Chasing the Unicorn

“Boston...To a non-runner that could mean East Coast, Paul Revere, Celtics, Red Sox, Clam Chowder, but to a runner it means Marathon. Not just a marathon, but The Marathon.

What is it about The Boston Marathon that challenges us to strive to achieve to be the best we can be? My theory is it's the Unicorn. The symbol of The Boston Marathon is a unicorn, okay that's cool and I guess better than a rabbit or a turtle, but a unicorn isn't even an actual animal. Nor does mythology praise any traits of speed or endurance in a unicorn. What a unicorn does represent is the ideal of something that can never be caught. In the pursuit of the unicorn athletic competitors can approach excellence even if they can never achieve it.”

~Dan Daly, a Chicago resident and runner

I know I run like a girl! Try to keep up!

I go back, but look forward!

Let’s face it. We’ve all had a moment or two in our lives where, if we could turn back the clock and handle ourselves differently, we would. An array of challenges, failures, achievements, and bloopers (among other things) are all wrapped into that one beautiful thing we call - Life.

This morning marked the first official day of Boston Bound training. My alarm went off at 7 AM. The volume on the IPod dock gradually increased while I tried to catch just one more minute of sleep. The song my IPod had shuffled to was a Taylor Swift song called “Back to December” (It’s a good song – worth checking out). Considering my anticipation leading up to today, I found that IPod selection funny. Evoking a giggle, I had to laugh at the coincidence of it all. As I crept out of bed and opened my shades, the sun was barely at the cusp of the horizon. Another early morning was beginning, which will now become a week day and weekend normalcy. I quickly prepared to head to meet the other Boston qualifiers I will be training with for the next 14 weeks.

Looking around the room at the individuals who would likely soon become training confidants, I became a bit intimidated. What was I doing there with all of these real runners? – Many of which have been running for the better part of their lives. Listening closely to what each person was contributing to the conversation, I began to realize that I was training with some pretty seasoned competitors. Thoughts like …

“I think I know what a fartlek run is…”

“Hmmm – have I ever done a true tempo?”

“How far is an 800 again? I better go look it up.”

And – “Yassos – fun name – never done one.”

I’m sure you get the gist of what I’m saying here.

Needless to say, after returning home feeling a bit overwhelmed, I remembered that I too qualified, and regardless of my lack of experience, I worked hard to get there this morning – and I’ll continue working hard to get to the start line on 04.18.11.

Nonetheless, I can’t help but think that losing my focus, and enjoying the holidays may have put me at a disadvantage. I go back to December, and think, if I could do it all over again, would I have done a few things differently? Absolutely.

The foundation has been laid for the next 14 weeks, and it might not be pretty right now. But tomorrow’s a new day, and it’s not too late to bounce back. Qualifying earns your place within a sea of big fish. Embracing the experience, and learning from each step along the way is what counts!

Good luck to those lacing up for Boston and beyond!

I know I run like a girl! Try to keep up!

“…knowing is better than wondering, waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure beats the hell out of never trying..."

105 days 17 hours and 55 minutes

That’s about how much time I have to prepare before the gun goes off at the 115th running of the Boston Marathon.

A virtual copy of my training program arrived on Thursday. The cumulative weekly miles and hill runs far exceed anything I have endured while training for past races. After reviewing what I can only describe as a daunting 14 week training plan, anxiety ensued. The “what if” flood gates opened, and washed away any bit of false confidence I thought I had going into this.

Yesterday, I turned to my mother and confessed my apprehension about the coming months of training, and an overwhelming fear of failure. She thoughtfully responded to me by saying, “Molly, honey, you don’t have to do this. It’s okay.” Without the ability to fully articulate a proper response, I simply said, “But I do.”

***

A little over 4 years ago, I became hooked on ABC’s primetime show, Grey’s Anatomy. On a lazy Thursday night, nestled on the couch with my roommates at the time, (as corny as this sounds –and I know it does) a monologue from the show hit a chord with me. I’ve kept it close ever since. It reads…

"A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beats the hell out of never trying."

And so…

105 days 17 hours and 48 minutes

I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up!

Happy New Year!

“But sometimes we don’t simply walk. We dance. And sometimes talking isn’t good enough. Sometimes we throw back our heads, open our mouths, and sing.”

~Ann Townsend

2011 came quickly, and with the new year, we get a chance to look forward to new beginnings and look back on the previous year. My New Year’s Eve was spent with two fantastic friends, Clara and Kat. Both Clara and Kat achieved some pretty remarkable things in 2010. Clara joined a running group, and Kat (quite literally) completed a “pick up” triathlon. How awesome is that?!

Sending many wishes for a 2011 full of achieving goals, and finding your happy pace!

I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up!

Winter Training: You might fall down on your face.

Amidst my morning commute to work a little over a week ago, the first snow flakes of the season began to fall ever-so-slightly upon my windshield. The cold blanket of Chicago winter is here far too rapidly for my liking, but as I have no control over the will of Mother Nature, I have officially begun my Boston Marathon training gear search. December is here, which means that Chicago’s 5 months of freezing temperatures and blustering winds are about to become normalcy for the next 20 weeks. No better time than the present to begin planning how to survive the training months leading up to the Boston Marathon (January to April).

In an attempt to scour the internet for essentially a protective Arctic temperature repelling bubble (which sadly, does not seem to exist), I came across a fantastic product which quickly made its way to my “Need to buy: Boston Training Survival Kit” list.

For those of you who know me personally, I’ve been known to take some pretty nasty falls while training for other marathons - - in completely dry conditions. Add ice and snow to that equation, and it is pretty much a guarantee that an accident is imminent.

Luckily, for the holidays, I was gifted with a pair of YakTrax Pro snow and ice grips for running shoes. Here’s hoping they work!

I know I run like a girl! Try to keep up!

'Tis the season...

December is quickly approaching. As we enter another holiday season, there is no better time to reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for, and give back to those less fortunate. Whether you take part in a food drive, serve at a homeless shelter, or donate a gift to a child who otherwise would have none – each contribution counts.

There are so many ways to give back to the community here in Chicago. One way is to take part in “fun runs” taking place in Chicago this holiday season. Each run supports a primary charity, and a portion of your entry fee (as well as suggested donations) will go directly to the event charities. Take a moment to check out some of the events in Chicago during the month of December.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk
City: Chicago
Date: December 4, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM
Distance: 5k
Contact Name: Jaimie Scherer
Contact Phone: 312-880-4735
Contact Email: jscherer@arthritis.org
Contact Website:

http://www.chicagojbr.org
Charity: Arthritis Foundation

Santa Hustle 5k
City: Chicago
Date: December 4, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM
Distance: 5k
Contact Name: Bryan Ganek
Contact Phone: 847-829-4536
Contact Email: events@adrenalinesportsmanagement.com
Contact Website: http://www.santashuffle5k.com
Charity: Back on My Feet
A Toys for Tots collection box will also be available at the event

Rudolph Ramble presented by Fleet Feet Sports
City: Chicago
Date: December 12, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM
Distance: 8k
Contact Name: CAPRI Events
Contact Phone: 773-404-2372
Contact Email: info@caprievents.com
Contact Website: http://www.rudolphramble.com/
Charity: Children’s Memorial Hospital – Circle of Friends

Happy Holidays!

I know I run like a girl! Try to keep up!

New York! New York!

Watching a marathon can be hard work. Tracking the runners, coordinating group logistics, and elbowing your way to the front of the spectating crowd can be rough! About two weeks ago, I ventured off to The Big Apple for a weekend of catching up with friends, and cheering on a few running buddies at my first New York City Marathon.

Daylight savings fell upon us the morning of the marathon. The air was cool and brisk on that November 7th morning. Jenny and I jogged our way from her 4th floor walk up on 1st & 74th over to Central Park. Mere days before, I had let it slip that although I had been to New York too many times to count, the closest I had come to entering Central Park was quite literally on the Sex & the City tour in 2005. Following a bit of convincing, Jenny and I woke up early on the morning of the NYC Marathon to jog through "the park," and make it back in time to watch the elite runners whip past her place. The marathon had started only a few minutes prior, so I took the opportunity to run the final two miles of the course in Central Park before the officials were bound to boot me out. The pitch of the downhill after mile marker 25 didn’t feel good on “fresh legs!” I cannot imagine hitting that point in a full marathon. After a gorgeous chilly morning run (I highly recommend running the reservoir-gorgeous!), we showered quickly, and headed down to watch the elite runners pass Jenny’s apartment on 1st Ave. Now, when I say we showered quickly, part of me desperately wishes a Guinness Book of World Records officiate was present to time the turn around! …One can dream. The morning was off to a great start. The elites flew past us in what felt like a blink of an eye, quickly followed by a few fast “characters” – my favorite being the caped man (pictured below). Not too long after, did we see Elliott arrive. This was Elliott’s 22nd marathon, so running one at a comfortable pace was something he considered “taking it easy." Soon after Elliott passed us at mile 17, we jaunted over to Central Park to scope out a good spectating spot by mile 25. There was a moment when each of us was attempting to figure out the arrival times of our friends/runners at mile 25. The thought, “how many people does it take …to track a runner?” may have swept in and out of my mind for a minute there.

Mile 25 - This is where we were able to catch some grueling moments for the runners as they ebbed closer to the finish. As the minutes passed by, and our fingers began to freeze, we were able to catch a few friends pass in their effort to make it to 26.2.

Congratulations to all those New York City Marathon Finishers! - And a big thank you to those of you who sweat, freeze, travel, and endure all the conditions to cheer us runners to the finish. It’s not an easy job, but somebody’s gotta do it!


I know I run like a girl! Try to keep up!

A Marathoner's Ode to Halloween!

Halloween’s around the corner,
As leaves fall to the ground.
It’s time to dress up,
And celebrate abound

With fall in the air,
And wind howling through the trees
It’s time to prepare-
What will you be?

Two sisters are marathoners
But what do I see?
Not just Megan and Molly,

Could it be? - Katie!

A marathon runner,
She beat us from the start
At a wee 2 years of old
A marathoner at heart.

With looks of surprise,

the sisters agreed.

Young or old- we're marathoners-

each of us - three.

(Dedicated to my sister Katie - age 2)

I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up!

please come to Boston for the spring time...

April 18, 2011 will be the 115th anniversary of the Boston Marathon. Monday, April 19, 1897 was the date of the first official Boston Marathon (then referred to as the American Marathon). Surprisingly, it wasn’t until 1972 that women were officially allowed to register and participate in the race – the first female winner running a 3:10:36 (not too shabby, right ladies?).

I began this blog with a simple, but true statement, “I never thought I’d be a runner.” If one could turn back time to speak with “the me of 2006 and before,” running a marathon, and attempting to qualify for the Boston Marathon would be far from my mind – and certainly NOT a goal.

That year, I had the great opportunity of getting to know a few inspiring individuals who had caught “the marathon bug.” Two friends of mine, Brian Labriola and Elliott Lee (both Boston qualifiers) were running the Boston Marathon the following spring. This intrigued me, and I wanted to learn more. Why in the world would someone run a marathon, let alone run one to try to qualify for another?!

During the summer of 2006, Brian invited me to take part in a community 5k race sponsored by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to benefit Wednesday’s Child, a charitable organization based out of the Boston area. Albeit a small community 5k, it was at that race where I came in 1st in my division (gender & age), and began to think “hey, I can do this!” and, “I think I might even like this running thing.”

Sure enough, on the chilly morning of Monday, April 16, 2007, as my friend Jenny and I attempted to stay warm in the damp cool air of that day, I watched as runner after runner paced past us in the final 400 meters of the Boston Marathon. I saw my friends, Brian and Elliott, complete the obstacle that is the oldest and most prestigious annual marathon in the world – the Boston Marathon leading the 5 World Majors (Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London, and New York City) . One word: remarkable.

Being the youngest child of three, my “if they can do it, why can’t I?” drive got the best of me. That spring, I promised my ailing Grandfather, I would do it one day. One day, I would take my “I’m not a runner” self and transform it into a “Boston Qualifier.” Since then, I’ve been stuck in a pursuit to qualify amidst injuries and mother natures’ sometimes less than ideal conditions.

Well, I was stuck until about 10 days ago.

October 10, 2010 – 10-10-10.
Chicago Marathon 2010
Chip Time: 3:37:34
Boston Qualifier
Boston Bound

I never thought I'd be a runner, but I sure am now!

I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up!

Feeling hot - hot - HOT!

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

The morning of October 10th was riddled with nerves of excitement combined with anxiety. The culmination of our months of training was upon us – as well as some unwelcomed HEAT. Yes, many may not be aware of the intermittent Chicago heat waves. Sound contradictory? Heat, October, and Chicago should not be in the same sentence – let alone a high of 83, right? Wrong.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

As the dawn’s early light began to creep over the crowd, the National Anthem rang through the loud speakers spanning Columbus Drive, and each of us runners made a silent prayer for the heat to subside – at least for a few more hours. 7:34 AM – I was off. About an hour into the run is when I saw the first overheated runner pull off the course. This was merely a precursor of what was to come.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

Mile after Chicago mile came and went as I was side-checked, elbowed, and pushed – more often than not – by men far larger than I, desperately trying to make it to the finish line. Time and time again, I watched defeat stricken runners pull off the course. Some with muscle spasms, and some struck with sheer dehydration.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

My sister, now running her first marathon, was somewhere in the vast group of about 33,000 runners behind me. If there were a way to send positive vibes of encouragement through a massive crowd of thousands, I was doing it – hoping those vibes somehow made their way to her.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

Step after step gradually became grueling in the overbearing heat of the day. Our fantastic friends and family scattered along the course to offer cheers of encouragement for Megan and I throughout the race. Approaching each group was like passing through a massive oasis in the midst of a desert.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

After nearly 3 hours and 36 minutes, the finish line appeared in the distance with a little less than 300 meters to go. To say I was happy to be done, as I dragged one foot after the other across the finish line, would be an immense understatement.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

Nonetheless, I whisked through the crowds, down to the charity tent area to collect my things and head up to the finish line to try to catch my sister, Megan, complete her first marathon. Just as I was about to get into an altercation with the security guard who was attempting to inhibit me from watching the race from where I was standing, out of the corner of my eye, THERE SHE WAS! The shrill screams, “Go Megan – Kick it in! Looking good!” were enough to get the guard to back off. -and I was a happy girl.

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

She did it! She rocked it! She kicked it in, and DAMN, she looked fast!

Congrats to my sister Megan for running her first marathon – SUB 4 HOURS!

“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”

A best day ever.

I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up!