Slow and Steady Finishes the Race!

I woke up extra early (4:50) this morning as I had a lot to do before my run.

I needed to tape my knee and ankle. I'm experimenting with KT tape as support, as a friend swears by it. (I'll write a post about this later!)

I also needed to make some 'goo' to take for during my run. A raw gluten free vegan can't find any premade goo! (Again, will blog this later!)

I was REALLY nervous about going today. Between working Saturday mornings/Wednesday nights, Grand Bethel and Yosemite, and my knee - I've been a bit detached from TEAM and It's been over 5 or 6 weeks since I could get to a TEAM workout. On top of not going to TEAM workouts - I've had to rest my knee! On our TEAM we have groups of runners that are doing Full Marathons and Half Marathons and the miles have gotten progressively longer each week. Today's were 7 and 11.5 miles. Keeping in mind the fact I'd NEVER made it past 5/6 miles in my running, I was scared! I was really just hoping I'd be able to complete the Halfers workout. My hope was to be able to run as long as possible, keeping in mind my knee, and that I'd been 'unconditioning' myself for the 3/4 weeks! I had finally gotten some confidence in my running and, most importantly, stamina and ability to KEEP running for 5 miles (which I kept thinking is less than a 1/5 what I'd need to be able to do!) when my knee sidelined me! (I was a mile or two behind in training distances with work/hikes/GB.)

Fast forward to today... Sat 21 July... Cavitt Junior High

Before our workouts we hear from a survivor and are reminded why we are all there - to raise money to help Blood Cancer Research. It's always moving and end up in tears. Today's was no different.

We all stretch together as a TEAM and then head off. We started out through the back of the school up to the trail. I kept waiting for my knee pain to kick in for the first few mins as thats how long it took me on the treadmill but It never happened! Sweet, I thought - I got this. Then I realized the issue would become stamina and my motivation to continue through the heavy breathing! I find the first 20 mins of running to be hard - pretty much every run - this time it felt great! I was beyond excited to be running again!

I followed a few people up onto the levy's and just decided to go about my run the best I could and stop or walk if my knee dictated it was needed. I've realized I MUST listen to my body if I want to continue training.

I love the American River Trail as everyone is always so friendly! Its nice to be running and have people say 'good morning,' wave and smile at you. We are all in the same endorphine world and loving being out there!

Coach Laura ran with me for a bit and that really helped! I was scared I'd get 'bored' and unmotivated and start walking. My mind really is biggest problem/fear! Having her next to me for a mile or two kept me going (3 miles can be a wall for me sometimes!). I kept on, keeping on...and next thing I knew it, I was at the mile 6 arrow. I had my 'goo' and thought, I can do this. I realized at 6 I was continuously running farther than I ever had before!

As I was approaching 7 and the table (with food to celebrate someones birthday after) and water, I thought I'd keep going. Figured, I need to get in my miles and my knee was feeling alright. I stopped to refill my bottles, grabbed a piece of watermelon (hey, I live on straight sweet carbs from fruit!) and kept going. I thought the last 4 miles would be cake! HAHAH!

This is where it became a mental challenge. It felt like the next mile took forever. I couldn't believe I'd only gone a mile when I saw the 8. About 1/4 miles after that the Coach Laura and another runner passed me. I tried to keep up with them for a bit but I decided to go my own speed! Somewhere around 9 or 9 1/2 my back started hurting, my knee had a little pain, and my other IT band was getting tight. I thought I'd hit my wall and limit. But decided to give it a little bit longer to see how I'd feel.

Slow and Steady, I thought. Slow and Steady. Keep going. This is only a fraction of what you'll need to do for your marathon. I was having lots of internal dialogue with myself!! You can do this! You have to stop. You can keep going! You've gone farther than you ever have, so you can stop. You're motivated and your endorphines are going crazy! You're done - just give up. You can do this! It was a great debate! I decide to walk for about 10 feet and then realized I needed to stretch! Walking was actually HARDER than running! I stopped to quickly stretch for 30 seconds - that was all it took. It loosened my legs enough that I realized it was just a head game (albeit a HUGE ONE) from there to the finish.

Back across Douglass and into another neighborhood, I was hoping every arrow would turn me towards 'home.' There hadn't been any miles on the road since 8 and I was too tired to pull my phone out and look - afraid I'd be discouraged with how far I had left! I was pretty sure I had at least another mile! I was getting discouraged that I'd have to stop and walk but right then Coach Laura started running with me again! I think we had about 1/2 mile left and I had my other 'goo.' I probably didn't need it - but it helped me keep going and helped me finish! Coming around the last turn and seeing the parking lot was awesome! I had a bit of excitement of what its going to be like when I cross the Nike Marathon finish line! I CAN DO THIS! I was beyond proud of myself. And I was beyond sore/tight! (I was bummed my foam roller hadn't arrived yet so I decided I'd make a detour to the gym on the way home to use it and loosen up... my body is a temple and must be stretched properly!)

11.5 miles!!! Yup, I, Julie, the girl that couldn't run a couple months ago, RAN 11.5 miles today!!!!

Next weekend we are doing a Mock 1/2 Marathon. Its a big event the TEAM Mentors/Coaches put on each year. I'm excited and nervous!! We are encouraged to have family and friends come and cheer for us - and be at the finish line. If you'd like to come it's at Veteran’s Memorial Park. If you want to come and cheer while I'm running - come 8ish. If you want to come and cheer me on at the finish line - anytime after 10! I know it'll be standing around and waiting but a supporter or two would be fantastic!

Please sponsor me. Large donation, small donation - they all make a difference!! I can't do this without your support!

A huge THANK YOU to my very first sponsor - my Aunt Claudia! Thank you for helping me reach my goal, Aunt Claudia!!

Together we train to beat cancer. Train. Endure. Achieve. Matter. http://pages.teamintraining.org/sac/nikesf12/jlaynekj4s

Right before I saw the '6' - I was feeling alright!

After 7 miles and stopping at the aid table to refill water - decided I could run and eat Watermelon! It's possible but rather messy!!

My stats on the run. Slow and steady, is the name of my game! I'm not going for time records- just want to finish!

Hello!!

Welcome to my new blog!

I will document and record all my training info so you can all be a part of my TEAM!

About a month ago, I joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) Placer Countys summer TEAM to train for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco on Sunday, October 14, 2012!

This is a group of about 40 people who are all dedicated to raising money for blood cancer research, experiencing the benefits of a coached training schedule, but most importantly - making a group of friends and gaining a TEAM family.

Many of you may (or may not) know that the LLS was always the nonprofit that I chose when raising money with DeMolay. Others may have heard me mention that 'completing a marathon' was on my list of '30 things to do before 30.' What better way to combine the extremely scary idea of preparing and training for a marathon than joining a TEAM that will help, guide, and cheer on my progress while raising money for such an amazing cause.

I will update this blog with facts about LLS, blood cancer, my running, health tips, and just about anything else that strikes my fancy!

Please sponsor my Marathon, I can't do it without you on my TEAM!