!" We flew. We made it in time. They shut off the people behind us.

Now, there was no time to rest. We needed to Beat the Bridge. This was what I was lying awake at night worrying about for months. Beating the Bridge. Runners had to successfully Beat the Bridge just before mile marker 20 by 1:05 p.m. The 14th Street Bridge would then reopen to vehicular traffic making it unavailable to runners. If you didn't make it to the bridge by 1:05 p.m., you'd be required to board a straggler (LOSER...my words!!!) bus and would be driven to the event finish area. I ran. I ran like crazy. I had to get to the bridge. I had really upped my pace to get to the Gauntlet and sure shootin' I wasn't going to be a loser on that bus. I heard so many people at the start of the race, in the corrals saying, "I do NOT want to board the bus of shame, I do NOT want to board the bus of shame...". I ran and ran and ran. Man. Sometimes I have issues with my knees. My knees did not hurt. At all! Thank God. I've had major surgery on my one knee and my other knee has been scoped. I wear knee bands when I run, I strength train to make my legs stronger and strength train to make the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the knees stronger and I do anti-inflammatories when needed. Sometimes around mile 6 I start getting little ping...ping...pings...and that is NOT COOL. During the race? No pain. I ran like the wind. I was going to get to that bridge if it killed me. Especially after the Gauntlet fiasco. I made it. 12:50 p.m. 15 minutes to spare. Thank God. A bunch of us hit the bridge and stopped cold. Catching our breath. Yelling. Hooting. Hollering. Dancing. High fiving each other.

 And then. I hit that wall. I should have fueled one more time. I knew better. I was carrying my own fuel...I trained with the same fuel they were using on the course. They had fuel and hydration on the course. I carried my own fuel and used theirs as backup. I should have fueled one more time...for that last 6 miles. But, I was so sick of all the fuel, all the hydration in my system. I just stopped. Once I hit that 20 miles, I started to walk some. I walked. I ran. I walked way more than I wanted to walk. I was mad at myself because I just wanted to close out that last 6 miles.

The spectators were wonderful. So enthusiastic. So encouraging. The volunteers were great. The Marines. Well, anyone who knows a Marine...they know how to get the job done.

I had a mixture of feelings as I wound down the race. Excitement. Weariness. Exhilaration. Satisfaction. Freedom.

I looked forward to seeing my brother Aaron at the finish line. Aaron is an FBI agent.  For his job he has to be very fit. And he is...Very fit. Very healthy. To a T...He has encouraged me and coached me through my fitness journey. He came to watch me cross the finish line. I looked forward to seeing my brother Doug at the finish line. Doug ran this race with me. Actually, he ran it WELL ahead of me...finishing it in under 4 hours. Doug has also been a great mentor and coach in my short running career. He has run many marathons...has done 3 marathons in 5 months and qualified for, and is running in, the Boston marathon in April. He also competes in triathlons. Doug's wife Patti (also a runner and a coach to me) and my nephew and 2 nieces also came to cheer us on and to watch me cross the finish line on my first marathon. My niece Megan took some great pictures!

There was one last hill to climb before I hit the finish line. There were signs painted on the hill saying "Can You Take The Hill?" I took it. As I ran towards the finish line, I heard my brothers and Patti and the kids screaming my name and waving wildly. The kids were jumping up and down and they were taking pictures. There was a line of Marines on both sides of the finish line hooting and hollering, cheering people on as they crossed the line, high fiving the finishers.

I finished. 26.2 miles.

I didn't see Aaron and Doug for about 30 minutes or so. Patti and the kids had to head back home. I didn't even actually get to talk to Patti and the kids, spend time with them or see them. But, one of the reasons they drove all the way down from Philadelphia was to see me cross that finish line. I will never forget that. I appreciated that. I appreciated them standing for hours, especially after Doug finished...just to watch me finish. I proceeded to a group of Marines and received my finisher's medal. A Marine shook my hand, place the medal over my head and said, "Congratulations, Ma'am...Great job". I got my picture taken with my medal and got a box full of food and something to drink. We got a jacket to cover up with...the air was cool and the wind was kicking up from Hurricane Sandy. Once you stop running, chills begin to set in...I began the long walk to the FedEx truck to pick up my gear bag. It was a long walk. A million thoughts raced through my mind. I thought about what I had just done. I thought about a few important people that got me to that point that weren't with me. My official chip time...meaning the time I crossed the start line until the time I crossed the finish line was 6 hours and 17 minutes. I was mad at myself because I thought, "If I just hadn't walked so much that last 6 miles, I could have shaved 18 minutes off of my time and had a sub 6 hour time". But, I'm not going to beat myself up too much.

I wanted to do one marathon before I turned 50 on December 20th. I remember thinking as I crossed the finish line, "I liked that. I could do that again. Maybe not tomorrow, but I could do that again." And I will.

I was going to spend the night with my brother Aaron in Annapolis and go home the next day. But, literally, as I was following Aaron back to his place in my car, he and I talked on the phone and decided the weather from Hurricane Sandy was too much of a threat and I should head back home immediately. So, after getting only 4 1/2 hours of sleep the night before, and running 26.2 miles, I drove 4 1/2 hours home in the dark. I was a little tired.

Needless to say, my body was sore. I was tired. That is to be expected when you do a 26.2 mile race. I took a week off from running and going to the gym. I worked long and hard training for this race and it paid off. I had the time of my life those 6 days and the Marine Corps Marathon was everything I expected it to be and more.

Now? I think, I'd like to maybe run a marathon every other year. I loved it. Training for, and running a marathon is challenging on the body if you don't train properly. It also is very time consuming. In the meantime, I have fitness and health goals in mind. I love the journey I have been taking over the past 3 years. I love being healthy. I feel great. I have more energy, strength, endurance and stamina than I did in my 20's.  I get a lot more done than I used to get done.

I am happy and proud to say that I am an athlete. I am happy and proud to say that I am healthy. I am happy and proud to say that I am fit. I am happy and proud to say that I am a runner.

But, I still don't think I'm going to be one of those crazy runners that wears a diaper...and then drops it on the road...used...in the middle of the course...just sayin'...

BEFORE PICTURES

Many before pictures...

MARINE CORPS MARATHON

I have not blogged in forever. I have been beyond a little busy. Time is flying quickly by and the Marine Corps Marathon is in 28 days. Wow. It seems like I have been training for this race for a long, long time. And, in fact, I have. I believe I have been training for this, my first marathon, since I started running. Really, since I began running, I have never stopped training. I have scheduled race after race after race. I think in order to challenge yourself as a runner you have to have goals. For me personally, those goals include races...first the 5k...then the 10k...then the Half Marathons...and now...the Full Marathon.

Am I prepared? I think I am. I have trained long and hard. I have trained smart. I have had only one minor injury and have been diligent in my training. My training has been slow and steady. I am strong and have built up my endurance.

My long runs have escalated from 6 miles to 18 miles...and next week...my longest run ever... will be 20 miles before I begin 3 weeks of taper before game day.

There have been times of struggle. When I am tired. Actually, when I am exhausted. When I don't feel 100%. Days like today, when I started the day with a migraine, and everything and anything just threw my run off. But, still, even with not feeling on top of my game...on any given day...for any particular reason...because I am an athlete...and I am in training...I do what I have to do...and I do what I am required to do...and I completed the run today. Times when I have to analyze an ache, a pain, a twitch when I am running. Is it something I can run through or is it an injury? Times when I don't feel like getting up at 5:00 a.m. and going to the gym to work out. Times when it is a challenge juggling being a wife, a mom to 4 kids...homeschooling 1 ten year old child daily as well as overseeing 2 high school daughters and offering the best advise I can to a college-aged daughter. Throw in teaching one day a week...well, I'd like to add a couple more days a week of teaching...spinning many plates, here...and many times, not doing a very good job.

The race is 4 weeks from Sunday. I am thrilled. I am so excited. I try not to let days like today unnerve me. My training will carry me. I will go to the race prepared. I will do my best and enjoy the day and the race. This is what I have been working for all along.

Will I do more marathons after Marine Corps? I'm thinking not. This old broad is a bit tired. Training for a marathon is a lot of work. Takes a lot of time. Even with getting up at 5:00 in the morning so I can be back home to school my son...as my mileage has increased closer to race day, my weekends have been consumed with my long runs. I love the fact that I challenged myself with completing a marathon before my 50th birthday in December. What a gift to myself. After Marine Corps, I will continue to run and work out because I love it, and I feel better when I do. I may check out some Warrior Dashes...they sound like fun!

Well, off to do something productive and rest up for my tough week of runs next week. 40 miles total mileage...including a long run of 20 miles. Wow.

SILENCE AND SOUNDS

SILENCE AND SOUNDS

This morning I am grateful for both.

Grateful for the occasional faraway train sounds I hear as I sit at the computer drinking my morning cup of coffee, that remind me of my visits with my Grandpa and Grandma McGee in West Virginia when I was a little girl.

Grateful for the silence of the morning when I can both gather and organize my thoughts for the day. I have found as I get older I sometimes need, and also welcome, the silence to process my thoughts.

Grateful for the sounds of the crazy busyness of the day: kids talking and laughing, phone ringing, dog barking, rain falling, wicked thunderstorms at 5:00 a.m., birds chirping and singing, lawnmowers buzzing, friends stopping by the house...life happening.

Grateful for hours upon hours of silent running. I love the times when I am able to run with a friend and when the opportunity arises, I grab it. I adore my friends, and it's a time to catch up and get pointers from them about running. I have determined by nature, though, I am a solo runner. I am in such a zone when I run alone that often I run past people I know...and when they yell a "Hey, Amy! What's Up?", I blow on by...not out of rudeness...but out of pure focus. I relish alone time. I am not a hermit by any means. Ed and I talked about this when we first started dating. He's an only child. I, on the other hand, grew up in a house with 3 brothers. I went away to college and after college, I lived with my parents until I got married. Soon, the children came. I've never really had alot of alone time. I've worked some full time, some part time, and for the past almost 19 years I've been a mom...and loved every minute of it.
Also, for the past 9 years I have homeschooled some or all of my children. I have loved that as well. Of course, that means my children haven't hopped on the school bus and taken off for the day, and left me home...alone...to do ...chores...shopping...whatever. The point is, for most of my life, I have always been with someone. No alone time driving back and forth to work or when the kids are "in school" and sometimes, when you're a mom, even in the bathroom! Running...gives me some alone time...and that is good. Everyone needs some alone time. Some quiet time. I do alot of thinking when I run. It gives me time to process a great deal of thoughts. To think. To pray. To plan. To figure things out. To wrestle with things in my mind. To plot my running/training/marathon strategy. To motivate myself. To give myself pep talks. To plot out my days. To be grateful for my life. To relieve stress. To get exercise. To see how far I can push myself. To get pound out anger, frustration, attitude and other negative feelings. To celebrate how far I've come. It also gives me the energy to jump start my day. The silence of solo running.

Silence and sounds. Today, I am grateful for silence and sounds.

DADDY'S GIRL

I think about my dad alot when I run. He died before I started to get healthy, before I lost a serious amount of weight and before I started to run. He never knew me as healthy Amy. He never knew me as Amy the runner, Amy who ran a Half Marathon...twice. He would be so surprised...and proud... to see me now. Healthy. Strong. Fit. Energized. Taking total control of every area of my life. I will think of him when I cross the finish line at the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

My father was one of the greatest encouragers in my life. I was his only daughter. Daddy's little girl. He and I had a special bond. He understood me. Always. Always. If I was upset, happy, angry, discouraged, in the depths of despair...he always could make me feel better. No doubt about it. He could read every emotion on my face and in my words. With words or without, he was my rock. The man was wise in ways that simply were indescribable. He knew people and he knew me. He had such a calming influence on me it still makes me smile when I think about it.

Many of the fondest memories I have are when I was a little girl with my father. When I think of who was there for me? Encouraging me? My dad. Who was there giving me words of wisdom and guiding me in the ways of the world? My dad. Who was there patiently sitting beside me for hours on end teaching me Algebra II and Geometry II? My dad. When my world would spin out of control...didn't matter if I was 5 years old or 40 years old...who was there to pick up the pieces and make it all right again? My dad.

My Dad was a man of incredible courage, strength and character. Nine months before his death he unexpectantly was diagnosed with kidney cancer. It was quick. He maintained that same courage, strength and character to the very end. I remember hours before he died, in the hospital room, before he slipped into an unconscious state, he suddenly sat up in his bed. He really wasn't speaking. I was just sitting on his bed, talking to him, trying desperately to absorb every moment, every fiber of his being before he slipped away. He just sat there looking at me...with his green eyes...I inherited Daddy's green eyes...and all of a suddenly he very slowly started moving straight towards my face with his face. Expressionless. I thought something was wrong. I said, "Do you need something, Dad? Are you ok?" He leaned in closer, and closer, until he literally was right on top on my face...and then he very quickly leaned and kissed me right on the nose. And smiled. And then, he leaned back on his pillow and closed his eyes. I smiled, and tears rolled down my face, and whispered, "I love you, Daddy." It was the best gift he left me. Soon after, he slipped into unconsciousness.

I'm not saying my Dad was perfect. But he was there for me. I have some wonderful, beautiful memories of my Dad. I have spent many, many hours running in the past 2+ years. Much of that time is spent thinking of my Dad. Sometimes when I am having a challenging run, I hear his voice, encouraging me, whispering..."You've got this, Amy Faith...you are so much stronger than you think. Run, baby, Run."

DIG DEEP. THEN DIG A LITTLE DEEPER.

This morning before I went for my long run, I ran into a guy I know who works in law enforcement. He was walking his dogs and asked me how my running was going and how my prep was going for the Marine Corps in October. We talked about age, weight, exercise, running, walking and how life in general has a way of sneaking up on you. He's a few years older than me, and at age 53, he said he has slowed down a great deal. He talked about how he used to run, used to exercise more, used to do this, used to do that...He wished me luck with my running and with the marathon and we went our separate ways.

I began to think about our conversation as I began my long run in the park. He and I are not that far apart in age. Everyone has their physical challenges...some more so than others. Some of those physical challenges absolutely limit us in what we can do. Some people just seem to age quicker than others. Did you ever think about that? Some people look years older than they really are, while others seem to have found the fountain of youth.

For some people, exercise, or physical fitness has been a part of their life for as long as they can remember. For others, like me, being phyically fit became a priority later in life. Others couldn't care less about exercise or fitness.

How does your level of fitness, or lack thereof, impact your life? How does the way you feel physically effect your job performance? Your home life? Do you think if you improved your fitness level you might notice a difference in the way you feel? Do you think you might notice a difference in the way you function?

What about at home? Are you tired all the time? I'm not talking about extreme circumstances where you are putting in crazy hours at work or working 12+ hours a day. I'm talking about day to day existence. Are you tired ALL the time? Do you fall asleep as soon as you sit down? Need naps? I ain't talkin' bout new moms and dads, either, who have the excuse of being up all night with a baby. Or, the parent who occasionally has a young child who is sick and needs attention throughout the night. We've all had nights like that. Or occasionally, when we don't feel well or have a bad night. I'm talking about being tired. All the time. Day after day after day.

How's your bedtime routine? Can't sleep at night? Do you catnap throughout the day? Then at night you're not tired at bedtime so you stay up late...get to bed late...have to get up early for work...and are tired because you were up late...it goes on and on and on...

Family time. What does your family do together? Things to promote moving your body? Things like hiking, baseball, basketball, swimming, walking in the park, or biking? Or...do you sit around like slugs most of the time...watching tv, slapping your fingers on the laptop, mindlessly popping junk food into mouth while time slips away. Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with watching some tv, or spending some time on the computer, but it's all about balance. If you do those things, do you also balance it out by going outside and doing some sort of physical activity on a regular basis as a family. Are you setting a good example for your kids? Or are you too tired? Or don't have the time? Yep.

Your job. Now you may have a job outside the home, like my acquaintance and many others, or you may work at home. Doesn't matter. How does your fitness level effect your job performance? It's interesting. As he was talking this morning about how out of shape he was, and patting his nice little pot belly, I was wondering how it worked in his job...he is ACTIVELY on the streets...law enforcement. I would think you would need to be in some semblance of fitness to work law enforcement...especially when you're not sitting behind a desk. Does your level of fitness impair your job performance in any way? If you were a bit more fit, a little less tired, do you think you would be able to function better at work? If you felt better physically, and in turn, maybe even felt a little sharper mentally, how would that impact your day at work?

We just feel better when we exercise. It's a fact. We perform better. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. All around. It impacts our life in a major way. You don't have to run 6 miles and you don't even have to train for a marathon. But you do have to move your body. Every day.

THIS AND THAT

Wow. I haven't posted since March. Seems like forever. Life has been busy. Wrapping up school with the kids...GRADUATING my oldest child, Marisa!!! and now preparing for a graduation party.
Oh...and of course, I did run that half marathon :-) Yes, I did...it was a good, solid run. I felt well, felt strong. It was a hot, hot day to run those 13.1 miles. My time was not to my liking...actually a bit slower than last year. I have tried not to focus on that. In hindsight, I believe the heat really had a effect on the run. Many other runners I spoke with that day said the heat had a major impact on their time. I was very happy to complete my 2nd half marathon...in the great city of Pittsburgh! It brought me even greater joy this year to run on behalf of the charity Genre's Kids With Cancer Fund. With your donations and my run, we brought in $1520.00 in donations to help children and their families dealing with the effects of pediatric cancer. Thank you!
Many, many people I speak with are continuing to take charge of their health. Changing eating habits. Starting and continuing an exercise program. Changing their lives. Are you one of them?

INSECURITIES VS STRENGTHS

Today started my outdoor runs in preparation for Pittsburgh's Half Marathon on May 6th. I am ready. I run every other day. Short runs are 6 miles. Long runs on the weekends are up to 12 miles. I'm ready. This past week I registered for the Marine Corps Marathon on October 28th. A dream of mine. I am BEYOND thrilled. And terrified. But that's another blog. As I was running through the park this morning I was thinking about all the things I am insecure about as I run. As I train. To counterbalance those insecurities, I also thought about the things that make me strong as I run. As I train. It's all in the balance. You need a few of the insecurites, sometimes, to keep you humble and motivated. But, you also need to not have them weigh you down. Hold you back. That's were all the things that make you strong come into play. And that's what it's all about. Strength is power. Power to propel you forward. Forward to achieve your dreams.

INSECURITES                                                            STRENGTHS                                           

1. My speed                                                                   My endurance
2. My knees                                                                   My training to strengthen
                                                                                     knees
3. Using pepper spray                                                    Having pepper spray
4. Cold runs                                                                  Strong lungs: no more asthma
5. Migraines                                                                   Health getting better & better
6. Creepers in the park                                                   Pepper spray!
7. Not being prepared                                                     I AM PREPARED. GEEZ.
8. Upper body strength                                                  Getting strong with weights
9. Running in the rain!                                                    Positive mantras!
10. Injuries                                                                    I train smart...
                                                           
                                                           
                                                     

HOW MANY HOURS UNTIL 5:00 A.M.?

After almost 2 weeks of being sick off and on, and not being able to run and train, I am thrilled to be able to hit the gym tomorrow morning once again. I also have a greater appreciation for both my health and the gift of RUNNING. EXERCISING. LIFTING. EATING HEALTHY. TRAINING FOR A HALF MARATHON. GETTING UP AT 5:00 A.M. YEP. EVEN THAT. AHHH....GOOD TO BE BACK IN THE GAME...ISN'T IT A LITTLE BIT TWISTED THAT I AM THINKING PAST THE HALF MARATHON AND COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL I CAN REGISTER FOR THE MARINE CORPS MARATHON??????? That would 10 days...March 7th. 3:00 p.m. Registration for the Marine Corps opens. I am so excited. Chills.

STUMBLE? NO WHINING. GET UP AGAIN.

You know, every once in awhile, you have an off day. Today, I had an off day. Had a great sleep last night. However, there were alot of little things that were throwing me off balance this morning. I am fighting a bit of a sore throat and cough. I've had a minor stomach thing going on lately. Before I left for the gym, I pulled out my back. Won't even go into the details of how I did that. Yesterday I added extra weight to the leg press and had a nagging ache in my right thigh. I got ready...mentally preparing myself for my long run.

Fridays are my long run days. I am ahead of schedule with my distance. Last Friday I did 11 miles. My intention is to increase by a mile every month until race day. 11 miles the month of February...12 miles the month of March...13 miles the beginning of April...and then begin tapering down to race day. Today my goal was to shoot for 10-11 miles. I am stronger and further ahead than I was last year.

Many days, I roll out of bed at 4:30-5:00 a.m not feeling 100%. Sometimes it's mental, sometimes it's physical, but regardless... I am on autopilot. Goals. Run. Lift. Elliptical. Gym. I just get up and go. Unless I am seriously ill, or seriously injured, I go. That's what you do when you have goals. When I feel like that, usually, once I get running, or lifting or going on the elliptical, I'm ok. My adrenaline kicks in, I feel fine and I am glad to be doing what I love to do.

Once in a blue moon, though...it just doesn't work. Happens rarely. Very rarely. And, it is even MORE rare that it happens when I have STARTED a run...started a workout. In the 2 years I've been exercising, in the year and a half I've been running...I think it's happened...2...maybe...3...times. It happened today.

I started my run. I could tell almost right away that things weren't working. My body was not falling into place like it should. That happens sometimes. I also go into autopilot when I'm running. As a runner, there are times when little aches, little pains, little things happen to distract, to divert, to throw you off course. But, you move past them. Through them. Around them. Over them. I mentally could not lock into that zone.

Today it didn't work. I was really struggling to make it work. It was supposed to be my long run. I was fighting it. Finally, giving in to my better judgement, and pushing down disgust, anger and disappointment, I stopped running after 4 miles. I only did 4 stinking miles. I was supposed to do 10-11 miles. Geez.

Anyone who runs knows that to give in, to stop, when you feel you have to...or need to...for whatever reason...is hard to do. It goes against the grain of who you are. Sounds weird? Guess you're not a runner. But, I stopped. I knew I would end up doing more harm than good by making any type of attempt at continuing the run. Man, I hated stopping.

Some days...you just have days like today. It was discouraging and disappointing. I was mad. And disgusted. But, the one thing I was grateful for at the end of the day? That I had the brains to stop.

Tomorrow, I will see how I feel. It is supposed to be a gorgeous day. If I am feeling up to it, I will attempt a long run. Outdoors. If not, I may hit the gym for some strength and cardio training. I may also take my one daughter out on the back road in the woods behide our house. She wants to start to run. Now that? That makes me smile.

SHE'S A MANIAC

I just referred to myself as a manic in a facebook post to someone when talking about my health, fitness and running. I looked up the definition of maniac on dictionary.com.

1. a raving or violently insane person; lunatic.

2. any intemperate or overly zealous or enthusiastic person

When it comes to my health, fitness and running, I guess you could say I am a raving person, perhaps even a bit of a lunatic. I wouldn't liken myself to a violently insane person, although I'm sure there are some who may disagree...

Intemperate? Hmmm? I guess that depends on your definition of intemperate...

Overly zealous? Sure. I like that.

Enthusiastic. Yep. Like that one. Someone recently told me that I was not obnoxious about my health, fitness and running....that I was enthusiastic. That I was encouraging and enthusiastic.

So, was I correct in referring to myself as a maniac when it comes to my health, fitness and running?

Darn tootin' I was...

BEFORE/AFTER...PGH HALF MARATHON...GENRE'S KIDS WITH CANCER FUND

Running...it's what I love to do...and how I lost alot of my weight...check out my before and after pictures on Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon facebook page. I will be running in my 2nd half marathon in the Pittsburgh Marathon's Half Marathon on May 6th, 2012. This year, I am running for my favorite charity, Genre's Kids With Cancer Fund. Check out the 2nd link to learn more about contributing to my fund to help kids with pediatric cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1881785740545&set=o.139288502700&type=3&theater

http://active.com/donate/GenresKids/amyfaith

Rantings of A Mad Woman

Surround yourself with positive people. People who support you. People who encourage you. People who are like-minded. People who support your goals. People who do not belittle you. People who inspire you. People who motivate you. People who know you and your dreams. People who will propel you to be the very best you can be. Elliminate the poison.

THE HARD TRUTH

As women, we nurture. It's what we do. We take care of everyone and everything. For most of us, it's something that we need and want to do. We take care of our family. Our friends. Our home. Our career. We take care of everybody and everything. Except, often, not ourselves.

We go through different phases in our lives. There are times when we caregive at a higher intensity than other times. When our children are very young. When we have elderly parents. When someone in our family is struggling and needs more of our time.

I can only speak for myself. But, I also speak for many, many women...friends... others...who I have talked to over the years who sometimes struggle with taking care of themselves. I have had women, especially women with young children, talk to me about the frustration of not being able to find the time to eat PERIOD, let alone plan a healthy meal. Frustration with not being able to find the time to exercise. I understand that. I really do. There was a time in my life when my girls were 3 years, 1 1/2 years and a newborn. And, I had postpartum depression on top of it. And, I was a minister's wife. I was always expected to be "on". Talk about pressure. I had 2 in diapers, was nursing and was lucky I had time to go to the bathroom, let alone get a shower and get dressed for the day. I get it. There are times in our lives when more of our attention is needed for those we love. I have spent years, as others have, devoting time to raising my children. Nurturing my family. Trying my best. I still am.

My point is this...I am now at a stage in life where I have a little more flexibility in my schedule. My 3 daughters are 18, 16 1/2, and 15 years old. My son is 9 years old. My 3 daughters are in high school and do online schooling. I homeschool my son. It is important to me that I am available for my family and I try to be there for them during the day. In order to be able to teach Aaron all day, I arrange my schedule so I am at the gym, or have my running complete, and am back home, by the time he gets up in the morning. What does that mean? It means that this woman, who used to hate mornings, has to get up, every morning at 5:00 a.m. And, on Tuesday, and Thursday, when I teach(I have a teaching degree and teach at a learning center), if I want to get my workout in, I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. Insane you say? Some may think so. I have arranged my schedule so I can be back home before my family awakes for the day. I have gotten used to it by now, and actually enjoy it. Sometimes, when I am training hard for a race, I have to put in extra hours, and that schedule may vary, but for the most part, I try to have my workouts done by 8:00 a.m. 5-6 days a week.

It's very interesting to me that even though most people have considered my 2 year journey of getting healthy and losing just about 100 pounds a major feat, there are others who think I have become selfish...

Now, most won't come right out and say, "Amy. You're being rather selfish, don't you think? Spending so much time on yourself. Look at all the time you've put into this. Look at all the time you put in at the gym. Look at all the time you put into your runs. Hmph..."

I am tired of some people thinking I am being selfish because for once in my life I am taking care of myself. I am in a position now where I am able to take some time for my health. For myself. I have not been able to do that for a long, long time.

 I talked to 2 different moms this week who were really struggling. Feeling overwhelmed. When will women understand, when will people understand, that it is not wrong for women to take care of themselves? As women, we give, and we give and we give and we give. DON'T GET ME WRONG. There is nothing wrong with that. But when we sacrifice ourselves...when we lose ourselves in the mix...that's a problem. How can we be effective women...effective wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, coworkers...effective ANYTHING...if we are running on empty? Why is it selfish to take care of ourselves? We take care of everybody else. Our spouses. Our children. The dog. The house. The laundry. The cooking. The cleaning. (Well, sometimes) The education of our children. Some of us have jobs outside of the home. WHY can't we take care of ourselves? AND when we do, WHY IN THE WORLD DO WE FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT?????????????????

ALMOST EVERY SINGLE WOMAN I TALK TO FEELS GUILTY ABOUT TAKING CARE OF HERSELF. I don't care if she is going to the gym, going for a run, painting her nails, taking time to read a book, going to lunch with a friend, going to bed early, going for a walk around the mall, buying herself a new shirt, spending some talk time with a girlfriend, or even spending time in the Word. Often, she feels guilty about it.

You can not neglect your responsibilities. That's not what this is about and I'm hoping noone even goes there.

Burnout. We've all been there. Phases of life. We all go through them. There are times when we need to give more attention to those around us. As women, we play a vital role in many people's lives. But we need to take care of ourselves. It is not selfish to take care of yourself. If you are at a phase in your life, right now, where you can't tend to yourself as much as you'd like...either because of small children, or some other reason, that's ok. You'll get you back. What you are doing is important. Vitally important. When my children were very small, that was my job and I loved it. I still do. I still have an important role in helping guide and direct them in their path of life.

You cannot take care of others if you have nothing left of yourself...physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

BE A STRONG WOMAN.

YEP

HOW WICKED IS IT THAT I AM ALREADY PUMPED, ALREADY EXCITED, ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING UP AT 4:30 A.M. TO HIT THE GYM? READY TO LIFT...ANXIOUS TO CONTINUE MY NEW BICEP AND TRICEP WORKOUT ON THE CROSS CABLE MACHINE! AND...OF...COURSE...THE ELLIPTICAL...

Motivation: Where does it come from?

A thousand different things run through my mind when I run. When I lift. When I am on the elliptical. When I chose a healthy food over garbage. Motivation. We all have different things, or people that motivate us. Something kick starts us to begin the journey. Wait. Not just begin the journey, but CONTINUE the journey. For a lifetime. Stop. Start. Stop. Start. Stop. Start. How many times have you started and then started? A diet. An exercise regime. At some point in time, something clicks in your brain. It's not about a "diet". I hate that word. What a waste of letters. You've got to find some way of digging deep and motivating yourself.
My daughter Jillian and I were talking on the way to the gym this morning. I was telling her, "You know that feeling you get when you bump the number up a notch on the treadmill? Or make a healthy choice and chose NOT to eat garbage? Or chose to get up at 5:15 a.m. and go to the gym instead of sleeping in?". You are empowering yourself. Every single time. With every single positive step. With every single choice. Doesn't mean occasionally you won't backslide. We all do. We're all human. But, THAT feeling...you know what I'm talking about...that feeling..."I did it. I can do it." It EMPOWERS you. It MOTIVATES you. It STRENGTHENS you.
I do my long runs on Fridays. Last Friday I did 10 miles. On my facebook page I posted "10 cookies. Someone can give you 10 cookies. You can take 10 cookies. But 10 miles? You have to earn 10 miles. Today? Today I earned my 10 miles." I told Jill, "With every thing YOU do on this journey...this journey towards better health...better physical fitness...YOU own it...YOU have earned it. Noone can take that from you. YOU are the one gettting up at 5:15 in the morning. YOU are the one on the treadmill. YOU are the one lifting weights. YOU are the one bumping it up a notch. YOU are the one losing pounds. Inches. Sizes. Getting stronger. YOU EARNED IT. YOU OWN IT. Noone did it for you. Claim it. You deserve it. And then? Pay it forward."

Runners Gotta Run

Today was my first venture running outdoors since the summer. First time running outside since my health issues stopping me from training for the Marine Corps Marathon scheduled for last fall. I lost at least 6-9 months of training due to problems associated with the seizure/epilepsy diagnosis and subsequent medication fiasco. I am back. Stronger than ever.  Running and training indoors for a little over 3 months now. I will complete the Pittsburgh Half Marathon May 6th...running for the charity, Genre's Kids with Cancer. I will keep going, continuing my training for the Marine Corps Marathon scheduled in October 2012. I will run it with my brother, Doug. I am running every other day...minimum 6 miles. On the days I don't run, I cross train on the elliptical and strength train...six days a week. I do my long runs on the weekends and this past Friday I did 10 miles.
This morning, I started the transition from running on the treadmill at the gym to outdoor running. I ran 3 miles at the gym, then did 3.25 miles at the park. Temperature? A biting 20 degrees. I was a bit nervous at first, but just like before a big race, my blood started racing, my heart started pounding and I was ready to go. I was thrilled to discover, even in the frigid morning air, that I was faster than I was in the summer. Stronger. Lighter on my feet. It was great. I sucked in the cold air and it only energized me more.