A Little Rain Won't Hurt

Actually, the rain at the end of an 8 mile run was wonderful! Not only did it remind me of sloshing through the streets of LA for over 5 hours, but it was refreshing from the humid stagnant air that was waffling around the woods for the first few miles. 

I know I have been a blogging-slacker because I have been officially training for 3 weeks for The Nike Women's Marathon on October 16 and I have only blogged once. Every run is important even if they seem small in comparison to the end goal right now (how quickly this will change soon). Sometimes it blows my mind how hard just a 3 mile run is to get through.

More importantly, I need everyone to meet Jenn. For now she is not my coach (well she is) but she is also Yoga Queen.

This is the only picture I could find on her Facebook (yes kinda creepy) but she can do things that I just did not know bodies could do.  I have been going to her yoga classes probably since November, and I honestly don't know if I could run if I didn't go (and NO she has not brain-washed me). It is remarkable what yoga can do for a runner (and a stressed out 25 year old). I feel the difference every time I do not go.

Well Thursday I went to her Yoga Workshop, and OH MY was my head overloaded with things to think about during my practice.  Technically not during my practice because I am not suppose think about all of them. First I learned I was doing a forward fold wrong...and then a plank...and then...seriously the list goes on and I generally can't spell the terms. Instead of being discouraging news to find out my form is horrible, it is invigorating that now I KNOW how to do; knowing how to do it correctly can only help me to try to DO it correctly.

The most interesting thing I learned (lets see how I explain this) is how when we stand we use our ligaments instead of our muscles. Why would we do that? As we stood and balanced our fake bowls (not literally: our lungs and hip bones) on top of each other so no water spilled and focused on using our muscles to stand, I truly felt a difference. I just never thought about this and how counterproductive it is to use the tissue that doesn't get blood or get stronger. And I may have explained this completely wrong.  This is why you have to actually meet Jenn and go to one of her yoga classes, because I don't know what I am talking about at all (I wasn't allowed to bring my video camera, voice recorder, or notebook into the class).  I should try sneaking one in next time...

And I Am BACK!

On March 20, 2011, I completed The LA Marathon (my first) with the Leukemia & Lymphoma's Team in Training and now I am back for more! After a monsoon in Los Angeles we are all still smiling and ready for more. I have decided to head back to California for the Nike Women's Marathon on October 16, 2011 in San Francisco.

Here's is why I am back:

Besides the most phenomenal friends that I experienced and met through this, the early Saturday runs at 6:00am, the sore muscles, the achievement of 26.2 miles, and the list could go on, it is truly the cause of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that drives me to do another. As I began my fundraising for the LA Marathon, I could never have imagined how many people are affected, have been affected, or know someone who has been affected by these blood related cancers. I have heard stories after stories that bring tears to my eyes every time.

This story of Bob is just one that keeps me motivated and dedicated to this cause:

In December, I held a fundraiser at my mom's quilt shop where customers could purchase purple stars to decorate our Christmas Tree for a chance to win various gift certificates. I sold the stars through the website and promoted the fundraiser through our newsletter. Immediately after I raised awareness of my efforts to help LLS, I got into contact with Bob's wife who made a generous donation to my cause and told me all about Bob's struggles with lymphoma. We stayed in contact as Bob's condition worsened. In early February, I recieved this email from her:


Bob was first diagnosed almost 6 years ago, and the chemo followed by the stem cell transplant gave him almost 5 cancer-free years. When the lymphoma showed up in his central nervous system/brain, we knew that was bad news, but the chemo gave him another 6 months. This was the best Christmas our family can remember. So, while he is now dying, the research you're funding helped our family get a lot of years together. That's why you're doing this, and why we'll continue to support anyone who runs for this cause.

Bob passed away on February 27. Just weeks before I was about to run my marathon, his story reinspired me and kept me going through the tough training runs and also throughout the entire 26.2 Miles. I realized at that point that I was making a difference in lives. Bob's family was blessed with 6 more years full of memories and a wonderful last Christmas with him because of the research that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has funded. Just helping to make that difference in one family's life is enough. But the ability to now do it again, is just that much more.

My grandma passed away in August of 2010 of lung cancer, and she was my original inspiration to join Team in Training and run for a cause. I know that if I could have had 5 more years or even just a week longer with her it would have meant the world to me. If I can give that to someone else by helping to pave the road to a cure for all cancers through the research that LLS is doing then my mission will be complete.

So here I go again on the mission to help save lives and fight blood cancers!

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.