The 4th of July. The day America celebrates its independence from England. Incredibly hard to believe now that a tiny country that gave us Shakespeare, blood pudding, and David Beckham once controlled Colonial Americans.** Harder still to believe is that many Americans probably have no idea what year America celebrated its first Independence Day (hint: it did not involve aliens and Will Smith). Americans associate Independence Day with barbecues, federal holidays, apple pie, sunshine, and fireworks. Americans do not associate Independence Day with running.
So, it was incredibly challenging on the morning of the 4th (Saturday) to get out of bed as early as I would on a workday to run "six to seven miles" or 72 minutes.*** I slept a bit later than I would have liked (6:30 instead of 5:30), laced up my Asics, grabbed my water bottle and tucked it into my running belt, brushed my teeth, put on my sunscreen, and headed west towards downtown Spokane and the Centennial Trail.**** I felt strong on the run--pushing myself, waving at other runners, trying to maintain an easy, even pace needed for my long, slow run. I incorporate several very short walk breaks into my long runs, as long runs are supposed to be slower, their purpose being to get your body used to so much time on your feet. Allegedly, run breaks not only allow you to catch your breath and grab a little water/gel without choking and/or pouring your water/gel all over your face and clothes, but they also help pull (push?) the lactic acid out of your muscles to allow you to run longer. When I started really running just over a year ago, I felt guilty, ashamed even, of taking walking breaks. In truth, I still feel a little of that, and I will extend the time between walking breaks on long runs if it means I can run past other runners, walkers, senior citizens on bikes.*****
This walking shame is about vanity, of course. But, in reality, I am out running more miles before breakfast on a Saturday morning than most people ever run in a row, period. But, walking shame is not the point of this post...this post is about the shame of quitting, of failure.
I always tell people that I am afraid of two things--aging and failure. In reality, I just hate both of them. My type-A(+) personality cannot deal with failure very well. So, while I, like most Americans, do not associate Independence Day with running, I do associate a missed long run as a failure on a small scale that could mean failure on a large scale (not being able to run the Portland Marathon in October). Certainly a portion of that fear is related to feeling as if I have let myself down, but it's more about the shame associated with telling people that I missed too many runs and therefore cannot run the Portland Marathon this year because, as anyone training for any big race knows, everyone knows about it. Everyone. Friends, family, co-workers, ex-boyfriends, the person who sells you coffee on weekday mornings. I cannot handle the shame associated with telling people that I am not running Portland because I quit or was lazy or just could not commit to the training. I ran Nike last year with a broken foot, partly because everyone knew I was training for it.
I am not hard core. I run because I am ashamed. And, I am not ashamed to admit it.
*I know I have not really been updating this, but please check back, as I will be filling in some of the gaps here soon (between October and now).
**One of these is not a good thing.
***My current Beginner Marathon Training Plan has all of these runs of between x and y miles.
****While a running belt resembles a fanny pack, it is not one. It is not worn by tourist to hold camera and currency; it holds in place a water bottle (think about running and holding a water bottle for miles in the heat) and tends to have pockets for keys, gels, phones, tissues, etc. that you might need on a long run. Okay, so it's totally a fanny pack.
*****This last one will be the subject of a later post.
Showing posts with label Nike Marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nike Marathon. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Race Weekend Photos
A post on race weekend to follow, but to sum up: Don't run on a stress fracture. You won't be able to run a full half-marathon, and you will end up in a walking "boot" for 4-6 weeks minimum. This will cut into your running. Also, San Fran in the early morning in October is cold when you are wearing running shorts and a tank top.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Race Weekend (Friday, October 17): I Don't Recognize You With Hair
Race weekend began early on Friday morning. I arrived at the airport around 
5:30 a.m.*, and I waited for a familiar face--and an unfamiliar face that was supposed to have my airline tickets, team jersey, and weekend itinerary. Being the Type-A+ personality that I am, not having every detail of my weekend laid out for me was a challenge. The first person I saw at the airport that I recognized was Heather (Silvey) Butner. She, too, was waiting for her tickets, jersey, and itinerary. Heather, like me, is a Type-A/planner.
5:30 a.m.*, and I waited for a familiar face--and an unfamiliar face that was supposed to have my airline tickets, team jersey, and weekend itinerary. Being the Type-A+ personality that I am, not having every detail of my weekend laid out for me was a challenge. The first person I saw at the airport that I recognized was Heather (Silvey) Butner. She, too, was waiting for her tickets, jersey, and itinerary. Heather, like me, is a Type-A/planner.Once we got our tickets from our race captain, our team members congregate at the gate for our flight to San Francisco. I met my roommate for the weekend, Ellen Gillespie-Miller. I had seen Ellen at a few of the team practices this summer, but I had not yet met her. She was going to be running her 8th full marathon, and her 6th as a member of a Team in Training Team. I was excited to be rooming with an experienced runner because I certainly had pre-race anxiety, despite knowing that with a broken foot, I wouldn't be setting any records. All my teammates at the airport were groomed and dressed in non-running garb, and there were certainly a few people who did not recognize me, as I was not in my trademark white Nike hat pulled low over my eyes and signature long run pigtails. I did, however, have a heavily-taped foot to protect those broken bones as best as possible until I saw my doctor after the race ended and I returned home.
I sat with Heather on the flight, and we gossiped the entire time much to the very visible displeasure of the other girl sitting in our row. She was quite upset that she couldn't sit with her boyfriend (on a full Southwest flight), and she spent most of the flight pouting and holding his hand--as he sat in the row in front of her. Surprisingly enough, this girl looked to be about my age, not 14.
We arrived in San Francisco (actually, Oakland) before noon, and we boarded a shuttle to our hotel--the Hilton Financial District on Kearny. I was so thrilled to see palm trees and sunshine. Despite having been born in California,** I hadn't actually been there in several years. It was unseasonably warm in San Francisco that day--in the mid-80's. We checked in, and I headed to the race Expotique to pick up my bib number and freebies with teammates Ellen, Heather, Aileen Laughlin, Suzie Johnston, and Becky Denson. The Expotique ran smoothly, and I picked up my number, some granola, a great "shopping" bag, some Laura Mercier bath gel, and a spectator's pass for Andrew.***
Then, it was time to shop. The Expotique (and race start on Sunday) were right in San Francisco's Union Square, right in the heart of Saks, Gucci, Prada, etc. The Nike Store in Union Square had the names of all the Nike Marathon runners in pink and white on the side of the building.
*I am not a morning person. I had gotten up at 4 to finish packing, get ready for the flight (I am not a roll out in public in sweats kind of girl, either), and head to the airport. I had not had coffee (trying to stay hydrated for the race). I was less than pleasant, but my hair looked great.
**Despite my more "East Coast" personality, I am actually a California Girl.
***Andrew was driving down Saturday, and he would be watching the race Sunday morning. Nike had arranged shuttles for spectators that would drop them off at cheering stations along the course, down to the finish line, and back to Union Square.
Monday, May 26, 2008
This Is How We Do*
There have been a flurry of questions about my training for Nike. Trust me, there's no way that I could run 13.1 miles (in a row) tomorrow. I could complete 13.1 miles tomorrow, but I certainly would not be running them (and, it would really cut into my work day)!
Since I am running Nike with TNT, I have to raise at least $4,000 to even run the race. So, if I don't raise the $4,000, I either pay out of pocket to reach the $4,000 fundraising minimum, or, I don't get to run. But, I'm not worried about that at this point. In exchange for me raising $4,000, I get my entry fee paid, my travel expenses, and most importantly, I get training to actually be able to run the race.
My training lasts 23 weeks. Weeks 1-7 are a base phase, during which I will be running "easy" runs to build my endurance and to get my body accustomed to running consistently. I will run 5 days a week during those weeks. We run for time, not mileage, but, if you run at a slower pace, you have to run for a longer time period (to make sure you're getting ready for the longer runs later). During week 1, I ran for at least 150 minutes (I actually ran a little more than that). Week 2, I ran for at least 160 minutes (again, I ran a little more). Week 3: 170m minimum; Week 4: 190m minimum; Week 5: 190m minimum; Week 6: 200m minimum; and Week 7: 200m minimum.
During weeks 8-18, I will be in the strength phase. I'll still be running five days a week, but I will be upping my intensity and adding in hill and tempo runs throughout the week. The minimum time spent running during those weeks is: Week 8: 190m; Week 9: 200m; Week 10: 200m; Week 11: 210m; Week 12: 210m; Week 13: 220m; Week 14: 240m; Week 15: 200m; Week 16: 250m; Week 17: 200m; Week 18: 260m.
During weeks 19-23, I will be in the taper phase. I'll still be running 5 days a week, but I'll be running easier runs to allow my body to recover from the strength training to be prepared for my race (in week 23). The weekly running time minimums will be: Week 19: 190m; Week 20: 230m (four days of running only); Week 21: 160m (four days of running); Week 22: 130m (four days of running); and Week 23: 130m (four days).
Finally, on Sunday, October 19 (technically, the start of Week 24), I will run the Nike Half-Marathon (13.1 miles). That day, I'll be running for distance and not time.
* I have not forgotten grammar. This is the title of a song by The Game, and it's one of my favorite running/workout songs.
Since I am running Nike with TNT, I have to raise at least $4,000 to even run the race. So, if I don't raise the $4,000, I either pay out of pocket to reach the $4,000 fundraising minimum, or, I don't get to run. But, I'm not worried about that at this point. In exchange for me raising $4,000, I get my entry fee paid, my travel expenses, and most importantly, I get training to actually be able to run the race.
My training lasts 23 weeks. Weeks 1-7 are a base phase, during which I will be running "easy" runs to build my endurance and to get my body accustomed to running consistently. I will run 5 days a week during those weeks. We run for time, not mileage, but, if you run at a slower pace, you have to run for a longer time period (to make sure you're getting ready for the longer runs later). During week 1, I ran for at least 150 minutes (I actually ran a little more than that). Week 2, I ran for at least 160 minutes (again, I ran a little more). Week 3: 170m minimum; Week 4: 190m minimum; Week 5: 190m minimum; Week 6: 200m minimum; and Week 7: 200m minimum.
During weeks 8-18, I will be in the strength phase. I'll still be running five days a week, but I will be upping my intensity and adding in hill and tempo runs throughout the week. The minimum time spent running during those weeks is: Week 8: 190m; Week 9: 200m; Week 10: 200m; Week 11: 210m; Week 12: 210m; Week 13: 220m; Week 14: 240m; Week 15: 200m; Week 16: 250m; Week 17: 200m; Week 18: 260m.
During weeks 19-23, I will be in the taper phase. I'll still be running 5 days a week, but I'll be running easier runs to allow my body to recover from the strength training to be prepared for my race (in week 23). The weekly running time minimums will be: Week 19: 190m; Week 20: 230m (four days of running only); Week 21: 160m (four days of running); Week 22: 130m (four days of running); and Week 23: 130m (four days).
Finally, on Sunday, October 19 (technically, the start of Week 24), I will run the Nike Half-Marathon (13.1 miles). That day, I'll be running for distance and not time.
* I have not forgotten grammar. This is the title of a song by The Game, and it's one of my favorite running/workout songs.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Welcome to my training page...but, why is it here?
It's official, I have agreed to train for the Nike Women's Half Marathon and fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society via Team-in-Training.
Team-in-Training (TNT) is the world's largest endurance sports training program, providing coaching and support for people participating, in, among other things, marathons and half-marathons. TNT started twenty years ago when Bruce Cleland ran the NYC Marathon with some friends, in honor of his infant daughter who had been diagnosed with leukemia. This is TNT's 20th year, and during those 20 years, TNT has raised more than $8,500,000 for blood cancer research.
TNT participants can choose from a variety of events to train for and complete. I have chosen to run the Nike Women's Half Marathon, which is held in San Francisco, California. This year, the race is on October 19, 2008. On that day, I will be running 13.1 miles. The Nike Marathon (and half-marathon) actually has partnered with TNT and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so all the participants in the Nike Marathon are running to raise money for blood cancer research (although, not all Nike Marathon runners are training with TNT). This year, there will be over 20,000 runners. The 2007 Nike Marathon raised $18.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
As a TNT participant, I will be running five days a week for 23 weeks (from May 11 to October 19) to prepare for the half-marathon, and I will be working to raise $4,000 for LLS. Of the funds I raise, at least 75% goes directly to research for cures and treatments for various blood cancers.
Why am I running? Early this year, Jan Giesa, the wife of John Giesa, one of the partners at the law firm where I work, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At my first Reed & Giesa holiday party, Jan made a point of letting me know that she had heard great things about me from the partners and the firm. I was still in law school at the time and was basically hating life (for those of you who went to law school, you can sympathize). I was also the only law clerk in a firm with no female attorneys and no members of the professional staff who were my age. Going to that first firm event, I was a bit apprehensive, particularly about how all the partners wives would react to me (did I mention that not only am I the only female attorney here, but also the only associate attorney?). Jan (and all the wives) was very sweet to me, but Jan especially made a point of making me feel welcome. She has continued to do so from that party in 2005 until now.
John told us all at the firm about Jan's diagnosis, and I initially didn't know how to react. I cried in my office, but couldn't think of the right words to say (this coming from a litigator and a girl with a Masters in English Literature). I have been pretty lucky through this point in my life that no one really close to me has passed away. Both sets of my grandparents always lived far away, so we didn't get to see them as often, and they all lived long full lives, so it wasn't as tragic as it could have been for me. My parents, sisters, nephews, and niece are all here, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. I think the news of Jan's diagnosis really hit home because she always seemed so gracious and vibrant when I saw her. It was a hard realization that someone you just expect to be doing well is now very sick. Less than a month before her diagnosis, I sat next to her at another firm holiday party, and she was the sweet, engaging woman I knew her to be.
Her diagnosis came right before I turned 30, and I had been whining and complaining and generally feeling down about being 30 (and lying about my age); about huge student loan bills; about not being able to afford a pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos; about whether or not I was getting crow's feet; and about whether or not I was too young to start buying anti-wrinkle eye cream. I am fairly certain that I had told someone that my life was pretty much over at that point. Being confronted with Jan's diagnosis really made me stop and think and PRIORITIZE. I was 30. I was not dead. I was healthy, done with school, and actually doing what I had always said I would do since I was a little girl (yes, I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was in grade school). I had worked off most of my law library gut, and I had a long and bright future ahead of me. So, when I learned about the opportunity to run with TNT to raise money for LLS, I asked Jan if I could run for her. As soon as she agreed, I signed up with TNT and started running.
During the TNT informational meeting, our Campaign Coordinator, Erik Nordstrom, shared with us this quote, "You have not lived until you have helped someone who can never repay you." I think that pretty much sums up what TNT is all about and why I am running. Please help me help TNT and LLS raise money for blood cancer research. I have to do all the running--all you need to do is make a donation. All donations are tax deductible (and you'll get a receipt for tax purposes). You can see my fundraising progress on my personal fundraising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/nikesf08/rhaynes. You can even make donations online on my fundraising site with your credit card. Feel free to send any of your friends, family members, and co-workers the link to my fundraising page.
I'll be updating this page regularly--to keep you informed about my training and my fundraising progress. I am happy to report that after a course of intense chemotherapy, Jan is most likely in remission (I will keep you updated on her as well).
Team-in-Training (TNT) is the world's largest endurance sports training program, providing coaching and support for people participating, in, among other things, marathons and half-marathons. TNT started twenty years ago when Bruce Cleland ran the NYC Marathon with some friends, in honor of his infant daughter who had been diagnosed with leukemia. This is TNT's 20th year, and during those 20 years, TNT has raised more than $8,500,000 for blood cancer research.
TNT participants can choose from a variety of events to train for and complete. I have chosen to run the Nike Women's Half Marathon, which is held in San Francisco, California. This year, the race is on October 19, 2008. On that day, I will be running 13.1 miles. The Nike Marathon (and half-marathon) actually has partnered with TNT and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so all the participants in the Nike Marathon are running to raise money for blood cancer research (although, not all Nike Marathon runners are training with TNT). This year, there will be over 20,000 runners. The 2007 Nike Marathon raised $18.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
As a TNT participant, I will be running five days a week for 23 weeks (from May 11 to October 19) to prepare for the half-marathon, and I will be working to raise $4,000 for LLS. Of the funds I raise, at least 75% goes directly to research for cures and treatments for various blood cancers.
Why am I running? Early this year, Jan Giesa, the wife of John Giesa, one of the partners at the law firm where I work, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At my first Reed & Giesa holiday party, Jan made a point of letting me know that she had heard great things about me from the partners and the firm. I was still in law school at the time and was basically hating life (for those of you who went to law school, you can sympathize). I was also the only law clerk in a firm with no female attorneys and no members of the professional staff who were my age. Going to that first firm event, I was a bit apprehensive, particularly about how all the partners wives would react to me (did I mention that not only am I the only female attorney here, but also the only associate attorney?). Jan (and all the wives) was very sweet to me, but Jan especially made a point of making me feel welcome. She has continued to do so from that party in 2005 until now.
John told us all at the firm about Jan's diagnosis, and I initially didn't know how to react. I cried in my office, but couldn't think of the right words to say (this coming from a litigator and a girl with a Masters in English Literature). I have been pretty lucky through this point in my life that no one really close to me has passed away. Both sets of my grandparents always lived far away, so we didn't get to see them as often, and they all lived long full lives, so it wasn't as tragic as it could have been for me. My parents, sisters, nephews, and niece are all here, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. I think the news of Jan's diagnosis really hit home because she always seemed so gracious and vibrant when I saw her. It was a hard realization that someone you just expect to be doing well is now very sick. Less than a month before her diagnosis, I sat next to her at another firm holiday party, and she was the sweet, engaging woman I knew her to be.
Her diagnosis came right before I turned 30, and I had been whining and complaining and generally feeling down about being 30 (and lying about my age); about huge student loan bills; about not being able to afford a pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos; about whether or not I was getting crow's feet; and about whether or not I was too young to start buying anti-wrinkle eye cream. I am fairly certain that I had told someone that my life was pretty much over at that point. Being confronted with Jan's diagnosis really made me stop and think and PRIORITIZE. I was 30. I was not dead. I was healthy, done with school, and actually doing what I had always said I would do since I was a little girl (yes, I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was in grade school). I had worked off most of my law library gut, and I had a long and bright future ahead of me. So, when I learned about the opportunity to run with TNT to raise money for LLS, I asked Jan if I could run for her. As soon as she agreed, I signed up with TNT and started running.
During the TNT informational meeting, our Campaign Coordinator, Erik Nordstrom, shared with us this quote, "You have not lived until you have helped someone who can never repay you." I think that pretty much sums up what TNT is all about and why I am running. Please help me help TNT and LLS raise money for blood cancer research. I have to do all the running--all you need to do is make a donation. All donations are tax deductible (and you'll get a receipt for tax purposes). You can see my fundraising progress on my personal fundraising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/nikesf08/rhaynes. You can even make donations online on my fundraising site with your credit card. Feel free to send any of your friends, family members, and co-workers the link to my fundraising page.
I'll be updating this page regularly--to keep you informed about my training and my fundraising progress. I am happy to report that after a course of intense chemotherapy, Jan is most likely in remission (I will keep you updated on her as well).
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