And a Good Time was Had by All!

Last evening we had our Marathon Kick-off and Wine Tasting at Water2Wine (\http://www.water2wine.us/austin/).  John, Jenny and the staff are wonderful hosts who made the evening even more enjoyable.  Twenty-five people came out to taste wines, bid on silent auction items, and win door prizes, all the while supporting our team.  Auction items ranged from wine gift baskets to sports memorabilia to a massage or a session with a personal trainer.  People tasted wine varietals they may never had thought about tasting before, learning about the types of grapes, regions the grapes were grown in, and the wine-making process.  The evening found a wide array of wine drinkers, from the amateur to the professional wine snob (I find myself to be aspiring to the professional wine snob.  I am currently an amateur wine snob).  The evening ended with us raising a little over $1,000, which was about double what I anticipated!  It put me at about $6,500 total dollars raised, about $1,000 short of my fundraising goal.  I cannot say enough good things about Water2Wine.  It is a tremendously fun place to visit, taste and learn.  The people are friendly, fun and generous, and the experience is delightful!

So Sunday is the big day.  I have not really worked out since running 20 last Tuesday.  I've hit the treadmill a few times, even running a 7 minute mile, and have done the stationary bike, as well.  However, I am trying to rest my body as I prepare for the race.  I've changed my diet for the week, as well.  I have cut out meats and trans fats, and am eating more complex carbs.  Other then last night, I have stopped drinking (I have not had scotch, my poison of choice, for a few weeks).  I try to be active without overdoing.  Saturday will be my last lite workout before the race.

If you are interested in tracking my progress, you can download an IPhone app at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/2011-livestrong-austin-marathon/id411573278?mt=8 or you can follow me on the web at http://www.whydoyourun.com/runnertracking/.  You will need my bib number (4387) in order to follow my progress.

I would be remiss if I did not give 3 shout-outs.  First, to Moe Harris of Elite Fitness (http://austinelitefitness.com/).  He has been my friend and trainer on the journey, and I would not be able to be at this point without him.  Second, Amanda, my running buddy, who made me go out even when I did not want to.  While she knows how to whine when she needs to, she will not others whine.  And finally, and most importantly, to my family.  Maline, Josh and Noah have been marathon widow/ orphans for about 6 months now.  They have supported and encouraged me, and never gotten upset when I have been gone to run.

Well, I guess this is it until after the race.  Thanks to all who have helped, supported and encouraged me along the way!  More Monday!

Twenty Miles

So Sunday was supposed to be my big run before the race.  My longest pre-accident run was 14 miles, and my longest post-accident was 10, a hard 10, at that.  My goal was to run 20 miles Sunday afternoon after church.  I knew I would walk some, since I have really only had about 4 weeks of training after a two month break, but I was OK with that.  I left church and was driving home, when my car died from a blown head gasket.  The toe truck did not get the car back to my house until about 5:00, too late to get my run in.  I did not have time to run Monday, and bad weather was coming Wednesday, so I decided to do my 20 miles Tuesday after my Kiwanis meeting.

I got to Town Lake a little before 9 a.m. and stretched, got ready, and hit the trail at 10:15.  The first stretch I went from the bridge to the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue, about 2 miles in 24 minutes, which is better then I normally do.  I did a quick walk from there to the water station, some 50 yards away, got some water, then started back again.  I climbed the miserable hill on Riverside and was able to keep going.  In the past, I've climbed the hill then walked a bit to recover.  I got to IH35 and was still going strong.  There are four places to cross the access road at 35.  The first one had no traffic, and I crossed easily.  The next two both had the lights going for me as I approached.  The last crossing, however, is always difficult, and I ran in place for about 2 minutes waiting to cross.  Finally I heard a car horn, looked up, and saw that a cabby had gotten the attention of a bus driver and they both stopped to let me cross.  I felt like I had my own cheering squad in these 2 strangers!  I found myself running the next 6 miles without a walk, a first for me.  Even when I did walk, it was a short distance at a quick pace.  I ended up completing the first 11 miles in two hours and 12 minutes, which I was very pleased with.

As I was finishing the first lap, however, I began getting leg cramps.  I would hit the ground and immediately feel a cramp hit.  As I stopped running, the pain went away.  I stopped and stretched, but could not get rid of the pain while running.  I thought about stopping, but decided to press on.  Over the course of the next three miles I tried an occasional run, but still found it painful.  After the third mile, I was apparently stretched enough that I was able to start running again.  My body was feeling the pain of over three hours of movement, but my spirit soared as I had yet another epiphany that I was going to complete the marathon.  My hope was to complete the 20 miles in 5 hours.  I figured that if I could do that, I could easily complete the marathon in the alloted 7 hours.  It would not be the best time for a marathon, but for someone who had an accident and could not train for 2 months, it would not be bad.  I ended up completing the 20 miles in about 4.5 hours, and was very pleased; sore, but pleased.

I still am stiff in my hips today, and now know that I need to work on some good IT band stretches between now and race day.  I am working on my diet for the next two weeks, as well as a run strategy.  I have no doubt that I will complete the race this year, and next year I will run with a good time.  In the meantime, I am now just relaxing.  No more long runs, no more pushing my body.  I am to the point of lite runs and relaxation.

I want to thank everyone for your continued support.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Next week I will post highlights about you can trace me on race day via I-Phone or computer.  Remember our fundraiser at Water 2 Wine on Anderson Lane next Wednesday night from 8:00 to 10:00.  $25 for unlimited wine tastings, and silent auctions items, including a session with a trainer, wine baskets, massage and autographed sports memorabilia.  There are also some great door prizes.  Come out, have some good wine and fun, and help our team kick-off Marathon Week!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I left the house this morning at 7 a.m., and the temperature was 38 degrees.  By the time I finished my meeting at 8:15, it was 30.  By the time we ran at 1:30, the temperature had dropped was at 25.  Twenty-five, with a strong wind, and a wind-chill of 11, running on the lake.  Even the ducks were shivering.  We discussed making it a shorter run, especially when the cold weather triggered my asthma.  However, I am 19 days from the marathon, and I need to run/walk/move as much as I possibly can, so we ran from MoPac to Congress Ave, with a few short walks along the way so I could take a hit on the inhaler and catch my breath.  The first leg, other then asthma, was not all that bad.  I had a good level of energy, the wind at my back, and a very warm fleece jacket.  OK, my ears burned from the wind, but other then that, I was making it.  However, once we crossed the river on Congress Avenue, we came to a stark and scary realization:  running into the wind with an 11 degree wind-chill is just, well, insane.  It reminded me of my days in Upstate New York and the reason that I left!  It is now 3 hours after the run, and I am still feeling cold.  I am just now able to type, as my fingers are now thawing out.

After the run, I attended my Club's J.K. Livin' program, a fitness program sponsored by Matthew McConaughey's J.K. Livin' Foundation.  I worked out with the students, and for the first time since my accident, completed the entire workout, including 60 push-ups.  This is the first time I've done push-ups since breaking my elbow in November.  I felt very good afterward, and it gave me a renewed sense  of self, and while I feel the workout in my arms and abs, I am once again reassured in my ability to complete the marathon.

If you would like to support me in running, here are two opportunities.  The first is that you can make a donation through my marathon fundraiser page at http://bgcaustin.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=453053&lis=1&kntae453053=9CD2B0C8FA3648A29564247BDB045012&supId=286365985.  My goal is to raise $7,500 for the Club, and I am currently at  $5,664.  The second way you can support me if you are in Austin, is to join me for a Be Grape Wine Tasting and Marathon Kick-Off at Water 2 Wine in North Austin.  Details about this event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179796632059571.  This will be a fun event, with all the wine you can drink for only $25!  And if you are unable to support me with these, then simply a note of encouragement will work wonders and carry me miles!

So, until next time, Run, Live, Sleep, Repeat!

The Point of No Return

When I started this blog, I wanted people to hold me accountable, which they did.  I received words of encouragement and support, and people asked me where I was in my training.  I enjoyed that support and rode the wave of friendship as I increased my distances and decreased my times.  However, after my accident, I did little exercise, as I was limited in what I could do, and found myself annoyed at my inability to train.  I guess I was a little depressed, as well.  However, I am back and am going to complete the marathon February 20.  It won't be a fast time, but I am OK with that.  During my ten mile run/walk last Sunday, I came to terms with the fact that I am angry about the accident, and how it set me back in my training.  I am disappointed that I will have a slow time on my run, and that I will likely walk much of it.  However, I am excited that I am still going to reach my goal of completing a marathon.  Actually, my goal is 2 marathons.  This year I run to say I did it, and next year I will run the Livestrong again, but then it will be for time.  I have reached the point of no return, and have set my mind on the task at hand.

Having said that, I once again need the help of my friends and supporters.  I need encouragement once again. remind me that a six hour run/ walk is not that bad.  And if you are able, consider supporting my run.  I am running to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area, where I work.  There are 2 opportunities for you to support me in this endeavor.  The first is that you can sponsor me as I run.  To do this, click on this link:  http://bgcaustin.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=453053&lis=1&kntae453053=C5D2A5166A504627B624B53C78DA0AA2&supId=286365985&emaillogid=4193346122 .  My goal is to raise $10,000, and I am about half way there.  The second way to support me is by attending my Water 2 Wine Wine Tasting and Marathon Kick-off February 16, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.  You can go to https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179796632059571 to get more information and to RSVP.  Maline has designed a special Boys & Girls Club label as part of the silent auction, and there will be many other great auction items and door prizes throughout the evening.

Thank you, again, for all who have been so supportive during my training.  I am anxious to post on February 21 to let you know how I did.

Water 2 Wine and Walking With my Love

Last night we had a wonderful sushi dinner at Midori Sushi, then visited Water 2 Wine's North Austin location (http://www.water2wine.com). If you are a wine drinker in Austin, this is a place you must visit. They are a winery which imports grapes from all over the world, then create their own wines. There are numerous varietals and regions represented, as well as what the owner refers to as styles of wine. In addition, you can make your own, at least in a token way, which allows you to be involved in the process by adding yeast, tasting along the way, and in the end, designing the labels, bottling and corking.

We probably tasted 7 wines, and found 2 which we especially liked, but our favorite was the Rattlesnake Cab-Shiraz, with the Italian Pinot Nero running a close second. A bottle of this sells for $21.95, but you can make a batch for $369, which makes about 2.5 cases, meaning you have a custom wine with label for about $12.00 a bottle. Keep checking back, as I hope to have a Boys & Girls Club fund raiser here in the Spring.

I did not run this morning, choosing instead to walk/run with Maline and Rufus. Note to self: Basset Hounds run very slowly!

Ladybird Lake Saturday morning at 6 a.m. Let me know if you will be running with me!

And remember, when in doubt, add more wine!