Turkey Trotters

I have some catching up to do on this here blog, but I wanted to get a quick picture up - Casey, Norris and I after we ran as 'bandits' at the Turkey Trot (which wasn't our fault - they ran out of numbers AND timing chips and told us just to go for it!). How happy are we??
~RSF

16 miles

I ran 16 miles yesterday! It's 10.2 shy of the ultimate goal, but the fact that I survived it gives me even stronger confidence that I will be ready for January 18th.

I ran the first 9 with Becky--who ran her first 9-miler ever, but I'll let her do her own bragging on the blog--and then the last 7 with Norris. Hopefully, I'm not shooting myself in the foot by doing all my training runs with other people when I will be running the full 26.2 on my own. However, I think there will be plenty of distractions and entertainment to keep me occupied in AZ. Not as good as the company of those I run with here in NY, but I'll have to take what I can get.

The second accomplishment of the day was taking an "ice bath" at the strong suggestion of Coach Meg, Coach Joanne, and TNT veteran Gabbie. After a legitimate struggle to force myself into the tub of extremely cold water, I was able to sit in it for more than 20 minutes. Guess what? I'm not in pain today! They were totally right on about the ice bath. Brrrrrrr.

Our Fantastic Mentor

Here is a picture of our mentor, Norris, running the NYC Marathon on November 2, 2008.

He is on the left, giving the thumbs up and rocking the purple Team in Training singlet.

Go Norris!

I'd RATHER jump in the lake...

Weather report for tomorrow morning's 7am group run: 15 degreesF. On and off snow flurries are possible along with variably cloudy skies. Cold. High 27F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph.

Am I crazy???

~RSF

There is Officially a Crazier Way to Raise Money

Today I received a donation request from a friend who is doing something crazier than running 26.2 miles. She is jumping into Lake George on December 13th.

In honor of this, she is requesting donations for the Special Olympics.

Holy crap.

I donated.

If you would like to do the same, click the above link and note that you are sponsoring Hilary Kellogg.

Running on a treadmill is probably as close to the mentality of a hampster as you'll ever get...

I ran 3 miles on the treadmill at lunch today. Oh, and I ran/staggered my first 8 miles (with Casey's help, of course) on Saturday. That's it - that's all the news I have to report... I just don't want everyone to think that Casey is the only one of us having any fun...

~RSF

P.F. Chang's

And on a different (yet also food-related) note, I want to say that, for the record, I don't like P.F. Chang's.

I went there once. For three times what you would pay at a normal Chinese restaurant, you get the same exact food as you would get at a normal Chinese restaurant, except on fancy dishes.

So, just in case you were wondering if P.F. Chang's had any impact on my decision to run this particular marathon, now you know: It sure didn't.

I would run the Cheesecake Factory Marathon anywhere, however...

Icing

Just thought I'd write a little blog as I sit here in bed with a bag of frozen vegetables icing my knee. Oh, what we do for the love of running...

And in Other News...

I can run again! Yay! 10 miles at my first group run back on Saturday. I was so happy I almost cried.

Beautiful Jewelry for a Great Cause: My Team in Training Fundraiser!

Come to my TNT Fundraiser: A Jewelry Party Featuring the Beautiful Baubles of Billie B. Strands! (Artist Laurel Burns and some of her creations are pictured here for your viewing pleasure.)

Invitation is as follows:

The holidays are right around the corner! Here is a wonderful way to get some shopping crossed off the list, celebrate with new and old friends, and
support a great cause:

To benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please join me for a jewelry party featuring the beautiful baubles of Billie B Strands, designed and handcrafted by my good friend Laurel Burns.

The party will feature light food and drinks, raffle prizes, and more! 10% of every jewelry purchase will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). As many of you know, I am currently participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, where I am running a marathon (26.2 miles) and raising money for blood cancer research. Please visit my Team in Training page to find out more, and/or to make a tax-deductible donation.

This party is part of my effort to raise at least $5,000 for LLS as a Team in Training participant. I hope you will join me for this great cause and some beautiful jewelry!

Date: December 11, 2008

Time: 7pm

Location: My house -- 905 Myrtle Ave, Albany, NY

Good News!

It's too bad they don't ask you before they publish pictures like that in the Pace Setter. The Pace Setter is a publication of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club, the local running club to which Becky and I both belong. I also belong to the Albany Running Exchange, which is another local running club, currently in my better graces due to...well...not publishing a picture of me like THAT anywhere. At least, not that I know of.

The good news is, I can run again! I'm still a little nervous about doing so, but I can run again! I did 3 miles on Thursday, and 6 miles today. I'm still not sure how I get back on track in terms of doing the Team in Training schedule, which would put me at 12 miles next Saturday, but I'm hoping I can get there soon. The coaches will let me know what to do, and how. The coaches and Norris have been amazingly supportive and helpful throughout this period of injury.

I am so happy to be able to run again. I haven't felt like myself since I had to stop. Now I can reclaim the missing piece of my identity, routine, and spirit, and keep moving forward!

She's famous too...!

Check out Casey in the November 2008 issue of the Pace Setter!