Nike Women's Marathon 2011

This is about all I can say about it at the moment considering the website is barely updated and registration is preliminary. 

It IS my next endeavor: my next Full Marathon.

I took my registration to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society office today; it is official.  Even if they aren't recruiting for it yet, I am ready. I hope my friend Jenna will join me in this journey! And, I am so glad my wonderful mentor Hannah from LA is not retired and is going to do it, too!! I can't wait to finish another marathon with her!

A Shoe Predicament

I am uncertain about what to do with my running shoes that have no in-soles (which are replaceable) and smell like sour mildew (it was really one of the most unappealing smells when I went to stretch after my run today--they've been resting on the back deck since I arrived back to KC).

I have a very addictive personality and it is hard for my to even fathom getting rid of these shoes.  Just to make them even meaningful to me, I had to count the amount of miles these shoes have taken me.  They have been with me for 290.2 miles since December 5 (I have run 349.2 miles since I started training October 21).

What is the mile life of running shoes anyways?

I've heard from different sources that its between 300-400, so I really do have about 100 more miles on them (I feel as if I am talking about my car here. Time for a new oil change?)  This is a very factual guess (I have been told recently that if I don't know the answer to something I don't need to make something up and I can just admit it...Me?)

So, now these stinky shoes are sitting in my room staring at me and saying, "are you really going to replace me? I got you through a monsoon during your first marathon!"

I don't have time to talk back today.  So Garry Gribbles must wait until I am fully capable of this major change.


FYI: Those wonderful shoes in the banner of my blog are these shoes we are talking about.  Do I need to replace the photo if I have retired the shoes? Or can that be their statement of my running history: My First Pair of Marathon Running Shoes.  See the decision just gets more and more complicated.

5:54:19

It rained. It poured. We were soaking wet. BUT still it was the most amazing experience of my life.

Here's the breakdown of my 26.2 Mile run:
Mile 1-7: Was wonderful (except for the rain but we have run in colder conditions)--These were almost painless

Mile 8: I am starting to have to go to the bathroom, but the Porty Potty lines were LONG!

Mile Shortly After: We decided we were wet and it would be easier just to go to the bathroom while running.  Yes we just started peeing as we ran (we figured out that you had to literally stop to get started). I don't honestly know if my sopping wet pants would even pull down at this point.

Mile 10-12: Around now I was having some shoe issues; one in-sole of my shoe was bubbling.  I stopped and took it out.  So even if I lost one sole, I still had my whole "soul"

Mile 13: Here's were it got harder; we still had to do the distance again. This part was mentally challenging.  Let me remind you it's still pouring.

Mile 14: The rain broke momentarily. I had time to take a photo so I get my phone out on our walking interval.  Two seconds later I slipped on an orange peel.  The man behind me felt bad until he saw I was texting.  I decided no more texting, plus I was thinking my phone was done (water-logged) after this.

Mile 15: Here's where our group split a bit.  We didn't realize but this was a tough part of the race.  Still a lot ahead, but our bodies were talking.  Morgan, Hannah, Hilary and I going pretty strong at this point.  I was feeling good with some pain, but our pacing and intervals were keeping us good.

Mile 16-17: This was a blur.  I don't know what happened here, but we still kept strong.

Mile 18: This is were I started choking up.  Literally, I was about to start balling.  I couldn't believe that I was about to complete a marathon (I knew I could do this even if I had 8 miles more).  I had to concentrate so hard on not breaking down into an excited sob.

Mile 19:  We knew we were going to see Coach Jen between 16 and 20, so we were expecting her at this point.  It was the greatest moment when we saw her.  Just having her run with us for about 1/2 a mile really pumped us up.

Mile 20: Still running off the excitement of seeing Jen.

Mile 21: Here was when I think I hit a wall (or if that's what we could call it). I think it hit me that at this pace, I still was going to be running over an hour.  Why I mentally did this to myself...I don't know.  It really helped to have my three teammates at this point.  We didn't talk about our pain and just kept going.  In my mind I am thinking, "well, if they are ok so am I."  They were thinking the same thing.

Mile 22-23: This was pure struggle.  The rain had run the crowds away(if there were any to begin with) so Veterns Hill was lonely and the river of water was deeper.  This is where I had to remove my other in-sole, too.

Mile 24: There were no choices to turn back (not that there were before) but we knew we could do this. This was even more emotional.  I really was trying to keep it together here.  I was emotional and tired.  I was so excited that we were almost done, and so proud of us.  We were doing great.  We slowed down a bit, but it was hard to do anything but keep the motion of a run at almost a walk pace.  A monsoon rain came at this point.  We thought it was hailing. The roads were flooding. We were running in 2" deep water at this point. We kept trekking.

Mile 25: This is where I lost it.  Literally.  We saw Ricky and Hayley and I just started crying.  I ran up to Ricky before Hilary could even get there for the biggest hug.  The course crowd was empty but the two of them!  It was the perfect way to end this race.  I caught my breathe after my tears and was ready for 1.2 more miles.

Smooth sailing from here...

Mile 26.2:  Finally, we could see the crowds.  This is how I imagined I would finish this race.  I don't know how long I went on this stretch without crying/balling.  I have never experienced something like this.  There are truly no words to explain.  Morgan, Hannah, Hilary and I held hands as we ran through the finish line all balling.  I couldn't think.  All I needed was my Mylar blanket.  I almost forgot about my medal. We huddled and just cried.

We finished in 5:54:19 at an average 13:30 a mile.

Here's were it became one of the most miserable experiences.  It was sooooo cold, we were so tired, we couldn't find our families and friends, and we had to walk 3-4 blocks to get inside. We just had to make it to the hotel were TNT participants were to check in and get food.

It was the most miserable walk of my life. It seems so much less painful as I sit in bed right now and drink my Coors Light.  I am sorry but I have to admit, I am still unshowered.  The thought of showering sounds like I have to move.  It will be nice, but the process of getting there sounds intense.  Hannah just came in and said, "Morgan, you have still not showered?" I guess maybe I should.

I just want to end on one thought. This was the most amazing experience of my life. I am ready for my next (yes...I need some time). I have met people who I will never forget who experienced with this. The only people who know so much about my life and about all of my bowel movements.  I couldn't ask for anything different.

Oh PS: We made it on TV and were told many times we had the best outfits :) I mean I could have finished last and that would have still made me feel like the winner.

Marathon Morning

ALL READY!!! English muffin, peanut butter, and coffee: Check.  Never been readier to run 26.2 Miles!

I want to thank everyone who helped contribute to my journey once again, because I couldn't have done it without the endless support of my family and friends! Thanks Mom & Dad for everything.  I couldn't have done it with you (sorry for the SUPER early Saturday mornings).  As I run today, I will be thinking about all the inspiring stories that I have heard throughout these 5 months through my fundraising and training, and also of my Grandma whose memory got me here to this point.  I am glad I can carry on her tradition of helping others. I know she would be proud!

Ready or not...here we are!!!

The Night Before...

It's offical...Bib # 12419...Why I picked "MorganJohns" to be my bib name I don't know. I think I was thinking Morgan was going to be taken (like screen names) so I guess if anyone wants to cheer me on I will be "MorganJohns." Luckily, the shorter but clearly brighter Morgan on my team knew it was ok to just put "Morgan" on hers so maybe we will get double cheers.

We went to the Expo today and found the long awaited Bondi Band head-bands (well the fake ones) for the race.  I tried athletic drinks, bars, and chews and managed to buy nothing but 6 headbands and some stickers.  It was a success.

Tonight we had our inspiration dinner, where they honored Team in Training and it's participants who was the largest fundraiser for this marathon raising $610,000.  Amazing what 210 participants can do to fight blood cancers.  It was a nice way to begin the race I have so long awaited.

It's 8:30pm and everything is set.  My pile of stuff is sitting out and my lucky underwear is ready to roll.

Just waiting for the 3:30am alarm.  I have never been readier.

Off To LA!

We are headed to LA this morning (and yes it is it 4:30am...)

I am all packed and I literally feel that my entire suitcase (which is somewhat oversized to begin with) is full of running stuff.  The stuff I will be using for only a portion of the day on Sunday.  I had to make sure I have all the right stuff. And I am sure (crossing my fingers) I have it all.

Hilary and I made a trip to Gary Gribbles yesterday, where we stocked up on GU and I bought, yet another, running belt.  This one I am sure will be more water proof than my other one. I feel like I made a million stops yesterday, just preparing for stuff.  Why I needed a new purse and 2 new water bottles, I am not sure.

Who knew there was so many necessities!

And we are off! The day that we have been waiting for since October is finally here! I couldn't be more excited for this weekend (maybe that accounted for my awakeness here this morning).  Throughout this weekend we will continue to remember the people whose lives were changed by blood cancers, and on Sunday we will run in their honor.  With over $3,600 raised for research and programs for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I am headed to LA!  I couldn't have done without the constant support of my family and my friends. I truly appreciate those who got me to this point.

One Week From Today!

One week from today we are running a marathon.  Regardless, if I believe it or not. It is happening!

I feel excited and I feel ready. Give me week and maybe this won't be the same, but I really feel comfortable with our training and how my body feels during long runs (pain but not pain that will stop me).  The only thing I am worried about is the...

Rain!

Yes, the beautiful city LA is suppose to get rain on Saturday and Sunday.  We have really only ran in rain once and that was only a short shower on a longer run.  I certainly am not going to let it affect me, but it does make my preparations different for the race (I actually don't know exactly how yet, though!)

Yesterday was our last team run before we venture to LA on Friday. What perfect timing for the Team In Training Silent Mile where we remember those affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma.  The honor patients said a few words.  It was great to see Emily again right before the race to remind us of the reason we are running.  Pictured above is a picture of a majority of the LA team in front of Emily's honor sign on our "silent mile."

It was one of those bitter sweet moments; the last run with all these friends who I have come so close to, but also together we finished one of the final steps before we meet our ultimate goal.  Our fundraising goals are met and we are off to LA. 

I couldn't be more excited!

And The Tapering Begins Now...

Hilary, Jennifer, and I after our 20 Mile run.

This morning we finished our last 20 Mile run before we leave for LA in two weeks.  I can not believe its just right here around the corner, and I can also not believe how prepared I feel for it.  Mentally and physically, I am so ready for Sunday morning March 20.  I am ready to be in LA and run that amazing course.

The next two weeks we taper off our strength-training and decrease our run amounts.  The most we run before LA is 8 Miles next Saturday.  Then its all yoga and short runs until the race.  I think my body will thank me for this.

I have met my fund raising goal with the help of all of my family and friends.  I could not have done it without the support of all of them. I have had great friends that are always telling me how proud they are and my family (especially my parents) listen to endless stories about running.  I couldn't have done any of this without the support of them.  I have also met an amazing group of individuals that I have had so much fun running with; every run is a series of laughs, tough pains and of conversations that are inappropriately appropriate.

Everything that has happened since October is better than I could have imagined it to be.  Walking into this Team in Training meeting with Hilary, I had doubts about my ability to even run a half marathon.  After seeing the amount of money I would have to raise to be able to do this, I didn't think I could do that either.  These are the obstacles I have faced and this week I have passed my fund raising goal by about hundred dollars and today I ran 20 Miles for the SECOND time.  And in two weeks, I will be running my FIRST marathon.  Amazing the things that you can do when you set your mind to it and you have amazing support.