Well, this time in one week I will be at home, having run my first marathon.
Can you believe it?
Yesterday Michelle, Danielle and I drove the entire Marathon course and really got a good idea of what we will be doing next Sunday. It was exciting and a terrifying at the same time, but mostly exciting.
After being so sick for the last 10 days, I finally felt well enough to run again and joined the Roadrunners down at Venice Beach on Saturday morning for our last 8 mile run. Everyone was so excited about race day and enjoyed the last training session of a 6 month program.
I felt ok during the run, probably at about 85% in terms of energy but it felt great to stretch out my legs and really start to visualize what it will be like to run the marathon.
It was awesome driving the course will Michelle as well, the one who inspired all of this. I am sad that she won't be running with me as everything is always better when she is around. But she can't run because of her back and that is why we called the runners 'The Running Backs' because we are all well and able enough to take on a marathon. Michelle's scoliosis means that running is probably one of the worst things she could do.
Eventhough she is not running the race, she is a crucial part of the team,providing inspiration and support to all of us runners.
The next week I am on an "extreme taper" which means very little running and lots of rest. I have had a head start on most other people because that is what I have been doing for the last two weeks.
With one week to go, I want to share with you my wishes for this project for the next week:
- That Michelle feels incredibly supported and loved by her community;
- That all Running Backs have an amazing experience in the lead up to and during the marathon;
- That we raise enough money to send Michelle to Minnesota for another intensive treatment and we can buy scoliosis chair for the network; and
- That we collectively inpsire more people to take on their health in a proactive way and that communities work together to support each other to achieve their individual and collective goals.
I know a lot of people are intending to donate so please take the opportunity now to give what you can, please leave a message of encouragement on this site or on the chip in site. The money that you donate will buy extra years of life and an increased quality of life for Michelle and other patients at the Clear Institute.
Thank you to everyone for your support
Rebel
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
final countdown to marathon - feeling terrible
With ten days until the run, I am feeling very anxious and nervous. I have been sick and pretty much in bed for the last week with the worst flu I have ever had. Sinuses infected, ears blocked and sore and just as i was starting to feel better two days ago, i got conjunctivitis (pink eye = gross).
I am so exhausted, my head is still blocked and i haven't run for a week. Everyone keeps telling me that I will be fine on race day but I am really starting to get worried about how exhausted I feel and how much trainging I have missed.
I need to stay positive and upbeat for everyone else who is training hard and traveling to LA to run and I really just feel like going to sleep and not running the race.
Well, obviously my preference would be to run the race and feel great and have a great time with friends while raising heaps of money for michelle but that feels like it is slipping through my fingers at the moment.
I will just keep sleeping and trying to feel better and start focusing on race day.
I am so exhausted, my head is still blocked and i haven't run for a week. Everyone keeps telling me that I will be fine on race day but I am really starting to get worried about how exhausted I feel and how much trainging I have missed.
I need to stay positive and upbeat for everyone else who is training hard and traveling to LA to run and I really just feel like going to sleep and not running the race.
Well, obviously my preference would be to run the race and feel great and have a great time with friends while raising heaps of money for michelle but that feels like it is slipping through my fingers at the moment.
I will just keep sleeping and trying to feel better and start focusing on race day.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
20 miles done - 3 weeks until the Marathon
On Friday Danielle and I ran 20 miles. It took us about 4 hours and we covered most of LA. We ran from Santa Monica to Venice, through Mar Vista, West LA, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, Brentwood and then Santa Monica back home.
I had to chuckle to myself when I ran past the Paley center in Beverly Hills and realised that I had run that far. It really is amazing how much ground you can cover when you just keep moving.
A good lesson in life also, I guess. It is amazing what you can achieve when you just kepp chipping away and taking action.
The run was great, I pulled up well and am feeling strong. My only two injuries that I am nursing are my bruised toes and a slightly tight left leg. It is amazing to see how well my body is holding up. After being so overweight and so inactive for so many years and now to experience running such a long distance is quite un-real.
I really believe that one of the main reasons why I have been so able to cope with the training so much is my diet. Being pretty much vegan (with occasional eggs and seafood) and eating all whole foods, lots of veges and lots of super foods like coconut oil, raw cacao, maca, gojis, chlorella, reishi, hemp, chia and kefir/probiotics etc. My joints are holding up well and I can attribute that to the krill oil, msm and turmeric/ginger etc that I have been taking.
Now that I have run 20 miles, I have three weeks of "Tapering" before the marathon. No big runs, nothing too strenuos, lots of sleeping and eating well and resting until race day. It seems like a long time but I trust the wisdom of the training program and am going to stick by it.
The next three weeks, I really want to focus on fundraising and making sure that everyone who wants to/ can contribute does. The goal we have set will support Michelle through her next intensive treatment in Minnesota and those two weeks of treatment will potentially decrease her curve by another 50%. If that is successful, the benefits are added years on to her life. A pretty amazing cause, I would say. The money that we raise towards the clear institute will go towards a traction chair for the network. This Chair will be able to be sent all over the US and used by different people who need it. It can be used as a second chair for people who are traveling or as an interim chair for people who can't afford their own chair yet. The freedom, health and lifestyle benefits that this chair will give will be amazing.
Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated.
To everyone else, every little bit helps, so please donate what to can to support Michelle and the rest of the team.
I had to chuckle to myself when I ran past the Paley center in Beverly Hills and realised that I had run that far. It really is amazing how much ground you can cover when you just keep moving.
A good lesson in life also, I guess. It is amazing what you can achieve when you just kepp chipping away and taking action.
The run was great, I pulled up well and am feeling strong. My only two injuries that I am nursing are my bruised toes and a slightly tight left leg. It is amazing to see how well my body is holding up. After being so overweight and so inactive for so many years and now to experience running such a long distance is quite un-real.
I really believe that one of the main reasons why I have been so able to cope with the training so much is my diet. Being pretty much vegan (with occasional eggs and seafood) and eating all whole foods, lots of veges and lots of super foods like coconut oil, raw cacao, maca, gojis, chlorella, reishi, hemp, chia and kefir/probiotics etc. My joints are holding up well and I can attribute that to the krill oil, msm and turmeric/ginger etc that I have been taking.
Now that I have run 20 miles, I have three weeks of "Tapering" before the marathon. No big runs, nothing too strenuos, lots of sleeping and eating well and resting until race day. It seems like a long time but I trust the wisdom of the training program and am going to stick by it.
The next three weeks, I really want to focus on fundraising and making sure that everyone who wants to/ can contribute does. The goal we have set will support Michelle through her next intensive treatment in Minnesota and those two weeks of treatment will potentially decrease her curve by another 50%. If that is successful, the benefits are added years on to her life. A pretty amazing cause, I would say. The money that we raise towards the clear institute will go towards a traction chair for the network. This Chair will be able to be sent all over the US and used by different people who need it. It can be used as a second chair for people who are traveling or as an interim chair for people who can't afford their own chair yet. The freedom, health and lifestyle benefits that this chair will give will be amazing.
Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated.
To everyone else, every little bit helps, so please donate what to can to support Michelle and the rest of the team.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
One month to the marathon - please contribute to Michelle's scoliosis treatment expenses
This time in four weeks, The Running Backs will be crossing the finish line of the LA Marathon.
We have committed to running this Marathon because we wanted to challenge ourselves and because we wanted to support Michelle by raising money for her scoliosis treatment.
We have all been inspired by her commitment to her treatment which involves two 1.5 hour sessions of exercise/traction each day, weekly trips to the chiropractor and intensive treatment at the Clear Insitute in St Cloud, Minnesota.
Already Michelle has seen amazing results from this revolutionary treatment, is feeling better and straighter and has inspired all of us by really taking on her health.
The first twelve months of the treatment is costing Michelle approximately $30,000. The costs are not covered by health insurance so she has taken on this expense herself. It is a lot of money but when you consider that the treatment is potentially adding 10 years to her life and drastically improving her quality of life, the decisiion to take this treatment on was a no-brainer.
We, the Running Backs, want to raise money to give to Michelle to go towards her treatment. By taking on the marathon and training for it, we have experienced a similar level of commitment to our health and to achieving a goal as Michelle.
We want her to know how much we love her, support her and want her to be healthy and supported.
We are all taking our own journeys to the start line, training and traveling from New York, Sydney and Brisbane to run the race.Other friends are cooking, organising support crews on the day and helping in any way they can.
My request is that you contribute financially to Michelle's treatment by clicking on the ChipIn widget on this page. Anything and everything helps. Your contribution will help the runners in the lead up to and on marathon day and will ultimately help Michelle on her journey to great health and a straight spine.
We have committed to running this Marathon because we wanted to challenge ourselves and because we wanted to support Michelle by raising money for her scoliosis treatment.
We have all been inspired by her commitment to her treatment which involves two 1.5 hour sessions of exercise/traction each day, weekly trips to the chiropractor and intensive treatment at the Clear Insitute in St Cloud, Minnesota.
Already Michelle has seen amazing results from this revolutionary treatment, is feeling better and straighter and has inspired all of us by really taking on her health.
The first twelve months of the treatment is costing Michelle approximately $30,000. The costs are not covered by health insurance so she has taken on this expense herself. It is a lot of money but when you consider that the treatment is potentially adding 10 years to her life and drastically improving her quality of life, the decisiion to take this treatment on was a no-brainer.
We, the Running Backs, want to raise money to give to Michelle to go towards her treatment. By taking on the marathon and training for it, we have experienced a similar level of commitment to our health and to achieving a goal as Michelle.
We want her to know how much we love her, support her and want her to be healthy and supported.
We are all taking our own journeys to the start line, training and traveling from New York, Sydney and Brisbane to run the race.Other friends are cooking, organising support crews on the day and helping in any way they can.
My request is that you contribute financially to Michelle's treatment by clicking on the ChipIn widget on this page. Anything and everything helps. Your contribution will help the runners in the lead up to and on marathon day and will ultimately help Michelle on her journey to great health and a straight spine.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Big set-back...time to set us up to succeed
This week my plan had me running 20 miles for the first time. I was really anxious about the run because I was sick with a cold, had not trained for over a week, had not been eating well and had not been getting enought sleep. All good reasons to be worried.
I was also excited to run 20 miles and launch myself into the final month of training before the marathon.
When we started running, I knew i was in trouble and I really really struggled for the firt 1.5 hours of the run. I couldn't breathe, I was coughing and blowing my nose, my legs felt dead and I was cursing myself the entire time for getting sick and not training properly.
Then I came good and my head cleared and I felt really strong for about another hour and a half. as we approached the third part of the run, I lost all energy. Almost instantly. I lost the group. I just couldn't keep up and then I ran around by myself for another couple of miles trying to stay close to the group but I just couldn't keep up. I turned around and walked/jogged home. Mostly walked because my jogging was slower than my walking. I was really beating myself up and upset that I had not succeeded in finishing the run. It was the first time that I hadn't completed a training run and it was the first time that I had experienced a total inability to push through what i was experiencing mentally.
It was a long and lonely walk back to the car (about 45 mins) and during the walk I kept thinking about this project and my training and what I wanted to create.
Ofcourse i couldn't run 20 miles, i had a cold and i wasn't prepared. that makes perfect sense. If i make sure i am health and well prepared and did my training then I would be able to run this.
The set-back has really allowed me to focus in on what i need to do and the energy that I need to create around me for the next four weeks. Eventhough i have done the training, completing this run is not a done deal. I really need to set myself up to succeed. Training, sleep, diet, positive attitude and learn to rely better on the support I have around me.
I want Michelle to experience the love and support that I feel for her and I her to understand the gift that she has given me by making me feel like I could do this.
If you can, please help me support Michelle in her journey by contributing to her treatment expenses.
Thanks, rebel
I was also excited to run 20 miles and launch myself into the final month of training before the marathon.
When we started running, I knew i was in trouble and I really really struggled for the firt 1.5 hours of the run. I couldn't breathe, I was coughing and blowing my nose, my legs felt dead and I was cursing myself the entire time for getting sick and not training properly.
Then I came good and my head cleared and I felt really strong for about another hour and a half. as we approached the third part of the run, I lost all energy. Almost instantly. I lost the group. I just couldn't keep up and then I ran around by myself for another couple of miles trying to stay close to the group but I just couldn't keep up. I turned around and walked/jogged home. Mostly walked because my jogging was slower than my walking. I was really beating myself up and upset that I had not succeeded in finishing the run. It was the first time that I hadn't completed a training run and it was the first time that I had experienced a total inability to push through what i was experiencing mentally.
It was a long and lonely walk back to the car (about 45 mins) and during the walk I kept thinking about this project and my training and what I wanted to create.
Ofcourse i couldn't run 20 miles, i had a cold and i wasn't prepared. that makes perfect sense. If i make sure i am health and well prepared and did my training then I would be able to run this.
The set-back has really allowed me to focus in on what i need to do and the energy that I need to create around me for the next four weeks. Eventhough i have done the training, completing this run is not a done deal. I really need to set myself up to succeed. Training, sleep, diet, positive attitude and learn to rely better on the support I have around me.
I want Michelle to experience the love and support that I feel for her and I her to understand the gift that she has given me by making me feel like I could do this.
If you can, please help me support Michelle in her journey by contributing to her treatment expenses.
Thanks, rebel
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
brag then whinge...whinge then brag
On Thursday, Danielle and I ran 18 miles through the streets of Santa Monica, Venice, Mar Vista, Marina Del Ray and Pacific Palisades.
It took us just under 3.5hours which is just on our race pace of 11 minutes per mile.
My left leg was so sore, I almost stopped about 80 times but with the support of Danielle I pushed on and made it through.
Physically I know I can do this, I just have to avoid injury and stretch.
Mentally, I know I can do this because I have amazing support around me from Michelle, to Danielle my running partner, to the other friends running the marathon and everyone else supporting us in so many different ways.
I realised last week when I was emailing the other runners is that all I seem to be doing now is bragging about my runs and whinging about the pain I am in and then bragging again. This cycle is kinda fun, and it definitely creates drama but it doesn't really honor Michelle and her treatment which is why I am doing all of this.
Michelle never complains, never ever complains about all that she has to do to keep her treatment on track. The hour and a half of exercises and sitting on her chair that she has to do every morning and every night. She never complains about having to rearrange her entire life around her treatment and her chiro appointments and having to lug her equipment everywhere.
She just gets on with the job and continues to be graceful and kind and generous to everyone around her. What an amazing gal she is. I want to be more like her. less whinging (even though it really really hurts!!!!)
The next two weeks are about speed work, intervals and hill training. I had an amazing couple of days in new york for work and drank and ate more than I should. It was my last hurrah before the race. Now time to knuckle down and start getting excited.
If you can, please sponsor me and the other running backs. All of the money goes towards Michelle's medical treatment and the Scoliosis Treatment Center in St Cloud, MN.
Every contribution is very very appreciated.
Thanks, Reb
It took us just under 3.5hours which is just on our race pace of 11 minutes per mile.
My left leg was so sore, I almost stopped about 80 times but with the support of Danielle I pushed on and made it through.
Physically I know I can do this, I just have to avoid injury and stretch.
Mentally, I know I can do this because I have amazing support around me from Michelle, to Danielle my running partner, to the other friends running the marathon and everyone else supporting us in so many different ways.
I realised last week when I was emailing the other runners is that all I seem to be doing now is bragging about my runs and whinging about the pain I am in and then bragging again. This cycle is kinda fun, and it definitely creates drama but it doesn't really honor Michelle and her treatment which is why I am doing all of this.
Michelle never complains, never ever complains about all that she has to do to keep her treatment on track. The hour and a half of exercises and sitting on her chair that she has to do every morning and every night. She never complains about having to rearrange her entire life around her treatment and her chiro appointments and having to lug her equipment everywhere.
She just gets on with the job and continues to be graceful and kind and generous to everyone around her. What an amazing gal she is. I want to be more like her. less whinging (even though it really really hurts!!!!)
The next two weeks are about speed work, intervals and hill training. I had an amazing couple of days in new york for work and drank and ate more than I should. It was my last hurrah before the race. Now time to knuckle down and start getting excited.
If you can, please sponsor me and the other running backs. All of the money goes towards Michelle's medical treatment and the Scoliosis Treatment Center in St Cloud, MN.
Every contribution is very very appreciated.
Thanks, Reb
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)