Runners' High

It's hard to explain what it feels like to finish a half marathon. It's simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating, and I can imagine the marathon will be even more so.

I think what was different about my Alaska run is that I actually enjoyed the race. It was a serene, meditative route, and being immersed in all that nature gave me time to contemplate not only the "how" but the "why" of running. The how? All the speedwork, the tempo runs, the long runs, the early mornings, the oppressive heat, the dirty laundry, the blisters, the aches and pains, all of which made me stronger and more prepared and no doubt had an impact on my time. And yet, over the past few months I've been unappreciative of the changes my body has undergone as it's gotten stronger and better prepared for tackling long distance running. Instead of thanking my quads and gluts for getting me through my long runs, for helping me run paces I never dreamed possible, I've cursed them for not fitting neatly into my size 0 pants. I can't say that I'll never do that again, but after last weekend, I will certainly think twice before I heap abuse on myself for being strong, fit and healthy, probably for one of the first times in my adult life.

The "why" is obvious--Sarah, Kate, countless others whose lives have been affected by leukemia and lymphoma--the fact that simply putting one foot in front of the other and asking my friends and family to support me along the way can lead to something as huge as $4.4 million raised for a single event. But the "why" is now informing the "how"--how grateful I am to have a healthy body that can carry me through 13.1--and I hope, eventually, 26.2--miles, and how petty it seems to complain about my jeans not fitting when others are too weak to get out of bed, let alone run. And I hope to honor my body better in the days going forward--not only with my training, but with healthy food and thoughts.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

-1 Corinthians 6:9

Alaska!

This is why we run. Why we've logged over 500 miles in the past few months, sacrificed time with friends and family, done load after load of dirty laundry and spent Saturday after Saturday in all kinds of Atlanta weather, from tornadoes to thunderstorms to 95 degree heat. For Kate. For all the Kates in our lives, past, present and future.

And so, our Georgia Chapter, along with nearly a thousand other TNTers from across the country and Canada, set out on the 13.1 and 26.2 mile courses in the chilly Alaska rain last Saturday morning. And look at all the smiles!

Once we got started, it warmed up a bit. We were treated to a not-so-scenic view of the Anchorage airport, followed by gorgeous trails through the Alaskan forest, complete with views of the Pacific Ocean. I ran most of the way with Angela (aka "bacon") and Carolyn (Kate's mom), who is SIXTEEN WEEKS PREGNANT! And she was amazing--strong and positive as always, knowing that with each step, she's making the world a little better for Kate, Ava, Jackson and little baby boy Hansen. And what a cool thing to hear from your mom one day--I ran a half marathon when you were sixteen weeks old!

I don't have any pictures of the finish (though I'm sure to get some from friends as they drift back into town), but this Southern girl got a bit chilly post-run, so much so that my lips turned bright blue. The sweet ladies at the Starbucks at the Anchorage Hilton hooked me up with some hot chocolate when we got back to the hotel, and I enjoyed a warm shower (shhh--don't tell Coach Tommy!) and checked up on all my friends and mentees through the online results. I finished in 2:22:47 (a personal record!), Nicole in 2:39, Sarah and Tommy (who took pictures the entire way!) at 2:50 and Shay around 3:15.

I can honestly say it was the first time I enjoyed a half marathon. I guess the third time is the charm. I really feel like my training has helped, and it was simply inspirational to run with Carolyn. I flew back into Atlanta at 7am yesterday and was back on the track less than 12 hours later. And I'll keep running until there's a cure. It's the least I can do.

One More Day!

I can't believe I'm finally in Alaska! It seems like only yesterday that I signed up to mentor this season, and here I am, with the whole team, here in Anchorage and ready to run! Especially after consuming an entire plate of pasta and sitting down for two and a half hours at our dinner tonight. Carolyn wants to run in under two hours. A few months ago, I would've said that would be impossible, given that it's taken me two and a half hours to finish the previous two halfs. But I have faith and confidence and in the end, it's not about me or my time, but about something so much bigger than myself.

Today I learned that there are nearly 1,000 Team in Training participants in tomorrow's marathon and half marathon. Collectively, we raised $4.4 million dollars. For just one of the dozens of TNT events this season. Every gift--no matter how small--matters, because in the end, it's about what we do as a team. And that every Saturday across the country, thousands of people get up early in the morning, run mile after mile in every condition imaginable, so that someone else--maybe a family member, maybe a friend and maybe even a complete stranger--can live and live well. Miraculous in and of itself.

Today, we donned our hot pink shirts (even the guys, because, as we all know, real men wear pink!) that say "Kisses for Kate." And I will be thinking of her and of my teammate Sarah--who just a year ago, had lost her hair and was weak from chemotherapy, and tomorrow, will be crossing the finish line--and all of those who run so they and others like them can live long and happy lives. I am truly blessed to be a part of this program, to have a chance to do something small to make the world a better place for someone else. GO TEAM!

Will Run for Food

Sometimes I think I run for the food. Or at least I did tonight. It was 95 degrees, and the last thing I wanted to do was run down to the track, especially when I pass two Mexican restaurants on the way. I pretend to feel superior to the masses downing pitchers of margaritas and shoveling down the chips and salsa, but truth is--I'm slightly jealous.

But, Powerade in hand and cute man by my side, I braved the heat and headed down to E. Rivers. It was actually a really great workout--4 x 800's (with an extra 200 thrown in because two bachelors' degrees, two masters' degrees and an almost Ph.D. do not equal the ability to count to two!) at 9:03, 8:55, 9:15 and 9:05 paces.

We walked home leisurely and feasted on an excellent dinner of "Triple Jump Pizza," courtesy of Runner's World and Chef Tim. And a big glass of 2 Buck Chuck, of course.

Countdown to Peachtree

Since this morning marked exactly three weeks prior to the Peachtree Road Race, I thought I'd take the opportunity to do a tempo run on the second half of the course. Because of the drought, the race won't end in Piedmont Park, which is kind of sad, because in the six years I've done the race, we've always ended in the park, right at Charles Allen Drive and 10th Street. This year, it will end at Juniper and Ponce.

So, I headed from my place down 25th Street and fifteen subsequent blocks on Peachtree--enduring honking, leers from countless construction workers and dangerous intersections with closed sidewalks. Not exactly the same feeling as race morning. Plus, it was hot (though significantly less so than earlier in the week), and I didn't have any water.

The new route isn't bad--a few rolling hills, but it just seemed anti-climactic. Maybe that will change come race day.

All in all, I got in a five mile tempo run at about 10:30 pace, which is pretty good considering I had to stop at about five intersections and wait for lights to change.

This week also was the start of my Alaska countdown! Six days until we leave (really five, as I'm posting after midnight!). I found out this week that two of my mentees--Sarah and Shay--were the top fundraisers on the Alaska team. All in all, my four mentees raised over $25,000--real money that supports real people in need. I love feeling a part of something bigger than myself and can't wait to cross the finish line in Anchorage next weekend!

Early One Morning

I am NOT a morning person. Most days--with the exception of Saturdays--I roll out of bed around 10 or 11am. I prefer getting my runs in during late morning or early evening, which is pretty much impossible now that the temperature has been cresting 85 long before noon. So, the choices are to deal with the heat and accompanying misery or wake up early. This morning, I chose to latter.

The alarm went off at 6am. I ate my breakfast of champions (Trader Joe's peanut butter on a plain mini-bagel) and met Tim at 6:30am for our weekly track workout. We jogged the 1.5 miles down to the track at E. Rivers, where the PRUMC bootcampers--including my old choir buddy, Matthew--were already hard at work. We did 20 x 100's, with 100 meters of walking in between each lap. It was a nice change not to have the sun blaring down on us or to deal with the scores of children wandering on and off the track. We averaged 5:45 pace for the 100 sprints and decided to break our lazy habit of walking up Cardiac Hill, which we tackled at a decent pace--in spite of lethargic legs--and finished up the stretch from Collier Road to 26th Street at a pace a bit under 9:00. These workouts give me so much confidence in my strength and endurance, reminding me a bit of my inner tomboy, who proudly bested both the 2nd and 3rd grade classes--boys included--in sprints across the schoolyard in Texas.

Dog Days

I've been both a running and a writing slacker. It's just been one of those weeks. And a little too soon for me to invoke the "pre-race taper" clause, as it's still two weeks until Alaska.

I started to feel guilty yesterday, so headed out around 11am for a short run with Zoe, my loaner puppy, and the cutest border collie in the world (picture at right in a much more relaxed state!). We did a short two miler through Brookwood, including one of my least favorite hills in Atlanta--Brighton Road--which I don't think Zoe was too fond of either. It was fun outing for both of us, and Zoe crashed for the day.

This morning was another eight miler, and yet another hot, humid day. But the time passed quickly. The team ran together for the first three miles, and then I ran with Lindsey, who is Kate's teacher. That shows you just how much Kate has touched people's lives. And given that I lost my grandmother last week, at the ripe old age of 91, I wish for Kate and all those like her long, happy and healthy lives and will keep lacing up my running shoes until we find a cure.