Super Steve

Steve saved my life some months ago by offering the use of his blinking, red light at my first, long run from Crossroads. My friends, Chelsey and Julie, decided to join us from Crossroads this week, but neither of them had reflective clothing because they are not regular runners. Let's just say that Steve came to the rescue again! He dipped into his bag of reflective technology and offered them two neon leg-bands and a blinking light. Many thanks, Steve!

Possible Peroneal Tendonitis

Today, I was supposed to run the Hyannis Half Marathon. Instead, I'm stuck in bed. I've been told that I've either a) sprained/strained my foot or b) developed a stress fracture. I was so angry at the doctor when he told me that there's a chance that I will be unable to run the marathon. I've been working altogether too hard to pull out now, and I'm not going to quit! If a doctor ever tells you something that you don't want to hear, the next step is to get another opinion. I emailed coach Jack for his feedback. He suggested that it may be peroneal tendonitis or plantar faciitis. I'm going to assume that it's peroneal tendonitis because this is a common problem for those recovering from ITB injuries. The pain is located on the outer ridge of my foot near the arch and on the underside of my foot. It's most severe in the morning after rest. There's some swelling and discoloration. I'm going to stay off my foot for a couple of days until I am able to walk to the pool without limping. Once I am able to walk, I'm going to dive back into my crosstraining because it's important that I maintain a "marathon fitness level."

I Will Run/Walk Five Hundred Miles

So much has happened (good and bad) since my last blog post on February 18, 2008:

1. I recovered from my ITB injury! That's right folks! I've completed three or four long runs (alternating running for three minutes and walking for one minute) without any knee pain whatsoever!

2. I raised over $4,000.00 for cancer research at the 2008 Skate to Freeze Cancer!

3. I got married! (No mom, not really). My best friend from tour has been staying at my house for the last two weeks, and she has become my temporary housewife! She cooks dinner, cleans the dishes, and organizes my shelves. The sad news is that Chelsey will be leaving tomorrow for another state. Sigh. It was a short-lived marriage, but it was fun while it lasted!

4. I developed a new injury. BOOOOOoooOOOooo! The outer ridge and underside of my foot started hurting about a week ago. The pain wasn't very severe at the time, so I decided to run regardless. I completed a ten mile run, a four mile run, and a nine miler. The pain became progressively worse during my nine miler, so I pressed on towards Crossroads. I had just enough energy to limp to the North End for dinner after my run, but I woke up in excrutiating pain on Friday morning. It hurt to put any pressure on my foot. I decided to go to the doctor (something I never do) for a proper diagnosis. To make a long story longer, I've been told that I've either a) sprained/strained my foot or b) developed a stress fracture. I'm going to try to be as optimistic as possible and go with option A. I'm hoping that the pain will go away before the end of this week. In the meantime, I'm back on the program (e.g. crosstraining, stretching, vitamin-I, ice, and rest).

2008 Skate to Freeze Cancer

The 2008 Skate to Freeze Cancer was a hit! The event received a ton of press, and even more importantly, Hillary, Sarah and I raised $4,093.00 for the Claudia Adams Barr Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! I spent the morning of the event at the office, and the "Farber Girls" met me there at 3pm. They were armed with an "event kit," registration forms, signage, and enough homemade cupcakes to feed a small army (or a marathon runner in training). It turns out that the girls stayed up half the night baking cupcakes for the big day!

We brought everything down to the car and balanced twelve or so dishes of cupcakes on our laps while Hillary drove to the arena. We arrived around 4pm and immediately began setting up. I wrote numbers on all of the wrist bands until Lynnette showed up to discuss the format of the event. The Disney skaters arrived around 5:30pm to kickoff the event just past 6pm. Owen and Katy Barrett handled registration as participants came through the door. I was told to lace up my skates because the Disney skaters wanted to present me with a "Star Dazzle Award" for coordinating the event.

Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour took to the ice. I hobbled out there in my rental skates to thank them. Jade Esposito performed a routine to the music from the show, and the skaters welcomed everyone out onto the ice. I was thrilled with our turnout! While we were unable to "pack the place," I was quite pleased to see representatives from North Star Figure Skating Club, the Skating Club of Boston, the Wallace Figure Skating Club, Disney on Ice, and Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge!

I took questions from the press and distributed items from our drawing. Among some of the items that we gave away were Disney on Ice Goody Bags, a Ted Williams photograph, a Coco Krisp autographed baseball and a gift certificate to Cheers.

Hillary and Sarah laced up their skates at one point in the evening to take some photos for the newspapers. After the event, we gave two tickets to Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour (including a backstage Meet and Greet with the cast at the TD Banknorth Garden) to the top ten fundraisers. Our top fundraiser raised $2,100.00!! We also received a surprise performance by Manni and Daisy Hutter. Despite a couple of minor issues with the sound system, everyone seemed to have a wonderful time at the skate-a-thon! A very special thank you goes out to FMC Arenas for donating the cost of the ice and skate rentals, and to my friends at Disney on Ice. Hillary and Sarah deserve a special thank you for choosing to participate in one of my "crazy ideas," and I would also like to thank our volunteers because the event couldn't have happened without them! Feel free to check out a couple of articles about the event below:

http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/homepage/x1973325948
http://www.boston.com/ae/events/articles/2008/02/18/a_cool_cause/

LOST

I'm slightly behind on blogging this week because my time is being stretched in many different directions. My best friend from tour is in town, so I've been showing her around Boston. The skate-a-thon is this evening, and I've been working overtime to keep up with the demands of event compliance.

Last Sunday, I decided that it was time to start increasing my mileage because my knee was starting to feel better. Sarah and I hitched a ride to the DFMC team workout in Wellesley with Ben. We were slightly behind schedule when I got into the car sometime around 8am. We were really behind schedule by the time we found out that our exit to the Boston Sports Club was closed. We spent a bit of time wandering around Wellesley, but we managed to find the Club just in time for the run!

My goal was to finish an easy seven miler (walk/run). I ran past the rotary with Sarah and into the center of Wellesley. I followed the route just past the first water stop before turning around. I tossed my miniature water bottle into the trash because I didn't want to carry it anymore. Sarah pressed on to finish her very first eighteen miler! Go Sarah!! I pressed on towards my measly seven mile goal. I passed the first water stop yet again, and forged ahead towards the center of town....then past the center of town. I turned around. Again, I forged ahead towards the center of town....until I missed the center of town. How on earth could I miss the center of town!?! I completed an about face and hit the ground running in a new direction. I'm usually so good about paying attention to my surroundings, but I was legit LOST! I don't typically mind being lost, but my knee started to act up. I stopped for directions at the hardware store. The gentleman behind the counter made me feel so much better when he told me that I was a solid two or three miles off-course. My watch showed that I had already finished my seven mile goal.

I started running as soon as I exited the store, but my knee acted up. I was so very glad that I signed the DFMC check-in sheet twice today! I envisioned being rescued at any moment! I completed one bonus mile and yearned for my miniature water bottle. It was a real genius move to throw it away in the first place, huh!?!

I tried to run, but my knee wasn't cooperating. I shuffled in the snow. I discovered that shuffling didn't aggravate my knee. I shuffled for almost three miles until I saw the Babson Skating Arena and the start of my long, long run.

The Mail Must Get Through ...

I wasn't planning on seeing Owen on Valentine's Day because my friend was in town with Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour. I also wanted to get in a seven mile run before bedtime. I came up with a genius plan! I talked my friend into going on a quick seven mile run to Owen's house. We ran through Coolidge Corner and Harvard Square to hand-deliver a Valentine's Day card to Owen. He was quite surprised when he saw me at the door with a pink envelope, and I stayed just long enough to say goodnight.

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Last week, Hillary and I attempted our first deep water running workout. Deep water running is a great form of crosstraining and it's wonderful for injury rehabilitation. We arrived at the pool at 6:30am before work, and we were somewhat intimidated by the crowd of "advanced" swimmers. There were at least two or three of them in every single lane! We really fit right in as I strapped my flotation belt on over my black, ruffly bathingsuit and Hillary entered the "kiddie pool" in her orange bikini. Since the lap pool was full, we both agreed that it would be best to start our deep water running career in shallow water. LOL.

The "kiddie pool" turned out to be just deep enough for us to complete some form of deep water running. We finished several laps before deciding to run in zig-zags and circles. I was surprised when I found mysef sweating about ten minutes into the workout, and my arms and legs really worked hard against the water resistance. After the lap pool cleared out around 7am, I jumped right in to finish the remainder of my workout.

I've since completed several deep water running workouts, and I'm starting to get the hang of it! Feel free to click on the following link to watch a video on deep water running:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1078

5.67 Miles of Heaven

I've been on the "ITB Special" for the last two or three weeks to strengthen and stretch my legs. I participated in alternative workouts to running (e.g. elliptical, deep water running, etc.) to maintain some level of fitness.

Although I would never admit it in person, my hiatus from running definitely had me concerned. I would ask myself on a regular basis, "How am I supposed to run 26.2 miles in less than three months when I'm only able to run 3 miles without severe pain?!?" I was also concerned because I wasn't entirely confident that the deep water running and elliptical training would keep me in shape for running. The good news: it did! Coach Jack really knows his crosstraining, and I'm so glad that I listened to him because ....

Last night, I ran! I took the train out to the Woodland stop. Oh, how I've missed Woodland! I never thought I'd actually say that, but it's true! When you're confined to an exercise machine for three weeks at a time, all you want to do is get outside into the fresh, city air! You want to run and prance and roam free! You long for eight layers of clothing and sports beans! I will never, ever take my legs for granted again! From this point forward, I shall truly appreciate every single step that I take outside....especially that step that I took into an ankle deep puddle less than one mile into my run last night!

My roommate, Kate, and I tried to get to the station in time to meet up with the Crossroads crew, but we must have just missed everybody! It was tempting to try to catch up to the team, but then I remembered that my legs are only 3' long and I run ten minute miles. I was supposed to alternate three minutes of running with one minute of walking, but I accidentally got carried away. I found myself running five minutes and walking one minute, then running seven minutes and walking one minute because my dollar store watch doesn't have a light on it! It was difficult to see my running time in the dark. I was, however, able to tell when I conveniently hit the 'three minute mark' halfway up heartbreak hill! My plan was to run 4.5 miles to Boston College, but I was feeling so strong when I got there! Kate and I ran all the way to the Reservoir stop instead, and I'm thrilled to announce that finished 5.67 pain free miles!

I'm going to slowly increase my mileage over the next few weeks, and continue with the program. Now that I am aware of my succeptibility to ITB problems, I shall strengthen and stretch the area on a daily basis. I'm going to keep up with my crosstraining and work towards racing in the Hyannis Half Marathon with the "Farber Girls" and the rest of the DFMC team on February 24th. I'm just about halfway there already!

Boston Marathon Entry Confirmation - It's Official!

Dear Kathryn A. Counihan,

This is to notify you that your entry into the 112th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2008 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.

You can verify your acceptance into the field by searching the 112th Boston Marathon "Entrants" database on the B.A.A. web site, http://www.baa.org/2008/cf/Public/EntryLists.cfm. Additionally, an acceptance postcard will be mailed to you via US Postal Service mail.

In early April 2008, an official Number Pick-up Card and extensive information regarding the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and related race week activities will be mailed to you via US Postal Service first class mail. If you do not receive your Number Pick-up Card (required to claim number) and brochure by April 11, please contact our Registration Office at registration@baa.org. Registration related inquiries may also be directed to 508-435-6905.

Note that bib numbers will not be distributed on Race Day. Your travel arrangements should take into account picking up your number at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on Friday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday, April 19 or Sunday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you in April! Best of luck in your training!

Sincerely,

Boston Athletic Association

An Email to the DFMC Team

Dear Friends,

My name is Katy Counihan, and I look forward to running the 2008 Boston Marathon as your DFMC teammate! There are so many reasons behind my 26.2 mile mission for Dana-Farber, but I'm writing to let you know that you're one of them. Last year, as a Dana-Farber employee, I was invited to help out at the 2007 Boston Marathon. I volunteered to assist DFMC runners from the finish line back to the Copley Marriott. At the time, I was somewhat intimidated because I didn't know how my five-foot tall frame was going to carry all of you (if need be) back to the hotel. It's also not everyday that you have the opportunity to chat with individuals who have literally just conquered the Boston Marathon! In the long run (no pun intended), it was one of the most wonderful experiences in my life! So many of you opened your hearts, and told me why you run for Dana-Farber. It was such an emotional journey for you and me, and it was then that I decided that I wanted to run my first marathon for Dana-Farber! I was thrilled when I found out that I was accepted onto the 2008 DFMC team, and it is such an honor to be both running and fundraising by your side!

I'd also like to share with you information about an approved fundraiser that I've organized with two of your other DFMC teammates, Sarah Neukom and Hillary Wetzel. I'd like to personally extend an invitation to you, your family and friends to attend the 2008 Skate to Freeze Cancer (a public ice skating session) during school vacation week on Monday, February 18th from 6-8pm at the Simoni Arena in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Skaters are asked to raise a minimum of $25.00 to skate, and the top ten skating fundraisers will receive two tickets and a behind the scenes meet and greet to Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour while it's playing at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston. 100% of the proceeds from this event support our first run in the 2008 Boston Marathon for cancer research at Dana-Farber. Learn more about this fun, family event at http://www.skatetofreezecancer.blogspot.com. Please remember to pre-register to reserve your skates, and help us to spread the word! We hope to see you there, and good luck with the rest of your training!

Many thanks,
Katy Counihan

P.S. Feel free to check out my running blog at http://kcounihan.blogspot.com as well!