the Chicago Marathon..Am I CRAZY?

2nd "CHECK" off of the Bucket List!

2009-10-13T11:47:00.046-05:00

6 days before the Chicago Marathon

...I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. Actually, I take that back, I was nervous until my co-worker Mark asked if I wanted to run with him as a running partner. He seemed to have a plan for pace, where to start in the line up, when to eat breakfast, what to do if it rained - these were things I hadn't even been thinking about which is probably where my anxiety was coming from earlier that week - "The UNKNOWN". Once I had him on my side and knew that I WASN'T going to be a lonely wolf among 45,000 others, my mind eased a bit. I knew that I could do this, if I had someone to bear 26.2 miles with...

Mark and I run pretty much the same pace, 14:00/mile. the 14:00 counts in walking breaks, stopping to stretch, walking through the water stations, etc. Mark assured me that if we kept that pace we would finish plenty of time before the 6 hour 30 minute mark. I felt completely confident that I would finish this thing with an "ain't no thang" attitude!

If you know me well, which most of you do if you are reading this, you know that I am a Nervous Nellie...you know that I get all uptight about being places on time, you know that I like to be prepared and you know that I tend to get all excited/upset about things that aren't really in my control...For some reason, I was calm for the remaining of the week leading up to the actual "Big Day". People kept asking me if I was ready? or if I was nervous? and much to my surprise, I WAS ready, and I WASN'T nervous. I look back on it and I assume it was because, I had trained for 18 weeks to my best ability, and I have prepared myself for this as much as I could, and there was nothing I could do about it now (I missed my 20 mile training run)- This was about trying my best, and crossing that finish line somewhere before the close of the marathon at 6 hours and 30 minutes. I was not concerned about hitting a crazy goal, or finishing before this person, or worrying about the massive amounts of people that would pass me along the way...All I knew is that, I have worked so hard for the last 18 weeks, and I was going to enjoy every step along that 26.2 mile journey to the end. I also had a great support system right there with me, back in Iowa, in Louisville, in Wisconsin, and in Omaha...that would love me whether I crossed the finish line or not.

Saturday, The day before the Chicago Marathon...

Chicago Marathon, Fitness Expo

We went to pick up my racing packet at the Fitness Expo. There were people every where-all ages and sizes! You could feel the energy in the large, expansive room where hundreds of vendors gave away free samples and lured every other person in for an demonstration of the latest and greatest products. Granted there were probably at least 5,000 other people at the expo while I was there, but strangely I felt a connection to most of them. I could feel their excitement for the next day radiating and bouncing off the walls. I could feel the nervousness turning in their stomaches, the anxiety ditching and diving in peoples heads, I could almost feel what the end of this journey would feel like. But I had yet to grasp the incredible task that hung before us and the act of running 26.2 miles-ALL AT ONCE!...that would have to wait for the next day. and still my nerve level was in a moderate status!

The Stick, I could use one..

The Night before the Marathon...

For dinner that night, we met up with our dear Wisconsin friends, Jeremy and Jessica and her Dad, David. David, a native of Chicago, took us to a wonderful restaurant/grocery store called Gio's which is nestled in a quaint neighborhood South of dowtown. Gio's is actually a grocery store that specializes in italian eatery. It also serves as a restaurant, with red and white checkered table cloths, BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine), and delicious smells radiating from the open kitchen, with an authentic Sopranos feel. Just like it's neighborhood, Gio's was small and quaint and proved to be more than excellent in all of our eyes. My thanks to David for taking us to such a superb place to make this weekend even more memorable and special with such an authentic Chicago experience. I could not have thought of any better way to spend the night before the race than with such special people.

Gio's

Later that night after an awesome Hawkeye victory over Michigan, I meticulously packed my running bag for the next morning, laid out my running clothes, attached my bib to my jersey, did an emotional check of my nerves...yep still doing good. My sister-in-law had brought half her medicine cabinet in case I would have trouble sleeping due to nerves...(bless her heart) Actually, I slept really really well for sleeping in a hotel with out an alcohol induced coma to get me through the night. I don't sleep well in strange places :)

The Big Day...Sunday, October 11th, 2009

The wake up call came sooner than later, 5:00 am - the race started at 7:30am and I needed to be in Charity Village, where Dance Marathon had their own hospitality tent, by 6:30 am. If you know me well, you all know that I am not a morning person! Infact, for me to see 5:00 AM on a clock is a mortal sin in my book, but this particular morning I was living, breathing and moving off of pure adrenaline. I was ready to get this thing going! Instead of nerves I was feeling excitement - Today is going to be a great day! Me and 45,000 other people will be doing something that is not attempted by many people in this world. Excitement and a little anxiety consuming me, I choked down a quick breakfast of a bagel, banana and water...and out the door we went.

So chipper for 6:15am...Don't expect it to happen again

It was a brisk 35 degree morning, the sun just starting to peek over Lake Michigan's Horizon as I said my tearful goodby's to Heather and Casey (you would've thought I was going off to war!). I crossed into Charity Village and resonating in my head were their voices saying, "You will do great!" and "You can do it's!" as I trudged through the mud pit (it had rained in Chicago for 3 days before the marathon, causing quite a mess) wishing I had plastic grocery bags to cover my shoes like the others...

I arrived at the Dance Marathon Tent, a sea of Black and Gold jerseys slapped me in the face as I entered - nothing but students that were much younger, much leaner and much more chipper at 6:45am. oh boy...what did I get myself into to? I quickly calmed myself and started to prepare my gear; phone- check, my magic beans- check, headband- check, ibuprofren- check, Ipod- check, my sanity....................HA! I lost that a long time ago, when i decided to train for this crazy thing!

Quickly we took the Dance Marathon group picture, I stalked my running buddy Mark to the start corral, and we filed into a massive crowd of other runners to the back-like a bunch of cattle. I can't really explain in words, the crazy excited feeling that was contagiously growing in my heart. It was pounding with aniticipation which was building with each beat. As we waited for the crowd to move forward - I saw smiles and high fives, people stretching. Not to mention the sweat pants and shirts flying like discarded toys from a 3 year old. A group eventually collects all of the discarded clothing along the route, washes them, and than gives them to homeless shelters -I thought this was very cool and I hope that someone is enjoying my way comfy $6 Hanes Her Way sweatpants!

As we stood there, Mark and I went over our game plan again, and Mark slipped in that if at any time I felt I could keep going and he couldn't, than by all means to keep going. I told him I didn't forsee that happening - we run at the same pace and I enjoy walk breaks! 20 minutes after the marathon officially started - Mark and I finally crossed the START line!

...And than I started my tour of the beautiful downtown area of Chicago. I'm pretty sure I now understand why it is called the Windy City - SO COLD! Mobs of people lined up along the sidewalks cheering the runners on. Homemade signs stating we were heros, cow bells, noise makers, blow horns, there was just an incredible energy that surrounded all of us...it was amazing to me that at 8am in the morning, so many people had risen on a COLD Sunday to cheer on 45,000 crazy people through the streets. It was such an astounding feeling as we ran through these crowded streets, large buildings towering us - I was running on pure adrenaline, it almost felt as if I was being carried along, enjoying the sites at the same time. such a crazy, really good feeling...

3 miles into the race...

Mark and I ran into Amy, his wife, and friends who all gave us high fives and told us we were doing great. Put on a little Runner's Glide and continued on our merry way - "Way to Go Hawkeyes" bounced from both sides of the street - Thanks to our awesome Dance Marathon Jersery's - bright gold with a large black tiger hawk in the middle, we were easily spotted through out the day not only by our family members, but also by Iowa fans. There are a lot of fans in Chicago!

10 miles into the race...

By this time we had passed a Bono wanna-be karaoke-esque band playing "It's a Beautiful Day", and than on to Boys Town, which was my most favorite part of the marathon, Drag Queens posing, waving, and cheering on runners. There was great music and definately the most entertaining - I almost wanted to stop and hang out...

A funny story as we ran through Boys Town- there were a group of men spectating
and cheering, and one of them said as we neared "Let's Go Hawkeyes!" and another
guy in the group asked: "Did you say "Let's Go Hot Guys"?" Shortly after that, a
woman who had been running in front of us for the last several miles - said
"yeah, where are these Hot Guy's, everyone is cheering on?" haha..we had to
explain that they were saying "Hawkeyes" not "Hot Guys" ...although I do have to
admit that a few HOT guys running in front of me towards the end of the
marathon, would have been a great motivation piece...

10 miles is also where I saw Casey and Heather for the first time along the route! Big hugs and congratulations were given and also a stop for a few photo ops and lets not forget Elvis performing in the middle of the street! I was still feeling really good at this point - my muscles were starting to get a little tight and stiff, but i was still breathing good and felt like my energy was at a good level. I ended up giving my Ipod to Heather because I had yet to even turn it on, due to the excitement going on around me. To hear everyone cheering us on is what i needed - it was like having personal cheerleaders constantly there by your side.

Mark and I lookin' good at Mile 10!

and then came mile 13...HALF WAY!!!!!

Mark's foot and upper leg started to give him trouble by this point. We stopped and stretched our muscles and at one of the water stations Mark grabbed a wrap for his leg. We had run into his wife and stopped for a short chat - once again awesome high fives, hugs and encouraging words. I can't tell you how much of a huge difference it makes to have a good support system that you see and talk to along the way. This journey could not have been completed with out them. Amy had said as we were leaving, that we were expected to finish the marathon at 6 hours and 12 minutes. This stuck in my head...I started to get nervous that if we took too many walk breaks we wouldn't make it. I was still feeling really good, my calf muscles were pretty tight, but otherwise I felt good. On our next walk break, I asked Mark if it was ok if I went ahead - he graciously said "No problem! I don't want to hold you back". So quietly and feeling a little guilty that I was leaving my running partner behind, I trudged on. I then ran 4 miles by myself...

MILE !@#$% 17...

Mile 17 is when I started to hate my life. My body was going down hill fast, I was getting tired and the crowds along the streets were getting more and more scarce. In fact, there were points where there was nothing but the open street, you, and a few other runners. Without my Ipod this left a lot of free time for my mind to wander, and all I could think about was my pain and how many more damn miles I had left - I believe this is when I hit my wall. I was so out of it that I didn't see my family and friends right in front of me! some how they dragged me out of my pain induced stupor and I realized our friends Jeremy, Jess and David had joined the Smith Cheering Section. As I caught my breath, I leaned into the husband and started to cry saying that "I don't think I can do this...". Encouraging words flooded me and tears were wiped away. I gulped down 4 Ibuprofren without water, which is a hard task for me because of my annoyingly sensative gag reflex, but I got them down. Not sure if they really helped, but at that time, I liked to think they did.

Mile 17 when I couldn't even recognize my own family..

Just before I was about to take off again, Jessica bopped around the spectator gate and said to me "I'm running the next 3 miles with you!". Ha, at this point nothing shocked me...I said ok, which is all I could muster. So Jess in her tennis shoes, jeans, and sweater joined me on the marathon route. Later I learned from the Husband that he was considering running with me, but knew that Jess was a much better option - because I couldn't wine and cry to her like I could with him! Good point Babe!

Jessica, My Savior, running with me!

Jessica was the best thing that could have happened to me at that point. She kept my mind far away from my pain which seemed to get worse by the mile. she was constantly talking to me, taking pictures, chatting with the other runners - keeping the mood light and fun which is exactly what I needed.

3 miles later...

Jess taking my pic at Mile 20!

We made it to 20 miles and Jess thought it was so much fun that she decided to keep running with me. What a crazy girl in her jeans, non-sports bra, and sweater to run 9 miles with gimpy Cheri. Along the marathon, I saw many signs stating that we were peoples hero's for running 26.2 miles. Jessica was my hero - she helped me through one of the toughest tasks that I will ever endure in this life of mine, and I owe her big time. The place my head was in at mile 17, was nothing but a faint memory - she pulled me out of a dark, dwindeling hole that I would have sank into if it wasn't for her, and not to mention my fabulous family and friends, that kept popping up at random spots along the route. To see them and their faces was another positive uplifting grace that helped me move along to the next mile - tears and smiles appearing not only on my face but theirs as well every time we met.

Mile 23...uhhhhh

Mile 25...

So, I thought mile #17 was bad...this, mile 25, by no comparison was THE WORST 1.2 MILE IN MY LIFE! My body felt as if it had gone through war and back, my mind was in shreds, and my will to live was slowly slipping away. There is nothing like knowing that you are oh so close to the end, but it feels oh so long and far away from the finish. I wanted so badly to just be done, to sit down, to eat (I was starving), to hug my husband and family, and mostly to just CRY! A marathon is not only a physically demanding journey, but a mental journey too. I am pretty sure I experienced every emotion there is to feel that day. This 25th mile is when I needed Jessica the most, she spouted encouragement with her every breath beside me, she even made me laugh at times, and danced to the Cupid Shuffle with me, the best is that she ensured that I would finish this and I knew she would make sure of it, she was not running 9 miles in jeans just for me to quit so close to the end.

Jess pushing me along the last mile!

Eventually, I made it towards the end of that terrible mile marker and sadly, Jessica had to leave me as I turned off of Michigan Avenue to finish the race on my own. I trudged up the hill (WHO THE HELL PUTS A HILL AT THE END OF A MARATHON?!) and I finally saw the beautiful FINISH line that I had been looking for, for the last 26 miles...and something came over me - it could have been the desperate need to sit down, or that I wanted to make sure I was still alive, I don't know, but I felt my pace start to pick up. I heard my sister-in-laws voice first - "you're doing it!" "you can do it!" emotion filling her voice and tears in her eyes, as soon as I heard that, and saw that, tears immediately filled mine too, my throat growing tight with emotion, trying to keep it all under control - because i knew they would be taking my picture at the end, and let's just face the facts - nobody looks pretty crying! :)

The Finish Line...

I can't even tell you how good it felt to cross the finish line, emotion flooding me as I watched my family on the other side of the fence cheering me on when I crossed at 6 HOURS & 7 MINUTES. I was Done, I was Done, I was Done - I made it...tears streaking my face, I walked through and grabbed a banana, crackers, bagels, water, and ice. I couldn't get to my family and friends fast enough...immediately my muscles and body started to stiffen up and it was hard to walk. Finally, the never ending fence ended, and I was reunited with my family and friends. I hugged the husband and cried, just so happy to be done and so happy to be in his arms again. I hugged all of my family and friends, a little dazed and just ready to go to bed! We eventually made it back to the hotel room, me walking like a mummy and in an enormous amount of pain! Thank god for Heather's, medicine cabinet in her purse - I was feeling pretty good later that night! Thanks to Heather and Casey for fetching me ice, pizza, and just plain moving my dead limbs for me when I couldn't. I couldn't ask for a better support team than you two! I love you!

so happy to be finished, now carry me home!

Recovery

Reflection...

If you remember my first post in this blog - I talked about how people had their doubts about me, and told me I was crazy and that I couldn't do it. Hell, I myself even had my doubts about this large and in charge goal I set for myself - but as you know, I am a tad stubburn, and don't like to be told I can't do something - so here's to completing my goal and surprising you all and most of all myself!

The most surprising feeling I have had as I look back on that chilly morning of October 11th, is that I remember all of the people cheering me on the most, their encouraging words, their high fives, and their signs - "YOU ARE MY HERO" stick in my head. I am having a hard time coming to terms with being called a hero. I feel as if, I was just some girl that took on a huge committment, and followed through with it and ended up accomplishing her goal. The people that are Hero's in my book, are the kids that fight cancer every day - they fight for their life and still keep a positive outlook. Hero's are the parents that stay strong for their children and go to lengths to keep them safe and healthy. Hero's are my family members that have either lost their battle to cancer or are currently fighting the battle. These people are heros to me, I am just a girl that is doing what they can't.

I have now raised $850 for Kids with Cancer and I could not have done it without you all - Thank you for your kind and genorous donations, I hope that you know how much good you have done and feel proud that you helped me and thousands of other kids here in Iowa to fight the fight!

So here we are, the end of the blog and I can't believe after 18 weeks of training and many faults along the way, I have finally reached this crazy goal I had set for myself, I hope you have enjoyed following me along, and yes, I plan to run again some day, but never a marathon! I am actually considering doing a 1/2 marathon in Chicago this Summer- maybe I'll start another blog!

So friends, I can officially say...#2 Check off of the BUCKET LIST!!

Running For The Kids,

Signing Off,

Cheri

Runner's High?????? Where are you?

2009-08-27T19:34:00.003-05:00

So....it is now officially 45 days until the Chicago Marathon...

Doom has been setting in; my head, my stomach, and life....i have never been so terrified of failing something. I have had so much support from my friends and family, there is nothing like having 25 cheerleaders at my beck and call, Thanks guys :) - yet i am having a hard time believing in myself. If you know me well, you know that this is nothing new, i guess my confidence hasn't made it as far as my endurance has on this journey.

My main issue: I don't feel ready - I'm scared of letting everyone down. I know I still have 45 days, but I can't seem to shake that dwelling, sinking feeling of failure. I am nervous about not finishing before the 6 hour and 30 minute mark, I am terrified that the officials will pull me out of the race before i can finish, and the husband will be waiting to take a finish line picture, and I will never come....I am scared about getting injured, and most of all I am so scared of letting everyone down, especially the people that have donated towards me and my cause.

This, my friends, is where you slap me and say "SUCK IT UP SISTER!"....wow thanks i needed that. There is no more "I can't" and "I won't", from now on, I will only focus on images of me crossing that finish line. It's time to get rid of the pity party! I know that as long as I do my best, that you guys will still love me and support me. Sometimes it takes having to write things out for me to really grasp what is really going on in my head. Thanks for letting me vent!

Now on to my progress...

It has been slow - I have had a nagging shin splint that just won't leave my side or rather my leg. So I took a few days off from running here and there. I went for a 5 mile run the other night and it felt great, yet on this 5 mile run, one question kept bothering me "When do I feel the runner's high that everyone talks about?" really, where is it? i have done 3 mile runs, 8 mile runs, 12 mile runs and even a 14 mile run and have never never never felt a high! If anything I have felt desperation and very possibly that "wall" that people refer to....

In Wikipedia terms, the runners high, is a rush of endorphins. Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during strenuous exercise. Endorphins work as natural pain relievers. ummmmm, okay, hellooooooo? waiting to meet you endorphins, really would have liked to see you on that 14 mile run a few Sunday's ago!

I have noticed there are two things that help me keep going when I just feel like I can't anymore.

1. I think about all of the people in my life that have been directly affected by cancer; Florence Heckerson, Wendell Heckerson, Donald Messenger, Mary Maxted and I fight for each of them one running step at a time. They carry me through one mile to the next, I am fighting for them and fighting against the demon called cancer. Knowing that I am fighting for them, inspires me to keep going and it is an amazing feeling of inspiration that carries me along the remaining trail.

2. I imagine myself in the moment. The moment when I will cross the finish line on October 11th. The great feeling of accomplishment. The feeling that I had just finished something that not everyone can do. I read a quote not too long ago and it went something like "they wouldn't call it a marathon, if everyone could do it". This is so true, I have put in so much time, dedication, and heart that it is stupid to let a side ache stop me from taking another step. So therefore, this keeps me going..... I know, I can, I will!

Sorry this was kind of a strange post, there have been many things going through my head the last couple of weeks. Stay tuned - there's more to come!

If anyone would like to donate towards me and children with cancer - you can do so online at www.kidsmiracles.org/cherismith - anything helps! thank you to all that have already donated towards this wonderful cause - you all have made such a huge difference in so many families and children's lives.

Run For The kids!

singing off - Cheri

One small step for Cheri, one giant leap for marathon training!

2009-07-24T11:15:00.010-05:00

So I promised you a positive post and that’s just what you’re gonna get!

~
I have lots of things to chat at you about…
I have officially and successfully run an 8 mile AND 12 mile run (on different days of course) – I do have to say the 8 mile run was much easier! Both runs went pretty well, although, I did end my 12 miler in tears only because I was never so happy to see the husband cleaning the vehicle in the driveway as I trudged up the sidewalk! He on the other hand thought I had lost a limb – and I had to explain between gasps for air, that they were happy tears! I currently have visions of me crossing the finish line in Chicago sobbing like I had just received a terrible haircut – that should make a pretty finish line picture! I can’t help the tears; I have never felt so proud, sore, exhausted, elated, and desperate to sit- all at the same time! During this 12 mile run all I remember was, wondering by mile 9, if I was ever going to see Hodge Street or the Husband again! It got pretty lonely on the running trail and desperation filled every pound of the pavement. Sometimes the IPod just doesn’t cut it!

~
2 new feats that have been introduced to me on these two runs…
A backpack that holds water – some would call it a camelback which is (I would still prefer the electric cooler) very handy, but the straw thing is a little difficult to suck water out of when you are panting like a Saint Bernard that has just walked around the block! Maybe I just have to break it in…don’t worry it sounds like there will be plenty of LONG runs for future trials! I do have to say that I was very glad to have that thing by mile 5 and 6 when your mouth is so dry your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth and you start hallucinating papa smurf running along with you – what? that doesn’t happen to you? Oh.

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The other new thing I was introduced to - GU. One word for you, 3 syllables…DIS-GUST-ING! GU is a product that runners/athletes will use during long periods of movement or exercise to reenergize/refuel themselves so they are able to sustain their level of exercise. So I went to running wild and picked up 2 different flavors – Chocolate and Strawberry Banana.

~ So there I am about mile 6, and I was instructed to eat the GU when I started to get tired, not just when my legs were tired, because that would have been at the end of our block! I was to take this when I felt like I was losing all my energy and losing my will to live or survive…
So here I am on a secluded part of the trail, ripping open my foil package of GU – I squeeze a little up and it has a faint resemblance to the consistency of toothpaste or hair gel. It is clear, with a tint of yellow/pink (I picked the strawberry banana) with gold sparkle flecks in it…yummy right? As the husband says..."Over the lips, over the gums, look out tummy, here she comes!"

ummmmm, not so much! Once that stuff hit my tongue my gag reflexes took control and half of the GU packet fell onto the ground in a big gel glob. UHHHHHHH sooooo gross, somehow I forced myself to finish the rest because I wasn’t sure how I was gonna make it home without the energy pick me up - all the while trying to outdo my gag reflexes (I felt like I was 6 again and my Mom was trying to force Triamenic down my throat)– thank god I had my awesome water backpack to wash it down with. I can hardly wait (sarcasm) to try the chocolate flavor that will be used on my 14 mile run this weekend. Ewwww.

~
So anyways…that is what has been going on lately, my runs during the week have been good, just having trouble fitting them in among every other life activity goin on this summer. I do have exciting news about my foot – IT NO LONGER GOES COMPLETELY NUMB ANYMORE! Sometimes I feel a tingle here and there, but it has yet to go numb like my early training days. Taking those two weeks off may have set me back a little with my training, but i'm pretty sure it is what my body needed to repair itself! This has boosted my confidence about 8 points on thinking/knowing that I will finish this journey successfully!

~
This Sunday I will be running 14 miles – why would anyone ever want to just run 14 miles? And say hey that sounds like a super idea! Anyways I carry my phone with me now, so I may be calling any one of you to rescue and peel me off of the pavement – bring your spatula!

~
One last thing – I have officially started fundraising for the cause that I am running for - Kids with Cancer, and so far I have raised $225.00! That is so awesome and I am thanking all you that have donated so far from the bottom of my heart! It is amazing how many great friends I have out there that are willing to part with their hard earned dollars! My goal is to reach $750 or more and if any of you are interested in helping me out with this goal it would be muchly appreciated and it's a tax write off!!!– I don’t care if you just give me the lint infested change in your pocket – every little bit helps! Thank you all for your love, support and encouraging words –you are the best!

To donate online: www.kidsmiracles.org/cherismith or email me at cheri-smith@uiowa.edu and I can give you my address if you would like to send a donation by mail.

~
Running For The Kids
Cheri

Me after my 12 mile Run...So Happy to be home

Vacation Moody Sucky Blues

2009-07-13T18:47:00.002-05:00

I just had the suckiest 3 mile run of my whole training!
Apparently my 2 week vacation has taken me back to flippin' SQUARE ONE of my training! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thank you Mexico for making my feet baby soft again so i get to relive all of my blisters again and also thank you for feeding me too much food and tequila so that i must start detoxing my body once again! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

This lovely run only adds to the awesome Vacation is over blues.....bummer :(

Tomorrow is a whole other day! Positive thinkings are trying to shove through...
Peace out friends! More to come later...(hopefully a more happier post)

RFTK
Cheri

Are you gellin?

2009-06-29T10:27:00.003-05:00

Hello Friends and Family,
I have officially finished my first “For Real” marathon training week and am on my way to finishing week #2 and #3! (I haven’t updated in a while…sorry about that!) A lot has happened since I last posted.
~
First, I would like to say that Dance Marathon has been doing a great job of sending us weekly emails with our training schedule, running groups/maps, healthy tips, and stretching exercises, etc. Very Helpful – Kudos to Dance Marathon Training group! I’m not sure that I would make it through this journey without the help of them.
~
Second, I have met with a nutritionist who works for the University of Iowa. She is FREE –which is my favorite thing about it! She has given lots of great tips about what to eat, when to eat, how to eat and all of those yummy things. If you’re interested check out this website: mypyramid.gov – lots of helpful facts and information there.
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Third, I tried out the new shoes that I bought from Running Wild. They felt good, but I was still having trouble with the foot going numb. Actually not just the original foot anymore, but now my toes on my other foot were going numb as well! Can’t a girl get a break! I chalked it up to being that they didn’t have enough room in the toe area and they were getting smashed??? I would stop every so often and take my shoe off, rub/massage the bottom of my foot and start all over again, frustration on the verge of every numbing step. So once again, Cheri had a mental breakdown on the couch downstairs…sometimes a girl just needs to have a good cry – that’s how I flush the system!
~
One thing I did not realize when I decide to sign up for this marathon, was that my emotional spirit would also be taken on a journey as well. I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t realize how draining it would be on my psyche. This will only make me stronger, repeat as needed!
~
I did go back to Running Wild and talked to a different guy who had a lot of great tips and actually fitted me with a shoe that had more support opposed to the only cushioned shoe I had before….I haven’t tried them yet but I will this weekend. He said that these will be better with my shin splints.
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Last bit of information is that I had an appointment with a Podiatrist, Dr. Scholz. Oh yes, that is her name! I had to laugh when I realized that, and couldn’t help but wonder if she legally changed her name to that?? She seems to think that I have carpal tunnel in my ankle which then causes the foot to go numb. Something to the effect of a nerve or artery is getting pinched and then cuts off circulation? I don’t know – she talked like Vanessa Huxtable’s friend Kara – so fast I only heard her ending words...she gave me inserts to put in my shoes that are supposed to force my foot to run on the outside instead of the inside, and then she mentioned something about SHOTS- If the inserts do not work!…I HATE SHOTS!
~
Ran a 5k on Saturday in Coralville for the 4th Fest, it was ok…once again I finished another race with a completely numb foot praying to God that I wouldn’t biff it at the finish line in front of 50 people! Thankfully I kept it together! Not sure what my next move is…guess I’m going to keep trying out the new inserts for the recommended 2 weeks by Dr. Sholz and go from there.
So now I am on my 4th official week of Marathon Training. I have borrowed my sister-in-laws treadmill which I am happy to have on the 95 degree days. Although, running on a treadmill is terribly boring and I think I may fall off due to boredom. It feels like it takes so much longer to run a 3mile run on a treadmill than outside. Maybe I can get one of those simulation screens so it feels like I’m going somewhere! =)
~
I head off to Mexico this week on Thursday, the husband said he will run with me while we are there…we’ll see how that works out! I’m not worried about him, I’m more worried about myself…
~
Audios Amigos!
RFTK
Cheri

Shin Splint This! Where the Sun Don't Shine!

2009-06-04T20:08:00.015-05:00

One of two things are happening with the incessant injuries I have accumulated...

1) It is possible that God is testing my very short limits. He knows that there is plenty of DVR'd reruns and Lifetime movies for me to watch, but thought that he would instill this crazy idea that running and training for a marathon would be the best thing for me to do during my summer!
OR

2) My Body is allowing every possible flippin' injury known to mankind happen to me- ON PURPOSE! The only injuries left to make my experience complete would be a stab wound and a concussion. I may be close to both. My body is apparently trying to show me how good I had it, before I started training for a Marathon. I believe it is safe to say that my body is laughing in my face right now.

Seriously ENOUGH already with the injuries!

Oh so in case you couldn't tell by the title of this lovely entry...I believe I now have a shin splint on my left leg. If you have never experienced one of these lovely delights - let me just tell ya! They hurt with every step or pound you make. I may have to result to crawling...

So I've done a little research on shin splints (such a dirty duo that name is). Basically, they suck and apparently I was supposed to be preventing all along and should have known that they were coming. This is going to sound really dumb but, I always thought a shin splint was like a "bone spur" i guess...splint - spur...see the similarities. I KNOW, Right?? But in smart people terms or wikipedia:

Although the term shin splints is often used to describe a variety of lower leg
problems, it actually refers specifically to a condition called Medial Tibial
Stress Syndrome (MTSS). To better understand shin splints, or
MTSS, Specifically, the pain associated with shin splints is a result of
fatigue and trauma to the muscle's tendons where they attach themselves to the
tibia. In an effort to keep the foot, ankle and lower leg stable, the muscles
exert a great force on the tibia. This excessive force can result in the tendons
being partially torn away from the bone

Neat Huh? So my muscle is pulling away! From the Bone!

So apparently since I didn't PREVENT my injury, cause i check out my disengaged muscles at least once a week...i need to pop Ibuprofen - Check, Ice the injury - Check, Rest and elevate, Check! hopefully it will be good once again! Probably some time next year but hey least I have goals!
~

On to other news...I think I may have figured out a solution to my ever increased thirst during my long runs. And since there really aren't any trails that provide water throughout our routes I have taken it upon myself to figure something out for the greater good. If you are a family member or friend of mine, I am sure you have been Hawkeye Tailgating once in your lifetime. I saw the coolest thing last year as I weaved in and out of a sea of black & gold - A MOTORIZED COOLER!... Yes folks, i would like to get a motorized cooler to follow me on my long runs...well maybe it should be ahead of me so i have a reason to keep running! Now how cool would that be? And they have comfortable seats that you can purchase and a special bar so you can pop a wheelie...see pictures below:

Look at this thing! Who wants to be my driver??!!! this is total genius! In fact I may hold auditions because I know quite a few people who would be sooooo willing to drive this for me! :)

So anyways enough kidding around! I start officially on my 16 week training program this Monday, June 8. 16 weeks will take me to the Marathon...That sounds so little an amount of time...I am very nervous because I will be running with the DM group and don't feel as if I am up to par...My injuries have kept me from doing my best, but this should only make me try harder, right? So on forward I go...This will be the first week with my new shoes too...I'll have to get back to ya on that subject to let you know if Running Wild fixed my problem or not!

~

Signing off....RFTK

Cheri

Get In My Belly!

2009-06-01T19:18:00.008-05:00

I have finished week 7 of Early Bird training! One more week left before I officially start my Marathon Training. I have seen a lot of positive changes this last week!

One, I am constantly hungry! No this is a good thing - i love to eat! And what better way than to burn an incessant amount of calories and then to be able to eat whatever the hell I want! ESPECIALLY CARBS! I love bread, pasta, crackers, fruit...must I say more! My metabolism must be going a mile a minute (a lot faster than I run) - because I can't seem to feed myself fast enough!

Two, My body is changing. In a good way - things are tightening up. yeah bikini season! Never thought i would utter those words. I'm starting to think that this marathon idea wasn't so crazy after all. I will get back to this thought in a few weeks :0)

Three, My endurance is climbing every day....Sunday I had a 6 mile run. This is the longest i have ever attempted. I did OK...I did better than i thought i would. I was just starving for water the last half of my run! and seriously contemplated and calculated the disease and germ factor if I were to take a few drinks from the creek flowing beside us. Where are the drinking fountains, City of Coralville??? uhhhh..so thirsty....uhhh Just so you know...6 miles is a really long way when you are on foot! Seriously - I can drive that 6 miles in 3 minutes opposed to the hour and 10 minutes of huffing and puffing I did! Oh well - it's all for the greater good, right??!!!?? (yes Cheri, keep telling yourself that!)

~
Other happenings this week.... I went to Running Wild RIGHT after our run on Sunday. Still having issues with the foot so I felt I should consult Running Wild which is a store in Coralville that specializes in running shoes. They really do know their stuff and are very thorough when "prescribing" a type of shoe to a customer. They ask that you bring in your current running shoes so they can inspect your tread - this apparently helps them figure out how you place your foot while walking/running. They also make you walk up and down the length of the store several times as they watch how you place your feet when you take steps-all the while dodging other customers.
~
From just these few happenings, they can decide what type of shoe would fit you best. So after they get it narrowed down to a few different styles for you to try on...they have you jog down the sidewalk and back in the new shoes, all the the while, trying to focus on the feel and if they are hitting you in the right place. Remember... I had told you we went to Running Wild AFTER the 6 mile run...Good God, I thought I was done with heavy breathing for the day! During all of this they asked me a lot of questions about; Where the numbness starts? How it effects me? and is there any pain afterwards? and so on...
~
None the less the experience was interesting - I was informed that Footlocker scammed me into buying an insert that i really didn't need -SHOCKER! (Yes Yes...stupid me for going there in the first place). They also said that my arch in my shoe may be too high which could be causing my discomfort, AND I got to spend over a $100 on running shoes and 3 pairs of socks - AWESOME! but hey, the way i see it -if it makes me feel better when i run it was totally worth it. I do have 2 weeks to try them out and if they don't work I can come back and they can analyze me some more! I am not completely convinced that the new shoes will fix my problem, but i am wishing really really hard that it does fix it.

~
The second cool thing that happened last week...The University of Iowa has a program called "LiveWELL". It is geared toward keeping the employees healthy and making good life choices, instill a good diet, stress management, etc. Basically every 6 months you can fill out their survey which goes over the previous points i listed. The added bonus to taking this survey is that they ACTUALLY PAY YOU WHEN YOU TAKE IT! SCORE! So I got a call last week from a health coach...i made an appointment, she asked what i wanted to work on if anything - and I informed her that i need help with Diet and nutrition. The Husband and I get "C"'s in this department. He's a farm boy -meat and potato's and i have grown up in the Midwest my whole life. We are not terrible eaters - we're just not educated! So this is the deal - i will meet with this dietitian and learn about BMI and the food groups and all that good stuff. AND it's FREEEEEEEE! i am very excited - it's like finding a good bargain! what better time could this have happened for me.
~
So needless to say my spirits are high as I enter my last week of Early Bird training. I haven't tried out the new shoes yet - my right foot has been really sore to the point where it's difficult to walk and i have officially become a ibuprofen pill popper. But Hey I'm still positive - this will all work out!
~ Running For The Kids
Cheri

Friction, Friction, Friction....

2009-05-26T09:28:00.011-05:00

I have officially finished week 6 - of Early Bird Training!

This week was full of nothing but firsts for me. Let me just tell ya....As we all know the weather is getting warmer - Thank God! I was starting to wonder if it was ever going to get warm out. Being a "novice" runner and all, and not having really ran consistently outside in warmer weather like I am now - there are many issues that have arisen for me.
~
Issue (1) Chafing...what a bitch! Who ever knew that this could hurt so much? In case you have the tiniest legs in the world, and your thighs have never made love to each other, let me just give you a dictionary definition of chafing and i am not talking about the collapsible chafing dish! (good god there are a lot of definitions for this word):

Chafing: "to make sore by rubbing" or "The act of rubbing or wearing friction; making by rubbing."

...mmmm hmmm...Awesome.

There are in fact many places you can chafe - your inner thighs, under your arms, and if you are a woman - where your sports bra sits. I have yet to experience the latter two. I have only contended with the thigh area. This is where the spandex comes in - Never thought i would ever be wearing spandex again after i retired my black pair with the green and pink neon stripes down the legs...ahhh the 80's and early 90's got to love it! Now where to buy spandex because as the temperature grows, chafing is only going to become more apparent. Kind of scared as to how the booty will look in spandex...the 80's and early 90's were a long time ago!

I have read of another wonderful product called BodyGlyde - it looks like a man's deodorant stick and you put it on just like deodorant. It has no Old Spice smell and it doesn't leave that pesky white residue that has messed up many black shirts of mine! I have bought this, and used it, and it works great! I got it at Running Wild - it was $14 (for a stick of deodorant) but it worked really really well and it is so worth it! No More Friction!

Issue (2) Blisters! I knew they would come eventually, but i didn't realize they would come this early. I am only up to 3.5 to 4 miles at my best and i have already received a huge blister on the right, front ball of my foot. My pour little sissy girl feet are not used to this abuse! The Husband has gotten blisters on the tips of his toes...ouch. I actually had to cut a run short last week because the blister hurt so bad that i couldn't run without sharp, stinging pain with every pound on the pavement. I have read a little about this in my books and online -and apparently 100% cotton socks are the worst things you can put on your feet, especially during long distances - because they stay wet once you start sweating....Friction, Friction and more Friction which then causes blisters! So the Husband bought some running socks while at Running Wild - they are supposed to wick away the sweat from your feet so there is not that constant friction and your feet stay dry. We tried them out on our run last Saturday and both of our feet stayed happy and healthy!

In other business, I am still working on the right foot going numb thing, I haven't figured out the cause yet, because some days it won't happen and others it will feel like a huge stump! I am thinking it might have a little to do with hydration and stretching. I am trying to be good about drinking more water...you would never think that is a hard feat - but it is for me...Hydration is a work in progress for me :)

In better news....Every run I take, i can tell my endurance getting better...running is getting easier, breathing is getting easier - it's just the feeling that i may lose a knee cap back on Front Street that worries me a little...I'm pretty sure i did lose one last Sunday during my running man dance in the back yard....hmmm. In order to help with this - more research- There is a vitamin called i think - Glucosamine that should help with joint pain, so this weekend i will be purchasing that to add to my other 19 vitamins i already take! :)

So it is Tuesday and these next two weeks are my last weeks of Early Bird Training and then it's SERIOUS BUSINESS...I think this has been making me nervous, its the real deal on June 8th- I will actually be in official Training in two weeks and i think this is why I had a mini break down on Sunday after my run. It was hot, my foot went numb, and I was not properly hydrated - I couldn't help but not have the ever increasing thought of "How am I supposed to complete this, I can't get through 3 miles with this lame duck limb of mine?How am I supposed to go farther into training?" and it's funny how my attitude completely changes when the foot acts up -it's very troublesome and frustrating for me-especially when the Husband makes everything look so easy. It's not his fault, He has been athletic all his life and it just comes easy to him. Maybe he can run the race for me??? kidding..... maybe....

So back to my attitude changing...The whole run up to the foot going numb on Sunday - i felt great, i was running a good pace, i was able to breath, i was repeating to myself "I can and I will" finish this...AND then it went all down hill....In fact I am a little embarrassed by my behavior that unfolded in front of the husband when I got home, and I am a little embarrassed writing it too. There were tears and scowls...and pouting...Why can I not have the confidence that I should have? I have all of my friends and family behind me and they all have confidence in me...where is mine? I think that it will come in time and little by little as I complete the mini goals of mileage week by week...i think my psyche will eventually gain strength as well as my leg muscles.

So week 6 was full of firsts, lots of ups and downs, and new fancy products. I am hoping for a better week 7. Tonight I am to run 4.5 miles, Wednesday is 5 miles, Thursday is a day of rest, Friday is 4 miles, Saturday is a day of rest, and then Sunday is 6 MILES! I must go buy Spandex! I am thinking my own individual trip to Running Wild might be a good idea, maybe they can give me some insight on my foot and maybe fit me for new running shoes...we'll see...Looking forward to reporting back to you on how I did this week.

Running For the Kids! They don't quit so I can't quit!

RFTK

Cheri

The beginning...

2009-05-17T19:14:00.007-05:00

I have decided to write this blog to help me log my training all the way through to the end - the finish line that is. I thought it would also be a great way for my friends and family to come along on the journey with me. I am not a great writer by any means...i actually despise writing but for some reason i feel that i should document this large milestone in my life. So as of now i am apologizing for incomplete sentences, paragraphs not flowing, missing punctuation and abrupt endings! I hope you will enjoy reading this...if anything this blog should make you feel lucky about not having to go on a 9 mile run on a beautiful and lazy Sunday morning!

The beginning....

I have worked for the Office of Student Life with the University of Iowa for the last 6 months. I have experienced many great groups and organizations the student body has to offer, one of them being Dance Marathon. I have never been more impressed and inspired by what this group accomplishes. Last year the students raised over $1,030,000.00 for children with cancer. With this, they also started Dance Marathon the Marathon last year. A group of 80 some students made a commitment and dedication to raise money, train and complete the Chicago Marathon - and they did! this year our marathon group consists of over 200 students and staff from the University of Iowa. We are considered one of the top charity groups involved with the Chicago Marathon!

I am 28, newly married and looking to start a family very soon. As there was talk early this Spring about the marathon within the office - i started thinking and wondering if that could be me. I would love to be a part of this amazing organization and help families in need and make a difference in this world. of course all of the crazy ideas went through my head like "really? do you really think you can run 26.2 miles? - All at once?" and then i thought - "I want kids... you will never have time again to put this much effort into one task once there are tiny smith's running around" i did think about it a few days and didn't share it with anyone until i had made the final decision.

That night, I broke the news to my husband and sister-in-law. "Hey guess what guys? I'm going to run the Chicago Marathon!" The husband turned around with a smirk and disbelief on his face and said "What? you're kidding right? - you can't do that!" Knowing that I'm not exactly the expert runner and a bit of whiner. My sister in law was a little more encouraging, but i could still see the doubt in her eyes....I KNOW its a big feat.....I'm crazy right? I have only ran one 5K in my whole 28 years on this earth and that was nearly 11 months ago...they had every right to have doubt and smirks and what not - i have never been Miss Fitness USA by any means.

...Although, i am that stubborn - that if you tell me i can't do it - i will do it- just to prove you wrong! It is funny, because i have gotten such a mix of reactions when i have unloaded this feat on my friends and family...Some of my friends said..."you know your toe nails are going to fall off?" or my favorite .."you will shit yourself when you finish the race" uhhhh thanks for the encouragement.... oh and don't forget "are you crazy - why would you put yourself through that?" but on the other hand people have been nothing but positive too -"that's great! - i wish i had your drive" or "I'm so proud of you!" those comments are the ones that have driven me and made me feel that i might actually be able to complete this journey.

So I am what you would call a "novice" runner. I have never really been a huge runner but I have always enjoyed it. In fact in high school, the gym teacher always told me that I should have gone out for track as i ran my 18 laps around the gym - apparently she saw something that i didn't. I never took her advice because i never had an abundance of confidence in myself. Truthfully, i still don't have the amount of confidence in myself as i should. That is one thing i will be working on as i continue this training. Really i have only 2 years of experience with running and those 2 years have been off and on....I have bought some books so i am picking up tips here and there...i hear spandex is a must or else there will be chafing...yikes..

Training has begun for me, but the official marathon training with the DM group has not started yet. I am technically in "Early Bird" training...which is good because i need all the time i can get. After a chat with the husband -he decided to become supportive of this wacky idea i have succumbed on our lives. He is not running the marathon, but has decided to be my running partner. Which i thank my lucky stars every day that he has made this decision, because with out his encouragement and determination for me to complete this task, I'm pretty sure i would be still on the couch catching up on DVR'd shows from 3 weeks ago!

So right now we are on Week 6 of early bird training. i have had an issue with my right foot that after 2 1/2 miles of running my foot will go completely numb. This has never happened to me before - It's like running on a stump. If i stop and massage the calf muscle and take my shoe off...the numbness goes away...although it makes it difficult to continue running because the numbness comes back. As frustrating as this is - I don't want to damage anything in the process. I went to the doctor - she had no suggestions - she just showed me all the stretches that i was already doing and suggested yoga for my off days. I went to get a massage and that has seemed to help, except now i have a deep tissue ache in my foot -not to mention an ache in the right knee that i am hoping will go away because there are many many more weeks of training ahead of me and many more miles to be logged. I'm only 28 i should be in the best shape of my life...unfortunately, I'm not...but I'm hoping to get there soon :)

To help with the muscle aches, cramping and such, I have been taking vitamins galore...i feel like I'm 85 and i may need to get one of those "Sunday through Saturday" pill boxes to keep them all straight! In addition to the vitamins, i have been trying to hydrate myself as much as possible -this is actually hard for me because i am not a thirsty person...i can have coffee in the morning, a drink at lunch and then not drink anything again until dinner time. So this is something that i have been forcing myself to do. the most frustrating part is the constant bathroom breaks - good god, maybe i can just move my desk into the bathroom!

Currently i am able to run about 3.5 miles with minor problems (my foot) here and there..Not to mention a break down with a few tears filled with fear and self doubt-- but glad to have the husband there to wipe them away and encourage me to keep running...No pain, no gain right?

Slowly i am building my endurance and mileage, including the confidence that I WILL BE ABLE TO CROSS THAT FINISH LINE in October. The DM group sends out weekly emails with the training schedule and at the end of each email they remind us that "We run for the kids. When it may feel tough or you feel like stopping, always remember that you are training for this marathon to help raise money for children who must battle cancer every day. They don't quit, so you don't quit!" that is something that i repeat in my head every time i get a side ache or i feel like i can't go one block further...nothing has been so inspiring to me.

Hopefully i didn't completely bore you with this blog. If I did you probably stopped reading after the 1st two paragraphs! ha ha....so any way if you are a family member or friend or just someone random that would like to share in my muscle aches and pain - be sure to stop back and check out to see the progress i am making...cause there is no going back for me - i am officially signed up, i have paid my registration fees - I am woman hear me growl or whatever that saying is... I am Cheri Smith, I am 28 years old, and I will be running the Chicago Marathon on October 11th, 2009!!

For The Kids! (FTK)

Cheri