Hello there, remember me? :) The last few weeks have been interesting. First things first, I flew to Tempe, AZ to take part in the 1st Annual Susan's Run 5k. This was a fantastic event!! Hopefully I'll get some pictures up soon. There was a great turnout and it was awesome to see so many friends and family all in one place, remembering Susan and supporting such a great cause. I had a great time running the race with my sister-in-law, (Annette) and chatting away about all kinds of girly topics. The course was also fun. In Dallas I'd gotten very used to running most of my races on an out and back stretch of a flat course at the lake. As much as I love White Rock Lake, the Kiwanis Park course was a very nice change up. We encountered several hills (good prep for Seattle), lots of turns and changes in scenery. We ran through a desert complete with a camel and giant tortise, a maze made up of dirt mounds and chain link fences, and an actual fishing tournament where you had to dodge people casting for their big winning catch. See-- I told you it was adventerous. :) I can't wait to attend Susan's Run again next year. I have decided that this is one race I will never miss!
Once that whirlwind weekend ended, I made it back to Dallas and pretty shortly thereafter fell a bit under the weather for a while and took some time off runs-- only about 10 days actually, but that can feel like a lot. I'm glad to say I just made it back to training in the last week or so. I had a fantastic run with one of my favorite running buddies (James-- my Texas Marathon running partner) last Saturday. I was shooting for 13 miles, and James for 20. Actually neither of us ended up hitting our intended distances that day, but the conversation and company were so great I really didn't care at all. Like I say a lot-- this entire 50 marathon experience is not about the running for me. Sure, that's part of it. But ultimately it's about the experiences and the relationships I'm finding along the journey. Speaking of which, while on that run we ran into (haha- that pun's for you mom) our great friends (and repeat mile sponsors) Roxanne and Greg.... who are actually now ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED!!! I couldn't be more excited for them! It's just one more example of the kinds of great people I've met and friends I've made as a result of this crazy running journey.
Speaking of relationships...tonight, after taking a little time off hill training, I set out to again 'embrace the hills'. I headed out to Flagpole Hill and ran a solo 7 hill workout. [Sarah-- this data is for you since you've been asking...my Garmin showed that hill to be (at most) a 20-25% grade and about a 1/4 mile from top to bottom]. I could definitely tell I'd taken time off hill runs, because tonight's meeting was less of an embrace, and more of a handshake- maybe a side hug at best. I was SLOW and it HURT!! But I'm going to keep plugging away at it-- because in just 73 days-- we're hitting those Seattle hills!
:)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Randy and Sarah's Training Update
The past few weeks have been really busy. I have been working (as usual), Randy has been doing his last half of student teaching (graduation is in 6 weeks), we drove to and from Idaho, Jolee has been teething (all four front top teeth at the same time), oh, and we have been running. I first realized that we are making the transformation into runners when we were in Idaho. We ran 3 of the 4 days we were there. The first day, about a mile into the run, I am wondering why I am starting to get short of breath. My muscles felt fine, but I felt like I couldn't get enough air. We realized that the area we were running in was more than double the elevation of Tucson. Oh my, oh my, does elevation make a huge difference for a runner. When we got home I was quick to look up the elevation for Seattle (about 2000 feet lower than Tucson). I am assuming that lower elevation will be easier to run in, any runners out there know if I am right or not? (please, oh please say that I am). The second day was during a snow storm. 
I can't believe Randy wore shorts, crazy guy. It was one of the hardest runs ever! Harder than our first couple of runs even. I think I might have cried a little. I know I whined. We could only do about 2 1/2 miles, there was no way I was going to be able to run 3. I now have a little more of an understanding of what Rachel (our Lemonade Maker team member) is having to train in. Rachel, you are one tough cookie! The stinging snow and freezing wind just about did me in. The third day was the easiest. First of all, no snow. Second, Sandy, my sister-in-law, drove us 3 miles away and dropped us off so that we couldn't cheat and run less than our scheduled amount. Third, it was a beautiful day. Part of our run was past Napolean Dynamite's house (from the movie). Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood to carry a camera, so no pictures. It looks a lot different now than it did in the movie (no llama, etc.). We did take pictures at Preston High, Napolean's and Randy's high school. Back to the run. As we were running, a dog was in the road (maybe 4 or 5 cars drove by for all 3 miles). I thought the dog would attack us because we were going by its house, but the opposite happened. The dog thought that we were chasing it and ran away every time we got close. So we ended up "chasing" it for about a mile, before it got off of the road and ran behind a house to hide. Another part of the run was up a very steep hill. We didn't realize how steep until we tried to climb it. It was difficult to even walk up it. I guess it is good training for Seattle.
I can't believe Randy wore shorts, crazy guy. It was one of the hardest runs ever! Harder than our first couple of runs even. I think I might have cried a little. I know I whined. We could only do about 2 1/2 miles, there was no way I was going to be able to run 3. I now have a little more of an understanding of what Rachel (our Lemonade Maker team member) is having to train in. Rachel, you are one tough cookie! The stinging snow and freezing wind just about did me in. The third day was the easiest. First of all, no snow. Second, Sandy, my sister-in-law, drove us 3 miles away and dropped us off so that we couldn't cheat and run less than our scheduled amount. Third, it was a beautiful day. Part of our run was past Napolean Dynamite's house (from the movie). Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood to carry a camera, so no pictures. It looks a lot different now than it did in the movie (no llama, etc.). We did take pictures at Preston High, Napolean's and Randy's high school. Back to the run. As we were running, a dog was in the road (maybe 4 or 5 cars drove by for all 3 miles). I thought the dog would attack us because we were going by its house, but the opposite happened. The dog thought that we were chasing it and ran away every time we got close. So we ended up "chasing" it for about a mile, before it got off of the road and ran behind a house to hide. Another part of the run was up a very steep hill. We didn't realize how steep until we tried to climb it. It was difficult to even walk up it. I guess it is good training for Seattle.
I am so glad that we are back in Tucson and training here. Idaho was 2 weeks ago. Last week was our first 4 mile run. For about 2-3 weeks, the couch to half training program has been having us run 3 mile runs. Sneaky. The 4th mile is so much easier than the 2nd and 3rd mile. I actually have been able to sprint the last 1/4th of a mile. From 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 miles is the hardest time for me. Once I get into the groove though, it is like I am flying. I have learned to love to run!
We just got back from our first 5 mile run. Wow, I am just amazed at the progress that we have made since we first really started training in January. We did the run without walking at all! We are still slow with an average of 12-13 minute mile, but our distance is really improving. Today's run was really pleasant. We left just before dusk and so we got to enjoy the sunset (so beautiful) and we watched the moon come up. My favorite part was the smell of orange blossoms perfuming the air. We are really becoming runners, which I honestly thought was near impossible.
---Jolee with GrammS (LeAnn Swann Ryan, Randy's mom), who is also the first official member of the LemonadeMaker fan club who will be cheering us on in Seattle. YAY!!---
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
100 Days and Susan's Run
Today marks the 100 day countdown to the Seattle Rock n' Roll Marathon. We'll be posting training updates from myself and the other Lemonade Makers soon.
In the mean time, I wanted to remind everyone about the 1st Annual Susan's Run coming up on March 27th in Tempe, AZ. I'm hoping to see as many of you there as possible. This is going to be a great event!! There will be a 5k race, a 1 mile walk and a Kids Dash. The proceeds will go to the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation-- benefitting young adults fighting cancer. Please invite all of the friends and family you can to come out and support a great cause.
In the mean time, I wanted to remind everyone about the 1st Annual Susan's Run coming up on March 27th in Tempe, AZ. I'm hoping to see as many of you there as possible. This is going to be a great event!! There will be a 5k race, a 1 mile walk and a Kids Dash. The proceeds will go to the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation-- benefitting young adults fighting cancer. Please invite all of the friends and family you can to come out and support a great cause.
Here is the link to for more information and to register...
http://www.susanmturley.org/wp/?page_id=15
http://www.susanmturley.org/wp/?page_id=15
Here's an adorable picture from Susan's early racing days...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Lemonade Makers
It's official!! The runners formerly known as "The Team" running for Susan's Foundation in Seattle this June will be running under the team name "The Lemonade Makers". The name was suggested by Randy, one of our future half-marathon finishers. Here's a little background on where this name comes from...
A few weeks before Susan's cancer diagnosis, she started a blog to document her and Justin's life as newlyweds. In her first post, she wrote how their lives weren't all that interesting, so she'd have to be creative to come up with things to blog about. As she later stated..."be careful what you wish for". Initially, she titled the blog url something like "eat our wagon dust" (referring to how she was the last of her friends to 'jump on the blog wagon').
Shortly thereafter, Susan found out about her cancer diagnosis and suddenly the new blog served a new purpose of keeping all her friends and family up to date on her condition. The first thing she did was change their blog url to 'lemonademakers'-- so characteristic of Susan's determination to make the best of any situation. The posts she made to her blog from that time until her passing a few months later were very in line with her chosen url- always positive and hopeful regardless of the challenging circumstances.
I think Randy was really on the right track in suggesting this name. What an appropriate team name for a group of runners largely brand new to long distance racing. What an awesome reminder of what we're training for and the attitude we can all strive to keep during the process.
A few weeks before Susan's cancer diagnosis, she started a blog to document her and Justin's life as newlyweds. In her first post, she wrote how their lives weren't all that interesting, so she'd have to be creative to come up with things to blog about. As she later stated..."be careful what you wish for". Initially, she titled the blog url something like "eat our wagon dust" (referring to how she was the last of her friends to 'jump on the blog wagon').
Shortly thereafter, Susan found out about her cancer diagnosis and suddenly the new blog served a new purpose of keeping all her friends and family up to date on her condition. The first thing she did was change their blog url to 'lemonademakers'-- so characteristic of Susan's determination to make the best of any situation. The posts she made to her blog from that time until her passing a few months later were very in line with her chosen url- always positive and hopeful regardless of the challenging circumstances.
I think Randy was really on the right track in suggesting this name. What an appropriate team name for a group of runners largely brand new to long distance racing. What an awesome reminder of what we're training for and the attitude we can all strive to keep during the process.
So, with the blessing of Susan's family-- The Lemonade Makers will proudly be running in Seattle in Susan's memory to support other young adults fighting cancer. There are currently four of us working toward our fundraising goals, and there is always room for more. Please do what you can to help spread the word.
Thank you!!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Rachel's Training Update
Treadmill Schmedmill
With over three feet of glorious snowfall in the Rockies over the past two weeks, I'm sad to report that my training updates consist of not much more than late nights spent with a my good pals Treadmill and TV. Though I was able to catch a large portion of the exciting Olympic coverage (bonus) while plugging away at the 'ol training miles, I'm afraid that doesn't make for very interesting updates.
So, I've opted to post a few pics of what the rest of my day looks like. Cute as buttons, these sassy sisters are growing heavier and heavier by the day, easily packing on an extra 40 pounds to my runs. Oy.
New game, binkey swap. 
SNOWDAY, SCHMO-DAY!!
With over three feet of glorious snowfall in the Rockies over the past two weeks, I'm sad to report that my training updates consist of not much more than late nights spent with a my good pals Treadmill and TV. Though I was able to catch a large portion of the exciting Olympic coverage (bonus) while plugging away at the 'ol training miles, I'm afraid that doesn't make for very interesting updates.
So, I've opted to post a few pics of what the rest of my day looks like. Cute as buttons, these sassy sisters are growing heavier and heavier by the day, easily packing on an extra 40 pounds to my runs. Oy.
Snow on the ground = NO STROLLER RUNS. Jaden shows her disapproval.
View from the backyard. Pretty, yes. Run-able, no.
New game, binkey swap. SNOWDAY, SCHMO-DAY!!Friday, March 5, 2010
Anna's Marathon Mile 2 Sponsors
Nelson & Kelly PraterWhere are your hometowns?
I think hometown, Kelly would probably say St. Louis, MO though she was born in Denver. I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX.
Where do you live now?
Garland, TX, though we pretend it's Santa Fe, NM.
Are you a runners? If so, what is your next race? What are your favorite post-run treats?
My next race is the OKC Marathon. I always drink chocolate milk post-run, though one day last week I forgot -- what's up with that? Kelly is a walker, and does yoga and Pilates. She could live on some type of interesting crackers, a block of cheese, and a slicer.
What are your occupations?
I work in HR at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, but I can't wait to get John's and Katie's college loans paid off so I can retire and go work somewhere where I can't wait to get up and go to work every day (Central Market? ranch cook?) Kelly has been a stay-at-home-mom since Katie was born, but is now looking for work (she is an accountant) so I can go do my dream job sooner.
What are your favorite breakfast foods?
I eat my homemade granola virtually every morning. This time of year I put slightly-thawed and sliced-up frozen strawberries and peaches on top. I can't wait for fresh blueberry season, though. I love blueberries! Kelly isn't a big breakfast eater, but likes those Quaker Oatmeal-on-the-Go bars.
What were the last books you read?
For me, "Love Comes Softly" by Janette Oke (for the 7th time), and Tony Dungy's "Uncommon." I am currently reading both Jacques Pepin's biography and Phillip Gulley's "If the Church Were Christian" books. Kelly just finished Kristin Armstrong's new book "Work in Progress." We both read "The Shack" -- I read it in one day on a Saturday after one of our long runs; started it and couldn't stop. Kelly bides her time waiting for the next Maeve Binchy book to come out.
Tell us one thing you want to be sure to do in your lifetimes.
We're keeping a 2-week trip to Ireland in the back of our heads.
What is the first thing you associate with Seattle, Washington?
I used to think Starbucks coffee. Now I'll remember it as the place my friend Anna ran a marathon for the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation.
Note from Anna: Nelson and Kelly are just a few more of the ever dedicated sponsors who also helped support my Texas race. Nelson is fondly known as Dallas Running Club's 'Muffin Man', and generously sets hours of his time aside each week to prepare homemade post-run treats for several hundred DRC training members. DRC has been so touched by Nelson's generosity and baking skills, they came together to provide Nelson a new Kitchen Aid mixer. Nelson has since named the mixer 'Charlie' and has been keeping him busy keeping all the DRC runners happy and fed. We love Nelson's enthusiasm, generosity and support of each one of us. Thanks so much for all that you and Kelly do! I'm honored to run mile 2 for you both in Seattle!
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