Finally Running For Tish

Tomorrow is the day! I will lace up and head out to the starting line. Before running my race I will have the honor of cheering on two strong, amazing women, Kristy and Jo as they run the Bellingham Bay 5k at 7:30. Bryce will also be running the 5k and I couldn't be more proud. At 9:30 my half marathon will begin! I am hoping to run it in under 2 hours but honestly I will be happy just to finish it.

I want to say thank you again for all of the donations that were made to Relay For Life. Sorry it took a year to pay up on the first of two half marathons but as we learn over and over, life thinks that it's funny when you make plans. As long as I make it through tomorrow injury free I will sign up for the Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon which is on October 18th. 

 

 

For Tish- with SO much love.

 

 

 

 

 

Bellingham Bay 5k

So as most of you know I did not get to participate in the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon as I had planned. Race day showed up and I was still limping and favoring my injured hip. I had pretty much decided to sit the race out but that wasn't sitting well with me as I really, really wanted to run. The day before the race I went to the race expo with Kristy and Jo to pick up our race shirts and numbers. It was an awesome expo! There were so many people there discussing the upcoming race, selling adorable running clothing and educating you on supplements and hydration aids. There was also an opportunity to enter to win entry into the Whistler Half Marathon in June. Of course now I am entered and have my fingers crossed! I was feeling very emotional at the expo because there were so many people that were excited for their race and I was just limping through the room trying not to think about not being able to run. One thing that I love about the running community is how positive and supportive they are. At the expo when people asked what race I was running and I had to respond that my injury had removed me from my race. These strangers all reminded me that it is part of being a runner and that it happens to all of us eventually. They made me realize that I am just doing what all runners eventually have to do. Rest and recover. It's not fun but I am not the first and won't be the last injured runner. On our way out of the expo I stopped at the Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon table. I talked with the person at the table (who turned out to be the helpful person who had answered my questions on the race facebook page a couple months ago!) and felt like crying when I informed him that I was signed up for his race but would probably not be able to run it. He was very supportive and optimistic. Maybe he's right and I will be able to run it...we'll see. Before leaving he had Maria Dalzot (a sponsored trail runner) autograph a hat for me. Everyone we came across at the expo were very friendly and helpful. 

The night before the race we celebrated Kristy's birthday and did our very best not to over eat or drink! Such great luck that we got to celebrate and run a race in the very same weekend! 

While I had said that I wouldn't be running I was still hopeful (as I have been every single day since getting injured) that I would wake up feeling good and ready to run. I tossed and turned all night. I dreamt of running, of the excitement of the race and woke up over and over feeling anxious and hopeful. Finally 6 a.m. showed up and Kristy's crazy scary alarm went off. Before getting up I was SO hopeful. After I got up I ignored the pain and tried my best to pretend it wasn't hurting at all. I put on my running clothes and hoped that no one was going to try and tell me that I couldn't or shouldn't do it. No one said anything about it and before we knew it the time had come to head out the door. Of course there was time for one quick photo.

We Run For Tish

When we got to the race we were about a half an hour early. It was chilly and windy but after the downpour we had experienced the day before we felt pretty good about our luck. We stood in the cold, with all of the other runners, and waited. I had decided that I was going to give it my best try. I was going to run until it hurt (too much) and then I was going to walk. I wanted to run with Kristy, Jo and Bryce so, so badly! As race time approached we began making our way to the starting line. Trav snapped a few photos of us. 

I'm Ready!

Starting line here we come! (Kristy is very happy about this!)

The race started moments later and we were off. It began with a few blocks of hills...This was not what Kristy had expected but she powered through them like a champ! Pretty much right away the rain started coming down. It was just in time for the race and continued through the WHOLE race! We were soaked!! Deep down I had thought that I would likely not be able to run more than a block. Right away I altered my run. Every time my right foot (the same side as my injured hip) hit the ground I landed only on my toe. This made for an interesting 3.1 miles but it worked. My hip was irritated but never too painful. The run was an out and back course that followed the road on the way out and a trail next to the road on the way back. This was really helpful for keeping the scenery interesting. Different is always better. Jo pulled ahead of us early in the race and kept a short distance in front of us throughout the run. Bryce, Kristy and I ran together until we were a couple blocks from the finish line. Bryce had asked early on in the race if he could sprint to the finish line when he saw it and I told him that he could. As soon as he saw it he was off!!

We watched as Jo approached the finish line and were so excited for her!

Not far behind her we quickly approached the finish line. The announcer told us to get our victory high fives.

 All the high fives!

We did it! All of Kristy and Jo's hard work and training had finally paid off! Bellingham Bay 5k...DONE! Kristy's accomplishment was extra special as it was her very first 5k! I am so glad that we were all able to do this race together!! 

Happy faces after the race (that's a pretzel sticking out of Bryce's mouth...he was enjoying the post-race food!)

So we did it. We finished the 5k and for the next 2 days I hobbled around on very, very sore calves and feet. Now as I start to feel recovered from 3.1 miles of bad running form I am hopeful that I will be able to run without a limp again soon. Today marks one month since I injured myself. It has been a long, emotional month. I am not used to having no choice but to not run. Not only that, but to not be able to get any cardio exercise for most of this month was really hard. I am not going to lie, there were many times when I felt like breaking down and crying and a few times that I did just that. As I heal (very, very slowly) I am able to use the elliptical machine at the gym. 

My plan is to use this often and for longer and longer periods of time. Hopefully by doing this when I am finally able to run again my legs and lungs will be ready to jump right back in and endure longer runs. We'll see. The Lake Padden Trail Half that I am signed up for is only 17 days away. I am hopeful that I will be able to run it but I also realize that this may not be possible. 17 days isn't very much time and only running 3.1 miles (with a limp) in the past 30 days, and not currently being able to run (without a limp) isn't promising training. Unfortunately for me races do not refund your money if you are injured. I am beginning to feel very foolish to have signed up for 2 half marathons so close together. This injury is becoming quite expensive!! I have been researching other possible half marathons to sign up for (after my injury is completely healed!). I will decide on which when I am able to run again. 

For now I am just proud to say that we finished a 5k together, for Tish. 

Twelve Days

I did not realize how emotionally invested I was in running the Bellingham Bay half marathon until suffering through this injury. I am so depressed about not being able run and train like I had planned. It has been 12 days since my last real run and it is now only 12 days until race day! Neither of those numbers are good for me. It is extremely depressing to go to bed each night hoping that I will wake up with a leg that is no longer injured but instead get out of bed and limp through my morning. Over the past two weeks it feels like it has been endless Epsom salt baths, ice packs, stretching and massaging and I still feel like I am not healing fast enough. I try not to let it get to me but it is very difficult. I should be anxious and excited for the upcoming race and instead I am just wondering if I will be even be able to run by then. I attempted the elliptical machine and then the stationary bike in the hopes that maybe I could get some cardio in and remind my legs that I expect them to carry me a great distance. I failed. Both machines hurt my leg too much for me to continue. I had to use all of my strength to not break down and cry right there in the gym. I want to run again. I'm tired of resting.

On the bright side I rolled out my IT band on the foam roller today and there was very little pain. This is the first time since I hurt myself that this has happened. I am hopeful that this will mean that I am healing and I am grasping at what little hope I have left of participating in and (*fingers crossed*) completing my half marathon. I have been trying to figure out what will happen on race day. These are the possible outcomes that I see for me.

1. I am able to run soon and get in as many miles (without overdoing it) before the race and then give it my all on race day. This leaves an opening for a big fat blow to my ego as my injury may prevent me from completing the race. If it acts up I will not be able to complete the race...it is excruciatingly painful to run on it and I don't want to ruin my chances of running my next half marathon on October 19th. If it starts hurting I will have Travis (my hero) come and pick me up. Fingers crossed that I will be able to finish it!!

2. I am healed but not ready for the 13.1 miles I could join Kristy, Jo and Bryce on their 5k, cheering them on and probably taking far too many pictures!! 

3. I wake up in pain (wallow in self-pity for a little while) and head to the race to cheer on Kristy, Jo and Bryce as they complete their 5k.

I am very hopeful that I will be able to run and finish but I am preparing myself for the worst. If I am unable to run the race I will find another one to sign up for so that I am still running the two half marathons that I am committed to doing. There is still time. Think healing thoughts for me!!

A Trail Half Marathon!

After raising $400 for Relay For Life I began searching for another half marathon to sign up for. I was seriously considering the Seattle Half Marathon but the starting time for it is 7:30 a.m.! That would mean I would have to wake up before 5, drive and hour and a half and then find the energy to run...no thanks. After some more searching I found a race that caught my attention. It was the Lake Padden Trail Half. Trail running has always been something I knew I would like to try but never have. After considering the pros and cons of signing up for a race like this I decided that it is definitely something that I can do and I will gain a new running perspective.

I am now signed up for my very first trail half marathon! Lake Padden is located just outside of Bellingham, Washington which is very close to where I live. This will make arriving there awake and ready rather than exhausted much easier! I am excited to train for it and to gain new running experience! The race is on October 19th which is about 3 weeks after my Bellingham Bay Half Marathon. This will be perfect timing as I will have enough time to recover and not enough time to lose all the hard work put in while training for it!

I am proud to say that my Relay for Life team raised over $7,000! Our final total will be higher as there are some employers that haven't put in their matching funds yet! People can also still donate to our 2013 team up until the end of august. Feel free to donate and make me run! $200 more and I will sign up for a third half marathon!

I want to thank all of my donors and supporters! Because of you we were able to help current and future cancer patients. We helped to give hope to those who need it more that anything and that is something you should all be proud of!

Four Miles

After a few weeks of getting back into the swing of running I am really kicking myself for taking such a long break from it! I have been trying to add more miles into my runs but so far my legs really don't feel like doing more than four miles. Running is hard but it is SO much harder after taking time off from it! It is starting to feel comforatable again aside from a pretty irritating injury. Out of nowhere an area the size of a quarter on the side of my calf hurts. A LOT. It is a strange hurt though, it seems to be seriously offended with running. The rest of the time it just quietly complains. Today during my 4 mile run it was the worst that it has been. I had planned on running six miles but four was the most that the injury would allow. The last mile was more of a "hobble run" than anything else. So compression sleeve, ice and epsom salt baths will definitely be in my near future! Hopefully I will get in a few more runs this week before Relay For Life and hopefully I will be able to add on some miles! Four is not very close to 13.1...definitely have my work cut out for me!

Please donate and support me in Running For Tish.

Running For Tish

Donate to Relay For Life!

Tish Hurst was wonderful mother of three beautiful young girls, a cherished daughter, a very loved little sister and a great friend to so many people who loved her very much. Tish was an amazing woman with strength that was inspiring. She was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2011. Less than a year later it had spread to her lungs. We as a family came together with such hope and love that it seemed pretty impossible for her to not survive. We joined the Whatcom County Relay For Life and created the team We Fight Cancer Together or WFCT. On July 13, 2012 our team walked all night long and raised over $10,000. After Relay For Life Tish continued to fight her cancer but it was just to aggressive. Despite all of the Chemotherapy and other available treatments her cancer continued to grow and spread. When she ran out of other options she participated in a clinical trial. We never lost hope. She was such a big part of our family. She was so important to us, there was no way we could lose her. In April 2013 it became apparent that the clinical trial was not working. Instead of shrinking her tumors were growing and spreading. Because of this she could no longer be a participant in the clinical trial. Despite all of this she planned a family Disneyland trip. Like I said, she was pretty amazing. 

Right before this trip her tumors were making it difficult for her to breathe. She had to bring oxygen tanks with her to help everywhere she went. This didn't stop her from enjoying her vacation. She created moments and memories that we will cherish forever. Soon after returning from this trip her breathing became more difficult and soon she was in a hospice. We lost her on May 3, 2013. We will miss her forever. We hurt because there is a hole in our family. We will keep her in our hearts and remember her forever.

In February I ran my first half marathon. Tish commented on one of my Facebook posts. I recently started really thinking about what she had said.

My first thought after reading her comment was -what a great idea. I already run and I want to raise money to help find a cure for cancer. My second thought was- I have no idea how to make that work. Almost three months have gone by and I keep coming back to that comment. So I have decided to try and make that work for her.

Click here to make your tax deductible donation!

Over the past few months when I was running and was tired, out of breath and wanting to quit, I thought of Tish. She has inspired me to be better, to enjoy my ability to be exhausted and to enjoy every moment no matter what. When I feel like quitting I tell myself that I am lucky, that I am fortunate enough to be able to suffer through a difficult run. After a while it became more of a way of thinking rather than something that I only thought of when I was struggling. Running for her became something I do. It became normal to say to myself this one is for Tish as I began a run. Since she has passed away I feel even stronger about the importance of appreciating every moment. You do not know how many moments you have so to waste a single one is unacceptable.

After giving this running for donations idea some time to roll around in my head this is what I came up with.

I am asking you, all of you, to support this cause that is so important to me. I am asking you for a donation to go towards finding a cure. A cure that will ensure that no one has to go through the horrible, toxic treatments that are currently used. A cure that will save our loved ones so that no one will have to go through the loss of someone to cancer ever again. Here is what I am offering for your donation. If I raise two hundred dollars I will sign up for a half marathon. Now you might be thinking, she runs all the time, that's nothing. I do run all the time...not 13.1 miles though. Despite having conquered my first half marathon it is still an intimidating beast to me. So this is what I will do. As donations come in (if they do *fingers crossed*) I will start training. You can see my donation progress here. If I reach $200 I will sign up for a half marathon and post about it in here. I will then sign up for another half marathon after another $200 is donated, and then another after an additional $200. To be clear I will sign up for my first half marathon after $200 is donated a second half marathon after $400 is donated and a third on after $600. If I make it to six hundred dollars in donations I will sign up for another for every additional $300 donated. If you guys go crazy with donations *fingers crossed* I may have to put a cap on how many races I will complete...like I said 13.1 miles is a giant scary intimidating beast! So come on people...make me run!! 

Please donate for my family and for yours!

This picture was taken the very last time I got to visit with Tish.

Donations can be made here~ Relay For Life
Just click on the "donate now" button and enter your info.
Donations are tax deductible!

If you are wondering what happens to the money donated here are some answers for you. Why We Fundraise