It's go time. See you all on the other side! Track our race chips at http://www.rnraz.com/home.html!
~RSF
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
3 Days
What seemed like forever away, is now 3 days away. Unfortunately, my hip still hurts when I run, so this is going to be a real challenge. I'm going to get acupuncture tonight--hopefully the needles work their magic. I'm also taking Arnica pills, Aleve, and using Topricin (a special cream highly recommended for soft tissue injuries.)
But the good news is, I have now raised over $5,000 for LLS, and whatever pain I feel getting through the 26.2 miles is really nothing compared to going through cancer. Hopefully, our efforts in this marathoning and fundraising will be part of eventually curing blood cancers once and for all.
But the good news is, I have now raised over $5,000 for LLS, and whatever pain I feel getting through the 26.2 miles is really nothing compared to going through cancer. Hopefully, our efforts in this marathoning and fundraising will be part of eventually curing blood cancers once and for all.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
What if I just can't take one more step?
I'm totally freaking out so much about the race itself right now that I can't even talk about it. (What to pack for 70 degree weather in January? Do I need to bring my race-day breakfast? What if I lose a sock? Is my bullet-proof bra really as good as I think it is? Will my Ipod hold a charge for 3 hours? What if I get lost? What if I'm delirious after the race and can't find a shuttle back to the hotel? What if I choke on a jelly bean? What if... see what I mean?)
What I CAN talk about is the fact that Casey and I did not, in fact, raise $7,600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We raised over $8,800!!!! And we did it because of you. So at mile 13 (as well as mile 3, 5, 8, 9, 10...) I will be powering each (undoubtedly painful) step by thinking of all of you, and the faith you've shown in us.
~RSF
What I CAN talk about is the fact that Casey and I did not, in fact, raise $7,600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We raised over $8,800!!!! And we did it because of you. So at mile 13 (as well as mile 3, 5, 8, 9, 10...) I will be powering each (undoubtedly painful) step by thinking of all of you, and the faith you've shown in us.
~RSF
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Quick Update One Week Out
So Becky and I have now both reached and exceeded our fundraising minimums. Yay! We are one week out from the race and the anxiety has officially set in.
1) I haven't run for a week now, since I pulled a muscle in my hip last Saturday at the group run (through the snow).
2) I'm starting to think that I may forget how to run by the time we get to the race, since I am only allowed to run once this week.
3) I had a sports massage last week with someone I would highly recommend, Paul Jensen, who is also a holistic health counselor. However, it felt more like torture than a massage. Anything to fix the hip, though...
4) I can't believe I'm actually going to go out and run 26 miles. Is this even possible?
5) I'm going out today to buy the following things that Norris recommended we consume this week: pretzels, pickles, potatos, sports drinks, and dark chocolate (I already have bananas, which was also on his list.)
6) I'm getting nervous about what to pack (even though I have most of my stuff already put aside), forgetting something, and if my sports bra is going to fall apart during the race (1 of the straps is 50% detached from the rest of the bra. But they tell you not to try anything new for the race, and this is the bra I've been wearing thus far.)
7) Did I mention I can't believe I'm actually going to make it for 26 miles?
Please send lots of thoughts, prayers, and good vibes our way on the 18th! And thank you to everyone who has made a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of this effort.
1) I haven't run for a week now, since I pulled a muscle in my hip last Saturday at the group run (through the snow).
2) I'm starting to think that I may forget how to run by the time we get to the race, since I am only allowed to run once this week.
3) I had a sports massage last week with someone I would highly recommend, Paul Jensen, who is also a holistic health counselor. However, it felt more like torture than a massage. Anything to fix the hip, though...
4) I can't believe I'm actually going to go out and run 26 miles. Is this even possible?
5) I'm going out today to buy the following things that Norris recommended we consume this week: pretzels, pickles, potatos, sports drinks, and dark chocolate (I already have bananas, which was also on his list.)
6) I'm getting nervous about what to pack (even though I have most of my stuff already put aside), forgetting something, and if my sports bra is going to fall apart during the race (1 of the straps is 50% detached from the rest of the bra. But they tell you not to try anything new for the race, and this is the bra I've been wearing thus far.)
7) Did I mention I can't believe I'm actually going to make it for 26 miles?
Please send lots of thoughts, prayers, and good vibes our way on the 18th! And thank you to everyone who has made a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of this effort.
Monday, December 15, 2008
My second-worst run ever...
First of all... congratulations to Casey, for finishing her 20 mile run! She'll be gone for almost 2 weeks after this, and I will miss her terribly while she's away.
Now...let's talk about these "weather conditions" Casey mentioned below for a moment. Due to the ice storm in the Northeast that you may have heard about (or experienced first-hand) our group run was moved from the scenic, peaceful sanctuary of the Niskayuna bike path (where we have had all of our group runs to date) to the State Office campus... a 2 mile loop of arterial roads and overpasses that circle the office complex. As you can imagine, compared to the tree lined bike path with a view of the peacefully flowing Mohawk River, the honking and screeching of SUV tires and ice-slicked asphalt was a slightly less soothing environment. It was also a lovely 12 degrees out, with a windchill of about -80.
Only a brave few attempted to conquer the inclement weather, and with Casey's 20 and my 10 miles on deck, we chose to give it a shot. As Casey will attest to, I've been relatively good about keeping the whining and complaining down to a bare minimum during these Saturday morning group runs, despite the fact that they get me out of bed at 5:40am on my precious weekends and it's freezing cold out, which I hate. Unfortunately, this Saturday proved to be too formidable an opponent for my recent good cheer. About 1/3 of the way through lap #3, somewhere near mile 5, I called it quits, and just before mile 6, Casey agreed. I went back to my apartment complex and did another mile on the treadmill, and Casey went back out on Sunday, determined to get in her 20 miles.
The thing is, it wasn't even the cold temperatures alone that scared me away. We've been running in the cold, and I can handle it. It was the entire environment as a whole, which further proves to me that this running business is just as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge. Yes, my muscles hurt in weird ways when it's cold out - but that wasn't what stopped me. I've grown comfortable with the bike path - I know where the mile markers are, I know what is ahead of me and what's behind. The dog walkers, bike riders, bird hunters and fellow runners all afford me a sense of comfort and camaraderie...but pounding pavement in circles on a 4 lane roadway, even with my best friend in the entire world on one side and our ever-inspirational mentor on my other wasn't enough to save me.
I'm really hoping next weekend's run (which I will be doing without Casey, much to my dismay) is back on the bike path...
~RSF
Now...let's talk about these "weather conditions" Casey mentioned below for a moment. Due to the ice storm in the Northeast that you may have heard about (or experienced first-hand) our group run was moved from the scenic, peaceful sanctuary of the Niskayuna bike path (where we have had all of our group runs to date) to the State Office campus... a 2 mile loop of arterial roads and overpasses that circle the office complex. As you can imagine, compared to the tree lined bike path with a view of the peacefully flowing Mohawk River, the honking and screeching of SUV tires and ice-slicked asphalt was a slightly less soothing environment. It was also a lovely 12 degrees out, with a windchill of about -80.
Only a brave few attempted to conquer the inclement weather, and with Casey's 20 and my 10 miles on deck, we chose to give it a shot. As Casey will attest to, I've been relatively good about keeping the whining and complaining down to a bare minimum during these Saturday morning group runs, despite the fact that they get me out of bed at 5:40am on my precious weekends and it's freezing cold out, which I hate. Unfortunately, this Saturday proved to be too formidable an opponent for my recent good cheer. About 1/3 of the way through lap #3, somewhere near mile 5, I called it quits, and just before mile 6, Casey agreed. I went back to my apartment complex and did another mile on the treadmill, and Casey went back out on Sunday, determined to get in her 20 miles.
The thing is, it wasn't even the cold temperatures alone that scared me away. We've been running in the cold, and I can handle it. It was the entire environment as a whole, which further proves to me that this running business is just as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge. Yes, my muscles hurt in weird ways when it's cold out - but that wasn't what stopped me. I've grown comfortable with the bike path - I know where the mile markers are, I know what is ahead of me and what's behind. The dog walkers, bike riders, bird hunters and fellow runners all afford me a sense of comfort and camaraderie...but pounding pavement in circles on a 4 lane roadway, even with my best friend in the entire world on one side and our ever-inspirational mentor on my other wasn't enough to save me.
I'm really hoping next weekend's run (which I will be doing without Casey, much to my dismay) is back on the bike path...
~RSF
Sunday, December 14, 2008
20 Mile Run!
Due to weather conditions yesterday that were absolutely deplorable, I decided to postpone my 20-mile run until today (Sunday). I enlisted three wonderful friends to accompany me on 4 loops around the Pine Hills/Whitehall Rd. area, amounting to a (according to Google Maps) total of 20.13 miles. Allison (orange hat) was with me on the first and last loop, Emilie (maroon shorts) did the 2nd loop, and Theresa (baseball cap) joined me on the 3rd. I couldn't believe I did it, but I did it! And I have great friends to thank for braving the cold and ice to support me in this effort. I couldn't have done it without them!
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