Some Running Inspiration That Keeps Me Going...

Before every Team in Training event, the TNT staff through an inspiration dinner for participants.  It is their way of saying thank you for all the hard work we have done fundraising, but its also an a send off for us--a reminder WHY we did all that hard work.  The inspiration dinner for the Nike Women's Marathon a few weeks ago was no different--except they had a few extra specials surprise in store for us. 






The dinner started out just like every other TNT inspiration dinner.  The staff, coaches, survivors and family members gathered to cheer us on as we entered the convention center.  There were about 3,000 TNT participants, and countless supporters.  All of the cheering honestly makes me uncomfortable.  I always feel like I am NOT the one who deserves to be cheered for.  The food was your typical pasta, salad, meatballs and veggies.  The amazing John Bingham was our motivational speaker--like at every other TNT inspiration dinner I had been too.  Besides all the typical--this dinner had some amazing surprises in store!  

Team In Training was founded by Bruce Cleland in 1988 in honor of his three year old daughter, Georgia--a leukemia survivor .   He wanted to do something for other families--to find a cure!  He had the "crazy" idea to run a marathon while getting sponsors to donate for each mile he ran.  Bruce created a team to train for a marathon in New York City . His team raised $322,000 and helped Team In Training grow into what it is today.  TNT Participants at the Nike Women's Marathon received the honor of meeting Bruce and Georgia at our inspirations dinner!  It was so amazing to hear them speak--the people who started it all! 

We also got to hear from another amazing family--The Family of "Team Mickey".  Mickey is now a sixteen year old girl with Downs Syndrome. When she was a toddler, she was diagnosed with Leukemia.  Hearing her mom tell her story brought me to tears.  I know how it feels to spend months and months in the hospital--how scary it is to fear for your child's life. After fighting the disease for years, Mickey in now in remission!  Her mom joined TNT a few years ago.  Mickey crossed the finish line with her mom at her mom's first half marathon.  Mickey vowed then to do a half marathon with her mom as part of TNT when she was 16. That race would be the 2013 Nike Women's Half Marathon!  Hearing Mickey and her mom tell their story was so heart warming.  It reminded me of the power of a mother's love, the power of a family.  It also made me miss my kiddos a bit.  Team Mickey is what Team in Training is all about!  Finding a cure, giving back, helping families have more time together.  

The Team in Training inspiration dinners are always very powerful to me, but this one was different.  It was all about parents fighting for their kids!  They were speaking my language....  This inspiration dinner really put me in the spirit to conquer the hills of San Francisco.  

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

My Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Last week while I was in San Francisco for the Nike Women's Marathon, I got to do something I have wanted to do since I was a child--I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge!  The international orange bridge is such an American icon, it felt surreal to actually be there, to be walking across.

The weather that day was chilly, but it was actually clear enough to see for miles from the bridge.  This can be a rare occurrence in San Francisco, as both Nike Women's Half Marathons I have done it was to foggy to see the bridge, even though we ran just feet away from it.  My runDisney friend, Denise, meet me at the race expo and she drove us to the bridge.  We parked at Presidio and walked to the Golden Gate Bridge welcome center.  Then we were bridge bound!

Marin County side.  I love the shadow on the water! 

The Golden Gate bridge was completed in 1937, just at the end of the Great Depression.  It is 1.7 miles long and is about 240 feet about the San Francisco Bay.  The Golden Gate bridge is a famous world wide, both for her majesty and
beauty.  People come from all over the world to see it.  The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world for many years.





The views from the bridge were breathtaking!  Just a few steps in, you can see the city of San Francisco on the right.   The first thing I noticed was how loud and windy it was up there!  Several lanes of traffic were zipping by in both directions.  The wind was so strong!  I was glad I had my hair in tight french braids and that I had my Team in Training hoodie with me.  The two main tower of the bridge looked like they went up and up for forever.  One thing that really surprised me about bridge itself was just how wide the main cables are.  Those things must be 5-6 feet wide! I reach my hand up and touched one.  I could not keep my hands off of that amazing, international orange piece of Pennsylvania steel.

Denise and I reached the Marin County side of the bridge and turn around.  That is when the best views
could be seen.  We could watch San Francisco the whole walk back.  At each of the two bridge towers are observations areas.  We stopped for a while and took some pictures.  I could see Alcatraz, the port of San Francisco, and the hilly San Francisco skyline.  The view its self was worth the flight to San Francisco.

Photo borrowed from Wikipedia

One very strange thing I saw on the bridge were signs and telephones with hopes of persuading people to not jump--suicide by bridge.   I chuckled at the silliness and then shrugged it off.  I thought--this is California after all, they have all kinds of crazy warnings for stuff, right? I had not thought about those signs until I started to right this post and review my pictures from the trip.  Those signs had me so intrigued, so I did a little goggling and discovered that the Gold Gate Bridge is the number one suicide location in the world!  Sadly, the bridge sees up to fifty suicides per year. Wow, I had no idea when I was there!  That is why the little signs were posted every few feet.  It's a sad, unintended effect of a bridge so romanticized by the world.

My trip to the Golden Gate Bridge was an amazing experience!  I am so glad I finally got to do it.  Our trip to the bridge came to an end at the Golden Gate Bridge visitors center.  For $1, guests can buy an official "I walked the bridge" postcard.  The postcards are numbered and stamped with the date.  I think its the perfect keepsake for such an amazing experience!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Nike Women's Marathon Expo San Francisco 2013

This past weekend, I had the privileged of participating in the Nike Women's Half Marathon with my Team in Training team (Go Team Central Pennsylvania!).  Since I did this race last year, I knew the "Expotique" as they call it would be different from any other race expo out there--but in a very cool way! 



When we landed in San Francisco, first thing we did was check  in to our hotel.  Just a short walk from the hotel was the expo!  When I first arrived at the expo, I went right up to the packet pickup table and got my packet. The first thing I noticed there was no shirt in my packet. This was because at the NWM, only finishers get a shirt.  I love this idea! In this years goody bag was some snack samples, a Neutorgena lip gloss, a Paul Mitchell dry shampoo, a Luna Bar and some flyers--packaged in clear plastic bag with the NWM logo on it. Nike+ members got a few extras--we got some shoe laces and a set of Tiffany blue stick on nail polish strips with the race logo printed on it. 






After I got my packet, I went into the Expotique.  It did not look like a normal race expo.  The Expotique was in a huge, white tent set up in Union Square of San Francisco. Runners entered the Expotique on a Tiffany blue carpet.  As we walked in, our names flashed across a board, with an inspirational message special for each runner.  The music was high, as was the energy level. There was nothing for sale at this expo.  Most of what was going on was free! To get NWM themed merchandise, you had to go to Niketown across the street.  This expo was like a party for runners. 






Since this was a women focused event, they had lots of girly pampering and fun available.  Saturday morning, I had an open two hour window in my schedule.  I met my friend Jennie for breakfast, but then my team was meeting two hours later to go over a few last minute race day details.  I decided to spend that time at the expo having some fun. My plan was to be at the expo right at 8 am when it opened to avoid the crowds.  My plan worked--we had no wait for the things we wanted to do.  First, Jennie and I want to the Neutorgena lounge.   They were doing free make overs!   My consultant was so helpful and I love the job she did on my face.  After the makeover, we had our picture taken and got lots of little goodies to take home.  I got a little black draw string bag of lip gloss, moisturizer, and sunblock, plus a full size mascara and pore refining face wash.  How cool is that!



After getting my makeup done, I stopped by the Paul Mitchell booth.  They had cosmetology students doing hair styling. I got two really pretty french braids done in my hair. My hope was that it would stay in for the race.  After that Jennie and I got some silly photo booth pictures done, complete with fake mustaches, at the Team in Training booth.  Thanks so much to the organizers of NWM and the respective brands for doing this for participants. 



This was by far the best, most fun race expo I had ever been to.  It was all about having fun and letting go.  It was about relaxing and celebrating. This is just part of what makes the Nike Women's Marathon series my favorite events of the year.  

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Nike Women's Half Marathon 2012

The Nike Women's Marathon / Half Marathon is one of the hardest races in the country to gain entry into.  So many people want to be part of the event, Nike has to set up a lottery system for entry.  Only about 1 in 5 who seek entry actually get into the event--unless you are part of Team in Training!  If you commit to raise money to fight cancer, you are guaranteed entry into this most sought after event.  That is how I got in!  In total, there was over 9,000 Team in Training participants in the race, raising over $14 million dollars to fight cancer.  We made up over 1/3 of all participants.  Nothing like a sea of purple running to fight cancer!

I met my team bright and early in the hotel lobby.  Since our hotel was right at the race start, we got to sleep in a little bit because we could walk to the start.  It was so nice to have my local "Yorkies" coaches there with us. As we were lining up for a Team picture, Coach Barb had each one of us say just one name.  She told us to say the name of one single person we were running for that morning.  It was so moving to hear the emotion in the teammates voices as we all said our one name.  I could barely get out Katilyn's name without a tear.  It was a great way remind us of the real reason we were running that morning.

The team broke up and headed to our assigned corrals in smaller groups.  I was with a group of amazing ladies.  We had a great time waiting for the race to start.  It took us over 28 minutes to cross the start line.  Thank goodness this was a chip timed event!  The first two miles were on the city streets of San Francisco, heading toward the Embarkadero.  The view of the San Francisco Bay was amazing, although it became very evident that the word of the day was quickly become fog.  It was so foggy that morning, that we could only see about a quarter mile out.  As we ran through the Presidio, all of the runner were eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the famed Golden Gate Bridge.  Unforgettably, this was a marvel we would not be blessed to see that day.

The course was tough, but simply amazing.  That word does not do it justice, but is a true description.  The first really tough hill was around mile 5.5.  This is where the best bridge view should have been, but due to the fog the bridge was not visible   If you read my post yesterday about the Inspiration Dinner, you will remember Annalyn.  I just so happen to run into her and we chatted for the half mile up the hill.  It was so great to get to know her better.  After the top of this crazy hill, was about a mile of winding down hill, along the San Francisco Bay.  At the bottom of the hill, we ran through a very cute San Francisco neighborhood that contained what I was told was Robin William's house.  We made a sharp turn around mile 8 and there is was--the tallest, steepest hill yet.

Once we got to the top of this hill, we turned a corner and there it was--the most beautiful and breath taking second of the race.  I got my first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.  It looked like it came out of a book.  It was pure nature.  The waves were crashing against the cliffs.  The seagulls were flying around.  Pure magic!  At this second, I also ran into some teammates taking pictures.  When I got to the bottom of the hill, I could see race village--but I was only on mile 10.  After I left my friends, I ran my a LLS staff cheer station and saw my Central PA staff person, Stephanie.  Around mile 11, we turned into Golden Gate Park to run our last two miles.

In Golden Gate Park, my friend Coach Barb helping out TNT participants.  She ran about a half mile with me.  We chatted about the amazing course like it was a training run.  It was so nice to have her on the course waiting for me.  It really energized to run my last mile and a half.  By this time, I could see runners who already had finished the race carrying their finisher bags, wearing their finisher shirts and holding little blue boxes.  It was tough to not look at the shirt of the bag, but I was determined I was not going to look at necks!  I did not want to see at Tiffany necklace until I was looking at the one I had earned myself.

The finial mile went pretty fast. By this time in the course, spectators had lined up and were cheering the runners on.  As I got closer and could see the finish line, I ran faster!  I once again could see the Pacific Ocean.  The crowd really had me going.  My mind was on getting my blue box from a hot firemen in a tux.  I crossed the finish line strong and chose the guy I wanted to give me my box.  What do you think, lol?

After I got my box, I got my finisher bag, and then my finisher shirt.  I continued on through the finisher chute to get some waters and a banana.  I stopped by and washed my face at the Neutorgena face wash station, picked up my bag from bag drop, then went to the Team in Training tent.  This is where I found a minute to stop and check out my medal--my Tiffany necklace!  I love it.  It't even better than I hope.

After a stop for a sandwich and some food in the Team tent, I meet my team on the beach.  Some of them took an "ice bath" in the ocean, but I chose not too.  After that, we walked through the finisher merchandise tent and then rode the bus back to the hotel.

Best medal ever!

The Nike Women's Marathon was an amazing event!  It was the most breathtaking course I have ever run.  There was not one boring second of this race.  There was always something beautiful to look at. The course was for sure my favorite I have ever done (but don't tell my runDisney friends I said that.)  The support on the course was also spectacular.  I had 9,000 teammates/ new family members cheering me on on the course.  There was hundreds of TNT coaches on the course.  I could not go half a mile without seeing one of their green shirts cheer on all of the runners.  The NWM in San Francisco is going to be a yearly event for me.  I can't wait to do it again next year!

The firemen!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Team in Training Inspiration Dinner

Our coaches!

It is a Team In Training tradition to have an inspirational dinner the night before the big event.  This is a time to celebrate and think about the reason we are together.  We think about those we have lost, and we celebrate those we have saved from all of the funds we worked hard to raise.  This is always a emotional event.

My team met together in the hotel lobby and we walked together to the Moscone center, the site of the inspiration dinner.  In true TNT fashion, event participants enter the venue in a "red carpet" welcome.  All of our staff people, coaches, family and fans line the walk way to cheer, scream, howl, blow whistles and bang tambourines in what we call the "heros parade".  This moment always overwhelms me.  I am uncomfortable being called a "hero", although to the people we help, I guess we may be.

The place mats at the tables.

The meal was typical--pasta, meatballs, salad and rolls.  What as special were the speakers.  Again, in true TNT fashion, we got a visit from the "penguin", AKA John Bingham.  John is know as the most famous runner who never won a race.  He told us lots of funny stories about running--most of which we all could relate too.  He told his famous "bite me zone" story that most runners experience some time during their race.  This is a TNT classic.  Our coaches always warn us about the bite me zone.  If you are having a really tough time and want everyone to leave you alone, all you have to say is "bite me zone".  Coaches and Teammates know that this means to leave me alone!

We also had the pleasure to listen to a very special girl name Annalyn.   A few years ago, she was a graduate student and began to not feel well.  She went to the doctor.  In less than 12 hours, she was told she had Leukemia and began chemo.  After some set backs, she is now is remission.  Annalyn told us that she is in remission because of advancement made by the LLS.  She told us that 20 years ago, she would be dead.  She then thanked us for all we have done.  Annalyn and her family formed a huge fundraising team and were going to participate in the event with us.  Hearing Annalyn really touched me. She showed me that I really was making a difference.  That all the fundraising I had worked so hard on really served a purpose.

The president of the LLS in Canada also talked to us.  She told us about some really important research programs the LLS is funding.  There is a drug that is so promising,  a big name drug manufacturer is going to spend a billion dollars to fast track it's FDA approval.  Wow!  A few million raised by US turns into a BILLION dollar drug that could lead to a CURE.  Simply amazing!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Nike Women's Marathon Expotique

This past weekend, I had the privileged of participating in the Nike Women's Half Marathon with my Team in Training team.  From talking to teammates who had done the event in the past, and from reading the NWM Facebook page, I knew the "Expotique" as they call it would be different from any other race expo I had ever been to, but this time I was pleasantly surprised.

When I first arrived at the expo, I went right up to the packet pickup table and got my packet. The first thing I noticed there was no shirt in my packet.  This is because at the NWM, only finishers get a shirt.  I love this idea!  Also inside my packet was a very cool neon yellow reusable Nike draw string back pack, some snack samples, a Neutorgena sunscreen, some tissues, a coconut water and some flyers.  Not bad!

After I got my packet, I entered the Expotique.  It did not look like a normal race expo.  The Expotique was in a huge, white tent is Union Square of San Francisco.  The booths were circled around the perimeter of the tent.  There were very little for sale at this expo.  Most of what was going on was free!  Nuun and Yurbuds were selling their stuff, but if you wanted NWM themed merchandise, you have to go to Niketown across the street.  It was so much fun shopping and having fun without the pressure to buy.  Safeway was giving out super cute NWM logo plastic one cup size containers that participants could fill with their favorite trail mixes.

My hair do! 

Since this was a women focused event, they had lots of pampering available.  Saturday morning. I had an open two hour window in my schedule.  I met a friend for breakfast, but then my team was meeting two hours later to walk over to our inspiration lunch.  I decided to spend some time at the expo getting some pampering.  First, I want to the Neutorgena lounge.   They were doing free make overs!  I waited for about 45 minutes, but it was so worth it.  My consultant was so helpful and I love the job she did on my face.  After the makeover, I had my picture taken and got lots of little goodies to take home.  I got a little black draw string baggie of lip gloss, moisturizer, and sunblock, plus a full size sunblock and wash wash.  How cool is that!

After getting my makeup did

After getting my makeup done, I stopped by the Paul Mitchell both.  They had cosmetology students giving out free hair styling.  I got a really pretty braid done in my hair.  It was like a halo, circling around my head.  My hope was that it would stay in for the race.  I had never done anything like this before--gotten a makeover.  I really enjoyed it!  Thanks so much to the organizers of NWM and the respective brands for doing this for participants.

Thanks Neutrogena! 

This was by far the best, most fun race expo I had ever been to.  It was all about having fun and letting go.  It was about relaxing and celebrating.  I can't wait to experience the NWM race expo in DC.  I hope it can live up to the expo in SF!

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Running Watches?

I think it is time that I invest in a sports watch.  I usually turn RunKeeper on in my iPhone, but it kills my battery.  As my runs get longer, I need another option.  What watch do you use and how do you like it?  I am kind of tech stupid.  I need something very simple to use—nothing fancy, just enough to know how far I went and how long it took me.  I saw a Timex at Wal-Mart for $50.  Do you know anything that one?  There are so many choices!  Garmin or Nike?  GPS or not?  Is an older model ok?  What about used?  Please help!  What easy to use sports watch do you recommend?

This past week has been a tough one for me Weight Watchers wise.  I don’t weigh in until tomorrow, but I know it will not be good.  I totally went off plan over holiday the weekend.  Today I started over.  I stayed on plan and got in a nice run.  I have five weeks until Diva and seven until San Diego.  It would be nice to have a few less pounds to drag alone for the run. 

In other running news, registration for the 20^th annual Disney World Marathon has opened.  Will you be there?  I think I will skip 2013 and do Goofy in 2014.  I got a message from Nike earlier confirming that the rumors about a Nike Women’s Half Marathon in Washington DC next spring are true.  That is about all the details I have--more to come when I get them. 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

***I still have Bondi Bands for sale!  All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  

My Dream Race

I want to tell you something and I need you to hold me accountable for it. Yesterday I listed my races for 2012 and I told you that I want to do a full in 2013. What I did not tell you was that I already have my dream first full marathon planned out in my head. I did not want to tell you about it in case I don’t end up doing it. Well, I changed my mind. I have to tell you about my dream “one day” race. You are my accountability.

My dream race is the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. To do this race, I will again work with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The coaches there will make sure I am prepared and ready to go the distance. Am I scared to attempt a full marathon? Terrified! I was scared to start this running journey last year when I committed to do the Princess Half. This is no different. I have 18 months to prepare.

Why the Nike Women’s Marathon? I am in love with the California coast, so there is no better place to run my first marathon. Another reason—the bling! Instead of a medal, finishers get a Tiffany necklace from a hot firefighter. They sure give you something to keep running for, don’t they?

What is your dream race? When do you plan to run it?

 A dream is a wish…

--Amy

 ***Please remember to register for my virtual 5k. Registration is just $20 and all proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help kick cancers a$$! You walk or run the distance between now and March 18. As a thank you for supporting the LLS, I will send you a finisher medal—BLING included. I am also giving away a heart rate monitor watch in a raffle of all registered. Will you help us to kick cancers a$$?