Things to Accomplish in 2008

I recently read about another writer's planned athletic endeavors for the year. I found it quite comforting to know that there are others as obsessive-compulsive as I am about what they want to accomplish in any given period. Of course, I have to take you back several months to get you caught up on this "race season." It goes back even further than the beginning of 2008, and spans a bit longer than one traditional "race season", but nonetheless it is what I had and do have planned. And, I have decided to include some things that are not "race" related, but are nonetheless very important to why I do what I do ... you'll see. I am going to try to update the list when necessary. Just bear with me while I figure out the best way to do that. ;-)

October, 2007
10.27.2007 Boston Mini Marathon (Boston, GA) - 2:12:59, personal best

November, 2007
11.22.2007 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2007
12.1.2007 Ten Mile Challenge - 1:33:57, personal best
12.1.2007 Jingle Bell Run 3K - ran with my 6 year-old (it was his first)

January, 2008
1.12.2008 Disney Half Marathon - Finished - it was my 9th Half Marathon!
1.13.2008 Disney Full Marathon - Finished (technically my first marathon, even though I walked a lot of it)

Put the Two Runs together and get "The Goofy"

February, 2008
2.3.2008 Tallahassee Half Marathon (1:58:59 - personal best)
2.17.2008 Inaugural 26.2 with Donna Hicken: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer (4:24:31 - personal best)

March, 2008
3.8.2008 Thomasville Road Baptist 10K (53:53 - personal best)
3.29.2008 Springtime Tallahassee 10K - this did not materialize...there was a "ride" the next day
3.30.2008 Blue Line Metric Century (100K) Ride (finished in just about 4 hours - not too shabby)

April, 2008
4.5.2008 Watch Colin, my 13 year-old son, compete with "The Big Dogs" at the Red Hills Triathlon (1/3 Mile Swim, 16 Mile Ride, 3.1 Mile Run) - He finished in 1:38:06! 2nd in his age group (Men 19 and Under); 4th out of the water in his swim wave (Men 29 and Under)
4.6.2008 Watch Colin "set the water aflame" at the Dothan Spring Splash Swim Meet

Speak at Scott's Ferry United Methodist Church - "Who I am through what I do in Christ"
4.24-27.2008 Serve the Pilgrims on Walk #48, Big Bend Walk to Emmaus

May, 2008
5.17.2008 Ride To Remember "Horse Country" Century Ride - I won't do this one this year.
5.18.2008 Watch Aidan, the 6 year-old, compete in his first triathlon: Red Hills for Kids
5.20.2008 Celebrate my mother's 60th Birthday

June, 2008

6.7.2008 Capital City Ride for Hope: A metric century founded by a student at the FSU College of Medicine in honor of his father, a cancer victim. (www.capitalcityrideforhope.com)

July, 2008
7.4.2008 Freedom Springs Triathlon (for me really a DUathlon - I don't "do" the swim...)

7.19.2008 Take Colin to Jacksonville for the JAX TRI Series Sprint #2

August, 2008
8.23.2008 TriStates 100 Century Ride
8.24.2008 Celebrate 17 years of marriage to my wonderful husband!

September, 2008
9.20.2008 Take Colin to The Beach Blast Triathlon in Mexico Beach, Florida
9.30.2008 Celebrate Michael's 45th Birthday!!!


October, 2008
10.25.2008 Boston Mini Marathon (Boston, Georgia) or

10.26.2008 (my 41st birthday) 33rd Marine Corps Marathon - Registration opens at noon, 4.30.2008
10.31.2008 Celebrate my in-laws' 50th Wedding Anniversary

November, 2008
11.27.2008 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2008
12.6.2008 Ten Mile Challenge
12.6.2008 Jingle Bell Run (3K)
12.21.2008 Jacksonville Half Marathon???

January, 2009
1.10-11.2008 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge: In Memory of Richard Harvey
1.10.2009 Disney Half Marathon (Registered)
1.11.2009 Disney Full Marathon (Registered)

February, 2009
Tallahassee Half Marathon
2.15.2009 The 2nd Annual 26.2 with Donna Hicken: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

A Bit About My Aidan

Aidan is my second son. However, he is my first in many ways: First to not want to learn to tie his shoes. First to want to be in the sandbox at all hours. First to climb the once dilapidated fence to play at the neighbor's house. First to tell me he "could go off the diving board" at age 3 and make it to the ladder without help. First to demand to have his training wheels off at age 4. First to want to ride with Daddy on the bike trails when given a choice.

Aidan is playing Tee Ball this spring. He is playing in a small, church-based and organized, very low key, parent-involved league. And, he loves it. He can throw like a demon, almost always hitting his target. He can hit the ball like a true "slugger" as his grandfather quickly nick named him. And, now he is even talking about wanting to follow in his big brother's path and take on a triathlon

A small triathlon. A kids' triathlon. He has expressed a great deal of interest in participating in this year's Red Hills Triathlon for Kids. So, I suppose that Colin and I will get him ready: Colin is in charge of swimming (duh!), and I'll take the bike and ride. Aidan is already a really good rider, so all he really needs is to be able to muster through the final leg of the TRI: the one mile run. I think he'll make it. His little legs will get him there if his wee arms carry him through the swim. Oh, my. That's all I can think to say. Oh, my ...

A New Case - Cause - of Insanity!

Many of you are well aware that I run, and I run a lot. Here I am, 40 years old having run 5 1/2 years worth of half marathons and then two marathons inside of 5 weeks, looking for my next CAUSE.

I think to myself as I slowly grind up a hill on my mountain bike trying desperately to stay ahead of Colin, my 13 year-old son in training for a Sprint Triathlon, what's next? I am watching as Colin edges away from me on his feather light road bike, and I wonder if could make it through a Century Ride (100 Miles or 100K) on my mountain bike. Pro'bly could, but it might be ugly ... I start asking around and come to find a couple of people in the local Triathlon group are willing to lend me a bike to train on and then ride in such an event. Now, I wonder which one? It's too late to "go Team in Training" for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride at Lake Tahoe in June. But, I hear that there is a ride here - in the spring.

Sure enough there is a century ride here in the spring. The only problem: It's now less than a month away. Now I am really curious. Can I do this in less than four weeks? I know that most of the training is an endurance build-up - which I think I've got covered from the last several months of marathon training. My next obstacle is should I go full Century (100 Miles), or start out smaller with the Metric Century (about 68 miles)? After some contemplation and conversations with experienced century riders, I opt for the Metric. This way I can get my feet wet in the sport, and not have to put it off until next year and incorporate more training. Oh, my...

Well, you know me: Can I do anything requiring athletic or endurance ability without a cause? No. The answer is absolutely, positively NO! This century that I have chosen is The Blue Line 100. It is a fund raiser for the Police Unity Tour to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. Being married to my wonderful, giving, protect-and-serve, badge-wearing husband has given me a vested interest in this cause. I watched him and his colleagues suffer through a tremendously difficult time when they lost one of their own. I don't ever wish to see any family have to deal with that loss and the sadness it brings. If I can do just a little bit to bring more public awareness to the danger an officer (who forms a part of The Blue Line) puts him/herself in, then so be it. I'll be there.

I have copied the information below from that web site (www.bluelineheroes.com) so you will know that I am not putting you on.

In May 1997 the Police Unity Tour was organized, by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. We started in 1997 with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. which raised $18,000.00. This past year we had over 1000 members nationwide who made the trip and we are proud to announce that we were able to donate 1 Million Dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund bringing our total donations to 3.2 Million Dollars.In late 2005, the Police Unity Tour pledged $5 million in support of the National Law Enforcement Museum. Inspired by our commitment and our motto, "WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED" the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected our organization to be the sponsor of the Museum’s Hall of Remembrance.

The police officers who ride in the Unity Tour from Virginia Beach to D.C. must raise a minimum $1800 each to participate. On the Blue Line web site is a form that you can print and make a donation to the Unity Tour. That is your choice - I won't ask you to help me this time. If you would like the name of a Tallahassee Police officer (or Leon County Sheriff's deputy) who is planning to participate I will gladly get one for you so that you can directly affect their fund-raising campaign.

I hope that between now and March 30th, you will be thinking of me and the officers in your community. Keep us in your prayers for a splendid ride that day and a successful trip to D.C. for the officers in May.

My love and admiration for all you do to help those who protect and serve you.
I Corinthians 9:24-25

Play Together - Stay Together!

I hear that families who "play together, stay together." Does that include athletic activities? I am not sure if swimming, cycling, and runnig are always considered fun. But, the joy and satisfaction at the end are always worth it. Colin, my 13 year-old son is training for his 2nd "adult" triathlon. He is going to complete the Red Hills Sprint Distance Triathlon on April 5th, 2008. He is the youngest registered participant - the next closest person in age to him is 19! He'll be ready. And, he is psyched!

This past Saturday (3.8.2008) he and I ran together. Well, sort of together. He ran a 5K race while I ran the 10K at the same event. He finished respectably 7th in his age group. Not bad for a kid who really is a swimmer and only runs once a week. Then, he cheerfully met his slow, and old mom near the finish to "run me in." He is such a good sport! I ran a person best (called a PR) and placed 2nd in my age group (oh, my gosh how did that happen?)! I was so excited for the rest of the day I didn't know what to do with myself.

This weekend holds another 5K run for Colin, as well as a trip down to St. Marks and back on the bike. I'll be joining him for the ride - I have the Blue Line 100 Century ride on my calendar for March 30. Oh, my, and I thought 26.2 miles was a long way. Well, we shall see. If my hinney survives, this may become my Spring/Summer activity for a while. That's later: I must get through this ride first!

Off we go! More later, much more!

Inaugural 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

My loved ones,

Try as I might to formulate and articulate my experience at the Inaugural 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer, I can't seem to find the words. It was a fabulous event. Donna Hicken Deegan - two time breast cancer survivor - and her foundation have come up with a terrific marathon/half marathon. I NEVER thought I would run a full marathon, now here I have done two within five weeks of each other. Remember the stupid pills I talked about back in October - well I kept taking them right up until that morning. I kept up hope that they would carry me through to the finish line.

I thought it would be just as easy to talk about this run as it was to take you all the way through Disney - twice. But, for what ever reason, I am having a really, really hard time writing about it. I can talk about it all day long: the sea of pink, the route, the flat calm of the beach, the crowds of nearly 8,000 runners, the cheering spectators and their signs, the neighborhood kids with Freezer Pops and orange slices, the most welcome sprinklers, the bands, the Runners' Village, the beautiful stained-glass medals, and of course my GodFriend Steve (below with me during the beach portion of the run)

paced me from mile 19 or so until the finish line. But, when I get right down to it, the written words just don't come like I think they should. I'm sorry. I so want to share it with all of you, truly I do. Perhaps in time the words will come. Maybe it is because I said I'd NEVER do one; maybe it's because this cause is so very personal to me; maybe it's because this was the first time I put my feet to the pavement without "my peeps". Who knows? I am putting in my journal of questions to God - I have a growing list.

I did finish. I finished in what I consider a pretty respectable time (4:24:31 and 347th overall). I am happy with it. Maybe next time it will be better. Maybe next time I won't care. Maybe next time the run will be because there is a cure and not a cause. I think maybe I'll "streak" this event. Meaning that I will run it as long as it exists and I am able to do it. I may eventually have to back off to the Half marathon. But, if I run only one full marathon a year, I think it will be this one. I can't think of a better cause or reason to do it. I think it keeps me close and grounded to the real reason I run.

26.2 is a long way to go no matter what anyone ever tells you. It was doable, but only because I had so many of you carrying me along the way. Doable only because I know what you have endured to get through the trials and tribulations of being a victim of breast cancer (personally or via a loved one). As I look at the ugliest five toes on the planet I remind myself that they will heal, and the toe nails will grow back, and they might resemble "pretty" sometime in the future. I put new band aids on periodically and wonder how this one time I got the blisters to beat all other blisters - and in the same place on both feet. I NEVER blister (do you see a trend...?). Maybe the sand? Maybe the heat? Maybe running through too many sprinklers because I was too hot? Who knows? But, this I do know: I am sure that I got those blisters to keep me real and grounded. To remind me once I was finished that the run was not for me, it was for someone else - mostly for you.

All my love and admiration for what you have endured - it makes 26.2 seem "not so bad afterall." I'll do it again. I NEVER thought I would say that either, but I will if only once a year for many years to come.

Twenty Years of Team in Training

How would you like to receive free professional training for nearly half a year? What if you can do this while raising money for cancer research? Thanks to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org/), this is possible.

For twenty years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have organized "Team In Training." This program has changed lives, lead to marriages, helped individuals achieve personal goals and, most of all, raised over $800 Million Dollars for cancer research. Bringing together diverse individuals, "Team In Training" helps you prepare for a full marathon (run or walk), a 100-mile century bike ride, or a triathlon, all with the help of professional coaches. With the ultimate goal of raising money for blood cancer research, this program has had over 340,000 participants since its start in 1988. For the 2008 season, it is even easier to join. Simply attend a local meeting, sign up and be prepared to change the lives of many. Saving lives one mile at a time, this program culminates in a June 2008 event in California.

To find out more about this program watch the video below, and then visit http://www.teamintraining.org/

Dropping Time in Tallahassee

Not many people think of Tallahassee and say, "Hmmm, I think I'd like to spend some time there." Well, I don't mean "spend time" when I speak of "dropping time." I mean it in an athletic and competitive sort of way.

This weekend, the first weekend of February, is traditionally the weekend of the Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon, the opening weekend of FSU Baseball season, and the weekend that the Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club (ATAC) holds its three-day Winter Short Course Invitation Meet. Not-to-mention, FSU basketball is going on just down the street near down town. A person can pick and choose from a nearly complete spectrum of sporting events. Wow!

Friday, Colin swam a personal best time in the 500 Yard Freestyle event "dropping" 4 seconds off his previous best time to come in at a 6:07. Saturday saw even better times for him with Colin swimming "fast" enough in the Preliminary rounds to make the Timed Finals that evening in the 200 Yard Freestyle and the 200 Backstroke (thus placing in the top 16 for each event).

Sunday morning, under crystal clear skies and in about 50 or so degree weather the Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon started on time at 7:30 a.m. At 9:28:59 I came into the finish area for a personal best time of 1:58:59 in the Half Marathon Distance. While not fast by any one else's standards, it was "screaming fast" for me and I had "dropped" nearly 13 minutes from my previous best of 2:12:59 in October.

I don't look like I'm having much fun in the photo. And, truthfully, I don't think I look like I am even running. And, I suppose at my pace, technically I am jogging. But, I did have a good run. It was hard toward the end, but I felt fine afterwards albeit VERY HUNGRY!

When I got to the pool, Colin reported that he had also "dropped" more time. In his 100 Yard Butterfly he had dropped about 3 seconds to place in the top 16 for the event. Later that morning he would also drop his 50 Yard Freestyle from 29.21 to 28.93, and breaking through another milestone - the 29 Second Free! Yippee! And, finally that morning, Colin swam the 1650 Yard Freestyle event, referred to by swimmers as "The Mile." He "dropped" 28 seconds in this event.

So, I highly recommend the First Weekend in February in Tallahassee! It is definitely a place to try and "drop some time." Put it on your calendar for next year. We'll all be here, hopefully dropping some more time!