Why We Run The Dallas White Rock Marathon

Friday was a day I really was looking forward to.  It was my second year to participate in the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital White Rock Marathon T-shirt Event.  I would get to sit with other athletes and patient champions, and autograph special t-shirts for the kids that were staying at the hospital.  It’s an event that brings everything into focus, as to what this race is about.  Sure this would be my first full marathon, but all participants for the full, half, and relay were running for these kids, and those who will need this hospital in the future.

Since the hospital’s inception in 1921, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has treated patients regardless of the family’s ability to pay. The hospital relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to continue its mission.

As a patient I have gone through what these kids have had to endure.  I may be further down the road in my recovery, but knowing what they are dealing with on a daily basis takes me back, and makes me feel very grateful for the battles I have won.  I could not have done it without the doctors at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

I really enjoyed and appreciated seeing the smiles on the faces of these special kids.  They have gone through so much adversity, and still look as happy as can be.  After all of the hard training, early mornings, long Saturday runs, and overall exhaustion, this event gave me the boost I needed.

Will

The power within yourself to be amazing.  We all have it; we just forget that this power is here with us, all the time.  The door we forget to open can lead us down an amazing road.

Just turn the knob and open it. It’s there.  Believe that it is.

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Flighty blogger I am!

When someone goes a long time without writing in their blog, ESPECIALLY if it is a blog devoted to Health and Fitness, folks come to the same conclusion for the most part; “yep…. she fell off the wagon into a pile of Moon Pies!”

Well I am here to tell you – NO.  I just got lazy with my writing – *sigh* yet again.  As for my training, yes I am still at it. I do admit though, I am experiencing runner’s burnout a bit.  Maybe it is the cooler weather, or maybe the training that I have put myself through, either way I am a little tired.

I missed a couple of runs last week, due to ongoing foot soreness from that 20+ miler on Oct 22nd.  I took a couple of doggie walks, and rode the bike at the gym for some crosstraining.  I am back at it again this week though!

I finally bought a better pair of running shoes, since my Nike Pegasus were bottoming out at mile 18 on a regular basis.  I found some Brooks Glycerin 8’s at DSW for $70.  They were 2010’s model, and had just recently been replaced by the Glycerin 9’s.  I felt safe enough to try them out, instead of the $130 9’s.

The first run was a little sketchy at first, but after my left foot loosened up, I was able to comfortably run.  The next day I ran a little over 5 miles, and enjoyed the shoes even more!  The third run I really enjoyed them!

I’m going to use them on my first long run tomorrow.  I am curious to see how they do.  Tomorrow’s run is a 14 miler, so I should have a really good idea how these will hold up, when I do 20 miles again the next week, and the marathon in December.

Which reminds me….

I finally registered!!

 

Easy now Trigger….

Time is drawing near.  My very first marathon is in a little over three weeks!  My training seems to have been going on for most of the year, and my miles sure have added up.  I started training back during the second week of June, and since I still had a good fitness level I was able to ramp up pretty quickly, and then ease back about every other weekend.  I even threw in a two-week break from long training, without any sacrifice.

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A strong start but a tougher finish

My long runs have been a challenge for me ever since that 21-miler a couple of months ago.  They continue to be the bane of my existence, but I still keep trying to circumvent the problem, so I can actually kill as many runs above 20 miles, that I can.  The White Rock Marathon is but 40 days away, and I am still not yet satisfied with how my feet are holding up on the latter miles.

Saturday I headed out at about 7:30 to see just how far I could get.  My goal was a 20+, as for whatever mileage was after that, I would consider it as a cupcake bonus cherry on top.

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