Goodbye 2008

Well here we are, the last day of 2008. We thought it would be a good way to end the year with a group run and what do we get, about 4 inches of snow that didn't start falling til after midnight. Marsha and I still planned on going but Lisa and Joe's sitter freaked out about the snow so we decided to skip it.
We took the Christmas tree down this morning and dragged it out to the backyard and Marsha got the house back in order (the scrooge that I am, I always love when Christmas is over) while I shoveled 2 driveways, the deck and a big pile for the tree to sit up in for now. When I get back into the house Marsha wants to go for a run, normally I never say no { =) } but I was a little sore and tired from all that lifting so we decided we'd start the new year off tomorrow with a run.
I last worked on Dec. 19th and on that day I needed to run about 60 miles before the end of the year to hit my last minute goal for the year of 1200 miles for the 12 months of 2008. After my half marathon run to Marsha's work on Monday I had 129 for the month and 1213 for the year. Not to bad for my first complete year or running. I averaged 101 miles per month and about 23.5 miles per week. Had we done our run today Dec. would have been my highest mileage month of the year but July was it at 134 miles.
1st quarter=258 miles 2nd quarter=300 3rd quarter=322 4th quarter=333
We're gonna do our normal New Years Eve with our bowling friends at the Simmon's house.
GOODBYE 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nashville Marathon here we come . . .

Today was the start of my training program for the Nashville Marathon. Lisa and I are doing the 4 months to a 4 hour marathon training program. (Ladd is doing a different training program....) Today we did our first speed work, 6 x 400 at a 2 min pace. It seemed very easy, but I am sure by week 8 when we are doing 16 x 400 it won't seem so easy!

Still having foot pain. I have been going to see Drs' Joe and Lisa for 4 weeks now for the problem. it always feels better after the appointment, lasts for 3-4 runs, then starts hurting again. Dr. Joe says it will take puting the bone back in place a few times before it stays.

Ryan Road to DOMOKUR Architects 13.1 miles

Marsha was ending her work day at 3:00. I left our house at 1:00 and headed to Fairlawn. It was a pretty good run but once I hit Rt. 18 I never noticed how many long and gradual hills there are going out there. I saw the big water tower and saw it and saw it. Next time I drive that way I'm gonna check when I first see it and for how many miles til I get to it, seemed like 5 miles til I finally passed it. I arrived at 2:48 it time to change and get Marsha off work in time. 1:48:30
I looked back at the gps and my fastest 2 miles were mile 12 and 13 (long downhill) at 7:37 and 7:19. first half 55:48 second half 52:37 I couldn't believe that the mileage to Marsha's work was 13.1 and about a 2 minute walk to get to her parking lot.

Medina County Road Runner Group Run 12/28/08

We scheduled a 8 mile run and had 10 people going til the wind scared a couple people off. Our group ended up being 8, 4 ladies and 4 guys. It was about 38 degrees and very windy but after the 1st half mile it really wasn't that bad. We ran the black trail to Chippewa and then down by the lake and back around to Lake Rd. and back to the trail which put us at 8 miles just before we got back on our road. Ladd Chuck Don Charles Marsha Lisa H. Lisa G. Sharon S.
Met Charles for the first time today, he ran the 8 with us and then was going to run 12 more, in training for the Disney Marathon. I would have run them with him but I am planning on running to Marsha's work tomorrow. 12-13 miles to DOMOKUR ARCHITECTS in Fairlawn.

Still Christmas week

We took Xmas day off then Lisa came over Fri. morning (cold and windy)and we ran the black trail to Chippewa Rd. . There we parted for 1.5 miles and I ran to Lake Rd. down to 162 and back to the trail while the girls just back tracked on the trail for their 5 miles , that gave me 6 miles and a short time of some faster speed. With the group run planned for Sun. I would have taken Sat. off except for the fact that is was 62 degrees outside and I could run it shorts in late Dec. 2008. Also I was home alone for a few hours so I went. I decided to run both the black trails to see the condition before the group run and found that the Buckeye Woods trail down by Chippewa was flowing like a river in some spots. I passed a girl on the trail that told me it was deep farther down and it was, about 4-5 inches as I went thru it and got my socks soaked, by the time I got home I had a small blister under my left toe. Coming up to Ryan right at 8 miles I see the girl I crossed paths with 4 miles ago heading into the development behind our house. She ran the same 8 miles I did just in the other direction. Her name was Jen, told her about the MCRR's and about tomorrow's group run.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I took Sunday (bitter cold) and Monday off (had to take kids to doc's appointments)and still cold.
Tuesday Chuck and I head out at 9:00 am to run the blacktop trails to Chippewa and it is very cold, 16-18 degrees with an even colder windchill. We did 8 miles in just over 1:10. The last 2 miles felt like work running uphill and into the wind.
Wednesday Marsha and I head out to do 5 miles, we were trying to wait for a break in the weather and headed out at 12:30, a 1/2 mile in it was down pouring and I offered to turn around right away but Marsha didn't respond so we kept going. The heavy rain only lasted a few minutes but it was another windy day so we kept zig zagging to avoid the wind often. We got in our 5 but I felt overly tired, I think I keep my head down in the wind and cut off just enough air supply that it affects me and 8 yesterday may have had something to do with it.
So today is Christmas and it was supposed to be cold again, high of 22 but it's almost 30 out and I ask Marsha if we want to go for a run before dinner at 5:00 and she says I thought you were taking today off. After thinking about how I felt yesterday and after reading Dan Horvath's blog I think yep it's a rest day. I need about 25 miles before the year ends to hit 1200 miles for the year which should be pretty easy with some rather warm weather heading our way. HOHOHO

The end of my highest mileage week so far, Dec. 20

I got up at 5:30 this morning and picked Chuck up at 6:15, we arrived in Brecksville at 7:00 to meet Dan H. and his 2 ffriends. We ran to Peninsula where we usually park then back for a total of 14.4 miles. We then went to Brugers Bagels and got home about 11:00. From there I had about 90 minutes to eat and get changed and go on another run Marsha set up for the MCRR's. We ran another 7.1 miles for a 1 day total of 21.5 miles and a best ever 1 week total of 44 miles. No work for 15 more days and lots of running to do but not tomorrow. Rest day.

The end of my highest mileage week so far, Dec.20

DEC. 15 17 18

MONDAY NIGHT MARSHA AND I RAN 4 MILES IN TOWN AND RAN RIGHT PAST 2 DEER IN REAGAN PARK AND THEY DIDN'T BUDGE AS WE RAN WITHIN 10 FEET OF THEM.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHUCK AND I RAN HIS 5 MILE LOOP, WARMED UP A MILE THEN RAN 1 MINUTE FAST AND JOGGED 1 MINUTE AND WE DID THIS FOR 3 LONG MILES. I WAS READY TO QUIT BEFORE THE LAST FAST MINUTE BUT WAS TOLD TO GET PAST THE PAIN. THANKS FOR THE PUSH CHUCK. THEN WE JOGGED IN THE LAST MILE FOR A 5 MILE RUN IN 40:18.
THURSDAY MARSHA AND I RAN THE NEW MCDONALDS SAT. GROUP RUN COURSE OR MOST OF IT. DID 5.5 MILES OF THE 6.2 MILE COURSE WE HAVE SET FOR THIS SAT.
THAT IS IF I CAN MAKE IT TO THAT RUN AFTER CD AND I RUN WITH DAN H. SAT. MORNING.

12/14 speedwork

Got up early to go do speedwork, met TR at his house and ran to Root and did about 8 laps warming up waiting on CD , wasn't 7 am his idea?? We went on without him and did 8 400's all at about 1:25 per lap. Near the end we were getting hit with a light sleet while running into a very stiff wind running south. On our way home it started to rain lightly, I got home stretched a little ,took a shower and jumped back into bed for another hours sleep.

Panera 6 mile run 12/13/08

Today we had a 6.2 mile run planned from Panera. Marsha posted it on the MCRR web site and we were expecting 8-10 people and ended up having 17 people show up, 16 runners. It was a good run being that when we left our house it showed 14 degrees outside. It was high teens last weekend for our half marathon in Ashland but we would be running slower today so we dressed warm and were more than comfortable. After the run we all went inside and had hot drinks and sweet rolls/bagels for a snack in the free gathering room.
Tomorrow it is supposed to be 50 degrees, hopefully 40 in the morning. Tom R. , Chuck and I are meeting at Root at 7:30 a.m. to do speed work.

Ashland 1/2 marathon

December 6th. . . what a cold blustery day! 18 degees with a wind chill of 8 degrees! at times the snow looked as though it was falling horizontally. The first and the last miles were the worst! I warmed up after mile one and mile 13 was all into the wind. I got blisters, I don't understand! I mean I have gotten blisters before, at Akron Marathon and a few really long training runs but not in the same spots I got them this time. I wore shoes that I have been running in for a while, they have 244 miles on them. I also dealt with a major sore foot, the top of my right foot hurt during running and has hurt for the past 3 days, I haven't run since, may try tomorrow. I did well and enjoyed myself! :) I had a finish time of 1:53:53 not a PR by any means, but with the cold cold weather, the snow, the wind and oh did I mention that the entire course was uphill? ha ha but really there were many many hills! I will do it again!

November is over

Thanksgiving is over, November is over and worst of all our vacation is over. Got all unpacked and cleaned up today and then decided to go to town and park at Panera and see about a path for the group run in 2 weeks. It was about 37 degrees and some light rain but not to bad, we ran what turned out to be a perfect 10k and finishing up near the back of Walmart so we can have a short walk back to Panera. I just hope theres not any snow on the sidewalks in 2 weeks or it could be a little tricky. I can't believe tomorrow is already December first.

Ladd's own Half , Thanksgiving Day 2008

Last week , the whole week before we left for the Outer Banks I only ran 5 miles mostly because I was sick and it was pretty cold. Weeks before we were leaving for this trip we planned on running the OBX turkey trot but a month before while checking out the race we found out it was sold out for 2008 in 10 days. Maybe next year. Marsha and I ran 4 miles Sun., 4 miles Mon., 5 miles Tuesday and took Wed. off. I wanted to do a long run on Thanksgiving (in place of not running a 5k) but Marsha did a strength workout inside so I decided to go ahead and do it while the rest of the family watched the Macy's Parade. I got geared up and headed out the door with 10 miles on my mind , 5 out 5 back , when Marsha says she is taking Cassie to Walmart to get a book when I get back. Walmart is 15+ miles away and I think it's crazy to drive 30 miles to go get this book , but as I get out to the parking lot and get the GPS going I get this thought that I'll just keep running towards Walmart and they can pick me upon the way. I head out and tell them about my pace and to not let me run for more than 2 hours forgetting that heading in that direction every day so far has been into the wind. All week we headed that direction early in the morning so we could have the wind at our back on the way home and all week it was cold going out and warm after the turn around. Again it is windy and right in my face but much warmer than the morning runs , maybe getting close to 50 , I think I go out slow for a mile (but later I realize I went out at 8:15 for the first mile, not my intention) and then just run a comfortable pace. I stop at 4 miles and take a drink then stop again at 7.5 for a Gu in just over an hour , now I get to thinking I want to hit 13.1 before Marsha and Cassie find me and at 12.75 Marsha yells out the window to me and pulls over up ahead. Hardly slowing down as I toss my gloves to her and tell her to give me another half mile, long enough to finish my own Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and walk for a short while. I finish in 1:47.30 almost to the second Marsha's PR. Time went by pretty fast for this run because I borrowed Marsha's mp3 player and had music to listen to for 1 hour and ten minutes before it went dead.

Shore to Sound

Short run this morning.... nice though. It snowed here in North Carolina 2 days ago. They are having the same cold weather we are in Ohio. Ran from the ocean to the Sound today, it was beautiful! chilly, 42 degrees, but sunny and nice. And what could be better than a run with my wonderful husband to come home cook breakfast with my son, then play fun games with my daughter for hours. Now we are off to do some shopping, imagine that.

Medina County Road Runners

We had a nice meeting tonight, which I had to lead as the president of the club wasn't able to make it. I get very nervous and felt very "hot". (Of course afterwards Ladd told me I was broken out in a rash the entire time and had some sort of facial twitch.) We had 3 possible new members and 2 new members that just joined we had 11 people all together and some very good discussions on what people really want from the group.

A Beautiful Snowy morning

I have been sick all week, I am about at 90% now and feeling so much more like normal! I was the first one up this morning and decided to start the day with a run, I invited Ladd who is just starting to get sick and I invited Kyle who didn't want to get out of bed. So off I went, only 4 miles, but it felt good! Some of the run was so beautiful that I had a great big smile on my face, big fluffy flakes softly falling. It was tough to run into the wind for the last mile home. But what a great way to start the day!

thurs. and fri. Nov. 13 , 14

Thursday morning Chuck and I met at 6:00 and did our normal 4 miles, still in shorts , then friday morning Marsha, Abra and I did both Chippewa trails along with a few miles thru buckeye woods, Marsha wasn't feeling her best when we got to Chippewa Rd. so she headed home but Abra needed to do 20 miles today in preparation for the Vegas marathon in 3 weeks so we headed off for a route down by the lake and thru the deveopment near the trail end. When we arrived in our driveway we were at 15 miles, it was a beutiful day hitting mid 60's and possibly the last day of shorts for me in Ohio. Now a day later sat. nov. 15 it has rained most of the day and started snowing with the weeks forecast looking pretty cold which is ok since we'll be headed somewhere warmer very soon. 33 miles for the week , I'll be lucky to get 1/2 that in next week.

Speed Work at Claggett

Marsha , Kyle and I went to do speedwork tonight , it was pretty chilly with all of us dressed in running pants and 2 shirts or so , when we get there Dan H. is in shorts. Dan and another fella , Pete J. were already there warming up when we arrived , so we warmed up a bit and started the hard stuff. Lisa G. showed up so her MC and KC ran together and Dan and I ran together. Dan said here's what I have planned, We did a mile in 6:38 - my quick drink of water , then a slow lap then 3 laps ( 1200 ) in 4:50 . slow again then 2 laps (800) in 3:06. I had to work pretty darn hard to keep up with Dan but it was a really good work out. I need to try and do this a few more times before dec. 6 and hope for some good weather for the Ashland half. I ran down to the bowling alley for a quick visit to see how they were doing with out me and to catch some grief for running instead of bowling. They didn't need me, they shot 1190 the 1st game.

Nov. 9 and 10th

Marsha and I went for a short run sunday but she wasn't feeling good and stopped at 2.7 miles , I got to 3 and stopped. Sunday evening Chuck calls and wants to run mon. morning. We always meet at root at 6:00 a.m. because it's exactly 1.3 miles from each of our houses but I got a head start and was almost to stop n go when we met and decided to alter our normal route of 4.0 miles and go the other way to west park to oak and back to root. 5.5 miles when I got home just in time to see Kyle off to school. It was the coldest day I've been out to run this season , 32 degrees with light snow on the ground. Tomorrow night I'm taking the night off bowling and going to do speed work. Hopefully we'll have a track and a few people show up.

The 1st week of nov.

Marsha and I ran the Inland Trail 1/2 Marathon last sun. She did great (pr of 1:47) and I tried going out at her pace for the 1st 3-4 miles then trying to pick up the pace but never did make up the lost time. Next up is a 1/2 marathon dec. 6 in ashland , depending on the weather I'm just going to run a even steady pace to try and break my pr of 1:36. But being early dec. I may not get a good try at a pr til next year. Wed. morning I decided to run 4 miles after taking a couple days off and the weather was still great for early nov. , still out in shorts and a t-shirt.
Took a couple more days off and then Chuck and I decided to go for a run this morning (sat.). We met near Root and did a loop around town ( Marsha and Kyle saw us while heading to the bowling alley) we did 7 miles bye the time we got back to his house ,then I hit 10 before I got home with a little speed play on the way home. 29 miles for the week , not bad for only running 3 days. Wore my new arm warmers today, was in the mid 40's and they made it possible to wear just a t-shirt. Marsha and I are planning on running a few miles tomorrow to start off the new week.

Speed Work

For the past 2-4 weeks I have been making a conscious effort to improve my training. Make it more rounded... I have been doing strength training once a week for the past 4 weeks (I know I should try for 2 x a week, but haven't gotten there yet), I can tell it is working as I am not as sore this week as I was the first week! I have also gone to speed work each of the past 2 weeks. But, there hasn't been speed work as both tracks have been occupied by soccer and football. So last week is was Dan H, Brittany and I and we did a 5 mile loop including some nice hills, running through Reagan Park, this week is was Dan D and I and we did the same run, but it felt totally different than last week as the time changed. It was dark, very very dark! I did bring my headlamp, which did help, but it was a bit spooky! Dan seems like a very nice guy, but it was different running in a park with a man I barely know, then we are running up this hill in the darkest part of the park and Dan says "this is like a scene straight out of a horror flick...." wow that put it into perspective!
Great to get to know you Dan!
Next week I will drive by the Root Middle school track before coming maybe we can do speed work there for a couple weeks or until the track at Claggett and the High School aren't occupied.

I Did it . . .

Inland Trail Goal of breaking 1:50.....
It was a very boring run!! Ladd ran with me for the first three miles. I asked him repeatedly to please leave me, but he didn't until mile 3, (he broke 1:40) I was all alone for the rest of the race, the next person in front of me was over 100 yards ahead of me. In the middle of the race I felt like I was running very slowly miles, with noone in front of me to push me. Apparently I wasn't, I finished in 1:47:34, first in my age group and 53rd person across the finish line.
It was a beautiful race! The scenery was very pleasant! But there is noone out on the course to cheer anyone on! I don't believe I would ever run the full marathon here, I think I would be so very bored by the end! But it was nice and flat! Running the half we had the wind in our face the whole way, so the full marathon had the benefit of wind at their back for the first 1/2 (the 1/2 marathon runners were bussed out to the 1/2 way point). I will do the 1/2 here again, it was a very well run race! Thank you Ladd for running the first 3 miles with me!
Congrats to my friends Phil, Jean, and Dan who ran the 1/2 and Dan and Rebecca who ran the full!

NEXT UP. . . INLAND TRAIL 1/2

Ladd and I are doing the 1/2 this Sunday at the Inland Trail in Elyria. We have been told that it is a nice flat course. I am going to yet again go for under 1:50. I know that without the final hill at Stomp the grapes I would have been able to do it, so if things go well I should be able to accomplish it this weekend. Kyle is going with us and running the 5k.

Highland Health Run 5k

Ran the Highland Health Run 5k today.... I finally broke the 23 mark yeh!!!! 22:44+- (results not posted yet). My son Kyle ran this 5k with us today. This was his 3rd road race and he has run 2 cross country meets, times so far have been 32, 27, 25, 27 and today..... HE BEAT ME BY 1 SECOND.... what a race! what a great job he did! I looked over my shoulder after mile 1 and there was Kyle, still running with me... The race ended on a track, Ladd told me to pick it up as I was going to PR, then I heard him talking to Kyle telling him to take it easy and pass me right at the finish.... wow, he was STILL right behind me. Around the final corner on the track I decide to pass the guy in front of me I go to his left and to his right was Kyle making his RACE to the finish, he passed the guy and me right before the finish line!!! wow what a race it was! WAY TO GO KYLE!!! I really didn't think that he would take me this year, but wow did he surprise me! Guess Ladd is next! WATCH YOUR BACK BABE!!!

CONGRATS TO ME FOR MY PR AND BIG CONGRATS TO KYLE!!

Highland 5k

Doing the Highland 5k this Saturday with my husband and my son. Hoping for a good time, but no pressure, weather is looking rough! Rainy and cold! After that is the "Wicked Fun Weenie Run" with the Medina County Road Runners, a run then a potluck meal. Should be fun looking forward to meeting everyone! It will be busy day as I then have to bowl that evening on my every other Saturday Couples League.
Another 1/2 marathon next weekend...... maybe, Inland Trail in Elyria, let's see how this Saturday goes!
Gotta Run...................

Stomp the Grapes 1/2 Marathon

Stomp the Grapes
We've run 4 half marathons now since april of this year and we must be getting better. All the talk about this half is how hilly and hard this course is, it was a tough course but after doing columbia station's half this summer nothing will ever seem hilly to me again. My friend Chuck and I ran together for about 8 miles today until he took off to see how many people he could pass in the last 5 miles, (he did 1:33) but he pushed me long enough to get me to a new PR of 1:37.59 over my previous best of 1:41.30. I knocked 3 1/2 minutes off my best time and Marsha knocked almost 5 minutes off hers and on a tough course. I think we will be doing the Inland Trail half in 2 weeks , really flat and fast they say. My thought is I will run the first half with Marsha and then take off and see if we can do our best's again or maybe I'll just help her to break 1:50.

Stomp the Grapes 1/2 Marathon

What a great day for a 1/2 marathon. Stomp the Grapes 1/2 marathon is a well run / organized race with great food (including wine) and cool prizes! If you read my last post you know my goal was to break 1:50. My previous PR was 1:55 in Columbia Station in June, 2008. Today I ran....... 1:50:30... UGH... missed by goal by 30 seconds +- (exact time not posted yet) so I was upset to not break 1:50 as I intended, but wow it felt and I did great! It is a very hilly course and as Beth Woodward (a GREAT runner 1:29 or so today 2nd overall) said, this is not a course to go for a PR on.... but I did it and so did Ladd!!! but I will let him blog his own story! I will run it again next year, God willing! Oh, the prize, blue pottery, it is a huge/beautiful mug that says Stomp the Grapes 2008.

What's Next?

Ladd is thinking about running the Inland Trail marathon November 2nd. We are both doing Stomp the Grapes 1/2 marathon this weekend in Navarre. He will decide about Inland trail after Stomp the Grapes. I would like to PR Saturday on this hilly course which means breaking 1:55 (which I did in Columbia Station in June.

Marathon Runner

While talking to relatives last summer and talking to running friends I remember saying “running a marathon isn’t one of my goals…” But then I was informed that those “running goals” will keep changing, but I didn’t believe it! My husband, who at that time wasn’t a runner asked me to please “never run a marathon” because he had talked to people who had been hurt training or running marathons.

I trained hard through the whole winter in order to become a “Half Marathon Runner”. Wow that felt good and I had a respectable time….. Hmmm what will I do next…..

A fellow runner (I’ll call him “Coach Chuck…”) said he was going to run the Akron Marathon with us (my husband and I like it was our idea….) and with that we all started training! I was now on my way to being a “Marathon Runner”. I would be among a small percentage of the world that has ever finished a marathon.

My goal as a “marathon runner” was to finish standing, I was hoping to finish before 4:30, but was told not to set a time goal by many other “marathon runners”.

Training was fun, I really enjoyed the long runs, the very early mornings, the intestinal problems every long run and the blisters…. No, but really, the friends we made while in training are wonderful! Friends we met through the group and at races and through the forum, what a great way to get to know someone, go out and run a long run with them. Oh, let me explain I am a talker, if you don’t like to talk and run, you might not want to run with me! My mouth runs nonstop, as my husband would say “if you can talk that much you aren’t running fast enough….”

So I am on my way to being a “marathon runner” and very worried only about one thing, can I make it with the stomach problems I have been having?

The week before the marathon seemed to drag on, I couldn’t concentrate on anything and I was very nervous! Is this what it feels like when you are about to become a “marathon runner” or was I just on my way to a nervous breakdown? One last 3 mile run the week before the marathon, I thought “this will feel good, work out some of my stress, but it didn’t, everything hurt. I hurt in places I have never hurt before, but was told by other “marathon runners” that these “pains” are normal under the circumstances, more mental than physical (that’s good because they sure felt real to me…).


September 27, 2008 - MARATHON DAY

Feeling good, amazingly good, scary good! Toeing the line (well not really because I am with the 4:15 group) the announcer says “this is what we have all trained so hard for” and I start crying… The gun sound and off we go… Oh wait, 2 minutes to get to the start line, then we go. I was very lucky to have a great friend to run the first 6 miles with me (thank you Lisa) this made the first 6 miles fly by. I really enjoyed the fans along the route, cheering us on and sometimes calling my name! I made a few new friends along the route (imagine that, me and my mouth….) My new friend Donnie was very worried about the hills and the wall, when I informed him that there are no hills in the Akron Marathon and he was NOT going to hit the wall today, he looked at me a little oddly as he had ran this marathon before and knew the terrain. We ran together for about 5 miles until I needed a port-a-pot break I told him I would see him at the end. Running on the trails was great, many new friends and lots of music just loved it when “SHOUT” came on and I was dancing and running. At Stan Hewitt hall I found Donnie again he thanked me and said that the whole way up “Heart Rate Hill” he was thinking “Marsha said there are no hills, this is NOT a hill….” To this point I have had no problems and am really enjoying the entire experience. At 24 miles I told Donnie that he was past “the wall” and to go on without me as I felt like I was holding him back and was really enjoying thanking all the policemen and volunteers and giving high fives to any kid that would “share” his/her energy with me. At mile 25 I had this wonderful thought that I was going to finish with no real problems and I again started crying. Pulling it together and really enjoying the last mile to Canal Park I see the finish line and again I start crying (imagine that) pull it together, there are going to be pictures at the finish line, I want to look happy not sad! I finish smiling with my arms raised in accomplishment. I shook the hand of Jim Barnett, and got a medal and there was my husband standing there and guess what… I started crying. I saw Donnie and he gave me a big hug, thanked me for all my positive thoughts and said that any time he runs a marathon he will think of Marsha and how hills are imaginary. I got some food, and then almost passed out, Ladd held me up for a few minutes; I sat down for a few minutes then visited and shared with friends.

The experience was one I will never forget, I suggest everyone run one! Even if you feel you can’t, do a leg of a relay and get the feeling of the marathon and cheer on your friends that are doing the whole. It was wonderful! I will be doing marathon #2 in Nashville, TN in April and #3 will be Akron again next year (can’t beat the free shoes).

Written by: Marsha Clifford a “MARATHON RUNNER”

Credits to (my great training friends): Chuck and Lillian Damman, Lisa Grafton, Abra Wiese, Dan Horvath, Rebecca Bridenthal and mostly my wonderful husband Ladd!