Levine Cardiac Kids - Camp LuCK at Camp Cherokee, May 2010

21 families from Levine Cardiac Kids, support group for children born with Congenital Heart Defects and their families, enjoyed a weekend at Camp Cherokee, Kings Mountain, SC. The incredible experience due to the Camp Staff, Jay Bird Thompson, Dr. Rene' Herlong, Kim Jackson and 40 counselors that volunteered their time.

Run With Your Passion

Monday, April 19th in Hopkinton, MA, walking from the school to the center of town with a Boston Marathon newbie wishing her a great day as I grab my spot in the coral. Waiting in the starting line, listening to the nervous chatter of fellow participants trying not to think of what I will experience in the next 3:45 to 4 unpredictable hours. Isn't this the same feeling of waking up every morning?
As I was in the starting line of the 2010 Boston Marathon with thoughts going through my head and feeling pain in my left foot, "did I make the right shoe decision", "can't wait to see Doug and Justin at the finish line", "how can I make this fun and not stress over watching pace and time on my Garmin", "look how much fun the college kids are enjoying their Marathon Monday holiday", "come on, you know you'll finish the race", .....and I did.  3 hours, 52 minutes and 4 seconds, still missing that 3:45 marathon finish time. 
It is the life experience, enjoy the crowd, spectators, various demographics the 26.2 mile journey will take you in Boston and it's suburbs.  By wearing the Boston Scientific name across my chest reminds me that I'm alive and I can cross the FINISH LINE!

2010 Boston Marathon Training - It’s about QUANTITY and QUALITY

When Coach suggested something different by training volume for the 2010 Boston Marathon training schedule I knew I was taking my body to the unknown. Remember, I only “raced” 3 marathons. In 2005, I raced Richmond VA marathon and missed the Boston qualifying time by 3 minutes.
After 4 years of triathlons and completing Ironman USA in 2007, I decided to readdress a Boston qualifying. Gee, I’ve finished an Ironman, certainly I at the age of 46, I a sub 4:00 marathon is achievable.

Boston Scientifics CRM division headquarters in St. Paul MN host the Twin Cities Marathon. In 2008, I was honored as a Medtronic sponsored Global Hero to run Twin Cities Marathon and completed my quest to earn that Boson qualifying time. In 2009, after many long runs with tempos, speed work, healthy diet, and 10lbs lighter, at mile 17 I fell apart with annoying psoas pain and right knee pain. Managing to hold my body upright and continue with nutrition, I finished in 3:47, as the thoughts going through my mind “sub 4:00 is all I need to requalify”.

Why am I training for 2010 Boston Marathon? Because I have a score to settle with this course, enjoy the adventure of training and to share the exciting event with others accredited to participate.

Coach Melinda, Trijinx Coaching, http://174.96.58.215/trijinxcoaching/trijinxcoaching/HOME.html
has lead me to volume of constant 45-50 mile – no EZ weeks with 4 quality run days a week. Although, additional maintenance of strength, core, stabilization and manual physical therapy from Joe Tedesco, http://www.elitept1.com my body would not be able to handle the volume.
So far it has paid off with 2010 accomplishments: February 13th Cupids Cups 5k (accompanying an 18 mile run) – 1st place age group with 22:53. March 6th – Corporate Cup ½ marathon – 1st age group 1:45:08. March 27th Cooper River Bridge 10k in Charleston, SC – 47:54PR.
Boston Marathon, Monday, April 19th. ……Bring it ON!

Sultan 50K

On Saturday January 23rd, the Sultan 50k made me realize why trail running is so enjoyable!

Upon Mohammad's birthday run planning the group of runners come together to enjoy beautiful scenery and great friendship at South Mountain. Not only did Mohammad provide crowns to wear and red velvet birthday cake at the turnaround point, Mohammad honored us by assigning his personal bib numbers methodically to the person running with his number. I was honored with his PR bib from Thunderroad Marathon since I was from Charlotte.

As our CTRC team meets at the usual "Cookie Bar" spot at 7am, Da'Leader, STB, DC, Queenie pile into Kermit with CC and Betsy follow in "Put the fun between your legs" car (bicycle picture - get your mind out of the gutter) drive to South Mtn park to drop off Kermit. Let's just say poor Kermit is scared from that car trip. If you were not in the car you WERE talked about! Highlights, such as waking up Ed at 7am to tell him to get out of bed for his training run, sorry Phyllis! We brought to certain peoples attention the "man crush" and brought the Silver Backed Gorillo out of his shell to take charge as he navigated with DC at the wheel to the Coffee House in Morganton.

After the mix of skinny goatee's meet the camouflage/John Deere hat wearing folk at the friendly Morganton Coffee House, we caravan to Roper Hollow Road for the trail start. 27 runners, crown hats, hydration packs, and cameras start up the hill through the fog. Enjoing the mindless chit chat with Jon the Gastonia british guy, STB, Betsy, CC and I end up together with more mindless chick chit chat in the fog not allowing use to enjoy the overlook scenery. Cruising through the fairy tale looking trails the Galloway method of run/walk in our Sultan 50k crowns, CC dissed us as we approached the finish line happy birthday streamer by the waterfall heading down the stairs over the bridge to meet up with DC for the turnaround as she means business to kick this South Mtn Sultan 50k in the arsss!

Red velvet cake is not a bad post race nutrition. It's all about the icing color.....the group thought I had oxygen deficiency with my blue lips. Once the Silver Back Gorilla found his warm pants, he took control again to drive STB, Betsy and Queenie back to Charlotte via the Lincolnton cafe'. Who knew they don't serve caffiene in Lincolnton, no wonder everyone looks sleepy and move slowly needless to say they were very friendly and introduced us to fried cream corn. At home by 5pm, as my belly recieved a great workout from laughing, tired legs and in serious need of a shower, I realize why I love trail running. Who needs a "race", timing chip, entry fee, professional photographers, aid stations and swag, to enjoy the good company of others that share the love of nature. Thank you for Mohammad in bringing us together to celebrate his birthday and did I mention.......CC's birthday is on Thursday.

Boston Scientific Thank You Gift

A special gift from the Boston Scientific HR Summit. The painting reflects my life experiences and accomplishments with a pacemaker, my family, volunteer activities and partnership with Boston Scientific.

Queen of the Mountain

Queen of the Mountain event is participating in 3 events within 3 consecutive days. Making this more exciting, they combine the events during the Highland Games taking place at McCrae Meadows at the base of Grandfather Mountain.
Event #1 - Thursday, July 9th The Bear - 5 mile uphill run starting at 7:00pm at Hwy, 105 in Linville finishing at the top of Grandfather Mountain State Park. It was disappointing to have so much fog this evening therefore the views were distorted. I focused on pacing myself knowing there are two more days of events, so found the fine line of pacing myself and racing The Bear. I was happy with my 52 minute finish. It was great to see my husband and running partners at the top.

Event #2 - Friday, July 10th - The Grizzly 65 mile bike ride at 8am from Linville through a 6 mile climb on Beech Mountain, through Banner Elk and the beautiful blue ridge parkway finishing around the dirt track at McCrae Meadows. This was by far the hardest bike ride ever! After the bike ride I experienced my 1st ice bath...BRRR after the GRRRR.

Event #3 - Saturday, July 11th - Grandfather Mountain Marathon

The 26.2 mile run started at 7:30am from Appalanchian State College. Ashley, Ed and I began the journey through backroads of Boone/Blowing Rock, along the blue ridge parkway, we were greeted by Doug, Amanda, and friends on their bike encouraging us to keep moving forward. In order to pace myself for this very rolling course, I walked the hills early on. Approaching mile 20 along Hwy 221, I'm having a sinking moment as Amanda encourages me to finish the last Gu that I've carried for about a mile. 15 minutes later my sugar levels are back up for a surprisingly strong finish of 4:23 around the McCrae Meadows track.

A total time of 10:15, I'm 3rd place Queen of the Mountain out of 5 female participants. Looking forward to a little time off training and some rest.

Thanks for the support of my husband, Coach Melinda, training partners and the friends riding along the marathon course.

Red Sox & Rain

Despite the rain, we visited Fenway Park on Tuesday April 28th the day after the Boston Marathon. Unfortunately Sox vs. Minnesota Twins game was a rain out. The fans were disappointed but managed to enjoy the visit to Fenway Park as a Boston tourist spot. The famous CITGO sign 1.5 miles from the marathon finish!