To my biggest supporter: Tim

I know Tim loves it when I mention him in my blog, so Tim here's a whole post just about you!

They say behind every successful man is a strong woman, or something like that, but behind this strong woman is a supportive man: Tim. You are the best. 

Tim was the first person I asked back in May if running the marathon was a good idea or not. His response: "Why the hell not!" Not sure either of us knew what we were signing up for, but it's been a long journey. Just like me, Tim has lost his leisurely weekends. He's also gained a grumpy, tired, and often hungry fiancée and a Saturday 5am wakeup call. We joke that Tim is my athletic supporter, but he really is. He has come almost all of my races since we've been together, holding my bag, taking pictures, coming out onto the course to see me, waiting around for anywhere between 30 minutes to 2.5 hours, listening to me decrompress afterwards, and of course on many occasions, sharing celebratory brunch. He is who I look forward to seeing at the finish line, and it always makes me smile. I am very excited that he will be there to cheer me on during the marathon. The course even goes by the site of our first date! I will be very thankful to see him, my parents, and other familiar faces on the course. 

He has also been incredibly encouraging during training. He adds another layer of accountability for me when I tell him the game plan for the day. Tim is a great cook and loves to do it; it's nice to come home to a prepared meal, especially since I haven't felt much like cooking lately. He gets the pot of hot coffee ready on my way home from my long runs, so I can jump into the ice bath as soon as I get home. And of course he listens to me because I probably don't shut up about all of this, since it has consumed my life.  

On a few occasions, Tim has even run with me. Those times mean so much to me, especially since I know he hates it.  I try to make sure I only ask him to do fun races or things important to me, like the Terrapin 5K earlier this summer for my birthday or the Run Like an Antelope race in Memory of my sister Megan. He even let me sign us up for the Santa Hustle 5K in December--they give you a Santa shirt, beard and hat!

Tim and I at the Ravenswood Run

Tim has had to go along with a lot of my crazy ideas, and I love and appreciate him for that. A good sport doesn't even begin to describe him. He is truly a great partner, on top of being a good listener, caretaker, and my personal chef. He has been there so much for me in the past few years, I can't imagine how it must feel on his end to be asked for so much. Relationships are about give and take, and we've both had our share on either side of the equation, but lately I've been the taker. I ask him to take care of my blind cat while I'm away and I drag him (a true blue Yankees fan) to Fenway Park every April. He has met everyone in my huge family and bonded with many of them over good food and brews. It always made me so happy whenever I heard him joking around or laughing with Mom, Billy, Dad, Rusty and Megan, I know he fits in! He was supportive of me when I decided to get tested for the BRCA genetic mutation, listened as I weighed the options for having a mastectomy, was by my side at my sister's funeral, sat in the waiting room for hours with my Mom when I had my double mastectomy, again when I had my reconstruction, and listened to me whine about the tissue expanders in the meantime. I feel like I have asked a lot of him, but he's been there every time.

I couldn't ask for a better partner in life. He's my perfect fit. Here's to a long and healthy rest of our lives together!

Race Report: Chicago Half Marathon

This Sunday I ran the Chicago Half Marathon with a time of 2:26:26. Overall this felt like a really good race, I ran the first 5-6 miles much faster than I've been training lately, and my pace was better than my recent long runs. I still see room for improvement (you know, when I'm not training for a full marathon...) but I was very pleased with the results. The weather was perfect, cool, breezy, and a bit sunny. The race course was also great--most of the race was on Lakeshore Drive, the volunteers were great, and there were plenty of spectators lining the course. And I love having my name on my bib, plenty of people out there encouraging me by name!

Rant time: Unfortunately, I was almost late to the start. We bought tickets for a race shuttle, still requiring us to wake up at 4:30 to get there for 5:30. (Tim is so awesome, by the way, for doing this.) They didn't send enough shuttle buses the first time around, so we waited for the next round. Well...the next round didn't come for at least another forty five minutes. We boarded and from the chatter on the bus radio is was clear there was chaos, none of the drivers knew what was going on and how to get us to the race because of the race street closures. So our driver parked about a half mile out and said "Want to get out here?" At this point we got out because goodness knows if we ever would have gotten there otherwise. I got the start just on time, with no time to warm up or stretch. I was a little angry, but at least I didn't miss the start. I do wish that the shuttle service was more organized, not only because we paid for it, but because the race organizers encouraged taking the shuttles and public transportation, and they provided the service, you'd think the service would get you to the start on time. Rant over, I hope they work out these kinks for next year. Because otherwise, it was a great race. 

Made it to the start line.

Finisher!

At the beginning of this year I never dreamed I would be training for a marathon, let alone run 2 half marathons in the process! And thanks again to Tim for getting up at 4:30am to cheer me on. He's a good egg, huh?

One month left!!

The Chicago Marathon is in 1 month. 

How did we get here?? Well, four months of hard work, that's the first answer. But with one left to go, the race is clearly in sight. With every long run I get more and more confidence that I can actually do this. I just have to stay focused and keep training, and get excited. I admit, I'm getting really tired of the long runs, and am starting to count how many more times I have to wake up at 5am on Saturdays/Sundays (down to 5, I can count them on one hand!), and since we're in our peak weeks, I'm pretty tired a lot. Although my back doesn't hurt much anymore (I really only feel it sometimes when I'm exercising or get up from bed), I'm still getting the usual aches and pains. The end is in sight though!

This weekend instead of my usual long run with the team (18 miles), I am running the Chicago Half Marathon. Initially I was a little nervous about running 13 rather than 18, but one of my trainers told me to just run my race, don't worry about adding mileage, and don't slack off. Kind of funny that a 13 mile run seems like a breather from the 18 my team will be doing! The forecast for Sunday looks like it's in the low 70's and sunny (hooray!) so I'm looking forward to a good race to get me back on track, and kickstart me into the home stretch. 

Also, I'm going to keep in mind the following tips from an article in Runner's World for half marathon and marathon training tips. You can't cram for a marathon, so now is the time to be consistent.

And in the meantime, enjoy this video to get you pumped up for the marathon: 

26 Donors for 26 Miles

As my training is ramping up for the final push (we are in our "peak" three weeks), our team fundraising is also ramping up. I'm almost at my fundraising goal for Bright Pink, and as a way to push me over the top I'm going to have my 26 miles "sponsored" by my donors (I stole this idea from one of my training mates, can't claim credit!). For me, this is a way to both thank you for your generosity, and to inspire me when I need a little something extra on the course.

The idea is that I will get 26 donors and I will dedicate a mile to each donor. I'm either going to memorize the list or laminate a little card (in my experience ink runs when wet with sweat!) to carry with me during the race. Before the marathon I'll also write up a little bit about each sponsored mile. So far this is what the list looks like:

Mile 1: Laura Amodeo
Mile 2: Sue Milkman
Mile 3: Ed Medeiros
Mile 4: Mom & Billy
Mile 5: Terri Sacco
Mile 6: Beth Martin & Al Sarrantonio
Mile 7: Thayer Preece
Mile 8: Tim
Mile 9: Erin Walker
Mile 10: Lisa Freeman
Mile 11: Maureen & Bill Chace
Mile 12: Jen Golenia
Mile 13: In Memory of Megan 
Mile 14: Jen Chin
Mile 15: Kate Carr
Mile 16: Maura Chace
Mile 17: Tofer Carlson
Mile 18: Steve Nazaran
Mile 19: The Cirillos
Mile 20: James Camara
Mile 21: John & Judy Lally
Mile 22: Noelle Miller
Mile 23: Marianne Montgomery
Mile 24: Madeline Sola
Mile 25: Mike & Lucy Warenski
Mile 26: Adam Epstein

And the last 0.2 will be my personal donation which is the change I've been collecting at my desk at work, as I (hopefully) SPRINT to the finish line!

I might shuffle people around, but you get the basic idea. Want in?? There's a few more spots left! 

As always, thanks for reading and thank you for your support!

**UPDATE: THANK YOU!!! All of my miles are sponsored!! You can still donate on my fundraising page here and I promise I won't forget about you during the race!

Hi Megan

Hi Megan:

I miss you so much. There's almost no way to describe it. It feels like the last time I saw you was yesterday, but also so long ago because so much has happened since then. I wish every day I could talk with you, and about nothing and about everything, but I have to settle for my memories and one-sided conversations. My biggest regret is not saying everything I wanted to all the time and during the last times I spent with you, so better late than never. 

First of all, I finally did something I'm sure you would be happy about, I had a mastectomy. I know your own journey to mastectomy was a tough one and we talked about that a lot, I'm certain you agreed that it was the right choice for me. After you passed away I read through all of your breastcancer.org posts and talked to our friends and I realized this was one thing you hoped for, that I took all of this more seriously and took care of myself. So I did. Thank you! I wish I could have learned the lesson any other way, but I still learned it. Mom and Tim were a great help to me while I recovered. It's really not so bad, all things considered (except those damn drains!). I just had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Kahn yesterday. Everything looks good and next up is entering the screening program for ovarian cancer detection.

I also signed up for the Chicago Marathon. Crazy, right? I can't believe it. I didn't really start running until the time Mom, Billy, and I watched you and Rusty at the 5K in Somerville, and then you all came to Chicago and we ran in the zoo. Now I'm doing this! I kind of can't believe it. I ran 16 miles today, and the marathon is in 5 weeks, right before your birthday. Mom and Billy are coming out, I'm very nervous/excited!

I love everything you ever gave me. The yarn you gifted me that I can't really bring myself to use, project bags you made me, the dutch oven you bought for me--everything. I asked Rusty last September if he would send me the Aidez sweater you were working on so that I could finish it. You were so close to being done. I finished the last bits and wore it all over the place last fall, and I can't wait for the cooler weather to come around so that I can wear it again. I feel a little bit guilty for stealing it but it really means a lot to me to be snuggled by your stitches. It would have been too big for you anyways ;) I also am severely behind on finishing that sweater for Rusty. I'm sorry! I promise I will finish it. 

Well maybe the biggest news of this year is that Tim and I are getting married (!!) He proposed in July, in front of all our friends (of course) and it's going to be next July at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford. We are so very excited, I know you'd love it. He gave me Mom's old ring from Dad, it's so pretty. He's actually moving in tomorrow, too. I wish so much that you could be there and help us plan the wedding. But we're saving a spot for you, don't worry. Rusty will be there too, Tim asked him to be in the wedding. 

Speaking of Rusty, he and your friends are amazing, they're organizing a 5K for you--Run Like an Antelope, how perfect. There are so many people coming out, you have inspired so many people to start running. People who know you, people who don't, people who love you and some that have never met you. Even Virginia from Gather Here! I don't think she'll ever forget the time you spilled a homebrew beer on the table at Pints n Purls. Rusty is also amazing. I wish I saw him more but we haven't been home a lot. He showed us a good time last April, we got to hang out with him, Poster, and Reba during our regular Patriots Day visit. And he came out for Tim's birthday, the Timtacular. We're all doing our best, but it's hard without you. 

I think about you all the time. Every time I hear Pink Floyd (You should have seen the  Olympics Closing Ceremonies, there was an awesome rendition of Wish You Were Here), The Dead, Ani DiFranco, or Phish. Every time I see Éphémère in the store or on tap. Every time I see something you made me. Every time I go somewhere we've been. Even helping Tim homebrew. I miss swapping recipes and talking Weight Watchers. I miss chatting with you. I've gone through our old chat logs, listened to old voicemails. There's all these things that didn't seem important at the time but they're all I have left so they mean everything. I've looked through pictures, but we have hardly any together as adults, it makes me sad. I'm sad we'll never have any more. At least we have some cute baby pictures, we were darn cute.

This year has been such a bittersweet one, because there has been a lot to be happy about, but every time I'm really happy it also comes with a dose of sadness, because I can't share it with you. It doesn't seem real, I still can't believe you're gone. But today we're celebrating your life, and Tim and I are off to celebrate it in the best way we know how, with some good food and beer :) Don't worry, there's Ephemere on tap. 

Miss you loads, love you lots. 
Jocelyn

Running torture/recovery devices

Earlier this week I was emailing back and forth with my cousin (Hi Maura!), who is running a half marathon on October 7 (same day as my marathon), and we were trading running apparatus recommendations. It occurred to me that I might share in some of our wacky accessories and means of recovery, and hopefully get recommendations on new ones. There's so much running gear out there, from GPS watches, special food, sports drinks, hydration belts, fancy headphones--it's probably all unnecessary. Nothing is actually required far beyond the right clothes, your legs, water, and stretching. But when my legs are tired and I've got aches and pains, I'll try almost anything, especially if it's cheap or recommended by a friend/trainer. Maybe I'm just a toy junkie. Anyways, here are some of my favorite recovery devices:

1. Ice bath:
Lately I've been taking these when I get home from my long runs. I take a quick hot shower to wash off the sweat, so I'm not sitting in my own filth. Then I get a cup of hot coffee, a magazine, and start filling up the tub with the coldest that comes out of the tap. If I'm feeling particularly brave, I throw in a few bowlfuls of ice from the freezer. I fill it up so it completely covers my legs, and then I sit for about 30 minutes. The thought here is that the cold water reduces inflammation and helps with muscle soreness. I met another marathoner this week who swears by this, but also she would rotate the ice bath with a hot shower (get in ice bath, run to another shower and get under hot hot water for 5 mins, back into ice bath, back into hot shower). I only have 1 tub so that's out for me!

2. Foot balls:
I have had some foot pain in the ball of my right foot, and the last time I went for shoes at Fleet Feet the salesperson recommended these Foot Balls. It's basically a nice little ball with fingers that can gently massage my feet. I keep it under my desk at work and just give it a few rolls every once in a while. They run about $5. 

3. Myofascial release/Foam Roller
Another particularly painful form of recovery is myofascial release. My chiropractor does this on my piriformis (butt/hip muscle) when I see her. It basically involves her jamming her thumbs into my butt while I do a leg stretch to break up tight muscle fibers (from what I understand). It's the kind of thing that "hurts good" because it hurts but I know it's helping loosen up my tight muscles. 

And then there's the foam roller, which is a way for self-myofascial release. The idea behind the foam roller is to use your body weight on the roller to create pressure and break up muscle knots that form that can't be broken up by stretching alone. Typically the area of concern for distance runners is the IT band, the iliotibial band which (in simplistic terms) connects your hips to your knees. Tightness in the IT band is usually the culprit of knee and hip pain in runners. Loosening up the knots in this muscle is very important for preventing this pain. 

I myself was talked into the "trigger point" foam roller (are you noticing a trend? I can be talked into anything at a running store). It is particularly gnarly, with little trigger points on it that change the pressure feeling on the area. It's a blessing and a curse, as foam rolling can be kind of painful. I find it's also helpful to not roll, but just rest on the points in the areas I need it. This set me back about $40, but they last longer than the regular foam rollers. 

I've also heard people swear by the following, although I haven't tried any of these:

1. KT Tape: 
You may have seem athletes during the Olympics with all sorts of brightly colored tape. That stuff is KT Tape, or Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape. The tape provides pain relief by relieving pressure in the pain area and increasing circulation to help recovery. And the best part is that the tape application lasts for days. They had a booth at the Expo at the Rock N Roll Half Marathon, taping up everyone's aches and pains, and the application lasts until after the race. 

2. Epsom salt bath:
Many people tout the benefits of Epsom salt baths, for minor aches and pains, soreness, inflammation, hangovers, you name it. 

3. Massage Stick:
This is a lighter form of myofascial release, more of a massage, but working on the same concept of breaking up tightened muscles. 

4. Compression socks/sleeves:
These are also supposed to help support circulation and reduce cramping. Runners wear them during and after races to help prevent inflammation and muscle soreness. They sell them for arms, quads, calves, and feet, and in BRIGHT colors so you can also wear them at night and people will see you for miles. 

Anything else I'm missing that you swear by for running recovery?

My mom's long walk

For those of you who don't know (or aren't related to) my Mom, you may not know how much of an awesome woman she is. So let me tell you a little about her. Among other things, she owns a small business (started by my Pépère), is the oldest of 7 children, raised two great daughters (if I do say so myself), is a fantastically accomplished sewer/knitter/quilter, used to ride a Harley, travels the world, and is a generally overall great woman. As I grow older, I grow more appreciative of my Mother and the way she raised me, to be a smart, practical, caring person. There are many times in my adult life that I find myself starting stories with "My Mom used to say..." My mind collected all of her good advice and I'm glad I remembered it, because she was right about a lot of stuff. And, being in the same industry (fire protection/construction) I can even call her for work advice. That has come in handy more than a few times on the job!

My Mom has always been my biggest supporter. She encouraged Megan and I to be whatever we wanted to be when we grew up, coached us through the inevitable changing of our minds, provided us with a great work ethic that came from our summers of working at her office, and an overall example of how to be a good person. She came out to help me recover from both of my surgeries, and has always listened happily to me babble on the phone about this or that, including all of my running and training. And even though she is allergic to cats, she even made Penny her very own quilt, tolerates her "singing", and the blanket of cat hair that covers my condo when she comes to visit.  

Another awesome thing about my Mom is she recently finished the Susan G. Komen 3-day, which consists of walking 60 miles in 3 days. Wow! She walked in Boston on the team "Miles for Megan" in memory of my sister. She raised $19,975 and was one of the top fundraisers in the whole event. She held the "Daughter" banner at the Opening Ceremony. Also, to help raise money, she raffled off a quilt that was a copy of one that she and Megan designed together. 

If you want to feel like you were there, Billy (my stepdad) took about a thousand pictures of the event that you can see here. I think Mom may have inspired a few of us to train for next year. 

My Aunt Louise and my Mom!

Here is the thank you letter my Mom sent out to all of the donors:

Dear Supporter:
A big Thank You to you for being part of the more than 175 donors who contributed a total of $19,975 towards my walking team, MILES FOR MEGAN! The three of us, our awesome Captain, Laura Martin Brady, wonderful Deanna Misilo and myself are pictured above at the finish line of our 60-mile walk that took place over three days, July 27th, 28th and 29th.
We estimate that among the three of us, we took approximately 360,000 steps to reach our 60-mile goal!
The Boston Group of the Komen Foundation raised $3.2 million dollars.  What an accomplishment!
The weekend was filled with tears, smiles and laughs.
And the “angels”; we met hundreds of people all along our walking path who cheered us on, provided us with refreshments, water and encouragement.
The crew was phenomenal.  There was a happy face wherever we were whether it was serving us meals, repairing our blisters, helping to set up our tents, riding bikes all along the route….. You name it, they did it.
If you want to hear more about our week-end, visit either one of our Face Book pages where we’ve been posting comments and pictures.
And, the winner of the quilt that my mom, Pierrette Lemieux and I made in honor of my daughter Megan, was Joan Shurtleff, of Lakeville, MA.
Again, I can’t thank you all enough.  Hoping that through all of our collective efforts, the words “Breast Cancer” will be rubbed out of the dictionary.
--Pauline L Lally

I couldn't ask for a better role model and inspiration to complete my own challenge in front of me. Our journeys are different but very similar. Her walk and my marathon are events that are somewhat out of character for both of us. But talking with her through her training and seeing her finish (well, remotely, I wish I could have been there!), it gives me so much inspiration. And I'll be very excited to see her when I cross the finish line on October 7. Thanks Mom!!