Now Let's Take This Baby Out For A Spin & See What It Can Do....

Today I am running in a marathon. I have no idea how it is going to go, especially in light of the peroneal tendon injury that has been nagging me for the past month. But sometimes you need to celebrate getting to the start line and the people who helped you get there. That is what this blog entry is about.

If you click on this link, you’ll mostly have a series of blog entries that chronicle the different aspects of my training until this point going back at least until early 2008 when I was training for my 1^st half-marathon. I’d be lying if I said it was all ‘strawberries and champagne’, but for the most part, I have been very lucky once I decided to embark upon this mission. Lucky in terms of health and support. For the non-runners out there reading, training is maybe 50% of the equation on race day. So many other factors figure into things – like raceday weather, how you slept, waking up not feeling awesome, or any other logistical thing that can go wrong on the big day.

A marathon has 26.2 miles, although most courses measure more than that. Highly probable that I will be running closer to 26.5 miles based on crowds, etc. So I am going to call out some folks who have been instrumental to me in my training. This isn’t an all-inclusive list, by any stretch, and some people may make the list again for the 2^nd marathon I am signed up for in just over a month’s time. Let’s just call these “Thank You Miles”, ok?

Miles 1 – 6: Medical professionals –

• Dr. Jay Weinstein: My primary care physician from when I lived in NY. He probably doesn’t even know that I am doing this (running 2 marathons in one month), but I was referred to him by my cousins in NYC who worked with him closely. I remember one time I went into Dr. Jay’s office just being a whiner about not being fit and feeling like crap from my rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which was pretty painful at that point. I mentioned that maybe I needed a nutritionist. He clearly had enough with me complaining and said, “Jill, you need to work less, eat better and exercise more! That’s it! You don’t need a nutritionist!” Truer words never spoken. It took me awhile, Dr. Jay, but I got the message. Please don’t still be bitter that I never used my GS connections to get you a table at Luger’s.
• Dr. Rosemary Agostini: I saw her when I first started running way back and encouraged me to strengthen areas as opposed to having surgery on what was a balky knee and who knows what else. Dr. Agostini got me going “the hard way” and her kind, but straightforward manner was very motivating.
• Suzanne Melby, LMP: I walked into her office 3 weeks ago because she was close to my office and she was been working her tail off for me ever since trying to fix this nagging peroneal tendon injury. Suzanne gets paid to inflict massive amounts of pain on me and is nice as heck, but she takes her craft very seriously. Thank goodness for that as my grand master plan would have been in jeopardy.
• Dr. Brian Perry: Another pro who helped me rehab at the beginning of the year from another injury, and who is helping me now. Dr. Perry has made himself available to me on short notice and given me some great advice/treatments.
• Dr. Ellen Frechette: My current primary care physician. A smart lady who knows how to balance modern medicine with not always prescribing pills.
• Dr. Ian Gan: I had some stomach issues back in June, which caused me to miss Seattle Rock ‘n Roll this year. Dr. Gan got me back on track to have a fantastic result at both Ragnar less than a month later and a really good result at Lake Stevens just 3 weeks after that.

Miles 7 – 10: Coaches –

• Tony Williams (2005 – 2007 – on and off): Owner of Always Running and I found him because he was really close to Greenlake (the park itself) near Marc’s house a few years ago (pre-wedding). He taught me how to run (running on a treadmill doesn’t count) and the importance of really pacing myself.
• Lesley Mettler (2007 – 2010 – on and off): She believed in me when I didn’t think I had it in me that I could run a sub-2:00 half marathon in November, 2009, a major milestone for this marathon endeavor. Lesley paired me up with some great people that I am still friends with even though I don’t train with that group anymore.
• NW Crossfit (Dec., 2010 – present): This includes Megan, Melissa, Kelsey, Paige and Tyler – Your collective help in keeping me focused while I was “learning” the basics in addition to keeping me honest when I come in has been awesome. Thank goodness for the variety of WODs as that has been the downfall in previous core training programs. The one day I almost passed out in class and then almost cut my finger off while making lunch right after was “entertaining”. I’ll also be thinking of the “Toughen Up” WOD completed on 4/11/11 during some of the “more challenging parts of my run”. J
• Kim Pancoast (Dec., 2010 – present): Kim’s support and guidance has been well documented in this blog in 2011. Her positive attitude and honesty have been critical as I rebounded from injury #1 in 2011 and as I recover from the current injury. She never complains about my questions, always has a positive attitude and calls things like she sees them. Kim is a part of the TN Multisports team, and her guidance throughout the year has been timely and constructive. I told her that I enjoy Crossfit, and while most running coaches would run the other way or try to talk me out of it, she stayed with me on it. Her relentless pounding into my stubborn brain about heart rate zone (HR) training has definitely helped me this year and I look forward to seeing more of those results next year. This crazy experiment doesn’t happen without you, Kim. Know that I know that. On a separate note, Teresa and Mark run things in a transparent and straightforward manner which makes things much easier for me as a client. They are accountable and accessible.

Miles 11 – 15: Friends –

• Virtual Running Buds/Athletes From All Pursuits: The crew here are people that I exchange running stories with on either Facebook or e-mail. I can’t even begin to name everyone but know that you all rock and help inspire me to continue to push to do my best. Some days that doesn’t necessarily mean faster, but it means just doing your best on any given day and “not mailing it in”. In particular, understanding the difference between an ‘ache’ and a ‘pain’, and finding a way to push through it.
• Non-Runners: I receive a ton of support from folks who do not run at all for whatever reason. If any of you are still reading and think you can’t be a runner, you are most likely wrong. There, I said it. I was a non-runner until I wasn’t, which meant I was a runner. Think about it. Start slow. Set a goal. Work hard. Stop the excuses. Do your best.
• Running Teammates (current and former): It’s hard to capture everyone here but I will do my best. The knowledge and good cheer that you have all shared with me as I have been on this quest has been so valuable and appreciated. The “Team Clif Bar” crew from Ragnar – thanks to Amanda D. for asking me to participate. Mind you, we don’t always talk about running, and those conversations are really the ones that I have valued.
• Crossfitters: So many people to include here too because Crossfit is such a inclusive group, as opposed to exclusive. Yeah, way too many people to mention here but a number of these folks have run marathons and have shared their stories. Special mention to Gerard, a fellow MHS ’89 grad, for getting me addicted to Crossfit.
• Runners: These folks have joined me for a run or two outside of my running teams and I have really enjoyed their company on our runs. Again, we most likely aren’t talking about running but talking about other things that are going on in our lives. But special shout-outs to Michael, “Swimmer Dave S.”, Shannon, Ed, Mike L., Nat and CP. Thanks, kids! And I know I left people out for which I’m sorry.

Miles 16 – 19: Family –

• The “Consor Crew”: The support from the immediate family has been great, even if it did take some of them awhile to grasp why on earth I would run 13+ miles and how you would build up until that point. That all changed when the ‘rents came to watch me run the Long Island Half Marathon in May, 2010. Don’t worry – I will figure out how to incorporate ice cream in honor of Mollie once we’re done.
• The “SoCal Becks”: From the positive words of Dee to Tanya’s journey over the past 7 or 8 months, the “in-laws” have been beyond supportive of my running endeavors, in addition to being a great family to marry into. I would be remiss if I didn’t specifically mention Bruce, who ran his 1^st marathon at the age of 60, which was one of the kick-starts that I needed to really get my health into gear. If my father-in-law could run a marathon at age 60, I could do it as well.
• The “California Cousins”: We’ve definitely made up for lost time for the 1^st 20 years of my life that we weren’t connected, and the positive encouragement since then has been nothing short of spectacular. Of course, I say that I run because I love food and wine, and am so fortunate that many of our gatherings involve laughs along with that good food and wine. They are led by Claire, who is someone whom Marc and I consider to be extremely important in our lives.
• Aunt Joyce: A role model in the sense that I won’t divulge her age, but her fitness level is inspiring between walking in the pool, pilates and just generally walking/taking the bus everywhere. A couch potato, she is not. But because how fit she is, she inspires me in terms of aging gracefully by doing many of the right things, including working out.

Miles 20 – 24: “Special” Mentions –

• Andria: Author of Puddle Thumper, and the one who executed flawlessly a race plan on someone whom she had never met previously. Yep, that would be me. Constant words of encouragement and advice. I’m grateful for all that she has shared with me.
• Elisabeth: The person who has shown me that it’s never too late to make changes, if you really are committed. Her journey over the past 18 months has been so inspiring to watch. She has done it the hard way, with no gimmicks or anything like that. See point made by NYC doc in mile 1 of this blog entry. It’s been remarkable to be on the sidelines to witness. She has made no excuses, hasn’t done shortcuts, and epitomizes hard work. And our dinners with fellow partner-in-crime, Jill A., always leave me with a smile.
• PNak: It took me awhile to catch up to you on long runs and in track workouts, but I finally did. It’s enabled me to get to know you and watch you achieve some great things at Ironman Canada 2010, Mercer Island, Ironman Lake Stevens 2011, etc. The fact that you have donated a fair amount of your time to provide crew support to me on a couple of my long runs is beyond humbling. Thank you for being a good friend.
• Tricia: I’m not sure where to even start except for the fact that I’m looking forward to us both recovering after this insanity and kicking off 2012 with some serious political chatter on our runs. After all, it is an election year. Seriously, you have been a great mentor and role model on a number of fronts, and I feel so privileged to count you as a good friend whom I happen to run with.
• Lisa: While technically you are part of the “Consor Crew” entry, you get a special call-out for who you are as a person and what you do. And it doesn’t hurt that I receive daily pics of my nephew and my niece exhibiting all sorts of cuteness generally before I head out to work or on a long run. Thanks for stepping up on a regular basis, including on 11/6.

Miles 25 – 26+: The Hubs –

• Marc: Yes, he gets his own section and he definitely counts more than one mile. For all of the folks who think it is crazy that I am doing this, blame Marc. No joke. He is the one who said I should start running because I was experiencing so many issues with my RA, etc. I guess this may fall into those “be careful what you wish for” scenarios because while it took me a long time to get this point, Marc has been as supportive as possible every step of the way. He is just awesome and having him by my side on this journey has been really tremendous.
• Marc (Part Deux): My husband provides raceday support in terms of holding my liquid bottles and being ready with good cheer at different points throughout an event (sometimes even doing a bit of running himself getting from place to place). In addition, Marc provides support on some of my longer practice runs (remember when 10 miles was a really, really long run?) and has now learned how to apply Kinesio tape. His constructive feedback at key points in my training has been critical. Contemplating this 4-year journey doesn’t even start without his support throughout the whole process. How I got so darned lucky to have Marc as my husband and partner-in-life, I’ll never know but I’ll thank my lucky stars anyway.