I'm really doing this!

Whoa! So many great things are happening!

Let's begin with a recap of the weather last weekend. On Friday it was a sunny 64 degrees, by Sunday morning we had 6-8" of snow. :( Luckily, it was all melted by Monday afternoon, and turned out to be a beautiful week. So beautiful that Avery has now begun to run with me again. Here she is after our 5 mile run this week...

She was very tired. :)

Back to last weekend, while Travis' parents were here, I decided to sew... something I have never done in my life. Travis' mom was a great help and guided me through my first experience.

Here is the fruit of our labors. :) It was very fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed the bonding time with my beautiful mother-in-law! Stay tuned for more possible sewing progress....

Yesterday marked the longest run of the training program, 22 miles. Lauren and I decided we would provide ourselves with some motivation for this run by registering for the Rock the Parkway half marathon, and then continuing to run 9 miles afterward. Well, it turned out to be a fabulous idea. We set off for the run at 6:45 AM on Saturday, with the knowledge that it was going to rain. Well, it decided to begin raining as soon as we exited the car. The first 8 miles were incredibly cold, rainy, and at times, complete with sleet. During this time, I regretting my choice of shorts several times. There was not a dry part of us by mile 10. However, the run was incredibly well put on, with many water stations (all offering both Gatorade and water), volunteers bearing the weathering, some supporters on the sidelines, adequate Police at intersections, and lots of participates. The course was also very nice, and seemed to go by quickly. After crossing the "finish line" we got medals (which Lauren proceeded to drop in the porta-potty) and turned around to head back out for another 9 miles. Now, I'm not sure why this makes sense, perhaps it was the people for inspiration, perhaps the extra water, perhaps the caffeinated gels I had, but this 22 mile wet, rainy run, was the best run I have ever had. Ever. Upon completion of 22, I didn't even feel it. We had gone faster than usual, and I really didn't feel that tired. I don't even feel sore today. I cannot even describe how excited I am about the marathon after yesterday. If I felt that good in a little race that didn't really matter, think of April 19th! I am so, so pumped! Yesterday could not possibly have gone better.

After I got home from my run and took a nap, I saw that my official marathon information packet arrived in the mail! I am officially bib number 23011. If you would like to track me on race day with free email or text updates, you can sign up here. Enter my bib # or search for me by name. This is really happening, I am really only 22 days from something which I have been preparing for nearly 6 months. I am running the Boston Marathon!

While the race is quickly approaching, I am still training, and still fund-raising. I am currently at 71% of my goal. There is still time to donate here. Thank you to my most recent supporters: Kendra Varns (for the second time! and for the awesome mix of running music), Mrs. Bleish, and Mrs. Polzin.

20 miles and Spring Break

I have heard the masses, and will oblige with a new post. :) Thank you to my readers for your amazing support and encouragement. You continue to help keep my goal in sight!

Thank you to: Mrs. P, and Mrs. Smith from Tomahawk Elementary, and to Krissy VanGinhoven for your donations and support! Thanks to these and all my donors, I am now at 70% of my goal funds!

Let's see... I am currently on a much needed and appreciated spring break. Not only am I off from my regular job for a week, but I also had to only work twice during this break at my other jobs! It's a true break for me!! :)

This weekend I had a great 20 mile run with Travis as my biking companion. This was my furthest run by two miles, a jump I hadn't done yet in training. It went really, really great. Travis was again very supportive and encouraging. Due to the uncharted distance, this run took us into a great new part of the trail surrounded by juniper trees. It smelled amazing! This run also included some pretty major hills at mile 18, which is pretty close to when I will be encountering Heartbreak Hill on Marathon Monday. I powered through, and hope to have the same gusto in just 32 days!

Tuesday was Travis' birthday, on which he had the day off. We had waffles for breakfast and spent the day relaxing. Oh, and we won trivia at the Flying Saucer! It was truly a birthday miracle. Yesterday was a fabulous St. Patrick's Day! It began with an 8 mile run at 6:00 AM in the rain (really, what was I thinking?), which turned out to be very pleasant. We continued with breakfast at our neighbors, including beer bread made with none other than Guinness. We then spent the day out enjoying the festivities and live music in the Power & Light District. It has truly been a great break, which will continue when Travis' parents arrive tomorrow through Sunday.

Before heading out for the day

Judith & Rob and Travis & I

Judith and I - celebrating our true Irish heritage!

Power & Light at midday

Rob & Travis

Are we there yet?

Alright Marathon Monday, I am ready for you. I am ready for you any time now....

When I began this training, I did not know it would be this hard. I mean, I knew it would be physcially taxing, and there would be a lot of running. But I never knew it would be this hard, emotionally. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster. I love the way running makes me feel, and I know I'm doing great things, but I'm also missing out on so much of what I used to know as my life.

This weekend I couldn't hang out with friends on Friday night because I had to work at the Sprint Center. I couldn't go out afterward because I had to run Saturday morning. I couldn't sleep in Saturday morning because I had to run. I was exhausted afterward, causing part of my beautiful afteroon to be spent sleeping. I was again, ready for bed by 10:30 Saturday night. This is hard. I can't really describe it, other than to say it's hard. I feel like I have become this marathon. It is consuming me. Every ounce of me.

So therefore, I am ready for Marathon Monday. Now get here already! :)

I other news, my training continues to go well. Although, I psyched myself out for my 13 this weekend. After running 18 it's kind of hard to take 13 seriously and I thought it would just be a "short" run. Well, it's still 13 miles. I was a little disappointed in my mental state regarding this run, I'm not usually so negative. I just never really "felt it" this weekend. Above I am sporting my new Under Armour 1/4 zip shirt, courtesy of David & Gina. (Please excuse the ridiculous look on my face. Avery was doing something cute on the ground, and I had to look.) However, the weather has significantly warmed up and I am off for a run in 64 degrees!

Huge thank yous this week to the following: Anna Fritz, Uncle Lee & Betty, Rob & Judith (for a 2nd donation!), Dick & Pam Van Dorp, my Dad & Barb, Janie Jones, and David & Gina. Your support will get me through the trying times! :) I am at 69% of my goal, and rising quickly!

Ten

Enormous THANK YOUS are due to the following fine people:
Kevin Snow - for sending me over half way, even with two broken arms - that takes dedication
Dan & Ann Barkel - for donating a 2nd time and reading my blog
Justin & Kelsey and Curt & Barb - for the donations even in the excitement of new babies in their family
Jen Milia - for super great support from NU alumni
Anyone who reads this - I so appreciate it, comment and let me know you're out there!
Seven weeks to see your name here! - www.firstgiving.com/laurelin

Today's post outlines ten important notes regarding running, and what I have learned thus far in my training (I apologize in advance for the lack of pictures this week):

1. Never underestimate the amount of money one can spend on polyester and spandex.

2. Never underestimate your freakish looks in said polyester and spandex.

3. The importance of access to water, food (or pseudo-food), and a toilet (or pseudo-toilet) during long runs. This is key to life, and therefore key to running double-digit mileage.

4. Running is snow and/or rain is actually quite beautiful and/or refreshing. However, remember that everything is good in moderation.

5. Long runs are significantly more bearable with a partner. Lauren has been awesome. When I originally set out on this, I thought I would be okay without a group or partner, as I never really had one for training in my half marathons. Turns out, it's awesome to have someone there. She gets me going on Saturday afternoons, and gives me lots of great input about running and corroborates my running woos in my time of need. Lauren rocks!

6. Don't stop within the first three miles. The first three miles always suck, guaranteed. Even when I know I'm capable of running 18 miles - as I completed yesterday - I really could just stop at any point during the first three. Don't give up on those, and you'll make it a lot further than you think you can.

7. Port-a-potties are a long run's friend.

8. Do not underestimate the importance of good (well-fitting) running shoes. These are key to remaining injury free. And replace them frequently (about every 300-400 miles).

9. One of the best feelings is being done with a long run. One of the worst feelings is knowing you are missing a long run (due to illness or injury), this is worse than the actual pain of running 18 miles.

10. Now a note for spectators for running. Cheer. I can't emphasize this enough. Even if I don't know you and you think my spandex is appalling, cheer for me. Clap your hands and say, "keep going," "great job," "you rock!" Whatever your words of choice are, you will never understand how much they mean to me. Please, please cheer. I need you.

This weekend was great, including: happy hours, work, cooking, napping, more working, church, running, and hosting a church gathering.

Finally, if you know my amazing (might-as-well-be) sister-in-law Jessica (even just a little bit), please send her some encouragement. She could really use it right about now. She is battling through some terrible sickness and missing training runs... as evidenced above, one of the worst feelings possible. Show her some love!