My First Team in Training Event!

I joined Team in Training in October 2012 and had my assumption about what the program would be like. I had done another marathon training group before and assumed that we would have a track night, a long run, and some seminars where we learned important stuff. What I didn't know would happen was that I would become a part of a family. That is the easiest way to explain it. Not only was the group genuinely excited that I was there but they cared about me - just as they do with every other member. I was amazed at the support that I felt at each track night and each Saturday morning run. I began to stay late after track to grab chicken tacos and chat at Sukis and grab brunch after the Saturday runs. It is a ritual that I would not want to go with out (and I don't plan to).

But beyond all of the wonderful training related things - there was the "main event" of the marathon that we were training for. What a weekend it was. Here are a few reason on why you should train with the Team!

#1:Travel Made Easy

First off - a HUGE perk of training with the Team is that they take care of ALL the travel stuff for you. You can opt into flying with the team (I couldn't because of work) or you can make your own way (we drove). They arrange your hotel, your shake out run route, each place to eat, how to get to the expo, how to get to the race. It is so nice to not have to think about anything! The hotel that the Team booked in Vancouver was fantastic and in a supreme location downtown. 

It made getting to the expo and doing some sightseeing super easy without having to tire out my legs. It was also nice to not have to worry about transportation anywhere - though the busses were done up special for the weekend.

#2: Friends and Food

Like I mentioned early I was not at all expecting to end up part of a family. But that is what the Team is. The night before the race we all go to an "Inspiration Dinner". At the dinner we are fed. Yes. Food. So important before a marathon. But we also are reminded of why we are there and what we, as a group, have accomplished. There were something like 140+ TnT members from the US and Canada there to run the full or the half, not once did I feel like I couldn't just walk straight up to a stranger and chat. In fact I did just that - many times. After the race I sat and talked to Angie from Colorado for 30 minutes about how it went.

Making matching dri-fit shirts is a pretty awesome perk too.

 #3: Support

With so many people traveling to your race destination to cheer you on you will feel more supported than you ever have before. Along with your personal entourage of family and friends you will have TnT Coaches from all around the country stationed along the course to yell your name and run a few paces with you.

Your coaches have trained you up for this moment and are prepared to do whatever they need to, to get you across the finish line. They are there to encourage you, kick your ass, and keep you safe (those things do go together). Not only are the coaches there but so are the other participants. The half marathoners who finished earlier in the day lined the course to run with the full runners as they came into the finish. One of the best moments for me was when Christine met me and ran with me for a portion of my 26th mile.

#4: You are SAVING LIVES

When we got to the Inspiration Dinner I was surprised at the spin/view on things. The whole season I had been working hard to train and fundraise to support those who needed it much more than me - those who were battling different types of blood cancer. My thoughts were not usually focused on myself - but on our honored teammate or on those who people requested to be added to my singlet on race day. My eyes filled with tears when we entered into the banquet hall and all of the coaches from every region were cheering for us - the participants - and fundraisers. I didn't once stop to think about how someone might be thanking me for what I was doing - let alone call me a hero. 

But that is what we are - Heros. With our work in fundraising the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been able to fund research that has brought us closer and closer every single day to finding a cure. I can't wait until that day that it is here!

Being part of the team, being a "hero" has changed so much of my perspective on life. Now that I have become a member of the family - I don't ever plan to leave.

The new season is starting up - so join our family... if it is just for the travel bonuses at first - you will soon realize what it is truly about.

If you can't join but are willing to give - please do. So many people and families are being bettered by your donation. My goal is to raise over $5,000 before I go with my mentees to run the Nike Women's Full in October. It will for sure be another amazing Team in Training experience!

Happenings...

Monday: 3.75 miles
Tuesday: 5.1 miles
Wednesday: Rest

I'm so excited for this weekend! 4 days off from school! I'll be working at the running store for one maybe two of them. This is going to be a MUCH needed break. Everyday Austin and I have been busy with something - moving, working multiple jobs, racing (I don't count that as work but Austin does - spectating is hard work!).

With so much going on my brain has been scattered... stick with me for some random thoughts!

The cold rainy weather is back and it feels like November here. I would start playing Christmas music if I didn't have these beautiful flowers from my own yard to remind me that it is spring!

Did you know that you are supposed to soak peonies when you bring them in because they have ants inside? I didn't but luckily Bee told me. There were little ants floating in my sink when I was done soaking them.

I have been stuck in a sort of "recover/taper" mode and feel weird that I am not getting in many miles. I am craving some mid week 10 milers - but I know that I shouldn't. I've already developed a little cold (AGAIN!) and I think it is from go-go-going and having extra stress on me from keeping the pace up with life events. I can't believe that in college I took 20 credits, did a research project with my professor, worked 2 jobs and still found time to do homework, party, and kind of sleep. Where did all that energy come from?

Last night was the Kick Off for Fall Season of Team in Training. I can't wait to get going with everyone in my mentor group. I think that we are going to be a great bunch!

I have a little extra 'oomph' in my step this season too. Last season I ran in honor of Austin's Grandpa who was currently battling cancer - this season I will run in memory of Grandpa Pard. He died on Tuesday night around 8pm. I told Austin that he was just waiting to see him because Austin went up Sunday through Tuesday to be with his family. It has been hard - but not unexpected. He is in is upper 80s and decided to stop chemo because it was pretty hard on him. Their prediction of 3 weeks was almost perfectly accurate.

This weekend will be a much needed break for Austin and I. We are most likely going to sit around and organize the house more. I for sure will go running!

How are you spending your holiday weekend? 

Portland Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2013

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 6.85 easy miles

Sunday: 13.1 miles - Half Marathon Race

This weekend was a blast. It was so nice to celebrate moving into our new/first home by having family and friends over as well as running a race!

Saturday morning Dee and Kyle came into town and we hopped over to pick up Jill and head to the RnR Expo. It was further away this year and you had to pay for parking which was SUPER LAME. As if we don't already pay enough to run a RnR race... anyway.

It was worth it if that is how I was going to make this happen...

I met Kara Goucher! She said the next time that I see her running on the Nike trail or around town that I should stop and say hi - so really we are friends now! Dream come true. She is so nice and down to earth. Loved listening to her talk and chatting briefly with her.

Then I had to work at PRC for a bit. When I was off the in laws came over and we had a packed house - except now that my house is bigger it wasn't packed! YAY!

I crawled into bed at a decent hour to wake up for the race in the morning. This was one of the first times that I didn't have all of my stuff set out - I dug around for my arm warmers in the morning. Once we were all set we headed to get Jill and carpool to her perfectly located work garage downtown. We had time to cruise around and chat with other people and take pictures in the large and open runner's area. We had VIP passes for the Brooks VIP area but never found it and heard it was on the other side of the street by Corral 6. But we didn't have to wait in line for porta potties anyway since there were so many.

The weather was perfect for running and I was super happy to feel comfortable with the temp. I brought my sunglasses but carried them for most of the race and never wore them. It was fun to do a local race because I ran into a ton of people that I knew and saw a lot of people cheering on the sidelines!

Austin and Kyle scooted around the course to cheer for the three of us girls as much as possible. They were able to see us at mile .5, 3 and 11.5 ish without having to drive around.

The course was different this year than last - they took out some of the hills that were up Mt. Tabor and added in a flat out and back on Naito, but it was still rolling hills after mile 4 really. With a pretty good uphill stretch up Hawthorne for a mile or more. I took my Island Boost right before the hill because I knew that I would need it. I was super lucky that I was able to get some support from Coach Mike from the Team. He ran with me up the hill and kept me at a sub-8 pace which was much better than I was hoping for (8:30-9).

I had a little mental battle during this race. I don't know if it was because I just came off of the marathon two weeks ago where I felt like I was weak because of what happened or if I didn't go into this race thinking that I was going to run hard. I figured that since I have another marathon coming up in 2 weeks that I needed to give this 13 miler a good effort and finish around 1:45. After I got over halfway I figured that I would beat that time - then I started thinking the same ol' same ol' - "why does it matter" and "I don't need to push" The whole time I was talking to myself I didn't slow down - though I wanted to. I just tried to stay pretty even.

I saw Austin and Kyle close to the finish and was surprised and that really gave me the final push to keep going. Then the band at 12.5 starting playing a song that I LOVE which helped my spirits even more. Then a girl came up behind me and told me that she was pacing off of me and I was helping her get through the last part of the race... so of course I had to keep up the hard work and get through the finish strong. The finish was really long like last year so it plays with your brain a little bit.

I pulled in just under 1:40 with a 1:39:45 official. This is my second fastest half and my second one under 1:40. I was super pleased with the results and really happy that I didn't give in to my mind.

I needed this confidence boosting race after Vancouver BMO and am happy that I had it.

Going through the finishing chute was easy - there was a lot of space and I was able to grab some extra chocolate milk and water. Afterward we went out to get some more bottomless mimosas like after the Hop Hop Half and have a good breakfast!

Another 13.1 one in the books - my 13th in fact - and a great way to make that little landmark.

How was your weekend?