San Diego Rock and Roll

Last Sunday, I competed in my third half marathon—the San Diego Rock and Roll Half Marathon.  I woke up super early, as we do for most big races.  I meet my Team in the hotel lobby at 3:45 for a quick prerace team photo and we were off to the race.  We rode a shuttle bus through the dark streets of San Diego to Balboa Park.  Then we had a two hour wait for the race to start. 

It is a Team in Training tradition at the night before the race the Team gathers and decorates their shirts together.  I decorated my shirt with my name, and then the names of people I wanted to dedicate my run to. I dedicated my run to Dave, Scott, Emily and of course sweet baby Kaitlyn.  Kaitlyn's mom always put the cutest, most girly bows in her hair.  In honor of Kaitlyn, I wore a big purple bow in my hair during the race. 

It was so nice having my Teammates there to wait with.  We ate breakfast together, checked our bags together, stood in the long porta potty lines together and then waited in our corrals together.  I like the corral system the RnR series used.  There were 42 corrals, each starting a minute apart.  Each corral felt special because they were sent off with cheers and a “ready, set, go”.  This eliminated the bottle necks at the beginning of the race.

The first two miles or so was run on the streets of San Diego.  Then we entered Balboa Park, right in front of the San Diego Zoo.  It was really neat running through the Spanish Village part of Balboa Park.  Then we ran on the 163 freeway—for four miles, much of it up hill.  I really did not enjoy this part of the race.  The road was banked, so my right foot was a few inches higher than my left.  This made my left foot hurt and it really slowed me down.  If you know me, you know how much I hate snakes!  There was a dead snake in the road. Gross!  I was never so happy during a race as I was when I saw that we were exiting the freeway.  The next four miles were through the town of San Diego.  This part was really fun to run through.  There were lots of Team in Training cheer teams and lots of cheerleading squads cheering us on.  There were lots of bands and DJ’s keeping the music pumping.  I could finally see the beautiful San Diego water starting at mile 12.  By this point in the course, lots of spectators were lining the course cheering the runners on.  I could see SeaWorld in the background—the finish line.  I keep running hard and crossed the finish line!

Once I crossed the finish line, I could think of nothing but getting water.  I got my water and then my beautiful, shiny medal.  The “finish line party” was like nothing I had ever experienced.  There was a huge band stand with bands playing music.  As I walked through the shoot, people kept handing me things.  I got water, Gatorade, a Jamba Juice, a yogurt, every kind of fruit you can think of, tons of energy bars, chips…I could barely carry it all—until someone handed me a grocery bag to put it all in.  I picked up my checked bag, checked in at the TNT tent and went to meet my Team for lunch.

My time for this race was about one minute less than my time at the Myrtle Beach Diva, so a PR for me. One experience that was truly unique in this race for me was the Team in Training coaches.  Each chapter around the country brought with them a coach.  The coaches were placed all along the course to help and encourage the Team in Training runners.  Have a question, need support, need some GU, just need a caring friend?  The coaches are there to help.  They really helped me.  For instance, on the killer hill on the 163, a coach was running up and down the hill chanting “shorter strides, deeper breathes”.  It really helped me.  My coach told us a story about a guy having a really tough time at mile 21.  She ran with him and cheered him on up until mile 25.  He finished the race because of her. Wonderful and dedicated coaches are just one of the many reason I love being part of Team in Training. 

One thing I really liked about the Rock and Roll series was the organization.  They had food and water for runners at the start.  They had plenty of porta potties at the start, finish and along the course.  The route was well marked.  The finish line was also well organized and had plenty of food.  The bands on the course were motivating.  The bands were approximately every half mile apart, except for the part on the freeway.  There were no bands there.  I was not impressed with the course.  Four miles of banked freeway was not for me.  I expected to see more than one mile of ocean.  Overall, I am very happy I got to be a part of this race.  It was a great experience. 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy 

Team Inspiration Dinner—With a VERY Special (famous) Guest

“The miracle isn’t that I finished.  The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”  --John Bingham

Last Saturday, the night before the big race, over 2,500 of my closest friends, also known as my national network of Team in Training teammates, ascended on the San Diego Convention Central for our traditional Team in Training Inspirational Dinner.  Rumors had been flying around the expo about a very special guest speaker—John Bingham.  I could not wait to get to the dinner to find out if it was true.

I met my team in the lobby of our hotel at 5PM and we walked over to the dinner together.  As we walked into the lobby of the convention center, there were hundreds of TNT staff and family members--some dressed in crazy wigs and costumes--clapping, yelling and cheering for the team members.  Honestly, it was very overwhelming at first.  I did not know what to expect.  All of the sudden all of these people were cheer and yelling for me.  After a few seconds I got into it and started cheering for my teammates too. 

We got our pasta dinner from the buffet and found our tables.  At each seat was a very special placemat that read “at this table sits a HERO”.  I had never really looked at myself or my teammates that way, but I guess to the cancer patients we help, we are.  Each staff member decorated their team’s table.  Stephanie decorated ours in the Hershey theme.  It was fun to walk around and see how the other tables with teams from across the country were decorated. 

After we ate we got to listen to a few speakers.  The first was Jennifer Grandy, the Team in Training National Director.  She had some amazing news to share.  She told us that the national Team in Training San Diego Team raised over $7.3 million!  She also told us how the money would be used.  There is a new, very promising drug that just made it through a phase one clinical trial.  In the trial 28/50 patients went into remission, while only 15/50 went into remission with the old drug.  These results are simply astonishing!  Wouldn’t it be amazing if I was part of finding the cure for cancer! 

After all the seriousness came the fun!  Our guest speaker was the famous penguin runner, John Bingham.  John has written several books on running, and was a writer for Runner’s World Magazine.  John told us lots of funny stories—about the running “bite me zone”, and about sitting in porta potties and why you may never be able to stand up again.  He was very entertaining and inspirational at the same time. 

The Team Inspirational dinner was so perfect to get us in the running mode.  We were reminded of the real reason so many of us trained.  I left the dinner ready to run for such a wonderful cause! If you would like to donate, I am still taking donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  There is a link on the upper right. 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy 

Rock and Roll San Diego Race Expo

With the RnR "Elvi" (plural for Elvis, LOL) 

All runners are required to attend a race expo for most larger races, include the Rock and Roll Series and the runDisney races.  I have been to a few races expos in the past, but they were nothing in scale compared to the Rock and Roll San Diego Expo.  This expo was big!

After lunch Friday, most of my Team in Training Teammates and I went to the race expo together.  We made the short walk from our hotel to the San Diego Convention Center where the expo was being held.  The beginning of the expo was set up like a maze.  Attendants would wind up and down partitioned off area’s accomplishing a few necessary tasks.  First, we had to hand in our race waver and pick up our bib somewhere down a long and slender room lined with numbers and tables.  What table you went to depended on what your bib number was.  The next stop was the T-shirt room.  This area was divided by what shirt you got—men’s or women’s and then by size.  The final stop was the goody bag stop—my personal favorite!

The "finish" line! 

The goody bag for this race was very nice.  We got a black draw string back pack with the Rock and Roll race series logo on it.  It had lots of samples, like Starkissed Tuna, GU, shampoo, lots of coupons and flyers for other races. 

The first area attendants came upon was the Brooks area.  They had a “heaven” theme.  The heaven area had treadmills and shoe specialists helping racers find their perfect pair.  One thing kind of funny in the Brooks area was changing rooms that looked like porta potties for racers to try on Brooks clothes and official race apparel.  After that, we entered the main body of the expo.

Goody bag and booth swag

There were so many booths; I did not know where to start, but I found many favorites.  Of course, my favorite booth was the runDisney booth.  They were offering lots of race specials, but did not have anything that I am not registered for.  My next booth was the Team in Training booth.  They had mock race bibs for runners to make and wear in memory or honor of loved ones who fought cancers. I hit up lots of other booths and got lots of swag—including 5 Hour Energy, Jamba Juice, McDonald's oatmeal, Sports Authority coupons, KT tape, Pepto, GU, Biofreeze, Lara Bars, Clif Bars, Uber bars and lots of other cool stuff.  I picked up a Team in Training purple sparkly Sweaty Band before heading back to the hotel. 

I meet a very nice woman who was running on a team for the Ronald McDonald House.  They have a team for the Philly Rock and Roll Half in September.  The fundraising minimum is $500.  Should I do this event too, along with still fundraising for the LLS?  I still would like to raise $2000+ for the LLS.  The Ronald McDonald House holds a very special place in my heart.  While my daughter was in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and The Milton Hershey Hospital, I spent a great deal of time at the RMH.  With out them, I don't know who I would have survived in Philly.  Having a place to rest and sleep while your child is in the hospital is a god send.  I would love to have the opportunity to give back.  Decisions, decisions…

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

My Trip to San Diego

I just got home from an amazing trip to San Diego!  While I had never been to San Diego before, I have been to Southern California many times.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  San Diego is beautiful!  As much as I love Los Angeles, San Diego is so much cleaner and less graffiti covered.  I gave up control when I allowed the Team to make all my travel arrangements.  Stephanie, our TNT staff member, did such a great job planning our trip.

We stayed at the Hyatt Manchester right on the San Diego harbor.  It was beautiful!  Most rooms have a water view.  I shared a room with another Team member, Donielle. The hotel had an outdoor pool on the 4^th floor.  I spent time there every evening, frequenting the hot tube that overlooks the San Diego harbor.   We flew US Airways.  While I am still partial to Southwest, US Airways was not bad to fly with. 

We flew into town around lunch time on Friday.  After riding the shuttle and checking into our hotel, most of the Team went to Seaport Village for lunch.  Seaport Village it a cute little boardwalk area of the San Diego harbor.  After lunch, the Team headed to the Expo together (review to come).  After the Expo, the Team cleaned up at the hotel and went to Dick’s Last Resort for a fun dinner. 

On Saturday morning, I went to breakfast with a fun bunch of Team members.  After that I met my friend Rachel at her hotel and we went to the world famous San Diego zoo!  It was so nice.  We saw the panda’s, the elephants, the gorillas, the lions and many, many other animals.  After the zoo, we went back to our hotels to get ready for the Inspiration dinner.  I meet my Team in the hotel lobby and we went to the dinner as a Team.  I will tell you all about the amazing and moving dinner tomorrow.  After dinner, most of the Team went back to the hotel to rest up for the big day in the morning—the race!

We woke up very early for the race.  It was wonderful!  I will tell you all about the race this weekend.  After the race, I went to Sea World with some Team members.  After that, we rode the shuttle back to the hotel to get ready for the victory dinner.  By this time, I had done all of my San Diego must do’s except one—Coronado. After dinner, Stephanie and I rode the ferry over to Coronado Island.  Coronado was so amazingly beautiful.  We walked the old hotel and the beach.  After taking the ferry back to the hotel, I took one last dip in the water view hot tube and packed to go home. 

On Monday morning, I was not ready to leave San Diego, but I was ready to go home and see my kids.  I missed them very much during this amazing trip.  Please stay tuned for my experience at the Expo and the Rock and Roll San Diego Half marathon!

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Thanks!

It’s time!  I head to the airport for San Diego is just a few hours.  While I am so incredibly excited about my journey, I am so nervous to leave my daughter.  With all of her medical problems, I do not leave her often.  Since she came home from the hospital on September 14^th of 2009, I have not been away from her for more than a few hours.  The idea of leaving her for four nights is making me sick to my stomach, but I know I need to do it.  My husband will take great care of her.  I think this will be harder on me than it is on her. 

I wanted to thank all of you for encouraging me along the way.  You helped me meet my fundraising goal and you help me stay motivated.  You have answered my questions and given me a reason to keep going.  For that I am eternally grateful.  I am so thankful I get to run to find a cure.  I am so honored I get to run in memory of all of those who have lost their battle, like sweet little Kaitlyn.  It is a TEAM tradition to decorate our running jerseys with the names of those we are honoring or remembering.  I will have the names Kaitlyn and Emily on my shirt.  Do you want me to honor or remember your loved one on my running jersey at the race Sunday?  Make a donation to my training page (link to the upper right) and send me a message with your loved ones name.  They will be honored for 13.1 miles on my training shirt.  

My trip starts with a 7 am flight out of Philly.  We land in San Diego around 10 am  Pacific time.  After checking into the hotel, we will get our race bibs at the Expo and have the rest of the day free.  I am thinking about going to Sea World.  I have the zoo planned for Saturday, followed by the Team in Training inspiration dinner.  Sunday morning is the big event—the Rock and Roll half marathon!  After that I plan to hit the beach, followed by the TNT victory dinner.  Monday morning it is back on a plane and back home to see my baby.  I can’t wait to tell you all about it! 

Have you ever been to San Diego?  What is a “must do” there?

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

It's Hot!

The last TEAM run of the season. 

Yesterday was my last Team in Training team run before we hop on a plane and go to San Diego on Friday morning.  We all meet at the trail, socialized some, and then Coach Barb read us a letter from a parent who had lost her child to leukemia.  The letter was very inspiring and was meant to put us in a certain mind frame.  I can tell you, it worked for me.  After getting a team picture, we were off on an eight mile run. 

A Kaitlyn Klover--in honor of sweet, beautiful Kaitlyn 

I started the run off ok, but boy was it hot!  The heat usually does not bother me, but combined with the humidity—wow!  It really took a lot of out my run.  Coach Barb says it was a good last run because San Diego will be nothing like that.  I remember our first team run in January.  It was freezing!  Now, at the last team run of the season, we had the weather I was wishing for in January.  I have never been so happy during a run as I was when go got to mile four where coach had water and Gatorade waiting for us.  After the fluid stop, it was time to run back up the trail.  Between miles four and six Coach John ran with me.  He evaluated my run and gave me some pointers about building my endurance and relieving shoulder tension.  When the run was over, we celebrated a bit and received lots of well wishes for San Diego.  I have been so happy with the training I have gotten from our Team in Training coaches.  I feel very ready for San Diego.  I know this will be my best half marathon yet!  If you ever want to know anything about joining Team in Training, please contact me! 

As Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, I have been thinking about my summer training schedule.  With so many half marathons coming up for me in the fall, summer will be when I train for my best half times yet.  As part of this, I am really going to focus of losing weight and strength training.  Join me!  I could really use some training buddies to keep me accountable. 

What are you summer fitness plans?  What are the goals you want to meet?

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Are you looking for something to do for Memorial Day to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that is active, fun and helps out a great cause?  How about registering for my virtual 5k!  You can run or walk until June 3rd and earn yourself some awesome, two-sided BLING!!! 

The Diva Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach

Lish and I

I woke up very early the morning of Sunday, May 20^th for the Diva Half Marathon in North Myrtle Beach, SC.  It was a 7 am start time, and with parking concerns my friend Lish and I left our hotel at 5:30 am.  We parked and rode the shuttle to the race start.  The day was beautiful and the weather was perfect!  We were all concerned the day before the race about tropical storm Alberto making a presence.  Thankfully, Albert stayed at sea and gave us a perfect race day. 

The running momma

The thing I love most about running is the friends I have made.  When Lish and I got to the race staging area, I recognized one of my Facebook friends, Michelle.  She let out a squeal as she ran toward me to hug me.  I was just as happy to finally meet her.  Then it was time to meet up with my running momma  friends that I had dinner with the night before.  We took a few group pictures, then we all as a group headed to the race start. 

Love this sign! 

There were no corrals at this race.  At first, I was not sure how I felt about this, but it seemed to work well.  Race organizers hung up estimated minutes per mile speeds.  Runners were asked to start the race near their estimated pace.  I started in the twelve minute per mile pace with my friend Lish and some of the slower running mommas.  Since I was so far back, I did not get to hear the start of the race.   Half the race was behind me, so none of them got to hear it either.  The crowd started moving forward slowly, and with about seven minutes on the clock, I crossed the start! 

I got this picture from a friends Facebook page.  A sea of Divas!

The first three-ish miles were run on the road the parallels the ocean.  Although there were lots of hotels between us and the ocean, we got plenty of glimpses of the beautiful Atlantic and felt her beautiful breezes.  This part of the race was crowded but maneuverable.  Here is where I ran into my friend Jen dressed as Rainbow Bright.  The course took a turn and we began to run through a residential neighborhood.  After that, the course went through the staging area.  There were so many people—friends, family, children—cheering us on.  I always enjoy reading signs people make to cheer on their loved ones at races. 

Tiara and Boa station

By this time, it was getting very hot and very sunny!  I was still running strong by the time I hit mile marker nine.  This was the mile along a main highway and past my hotel.  We then turned into a brand her neighborhood still under construction.  These were some of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen.  Around mile ten and a half, I began to feel very nauseated.  I tried to fight it off, I tried to keep running but I could not.  Water did not help, Gatorade did not help.  I ended up walking most of the last two miles, on the same ocean front road we stated the race on.

Kendrick and I at the finish

At mile thirteen, there was the signature Diva tiara and feather boa stop!  This was so much fun.  They had several tiaras to choose from, some with pink or purple rhinestones.  After the tiara and boa stop, I started to run toward the finish.  I ran though the finish line and a medal was placed around my neck by a shirtless fireman.  I looked up at the clock and noticed I beat my first half marathon time by about thirty minutes!  The official Diva training, Kendrick,  was just past the finish line congratulating runners.  I got to meet him at the expo, but was so excited to see him again at the finish line.  I headed off to the Diva café to get some food and water, and wait for my friends to finish.  After some fun pictures with friends, it was time to head back to my hotel to see my daughter. 

My Diva bib and medal

MyOverall the Diva Half Marathon was a great, very well organized event.  Parking was easy, bag check was very efficient and the course was well marked.  Was it as magical as the runDisney Princess Half?  Maybe not, but to me, nothing will be. My second half marathon was a success.  I can’t wait to run like a Diva in Long Island on October 7^th! 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Have you checked out my Memorial Day virtual 5k to benefitthe Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?  I would really appreciate your support! 

The start line!