See Adrienne Run: Crossing the River

What's All This Then?

Greetings!

This blog has run its course, as it were. Actually three courses, but don't let that stop you from reading. Here's the skinny: I dedicated most of 2008 to running and fundraising for cancer research. On June 1, I ran the San Diego Rock n' Rock marathon. On June 21 I ran a half marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. Both of these feats were tackled with the coaching and support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for which I raised $5,725. The final challenge was the New York City marathon on Nov. 2. This time I trained with "Fred's team" on behalf of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where I was treated successfully for Hodgkins lymphoma five years ago. I raised another $3240 (maybe more).

It was a banner year in many ways. I celebrated 5 years of health. I raised a lot of money. I earned a Team in Training triple crown for completing a triathlon, century bike ride and marathon. I was featured on a show about three first time runners in the NYC marathon, aired on NBC in New York. And ....

You can read all about my journey in sneakers below. And remember:
"A journey of 26.2 miles begins with a single shlep."

(For the back story, check out the Sept. 29th entry.)

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Crossing the River

(n.b. I started writing this on Thursday, but it's now Saturday.)

As soon as I finish cooking up a pot of black bean soup, I'll be heading out for a 6 to 7 mile run, including a section across the Williamsburg Bridge, which is 2.45 miles out and back according to mapmyrun.com. I'm a few days late on this, but I'm on track for the most part. The schedule on Thursday called for an easy run after Wednesday night's very festive interval workout. What made it festive is that I had something to look forward--dinner with my mentor group--later. The workout itself was vicious.

We were told to go half the distance at E4, which means using 85% effort (huffing and puffing--only able to choke out a couple of words by the end) and the other half in recovery, as slow as it takes to resume E4 when you get back to where we started. It was brutal, but I'm sure I'll be better for having done it. I really couldn't catch my breath after the E4 parts, so I walked the other half. I did the best I could.

I told my coach that he kicked me ass. He responded that I kicked my own ass. Maybe so. My ass is fine, but my quads have been a-sufferin' ever since.

Miles on Wednesday: 3 miles (very rough estimate)
Miles to date: 46.1