if you are interested in supporting our race to find a cure for Crohn’s , just go to my fundraising page. The CCFA is a great organization, which uses 84 cents of every dollar donated for research, outreach and support programs.  And did I mention that your donation is completely tax deductible?

Thank you for donating – every dollar brings a cure closer!

Recommittment is this week. I’m on the fence, but I feel obligated to recommit.

In light of that, plans are in the works for another wine night at Vino 100 in Wauwatosa. Nothing is definite at the moment, but we will hold a raffle with all proceeds going to the CCFA.

Peggy is having a free car wash this coming Saturday, at Mo’s Southwest Grill on Capital Drive in Pewaukee, from 11am to 3pm. All donations go to CCFA. (Peggy needs volunteers to wash, so if you have some time, please come help!)

Also, Peggy has organized a raffle for a hot air balloon ride! Hot Air Balloon ride for 2, by Winddancer Balloon Company out of Waukesha – $10 a chance 3 for $25. Contact me for tickets.

Some team members have put together a beer tasting, which will be on May 30th. Tickets are $30 each, and include 10 beer samples. I don’t remember much else about that, but it will be in the Third Ward. I’ll try to get more details for all that are interested!

That’s just a little bit of what’s coming up in the next few months, before the race on July 19th. Time flies when you’re having fun!

That’s what I’m up to right now! This morning marked my fifth day in a row of running, -with no walk breaks-. This is a huge accomplishment for me, and I’m not sure where it came from, but I’ll take it.

All of my runs usually involve walk breaks. But since the half marathon, I’ve been trying to go without them, and succeeding. My goal, of course, is to run the Napa half marathon entirely, slowing down to walk only at water stations.

I would also like to run 60 miles this month, which I am on track to do. My mileage really suffered (and rightly so) in April, and while I don’t intend to push myself to “make up” that month, getting back on track would be nice.

So that’s what I’ve been up to. I have some photos that I want to put up at some point too, but I haven’t taken the time to download them off the camera. A few are from the weekend of the race, after which we went to the cabin. Another one is of the HUGE BUMBLEBEE that threatened to eat me after I came home from a run this week.

The Lighthouse Run is Saturday, June 20th, and I will be there! Denise and I are registered for the 10-miler. (No, we are not attached at the hip. Really.)

It’s nice to have another race on the schedule, between now and Napa. Ten miles at that time will be nice preparation for the slightly longer distance in wine country.

Since I was up this morning at 6:30, I decided to go for a small run around the block. 1.15 miles, just enough to test the waters, so to speak. In reality, I could have gone for more probably, because that distance felt just enough to be a warm up!

But I completed the one lap and came home as planned. I feel good now, and I want to stay that way! I do have a second blister, on the underside of my right big toe, that was giving me some trouble yesterday. It appears to have popped, and then reformed last night.

I’ll be taking the remainder of the week easy still, with Team Challenge training coming up on Saturday. Also, there is a session of Milwaukee Adventure Boot Camp earlier on Saturday morning, that I’d like to try out. I’ve been looking at it for a couple months, but haven’t committed yet.

Friday:
I left work a little after 1pm, and picked up Denise at her house. We headed for REI to make sure we had all the fuel we needed for the race, and then to the spa at the Pfister for express pedicures. Pretty toes after the race take preparation before the race!

The drive to Pleasant Prairie was uneventful, and we found our way to packet pick-up in the hotel.  My race number was 1915, easy to remember.  Once packets were picked up, we checked into the hotel, found our room, and made ourselves comfortable.  I sent text messages to Scott and Carrie, and Denise and I experimented with our own sleep number beds.  Those things are loud!

Soon, Carried called to say she and the fam were on their way over to packet pick-up.  We met them in the lobby, after Carrie got her goodie bag and marathon race number.  33!  Someone registered super early!   The six of us went off to dinner at the attached Chancery.  I thought her boys were so very cute and well-behaved for their ages, and it was a pleasure to meet her husband, whom I’ve heard and read a bit about.

After dinner, it was off to Walgreens for a quick errand.  I had forgotten my ibuprofen, and other emergency supplies were needed.  My body hates me, I tell you!  Back at the hotel, we each prepared for the next morning:  attach race number to shirt, make sure it’s not too high/low; choose fuel, pack hydration belt accordingly; lay out all needed clothes; attached timing chip to shoe; pack bags for quick deposit in car before shuttle leaves.  I think that was about it.  We had the TV on for a bit, but not too late.

Saturday:

Of course, no one plans for a 3:45am wake-up call by the fire alarm in the hallway, but that’s what we got.  I groggily got up and checked the hallway.  Yes, the fire alarm was going off, flashing lights and alarm and all.  No, there appeared to be no fire.  Great!  Back to bed.  Until the fire truck and paramedic truck shows up, and both idle outside our window.

There was no getting back to sleep after that, and I just covered up and tried to rest until 4:30 when my alarm went off.  I jumped in the shower, and dressed to go.  Before we knew it, the time was 5:10 and we needed to get our stuff together to dump in the car before shuttle time.  The shuttle showed up about 10 minutes late, and was a little less than clueful about where exactly to drop us off, but we made it.

Looking towards the start on race morning

Race morning, gear check tent

Checked our gear bags, wandered around, and finally were found by Carrie and Lisa, a fellow WWer.  We chatted for a while then made our way over to the starting area.  Carrie was sporting a foam Cheesehead, so she lined up at the very front in the special “Cheesehead Corral”.  It was chilly, but before we knew it, we were off!

The first half mile looped past the start and during that short distance, my iPod shuffle slipped off the hem of my shirt and I almost lost it among the feet of the stampeding herd!  Luckily, I was able to hang on to the headphone wires and reel it back in.  After that, I clipped it safely to my collar, and continued on.

For me, that was the most excitement of the course.  I felt good, was running well, and watched the distance tick by on the Garmin 305 strapped on my wrist.  That tool helped so much!  It was very nice to know where we were in relation to the next mile marker, instead of having to guess (hope?) that we were approaching the next mile.

Near mile 3 or 4, I felt my leg twinge just a little, and I hoped that it wasn’t the start of something more disastrous, like the blow up at Mile 9 of Napa last year.  The discomfort subsided though, and the groin muscle held out for the duration!  Denise, on the other hand, didn’t have the luck.

The Team Challenge contingent was at the 6.5 / 9 mile marker, handing out water and sports drink!  It was so great to see some friendly faces in the midst of the run.  Many thanks to Renee, Tyler, Kevin, Coach Rick, and I am such a heel but I think her name is Rachel?  But now that I type that it looks wrong.  Plus anyone else I missed.  Having you all at the mid-stretch was truly a highlight.  Also, we tried to put a good showing as we approached, to impress y’all.  Did it work?

Denise and I were running together, and we were doing great.  Our pace was sub-12:00 miles for about the first hour, but towards the end of that hour, D started having trouble.  A side stitch persisted, and I think she was more mentally beaten than physically, during that time.  I wanted her to be proud of herself though, because she kept going through that pain, and the pain she was feeling later in her legs and calves.  So I did my best to keep her spirits up and encourage her!

Until the last mile, when I left her behind.   I had conflicting thoughts:  I feel good, and I can keep running.  But my friend is hurting, and I don’t want to leave her.  In the end, I pushed on, because I think she would be more upset with me for hanging back than for going forward.

In the last mile, I felt awesome.  I was so giddy, I was almost finished, and I wasn’t hurting!  My legs felt good, my lungs were doing well, and I trotted down the stretch happily.  I saw Scott and Trayton, and Denise’s family, and I was all smiles as I picked up my speed a little to finish strong.  My official race time was 2:50:33, which is my best time yet!

The next two minutes are a blur.  I got through the finish line, got my medal and (I forget what these are called) space blankets?  Anyway, those silver things that keep runners warm after they finish distance races.  And then I ripped my timing chip off my shoe and headed back to find Denise.  I think I stopped to talk to our families briefly before I saw her, and took off.  D’s daughter was right behind me, and we each took a hand and the three of us together ran towards the finish.  As we got closer, her son took my place and the three of them crossed the finish line.  I’m glad I let go, because I was getting choked up with every step!

Congratulations to Carrie, who finished her first marathon at seventh in her age group!  You predicted your finishing time awesomely, and you looked strong coming down that last stretch to the finish.  I wish I could have congratulated you in person, but the families were in a bit of a hurry.

Lisa, it was so nice to meet you!  Thanks for running with us for a little while, before leaving us in your dust.   At some point, maybe we’ll get a WW group together to do one of these things.

Overall, it was a great time, hard work, and a well fought fight.

And last, but not least:  Denise, you are a great race partner, and I would run again with you any time.  Madison Mini in August?  13.1 Chicago next month?  Just let me know!  Be proud of your finish, because you chose to even start.

Posing after the finish with our cheesy medals

Denise and I finished the half marathon! I got a PR along the way as well! Injury free and ready for more!

(Better race report later!)

Saturday is just around the corner, and I am as ready as I’m going to get to run another half marathon. I went for two small runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, and it felt pretty good to get back into a rhythm.

The Wisconsin (half) Marathon will be my first half marathon in the state, and I’m looking forward to being close to home, relatively speaking. The only travel I’ll be doing is driving with Denise to Pleasant Prairie tomorrow afternoon. The plan is to relax, hopefully meet up with some friends, and get some good rest before being on the shuttle at 5:30 Saturday morning!

I just need to remember to avoid the onion rings for dinner Friday night! (They did a number on me before the Napa half last year.)

This may not be my best showing, but I’m feeling optimistic anyway. This will be my third half marathon, and I’m getting more comfortable with the distance, mentally. Let’s hope any rain in the forecast holds off until 11am, just to be safe, though.

The past three weeks have gotten away from me. I haven’t been writing, and for the most part, I haven’t been running. That’ll make the half marathon next weekend verrrry interesting.

I wasn’t mired in work, or overwhelmed with training. I was pregnant. Then I was scared, because the last two pregnancies didn’t work out too well, so I decided to take it a little easy. I ran with the Team Challenge group, nice and easy pace, and that’s about it.

Last Monday, the 13th, I went in for an ultrasound, to check on things and date the development. I should have been 7 weeks, 5 days. Instead, the embryo was dating at 6 weeks, 3 days. And no heartbeat. Another ultrasound on Friday, the 17th, confirmed that there was no growth, no heartbeat.

Though this wasn’t a planned pregnancy, I was crushed. Since I had no signs of trouble, I had hope that this one was going to make it. It would mean giving up the July race, but it would be worth giving up for a successful pregnancy. I even began to clean out our third room, which we use as an “office” of sorts now, but was always going to be the nursery, when the time came.

The hardest part is watching the ultrasound, eyes glued to the screen, hoping, searching for that little blip that signifies a heartbeat. And finding nothing. Again.

I had my third D&C on Saturday, the 18th. Many thanks to Deanna for being with me for the day, and taking care of me. Scott had business he couldn’t reschedule, out of town, and I was advised to have the surgery sooner than later.

It’s been a rough week, but my friends have been so very supportive and comforting, and their displays of love and care have rendered me speechless (not that you can tell in this post). I’ve also tried to focus on other things, such as work, and Team Challenge.

This Saturday is the date of my fundraising event at Vino 100 in Wauwatosa. Silent auction items include a month of boot camp from the Milwaukee Adventure Boot Camp (which I may just bid on!), dancing lessons from Fred Astaire Dance, a private shopping party from Magnolia in Tosa, and several other items. I’m definitely looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and talking about the program and raising some money for such a great cause.

Then, it’ll be time to focus on running.

From 11am to 5pm, Vino 100 in Wauwatosa will be host to a silent auction to benefit Team Challenge and the CCFA. Denise and I are working to get a great variety of items for your bidding pleasure; some already include a sampler pack from Oro di Oliva, and a private shopping party from Magnolia!

We’re hoping to get in touch with some wine distributors as well, to arrange a tasting of wines for the day. The theme ties in perfectly with the Napa to Sonoma race that is the culmination of all this training and fundraising!

Add it to your calendar, and we hope to see you there!