Mission Accomplished

Back in December 2010, I sent out a message to friends and family proposing that if I could get 26 people to donate enough food for a family of 4 to a food bank, then I would train and run the Kansas City marathon in October 2011.

I never expected so many generous and thoughtful people to come and take me up on the offer (those people would be Amy H., Kacy, Jennifer, Kurt, Patti (donated for 2 families), Mrs. Mel, Kim, Cassie, Kellie, Darcy, Cheryl, Michelle (donated for 2 families), Sissy, Angi, Katie, Amy R., Caleb, Alysia, Tom, Brad, Curtis, Erica, Tania, and Adam).

Instead of the Kansas City marathon, we decided to go for the Niagara Falls International Marathon. As much as we love Kansas City, we simply do not love the hills. Plus, if we have the opportunity to travel and run in two countries in the same day ... count us in!

My primary goal in December was to benefit 26 families. I never once expected my own life to change in such a significant way. Running a marathon is life-changing and one of the best experiences of my life (for me, it ranks up there with getting married and graduating college).

It's so incredibly difficult to even begin to describe the events leading up to the marathon and the actual marathon itself.

Waking up at 4:30 a.m., we were ready to go (I had ten hours of sleep; Adam only had 7 since he had to watch the Missouri game). The marathon start time was 10 am, but we had to catch a bus at 7 am to clear customs and then we headed to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo to wait and wait and wait. However, it wasn't time wasted because it gave me a chance to talk to Dale. It was his 9th marathon and he offered some great advice, explaining that mile 17-22 would most likely be the hardest, and that we just needed to work through it mentally and physically. Uh, great advice, but I wasn't looking forward to it.

Standing in the line with a mass of 1,065 other marathoners, I was surprised that we didn't feel anxious or nervous. We both felt well prepared and thrilled for the adventure ahead. We were standing close to the back (there couldn't have been more than 50 people behind us) and had to consciously be aware to start out slower (I wasn't going to be that fool that started out too fast and use all of my energy in the beginning). Plus, it always feels much better to pass people towards the end than to be passed at the start.

From here, it's probably easiest to describe the highlights from the run.
-The churches in Buffalo are breathtaking. We ran down a street where it seemed there was a church on every corner. They are incredibly large and just exquisite. Absolutely gorgeous!
-Children wearing shirts that read, "Run", ringing bells, giving high-fives (I read that it's important to high-five a child if given the opportunity and I did).
-Miles flew by. Every time a mile marker came, I seriously thought, "A mile marker already?" Except for mile 23 to mile 24. That was the longest mile of my life.
-The scenery was stunning. Fall had definitely arrived in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. Colors of orange, yellow, and brown surrounded us and made for such a magnificent view.
-I had a police officer yell, "Go, Marena, Go!" We hadn't even gotten to the first mile marker, but his loud, enthusiastic voice stayed with us.
-Pacing ourselves. I can usually predict our pace based on how easily I'm breathing and able to have a conversation. If I can do both, then I know we're running around an 11 minute mile. If I'm having a harder time, then I know it's around a 10 minute mile. I've never ran a 9 minute mile, so I'm sure that means I'd be dead.
-Spectators commenting on our smile ("Must not be so bad; they're still smiling). My jaw and cheeks hurt so much from the pure joy and excitement. I still can't believe I was happy while running. What happened to me in the last ten months?
-Running across Peace Bridge and crossing into Canada. The view from the bridge was gorgeous and so serene with the water and trees. It was the only real incline of the entire marathon, yet we didn't feel a thing because we were taking in the view.
-Around Mile 5, we started running next to a man with change in his pocket. Not just a quarter or two, but it sounded like he had a good $7.00 in quarters. We called him Mr. Jingles. At first, it was funny because he was doing some running/walking combination, but not even consistently. Sometimes, he would run for 10 seconds, then walk for a minute, then run for 30 seconds, then walk for 10 seconds. I'm pretty sure he was using us as his pace group because he stayed with us for 5 miles. What was once funny became pretty annoying because all we could hear was "jingle, jingle, jingle... stop .... jingle, jingle, jingle ... stop ... for five miles. Oh, so glad that we finally lost Mr. Jingles. That Saturday night skit needed to end.
-Singing "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys with Adam. A lady ran near us with a radio. As soon as we heard the chorus, it only felt natural to sing. The lady even joined us.
-Every water station had a different theme (cowboys, chain gang, hornets, zombies). We never knew what we were going to get. At one station, the crowd was pretty tame, so I shouted, "Come on, let me hear you!" and they erupted. Is that what it feels like to be Oprah?
-Living in the moment ... for 5 hours. I have no doubt that it helped make the miles go by so fast. We were taking it all in and enjoying the adventure.
-Running behind a speed walker that was "walking" faster than we were "running." It was his 80th marathon (very clearly could read the sign on his back as we were running behind him for so long).
-Being so grateful to see a water station (one at every mile marker from 6-25). It wasn't the water, but the walking we experienced while drinking the water. I discovered I was picking up an extra cup towards the end just so I could walk a bit longer. However, after about Mile 21, it became very difficult to start back up. At that point, I was running like I had been shot.
-People sitting on porches cheering us on. My favorite was a group that reminded me of the Golden Girls (I have a soft spot for any lady white pure white hair). I waved and they cheered.
-Running along Niagara Parkway with Niagara River beside us (connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario). The most beautiful run in the last 10 months.
-Rain at Mile 10. It started to sprinkle and was so refreshing. Rain had been in the forecast and once it started, I was certain it would be with us for the remainder of the marathon. It only lasted about half a mile.
-Feeling so emotional. We'd spent the last 10 months training and it took quite a bit for me not to cry just thinking about how far we had come.
-Expecting to the hit the wall and being continuously surprised how great I felt.
-Being Adam's cheerleader. Adam just doesn't complain if he's sore, tired, or in pain. Instead, he just works through it (I'm a bit of a different story - I let him know about every ache and pain). Around Mile 17, I could tell he wasn't feeling 100% and, for once, I got to encourage him. Like I said, "Adam, you've been the one encouraging me for 10 months. It's only fair that it's my turn." He took Dale's advice and worked through it.
-Thinking of all the friends and family back home cheering us along. This journey would not have been as great without the tremendous support we received.
-Seeing the mist from Niagara Falls and knowing that we were getting closer. Yet, we were still so far away (3 miles to go).
-The last water station had a sign that read, "Home Stretch." It's been what we've always said while running the last mile during all of our long runs ("Only one mile to go. We're in the home stretch"). It only seemed fitting that we would see it there.
-As we came around a corner, I saw the finish. This level of pure excitement overwhelmed me and, although, we still had a couple of corners to go, I couldn't believe that we were near the end of a 26.2 mile run.
-As we were coming towards the finish line, the announcer said, "Marena Mitchell from Merriam, KS and Adam Mitchell from Merriam, KS ... who will win?" In that second, we both took any ounce of energy we had left to beat each other to the finish line. Coming across that finish line is such a sense of accomplishment and absolutely surreal (even two days later, it doesn't feel like it actually happened). I finished in 5:06:45.9 and Adam finished in 5:06:45.6. We came in 844th and 845th place.
-Walking back to our hotel, as we got further and further away from the other runners, we had two different women stop to ask us if we won the marathon since we were wearing our medals. We joked that we wanted to tell them yes, but, in reality, everyone received a medal. I'm thinking our pure joy must of made others think we had won.


Our goals for the marathon were to (1) Have fun (2) Not lose our passports (3) Finish (4) Never say we're going to run another one. I can happily report that we accomplished our goals. Yet, there is a part of me that wonders what it would be like to set a time goal and run another marathon ...

As it turns out, we're going to keep running. We still have a couple races we're going to do in November and December. It's the end of this journey, so this will be the last blog post.

Thanks to every single one of you who supported and encouraged us along the way. We have some of the most incredibly loving and thoughtful people in our lives. Completing a marathon wouldn't have been possible without you.

Remember, you can do more than you ever thought possible. You just have to start. 10 months ago, I could only run for 60 seconds at a time. On Sunday, I ran a marathon. Anything really is possible.

What a surprise!

I have no doubt that I have the best job in the world. I work as a speech-language pathologist with children ages 3-5 in an early childhood special education setting. The kids say and do the greatest things. Everyday I get to play (reminds me just how much we should live life like a three-year-old: they honestly have it figured out). It's also the people I work with ... by far, some of the most dedicated professionals. I'm constantly learning from them and feel blessed to be a part of such a talented group of educators.

Today, they gave me a surprise that I'll never forget. On my way up to our monthly luncheon, I entered the hallway to find all of them standing to the side, holding posters, cheering and chanting. They had set up the hallway to resemble a race. As I ran past, they cheered and I even got to run through the ribbon at the finish line (it felt as great as I always imagined it would). Because I chose a marathon so far away, they wanted to make sure that they were able to show their support. Did they ever!

Not only did they make posters, create a race, but they also made me motivational cards and placed them on a ring so that I can read them if I need some inspiration during the marathon.

Here's what a few of the cards said:
-You go, girl
-I am so proud of you! You are such an inspiration to me. 26.2 cross the finish line and celebrate
-Best of luck on your upcoming marathon. You are truly an inspiration to us all. I am so lucky to have you as a friend and co-worker.
-R (really fast) U (ur awesome) N (Niagara falls). Good luck, you will do great!
-"You can do anything if you have enthusiasm" - Henry Ford.
-You have more enthusiasm for life than anyone I know, which means you are going to do great. Have fun and make sure to really enjoy this amazing accomplishment.
-Keep up the race
-You rock, Miss Marena, you are the best
-Best of luck! You will do great! Have fun!
-Don't stop running, Marena. I'll be watching you! (inside joke that had me laughing for quite a while)
-What kind of crazy nut would spend 2-3 hours a day just running?
-A lot of people run to see who is fastest. I run to see who has guts.
-Marena, it gives me blue thoughts knowing that you're running a marathon! If you can run a marathon, you can pretty much do anything! You should be so proud of yourself for getting to this place. Good luck!!!
-3 years ago, you would have laughed if I told you I'd be running a marathon, but guess what ... you are doing it!
-"Only as high as I can reach, can I grow. Only as far as I seek, can I go. Only as deep as I look, can I see. Only as much as I dream, can I be." - Karen Ravn
-Always remember you are unique, just like everyone else
-"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham, running speaker and writer
-So proud of you, Marena
-Kick some major bootie, girl. Girls rock! You're awesome!
-Just say, "Now I can put a 26.2 sticker on my car."
-Go, Marena! Your family and friends are so proud of you. Even if we aren't there, don't cry (related to a very hilarious story where I tried to encourage a runner that didn't find me to very helpful).
-You go, girl!
-Best of luck, Marena. Have a great trip!

I can't begin to express how much it all meant to me. What an incredible moment to experience! I won't forget it!

Go Curtis! Go Wendy! Go Alysia!

This past week, Adam and I had three friends run the Kansas City half-marathon. As soon as we learned that they were running, we knew we had to make posters and go out and support them. Just being a part of so many races, we've discovered that it is incredibly encouraging to have someone cheer you on as you run past them.

Just after 7 am, we arrived and found our station past mile marker 7 and waited (luckily, our friends are very fast so we didn't have to wait long). From the first two runners to the last runner with the police cars behind her, we cheered and cheered. I absolutely loved it. I never even realized that I had this cheerleader inside of me (our future children should be frightened at the level of humiliation I am going to eventually provide). Many of the bibs had the names on the front so it was fun to shout out, "You're doing great, Bob." For a moment, Bob would look at me like he knew me. Yet, almost instantly, each runner had the same recognition ... they had no clue who I was. Really, it didn't matter. I may have gone there to support Curtis, Alysia, and Wendy, but, in the end, I wanted to support every runner out there (it's a seriously challenging course. Personally, I'm sticking to running long distances in flat areas like Nebraska).

It was an incredible moment to see Alysia, Wendy, and Curtis run past. Even though they came through at three different times (only minutes apart) and didn't know one another, they each looked like they were having such a great time. It's pretty cool to see friends running and to be loving it. They each finished with a phenomenal time ... quite impressive.

I may not continue running once we complete the marathon, but I'll definitely go to any race with a poster in hand and cheer on the runners.

Two of my favorite people

I've been beyond fortunate to have some absolutely amazing people come into my life. My in-laws are no exception. I can, without a doubt, say I have the best in-laws in the world. From the first time I met them, I knew I wanted to be a part of the family.

Fred and Linda live their life in an exceptional way and have shaped the way we want to live ours. Not only are they philanthropic, thoughtful, insightful, funny, and encouraging, but they are the two most active people either one of us know. On a daily basis, they either walk, go canoeing, play tennis, ski, bike, or hike (and I'm sure I'm leaving something out). Being active is truly a part of who they are and it's obvious how much they enjoy it. In September, Fred hiked a 14,000 feet mountain with two other good friends, and Linda played in a competitive tennis tournament. Just last week, while we were in Vegas, we were due to meet everyone for breakfast at 11. Fred and Linda didn't realize we were a few feet behind them. We watched as they took the stairs and we took we the escalators. It's inspiring and very motivating to see them in action. Adam has never known them to be any different. For me, it's huge. I grew up in a small town with a family (immediate and extended) where exercise wasn't a part of our daily, or even monthly, routine. When Adam and I start a family, it's important to both of us to have a healthy and active family and it's largely due to the values and examples Fred and Linda show us.

Today, they are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary. They have reached such an important milestone by showing such love and respect for each other. They are a true team (you'll see them laughing together, listening to each other, and helping each other). It's incredible to be able to witness that type of partnership.

Happy Anniversary, Fred and Linda! Thanks for all of your love and support. We are so grateful to have both of you in our lives. Our lives are better because you two are a part of it.

How did my legs not fall off?

I'll never understand why I was absolutely frightened when I learned that I would eventually have to run 20 miles. For some reason, running a marathon didn't seem to frighten me to the same level as running 20 miles for the first time. It just seemed so daunting and a bit impossible. It didn't help to discover that our 20 mile run would occur the same weekend we were going to Vegas to celebrate my amazing father-in-law's birthday. Adam and I have both been to Vegas before and knew that it wasn't feasible to come back and run the miles. Nobody comes back from Vegas in a position/condition to run. We were going to have to knock out the miles before we even left.

So, we took the day off from work, got up early, and started out. My right knee started out tight (in the last few weeks, I've experienced more pain in the legs due to the high mileage) but I quickly fell into a rhythm. Running isn't as much physical as it is mental. It was quite hard to fathom running such a significant number of miles. The worst part after the first couple of mile markers is knowing you still have 18 or 19 miles left. Shockingly, the run went well. From about mile 14 to 15.5, I wanted to rip off my legs and throw them into the bushes, but, other than that, I really enjoyed the run. Adam, as usual, was amazing. He remained positive, supportive, and funny. For the first time, he experienced a runner's high. After we passed the 17 mile mark, he started singing and dancing and sounded a lot happier than he should have. That's when he said, "I think I have runner's high." Because it felt so great to watch and listen to him, I thought maybe I was experiencing the same thing, until he told me that his body didn't hurt, and that's when I knew, I definitely wasn't experiencing a high.

I ran every step of the 20 miles (Adam would stop at the fountains and fill up our water bottles, then catch up to me). I knew I had to continue to run because if I stopped, I wouldn't be able to start back up. I have no idea what the marathon will bring, but I need to know that I can run 20 miles without stopping, especially since it's Adam's goal to run the marathon in it's entirety (my goal is to finish, preferably still able to walk afterward).

Four hours and six minutes after we started, we finished at the 20 mile mark and it was one of the most amazing feelings we've yet to experience. An absolute rush of emotions overwhelmed me, mainly amazement that we were able to do it. It proves that if you follow the training plan, you can do it. 9 months after we started running, we were able to run 20 miles.

I didn't think anything could top that moment, until hours later when we were sitting at a table in Vegas with all of Adam's brothers and parents. To have an entire family together, laughing, and sharing stories was a definite highlight to the day (maybe knowing our longest run, until the actual marathon, was out of the way helped).

Let the tapering begin ...

A definite upside to running

On Friday, I went in for my wellness screening. I came out feeling better than I ever had at any of my previous screenings. My weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage were all within normal limits. That's a first. In the last year, my cholesterol went down 20 points and my bad/good cholesterol levels were great. Guess this running is paying off after all (even if I've still only lost a total of 3 pounds during this entire training experience - the body is a confusing, confusing entity and I don't ever think I'm going to figure out how it works).

The positive reinforcement couldn't come sooner ... running is becoming quite tedious, especially since we hit the 16 mile run (who knew training for a marathon would involve so much running). Our runs on Tuesday and Thursday are now five miles and we have to run 9 on Wednesdays (that goes up to 10 next week). Completing our long runs on the weekends actually have remained fun. It's just hard to come home from work and run for about 2 hours. We're not even eating dinner until around 9. That's just not good for anybody. However, we are in the home stretch. The marathon is four weeks away and we only have 3 long runs left (this weekend we run 14, next week is the big 20, then we go down to 12). That's what I keep telling myself.

Another reinforcer ... I learned that Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a program called Blue Rewards. You sign into their website, log your activity for points, and the points equal dollars (up to $250.00 in a calendar year). Because we've kept a good record of our running since April, I was able to go back in and record all of our running and races. So far, I've been awarded $75 in gift cards and I'm five dollars away from my next $50 gift card. It's like I'm getting paid to run. Well, until I realized that running 16 miles actually only equals 50 cents. Yeah, they had me fooled for a bit, but it still adds up and I love it. Strangely, it makes me want to run.

Bill Seymour Half-Marathon

September 4th was our one year wedding anniversary ... what better way to celebrate than to run our first half-marathon together (Bill Seymour Half-Marathon in Grand Island, Nebraska).

Hands down, it was the easiest (and best) race we've done yet. The weather was in the 60s, the course was completely flat (literally, you could see for miles out), water stations at every mile marker, amazing volunteers that cheered us along, we met another fellow runner and had great company for most of the run, spectators made us feel like we were saving the world, we finished in 2 hour and 20 minutes, and it was our anniversary - kind of hard not to be in the best mood on a wedding anniversary. It was surprisingly easy (okay, running from mile 9 to 10 felt a bit long) and made me fall in love with Nebraska.

Nebraska is the place to run.

18 mile weekend

After running a total of 18 miles this weekend, I feel like we've dedicated our entire weekend to running (we were either running, thinking about it, talking about it, driving to do it, or returning home from just doing it). Even now, it's 6:00 on a Sunday night, and I'm writing about it. Then again, when you are training for a marathon, running becomes your life. Oddly enough, running has enhanced our lives in countless ways.

Hal had us down for our first 15 mile run on Saturday. Running 15 miles is exactly how I imagined it would be ... very, very painful and long. My only goal for the day was to run the 15 miles every step of the way. I personally just needed to know that I could run 15 miles, even if I had to do it at a 11:20 mile pace. Because we were running so early, our bodies took a bit longer to adjust. Soon after that, little body parts, one at a time, started to ache. Funny thing is - very rarely do two things hurt at once. By the end of the run, everything on me had hurt at one point, even my teeth. We chose one of our favorite trails (the trial is long, the scenery is gorgeous, trees line part of the path, we get to run past different parks, we get to see wildlife - 4 deer for that run, and it has some inclines). We ran 8 miles out and 7 miles back.

The run felt great until about mile 12.5. Past that point, my body and mind started shutting down. With 2.5 miles left, I so much wanted to finish and complete my goal of running the entire thing, but it was one of the hardest things I've had to do. Once I started to hurt, I had to tell myself, "One step at a time" over and over. Then I asked Adam to distract me with funny stories from college, which worked for half a mile (he got through 3 stories). With a mile left, a woman on a bike rode past us and said, "Hey, you're still running. Way to go!" That one comment gave me such a significant amount of strength and energy boost, which sadly, only lasted about 3o seconds. What it comes down to is Adam ... he's the reason I was able to run every part of the 15 miles. He kept encouraging me, making me laugh, and running slower so that I could keep going. When I look back on this entire marathon training, that's the one thing I'm going to remember ... just how amazing Adam has been for this entire journey.

If 15 miles hurts this much, what is 26.2 miles going to feel like? I'll get that answer in 8 weeks.

This morning, we were up to run in the Head for Cure 5K (defeating brain cancer) and were part of "Team Quiz.". My friend, Alysia, organized a team in honor of her dad, Dan Quisenberry. What an incredible event to be a part of! The moral was contagious and I always love to see thousands of people come together for such an important cause. When you see that many people come together, you know that a cure for brain cancer isn't far away. It was such beautiful morning, but running 3 miles after our long run yesterday was harder than I expected. The legs were definitely tender. However, all is put in perspective when you think about the reason you're running. Adam and I finished in 31:40 and then found a spot on the grass to cheer on some runners, especially those from Team Quiz. Alysia did an extraordinary job of bringing so many people together. It'll definitely be a race we're involved with for years to come.

Go Team Quiz!

Yeah, I'm training for a marathon

I have a feeling this isn't part of Hal Higdon's marathon training plan. Maybe the pizza wouldn't be too bad if I hadn't just washed down some Oreos prior to picking up the pizza. However, I had a salad and grapes for lunch so it's completely justified.

There's no turning back now

There's no turning back now ... Adam and I have registered for the marathon and purchased our airline tickets. In just 9 short weeks, we'll be running in the only marathon that starts in one country and ends in another ... The Niagara Falls International Marathon. If we're going to run over 26 miles, then it should be in two countries.

Although I set out to do this in January, and somehow convinced my husband to do this with me, I never imagined all of the emotions I'd experience along the way. Even just registering for the marathon brought on emotions I didn't expect, mainly disbelief. Seriously, I really can't believe we're doing this. Even crazier is the fact that I'm beginning to really believe that completing a marathon is possible. Since we've been following Hal Higdon's plan, so much feels possible.

Our only goals for the marathon are to (1) Have fun (2) Finish (3) Not lose our passports on race day and (4) Never, ever say we're running another one.

The Big 13

I can't believe I'm about to admit this, but I think I actually like running, and it only took 8 months to get to this conclusion. This realization probably came at the perfect time since our mileage is only going up. If I'm going to run this many miles, then I might as well enjoy doing it.

On Sunday, Adam and I completed our first 13 mile run. I'm not going to lie; it's quite empowering to be able to run 13 miles. I can only imagine what completing a marathon will feel like. The run started as most already have ... early in the morning and we tried a new trail. To run as the sun is coming up is becoming a highlight of running in the mornings. It's beyond peaceful and absolutely exquisite.

We've really been working at trying to establish a consistent pace so that we can run the distance without wearing down. We encountered some hills and some steep down slopes, but were able to maintain a relatively decent pace. I am continuously amazed at the variety of runners out there; there are runners from every age group and all ability levels. Sadly, I'm learning that many of the "older" runners can seriously outrun me. They literally approach me from behind, then pass me to the point where I can no longer see them in the distance. To make myself feel better, I like to believe that they are only out for a mile run, but, in reality, I know that they probably hit the trail around the same time I did and have already covered double the distance. Good thing I have high self-esteem.

The actual run was phenomenal. It wasn't until the second we stopped where I experienced a level of pain and discomfort I hope to never experience again. We stopped and my legs turned wooden ... stiff and hard to bend. It was rough. We stretched and stretched, but to no avail. Our muscles were tight. So, we came home, ate our traditional post-run meal (Greek salad), then we positioned ourselves on the couch where we didn't do anything for the remainder of the day. We were home before 10 am, so we felt pretty pathetic. Apparently, we went to war with the 13 mile run and the run won, as I'm sure it typically will.

I'm pretty certain that running should make us more productive rather than extremely less productive members of society.

Half Marathon, Here we come

A couple of days ago, Adam and I registered for our first half-marathon.

Even better, we'll be running it on our one year wedding anniversary.

We were actually scheduled to run our first half marathon at the beginning of August, but it was canceled (maybe due to the heat or lack of participants), so that led us to look for another half-marathon. Adam suggested we search for races on our anniversary (he is very romantic). Initially, I was thinking that we would celebrate the day by mainly eating (perhaps Adam could make me breakfast, we could have cheesecake for lunch, and then a romantic dinner that evening). Then he said, "We can do all of those things, plus run a half-marathon" (uh, obviously we're not on the same page here). After giving it some thought, I realized that if I ran the half-marathon, then it would cancel out the calories from the cheesecake. Why didn't he just phrase it like that?

So, on September 4, 2010, we'll be in Nebraska running a half-marathon. I'm getting excited. Granted, I'm not sure if the excitement is for the actual half-marathon or the cheesecake I'm going to consume afterward.

Chafing, Sunburn, and Blisters ... Oh, My!

I've read about the war wounds of running and now I can say that we've experienced some of them (once again, me more than Adam). Thank you, 12 mile run.

The miles are increasing quickly and continue to be a daily reminder that we are definitely training for a marathon. Only 11 more weeks to go.

We were on the trail by 6 am to beat the heat and humidity that a Kansas City summer so quickly provides. I absolutely love running on a trail ... immersed in nature, often running through shaded areas, over bridges and through tunnels, encountering other runners ... it is unbelievably beautiful and peaceful. I'm discovering that I definitely have to be in a different mindset for the long runs than I am when I'm running just 3 miles. I just have to be somewhere I love because I'm going to be seeing the scenery for a while (we average about 12 minute miles on the long runs, so that means running 12 miles has us running for about two and a half hours). For me, running on a trail provides everything I love ... it's the place I'm the happiest running. It's better for Adam if I'm in a "good" mood while we run. Actually, it's better for everybody.

Our plan was to run 6 miles out, turn around and run 6 miles back. Running out was harder than running back. When we run out, we're counting the miles from 1-6, so it often feels like it's taking awhile. I was so excited to get to the 6 mile point because, for the first time, we were going to try the GU Energy gels and chewables. Filled with Vitamin E and C, they are supposed to provide an energy boost on the long runs. It's a bit hard to open the package and run at the same time, but I loved having something to eat (I tested the chewables). Once you get past the consistency, they were relatively good. Eating while running ... sign me up ... loved it!

The run back was so much easier. It was hard to determine if it was because (a) we were headed back and that always feels good (b) the energy gels started to work (c) we were counting our miles down (as in, only 5 more to go). This sense of euphoria came over us and, from miles 6-11, I honestly believed we could conquer anything. However, once we passed mile 11, the euphoria had diminished. Completely gone. No where to be found.

By the time we finished, we were drenched in sweat from head to toe. Everything on us was wet and I mean everything. I had this lovely slime covering my body (sick thing is that I produced that slime). It wasn't until we got home that I realized I was sunburned on the back of my neck, my left toe blister grew a couple centimeters, my sock was stuck to my right toe from the fluid draining from my open toenail, and I developed 4 spots of chafing on my chest. Adam, on the other hand, only experienced one area of chafing. This whole running experience has definitely been kinder to him than me. Showers usually make me feel so much better, but my shower today was pretty excruciating. Water hitting open wounds hurts more than I ever realized. Honestly, it didn't matter much ... we had completed 12 miles and the feeling was astounding.

Wonder what our 13 mile run has in store for us. Looks like we'll find out next weekend. Oh, my!

Minor Surgery

After running 6 miles on Wednesday, the first toe on my right foot started throbbing. The pain only intensified as the week progressed. By today, I was in such significant pain every time I moved the toe. Tonight, while shopping for paint, Adam accidentally stepped on it, and I started sobbing ... right there in Sherwin Williams ... kind of like I did the first time I saw "Steel Magnolias". On a scale of 1-10, the pain was a definite ten. So much so that I considered going to the emergency room.

After looking at the toe a bit closer, we could see that it was definitely purple under the nail bed. This scenario prompted a Google search where Adam discovered that he could fix the situation in our own bathroom with a paperclip, alcohol pad, and a lighter (sadly, this didn't concern me - I was more concerned that my $50 pedicure from Wednesday would be ruined). Because my toe was causing such immense pain, I easily agreed and allowed Adam to perform minor surgery on my toe.

So, there we were ... sitting on the bathroom floor, Adam lighting the end of a paperclip with a candle lighter until the paperclip became red hot. Then, he pushed the paperclip onto the nail (since my toenails are so thick, it took a few tries). All of a sudden, we heard a popping sound and the fluid drained from the hole in the nail. Surprisingly, it didn't even hurt and I immediately felt better. The swelling is already starting to go down. Adam is a genius, practically a doctor.

Situation solved.

Pedicure ruined.

Now, I look branded. Let's just hope it doesn't become infected.

The problem with thinking

Because I have some extra time on my hands (but, sadly, not for long - my sweet summer vacation ends next week), I wondered how many miles I completed in July. So, after adding up a few numbers, I discovered that, in the last month, I ran 60.3 miles and Adam ran 71.3 (okay, so obviously, he had a few runs where he followed the plan better than I did).

60.3 miles ... I don't even think I put that mileage on my car. Matter of fact, I'm pretty certain I didn't. Then, that made me wonder, if the miles continue to increase, then how many miles am I running in August, September, and October? Sometimes, you shouldn't ask questions that you really don't want the answers to. The numbers aren't pretty. In August, I'm scheduled to run 106 miles, in September the number increases to 146 miles, and then, luckily for me, it scales back down to 105.2 miles in October. In four months, that means I'm going to have to run 417.5 miles.

Running 417.5 miles in four months. That's definitely taking a bit to sink in.

I'm running 391.3 of those miles just so that I can run 26.2 consecutive miles? There is seriously something wrong with those numbers. I'm no running expert, but I'm pretty sure I've been tricked again.

Long Runs

Last Sunday, Adam and I did what we considered to be our first "long" run ... 10 miles. I never imagined the day that I'd run 10 miles and I most certainly never expected to enjoy it. It's amazing the impact that the weather can have. It was absolutely perfect ... in the 70s and minus the Kansas City humidity. Starting out, I felt a bit overwhelmed ... wondering if I could really do 10 miles. Once we ran the first two miles, I fell into my rhythm and it flew by. The running conditions were perfect; trail was often covered by shade, mile markers at every half mile point, water fountains to refill the water bottle, and Adam and I had a conversation for most of the way (the best part about this phase of running - talking and running simultaneously are becoming a bit easier). Training works. By following the plan, I'm able to complete miles I never expected I could/would.

Today, Hal's training plan had us run 7 miles. Because we ran 10 last week, we felt pretty confident that 7 would be a breeze. The actual running was ... the conditions ... not so much. Even at 8 am (Adam just couldn't get me up this morning to run earlier), it was unbelievably hot. We tried a different trail since we both love variety. We discovered that we love variety, but only when it involves water fountains along the way with some mile markers. It got to the point where I didn't know how long we had been running (felt like days) or when I would be able to drink again (my saliva just wasn't as appetizing as I was hoping after our water bottle became empty). Regardless, we completed it and it always feels incredible to complete another long run.

When I got home and looked at the running calendar to see future long runs, I realized that today's 7 miles was the last time "7 miles" would be considered "long". Next Sunday, we're scheduled to run 12 miles and eventually progress up to 20 miles (in the next two months, the shortest distance we run on our long days is 8 miles). Had I known this information before today's run, I would have loved every second of those 7 miles.

That will be the last time ol' Hal's marathon training tricks me.

Causality #1

I knew it was going to happen. Before I even started running, other runners told me to be prepared. It wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when.

Last night, I lost a toenail (right foot, second toe). The entire nail is gone. We had gone for a short 5 mile run, much of it uphill. During the run, the nail was sore. I had a feeling it might be seeing the last of it's days. Sure enough, when we got home, I just needed to pull it back and it came off. Just like that.

Oddly, it looks so much better. It had been purple for a long time. Even a pedicure couldn't work it's magic.

1 down, 9 more to go. I definitely have runner's feet now.

I really hope this stops

I have become an excessive sweater. It's to the point where I am disgusting myself.

I'm constantly sweating, sometimes even after I shower. That is precisely how gross I've become.

I blame running. This one physical activity ignited some gland in my body that is on overdrive. All I know is that I didn't sweat to these extremes prior to January 2010.

However, it could be much, much worse. At this point, my sweating is contained to under the arms (well, unless I'm running, then I'm a wet mess).

Some positives ... I've convinced myself that if I'm sweating, then I must be burning calories. In cases like that, I tell myself it's okay to keep eating the pretzel M&Ms (which, for the record, is my new favorite candy). Even better, with this excessive sweating, my odds of being a guest on "Dr. Oz" has increased significantly. I am absolutely intrigued with that man and his purple medical gloves. With benefits like that, maybe this excessive sweating is actually a good thing.

That's how I've come to accept it because , either way, I don't think this is going away.

Rock the Crossroads 5K

Last night's 5K taught me a few scientific lessons. By running in the most excruciating heat (according to the weather, it was 95 degrees, with a heat index of 105), I can now say that I know what the inner core of the earth feels like. I have a better understanding of what it would feel like to be inside of an erupting volcano. I would spend 10 minutes inside of an oven, baking at 400 degrees, before I would ever run in those temperatures again. For once, I can say that I am not exaggerating about a running experience. It was so unbelievably hot (exhibit A: look at the above picture. See that fluid on the shirt. That would be sweat). The saddest part of the entire experience - I paid to experience that level of pain. Definitely not one of my brightest decisions.

Starting at 7 pm, we ran in the Crossroads district, past the Sprint Center, and into the Power and Light district. Aside from the excessive heat and humidity, I loved the route. However, because it was so hot, I actually only remember a few landmarks (mainly the water station). It was a great course; only a few inclines, mainly running downhill.

In all of the races we've been a part of, I've never witnessed so many people walking. It's always been a goal of mine to run the races without stopping to walk (I'm saving the walking for the marathon), but, last night, I learned, there are definitely times you have to stop and walk, especially if you want to make it to the finish line, without riding in an ambulance. As we were approaching the water station, I told Adam that I needed to walk for a few minutes, but he should continue to run and I would see him at the finish line (it's sad to discover that I didn't marry a human. How he was able to run in those temperatures without walking left me baffled). With a few sips of water, I was refreshed and ready to finish, running the rest the race.

As I ran through the finish line, I kept looking for Adam, expecting him to be right there. Yet, he was no where to be found. Luckily, Erica was there (always feels great to have someone at the finish line and she is always so supportive and encouraging). So, our search began. With over 1500 participants, it was a bit difficult to find him. Pretty soon, we were all looking for him. Curtis, Gavin, and Ryan went in one direction, while Erica and I went in the other direction; thinking one of us would eventually find him. As time progressed, I started to get worried, even looking for him near the medical area. Finally, after a 25 minute search, I saw him walking up the road toward the finish line. After he finished in 30:29, he grabbed two Vitamin waters and went back to the trail to look for me (until he came to the last two walkers). Little did he realize, but I finished just four minutes behind him at 34:16 and so we just missed each other. It was an incredible feeling to learn that he went back to support me; not such a great feeling to discover that he drank the Vitamin water that he took for me (completely teasing him).

Because of the heat, we skipped out on the post race-beer and local Kansas City bands, instead choosing to go home and enjoy the air conditioning. I've never been so appreciative of modern technology. Walking into 73 degree temperatures, I discovered I may not be running another race until the temperatures drop considerably or until I want to better understand what it feels like to boil.

My new best friend

Hal Higdon ... that name meant absolutely nothing to me prior to January. Sure, I would have known about him if he had been featured on the cover of "People" magazine or if he had opened up some amazing restaurant and was featured on "Top Chef" (I'm very up-to-date on the latest entertainment trends) but, because he is the guru of running, his name was foreign to me. Not anymore.

Hal and I are turning into best friends (sure, that sounds super creepy because it is super creepy). I'm feeling like he's become such a big part of our lives that if Adam and I ever have a son, I'm considering naming him Hal Higdon Mitchell. At this point, I'd even name a daughter after him. Yes, that's how close I'm feeling to this man (I know, I continue to increase my creepiness factor).

It's his marathon training plan that Adam and I are following. We've read countless articles from other runners that followed his plan and successfully completed a marathon and we had a friend recommend his plan. Because we know nothing about training, we needed someone to guide us. Who better than to guide us than the one who helped so many others?

Shockingly, his plan is very manageable. We're currently in Training Week 3 of 18, and I'm shocked at how much it makes sense (if running can make sense). I no longer dread running ... the heat and humidity I most definitely dread, but not the actual running. It's all because of Hal Higdon's daily emails. The night before, we receive an email outlining our training for the next day, along with a message/tip. It's sickening how much we look forward to these emails, although we already know what we're expected to run (when we initially signed up for his training plan, we sat down and outlined everything on our running calendar. I would like to note that this nerdy act was not under my direction - for once, Adam is completely responsible for that one).

The plan is set up where we run 4 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday). Saturday is our "long running" day (eventually we get up to 20 miles and then taper off) and the other days are short in mileage (anywhere from 3 to 10 miles. By the way, since when did 3 miles become a short run?). We have followed the plan religiously. Hal even says that if you follow his plan, he guarantees that you'll complete the marathon. That's what sold me on his plan. I needed someone to guarantee that I would complete this thing.

We've been getting up by 4:30 am to run during the week. In doing so, we thought we'd avoid the heat. Uh, I was completely fooled because, even at 4:30 in the morning, it is overwhelming hot. Sometimes I feel like I'm running with a heavy blanket over me. If you were running next to me, you would think that I had some serious respiratory issues, which often prompts Adam to ask, "Marena, are you sure you're okay?". Gotta love the Kansas City humidity.

Yet, I still look forward to the runs because of Hal Higdon. Adam and I believe that if we follow his plan, we will, without a doubt, accomplish something together we never imagined possible. How could I not name a child after Hal? Okay, maybe I'll just rename Jasper "Hal" and Stella "Higdon." That way, when I call them in, I can say his name in it's entirety. I know, the creepiness factor only gets creepier the more I talk about him.

I'm pretty certain that my love for Hal will disappear that moment he has me running more than 1o miles (sadly, that occurs on August 7th).

What to do with the running medals?

I just started running in January and I'm already the proud owner of 2 medals. Who knew that getting medals when you're 31 would feel so great? I don't want to just display them in my office; I feel like the medals should be showcased Vanna White style, but how? So, I've been thinking and this is what I've come up with:

• Wear the medals while I clean the house. Cleaning is one of my favorite hobbies (yes, you read that I correctly - I consider cleaning to be hobby) so I would get the opportunity to wear the medals on a daily basis. Medals would look great with my orange gloves and a toliet wand.
  

• Every once in a while, I should wear the medal in place of my necklace. I think I would get some interesting comments, especially from the cashier at Hen House (then we could talk about something other than how much she loves bananas).

• I could put them around Stella and Jasper's neck. It would definitely increase their coolness factor with Snickers, Batman, and Penny (some of the dogs in our neighborhood).

Yes, these are the thoughts I have while I'm on summer vacation. Always intriguing (imagine the fun conversations Adam gets to experience when he walks in the door after he's been at work all day and I've been home).

Slow as a turtle

Adam and I completed our 3rd 10K this morning (Lenexa Freedom Run). We were so excited to see our friends Curtis and Erica near the start line. Curtis was there to run the 10K and Erica was there to cheer him on (as well as provide her observations/insight into the other runners and the MC: "All the way Ray"). Curtis completed the distance 13 minutes faster so they were they cheering us on as we ran through the finish line. Watching Curtis run is so impressive. He definitely gets into a zone and makes it look a lot easier than it is. I, on the other hand, look like I'm about to have a medical emergency. If you saw my face after a race, you would never want to run.

There are times I run slow (and I mean slow), but usually, on race day, I'm able to step up the pace a bit (meaning, I increase my time by 20-30 seconds for 10Ks and 60 seconds faster for 5Ks). Adam always tells me that time doesn't matter, it only matters that we cover the distance (that's the advice people give you when you run slow). Today, we ran a slow 10K (1:13:01). Granted, we ran the Hospital Hill 10K 38 seconds slower, but that was a challenging course, so I was just elated to complete it and was thrilled with my time.

Why did we run today's 10K so much slower? The course was relatively flat and should have been a fast and easy run. Could it have been because, during our two weeks in Greece, we didn't run? Was it because I was only going on 2 hours of sleep? Did it have anything to do with how very thirsty I was (the last water station was at mile marker 2.5 and I ran the additional 3.7 needing hydration - so much so I almost cried)? Was it because the last time I ran 6.2 miles was nearly a month ago? What I've come up with is that sometimes I'm going to run slow and that's okay. We covered the distance and that's all that matters (that's what you tell yourself when you run slow). All I can do is continue to train and get back out there and run more 10Ks.

Go, Amy, Go!

My sister, Amy, and I are only 18 months apart. By growing up that close in age (and only one grade apart), it's impossible to have memories that do not involve her. She could always easily embarrass me (for example, she insisted on standing on the front porch as I was getting onto the bus to go to kindergarten, saying, "Bye, Mawena" ). As often as she embarrassed me, she always managed to be the first to cheer me on (it was just the two of us sitting on my bedroom floor when I opened my college acceptance letter - she was just as thrilled as I was, if not more). I believe sisters have such a unique relationship and bond, one that is continually strengthened as time moves on. There are definitely times when we don't see eye to eye, but when it comes down to it, I can't imagine what my life would have been like without her (well, obviously, a lot less humiliating).

Last Saturday, our bond was strengthened as we ran a 5K together. It was her first.

Amy may not always go about things in the way that I would (for example, she stopped training 5 weeks prior to the race), but when she says that she's going to do something, she does it. So, I knew, that regardless of her comfort level, she was going to complete the race. She has a level of determination and will that I don't quite think she realizes. It was so inspiring to see her overcome her initial reluctance and run.

It was a perfect first 5K (Lawrence Foxtrot). The course was flat, the number of runners were small, the weather was gorgeous, and she had two people cheering from the sidelines - Adam and Arianna.



The night before, we spent some time talking and I shared my tidbits of running advice (1) go slow - time doesn't matter but finishing does, (2) take it all in - listen and watch everything around you, and (3) focus on breathing - it impacts the run.

As we ran, I loved every second of it. I loved being 31 years old and experiencing something with Amy for the first time. I loved being back in the rhythm of a run and having her by my side. I loved that Arianna got to see her mom accomplish something for the first time. Most importantly, I loved being the one who cheered her on.



Amy, I am so incredibly proud of you. You set a goal and accomplished it. You kept going, even when you wanted to stop. I can't wait to run next to you on your next 5K (I know you'll do another one, it's addicting and you need to know how it feels when you've trained properly). Thanks for such a phenomenal experience. It's one that I won't ever forget.

I lived to tell about it

If you live in Kansas City and you're a runner, it's inevitable that you do "Hospital Hill." Apparently, Adam and I weren't the only ones to believe this. 7400 others were there to complete either the half marathon, the 10k, or the 5K (much different that the 200 participants we're use to). We were there for the 10K and it was truly unlike anything I've ever done. It was, by far, the hardest, yet most rewarding run I've been a part of, and I'm incredibly proud that we did it.

Here are a few ways that Hospital Hill was different from any other race we've been a part of:
1) We were in a traffic jam at 6:30 am (on a Saturday) to make the exit for West Pennway.
2) Adam went to the bathroom before the race and had difficulty finding me because I was dressed the same as hundreds of other women.
3) We were behind the starting line to begin running at 7:15 (I prefer to be sleeping during that time on a Saturday).
4) Once they said "go" we still had a few minutes before we had to start running due to the large amount of people in front of us. Let's face it ... I'm not going to start running until I have to.
5) I saw a man running barefoot (I never want to see that again). In that moment, I lost my place in the ugliest feet contest.
6) The crowd was overwhelming. I could barely move without touching someone else. However, the people were incredibly nice and that made up for having to touch their bodily fluids.
7) The humidity was treacherous. Before we even made it to the first hill, I was drenched in sweat. By the end of the race, Adam looked like he had been under a waterfall. The car ride home did not smell good (I think the smell could have been me).
8) I got to hear a lot of personal conversations while we were running (oddly, a lot of them were about health care).
9) At the aid stations, I ran over hundreds of cups (although, Adam still ran over to the trash can so that he didn't litter - I just love my little environmentalist).
10) I really am confused on which hill was actually Hospital Hill because we ran so many hills (big ones, I would like to add). I can vividly remember running up 5 hills (most of which have names). It was a cool moment to be running while so many people were walking around us (there is absolutely nothing wrong with walking, but, for me, it was a personal accomplishment to be able to run the race in it's entirety, especially such a difficult one). It doesn't really matter that the same people we passed as we ran up the hills, passed us going down the hills.

11) Adam nearly had me in tears with his enormous level of support. He just seems to know when I'm struggling and I'll hear, "Marena, you're doing great." It helps in more ways than I can even begin to express.
12) A homeless man sat on a curb and as we passed him, he said, "Good job." The human spirit never ceases to amaze me.
13) As we were at mile 5, a few of the half-marathoners flew past us (literally "flew" past us). They had a fifteen minute head start, ran double the distance, and were still passing us ... beyond impressive and always good on the self-esteem.
14) Each person who completed the half marathon, 10K and 5K received a medal. I'm getting more medals in my adulthood than I did in my childhood.
15) The street was lined with people as you finished. It's always my favorite part of the race. People that don't even know you are there to encourage you. The amount of support is unbelievable.
16) Our bibs had our names on it. That was definitely cool.
17) We got free stuff galore. We got protein drinks, cereal, fruit, granola bars, Vitamin Water, a hat, flip flops, sunscreen, a bag, socks, etc. It was never ending and I loved it!
18) Runners got BBQ and Boulevard after the race. It almost makes you want to run it again just to get the benefits. Then, you realize, that you can walk into most establishments in Kansas City and get BBQ and beer and you don' t even have to run 5 hills to get it.


19) As we were leaving, I saw some people with their feet in the water. At that moment, it looked so absolutely refreshing. I let go of my worries about germs and bacteria and soaked my feet in the water. It was the best foot bath my feet ever experienced.


20) We finished in 73:39 minutes, which was 10 minutes longer than it took to complete our first 10K. There were people who ran it in 38 minutes. Why would you run hills that fast? More importantly, how did they do that?

We did it. We conquered Hospital Hill and will never do it again (why intentionally put ourselves through that pain).

Our next 10K is July 3 in Lenexa, Kansas and a month after that, we'll be doing our first half-marathon in Nebraska. Running is definitely addicting. Well, at least, the races are.

Tomorrow I will conquer the hill

Sounds so dramatic, doesn't it? Yet, that is exactly what I'm going to do. Tomorrow is the Hospital Hill 10K, which consists of one pure excruciating mile running up a hill, then a combination of inclines and downhills for the remainder of the 5.2 miles (really, only 2 miles total going downhill). My goal for this run isn't to complete it; it's to live and tell about it. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic.

In all honesty, I am beyond excited for this one. I get to run in Kansas City in a near sold out race (8000 runners) with Adam. Sure, it's going to be challenging, but I can't wait!

This may just be the best race yet ...

Some very ugly feet

I have some very ugly feet. Always have. Always will. If there were a contest for ugly feet, I would surely come in, at least, 2nd place (I like to think that there are uglier feet out there).

As a child, I have a very vivid memory of my toenails falling off on my pinkie toes (my memory is that they fell off on the same day, but that seems awfully impossible). Instead of a normal toenail growing back, I now have a little piece of nail (it's so small that I hardly ever have to cut it and, when I put on toenail polish, I have to paint the skin so that it looks like I have more of a toenail than I really do).

My feet are extremely wide, which makes buying shoes very difficult.

My second toe is bigger than any of the others (got that from my mom) and I have lots of veins that stick out (like I'm 96 years-old).

The worst part of all ... my pinkie toe is dead. Yep, non-functioning. Doesn't move. If I need it to move, I have to manually move it. It's stuck to the toe next to it and seems to like being there.

Just take a quick look (to save you from complete horror, I will only post a picture of one foot). Warning: If you scare easily, you may want to skip this part.

As a teenager and young adult, I hated wearing flip flops or any other type of shoe that allowed others to see what hideous creatures I was walking around on. Finally, around the age of 25, I decided to open my feet up to the world (this revelation came after looking at other people's feet. Wow, there are a lot of ugly feet out there - mostly on older men, but I regress). I embraced the ugly little suckers and decided to wear any kind of shoe I could fit them into (although I still prefer sandals that hide the pinkie toe - no need to traumatize little children).

Even when I met Adam, I asked him what he thought of my feet and he said, "You have ugly feet" (this was in the first weekend we met, so really he should have lied and said he loved them, but they were so ugly he couldn't even do that and because I had lived with the feet, I couldn't blame him for his honesty, which led me to learn the lesson - Don't ask someone a question unless you really want to know the answer).

Now, as I am running, my feet are getting even uglier. I have bumps and blisters. I have calluses and deep grooves. I am almost 100% certain that the feet are getting even wider. My long toe (the second one) has a purplish toenail and is very thick. Oh, yes, very disgusting.

Regardless, I really love it. It's proof of what I'm doing. I've put in quite a few miles and the feet show that. Because of what they have allowed me to do, I wouldn't trade these feet in for anything.

It wasn't Al Bundy

As we were running last week, I started to feel a sharp pain in my foot (near the big toe). It lasted for the last two miles of the run, indicating that I definitely had to get a new pair of running shoes. Seeing as our miles are increasing, I knew I couldn't do what I did last time and just walk into Kohls and buy a pair of running shoes based on price. So, I ventured into Gary Gribbles for my first official shoe fitting. Since I grew up watching so much television, I always envisioned having a man like Al Bundy fit me for a pair of shoes. The man who helped me was definitely the exact opposite of Al Bundy. His legs were pure muscle! Literally, like balls of muscle (and he was sitting down).

He had me walk from one end of the store and back (the closest to walking a runway I've ever had), then he measured my foot. He told me that I was actually a 7.5, but because my foot was "wide," I'd need to go for an 8.5 (granted, I don't have another word he could have used, but really did he need to say "wide"). I tried on two pairs of shoes and went outside and ran in front of the store (although, I felt quite foolish, I completely embraced the experience). Since I didn't feel any difference between the two, I went with the cheaper pair (and still at $95). He told me that these shoes will last 300-500 running miles. Uh, I do not plan on running that much so these shoes should last the rest of my life (that's what I said to Adam to make him feel better about spending $95 on shoes).

I'll be donating my previous pair of running shoes to The Shoe Bank. The shoes will be distributed to people in need all over the world. There are so many organizations that need our shoes, I highly recommend donating them. Why just have them sit in your closet when there is someone that needs them?

I just need to clear up a few things

While talking to my best friend a couple of weeks ago, she mentioned that she couldn't wait to see me (I am beyond excited to see her) and that I must look amazing with all of the running I've been doing. Oh boy, I was afraid people might think that.

I'm positive that, for people who don't get to see me on a daily basis, they expect that I've slimmed down. Uh, not so much. Actually, not at all. Although I haven't gained any weight (okay, I had a week where I did put on 2 pounds, but I'm back to my regular weight), I most definitely have not lost any weight.

Matter of fact, I'm going to be the first runner to gain 25 pounds. Mainly because I LOVE to eat. I love to eat candy. I love to eat chocolate. I love to eat cake. I love to eat cupcakes. I love to eat ice-cream. I love to eat pie. I love to eat pizza. Okay, so you get the idea. I love to eat. Granted, I'm not eating a ton of that everyday, but I am eating more junk than the average person. Sure, I throw in some salads, a lot of vegetables, and a ton of fruit, but my addiction to junk food has increased since I started running. With this type of addiction (I'm trying to overcome it), the weight is definitely not going to come off.

So, please, for the sake of my addiction, do not expect to me to be slim and trim when you see me. Expect that I'm going to be excited to see you, then I'm going to ask when we're going to eat.

One Hill Of a Run

When we started running in January, it was cold and wet. I was so motivated thinking that, by May, we would have warm weather and beautiful skies. Not so much and definitely not today.

This morning, Adam and I completed our 2nd 5K (Merriam Turkey Creek 5K run) right in our very own town.

To sum up the race:
1) We went into race without running once this week due to social gatherings and because it rained nearly everyday (regardless, there is never a good enough excuse to not get in your runs. We will not do that again).
2)It was cold (pretty sure I'll have pneumonia this week).
3) It was misting the entire time (so much so that my hair became curly, which, for the record, is not a good look for me).


4) It wasn't one hill like the race information stated. The run consisted of three hills (I'd describe the first hill as "grueling." Do not be fooled by the above picture of "flat land").
5) I never stopped running. I was determined to win the battle against those hills (dramatic, yes, I know).
6) I rolled out of bed 50 minutes before the race started (the race was just three blocks away).
7) At mile marker 1, they told us we were running 9:18, which is faster than we run while we're training. To hear that time felt absolutely amazing!
8)We finished at 31:09 (considering the hills we ran, we were happy with our time - still two minutes faster than our first 5K, which was all flat).

Regardless, as with every race we've done, I absolutely loved it. Crossing the finish line is never going to get old.

At this point, we've run 2 5Ks, 1 8K, 1 10K, and I walked in a 5K. That definitely classifies us as runners.




Our next scheduled race is in three weeks. We're registered to run the Hospital Hill 5K, but after today's race, we're going to change it to the 10K. Might as well run an even harder race. After all, you only improve when you challenge yourself. Really, how bad can a race be that has the word "hill" in the actual title?

To The River and Back - Our First 10K

What a weekend Adam and I had! One I definitely will not forget!

On Friday, May 7, Adam graduated with his second Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from University of Missouri - Kansas City. Adam has worked so incredibly hard (he graduated Summa Cum Laude) and to watch him walk across the stage, with his parents sitting next to me, was truly a phenomenal moment. Adam started working on his degree just six months after we met, so to have this chapter of our lives closed is unimaginable.

On Saturday, we woke up and ran our first 10K (6.2 miles). I never once imagined it was possible. Now, after doing it, I can't imagine not running another one. As a girl who had zero running experience prior to January 1st, I'm absolutely astonished at what these feet can do. I do not care for running during the training phase, but I absolutely love running the races.

We ran to the river and back in Lawrence, Kansas to benefit the Little Red School House http://www.lcnsweb.com/.

Here are 10 lessons learned during our first 10K (in no particular order).
1. Train on every possible surface. We ran on a paved street, a brick street, a dirt path in a wooded area, and on gravel. Running changes depending on the surface. I loved the variety because I never knew what was coming. That's a true adventure!
2. Hearing the pidder-padder of 200 feet running on a neighborhood street is energizing. When you focus on the sound, it's all you can hear and, in that moment, you realize all of the possibilities that a body in motion is capable of.
3. You can make friends nearly everywhere. The races are enhanced by the people you meet. We met a woman who had lost 150 pounds and was running her first 10K. I met her at the start of the race and encouraged her at the half-way point. She was the last person to cross the finish line, and nothing compares to watching a person do something for the first time. Her facial expression said it all. As she gave me a hug and thanked me for encouraging her, I realized that, at every stage of life, we are all doing something for the first time.
4. If your nose begins to run while you are running, you will wipe it on a $50 Under Armour shirt. Oh yes, that shirt will become the best feeling kleenex your nose has ever encountered.
5. The $50 Under Armour shirt was completely and utterly worth every penny. I borrowed Adam's shirt to run in, and, for the first time, I didn't want to rip off my clothing.
6. Running against the wind makes you feel like you are running in a stationary position. I think I look like a hamster running on a wheel. Am I really going anywhere?
7. Running with a stranger isn't as creepy as I imagined it would be. We met Constantine at the half-way point. He ran behind/next to/and in front of us all of the way back. Although we didn't talk much (running is the time that I become my quietest), we learned he was running his first 10K too. Granted, I'm not 100% positive that I'd be comfortable running with a stranger without Adam there, especially considering that I was scared when it was just the three of us running through a tunnel.
8. For the first time, I was able to enjoy every moment of the race. Typically, when we are training, there are parts of the run where I struggle (mainly running up a hill). During those times, I'm running for it to be over. This race/run was completely different. I made it a priority to take in every element. I heard the wind blowing in the trees, I saw the current ripple in the lake, I enjoyed the historic nature of Lawrence, and I appreciated the little children standing with their parents to encourage the runnners. It's become human nature to live for the next thing to come. So, we often miss what is happening at that precise moment. When I take the time to really appreciate what is happening to me at that exact time, I realize just how fortunate I am.
9. Running on a primarily flat course allowed me to run my fastest yet. We completed the race in 63 minutes (met the goal of running the 10K without once stopping). If we haven't been running so many hills lately, I wouldn't have truly appreciated such a flat course.

10. Everyone deserves to cross the finish line with a group of people cheering them on. People were standing and sitting along the grass. As Adam and I approached the finish line, their cheers increased and the claps became louder. We all deserve that level of encouragement, even when we are not running a 10K.

Life In Training

There are times I honestly feel so foolish when I tell someone that I'm training for a marathon. Let's be honest ... I do not look like your "average" runner. Not to mention, the look on my face when I say, "I'm running a marathon in October" doesn't exactly convey seriousness. This foolishness is only exacerbated when I'm talking to people who have been runners for a majority of their lives. It could have something to do with my answer to their question of, "How long have you been running?" My answer, "Since January 1." That response usually gets me a nice, puzzled look.

The truth is that I'm a runner. I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish and I'm more than excited for the challenges ahead. Running has provided me with life experiences that I did not anticipate. I'm learning that I'm living a life in training. There is always going to be something to learn. An experience will happen to teach you a lesson to carry-over to another part of your life.

Currently, I'm using "running" to teach me quite a few new lessons ... hard, hard lessons, but nonetheless, lessons that I'm sure will help me as I continue on the fun adventure called life.

Oh, how different we are

I can't begin to describe how fantastic is has been to have Adam along for this journey. Yet, now that our miles are beginning to increase, I'm beginning to realize just how incredibly different runners we are. Here are just a few examples:

1. I like to run before work. By doing so, the run is out of the way and I can go about my lovely day. Adam, however, would prefer to run after work. He says it gives him something to look forward to.

2. I do not look forward to running. As stated above, he does. Big difference between the two of us.

3. I love to run a straight distance to meet our daily goal. After we meet that goal, I'm okay walking home. Adam likes to go out and back. Uh, no, thank you. I can't help but remember how hard certain parts of the run "out" were. I'd much rather not experience it again.

4. Hills terrify me, yet excite him. He loves to end his run by going up a hill. I like to end my run alive.

5. I like to drink water during the runs. Adam doesn't like to carry the water. This causes, yet, another problem, especially since the idea of carrying my own water does not appeal to me.

6. Adam is always enthusiastic about running. I'm enthusiastic about things like what we're having for dinner.

7. Adam likes to plan our next run immediately after we are finished with that day's run. I, however, would like to never imagine running again.

8. Adam wants to run the entire marathon. I just want to complete it ... in whatever form and fashion that may be.

Regardless of these differences, I'm realizing just how great running is for a marriage. At this point, we've probably ran over 90 miles together. When we run, it's just me and him, our feet hitting the pavement, and my thoughts of, "I hope I live through this one." With Adam, I honestly feel like anything is possible. Well, everything except actually running an entire marathon.

Hope

Hope ... such a small word, but carries so much meaning. After yesterday, the word now conveys a meaning that I'm pretty sure I will always connect to a special little boy.

Yesterday, I participated in "Braden's Race for Life and Miracle Mile" 5K walk. Braden has Neuroblastoma. He's such a little boy, yet he is taking on the battle of a lifetime.

There is so much in this world that I do not understand. I will never understand how and/or why children suffer. Yet, in the middle of all of my confusion, there is something I do understand. You can't ever give up. You have to hope. Miracles happen.

The walk was created to help with Braden's medical expenses. On top of Braden fighting cancer, his mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, if you listen to his mom speak, you hear nothing but complete optimism and hope. It is absolutely unbelievable. No matter what circumstance she is presented with, she continues to remain positive with an "okay, what can we do" action plan. Over 1600 people showed up at the event to show their support and to show cancer that it had a big battle to take on. This is an incredible family and they are going to fight. That in itself, gives me hope

To be a part of an event of such magnitude provided me with this deeper appreciation of what we are all capable of. For Braden, I think we all should all live life with more optimism. More hope. More love. More laughter. More time with family. More time with friends. For Delice, we should all adopt her "okay, what can we do" attitude. If they can do it under these circumstances, then we should too. We should all live with the level of hope and love that the Hofens do.

After the walk, Adam and I ran 4 miles. It was a new path. Completely uncovered territory. It was one of the most gorgeous paths I had seen. In the middle of the run, we were given such a gorgeous surprise when we saw this.


So very unexpected and very much needed. Amazement is all around us. Sometimes, it comes when we least expect it. This is why I've come to appreciate running and why I absolutely love this life. After being a part of "Braden's Race for Life," I am so much more grateful for what I have. There is so much to be grateful for.

Goodbye, money

When I started running in January, I thought, "This is going to be so inexpensive. All I need is the pavement and my feet." Sure, in the beginning, running can be relatively inexpensive, especially when you don't know what you are doing. However, once the weather warms up and you're ready for races, the money flies out of your wallet.

Just the other day, I went to Kohls to update my running wardrobe (my primary running pants now fall down as I run - thought that I should invest in a new pair - I don't want to be that woman - you know the one that runs with her pants around her ankles - that look is not flattering and especially not on me). I walked out of Kohls with two new running outfits (including socks) and spent $83.00. That is a lot of money! On that same day, Adam and I registered for our next three races (10K in May, a 5K in May, and a 5K in June). That was an additional $156. That doesn't even include the running shoes, the i-Pod case so we can listen to music while we run, the water bottle water belt (makes me think of the fanny pack), and the reflector tape so we can run in the dark. And I thought this was going to be an inexpensive activity. Not so much.

If you are going to take up running, which I highly recommend, I just caution you ... be prepared to spend some money. It adds up.

Then again, when you cross the finish line of a race, you can't really put a price tag on how you feel. It makes it all worthwhile. Completely and utterly worth it.