Running with Bubbles

Half-marathon training
Week sixteen, day four

Years ago, I had a performance review at work that was primarily positive, but at the end, one of the partners told me, “you’re always so sure of yourself, and that’s good…but sometimes you should consider that other people with different experiences might know something you don’t.” (Which I think was a nice way of saying that I was sometimes an a**hole.) Apparently, that’s a lesson on which I’m still working.

The first time we ran at the lake, we did four miles. I had never run more than 3.1 (5k) before that, and my regular runs were 2.5 miles. I remember Ryan telling me that by halfway through the season, four miles would be nothing to me. I gave her a noncommittal “mmm,” while thinking, “yeah, right!”

Earlier this week my friend David teased me for referring to the Jingle Bell Run as “just a 5k.” A year ago, a 5k was my goal distance! Today, we only had six miles on the schedule and I considered doing a couple of extra miles since I don’t need to taper yet. (I didn’t – but I considered it.) On the way home, I was thinking that four to six miles is my favorite distance to run. It takes me 1.5 to 2 miles just to loosen up and get into it, and I can do up to six easily without feeling worn out all day. And then I remembered that conversation with Ryan and how I didn’t believe her that four would be easy one day.

Yeah, I’m a little slow sometimes. Thanks, Ryan – you were right! (And, um, I’m probably still kind of an a**hole sometimes.)

Half-marathon training
Week sixteen, day three

Two miles today and I started out stressed. Work has been crazy busy and I worked through lunch for the third time this week today. Those of you who knew me during the Bickel & Brewer or Wachtell days will appreciate that I got about half a mile into my run before I started laughing at myself for being irritated about working nine hours a day.

It’s all about perspective, you know? And for anyone who, like me, has a tendency to think “I can’t do that,” take 5 minutes and watch this video. You will not regret it! 

Half-marathon training
Week Sixteen, day one

I missed a run last week (the long run on Saturday) for the first time since our vacation to Jamaica in week three. I started feeling sick Friday night and woke up with a headache, sore throat and tender stomach. Whatever it was seems to have gone away now, but I felt discombobulated (and yes, a little guilty) all weekend.

So, Monday means two easy miles but today I had to work to find the time. Getting up early was out of the question after drinking wine at Mark and Kathy’s going-away shindig last night. We’re going to see Skyfall tonight so I won’t have time after work. Guess that leaves lunchtime! I originally thought I would hit the gym but then decided to take advantage of the nice weather while it was still here. 75 and sunny, almost a little too warm but a nice easy run through HP capped off with a stop at Whole Foods for some soup to take back to the office (because nothing makes you look cooler while running than a WF bag in your hand). Quick shower and only about 5 minutes late back to the office.

Not that hard at all. If you really want to do it, you’ll find the time! And I feel much better now that I’m back on schedule.

Half-marathon training
Week fifteen, day three

I had intended to do the 8 mile Turkey Trot this morning, but the more I calculated the time, the more I realized I would really be pushing it to be ready to leave for the Cowboys game in time. So, I decided to do the 5k instead. Luckily I had paid for the timing chip, which enabled me to line up in the front and I crossed the start line in a minute or two instead of the 45 minutes it took last year. (I did pause to yell up to David Kelton, our illustrious announcer, but he pretended not to hear me.)

I hit mile one in 12 minutes – really too fast for me, but you kind of go with the crowd at that point. I settled in to my normal pace in mile 2 and hit that marker at about 26 minutes. I still almost talked myself into taking the 8 mile route, but then I realized that I might be able to make my goal of finishing a 5k in under 40 minutes. It took a pretty good kick at the end, but by my watch I finished in about 39:15 – 4 minutes faster than last year and 2.5 minutes faster than the the fastest race I’ve ever run! Woo-hoo!

I am thankful today for so many things in my life. I’m thankful that Tony found a new job that he likes. I’m thankful my sister, brother-in-law and the kids weren’t home when her house was burglarized. I’m thankful my friend Becky wasn’t hurt when a truck crashed into her living room last night. I’m thankful I have a take charge personality – I think I’d still be in the porta-potty line if I hadn’t walked up front and started directing people.

I’m thankful I have the ability to run. I’m thankful for my teammates, mentors, captains and coaches who help me push my perceived limits. I’m thankful for the financial, emotional, and mental support from my family and friends who are making sure I can cross that finish line.

I’m thankful I was lucky enough to know Angi. And I’m thankful for every single one of you. You never know when or why your life will change, and I’m thankful for that too.

Half-marathon training
Week fifteen, day two

I was supposed to meet a couple of the women from my team to run our four miles on the Katy trail last night, but I just wasn’t up to it. My back hurt, my head ached and I just plain didn’t feel that great. (Of course I felt guilty about canceling all night – stupid perfectionist tendencies.)

Luckily, I didn’t have to come in until noon today, so I went to the trail this morning (with pepper spray in hand) to get my four miles in. Started running….okay, the first mile always sucks…mile and a half, still sucks…almost halfway and still sucks. I started thinking that I hadn’t had a really good run in a couple of weeks. Not a mental block, I’ve been getting them done, but something always hurts or I just don’t have any zip. I was kind of bummed, wondering if I’d ever enjoy my runs again. Then I started thinking about other things, like tomorrow’s Cowboys game, and what to get my niece and nephew for Christmas, and what year did that Wang Chung song come out?

Somewhere around mile 3 I realized that the rocks in my calves were gone and I didn’t even seem to be breathing that hard. And gosh, it was really beautiful outside today (not that you would know it from the number of people wearing coats, long pants and hats on the trail, but it was about 68 degrees). I felt so good I even ran right through a couple of my walking breaks without noticing!

Maybe it was an early holiday miracle. All I know is that a bad run turned into a great run. Bring on the turkey trot!

Half-marathon training
Week fifteen, day one

When I walked into the kitchen at work yesterday morning, my coworker said, “Oh, good, I’m so glad you’re here!” My job is to handle emergencies that come in, so I assumed she was talking about a filing. No – she had heard the news story that a woman training for a marathon had been grabbed on the Katy Trail Sunday morning and was worried it was me.

Nope, not me, and not on the part of the trail where I run, but pretty scary nonetheless – it was in broad daylight. I had two miles to do yesterday and planned to hit the trail right after work when it would still be at least somewhat light outside. Best laid plans, and all that. I didn’t have time to go home at lunch so I didn’t have my running clothes with me, and then I had to work late so it was dark by the time I got home. I decided to do my two miles through Highland Park instead.

I lived alone in New York for a few years, so I don’t know why I was nervous about going out in the dark, but I was. I clipped on my flashing light so cars could see me and tucked my pepper spray into my hand. (I always only run with one earbud in so I can hear people/cars coming.) Off I went!

It was fine. A little slow going because apparently street lights are declasse, but I overcame my reluctance and now I won’t be bothered by having to run in the dark! I’m going to hold on to my pepper spray, though, so don’t worry, Mom!

Half-marathon training
Week fourteen, Day four

Four thoughts for day four:

1. If you have ever wondered if it’s possible to drink six or seven beers, sleep four hours, and then run ten miles, yes it is. Now that I have completed that experiment, no one else needs to try it.

2. I was the only one who planned to do ten miles today, so Coach Joe told me I could just do the loop (9.3). When we got back, he said, “I changed my mind, you have one more to go!” He was kidding, of course, but that missing .7 bugged me all the way home. So I pulled up in front of the house, grabbed my phone and ran another .7. Hey, I’m a lawyer, I like rules. Except for speed limits, which I consider more of a suggestion.

3. I am so thankful for my teammates! Mark Murphy was there today and ran the loop with me. I’m not sure I would have made it without him. He slowed down when he could tell I was struggling, and we had a great conversation to help pass the miles. Well, he did most of the talking; I did most of the breathing. We talked about our families and his three previous marathons, and I learned a lot of interesting things about UPS, where he works. He was also nice enough not to mention that I probably smelled like a brewery. Mark is running the Goofy (the Disney half on Saturday followed by the Disney marathon on Sunday), and we are planning to run the half together. Thanks, Mark!

4. I am now officially at $3035.00. $965 and 13 donors to go to meet my goals!

Half-marathon training
Week fourteen, Day three

Two miles on the Katy trail after work today. It was a beautiful evening for running. Cool and crisp with a gorgeous sunset over the MHH bridge. But I wasn’t fully enjoying it at first; I was mulling over a Facebook conversation I had yesterday.

One of Tony’s friends was saying that his signature on an online secession petition was the same effort as my half-marathon, as we were both raising awareness of an issue. He dismissed the money I’ve raised by saying, “$3000 wouldn’t keep a research lab open for 4 minutes.” Kind of took the wind out of my sails, and I started my run wondering if I was wasting my time.

One good thing about running is it gives you time to listen to all the voices in your head, and about half a mile in one popped up and said, “Did you think you would raise enough money to cure cancer all by yourself?” ” Well, no. That would be silly.” “Right. It’s called ‘Team in Training,’ not ‘Liz in Training.'” Okay, so let’s see what my team has done.

The North Texas team going to the Disney marathon weekend has raised $97,217.29. That’s just ONE event, and just ONE team. That doesn’t count my teammates running the Dallas marathon or the San Antonio Herothon, or other teams (like the Houston team where my friend Jan is running the Houston half) or biking, hiking and triathlon participants, or everyone else coming to Disney with TNT from all over the country. You can’t tell me that’s not enough to make a difference!

The top fundraiser in our group for Disney received a $5000 check from a local nonprofit. And I think that is awesome! But I think what we (yes, all of you and me) have done is just as awesome. There are 42 different donors on my fundraising page. There were an additional 25 people who joined in the football squares. I sold over 100 candy bars at work – most people bought more than one, but let’s say that was at least 20 more people. That means that 87 of us have contributed to this cause in Angi’s name.

So now I have a new goal – at least 13 brand new donors. I want 100 different contributors. 13.1 miles, $4000, and 100 donors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Angela “Bubbles” Ring. And I think that’s worth a heck of a lot more than a signature on a website.

Half-marathon training
Week fourteen, day two

Four miles on the trail last night with the Tuesday group. Still having some pain in my knees but it’s not too bad. It’s mostly affecting my speed, which is a little frustrating but better than it affecting my distance!

Also yesterday, I mailed in two checks (a generous donation from my friend Laura and her husband Steve and another batch of candy money) which took me over my minimum! That’s right folks, I’ve met my first goal of raising $3000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you!

So now it is time to announce my next and final goal – I really want to raise $4000! I have to do it by January 2 (so really by Christmas to get everything processed). Why $4000?

When I signed up to join Team in Training, one of the first things I looked at was how much money I had to raise to stay on the team. When I saw $3000 for Disney, my heart sank. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never been much of a salesperson, and I immediately started calculating how much I could afford to put on my credit card when I didn’t raise the money. Meanwhile, Nate L. was telling us all about the different levels of fundraising beyond our minimums and I heard the words “rock star.” I flipped back in my packet and read that if I raised $1000 over my minimum, I would have “rock star” printed on my race day shirt and be recognized at the inspiration dinner.

I almost started laughing, and immediately thought, “you know, if it were Angi raising money, she wouldn’t rest until she got ‘rock star’ status.” So there you go. To fully honor Angi’s memory, I want to do more than just the minimum. For Bubbles, I want to be a rock star!

Half-marathon training
Week fourteen, day one

For the first time in 14 weeks, I set my alarm and woke up in plenty of time to go run before work! Yay me!

Only one problem – it was freaking COLD yesterday morning! Not only was it in the 40s outside, it was about 62 degrees in the bedroom. There was no way I was getting out of that warm bed before I had to, so I did my 2 miles at the gym after work instead. Adaptability!

There is so much we can’t control in life. Just for this race – I can’t control the weather, the crowds, how my knees feel, whether I have a headache, whether my shoes come untied…so you just do the best you can and adapt to the situation you’re presented. After all, the one thing I do have 100% control over is my mental attitude!