Meet Ellie!

Friends, family, bloggers, supporters... 

Meet Ellie!

This would be the sweet little girl who I've been matched with and will be running the marathon for as part of the Patient Partner Program!  Ellie and her mom mailed me an info sheet that all runners and patients fill out about each other, and then we swap to learn a bit about who we're paired with!  

Ellie's Favorites

Animal: Kitty cat

TV Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Food: Pasta (I'm with her on that one!)

Game: Basketball

Things that she likes to do for fun: Swimming

Things that make her the happiest: Diving in the pool!

Ellie is excited to be a part of the program because: I like running!

I could just melt.  I cannot wait to meet this little one!

If you're interested in the answers to MY questionnaire, let me just say that it's difficult to spin adult favorites into something a three year old will understand.  For instance, my favorite movie?  Either The Godfather, Steel Magnolias, or A Christmas Story.  Kid-friendly version? Elf!  My favorite TV show?  Currently Breaking Bad.  Kid-friendly? Friends!  

The absolutely honest answer to a question?

I am excited to be part of this program because: I love to run and am so excited to be matched with Ellie-- every mile is for her!

THAT is the God-honest truth.

In fundraising news, I am officially HALFWAY to my goal of $3000!!  

I am blown away every day by the generosity of the people who know me in so many different ways: my family, Brian's family, my best friends, friends that I've made since moving to Boston and Brian's friends who I consider my own as well, coworkers, my parents' coworkers, people who work in the hospital and see "I'm running the ING New York City Marathon for Boston Children's Hospital!" in my email signature and randomly reach out... it is amazing what people will come together to support when the cause is as amazing as what the Miles for Miracles team stands for.

If you would like to sponsor me, I invite you to stop by my fundraising page!  

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/page/Katherine-Fox.htm

Thank you so much to all of you who have contributed already-- I love you all!

Happy weekend, my lovelies.  Tomorrow morning awaits me with a 10 miler on the schedule-- whoop!

Ellie: The sweet patient who's making this crazy training worth it!

Yesterday morning I woke up to an email saying that I had officially been matched with my Boston Children's Hospital patient, as part of the Patient Partner Program.  Her name is Ellie, she's 3 years old and she has been a patient at Boston Children's since before birth.  I am SO excited and can't wait to find out more about this little girl, and will potentially share more information and her photo after I chat with her mom and she confirms how much info she would like to be shared.  She is adorable and seems so full of life, and that little spark in her eye is exactly what I have been needing!  

One of the biggest reasons that I chose to be matched with a patient is I knew that even on the darkest days of running, when the last thing that I want to do is lace up my sneakers and head out the door, I could think of this little one who I had been matched with and my annoyances at the moment would become so insignificant, I would realize I had no reason NOT to be training.  As I've mentioned before, my excuses can either be mindblowingly awesome or painfully pathetic, ranging from "My running capris feel snug... I'll just sit on the couch a few more minutes to make them more comfy" (pathetic) to "That 8 mile run on Sunday made my knee feel a little twitchy... Perhaps I should not run today and RICE it" (awesome).

The thing is, at the end of the day I can guarantee that whatever I'm going through is a heck of a lot less troubling and difficult than what sweet Ellie and the majority of the other patients at BCH have gone through, are currently working through, or will spend the rest of their lives trying to manage.  

It all brings me back to my reason for running for my hospital.  Yes, at the beginning, it was a convenience-- I saw an ad on our intraweb about running with Miles for Miracles so I sent off the application thinking I'd never hear back from anyone.  But the moment that I was offered a spot and began to read about the impact that this team has on patients and their care, I knew that I had chosen well.  I can't walk through the main hospital now without looking at awfully sick little ones and thinking "You.  Today's miles were run for you."  Every dollar that I have raised, every mile that I have run has been and will be for them.  And let me tell you-- it's a pretty amazing feeling to know that I'm playing a small part in making a big impact.

If my marathon were a movie (and Sandra Bullock played me because... obviously!), when I cross the finish line on November 4th a little montage would play, showing every sweet little face that I've seen, the faces that match to the names that match to the stories of the patients to whom I'm dedicating four months of my life.  Actually, I'm pretty positive that this will happen regardless of the fact that a) my life is not a movie and b) Sandy will not be crossing the finish line--I will.  Some of you who know me well may also know that I love a good montage and that a GREAT montage can send me right into tears.  Since I'm already preparing to cry my eyes out when I finish, the thought of not only what I've accomplished but who I've accomplished it for will make the end THAT much sweeter.  It's this part of the training that makes the end result SO much more worth it, and that, my friends, is exciting.

The key to 8 miles is distraction!

Yesterday morning, I conquered my dreaded 8 miles.  For the past few weeks, while I was working out the schedule adjustments with the Level 1/Level 2 combo/switch, I was experiencing intense doubts of both confidence and capability... as in I was confident that I was not capable of running 8 miles.

Maybe it was maintaining my mileage during the week but drastically bringing the long run mileage down.

Maybe it was successfully running a tiny bit over 7 last weekend and although I nearly fainted from not hydrating enough, I felt like I could run forever.

Maybe it was all of the Olympic coverage of the marathoners and distance runners-- if they can run 10,000 kilometers and not even break a sweat, surely I can run 8 miles at a slower pace than normal.

Maybe (more likely than any other reason) it was the fact that I knew at some point, people were going to get sick of hearing me say "Oh yea... I'll get to 8... soon.  Just gotta work up the endurance a little more!  Almost there!"

So with that in mind, I headed to the gym yesterday morning to face my demons.  Now, I'd like to take a moment to reiterate how intensely I dislike the treadmill.  With a passion.  Of a million fires and all of that jazz.  Running on a belt and staring at the wall is incomparable to getting outside and having constantly changing scenery to distract you.  I knew that if I was going to survive the run, I had to bring in the big guns:

That's right.  Two episodes of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore coached me through my run on my Kindle.  And I gotta tell you, the miles FLEW by.  It's important to me to run outside as much as possible since the marathon is obviously not run on a treadmill, but it's nice to know that when the going gets tough, I can bring in the crew from Stars Hollow to pep it up.

Positives from this past week?  Very little soreness, even though I racked up a total of 22 miles, which is crazy to even think about having run.  Also, 8 miles equals 1252 calories burned-- yes to that!

Negatives? The humidity.  And I tried Gu Chomps, watermelon flavored.  The pro was that I loved the flavor and didn't have issues with an aftertaste or anything.  Con?  I nearly choked/suffocated trying to chew, swallow, and breathe all at once.  Doing this while sitting, yes.  While running?  Add it to my list of "Things I must get used to."

On the schedule for this week...
M: 4 easy miles
T: 4 mile Fartlek
W: Rest
Th: 3 mile tempo run + 1-2 mile WU/CD
F: XT 60 minutes
S: 9 mile long run

Swing by my Fundraising Page!!

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/page/Katherine-Fox.htm

Running, such a mental game we play...

I may have run the best 4 miles of my life last night.  


"Um, Katie... you know you have to complete that PLUS 22.2, right?"


Friends, I'm workin' on it.  Rome was not built in a day, nor were my legs prepped overnight to carry me from Temple, Texas to Jarrell, Texas on I-35 (a little marathon distance perspective for my Southern people).  If I think of that chunk of miles all at once, I will crawl into a hole.  So for now, 4 miles is the victory.


Fortunately for me, I've figured out that running is almost more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge.  If my mind is in the right place, I feel strong, well-trained, invincible-- I could run for days!  But if I go into a workout with negative thoughts, thinking of how tired I am, how my shins have been bothering me, my legs are antsy-feeling at night, it's too muggy/rainy/hot/sticky, that I just don't WANT to run today... I'm doomed from the get-go.  


Last night I had 4 easy miles on the schedule and I BATTLED to go out and do it.  I knew there was no way I was going to get on the treadmill, which left me with heading to the local high school track.  I finally left the apartment at 7:15, walked out of the front door... and into the rain.


Challenge 1: I know my feet will not move on a treadmill tonight.  Do I dare run in the rain?  It's not like they'll cancel the marathon if it rains, so I might as well practice in it now.  


Straight to the car I went.  As I drove, the steady drizzle started to come down in sheets and then buckets.  "I won't melt.  I won't melt.  I won't melt."


Challenge 2: I'm not a fan of running at the track in the evenings if there aren't many people around.  It's safe enough but still... that would not be keeping my guard up (thanks, Dad!).  As I pull in, I notice there aren't many people there.  Maybe I should-- hm.  Maybe I should notice that three cars just drove in behind me and they appear to be here to run as well.


Leaving my iPod in the car knowing it would just get soaked, I headed to my starting line.


Challenge 3: I might go crazy if I think of the fact that 4 miles around this track equals 16 laps.  Repetition is what kills my track runs when I'm not doing speedwork.  Wait a sec!  Perhaps I'll tell myself that I'm running 16 MILES instead of LAPS.  


And so I did.  As I passed my starting point time and time and time again, I was saying to myself "Yes, mile 11!  You're fabulous!  If you hit 13 you've run half of the distance of a marathon!" instead of "Oh my word, that's lap 2 of mile 2, so I have 10 laps left-- shoot me now!"


I'm glad that only I heard the cheering inside my head.  And I'm not delusional.  I am fully aware that 4 miles is nothing like 16, but that mind game is what it took to get me around the track, on pace and with good form and a great outlook.  It was amazing.  I FELT amazing and I can't lie-- I feel pretty pissed to be running sometimes... but not last night.  


Everything perfectly aligned and as I ran in the rain without my music and listened to my steady, practiced breathing and the strike of my foot on the soft track; as I kept the rhythm of my comfortable, easy pace and noticed I felt no aches or pains where I usually do... I couldn't help but smile--  I'm a runner.  I am a legitimate runner, and while my perfect run last night may have only been a fraction of what I will face on November 4th, it showed me what I'm capable of doing, what my body is capable of doing...


... and how far I've come from the days in elementary school when I used to spin myself on the tire swing to get out of running to the fence and back.  I suppose there's a learning curve for everyone when it comes to athleticism...

For every UP there is a down...

Up: Finding my rhythm and enjoying a 4 mile treadmill run instead of staring at the display as the minutes crawl by oh-so-slowly 


Down: Speed training the day after a good, easy run.  I'm running Fartlek... Fartleks... uh huh, and tempo runs twice a week.  Tempo runs can ruin my day.  Also, Fartleks suck.  Big time.  As does speed training and extreme tempo runs.  I don't know if you know... but my goal is to cross the finish line still breathing.  There is no actual RACE in this marathon for me.  I'm still trying to work in speed training because I figure a little extra conditioning for 26.2 miles never hurts.  A coworker in my office asked what my goal time is for the race.  Was it rude to say "Forget a goal time-- I want to cross the finish line on two feet and not a stretcher"


Up: Running my 7 mile long run on Saturday morning in the really warm, non-shaded, no-breeze/highly humid weather and not dying.


Down: The police officer who saw me around mile 3 and gave me a smile and happy nod also saw me at mile 6 and, with a much more concerned look, advised me to head home and get out of the heat.  I'm guessing I was feeling a lot more together than I looked, because I couldn't help but laugh as this came to mind: 

Up: Investing in a good pair of running socks.  After being advised by a few avid runner female coworkers, I went for the luululemon ultimate padded running sock.  I never knew what I was missing until I slid these babies on my feet:

Down: Obsessively tracking the shipment and then tearing open the package to find a pair of socks.  ONE pair of socks.  For $15.  That whole running ain't cheap theory?  Well, it is not a theory-- I'm clearly not in the Hanes Eight-Pack Sock Game anymore...



Training is going well.  I did hit a lull there for a few days where I was kind of just going through the motions.  We had a lot going on every single weekend, the weeknights were jam-packed, and after coming home, running, making/eating dinner and fitting in a bit of TV, I was exhausted.  This week has been better and with things settling down, I'm getting the chance to refocus on the commitment I've made.


I'm not gonna lie- there have been a few days since training began when just the THOUGHT of running put me in an awful mood (poor Brian).  I still got my miles in for the day, but I was ANGRY that I had to do it, ANGRY at the treadmill, ANGRY that my songs weren't shuffling the way that I wanted, ANGRY that my shin was being naggy and bothering me off and on.  Basically, I was a real treat and a half.


Then I kind of had this realization that I could either whine and complain and gripe about this, or I could shut up and do it, IT being THE MARATHON WHICH I VOLUNTARILY SIGNED UP FOR AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEYOND-GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS.  


So, I've chosen the latter.  


Tonight I'm tackling 4 easy miles, which should be a walk in the park.  Or sixteen laps around the track, however you choose to see it.  By the end of this week, I'll have run 8 for my long run, which will put me at running a little under a 1/3 of the marathon distance, and 21 miles total for the week.  It's crazy to see myself now totally accepting the fact that running X many miles is just a part of my week-- I never thought I'd see the day.  Shoot, I never thought I'd move like this!

Stop by and visit my fundraising page!!

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/page/Katherine-Fox.htm

I am officially just a number!

This morning I received my official invitation from the New York Road Runners association to run the marathon!  


Truthfully, I had no idea this invitation was coming-- after already starting my fundraising and training, I assumed I was just good to go.  While browsing the marathon website, I did kind of wonder at what point the Boston Children's part of my experience would tie into the actual OFFICIAL marathon... so I guess I now have my answer!


A negative?  While I paid a deposit to run with the BCH team, I did NOT realize there was also an acceptance fee to run with the NYRR.  When I hear the word "fee" I think of small numbers-- $25, $30... maybe $100 if we're getting prestigious.  $266... that is not a number that I ponder.


Of course, that's what my race fee is, which just might be more than every road race fee that I've ever paid COMBINED.  But, I digress.  I'm already knee (or shin... yes, I'm definitely shin deep) in this and am 100% committed, so now it's just forking over the cash.


I feel like I've heard before that people are encouraged to run because it's a cheap sport-- you just lace up your shoes and run out of your front door.  Yes, THAT part is cheap.  What's not cheap?


The $80 compression pants, $15 cushioned socks, and $27 breathable top that you put on pre-lace up.


The $150 running shoes, possibly with $50 custom made orthotics to prevent those pesky shin splints that had to be purchased at the running specialty store so someone younger (and way more athletic) than you can stare at your feet while you run on a treadmill to determine which shoes are best for you.


The Garmin that you strap to your wrist to navigate your pace/splits/direction/heart rate/calories burned for a cool $300.


The $22 Nuun tablets you dump into your water bottle to rehydrate post-run.


The $25 copay to the orthopaedic doctors who you scurry off to visit whenever an ache or pain doesn't immediately work itself out.


Running... is not cheap.  It probably could be.  In fact, it definitely could be.  It's obviously not a requirement to be outfitted with this stuff, but when you fall for a sport as hard as I (and many, many other runners) have, it's difficult to pull yourself away!  It's kind of sick-- new flavors of energy tablets and bars are to me what a JCrew sale are to others.  Okay, I still like a good JCrew sale, but still-- I never thought I'd be pumped over the improved flavor of a Gu shot.


As much money as I may chunk at this hobby?  activity?  sport? I know that one thing is for sure.  Running has become my therapy.  If I'm stressed, I can almost always guarantee that a good run will give me clarity (and yes I'm human-- there are days where the thought of putting on my running shoes makes me want to throw things across the room) and I know that it gives me a better outlook on my day (hence, why I prefer to run in the AM).  


So basically, the lighter my pockets due to running, the lighter my mind is due to stress.  Right?


Who knows-- I'm off to raid my money tree and finally buy new shoes!

Week 1 of Training: 3 miles is progress towards 26.2?

Week 1 Schedule

Monday: 3 easy miles

Tuesday: 4 easy miles

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 2 mile tempo run + 1-2 mile WU/CD

Friday: XT 45 minutes

Saturday: 5 miles long

Sunday: XT 45 minutes

So I know that I said I'd post a review of training every single day. I know. And I honestly tried this week, except that every post came out sounding like "Today I ran 3 miles. It wasn't really difficult because I've been running 3-4 miles regularly for quite a while now. So... I'm training for the marathon! Officially! But... it doesn't really feel like it."

Riveting, right? As an avid reader of other blogs, I can say that posts like that bore me out of my mind. If I'M bored by that mundane info, why would I share it with my people? Brian has to be subjected to it regardless, so you can thank him for having to suffer for all of you.

On the bright side, training HAS been really easy this week.

Monday I ran the 3 miles on a treadmill at my gym in the evening. Tuesday morning I woke up and took the 4 mile run outside (yes-- my feet were pounding the pavement by 5am) and other than a little bit of soreness from running on uneven pavement, it felt great. Tomorrow is my long run of 5 miles, which I'm excited for because I can throw it around in conversations:

"Oh, what am I doing tomorrow? Just starting the day with my long run, because I'm training for a marathon you know, and then probably sitting by the pool, no big deal."

Alright, I'm not obnoxious enough to actually say that out loud, but I totally do in my head. And when the long runs start to hit the mileage range of 18-22 miles, I'm 100% letting anyone who will listen know that I will be conquering that. Because seriously? At that point? I'll need all of the encouragement that I can get.

Several of my coworkers are avid runners and a few of them have run multiple marathons, so it's been really nice to have their words of wisdom when I have moments of panic. They keep telling me that once the long run mileage gets really high that everything is just second nature and you push your body through it. I find that hard to believe, but I keep telling myself with training and patience I'll get there too.

Excitement for this week? We're heading to a running store so I can finally pick out a new pair of running shoes. Now THIS I am really excited to do. Not only is it semi-fun investing in running shoes (because truthfully, it's hard to realize how badly you need a pair until you slip your feet into new shoes after miles and miles have been put into the old ones), but they always ask what type of running you'll be doing-- beginner, short distances, speed training, long distances, etc. And because I've become a big running nerd, I'm really pumped to tell them that I need an awesome pair of shoes because they're taking me to run NYC!!

My fundraising has been going SO WELL and I could not possibly be more appreciative of all of the family, friends and coworkers who have already made donations towards my goal! As of now, I've raised $540 towards my $3000 goal-- I still have a long way to go but am slowly but surely getting there!

If you would like to make a contribution towards my fundraising, stop by my Boston Children's Hospital marathon website!

http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/page/Katherine-Fox.htm

As always, thank you so much for your support and encouragement-- it means so much from each and every one of you!