An important family project

May I ask for just a minute of your time? My husband Jim, son Matt, daughter-in-law Emily and myself are all training for specific races at the Air Force Marathon September 15, 2012. Along with that, we decided to raise funds for Fisher House Foundation through Team Fisher House at the marathon. We are an Air Force family as son Matt was a proud Airman for seven years stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK. Matt and Emily knows what it is like to live the Military life.

What they did not have to endure was the hardships of an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. Many many Military families do however and that is where Fisher House comes into play. Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times.

There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 17,000 families, and have made available over four million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. By law, there is no charge for any family to stay at a Fisher House operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Fisher House Foundation uses donations to reimburse the individual Fisher Houses operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. No family pays to stay at any Fisher House!

 

Please check out our Team Rose Runners fundraising website for more information and please consider even a small donation to this great cause that means so much to us. We would deeply appreciate it. If you have already donated, we thank you so very much for your generosity.

Team Rose Runners

THANK YOU,
Laurie

Marathon Training~ Final loooong long run 22 miles~August 25, 2012

I have been looking forward to this day for a long long time with great apprehension. When running partner daughter-in-law Emily and I started this marathon journey we looked ahead to these very long runs and wondered how in the heck one runs for that period of time. After reaching this point I have come to find out it is all a process and your mental and physical capabilities evolves accordingly. I still have not wrapped my brain around what I can do now. Not even close. Maybe that is the way it is supposed to be. We have to our names to date the following distances run since starting our marathon training in June: 15.25, 19, 20, 22 and 22 miles. Each new distance was such a rush and provided a brand new sense of accomplishment and empowerment.

The task at hand this weekend was to be our final looong long run of 22 miles and it was decided to run it in Wilton, IA (my hometown) and where we ran the 22 miler 2 weeks ago when I bonked at mile 17. I was determined to not allow that to happen again so I planned accordingly applying the lessons learned from that run.

All week I increased my calories with an increase in good carbs...no crap. I watched the scale go up a little bit but knew that it would be okay after the run. I fully realize the need for my body to be fueled up and ready to go. I also watched my fiber intake on Friday the day before. Hydration was vital throughout the week also.

I spent the night at Emily's house and we planned on a 4am start because she had a jam packed day. Clocks were set for 3am and we obliged with the alarms. We were not very giddy about it but you do what you have to do. Various foods are consumed whether we want them or not. Final bathroom visits and gearing up are completed and we are out the door. And it is dark. Various lights are turned on and away we go. I shine the light on my Garmin to make sure I did start it and I announce that we have 12 feet under our belt LOL.

Mile 1 goes very smoothly until I take a swallow of water from my handheld only to have it go down the wrong pipe. Heimlich in aisle 4 please LOL. Not that bad but what a great start. We travel along in mile 2 and Emily discovers she has lost a GU from her new belt. What's next? Luckily the orphaned GU was found after the turnaround with the lgiht Emily made fun of and all is well in our world once again.

We mentioned that time seemed to stand still in the darkness and we had no sense of pacing. I look at my Garmin and indeed we were slower than our assigned marathon long run training pace of 14-ish m/m. No problem, that will just allow for fuel saving.

At mile 4 what do we find in the street? The same pair of underwear that we photographed 2 weeks ago.

Seriously people?

What I have not mentioned yet that during this 22 miler there would be a 5k mixed into the fray...the Eager Beaver 5k (which really is just shy of 3.1 miles by the way). Emily and I were both registered but still undecided whether we would actually run it. After discussing it around mile 9 we fit it into our plans and plotted our strategy. By now it was still dark but you could finally see the sun starting to rise.

Finally see the sun starting to rise at mile 9

Now with a plan in hand we have a new kick in our step as we are on a mission. That should take up a few more miles of distractions. We would go to packet pickup at 7am and head back to Emily's house to refuel our belts and pin on our bibs. We are now at mile 11-ish I think. We give son Matt his final marching orders as grandson Hayden would be running the kid's 1 mile run. With Eager Beaver bibs prominently displayed we are off to head back downtown. On the way I spot fellow Cornbelt Running Club members and stop to chat pausing the Garmins of course. We head to the starting line and wait.

It was funny because evidently word had traveled around town that we were running 22 miles Saturday morning. I also saw a fellow Cornbelter that is very active with triathalons, marathons and whatever he can think of. John was in a bad accident earlier this summer when a dog ran out in front of him while biking. He suffered a pelvic fracture and will be recuperating for awhile. John has a smile that never ends and is so full of life. John, get well SOON!

 John, my hero!!

 I also ran into a childhood friend that moved to the east coast but made the trip back for her class reunion and family functions. It was so good to see Kathy again! We would run run the race with her too...fun!

Love ya, Kathy!

 She runs like a gazelle...Emily

 Yes, we ARE the Wilton Beavers!

We also stood out because we were the only ones running a 5k race with a fully stocked fuel belt including GU and multiple bottles of water LOL. It was the funniest site. We are off and for us it was just a continuation of a long run and the pressures of a 5k race were off. I had never had so much fun running a 5k!! Another interesting aspect of Eager Beaver was that my Daddy was at a water stop that he has manned for many years.

My Dad!!! <3

Back on the road again and we head for the finish. Up next, running with Hayden in his 1 miler. We line up and we are off. Hayden picked the pace and when we ran and walked. Let's just say that Hayden's intervals are everywhere. We had one walk portion lasting 5 seconds LOL. He did so well though and towards the finish we could NOT keep up with him and it just about did poor Ems in.

 Trying to keep up!!!! Seriously!

Hayden had to take a moment to say hello to daddy and papa LOL

The Racers

After a blistering finish we now only have 6 miles left of our long run BUT Emily is on a tight schedule and we say our goodbyes and hit the road again. Not only Emily was running 22 miles but she had a float to help prepare for the Wilton Founder's Day parade at 2 pm. She needed to be at the bank at 11-ish. Oh and then she had Matt's class reunion to get to in the evening.

After the 1 mile kid's run and with the temps climbing Emily was starting to feel it. She has MS and needs to watch for overheating and she was fearful of that. We seek out the shaded streets in town and do the best we can for the remainder.

Look what we find along the way! This and 3 pennies too!

We are now at mile 20 and Emily starts to think she will end her run at 21 miles. She did an outstanding 22 miler 2 weeks ago so she felt comfortable stopping. I ran for another mile and it seemed to take forever with the temps and humidity. Finally, I am there. We completed the final looong long run of our first stab at marathon training. Air Force Marathon is just 3 weeks away.

Before I end this blog with pithy thoughts I must include these photos of the parade.

 Hayden watching for Mommy

 Emily is all punked out from the Hot Tub Time Machine LOL LOL

I consider this final run as VERY successful for me as my preparation was spot on. I had no pain like 2 weeks ago (thank you, Dr. Lake for the ART) and my fueling worked. I know what I will do for the marathon thanks to trial and error.

All of the time, sweat, EARLY morning runs, aches, pains, frustrations, accomplishments and the great confidence gained have prepared us for September 15 at Dayton, OH for the 2012 running of Air Force Marathon. This will be one of the greatest days for both of us. With hubby Jim running the 10k (his first), son Matt running the Half Marathon (his 2nd) and our first full marathon, it will be a day that we will not forget. Ever.

We will also be running this with great SparkPeople running friends from Texas, Missouri, Georgia and other states around the nation. I have such a great circle of friends from my own family, local running club (shoutout to Cornbelt!!) and also yes...online. Most of all, I have been blessed by God to have the body and health to take on this challenge. Not a run goes by that He is not with me for He is with me always.

For the next 3 weeks, please wrap me in bubble wrap. I will see what a true taper is all about...the good, the bad and yes...the ugly. I have heard stories of taper time and all I can say is...God bless my husband LOL LOL.

Until next time...

Toodles!

The Stats 

Madison Mini Half Marathon ~ Aug. 18, 2012

Let me start by saying that I absolutely LOVE this racing event and this is my second year participating. This is the Madison Mini Half Marathon held smackdab in the middle of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. Being an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, this opportunity opens up all sorts of possibilities and I do indeed take advantage of that LOL.

Last year, Jim and I ventured up to Madison and stayed at Lowell Center which is one of the official campus hotels. The starting line is literally right outside the front door. Plus, if you get the right room you have a gorgeous view of Lake Mendota. This year, I brought Emily with me and left Jim at home. So once again, the girls go on a trip unchaperoned AND Laurie drives with Emily and Pirate Guy as navigators.

We head up in the morning and after making a pitstop at a gas station in Zwingle, IA we are back on the road. I will leave the gas station dude story to Emily LOL.

We are in Madison and ready to make the turn north to get to downtown. After pretty much ignoring the GPS I finally snake my way to the union for packet picukp. I also scored an illegal parking place that was very close to the union. I am starting to live on the edge at my age LOL. I also make my running partner nervous. So she says.

We make it to the expo and I just have to have a photo taken behind Bucky Badger.

Very gutsy thing to do as an Iowa Hawkeye fan

We head upstairs to packet p/u and retrieve our packets and also score some $5 tech shirts from Madison Mini pasts. Awesome! By this time Emily is getting nervous and wants to get back to the illegally parked car.

Now is time to make our way from the expo to the Lowell Center. Well, that only took one turnaround. Not bad, huh? We settle into our AWESOME room with an awesome view.

We now decide to head to The Terrace where there are all things fun and beer. I know Emily was not sure what to expect but she quickly decides that she found heaven on earth. It is just a short walk from our hotel so that is great. We find a good spot to people and water watch of which we did for at least 2 hours.

 Yes, Emily sporting her U of Iowa colors proudly in a sea of Bucky Badger red

 Doing what I do best

 There is so much to this story but too long to tell~learning to windsail

Emily's feet in Paradise

We are now ready to seek food and beverage so its to the Memorial Union we go. Burgers are purchased along with beverage. Yummy beverage at that.

Mmmmm...beer!

It's time to head back to our room to chill and settle in for the evening as early morning comes well...early. We are both in bed at a racer's time and next thing we know the alarm is going off.

It's time to gear up, fuel up and get downstairs to meet up with Elsa and Christina. Right on time and they are there. I love these two girls and we always manage to meet up at least once a year if not more. After photos and last minute prep its time to head to our corrals.

We aren't there very long and its go time! The weather is gorgeous and the temps a little chilly but perfect. Emily and I are using this as a marathon training run so our 14 minute mile is the plan. That would make thgis a 3 hour half marathon. Easy peasy. The miles tick off quickly and so far Emily is really enjoying it as I am too just like last year.

One item I do need to mention is my Garmin Forerunner chest strap is getting too big!! I am working out and my chest/waist is shrinking allowing my strap to fall to my hips. That does not make for a great heartrate on the Garmin LOL. I will now just stop wearing it.

 Emily sporting our Iowa Hawkeye colors!

I

 I LOVE this photo because of the guys. I know we are HAWT!!!!

 Doing what we do best...posing together for the same photographer LOL

 Love what I do!

 Turning off the Garmin at the finish

 It's all about the bling, babee!

The volunteers are awesome for this event and this year was the same as last. There is plenty of water and Gatorade at all of the stops. I take my handheld but still take advantage of the stops for refills. This was an easy HM but then again we are running it at a 14m/m pace. Hey, we don't run for speed, we run for fun!!! If you don't have fun then what is the point?

We meet up with Elsa and Christina at the finish only to find out that Christina took a nasty fall during the HM and boogered up her knee. I felt so badly for her as she was on the road to another possible PR. Sorry about that, RB!

So, after eating and drinking post-race we say our goodbyes and head back to our rooms to clean up for the drive home. We need to be out of the room by 11am and we hit it right on the mark.

I want y'all to know that I made it out of Madison with no problems and no turning around.

I will run Madison Mini again next year!

Our Stats via Garmin Connect

Next up is our final loooong long run on Saturday for a distance of 22 miles. We will run that in Wilton just like our 22 miler two weeks ago. There is even a 5k race in the middle of it!

Until then...

Toodles!

ps...Our family (hubby Jim, myself, DIL Emily and son Matt) makes up Team Rose RUnners for team Fisher House at the Air Force Marathon Sept. 15. Team Fisher House raises funds for Fisher House Foundation that serves Military member and their families. PLEASE consider making a donation and helping Team Rose RUnners out! We would deeply appreciate it!!!

Here is the kink: http://www.active.com/donate/FisherHouse2012AFM/tfsLRose

Marathon Training 22 mile long run ~ August 11, 2012

Wow, where do I start? I have had so many great long runs I wondered when that one would come. You know, the one that test your whatevers. Emily and I planned on running this one in my hometown of Wilton, IA where they still live. Anyone that knows Wilton would ask where in the heck you run 22 miles. There are plenty of places to run!

I spent the night at Matt and Emily's house (my childhood home) and the clock was set for 4am AGAIN. I think I slept 2 hours altogether which wasn't much. Breakfast was eaten, gear all geared up and out the door we went by 5:30am. The sunrise was gorgeous!

Emily led the way as this was her route. Well, one of many. Our legs felt great from the beginning although our hands were a little cold. We were blessed with a break in our hot summer and the timing was great. I haven't run in Wilton for a long time so it was fun to see the old sites.

It was starting to get brighter and we could see a little better. As we headed north of town we past the church that I grew up in, married, baptized our babies, attended friends and family funerals and such.

We aren't finding any coins in the road but we did find this: smashed underwear

Then we found these two funny looking runners LOL.

We arrived at one of the parks in Wilton and they have a walking path with workout stations. I just had to stop for some cross training.

The world's brightest watertower

We then decided to make our way back across town to the high school where we both attended and run around the great track they have. We ran several laps and yes...I took photos.

Yes, we are the Home of the Beavers

Photo bomb!!

At this point I have no idea how far we have run but I know we had more to go so we did. I was still feeling great as was Emily. After we reload our fuel belts at the house we head for the cemetery at the other part of town to visit relatives.

Where Dad worked many years and ultimately retired just one block from home.

 My childhood home

 Elementary school where we all attended

 Our first house that Jim and I had built in 1983 and sold in 2008

 Wilton High School ~ Home of the Beavers!

By now, we are reaching 17 miles and I am starting to lose steam and a sense of humor. My legs are starting to ache and really bother me. I am no longer giddy. Emily is trucking along and doing so well. We head to a house that Emily knows to get some salt because my calves are cramping. That seemed to help that matter considerably but my IT bands were tight tight tight and that caused my knees to hurt laterally.

We head back up to the track where the surface is softer and that helped a little. By the time we get to 21.5 miles we head home. I am bonking badly and starting to see The Wall for the first time. They say you will know it and by golly there it is. Emily helps me with awesome coaching and finally hit 22 miles.

 Please get me your rolling pin, Ems!!

NOT GIDDY!!!!

After analyzing what went wrong, we decide that I need to start upping my calories earlier in the week...not the day before. I was also having some GI issues to add to the misery. Too much eaten on Friday. I also did not take my handheld water bottle and started to drink water too late. Time to regroup and plan for our final long long run in two weeks...another 20-22 miler and then taper time.

On the day after, I am pretty happy actually with how things were going but need to tweak the plan. That is, after all, why we have training runs. I will be prepared for September 15.

I thank Emily greatly for helping me through. I cannot ask for a better running partner.

Stats via Garmin Connect

Next up...20-22 miler in two weeks.

Until then...

Toodles!