Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

On Thanksgiving Day I ran the 10K Silicon Valley Turkey Trot. I started off with 5 of my TnT friends and ended up running nearly the whole thing with two of my mentees (James and Andria)! That's them in a pic. We had fun running in and between children, strollers, and walkers. I ran it in 1:10:15. I felt like I pushed myself and made a very foolish error with about three-quarters of a mile to go. I bolted way too fast thinking the end was nearer than it. I couldn't sustain the speed and soon Andria came up effortlessly behind me as I huffed and puffed. I'm glad we caught up with each other, because it was really nice running across the finish line together. After picking up my swag and eating a banana, I made it to the kids' fun run area just in time to see my oldest run across his first finish line at the very front of the pack! The little guy ran a few minutes earlier and came in second. They were super excited to earn their first medals. What a great way to start off Thanksgiving!

Back on Track!

FINALLY, I am back into the training routine:

• Mon/Weds - circuit training and stretching for 60-75min.


• Tues - Track (Kris hammered the circuit into us with drills focusing on core and leg strengthening)


• Thur - 6am Buddy Run - 4-6 miles


• Sun/Fri - recovery/rest


• Sat - long run (today's along the MIGHTY Guadalupe River Trail)

Last season, my marathon training goal was to train to endure a marathon from start to finish. This season, I'm training to shave off time. However, at this point in the season, my big focus is to support new participants. Some of the participants are new to running and/or are training for a half marathon. I remember how IMPORTANT it was to get mentor support during these early stages, so I want to give back and do the same for others. It's so easy to get down on yourself for not keeping up with the person passing you, or because you can't do the plank for more than 5 seconds. It can be hard to convince yourself that patience, is indeed a virtue. Strength and endurance will come as long as you keep up with the training.

So, in order for me to get my mileage in while help people out, I've been running some pre-run runs. During this time, I'm running faster and with a longer run interval (4:1 or 5:1). We'll see how it pays of when I run the 10K Turkey-Trot on Thanksgiving Day - I'm aiming for a consistant pace and speed in this one. We'll see what happens!

Why J9, Why: A reminder of WHAT this is all about

As I enter into a new season, I'm looking back on my training just a few months ago. I'm really amazed at how far I have come. I ran 9 miles on Saturday and felt zero soreness. I was REALLY tired later in the day, but a few months ago...9 miles and ice-bath happened within an hour of each other (evidence to the right).

I'm also thinking about why I'm doing this and have to quote a posting from a few months ago. It holds true whether you are a novice TNT participant or a veteran. EVERY runner has a goal - to push beyond their own limits, whatever they are. The longer runs get tougher, but we will always push through with the reminders of why we are out there - the stuggles we experience during marathon training don't compare to the struggles families experience as they endure the devasting effects of cancer. Chemo, radiation, spinal taps, the poking and prodding of needles, sick from cancer, sick from treatments, feelings of hope to feelings of despair, messages left on the phone by doctors stating, "You have cancer. Call back to schedule an appointment."

During every training, we all support teammates through hardships and successes with sarcasm and smiles. We're also quick to state ,"Suck it up, man! Try chemo!" The entire TNT group is the most inspiring, sincere, dedicated, supportive, caring group of people I have ever met - it's a cult of "nice" people with the mission to cure cancer. Which brings me to my last point - many honorees have stated that they are inspired by our dedication to "the cause". However, it is them who inspire us. Sniff, sniff.

Couch Potater Turned Marathon Trainee, now MARATHONER!

Yahoo, I'm in it for the long haul now - a running addict for a cause. I'm sucked into Team In Training for Season 2: The Napa Marathon. I'm in for the cause (raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), the comraderie, the coaching, the inspiration.

This season will be very different as it is the....ooooooo.....winter season. Cold, rain, wind, fog, on some familiar trails and a few new ones - I'm really looking forward to 20 miles in Monterey. I've heard GREAT things about that run. Waddell Creek and Natural Bridges will be familiar runs with the added bonus of MUD. Unfortunately, Lake Mersucks-I mean Merced, will not be on the schedule. My goal is to improve my endurance and speed, and complete the marathon in 5:30. I'm pretty sure it can be done - 5:45 is a NO brainer. Perhaps I'll knock of even more time, we shall see.................

NIKE Women's Marathon FINISHER!

$18 million was raised through NIKE Women's Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Of the 20,000 participants - 5,000 were running with Team in Training, and 100 of those ran along with me from the South Bay Run Team. This was the third most powerful experience of my life. The first two? My sons.

For me, October 19th started with the alarm going off at 2:30am in my SF hotel room for early morning breakfast. You know the drill - two packets instant oatmeal, 2 hard boiled eggs, cuppa tea, and - oops- forgot to eat that banana!

4:40am, the early start runners met with Coach Doug to take the bus to the starting line from the SF hotel. First best set of quotes for the day? Bus driver: "Where's the start?" Coach Doug: "Union Square." Bus Driver: "Where's Union Square?" We did make it to the start in plenty of time under the darkness of a pre-dawn sky while still not really comprehending the magnitude of the day. Not sure if it was denial or self-preservation or a little bit of both.

5:30 am the gun goes off and the race began with a GO TEAM! We, four run girls, developed our plan. We would walk the first couple of miles before entering into our run/walk intervals and would walk the hills. I created a pace chart with the approximate number of minutes to complete each and every mile. I new I could be off by 25 minutes either way, and I was cool with that. The pace chart was important for several reasons: 1) My family and a friend were coming out to support me at mile 21 and at the finish line. I wanted to give them an approximation as to when I would hit those marks; 2) I wanted to gauge my own pace. My goal? To complete the marathon in 6 hours and 23 minutes or less.

The race - an experience never to be forgotten - 20, 000 runners and HUNDREDS of supporters. Bands and drummers en-route. Water stops a plenty. Friendly runners along the way. Best of all were the coaches, captains, mentors, and other TNT participants from MY team as well as others there to support US on our run. What makes a marathon a marathon and not just at 26.2 mile run down any old trail? The cheers, the smiles, the GO TEAMs from mile 1 through to the end. The San Francisco sunrise. The humor of the RunGirls throughout. The honorees at mile 15 and mile 26.2. The Golden Gate Bridge, The Presidio, the Cliff House, the bison in Golden Gate Park. The look of assurance with the words: "You look strong." The water stops. The Great Highway. Mike's fresh salt packs at mile 18.5. Lake Merced.

Simone at mile 20 yelling, "PUT DOWN THAT CAMERA SO I CAN TAKE YOUR PICTURE!" Feeling the support of my dad, sister, brother-in-law, niece, husband, my two children, and two friends at mile 21. Hearing, "You guys are AWESOME." Steve's mellow run-talk through mile 22. Mike's 23 mile salt pack. The final ascent back up the Great Highway and seeing Coach Doug. The knowing that it can be done and that it will be done. Coach Tim, "I'll save that story for another time" - "No, we NEED that story now" and Coach Tim telling the story.

Seeing my family at mile 25.5.

Brief runs with mentor after mentor after mentor. Knowing, it is being done! Running with Jen the entire 26.2 miles in 6 hours 23 minutes and 57 seconds and getting that Tiffany necklace and finisher t-shirt. (By the way, go back and read my estimated time.) Post-run soreness alleviated by Coach Kris FORCING me to dance 6 hours after completing the marathon.

The second best quote of the day? 20 minutes after completing the race, I'm hanging with my family in the "P" section. I'm putting on a sweatshirt, pants, and changing shoes. I see Margot in the stunned post-marathon-brain-freezed daze that we are ALL in. I say, "Hey Margot, how do you feel?" She gives me the Margot look, but then says..."Janine, yah know, I think I could do this again." My reply, "Napa."

March 1, 2009: I will run the Napa Marathon with Team in Training.