2012 in Review

I seriously slacked on blog-posting for the latter half of 2012.  Fortunately, I did not slack on my miles.  I had set a goal of 1800 miles for 2012 and I was very excited to run the total at the end of the year and see that I had in fact exceeded my goal with 2,024 miles for the year.

Here are some fun facts about what I was doing with those miles:

2 Marathons - the Mercedes Marathon in February and the Rocket City Marathon (#5!!!) in December.  The good news about Rocket City is that I had a really nice PR!  The bad news is that it was probably the hardest marathon (mentally) that I have run.  For one thing, they are real sticklers about the no iPod rule.  Every race will advise you not to wear headphones, but this race will sho-nuff disqualify you.  I ran Marine Corps Marathon without an iPod (not by choice) but at least during that race I had good friends to run with, 20,000 other runners and ginormous crowd support.  This was a much smaller race in a much smaller town, and I was worried about keeping myself entertained.  The other big challenge was the weather.  I definitely prefer to run in cooler temperatures, and in the days leading up to the race I watched the forecast creep from a low in the 30s to a low in the 50s.  It made me sick to my stomach.  The temperature stayed right around 60 degrees the entire race.  At every water stop I probably poured as much water on myself as I actually drank to keep cool and hydrated.  I also ran with a pace group for the first time and I definitely think it helped.  Weather aside, it was a great race and great PR!

6 Half Marathons - First Light Half, Gulf Coast Half in Gulf Shores, Princess Half, Gulf Coast Half in Pensacola, Jazz Half and Soldier Half.  The Jazz Half is possibly my favorite half and one I don't mind doing year after year.  The only downside to the race this year was they had to cut the course short due to some road construction.  The Soldier Half was a also a great race and I would like to do the full someday.

2 (Very Different) Relays - In May, I did the Memphis to Mobile relay to benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital.  Then in October, I did the Southern Odyssey relay which began in Rome, Georgia and ended in Kennesaw, Georgia.

5 Pairs of Shoes.  Not 5 whole pairs, as I started out the year with one pair, went through 3 pairs and I am using the 5th pair into the new year.

As far as goals for 2013... I can't decide if I want to leave my mileage goal at 1800 or bump it up to 2000.  I am already registered for the Albany (Snickers) Marathon in March.  I am leaning towards an Ultra (50K) in the fall, and maybe another marathon.

Out Like a Lion

I am super excited to have gotten in 153.07 miles in March!  I started the month off kinda slow but had a  couple good weeks and I am back on track for my goal for the year.  I am absolutely loving Daylight Savings Time.  It makes it easier to get extra miles during the week.  Of course, it is already July-hot out there.  But hey, the more humidity the better, right?  Sure...

I can't believe Easter is this weekend!  Last weekend was the Easter Egg Hunt at church.  It was so much fun!  I am sad that I will be missing Easter services at my church this weekend, but I am really excited to be going to Enterprise to visit my Sissy & Q!!!  After church on Sunday we're going to Andalusia to see our family.  It will be a good weekend and thankfully I have a pretty good book to listen to since I'll have a lot of time in the car.

Tomorrow is my first fundraiser for the St. Jude Memphis to Mobile Relay.  So go out and eat some Old Dutch ice cream tomorrow!  I'm also excited because one of my favorite blogging runners (or running bloggers?) plugged my fundraiser in her post today!  It's like I'm almost famous.  ;)

It's Time to Stop Talking and Start Doing

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who are all talk with no action behind it.  Lately, I have been guilty of that because I have been saying for months (literally) that I need to start my fundraising for M2M3.  I am egregiously behind, but that all ends today.  I have updated my online fundraising page and I'm open for business!

When a friend first told me that he was doing this relay and asked if I wanted to join, I thought he was crazy.  4 days on an RV with a bunch of strangers sounded awful.  But then I saw the runners coming back into Mobile and I heard their stories and I thought "well... maybe."  Then I signed up for last year's run, and I thought that it would be a cool thing to do but really only thought of it as a one-time thing.  I was only into the first day of the relay when I realized there was no way that I wasn't coming back.  I was hooked.  I will admit that there have been more than just a few times over the last few months where I considered not doing it again this year because "fundraising is a pain" and "4 days is a long time to take off work."  But then I realized that would be taking the easy way out, and I remembered the kids at St. Jude's who don't have an easy way out.

So here I am, officially kicking off my fundraising.  I've looked back over the pictures from last year, and remembered the hospital tour, the sleep deprivation and the crazy roadside dance parties (which were probably a direct result of the sleep deprivation) - and I'm ready to do it all again!  Our legs save lives!

2011 in Review

Why fold & put away laundry when I can write a blog post?

Today I ran my last run for the year.  16 miles; it wasn't pretty but it's over with.  Afterwards I decided to plug ole' Gus into Garmin Connect and get a total of my miles for the year.

1,656 miles and over 300 hours of running.  That's about 12 and a half days.  Mixed in there was 2 marathons, 3 half marathons, a 4-day charity run and several 5Ks.  Maybe next year I can hit 2,000???  (Ok, 1800 is much more reasonable.)  According to my Garmin Connect, that is 200 miles more than 2010, but I didn't get Gus until late January or February of last year, so the all of the miles weren't logged.

I made a couple of big changes in the home improvement area - new windows in August and a safer, more energy efficient, brightly colored front door in November.  I have three more big projects that I would like to do, but not sure which will come next.  I would like ceramic tile in my kitchen and I would also like to seriously renovate my two bathrooms.  All of them will be quite costly so there's no telling when I'll actually get my wishes fulfilled.

Another big development in 2011 that I am really excited about is a change at work.  I was given an opportunity to take a different position with my company.  I've been doing it for about a week and a half now.  It's very challenging but I really enjoy it.

Overall, 2011 has been a pretty good year.  I think it's important to focus on what I do have and know that it far outweighs what I don't have that I think I might need.  I can't wait to see what is in store for 2012!

The end is in sight!

Last night Blue Team finished around midnight, then we drove about an hour to our campground. By the time we got our RV situated, and I got a shower, I was crawling in bed around 2 am. We extended the slideouts on the RV and we got about 5 1/2 hours sleep so I was feeling quite spoiled when I woke up this morning!
At breakfast, Ms. Susan was telling us they had packed today's lunch and tomorrow's breakfast for us, because the next time we see them will be at the Battleship! I cannot believe we are a little over 24 hours away from the end! It made me a little sad.
Those crazy Red Teamers decided to throw an impromptu wedding reception on the side of the road this morning. Katie & Derek are getting married in July, so Katie had on an all white running outfit with veil and bouquet and Derek had a bowtie. We all shook our booties before we started running again. Only bad thing - there was no cake! :(
I've already run once since Blue Team took over, and I'll be driving the chase van on the next segment. I'm planning to run a couple more legs before we quit for the day.
I'm just amazed how this has exceeded my expectations and cannot imagine not being involved again next year!

Day 2!

Blue Team ran last night from 8:30 pm until 5 this morning. Most of it was a long Highway 78 in Mississippi, then we turned on County Road 15. I think. Heck it was at an hour that I only see if I happen to get up in the middle of the night to potty. I could be wrong. First of all, there is a crazy amount of traffic even at that hour! Thanks to our wonderful chase van driver and the driver if the deputy car for keeping us safe! Last night we were also joined by the New Albany PD and the Union County SO who were kind enough to follow us for several miles and keep an eye on us.
The sleep deprivation has become a reality. If you aren't running or driving, then you get in the RV and drive ahead 6 miles. Then you have maybe 45 minutes that you can close your eyes and/or nap if you can. I decided last night that being in the RV on the side of the road with big trucks flying by is much scarier than running along the side of the road with big trucks flying by. After our segment was over we ate breakfast and drove to a campground where we were able to get showers and a good 2 1/2 hour nap!
We've had lunch and now we're waiting for Red Team to meet us. We'll be running until midnight!

And they're off!

Wow today was something else! We toured St. Jude Hospital this morning before officially starting the relay. I learned so much about the history of the hospital and what they do here.
On the way up here yesterday I asked how/why Danny Thomas came to found St. Jude Hospital. I got an abbreviated explanation, and today I learned more about it. His acting career had not taken off so he prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes "Show me my way in life, and I will build you a shrine." After his career became more established he decided to build a hospital for underprivileged children. Today, the hospital sits on a 65+ acre campus and employs close to 3000 people. There are 78 in-patient beds, and they have 3 long-term housing facilities for patients and their families.
I did not know what to expect going in to the hospital, but I don't think it was anything like I had imagined. It doesn't smell or feel like a hospital. Every waiting room has a different theme and the detail of the decorations are just amazing.
I learned that St. Jude has its own pharmaceutical research department because the pharmaceutical companies would lose money if they tried to develop the medications that St. Jude is working to create. I learned St. Jude has the biggest sickle cell department in the country. And just because a child may not actually receive treatment at St. Jude, it is very likely that the treatment they receive elsewhere in the country was developed at St. Jude.
It was so humbling as we toured the hospital and received thank yous from employees and patients for the fundraising we have done, and for the journey we aelre about to undertake. A few patients and their parents came outside to see us off. Even though I felt like I haven't done much to help, I definitely know it is appreciated.
I feel so privileged to now be a part of St. Jude on the Bay, which is the organization from Mobile that has been working to raise money for St. Jude Hospital. They helped to build the gift shop, from which the proceeds from sales go back to the hospital. They have also recently commissioned a statue of Danny Thomas which stands near the entrance of the hospital. Mr. Zoghby also told us this morning that students from McGill Toolen had a fundraiser during Lent, and they asked the students to donate at least $10. The students raised over $15k,with half going to St. Jude and the other half going to an organization for unwed mothers. I am so proud of what Mobilians are doing!
The Red Team took off at noon. Katie & Emily are leading the way for our adventure. I'm on the Blue Team and we will begin running around 8 tonight. I cannot wait!