Run, Kimmy, Run!

better late than never...???

marathon pictures are HERE.

posted by Kim @ 11:50 PM 0 comments

From Nike ad...

Run like a New Yorker and just do it.
Run like you're from Queens and fuhgeddaboutit.
Run like you're from Brooklyn and do the right thing.
Run like you're from The Bronx and boogie down.
Run like you're from Staten Island and don't give a !*#!*?!
Run like you're from Manhattan and make it happen.
Run like you love New York, and if you can make it here, well, you know the rest.

Run like the city and never stop. Run like a New York minute is a time you can beat. Run like the sound of traffic is your standing ovation. Run like you can't be bought. Run like you can't be beat. Run like there is no finish line in the city that never sleeps. RUN LIKE THE CITY.

posted by Kim @ 8:22 PM 0 comments

THE marathon

Alright. Finally decided to sit down and write about the marathon. It feels like it was so long ago, but it's an experience that i will never forget.

Lindsay and I touched down in San Francisco on Thursday afternoon. After getting settled and walking around for a bit, we went for a short 30 minute run around the area, down to the pier, and back up to our hotel.



Just about everyone got into town the next day, so we went to the expo and picked up our race numbers, made signs for Lindsay's parents to cheer for us, and walked up and down a few too many hills (some so steep that there were STAIRS on them!!!) while sightseeing.



Saturday morning, we had team run early in the morning. Just an easy 20 minute run, led by Coach Ramon, to keep our muscles warmed up and limber! We were told to stay off our feet for the rest of the day. We went to a pasta party with some great speakers and afterwards, had a team meeting.



We were told to stand up and tell our stories -- why we are running. I was a little hesitant at first, but once people started standing up and sharing their stories, I thought...you know, I need to do this. I AM running for a reason, and they should all know what it means to me. The second I opened up my mouth, I choked up and started crying while trying to sound coherent (all of you that know me all too well know that I am a big crybaby, so this should come as no surprise to you) -- I joined Team in Training and am running because it was how I chose to support my mom while being so far away. She was diagnosed only a few short months after I moved to New York and I couldn't stand idly by while my mom was going to doctor's appointments and chemotherapy treatments and I had no way to physically be there. Everyone has their different ways of dealing with things like that, and this was mine. It was almost like therapy to me to be out there in Central Park while we trained...and constantly talking about cancer and finding a cure and how it affects all of us. I thanked everyone in that room for making such a huge difference in the lives of cancer patients, survivors and their families. Our chapter, alone, raised more than $1 million dollars. The whole marathon raised about $24 million this year. Because of the fundraising of these people and their dedication to this cause, more and more people diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers have a higher chance of survival and remission. Our whole team is like a family -- we all experienced this together (for most of us, our very first marathons) and this was our last get-together before the next morning when we would head to Union Square for the starting line. We were all kind of emotional. We got our last "good luck!" from our coaches and TNT staff and then were on our own.

After a big pasta dinner that night (carbo loading!), Jess, Lindsay and I soaked our feet in the bathtub with epsom salt in preparation for the next morning. We put our "SHHH! Runners sleeping!" sign on the door and hit the hay.





I got up for breakfast a little before 4am. After my bagel and peanut butter, water and gatorade, I put on my gear. Both Lindsay and I kept to ourselves. iPods in our ears....jamming to our "powersongs" to get hyped up...mentally prepare...and then were in the lobby at 6am. The NYC chapter of TNT was definitely the loudest and possibly the biggest group in the lobby that morning. We got a last minute pep talk, took pictures and then made our way to Union Square.




Aviva (running buddy) and I lined up with our pacing group and met up with her friend that lives in San Francisco, Donny. He decided to just run the first 10 miles with us....just for fun!!

The groups all started moving towards the starting line....fastest runners first...by the time our group got to the Start, I was ready! They timed it perfectly, as if they KNEW I was coming through.....and I know this because as we approached the Start, we hear "I'm bringing sexy back.....YUP!" That's right. You can't go wrong when you start off a long run with a little Justin Timberlake, right?



It went kind of slowly at first. There are just too many people....so some of us ended up running on the sidewalk (everyone else was on the street) in order to pass some of the walkers and slower runners. Donny was great entertainment for us. As we ran, he pointed out certain landmarks, told us a little bit of history, cracked jokes....it felt just like any other day in Central Park.

It felt easier. We were having fun. Well...until mile 6. Distance-wise, we were fine. But, mile 6 marked the beginning of the biggest hill. It wasn't SUPER steep but it was a very long hill. It was basically a mile of uphill, a little break of a downhill, then uphill again. BUT...totally worth it. Once we hit a downhill, we found ourselves running along the water and the most AMAZING view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The water was covered with early morning fog with the Bridge over it. Breathtaking. Like a postcard.



We continued to run through Ghiradelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, some residential areas, etc etc etc. I didn't really start to feel any fatigue until about mile 9. Aviva and I were right on schedule with our pace, but I think that hill really killed me. We were up and down hills throughout the whole course, so that was the only bad one. With the elevation, we ran through fog for a good amount of time, which meant it was cold! Running along the beach was kind of chilly, too

People were all along the race course, cheering for us, calling out our names. They did a good job of keeping your spirits up and helping out with the mental part of running (which I am convinced is 70 percent of the effort...mind over body!). I ran into Coach Christine at mile 11 and she ran with me for a bit. By this point, Aviva and I got separated. I was starting to lose my stride and she was doing well, so I told her to keep going. Christine gave me a (literal) pat on the head, told me she was proud of me and sent me on my way. Shortly after, I saw Lindsay's parents on the sidelines and I heard her dad say "you're almost there!"




Sure enough, a few feet later, I turn a corner and SEE the finish line in the distance (Ocean Beach). I take that as my cue to book it. I muster up what's left and sprint to the finish. 3:33:29 -- that was my time. Not fabulous, but for stopping while Aviva relieved her bladder (THREE TIMES! I never had to go) and a few times to take in the view (even taking a picture at the GG bridge), it's not too bad. whatever...I finished!! That was my goal.



Oh...I forgot to mention. There were San Francisco firemen in tuxedos waiting for us right after the finish line. They held silver trays with little blue boxes on them. That's right....our "finisher's medals" weren't traditional medals, but rather specially designed Tiffany & Co. "finisher necklaces."



I picked up some food in the TNT tent and stretched while I waiting for Lindsay and others to finish the full. Once we were all stretched and refueled, we went back to cheer for fellow teammates as they finished. By the time we got back to the hotel, we were exhausted. We each took a long soak in the bathtub and just like that, it was all over. (Until the next time!)

Thank you all SO SO SO much for all of your support. It has been a long journey but the support from all of my friends and family (and strangers!) totally got me through it. Thank you for the difference you all have made in the lives of cancer patients and their families everywhere. Just like words cannot fully describe what I went through during those 13.1 miles and all the miles preparing for them, words cannot express my gratitude to all of you.

...i'll send out an online photo album once i collect the last of my friend's photos from the weekend!

go to http://www.nike.com/nikemarathon/ if you want to check out the course! there's a video and all that fun stuff.

posted by Kim @ 4:20 PM 1 comments

I left my heart in San Francisco

We're back!! Our plane landed back in New York last night and I am now a half-marathoner.

15,000 runners and walkers. 4,500 from Team in Training. More than $24 MILLION has been raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the 2 years that the Nike Women's Marathon has been in existence. In its third year, it is expected to reach $40 million. How amazing is that?

Anyways...San Francisco was beautiful. We caught the most amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge at some point after the GIANT hill at mile 6-7. The sun was just coming up and there was fog all along the bottom of the bridge. It looked like a postcard.

I'll have a full run-down of the weekend up tonight, hopefully. An email, too. Just trying to get all caught up on the week's worth of work that I missed, so I'll work on that tonight. Keep an eye out for that. I'm waiting on pictures from some people so when I have a full album, I'll send that out.

All you need to know for now is that I crossed the finish line!

posted by Kim @ 3:03 PM 0 comments

...and AWAY we go!

T-minus 1 day!!!

So, in just a bit more than 24 hours, Lindsay and I are off to the west coast to take over San Francisco!!

I'm more excited than nervous at this point. I'm looking forward to a nice vacation, some sightseeing, gorgeous weather (compared to this rainy NY weather!) and...believe it or not....the 13.1 miles. I'm finally starting to feel normal again after being sick for a few days, so I haven't been out for a run in more than a week! It's weird. Who ever thought I'd MISS being outside and running?

My plan is to approach the race just like any of our long distance training runs. I'm not shooting for a specific time. I just want to get out there, see the city on foot, wave to the cheering crowds and cross that finish line alive!! I'm almost kind of sad that this whole experience is almost over, but I'll be sure to soak up every moment of this weekend and, of course, remember the very reason(s) why I am out there. Team in Training will no doubt be the biggest presence out there this weekend. This specific race is in existence for the sole purpose of raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will be THOUSANDS of us out there in support of this cause that has become so very close to my heart in the last year.

Our New York City chapter, alone, has raised close to $1 million. At this time last week, we were at about $990,000 and rising.

So, here is one last THANK YOU -- GRACIAS -- MERCI -- GRAZIE -- DANKE -- ARIGATO -- SALAMAT!!! Thank you so much for your donations, your words of encouragement, your prayers, your support...everything!

The next time you hear from me, I will officially be a half-marathoner!! Have a great weekend and think happy thoughts for me on Sunday eaaarrrrllly in the morning!!!

Love,
Kim

posted by Kim @ 10:08 PM 0 comments

what hurts the most...

After my 10 mile run yesterday, I'm super sore today. I did a fair amount of stretching, but I was ready to get OUT of that park after almost 2 1/2 hours there, so perhaps I didn't do enough. At any rate, let's just say....I'm in a little bit of pain. Everywhere. But, it's okay. That was my LAST long run before marathon day!! We're in the "tapering phase," so while we will continue to run, we're not doing long distances anymore. When the day comes, we'll be ready to push through the last few miles (evident in our long runs) so the half marathoners are only doing 6 miles at the most, just to keep our muscles limber and in running condition.

TWO MORE WEEKS!!!!!

posted by Kim @ 8:12 PM 0 comments

Joy-zee

She didn't leave me. :-P

(and, for the record, I walked out of my door at 6:15. I was holding things in my hand -- didn't bother putting them in my bag just yet JUST SO I could be out the door at 6:15. HA!)

Anyways, Lindsay was kind enough to serve as our driver on a nice little drive to escape the city. The park was right by Rutgers University.

The trails and surrounding trees and water served as wonderful scenery and the weather was PERFECT, if not a little chilly at first (to the point where you could see your breath) -- but once you got running, you warmed up and it was great.

it was very early.

and we were very sleepy.

i don't actually have any pictures from the actual trails...haha.

posted by Kim @ 3:42 PM 0 comments