Nike Dance to the Finish!

Super women who run AKA: me and my run buddy Pim

To wrap up this crazy running season I ran one more race a week after my full marathon. Yes I am crazy I know this but being ordinary isn’t my cup of tea. I like to be extraordinary! The night before my ½ marathon I attended an inspiration dinner where I sat among thousands of women and men who were running the Nike race for a great cause. That evening a woman gave a story about her sister Nancy who was brave and fought cancer but cancer won. I was in tears yet again but so encouraged to see her and her family running this race for others and to bring honor to her sister Nancy. After the dinner and speech I caught up with a high school buddy named Claire who I haven’t seen since high school. Clare and I chatted quickly but before we said good bye she pulled out her race jersey and I thought “cool shirt “Claire pointed to a special name on the back of her shirt and it had my Sister Alex’s name on it. I nearly fell in to tears with such honor. Claire smiled and said “of course I would put her name on it” I hugged Claire and thanked her for her efforts towards this great cause and we parted ways to get much needed sleep for our race.

me running with a great view of the ocean

The next morning I laced up my shoes and prepared for my race. This time I was calm and ready to just have some fun. I had a friend along with me named Pim who had just run not only a marathon last week, but a half marathon the week before her marathon. So Pim was as we sports fan say performing a hat trick and running a third race within 3 weeks. Yes we runners are nuts but we love why we do it.

It took us a while to even cross the start due to the fact this Nike race in San Francisco is so crowded with over 28,000 people running in it. We ran and walked with a run 4 min and walk 1 min routine. We took pictures and laughed and danced the whole way to the finish. At Mile 6 or so I was surprised to see my dad on the side lines. Before I started the race my brother texted me “dad is coming to see you race” I thought “ok where?” Needless to say I saw my dad and it was so cool sense I had no idea where I would see him. I happen to scan the side lines after this hill we just climbed and I saw my sister Shelia and then my dad followed by my brother Jared. I gave them all hugs and thanked them for coming out. Seeing them helped me climb the rest of those hills for miles.

After passing certain miles I saw faces of the people who have helped me along the way. Staff such as coach Kris, coach Tim, Captain Jessi , my Friend Janine and many more. It was so great to hear them say “you’re looking strong !” “Keep it up”. What an inspiration for me to have such great people encouraging me along the whole way.

When mile 11 came there was a sign separating the full and half marathon part of this race. As I passed this sign I shouted “after 3 times running this race I finally got smart and chose to do the half whoo hoo” When mile 12 came around I looked one last time at my watch and told Pim “lets run this last mile in” Pim quietly agreed and off we went. We ran quickly passing people left and right. As we turned the corner I saw the finish and we ran for it. I thought to myself “I don’t know when I will return to this race so enjoy it”. I looked in the crowd for my brother Jerry and Husband . I looked at my watch and saw I had a few seconds before 2 hrs and 30min pass which was kinda what I wanted to clock in at. So I took the last seconds to DANCE! That’s right I danced to the finish and then I heard my name “VICTORIA!!!” there they were Jerry and Scott smiling away! I waved to them and turned to finish with a big skip across the finish and a look to the sky thanking God for this victory and a wave to my Sister Alex from heaven.

Thank you all for such a great season of encouragement and love and support without each of you I couldn’t cross that finish line. I am not sure when I will run a marathon again but when I do decide you can bet I will take you all with me again for another great ride!

Me celebrating my victory of a great race with some more dancing on stage with my amazing Team! (im the one in the pink shirt )

Victoria Marathon

Costal view while I ran in Victoria

This marathon was number 4 for me and I was determined to beat my personal record of 4:45min. The date of the marathon 10-10-10 had all the potential to be the race I would break my record. But before I go in to detail about my race let me back up a day before. We arrived in Victoria British Columbia Saturday before the race and settled in nicely at our hotel. After our inspirational dinner we all sat around at the hotel Bar drinking our waters. A question was asked to us all running the marathon as to how we are feeling. My reply was “nauseous” yes that’s right I felt sick for reasons unknown to me which carried all the way to through the race. I went to bed that night praying for great weather, rest and a good day for all.

The Marathon Team with me in the middle with a black hat on

Race day finally arrived and I lined up with my Friend Pim and her Boyfriend Ron who were running the full as well. I kissed Scott as he wished me good luck and then the gun goes off and away I went. I was running this marathon by myself with no partner to run with so I had to play a mental game the whole race. For miles 1-20 I hit all my race goals making time fly and I kept telling myself I am going to crush my record at this pace if only this stupid stomach would work with me. Yes my nauseous feeling never went away. I was drinking plenty of water but I think the pressure I put on myself to finish in record time got to me and I couldn’t push pass myself. At Mile 10 or so Coach Stacy saw me and gave me salt to help my stomach but that didn’t help me. As I ran I saw fellow runners I have trained with on the other side pass me with coaches and mentors encouraging them along. The coaches said to me from the other side “I will catch you on the turn-around.” So I figured great I will get help when I turn around. Well I never saw anyone again after mile 15 or so. I kept looking for encouragement and people to cheer me on but none to be had. I prayed “God please let me finish this I hurt so bad.” Each time I prayed a person running would say a word of encouragement to help me to keep going. One man who was running near me read the back of my shirt. While I was talking to myself the man asked “who is Alex to you?” I said “What? Oh she is my sister who passed away I run for her” the man replies “That’s a strong name. I am sure with that name you will get strength. I have a brother named Alex. Such a strong name. Keep going.” I replied with a thank you and ran ahead.

This race I thought I would finish it strong and amazing but to my surprise I finished it differently. At mile 20, I hit my time goal of 3hrs and 30+ min right on target for my goal. All I had to do was finish 6 more miles. Easier said than done. Mile 21 came and all my strength and will power was gone and so was my goal to finish at 4hrs and 30min. As I got to mile 25 I took one last look at my watch and it read 4hrs and 28 min. No way would I finish 1.2 miles in two minutes. I wanted to cry, I wanted to lay down on the floor and sleep; I wanted to drink lots of water but most of all I wanted to STOP! There was no one there to support me, until I saw Mike Z, one of the captains on our team. He ran with me and I told him to tell me to keep going and that I can do this. He did and then he passed me on to my Coach Tim, who has ran me in, in all of my marathon finishes and this one too. Tim saw me and I started to cry a lot! He asked “why are you so upset? Were you trying for a PR (Personal record)?” I replied with a big cry “yes! But it doesn’t matter, that’s not why I run” He took my head and then rubbed my back and said “you run for all these names on your back you have all these angles to push you across the finish line” As I sobbed in my arm and Tim holding my hand pushing me on I mustered up the last bit of strength to finish my 400 meters I had to go. Coach Tim let go of my hand and I had to finish on my own. I screamed as I ran pushing my body to the limit and as I saw the finish line I thanked God as I reached for the sky and pointed while thinking “another race complete for you Alex” As I ran into the finish I nearly fell over in pain. The medics told me to not stop and keep moving. I moved with the Medic helping me until my team manager Simone came to take over and then I totally lost it. I cried like a baby in my manager’s arms, and again my manager asks “What’s wrong?” I said while I sobbed “I hurt so bad, why the hell did I do this, this sucks. I am soooo tired.” Simone then asked “ do you want to take a picture with your medal? “ I said “no, wait, I don’t know?” she said “yes you do, let’s take your picture, now pretend to be happy and smile” I smiled and proceeded to walk to Scott and kissed him through the fence and then walked to my snacks the race provided.

My dramatic finish

Proud Coach Tim and I

Scott helped me walk back to the hotel and then the ritual of an ice bath came followed by a long awaited Nap. I rested a bit and then I celebrated with my team later that night. It wasn’t until I was dancing with my Team (yes dancing, it helps recovery) I realized I just did a marathon. The whole time after I finished my race I was so angry with myself for not reaching my time goal and only clocking in at 4hrs and 46 min. I failed to realize what a big accomplishment I had completed today. Not only did I raise over $3000 for this great cause I ran my 4th marathon!
I want to thank all of you my supporters for your help and encouragement to reach my goals of raising money and running this marathon. I have a half marathon still to go this coming weekend at the Nike race but without all of you I couldn’t do any of this. Stay tuned for my final update on my Nike race this weekend on Oct 17th.

Me and I biggest supporter my husband Scott

Go Team!

Final Thoughts Before My Races

Well I just have a few days before I start my marathon in Canada. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. Nervous about the weather, my running pace , and running 26.2 miles without a person to speak too for a good long time. I know I am going to finish it but I wanted to stop and take a moment and thank each of you who have continued to encourage and support me. I only have a few names on my shirt of people who survived cancer or are no longer with us because of it. I could have filled up my shirt with names but I still wouldn’t have enough room to put all the names. So the names I choose were names some of you sent in and some I have prayed for and kept in mind while training. The list is this:

Alex (my sister who passed away 11 years ago)
Siobhan (passed away 6 months ago)
Cece Bell (passed away)
Kitty Pon (survivor)
Evan (currently battling)
Erik

Howard Harris (passed away)

Mario (battling)

Alex Solis (battling)

Grace Collins ( passed away)

Sandi Cuddie (battling)

My verse for these races is this from Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afarid, or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go".

Please keep me and my team in your thoughts and prayers as we race these next two weekends. My marathon is this Sunday Oct 10th and I run another race Oct 17th a half marathon in san Francisco. Until the finish line see ya later!

My final run along California coast

What a beautiful place to run along the coast in Monterey! I was so blessed to have great friends at my back and a scenic route before me. Each step I took along this 13 mile training run was a reflection of how far I have come from day one of ever running. I glared at the ocean which went on for miles and back at my friends as they laughed and cheered me on ward. I had the best time on this run and I must say it was by far the most fun I have had on a run in a long time. I must mention my husband was there to support me and my team by helping at a water stop and his support always means a lot to me on these runs.

Fun group of buddies at my back

This will be my second to last post before I Toe the line at the Royal Victoria race in Canada and would like to ask you all to please send names of loved ones you would like me to run for. Every year I ask because these names bring me inspiration and strength when I run my marathons. Even if its the same name form last year send it in.

I want to thank all of you who have given to my fundraising efforts this year and if you haven't and would like to please do so today! I am soooo close to my personal goal of $3000 I need a near $100 to reach it!!!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/RoyalVic10/pon

Until next time ; Go Team!

Look at the view!

20 miles at Natural Bridges

Wow I am so glad I have finished my 20 mile training and now my mileage will go down as I prep for my marathon in October. Today going into this run I had nothing on my mind just "lets get this over with". Sue Funk joined me again for this run and it was great to have a partner for half of the run. I say half because Sue wasn't feeling well and had to turn around at mile ten. I on the other hand was feeling great and running strong until I got to mile 13. once I reached mile 13 I knew I have another 7 miles to go. I had no idea how I was going to finish this and continued my running pace I needed to meet my time goal of 3hrs and 30mins.

As I pushed myself I dug deep with in as I usually do and again I laughed because the last time I was at Santa Cruz with my sister she didn't have fun. My sister Alex had such an attitude at times and would let you know it if she didn't want to do something. so reaching into my memory bank I remembered when Alex wasn't so happy with our trip to the beach one time and as I was running today I could hear my sister saying "your on your own with this run, I didn't like it here before and now look at you running 20 miles and hating it good luck with that" I smiled and thought yeah she would say that. I ignored the thought and looked at what I loved! This run is mine today, I love the beach but my sister didnt love it like I do. In a way my sister told me to run this 20 miles for myself because I have come to love running.

Needless to say I finished my 20 miles with in 3hrs and 35mins.! and if I consider the marathon distance I just might make my goal of 4hrs and 30 something minutes with 26.2 miles. whoo hoo 4 more weeks before race day!

(The trail I ran along for about 8 miles)

Thanks again for all your support in this I am just $600 away from my goal of $3000. Together we can make a difference and stop cancer donate today !

click here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/RoyalVic10/pon

My running buddy sue on the right and friends along the way on the left!

18 miles and still going!

This past Saturday in San Francisco I ran with my Team In Training Group 18 miles. My last blog I posted how lonely I was and of course people read this and replied with "what ?? you should run with us" I felt so loved to have such a great team that not only cares about my training and fundraising but about my enjoyment too.

When I began my run Sue Funk said to join her and Lydia Sanchez since we all were running 5minutes and walking a minute. So I joined them and had a great run all the while talking about life and whatever came to mind. Sometime during the run Lydia had to make a bathroom break and was falling behind just a bit so told us to keep going since we were moving faster. We thought should we wait? we made the choice to go ahead not knowing Lydia would soon get lost on the trail. Off we went Sue and I and we did rather well but when we got to our turn around water station we checked to see if Lydia checked in and no she hadn't. We knew we had a lot of people out and our Team Manager was looking for her on her bike so we continued on our run.

At mile 16 Sue and I were feeling like crap and hating the run around Lake Merced. I wanted to be done with this run and was finding it hard to keep going. As soon as I was beginning to hate this run I ran past a shooting range. I heard the guns shooting and it triggered a memory of my sister Alex. I remembered when my dad took me and my sister to the shooting range and with every target that was put in front of my sister she was hitting them. We had a blast that day and the memory of it made me smile. I soon realized it was a reminder why I run and to keep going and finish strong and on target like my sister would want.

At Mile 17 Sue decided to walk the rest in and I said good bye and finished my 18 mile run. As I waved good bye I stepped up my pace so I could finish this run soon. As I got closer to 18 miles I realized the course was marked longer then it should be and in fact this 18 mile course is more then 18 miles it was more like 18.5 miles. Once my watch told me I completed 18 miles I slowed my run down and I started my cool down. I finished my run strong and with a smile and enjoyed a great accomplishment with some amazing friends.

By the way Lydia was later found by our Team Manager Simone and was escorted the rest of the way :)

Thanks again to all who have donated to my cause and just as a reminder to those who still plan to donate please do so soon so I can make my deadline of Sept. 20th and my goal of $3000. Click here to donate: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/RoyalVic10/pon

Me and my friends enjoying our much deserved rest.

A Trail all to Myself

Today I ran 14 miles at Waddel Creek in Santa Cruz and it went pretty well. The only downer to this run was I was alone for most of it. My usual running buddies were ether away this weekend or started at a different time. I started my run with four people but fell behind them since they were speedies and I am well, not. I later came by a few other runners who were so kind to let me join them for their 9miler. we ran together very well but I had to say good bye to them to continue on to my 14mile turn around. I felt pretty good during my run and once I reached the water fall it was a well deserved treat!

after looking at the water fall for a few minutes I decided to make my run back down the mountain. While I was running I started to get lonely and pulled out the camera to take some pictures of myself and the trail. This lasted 5 minutes and then I was done and had to just run this alone. I started to look at the beauty around me and just take in the quiet of the trail and what I was doing, Running! when I finally finished I was ready to head home and enjoy some relaxing for my legs with a bag of ice ! Others who ran this trail today took nasty falls and hurt their ankles, thumbs, legs and a few others were stung by some crazy bugs! needless to say I got pretty lucky to not having any of these things happen to me.

Thanks again for all your support and if you would still like to contribute to my fundraising please do so at http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/RoyalVic10/pon

I am still short by $800 and hope to reach my goal by the end of August so please help if you can.