Across the finish line!!

Pictures to come soon, but I made it!! I finished the marathon on Sunday, and not only that, but finished with a new personal record, shaving off 11 minutes and 23 seconds off of my time from last year. Not bad considering I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish. AND of course we raised over my goal of $1750 by the marathon to defeat blood cancers - better than any finish time I can think of!

Video of me crossing the finish line, about 45 seconds in - black pants, bib on the leg, purple shirt and sunglasses.



But, of course, battling blood cancers was the real reason I was on that race course. Check out this Twin Cities Marathon "Faces in the Crowd" video clip of my teammate Tyler, who is a blood cancer survivor and completed the marathon on Sunday.



The weather could not have been more perfect. Last year, I was focused on avoiding the pace bus that picks up folks slower than the minimum pace (13:44 per minute.) This year, I just had a blast - a smile on my face almost the whole way through, giving high-fives to little kids along the marathon route.

I had a much better pacing plan than last time, actually figuring out my run pace (as opposed to trying to derive it from the overall pace, as I was last year) and striving for negative splits (running the first half of the race slower than the second.) That didn't quite happen, but I did start out more slowly than I did last year, and if I run again next year, I will certainly work to improve my negative split plan. An additional bonus - since I was coming up on a mile every 12 minutes or so, and I had to vary my pace every mile, the negative splits pacing also kept me occupied and less focused on 26 miles.

Also, this year I was taking salt tablets, which I think greatly reduced the quad and glute cramping I experienced last year.  Last year, I didn't start my run/walk until mile 10, and this year, I only ran the first mile straight through (slowly - but still couldn't slow down to the pace in my pacing plan!!). Mississippi River Boulevard proved to be the toughest (and slowest) segment of the course, from the Franklin Av bridge to Summit Av, only because of the huge hills there. Sure enough, my quads and even calves started to threaten to cramp. I walked whenever I felt them start to seize and made it through ok. I cruised through the miles 21 through 25, compared to last year!! I couldn't run my three minute segments, so I'd just walk until I felt the cramping pass, and then try to run another 30 seconds or minute, or even 15 seconds, until I felt my legs threaten to cramp again. Anything to keep on going!

Overall, highlights included:
- Seeing so many friends along the race route! Especially Kate and Pat with the bullhorn (around mile 9), Karl (around mile 15), Al, Jen, Anna and Liam, and Tony (around mile 19), and Michelle and Jeff (around what, mile 21? 22??), and TNT friend who was a race marshall, April, around mile 19.
- Seeing my awesome coaches and teammates along the race route!
- Watching first-time marathoners rock it out.
- Spectators who stuck around for us back of the pack folks. You guys are SO AWESOME.
- Favorite spectator sign: "26.2. Because 26.3 would be crazy."
- Seeing Alan Page, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and former Purple People Eater, play his tuba around mile 2. (I voted for you, Justice Page!)
- The "Return the DVD" people collecting DVDs in front of the Basilica, around mile 1.
- Running behind a guy that had "The Penguin" logo pinned to the back of his shirt.
- Seeing all of the TNT cheer teams along the route! Go green and purple!!
- Watching 70+ year old runners pass me. Wow. Pretty cool. I hope I'm entering marathons at that age!!
-  Enjoying a couple sips of some kind soul's birthday beer, set out in little cups like a water station, around mile 24 : ) Have no fear - it was literally about two sips.
- Giving little kids along the route high-fives.
- Being cheered on by little kids who can't even read yet.
- The race volunteers - race marshalls, volunteers who hand out gatorade and water, EMTs - are just incredible. I never got through a water/gatorade station without someone hollering "GO ERIN" : )
- Seeing all of the other incredible charity teams members and their cheer stations along the route. Folks fighting MS, the Childrens Tumor Foundation, American Cancer Society, all incredible folks and athletes running in their name. Very cool. 
- Playing on my iPod as I ran down the last .2 miles to the finish line: "Tubthumping," Chumbawumba. Wow, that song takes me back.

And, for a bit of humor, how I was certainly feeling Monday and Tuesday:


All in all, a fantastic race and another wonderful marathon experience. Thank you, again, for all of your support. You're fantastic!

Twin Cities Marathon spectators wanted!!; Less than $200 left to reach fundraising goal!

I can't believe it. Less than $200 to my goal of $1750 to blast blood cancer!! That's only 14 folks giving $15 each. I can take contributions after the race on Sunday, but I can run much easier knowing that I've reached my LLS fundraising goal. If you can help, please contribute today!

Wow... once again I'm blown away by your generosity. Tremendous thanks to:

Elizabeth W., Madison, WI

Mark R., Madison, WI

Pete T., Madison, WI

Cristy DLC, New Brighton, MN (TWICE!! Thank you Cristy!!)

Michael and Patsy N., St. Paul

I can't believe how many wonderful folks I'm privileged to be surrounded by. Thank you very, very much.

RACE DAY - T MINUS FIVE DAYS!!

My race number is F2853. I have a massive case of the jitters - my hip/leg is still giving me trouble and I don't know what that's going to mean on race day. Lots of water, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy work, the stick, quality time with a foam roller and hopefully a little luck will pull me through. 

Race day is currently forecast to be 56*, but sunny. Not bad. Let's hope it holds.

There are 44 other Team In Training athletes that will be running the Twin Cities Marathon. Come on out and support my teammates as we run the most beautiful marathon in America!

Given my hip issues, I'm going to assume a 5:30 finish time - about three minutes faster than my last marathon time. If I'm feeling really good, I'll try for the 5:20 finish time. The race starts at 8am, but since I'm slower, my pace group can take up to 10 minutes to pass the starting mat. 

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE TEXTS AS I GET CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE

Also - you can sign up to receive texts when I cross various points on the marathon course. You'll be notified when I pass the start line, 5k (3.2 miles), 10k (6.4 miles), 13.1 miles, 30k (18.64 miles) and an additional spot, as well as the finish line. Sign up here.

WHERE I'LL BE ON RACE DAY

Here's an approximate idea of when I'll be at various miles on the course, give or take a few minutes. If I'm able to run the 5:20 schedule, you'll see me a bit earlier - about 22 seconds every mile. West River Road on the Minneapolis side of the river is especially sparse and spectators are really helpful there!!

1 - 12:35 (12th St/Hennepin Av; 8:22am)
2 - 25:10 (Lyndale/Douglas Av; 8:35am)
3 - 37:45 (Douglas Av and Oliver Av?; 8:47am)
4 - 50:20 (Dean Parkway/Lake of the Isles Pkwy; 8:59am)
5 - 1:02:55 (West Calhoun Pkwy, between 32nd St & 36th St; 9:11am)
6 - 1:15:30 (West Calhoun Pkwy/Sheridan Av S; 9:25am)
7 - 1:28:05 (22nd/East Harriet Blvd; 9:38am)
8 - 1:40:40 (W Minnehaha Pkwy/Humboldt Av S; 9:50am)
9 - 1:53:15 (Minnehaha Pkwy/35W; 10:03am)
10 - 2:05:50 (Minnehaha Pkwy/Chicago Av; 10:15am)
11 - 2:18:25 (Minnehaha Pkwy/Cedar Av; 10:28am)
12 - 2:31:00 (Cedar Av S/E Nokomis Pkwy; 10:41am)
13 - 2:43:35 (E Nokomis Pkwy/52nd St; 10:53am)
14 - 2:56:10 (Minnehaha Pkwy/Nokomis Av; 11:06am)
15 - 3:08:45 (Godfrey Rd/Hwy 55; 11:18am)
16 - 3:21:20 (42nd St/W River Pkwy; 11:30am)
17 - 3:33:55 (West River Rd/36th St; 11:43am)
18 - 3:46:30 (West River Rd/28th St; 11:56am)
19 - 3:59:05 (West River Rd/Franklin Av; 12:09pm)
20 - 4:11:40 (East River Rd/St. Anthony Av; 12:21pm)
21 - 4:24:15 (East River Rd/Marshall St; 12:34pm)
22 - 4:36:50 (Summit Av/Cleveland Av; 12:46pm)
23 - 4:49:25 (Summit Av/Snelling Av; 12:50pm)
24 - 5:02:00 (Summit Av/Oxford; 1:12pm)
25 - 5:14:35 (Summit/Dale, 1:24pm)
26.2 - 5:30:00 (John Ireland Blvd & 12th St/Rice St, 1:40pm)

And, if you want to bust out your purple and green gear - here are the official TNT cheer stations!

Mile 4.5 (8:00 a.m.) - Located in Minneapolis at the northwest corner of LakeCalhoun near the Calhoun Beach Club (corner of Lake St. & Dean Parkway).

Mile 10 (8:40 a.m.) - Located at the intersection of Portland Ave and 50th St.

Mile 17 (9:15 a.m.) - The TNT cheering section will be just prior to the official mile 17 water stop of the marathon. We will set up at about 34th Street and West River Road . Park along Edmund Blvd. It runs parallel to the River Road. You will need to walk down a small hill to get to the River Road. (It is about 4 blocks south of Lake St.)

Mile 22.75 - also mile 6.75 of the TC10 Miler - (9:35 a.m.) - Located at the intersection of Summit Ave. and Snelling Ave. (This is our official Honoree Cheer Station).

A few notes about cheering - first, cheering is AWESOME. You can't know how fantastic it is to be cheered on by hundreds of strangers! If you're planning to be cheering on runners on Sunday, or are a volunteer, you are a ROCKSTAR. 

As awesome as cheering is, though, remember one thing: 

- Don't say "you're almost there" unless you're at the St. Paul Cathedral. 26.2 miles is a really long way, even if you've already done 13, or 15, or even 20. : )

See you Sunday!!

77.5% toward goal; 12 days to race day!

Wow. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. The good news is that my workload has increased quite a bit and involved a great deal more travel this year. I love my new portfolio, but it certainly has reduced my blogging time!

First things first - I have a TON of new donors. Thank you so much!! We are only $394 away from goal!! Big thank yous to:

Duane N., Ortonville, MN
Paul B., St. Paul
Jenny L, Madison
Carole L., Green Valley, AZ
Jane P. and Dave M., St. Paul
Ethan F., Minneapolis
Kecia P., Grand Forks, ND
Penny Ives, Minneapolis
John B., St. Paul

On a more positive note... training is going alright. I've gotten through a very warm summer - much warmer than last year - and missed only one long run the entire season. The midweek runs, though, have been a different story - it's been tough to balance the extreme heat and risk of heat stroke and our training schedule. Last season, a teammate had to drop his race because of heat stroke. A seasoned runner can tolerate heat more easily, but as I am only in my second year of running, I've been playing it safe - spending more time cross training in the pool on days when the heat was unbearable.

Last race, I finished in 5 hours and 33 minutes (5:33) and change. I'm hoping to run the same this time around, and if things go really well, finishing 15 minutes earlier. We'll see.

There are so many things to do! We just received our race jerseys today; I'll need to add my name and my honorees to mine. (This year, I'll be using iron-on letters, not the puffy paint. Last year's jersey looked... grass-rootsy : ) ). And I have my bib number - F2583.

FOLLOW ME ON RACE DAY VIA TEXT MESSAGE
Follow my progress on race day. Every time my race chip crosses a mat along the course, you'll receive a text message. Register here. 

RACE INFORMATION
Come on out and support my fellow runners on race day! We'll have 44 athletes besides myself running in the Twin Cities Marathon from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program. The race starts at 8am, but it's best to assume that I'll be starting around 8:10am (takes awhile for thousands of runners to get across that start line!)

The race is 26.2 miles between the Minneapolis Metrodome and the Capital in St. Paul.

Spectator guide [pdf].
Course map. 
Starting area map.
Finish area map.

More soon!

47% towards goal of $1750 by Aug 9; Thank yous! and 16 miles

Wow - training is going quickly! Only 61 more days until the race in October. And SIX DAYS before August 9. If you haven't already, please consider contributing today. I'm at 47% towards my goal of raising $1750 by August 9 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - but I need your help to get across that finish line!

Big thanks to most recent donors - you're great!

Kris & Britta, Moorehead, MN
Stacey K., Minneapolis

As far as a training update - we're getting up there in mileage! Last weekend, we ran 16 miles, much of it along the marathon route along Minnehaha Parkway, Lake Calhoun and Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. Some exciting news there. I had been having trouble with getting enough electrolytes and fluid in, especially when it was warm (like it has been), without upsetting my stomach. On a friend's and coach's advice, I tried a salt tablet (only for the long runs), and lo and behold, I wasn't nauseated. Not once. Couple that with the fact that my right leg felt good - only hurt at the beginning until mile 1, then after mile 3, then after 6 it felt great - and that's a successful run in my book! We'll be doing 16-17 miles in the next couple of weeks, and jumping up to 18 soon.

Quick marathon training fact: we never actually run 26.2 miles for a training run. The longest we'll run will be around 20 miles.

PT is going well. It seems my right leg, which is apparently weaker than the left, is finally starting to respond to the series of strengthening exercises I've been directed to do.

Finally, a mission moment. Here's a little bit more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

44.7% towards goal; 15 miles this weekend!

Whew! What a week it's already been. First things first - we're now 44.7% towards our goal of $1750. I can't believe it - how great is that? Only three weeks and a half weeks left to go. Donate by clicking here.

BIG THANK YOUS to our most recent donors: 
- Alison L, St. Paul
- Dalton & Anna, Ohio
- Brad B., St. Paul

"Mini mission moment", or why I'm running: Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

Training update
We did hills for our mid-week team run - 8 of them, with each hill being a half mile! That's four miles of hills, two miles just going up. And my midweek runs seem to be going a bit faster... I completed today's 5 mile run at a pace of 10:21, which is so hard to believe. This time last year, I was doing sporadic runs at everywhere from 14 to 10:30 paces - mostly toward the 12-13 minute pace mark.

I can't believe we're doing 15 miles this weekend already! Whoa! Going to try out the salt tablet strategy and see how that goes. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement from everyone. We'll get there yet!

42% towards goal, thank yous and trip to the physical therapist!

HOLY COW! In one day, we managed another 10% towards our goal - so far we've raised $732.40. That's almost 42% towards the goal of $1,750 by Monday, August 9. Woohoo!! Pretty awesome. If you haven't already, you can donate here. Less than four weeks left, and every little bit counts and is very appreciated.
BIG THANKS, my-awesome-colleagues edition:
- Kate E. and Pat S., Minneapolis
- Ruth P., Minneapolis
- Sheila B., Minneapolis
- Bob F., Boyceville, WI.

Training update
Went to the physical therapist this morning recommended by my coach. If you've been following my DailyMile posts (and if you haven't, I can't blame you - interesting to me and maybe four other people), you'll know that my right IT band has been giving me trouble AGAIN. #$#$%!! This was the same injury that jeapordized my participation last year. This year, I have been so careful to stretch after running and dedicate about 30-45 min after each run to core and hip flexor strengthening. So when I started to feel that familiar migrating pain on my right leg again - quad to IT band to glute and back to IT band - I was pretty disappointed and frustrated. After icing, treating with anti-inflammatories and taking it easy for a week didn't work, the next stop was the PT.

Boy, am I glad I did.  Talk about a valuable lesson in going to the doctor when the pain doesn't clear up after a week and not waiting longer. Turns out my right side is weaker than my left, something I found odd since I'm right-handed. And since we caught it with about eight weeks left in the training schedule, there's still time to do strengthening exercises to make things workable for the race in October. In other words - not only do I know now what's causing this persistent injury, I can actually do something to to fix it. Hooray!!

Well, we'll be doing 15 miles for the long run this weekend. On Coach Jan's suggestion, I will be experimenting with salt tablets for this long run to see if they help with the cramping I experienced at last year's marathon in mile 21/22ish.

PSA - Walk or run your first marathon, half marathon, triathlon or century ride and be part of a great cause. Join Team In Training!
More generally, this post is a stellar example of the support that Team In Training offers its participants as they work to support the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Most folks who are part of TNT are first-time endurance event participants. When I first started Team In Training last year, I hadn't done anything more than a 5k (3.1 miles), and I was hardly alone. This season there are plenty of folks on the team who at this point in the season are running and walking farther than they've ever gone in their lives. It's pretty cool.

Our Minnesota run/walk marathon and half marathon TNT teams have a coaching team. Not just one coach, but three - a head coach, running coach and walking coach. They give you a schedule and you're able to run with the team twice a week. There are informative clinics about various endurance sport issues, like nutrition, injury prevention and gear. TNT has two team shops per season where the weekly long team run is held at a local running store, and afterwards, the store can determine the best shoes for you, and gives a generous day-long discount to team members - 25-30%. Even better, you get a personal mentor to help you with fundraising, not to mention support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society staff. It's pretty awesome. And of course you get to be part of making the mission of a great organization possible. Can you ask for more? I can't! If you're interested in learning more, check out Team In Training, and if you're in Minnesota, check out TNT Minnesota.

31% towards goal; belated thank yous!

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged! My apologies. I've been working a great deal on training. I have several belated thank yous because we are actually 31% towards our goal! You won't see it yet in the "badge" on the right-hand side of the page, but I've just submitted a few checks that should be showing up in about a week. GO TEAM!

A HUGE thank you to the latest folks who have contributed:
- Sarah K., St. Paul
- Maria SM and Joram M, St. Paul
- John and Phyllis N, Sioux Falls, SD
- Aunt Julie, Fergus Falls, MN

On the training side of things, we just completed a 13 mile run last weekend on Saturday. Next weekend 15 miles is on the schedule. My IT band, like last year, has been acting up and on the advice of my coach I've scheduled an appointment with a physical therapist to see what we can figure out.

Overall - more soon, I promise!

Raise $367.60 by Monday?; Thank you, 29% towards $1750 by July 2!; Meet Robert, our honored teammate

Looking at the "progress meter" on my official TNT webpage, you'd think we're doing pretty well. You're right - but owing to a few check contributions not reflected in that total, we're making even more progress than you know! So far, we have raised 29% ($507.40) towards the $1750 by July 2 goal. Holy cats - you are all amazing. We can absolutely achieve this goal by July 2 - a little over two weeks away - but we'll have to keep up the pace (an unforgiveable pun, I know, but there you have it.)

My challenge to you: Can we make 50% of the goal - that's an additional $367.60 - by Monday?

I think we can do it. But, again, I'll need your help! If you haven't already, you can contribute here.

Big "thank yous" to the most recent donors...

Bill S., Moorehead, MN
Mark S., Minneapolis, MN
Cristy D., St. Paul, MN
Margit M., DC
John and Carolyn R., St. Paul, MN
Linda and Greg T., Minneapolis
Ann C., St. Paul
Carin S. and Ross A, Minneapolis
Linda A., CA
Miranda and Paul G., St. Paul
Jannette S., NY

Wow... I know I've said it before, but it clearly bears saying again... I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by such supportive folks. Thank you, so much, again.

Meet Robert, 2010 Minnesota Team In Training Marathon & Half Marathon Honored Teammate
As you probably know, many of my teammates have chosen personal honorees in whose name they will train this season. My personal honorees are my dad, Ned Jimmerson, and my colleague, Sam Weis.

In addition, each year the Minnesota chapter picks an honoree for each endurance event team. This year, the Minnesota TNT marathon and half marathon folks (these are teammates training for Dublin, Nike full and half marathons in San Francisco in October, and Twin Cities Marathon) are running for (and with!) honored teammate Robert.

Robert was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in February of 1990.  He officially went into remission on March 3, 1990.  This year marks his  20th year in remission from leukemia.  On his 10th year in remission he ran the Twin Cities Marathon with Team In Training.

Get this - this year Robert is not only back as our marathon Honored Teammate, but will run both the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon & the Adidas Dublin Marathon. (He's going to run TWO marathons this season! Holy crap! I am officially an under-achiever.) To say it's pretty cool to be able to train with someone who's overcome so much - and who is now running TWO marathons within about a month of each other - is a bit of an understatement.  Go, Robert, go!!

Thank yous; First $100 in; 6% towards goal!

Just a quick update... I can't resist thanking the folks who have donated already. We are already 6% towards our goal of $1750. What a great start! We'll get that goal by July 2 yet.

My tremendous thanks to...

• Susan S., MN
• Emira I., NM
• Michelle R., MN

You guys are great. I'm so lucky to have such supportive folks in my life!

Training has started to gradually pick up. I've been feeling out the intermediate training program (no promises there, we'll see how it goes), and last week got about 20 miles in. Last Saturday's group training was a trail run in Minnetonka, where we managed to avoid the rain. I saw a mallard, just hanging out next to the trail as runners and bicyclists passed, and a lot of beautiful wildflowers. One reason I love training with TNT (aside from the great mission, of course) is the variety in our training locations.

This week, I'll probably be logging about 23 training miles (including hopefully 12 miles on this Saturday's team run; we'll see!), plus two half-hour cross-training sessions (I've been experimenting with some weight training and a yoga/strengthening DVD.) Yesterday's scheduled run called for 5 miles, which, though I wasn't trying to go especially fast, apparently managed in just under an 11 min pace! A snail's speed to more experienced runners, and not even a personal record for me, but compared to my usual 11:30ish pace, an accomplishment. And for anyone that really, REALLY wants to know more about my training, I log all of my runs here on DailyMile.com.

Tonight, I'm getting a run in on my own, and then heading out to a team fundraising fair and injury prevention clinic. I learn something new every time I attend these clinics and will be sure to report back. More soon!

My honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis

A quick training update: Training has begun! I am feeling out the "intermediate" training schedule to see how it goes. So far, so good. We will be running 8-10 miles on Saturday already, and I'm averaging about 12 miles a week plus two 30 min cross-training sessions a week. Yesterday, we held our first team run on the Lock and Dam #1 to work on hills. This is a HILL - a quarter mile one way (down), half mile up and down. Great training for the marathon, believe me!

Now that that's out of the way, it's time to introduce you to my personal honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis.

I'm running in memory of my dad, Ned Jimmerson. He passed away about a year and a half ago at the age of 59 of complications from a massive stroke that occurred a few years earlier and diabetes. Dad loved the arts, particularly the stage - he was an actor and director at the local community theatre - and singing with the local community choir. While he did not suffer from blood cancer, I knew I wanted to accomplish something difficult in his memory - something that would require a great deal of dedication and that would benefit others. A couple of years ago, I learned about Team In Training but wasn't able to commit the time for training, and was worried about how successful I could be meeting the fundraising goals. Last year seemed the right year. And my concerns about fundraising - well, you all proved me wrong there! I am so happy to be able to run in Dad's memory again this year.

This year, I'm tremendously privileged to also be running in honor of my colleague, Sam Weis. Sam is a smart, talented guy in his mid-twenties who works for a Wisconsin environmental nonprofit, working for public policy to ensure clean air and clean water for future generations. Sam was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2008, and only in January of this year received the good news that he is in maintenance. What's more, Sam's mom also overcame leukemia only a few years earlier. Sam informs me that he's gradually regaining his physical fitness, and was recently hiking in the Porcupine Mountains.

You can read more about Sam's experiences over the last year and a half on his blog, Blog Strong: The Leukemic Adventures of Sam Weis.


It's such an honor and a privilege to be able to run in memory and in honor of two such extraordinary individuals. One more hill, one more pushup, one more step at a time, we'll make it across that finish line in October!!

Back in the saddle again - welcome 2010 Twin Cities marathon season!

It's that time again! Team In Training is recruiting for their fall events, and I've signed up to complete the Twin Cities Marathon on October 3, 2010 again this year, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I couldn't be more excited!

As a running experience, I'm a bit apprehensive this time around. My experience in taking on large, complicated tasks has been that the first time is actually a bit easier - it's the SECOND time that things can really go very differently. My expectations are higher; last year, I hoped to finish before the course closed at 6 hours and 15 minutes! (I finished in 5:33 and change, in the end.) I make assumptions based on last year's experience. Why aren't I running faster by now? Why do our 15-mile training runs seem to just wipe me out? Etc, etc.

This is probably not the most compelling blogging material to anyone but me, but with that said, I also have a sense of what went well last year and what to improve upon. While I expect to complete all my training runs, I know that I can be more flexible with daily runs, but the longer weekend runs really must be completed on schedule. I know what I need to do to improve flexibility and core strength to ensure I don't have the same IT band issues that I experienced last year. And I have a better idea of what to eat and feel full as those increasingly  long training miles start to make me feel famished all the time.

So - here's to being gentle. Gentle in my expectations and my critique of my performance. No matter how many times you cross, one never steps into the same river twice. And of course I couldn't be happier to accomplish these goals to benefit an exceptional cause - finding a cure for blood cancers, honoring those who have fought them, and supporting the families whose loved ones fight them.

I have two wonderful honorees in whose names I will be training this year. I may have a third - I will let you know soon. But in the meantime, I wanted to say "hello" and "welcome back." Team In Training will start training on May 15, a full month from now. Keep checking back here around that time - I'll be posting regular updates. And thanks, as always, for your help in reaching our goal of eradicating blood cancers. Onward!

WE DID IT!!!

I'm sorry that this has taken so long to write - all those things that you put off to prepare for a marathon start popping up after the marathon. You know... Thanksgiving, holidays, New Year's... ; )

However, for those of you following at home - WE DID IT! That's right. Not only did we surpass - substantially - my goal of raising $1700 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (to the tune of $2,111.80 - you guys ROCK!), but on Sunday, October 4, I ran my first consecutive 26.2 miles.

It. Was. Awesome.

What? You don't want the blow by blow? Ha. You're getting it anyways.

[ABOVE: Jannette, myself and my mother-in-law, Carolyn Ruccolo. Carolyn is taking our picture after finishing, with the homemade banner with our names/bib numbers on it that she made. Go Carolyn!!! Cathedral in the background - mile 26.]

My friend and old college roommate Jannette came to run the marathon with me, staying the days before the race with Tony and I. It was our first marathon. Before that, I had only run a 5k; Jannette, a much more seasoned runner than I, had run half-marathons and 5ks. We were discovering this whole marathon race day thing together.

Friday, we later picked up our race packets, which includes little electronic timing "chips" that you lace into your shoes. The chips allow timing mats throughout the course to register the time you pass them - and hence figure out your pace. And of course we got our runner's bib with each of our race numbers. We also received a bag filled with coupons, flyers for running-related services and other marathons, as well as a pair of our very own Twin Cities Marathon technical socks. Sweet! We briefly wandered the race expo - tents and tents of running products, services, and even a few workshops in the St. Paul River Center - but quit early. We were warned to stay off of our feet as much as possible - and specifically not too spend too much time walking around the expo. However, we did snag some free disposable running gloves (folks often throw them on the route when they get too warm - race volunteers pick them up.)  And Jannette got to meet Hal Higdon!The evening ended with a dinner with Jannette's aunt and uncle; her uncle was an experienced marathon runner. The route, hydration strategies, and related discussion were, naturally, the topic of the evening.

[LEFT: Self-portrait, race day morning.]

The day before the race, we figured out the race route and drove along it, starting from the Metrodome in Minneapolis and ending at the Capitol in St. Paul, noting the major hills along the way. (Note to self: This was such a good idea. I will do this again for any other marathon(??) I decide to run.) Many parts of the route were very familiar to me, owing to my Team In Training runs - I was better prepared than I thought!

Saturday night, I assembled my running gear. Runners are advised never to use new equipment right before a race - sound counsel. And I am not a low-maintenance runner - I have a whole fuel belt (two water bottles and a pouch for gels), a visor, sunglasses, and an arm ipod thingy. But I also had some arm warmers (little sleeves that can be pulled off easily, if I got too warm) that I needed because I knew I would be too warm in a long-sleeved technical shirt. Fortunately for me, it worked out beautifully.

[ABOVE: My running jersey, taken the morning of the race. "In loving memory: Aunt Mickie, Dad."]

Now, for the harder part. I added ribbons with names to my running shoes - several folks had contributed in the name of loved ones who fought or were fighting cancer. One was a colleague of mine in Madison (Elizabeth) who contributed in honor of another colleague (hi Sam!) who is currently fighting leukemia (and is in maintenance as of now - GO SAM!!). Finally, I added my personal honorees to my shirt - my Dad and my Aunt Mickie. A sad and yet proud moment. Finally, I added my first name on the front of my shirt, so that spectators could cheer me on. I would need it! On a much lighter note, I also discovered that I am not skilled in the ways of puffy paint (and we will leave that at that.) We had our carbo-ish dinner and ended the evening early.

[LEFT: ACTION SHOT! All my gear (except my belt)! Me before we drove to the race, Sunday morning. The dog on the couch is wondering why on earth we're up at this hour. By the dog is my drop bag, which you'll hear more about soon.]

Sunday, we left the house at 6:15am; Tony dutifully drove us to the Metrodome at that ungodly hour. The race started at 8am; a different 10-mile race sponsored by the Twin Cities Marathon folks started at 7am. Jannette was a lifesaver - I was almost hyperventilating. I met with my Team In Training team, and we took a group picture. Jannette and I had packed our drop bag for after the race - a jacket, socks, comfortable shoes. (You can see the drop bag on the couch, by the dog.)

[LEFT: Self-portrait of a tired husband about to drop off his wife and her friend on some crazy running adventure at some god-forsaken hour of the morning.]

After a bout of nervously tying my drop bag too tightly and ripping the draw string, then getting another bag that had accidentally been slashed by the razor opening the box (!!) we were finally able secure both bags and drop them off in the proper cannister out of the rows and rows of them. The bags would be transported to St. Paul, waiting for us at the finish line. From there, we proceeded towards the runners corral.

The weather was perfect - around 45, with the promise to warm up to around 50. Excellent running weather. As I've said before, running can make you feel almost 20 degrees warmer than the air temperature - so running in 50* can feel like 70*. Before we got started, though, it was chilly to be dressed twenty degrees cooler than it actually was - I actually put on a garbage bag, with holes cut for my head and arms, to ward off the chill. Jannette used an older long-sleeved shirt.

Now, I had no idea that the runners' corral before a race was so organized. Placards were up by the pace each runner hoped to maintain. If you were a slower runner, you went towards the back. For better or worse - sorry, all of you faster runners - Jannette and I started a little bit further up from our actual pace because we would get across the starting line more quickly. We couldn't hardly see the spectators along the chute; there were tall wire fences separating runners from the crowd. We also saw pace groups - groups lead by an experienced runner who kept a particular pace and who would finish the race at a particular finishing time - marked by the group leader carrying colorful balloons with their pace and finishing time printed in black marker, attached to a stick. There were a couple of speeches, and finally, the starting gun fired. We started to slowly move forward - some people jogging in place, others just walking forward. There were so many runners, in fact, that we didn't even cross the starting line until about 10 minutes after the gun went off.

This was it! After months of training, I was actually running the marathon! I felt great.  During training, and even in August, my goal was to simply finish before the course closed (you'll remember my preoccupation with THE BUS - the bus that picked up (ate?) straggling runners who couldn't finish by the course closing time 6 hours and 15 minutes after the starting gun. As far as I was concerned, that bus was a shark, complete with toothy grin and a fin on top). Then, my IT band injury had relegated me to the pool for the last month of training. But I was doing so well in my Yasso track runs before the IT band injury, and I had rested, iced, medicated and generally was so awesome to that IT band that I decided to increase my goal just a bit - work a 12:35 run/walk pace, and complete the marathon in 5:30 (five hours, thirty minutes.)

[ABOVE: My timing chip, tracked along the marathon route. You can see my times at various points along the route, including my finish time (5:33:47) and average pace (12:45). See this map enlarged.]

The first mile, all of the disposable things started to come off. People who had worn an old shirt, garbage bags like myself, and gloves threw them along the route, some more careful about not throwing them in the path of their fellow runners than others. Volunteers along the route picked up the discarded clothing and trash; clothing in good shape would be donated. We ran downtown, past the Basilica and up Hennepin, then turned right up the hill. I felt so good that I had to keep checking my pace - I was running too fast. A common beginning runner mistake. But I felt so good. In fact, the first ten miles were completely flawless. I was constantly amazed at how quickly the mile markers flew by. Literally, I got to the 10 mile marker and thought to myself - "Ten miles? Already?? This is great!!"

Every couple of mile markers (I think) there was water and Powerade. I kept up a routine of Powerade at one stop, water and gel at the next, and nothing at the next, then Powerade again, and so on - enough to stay hydrated, but not so much that I would develop a gut ache from too much sugar or fluids in my stomach at once.

And the spectators! They were great. I was so worried about my first marathon, but when I signed up for Twin Cities, the Team In Training staff assured me I had made a great choice. And now I knew why. First of all - spectators were EVERYWHERE. The Twin Cities Marathon has a contest for the neighborhoods on the racecourse for who can throw the best themed party, and people were CRAZY. They dressed up in costumes. One had set up a coffee bar along the street. People offered runners bananas, candies, everything you could think of. Whole sound systems set up with music blaring was not uncommon. They didn't care if you were fast or slow. They were just so excited that you were there! And then there were the purple and green Team In Training cheer squads. I couldn't believe I was part of such a cool program.

[LEFT: Family friend Anna, cheering runners on!]

We rounded the lakes of South Minneapolis, waved to my colleague Kate and her husband who cheered us on, and eventually headed down Minnehaha Boulevard, which wound around to River Road along the Mississippi River. I saw my in-laws and Tony there, and our family friends Al, Jen, Lisa, Liam and Anna! There was even a whole banner with my and Jannette's name on it and our bib numbers made by my mother-in-law, Carolyn. How sweet is that??? I don't think I've ever had my name on a banner!

[LEFT: Spectator Liam watches the race along the course.]

[LEFT: Tony holding Liam, Anna's brother, waiting for me along the course.]

[ABOVE: Can you see me? Purple jersey with the racing bib on my pants leg (on purpose, it didn't fall there!) Just to the right of the woman with the light blue shirt and black shorts. The guy directly in front of me, African-American (maybe African?) with black/top bottom looked REALLY fast - like an elite runner - but we had a very similar pace for much of the course.]

By that time, though, I was starting to feel the distance. Crossing the river at Franklin Avenue, I passed mile marker 19. And then began the climb.

Everyone says that mile twenty is the worst in a marathon. Well, I suppose that's not exactly true - everyone has their most difficult miles in a marathon. But the ones I've heard the most about are after twenty. You see, after twenty miles, you've exceeded your longest training run. It's kind of an unknown (or it least it was for me, who had never run a marathon before.) Mississippi River Boulevard, as the river road is known on the east side of the Mississippi, gradually goes upward before it hits Summit Avenue. In fact, the rest of the race route - from about mile 19 on - is pretty much uphill. Let me say it another way: after running 19 miles of not exactly easy hills along lakes in Minneapolis, you get to run six MORE miles almost exclusively up.

Around mile twenty, my left leg started to cramp. And not cramps I had never felt before - seizing was more like it. The top of my thigh, then the bottom, then my calf. I limped to the side of the road and stretched; the muscles loosened. I made it about two more miles - mile 21 or 22 - and they seized again, much worse this time. I didn't know if I could go much further, but as luck would have it, my running coach was right there. She showed me how to physically rub out the knots in my leg. I could run a little, but I had to do much more walking. Before, I was running a steady 10:30 minutes and walking two minutes. Now... I couldn't risk it. I ran as much as I could before my legs felt like they would give, then walked some more. Ran some, walked some more. Tried to run a block at a time, a minute at a time, whatever would get me going! I saw my 5:30 pace group and kept up with them for about a mile before they pulled ahead. Turns out they finished WELL ahead of the 5:30 pace, as I finished at 5:33.

I kept limping and running and limping some more. The spectators were so encouraging - if it was possible to run on cheers alone, I would have! I was determined, though, to RUN across that finish line, and that meant my legs had to be in good enough shape to try it.

Finally, I got to the Cathedral - mile 26. The Cathedral is on top of a hill and there was only a mere two-tenths of a mile between myself and the finish line. However, after all that running hills, my quads were completely shot - I wasn't going to be running down that hill, anyway! Finally, I got to the bottom of the hill. And I saw a throng of people and the finish line.

[ABOVE: Me (purple jersey, black pants, ponytail & hat) in the finishing "chute." The mat extending across the road - those are the mats that read our timing chips. They're distributed across the course. You can see the finish line banner across the street ahead!]

[ABOVE: Me at the finish line - ALMOST THERE! You can see the Capitol in the background.]

[ABOVE: Me going across the finish line - look for the purple jersey and black pants, with the arms up. You can also see my Team In Training colleague (I think it was Nolan?), also with a purple jersey but with black shorts, just crossing the first of the final two timing mats. He finished less than a minute later.]

I entered the finishing chute - surrounded by cheering spectators - exhausted but determined to start running before the finish line. And I did, finishing with my arms above my head. In my mind they were straight in the air, but the pictures were much more funny and a little sad - bent at the elbows, level with my shoulders, with only my forearms reaching up. But that's all I could do.

[ABOVE: Myself and Jannette with our finishing medals, holding the banner my mother-in-law Carolyn made for us. I especially love the little "WOW"s on the banner! : ) ]

I received my medal, finishers shirt, and picked up my drop bag with my sweats, fresh socks, sandals and a jacket.  From there it was to the Team In Training tent, where my picture was taken, I got to congratulate my other teammates, and got a spiffy 26.2 Team In Training pin. I went to find Tony and my in-laws, and saw our friend Lisa. We waited for Jannette, who I had lost in the first mile; she had tremendous knee issues that day. After she crossed the finish line, she told us she had been battling the bus most of the way to the end. I know I couldn't have finished with a similar injury. We got bags of ice for our knees, and eventually went to go eat some extraordinarily carb-heavy comfort food.

In the days after the marathon, I was hobbling around like I was eighty. I couldn't walk down stairs more than a step at a time for three days!

The marathon, though, was something I am so glad that I did. And you all made it happen! I couldn't have gotten nearly as far without your support, your encouragement, your contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission of helping those who battle cancer in their families and in their lives. At the risk of appearing sanctimonious, the honest truth is that I ran a marathon because I could; because unlike others, I am lucky enough to enjoy the physical health allowing me to train for an endurance race. So many others don't have that option. At the very beginning of the training program, I was convinced that the best I could hope for was finishing before the course closed. I was the kid who played sports in high school but hated the Presidential Fitness mile in gym. I thought that because I couldn't sprint for miles at a time I just wasn't destined to be a runner. But I decided to embark on this program go one day at a time, and if I got to a point where I couldn't do it... well, then I wouldn't do it. But I never got to that point.

[LEFT: My dad, Ned Jimmerson.]

I ran a marathon because I wanted to do something - a difficult challenge that would take discipline; something I had never done before and wasn't sure I could do - to honor the memory of my Dad and my Aunt Mickie. I ran because the folks battling cancer - those for whom several of my friends' contributions were given in honor of - were up against something much more substantial than any hill workout or track routine that my coaches could dream up (and believe me, they were creative.)

I've since completed another half marathon. In 2009, I ran over 600 miles - or the equivalent of running from St. Paul to Indianapolis, IN. I hope to complete two 5ks, two half marathons, and the Twin Cities marathon again in the coming year. It's going to be more difficult, in some ways - the first year is all about learning and new experiences. Now I have expectations, and the work gets that much more difficult. I've learned a great deal about myself, but even more about the network of folks that I have the privilege of calling my family, friends and acquaintances.

So many thank yous are due.  Poor Tony had (has?) the yeoman's work of putting up with my running schedule, making running a part of our family budget, and attending those races in the early morning, among many, many other inconveniences. Thank you, sweetie. My in-laws John and Carolyn have been there for pretty much every race I've ever run, no matter what unearthly hour they start. Thank you to Jannette, who always encourages me to run, no matter how many times I fall off the wagon. And thanks to all of my friends, who offered so much encouragement when I wrote about training. Y'all are a pretty awesome bunch and I am fortunate to have you in my life. Thank you, so much, again.