Running a marathon: The biggest learning experience I've had to date.

After running a marathon I will say I had runner's high for about 2 weeks after.  I remember talking to my mom 2 days after the race, and saying to her, "This is my biggest accomplishment to date."  I remember feeling a little silly after saying that because I've accomplished a lot this year:  Got a Master's degree, a job in a field that is incredibly difficult to get into, moved to a new town on my own, purchased my own car, etc.  


One night when I couldn't sleep that week, probably because I was in so much pain, but also because I was still so excited about my accomplishment, I wrote down why I felt this was such a big accomplishment and lesson.  


1.  Running a marathon is incredibly humbling.  It is estimated that there are approximately 1.5 million supporters at the Chicago Marathon.  I had at least 6 just cheering me on.  I remember at one point when my running buddy Anne wasn't with me around mile 19 (though she did catch up later, thankfully for me!) and I remember hearing comments from the crowd like "Nice smile, Lauren", "Come on, Lauren", and my personal favorite, "Looking sexy, Lauren".  It was those comments that got me through my race, especially toward the end.  


I also cannot tell you how humbling it is to have your family and friends come and cheer you on to see you run by for 5 seconds.  They waited for hours to see me, stood in 80 degree weather just for me.  If you want to know how incredibly loved you are - run a marathon, and you will see.  


2.  I did this.  Alone.  Okay well maybe not alone.  I trained for the first half with the Naperville Running Company - which was such a huge help.  Running with the group 2x a week was wonderful.  During the back end of training when I moved to Olney, I still got weekly e-mails from my running group and this kept the drive in me.  But I was the one getting out of bed at 5AM on Saturdays to meet with the group.  I was the one running 4 days a week - making sure to hit my mileage.  No one forced me to do this.  I was the one running 26.2 miles during the race, even around mile 22 when I thought I could stop and walk - I didn't.  I kept going.  Alone.  This was part of the reason I signed up for a marathon.  I loved the idea of this because I have had a lot of changes in the past year, and I needed to know I could do this - on my own.  Once I finished the race, there was no one to credit but myself.  I needed that confidence, and I sure as heck got it.  There have been times I've been so reliant on others and this was finally an opportunity for me to say "You did this".  Even when I graduated from grad school and landed a job in my career I didn't feel this strongly that I was the sole factor in those.  The marathon was different because I was the one putting the work in.  


3.  You can do anything you put your mind to.  When I got injured during my training I didn't know if I was going to be ready to race in October.  I made the decision that no matter what I was going to train, and train hard to make sure I was race-ready.  And again, I did this.  No one else did this for me.  I visualized that race a million times and I knew I would do it.  I would not quit.    


4.  Keep dreaming.  Just because it's not now, does not mean it's not ever.  I have dreamt of doing a marathon since I was 20 years old.  I ran on 10.10.10 when I was 24 years old.  It obviously took some time to accomplish my goal.  It took me being at a certain place in my life where I was ready mentally and physically to train.  There are other things I still dream of doing, but I know it may take some time for me to accomplish those dreams.  That does not mean I'm going to give up on those dreams.  As a matter of fact, I will push harder toward them because I know it is possible to get there.  


5.  If you fail, try, try again.  This is huge for me.  I have felt like a failure more times than not in my life.  During training I felt like a failure when I had my groin injury and had to stop training for 2 weeks.  I felt like I was cheating training, like I didn't put in enough work as all the other runners (looking back I see how silly this thought process is).  In my personal life there have been things that I would have liked to have done differently, but you can't go back and change those things.  What I do know is you have to keep getting back up, time and time again because if you are persistent you WILL succeed.  I no longer have ANY doubts about that.  Chris Matthews discussed this at my commencement speech:  you have to go to all 10 houses in order to get the 3 sales you'll make.  You have to encounter those failures in order to reach the successes.  


6.  I now see myself as a different person.  I respect myself.  It's sad to say it has taken me 24 years to get there, but better now than never!  I received so many awesome words of encouragement and comments such as, "You are such an inspiration."  People I haven't talked to in years were contacting me saying that.  After I ran the race, I finally felt that too.  That again is so incredibly humbling.  If I've inspired at least one person to run a race or continue something they've wanted to do - then it will be my job to support them as much as I was supported through training.  


7.  I have a new passion and excitement about running.  I am more excited now than ever to continue running in races and improve.  It is so exhilarating and addicting to have found something I love doing.  My passion for running has increased ten-fold and I've never felt I've had something to call my own.  I was a disappointed in my time after the race, but a few days after the race, my stepdad (a swim coach, that repeatedly sends swimmers to Olympic trials) told me how impressed he was with my time.  He told me countless stories of people that didn't make it through the race due to the heat, and he said my time was incredibly impressive for a first-timer.  His exact words to me, "You're good at this, and you should keep doing it."  Will do.  


8.  People are genuinely good.  I have so many new friendships due to the running community being so warm and welcoming.  People genuinely want to help one another and support one another.  When I go home, I call my running friends to meet up.  They are huge inspirations to me and I am so thankful for them.  During the race, complete strangers call your name and cheer you on the entire 26.2 miles.  I get chills thinking about it.  The support and encouragement from others makes training worth it.   


9.  Hard work pays off.  Training for a marathon wasn't the easiest feat, but was the best thing I've ever done.  It is amazing to see all your hard work and efforts pay off on race day.  


10.  Patience.  17 weeks of training was all required for one race.  Sometimes it was hard to see the end when you're in week 8 and you're thinking "Is race day here yet?"  I cannot tell you how amazing it was to finally see the finish line after I made the final turn.  I even remember being sad during my last run of training - thinking, "Is it over?"  Yet I know, this is only the beginning ;)  


Thank you all so much supporting me.  Thank you for being there with me during training, during the race, and after.  I am blessed in so many ways and I cannot thank you enough.  


Here is the letter I sent to Courtney's class as a thank-you for all the cards they made for me (it pretty much summarizes the points I've listed above, in 7th grade format, ha!).  


LOTS OF LOVE,
Lauren 

Dear Miss Bergquist’s Class:

This is Lauren Baugh, novice Chicago marathon runner, whom your class so generously sent me some of the funniest, most considerate, and inspiring good luck cards.  Miss Bergquist handed me the cards, the morning of my race, at 5AM; I took the cards with tears in my eyes when she handed the giant stack to me.  Perfect strangers were wishing me good luck?  Here I was, nervous as ever, and I suddenly felt calm knowing I had the support of many.  Turns out laughter has a calming effect!  And if I wasn’t nervous already that I would fall in a “hole to China” or that I would trip – at least I knew you all were nervous about that with me!    

The morning of the race I got to the spot I was meeting my running group.  I sat quietly and read all of your cards.  Your genuine kindness showed through each and every single card.  This was exactly what I needed in that moment.  I had been questioning whether or not I would be able to complete the 26.2 mile race.  Sure I had the support of my family and friends, but I thought they were just saying I would finish the race because they had to tell me that.  Then as if an answer to prayer, God sent me your letters.  I had the support of perfect strangers with me.  It was then I knew I would be able to finish the race.

I hope you all don’t mind (because old people like Miss Bergquist and me ;) tend to want to give people your age advice often) but I was hoping I could share with you what lessons I learned after completing a marathon. 

1.  You can do anything you put your mind to.  I never used to be a runner.  As a matter of fact, I loathed running the mile in PE class.  I picked up running when I was 20 years old and I haven’t stopped since.  I love it.  I always dreamt of completing a marathon but I wasn’t sure I had the strength to do it.  Training for the marathon took 17 weeks.  17 LONG weeks.  I had injury after injury, week after week and I still completed the race.  Whatever dreams you have in your heart, please keep them there and let them guide you.  Please pay attention to your dreams.  You will have to work in order to make them come true, but let the dreams guide you – not the obstacles you will encounter along the way.   

2.  If you fail, try again.  I’ve tried to train for marathons in the past and for whatever reason, my efforts didn’t pan out.  During this round of training when I was the most disciplined I had to sit running out for multiple weeks due to injuries.  Instead of quitting training and saying “maybe next year”, I kept pushing through.  My dream of completing a marathon started when I was 20, yet it didn’t happen until I was 24.  Just because your dream may not come true now, does not mean it will never come true. 

3.  The support of others is critical, and that support makes life worth it.  As soon as I finished my race I felt proud and relieved.  Though it wasn’t until about 30 minutes after the race was over, I finally was reunited with my family.  I burst into tears when I saw them.  My family watched me run at mile 4 and 11 to see me for all of about 10 seconds running past them.  MissBergquist was at mile 11 and 21.  Your entire class wrote cards for me.  Spectators along the course encouraged me to “Keep going”.  All this support for one measly person – me.  Humbled does not even begin to describe how great this makes a person feel.  Please keep your family and friends close to you.   Had I crossed the finish line and had no one to reunite with, and no one cheering me on during the race, success would not have felt as sweet.      

4.  Hard work pays off.  Training was not always easy.  There were so many times I would find myself saying, “I don’t feel like running today.”  Every single time though, I went running anyway.  Waking up at 5AM and running through the summer heat was not always enjoyable, but all the training was worth getting to race day.  Completing the marathon is one of my biggest accomplishments to date, and it took 17 weeks to complete something that took just about 5 hours (4:48:59 to be exact!).  I know you don’t always want to do your homework (sorry Miss Bergquist) or clean your room.  Though please know your hard work is going noticed and is paying off.  You are in training too.  You are learning to be disciplined so that when you are out in the “real world” you have the skills to make those dreams happen.  Nothing good in life comes easy.  That’s okay though – you’ll appreciate those good things that much more once you’ve worked for them.  I appreciate this marathon because it was a celebration of 17 weeks of sweat and tears. 

As you can see I can talk about this race forever, but I won’t bore you.  I hope you all keep supporting others in the incredible way you supported me.  Each and every one of you is a gift to this world and I am so blessed to have heard from you.

Thank you – you have no idea how much you all mean to me,

Lauren

PS - I sent a photo of me with your letters before the race.  As you can see from my goofy grin – you all made me excited to run 26.2 miles. 

Also, I think I need to visit you all in the spring once my students finish school (late May). 

Lastly, please take care of Miss Bergquist, she is my best friend and I miss her dearly. 

  

Marathon - Completed! Longest runner's high yet!

I can now say I have ran a marathon.  I now have a 26.2 sticker on my car.  Oh the simple joys in life (though I'm not sure how simple a feat this was!) ;)  

I don't even know where to begin when I discuss the race.  I'll start with the beginning:  The night prior I was so worried I wouldn't get a wink of sleep.  I was fortunate enough to have a place to stay in the city - with Courtney and Dave.  After I picked up my bib # from the expo I went back to their apartment and set up shop on their couch.  As I was laying all my stuff out for race day Courtney says, "Oh my gosh I can't believe you're actually doing this."  She said exactly what I was afraid to say.  But here we go, was all I could think - I've come too far to quit now.  I was laying down by 9PM and needless to say - I passed out.  I slept so well.  

5AM alarm goes off, and I'm feeling very rested.  Let's do this.  Right before I leave to meet up with the Naperville Running Company at the Hilton on Michigan Ave., Courtney tells me she has a surprise for me.  She hands me a stack of homemade cards from her 7th grade students.  She said, "I told my class you were running in your first marathon and they asked if they could make you cards."  Tears came to my eyes immediately.  My students in Olney didn't even really say anything to me before the race - and here perfect strangers were wishing me luck.  Talk about a wonderful friend.  

                                   Me with my cards - ready to go to the Hilton!  

Cards in hand, I got in a taxi and headed to the Hilton.  I met up with the Naperville Running Company in the basement of the Hilton.  So good to see those faces again.  Everyone was so excited/nervous.  My running buddy Anne was silent almost the entire time and it made me realize what we were about to do.  I on the other hand was nervous talking like crazy.  I sat and read my cards from Courtney's class and they had me laughing and crying.  It was the first time I realized I could do this.  After about 6 trips to the bathroom we were ready to walk to the start line.  

The sun was already out as we made our way to the start line.  This made me nervous - I knew how hot it was supposed to be on 10.10.10.  I watched that 10 day forecast like a hawk all week and I saw the high keep creeping higher and higher as I checked daily.  Either way- I knew I didn't have control over the weather so I wasn't going to complain.  Anne (a phenomenal woman) from my running group and I decided we would start off the race together.  We knew we'd probably get separated, but it was good idea to pace each other from the beginning.     

Start line.  U2's "Beautiful Day" playing over the speakers.  Chills.  I thought I would be a ball of nerves at this point.  Instead, I was the calmest I've ever been before a race.  I think this was due to the fact that I wasn't trying to reach some spectacular goal - my goal was to finish - with a smile on my face.  No matter what - this was my PR - thanks Natalie!    The race begins and it took us about 15 minutes just to cross the start line.  Not as bad as I thought.  Anne and I are running well - she was pushing me at this point, and I was a bit nervous of starting out too fast (a common mishap of mine) and I kept backing off.  For the first 5 miles or so I was consumed by the fact that I wanted to stop and pee.  I decided it was all in my head and I was not stopping (and I never had to the entire race!).  

Anne and I were doing a lot of catching up for the first few miles - heck I haven't run with the group in weeks - so it was a great distraction.  Mile 4 is when I saw my mom, Bob, and my sister (who flew in all the way from Seattle).  They totally surprised me and had signs.  I was so relaxed and in mid-conversation I almost missed them. I was so shocked to see them I didn't even get a chance to read my signs.  Mile 10 is where I saw them all again and got to read my signs.  This time I had a huge grin on my face.  Also at mile 10 Courtney and Dave had signs for me too.  I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  Having people there makes a world of difference - adrenaline just keeps pumping.   

Mile 13.5 I knew my dad would be waiting for me.  I kept looking at the mile markers because I knew he was coming up.  This is such a huge deal to me because I've never been outside of a hospital or nursing home with him in 4 years.  I saw his wheelchair and I began running hard.  I was so excited.  I ran right up to him, gave him a HUGE hug and told him how good it was to see him.  I knew I still had half the race to run, but this gave me some serious motivation.  I'm still shocked I wasn't crying my eyes out.  I felt tears welling up, but I think I was sweating pretty hard at this point that my body was reserving any and all fluids.  (Now I know a surefire way to not even be able to cry - <3 the world's biggest crier).  

Before I saw my dad, I heard a race official say the heat advisory was bumped to yellow.  Green, yellow, red, and black (black=race shutdown).  We weren't even halfway through the race and I was getting nervous.  Luckily right before the race, I put my Nike hat (that I NEVER trained with) on my fuel belt and it was such a saving grace.  The sun was brutal.  I kept Caroline's advice that you want to stay "happy" during the race, so you keep hydrating before it's too late - I jogged through most of the water/Gatorade stations and kept sipping fluids.  Weather I could not control.  Hydration I could.  

Mile 19 - so, so hot.  Anne told me she was going to walk.  We had run the entire way together - way longer than I had expected, and she said she was going to walk.  She had been pushing me for the entire first half of the race, and now I had began to push us. I didn't want to walk - for fear I wouldn't run the rest of the race ;) so she told me to go on.  So that's what I did.  I knew I needed some major crowd support at this time, because even though Anne and I weren't talking much at this point - just having her there was huge.  I ran right along the crowds just to hear my name called.  All of the sudden after about a mile of running "alone" - she caught back up with me.  I was so, so happy to see her.  She did this about 3 more times through the end of the race.  I was ecstatic every time she was right by my side again.  At one point I saw a sign that said "Calm and strong" that became my mantra through the rest of the race.  I kept commenting on how strong she looked.  I needed to hear this for myself too.  It's amazing how you hear the word "strong" and you begin to feel it.   

Mile 20 or 21.  Saw Courtney and Dave - huge grin and laughs on my face - they were so awesome throughout the race.  I'm pretty sure I yelled something inappropriate to them.   

Mile 21.  Hot.  Sunny.  Less crowd support.  Tired.  Pain.  I remember thinking - I can't do this.  Anne and I were not saying a word.  My ankle was hurting so bad (new injury).  More people were walking than running.  Someone in the crowd then shouts "You're almost done".  Anyone that runs long distances knows this is not true - and that is the last thing you want to hear.  Even if I would have had just 1 more mile to run, that was the LAST thing I wanted to hear.  I had about 5 more miles to go - you may as well have told me I had 100.  This entire time I had a secret goal of trying to run the race in 4 hours and 30 minutes.  As I looked at my watch, I knew that wasn't going to happen anymore.  I saw a temperature sign read 90 degrees.  Excuses, excuses I know.  Another secret goal I was hanging onto was this:  Run the entire race, without stopping to walk.  In February, when I signed up for the race, I was talking to a certain someone and when I told him this goal, he doubted me and said "You will have walk during the race, and that's fine."  Well now at mile 21 I realized I had never stopped - not even through water stations.  I made this my new goal.  

Mile 23.  WALL.  The infamous wall.  Everyone talks about hitting it, and I don't know what made me think I wouldn't hit it but I wasn't worried about it.  Well, I hit it.  My thoughts started becoming delirious.  I kept hydrating, but I could tell I was about to lose it.  I'm a fainter by nature (hello groin injury), so I was getting nervous this would be my fate - being in a medical tent.  I kept looking up, praying.  "I need Your help - I need Your strength to get me through this."  All of the sudden, I realized it.  I was hungry!  I hadn't had a Gu in over 10 miles.  I grabbed a Gu, took it slowly and felt wonderful for the last few miles.  (Well as good as you can feel after running for 20+ miles.) 

The last hill, not as bad as I had heard.  After the hill, and the heat - you see the finish line.  Emotion was welling up inside me unlike any other.  I had Anne with me the whole way.  I never stopped running.  I was going to see my family.  I was excited.  4 hours, 48 minutes, 59 seconds.  I finish.  I am ecstatic.  Ran the entire way - goal accomplished.  

After Anne and I get our 312 beer, take photos, grab food.  We head to our families.  Walking like turtles, I cannot help but have a huge grin on my face.  I see my family.  Tears.  This time full-blown crying (you were worried I wasn't going to cry, huh?)  I give my mom a huge hug and I'm crying and all I mutter was "I'm so tired."  My mom starts crying.  Lindsay starts crying, and word is Bob almost started.  You have no idea how humbling it is knowing your family and friends came all that way to see you, only for a few seconds at a time.  It was a hot day, and they stood and watched me just to see me run past them.  I tear up just writing about it.  Blessed doesn't even begin to describe.   

The pain didn't matter anymore, and I can honestly say that was the biggest feeling of accomplishment I've had up to date.  (Stay tuned for a post about what I've learned about myself and the human sprit soon).  

Weeks 12 - 15; Peak of Training!

Week 12:  My long run this week is the 1st of the 20 milers.  "Injury" this week.  The ongoing joke through training is that I have a new injury every week and they are fun ones (Groin injury, flea bites, etc.)  This week:  Blood in urine.  To make a really long story short - I paid a lot of money to go to urologist here in Olney & get x-rays, all for exactly what I thought was the case after hours of self-diagnosing myself on Google:  Runner's hematuria.  Essentially, I was running on an empty bladder and that causes your bladder to bruise because the walls of the bladder hit each other, causing blood in urine.  Another fun, fun injury.  Cure?  Don't pee right before a run. Lesson learned.   


I got to go home to run 20 miles with my Naperville Running Co. Group.  Driving 5 hours from Olney to Chicago on Friday night to hear my alarm clock go off at 5am on Saturday was brutal.  Needless to say, I ran with the group and it was bittersweet.  As I walked up to the gazebo, I felt like an outsider. Felt as though I almost didn't belong anymore.  I was in that awkward in-between stage of training.  Life in Olney was my new home, yet my long runs were usually done elsewhere - so it didn't feel like home just yet.  When I got "home, home" it didn't feel right with the group.  


The 20 miler went very well.  People were asking me all about life in my new town, the job, etc.  I had lots of stories, though I must say it is difficult being the talker - much easier to be the listener during those runs.  20 miles telling stories about my new life in small-town America certainly passed the time away.  I provided some laughs about adjusting and trying to remain anonymous - and failing miserably ;)  It wasn't until we ran over 355 that I realized how far we had gone in training and on this particular run.  Moving 5 hours away and completing my 1st 20 mile run was quite the accomplishment.  Great weekend.


Week 13:  Back in Olney.  Finally starting to feel adjusted and like it is my new home.  I have this great route mapped out where I run by East Fork Lake.  It's a bit scary at times when cars zoom past on the dam, but pretty scenic and relaxing.  Cars honk (sometimes scares the bejesus out of me), but I find this so encouraging - people are pulling for me down here!  Lots of waves and honks = motivation on any run.  In the school newsletter I wrote about training for the marathon, and since that went home, tons of my students and parents will say "We saw you running", so I'm being held accountable even without the Naperville Running Company ;),  Though the e-mails from my pacer also help me feel connected to the group while down here.  I did my "long run" - 10 miles (that is nothing compared to 20), on a Friday night because my next door neighbor and I were driving to St. Louis the next day for her birthday.  I was dying at mile 5 during this run because I had a last minute meal with some ladies I work with and it was just an overall bad decision.  Needless to say, I learned my lesson and I hit my mileage that night, pushing through the last 5 miles.  I then had Saturday and Sunday to rest.  


Week 14:  The second and last 20 miler week.  I was freaking out about running 20 miles in Olney.  Olney isn't even 20 miles long.  Luckily, I had company - Don from my pace group with Naperville Running Co. was down for an Illini game (which we took the win!) and he drove 2 more hours south to meet me in Olney to squash our 20 miler.  Running injury of the week:  Hives.  My whole body broke out in hives late in the afternoon on Friday.  I think I hit a stressful situation in my job and the hives just came out of no where.  I was popping Benedryl every 4 hours.  There was no way I was going to run 20 miles with hives on my body.  Thankfully, there were only a few traces of them before we ran and I never noticed them on the run.  I had a difficult time routing the 20 mile distance, but we finished it.  We were not looking as strong as we did after our first 20 miler up north, but we did it in a decent time (I think it took us around 3hrs & 40 min).  New Injury due to the 20 miler:  Blood Blister.


Week 15:  The blood blister was ruining my weekly runs.  I bought my 4th & 5th pair of Minzunos to finish out training and the woman I bought them from up north didn't lace them like the guy that normally sold me my shoes, thus causing my blood blister.  Yes I should have re-laced them, but I wasn't thinking I needed to.  When I did my short 6 mile run during the week, my blood blister flared up because it wasn't healed from the 20 miler.  I came home and knew I wouldn't be doing any short runs during the week.  My toe looked awful, even my students were saying "Miss Baugh, what happened to your toe?"  I just kept draining it and cleaning it.  


Yesterday I was able to complete my 12 miler.  I did it Saturday afternoon.  Nice and relaxing, and feeling good despite my blister.  This blister is still painful, but I'm working with it from now until race day.  


I'm sad training is almost over.  I'm so ready for race day, but I'm going to be sad to not have a schedule.  On Friday after work the secretaries were in my office and they said they walked a half marathon in Indianapolis together.  I've said I want to do another half marathon after the Chicago Marathon, but I wanted to travel for my next half.  I asked them if they would like to do another half (possibly in St. Louis) and they said they would - I got so pumped.  I love looking forward to the next race.  


Lastly, I've been thinking more and more about the cause I'm running for.  HHH is something that I'm so humbled to be running for.  I've had great people and support throughout this training, but ultimately It's been a battle I've had to fight, on my own, while always keeping HHH in mind.  I'm honored to give back and I still want to raise more money for this great cause.  We're in the home stretch of training here and donations are greatly appreciated.  Kit's fight was 1000x more difficult than this training has ever been.      


Lots of love, Lauren   

Week 8 - 11; Feeling Tested

Week 8:  Last run "up north" with the Naperville Running Company.  Had a pretty good 16 miler with the group, then had to race home, shower, and drive a car for 5+ hours to my new town of Olney, IL.  I was proud of myself though that I wasn't letting the move get in the way of one of the last long run opportunities with my group.  Amazing how you don't get sore you are when you're hauling boxes up stairs a million times up and down.  


Week 9:  Miserable.  I moved into my apartment and I was all excited to start training alone, only to find out the previous owner had a dog and I was then the new lucky recipient of fleas that had infested the apt.  I am not kidding when I say that flea bites are the worst thing I've ever experienced.  They itch 10x worse than any mosquito bite, and then they pus open and mix pain with itching.  I get chills just typing it.  Here's the best part for a runner - they attack your feet and ankles.  This particular week in Olney as well there were excessive heat advisories.  Needless to say this week was blur that I barely remember.  I did my 10 mile run on a treadmill inside my apartment because I didn't want any fleas outside to get me and I didn't want to die from heat exhaustion.  Anyone that knows me, knows I don't do treadmills unless I have to.  10 miles is brutal on a treadmill, in a flea infested apartment.  


Week 10:  Having a difficult time with my weekly runs.  I either would start them too late and it would be ridiculously dark, and mosquito ridden.  I was also having a heck of a time trying to find running routes down here.  How I miss the trails.  Also, virtually no one runs down here and it makes it challenging when you ask people for good routes.  I was running outside my apartment in the middle of nowhere on country roads, surrounded by cornfields, but I was unsure if this was safe.  Farm dogs were running after me, and cars would zoom past me.  For a girl that doesn't run with her phone, even I was getting a little worried.  (Not sure if I would even have service anyway...)  Another challenge, I also would be in my office all day and now I know how people have a difficult time fitting running into their lives.  When I was "fun-employed" I devoted my time to training.  Now I have a bigger task at hand - my job, which I am so thankful for.  Running definitely gets pushed aside at times.  For a girl that was so adamant about sticking to the training schedule, I got very lax.  My groin injury was also flaring up at this point - this time with a vengeance.  Before the pain was a dull pain, this time around it was a sharp, shooting pain.  [Read more later.]  

Right outside my apartment.  You just keep your fingers crossed nothing happens to you... 

On the docket this week:  18 miles, in Whistler, Canada, for my sister's wedding.  Lots of traveling this week, still rid my apartment of fleas.  Leaving my job in the middle of the first week of school.  All of this = lots of stress.  I didn't realize how homesick I was until I got home and had a great night of sleep in my bed at my parents house.  The flea situation was wearing on me - I was never getting a good night of sleep knowing I could be bit by a flea at any minute.  I also had a meltdown when my mom saw my flea bites and was shocked at how bad they were, I burst out crying because they looked good at this point.  I was just glad to be with family and relax to an extent.   

Flea bites - this isn't even the grossest photo.  Awful to put running shoes on.  

After plane rides and car rides - we make it to Whistler, Canada.  I had to run my 18 miles on the day of Lindsay's wedding.  I was annoyed.  I thought that was going to be a challenge enough and then on top of it, I had a time constraint.  [Kind of like running the 16 miles and knowing I had to jump in the car to move in Olney].  As we were driving to the Four Seasons, I got really excited to run though because I saw bikers, runners, and walkers, everywhere in Whistler.  I miss seeing active people - I haven't seen much of that in Olney.  


I ask the front desk guy about the trails and he tells me elevation won't be a problem because I'll be at the bottom of the mountain and then as an afterthought he says, "Oh but make sure you watch for black bears."  I look at him and say, "You're joking".  He clearly isn't.  He gives me tactics to use if I see them and sends me on my way.  Great.  I wake up the next morning bright and early, hit the trails and for the first mile and a half I'm struggling because I'm alone on the trail and I'm convinced I will see a bear.  No bears.  I do get so, so lost though.  I do also misjudge time and think I'm going to be late for my hair appt., cut my run short, get back to the hotel - see a clock, breathe a sigh of relief and go back outside for another hour.  18 mile success, because I was SO distracted (getting lost, freaking out about bears, worrying about time, and finally enjoying the scenery), I don't even remember it, but by FAR the most scenic run I've ever done.  I will definitely have to make it back to Whistler, for a run, for skiing, for anything!  ;) 

Didn't even care that I was SO lost at this point - breathtaking.  

Week 11:  Weekly runs are a struggle again.  The groin injury is full force on me again.  I'm feeling like I can't cut a break.  Fleas are gone in my apt. (fingers crossed), yet the injury is back.  Early in the week I still can't find a good running route.  Feeling frustrated.  I ice my injury and say I'll hit all my other runs the rest of the week.  Wrong.  Allergies/sinus infection symptoms like mad.  Fever of 100.2 the next day.  Unreal.  Running was out of the picture.  Today (Sunday) I decide to attempt my 12 miler.  I go out at about 4pm.  Pro:  I have a good new running route after weeks of trying to find one.  Con:  I was SO crabby:  heat, sinuses, cars not moving over - forcing me into ditches with plants I have no idea if they are going to give me a rash, the sun in my eyes, going through my fuel belt faster than ever, not hitting my mileage.  At one point I just yelled out "Oh come on, can't the sun just go down?"  to which I burst out laughing because I am in the middle of no where, talking to myself and yelling that sun is still out - stop being such a brat.  I'm clearly crabby this week didn't go well training-wise.  I would bet my life that I was also suffering some dehydration on this run [running through my fuel belt didn't help this].  I shamefully walked back to my car, and my neighbor was driving and saw me (totally small town) and drove me back to my car.  That concludes Week 11.  Good ridden.


Now to get excited:  I'm coming home for Labor Day, which is the big 20 miler we have scheduled for Saturday and I'll get to run it with my group!  My groin is holding out, my job is great - the kids are amazing, the staff is phenomenal.  Church allowed me to regroup today - much needed.  Ready for Week 12!  So anticipating this race.  


As I wrote this entry this reminded me of why I'm running for HHH - life can be so up and down.  Clearly this is proving to be the case with my training.  But you get through, you push yourself, and you try, try again.  Never, never, never give up.  Thank you for the donations - I really want to amp this up for the rest of training and raise as much $ for this cause.  This is what will get me through the last few weeks, clearly I'm in a rut ;)  


Lots of love!  Missing so many of you!     

Week 7 - New attitude

Some of the running group out for my birthday (note my non-running clothes ;)

Starting at the end of week 5, I had to try and make peace with sitting out.  The first week of that I was trying anything to justify that I can just run here and there.  I kept thinking to myself, 'this can't be real, this injury is fake'.  Then I would try and do some cardio and I realized the injury was real.  Very real.  

Thursday (7/15) was a group run and also my birthday so I had been planning on running and going out for drinks with the group after.  Instead of the running, I met up for the drinks.  That lifted my morale so much, but I was a bit let down that I was drinking after a day of 'nothing' and they were drinking after running 5 miles.  

That Saturday (the second long run I had to skip) was when my group did 12 miles.  Not going to lie, I enjoyed a day of sleeping in until 10AM.  My enjoyment didn't last long though when I called a group member to see how the run went.  I wanted to be out there with them all running the 12.  Instead, I started to panic that everyone was building mileage and I was losing my fitness by the hour.  I tried to view my rest as being proactive, but it I couldn't.  

During Week 6 I had to make the decision of how many miles I would run with the group on Thursday.  After much hesitation, I decided to run a measly 3 miles, (when I normally was doing 5, and often contemplating 7).  Everyone was so supportive when I got to the store.  I talked to the 10:30 pacer, Caroline, and she said I needed to run a slow, slow 3 miles, and on Saturday instead of doing 14 miles, I should do 10.  I couldn't even think about Saturday at that point - I only wanted to get through my first day back.  

Right as I was about to start my 3 miles, my first run in 2 weeks, Monica (the organizer of the group) asked me "How are you feeling?"  I almost lost it at that point, I was overwhelmed by her compassion - heck everyone's support through the 2 weeks, but I also couldn't take the anticipation to just start running.  Thankfully, the group started running right after that and I didn't have time to let emotions get to me.  So my first run back was tough.  It was hot that day, but I think I had a few variables working against me:  heat, nerves, and sitting out for 2 weeks.  My groin hurt in the beginning and then the pain began to fade, my endurance (or lack thereof) was hurting the most.  When I made it back to the store, I felt a mixture of emotions:  excited to be back, yet sour that I wasn't at the level I wanted to be back at.  The impatience was setting in.  

After that I had to focus on Saturday's long run.  14 miles was on the schedule. I was advised to just do 10.  How feasible is it to really run 14 miles after being off for 2 weeks?  Turns out if you have a strong drive in you combined with a wonderfully supportive group you can!  Saturday morning was filled with hard rain and thunderstorms.  Of course I didn't sleep at all.  I woke up at 4:30, iced my groin and left to meet at mile marker 5.  The rain was pouring down, it was quite dark, and I saw people in the gazebo - "No matter what the weather, I'm doing this" I thought to myself.  Sure enough the "official" run was cancelled because of the lightening, but most of my group was there and accounted for and we said we were still going to run.  All the runners there said they would go too, but at a slower pace.  I couldn't help but think this was perfect for a first run back - a relaxed one.  Yet I was still nervous, I couldn't stand the anticipation of standing in the gazebo, so I told my pace group "Let's get out there, the rain isn't going to let up any time soon."

We started and my groin was hurting but I ignored it.  There were puddles knee deep on this run and I was drenched after 1 mile.  We got to mile 5, which means if I turned back that would be the 10 miles I was advised to go.  My group stopped and everyone looked at me, through a hesitant voice I said, "I can keep going"  though I wasn't so sure, but I had to try.  After that, I felt great.  My stomach started to turn around mile 6, but at least it wasn't my groin injury.  Then when we turned back around at mile 7, I was on cloud nine.  I had made it over the halfway point.  I was joking around and gabbing as usual.  There is no way after being gone for 2 weeks was I going to be quiet now ;).  Around mile 12 a group member stopped to walk.  I remember hurting at that point and I said, "I can stay with you." and she said "No, I'll catch up with you."  So I made a quick decision to keep running.  I had to make it quick because I almost stopped.  When I did this, something happened.  I was flying high mentally.  Sure my body hurt, but mentally I have never felt this good during a run.  The longest I had ever run in my life was 13.1 miles, and now I was completing 14 after being off for 2 weeks -  I was elated.  I must have been quiet for longer than 5 min. (a first) thinking about this accomplishment and one of my group members said, "If you can do this after 2 weeks off, none of us have any excuses."  I smiled and finally gave myself some credit.  

We got back and I hugged everyone in my group because I couldn't have done it without them.  Though after I stopped my groin pain was almost immediate.  I panicked.  Natalie - our Pacer, asked me how I was (she's a physical therapist) and I told her I was in pain.  She stretched my groin for me twice, and I kid you not.  I've been amazing ever since.  

Those 2 weeks were so mentally trying, but lots of prayer and the support of everyone got me through it, and I am now confident I will run this race.  Last night I ran 4 miles and suffered a textbook case of dehydration, so that was a painful blip, but at least that is something I can consciously control.  Training is something I'm so grateful for right now, and I appreciate it that much more after losing 2 weeks of it.  Those 2 weeks taught me how badly I want this, and how I can overcome any adversity as long as you try, try again.  

Lots of love!      

Week 5 - Injured...

No one wants to be injured during training, no one.  This breaks my heart but I had to skip my long run on Saturday (of Week 4) because I have a groin injury - classy, I know.

We're thinking the injury happened when I fainted last week.  I was giving blood and I fell out of a chair to the floor.  My entire left side was sore the next day, and it's pretty likely I strained the tendon in my groin in the process of going from chair to floor.

I ran 5 miles with my running group on Thursday night and felt fine.  Then Friday morning when I woke up I had miserable pain.  I was working at the Dr.'s office Friday and I described my symptoms to one of the PA's and he said I have an injury.  He would advise patients to stop physical activity for 4-6 weeks.  Almost in tears, I told him there is no way I have 4-6 weeks to recover.  He prescribed some pain meds and I thanked him, finding little solace in the answers.  One of my co-workers said, "You are a true athlete", based on my response.    

Later that day I e-mailed Monica, the head of the Naperville Running Company Group, and told her about my injury.  She told me to take 2 weeks off, while still continuing to do cardio that would not irritate the injury.  A 2 week break was still devastating, but much more realistic to hear.  She also told me it is early enough in training that I won't be losing much time - her e-mail ended with the words:  Don't panic.  Panicking is exactly what I was/have been doing, but it was helpful to hear.

Saturday was awful to not meet at 6:30am to run 8 miles with my group.  I woke up at the same time I normally would to get ready to run and just cried.  This coming Thursday (my birthday) I was supposed to run with my group and then go out for drinks to celebrate after.  Now I will just be meeting my group all clean and showered in downtown Naperville after they all run, as opposed to going out all sweaty and in my Nike running clothes with them.   Sad.

I biked last night, that was my first round of cardio since Thursday.  It felt okay, I went really slow though.  Today, there is a dull pain in my tendon, which I am trying to ignore.  I will ice it today, and try some more cardio tonight.    

Thank you for the kind words.  I've already had a great amount of support - I even have a card sitting on my desk that tells me "I'm sure you'll be back out there with us on the trail in no time!"  For everyone's sanity - I hope so!

Decision to Run for Harley Helping Hands - Week 4 of Training!

Hi all!  Week 4 of marathon training has begun and I decided I wanted a cause to run for.

Seeing as I will be moving 5 hours south and have to complete weeks 8-17 of training alone down in Olney, IL and leave my beloved Naperville Running Company group - I knew I would need some motivation.  Running for Harley Helping Hands (HHH) couldn't have been a better organization to keep the drive alive in me!

My dad is good friends with Bob Harley (the late Kit Harley's father), so dad and I decided this should be my cause.  Kit's strength and courage to fight brain cancer is a huge inspiration to me.  I can do 26.2 miles.  Also an inspiration is the strength and positivity Kit's family and friends hold after losing Kit.  I am running not only for Kit, but for everyone that misses him so dearly.  I am humbled and honored to be running for such a great cause!

Thank you all for the donations (You can donate by clicking the "Donate" button on the top left side of this site) for such a wonderful cause and all the emotional support through 17 weeks of training.  10.10.10 will be a great day in Chicago.

Lots of Love,
Lauren