Connect with this year’s Road Warriors. Track them from now and beyond race day.
9May2008
Posted by Julie Hurley under: Julie Hurley.
I’ve got ‘em!!
I’m so excited, though. I’m heading to Devos hall soon for the expo, and am looking forward to immersing myself within the running community, and maybe snagging a few freebies along the way.
The buzz will be in the air!
GO ROADWARRIORS!! I’ll see all you very soon!
9May2008
Posted by Shelly under: Shelly Batterbee.
I remember logging in to post my blogs months ago and seeing the counter down at the bottom of the home page. 112 days. 89 days. 33 days. They have flown past. It’s hard to believe that we are down to 1 day.
After my last blog post, I was feeling pretty good about the race. Dreams can really do something to the whole psyche, in positive ways or negative. Then I had my last long run before the race. In a word (or two): it sucked.
Fellow Road Warrior Julie and I ran together—weather perfect (well, maybe a little warm for my liking…and windy…), nice crowd of runners. We initially said we’d run 8 miles and go a total of 9 (walking the first half mile and the last half mile), but somehow I forgot about that once we set out and we did a total of 10 miles (that darned Garmin!). I had to take short little walk breaks, and even though we still ended up with a decent-enough pace per mile (considering we were supposed to keep it easy this final pre-race week), I just felt it was a horrible run.
I think somewhere along the route I lost my Mojo. What is Mojo, really? I was in an IM conversation with my brother, Brian, yesterday afternoon, and we chatted about this whole quandary of mine, and we both realized people use the term a lot, but we never really define it. Well, according to dictionary.com (you didn’t think I would check, did you?), here you go:
mo·jo (mō’jō’) n. pl. mo·jos or mo·joes
1. A magic charm or spell.
2. An amulet, often a small flannel bag containing one or more magic items, worn by adherents of hoodoo or voodoo.
3. Personal magnetism; charm.
(The next definition says it is a Cuban seasoning of garlic, olive oil, and sour oranges used as a dip, marinade, or sauce. That just made me hungry, so I had to end my conversation with my brother and go make dinner. Much as I am now craving some San Chez tapas, I know to wait until AFTER the race to go do something like that.)
I like to think I always have my personal magnetism and charm, but when my oomph is gone or lacking, I think that’s when my Mojo is missing. Maybe I should transfer it to some cute little amulet – that would be easier to keep track of than something in my head or heart, right?
Throughout training, I have dealt with heel pain, a cut toe, knee pain—all on my left leg. I am still dealing with those. This week, upon taking my fabulous tape job off said left foot for my heel, I ripped the tape quickly and without much thought, only to have that after-rip wince, realizing I’d just taken off a layer of skin. Enough to make it bleed. For about 40 minutes. OUCH. That will kill off the Mojo pretty quickly. How do you run on a ripped up foot?
My answer I keep giving to myself? Well, it’s not as painful as childbirth.
Granted, for some of you, childbirth was a breeze, or you are a man and never have to worry about it. Kudos to all of you who had a grand experience. For me—not so much. I always tell myself instead of being blessed with easy labor and delivery, I was blessed with great kids. My three kids are fantastic—smart, considerate, funny, beautiful. But the process of getting them into the world: Painful. And my foot isn’t that bad, in comparison.
So I’m counting down the minutes and hours until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. I’m trying to make sure I eat the right things, drink plenty of water today, and get everything set out tonight for the morning. I’ll tell myself it’s just another long run, only more people will be there, and it’s a touch longer than normal. Hopefully those of you not running will be down there cheering on the runners—give me back a little of that Mojo. I’m sure it’s along the route somewhere—that’s where we ran last weekend. Hopefully I’ll find it by mile 10 so those last few miles will be a breeze.
Hey, you don’t think that Leprechaun stole it, do you…?
Just remember, nerves are normal. For all of us. See you at the starting line!
8May2008
Posted by Deborah Pieri under: Deborah Pieri.
My daughter was over earlier tonight. I had just walked in from what will be my last run before the race. It was a four mile run around Reed’s Lake with some others from rungazelle. It’s been a very long and busy week at school. I have been tired and stressed. My daughter asked me how I was. I launched into all the details of my life: the important decisions I was facing at school, the stacks of papers I had to correct, lesson plans to write, a newsletter to write, Mother’s Day presents to finish tomorrow, and yes, worry about my aching heel and wanting to do well in the race, etc. Justine just said, “Deep breath Mom. . . deep breath, like you used to tell me.” I know she’s right.
When Justine left, I sat down, took a deep breath, poured a glass of wine, and read the blogs for the first time in a week. I laughed and I cried. It’s funny how people wander into our lives, touch our hearts, and leave their mark. The road warriors are truly a unique and yet very ordinary group of people. We don’t have much in common other than our love of running and for most of us parenthood. Through the many hard months of training, friendships have been forged. I am so grateful to have been given this wonderful opportunity to be a road warrior and to get to know all of you. Remember when Mike and Terry had us doing those repeats on the track at the Y in January? It seemed like such a hard thing at the time. But it’s amazing how strong I felt when we brought our speed work outside to the track in EGR or doing the tempo runs! It’s not like I’m fast, but boy is my self-confidence high. I sense the same self-confidence in all the other road warriors! We are going to do this race and do it well!!!
After reading through the blogs tonight, I noticed that a couple of comments had been posted by two very dear friends of mine. I scrolled back to my last post to read them. That’s when the tears started, not just from me, but from Tim too. The first comment was from my friend, Joann. She is one of the women I most admire. She has a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone who needed her help or didn’t need her help. She is an amazing and talented woman. I have trained for and run three marathons with her. She applied to be a road warrior, but was not chosen this year. . . hopefully next year! She has been a constant supporter and encourager to me! The second comment was from Joann’s husband Patrick. Patrick and Joann were our original running partners. We trained to run Chicago together and did it! We have had many years of friendship. . . .many miles on the roads and trails together. We have rejoiced in our children’s accomplishments and cried together when our children were in trouble. Parents with young children do not understand this yet, but will appreciate it’s significance some day. Faithfulness is a beautiful word. It is the word that comes to mind when I think of Pat and Joann. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer three and a half years ago, Joann started her own little fundraiser for me, selling pink ribbon runner pins. She made enough money to buy me a strawberry blond and a gorgeous red-haired wig when I lost my hair to chemo. Patrick said I looked good with no hair. I know he lied, but I appreciated the comment. Joann just wanted to see me as a redhead! Our love of running has been a common thread that has bound us. Running does that. Pat and Joann, thank you for always being there, being faithful, through good times and bad. You are “semper fidelis!” . . . . always faithful, always there! That’s Marine talk! Thank you! I love you both! Patrick your comment made me sob. I know you did that on purpose and by the way I am only 1 year and 1 week older than you. We will see who’s faster pal! You set the date!
So here’s to friendships new and old among runners. Run strong, run with joy, and run to dream! I always will!
Blessings, Deb
8May2008
Posted by Terrence York under: Terrence York (Coach).
From the very start of becoming a Road Warrior we trained together, shared our lives with each other, laughed with each other and been there for each other. It has been an incredible journey. What an honor for me and I am sure for Mike D. as well to be able to coach each and everyone of you. I have become a better person because of each of you. Thank you.
I have no doubt in my mind that you will finish this awesome race with no problems at all. Each one of you have trained very hard and it is about to pay off. I only hope that when this race is finished that each of you will continue to run. If not for a race than for your health.
I will run with each of you to the finish line except for maybe not Matt and Chaz because they are way faster than I. Then we will celebrate all your hard work with a beer and cheeseburger at the after party. I tip my hat to all my new BFF. (Best Friends Forever) I would also like to tip my hat to everyone who will run in this race and everyone that has been reading about our journey to race day.
THANK YOU @ GO ROAD WARRIORS
Terry
8May2008
Posted by Nick Katsarelas under: Nick Katsarelas.
I have two pairs of running shorts. (Actually, I have a third pair, but I’m modeling them on Friday night, so I’m saving them.) One fits me well. It’s loose and comfortable, and has cool reflective stripes where the pockets would be if it had pockets.
I bought a second pair last year, and they’re, well, short. Real short. They’re not Speedo short, but they show enough thigh to make them illegal in several states. I only wear them when I’m desperate, like on Sunday, when my good shorts were in the washer. I swallowed my pride, and told myself, ‘I’m only gonna run four miles, so how many people are going to see me? ‘
But I didn’t get farther than my bedroom when my daughter happened by. With all the sass of a 10-year-old, she said, without missing a beat, ”Those are embarrassing.”
Those three words were enough to make me self-conscious for the duration of my run. I think I may have even run faster to get out of the public as soon as possible.
After Friday night, I’ll have a third pair. But I’ll keep the shorts. (I promise, I won’t wear them on Saturday.) But if you ever have the misfortune of seeing me in them, I have no doubt you’ll be singing the Nair commercial from several years ago:
Who wears short shorts? Nick wears short shorts! They’re such short shorts. Nick likes short shorts. Who wears short shorts? Nick wears short shorts!