I am a runner. I'm a runner.

WARNING: This is a very emotionally charged post for me. Read with caution.

As I am nearing Marathon Monday, I am becoming emotional, feeling several feelings. Some being excitement, some anxiousness, some amazement, and some just overwhelming. I am hoping that blogging will bring me some peace....

Leading up to this marathon, I have never considered myself "a runner." I have felt as though that was a title reserved for only the most committed athletes, who truly run for the joy. About two weeks ago, as I was running with a parent during the Tomahawk Trailblazin' Runners club, she asked me the question which I have answered many times before, "Are you a runner?" Now usually I answer this question with something along the lines of, "Oh, not really but I try." Well, this time, something struck a cord, as I answered, "Yes, I am training for my first marathon." I think I have officially become "a runner." I suppose that running a marathon might qualify you as such.

Whoa! When did this happen? Was it the day I decided to run a half marathon (after never running more than 3 consecutive miles in my life)? Was it the day I completed my first half marathon in 50 degree rain (running weather that I now enjoy)? Was it in October when I ran my best half marathon to date? Was it when I decided to train for a marathon? Was it one of the many mornings when I awoke during training, and proceeded to push myself to run double digit mileage in either 4 degree weather, 6 inches of snow, or after having worked 6 days in a row? I don't really know when this happened, all I know is, I am a runner. I'm a runner.

There was another word in that response that struck me, "first." As of Monday, I am not only a runner, but a marathon runner. A marathon runner. This whole thing is surreal, I never thought I could be this, I never thought I could do this much. My teammate and former co-worker Laura Lintz, has this great blogpost this week about being your "best self." And I really believe this is a "best self" moment for me. And it brings me to tears. I am so amazed at what I can (and will) accomplish with help of so many supporters. And yes, as that response mentions, I plan to do this again.

VIEW THE MARATHON COURSE
For those not familiar with Boston or the marathon course; please take a look at this video.


It is a 4:30 minute fast-forward ride down the marathon course, set to, aptly chosen, "Born to Run." This is what I will be running in 6 days.

TRACK ME ON RACE DAY
One more reminder, if you will not be around on Marathon Monday, and would like to follow my progress you may do so here, with text or email updates. Simply input my bib number (23011) or search for me by last name to sign up.

THANK YOUS
Thank you so much for all the support from so many of you. I am $138.90 from my goal of $4,000 for Boston Partners in Education. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, now is the time! And I would be so appreciative!

Let's close out with another round of thank yous:
Melissa St. Clair
Katie Wieringa
Steve & Kelli Salisbury
Brian & Evelyn Sommariva
Diana Petruzzi
Abby Gaghen
Kelly Strauch - fellow BPE marathoner
Lora McDonald
Karen Tefft

Ten!

Ten days to go!

I am in taper, which has meant significantly less miles. Apparently a common occurence during taper is odd pains and strange dreams. I have already experienced the latter. A week ago I had this dream:
I was running the marathon, which apparently became a multi-day event which included sleeping in an inner-tube in the ocean. And someone was teaching me how to feed the sharks, which surrounded me, without dying. Needless to say, it was a traumatic marathon dream. However, I am quite confident that Marathon Monday cannot get worse than that!

I am starting to excited/anxious for marathon day, but need to keep my emotions in check. I am starting the countdown. I have already stopped drinking soda until after the marathon. I am also trying to be very concious of being gluten free. We have post-marathon dinner reservations made, and we are conference calling Matt & Jess this week to talk final details regarding clothes, times, etc. for the day of the race. The 10 day forecast for race day comes out tomorrow, and my two biggest hopes are for no heat and no wind from the East! We leave on Friday!

In other news, our spring Trailblazin' Runners running club has started at Tomahawk! The students ran one mile yesterday, and are working their way up to our culminating 5K! I love seeing children excited about being active and running. It's so great!
So many thanks to go out this week! Thank you to:
The Henson Family - Lauren Henson - world's best training partner, we've decided we need to train again, and actually do the marathon together next time :) and Mr. & Mrs. Henson - they donated after having met me only once!
Anonymous - your ambiguity is intriguing :)
Tomahawk people - Lindsay Blanchard, Teresa Aley, and Staci Miller
Terry Metzger - Big Cheese Reader extraordinaire
Zeeland people - Gary Feenstra, Todd & Nancy Kamstra, and Garry & Beth Nykamp
School psychology people - Bruce Milford, Peggy Hess, and Carissa Ekholm
Lauren King - neighborly support
Meghan Malloy - fellow Boston Marathoner, running for Team Ally charity
Sharon Warner - encouraging words and donations!
My mama - for giving me life, and so much more!

I am now $430 from my fundraising target! I would be thrilled to reach that within the next 10 days! Help out here!

I plan to update the blog one last time before the race, so be sure to check back in for final thoughts! I would appreciate prayers and thoughts in the coming weeks for: safe travels, comfortable running weather, endurance, and the ability to manage my emotions! Thank you!

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!

Back on track

Thank you to: Kristi Parry, Linda Armstrong, Leslie Rollins, Kim Grant, fellow runner Erin McGrath, fellow runner Kelly Strauch, The Elzinga Family, and Grandpa & Myk Barkel! Your support is greatly appreciated! Thanks to these fabulous people I have now reached my half way point! Wooo hoo! Let's keep it going here! Less than 8 weeks to go.

Last weekend included the following:

1) Working a great Rascall Flatts concert where I earned nearly $140 for BPE!

2) A really great 17 mile run, with my running mate Lauren. We set off at about 10:30 to make water drops. We are now at the point where we need to have water three times throughout the run, meaning that we need to hide some water or gatorade behind trees for us when we reach our quarter and three-quarter locations. We were very excited about the extra beverage, and were also going to do an extra packet of running pseudo-food at our three-quarter point. We made the drops and drove back to the middle, our start point. The run went rather great except when we realized our first water drop took us out 0.6 miles further than we needed to be. This resulted in being 1.2 miles farther than was planned upon the return to mid-way. We made the decision to for-go the three-quarter water drop, as that would have either a) resulted in running at least 18 miles or b) resulted in over a mile cool down. So unfortunately after all that hard work, we still had to go pick up our water drops and pseudo-foods, some unused. :(

3) A post run stop at McDonald's for M&M McFlurries. :) We decided this was just like the chocolate milk coach Rick suggests, containing both frozen milk and chocolate.

4) A great dinner out at Jalapeno's Mexican Restaurant with Travis. Going out to eat just the two of us is something we haven't done in a very long time. It was great.

5) A full on winter snow storm, complete with sleet, snow, and freezing rain. Oh, it's almost March.

Since the weekend I have been entirely exhausted. Apparently that is one of the side effects of running a bazillion miles, and working 3 jobs. :) I went to spinning Monday, and yesterday I set out on weekday mileage, something that made me nervous, given my recent knee troubles (and ridiculous sleepiness). I was prepped and ready to go with new running shoes (same kind I already have) - the fabulous Adidas Supernova Sequence. Little did I know when I originally purchased these - they are the official running shoe of the Boston Marathon!

It went great! I felt awesome, my knee never hurt, and despite the biting winds, I feel re-inspired to keep running! I am so glad I went. However, I am still planning to run every other day to give my knee a little well deserved rest. I think I may be officially back on track!

And I need to share this non-running related news: My hometown of Holland, MI has been ranked one of the happiest places to live, earning the name Happy Town. The awesome candy store I worked for, The Holland Peanut Store, is featured in the beginning of this video, with "Uncle Bill" carrying some candy! I love this! :)