RunOn!

Thank you RunOn! for being the first Supporting Company for the OKC Marathon fundraiser for Susan's Foundation! RunOn! is a local Dallas-area running supply store very popular with runners and walkers of all ability levels in Dallas. I stop in to RunOn! frequently to stock up on everything from GU and SportBeans to new shoes and clothes. Anything related to running you are likely to find here without fail.

RunOn! has generously agreed to donate 2 $50 gift certificates to help motivate
race sponsors to continue to spread the word about sponsoring miles. These gift
certificates will be awarded to the 2 Dallas area runners, or walkers (or
aspiring runners or walkers) who individually sponsor or recruit sponsors for
the most number of marathon miles for OKC. With just 11.2 miles and a little
less than 4 weeks remaining, Jeff Venable and Genevieve Medina are the current
leaders for this contest. Stay tuned to see whether Jeff and Genevieve can hang
on to their leads or whether another sponsor will swoop in for the steal. :)

Thank you again to RunOn! for your support!

Progress Report

Only 11.2 more sponsors to go to fill up Oklahoma!!
And with a month to go I really think we're going to do it! This absolutely amazes me! There has been such a fantastic response from people all over to help raise funds for Susan's Foundation through race sponsorship. Members of the Dallas Running Club have been especially supportive of this cause recently-- even recruiting family and friends in other states to donate! I continue to be amazed with how many generous and good hearted people there are in the world. Even people who are unable to provide financial donations at this time have been such an incredible support and an encouraging force for me--both to continue with the fundraising drive, and to keep up with the actual running as well. All of these forms of support mean so much! Thank you everyone!

Since adding the pay pal service to the blog, just this week I withdrew the first round of donation money and took it to the bank to deposit in Susan's Foundation account. As I handed the money to the teller, the power of what we're doing really hit me. At some point, this money is going to be given to a young cancer patient. One who is likely completely overwhelmed with not only the physical and emotional stress of fighting cancer, but overwhelmed with the financial burden as well. This financial help is going to mean the world to that person! We are doing a really powerful thing here that will really make a difference.

Thank you again to everyone for your generosity and your support!

I've been so busy updating the blog with Sponsor Spotlights (yea!), that I haven't been doing many training updates-- but rest assured, with OKC just 4 weeks away I am still training. Tomorrow my DRC group has a 14 mile run, which hopefully will seem like a nice break after last week's 20 mile run. For awhile now I've been meaning to post some videos of what these runs are like-- so tomorrow I am actually going to try to do this and capture everything from the 5:00am wakeup call, to the mid-point water stop, to the post-run celebration. So stay tuned for those posts tomorrow! I'm headed to bed now-- 5am will come early!

The votes are in... Texas it is!

After Oklahoma next month, Texas will be marathon state #3! Mark your calendars for the Dallas White Rock Marathon on December 13, 2009.

While my adventerous side is slightly disappointed not to run with Mickey and Goofy this year, my bank account is extremely relieved. Thanks so much to everyone who voted!

I decided I like the idea of sponsors making more of these running related decisions- so we're going to keep up the voting. Every week I'll post a new question for your vote. This week- shoes! Next week I'll be due for a new pair of running shoes for the OKC marathon. So now the girly fun of running-- what color to choose? (Note these are all the same shoe and model I've been wearing happily for years now-- just the color is different!)

Pictures of options are below the voting poll at top right corner of blog...
1) Orange/White- I do not have this color yet. Not sure if local running stores have been carrying this color, meaning I'd have to order them. This is not hard to do-- just a consideration.
2) Lt Blue/Green- same shoes I wore for the AZ marathon. Go with the same color in OKC, or try something new?
3) Blue/Silver- same color as my current running shoes.


Don't under estimate the importance of this decision. If you've ever run a long distance- you know how often you end up looking down at your feet and willing them to keep going. :)

Oklahoma Mile 20 Sponsor

Travis Gillies



What is your hometown?

Beaver, UT

Are you a runner?

Yes

What is your favorite race distance?

I just started running with the start of this year's DRC spring training
program. So far my favorite distance is 21 miles, because that's the farthest
I've ever run. We're training for the OKC Marathon right now and I'm sure once I
complete that one then 26.2 miles will be my new favorite distance.

What is your profession?

Biomedical Imaging Engineer - Baylor Health System

What are your hobbies?

Running, Avid outdoorsman hunter/fisher

What size shoe do you wear?

14

What is your favorite food?

Mexican

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Home - Utah

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne
"I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A small bird will fall frozen dead
from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself." - D.H. Lawrence

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a
race sponsor?

This story about Susan hit close to home for me. I grew up in Utah, I'm Mormon,
I went to college in Arizona, and I too have edured a battle with cancer. I also
chose to support the foundation in part because I consider Anna a friend and
have a ton of respect for what she is doing.

Any particular reason you chose to sponsor this mile number?

I actually just ran a little over 20 miles on a training run that same day that
I donated so I choose mile 20 because it's the furthest I have run to date.

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?

I actually can't single out anyone in our group. We're all good solid
runners and great people. Having said that I challenge anyone in our group who
will run the OKC to donate to this cause if possible.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Proud member of DRC and Team Goatman!

Oklahoma & Arizona Mile 21 Sponsors

Kent & Gail Mortensen

What is your hometown?

Kent - Tempe, Arizona
Gail - LeMars, Iowa

Are you a runner?

Kent - "Darn right, I've got the shoes to prove it!"
Gail - "I walk fast every morning and go to Curves 3 times a week. Does
that count?"

What is your profession?

Kent - Plumbing Contractor
Gail - domestic engineer

What are your hobbies?

Kent - fishing and building anything
Gail - upholstery, flower arranging, quilting, reading, and
photography

What size shoe do you wear?

Kent - size 12
Gail - size 9 1/2

What is your favorite food?

Kent - ice cream
Gail - popcorn

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Kent - Alaska
Gail - Alaska

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

Kent - " When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are in the
service of your God."
Gail - ."When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us." -Helen Keller

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a race sponsor?

"We have known and loved our niece, Susan, ever since she was born. We were
shocked to learn of Susan's cancer diagnosis last year. Her positive attitude
and the way that she faced her illness was a wonderful example to all of us.
We think this is a wonderful way to honor Susan and support a cause that was
important to her."

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?

Kent - "My cousin, Art Bushman, who lives in Oklahoma City."

Gail - "Anyone who wants to feel the thrill of running a marathon vicariously!"

Anything else you'd like to add?

"We have been trying to keep up with Anna ever since she has been born -
it's an endless adventure! Go Anna!!!!"

Anna's commentary: Thanks so much to by biggest and best supporters!!! (No offense to the rest of my fantastic supporters, it's just that I've known my parents a little longer). :) They were a huge support at my first marathon in Arizona. Had it not been for all of the hard work and support of my family during that race it would not have been nearly as amazing of an experience!

Oklahoma Mile 13 Sponsor

Genevieve Medina

What is your hometown?

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Are you a runner?

Yes

If yes, what is your favorite race distance?

It's a tie. I love the 10K b/c it's easy, but I also love the half marathon b/c
it's challenging for me and I really have to push myself that last little bit.

What is your profession?

Chemist

What are your hobbies?

Cooking, baking, photography, and reading.

What size shoe do you wear?

7.5 (8.5 for running shoes)

What is your favorite food?

My Oma (grandmother) makes the most amazing green beans and spaetzle. I could
eat that everyday for the rest of my life.

What is your favorite vacation destination?

The beach. I love hot sand and cool water.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

"If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to
everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the
expert's mind there are few." -Shunryu Suzuki

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a race sponsor?

I've known several people with cancer. Some of them survived and some of them
didn't. It was a really difficult time in their lives and they needed so much
support. If I can help ease someone else's difficulty a little bit that may make
a huge difference in their fight.

Any particular reason you chose to sponsor this mile number?

Mile 13 is the halfway point. It's the point of no return, if you go half way
you may as well go all the way.

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?

People who love chocolate cupcakes.

Note from Anna: Genevieve is yet ANOTHER talented DRC pace group leader. Although we're not in the same group and don't often end up on the same training runs together-Genevieve has been such a big postive influence and support. Just a few weeks ago I was 2 miles into a really tough 10k (perhaps made more difficult since my group had run a 10 mile warm up prior to race), and decided to walk for a bit. Genevieve passed me around this point and shouted out that she had a homeade chocolate cupcake for me she'd give me after the race. Now- this was still the most unpleasant 10k I've ever run for several reasons (long warmup, insane wind,
too many hills, sand, gravel, etc.)- but the promise of Genevieve's cupcake post-race without a doubt helped keep my attitude on the positive side.
And it was worth getting to the finish line- that cupcake was AMAZING!!
:)

Oklahoma Miles 7 & 11 Sponsor

Jeff Venable

What is your hometown?
Ft. Belvior, VA

Are you a runner?
sort of...I love to "run" marathons

What is your favorite race distance?
the 26.2 mile fun run!

What is your profession?
I work in the military-defense industry

What are your hobbies?
What's a hobby? I am too lazy to have a hobby.

What size shoe do you wear?
11.5 if you updating your Christmas list

What is your favorite food?
Steak, thanks for asking

What is your favorite vacation destination?
anywhere there is a marathon being run, but Hawaii lately

What is your favorite inspirational quote?
If you are going through Hell....keep going

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a race sponsor?
I love a good competition that you don't have to train for...

(We have a little competition going within Dallas Running Club to see which pace group can sponsor the most miles).

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?

Anyone that wants to support Vicki's training group...maybe my parents in Arizona can be roped into this as they are the ones "making" me miss OKC.

Notes from Anna:

Jeff is another one of the fearless DRC pace leaders in my running group. I think I once asked Jeff how many marathons he had run and he said by this point he had completely lost count. Wow! Jeff really helps keep our pace group going strong with his never ending enthusiasm, energy and sense of humor.

Where do we go from here?

Okay race sponsors... I need your help!

Although we do need to focus and keep our 'eyes on the Oklahoma prize' in April- we also need to start considering in what state marathon #3 will take place. Why the urgency? Because the registration for one of my options is already 95% full-- meaning if that's the one we want to do I need to act quickly.
Think of this as the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' for fundraising and running...

You can vote for which state I run by selecting your choice from the poll at the top right corner of my blog. (And no, I'm not talented enough to do both in the same year!)

Here's the pros and cons for each...

Florida (Walt DisneyWorld Goofy Challenge) - January 9-10, 2010
Pros: The Goofy Challenge (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday) is the race I want to do more than anything, and it's all in Disneyworld! I am a Disneyland fanatic, but I've never been to Disneyworld-- so this would be a GREAT reason to go!
Cons: Financial- expensive entry fee I'd need to pay quickly (registration already 95% full), plus airfare, hotel cost, etc. I can make this all work, but I'd need to start getting my budget in order now. Timing- race happens the weekend before spring semester starts, do-able, but not ideal. Less support- not likely to have as many family/friends in Florida for race support.

Texas (Dallas White Rock Marathon) - December 13, 2009
Pros: It's arguably the best and most well known marathon in Texas, and the start and finish line is within walking distance of my apartment. Financially this will be great in terms of no hotel costs, airfare, dog boarding fees, etc. Timing- fits easily into semester schedule. Support- many of my great Dallas running friends will running this race as well.
Cons: I don't know that this is really a con-- but this marathon is likely to be just down the street from me for a while since I plan to live in Dallas at LEAST 4 more years, so maybe there's no rush to do it this year?

Summary: Do I go with the life is short- live your dream, the details will work themselves out mindset (aka- Florida), or the practical close to home option (aka-Texas). Please place your votes and let me know what you think. I'll do whatever my sponsors decide. :)
Feel free to post the rationale behind your vote in blog comments as well.
Thanks!

Training update- 18 mile help!

It's been a bit of a slow training week lately. I backed off a few runs last week to rest a recurring back injury that can cause problems sometimes. I was hoping to have recovered from that in time to run the Rock to Victory half marathon last Sunday. My back would have been ready I think, however I ended up feeling sick on Friday and Saturday, and made the smart but difficult decision not to race on Sunday. I was very disappointed to miss the race as part of it ran right through my neighborhood and down Katy Trail, and my parents were visiting from Arizona and it would have been fun for them to see.
However my real goal is being ready for Oklahoma next month, so I decided to take it easy last week.

The good news is that I think I'm back in running action again and am planning on sticking to my intended short run schedule this week (4 miles/6 miles/5 miles), and then get geared up for the big 18 mile group run on Saturday.

I'm really looking forward to my 18 mile run because I need some revenge for myself. Of all of my long training runs in preparation for Arizona, my 18 mile run was by far the most difficult for me. I think I may have cried at more than one point toward the end. So I am very determined for this 18 mile run to be better!

There has been some fastastic progress recently on mile adoption for OKC, but I noticed that lonely mile 18 is still looking for a sponsor. So I'm going to focus my efforts this week not only on getting ready for my 18 miler this weekend, but on getting that mile 18 adopted out hopefully before Saturday! If you've been considering adopting a mile-- please consider the very lonely and needy mile 18 this week that could really use a good home. I know I will be that much stronger mentally on Saturday if I know that mile 18 has found a home! :)

Thanks for your support everyone! Please keep checking back to read spotlights on even more OKC marathon mile sponsors!!

UPDATE (3/18/09): Mile 18 has found a sponsor of its very own thanks to James Alfred! Check back soon to read more about James and how he's supporting mile 18 in more ways than one.

Oklahoma Mile 10 Sponsor

Vicki Connerly (center)

What is your hometown?
Falmouth, Massachusetts

Are you a runner?

Yes

If yes, what is your favorite race distance?

13.1 miles (Half Marathon)

What is your profession?

Accounting Assistant

What are your hobbies?

Running, reading, and spending quality time with my family.

What size shoe do you wear?

8-1/2

What is your favorite food?

Mexican

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Cape Cod

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a race sponsor?

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Anna this year and was inspired by her love for her cousin, Susan. I read Susan's blog and was amazed by her strength. It was good to know that she had a wonderful and supporting family.

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?

I would like to challenge anyone to become a sponsor.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I hope that Anna meets her goal!

Additional notes from Anna:

Vicki is one of the leaders for my pace group of the Dallas Running Club training program. The amount of hard work and enthusiasm she puts into her position is amazing and inspiring. She is such a joy to be around and have encouraging you to meet your running goals. So Vicki has been one of my Oklahoma Marathon supporters in more ways than one- not only in her generosity of sponsoring an OKC marathon mile for Susan's Foundation- but in helping prepare me to cross the finish line as well.

Thanks Vicki!!

Also, both Vicki and Roxanne (Mile 14 sponsor) will be running the OKC race with me as well next month. It will be great to have their companionship and support in Oklahoma City-- good luck to both of them on their race day goals!!

Mile 8 Sponsors (Oklahoma and Arizona)

John & Linda Digman


What is your hometown?
"We are both Southerners- I'm from Southern California (Garden Grove) and John is from Southern Winconsin (Platteville)".

Are you a runner?
No way, I just support a runner!

What is your profession?
We are Finish Carpenters, we have our own business, J & L Cabinets, Doors and More.

What are your hobbies?
Nascar, riding quads in the forest. John likes to cut firewood. I do craft projects.

What size shoe do you wear?
John - 13 & Lin - 8

What is your favorite food?
Any thing cooked! I could eat tacos every day. John would eat a steak every day.

What is your favorite vacation destination?
John-Cobo San Lucus, so far but we have many more spots to explore.
Linda - Any where a cruise ship goes.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?
John - "Life is what you make it".
Lin - "Today is good, Tomorrow will be even better, with prayer".

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a race sponsor?
Because we know the Mortensen family and our hearts were touched by Anna's way of honoring Susan.

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?
Every man and woman over 30 that has ran or seen someone else run.

Oklahoma Mile 14 Sponsor...

Name: Roxanne Olvera

Hometown: Laredo, Texas

Are you a runner?: Yes.

Favorite race distance: 10k

Profession: Lawyer- estate planning and probate

Hobbies: Reading, traveling, cooking

Shoe size: 9 ½ (10.5 in running shoes)

Favorite food: Fajitas and guacamole (preferably Mom/Dad-made)

Favorite vacation destination: A beach

Favorite inspirational quote:
“This is what you shall do:
Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body. . ”
---WALT WHITMAN

Why did you choose to support the Susan Mortensen Turley foundation by being a race sponsor? See above. Before Anna even asked for sponsors for her OKC race, I read Susan’s blog and was so moved by her words/actions. Her story stayed in my thoughts for days after …so, it’s the least I could do.

Who would you like to challenge to become a race sponsor for the Oklahoma Marathon?

Anyone 25 years or older.

Training update

Ei yai yai yai yai! I'm not even sure if that's how you spell that- but it 's the most relevant descriptor I could come up with for this morning's training run. 16 miles- which by itself is fine because it's become a fairly comfortable distance for me-- at least compared to 6 months ago anyway. But this morning the 16 miles came about rather unconventionally.

At 6:30 this morning I met Max and Denise from my training group out at the park so we could put in a 10 mile warm up before the 10k there that morning. (Still seems strange that my warmups for races are nearly twice as long as the race distance now. I remember 2 years ago at my first 5k seeing people jogging around as warm up before race start. I very distinctly remember wondering if I should be warming up to, but then decided against it- because if I ran extra for warm up, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to run the whole 3.1 miles! Boy how things have changed!)

So we had a pretty enjoyable 10 mile warm up... and then the 10k began! Wow! Definitely unforgettable is all I can say. LOTS of people running on very rough terrain-- up hill, down hill, through traffic, and somehow I swear it worked out we were running into the wind (knock you down kind of wind) both directions!
Whew! I'm not ashamed to admit that I did a fair bit of walking in that 10k. That was rough!!!

Food and Running

The concept of nutrition in general seems to be rather complicated. Nutrition and running however seems to be even more overwhelming... "eat carbs, and eat protein, but... if you run fast for less than 30 minutes eat more protein than carbs, but,,, if you run slow for more than 60 minutes eat more carbs than protein, but if you run moderately fast on a Wednesday and you own a brown and white dog, eat 45% carbs and 55% protein, but not necessarily in that order".

Okay! I didn't exactly pull that quote straight from a nutrition article in a
magazine- but I swear that's how I feel after reading one of these great advice
giving articles. So...in general my theory is that eating is good. If you run
a lot, you probably should eat more. So when I'm hungry, I eat. That's almost
the extent of how un-complicated I try to keep my running life.

More than anything, the 'good nutrition running sin' I'm probably guilty of most is not having enough variety in my diet. I find a few food options that work for me and my budget, and tend to stick with them for a long time. For the last few months.... I've been pretty consistent...

Breakfast- oatmeal and a large Starbucks sugar free non-fat latte, Snack-
banana, Lunch- sandwhich (bread, mayo, mustard, cheese, and ham), Snack- yogurt
(Orange Creme), Dinner- either chicken and veggies, tuna and veggies, or...my
most recent favorite...

The gourmet favorite of spaghetti with mushroom sauce and peas. This especially has become a favorite on the night before long runs-- which this just happens to be. (I realize that I'm not going to be overwhelmed with dinner guests serving this kind of menu-- but, it seems to work for me these days so I'll stick with it. :)

On the morning of long runs.... Oatmeal, 2 slices of buttered toast, a
banana, and a small Starbucks latte (yes, caffeine before a run is AWESOME!).
During run- as much as a package of Sport Beans (really just jelly beans who
know someone I'm pretty sure), a GU packet, and maybe a fruit snack package if
I'm really out for a while. After the run---- definitely a Starbucks cupcake--
and then anything else I want!!! lol

So I seem to be doing a little better with food variety on long run weekends, but my regular during the week menu could use some amending. If you have any ideas for healthy, budget-friendly, EASY meals or snacks...please pass them along. :)

16 miles tomorrow... :)