6 days to go...

Can you believe it Emily?! We leave for New York City in three days!






Crazy.

I can remember when it was months away, and thinking about what it would feel like knowing that the marathon was a few days away.

Much like taking a test, I am a firm believe that you can't cram. You either prepared and you are ready, or you didn't prepare enough and your screwed.

I can say with confidence I believe I am in the "ready" category.

Now, that's not to say I'm not nervous and anxious beyond belief. As in, not able to sleep, knot in my stomach, might throw up at any minute anxious and nervous. And I can't really pinpoint why. I am worried about my right knee...something is "wrong" with it so I am praying it fairs well and keeps me on track for 5:15 or less come Sunday. But I don't think that's causing the nerves. Maybe because this is just such a big deal for me. Maybe because I have worked so hard. Like, harder than I have every worked on anything. Maybe because so much time and energy and focus has gone into what happens Sunday. It's gonna be a long week..........

I've been tapering the last two weeks (only doing about 25 miles each week, plus the regular regime of spin 3x/week and circuit training 3x/week) and this week I have 14 miles, 2 spins, and 2 circuit workouts before the big race Sunday.

Some people have inquired about the recovery plan, and weather I'll be maintaining the new running regime. Yes, I will be keeping up the running. Not on a marathon-training plan, but just a "base" mileage of 24-28 miles per week (3 5-mile runs during the week, and between 11-15 miles Saturday or Sunday) along with the spin and weights. My recovery will consist of a slow introduction back to running with only a 3 mile run done one week after the marathon. The following week I go up to 12 miles, then 27 miles the week of Thanksgiving with the 8K Turkey Trot for fun on Thanksgiving morning. From here the base 24-28 kicks in. I believe this plan will be easily managed (not nearly so time consuming as clocking 40+ miles a week), and I'm looking forward to running just to run. And, should I decided to do another marathon, this base would allow me to kick into marathon training mode with 3-4 months notice. I have really been enjoying spin, the cross training has done wonders for my aerobic capabilities, and helped strengthen my legs. And it's quite fun.

I do know I'll miss training for NY. Miss knowing that objective is right there. Miss how great it's been working to make a statement about what one can accomplish. Miss knowing our team is making more than a $25,000 donation to the SBA. But, I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled and ears open for the next opportunity to make myself, my family, my friends, and most importantly, my daughter, proud of what I am doing. For now, I'm just thinking about what a great story this will be to tell my best gal Em when she gets older...about how much of a difference she has made in our lives, my life, already at just 17 month old.

17 days and counting...

This past Sunday was my last 20. The weather was perfect and I was feeling great...aside from some knee pain which left me struggling at many points in the later half. I didn't run Monday, and Tuesday I hit the treadmill for a softer surface. To say it's making me nervous is an understatement, though I'm sure it just nerves. This is a 33 mile week, and between today (Thursday) and Sunday, I have the bulk of my miles, with 15 on Sunday. That 15 is the official last of the "long runs" before the marathon. This is the first week of taper, and next week I only have 24 miles to do!!

Emily's cheering shirt is all ready, and my name's been added to mine so I can hear "Go Liz!" or "Go Emily's Mom!" from the supporters. Now I start making lists...what I need to pack for me and Em in general...what I need for race day....what I still need to buy...what goes in my drop bag...how many gels I'll be carrying...






While I'm trying to get ready, and certainly excited, I'm also trying not to think TOO much about the marathon because both the excitement and nerves are already getting to me! I've been checking in the ING website for daily tips. If you'd like to see those, chick here. I'm also wondering what the chances are I'll see Bobby Flay, or Al Roker on the course!! They are just of the 45,000 people who'll be pounding the pavement November 7th.

I continue to be amazed and impressed with the generosity of so many of you. I can't express how much it means to have so many of you backing us, and showing your support for all people with Spina Bifida by making a donation to the Spina Bifida Association in support of Emily and this marathon cause. Family, old friends, new friends, people we've never met, therapists, businesses, colleagues, schools, friends of friends, fellow SB families - you have ALL made this venture so remarkable by your donations to SBA, and your show and words of support for Emily.

If you haven't had a chance to donate, there is still time! The last day for donations to be received by us through the mail is:

October 27th

You can make online donation through November 6th. Instructions on how to make an online donation that count towards our goal can be found at the link above.

Thank you!!!

31 days and counting...

31 days to go...to what, you might ask? Well, I've teamed up with Emily and the Spina Bifida Association to raise money and run the ING NYC Marathon on November 7th. It's a wonderful opportunity to run on behalf of Emily, and spread awareness about Spina Bifida. And, it's our chance to encourage everyone to GIVE GIVE GIVE to the Spina Bifida Association.




Can you believe November 7th is right around the corner?!

Here's the training update: I am in my third of 3 consecutive 40-mile weeks. It's about one extra day of running, putting me at 6 days a week of running. While the one extra day may not seem like much, it has been a challenge fitting it into daily life. Next week it's down to 36 miles, then 33, then 24 (two taper weeks)...and then 14 plus the marathon!

There was a time I wished for two to three more months of training, but those days are gone. I'm ready for tapering to begin. 12 minute miles seems to be what I've worked to, and so I've committed to that goal, hoping to complete the marathon in 5 hours and 20 minutes.

On Sunday I completed my second of 3 20-mile long runs. It was a cold, windy, rainy day complicated by the cars spraying me with water from puddles and the slick leaves on the ground. But I am thankful for the experience of running in that weather, better preparing me for a range of conditions come November 7th. There were many times during the 4 hours where I felt misery creeping over me.

But there was, and will continue to be, one thought that prevails: I am capable of doing this, I have full leg function.

When those misery thoughts start popping up, I think about how much more physically challenging it would be to be cranking uphill with my arms in a wheelchair. Or I think about how it would sound to other parents of kids with SB, or to individuals with SB (or other conditions that compromise leg function) to hear me complaining about how hard it was...how tired my legs were. I brought myself back to one thought: be grateful you can feel the pain. Be grateful you have the option to step outside and run. Be grateful for what you have, and don't let it go to waste.

Often, it is while I'm running that I find myself most grounded.

Here's the fundraising update: our team is 72% to it's goal of $25,000. I am 75% to our $5000 individual goal. There are only 21 more days to donate. Won't you help us reach our individual and team goal? Please click on the links at the top of the page for instructions as to making an online donation directly to the SBA website, in honor of Emily Keicher. Or, please make out a check payable directly to the "Spina Bifida Association", and mail it to us. We will send it in to our contact at SBA.

I cannot stress how important this is. By donating you are supporting one of the few organizations dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals/families of individuals with Spina Bifida. And since October is National Spina Bifida Awareness month, there is no better time than now to donate.

Thank you to everyone who has donated. I cannot say thank you enough. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I hope each of you are proud of your decision to give to such a worthwhile cause...we are proud to have so many people contributing and backing us! This is the final push, with all donations due to SBA by OCTOBER 29th.

Thank you for stopping by...I will be updating on here each week between now and the marathon.