Back in the Saddle... (Or Running Shoes)

Dear Blog Readers,

Hi! It's your unloyal friend Brittnee who went off the grid on September 9th, 2009. Yes, that is the date of my last post on my blog all about my experience training for the Nike Women's Marathon, which, as your probably know, happened on October 18th, 2009. So, what gives? Where is the post about how great it was?

Well.... ok to be honest I totally forgot. And then I remembered. In December. But it seemed kind of late, and then it was Christmas, and then I got busy and yeah. I'll skip the excuses and get to the good stuff. And then, I'll tell you what brings me back here to the world of the blogging.

RECAP! Nike Women's Marathon Weekend: October 17th - 19th, 2009!

While there are hardly words to describe this amazing weekend, I'll give it my best shot.

On a dreary, wet morning here in Fresno, the Nike Team and I gathered at the Leukemia Society's offices to jump on board a bus to San Francisco. I can't even tell you the excitement I was experiencing. Training had been going hard, my knee had been hurting, fundraising was a long hard road, but then all the sudden it was like, BAM! "We're going to the Nike Women's Marathon!" I was so excited I got an oreo shake on the way to celebrate, which I completely regretted later. But I digress.

Ok, so after the bus driver spent about an hour and a half lost in the city, he found our hotel. We all jumped off the bus while our coaches and mentors awaited us, dumped our bags, and ran over to the marathon's expo. Every marathon has one, and it's basically where they sell things, show off products from their sponsors, etc. And of course, get the all important race day numbers!

For the Nike Women's Marathon, NikeTown USA in Union Square also engraves the name of every participant into their window, so we stopped by to find ourselves first. Here's me! After that, we ran through the expo, and with my number (728) and lots of Ghiradelli chocolate squares in hand, we scooted back to the hotel where we met with our Team to head to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Inspiration Dinner - a big pasta feed for us and all of our families to carb up before the marathon.

Have you ever walked into a room with over 1,000 people cheering for you? Well I have, and it felt pretty awesome. I have posted a picture from the dinner, where Teams from across the United States gathered to celebrate the money we raised (The Nike Women's Marathon and Team in Training raised over 17 million for the Society... talk about a massive effort), and how far we had all come as rookie althletes. For many of us, it was one of the first times we were able to learn what the National society provided to it's patients and their families. It was an incredible, touching night.

Less touching was the cover band that posted up outside of my hotel room later that evening, and played and played and played, despite my calls to the hotel, and the police department. (I'm a big grama, so sue me.) Finally, my awesome boyfriend Dan went downstairs and explained to the fine gentleman what exactly the hotel packed full of women were here to do tomorrow, and they nicely ended their set with that song.

Maybe 5 hours of nerve-wrecked sleep later.... it was GO TIME!

I went down to my marathon sister Annie's room to get ready. No, I don't mean stretching and carbing up, I mean teasing hair, glossing lips, and putting on our marathon hair bows made especially for our big day by my momma.

Once we were all ready, it was time for our 4:30 am Team meeting, some final words of inspiration from our coaches, and off to the start line to wait for the race. And by wait, I mean wait. Not only were we super early, but with big races like the Nike Women's Marathon there is a staggered start, so it took us over 15 minutes just to walk up to the start line. And then... it was time to run!

I would be lying if I told you I started running, kept running, and never looked back. To be truthful, by the big hill at only mile 6, Annie and I were on our first walk break, pretty much hating life with 20.2 miles to go. But then, there came Farshaud. Our running coach and one of the most wonderful people on the planet. Farshaud is the type of person you just want to see when you are feeling discouraged. Running with him got us up and going again, and shortly after we reunited with our Teammates Cheryl and Paul, and life was great.

Until mile 17. Just when you're feeling good, the Nike Women's Marathon slaps you with this humongous visual obstacle - Lake Merced. Quite possibly the ugliest body of water on EARTH. And wait.... you want us to run AROUND that? I cannot tell you the number of women I saw have a complete emotional breakdown approaching that lake.

Me, however, I saved it for mile 24. The girl who was expecting NOT to cry, and couldn't fathom what anyone else was crying about pretty much started bawling. For NO REASON. Marathons do crazy things to your mind, and I cried and cried, and then I cried some more. Then I looked at the time clock, and felt like I really had a reason to cry. 3 miles from the finish, and already past my (adjusted for reality) 5:30 finish goal time. Talk about discouraging!

Then, out of nowhere, Farshaud bops onto the course. When faced with my tears, and the dissapointment among our pack of girls, this is what he had to say...

"You know, when my son was diagnosed with cancer, my wife and I sat in the parking lot for a long time. We sat, and we cried, and we didn't know what to do. It was a security gaurd who told us 'I've seen many people in your same exact situation, sitting here. I will tell you that it might not be fast, but it will get better. Don't worry about how long it takes. Just wait for things to get better." And marathons are like that, too. Don't worry about how long it took, you are going to finish, and you are helping families like mine by doing what you are doing."

Needless to say, I finished. With two girls I LOVE, with our coaches and mentors behind us, and our families up ahead. Oh, and there were those sexy firefighters in tuxedos handing out Tiffany necklaces, too. But I swear, that necklace was so underwhelming compared with that feeling of being done. And so, SO underwhelming compared to the delicious spread of food catered by Boudin Bakery just for Team In Training participants.

After 30 minutes of zombie-ness while enjoying an oatmeal raisin cookie, I finally decided to get excited about my necklace. Yes, it's beautiful (see below) and I credit each of you with helping me earn it. YOU made this experience possible by donating, supporting me, and being amazing influences in my life. Team In Training was truely the best thing I've ever done, and I would never in a million years or for a million Tiffany necklaces trade the experience that I had. I could not have possibly been surrounded by better people, and I am incredibly thankful to STILL be rocking the trails with those people today. (Thanks, Ron and Farshaud, for continuing to coach us and be our friends. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. Even after I tried to give you that sweaty bag of energy blocks at mile 26, Ron. You're the best.)

I'm pretty much skipping the whole part about the Victory Party - a humongous event put on by the society for all of the Team In Training participants. It was seriously so awesome - four? five? floors of fun - and a hugeeee buffet. Amazing.

So anyway.... Nike. Women's. Marathon. Best Weekend EVER.

Now, for those of you (Mom, Dad, Dan) who were there at the finish and asked me when I was running my next marathon, and I said some string of expletives followed by "NEVER!"..... well, what is it they say? Never say never?

This brings me to....

UPDATE! Why I'm back on the blog this January!

Yes, it's true. I've committed to train for another marathon with Team In Training. If you read this blog post and really have to ask why, I'll tell you.

Truthfully, I just never want this feeling to go away. I love my Team, I love my coaches, and I love being a part of something bigger than burning calories in a gym. Sure, there are other ways to get in shape. But I'm in the best shape ever, and it's because I can't wait to get out there at 5 am and meet up with my new favorite people. All this training is finally paying off, too - I'm starting to feel a little bit speedy and everything!

So, I'm back on the blog. This time, as a Team Captain for the Rock-N-Roll San Diego Marathon taking place on June 6th. And while I won't be fundraising for this event, I still need your help! As Team Captain, I will be recruiting volunteers to help with "Aid Stations", passing out gatorade and candy to runners, each week. There was nothing that I loved more than seeing those friendly faces with that delish pink powerade and a big bowl of gummi bears. So now I'm here to make YOU one of those people.

Or, better yet....

Be a Team In Training athlete! Information meetings are happening this month, and you can find out more about being a marathoner, half marathoner, doing a century ride or a triathalon, and more, all while we help find a cure for blood related cancers. For those of you thinking you can't - YOU CAN. This PE failing girl just ran a marathon, and is alive to speak about it. You can do it, too. (And really, there is even a Walk Team - you know you can do that! The Walk Team rocks and they don't probably sweat as much.)

For more information, visit the Team In Training Central California Chapter's Website. Or just email me at brittneekao@yahoo.com ! I'd love to go on and on some more about Team In Training so you can have your own adventure and meet some of the amazing people I get to hang with every week.

Oh, and FYI - this is NOT the end of my blog. Get ready - more posts about training for the San Diego Rock-N-Roll Marathon will be coming SOON!

xoxoxo and thanks for your patience and coming back to my blog,

Brittnee