I almost said... speechless, but the following blog will say otherwise...
Dan Wood threw a victory party at Owen O'Leary's for us! He wanted to properly thank my colleagues for their generous support. And, I wanted to recognize the support provided to me. It was an absolute Blast!
Phew, it gives me chills - the sincere genorsity from everyone.
Dan and I celebrating our marathon victory! .
Dan is a VP at my company and received a marathon number through his running club. We enjoyed our weekly, sometimes daily checkins about marathon training. Today, we switched the conversation to disbelief in the encouragement from our colleagues. At our "victory party", I really wanted to thank everyone again for their support and figured I would probably be encouraged to speak again. For the last few weeks, I've reflected on my complete experience. I had the opportunity to raise funds for a worthy charity, to reach my marathon goal, and I've been blessed with friends and family supporting me all along the way.
Not only to my office of colleagues, but everyone, you should be very proud of your charitable contribution and support of me, take pride in yourself and recognize the importance for your choice to help others! I am mostly quoting from my good friend Jon Korhonean in this post. Most of my inspiration for diving into my marathon charity goal came from Jon's charity bike across the country. Thanks Jon!
Nothing significant in life is ever accomplished alone. I am blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.
Sincere humanity is alive and well. All my time and effort has been worth it to learn that great life lesson. Anything can be accomplished! And we reached $6500. Wear your medal with pride and remember you've helped!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Goodbye! and Thanks for reading!
To experience the FULL marathon experience, I checked into the Free Marathon Athlete's Injury Clinic offered by the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Department of Rehabilitation Services. Yes! What a treat! I am obsessed with the marathon at this point, so if you're thinking I drove to the hospital just to see another BAA logo, you couldn't be far off, but I am suffering from significant knee pain. I hate taking time off from work, paying $20-30 to hear ICE and REST.
I heard ICE, Rest tonight, but it was without cost or time, and they congratulated me on my big accomplishment, wore Adidas BAA shirts, and even suggested stetches and exercises in 20 minutes time! It might been longer because I asked so many questions.
I'm going to be okay! I probably should be icing at the moment!
I am having trouble letting go of my blog... I love it! And, I've heard that others enjoy reading it... but what would I write about post April? Marathon training is thrilling and nail biting, but Katie Weinmann's normal life is so-so and definitely not worth reading about! haha That might be a lie, but I cannot handle the pressure.
Standing with My Marathon Coach - Rick Muhr
Joe Piedrafite cheering me on with the Clappy Hands on Marathon Monday
I leave you with a few parting quotes.
Everything looks impossible for people who never try anything. - Jean-Louis Etienne.
Life is brief and very fragile. DO that which makes you happy.
Thank you for reading, Thank you for commenting, and most of all, Thank you for making my 1st Boston Marathon experience so enjoyable!
I heard ICE, Rest tonight, but it was without cost or time, and they congratulated me on my big accomplishment, wore Adidas BAA shirts, and even suggested stetches and exercises in 20 minutes time! It might been longer because I asked so many questions.
I'm going to be okay! I probably should be icing at the moment!
I am having trouble letting go of my blog... I love it! And, I've heard that others enjoy reading it... but what would I write about post April? Marathon training is thrilling and nail biting, but Katie Weinmann's normal life is so-so and definitely not worth reading about! haha That might be a lie, but I cannot handle the pressure.
Standing with My Marathon Coach - Rick Muhr
Joe Piedrafite cheering me on with the Clappy Hands on Marathon Monday
I leave you with a few parting quotes.
Everything looks impossible for people who never try anything. - Jean-Louis Etienne.
Life is brief and very fragile. DO that which makes you happy.
Thank you for reading, Thank you for commenting, and most of all, Thank you for making my 1st Boston Marathon experience so enjoyable!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thank You!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am pleased to announce that I completed the Boston Marathon, and to my delight I finished with a time of 3:55:14. Thank you very much for your support over the last six months!
With your generous donations, we raised a jaw dropping, amazing $6,448!!! Thank you again for your donations! And please know that your donation does not lose it’s impact with the fading aches of my marathon victory! You have helped change the lives of hard working Boston & Worcester students.
This has been a difficult year for fundraising. Fundraising for the marathon teams has been down, but Team Go Far was successful, and raised over $75,000. Thanks to your incredible support, Bottom Line is GROWING next year, and will be supporting 1400 students in Massachusetts. They are motivated, and they know how important education is for their future. Bottom Line will provide that support thanks to you. 1 in 4 college-bound students in Boston will work with Bottom Line next year thanks to you. Students in Bottom Line will graduate from college at THREE TIMES the rate of their peers thanks to you.
Congratulations to Rick Stecchi, the “Guess My Time 50/50” winner! Rick submitted his confidence in my marathon ability on January 26th, when he entered a few chances on the board. I’m not sure I had any confidence at that time so thank you to everyone that helped get me here!
To all the curious running supporters, my 5K splits are as follows
Looks like I ran the Boston Marathon correctly? Slow and Steady with a patient pace for the first 5 miles.
The race was spectacular! I came off a well-rested week of taper training and a successful Marathon Spirit week. The April weather held off, and we had ideal running conditions, mid 50s, cloudy, with peaking sunshine. My parents drove me to the Hopkinton State park in the morning, where I met Team Go Far and the other 26,000 runners. It was an awesome sight, from the crowded Athlete’s village, the voice of Bob Lobel, the Jet flyover, packed streets of Hopkinton center, I had finally arrived at the Boston Marathon.
As I strolled down the .7 miles from Athlete’s village to the starting line, I bumped into Bert Bair, another Gyrus ACMI employee from Oregon that qualified for the marathon! I moved into my specific corral zone with fellow Go Far Team member and GFRC runner, Linda York, we both made light conversation with our neighbors, as we stood elbow to elbow. Since I could peak over several of the runners, I soaked in the scene of the 3000 runners waiting behind me. A few rows back, I yelled out to Chip O’Toole, a Liver foundation runner, and husband of my colleague Erica O’Toole. It was amazing that with over 26,000 runners and a million spectators, I had the chance to run into fellow training friends all along the way!
Around 10:30AM, the Boston Marathon started for me and the rest of the wave 2 – yellow-bibbed runners. I ran with my iPod to monitor my pace, but skipped on the headphones and marching band music. The first mile flew by, and I thought in my head only 25.2 miles left, but I’m already 30 seconds behind pace! Most of my thoughts throughout the sub 4-hour marathon included pace monitoring and friend searching.
I tagged my name on my shirt, and thanked everyone with a smile or nod when I heard it along the course. It was very encouraging and helpful when I climbing the Newton hills or struggling in the last three miles!
I had the pleasure of running into several training partners along the route, and stopped for encouragement when I spotted my parents, colleagues, and friends. Thank you so much to everyone that came out to support me along the course!! Overall, I felt “great” and in good spirits for the marathon. My foot arch pain did not bother me at all, however, the pain “that I’ve never felt before in my life” creped up around Mile 23. With only 3 miles to go, a short easy run during my training schedule, I took my last fuel gels with water, and vowed to run without stopping until the end. The pain was getting progressively worse, and my new goal is to run a marathon with working legs at the end! A young girl yelled out to me – “Hey I’m a Bottom Line student! Thanks Katie!” It sounded as if she was surprised to see someone running for Bottom Line, but I turned around, and smiled. It was a perfect time to be reminded why I was pushing myself so hard. With about 1.5 miles left, I glanced at my watch. All logic said that I would finish under 4 hours, but my legs had to understand they were on board for what my head wanted to do from now on! I powered forward, stopped again for more water, then pushed up the last hill of Hereford Street, turning the Left onto Boylston Street and took a minute to soak it all in. I could see the finish line, the cheers were so loud and the sidewalks were so packed I could not recognize the Copley area. The 100 yard dash never seemed so long, and I could not quite locate my “kick” with my tightening hamstrings and calf muscles! I looked up at the bleacher seats to wave at my parents – both cheering on their feet. I focused back on the finish line, I heard the announcer say, “All runners coming in now, Congratulations, you’re going to beat the 4 hour mark.” I took a deep breath, smiled, and lightly moved my feet faster toward the historic finish line.
Thank you for helping propel me toward the start and finish line of the Boston Marathon!
Upon finishing the marathon, I received my medal. I wore it to bed on Monday night and haven’t taken it off yet!
I sincerely thank you for your help!
I am pleased to announce that I completed the Boston Marathon, and to my delight I finished with a time of 3:55:14. Thank you very much for your support over the last six months!
With your generous donations, we raised a jaw dropping, amazing $6,448!!! Thank you again for your donations! And please know that your donation does not lose it’s impact with the fading aches of my marathon victory! You have helped change the lives of hard working Boston & Worcester students.
This has been a difficult year for fundraising. Fundraising for the marathon teams has been down, but Team Go Far was successful, and raised over $75,000. Thanks to your incredible support, Bottom Line is GROWING next year, and will be supporting 1400 students in Massachusetts. They are motivated, and they know how important education is for their future. Bottom Line will provide that support thanks to you. 1 in 4 college-bound students in Boston will work with Bottom Line next year thanks to you. Students in Bottom Line will graduate from college at THREE TIMES the rate of their peers thanks to you.
Congratulations to Rick Stecchi, the “Guess My Time 50/50” winner! Rick submitted his confidence in my marathon ability on January 26th, when he entered a few chances on the board. I’m not sure I had any confidence at that time so thank you to everyone that helped get me here!
To all the curious running supporters, my 5K splits are as follows
Looks like I ran the Boston Marathon correctly? Slow and Steady with a patient pace for the first 5 miles.
The race was spectacular! I came off a well-rested week of taper training and a successful Marathon Spirit week. The April weather held off, and we had ideal running conditions, mid 50s, cloudy, with peaking sunshine. My parents drove me to the Hopkinton State park in the morning, where I met Team Go Far and the other 26,000 runners. It was an awesome sight, from the crowded Athlete’s village, the voice of Bob Lobel, the Jet flyover, packed streets of Hopkinton center, I had finally arrived at the Boston Marathon.
As I strolled down the .7 miles from Athlete’s village to the starting line, I bumped into Bert Bair, another Gyrus ACMI employee from Oregon that qualified for the marathon! I moved into my specific corral zone with fellow Go Far Team member and GFRC runner, Linda York, we both made light conversation with our neighbors, as we stood elbow to elbow. Since I could peak over several of the runners, I soaked in the scene of the 3000 runners waiting behind me. A few rows back, I yelled out to Chip O’Toole, a Liver foundation runner, and husband of my colleague Erica O’Toole. It was amazing that with over 26,000 runners and a million spectators, I had the chance to run into fellow training friends all along the way!
Around 10:30AM, the Boston Marathon started for me and the rest of the wave 2 – yellow-bibbed runners. I ran with my iPod to monitor my pace, but skipped on the headphones and marching band music. The first mile flew by, and I thought in my head only 25.2 miles left, but I’m already 30 seconds behind pace! Most of my thoughts throughout the sub 4-hour marathon included pace monitoring and friend searching.
I tagged my name on my shirt, and thanked everyone with a smile or nod when I heard it along the course. It was very encouraging and helpful when I climbing the Newton hills or struggling in the last three miles!
I had the pleasure of running into several training partners along the route, and stopped for encouragement when I spotted my parents, colleagues, and friends. Thank you so much to everyone that came out to support me along the course!! Overall, I felt “great” and in good spirits for the marathon. My foot arch pain did not bother me at all, however, the pain “that I’ve never felt before in my life” creped up around Mile 23. With only 3 miles to go, a short easy run during my training schedule, I took my last fuel gels with water, and vowed to run without stopping until the end. The pain was getting progressively worse, and my new goal is to run a marathon with working legs at the end! A young girl yelled out to me – “Hey I’m a Bottom Line student! Thanks Katie!” It sounded as if she was surprised to see someone running for Bottom Line, but I turned around, and smiled. It was a perfect time to be reminded why I was pushing myself so hard. With about 1.5 miles left, I glanced at my watch. All logic said that I would finish under 4 hours, but my legs had to understand they were on board for what my head wanted to do from now on! I powered forward, stopped again for more water, then pushed up the last hill of Hereford Street, turning the Left onto Boylston Street and took a minute to soak it all in. I could see the finish line, the cheers were so loud and the sidewalks were so packed I could not recognize the Copley area. The 100 yard dash never seemed so long, and I could not quite locate my “kick” with my tightening hamstrings and calf muscles! I looked up at the bleacher seats to wave at my parents – both cheering on their feet. I focused back on the finish line, I heard the announcer say, “All runners coming in now, Congratulations, you’re going to beat the 4 hour mark.” I took a deep breath, smiled, and lightly moved my feet faster toward the historic finish line.
Thank you for helping propel me toward the start and finish line of the Boston Marathon!
Upon finishing the marathon, I received my medal. I wore it to bed on Monday night and haven’t taken it off yet!
I sincerely thank you for your help!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Best Parts of Post Marathon...
When I arrive home from work and open my refrigerator, "Oh PERFECT! Chinese Food and Beer!" I had to avoid those lovely items for awhile
It's a mirale, I can walk again and handle stairs! Now I will update you with snipets of my marathon experience.... More will follow soon - I promise!
My favorite cheers from the crowd included the following
"You've MADE it to the TOP of the Newton hills!!! Congratulations!!!" - Random Guy. That was a really exciting moment.
My favorite sign on the route was, " Your Feet are Hurting... because You're Kicking A$$" I remember I was in a hard part of the route, and the humor was very much appreciated by me!
Okay - time to write some Thank You notes!
It's a mirale, I can walk again and handle stairs! Now I will update you with snipets of my marathon experience.... More will follow soon - I promise!
My favorite cheers from the crowd included the following
"You've MADE it to the TOP of the Newton hills!!! Congratulations!!!" - Random Guy. That was a really exciting moment.
My favorite sign on the route was, " Your Feet are Hurting... because You're Kicking A$$" I remember I was in a hard part of the route, and the humor was very much appreciated by me!
Okay - time to write some Thank You notes!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I feel...
I woke up this morning with a text message from Molly Steen, my older sister. "How do you feel?" I honestly started to write a whole slew of tired, cramped adjectives. I feel like a ran a marathon and then I cleared the screen to send... and ... to clear the screen for all of you.
I feel accomplished!
I took the day off from work to rest my muscles. I ventured out with my buddy Scott Rutkowski for a quick fun errand. I had my medal engraved with my Time 3:55:14 and Place 14396 at Things Remembered. The first question that the sales woman asked was, How much is this worth? I responded with 6 months of training and a $200 entry fee so it's priceless. That wasn't the correct answer so I called my coach because that's what I've done for all tough marathon questions in the last few months. We talked about my tired muscles and my knee that feels like it will never recover. Rick said, that my knee injury is a natural and usual Boston Marathon injury because of all the downhills late in the course. He also mentioned that if anything happens to my medal as it's being engraved, he'll speak with Dave McGillivray to get a replacement!
My medal is fine and I was able to wear it around for the rest of the day!
One quick message, before I fully blog about my amazing marathon experience. I feel after a whole day of rest that my muscles will never recover. I still cannot walk comfortably... that's not whining - it's just concern!
Ohh and I'm fasinated by this - my progression from my iPod. The pod displays my speed at the mile mark moment, so I definitely walked and did not shut it off, but I only did that twice when it hit a mile mark. The walking pace is captured in my overall change of pace, but the few steps of walking averaged into my incredible speed during the running. Incredible is a exaggeration that I believe I am allowed to use.
My calibration to my iPod is off my .01 per quarter mile, which adds up to 1.04 for the marathon. That helps to explain the difference listed on iPod vs. the 26.2, but also shows my ridiculous loss in energy and added mileage when I ran to greet friends! Thanks for coming out!
Hooray Marathons!
I feel accomplished!
I took the day off from work to rest my muscles. I ventured out with my buddy Scott Rutkowski for a quick fun errand. I had my medal engraved with my Time 3:55:14 and Place 14396 at Things Remembered. The first question that the sales woman asked was, How much is this worth? I responded with 6 months of training and a $200 entry fee so it's priceless. That wasn't the correct answer so I called my coach because that's what I've done for all tough marathon questions in the last few months. We talked about my tired muscles and my knee that feels like it will never recover. Rick said, that my knee injury is a natural and usual Boston Marathon injury because of all the downhills late in the course. He also mentioned that if anything happens to my medal as it's being engraved, he'll speak with Dave McGillivray to get a replacement!
My medal is fine and I was able to wear it around for the rest of the day!
One quick message, before I fully blog about my amazing marathon experience. I feel after a whole day of rest that my muscles will never recover. I still cannot walk comfortably... that's not whining - it's just concern!
Ohh and I'm fasinated by this - my progression from my iPod. The pod displays my speed at the mile mark moment, so I definitely walked and did not shut it off, but I only did that twice when it hit a mile mark. The walking pace is captured in my overall change of pace, but the few steps of walking averaged into my incredible speed during the running. Incredible is a exaggeration that I believe I am allowed to use.
My calibration to my iPod is off my .01 per quarter mile, which adds up to 1.04 for the marathon. That helps to explain the difference listed on iPod vs. the 26.2, but also shows my ridiculous loss in energy and added mileage when I ran to greet friends! Thanks for coming out!
Hooray Marathons!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Runner's High
I am still awake and still on my high! While I ran the race, I had a look of awe for most of it. The spectators were amazing.
I am thrilled - I raced to my goal time! Under four hours! 3hours and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, I am still awake with a bag of ice!
Thank you to everyone that came out to cheer! What I thought about while running was - who will I see next?! Honestly, I thought about who I would high five, when to eat my goos, when to drink, and who I would see next, Oh, and where I was in my pace to finish under 4 hours. Everytime I saw someone, I ran a little happier and faster so THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I am thrilled - I raced to my goal time! Under four hours! 3hours and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, I am still awake with a bag of ice!
Thank you to everyone that came out to cheer! What I thought about while running was - who will I see next?! Honestly, I thought about who I would high five, when to eat my goos, when to drink, and who I would see next, Oh, and where I was in my pace to finish under 4 hours. Everytime I saw someone, I ran a little happier and faster so THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Trust Your Training - Marathon Monday!
I woke up at 6:26am. I slept well! I only woke up one time and it didn't take me forever to fall asleep last night. As questioned by Joe Piedrafite, "I am not jumping out of my skin".
I'm currently eating my oatmeal and banana.
When I stop and think about running with 26,000 runners with over a million spectators, I freak out with excitement. I'm watching WBZ and I don't see a million people or 26,000 runners so the freak out has not fully hit.
Okay, I'm signing off for a little while. Thanks for reading and Enjoy the race!!
I'm currently eating my oatmeal and banana.
When I stop and think about running with 26,000 runners with over a million spectators, I freak out with excitement. I'm watching WBZ and I don't see a million people or 26,000 runners so the freak out has not fully hit.
Okay, I'm signing off for a little while. Thanks for reading and Enjoy the race!!
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