This Story's Pages

I refer you all to my friend Inbal's blog. I am fortunate to call her one of my best friends because she is by far the most selfless and pure person I know. Her father, Guy Alon, was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He is an incredible fighter and optimist, and I was proud to run in his honor on Monday the 21st. Inbal writes about her experience watching the marathon, and more importantly, her thoughts about optimism, and those who maintain positive attitudes here in her blog. Inbal - thank you for being in my life.

Elle Woods Post-Marathon

Elle: Here it is! (hands over resume)
Professor: It's Pink.
Elle: Oh! And it's scented! I think it gives it a little something extra, don't you think? OK, well, see you next class!
Professor: Do you think she woke up one morning and said: "I think I'll go to law school today."

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

So I have not had much time to reflect and blog about last weekend. In sum, it was incredible. The Expo was so fun, the Pasta Party was inspirational, the Marathon was the coolest thing I have ever done, and the post-Marathon party was, well, eventful (photos to follow). If it wasn't for the quick transition into law school finals, I would be blogging away right now. Fortunately, my twin Lauren blogged about the emotions that she has confronted this past week. So, my dear readers, I refer you to the blog of my other half so you can read about how I am feeling at this moment as well. If finals get annoying and I want to procrastinate, I'll do my own blog. But for now, Lauren says it perfectly here.

The day after the Marathon

This commercial epitomizes how my day went today. Thank you to the random truck driver who pulled over and said "you must have ran yesterday, huh?" I think it is time for bed now.

Mile by Mile

Starting line - wait, is this really the Boston Marathon?
Miles 1-3 - OK breathing, let's get normal here. Where's this partly cloudy weather at?
Mile 4 - My first "Thank you Dana-Farber" cheer. Wow - that makes me feel awesome
Miles 5-7 - FRAAAAMINGHAM, you are so pretty. Stef and I speed up a bit, I think it was the Gu.
Mile 7.5 - Hi Bobi, Liz, Eric, Cole and Tess! Please report back to everyone that I look awesome
Miles 8-11 - Gu again, body feels fine, but breathing feels funny. Four towns down, four big ones to go.
Mile 12 - getting on the left side so I don't get attacked by kissing Wellesley girls
Mile 13 - Halfway and feeling fine. Need more water though - damn it's hot out.
Mile 14 and 15 - Hey Rapoports! Hey Breed and Mich! Great cheerers. Grossmans Downhill, I still love you.
Mile 16 - Lost Stef, but for good reason cause my family rocks. Ash, you are doing this next year. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Ash, Grammie, Auntie Elyce, Uncle Mark, Arlene, Auntie Randi, Leah and Jason...you guys are a great fan club!
Mile 17 - Hey Kim Kelly! Hey Dana-Farber cheering crew. OK - here we go, straight up Doing the Thursday
Mile 18 - Two of the four hills down...
Mile 19 - Guy Alon - you are my hero. And wait...there goes a few toenails
Mile 19.5 - Random asking "Is this heartbreak?" Someone else says "yes" My response? "It's coming up next, sorry about it." Same person who thought he knew the course so well was walking up heartbreak a half mile later
Miles 20-21 - Oh Johnny Kelley, how did you do it? Ouch ouch - there goes my right calf.
Mile 22 - drunk BC girls - stop running through the course cause although I just ran 22, I still will find the energy to punch you in the face. Hi Amy and Gail!
Mile 23 - Jenny, Tevya and Becky & Scott Brizzle. Great greeting. I think my legs may be numb.
Mile 24 - Hey Colleen! Hey Sheede! I need more water
Mile 24.5 - My 2B'ers + Ali, you guys freakin ROCK!
Mile 25 - A reminder, why I am running this. Thank you Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge volunteers and Jimmy Fund Patient-Partners. Your screams were awesome
Mile 26 - Turning onto Hereford. My jaw drops. Hereford is finally here and I look at the crowd and say "Oh my gosh, I am running a marathon." Someone in the crowd responds: "You didn't realize that 26 miles ago?" I guess not.
Mile 26.1 - Needhams + BC, your cheers sounded sober
Mile 26.2 - Look up at the camera and smile cause I AM A BOSTON MARATHONER.

Still Smilin' at mile 25.5

Well, we can check that off my to-do list.

I RAN BOSTON.

4:04:38

AMAZING.

Thank you all for your support.

LET'S DO THIS.

Bag packed.
Nails painted.
Shirt washed.
Carbs consumed.
Tears of inspiration shed.
Smiles exchanged.
Well wishes granted.
Alarm clock set.

I am ready.

This time tomorrow, I will be a Boston Marathoner. Sweeeeeeet.

Shocked or Surprised? Impressed or Inspired? Let me know cause it is not too late to donate here.

I Would Like to Thank the Academy.

It's been quite the journey and I can hardly believe that I am writing my last blog entry before the big dance. I know I am following many of my fellow DFMC bloggers, but this is something I need to do:

To the 200 donors - you all are fabulous. To the friends, family, friends of family, family of friends, and completely random strangers who donated - thank you for helping get to, and surpass, my fundraising goal.

To my friends and family who have PUT UP WITH ME these past couple months, thank you for listening to my running nonsense when I know you could care less about it, and thank you for being such good pretenders and leading me to believe that everything I told you was the most interesting thing you had heard all day.

The DFMC staff - thank you guys for making everything so easy. All I ever have to do is show up and run, and send out a few letters to get donations. Your organization and dedication allowed it to be this way.

To the volunteers - thank you for YOUR early mornings, the perfect mixtures of gatorade-water, and your smiles on freezing cold Boston winter days whenever we do these insane runs.

To Jack Fultz - thank you for just always knowing exactly what to say and when to say it, and for always making anyone you talk to feel like the most important person in the world. Best coach ever.

To Tyler - thank you for getting me sucked into this addiction that is running for a cure for cancer. Your positive attitude throughout training really got me through some of the hardest times.

To the rest of my DFMC buddies - the road just starts here. Thank you for letting me chat your ears off, for being some great post-run drinkers, and for just always being there. I am so glad I met you all and look forward to continuing these new-found friendships.

Mom, Dad and Ashley - thank you. The three of you have put up with me more than everyone combined. It means the world to me to have your support, even though I did get a bit annoying. Mom, thank you for putting in the "face time" to my training - having you in New Bedford and even at Shifter's run was amazing. I think all your time and support will make up for the fact that you missed that silly Kindergarten Coffee Hour :) Dad - thank you for your multitude of random Jewish-style donations. No matter how busy tax season got, you still managed to find time to "listen" to my silly little running stresses. Thanks for coming tonight - it meant a lot to me as well. And Ashley - you are the best sister any girl could ever ask for. I am sorry if I bored you with my stories of running, and I promise that in return, you can tell me all your gross stories about what you encounter on a daily basis in nursing clinical...and I will listen, and care. You are amazing.

Auntie Nancy - I know you are out there looking down on me right now and are smiling that big smile of yours. You have been my inspiration throughout all of this training and fundraising. Thank you for getting me this far. If I hit the wall at any point tomorrow, I know you will be there to help me. The battle you fought was more courageous than any little 26.2 mile race could ever be. I love you so much and miss you always.

Nordstroms for Runners

Picked up my number this morning with Jeff. Then, we proceeded into the fun that is the Marathon Expo. Insanity I tell ya. It was like walking into Bloomie's or Nordstroms. I am not much of a shopper, but for some reason, those two stores are organized to my brain. Well, the Expo, although a bit overwhelming, was organized to my brain as well. I made a handful of purchases (and don't worry - I finally got the shorts I need to wear on Monday...phew!), and tested out all the gluten-free samples they had in the room. Good times. I would like to thank Jeff for his patience as I insisted on doing a few extra laps around some parts of the expo.

So now, with my shirt and new shorts and NUMBER in hand, I am ready for Monday. Time to start the carbo-loading

"people say i live in my own world. that's ok. they know me there."

Well it's been a whirlwind week already. I've been watching all of my fellow law school friends get psycho about finals, and I am realizing that I am not even there yet. As of this past Tuesday, I had to complete my final trial. Next up - run a marathon. Then I can study for finals. My friend-cousin Matt on Saturday said to me: "Between law school and running, you are now a part of two crazy subcultures that the rest of the world just cannot relate to whatsoever." My young homeroom buddy...wise beyond his years.

After my first year of law school, my ability to communicate with the outside world was just...not there. The only people I could talk to were my law school friends and my dad, who also is a lawyer. No one else got it. The jokes I found funny were not funny to anyone outside of school. Statute of Limitations abbreviation is SOL, like Sh!t Outta Luck. The interesting things in the news were not interesting to anyone else. Did they really just make partial birth abortion illegal? I became completely, socially inept. But, in a funny way, I kinda liked it.

I used to be a sports nut, a reality TV junkie, and a girl who needed her daily siestas. Fast forward to when I started this marathon'ing insanity. This led me to scheduling classes around running (so what if I am in class til 9 on Monday and Wednesday, I get to the track on Tuesday nights and Crossroads on Thursdays, don't I?). With the late nights at Redbones, and the increase in both my weekly miles and school workload, I lost any form of loyalty to American Idol, Top Model, and The Hills. I became too busy to nap - in fact, I would rather run when I was tired than get into my bed. I turned down my sister's extra ticket to the Sox-Yanks game on Saturday because I wanted to get a run in before it started monsooning. With this action, my favorite ATLien, Andrew, had enough. In his words: "You are an entirely different person now." That comment hit me, and I've been thinking about it ever since.

I wouldn't say I am a different person. I just think I have a different outlook on things. Of course the Red Sox are always up there, but an April game in the rain (during exam and marathon crunch time) was not at the top of my to-do list. But I realize that everything I talk about with my friends and family is running related. I tell them about the marathon or how cool Coach Fultz and my running friends are or the number of Gu's I eat or the new sneakers I just bought or how much money I raised for cancer research or my unhappiness about the silk screen job on my marathon shirt. And get this - NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. I really didn't get why that was.

So, at times, I pretended that none of this happened. I shrugged my shoulders to the 22 miler from Hopkinton to BC and acted like it wasn't the best run of my life. I tried not to cringe every time I had to walk down a flight of stairs at school following a long run or a track workout. I pretended that my running friends are not the most incredible circle of people I have met in a while. I acted like this year hasn't been the most life changing experience imaginable...

But in reality, I cannot pretend that much longer. Maybe this explains why the only people who said exactly what I needed to hear after the silk-screening crisis were my DFMC friends Tyler and Lauren because they knew - it was more than just a shirt. (Sheede you were fabulous in a way that only a best friend could be with immediate crisis control though). Maybe this is why I teared up at the end of the Spirit of the Marathon documentary tonight knowing that this has been such a journey and that there are very few people out there who can relate to what I am experiencing. Maybe this confirms my fear of the unknown - not necessarily the emotions surrounding the running of my first marathon - but the letdown of "now what?" when the date reads: Tuesday April 22nd.

In anticipation of this upcoming weekend, I look forward to spending time with the DFMC'ers from the Marathon Expo tomorrow to the DFMC pasta party on Sunday to Hopkinton on Monday morning to Copley on Monday afternoon to Shifter's party on Monday evening. I will fall comfortably back into my own little world, where everyone in the outside one just doesn't get it. As far as I am concerned, the people in this world know me, so I am OK with that.

Right Now.

"So let go, just jump in, it's alright 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown"

Hopped on the Bandwagon...

...cause I got a pre-marathon hair cut.

Getting a mani/pedi tomorrow.

I feel like the marathon is like prom for runners. Too bad our limo to Hopkinton is just a yellow school bus.

WE DID IT.

So thank you to the 175 people who got me there.

The rest of you -- you can still do it, and get on my good side.

Week of April 13th

Sunday 4/13: nada
Monday 4/14: 6 miles (55min)
Tuesday 4/15: nada
Wednesday 4/16: 3miles
Thursday 4/17: rest
Friday 4/18: 2.8 miles with the coolest Italian on the planet to test out the Race Ready shorts
Saturday 4/19: pasta and jewishness

Cue: "The Voice of Unreasonable Optimism"

Here we go - April 21st is officially showing up on the extended weather forecast. Sunny (or mostly cloudy depending on what weather website you are looking at); High 56 (or 53); Low 42 (or 43) - Chance of Precipitation 10 (or 20%). Looking good so far.

Now that Patriots Day is actually showing up on the weather forecast, it is time for me to dictate what I need from you - my blog readers - over the next week. I chatted with Chris George this morning, and told him the predicted weather forecast. His Debbie Downer response? "Keep in mind that at this time in 2004, it said 50 and overcast, and it was 87 on Marathon Day. Be patient." Alright folks, this is something I do NOT want to hear from you over the next week. Chris, I appreciate the fact that you are the voice of reason right now...but I need the unreasonable voice at this time.

The voice of unreasonable optimism. (as Lauren so astutely put it)

So, to my blog readers - this is what I expect to hear from you over the next week:

If I freak out because I haven't reached my goal of $10,000 and you have already donated, just forward my blog site onto someone who you think would be interested in donating money to finding a cure for cancer. When I threaten tossing my new Garmin GPS watch out the window because I am technologically inept, tell me that it involves one quick configuration of my lap times and I should be OK. When I freak out about what shorts I am going to buy, and when I am going to find time to buy them before the marathon, remind me that I always procrastinate and I should be fine with finding something last minute and whatever I find will be so perfect for marathon day that even the Kenyans will come up to me and ask where I purchased them. If I feel like all of my muscles are turning to jelly and I won't have any muscle left on the 21st because of this whole "tapering" concept that makes me so damn nervous, let me know that even the b!tching fast runners are resting right now and there is a reason why every runner is supposed to do this before the big race. If I snap at you when you ask "So where is a good place to stand to cheer you on?", realize that I don't want to be rude but rather every place along 26.2 miles is a good place to stand and if you just tell me where you WILL be standing, I will be able to find you. Conversely, if you say "I will see you out on the course and I will find you", know that I am flipping out because that probably won't be the case and I will need to know your whereabouts before that Monday, and that I appreciate your desire to "surprise" me, but I am afraid there will be one too many not-so-good surprises on marathon day (this is your moment to say "Lindsey, everything is going to be fine. Stop being so nervous."). If I express nerves about my new purple toenail, remind me that all runners get them at some point or another, and under no circumstances will this toenail decide to fall off in the middle of Heartbreak Hill. When I mention that I am an insomniac and wake up every morning by 8AM (including weekends), tell me that this is a good thing because it is preparing me for the ungodly hour that I have to wake up on Marathon Monday. If I breakdown crying for no apparent reason whatsoever, offer to get a manicure with me this week because I've had my best runs within a few days of getting my nails done. If I am still crying, offer to watch any of my Johnny Depp movies with me. If I tell you that I don't think that I will break a four hour marathon time, remind me that I have been training like whoa and will kick that four hour marathon time in the you know what...

And when I spaz out because the weather could end up sucking, remind me that I have run in worse.

In the meantime, pray to the weather gods above that it will be mid 50s, partly cloudy and strong tailwinds.

And donate, if you haven't already.

A Comment that Humbled Me

"You aren't a marathoner. A marathoner is someone who has run at least two marathons. You are a runner, though."

Boston, I am so ready for you...

A fun video of the course with the race director who has a wicked pissah Boston accent.

Inspirational Quote

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."
- Louis L'Amour 1908

A Few Links

I have a few links to share with you all regarding my food consumption over the next couple weeks.

As many of you already know, the marathon conveniently falls on the third day of Passover. For most observant Jewish runners, this poses a problem because they have to change their normal pre long run carb-loading methods from pasta and bread to matzoh....and matzoh. Well fortunately (or unfortunately?) for me, my gluten allergy is so damn fabulous that I am allergic to the cardboard that all Jews are forced to eat on Passover. So, I will still be eating my delicious gluten free penne rice pasta with chicken and broccoli the night before the big dance. I do feel bad though, for the rest of the tribal members running Boston who are observing the holiday. But hey, chocolate covered matzoh wouldn't be such a bad Gu-substitute, right?

The Marathon Mama, Kristina, today found a link to a study: "Women who run regularly should make sure they eat enough fat." Now, for those of you who have seen me in action these past couple months, you probably know that I am very willing and able to increase my fat consumption. In fact, I am very willing to increase consumption of pretty much anything (with the exception of those vital wheat glutens out there). Some nutritionists have instructed marathon runners that just because they are running the marathon does not mean they can eat whatever they want. I would rather listen to Coach Jack's advice (and this study's confirmation), that I can eat whatever I want...just in moderation. Now, where are the coconut sorbet and Snickers Bars at?

Week of April 6th

Sunday 4/6: rest
Monday 4/7: 3miles elliptical, lift and abs
Tuesday 4/8: Track workout on my own at NHS Track: High School Hill Repeats (6x); 4X200m (200m rest in between); 3X400m (200m rest); 2X600m (200m rest); tempo pace 1 mile run back to my parents' house for taco dinner :)
Wednesday 4/9: rest
Thursday 4/10: 6 around the river with Crossroads DFMC crew
Friday 4/11:
Saturday 4/12: 5 miles (41:15)

Not only are the banners out...

...but the 2008 Boston Marathon Adidas Ads are out too!

I may have taken pics of a few of them tonight in the Copley T stop. I would have taken more pictures, but I didn't think it was appropriate to walk across the tracks to get to the other posters. True story. I love the catch phrases for all this: "Impossible is Nothing. Boston is Everything." And, "Mind over Body. Body over Hill." BRING IT ON!!!

Last Long One & Shifter's Race

Yesterday was our last long run. I am not going to bore you all with the details, but it was a bad run for me (Sorry Laur and Ty, I know you have heard enough of this already). My shins hurt, I was tired and my tummy was not too hot. I decided that I have one bad run a month, and this was my bad run of April. So...onto the next GOOD run...April 21st por favor?

After our run, a few of us helped out at Shifter's race (while others ran). It was a lot of fun, and Shifter made a lot of money for Dana-Farber which was great too. We celebrated Tyler's birthday with some (un)necessary shots of Jack, and crazy car decorations. We also helped Jeff out with his RJ Crowley's gift certificate for his second place race finish. Our afternoon ended with a car dance party. After this celebration, we are thoroughly looking forward to Shifter's post-marathon party on the 21st.(L to R: Meghan, Tyler, Me, Lauren and Jeff)

Running through My Running History...

Last night was the last time that I will see the Newton hills before April 21st. I ran with Lauren, my fellow first time DFMC'er, who everyone swears is my other half, and neither of us would ever deny such a title. The weather was great, we wore shorts, and had some much needed catch up conversation throughout our routine 9+ mile journey from Woodland to Copley. The run itself was a bit nostalgic for me for many reasons....

I was never much of a runner growing up. In fact, I was never much of anything athletic. I lacked coordination, as evidenced by the fact that I was in the back corner in every dance recital. My parents still encouraged my participation in soccer, softball, and jazz and ballet classes. When I was one of five kids cut from the swim team freshmen year in high school (after getting the ax from the volleyball team one week earlier), I got a call from Coach Shields, the girls cross country coach. I hated running, and I was sick at the thought of running such crazy distances, which ironically, at the time were not more than 4 miles. All my athletic friends were a part of the soccer, volleyball , or field hockey team. I joined the cross country team because I wanted to be a part of a team as well. I wasn't a B!tching fast runner. In fact, our team averaged only 2 wins a season. But, I felt confident and found a group of people who motivated me to not only be a better runner, but a better student and overall person. Three seasons later, I was elected captain and could help motivate and build confidence in other "new runners."

Well, after Lauren and I climbed the hills last night, we ran by the Dunkin Donuts at BC. My friend Chris came running out to give me a hug. He had just finished running a tempo run on the hills with his club. Chris and I were co-captains of cross-country, along with our friends Sheede and Lorin. The four of us have remained close over the years. Sheede is by far one of my best friends of all time. Sheede and I typically called each other "Oh Captain! My Co-Captain!", our spin on Walt Whitman's poem, but a line that became dear to us watching Dead Poets Society in our Latin class (taught by Kevin O'Malley, one of our cross-country coaches). Lorin has been serving in Iraq after graduating from West Point. Despite this, we manage to see each other whenever he returns to the states, including hopefully this weekend when he is home! (from left to right: Chris, Sheede, Lorin, and yours truly - Thanksgiving 2005)

I took a running hiatus in college. I worked out a bit, but not nearly as much as I probably would have liked, and certainly would have needed, given the Freshman 15 that I gained, but never lost.

But the runner in me came out of hibernation last summer, and my run last night reminded me why. After turning onto Beacon, Lauren and I were chatting away as per usual. I looked to my right and across the street was a guy who I dated briefly last summer. After courting me like crazy, he ended it out of the blue, saying some vague things related to the fact that he "didn't know where it was going" and he "wasn't over the Ex." All of this is fine in hindsight, and I still forever have respect for him because he didn't drag me along for the ride. When I heard this though, it was a shock. Rather than eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's and watching Love Actually, I went for a run around the river. And the next day...I did the same...but this run was followed up by my impulse decision to sign up for the BAA Half. Halfway through training for that, I had another impulse decision and applied to run Boston as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team.

Lauren and I finished our run by crossing the finish line after a sprint down Boylston (Jack always said: "Start slow, finish strong"). I stared down the finish line, and said "See ya on April 21st, B!TCH!".

We ended our evening at Crossroads by throwing a few beverages back with the DFMC crew. Through random life circumstance, I found a team again. A group of people who boost my confidence, always keep me smiling, and motivate me to become both a better runner and a better person.

And the rest is history.

Doing the Thursday...one last time.

This cartoon accurately depicts the reactions I receive every time I tell my friends that I am doing an easy Thursday run out of Crossroads...

Week of March 30th

Sunday 3/30: Rest - let the taper begin!
Monday 3/31: 30min elliptical
Tuesday 4/1: 30 min elliptical
Wednesday 4/2: Rest
Thursday 4/3: Doing the Thursday...10 miles (thanks to the detour to the Matthew McConaughey movie set)
Friday 4/4: Rest
Saturday 4/5: 12 miles in Southie - where's Whitey at?

Men in Skirts...Article is out!

Marathon Men Make Our Hearts Race

When a friend asked Jack Fultz to help him train for a marathon, the 1976 winner of the Boston Marathon had no idea he’d still be doing it nearly 20 years later –– or that he’d be wearing a skirt! –– as head coach of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team. The team (of men and women) is 550 members strong this year and aiming to raise $4.5 million for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research through the April 21 race from Hopkinton to Boston. Watch for their blue shirts (we’re not sure if they’ll opt for skirts that day) and cheer on (left to right) Larry Hanson, Fred Warburg, Jack Fultz, Tyler Hart, Ben Quick and Matt Whitcomb.
How does it feel to wear a skirt? "It’s very sexy," says Jack. "We’ve always wondered, and now we know."

~Alison, editor