State #3 Sauvie Island, Oregon

July 4, 2012   Foot Flat Marathon

Sometimes, it is easier to distract and disassociate yourself rather than deal with issues.  An arbitrary goal is somehow concocted in my mind... how about running twelve marathons in 2012.  Basically this year starts out bad and ends worse.  It is the year "struggle" becomes my "motto".  Now struggle is definitely a relative term, in the big scheme of things my struggle is not really significant, but we each have our own personal battles to wage.

It is a turbulent year in many respects and my coping mechanism is to run marathons many marathons. As the year rolls along (six marathons completed between February through May) rolls of fat end up around my waist and thighs!!  Each marathon does little to help alleviate my angst mainly because I am also eating too much as my other coping strategy.  The result is a vicious cycle of running without much training and struggling through each marathon with little satisfaction.  In fact; my last marathon of the year is CIM and as I struggle through the pain, I vow to myself at mile eight to never run another marathon being so overweight and out of shape ever again! The realization unfortunately does not occur until December 2012. 

The first half of the year is a roller coaster of travel, marathons and fluctuating weight.  The year starts with Surf City Marathon at a respectable weight and pace. Completing the Boston to Big Sur Challenge is a highlight as well, but by July of 2012 my weight climbs leaving me in an emotional and physical slump.

In my case...weeks!

 Running ceases half way through May and into June and my attempt to deal with life's frustrations and post marathon depression is to register for another marathon,  The Foot Traffic Flat Marathon in Sauvie Island, Oregon.

After a challenging school year with a job change, instead of enjoying my summer, I am dreading the end of summer and returning to my work site. In addition, it is my daughter's second year of college and she elects not to come home for the summer break. She has a day job and another job that requires her to work nights. It is a stressful time for her.  As any mom knows when your children struggle, we feel the pain too.  Being home all summer without my sweet pea after eighteen years is a difficult transition. I find myself vegging and eating way too much. My husband is busy at work that summer so I talk my mom into going to Oregon with me to obtain state number three.  We stop to visit my daughter on the way to the airport.

We can't pass up the opportunity to reflect at the ocean during our visit.  There is no greater way, breathing in some fresh ocean air, to gain a sense of peace.  Other than seeing my baby, of course!

It is nice to travel with my mom.  We rarely go anywhere by ourselves.  The flight on Jet Blue is a pleasant one.  After renting the car, we go to packet pick up which consists of  "a bib" at the running store, no fanfare.  We stop for pizza (shocking, I know) before going to the rose garden. It is a beautiful place!

 After our little sight seeing tour around Portland, we drive out to the island to see where we will need to go in the morning and finally check into our hotel which includes a complimentary dinner.  After fueling up I am as ready as can be.  It is an "early to bed, early to rise" kind of evening in order to get out to Sauvie Island, extra early in the morning.  Mom, who is not an early bird, takes me out to the start line...heeding the warning to runners to ARRIVE EARLY.  Mom, goes back to the hotel for her morning coffee and prepares herself to return to see me at the finish.  I walk around the farm and take shelter from the cold inside a barn! (I think I am the only runner with a long sleeve shirt) The barn is home to some very cute animals.  Are all runners so easily entertained?
~The emphasis on early is stressed for a reason!~Before long, it is time to start and we are off and running, passing car after car of late runners trying to get to the race!  Arrive early is not stated just for the heck of it people.  Some runners get out and run towards the start line to begin their race!  The long line of cars carrying disgruntled runners seems never ending!

With only two weeks of sporadic running, I settle in for a painful run. It is very difficult lugging an extra twenty pounds. I try to distract myself from the extra effort required to carry a heavier load by enjoying the scenery.

There is a scenic waterway with homes along the river.  The course is made up of rolling hills and lots of farms.

Lots of berries growing in the fields with numerous fruit stands, probably the reason the finishers medal is a large strawberry with strawberry shortcake served up as a post run treat!

The race being so long ago...I don't have too many specific memories other than one conversation with an older gentlemen who is running his first marathon.  We talk about training and the mental aspect of the marathon distance.  He has been told a marathon is 90% mental and 10% physical.  In my current condition  (overweight and out of shape) I totally disagree.  There is a mental toughness necessary to run marathons, but only training and physical conditioning makes it happen.  It does not matter how much you mentally want something, positive thinking doesn't carry you across the finish line.  Strong legs and a fit heart is what gets it done!!

No amount of mental strength is going to make me run faster...it's all about the training!

It is a good thing my husband doesn't come to the race.  It warms up substantially in the last six miles with little to no shade and he hates running in the heat.  I remember calling him in the last three miles complaining and telling him, he is not missing out. "It is hot and shade less ugh!"  "Marathon Goddess" is at the race too.  I see her at several of the races I did in 2012 since it is her 52 marathons in 52 weeks year, her future husband is out on the course encouraging runners.  I feel like such a wimp...only 40 more marathons to reach "goddess status!" That's never going to happen.

Mom almost missed the shot and it is not because I am running fast...or super tiny!

Overall, it is a good event and I am happy my mom is here with me.  After some refreshments, we rush back to the hotel to clean up.  My brother lives in Oregon and we go to his home for a fourth of July BBQ.  He left California years ago and for some reason he never likes to return.  We enjoy our time together!

My brother and his wife

My nephew 

As the evening winds down, we return to the hotel.  The front desk informs us about a fireworks show by the river.  We walk down to watch the spectacular fireworks display.  My mom rarely gets to visit with both of her children at the same time anymore, making for a very memorable trip for all of us!

Sadly, when I return home only the fury face is there to greet me!

State #2 Boston, Massachusetts

April 19, 2010

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a high point in 2009 and November 30th 2009 is a low point for me. After four years in the high school marching band, my daughter marches in her last Candy Cane Parade as I follow along on the sidewalk trying to take a picture.

Paying no attention, the sidewalk ends, and I roll my ankle. It is  much steeper than a typical curb and "Oh man, did I hurt myself." Wincing in pain, I stand there for awhile uncertain if I will be able to walk back to the car. Eventually I make it back to the car, but the pain level is pretty intense.  I did not realize how long the recover would be...the mental aspect being the hardest to endure. Once home I carefully remove the tan boot and wonder how bad my ankle will look. It is a swollen black and blue mess already! While icing and elevating I decide to take the next day off from work beginning a long period of healing. Not taking enough time to heal properly is a big mistake. December and January come and go and I am still not running. Every attempt to run only extends the healing process. Thinking back, I wish I had the foresight to just let it heal but as runners, we are impatient and feel we must be running. Injury is a (BAD WORD a very bad word) and resting is a Foreign CONCEPT to most runners, me included.

In late December, we travel to San Diego to look at colleges. It is a sad time for me as our daughter prepares to LEAVE (and she really left) for college. With my daughter leaving, being unable to run, along with another birthday, it is a sad time. (How can I possibly be another year older already, how can she really leave and how can I not be able to run)...I know I should be saying thank you for another year of life with gratitude that my daughter is ready to fly out of the nest, but that kind of growth is still a work in progress.

So bummed about my ankle!

College visits...UCI

UCSD...campus

but the sweatshirt tells it all...

...and a zoo visit too

This too shall pass I tell myself in an attempt to stay positive. Sometimes you just have to embrace the situation. On our way home from college visits, the car breaks down and must be repaired. After spending half the day waiting on car repairs, boy is that costly, we finally make it home. The upside, the van lets me down for the last time! We buy a new car. The new car, now six years old, is still going strong and hasn't let me down yet...

 We try to cherish our daughter's senior year of high school and even run the Surf City Half Marathon together as a family! Surely, I will be healed by February, but that is not the case.  I did little training, I am terribly out of shape and I limp through the entire race getting my worst time ever.  My daughter even leaves me near the end of the race. She is ready to get her run DONE.

One of us loves running...the other one not so much!

The ankle experience, teaches me to appreciate the good while it lasts. I am still determined to go to Boston with a memorable family trip planned and more realistic expectations for race day. My mom, daughter and husband join in on the Boston Marathon experience. We spend a few extra days touring the city and surrounding areas.

Boston Common

A Duck Boat Tour is a must do at least once!!

Mr. Duck Tape is our tour guide for the ride through the city!!

I even get to drive the boat on The Charles River!

For the trip we rent a car and stay outside the city.  In subsequent years we stay in the city and use the "T" or the subway to get around.  It is easier using the subway since parking is at a premium and it is just as easy to get around. Currently I am working really hard~in 2016~to get back to Boston.  I will attempt to get another Boston qualifying time in May at the Eugene Marathon. I want to take my daughter back to Boston. After four trips, my husband and I have figured out the logistics and I want my daughter to experience Boston while staying downtown. I also have unfinished business.  Running Boston in 2013 and crossing the finish line just a few minutes before the bombing, leaves me with the desire to run the final stretch of Boylston Street without fear.  I was  just about to take a water bottle off the table when the first blast hit. Hearing the bombs and witnessing the smoke and pandemonium is my last tragic memory of the finish line. One day I hope to return to make a "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston!"

The first trip to Boston, includes a visit to Walden Pond where David Thoreau, the great philosopher, spent lots of time. Our April visit is very cold, but the lake is a popular place for swimming in the summer.

 Me and my layers of jackets!! (always cold)  We also visit the Charleston Navy Yard and take a tour of the U.S.S. Constitution. (Old Iron Side)

Boston is full of history. The Freedom Trail is a great way to see and learn about many historical sights.  Just follow the red line on the cobble stones.

A visit to Boston in not complete without a visit to Cheers. There are two, one is a touristy restaurant located at the Faneuil Hall~Quincy Market Place. The other location is in the Back Bay on Beacon Street. The actual "Cheers" exterior sign is used in the opening scene of the television show. My daughter has never watched Cheers and does not understand all the hoopla. I guess that means we are old!!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

Bunker Hill Monument is a 221 foot granite monument that marks the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution. There are 294 steps to the top viewing deck. 

View from top of Bunker Hill

My husband drives down to see Plymouth rock! (what a disappoint) so small. There is also a replica of the Mayflower. The girls smartly elect not to partake in the exciting little detour. Thank goodness.

The ladies ride the "T" to the finish line to take part in the pre-race  buzz and excitement.  Bolyston Street is closed to traffic a few days before the race and it is "the place to be."  Runners love taking pictures on the line. In the days leading up to the marathon there are a sea of Boston jackets and running shoes. It is a great place to be with lots of other crazy runners, despite a little rain. I can never get enough of the atmosphere in Boston before the marathon. It is electric! It gives me the greatest joy to be here!!

Copley Square is  near the long stretch on Boylston Street and serves as the finisher's chute on race day where runner's get water, snacks medal and pick up drop bags!

Finally, it is race morning.  I have to be a big girl and ride the "T' by myself to Boston Commons.  There are a few others runners waiting on the platform too which helps alleviate some of the nervousness. My husband captures a picture.  He is so helpful driving me to the station and making sure I make it onto the correct train. He is always my biggest and best supporter in making my Boston dreams come true!!  I am feeling simply giddy. I can not believe I am about to run the oldest and one most prestigious marathons in the United States.

 Once we arrive at Boston Commons, there are runners everywhere. Runners walk in mass to the bus lines. It is organized chaos, but I finally make it onto a bus for the forty-five minute ride out to Hopkinton. I sit next to another lady and we talk the entire way about our running experiences. It makes the ride go very fast. The runner's village, in Hopkinton is simply surreal.  It is hard to explain, but all these like minded runners of various running abilities congregate in a tented town. There is porta potty land, tent land, medical tent land, and food land with an announcer's voice booming throughout the lands giving updates and pumping up the crowd as if we need it.

With a long wait in Athlete's Village I come prepared to stay warm and succeed! I may be a funny sight to people, but I do not care...I am warm and waste little energy staying warm. After a long wait, it is time to tape up my ankle, put on an ankle brace and stand in the potty line. I am not at my best, but just so grateful to be here.

A picture in front of the iconic, "It all starts here" sign is a must!  Now it is time to drop my bag through the correct window of the bus. It is an efficient drop bag system. The walk to the start line is almost a mile. Runner's, shoulder to shoulder make their way to the famous start line. Runners must get into the correct corral. Every runner's bib is checked before being allowed in. It is the greatest feeling being here! ~Did I say that already~

Ready with disposal camera in hand to capture the moments of this unbelievable race adventure soaking in the entire race experience!

Can you see the line of men...taking care of business? I have to snap a picture or my family may not believe my account of the experience. It is an amazing running experience. The people of Boston make the run an incredible journey through small towns to downtown Boston. People line the streets in the early sections it is more rural with sporadic homes with homeowners out clapping and sitting in lawn chairs. As runners approach each township, the celebrations continue as spectators hang out drinking at local establishments. Mile twelve begins with the sounds of cheers. The Wesley College girls can be heard before they come into view. The crowds become more dense and intense at the halfway point. Runners absorb the energy of the people out cheering. High-fives are never in short supply from little kids to Boston College students.  Tired runners can only smile and suck energy from the enthusiasm of the roaring crowds. It is one fun time!! Even Heartbreak Hill is fun with the  lined streets with cheering people. 

Disposable camera selfie in the homestretch. I am almost done with my first Boston Marathon!

Just over the finish line and...so elated!! I can not believe I just ran the Boston Marathon. Now time to find my family. Getting around the city on race day among half a million people isn't as fun for my loved ones. I am grateful that they are there for me, but they are ready to go back to the hotel and get something to eat. My finish time is 4:06 at the time, I felt was not good at all. The ankle held up and eventually healed. But I am determined after the first Boston to return and get redemption.

I did return in 2011 and got my redemption. In fact it is my P.R. race (3:46) which is still my personal record. I am sure it is due to the fact that I refrained from eating a six-pack of Reese's eggs my usual indulgence at that time of year!! Boston 2011 is my best race ever. I felt good from start to finish and still chase that feeling. (If only every marathon can feel that euphoric!) 

Boston 2012

The hot year...I loved it!!

I also returned in 2012.  It is the year it was super hot in Boston. They offered deferments to runners that did not want to risk running in the heat. Heat does not usually bother me, but with all the warnings and the signs on the course cautioning runners to slow down and stay hydrated I run my slowest Boston.  I saw runners passed out on the course and there were ambulances and runners in wheelchairs. Just thankful to make it through and always grateful for the experience!

My last trip to Boston. (2013) Finish line photos with Maniac #3 before race day.  The next day the world discovers the true strength of Bostonian's. My husband and I witnessed unbelievable courage, strength, and community on that horrific day in Boston. The police, medical personal and everyday citizen united to help save lives. The people of Boston are stronger than strong, they are "BOSTON STRONG!!"

In May of 2010 we gain a new family member to help ease the departure of our daughter who is off to college in September.