10 weeks to go!

Can you believe it?  It seems like we just sent in our application video.  Thanks to everyone who has commented on the video - it was a lot of fun to make and hopefully we can do another one before we complete our journey! 

And don't forget, we're still collecting 100 reasons to run...click here to read the reasons we have so far, and to leave your reason (or reasonS) to run!

I've noticed a lot of people have asked why I am running another marathon, especially Boston. While completing the 26.2 miles is certainly satisfying, my main motivation is not the actual race.  It stems from my association with Dana-Farber.  I have the special opportunity to run the 2010 Boston Marathon in honor of Kira, a patient at the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber and a Jimmy Fund Walk Hero.  In 2006, Kira was diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytomas, which are slow growing tumors.  She’s undergone surgery and 2 rounds of chemotherapy, all the while in great spirits, helping to motivate and encourage other patients at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Pediatric Treatment Center at Dana-Farber.  I am eager to meet Kira and her family in the next few weeks.  This is also Kira’s first year participating in the Patient Partner Program, and after speaking with  her mom numerous times, I think she and I will be a great fit.   

For those of you in the Boston area, Chronicle HD on channel 5 will be airing a broadcast "Confronting Cancer", a special, 30 minute look at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, featuring a video Dana-Farber created a video to give to new families at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.  Both Kira and her sister Katana make a brief appearance in the video, so keep a look out for her!

Less than eleven weeks to go...

We're still collecting 100 reasons to run...click here to read the reasons we have so far, and to leave your reason (or reasonS) to run!

Another notable post, if you're just getting to the blog for the first time, is our video application for the marathon. We couldn't claim to be super fast, so we used the creativity angle to apply for the team!

-courtney

ouch!

Thursday was my first experience running Heartbreak Hill.  Despite the frigid temps, snow squalls and super slick sidewalks, I think it was a huge success!  My body hated me yesterday though, as it was quite a chore to walk up and down the steps to my office.  Such is the life of a marathoner I guess!  Thank god for the stick and foam rollers :)

Don't forget - We're still looking for more reasons to run, so post a comment and let us know why we will be running the Marathon....Only 78 more days to go!

Miscellaneous Musings of a First Time Marathoner, part 2

[For part 1, click here]

When is it an injury versus just a topic for conversation?
I have quickly learned that runners, especially new ones, like to talk about their running. Which is great for me because I'm picking up all sorts of tips just by listening (don't take Gu without water, your fuel belt WILL freeze on some long runs, carry toilet paper to the starting line, etc.). Injuries are a favorite topic.

If everyone has the same basic injuries (runners knee, IT band...), does that mean they cancel each other out and you shouldn't talk about them? Or does it mean you can talk about them even more? If someone is injury-free, should they make something up to be able to contribute to the conversation? Are they considered less of a runner because they're lacking an ailment? Do guys actually hurt less, or do they just talk less about their injuries? What do they talk about instead?

There's so much to learn...

"Take it slow..."
...is code for "let's run as fast as you've ever run and also throw in some hills." Despite it being my first time on "the hills" (the nasty stretch of route 30) and 3 days before Steph was going to run 16 miles of hills in Derry, NH, we did not "take it slow" as originally agreed.

Lesson learned: abandoning the plan is sometimes necessary, especially when you're afraid that the four guys in day-glo who are in front of you might get back and eat all the pizza before you finish your run.

Is the pain from vacation or shoes?
On Sunday, I went for a 5 mile jog after having taken a mini vacation (i.e. no exercise other than walking around Manhattan) for two days. I've done all of my running to date in stability shoes, but on Sunday I put on a high quality pair of neutral cushion shoes. It was miserable...significant calf soreness after half a mile, and aching shins that progressed to the beginning of shin splints by 2 miles. I had to switch to walking to get my legs back under control.

So the question is this: were my legs angry with me for taking two days off, and this was their way of showing it? Or am I meant to run in stability shoes, and even 5 miles at a slow pace is too much to run in a neutral shoe?

A hypothesis worthy of further investigation.

Sidewalk etiquette
I am not the first, nor will I be the last, runner to say this, but PLEASE: when you're walking 2, 3, 4 people across on a sidewalk, and someone comes running toward you, we would really appreciate it if you'd step aside, just a little. We are agile but would prefer not to have to play Red Rover in the middle of the sidewalk. Because it would not end well...

...for you.

100 reasons to run
If you haven't seen it yet, scroll down or click here to read the growing list of reasons to run the Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber. They are sweet, funny, and sentimental - please help us tally 100 reasons to run by adding your own.

A Different Way to Run

I tried out a new running partner on Friday. His name is MacTavish, he's 95 pounds, and he is a beautiful Gordon Setter. Mac's parents are out of town, so I'm in charge of feeding him, exercising him, and making sure his long strings of drool don't get all over everything in the house when he does the head-shake thing.

Running with a dog is a new experience for me, and there were definitely some key takeaways (disclaimer - these only apply to Mac; you may have completely different experiences with other dogs...):

1. Don't expect negative splits. Mac was cruising way faster than my 10 minute mile pace in the beginning, but after about 2.5 miles he was trotting behind me. He did sprint the last block with me, though, so he's all about the strong finish.

2. If you're used to occasionally stopping to walk, then running with Mac is great. He has a little A.D.D. so he doesn't stop for too long in any one place (and I have one of those retractable leashes so I can get pretty far ahead of him when he slows down to sniff). But on those occasions when he's stubborn, the leash jerk forces a quick rest.

3. If the dog doesn't stop on hills, neither will I.

4. Great arms workout. Retractable leash in one hand, plastic baggie in the other (no, Ryan, I did not take your advice and just leave it).

5. Dogs are a trip hazard. I pulled a Twinkle Toes maneuver a few times when Mac cut out in front of me, but luckily took no diggers.

6. I've renamed the 5k my "Mac workout," because that's about as far as I can get with him before he gives me the "can we just go home" look.

7. Like people, dogs respond to positive reinforcement. When the going got tough, a "good boy," or "C'mon Mac" made all the difference.

8. The best part - Mac got a great workout, and was so tired that he ate his dinner and pretty much slept for the rest of the night. And considering he usually likes to play human jungle gym when you sit on the couch, or show off his squeaky toys, this was quite a feat.

Happy Thought

Today I passed 100 miles in my training!  What better way to do it then run on the boardwalk in Newport Beach, CA. 

Well as soon as I got back to the house, it started pouring.  I believe Southern California is getting a monsoon right now.  Alas, no beautiful ocean pics.  I'll be back though....

100 Days, 100 Reasons to Run

Today marks 100 days until the marathon. To our fellow runners and supporters: please help us define 100 reasons we're running the marathon, one for every day between now and April 19th.

Use the comments section to give us inspiration, and share why you are running or supporting DFCI.

Happy running!
courtney

[Update: thank you to our teammates and supporters for your fabulous reasons to run. Keep 'em coming!]

64 days (Lauren, supporter): Because how else are you going to burn off all those Thirsty Thursdays?
65 days (Barb, supporter): Because it gives your friends yet another reminder of how lucky they are to have such an amazing, generous, determined, dedicated, special person as their friend!
66 days (Nancy, supporter): Because you're working so hard, in such cold weather, to help fight cancer and find a cure. You inspire me to be a better person.
67 days (Leah, supporter): For the amazing patient partners who make each grueling mile that much more worthwhile.
68 days (Melissa, teammate): Because when I grow up I hope to one day say, "When I was young, there was thing called cancer..." And because beer/pizza on a Thursday night or breakfast on a Saturday morning NEVER tasted sooo good!
69 days (Amy, teammate): Because you get to meet fun new people that become fun new friends...
70 days (Jenni, supporter and Boston Marathon alum): Because you will feel so great going out for an "easy 10-miler" sometime soon.
71 days (Lindsey, teammate and Boston Marathon alum): Because every year that I write up my DFMC application, I have to add the name of another loved one diagnosed with cancer. And well, chocolate and a post run cold beverage never tasted so good.
72 days (Brandy, supporter): So that grandchildren may have the opportunity to get to know their grandparents.
73 days (Michelle, supporter): To bond with strangers before the sun wakes up on a day that could be filled with sun, snow, rain, extreme cold or heat and look back on it with a huge sense of pride and accomplishment.
74 days (Courtney): Because I was peer pressured. I'm blaming every injury, ache, and pain on Amanda for bullying me into signing up. And every day, thanking her for encouraging me to do something I never thought was possible.
75 days (Courtney): If running was easy, everyone would be doing it. I run in honor of the ones who cannot. (I partly stole that from Steph's 1/22/10 blog post.)
76 days (Leah, supporter & Boston Marathon alum): For the shiny medal at the end.
77 days (Jackie, supporter & Boston Marathon alum): In the words of the 2006 Boston Marathon ADIDAS ad campaign: The Shiny Blanket.
78 days (Ryan, supporter & Boston Marathon alum): Because the guilt free eating and drinking after the race is worth 3 months of training through the winter!
79 Days (Jen, supporter): Because despite the incredible advances that DFCI and its partners in industry have made, and the life changing outcomes that are now possible, cancer treatment still sucks.
80 Days (Amanda): Because my Jimmy Fund Clinic Patient Partner, Kira, is an amazing 8 year old who has gone through so much, with such a positive attitude. I cannot wait to meet her!
81 Days (A proud Dad observing two extraordinary young women): Because 26 miles from now, oops, years from now, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will have to drop "cancer" from its name because of the extraordinary sacrifices of runners and supporters and survivors.
82 Days (Mark, teammate): Because it's quicker than walking.
83 days (Michelle, supporter): Proving that no matter how much you think you aren't a runner, with the proper training you can be.
84 days (Marcy, teammate): (Courtesy of a tea tag) You will feel fulfilled when you do the impossible for someone else.
85 days (Mary Claire, supporter): Because someday one of us - or a family member - could need the services of a Dana-Farber type institution.
86 days (Sean & Steph, teammates): Because I can combine my selfish goal of becoming a stronger person, both physically and mentally; with the selfless goal of committing my time and energy to supporting an amazing cause that hopes to find a cure for cancer.
87 days (Michael, teammate): Because when we run 35-40 miles a week, we can eat all the ice cream we want.
88 days (Michael, teammate): Because we can SHOW our kids that there are things that are so important to do that we stick with them no matter how hard they are.
89 days (Brandy, supporter): Because you are able to do this together! and hold each other up. Such a wonderful thing you're doing! xx!
90 days (Charlotte, supporter): Because you will get a chance to see my smiling face at mile 20.
91 days (Lori, supporter): Because people like my brave strong friend JWP deserve a chance at a full recovery and a long life with her family and friends thanks to well-funded cancer research.
92 days (Jeff, supporter): Because everyone knows at least one survivor.
93 days (Jeff, supporter): Because few things in life feel more exhilarating than working so hard that you are actually sweating in below freezing weather.
94 days (Jeff, supporter): Because 20 years from now, you'll be shocked you were ever in such good shape.
95 days (Erin, supporter): Because you can! And so many others can't! So proud of you!
96 days (Leah, supporter & Boston Marathon alum): Because nothing says "hard-core" like running 15 miles on a Saturday morning in single digit weather.
97 days (Marcy, teammate): Because running for Dana-Farber allow you to heal your heart, your mind, your body and your soul. You come out a new person in the end, even with all the wear and tear. You learn what is truly important and learn that even on the hardest day of your life running 9 miles can give you a brand new outlook.
98 days (Brian, teammate): What Amanda said [99 days], because it deserves to be at least more than one reason.
99 days (Amanda): Because Thursday nights at Crossroads is the new weekend night.
100 days (Courtney): For clear 6 month PET scans and bringing MORE GOOD NEWS to families.