Ouch!

Yesterday I started my long run out of BC. We ran the course backwards out for 10-11 miles and then the plan was to turn around and head back up the hills. I started out with fellow DMFC teammate Kathy. We we cruising along and I felt good. A little slow but no worries. We hit the water stops and fueled up. I felt OK, my energy level was good so I decided to go 6 minutes beyond 10 to turn around. That would give me 21 miles. My legs were very tight but I knew it would be mostly downhill. I headed back to the pit stop and decided to changed my plan to 4 minutes running one minute walking to see if the tightness would pass. It didn't. With each mile it got worse. I managed to get to mile 14 and was looking for our coach. He wasn't at that water stop. I was feeling really uncomfortable but I didn't think I would do any damage so I would try for three more miles. Going down hill was bad and the pain in my butt traveled down to the back of my leg. By the time we crossed 128 and headed to the next water stop I knew that it wasn't passing, it was getting worse with each mile. No coach at the next water stop so I asked the kind volunteer to drive me back to BC. I had gone about 16 to 17 miles I bailed on my run.....I feel defeated but anxious to fix what is wrong so I'll be ready on April 19th. Should I try for 20 this week? Should I ice or use heat.....any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Broad Institute Motivational Wall

Stop by and write words of motivation to get me to the finish line! The wall is to the left of the 4th floor elevators in 7 Cambridge Center. I have 3 messages all ready!

My fundraising is going really well. I'd like to thank the following people, Jadwiga Grabarek, Rachel Cicconi, Janice Krantz, John Duggan of Carlysle Engineering, Michael Benson, and Mary McQuillian. I have surpassed my goal of 6K and now have increased my goal to 7K......with your help and support we will assist the Dana Farber Researchers in finding new and better treatments to those suffering from cancer. Click the link on the right to donate.

Long run on Heartbreak

Well, it was a very crazy week. A flooded basement, search for a pump and getting my required training in. I managed all of it and I'd have to give myself an A for effort. While the basement clean-up continues, my training was decent. I didn't log the required miles in running, but due to the fantastic weather, I got out with Carolann for 2 three mile walks along the river and a 7 mile run which Anita joined in for the last 3 miles. With the time change, I could do 2 runs after work. I reached a total of 41 miles this week. Yesterday's long run of 18 miles was picture perfect. The weather was warm and my body really responded. I ran in 3 hours and 40 minutes. I had 2 bathroom breaks and hung out at 6 of the waters stops to refuel. AmyJo, who has run for DF many times was with me on the first six and then at 9 I ran with Debbie, a first timer to the finish. Each time I train on the Hearbreak Hills, I feel they are less intimidating. My recovery went better than expected (must have been the protein smoothly I treated myself to after the long run) and later in the day I could walk down the stairs with out too much discomfort. I'm looking forward to my 20 mile run next Saturday instead of dreading it. I now feel confident that I won't let you all down and I'll be able to cross the finish line on Boylston come April 19th!

Humble Run

My long run this past weekend was humbling. I ran very slow and it was difficult to do the 16 miles. I wanted to quit at the first water stop and head back to the gym to finish my workout, but I knew that wouldn't happen. I would end up heading straight to my car and then couch. I battled most of the time between the angel and the devil. Should I quit? Keep going? If you could be in my brain I'm sure you would find it amusinhg. Anyway it did past the time and before long I was on my way back to the gym. The course was challenging and my legs just didn't want to cooperate, but, I did them...all sixteen. The last three miles were a combination of walking and shuffling.
I got back in the groove on Monday and did my Yasso workout (3 sets 800 meters at race pace for a total of 4 miles) and my last chance workout at FitCorp. Yesterday a nice easy run after work.
Today I'm going to go for 8 hilly miles today. I hope my legs cooperate!

In Memory Program

Here I am with the McCall family at Maggianos on Feb. 17th at the Dana Farber Marathon Challange In Memory Program Dinner.

I would like to thank the following people who have recently joined my journey to the finish line: my brother in law Larry and Victor Belanger. Thank you

Personal Record at the Hyannis Half

Well, I ran the race of my life at the Hyannis Half Marathon on Sunday. I had a personal record that beat my half Marathon Time 5 years ago. Not bad for an old lady. I actually had a little in the tank for a quarter mile sprint to the finish. Coach Jack would be proud. The weather was perfect virtually no wind for the first 11 miles. A lot of my DF teammates ran the race and also had PR. Hama and Manami actually missed my finish. They were there but they usually have a lot more time to see me cross the finish line as I am usually doing the "I'm tired so I shuffle across the finish line" but not this time. I had virtually no aches or pains from this run. My training must be paying off. I'm looking forward to the Quincy half Marathon in 3 weeks. This is my home turf so I'm hopeful for a good race.
I took Monday off from running and yesterday I ran from the Broad down to JKF and back. 8 miles. Another great run the only problem was on the return I had to run into the wind and was slower on the run back. I'm not sure where I found this new speed but I'm going to ride it out for all that it is worth. Typically I run 11 minute miles but currently I'm around 10:20 a mile on the long runs. Yasso workouts (speed work) is starting to payoff.
On the donation front it has been a wonderful week. I'm over 5K. I had donations from my fellow Broadies: Tara MacCumascaigh, Haley Bridger, Brenda Ellsworth, Justin Silva, Brian Connolly, Joe O'Brien, Jacob Jaffe, Rosemarie Circeo, Dan Lagres, coach John Rinn, and my boss David Erlandson who has supported this endeavor on so many fronts. Vendors: Claudia Russo of Workplace Resources, Richard Primrose of Palladian, Kathryn Johnson of Triumvirate, and Greg Lucas of CBRE. My auntie Mary and uncle Dick Buckley, my sister Bethany and family and my Dad rounded off this weeks donations. I am thankful for your support.