Tuesday, October 29, 2013

For a Lifetime

I thought this past weekend was just going to be another normal weekend... running, working, hanging out with friends and watching football. All of this ended up being true but with one major change. Saturday morning after I ran my 5K I got a message from my mom that when my sister when to her doctor's appointment they sent her straight to the hospital.


Of course me being in Chesterton and her being in Cincinnati made the overwhelming feelings come pouring out of me. I am so thankful to my awesome friends Tim, Sue and Aaron for making sure I didn't totally lose it. My sisters are my best friends. As it turns out my sister has been diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic. This is something that runs in my family but that none of us ever has knowledge you get up to the age of 40. Now life for my sister changes totally... Medicine, special diet, making sure her sugar is at a stable level... this is not something most of us will ever have to deal with. My sister is so amazing inside and out. It totally breaks my heart to see her have to deal with this. The one thing though I keep reminding myself is how strong our mother raised us to be. She has always taught us to fight no matter what.

So over the past few days this is what I started thinking...

What is stopping people from getting healthy? I made a promise to myself in 2009 that I was losing weight and getting healthy. Although I have had some struggles I have always kept going. As of yesterday when my sister was released from the hospital. I made a promise to myself. Don't make excuses. Just do it. Live a healthy life. I don't have anything holding me back. All I have to do is exercise and eat right. I started this blog to be an inspiration to others. I still hear so many say that I am. So I want to continue that. Seriously nothing is holding you back. Start getting healthy today! You do not have to wait until January to start... Start today. If you need help or need to know where to start then just ask me...


Monday, October 28, 2013

Manda's Race and Dawn of Dunes Recaps

This weekend I thought it would be just another normal weekend. Friday I went to bed early and got up Saturday ate a small breakfast and headed out to Chesterton for Manda's race 5K. I knew many other runners who were running this race and was excited to see them. I often have written on my blog how going to a race in Northwest Indiana is much like going to a family reunion. Manda's race certainly didn't disappoint. There were so many familiar faces.

Before the race I met up with my friend Tim and Sue. We got out swag, hit the restroom and decided we should probably do a warm up run since it was so cold outside. Then it was time to walk to the start line. I saw even more familiar runners as we were lining up to take off. I was a bit nervous with my left hamstring being really sore. I knew I was not going to be able to push as hard as I wanted. Sue and I lined up together and just after they said go Sue and I were right behind our friend Lisa's daughter Riley. Sue said Riley is a good pacer just stay with her. So I just focused on this little girl and trying to stay with her. We were doing great and hit mile 1 at 8:21. Just as we hit mile 1 we could see the lead runner headed back toward mile 2. I thought holy crap. Then it was nice to see so many friendly faces from the lead pack as they were headed toward mile 2 and we were headed out. Fellow running friends Steve and Chrys def had the best costume duo going on during the race. As we hit mile 2 Riley was starting to pull away from me. She was really starting to pick it up and I knew I just couldn't. Just after the hill at mile 2 we made the left turn to head back to toward the school where the race starts and finishes. Riley really pulled away from me at this point and I just knew I couldn't pick it up without totally killing my hamstring. We headed down the hill and out of the neighborhood and I  knew it was close because the mile 3 marker was inside the school lot. I could start to hear people cheering. As we made the final turn I knew someone was right behind me. I could hear her friend cheering her to catch me. My friend Tim spotted me and he said "Come on Deanna, go" and that was all I needed, I pushed as hard as I possibly could. 25:59. Finish, No PR but a  GREAT race. I really enjoyed the course. I ended up 153 out of 362 and 10 out of 30 in my age group. This race was very well organized. They had plenty of yummy post race food. They even let you go inside the school afterward which is perfect for a cooler fall day. They give out trophies to the age group winners. I highly recommend this 5K be on your list for next year if you missed it.

Sunday I volunteered at the inaugural Dawn of Dunes race. I was just before mile 2 with a Gary Police officer. I really enjoyed being able to watch all of my runners friends pass through and talk to the officer about running in Northwest Indiana. I sometimes forget there are people who know nothing about our amazing running community. This Gary officer clearly knew very little. I hope he was some what enlightened by what I could tell him about our amazing community. We are so lucky in Northwest Indiana to have such a great running family.


Congrats to everyone who ran yesterday. I was so happy to hear all the positive things you had to say about the race. The very little amount I got to see of the course looked tough but really nice. Volunteering really gives you such an amazing new respect when you run a race. Always be sure to thank the volunteers.

Another great weekend of running.


Sunday, October 20, 2013

Indianapolis Marathon Recap

was very nervous for this race. My body didn't seem ready for another marathon but I knew it was ready enough to finish. My amazing mom and sister agreed to come with me. I had won the entry n a silent auction so I knew I just had to fight on. The weather was far from ideal... Rainy and windy. I huddled under a tree with my mom and sister until it was time to line up. Finally they asked us to line up. I got into my corral and met Andrea, she was looking for the same pacer as me. We couldn't find the 4:15 pacer so Andrea said will I'm only doing the half but I can run with you for 12.5 miles.... This sounded like a great plan. 


We took off... We were just took fast, we would slow down but them sped up. Never consistent. Andrea was so nice and knew the course. We knew we had to be easy because the first bug hill was at 3. After mile 3 the miles started to go by very quickly. Around mile 4 Sarah approached us and she was going for her first ever full. I was super excited to meet someone like her. The miles were just flying by. We knew mile 10 was our next hill... So we tried to really keep pace easy. Andrea dropped back at the hill but easily caught us again. It seemed like no time and we were wishing Andrea good luck on her last .60 to finish her half. Sarah said to me ok it's just us. My stomach felt funny but I pushed on and soon enough 13.10... HALFWAY... I sent my mom a text that said 13. 

From 13 all I wanted to do was make it to 17 where the race has a big cheering section. Around 14 I had to go in a port a potty, I almost fell because it was full of mud. Just after 15 Sarah said ok we need to pray. She said the most heartfelt prayer for both of us and I knew no matter what happened we could do it.  At 16 Sarah and I started to feel happy. As mile 17 approached there was no cheering section in my sights. We turned a corner still no one my heart started to sink. Then we went down a wooded bridge and turned a corner and there were people everywhere... All of a sudden I hear.. "Go Dee!! Yay Dee." My mom's voice... It warmed my heart and give her a kiss. The off we went. Sarah was pulling me hard... My stomach felt funny again at mile 19 and I had to stop. At mile 20 I thought ok I. An do this but my body started to fight me... Just before mile 21 I saw my mom and sister again, I told them I'm hurting... My mom just simply said you got this. At mile 21.5 my body just was tired. I sent Sarah on her way. I just couldn't keep the pace anymore. I thought ok just try to jog a half mile at a time. 

By 22 I took a break and sent my mom a note that I was walking. This is where I met Ali. She said are you walking the rest of the way... I said I just want to finish no matter what. She said my shin hurts and I just can't keep pace with the guys I was with. I thought if could walk/jog I could finish in 4:30, but just after 22 I tried to jog again but couldn't. It hurt. At 23 I told my mom 23...walking. Of course she said ok keep going. My hamstring and glut were screaming. So at 24 I sent another message to my mom... Still walking. She replied it's ok... Once again 24 same message she replied again you can do it... This is when Ali started to just talk. I won't tell Ali's story because I can't do the story the amazing justice it deserves... All I can say is that she is probably the most amazing runner I have ever met. I will never forget Ali. Every time I start to doubt myself I will think of Ali. Every time I think it's hard or I can't do it I will think of Ali. I told her well let's run when we see mile 26... At mile 25 I told Ali that I hear this was a hard mile. The man at the marker was so nice and was like you got this ladies!! It made me smile.


Just after 25.50 I hear someone yelling my name... My mom and my sister were at the next turn... I told them as I approached them I just want to finish. They said well we can walk. If I would have had tear they would have come out. I was so happy to see my mom and sister. So they followed us. 


Then we turned another corner and I looked up only to see another familiar face... Sue... She is the Indiana RRCA rep and how I was able to win the entry into the race. She hugged me and said I'm running you to the finish. I was so overwhelmed that I just took off. 



FINISH!!! 4 hours and 36 seconds! It may not be a PR and it's even my worst time but you know what I'm still round. My head is still up high and I finished!!! 


Monday, October 14, 2013

Volunteering is Rewarding

Yesterday 45,000 people set out for the goal to complete the Chicago Marathon. Many runners were out there for the first time, trying to set a PR or just hoping to make it to the finish. Earlier this year I made it a goal that since I wasn't going to be able to run Chicago this year based on my marathon schedule that I would volunteer. I really believe in giving back to those who have given so much to me. This is one of the reasons I coached runners this past winter and summer. I love being able to see people to the finish.

The Calumet Region Striders handle mile 5 of the 26.2 marathon. This is in the Lincoln Park Zoo and one very pumped up water stop!

Volunteering yesterday was so amazing. First I got to see the Elites come through. WOW!

Then seeing so many smiling faces of people I knew. Getting hugs from a couple of them. High fives and thank yous felt awesome. I cheered for as many people as I possibly could. When you are a runner you know how good it feels to get support from the crowd.


After we started to finish our water stop I started thinking of how awesome it was. I got hugs from two of my very good running friends. I even got a little teary eyed thinking of all my friends out there pushing through the race. 

We made our way to Charity village to hear stories of the remaining parts of the race. Some heart breaking finishes and some just so happy they completed the full race. I must say volunteering has humbled me in a way I didn't expect. Seeing a stranger smile just because you yelled their name and cheered for them is so awesome! It ghas truly made me appreciate those who have been out there to see me through a race. 

Congrats to everyone to finished yesterday! Especially those who completed their first marathon!! 


Saturday, October 12, 2013

15 Minutes of Fame... One year later.

Four years ago I was not a runner. I was never athletic or even active that much. Then many things changed for me and I became one of those "runners." Its true I am that girl out the door at 6am meeting a friend to run laps around Cedar Lake on a beautiful fall morning... Guess what I love it and others are the ones missing out. Seeing the sunrise over the lake on a quiet fall morning cannot be replaced.

Last year at this time I was eagerly awaiting my 2nd marathon ever. I was so excited to run in the big city of Chicago with the amazing people I met running with OE all summer long. I felt like this would just be something special. Well as it turns out it was an amazing experience... One that I will never forget. There is no comparison to being that girl... you know the one that was on the front page of the Tribune last year... I take extreme pride in what this has done. I have befriended so many runners just by being on this front page.



This year I will stand at mile 5 hanging out water to all the amazing people who will take in Chicago in 2013 and #ownit. I'm excited for every single person I know who will take on the streets of Chicago tomorrow. May the wind be at your back, your legs feel light, the sun stay behind the clouds and carry you to the best marathon to date! Enjoy every second. Chicago is an amazing city full of 1000's of people ready to cheer for you! 

I never thought I would run and especially run a marathon or even now marathon"s."  No matter what your goal you are never too old to set your sights...



Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Just Run

Today's blog will be short, sweet and maybe even worth the read. I have a Northwest Indiana Tweet Up to get to tonight...

Running... is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to rapidly move on foot.. at least that is what Wikipedia tells me that running is... I can't say I agree. I do often get the question how do you do that? In fact last week I had to go to Ohio and I saw some family I had not seen in a long time and they asked me that quite a bit. My response is always the same left, right, left then right again... repeated for X number of miles.

As someone who tries coaching others to weight loss and running success I often encourage people to just go. This is one of the best parts about running. You need very little.... Shoes, clothing and out the door I go most days. I don't need to drive to get to a place to workout. I just open up my front door and run.

Today was one of those runs that just felt amazing... The weather felt amazing. I felt good and none of my injuries reoccurred during the run. I paid no attention to pace and got a surprise when I was done... my pace was much faster than I ever would have expected. I even got a compliment from the Merrillville High School Boys Cross Country team as our running paths crossed.


 I couldn't be happier to be back to running, back to the sport that gives me much more than I often realize and out my door.


What else could stop you from just running...


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Nothing to say... Except this

A follower told me today that u haven't been blogging enough so here is what's up...
The week after the Air Force marathon was brutal. I could hardly walk I hurt so much... Basically my life looked like this...


So I have rested and then rested some more... Honestly there is nothing worse than a runner who cannot run. Running gives me a time alone or a time with a friends that I desperately need. There are times when I can run silently with a friend and feel that it was time well spent. Then there are times when I run with a friend and I feel so much better about so many things. I amazed by the connections that running has brought me... If she is reading this blog then she knows who she is. The last year she has brought so much needed friendship to my life as I have brought to her's. I am so thankful for it. 

This past week I mustered up two runs for a total of 7 miles... Well then I still didn't feel 100%... 

I would say today is the first day I woke up and thought hmm I could run today... This scared me. I can't lie I'm nervous and totally freaked out...What if it hurts... What if it's too hard to get going or I can't perform well... So I told myself this... 

Then I knew I had to have a plan. I am not someone who can just run and just figure it out as I go. I need to plan and make it work the best I can.
I have two weeks to prepare for this... Another race that my amazing parents are willing to support me through.


Fortunately I have a two week program to help guide me this week and next. I know what needs to be done and how to prepare for a marathon by now. I plan to run smart, eat well, change nothing, believe, and pray. I know that through my beliefs in The Lord I have the strength, determination and power to do anything I set my mind to. Plus for extra motivation I volunteered for the Calumet Region Striders mile 5 water stop at the Chicago Marathon. I can't wait to cheer on my friends! Go get that marathon guys!