Saturday in San Diego!

Just spoke with our favorite marathoner. She is going to do a bit of sight seeing today. They have a "Carb Loading" meal for all the runners....LOTS of pasta!
She said her assignment for the day is to HYDRATE - H2O at all times.
The weather is beautiful! They were going to see if they could drive the running route just to get a feel for it. She sounds ready to go, albeit a bit nervous, but still excited.
She will call me tomorrow night after the race. Just about the time we are all in church she will be gearing up to run (extra prayers during early service!!!)
I do believe I am getting a bit nervous on her behalf!!!

Update #1!!

Ok!!! Angie is off to San Diego! Apparently her plane was a tad delayed...sat on the tarmac for about an hour or so due to "unscheduled maintenance"...that's always fun. She packed books and a movie for her iPod so I'm sure she was fine.
Looks like as of now though (1:40 pm CST) she is flying over California, due to arrive at approx 12:05!!!! Yea!!

Don't forget, we can all check her progress on race day by going to:
http://www.rnrmarathon.com/home.html
Her number is #19847!

I'm Outta' Here!

Wishing me all the luck in the world

Awwwwww! You guys are all just so sweet and so good to me! My day has been full of well wishes, high fives, good lucks, hugs, some tears (all mine), phone calls, email, cheers - on and on it has gone. I know that I have to have the BIGGEST cheering section - nationwide - that anybody has seen. Thank you all so very much!

I believe I'm almost all packed and ready to go. I'll take one last looky in a bit. We're all going to try to get to bed early (Yes, kids are *still* in school. Tomorrow is the last day. So it is still a legitimate night to enforce a bedtime.) I guess I'm getting up at 3am....ugh.....

#19847 in your program, #1 in your heart

OK peeps -- we're getting down to the last day of preparation here. I'm very excited. And then all of a sudden, I get this major wave of nervousness. But it's all good. I'll finish my packing today and hope to get in bed early (earliER) for a good night's sleep. I've got to get up very early to catch a 6am flight. But usually in those situations, I wake up all night long worried that I'm going to oversleep and miss my flight.

Hope you all will send me a little rah-rah on Sunday. Race starts at 6:30am. We should be rollin' by 7am for sure (remember, wave start -and we're in corral 19). And don't forget to adjust the vibes you are sending to Pacific Time. That's 2 hours behind us here in Memphis.

Thanks to Linda T. and Paige L. for their donations. My fundraising total is $4401!!

OK, more later....

PS - How cute is that turtle guy up there? Get it? TNT - TEAM IN TRAINING!?!?!

Testing, testing

Hello, everyone...Connie here...Just doing a trial run (no pun intended) on this bloggey-thingy. I am the designated "Guest Blogger" while Ang is in San Diego. I have been given creative license so....lookout!!!

I get by with a little help from my friends

My sweet friends at work had a surprise "Go #19847 Go!" party for me today! They had my all-time favorite - Blue Bell homemade vanilla. George assured me it was legitimate carbo-loading. They've all been so supportive and encouraging and they are just as excited as I am about this big marathon thing. Thanks friends!!! Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I love you all!!

My ice cream was served on the special RHM silver tray...

I would choose ice cream over pasta any day for my 'carbo-loading'!

Don't see that happenin'...

I was just reading about the hotel we will be staying in. According to their website, "the Westin San Diego is located in the heart of beautiful downtown San Diego. It features panoramic views of the San Diego Bay, Coronado Island, and the downtown cityscape." Sounds nice.

It also says that their goal is for you "to leave feeling better than when you arrived". Somehow, I doubt that will be the case....

Tough Time for a Type A

Time is just ticking away. I started packing some things last night. I get real fretful about my stuff when I go somewhere. I'll make a list and go over it again and again and again. Then I'll start getting all the things together and pack and unpack and repack. I'll look at everything and talk to myself and put it in piles and then put it in different piles. Travel preparation is definitely one of my OCD's finest hours. Anyway, I'm slowly getting all my things together. I realized that my gels have to go in the little quart baggie thing. That definitely takes up some space, but I think I've got it all crammed in there and left enough room for my saline, shampoo and my beloved hand sanitizer (or 'hanitizer' as Cooper calls it).

I think I just have one more little trip-related errand to do and pick up a memory card for my camera. And I have to continue to finalize the kids' camp schedule for next week - who is picking up which kid, where and when....it's so complicated, it's spreadsheet worthy....

Soooo, mix all that up with my multitude of emotions (excited, nervous, scared, anxious, happy, teary, fired up, worked up) ... and I'm a potential wreck.

I am just so thankful for all the support and encouragement that everybody has given me during these last few months. And now your excitement for me too. It's just special and I'm forever grateful. After all, you've been going through all this with me. You *should* be excited!! {{hugs}}

A friend at work made a little sign for my office door. It has the Rock 'N Roll logo and June 1, 2008 and says "Angie Whitfield #19847". (Thanks P.T.!)

I read this little passage in an introduction to a book that I'm taking with me. While my book is a "compelling and original suspense thriller" and has "masterful suspense and explosive twists of fate" (according to the back cover), the excerpt is actually from a children's book titled "No Matter What". It is a conversation between Large Fox and little baby Small Fox. Basically Small is asking about the unconditionality, limits and endurance of parental love. When I read it, it just reminded me about how Daddy is still here with us. And how he will be with me especially on Sunday. Watching and cheering and helping and pushing me along. I'm actually not sure what it has to do with anything (especially my book)....It just reminded me of Dad and I felt like they were sweet and comforting thoughts. And I wanted to just share them with you, my faithful readers!



Small said, "But what about when we are dead and gone, will you love me then, does love go on?"


Large held Small snug as they looked out at the night, at the moon in the dark and the stars shining bright. "Small, look at the stars, how they shine and glow, some of the stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies, for you see, Small, love like starlight never dies..."

He IS the numbers guy....so I guess that's right.....

An email from George this morning....

By my count, we are T minus 117 hours until the start of the Rock 'N Roll Marathon! Just think, when we started this in January, it was about 117 days!

Race Week Is Here!!

Can you believe it?! I only have three days before I head to San Diego. I know the week will fly, especially since today is a Tuesday that feels like a Monday. I've still got quite a bit to do before Friday.

On Sunday, you can track my progress by going to the marathon website. It's www.rnrmarathon.com My times will be recorded at the 5k, 10k, 10-mile, 13.1 mile and 20 mile marks with updates to the LiveResults site every 60 seconds. Not sure how it will be set up. But you will probably have to enter my name or my race number (#19847). And don't forget the time difference. San Diego is on Pacific Time so that's 2 hours behind us here in Memphis. I hope you can check it out on Sunday.

I also saw this on the website: For the first time this year, NBCSandiego.com is providing "Finish Line Cam On-Demand." Visit www.nbcsandiego.com after the race and see yourself cross the finish line! And if that's not scary, I don't know what is.....

Which way do I go?

Want to know where I'll be running on Sunday? Here's the description from the marathon website:


The 26.2 mile course begins in Balboa Park, runs through Hillcrest and skirts the San Diego Zoo. Runners take an expanded tour of downtown featuring Petco Park, the historic Gaslamp Quarter, and the San Diego Harbor. Following the downtown excursion, the course travels up beautiful Highway 163, and races by the bayside communities, Sea World and ends at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Point Loma.



A course map... (for a larger version, try this)

And, an elevation chart. Looks like one big hill at about mile 7-10, but the rest of it is flat. I like flat.

Here's a neat little 'interactive course map' too.

The rest of the story...

So you've gathered from the earlier post that yesterday's run wasn't the prettiest that I have had. But it was an exciting day since it was our last official group run.

When we got to Shelby Farms, we found out it was the first day of training for the TNT teams for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francicso and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington. I mentioned something to Joyce (their coach) about remembering our first day and she asked that I share that with the group. So I told my little story. I talked about our first group run when they warned us about the black ice on the trail and I was just so scared to begin with and I was wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into. I said that Joyce had told me early on that there would be a day when I would say "today we are running just 3 or just 5" and how I didn't believe I would *ever* say that. And I said, "But today we are running just 8." So, good luck to the new teams. Yea for them! GO TEAM! I do feel very sorry for them because their entire training season is in this brutal summer Memphis heat.

There was a 5k being held at the lake a little later and one of the race organizers said "Y'all want to register for the 5k?" "No thanks, we're running a bit farther today." How about that? We totally dissed their little 3 mile run.....

The run yesterday was just quite ugly. I probably walked more than I ran during the last 3 miles. At mile 7, as I was nearing the finish line (and death) I was approached by 2 ladies running heading out. She noticed my TNT shirt and said "What race are you training for?" "San Diego - NEXT SUNDAY!" "I thought so - great - good luck!" Woo hoo for me! It's always nice to receive a little cheer along the way.

Poor George, again, ran double the scheduled mileage since he runs up and then comes back to check on me. I would say "I'm just so hot" and he would say "San Diego is nothing like this." The last time he came back to 'get me', was almost to the finish and he returned WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER. Thank you George! What a nice coach he is.....

So, that is the end of the group training runs for the San Diego team. We all left hot and exhausted, but so excited. Because the next time we would be together would be in SAN DIEGO!!!

Thanks to Lacy R., April D., Elizabeth S., and Karin E. who all joined the list of my wonderful supporters and made donations this week. My new total is now $4276. And I think that is just uber great!!!

Some friend....

Dear Weather Man (who shall remain nameless):

I know it wasn't all your fault. And I'm not going to blame you for the whole thing. But WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING THIS MORNING BETWEEN 7 AM AND 9AM?!?!?!? It was so incredibly hot and humid. It was just brutal. I know you said something meterological like 'warm and muggy conditions' this holiday weekend. But good grief. It. Was. Hot. And I thought you were my friend...

I was sooo hot. I was *dripping* with sweat. I was sweating in places I didn't even know I could sweat. I was sweating so much that my earbuds wouldn't even stay in my ears.

Now, part of the problem, I admit, is my own fault. At the last minute this morning, I changed from a little tank to my TNT shirt. Mistake #1. I had not really had any water this morning or enough last night. Mistake #2. I chose not to wear my hydration belt since it was just 8 miles and I knew I had water waiting for me at mile 4. Mistake #3. So you see, part of my misery was my own fault. But that 80 degree temp at 8 AM and that 75% humidy. That's all you. And I guess when you factor those in together to get the infamous "heat index", that calculated to be something like 127 degrees. In the shade. In fact, if I had carried my cell phone, I would have called you at home and given you the big what for. Don't think that I didn't consider it at about mile 6.

Now, I knew that this weekend was going to be warm. It is almost June, so that's normal for Memphis. I'm ok with that. And you did tell me and all your faithful viewers that. But I thought that since it was 7 o'clock in the morning, that *surely* it wouldn't feel like I was already in Tijuana....and I didn't expect that 127 degree heat index. Or at least that's what it felt like to me.

So, thanks for a brutally ugly 8 mile run this morning.

You know I love ya' -- we've been friends for over 20 years. But this morning you really just weren't one of my favorite people. I'll be over this later today and will be seeking your forgiveness and your friendlier forecasts. Maybe you can make it up to me with a great forecast for me for San Diego next Sunday.

Your friend and fan,
Angie

Did you buy me a gift?!?

Today is World Turtle Day!!! Yes, May 23 is World Turtle Day, a day that was established to "celebrate turtles and tortoises and to encourage people to learn more about these reptiles and understand what needs to be done to ensure their conservation". So, go hug a turtle today!

Rest day today - yea! A short little 8-miler scheduled for tomorrow. It will be nice to have such a short little run.

Right this very minute (6:00 am) next Friday, my plane will be taking off for San Diego! (well, actually Minneapolis but THEN San Diego...)

Happy Turtle Day!!

Randomness

Hard to believe that this time next week, I'll be packing and repacking and packing and repacking and getting ready to leave the next day.

I got a "Final Event Update" from the marathon with yet more race info. Here are a few tidbits from that email:



There are more than 100 Running Elvi registered to participate in the marathon. What a riot.




They will post live results on the race website that day so you can totally check on me during the race! I'll check it out and post the info later on how you can do that. It should show updates at the 5K, 10K, 10 mile, 13.1 mile, 20 mile and of course FINISH.

The race (or highlights or something) is going to air on FSN on Saturday, June 14. Check your local listings....

I did a little run/walk on the treadmill today. It was fine. Hilareous to me that I do not like running on the treadmill. Remember how hard it was for me to break up with him? I *loved* him. My how times have changed.

I'm having a few little twinges in my shin and am really wondering what's going on with that. My IT band has been trying to rear it's ugly head this week too. And I am *not* allowing that to happen. So I'm stretching a lot and continuing to roll on Mr. Foamy. Same drills..... I've made it this far, I can't fall apart just yet. But man, my feet and legs sometimes just kill me. I told some coworkers the other day that my feet are just so done with me. They don't even want to be a part of my body anymore. But I just need them to hold on 10 more days.....

We're scheduled for 8 miles on Saturday. Sounds like nothing doesn't it? Compared to 20, it's really not! That will be our last official group run. I'm really REALLY REALLY ready to get my Saturdays back. So is my family. Jodi has been beyond great holding down the fort every Saturday since January. I told him to think of it like a 'half day, 20 week hunting season'.....No seriously, he's been so supportive and made it possible for me to 'check out' for a good part of the last 20 Saturdays....Thanks Captain!

I'm trying to complete my list of things to do and things to take. Time is getting short. I can feel myself getting ready to start getting nervous and fretful....

Wowie!

Our Rock 'n Roll Team has raised $22,413 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! That just totally rocks!

It was a party!!

Last night's "Know Before You Go" party at Lindy's house was just so much fun. It was such a change to see all of us cleaned up, wearing 'real' clothes, with hair done and make up on. We didn't look like our normal Saturday morning no make up, sweaty, ball cap-wearing selves. We are actually quite a lovely group of ladies!

Andrea gave us the low down on the weekend's events. Wowie - there was a lot of info there. I was trying not to get overwhelmed. I went back and forth between being excited and being nervous and being so emotional about it that I thought I just might cry.

Here are some of the highlights:

There will be about 30,000 running the marathon. And about 4,000 of those people will be TNT'ers! She said that every Leukemia Chapter in America has someone participating in the RNR Marathon. (I think she said there were 68 chapters.) I think that's just neat. She said there will be purple TNT jerseys EVERYWHERE! The TNT'ers are very well taken care of by the Elite Racing staff (company that puts the race together) all weekend.

All of us on the San Diego team met -- and exceeded -- our fundraising goal! YIPPEE FOR US!!! We are already winners!!!

The rough schedule for the weekend goes something like this:

Friday - Arrive San Diego. Our flight gets in about 11am. Andrea & George recommended going to the Expo that afternoon to get our packets and to visit the booths since it will be uber crowded on Saturday. This will probably be our last good night of sleep since we'll be too keyed up on Saturday night to sleep much. Should not be a problem since our flight out of Memphis is at 6am. So Friday is a long day to begin with. Sleep should come easy.

Saturday - Pasta Party at 1pm. Followed by a team meeting where we will get last minute instructions. Probably a group dinner after that and then early bedtime for an attempt at sleeping.

There are lots of things to see and do in that area. And, did you know, San Diego is only 23 miles from Tijuana!? (OK, so geography isn't my strong suit...) But it is *right* on the Mexico border. Not really sure how I will spend my free time. Maybe just laying low for a little R&R and enjoying the "away from home quietness". I definitely don't want to do a lot of walking (and risk blisters and sore legs) or do something to get sunburned (like go to the beach) or get arrested in Mexico (just kidding!) I'm always good with a book and a chair by the pool.....

Sunday - RACE DAY! Shuttles will leave the hotel about 4:00 am. The race is scheduled to begin at 6:30 am, but it is a 'wave start' which means they start the fastest runners first and go in order down the corrals. We are all in corral #19. George says it could be about 15 minutes or so before we cross the start line. The long and the short of it for Sunday morning is a lot of sitting around waiting. It will be hard to manage that with the nerves and excitement....

Weather that early could be cool and ground could be damp. George said to bring garbage bags to sit on and/or wear. It was also suggested that we wear an old, inexpensive long sleeved t-shirt to wear early that morning before and during the early part of the race. Then you can throw it along the side of the road. These are usually sent to a local shelter. Which I think is just a neato thing.

Andrea suggested when we get there to go straight for the porta-pottie line and then come out and get *back* in the line and then do that about three more times.

Sunday night there is a victory party somewhere (I missed wherever that will be and really what it is.) and then the post race concert (Pat Benatar). I guess all that post-race hoopla is just tentative for me depending on how I am feeling. Wherever I choose to be will be my own victory party!

Monday - Return to Memphis. Flight is at 8:30 am or something like that. Long day of travel since we are flying back against the clock. Get in at 6:00 pm. Maybe I'll wear my medal on the plane.....

We all got our purple race jerseys! HOORAY for us!!! We have two honored teammates that are included on the jersey. Jordi (It says "I'm doing this for Jordi") is a young girl fighting leukemia. And the Memphis Grizzlies mascot ("Friends of Grizz") is battling lymphoma. Here are some pics of Jessica (brown shirt) and George (easy to identify) and Nicole (red shirt) ironing their names on their jerseys. (If your name is on your jersey, the crowd will cheer for you by name! That will be cool.) It was getting a bit late, so I had to head on home, but I ironed my name on this morning and added Daddy's picture (that says "For My Dad" on it). Turned out pretty nice I think. Take a look.

It was really just a fun night. It was exciting to talk about what we will be doing that weekend -- what to expect and how it will all play out. We've been working towards this major goal for almost 6 months now. And here we are getting ready to do it! I still can't believe it. It was nice to be together - as a team - to visit and laugh and just have fun being together NOT RUNNING!

KBYG Party

Happy Monday!


Feeling good today. Maybe the 4 mile walk after the 12 mile run was the thing to do. I didn't do anything this morning. Just a little stretching.


I am happy to report that my fundraising today now stands at $4,226! Very exciting! Thanks again to EVERYBODY!


Tonight is the "KBYG Party" -- Know Before You Go...


According to Julie the Mentor, tonight we will:

• get our well-earned purple jersey
• go over logistics of travel
• get tickets to pasta party, post race victory party, shuttle bracelets, etc.
• get last minute tips of what to expect race weekend
• have an opportunity to ask questions
• have an opportunity to decorate our new jerseys

So, this is one little event that just means we are that much closer to MARATHON TIME!!! Eeeeek!!! Two weeks from right this very minute, it will all be over and me and my sore legs will be on a plane headed back to Memphis.

Quality Family Time

We all went on a little walky walk this afternoon down the Germantown Greenway. Guess a 4 mile walk will do some sore muscles good. I'll let you know tomorrow. Anyway, thought I'd share some pictures from along the way.





This is on the east side of Germantown Road. Just a beautiful lake.





Jordan and Cooper. They took turns fighting over -- I mean sweetly sharing the scooter. This is early on in the walk when they were not hot, thirsty, tired and were still having fun.








My sweet peeps... (Yes, Cooper *constantly* has some kind of stick or rock or leaf or....)

Pretty little flower garden. Check out who has the scooter now....

One little pond is called "Turtle Bayou" and there are these steel turtles on logs in all around the pond. I love these little turtles (I can relate). But the water is totally nasty.

Some wild rose bush maybe? Look like roses. Pretty whatever they are. By Turtle Bayou.

Some pretty turns along the way.

Cooper wins out for the best seat in the house. Look at Jordan carrying the scooter that *nobody* wanted to ride anymore.

We had a nice afternoon enjoying the pretty day....together!

"San Diego is always sunny and 70"

So says my friend the weatherman.....Well, take a look at this forecast. As of today, I can start checking the 14 day forecast for June 1 -- the day of the marathon. Looking pretty good!

Friday, May 30
Sunny
Low: 59 °F
High: 65 °F

Saturday, May 31
Sunny
Low: 60 °F
High: 66 °F

Sunday, Jun 1
Abundant sunshine
Low: 61 °F
High: 68 °F

Taper to Twelve

Yesterday's route was from the Visitor's Center to the Shell, to the end of the Greenway, back to the Shell and then back to the Visitor's Center. Each leg of that is 3 miles. For a total of 12 miles. That sounded most appealing. No Chickasaw Trail or laps around the lake.

I started a bit earlier than the group. I figured my turtle self would be running alone, so I might as well do that on the front end and then finish with the group rather than the other way around. So off I went....


The first 3 miles to the Shell were beyond awful. In fact, there was a time very early on that I actually thought I was going to have to turn around and go back. My IT band was flaring up, my calves were tight, my legs were like lead. Everything just hurt. It was not pretty at all. Couldn't even run. I was just walking. And barely doing that. I was stopping to stretch every few steps. I worked through most of the ouchiness and then just thought I would have to walk the whole 12 stupid miles. But then it started getting better, so I trotted along to the Shell. George had already left the cooler, so I had some water and a gel and headed to the Greenway. The only good thing that happened during these first 3 miles was I saw a cute rabbit on the trail.


We have never run this trail this early in the morning. It was just *so* pretty. The sun was low and was coming through the trees shining onto the path. It was peaceful. The temps were nice. The birds were singing. (I even turned my iPod off during part of this leg so I could just listen. Of course, the loudest things I could hear were my feet pounding on the pavement and my labored breathing.) I was just looking and listening and smelling everything and thinking how beautiful it was. Then I thought, "This is what Daddy sees every day!" and that made me happy.


Halfway down this trail, I ran into a guy that I used to work with. He's a runner, but it was just so out of place to see him there. (CC friends, it was PTambur! How funny is that?!). We chatted for awhile. He was aware of my TNT quest and was actually the very first donation I received. So, after a little chit chat, I was off again.


Made it to the end of the trail where the glorious bathroom is. A little pit stop and more gel. Then turn around and head back. I was halfway! Yippee!


It wasn't too long before I saw George and Julie. They were the only ones running. Nicole wasn't feeling well and Jessica's brother was getting married this weekend so she had commitments. A little chatty chat. And we all continued. I felt pretty sure they would eventually catch up to me anyway.


Back to the Shell. And then back to the Visitor's Center. I did it! The end. It was nice to just run that and not have to go into the farm for the Chickasaw. So I hung out at the cooler and ate some grapes and peanut butter crackers. I was feeling pretty good about my little 12-miler until I saw three guys come up from the lake trail riding UNICYCLES. Thanks a lot.

My total time was 2:55:50. That's a 14:40 pace. The good thing about that is, I must have made some really good time on the last half of my miles because those first 3 were just so awful. So, my time *could* have been better overall if I had not had the rocky start. Gives me a little encouragement for the marathon that I just might finish with a moderately respectable time (for turtles).

George & Julie showed up shortly after I finished, and, while I did start almost an hour before them, it was kind of nice to be at the finish line and cheer for others coming in. What a change!

I did get to relax a good part of the afternoon and sit outside with my book. The weather was so very nice and I am sporting a nice little sunburn today as a result of that. I was really tired and sore last night and am still very stiff this morning. Hope to stretch it out today. Jodi wants to get a run in and the kids want to ride bikes & scooters - so we may go to the Greenway. We'll see.

The marathon is 2 weeks from today. Can you believe that?!

Thank you to my sponsors

Memphis is buzzing this weekend with the Memphis in May Barbecue Contest. Used to be my cup of tea, but now large crowds make me twitch. The weather for the weekend, however, looks great. In fact, this is the best forecast I've seen in a long time. Can you believe no rain in sight for days? Will be nice. We'll definitely be spending lots of time outside.


Tomorrow is 12 miles. Quite doable. And it feels a bit different heading into it. No pressure. No angst. No worries. It's still a LONG run. But nothing compared to last week .... We are definitely in the home stretch. Two weeks from right now, I'll be on a plane to San Diego (by way of Minneapolis). And my mind is whirling already with thoughts of the race -- what I need to pack, things I need to do, etc.

Remember my three goals that I set when I began this journey? (1) To FINISH the marathon, (2) to REMEMBER my daddy, and (3) to raise MONEY and AWARENESS for the leukemia society. I think I'm well on my way to accomplishing #1. I know that through this process I have thought about my dad so much and I hope I have helped you remember him too (goal #2). And, you all have helped me achieve goal #3. My fundraising total is $4,176! I'm so, so, SO excited about that. THANK YOU!!! I'm just so grateful and appreciative of your generosity. And I've said this many times, but I just really want you to know that you are making a difference and your gifts are helping find a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers. So, THANK YOU to all my generous sponsors. Muuuah!

Angie A.
Cindy A.
Todd & Cindy A.
Dr. Frederick A.
Kent & Jennifer B.
Carol B.
Darrell & Emily B.
Jeff B.
Carolyn C.
Julia C.
Barry & Cheryl C.
Ron C.
Matt C.
Janet C.
Sally C.
Anne & Allen C.
Anna Mae & Howard D.
Nanette F.
Dean & Sherri F.
Gayle & Al F.
Sue H.
Debby & Paul H.
Kenny H.
Cindy H.
Chris & Angela H.
Nancy H.
Neil & Lois H.
Judy H.
Curtis & Tamora J.
Dr. Robert J.
Carol K.
Tim L.
Marlene L.
Justin L.
Dr. David L.
Kelly L.
Eddie & Judy L.
Barbara M.
Molly M.
Connie & Ty M.
Bob & Pat O.
Tom & Arlene O.
Kelly & Sean P.
Allisa R.
Wendy R.
Dr. Jeffrey S.
Shannon S.
Jason & Valerie S.
Patrick T.
John & Ann T.
Maribeth & Harry T.
Patti T.
Rebecca T.
John V.
Gwen W.
Sherrill W.

Hello, I'm #19847

That's my race number! I got a packet of info in the mail yesterday. Lots of info. My confirmation sheet, a huge race brochure, the course map, shuttle schedules, etc. WOW! It was a lot to digest last night at 9pm, so I'm going to get a closer look today. I was just telling Jodi about it and he said "It's getting more and more real, isn't it?!"

It appears that Andrea from LLS has registered the entire team to have the same predicted finish. Guess that's so we can all be in the same corral at the start. So I'm listed as having a predicted finish time of 5:30:00. Sounds good doesn't it? I was thinking over the weekend, that I may be able to do this in about 6:30:00. Is that too ambitious? My original time estimate when I started this crazy mess was 7:00:00. We put 6:45:00 on my registration form. Oh well, it doesn't really matter how long it takes me. I just plan to FINISH. (Although I do catch myself thinking about the time....)

Look what I found yesterday at Target!!! TURTLE PAJAMA PANTS!!! Just for me! How cute are these guys?! I will definitely be taking these to San Diego.

Starting the To-Do's

The ol' leggies got pretty tight and achey last night and I just became totally exhausted. I put the kids on 'auto pilot' and was in bed asleep by 8pm. Feeling better today. Just a little achey today. But, still overall the recovery from the 20 wasn't as bad as I had expected. I took today as a rest day and thoroughly enjoyed the extra hour of sleep.


Mentally I feel like I've made it over a huge hurdle. The next (i.e. LAST!) two runs are very doable. I just want to get them out of the way and head on to San Diego.


I'm starting to think about things I need to take and everything I need to do before I leave. We fly out 2 weeks from this Friday. Not only do I have my own to-do list, but I have to make sure my kids (and Jodi) are all taken care of too before I head out. Overall, just lots to do. I have started my packing list which will continue to be a work in progress until the minute I leave.


I've printed a picture of Daddy that Jodi is going to laminate for me. I want to pin it to my TNT jersey and wear it during the race. I may change photos. But I do really like this one - it was taken at the beach. Good times there. It's the same one I've got on the front page of the blog. I just added some words that sum it all up for me......





Only 18 days until the marathon!!!

George is proud of his peeps

A congrats email from Coach George:



Is WHEW an understatement or what?


Congratulations to all of you! Superb job!


You have conquered the big 20. WOW! And virtually everyone who happened to be at Shelby Farms around 12:30 knows it because Angie told them! And strong is another understatement. You guys (gals) looked like you had just taken a jog around the lake! Look out San Diego, the Memphis TNT folks are on their way and lookin' good!


Hope all of you are feeling OK. Soreness is fine, but if you have anything more serious that lingers past tomorrow, please let me know. And do not slack off the mid week runs. But in every case, take them nice and slow.


Also hope Lindy is on the mend, and continues to take it easy to get that IT band all fixed for race day.


We now start the well deserved and much appreciated TAPER! That means a big reduction in the miles for next week's long run. Unless you are really unique, the long runs (especially the 20 miler from Saturday) resulted in microscopic tears in your muscles, and now is the time for rebuilding, so they are even stronger for June 1. You can load up on the protein to help in this process.


So, we back way down to 12 next Saturday, and then 8 the following. Yahoo!


Any questions now that we are approaching race day, shoot them to me. I know I have left out something or many somethings, so don't be shy about asking anything!


And remember the jersey party on Monday, May 19!


See you Saturday, 7 am.

The view from the caboose

Just read this on a running site....


'Dead last' is greater than 'did not finish' which greatly trumps 'did not start'.

Happy Monday

I walked one little mile on the treadmill this morning. And also did some work on the stability ball. Felt ok. A little tightness in my calves and ankles. And an achey spot on the side of my lower back. That's a new one....Overall, the recovery from the 20 has been much better than I expected. I'm beyond glad about that.

We are 3 weeks from the marathon. Thus begins the taper. Our miles decrease during these next weeks. It's hard to believe that I'm to this point. It has been so all-consuming. Thinking about the run, complaining about the run, talking about the run, dreading the run, boring others about the run, loving the run, hating the run, preparing for the run, recovering for the run. That's all it has been it seems. But now we are really bringing this thing to a close. Exciting, but sad too in a way I guess. But I'm really ready to do it. Ready to finish this crazy quest.

I'm reading the chapters in the Marathon book titled "A Mental Tour of the Marathon" and "Countdown" -- both dealing with the few days leading up to the race and the race itself. I'm sure there will be some gems in there to share with you later.

Have a good week!

PS - Did I tell you that I ran 20 miles on Saturday?!?!?

The Twenty Miler

The day of the 20. We met at 7am ready (?) to go. I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who was a bit nervous to tackle the big 20. We talked George out of running the Tour de Wolf trail because we didn't want to sprain an ankle or get our shoes muddy (He has to *love* having all females on his team.) High five from Nicole "Here we go!". We're off.

It was overcast and a little chilly and at first I was rethinking my sleeveless tank choice, feeling stupid about the sunscreen, and being content with the no-sunglasses option. All three of those thoughts were quickly thrown out the window.

We took off toward the west and ran a new trail all the way to Walnut Grove Bridge. It was a nice change of scenery. Jessica & Julie took off early and it wasn't long before I couldn't see them anymore. Nicole was just ahead of me most of this time. George was going back and forth between her and me. Then we turned around under the bridge and headed back east toward the entrance to the farm. And along the outside loop to the Shell. These were about the first 4 or 5 miles. I felt pretty good. Started off at a good pace and really felt good. Nothing was hurting. I was busying myself with lots of thoughts and songs and was doing a nice job of distracting myself. Nicole was just leaving the refreshments at the Shell when we got there. A little reloading of water and accelerade and some gel and we were off again.

I wore my hydration belt yesterday and was so glad I did. I had drained my bottles before I hit the refreshments both times.

We headed down Germantown Road (Man, there was a lot of fast moving traffic. I'm not used to running on a real street with cars on it.) I saw Anne & Denise (a walker and walker coach on our team). Waves across the street. Now, down the Germantown Greenway. That is such a pretty trail. I enjoyed running down there. It smelled good too - lots of bloomy things going on. Passed Julie & Jessica coming back. Later passed Nicole, also coming back. To the end of the trail (thank goodness there were bathrooms there) then back. Along the way, I saw 2 of Germantown's finest, Officer G and Officer D, on foot patrol of the trail. We stopped to chat with them for a second and were off again. I wished Happy Mother's Day to a pregnant lady strolling with her husband. Back to Germantown Road, but under the bridge to the *other* end of the trail. Then back to the Shell. Loaded up on fluids again and we're off. This is where it gets dicey.

These were probably miles 13-16. The trail back to Farm Road was tough. It was really heating up and I drank all my water. Running just wasn't coming very easy. My shoulders were hurting and the side of my lower back. For some reason, I just thought I was going to cry. Looking back on it, all of that was so weird. But at the time, it was very real. I had taken a picture of Daddy with me and pulled it out and ran with it in my hand. Running. Walking. Lots of walking. Just pressing on. Then my stomach started hurting. Bathroom. Bathroom. BATHROOM!! I thought we were going to have to cut back into the Farm Road entrance (which would cut our route short), but I toughed it out and kept going. Back down Walnut Grove and under the bridge. The sun was out. I was hot. I was dripping with sweat. I was Not. Having. Fun. That leg of the run was probably the worst experience I have had since I started this. It was just brutal. George was running ahead and then coming back to check on me. I was whining at this point. "I'm out of gas." "I'm so hot." "Should I die now or later?"

George said all we needed was the long side of the lake and the Chickasaw Trail. I could do that. Saw Anne & Denise. "Nice to be back in this zip code!!" There's a porta-potty on the long side of the lake. One quick stop there and then around the lake. I couldn't get back to the Visitor's Center quick enough. I needed water so badly. I WAS SO THIRSTY. George had gone on ahead and was waiting with Nicole's husband and Jessica's husband (?)/boyfriend (?) (Not sure). Lots of water. Then Julie & Jessica came up and finished their 20. Yea!! Cheers all around. They made great time. Strong runners. More water, some oranges, some gel, another bathroom break. All I needed was the Chickasaw Trail and I was done. We chose the entrance to the trail where we knew we would see Nicole.

We passed her at about her last half mile. She looked good and was moving along. High fives. The trail is marked in .25 increments. We entered on the 'end' of the trail, so it counted down. Appropriate it seemed. More running. More walking. I was counting it down. It seemed very doable at this point. I knew I could go another mile, half mile, etc. I was carrying Daddy's picture along this trail. I knew he could help me get to the finish.

A younger guy was fishing in the big lake. I had maybe 3/4 of a mile to go. "How are you?" "I'm tired, how are you?" "I'm doin' alright." "I have run 20 miles today." "Wow. I can't even walk 20 miles." I ran off. I heard him say "YOU GO GIRL!!" as I ran away. Thanks Mr. Sleeveless T-shirt Fisherman.

Oh, we were almost done. Down the big hill. Around the curve. Down the walk. Into the parking lot. FINISH LINE!!!

Julie, Nicole & Jim were waiting for me (they said Jessica had just left). Sweet of all of them to wait for me since they were exhausted too. Cheers and hugs and high fives all around. I consumed more oranges, more water, a banana (I think). We were all just so darn proud of ourselves. I showed everybody Daddy's picture. "My daddy!!" A couple walked by us and I said "Hey - we all just ran 20 miles today!" George said "Tell everybody you know!!". Nicole & I hugged each other. "WE DID IT!!!" George was tired, probably because he isn't used to running that slow. Welcome to the Turtle Club.

I finished in 4:50:00. Which is a 14:30 mile. I was thinking last night that I could have really shaved some time if I had not had the crash during miles 13-16. But that's ok. I was just proud to have finished in under 5 hours actually.

The usual when I got home. Cool bath, warm shower, lunch. Little nap. Another hot shower. I really felt ok. Much better than I thought I would. Don't get me wrong - I was tired and wasn't moving too fast. And would have been content doing nothing - which really didn't happen. The kids gave me my Mother's Day present early. A lumbar massage pillow from Brookstone. Aaaahhhhh. Timing is everything. Nothing was hurting. Nothing ever hurt - even during the run. Just stiff. I hit the bed early. During the thunderstorm/tornado watch. Told Jodi to wake me up if a tornado came. Good night.

Today I feel good. Was a bit stiff this morning, but feeling good this afternoon.

Nicole & I wondered yesterday where the other 6.2 miles would come from during the marathon. But I think during the actual marathon the crowds and the bands will carry us through. I really can't wait! I am certain that I can run this marathon and finish it!!!

We are 3 weeks away. Next Saturday is 12 miles, then 8, then the marathon.

I feel so good. I'm just really proud of myself.

I RAN 20 MILES!!! Yea!!!

I DID IT!!!

Twenty miles!!! Full report later -- I'm totally wiped out right now. But just wanted to get a little post on here so you would know! TWENTY MILES!!!!!

20 miles -- here I come!

Here is our route for today. We're starting this blue route on the first map. We begin right at the top middle of the lake. Completion of that route will give us 15 miles.

Then we're running the red trail here - Tour de Wolf Trail for the additional 5 miles. George says it's uneven terrain which will help strengthen our feet, ankles and other leg muscles.

These maps are a bit hard to read. The bottom one is actually the north part of the top one. If that makes sense....You can make out Walnut Grove and Germantown Parkway on both of them.

I slept ok last night. Was awake off and on. Gauge had some 'doggie surgery' yesterday and is wearing a fashionable lampshade so he won't mess with the stitches. He kept banging into the bed and furniture all night..... Poor guy.

OK, am getting ready to head out shortly. Skies look cloudy, but nothing is showing up on the radar. Current temp is 64 with 80% humidity. May not need sunglasses today. Or sunscreen either. I'm trying a bandana rather than a hat - last week my head got so hot. We'll see how that goes.

I'm stopping by the post office on the way to mail my last few donation checks. My total is $4,176! Isn't that awesome! Thanks to you all!!!

Well, wish me luck. I'll fill you in later today. If I have the strength to type.....

TWENTY MILES!!!

Twenty Eve

Happy Twenty Eve. I'm ready.

I had spaghetti for lunch yesterday and made pasta salad for dinner last night which I will eat again for lunch today. So my carbo loading is progressing. Drinking enough water is never a problem for me. So I'm good there.

No change in the weather for tomorrow. Warm and muggy. Hate that, but nothing I can do there. Maybe some scattered stuff, but the rain should hold out until tomorrow night.

I need to give a little more thought to some mental strategy and get some thoughts a little more organized in my brain. But that's an easy task.

My legs are feeling ok today. I was on my feet a lot yesterday on Jordan's field trip, so I will try to take it a bit easier today. I did 45 minutes of pilates and stretches this morning. Feeling pretty good. Ready to just do it.

I'm going to run twenty miles tomorrow. Unless something 'postworthy' comes up today, I'll catch you all tomorrow afternoon and tell you all about it!

This is becoming very real

I just got an email with confirmation for my flight to San Diego. I'm really doing this aren't I?!?!?!?!?

The homestretch is in sight

Rested today. My legs are still feeling a little weird. Especially my shinny shin shin. Can't figure out what's up with that. Will probably rest again tomorrow to get ready for Saturday's biggie.

I don't question the fact that I will finish the 20. I just wonder how it will play out. If I can get in a good groove with my walk breaks, especially early on, I should have enough steam to make it the whole distance. Plus, it's just going to take me forever. Depending on a lot of things - my pace, the route, the amount of walking, the heat, etc - it could take up to 5 hours. I'll just load up on the gels and water, make sure my iPod is fully charged, and take off. I know I can do this. It is just a wee bit intimidating. But I can see the homestretch now.

Have a good day everybody!

Think Twenty!

A message from Coach George

Greetings RNR's:


Well this Saturday is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication that you have put in for the past 3 months. The twenty miler. Two zero. Ta when tee. 20. 10 times 2. My age divided by 2 point something.


This one is really important, both from a physical and mental perspective. All of you are physically well prepared - you have logged the miles necessary to break the 20 mile ice. And, once you have a 20 miler under your belt, your level of training is so strong that it will take you the remaining 6.2 on June 1. Heck, the crowds and camaraderie you will experience will make it seem like a walk in the park...well, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but they do help tremendously!


Besides the physical preparation, the 20 also will test your mental senses to their max. I know I have come up with every great reason why I should not take one more step, why I should call it a day, even though I have more miles togo. I know all of you have as well, whether it was during those early 4 milers or the recent 18 miler. Funny how our minds try to discourage us at different points in a run. The 20 gives you an even better chance to stand the challenge - to face and defeat each of those great reasons. And once you do, you will realize that they were really worthless reasons in the final analysis. So the next few days, get psyched up for the challenge, and prepared for the mind games.


Otherwise:


You know the drill on clothing and equipment - tried and true duds.


You know the drill on pre race and during race nutrition - good carbs.


You know the drill on pre race and during race hydration - lots.


You know the drill on speed - distance matters, time does not.


One more thing that we have not experimented with is the use of salt mid/late race...a small packet to replace sodium lost thru sweat, even moreso with higher temps. I'll bring some if any of you want to try (and have no medical reason to avoid). The gels and accelerade also have sodium and similarly work well for this purpose.


As always, feel free to bring your ipod if you wish, we may be out there for a while...and as you know, my singing gets really old after 3 or 4 hours.


So, see you at Shelby Farms at 7 am on Saturday. The route will be sent in the next day or so, with an attempt to stay in the shade as much as possible due to temps (80's). Plenty of water and your favorite - accelerade - will be available.

I get by with a little help from my friends

May 10. It is the date that has been looming on the training calendar since January when I received my copy. It's the big twenty miler. And it's this Saturday. Lots going on in my brain about this. I'm dreading it. But I'm looking forward to it. I want to do it. I don't want to do it. Just the challenge of attempting it. Doing it. I am fretting about the recovery from it. Will I live to tell about it? Will I *want* to tell about it? Twenty miles. That's a long way. But after this Saturday's huge hurdle, I really feel like I'm in the home stretch. Because then it's 12 and 8 and then the marathon.

This week my legs and feet seem to really be feeling the 180 miles that have been put on them. Not real sure what's going on there. They are just achey and are so tired. I hope they'll hang in there with me. They have served me well. And I only need about 80.2 more miles out of them. Then they can retire.

WEATHER
The weather isn't looking too favorable for Saturday. Highs are expected to be in the low 80s. My email exchange with my personal meteorologist went something like this:

TO: Ron

FROM: Angie

RE: Cut it out

AW: You're killing me with the Saturday forecast Childers. I'm gonna' die in that heat. And the low Friday is mid 60's. I won't even start off with cool temps. Are you kidding me?! I thought you were my friend.

RC: Come on....a little rain and heat never killed anyone....intentionally

ROUTE
I asked George yesterday what the route would be. He said he was still working on it. But was looking for somewhere shady. No such place in Shelby Farms. He said, with a lilt to his voice and a sick smile on his face "The Hills of Walnut Grove Lake are shady!". Ugh. I. Hate. Hills. He also referred to this Saturday's run as "a nice twenty miler". Nice? NICE?!? Can you use that adjective when you describe a TWENTY MILE RUN?!?!? He's a good guy and a great coach and all. But he's just sick. (Sorry George. You know I love you.)

RIGHT BRAIN
It will be key for me this Saturday to keep Mr. "You Are Tired. Stop Running Right Now" Left Brain out of this. I've got to focus on positive -- and distracting -- thoughts. Last weekend, I admit that at one point when I was so tired and beyond bored, I started rattling off state capitals. I may try that again. Or just all the states in alphabetical order. Or maybe reciting Pi to 100,000 places.... So, the suggestion box is now open. Anybody have any ideas on things I can think about on Saturday? Any lists anybody wants me to create for them? Problems to solve? Any song requests that I may perform? I'd love to hear from you.

THINK TWENTY!!!

The most exciting news of all

Big fat zero miles for me today. My ankles/feet/shins/calves were hurting last night and again this morning. Just felt tight and almost burning a little. Where did that come from? I got up anyway and did 45 minutes of pilates and stretches. So the morning wasn't a complete waste. It just felt like my body was saying NO THANK YOU to any running or even walking today. So I said ok. Oh well. What's a girl to do?

Now for the most exciting news of all! I MET -- AND EXCEEDED -- MY FUNDRAISING GOAL!!!!! Thanks to all of you! I'm so excited about that. My current total is $4,126. YEA!!!!! I am so appreciative of each of you and the support you have given me. I know there are so many different causes that you can choose to support and there are mortgages and tuition and light bills to pay and $4 a gallon gas to buy. So thank you so much for making your donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For me - for my dad. I hope you know that YOU have made a DIFFERENCE. This money goes to research that just takes us one more step closer toward finding a cure for blood cancers.




I just hate leukemia. I hate the fact that any time my little innocent 5 year old son hears that somebody died, he says "Did they have leukemia?" Someone was writing a check for me yesterday and said "Help me out - I don't know how to spell leukemia." I hate the fact that I do know how to spell it. I hate the fact that it took my dad. I just hate it. I. Hate. Leukemia. And I will forever be an advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise both funds and awareness for blood cancers. Here are some facts (again) about leukemia & blood cancers:

• Over 135,000 people were diagnosed wtih leukemia or another blood cancer in 2007.
• Over 52,000 people will die this year from leukemia or lymphoma.
• Every 10 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer. That's 143 people per day. That's 6 people every hour.
• There are 4 different types of leukemia. AML, the type my dad had, currently has a 20.7% five year survival rate.
  
  

I was thinking last night about the money you've donated for this Team in Training. And the money that a lot of you have also given over the last two years when we had a team for Light the Night. When you add all that up together, the total is over $10,000. TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!! In less than 2 years. I think that is AMAZING. I am certain that Daddy would just be blown away by that. He would be so humbled to know that you have all done that for him. So, I just want you all to feel good about what you have done. One day there will be a cure. And you will have had a part in that. Doesn't that feel good?!?!

OK, that's all about that for now. Thanks for reading. Thanks for supporting me. Thanks for remembering my dad.

Don't forget.... Saturday.....TWENTY MILES!!!

Miscellaneous Monday Musings

Walked this morning.
Not far.
About 1.5 miles.
It was chilly.
I was underdressed.
When will I learn?
Feeling ok.
Most muscle stiffness seems to be gone.
Listened to some 'easier' songs today.
Norah Jones, Michael Buble', John Mayer, Jack Johnson.
Nice change from my usual musical selections.
$3576 total raised.
$424 from my goal.

Today is May 5.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Ole'.

27 days til the marathon.

Can't believe it.
It's really almost here.
Longest run ever this Saturday.
Can't believe that either.
Think TWENTY.