Team in Training ... Part 2

As you've probably heard or read about, I had such an amazing experience with Team in Training as I prepared for the Denver Half Marathon. I had started off the season with the intent to run a full marathon but needed to adjust my goals mid-way during the season which is why I ran the half marathon last weekend. Well, I still have "running a marathon" on my "Life List" (aka my Bucket List) and I can't imagine doing it alone or without the love and support of Team in Training so I've signed up for another round. In fact, my mentor Jim has such a huge impact on my experience that I want to be able to have the same impact on future participants. Finding a cure for blood cancers and participating with Team in Training has become such a passion of mine that I know I can be such a positive influence on other people. I may not be the "super" runner that the current mentors and coaches are but I have such a positive energy and can really relate with those "brand new" runners because it was a position that I was in just 5 months ago. With all that said, I've signed up to be a mentor for the Winter/Spring Run/Walk team and I am so excited! We start training November 21 and I'm excited to meet the new group of runners and to keep up my running program. Despite the fact that I think it's going to be a very nasty winter (in fact, I'm writing this during our 5th snow of the season and it's not even November yet!), I am really excited to keep running. In fact, our new coach Ben (one of last season's captains) said that he will not allow me to train for another half marathon - it's time that I cross that full marathon off my list. I already have a great running base that I can keep building on so that running the full marathon will be "easier". I'm nervous - I've seen how hard it can be and how much effort it takes but there is no better time to do it than right now ... and I'm going to have the great support of the team again! Knowing that other people are looking up to me and relying on me is going to be even more inspiration for me to push harder.

Now I can say ... Nashville Country Music Marathon in April ... bring it on!

Notes of Congratulations

I received so many texts and phone calls after completing my half marathon that I thought it was only proper to write some of them here to have as a reminder of my accomplishments ...

Brian Smith: "You are my hero!  Good luck!"

Ashley: "Justin and I wish you all the best today!  You are in our thoughts.  Love you lots!  Go team goofy!"
Ashley: "Wow!!  You go girl!!  I'm honestly a little teary eyed right now .. I've been thinking about you all morning.  Be proud of yourself!"

Frank: "WAY TO GO DAWNIEPOO!!!!  I'm proud of you man ..."

Cara: "Man oh man, you rock girl!!  I love you so much and am so proud!"

Race Day!!

Wow, this morning's Denver Half Marathon with Team in Training was quite possibly one of the best experiences of my life. I'm still way up here on cloud 9 and hope that this posting can do a bit of justice to the amazing day I had today.

I had a lot of trouble falling asleep last night. I was super tired around 7pm but then of course, got a second wind around 10pm so was up pretty late. Denise and I hung out in our hotel room, making the final adjustments to our singlets for race day, and having one final walk through of race morning so that I could double and triple check that I had everything I needed (as if doing it a few times before leaving home on Thursday night wasn't enough - I'm so type A). After laying in bed and being unsuccessful in falling asleep, I called a great friend who thankfully talked to me until I got tired and was ready to try the sleep thing again. I have no idea what I would do without friends like that!!

The alarm went off at 5am to allow us enough time to get ready and meet our team in the lobby of the hotel at 6am. Got ready and made my way to my mom and Dominique's room to drop off my bags before the race. It was so motivating to see them in the morning. I think they were just as excited and nervous as I was!! I honestly can't say enough how much it meant to me to have my mom and Dominique there for the weekend supporting me. I knew I was going to be emotional and couldn't imagine not doing this without my mom there with me. After a few quick pictures pre-race (if anyone knows my mom, they will know it's impressive I got away with only a couple of them), I made my way down to the lobby to meet the team.


I know that I haven't dwelled on this much during my postings but one of our teammate's (Jaci) daughter has been battling leukemia all season. Last week, Kalila was placed into a hospice center to allow her to be as comfortable as possible as she spends what could be her last few days with us. It was very up in the air whether Jaci would be joining us on race morning as it depended on how her daughter was doing. Apparently, Kalila had convinced her mom to race in the morning so we were all glad that Jaci would be joining us and completing the team. Despite the good intentions, we arrive Sunday morning to see Jaci very upset and crying - she received news that Kalila had a very rough night and was not expected to live much longer that day. After an entire round of hugs and encouraging words from the team, Jaci went to spend some precious time with her daughter and our team was even more motivated to run this race in honor of Kalila. It was time for the rest of us to make our way out to the Team in Training tent and get ready for the race (but not of course without a team picture!)

I learned a lot today about race mornings. First, fill your water bottle before leaving the hotel. I thought I might get lucky and find some water near the start line but that was incorrect. I could hear Coach yelling in my ear not to walk on the grass so you didn't get your shoes and socks wet before the race - that causes nasty blisters! Coach also wasn't kidding when he said to bring your own toilet paper to the port-a-potties. I left mine on the dresser in the hotel so after Jill and I waited almost 20 minutes in line for the bathroom pre-race, we were greeted with no toilet paper. Not the stress I wanted in the morning before the race - I had plenty enough going on in my head and body as it was. Jill and I got separated from the rest of the team at the start line and that was slightly nerve wracking but it all worked out once we started running and found everyone. I'm so glad that I had Jill next to me at the start so we could share our pre-race jitters together!! The gun went off and it took us about 10 minutes to cross the start line and then we were off!!! I was planning on doing a run/walk method for the race but started off running the first mile straight because I needed to work off some of that extra adrenaline.

My mom and Dominique were stationed at mile 3.1 at the first Team in Training Cheering section. I turned the corner and was so excited when I saw them, my mentor Jim and the rest of the group in their amazing outfits and noise makers. I think I even teared up when I saw my mom because I still was just so excited that she was there supporting me and the rest of the team. I even looked pretty good at mile 3.1!

It was really cool to run through the streets of Downtown Denver - a city that I continue to fall in love with more and more every time I go. We ran past the Pepsi Center (home of the Nuggets!) around mile 2, Coors Field around mile 3.1 (where Mom and Dominique were), and just the streets of downtown. I hit the second water stop around mile 4 - don't forget, my water bottle was empty - and quickly learned that they were out of water and Gatorade already. What?! It's only mile 4 - that shouldn't happen!! I was really worried that the rest of the course was going to be the same way and I was going to get sick because it was rapidly getting hot and I was going to be under hydrated. My teammate Lauren came to the rescue and gave me one of her smaller water bottles from her fuel belt - a total live saver (even though thankfully, there was lots of water on the rest of the course). I kept trucking on and was SO excited to see the large cheering group at mile 5.5. It was exactly the motivation I needed before entering City Park for a few miles. After running for what seemed like forever, I exited the park and was greeted by the cheering group again at mile 9.0. I was really starting to struggle at this point. My legs were very heavy, I was getting tired. My endurance was still there but I just couldn't keep the legs moving as much as I wanted too (I guess that's what I get for not running for a week and a half before the race). Mile 10 was quite possibly my personal hell during this race. Cathie, our staff member from TnT ran with me for a few blocks in her cowboy boots and megaphone and boosted me up a bit - I can't say enough for her support and motivation at that point in the race.

I entered Cheeseman park and was faced with long hills for miles 9-11 and that was a killer. I think I walked a significant amount at this point and also hit the 2 hour mark somewhere in the park. Once I left, I was greeted by the Denver TnT coach who pumped me up, almost as much as seeing the mile 11 marker. With only 2.1 miles, I had less than a 5k to go. I could run a 5k at this point, that's easy stuff - I love running 5k races. I knew that I was within 40 minutes of being done and that was motivating for me - so was the downhill I hit around mile 12! As I was running up Lincoln Street, I could hear the announcer at the finish line so I knew I had to be close. A random runner yelled to me that the finish line was just around the corner and I was so excited. I don't know how she managed to make this happen, but just at that point, with less than 1/2 mile to go, my aunt's song - "Doo Wah Diddy" turned onto my ipod and pushed me to the finish line. I teared up instantly but then had to stop crying because I couldn't look bad for the finish line pictures :) It was the perfect way for Aunt Goofy to remind me that she was there with me for the end of the race - she always has been and always will be with me. I turned the corner, saw the cheering squad close to the finish line - including my mom, Dominique and Jim - and pushed hard to the finish! Final race time - 2:40.05 - under my goal of 2:45 so I was a happy girl. I literally couldn't get the smile off my face after I crossed the finish line if I tried! It was an amazing feeling and I was hooked!

I got my medal, made my way through the corrals, through the food areas and was instantly greeted by my mom and Dominique running up to me with hugs. I cried, absolutely teared up because I was so happy that she was there and couldn't stop telling me how proud of me that she was. She even gave me a sneaker charm for my bracelet :)

After stretching and checking back in with the team, I made my way back out to the finish line area to cheer with the rest of the cheering squad. I wanted to be there to cheer in the rest of my teammates that were running the full marathon. I know how important having the cheering sections around the course was for me and I wanted to build that group as much as I could. Plus, I had so much positive energy going through my body after completing my race, I had to do something physical! We stayed out on the course near the finish line for the next few hours - we were going to stay until every last person came across the line. I ran in a bit with Jill, my last Colorado Springs teammate to cross the finish line, and stayed even more to bring in the last few Denver folks. The last one came across the line as the entire group of us ran in with her, signifying the end of the Denver Marathon.

I still haven't been able to come up with the right words to describe the feelings I had during this entire experience. I'm so proud of myself for the physical and emotional roller coaster I went through and in knowing that the money I raised will make a huge impact on people struggling with blood cancers and hoping that a cure is found so that no one else has to lose their "Aunt Goofy". I'm excited to continue this experience next month when the Winter/Spring season starts and I'm with the team again .. this time as a Mentor!! I get the opportunity to be as amazing as Jim was to me and help others to have as a great of an experience as I had ... and train for a full marathon. Nashville Country Music Marathon in April ... here I come!!

As a post note, Kalila passed away tonight around 8pm. Cancer REALLY, REALLY, REALLY sucks! I can't send enough thoughts and prayers out to her family and friends.

Today's Miles: 13.1

Total Miles: 214.6

Race Expo and Kick-Off Lunch

I came up to Denver last night to spend as much time as possible with my mom and Dominique since they were both super awesome and flew all the way from Connecticut to support me this weekend. After an awesome dinner and experience at "Casa Bonita" (a childhood favorite of Dominique's) it was great to spend some quality time with them. Friday was great!

I woke up on Saturday feeling a little bit nervous but I immediately let the excitement of the day overcome those feelings. After breakfast at my favorite breakfast place on 16th Street, mom, Dominique and I made our way to the Convention Center for the Race Expo. I picked up my race packet (bib #5111) and then we spent some time walking around and enjoying the expo. We got massages, evaluations, loads of free samples and I finally broke down and bought a "stick". It was really neat to see the two of them get interested in the vendors and I was able to explain a lot of running things to my mom. The three of us even got to cross the finish line together! :)

We met up with the rest of the team from Colorado Springs and Denver to walk to our pasta part. Upon walking into Maggiano's, we were greeted by close to 30 "cheerers" - our staff members, coaches, captains, mentors, family and friends. They created a walkway for us to walk through as they cheered and clapped as we made our way to the lunch room. The program was full of good wishes, pictures of our personal heroes, speeches, and motivation from everyone there. Dave McGillivray, the Race Director and a very accomplished distance runner, gave one of the best motivational speeches I've heard in a long time. He's had such an amazing life full of running and I can't wait to read his book. It was a truly inspirational lunch - it's so great to see such a large group of people all working together for the same cause and to see so many survivors and people that are living with cancer. It's evidence that all the money we're raising is going to some great research and is truly making an impact on real lives. That's so motivating.

As many of the Colorado Springs group that we could get together for lunch.

The entire Rocky Mountain Chapter of Team in Training

Vince Lombardi said ... "Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team." I truly feel this perfectly describes Team in Training and I absolutely love it.

To see the rest of the pictures from today (and tomorrow's marathon) visit this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/dawneanderson/DenverMarathonOctober2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCPCy0aef6NTYgAE&feat=directlink

Taper

Oh crap, I think I might have taken the tapering before the race a bit too far. I haven't run in a while. I was busy traveling for work and then I've been battling getting sick this week. I decided that getting the extra sleep in the morning (rather than getting up at 5am to run) was going to be more beneficial for my body. I do not want to be sick on race day! But not running for a while is going to hurt on race day. AHH I did not plan that well at all. I just have to trust my body to not quit on me ...

More Snow ...

I know that I just made a great post about the weather for race weekend but we just got whacked with more snow today. A friend of mine just e-mailed me and asked that if it's still snowing next weekend for the race, can I use a sled and dogs? Siiiiggghhh ....

Weather Report

It's officially 10 days out from race day ... AHHH!!! :) I took advantage of the 10-day window and decided to check out the weather report for the weekend. Thankfully (assuming that the weather gods stay true to their predictions), it's going to be a great day for running. Considering the fact that it snowed yesterday and is expected to do the same tomorrow for our last run before the race, I'm looking forward to some nice weather next weekend. Gives me a little bit of hope that things are going to work out for the race, despite the fact that I'm slightly terrified right now. Looking forward to seeing the sun again soon :)

Tuesday

Well, it had been a few days since I've run last (okay maybe a week but who's counting?!). I was pretty excited to go out for track practice tonight. It was a bit chilly but nothing like we had a few weeks ago. In fact, I would say that tonight was a perfect running night. Did a pretty great workout - 2400 at race pace followed by some speed work. A friend and I debated whether that would be it for the night because technically we're tapering since the race is next weekend (AHHH!!) but Coach surprised us and had us finish the night off by running 3 miles or 45 minutes (to get to 8pm), which ever came first. Obviously for me, 3 miles came first so that's how I finished off the night. I know this isn't a terribly exciting post but I pretty much have a whole array of emotions right now with just a week or so until the race so I'm not really sure what to say or write. I'm sure I'll figure something out ...

Today's Miles: 7.5
Total Miles: 201.5