Mar 27, 2011

We all have Bad Run Days…

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T and I went out for a run together this morning. And by together I mean; we got into the same vehicle, drove to the same trail, did some dynamic stretching in the same spot, then headed onto the same path for approximately 0.23489 minutes. Then T pulls one earbud out and asks ever so kindly, “Is it cool if I pick up the pace?” At this point, I am going at an 11:00min/mile pace, but I know that without my fuel belt (more on that later) and without the proper hydration the last few days- my pace will dwindle to between 12:30 and 13min. So I give him the football pat on his butt and smile him along.

Mile one seems to go pretty well. The scenery is gorgeous! And for all my friends and family that got snow last night in DC… it was 75 degrees and I ran with a cool breeze under the infrequent shade of palm trees. I started feeling sluggish and really, really thirsty. I didn’t have my trusty fuel belt :( I ran all over the house and all I could find was the actual belt, but not the bottle. Now I know I could put a water bottle in it, but than it bounces around and is annoying the whole time. So I decided to go sans belt, HORRIBLE DECISION!! So I get to mile 2.75 and see Tommy making his way back from the turning point. We walk together/complain together…. then take in the gorgeous sites together. After about a mile of walking, we decide to just run a little more to clear out some of the leg soreness- works like a charm! 3 mile run and 2.5 mile walk! I just really wanted to get in a good 5 miler today. But I will take what I can get. I am going to try another on Tuesday morning and make sure that I “HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE” the next two days. And I will be making a pitstop to my Favorite Store on Monday.

Now I am at home… sucking down water after some great stretching and icing my tailbone. Yes, still a sore tailbone almost eight weeks later. But weirdly enough, it doesn’t hurt while I run. Only while driving long distances and if I sit on the hard sand (ie laying out at the beach) or on the ground!

Filed Under: Fleet Feet, Run ·
Mar 24, 2011

Background and Reason #1 of DNation

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Disclaimer- this is a long post, because fighting cancer means a lot to me and although I will probably not be the fastest American Cancer Society DetermiNation runner on November 5, 2011, I want to complete it just a much as the next person!

I first heard of Relay For Life (RFL) from my mama. She was/is active in her local women’s club and they participated in a rather large RFL in Northern Virginia. I would help her set-up and then leave to go hang out with my high school friends. I was never given the opportunity to join a team besides with the “old bitties” (I joke, mom, I joke!).Besides I just was just too self-absorbed and 16-18 years old…

Fast forward to college and I jumped into all the extra curriculars that a small liberal arts college has to offer a young woman who wants to change the world. I became involved with this that and the other… people always joke that you if you need something done, just ask a busy person. So my friend Erin came up to me and asked if I wanted to help them start a Relay For Life on campus. I was like what do you need me to do! I went to an info session for the Inaugural Committee and learned that I would be in charge of entertainment and helping with anything else needed. Over the course of the 3 years (we started my sophomore year), I was a Co-Chair and filled in with whatever tasks needed to be done. I became so passionate about the American Cancer Society (ACS) and RFL.

So we graduated in a gorgeous ceremony on the hill in the most perfect weather with all our friends and family present. Then 10 days later I hop on down to Key West, Florida to begin an internship/job/don’t wanna grow-up at a non-profit and pick up some sidework at a local SCUBA shop. Don’t hate. Free diving and living a glorious life for a year after college figuring out what I wanted to do. Ok, back to RFL/ACS; like the majority of my peers, I was having a hard time finding work in my field. I figured out I didn’t want to go into Marine Research and I couldn’t hack the jobs that aren’t steady (no steady paycheck is not for me and I learned I was not the free spirit I thought I was). SO- my dad brought up the point that I LOVED RFL and what it did for the face of cancer and that I should look into finding a job with ACS.

I began with the Key West office. I had done a little volunteer work there, but they had no positions open. I knew I did not want to go back to Northern VA… so I left my search parameters wide open. I ended up in Portland, Oregon. Problem was, I had visited in the summer. It was glorious that time of year!! And it really does not accumulate that much rain. Key word, folks, is accumulation. But it does rain more days, like a 100 or so more days than Savannah.. So I stayed out there a year and then transferred to SAVANNAH!!! Or should I say SLO-VANNAH! OR the Low-Country. More sun, close to the beach, and the largest historic district in the nation. Love.

So I worked at ACS for 3 more years and staffed anywhere for 4 to 5 RFLs at a time, plus Mission Work. I was a busy lady!! I did a lot of networking through the Chambers and other events to promote ACS and their mission. The more people that knew of their services (www.cancer.org or 1-800-ACS-2345- 24/hrs a day) the better.


Reason #1
THE REASON why I am running/Chairing DetermiNation for Savannah Rock n Roll. Drum roll please…. Back in Oregon, I volunteered to spend a week’s vacation at Camp Ukandu (ACS Camp for kids with cancer). I have gone back every year with this summer being year 5. They are like my family! It is hard to describe to anyone that has not been to camp, but it is a week of outrageous fun with others that understand what they are going through without ever having to muster the “C” word.

To the left is Matthew, I meet him in 2007 at Camp Ukandu. I was paired with Matthew as his special helper and friend. What a blast we had all week. Here is a quote from his mother on his history with cancer:

Matthew and I at Camp 2008

“As is true for most any one I didn’t know much about cancer until it hit our family when Matthew, at age 10, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) On August 18, 2005. What he went through was monstrous. He endured over 2,100 doses of chemo over a 3 year 3 month time frame!! He was hospitalized, lost his hair 4 times, numerous blood and platelet transfusions, one emergency air flight, 7 five hour antibody infusions, and so much more.”

Matthew and all the other campers/counselors are part of my family. I think about them nearly every day. I run for them. I run so no one else has to face what Matthew had to face. 26.2 miles is nothing compared to the 2,100 chemo treatments my friend, Matthew had to endure.

Running can suck at times, but Cancer sucks a whole hell of a lot more! If you would like to donate to my DetermiNation fundraising efforts and help the ACS with Research, Education, Advocacy, and Patient Services Click HERE . Thank you for helping in the fight against cancer! 

A world with less cancer, is a world with more birthdays!

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Mar 20, 2011

Race Report: Beaufort Twilight 5k

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First off… it’s been a few days due to St Patrick’s Day in Savannah!!! St Patrick’s Day is a pretty big deal…. in fact it takes place over a whole week with a whole lot of shenanigans going on, but mainly the world’s 2nd largest St Patty’s Parade. The picture shows how the celebration kicks off with the official “Greening of the Fountains” which is held at Forsyth Park (which is where the Savannah Rock n Roll is supposedly ending) and is such a fun tradition to watch. The Grand Marshall, Marshalls, Marshall Aides and their families all partake in the ceremony!

And they Green the Fountains too!

I made it through St Patrick’s Day with 4 other house guests in tow, but mainly two of my best friends from college. So needless to say lots of late nights with tons of catching up! It was heaven and so glad they were here. These girls are hilarious…. it was just like old times, except maybe more refined, maybe.

RACE REPORT: The Beaufort Twilight 5k/8k was an amazing event and situated through a really gorgeous village of houses and shops right along the marsh. These houses were amazing! I wanted to stop and gaze at all the houses to take in their beauty… but then the sand gnats would have eaten me alive…. so I guess I had to run. I went into the run with a goal of running the 5k under 40 min which would my fastest 5k. I was a little skeptical because of the St Patrick’s Day festivities (although I was DD for all of it til after the race…. the staying up late was killing me, but soooo worth it!) and then we spent the day at the beach because it was gorgeous and 88 degrees. Perfect beach day… but perfect run weather, ummm…. it hasn’t been that hot in Savannah since last year, so I was already sweating before we started to run.

My girls and I before the race!

We get all checked-in but the super friendly volunteers then get our over-21 badges and put our bags in the car. PS- their t-shirts are darling and so soft!! We waited for the race to start and found a place in the shade. They had 1,400 runners total for both events and a great hometown feel. We noticed a lot of the homeowners there and other locals present to either volunteer or cheer us on, how cute! 2 minute warning….. thank you… I am doing the sand gnat dance and need to get running….

And we are off!!!! We all ran together for about half a mile, but we waved Kiz on (she is faster than I- she finished in 24 min) then Biscuit and I peeled our separate ways. Winding through the streets, I felt ok on mile one…. I did it in 11:02 by the pace clock- wait what? That is a great pace for myself… but man am I feeling this 80+ heat. I had to take more walk breaks during mile 2 and thankfully they had two water stations during that mile. I believe I was at 24:something at mile two…. I couldn’t really hear the lady yelling out times and didn’t click my ipod/nike right then. So I tried to pick up my pace for the last 1.1 miles… I kept checking it and realizing….. wait… despite me being tired, hot, and oh- I am morning run person- I may beat my 40 min goal. I am turning over my legs and trying to push them so hard…. they are moving but I don’t feel like they are going anywhere.

I am coming into the last 300 meters and onto the 200 meters… I see Kiz…. she runs with me into the finish line- just what I needed! I see the clock 38:50…. YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I couldn’t believe it. My legs felt like bricks and I was exhausted, but I was elated! What a big difference time of day, sleep, and heat can make.

Filed Under: Savannah ·
Mar 13, 2011

Gorgeous Run and Spinning my Wheels

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Yesterday I had the most amazing run. I went out on the Island and ran at 5am….  holy stars almighty was it gorgeous. Just me and my favorite smell of “low tide”. I only ran 2.5 miles, but my tail bone felt so much better than it did the other day when I ran with Laurie (awesome ACS Determination Committee Member with me & co-worker too!). This reminded me of how lucky I am that my life brought me to Savannah and how happy I am here.

Ok back to running & training. I tried the Sunday afternoon spin class with an instructor that I have never had before. Her music was ok, the highlight was the Irish music to celebrate the upcoming St Patrick’s Day here in Savannah. My tailbone started to hurt during the class, but I remembered why I am pushing myself during my pre-marathon training. I am pushing so no one has to face cancer and hear those words again. So my little tailbone is nothing in comparison to having to get a bone marrow transplant, chemo, etc. Push on, VTB, Push on!

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Mar 11, 2011

The Bandwagon of VTB

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I’m new to blogging and have seen this on quite a few blogs, so figured I would jump on the bandwagon.

  • (A) Age:28
  • (B) Bed Size:Queen, but feels like a twin sometimes
  • (C) Chore You Really Dislike:Anything that involves folding, dusting, & putting away
  • (D) Dogs: Hunter who is the best dog EVER
  • (E) Essential Start To Your Day: Working out then a cup of coffee. Triple heart my Keurig
  • (F) Favorite Color:Black to wear with color accents, but blues for decor
  • (G) Gold or Silver: Silver
  • (H) Height: 5’4
  • (I) Instruments You Play: I played the cello for 4 years
  • (J) Job Title: Sales Manager
  • (K) Kids:A dog and a boyfriend, who needs kids right now?!?
  • (L) Live: On the coast of Ga- near the beach, near downtown Savannah. Practically perfection
  • (M) Mom’s Name: Rita
  • (N) Nicknames: Vicky, Vix, V-10, VTB
  • (O) Overnight Hospital Stays: One
  • (P) Pet Peeve:People who don’t help, but are the first to complain
  • (Q) Quote From A Movie: ”I’m singing…I’m in a store and I’m singing!!”
  • (R) Right or Left Handed: Right
  • (S) Siblings: None…. yes, I am can be a typical only child. But don’t worry, I do share my crayons well.
  • (T) Time You Wake Up: Weekdays- I wake up at about 4:40-5am to go workout, if no workout then 6/630am. Weekends- I try to wake up by 7am to keep my body’s clock in sync.
  • (U) Underwear: I like that they come in pretty colors
  • (V) Vegetable You Dislike: Equal opportunity eater
  • (W) What Makes You Run Late: Thinking my outfit is going to be stellar and it’s lame, so I spend 20 minutes changing.
  • (X) X-Rays: Considering I’ve broken my arm 4 times, had 1 knee reconstructive surgery, and 3 shoulder surgeries… yeah I dig some x-rays… oh and when I go to the dentist :) SMILE!
  • (Y) Yummy Food You Make: Italian food is my specialty… other than that, I like to pick up yummy food from the organic specialty stores!
  • (Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Echinoderms ie sea urchins & sea stars!!
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Mar 9, 2011

Christmas and Easter Type

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I am one of those Catholics that go to Church on Christmas and Easter… C&Er’s as I call them. And well, Ash Wednesday too. Just to mark the day I gave up something. This year I am giving up sweets, like I have done in the past. But I am also pledging to keep up my pre-marathon training program and weight loss (7 lbs lost thus far). While on twitter the other day (I spend quite a bit of time on there and facebook- some of it for work reasons), I came across a really great post by Elle at Prior Fat Girl. She tweeted about 10 things she thinks about before deciding if a dessert or whatever the vice is before consuming. Now I did enjoy some kingcake last night, hey it was Fat Tuesday… but I made my list of 10 items! Thanks, Elle! #1 on my list is to make sure I complete the Rock n Roll Savannah Full Marathon with NO injuries!!

Today I am going to plan my workout schedule for Lent and have some backups in case my tailbone is sore (ie yoga yoga yoga…. ommmmm). Bring on a body makeover and hold the Cadbury Creamegg til the Easter Bunny delivers it!! Then enjoy just one and move on… because candy is not on my Top 10 list… but a marathon, healthy body, and healthier lifestyle are!

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