Longest Run Ever

I did it! ...

My official time was 5:30:42 ... and I promise to tell you all about it soon ... but it's back to bed for me right now! Thank you everyone for supporting my run because it was definitely one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life!! The feeling that you get from running through eight towns and 500,000 screaming fans (many yelling things like "Dana-Farber saved my life") was totally surreal! I'm still working towards my $10,000 fundraising goal ... and it's not to late to sponsor my 26.2 mile run for cancer research! Holy cow ... I just ran the Boston Marathon!

It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!

Last night, I went to bed at 9pm. I woke up at 3am ... but I feel good! It's currently 4:38am ... and Hillary will be here in less than an hour! I've just finished reading a bunch of "first marathon" stories for a few last minute tips and inspiration. I'm going to tackle this thing one step at a time. This is a 17 mile "light training run" and a 9 mile race. I'm going to go out slow. If I don't feel like I'm running too slow ... I'm going too fast. This is not the final exam ... this is the graduation celebration. My goal is to finish and to have fun. I can always walk or get a ride if I really need to ... but I'm going to enjoy every moment ... because it's not every day that you get to run the Boston Marathon! Well ... here we go! :)

Gearing Up

This weekend has been full of Marathon activities. I used to think that marathon runners just had to show up ... and run ... and run ... and run ... but there's so much more to it! On Saturday morning, I wrote down my "plan of attack" for the weekend. I planned my "snappy casual" marathon "look" by laying half of my running clothes out on the floor. I attended the DFMC check-in desk with Owen and dropped off a pile of goodies to leave at the 16 mile mark (green fleece, blister-free socks, fig newtons, pretzels, an inspirational quote from my Walk buddies, and a couple of gus). In exchange, I got some fantastic feet-shaped cookies, a packet of information, and a DFMC poncho! After checking-in with DFMC, we checked-in with the B.A.A.! I was amazed at how smooth everything went. Twenty-five thousand people are running the Boston Marathon and there wasn't a single line at bib pick-up! We stopped by the runners' expo at the Hynes Convention Center for a little while, but decided that it was ultimately safer not to brave the crowds. I got such a good night of sleep on Saturday afternoon, so I was well rested for the Sunday pasta party. In the morning, I woke up and continued with my carb loading. I feel like I've gained a solid thirty-four pounds this weekend, and I'm going to turn into a whole wheat bagel if I eat any more carbs this weekend. Some people carb-load. I think I might've carb over-loaded. The pasta party was truly inspirational! We took our seats (shortly after Patty's b-day party in my kitchen) and enjoyed a full pasta buffet. I was so glad that my entire family was able to join me at the pasta party. I've trained so hard for this moment ... so it felt really good to have everyone's support. The speakers at the event made me feel really good about this entire experience. We heard from Dr. Benz and Uta Pippig. Jan Ross spoke momentarily and there was an award ceremony for those who have been on the DFMC for five, ten and fifteen years. Jack Fultz gave us the usual rundown and really "pumped me up" for this marathon. My favorite bit of the evening was seeing all of the Patient Partners up on stage. My patient partner, Jasmine, was unable to attend the pasta party ... but she'll be on my mind every step of the way. I printed Jasmine's name on my singlet along with many others. Whenever I feel tired, I just have to look down and see "Run for Rita" ... and I will!

Trivia Question

On Monday, April 21, 2008, Katy Counihan will:

a) Swim the English Channel
b) Run the 2008 Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
c) Climb Mt. Everest
d) All of the above

Haha-haaaa! Please comment if you know the correct answer!

Words Cannot Describe ...

Readers! Oh, how I've missed you!! I'm so sorry that I've been temporarily "M.I.A.," but I have very good reasons for disappearing...

I'm tapering!!! I've been temporarily missing in action because it's "Katy time."
You see, when I decide to do something ... I give it my all ... I've given my heart and soul to Dana-Farber and the 2008 Boston Marathon. Now ... I need some time to reflect on this experience. It's time to focus on my goals. It's time to visualize myself running and crossing the finish line. It's time to give my fundraising one final push before the big day. It's time to rest ... and mentally ... and physically prepare for the 26.2 miles that are calling my name ...

I completed a fourteen miler last weekend and several shorter runs ranging from 3 to 7 miles. I've been working so hard on my fundraising! I sent out a TON of letters last week to my extended family ... asking my relatives to support my "Run for Rita." My Aunt Doris called me at work to tell me that she's sponsoring my run! She also told me that she took my grandmother's name some years ago, and told me that both she and her roommate will sponsor my run because her roommate is currently battling cancer. She told me, "Katy ... YOU RUN!" ... She said ... "Katy ... YOU RUN GIRL!" ... "YOU run for Debbie ... and everyone else..." ... and I promised her ... that I will RUN! I am going to run until I can run no longer ... and then I'm going to run some more ...

With the same attitude ... I'm still pressing ahead towards my $10,000 goal. I'm unofficially over the $5K mark! I'm excited to be able to raise all of this money for Dana-Farber ... because I know for a fact that it will be put to good use ... the best use ... I'm still sending out letters ... and I'm still working towards my goal ... THANK YOU ALL from the bottom of my heart for sponsoring my run for Dana-Farber!

Just today ... I recived a gift from my Uncle Elliot and Aunt Debbie ... and my dad is so wonderful! ... Just found out that he asked everyone at work to make a gift to my run ... and he raised over $212.00 towards my run!!! People are so loving ... and so generous ... and I've developed a new respect for people in general ... because I've learned through this experience ... that most people really want to help in any way that they can ...

My dad is really excited for my run!! He told me that he's going to rent a motorcycle and follow me with water. It'll be my own private pace car! My mom was yelling at him in the background ... "You had better not rent another motorcycle" ...!

Three weeks ago ... I was really anxious ... I finished my 18 miler ... and I wanted the marathon to hurry up and get here! Now it's here!! Boston is really gearing up! The signs are out ... and the big weekend is upon us! Last week ... I had knots (BIG ONES) in my stomach ... I wanted to puke every single day (twice) ... the nerves really got to me (just like they used to do in skating) ... Now ... with just a few days to go ... I AM EXCITED! I'M PUMPED! LET ME AT IT! JUST TRY TO HOLD ME BACK! ... I find myself smiling ... by accident ... just thinking about the marathon and Dana-Farber! ...

Today ... we took a group picture of all of the staff who are running the marathon for Dana-Farber! I wish the best of luck to Jan, Nancy, Keegan, Karla, Eric, Lauren, Hillary and Sarah! Everyone has worked so hard ... and we've all experienced our ups and downs ... highs and lows ... but this experience has made us all stronger people ... It is a privilege and an honor to be able to both work and run alongside so many wonderful people ...

I bought my GU! Owen took me to City Sports ... on Rt. 9 (about three miles from my house) ... and we got LOST driving home! How funny is that!! ... I would like to use this blurb to send a very special thank you to Owen Kellett because he has been SO supportive of my run for Dana-Farber! I really couldn't ask for a better best friend :) ... Owen ... and I know that you're reading this ... because you keep asking me where I've been! :) ... Thank you very, VERY much from the bottom of my heart for all of your support! ... and CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JOB! ... <> ...

This weekend is going to be very busy for me! ... I'm going to pick up my number on Saturday ... and attend the runner's expo ... I'll be at a reception on Saturday evening ... followed by the biggest and best PASTA PARTY EVER! Today ... Abby Kussell stopped by my office to chat for a moment ... then she left because she was "off to finish planning the best weekend of my entire life!" ... THANK YOU ABBY and everyone else on the DFMC staff! :) ... My entire family (Mom, Dad, Patty and Anne) ... and Owen will be at the Pasta Party with me ... and I'm really looking forward to it because last year ... I sat at the back of the Pasta Party during my volunteer role ... and I cried ... The experience moved me to tears ... and I wasn't even running last year! :) ...

I'm keep getting choked up ... just thinking about crossing Kenmore Square on Monday ... I cannot wait to run past my mom and dad (location TBD) ... Katherine and Pete and Owen will be just before mile 22 ... and I'm going to think about them as I run up heartbreak hill ... because I'm going to get a big hug when I see them! ... Katy and Amy will be riding the route ... and meeting us here and there ... The roomies will be at Coolidge Corner ... and there will be plenty of people along the route ... helping me to the finish line ... and my Grandma will be cheering me on ... from Heaven ... :) ...

Thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy lives to read my silly blog (even though my blog posts have titles like "Gloves or No Gloves?" :) ... My marathon experience for Dana-Farber would not be the same without you! ... :) ...

Good luck to all of my DFMC teammates ... and thank you to the DFMC Board members who really go "the extra mile" to make each DFMC a huge success! ... It wouldn't be nearly as fun without you! :) ...

This is actually going to be one of my last posts (and perhaps my last post) before Marathon Monday ... Wish me luck! :)

Now that I got that out of my system ... I'm officially ready to go!

A DFMC "Moment"

Last night, I posted the following message on the DFMC community board:

Just writing to say ... I really love you guys :) ... Am so glad to be on your team ... Am so proud to be able to fundraise/work/run for Dana-Farber!! :) ...

Just finished the slowest, greatest 18 miler EVER ... but I finished with strength and peace of mind ... and actually had a good time running in the rain! ...

I received some really great advice from an experienced marathoner a few days ago ... and wanted to share it because I'm usually told what to wear, what to eat, how to treat injuries, etc.... when I ask for advice ...

But this guy's advice was truly unique! He told me that he finished several marathons in his lifetime (including Boston) ... and the best advice that he had to offer was:

Just have fun! As hard as it is to hear this ... You can always get a ride home; You can always walk if you need to! It's absolutely okay! ... But whatever you do ... enjoy the moment! Just have fun!

This advice seems so simple ... but it was something that I really needed to hear at the time ... So ... Enjoy! :)

It Must Be A Kathryn Thing

Last week, I decided that I needed a little inspiration during my final weeks of training, so I started reading Marathon Woman. It's the story of Katherine Switzer, the first woman to officially register for the Boston Marathon!

As a child, Katherine wanted to become a cheerleader, but her dad told her that she shouldn't be cheering for people from the sidelines. People should be cheering for her instead! He suggested that she try out for the women's field hockey team, but she claimed that she wasn't fit enough. He told her that if she run one mile every single day around the yard, she'll definitely make the cut. Every day, she completed her laps. She referred to herself as "King of the Hill" after she finished her workouts. Keep in mind that women just didn't run back then! Eventually, she made the high school team and then the college team! By then, she was running three miles on a daily basis.

One day, she was out running on the track. The men's cross country coach saw her and asked her if she would consider running on the men's team during a couple of meets because he was down a few runners. She agreed to run the mile at the next meet, and the media really had a field day! Most of the school came out to see this woman compete against the men. She placed last, but she finished!

Katherine decided to transfer to another university later on in her college career. She approached the men's cross country coach about the possibility of running with the team at her new school. He told her that she couldn't compete with the men due to regulations, but that she could train with them! So ... she did!

She started training with the team on the nearby golf course. She was slower than the men, but they treated her as any other teammate nonetheless. Katherine started running with Arnie, the assistant coach. He was an elderly gentleman that had finished several Boston Marathons. Running was his passion! Together, Katherine and Arnie were "two peas in a pod." I suppose that Katherine enjoyed the company, and Arnie was just glad to be able to keep pace with someone.

Arnie told Katherine miles of stories about his marathon days. Eventually, Katherine got tired of his stories. She didn't want to live vicariously through Arnie; she wanted her own Boston Marathon experience. The problem was that women didn't run marathons in 1967! Female runners were "dogs." "It wasn't healthy for women to run marathons because their uteri could fall out."

Katherine convinced Arnie that she was capable of running the Boston Marathon. Arnie became Katherine's personal trainer. She registered for the marathon under the name, K. V. Switzer. Officials assumed that she was a male, so she received a bib number.

Katherine is currently waiting nervously at the starting line. She's the only female in a sea of males.....

(To Be Continued)