This Race is My Reward

A friend of mine told me to view a race as the reward, a reward for all the hard work and time you put into training to run it. If that is true, I've got a reward that is a long time coming. After a year of training, tomorrow I will run my first marathon.

This race is my reward.

I have to admit, the last two months have been a killer for me. Not only did my mileage ramp up to 17 - 20 mile long runs, my travel for work ramped up, as did the snow. And let me tell you, those three things, loooong runs, travel, and snow, do not go together.

Still I pushed through and got my last long run in two weeks ago... 20 whole miles... and it only took me four hours. Yikes. However, in that last three miles, when I thought my knee was going to finally protest enough to make me stop and when I almost starting crying because I had at least 30 minutes of running to go, I thought of this reward. I needed to earn it. And so I pressed on.

As I look back over the last year, I realize I've learned a lot. First off, I have a new appreciation for runners. They get up at the crack of dawn to log their long runs, they carefully schedule their lives so they can fit work, family, and their running commitments, and they are always open to sharing advice with others.

I have a new appreciation for my friends and family. Over the past year, my friends have run countless races with me (a few of those races - they literally ran with me), listened to my constant thoughts, concerns, achievements, set backs, and cheered me on the entire time. And the ultimate gift: they came with me to Orlando and tomorrow we will run the Disney Marathon together.

Finally, I have a new appreciation for myself. Somewhere along the way, on the road to my first marathon, I realized that I am physically capable of much more than I ever imagined. For the last 33 years of my life, I took this body for granted. Never again. But most importantly, I realized that if you put your mind to something, set your goals, and go for it, you can achieve it. Something that I think, in the years since I graduated from law school, I'd forgotten.

This race is my reward.

A reward that I never would have ever dreamt possible if not for Amy Ellis Oliver. I would never have had the courage to do this for myself. I would never have found the commitment and inspiration to train for a year to run a marathon without her. In fact, every time I thought I had hit a wall, I'd think of Amy. She kept me going, she was running right along with me.

Less than I year ago, I read a passage from from II Timothy at Amy's memorial service; a passage Amy had shared with us as one of her favorites. "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith."

Amy's passage sums up the way I feel about this past year. It has been a fight. Tomorrow I will finish the race. For Amy.

This race is my reward.

Yes, this race is my reward, what a reward it is. And Amy, I share it with you.

Running with a Hero

At 6 am on Friday morning, very, very, very early (what in the world was I thinking when I made these plane reservations?) I will board a plane.

Where am I going? I am going home. To Texas.

I am going to run the San Antonio Half-Marathon!!!

Back in January, only two weeks into my "marathon training" (I use the term "marathon training" loosely because at that point, I was doing good to be able to run one 15 minute mile without stopping), my baby brother returned from 15 months in Iraq. It was then that I did my first real long run.

That morning, the first day Patrick was back on U.S. soil, he got up and ran with me. I was one lucky sister - I had an Army Hero as my running buddy. He kept me going that morning and together we ran for 45 minutes without stopping. Never mind the fact that we were probably running 15 minute miles. Never mind the fact that he was capable of going so much faster. Never mind the fact that he was pushing me the entire way. He stuck with me. He gave me what I need to realize... oh my goodness... I REALLY CAN DO THIS!

This weekend, almost eleven months later to the day, I will run the San Antonio Half-Marathon. And guess what? I will have an Army Hero as my running buddy. My brother Patrick, a soldier with the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, a Purple Heart recipient, will be running beside me.

Some things never change.

And some things do. Unlike before, I will not run a 15 minute mile. Unlike before, we will go much, much faster. Unlike before, he will not need to push me to finish.

I've been teasing him for weeks that I will beat him this weekend. Truth is, I won't. Just like 11 months before, we will stick together the entire time and just like 11 months before, we will pull into the finish at the same time.

Happy Veterans Day to all of our brave military men and women out there. I honor and thank you and your families for the sacrifice you have made and the service you have given to our country.

I run free because of you. What a gift. Thank you.

For Sale: 26.2 Miles

On January 10, 2010, just sixty days from today, I will do something I never thought was humanly possible. I will run the Walt Disney World Marathon. Yes, it is true. Me, a girl that a year ago couldn't run a block let alone a mile, will run 26.2 miles. At one time. In less than 4 hours and 45 minutes. (I hope!)

Those of you who know me, or at least have been reading my blog, know why this non-athletic girl would want to run 26.2 miles. For those of you who don't, let me tell you why.

In March 2008, my sister-in-law, Amy Ellis Oliver, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Amy was amazing - she battled cancer head on. In the fall of 2008, we received the wonderful news, Amy was in remission! At that point, Amy, who was already a runner, made the decision to run the Disney World Marathon as her "I Beat Cancer Marathon." Two months later, we were devastated to learn that Amy's cancer was back and it had spread. Sitting there with my family that Christmas, I made the decision that if Amy could battle cancer, I could get off the side lines and run this marathon for her.

Amy passed away on March 9, 2009. She courageously battled cancer for nearly a year and during that time, she was blown away by the outpouring of love and support she received. Amy vowed that once she got well she would return the favour by helping other women battling breast cancer who were not as fortunate as she was to have the amazing support network she had.

On October 30, 2009, the day Amy would have turned 40, Amy's family founded The Amos Fund. Through this non-profit organization, Amy's dream of helping other women battling breast cancer lives on. The mission of The Amos Fund is to improve the lives of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer by providing financial assistance and supportive services to help meet their needs and the needs of their family while they undergo cancer treatment, surgery and recovery.

On January 10, 2010, I will be lacing up my running shoes and preparing for the run of my lifetime. I ask you to join me as I celebrate the life of Amy Ellis Oliver.

You can ride along with me as I run the Walt Disney World Marathon. A donation to The Amos Fund in the amount of $26.20 buys you one mile with me - and you don't have do any training or even break a sweat! Through auctioning off each of the 26.2 miles I will run that day, I hope to raise nearly $700 for The Amos Fund.

Should you wish to take advantage of literally 12 months of training and over 400 miles of training runs, you can join me, from the comfort of your own home, as I run the Walt Disney World Marathon.

If you'd like to donate, email me at jennbreen@hotmail.com.

Who's gonna run this town?

I live in the Washington D.C. metro area. Washington D.C. boasts the highest number of lawyers per capita - 276.7 lawyers per 10,000 residents to be exact. It also boasts the highest concentration of politicians, people that "run" this town... or at least think they do.

D.C. has more to offer than just lawyers and politicians. It has beautiful parks, monuments, and most importantly (at least to me presently) great running trails.

Over the last month, I have ramped up my mileage on my weekly long runs, offically crossing over from the the half-marathon distance of 13.1 and entering the realm of 15 - 20 miles. With this "promotion" came a change of running venue. Historically, I did my weekly long run around my neighborhood or at the local park. Recently, I've had to re-think that choice of venue - the thought of circling past the neighborhood Chili's 4 times is not that appealing.

In an effort to get away from Chili's, every Saturday morning for the last month or so, we load up, drive into the District, and run 13+ miles.

Yesterday, my run began at Teddy Roosevelt Island. I ran down the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River. As I approached Gravelly Point Park, planes passed just 100 - 150 feet above my head as they landed at Reagan National Airport. I looped back and ran over the Memorial Bridge towards the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument, the National Mall, and the U.S. Capitol. That, ladies and gentleman, is what I get to experience on my long runs. How lucky am I?

This got me to thinking. As folks rode past me in groups - on bikes, "Roll the City," on Segways, "Seg the City," I wondered, what about people that want to run the city? A quick google search upon my return home confirmed the fact that someone else also had this idea - for $60 you can pay someone in Washington D.C. to take you on a 3 - 4 mile run.

In this economy, who wants to, let alone can justify, spending money to have someone take you on a run? Coming to D.C.? I volunteer. Let me be your virtual tour guide. As I ramp up my mileage, I seek out new runs each week. There is something about fresh scenery that keeps you going as the miles tick by. I will share these runs with you.

Where ever you are out there - do you have runs to share? Whether you live in Providence or Portland, there has to be amazing runs in every one's home town. Rather than paying someone $60 to show you those amazing runs, what if you could just adopt one from a fellow runner?

As my long run came to a close yesterday and Georgetown University came into view across the Potomac, I had one thought -

Who's gonna run this town?

I am.

Wanna come?

*****************
Along the Potomac and into D.C. - 17 Miles

Begin your run at the Teddy Roosevelt Island Parking Lot and run along the Mount Vernon Trail. Head towards the Memorial Bridge and Washington Reagan National Airport. As you run along the waterfront, you can see, on your left, Georgetown University and the Kennedy Center. Pass under the Memorial Bridge and as you hit mile 3, planes will roar 100 feet overhead as they land on the runway at Reagan National Airport. Run past the airport and turn around as you hit mile 5. Run back along the Mount Vernon Trail to the Memoral Bridge. Arlington Cemetary will be on your left as you turn to run over the bridge at mile 11. Run past the Lincoln Memorial, along the Reflecting Pool, and past the Washington Monument as you hit mile 13. You will enter the National Mall and run past the Smithsonian Castle, National Air and Space Museum, and National Musem of the American Indian. At mile 14 you will run in front of the U.S. Capitol and down the other side of the Mall. You will pass the National Gallery of Art and the National Museums of American and Natural History. You will finish your run as you cross the Memorial Bridge for a second time, hitting your 16th mile and closing with 17.

Below is a link to my run on Garmin Connect. Enjoy!

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Along the Potomac and into D.C. - 17 Miles

I'm Famous... Almost...Kinda

I had my first blogging-runner taste of fame last week. Yes, its true. I am famous, well, kinda famous... maybe a little bit?

I was the lucky blogger selected to be interviewed on "Open Mic Friday" on Runner's Lounge, an online resource, meet-up space, and blog for runners of all types. Each Friday, Runner's Lounge features a running blogger, asking them questions about their life, both running and otherwise.

Last Friday, on my birthday, I was that runner. I was lucky enough to be able to share my story - tell people why I run and who inspires me.

Since my interview, I've received emails from friends and strangers (aka - my new friends), sharing how Amy's story has inspired them. I cannot begin to tell you how happy that makes me - Like I said in my interview, if I can pass on the inspiration to just one person and get them out there and running, I'll consider myself to have paid it forward.

Amy blessed me with the inspiration to get out there, become a runner, and get healthy. The Runner's Lounge gave me the opportunity to share that inspiration with others.

Just in case you missed it, here's the link - http://blog.runnerslounge.com/2009/10/open-mic-friday.html

Thank you, Runner's Lounge, what a wonderful birthday present.

5 Laps = 1 Mile

After lounging, boating, and sightseeing for two glorious days on the island of Bermuda, I am back on the ship, heading for home. I am also back to my marathon training. Since boarding the ship, I've employed one of my tried and true training techniques: Tell people that you are training for a marathon. They like to ask you about it.

My hubby and I had the good fortune to be assigned to a dinner table with 5 fabulous dinner companions. (For those of you who are not familiar with dinners on Royal Caribbean cruise ships - they assign you to a table with total strangers, something that I generally dread.) During one of those first dinners, we told our companions that we were training for our first marathon. AND that we planned to run on the ship. This was a very helpful move for me, as after 3 days of tropical drinks and chocolate desserts, the last thing I really wanted to do was run.

But, its a little hard to blow it off when you see your new friends on your way to the pool, way to the bar, way to the buffet (you get my drift) and they ask, "How was your run today?"

Let me get one thing straight - I cannot lie about my running. If I am supposed to run 10 miles, 9.9 doesn't cut it. I cannot say a run was good, if I didn't do it. I could not lie to my new found friends.

I had two options: 1) Tell the truth - "You know, I didn't go on a run. I've been drinking too much and I really don't want to drag myself up to the top deck and run around and around and around. I decided to take a nap instead." OR 2) Just go do it so you can honestly tell them how the run was.

I chose option 2.

I finished my 4 mile run in a little under 45 minutes. A few observations:

A Garmin GPS watch DOES NOT work on a moving cruise ship. As I started my run, my watch already reported that I had traveled .8 miles before I even logged in .01 - Silly girl, the watch was picking up the ship's speed. Talk about a PR!

There are some serious headwinds and crosswinds on the top deck of a ship on the Atlantic. At first, I viewed them as a challenge to my run - kinda like running hills. My thoughts quickly turned how long it would take for someone to notice if the winds blew me overboard. Can a girl tread water better with her Asics Gel Nimbus 11s off or on?

5 laps around the ship = 1 mile. After 20 laps, I was done. After passing the same family playing shuffle board, the same rather large gentleman sunning himself on the deck, and the same lady eating an ice cream cone (tell me, how does one person make an ice cream cone last 45 minutes? She must have been going back for seconds... thirds ... eighths ... tenths) over and over, I couldn't do it any more.

After several laps around the deck, I began to wonder where my running would take me next. I've run to a beautiful sunrise along the California Coast, among the monuments of Washington D.C., atop a cruise ship on the Atlantic Ocean. Next week, I'll be running the San Antonio half-marathon on a course that takes you past the Alamo.

There is a whole world of running opportunities out there. I can't wait to find out where they will take me next.


Have running shoes, will travel. Any suggestions?

Have Running Shoes, Will Travel

I am presently on a cruise ship bound for Bermuda. I am surrounded by buffets full of overly fattening food and bars that serve tropical drinks that can ring in at 12 dollars and 750 calories a pop.

But never fear. I am not going to let the draw of lounging by the pool on deck nine with a frozen drink in my hand keep me from my marathon training. On tap for today, an easy two miles. Just a recovery run from my 17 miler on Friday.

Two miles, ha. I can find somewhere to run two miles. I just read a story in Runner's World magazine about a trucker that logs in his runs by running around his big rig. Something like 47 times around the truck equaled a mile. See, it just takes some creativity.

So, where to run these two miles? I have two choices: Treadmill in the ship's gym or around the top deck. For my two mile run, I picked the treadmill. I think I'll save the deck for my planned seven miler later in the week.

I head to the gym with a plan to quickly knock out the two miles and follow up with a work out. .25 miles in, I realized I would not need a post run work out. This run WAS the work out.

How to explain? Imagine putting a treadmill on a humongous botsu ball. You know, the workout gizmo that is half ball and half flat surface. The gizmo that my trainer uses to torture me and my abs. I spent the entire two miles working to keep my balance on the treadmill. Talk about using your core... A running core workout... Maybe I am on to something...

Don't get me wrong, for all of the two never ending miles of an ab workout, I had an amazing view. Miles and miles of inky-blue waves spreading out in front of me as we blazed our way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Three thoughts followed ...

1. How can I steal this scenery and bring it back to my gym in Alexandria, VA? I could use some of this beauty when temps take a nose dive in the upcoming months.

2. How much longer? These two miles were a lot harder than I thought they would be. My abs are going to "thank" me later.

3. How far is the pool bar from this treadmill? Maybe I can cut this run short and count the distance from the gym to the pool bar in my total mileage. I think a tropical drink is calling my name...

Happy Birthday to Me!

In less than an hour, I will turn 21. Ok, not really, I will turn 34. Wow. 34 years old.

As I reflect upon the past year of my life, I think about what this year has held for me. I entered my 10th year of practicing law. What a milestone. I lost my sister-in-law, Amy, to breast cancer. What a tragedy. I began running. What an accomplishment.

October 30 was always such a cool birthday to have. As a kid, I always had a super cool cake - of course it had something to do with pumpkins, spiders or witch hats. As a college student, how could you beat partying on Halloween for your birthday? As an adult, I was lucky enough to share my birthday with my sister-in-law, Amy.

When my husband I first started dating and he learned that my birthday was October 30, I think he was secretly relieved. His sister's birthday was also October 30. Wow, he would never forget that, right? Over the next nine years, Amy and I shared cakes, rousing rounds of "Happy Birthday," and each other's special day.

Tomorrow, Amy would have turned 40. How I wish I could call her up and hear her say, " Hey You, Happy Birthday to Us."

A few weeks ago I made the decision that tomorrow, on my 34th birthday, I would celebrate it by running 17 miles. What better way to celebrate this day, and honor sweet Amy, than to run a half mile for every year that I am old. And, if I am very lucky, and not too tired, maybe I can throw in one to grow on.

So tomorrow, I will be lacing up my running shoes, hitting the trail, and celebrating in a way I never thought would ever happen - with one long, long, very long, run.

Happy Birthday, Amy. Happy Birthday to Us.

My Wish

Today my best gal pals, along with thousands of other runners, will run the Marine Corps Marathon. And I will be there cheering them on to an amazing finish.

Last night, we all gathered at Leesa's house. After a yummy "carbo-load" dinner, we sat down to strategize when and where we would see our runners. My goal: see my girls as many times during the race as I can. The outcome: We'll have a hook up at Miles 4, 10, 15, 19, 23 and the finish. Its an ambitious plan. But for my girls, I am going to make it happen.

Although I hate to admit it, a teenie-weenie part of me wishes I was running it with them. However, I made the decision months ago that my first marathon had to be Disney - it had too much symbolism for me. So I threw myself into what historically I do best: Cheerleader.

When it comes to the MCM, I fancy myself as somewhat of a Cheerleading Aficionado. I have cheered on numerous friends and family at "The People's Marathon" over the past eight years I've lived in D.C. I'm not happy with just seeing my runners at one spot - its a race for me too. My goal is to see them at every place I can. And I'm good at it.

I can't help but love it. I love the spirit of this race, I love the course, with all of the monuments, I love seeing the military men and women running in honor and remembrance of our fallen, I love the patriotism, pride, and inspiration, and I especially love seeing runners cross the finish line.

What I don't love is seeing runners at the finish line who are suffering, whether it be from injury or fatigue, I've seen some pretty scary scenes. I always hope and pray that once those runners get home, they get better.

I can't wait to cheer for my runners today. For them, and all the other runners, I have one wish: a good run with a healthy finish.

So listen up Leesa and Kim - run your best race today but keep in mind, you're going to be expected to raise a glass in a toast to your success later tonight, AND, more importantly, run another 26.2 miles with me in two months.

I'll be seeing you soon - just look for me. I'll be the crazy girl at Mile 4, 10, 15, 19, and 23 cheering her heart out.

Warning: Running Might be Contagious

The gene pool in my family was not kind to my sister or me.

Between the four kids in my family - my two brothers, my sister, and me - my brothers got the good stuff. Long eyelashes, fast metabolism, perfect teeth, all the things my sister and I would kill for. Not fair. Come on, tell me, what boy needs long eyelashes?

Its just par for the course that my brothers are totally athletic. They rock climb, run, bike, you name it. My sister and me? Well... not so much.

So this morning, I cannot describe the excitement I felt inside when I received the following email from my sis:

To: Jenn
From: Kimberlea
Subject: I am finally doing it...

http://raceofthedead.com/

I am going to do this 5K on Halloween!

Well, I'll be! I am so proud of her. This will be my little sis' first 5K. I wish so much that I can be there to cheer her on. Or better yet, run with her.

A few months ago, I was visiting Kimberlea in Chicago. Over the course of my visit, we'd been taking about running and how much I'd been loving it. We had a few hours to kill before she took me to the airport and we were trying to figure out what to do.

After the usual exchange - "what do you want to do?" ... "I don't know, what do you want to do?" Kimberlea had an idea - "Will you go with me to the running store?" OF COURSE!

That day, Kimberlea got herself a pair of running shoes and some cute running outfits (For these sisters, cute outfits are a must. If you're going to do this, you've gotta do it in style!) and she vowed to start training.

On Saturday, October 31, Kimberlea will run her first race. I cannot begin to tell you about how proud I am of her. Despite the fact that these two sisters were passed over when our family tree was handing out athletic genes, we are going for it anyway.

Kimberlea - I wish you an amazing run on Saturday, October 31, 2009. Although I will not be there in person cheering you on, I will be there in spirit, running right beside you.

I Love the Fall

I love the fall. For so many reasons.

1. Longhorn Football. Yes, it is true. I bleed orange.


2. The leaves change. I grew up in the Texas Panhandle. We didn't have leaves. Now that I am in D.C., they are a glorious sight.


3. My two favorite holidays arrive back to back. First my birthday on October 30th and then Halloween. (Maybe you don't consider my birthday a holiday, but I do.)


4. Good-bye swimsuit season!

Since the official start of Fall, I have decided that I have one more reason to add: Amazing Runs.

I read an article in Runner's World a few months ago about how heat impacts a runner's performance. A runner must exert themselves at a higher level to run in heat than they do when they run in mild temperatures. No Kidding. I learned that real fast when I kicked up my training schedule in June. My only choices - Run at the gym or at the crack of dawn.

How soon I forget how much harder running in the summer really is.

Earlier this month I ran the Army 10-Miler. My plan was to finish in 1:47:30 - a 10:45 pace. As the gun went off and the race began, I felt like a speed demon. I finished my first mile at a sub-10 minute mile pace.

Whoa. I needed to SLOW down. WAY down. I don't ever want to be one of those runners who poop out after mile two 'cause they were too fast out of the start. So I tell myself, I'll slow down after mile two. At mile two, I tell myself that I will slow down at mile three. And so it goes.

I finished the Army 10-Miler in 1:43:04 - a 10:18 pace. I finished at almost :30 seconds faster per mile than I planned. I finished over 1 minute faster per mile than my last 10-miler - I shaved TEN minutes off my race finish time. HOLY... WOW!

On Monday night, my training schedule told me to run 2 miles. As I sat out for my run, I fully intended to do just that. Keeping an eye on my Garmin, I realized that yet again, I was going too fast. And it felt good. It felt good then. And it felt good 6 miles later.

I have a summer and a winter wardrobe. Maybe I have a summer and winter running pace too.

One Person's 5K is Another's Marathon

I have a friend named Jenni. Jenni and I have lots in common.

Besides the obvious, the same name (come on, we were born in the Jennifer-lovin' 1970s), we share a love for some of the same people. Jenni was one of my sister-in-law, Amy's, best friends. Like me, Jenni was not immune to Amy's inspiring influence. Like me, Jenni started running earlier this year. Like me, Jenni is NOT athletic.

On October 3, Jenni, along with Amy's family and friends, ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Houston in honor of Amy Ellis Oliver. Jenni trained for this race for nearly ten months.

A few days ago, my husband and I were driving in the car and I thought about Jenni. I wondered out loud. Wow. Ten months of training for a 5K. Do you think she will keep going? Run more 5Ks? Run longer races?

My husband reminded me of what our friend, Jeff, always says: "One person's 5K is another person's marathon."

I have a friend named Jeff. Jeff and I have nearly nothing in common.

We love some of the same people and going to wineries. That's about it. Jeff is an amazing runner, I'm not. He runs 100 milers like I run 5. Jeff's "marathon" is a race with a distance I can't even begin to imagine running. Despite the fact that he has run countless ultra-marathons, he always celebrates my running accomplishments. "A 10-miler, Jenn, that is awesome!" "A 3-hour finish time for a trail half-marathon, great job!"

One Person's 5K is Another Person's Marathon.

Jenni ran her heart out on October 3. Maybe she will keep training, run longer distances. Maybe she has run her marathon. Regardless, I am so proud of her.

Jenni documented her race with a beautiful video. I share it with you below.

Watch the video. Think of Jeff's philosophy. And I ask you -

What is your marathon?

New Shoes, Round 2

Experts say you should replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles or every 4-5 months.

I've been running ten months now. I replaced my first pair of shoes, my Asics Gel Nimbus 10s with another pair of Nimbus 10s back in June. Since that time, I've run two half-marathons and logged well over 300 miles. It was time for a tune up.

I headed down to my local running store. Now that I am a seasoned runner, I wanted to have an knowledgeable conversation with a shoe fitting professional.

My first, and only, shoe fitting resulted a great pair of shoes, not that I assisted in that process. I don't really think you can call the feedback I gave to the clerk "helpful." "Well, these shoes you just handed me are nice... I like the colors."

So here I am, at the running store, and I start my conversation with the clerk.

Me: "I'm training for my first marathon."
Him: "Nice"
Me: "I've been wearing Asics Gel Nimbus 10s, but I'm interested in trying out a new shoe."
Him: "OK. First, tell me what you liked and didn't like about the Nimbus 10s."
Me: "Uhhhhhhh???"

What did I like? Ummm, the colors? Oh no, not again! Think, Jennifer, Think. What do you like about your shoes? Besides the colors?

I was at a loss. I had to admit it, and I did. And then my eye caught a sign hanging on the wall. Oh the shame! Ten months of training and I still cannot tell you how I feel about my running shoes.

Me: "I can tell you that they don't hurt my feet... and that's about it."
Him: "It's OK, that's what I'm here for, to help you figure out what you like and don't like in a running shoe."


I walked out of the running store a proud owner of Asics Gel Nimbus 11s. Along with my new shoes I also took with me the knowledge of two things: 1) that I like these shoes because of the wider toe box due to the way they lace up, and 2) that the likelihood of a career in running shoes is not in my future.

Silly girl, you CANNOT buy running shoes by the color.

Go on. I dare you.

Deep down inside we all have a secret goal - a reach for the moon, land among the stars kind of goal. Something that we dream of doing and that's it, we just dream. Until we are pushed to do it.

A few years ago I was helping a friend of mine move. While helping her pack I came across a piece of paper where she had written down a list of her goals. Some of these were funny, like owning a pair of expensive shoes. Others were serious, professional goals. On this list : Run a Marathon.

From time to time, I've thought about that list of goals. I don't care to own expensive shoes (I'd rather have an expensive purse!) and my professional goals differ from hers. However, I always thought it was cool that she wanted to run a marathon. I wished I could run a marathon. I knew it would never happen. I'm just not athletic.

Then I got the push.

So I have to ask you. What is your secret goal? What is it that you dream of doing but you are afraid to try?

Think about it.

Next to my training schedule on my fridge, I have a few quotes, my simple inspirations:

"If we did the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves."
~ Thomas Edison

"You decide what it is you want to accomplish and then you lay out your plans to get there, and then you just do it. It's pretty straightforward."
~ Nancy Ditz, Olympic gold medalist

For me, those quotes sum up the way I feel about my secret goal. I had no idea what I was capable of. I had no idea that I could run a block, let alone a half marathon or more. I decided that one day I was going to do it. I laid out my plans, and I'm doing it. You're right, Nancy, it is pretty straightforward. You're right Thomas, I have literally astounded myself.

Whether your dream goal is like mine, to run a marathon, or if it is totally different - applying for that job, going back to school, starting a family, making a move - You may literally astound yourself.

So here is your push.

Go on. I dare you.

Tryouts for Girls Cross-Country Are Next Week?

Yeah, I think I'll pass.

I have probably gotten a bit too big for my britches. I've been walking around for the past few months thinking that given the chance, I would have tried out and made my high school cross-country team. 3 miles, sheesh I can do that in my sleep.

I got a dose of reality this weekend when I actually went to a cross-country meet. Whatever I was smoking when I thought I could make a cross-country team was quickly put out as I watched the 7th and 8th graders (yes, these kids were not even in high school) run 5 and 6 minute miles, cross-country.

My husband's entire family converged upon Oklahoma City this past weekend for a family reunion. Item three on the agenda, right after lunch at Sushi Neko (Yes, sushi in Oklahoma City - guess what, it was awesome. Goes to show they can fly fish anywhere, even to Oklahoma) and shopping for some new cowboy boots (super cute black and white numbers) was cheering at Chandler's cross-country meet.

First off, let me tell you about Chandler. She is an amazing runner. She runs a six minute mile - sub-six when she tries. This, coupled with the fact that she is beautiful inside and out, you can't help but love her.

Second, let me tell you about this race. I can sum it up pretty quickly in three words: Mud, Cold, Wind.

Here we are, all of Chandler's family, braving the cold in borrowed rain boots and wrapped in blankets, cheering her on. Her instructions to us, "When I run past, tell me how far ahead I am of everyone else."

The gun goes off. I don't have to suffer in the mud, the cold, and the wind for long. Chandler runs past us at the half way point. We yell to her that she's logging a 2 minute 50 second half-mile. She's on target for a sub-six minute mile finish. She's so far ahead of the other girls, we don't even bother telling her. And then, just like that, the race is over. Chandler won first place. She hasn't even broken a sweat.

As we pack into warm SUVs and head back to Reunion HQ for some yummy Tex-Mex, I know in my heart, I've got a long way to go before I am a cross-country gal. Now that I see the competition, I know in my heart that if I tried out next week, I would never make the team. And I know in my heart, if I try real hard and train just right, maybe one day, when I grow up, I can be just like Chandler.

My Best Race Yet

This weekend I ran my best race yet.

I did not place in the top of my age group.
I did not run a PR.
I did not run without walking.

I ran with my three little nephews at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We ran in honor of their Mommy, Amy.

As I lined up at the starting line with my family around me, tears came to my eyes. Amy should be here. She should be wearing a t-shirt that says "Me & My Family for the Cure." She should be running with her boys, her husband, her brother, her family. She should be running with me.

I hate breast cancer.

Amy was with us as we ran those three miles in Oklahoma City. She was with us as Wynn, Jax and Bennett ran their little legs off. She was with us as we all took turns carrying Bennett on our backs when he got too tired. She was with us as we ran to the cheers of our family. She was with us as we crossed the finish line together.

I ran this 5K in my slowest time yet, 46 minutes and 33 seconds. I averaged a 14 minute 59 second pace.

I ran beside some of the people that mean to most to me in this world.

Like I said, this was my best race yet.

Hello Old Friend

This last month and a half has been the craziest that I have had in a LONG time. Between foreign bank account filings, the September 15 extended corporate filing due date, IRS e-File, and new procedures for "check the box," my life has been turned upside down at work. I know, I know, it just sounds so darn fun and exciting you can hardly contain yourself. I know I can't. Oh the life of a tax attorney.

But seriously, the life of a tax attorney has gotten in my way. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a workaholic. One of those girls that makes little lists every day of all she wants to accomplish. And sets out to do it. Even if it means staying at work until 9 pm ... and then working at home later that night.

I have to tell you, this workaholic thing just doesn't fit with the new "running Jenn."

I have done my best over the past month to keep up with my training program for Disney. I take my running stuff to work and hope to get out of there in time for a quick run before it gets too dark ... as if. I've cut down my training schedule to three days a week so I can try to possibly complete each week ... as if.

So after this last month and a half of crazy work Jenn, I decided to say enough. After getting another nasty-gram from HR about how I should be taking vacation (Studies have shown that employees that take vacation are more productive. Thanks, HR, for that intel. I'm too busy being productive to take a vacation, thank you very much.) I took the day off.

Yes, it is true. I took a day off. And I didn't have a reason to do so. No family was coming in town. I wasn't going anywhere, I didn't have a dentist appointment. I truly took the day off.

What did I do with this glorious day off?

Did I sleep in? Well... yes of course.
Did I get a manicure and a pedicure? No... I wish.
Did I clean my house? No... I hired a housekeeper.
Did I go shopping? Nope.

I went for a ten mile run.

And I actually enjoyed it. I headed out to Burke Lake Park on a beautiful afternoon. As the sunlight streamed through the trees and the only sound around was my feet hitting the trail, I couldn't help but smile. I'm hooked. I love to run.

Hello old friend, I've missed you so much.

I gotta feeling...

WoooHoo!

So I did it. I ran the San Diego Half Marathon. Before you ask, No, I did not beat Valerie. But I don't want to talk about that right now.

Its been a week since my plane touched down back in D.C. As I've gotten back to my real life, I've been thinking about the race. Strange thing is, I hardly remember most of it. Which to me, is a little crazy. I ran 13.1 miles for pete's sake. Wouldn't a person remember that?

To be honest, I only remember small snippets of the race.

THE GOOD

• The beautiful scenery - the sun rising over Point Loma, boats on the San Diego Bay, the beautiful homes along the race course.



• Running with Joel and Brian - we crossed the starting line together and as they pulled away from me, watching their shirts disappear among the 8,000 other racers.



• The homeless guy at Mile 11 - as I climbed the massive hill at the end of the course, a homeless guy was there cheering us on and yelled "Hey, sweetie, smile! This is the best part!" Thanks, friend, I needed that.



• The turn into Balboa Park after Mile 12 - after running a 300 foot change in elevation during the last half of Mile 11, the course took us on a turn into Balboa park. The road was lined with American Flags and cheering people. Just as I turned into the park, as if on cue, my ipod started playing "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas. How appropriate.



• Finishing 13.1 miles - 'nuff said.



• Having my family cheer me on - Until now, I had never run a race where I had anyone cheering me on from the sidelines. I knew my family would be at Mile 10 waiting to cheer as we ran past. That knowledge kept me going. I cannot describe the feeling you get as you see the people you love standing in the distance, waiting to cheer as you run past. It is priceless.

THE BAD

• The 300 foot climb at Mile 11 - aka "The Death March." You try climbing the equivalent of a 30 story building over the distance of about half a mile, AFTER you've already run 11 miles. Holy Crap, that was hard.



• Having to face the fact that Valerie Bertinelli is faster than me. Don't even get me started. Now, Jenny Craig is airing commercials about Val's half-marathon. Is Valerie trying to rub it in!?!?!?!

THE UGLY

• The realization that in 5 months I'm going to have to double that and run 26.2 miles. What in the world was I thinking?

On Monday night, the day after the race, we went out to dinner. My in-laws took us to a restaurant that overlooked downtown San Diego. As I took a sip of my champagne, I asked my father-in-law to show me where Point Loma, the starting point of our race, was. As he pointed off in the distance, I was overwhelmed. Looking out from that beautiful restaurant, San Diego and the entire 13.1 miles unfolded before me. I ran that. I totally ran that.

I am extremely blessed.

Ewe's not fat, Ewe's fluffy

When I was a kid, my mom made tons of cross-stitched pictures to hang in our house (I guess you could describe my mom's decor style as "country chic"). One of these country works of art featured a fluffy white sheep. Across the top read the words "Ewe's not fat" and along the bottom, "Ewe's fluffy."

I hadn't thought of that cross-stitch in years. Until the other night.

I was hanging out with some friends when someone commented about the fact that I had been running. Since I started running - I've dropped a few pounds and from time to time, people comment on it. During this conversation I received a comment that I had, until that moment, never received in my life. Its a good thing a friend said this to me. If it had been a stranger, I would have decked him.

Here goes...

The comment began with "Well, Jenn, before you started running, when you were fat..." and ended with "... that's generally how fat people feel when they lose a lot of weight."

Excuse me?

Fat?

Hold up. I am not, and was not ever fat. At the time this guy said it, I just smiled. I tried to take it as a compliment of sorts. If he considered me fat before ("when" I was fat), he must consider me thin (or at least thinner) now. Right?

As we drove home, I thought about this comment. Sure, I now fit in jeans that I would never go near before (you know, the ones that have sizes like 26? Those jeans were always too fancy and small for me before - they never seemed to come in a size 30 - the size I'm sure I would have needed). But I would never have considered myself fat.

In that moment, my mom's cross-stitched sheep flashed before my eyes and I had to smile. Who cares what any one else thinks? I thought I looked good then and I think I look good now.

Nope, I was not fat. If anything, I was just fluffy.

Ladies and gentlemen, start packing your bags

Today I leave for San Diego - Yeah! I've decided that San Diego is a race of "Firsts."

1. First half-marathon
2. First destination race
3. First time running with family cheering me on
4. First time running in weather one would actually describe as "pleasant"
5. First time I try to beat Valerie Bertinelli's half-marathon finish time (watch out Val, I've got your number)

And I can't wait! Now that I've got my bags packed, that is.

I travel fairly often for my job. Not to brag or anything, but I am a pretty good packer. I refuse to check my bags, the airlines always lose them. (Flashback to my honeymoon when the airlines lost our luggage for nearly 5 days. All my pictures in Southern Italy feature me in the same back sweater and khaki pants. The outfit was cute the first day I wore it ...) Now, I can take a week long international trip to a cold location and carry on. Gooo me!

So, when it came to pack for San Diego, I never once thought there would be an issue. Oh how wrong I was. Do you know how much space running stuff takes up? Holy Crap.

I began, as usual, by laying everything I needed out on the bed.

Cute running outfit for race day? Check.
Water bottle? Check.
Running watch, heart rate monitor, and charger? Check.
Ascis Gel Nimbus 10s (my running shoes)? Check.
Strawberry-Banana Gu (my energy booster consumed during the race)? Check.
Special running socks that keep my feet from getting blisters? Check.
ipod shuffle and charger? Check?
Running clothes for the last run I have to do on Friday before the race? Check.

And my suitcase was now full. And I hadn't even packed my normal clothes yet.

Between packing and the thought of the cross-country flight that takes off at 6:50 am (just 6 hours away at this point) I am exhausted. And I haven't even gotten to starting line yet!

However, it is worth it. In a few short (ok, kinda long) hours, I'll be sitting in San Diego, visiting with family and preparing to run my very first half-marathon with them cheering me on. How exciting. How important.

So important in fact that I will admit, although I don't have to, I would have even considered checking.