CANCER to 5K Race Report: Ulman Cancer Fund's 10-THE RACE

After 12 weeks of training in all kinds of weather on the local running trails in Arlington, VA on Saturday mornings and at the Stuart High School track every Tuesday night, it was finally RACE DAY for the Fall 2007 Cancer to 5K Team!

And the rain came pouring down...

We arrived at the Merriweather Post Pavilion at around 7:30AM to set up a meeting spot for our Team of runners and volunteers. I was expecting 15 people total and they all showed up!

The main group included myself, Coach Bob, and our first time 5K runners Ben and Cheryl. Unfortunately our third runner Jess was unable to make it because some scheduled surgery was pushed up by more than a week. She had surgery two days prior to the race and her sister came out to join us and race in her place. Along with our core group of 4 were all the Workout Pace Leaders (5 in all) who had been training with us all season. These volunteers are seasoned runners who came out to offer support, advice and company for the entire 12 week session. Having them at the workouts gave the new runners some folks to train with and gave Coach Bob the flexibility to work individually with people as necessary.

Added to the this core Team of 9 were an additional 6 volunteers. These are our Race Day Sherpas. They are running volunteers who didn't necessarily have the free time to workout with the group for the 12 week period but who were willing to come out and race with our runners on race day. The job of the SHERPA is to escort the Cancer to 5K first time runners on race day, providing support, maintaining a good pace and keeping an eye on the runner throughout the race itself.

So on a rainy morning, in Columbia, MD - 15 members of Team Cancer to 5K toed the line along with Lance Armstrong, Doug Ulman and a few hundred other runners to run the Ulman Cancer Fund's 10-THE RACE 5K. The event was a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

Team Cancer to 5K: pre-race
with a spot in the middle front for Jess, with us in spirit on race day.

Ben and his PaceLeaders/SHERPAs

Cheryl and her PaceLeaders/SHERPAs

After a brief speech by honored guest and fellow competitor, Lance Armstrong, the 5K was underway. My sister Heather, boyfriend Jim and I stayed at the finish line coral so we could get pictures and award some medals to our runners as they finished their first 5K.

First medal recipient to cross the line, in a solid 4th place, was Lance Armstrong. I asked him if I could present him with a Cancer to 5K finishers medal and a team shirt and he said "Of course" and so Lance became an official Cancer to 5K runner and teammate.

Lance Armstrong finished the 5k in 4th overall...

Lance recovering from his race effort

Presenting Lance with a Cancer to 5K Finisher's Medal

Next across the line about 4-5 minute behind was Doug Ulman. He was also presented a Cancer to 5K finisher medal and team shirt. He stayed and talked with me for a few minutes, congratulating us on getting the program started and thanked us for being part of the race.

Presenting Doug Ulman with a Cancer to 5K Finisher's Medal

A hug of congratulations from Doug on the program.

Third medal recipient was our very own Coach Bob who finished solidly in the front of the pack. He is a fellow skin cancer survivor and was not expecting a medal. It was wonderful to be able to surprise him after all the hard work that he has done for the program.

A hug for Coach Bob after presenting him a Cancer to 5K Finisher's Medal

Coach Bob then turned around and headed back out onto the course to find our first group of SHERPAS and Ben. While Heather, Jim and I rang our cowbells and cheered many 5K finishers into the finish line. Just as the race clock hit 39 minutes, I caught the first glimpse of bright yellow and white at the top of the last hill. It was Ben and Monica (Jess's sister), accompanied by Coach Bob and 6 of our 9 Pace Leaders/SHERPAS.

The sight of Ben, coming over that last hill and up to the finish line, sent chills down my spine. I was so proud of the hard work that he did over the last 12 weeks to get to this point and so happy that I could have been a part of that accomplishment. Ben crossed the finish line with a big smile on his face and then nearly fell into my arms as I presented him with his Cancer to 5K medal. He left nothing out on the course and laughed later when recalling all of the hills on the "scenic" course.

Ben crossing the finish line - looking strong and happy!

Ben and his group of runners headed just beyond the finish line to cool down and grab some water and refreshments. Coach Bob, again, headed back out on the course to join Cheryl and her group as they approached the finish.

With more cowbells passed around the Team rang in the Kid's Fun Run while we awaited the arrival of Cheryl and her SHERPAS. Just as the last child crossed the finish line, we saw that tell-tale flash of yellow surrounded by white that was Cheryl, Coach Bob and her 3 SHERPAS. With florish of cowbell and big cheers, we cheered Cheryl into the finish. She even ran the last 200 yards uphill to the finish line! I presented Cheryl with her finishers medal and we took some groups pictures at the finish and then everybody headed to the tents for food and water as the rain finally began to let up.

Cheryl approaching the finish line - also looking strong and happy!

It is nearly impossible for me to put in to words, how it felt to watch Ben and Cheryl cross the finish line. They're smiles said it all. They came to the group 12 weeks ago, not sure that they could finish a 5K race, worried they would be too slow or last. All that worry was washed away slowly by the weekly workouts and that early morning rain on race day and I know that crossing that finish line opened a whole new world of possibilities for both of them.

Holly, Ben, Cheryl and Coach Bob, post race.

Our wonderful group of Workout Pace Leader and SHERPA volunteers!

Team Cancer to 5K - Fall 2007 at Ulman Cancer Fund's 10-THE RACE

While it was sad that Jess was not able to join us on race day after 12 weeks of training, while undergoing chemotherapy. The surgery was an important step in Jess's fight with cancer. Jess plans to join the Spring 2008 training program - to finish what she started and race 5K with the Team. Ben is talking about "what his next race should be" and hoping to go faster and then longer next time and he wants to volunteer as a Workout Pace Leader for the spring. Cheryl is considering joining the Spring team again, to keep working out with a group and do another 5K.

This is exactly the outcome that I dreamed of when the Cancer to 5K program was just an idea in my head. A program that for 12 weeks, introduces cancer survivors to running/walking and regular exercise and that in the end, opens them up to the endless opportunities that exercise can bring to their lives, in spite of cancer.

Life is Good! Live STRONG!

RR: Marine Corps Marathon 2007

Race: Marine Corps Marathon
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Race Type: Run - Marathon
Age Group: Female 35 - 39
Time: 6:41:34
Overall Place: 20217 / 20674
Age Group Place: 1313 / 1350

Comment: Report from the BACK OF THE PACK

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This race report is LONG just like my race was LONG!

I knew coming into this race that I would be looking at a long, long day. Longer than my first MCM in 2005. That year I ompleted the race in 6:10, while on chemotherapy. If you had told me that 2 years later, cancer-free, I would finish the same race nearly 30 minutes later, I'd not have believed you.

This is a lesson on how "weight" changes your pace and it was a lesson learned. It was also a lesson in perspective. While I don't ever want to race a Marathon this slowly again, I worked HARD to *Beat the 14th Steet Bridge* so I am very satisfied with my Marathon finish. I finished, got to enjoy the wonderful company of my friend Shawn and was on the race course along with my younger sister for her first Marathon attempt. (She finished in 4:37!! Not too shabby for a first marathon, at all!)

So race morning was typical - PB & Jelly on whole wheat and a large glass of water. Nancy Toby, Shawn, Heather and I left the house at 6:30 and jumped on the Metro to the Pentagon. We got there right at 7AM and walked to the start area. Nancy headed over to the UPS drop and we got in line at the Port-o-Potties. I took a GU and drank some more water while waiting in line and eventually we got to the front of the line, right up to 7:45AM. Just enough time for quick hugs to Heather and she jogged off to the 4:30 corral while Shawn and I walked to the 5:30 coral and found the Cliff Bar Pacer Group.

The plan was simple and NOT RECOMMENDED if you are trying to race any kind of PR but with several half Ironmans and a few marathons under my belt, I knew this unorthodox method would be what I needed to get to Mile 19 on time. The plan was: stick with the 5:30 pace group for as long as possible - ideally up though the half marathon point. Even if I blew up,
I'd have a buffer built and I knew the course by heart after mile 13 so I could keep moving, even if I was hurting at the point.

The race started and we crossed the start with about 19:12 on the race clock. I was able to hang tight with Shawn and the 5:30 group up through the start of Mile 2 and the climb up Lee Highway and then I watched them slowly pull away.

Okay, looks like I am going to have to readjust my plan! No worries! So at Mile 2, I was on my own. I shortened my stride and just focused on the runners around me. Knowing that Mile 4 would be a nice long downhill on Spout Run. The runners in the back of the pack were happy and cheerful, early on. Lots of cheering and smiles and encouragement - Lots of TNT runners and other charity runners around - my kind of people!

The exit ramp up to Key Bridge was a bit of a shocker! Holy Cow - forgot about the course change. I started to try to emember from bike rides, what I could expect for mile 5-8 on Macarthur Blvd and River Rd and I knew there had to be an few climbs but I had forgotten the doozey where Macarthur and River Rd split! That was probably a good thing.

Just before Mile 6, I saw a familiar pink shirt ahead of me - SHAWN! I yelled "GO SHAWN!" and she laughed and said, "I though you were ahead of me!" Seems the 5:30 group dropped Shawn on the hills too. I told her I had just started my intervals 2:30R/1:00W and she said that sounded good to her, so we settled into the intervals together.

I spent much of my time trying to play tour guide for Shawn as we ran - "Up ahead, we have the Kennedy Center - to your left is ...ummmm... Nixen, darn it....WATERGATE!" Along we rolled, clicking off the miles - one by one, heading down the mall and onto the half marathon point. Our pace was good for our goal - to beat the 14th Street bridge cutoff with at least a "miles" worth of time on the clock. Shawn started having some trouble just before the half marathon point. We ran into my friend Arnetta at just that time and she had a bag of salty pretzels that she gave us! Just about the time we were close to the next water stop, I detoured for a potty break and Shawn just kept going.

It took about 4 LONG minutes to get access to the port-o-potty (felt bad for the girl in there ahead of me, she looked BAD when she came stumbling out) and then finally I was back on the road - trying to double time my pace to catch back up to Shawn. In that mile, I also got a chance to see my friend Ben and Amy - Cancer to 5K Teammates who both ran their first
5Ks the day before. Amy took my picture and Ben gave me a lovely hug of encouragement! Boy, I needed that!

It took me nearly a mile but finally, I could see her pink shirt about 500 yards ahead of me. It took some internal arguing but I finally convinced my legs that they simply had to work harder to catch Shawn and finally I was back at her side. She was going a little better after taking a bit of a walk break and we resumed our run/walk intervals just prior to Mile 15.

About this time, we hit the GU stop but neither of us took one. We had both pocketed enough food for the race and were taking a GU or Cliff Blocks about every 4 miles or so. Still running through the GU stop with the occasional full GU package bursting under your foot fall was bizarre... You faster runners sure are messy (LOL!!) We rounded the GU stop and rolled up and around the Tidal Basin and on towards Haines Point. There was some grumbling as we watched, with ENVY, all those runners already headed for the 14th Street Bridge on the other side of the road. But we just kept on moving forward, keeping an eye on the clock and trying to run more than we walked.

At this point, Mile 16, Shawn and I were both suffering a bit. Shawn was still having some nutrition issues and my left Achilles seemed a but tighter than I liked. At this point, I knew exactly where we were in the race and what we needed to do to keep ahead of the 14th Street Bridge cutoff. Shawn was a trooper - the best running partner anybody could have. Every time that I said "Hit it" she picked up her stride and ran until I said "Walk" Being the "time keeper" gave me the something to do - which help keep me from panic. We joked about all the freaking photographers - who we smiled at before but who we now thought were totally unnecessary. We both had our cranky moments and seem to swear alternately - never in tandem - but we NEVER stopped moving forward and kept trying to pass the very annoying ladies in front of us who seemed to be "taking too much to possibly be working hard enough" (see what I mean, CRANKY!)

Just prior to Mile 19 we talked about how good those SPORTS BEANS were going to be and then we saw it.....Strewn all over the road ahead of us like road kill - thousands and thousands of sports beans and empty packets! There were no Sports Beans left for us. Unless, as I joked to Shawn, "You'd like to lick the pavement - there are plenty down there..." Talking later with Heather, it turns out that they were handing out 3-4 packets of Beans per person early on. So no beans for the Back of the Pack this time around.

Finally ... Mile 19! It is a little deceiving because the Mile Marker is not actually on the Bridge but prior to it and that was hawn's next question. "Holly, where is the Bridge?" I think I might have sounded a little harsh but I didn't dare try saying "only around the corner because I was sure it was still about a 1/4 mile from the Mile Marker so instead I said " We are almost there Shawn, just come on!". Then we took the right turn out of Haines Point and the right onto Maine Avenue and eased through the underpass, where I let out the loudest HOOT and HOLLAR I could as we turned right again onto the HOV on-ramp! "Shawn we beat the Bridge!!" at just about 4:58 on the official race clock - 17 minutes left on the clock.

Shawn and I walked the 14th Street Bridge but we were not alone by any stretch of the imagination. At this point on the race course, the number of people still running was maybe 1 in every 25. The HOV lanes are a wasteland of pavement that sucks the life and energy right out of you. Shawn and I just kept moving and I tried to keep her motivated when she began to ask "
if the bridge ever ends." I assured her that it did and that she would feel much better when we got to the other side of the river. Finally, we reached the end of the 14th Street Bridge and Mile 21. Shawn needed a rest stop at the nearest blue box so I continued on alone, hoping she would catch back up.

It was at this point that I had the funniest moment of the race. I had chosen to wear my bright yellow "Cancer to 5K" race shirt and throughout the day, I had gotten plenty of "Go Cancer!" and "Thanks for racing" from spectators on the side of the road. As I approached Crystal City, I passed a "home-made rest stop" with a bunch of folks there cheering runners on. One of the gentleman there said "Way to go Cancer to 5k!" and then he smiled and said "Are you sure you signed up for the right distance race?"

That made me laugh at loud and was just the boost that I needed for those last 4 miles. Shawn had a longer stop than she hoped and so we passed each other on the out and back, gave each other big hugs and continued on. I tried to resume run/walk intervals but at this point in the day, it hurt more to try to start running again than it did to power walk, so I did just that. I must have passed a good 20 people just by focusing on quick short steps. Soon enough I was at Mile 25 and I thought, you have got to try to run most of this last mile. All was well until I got to the base of Iowjima only to realize that, here too, they had changed the course and I still had to run out to Roslyn, turn around and come back. Well that just took the wind right out of my sail and I stopped running for the next 1/2 mile. Finally at the last turn around, just behind a group of TNT runners, I found the energy to again pick up my pace. The finish line was close (FINALLY) and I just wanted to get off the course. I saw Shawn for the last time, on her last mile! Cheered for her and headed towards that final climb. I walked the last climb, knowing that I could walk it faster than I could run it and once a the top, slowly jogged those last 500 yards into the finish and up to a handsome Marine to collect my finishers medal.

I waited at the end of the chute for Shawn and then we headed back to the Family Meet Spot to find Nancy and Jim and the rest of my family. Another MCM in the books.

Having two days to digest this weekend, I am glad that I toed the line on race day. I knew going into the race, that it was not going to be a PR or even a "great" race day for me. But races are what you make them. The weather was perfect for a marathon, I had friends on the course and on the sides cheering me on, my younger sister ran her first Marathon on the same course and I was in my full colors representing my CANCER to 5K Runners the day after their first 5K race. There wasn't anyplace in the world I would have rather been - no matter how long it took me to get to the finish line!

Life is Good! Live STRONG!

Happy Halloween!!

From Wallace & Grommette
(you can click on the pictures to get the full impact)

Grommette tries being a redhead...

"I'm ready for my close-up"

Am I a Sunflower?

Behold the mighty Giraffe-Bengal, a new breed...

"Hey wait, there is something on my head...ARG!"

"Did you get the d*mn picture?"

Marathon Weekend Interlude: Wallace and Rowen

Who says cats and toddlers can't get along? This is video of my newphew Rowen (13 months old) and our Bengal Wallace (just 18 months old himself.) I have watched this video about 5 times and I swear that Rowen is trying to chatter back to Wallace.

Bengals are the friendliest cats. PERIOD!

Enjoy!

Rowen and Wallace

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CONGRATULATIONS ALL AROUND!

More is coming, I promise!!! I need more time to sort through the tons of pictures AND get the report written....

CONGRATULATIONS to my amazing Cancer to 5K Team on their outstanding effort on Saturday! Every single volunteer showed up - despite the pouring rain and help make my Teams race the best it could be!

Way to go Ben & Cheryl & Jess! We even made Lance Armstrong and Doug Ulman honorary Cancer to 5K Finisher by presenting them with medals! They earned it as Cancer Survivors and Race Finishers! They can in the rain along with the rest of the field.

Oh yeah and Marine Corps Marathon???



In the books! And it was by far my longest Marathon ever (in terms of time on the course) nearly 1 hour longer than my previous Personal Record of 5:39:15 at the 2003 Ocean Drive Marathon. Guess it is time to work on getting my speed back up!

One complaint, I missed having my finish video taped by 46 seconds! If crossed the start mat one minute sooner I'd have video proof!! GRR!!!

Even so, the medal looks great and I am hobbling proudly cause I BEAT THE 14TH STEET BRIDGE, BABY!



Life is Good! Live STRONG! More coming later tonight!

12 weeks and it all leads to this!

RACE DAY IS HERE! Okay well it is here tomorrow and my group of cancer survivors is ready the the challenge! They have come along way in twelve weeks and I am so proud of each and every one of them. Even though the race is not until tomorrow, that is simply the icing on the cake. They did all the hard work already through the CANCER to 5K training program. Tomorrow is a day to CELEBRATE!

Oh and they get to run with Lance Armstrong and Nancy. Does it get much better than that? NOPE!

Here are some pictures from our last two workouts on Saturday at the W&OD Trail in Arlington, VA and then on Tuesday at our Tuesday night Track Workouts. My special THANKS goes out to Coach Bob and our amazing volunteers - Monica, Shannon, Arnetta, Yuneng and Amy for coming and working out with the Team week after week! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!

Partial Saturday Morning Crew (Amy, Arnetta, Coach Bob & Ben)

Everybody looks STRONG and HAPPY!

Tuesday Night Track Sessions at Stuart HS.

Tuesday Night Regulars (Holly, Coach Bob, Shannon, Ben & Cheryl)

THEY ARE HERE!!!!!

Presenting the first ever CANCER to 5K Finishing Medals!

(Click on picture for larger view)

Not too shabby for my first time designing a medal, eh? I can't wait to hand these babies out! Only 8 days until Race Day! LiveSTRONG!

Random Photos....

Some photos I have been meaning to share.... in no particular order:

Banana Spider Webs - a reason to only *visit* South Carolina and not live there

Scary, scary - so why name them after such a tasty fruit?

Rowen's Custom Birthday Cake - My sister Cathy made this!

I have trouble just frosting cupcakes and she makes bears!

My Mom and her shirt - Hysterically Funny (both Mom and the Shirt)

Rowen showing Grandpa his bongo skillz!

And you thought *you* got tired....

Our resident Praying Mantis - Manti for short...

Some folks have virus protection - we have *bengal* protection

NEVER FORGET:
Happiness can always be found in your Mommy's Arms!

This will make you smile!

I'm working on an update ...until then enjoy THIS!

Happy Wednesday!

PS - Only 12 days to the Marine Corps Marathon!!!!

Cupcakes for a Cause!

Go to Cupcakes for a Cause and create a cupcake to send by email to a friend. A dollar is raised for each one sent. They only have 4,611 sent and can raise as much as 10,000 before Oct 21st if they can get people to send that many, so get cracking.

I made a LiveStrong one and it is not easy to write with the little cake tool.

Good luck and enjoy. Oh and Live STRONG!

RR: 2007 Army Ten Miler

BLOGGERS NOTE: My heartfelt condolence go out to the friends and family of the Virginia and Chicago runners who died during their races this past Sunday. May you find comfort in knowing they were doing what they enjoyed in life when they passed.

2007 Army Ten Miler Race Report: HOOAH!! HOT AND SUNNY DAY TO RUN

This would be my third running of the Army Ten Miler and my slowest and hottest, by far. My sister Heather came up to run the event and our plan was to run the Army Ten Miler and then run the 10 miles home to make it our last long run (20 miles) before the Marine Corps Marathon. Mother Nature failed to tell us that she had other plans for us this past Sunday.

Heather and I started our ATM weekend with a training session with the CANCER to 5K Team and then headed to the expo with my good friend Keri to pick up our numbers, swag and a few extra goodies at the expo. The expo was followed by a great lunch of crepes and croissants at a French Bistro and then an afternoon of lounging around. Later we went to dinner with the BIG CATS, a myspace running group that my sister is part of. Dinner was at Paulo's Italian Restaurant in Georgetown and it was a great time and good company. After dinner, we packed up our post-race gear for Jim to sherpa to the Finish Line (cell phones, water bottles and extra gu/clif blocks) for us and got to bed early. Ready for the long fun day ahead.

RACE DAY: Early to Rise: 5AM - UGH!

Heather and I woke up early and headed to the Metro at 6AM. After 20 minutes we were at the Pentagon, where we ran into an old friend Karen S. Karen and I had not seen each other regularly since October 2002 - the first time we both ran the Army Ten Miler! It was a fun and unexpected reunion to see each other 5 years later at the same race that was both our first-ever 10 mile race!

We all had purple bibs so we wandered to the start line and walked the HALF MILE to our start corral! WHAT?? We were the last wave and they had us on the freaking exit ramp of I-395. There were lots of jokes among the runners about being so far back that now we were running the Army *Eleven* Miler. We ran into one of my Cancer to 5K Pace Leaders, Arnetta, who was also racing and we stood and chatted and waited out the countdown to race start. After about a 2 hour wait, at 8:20AM, our wave finally found ourselves in sight of the start line! With the boom of a canon - after quick hugs! We were off and running.

Heather and I are different paces but all in all we had very similar race experiences. Heather started from the back with the rest of the purple bibs and proceeded to work her way through the masses. With an average 8:50 minute per mile running pace, she should have been several waves ahead for the start. We still don't know how she ended up with a purple bib but she was a good sport. She said she found it hard at first, and she found herself elbow to elbow with people right up until mile 4. I can't even imagine how many people that means she managed to pass in the first 35 minutes of her race but it must have been thousands.

In contrast, I was well seeded in that last wave, and I just settled into a steady pace of run/walking intervals and took note of the runners around me, picked a group of 3 woman (the Shake & Bake Girls) and determined that I would not let them out of my sight, the entire race. Things went well up through the first 3 miles. Just prior to Mile 4, I took my first GU and ducked into a Port-O -Potty for a quick pit stop. Just past Mile 4 and the second water stop, the course moves down Independence Avenue along the National Mall. This is the point in the course that is out and back so you get a chance to see the entire race field no matter your place in the pack.

Because of my little stop, I had lost my "Shake & Bake Girls" and was simply focused on catching up, one person at a time. I was also looking for my sister Heather and friends Karen and Keri, since I knew they would be coming the other way. I never saw Heather but I did see Keri and Karen. It was about this time that the front runners started telling the back of the pack runners that there was "NO WATER AT THE MILE 6 WATER STOP". At first I thought - BAH - these folks are cranky but then person after person began relaying the same message to the BOP. NO WATER AT 6 MILES.

Now I am no stranger to being a the back of the pack, I know that I tend to need more water than most in a race and as luck would have it, I had bought my water belt to this race. I originally brought it as a chance for Heather and I to get water PRE-RACE since I knew we would wait an hour to an hour an a half before the race began. I didn't expect to need it on this race. It was a total blessing in disguise!

When I heard more and more runners saying "NO WATER AT MILE 6" I made a quick decision. We were running along the National Mall, surrounded by National Monuments and the Smithsonian Museums. There were food vendors nearly every 300 feet. I quickly found the next vendor on the side of the road, took a detour and pulled out my *in case of emergency* $20 bill that I always carry with me with I bike or run and bought myself a bottle of water. I quickly dumped the water in my water bottle - briefly saw Karen and was able to offer her some water - and then yelled, "Anybody need water?" for about a 1/2 a mile until a faster runner on the opposite side of the road gladly took the half a bottle of water I had left. *that was my good race karma moment for the day*

When we finally got to Mile 6 and the water stop, the soldiers there were doing what they could. They had Gatorade Concentrate and they were giving it to the runners in 1 ounce shots. I took a shot, and squirted water from my water bottle into the cup, mixed it up and swallowed it down! YOWZA! That was some tangy stuff but it was better than nothing by far!

Apparently, even my sister Heather, nearly 45 minutes ahead of me in the race, also got the "Gatorade Concentrate Shot" and by Mile 7 she was having some stomach distress between the Gatorade and the GU and oncoming dehydration from the heat. Luckily enough, Mile 8 had plenty of water and while she continued to have stomach issues, she was able to tough it out to the finish line in 1:37:52. After crossing the finish line, dazed and little disoriented, Heather smartly found a patch of shade and proceeded to drink 3 bottles of water while waiting 45 minutes for my race finish.

As Heather was finishing her race, I had just passed the 7 mile mark, seen some of my Cancer to 5K Team who came out to spectate and cheer runners on and was working my way steadily towards the 14th Street Bridge and Mile 8. The Army Ten Miler enforces a race pace of 15:00 minute miles and a deadline of 10:30AM to "beat the bridge" - very similar to the Marine Corps Marathon. My goal for this race was simple - keep my pace under or at 14:00 per mile (the cutoff for Marine Corps Marathon) and make the bridge cutoff with some cushion. I hit the Mile 8 Water STOP (which was well stocked when I got there with Water and Gatorade) at roughly 10:15 with 1:52:03 elapsed race time on my chrono timer. At this point, I knew that if I could stay steady, I would finish close to my goal of 2:15, well within the pace goals I set for myself.

What I was not expecting (although I should have remembered it from past Marine Corps Marathon experience) was the oppressive heat and the "death march mentality" of my fellow runners on the 14th Street Bridge. This part of the course, the last two miles, is run on the HOV lanes of I-395. It is 2 miles of hot highway over the Potomac River, on a day with temperatures of 88 degrees and clear blue sunny skies. In those conditions, the asphalt tends to radiate heat at nearly 10 degrees higher than the air temps, making for a sauna effect. Imagine running 2 miles in a 95 degree sauna....

The moral on the bridge, amongst the Back of the Pack Runners was non-existent. It was so quiet - too quiet really. I tried to tune out the negative vibes and simply stick to my plan. My eyes scanning the distance for those "Shake & Bake Girls" and slowly passing my fellow runners, taking small sips from my water bottle. It helped that around this time, I ran into Greg, my friend Keri's husband, who was paralleling the course on mountain bike! He gave me a big cheer and a high five and told me I was looking good, to keep it up! That was a big boost!

Just prior to mile 9, I saw the hint of blue that I had been looking for! It was the "Shake & Bake Girls" and they were walking. That was just the motivation that I needed to keep my slow jog up. As I pulled up behind the girls and we passed the Mile 9 marker, I heard one of them say "Last Mile Ladies, We run it in!"

"Well all right! That is fine with me!!", I thought to myself and I tucked in quietly behind them and ran into the finish with them. As we headed down the exit ramp and around the corner to the finish, the crowds were huge and loud and my friend Keri popped out from the crowd and joined me for my finish. We gently pulled out from behind the "Shake & Bake Girls" and went on ahead to the finish line for a final time of 2:23:02.

It took some time to find Jim (I missed him at the finish, although he was yelling my name - sorry honey!) and then we had a heck of a time finding Heather because the ATM would not let runners carry cell phones with then on the race course (DUMB DUMB DUMB when you have 26,000 runners!!) but eventually we all found each other. On Jim's very good advice (and not without objection based on our own race experiences), The 10 mile run home was canceled. It was nearly 11:15 and we had no business running another 10 miles in the prime heat of the day. We had done enough for this Sunday.

Looking back later over my race times, I was astonished at how long those last 2 miles took me - nearly 16:00 per mile but I am sure that the weather was the primary factor. There was not one runner that I talked to that had good splits on the 14th Street Bridge. As for my opinions on the race management. I still believe they did the best they could under the given circumstances and I know that they will be more prepared in years to come. Jim said he saw the Army guys moving palettes of water onto trucks as fast as they could and having worked with the military, I am sure they were moving as fast as they could to solve the problems that came about. The was the biggest ATM race field ever, with estimated 26,000 runners signed up. I think perhaps the race management should consider capping this event at 15,000 - 18,000 runners. That might not have solved the water stop issues but it might make them more manageable in the future.

As for me, I am satisfied that I have what it takes to step up the start line at Marine Corps Marathon in 3 weeks. It won't be a fast marathon for me but can keep a pace that meets the races cutoff requirements and I will come prepared with what I need to have a good race day. I just hope Mother Nature will see to it to turn the heat down to the low 60s on race day - with partly cloudy skies - a perfect October Marathon day.

Rowen's First Bike! (as recorded by Aunt Holly)

Hi!
My name is Rowen and I am one year old now but I have been Living STRONG since day one cause that is how my family rolls!

Truth is, my family rolls alot! My mommy is a runner and aspiring triathlete. We have run miles together (me in my jog stroller) and I have spent my first year helping my Mommy train for her first marathon! My Aunt Holly is a *half Ironman* while my Uncle Jim is a total ROADIE so naturally, being one and being able to walk meant my first wheels where only a matter of time....

Oh look! My FIRST BIKE!!

Don't you just LOVE the primary color coordination? It has almost all the important colors I need - RED for King of the Mountiains, White for Best Young Rider and of course, YELLOW for the Leader's Jersey. Only color missing is Green for the Sprinters Jersey...

Of course while I have only been walking for a week now, I am a natural on my bike!
Note my special bike shirt - it's a gift that my Aunt Holly & Uncle Jim bought me from London, England at this year 2007 Tour de France.

Better watch out Lance! Rowen's on the move!

It seems that my bike might need some adjustment so I dismount and walk it to my personal team mechanic so after my first ride, I consult with my Uncle Jim for some tips....

Uncle Jim makes some sublte ajustments to my handlebars because every great cyclist needs to dial their ride in just right!

Looks perfect. don't you think? I love my Uncle Jim!

Later in the day, my mommy and I went our for our first road rides! My Mommy got her first bike this weekend too! Like my helmet? I never ride outside without it!

At the end of the day, after near 400 yards of riding, I needed a break! Got to save some energy for the next days ride! Vive Le Tour! LiveSTRONG!

~Rowen

Roses, Bengals and Love

I have allergies, we think... that seem to have progress into some kind of lovely sinus infection OR it could be a "common cold". Either way my week has progressed from sore throat to barely able to breathe and sleeping for hours on end.

So my wonderful guy bought me a dozen roses last night - "SURPRISE: I love you, your week has sucked, Feel better!"

So how long do you think those roses lasted on the dining room table?

Until approximately 10:30AM this morning. Almost 12 hours upright - it's a new BENGAL record. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story while I go find another box of tissues...LiveSTRONG!

My roses - PRE-Wallace...

This was the moment before the vase fell over...

Moved to the safety of the kitchen....eleven roses

Wallace & Grommette in some quieter moments....

PRESENTING: Cypress Bengals Wallace (Silvertail) ...

PRESENTING: Ms. Grommette (Silvertail)...

Beautiful Bengals and their all ours!

Checking IN...

I wanted to wait and do a post after I had downloaded some recent pictures I have taken of Wallace & Grommette but after a week of, "when I download the pictures.." I realized I had better post SOMETHING or else risk all my friends and fellow bloggers assuming my site is dead in the water....So here I am checking in.

SO WHAT'S UP SINCE THE LIVESTRONG RIDE?

The first week of September I was caught up in finishing up the last minute work on a volunteer design job that I did for the Ulman Cancer Fund's 10-THE EVENT Weekend. I helped them design the event's bike jersey. Now it is at the printer and we just have to wait for it to come back. It's a classic jersey design and they should be happy with the final product. I love seeing finished work come back from the printer and I was happy to help them out with the project.

SO WHAT'S UP WITH YOUR HEALTH?

Well after two months of hoping the pain would go away in my right shoulder and arm, I finally went to my Orthopedic Doc and was x-rayed and diagnosed with some rotator cuff issues. A month of Physical Therapy has been ordered and I am mid-way though it. The pain is less and less every day and the pain doesn't interfere with my running, just swimming and biking - so there hasn't been much of that.

In other Dr related stuff, I have my 4 month follow-up with my Oncology Doc. Nothing remarkable to note and I have graduated to 6 MONTH FOLLOW-UPS! WAHOOO!!

Tomorrow is my annual PAP and MAMOGRAM with the OB/GYN, so after that, I should only have a 6 month follow-up with the Dermatology Dr. and I should be free and clear of Dr Visits for another 6 months.

You couldn't even begin to understand how nice it is to ONLY see your Doctors 2x a year. It is it's own little slice of Heaven!

When is the last time YOU saw your Primary Dr for an annual physical?? Best Cure is PREVENTION!!!!!!!!!

SO WHAT'S UP WITH CANCER TO 5K?

Well my little running group is half-way through the program! The race (10-THE RACE 5k) is just six weeks away and everybody is doing well and making progress. We had a little 12 minute Time Trial last night at our workout and things are looking good. I have been *Ms. Organized Coordinator* these past 2 weeks and the finisher medals are being made, the T-shirts are on their way, the water bottle orders are at Specialized and the Race Entries have been filled out. It's coming together!!

HOW IS THE MARATHON TRAINING GOING?

It's Going...just six weekend to Marine Corps Marathon... Just 3 weeks until the Army Ten Miler. The Army Ten Miler will tell me all I need to know about how the Marathon is going to go. My goals for Race Day have gone from a new marathon PR (personal record) to simply finishing and enjoying the day!

Life Changes from Moment to Moment...You got to roll with it Baby! Come back, I have some great pictures of Wallace & Grommette and some late season roses to share with you! I promise to get to it by this weekend!

Hope you are all doing well and Living STRONG!

What Mythological Creature Are You?

You Are a Mermaid

You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are. While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need. Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational. You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else.

What Mythological Creature Are You?