I think I CAN!

National Breast Cancer Marathon

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Location:

Bonaire,GA,USA

Member Since:

Aug 30, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

My accomplishment to date completing 15 marathons and 6 ultras....nothing fast....yet.

Short-Term Running Goals:

In the next 2 years I'd like to complete three 50 milers and a hundred miler before I turn 40.  I'd like to break 5 hour marathon and then a 4:45 marathon and then keep improving.  I’m starting to think I’ll hit 100 miles before I see a sub 5 hour marathon…..Geez.

Fifty miler #1:  2008 JFK 50  13:29:53

#2 Hearland 50  13:51 (got lost had to find road back)

#Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie  June 12, 2010...very soon

Two down....one more to go!

Long-Term Running Goals:

I would like to run 100 miles.

Personal:

I've got two wonderful kids who are 6 and 8.  I want to pass on the joy of running.

Favorite Blogs:

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Race: National Breast Cancer Marathon (13.1 Miles) 02:37:10
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So I went down to Jacksonville and did the half marathon.  This is such an amazing race for so many reasons. First, 100% of ALL of the entry fees go to Breast Cancer Research.  Everything at the race, shirts, drinks, post race beverages/food, port-o-potties, police/EMS help, and everything else that was race related was donated to this cause. 

The community really rallies behind this race and fan support is amazing. Besides cheering you on, there are of course a few young gentlemen offering to give free ta-ta exams....mmm, no thanks.

The race is mostly flat except an awful bridge you cross in the beginning...not so bad...and again upon finishing....pure torture.  The race even runs on the beach along side the ocean.  It was really nice hearing the ocean tides crashing on the shore while on this run.  I turned off early from the beach as I only did the half but I would imagine another few miles of that would have truly turned me into a Zen runner.  After the beach, you run down a road with lots of crowds cheering, back over the bridge (from hades) and finally you reach the finish line.

The race is amazingly organized and well done.  A few months ago I met Amanda (don't remember last name) who served on the board of directors for this race.  She mentioned to me that their first topic of conversation was always "are there enough port-o-potties?".  Well let me answer that for you....yes.  I think this race had 2-3 more water stops then most other races AND if they weren't handing out Gu every other water station, it sure seemed like it.

I can't say enough of what a great race this is.  If you have the opportunity you should give it a try.  Be warned however, you will use this race to measure all other future marathon/half marathons against....don't say I didn't warn you.

Side note: I got to run with the marathon front runners for about 3 seconds.....sure I was on mile 11 and they were on mile 24...minor details.  Sure most of those 3 seconds was me watching them disappear in front of me ...again minor details. You know it is one thing to see them running on TV like when it is televised as the Olympics were.  It is even more powerful to actually see them in action.  There are no words to describe it.

 

Comments(2)
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0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.005.500.000.000.005.50

 I couldn't resist passing this along.  I hope you enjoy as much as I did.  Todays miles are back on a tread mill.

Abbreviated Running Dictionary - For the remainder of the "Running Dictionary" visit http://www.garycohenrunning.com , click "All in a Day's Run" and then "Running Dictionary." 

Easy trails - Expect varied terrain including soft sand, uneven footing, large tree roots and loose rocks.   It is mandatory that you bring a first aid kit to care for your bloodied knees and hands from the many falls you will incur.   Wearing a bicycle helmet is not a bad idea.

Warm weather - Do you know how to say, “Record setting heat wave”?   If you run more than three miles, you are risking heat stroke, heat exhaustion and a trip to your nearest hospital.   Prepare for this possibility by having frequent water stops.   Or you can call 911, give them your planned running route and ask them to send an ambulance with two intravenous tubes in 30 minutes.

One short, steep climb after five miles - About halfway up this climb you swear that someone jumped on your back.   You want to cover your ears to avoid hearing the screams coming from your own quadriceps muscles.   Despite your slow pace, you pass runners who have been reduced to jogging, walking and crawling.   Several are laying on the side of the road writhing in agony.   Finally, if you were able to speak, you would ask yourself, “What am I doing here?”

A festive and fun race -   Watch out at the start to avoid tripping over small children who lined up in the front row.    Next you dodge several competitors, or should I say, participants dressed in costumes as their favorite super hero.   Suddenly your ears are assaulted by a rapid fire pop-pop-pop and you duck for cover assuming it is a terrorist attack.    After you take your handy nitroglycerin pill and calm yourself upon learning it was only the sound of firecrackers, you are back on the roads and running toward the finish.   Your hopes for a fast time are dashed by the open drawbridge allowing a boat parade held in conjunction with the race to pass by.   At least you are excited about the scheduled jugglers, moon walk and horse rides that will entertain your children after the race.   Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, all entertainment had to be cancelled.

Moderate altitude training - You better find a Sherpa guide to help you up this treacherous climb at altitudes you thought were reserved for air traffic only.   You will be gasping for air as your lungs beg for precious oxygen.   Afterward, you may want to compare notes with Sir Edmund Hillary as it will feel tougher than the last 200 feet climb to the summit of Mount Everest.

Slight winds - Prepare to lean forward with your head down as you pour every ounce of energy into attempting to run.   You may be slammed backward into the runner directly behind you.   You may be lifted completely off of the ground.   If the winds are cross winds and you are on a narrow path, you will be blown off the path.  Most likely you will find yourself in the center of a level five hurricane or tornado.

Adequate rest room facilities -   When you get to the race there will be several thousand runners and fifteen portable toilets.   You can wait in line for an hour, go into a foul smelling port-o-let, wipe urine off the seat, have the door which does not lock opened by another runner (“Oops, I’m sorry”) and, after you are finished taking care of business, notice that there is no toilet tissue.   As an alternative, before you leave the house you can stock up on plenty of toilet paper and go behind the third bush on the left. 

Scenic course - You pass the county landfill where the loud buzzing sound is from massive swarms of flies.   After navigating broken bottles and litter you notice graffiti with various expletives on buildings and bridges.  A bridge traverses shallow green-brown water strewn with old tires, abandoned appliances and trash.   Several homeless men ask for a dollar or a beer.   Before finishing the run you are treated to the highlight of the course - a stretch which passes by a beautiful toxic waste dump.

Gentle, rolling hills - Be prepared for non-stop nose bleed climbs followed by shin-ravaging down hills.   The uphill stretches will make ‘Heartbreak Hill’ at the Boston Marathon seem like a small bump in the road.   The down hill segments will be similar to a triple black diamond ski run.

Comments(3)
Race: Al Toll 5K (3.1 Miles) 00:45:00
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
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My kids did their first 5K today.  Well, let me say, my daughter (6 years) did her first 5K today.  My son (4 years) got carried a quarter of his first 5K today.  Our friends (who are super fast yearly Boston Qualifiers) have a daughter that is 5 years old.  She and her dad were doing the 5K and agreed to let Madison come along with them while I took Noah (a bit slower) on the race.  The race was an out and back and Madison passed us about a quarter of a mile from the turn around point....so it's safe to say she was nearly 1/2 mile in front by the middle of the race.  After that I had to hear about her finish.  She did a walk/run with David and Sophie....until the end.  She rounded the corner and took off.  She found her mark (fellow competitor) and wanted to beat him across the finish line.  See picture below.

Then she made her move.....

So as you can see, the goal to beat senior citzens has been passed down from granny tripping mom to gramps passing daughter. I'm so proud.

As for my son, well, he did finish the last .1 mile on his own feet (and not my back).  This is him running all he can so mom won't finish before him.  He has earned a club nick-name at this race....Backpack. 

Final results: Noah took 1st in Boys under 10; Madison took 3rd in girls under 10; Mom took home a kink in her back. 

 

UPDATE: Race results finally posted....Madison: 38:44, Noah 51:10

Comments(4)
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0021.700.000.000.0021.70
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