Hyannis Half Marathon

This morning I ran the Hyannis Half Marathon. I did not officially sign up for this race and only decided on Friday afternoon with the coaching from Donna McAllister to run it. All week long I was under the impression that I had a charity run on Saturday morning. On Wednesday or Thursday, I realized I had no group scheduled and really didn't even know how long I wanted to run.

Anyway, the half was glorious!

The Cape ocean view was beautiful. The crowds, spectators, and fellow runners were cheerful and encouraging. The weather was perfect, about 43 degrees, with the sun peaking through the clouds every once in awhile, and the race ended with raindrops. They held off for the whole race though.

Finish Line

This was my first race that I have ever done solo, arrived and run solo. I stood at the starting line amongst strangers, but we all smiled, feeling the same anxious waiting feeling, knowing that we share a common goal for the day. The miles seem to fly by during races... maybe because of the crowd or the scenery, but the last two miles came up before I knew it. For the half marathon race distance, I crank it for the last two miles. In a slight lull of cranking, a loud little runner said, "Who wants to break 1:50?" I stepped up and ran with him, then he dropped out claiming that he was cramping. I finished really strong under 1:50. I wish I had signed up for the race. I love to have official times! Oh well, I'm $40 richer and closer to my final Boston goal!

Race Course



After the race, I met up with Meg Bannon, Adele Dockendorff and Megan Judge for lunch on my return voyage to Central Mass. We ate a lovely lunch at a cute Cape Cod lunch cafe. Meg asked if I won the race, I replied yes and then she was apparently really disappointed when I retracted the statement with admission of joking! I LOVE that all my friends think I can win races against thousands of other runners. It's fun to be superwoman in the eyes of others, and on top of it, Meg is famous so it means more coming from her!

A quick note, please donate to my marathon charity. Visit

My donation page. As I ran the last 2 miles of the Hyannis race, my legs were hurting. There is now no doubt in my mind that running the Boston marathon will be painful, but it will alll be worth it if I can reach my $5000 goal. Please help me get there!

Everybody Knows -- MY -- Name!

I checked the site.

At the moment, 82 Katies are running the 2009 Boston Marathon. Boston Marathon Entry List of Katies

hahaaa It's going to be a fun race!

Big Week!

I am official. I am in! I received my confirmation email yesterday. I have a number for the 113th Boston Marathon and will receive the almighty postcard - similar to the golden ticket - in a few weeks. With the postcard, I have the power and right to walk into the expo and pick up my bib number.

Nike also informed me that I have completed 100 miles, 100 Mile Certificate which actually means I have run over 100 miles since I started training. I bought the Nike pod in December and I've missed two or three runs over the training.

I had the pleasure of running 8 miles with Stahmp. We ran a fun route around the Charles river, starting down Beacon, around the river and back up Commonwealth. We started out to run very fast, but I wanted to run fast so it worked well being that we both pushed each other.


Stomp running on Valentine's Day. Funny right?

It was so much fun running with Katie again. I'm really thrilled that she's running the marathon as well. When I think about high school track, it was us! The Katies dominated and now we're taken on Boston together!




I'm tired. Goodnight!

4:30am wake-up call.

I am not a morning person. In the past, I would head to bed early in hopes of waking up early for exercise, reading or whatever activity was looming. Although marathon training has curved the habits considerably! The urgency to fit my workouts in is at the highest priority. I don't accept excuses of time constraints, work, or weather.

For instance, I have new hire surgical training this week at the office. The training starts at 7:30 and I need to arrive at the office at 7am. We usually run later in the day, and have group dinners after work. Two days in a row, I have gone to bed around 9pm, to arrive at 5am at Planet Fitness.

Yes, I am bragging about my accomplishment. It's working out really well though...(besides the direct conflict with a 20 something lifestyle social life schedule) When I squeeze my workout in the morning, I don't feel like marathon training has taken over my life. Not that I don't love training...because I do!

I know some really amazing people!!!

Thank you! Thank You! Thank you to all Attendees! The Point fundraiser was a blast and I heard rumors that it was actual the Best Sunday Night Fundraiser ever!!

And to top it all, We raised $1100 dollars for the Bottom Line charity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Pat yourself on the back if you came last night, it was a successful event. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited. :-0)

All of my greatest friends were in attendance, we danced and grooved to the sweet sounds of Matt Shwachman Band. Thank you to Matt, Hugh, Dana, and Mike for their support, donation of time and talent.



They put on a great show! It couldn't have gone more smoothly - thanks to Laura my fundraising manager that took her responsbility very seriously.

Sister Laura and Katie

The raffle was a big hit, the drinks were tasty, and the bar complimentary room worked out to be a perfect location.

I know some really amazing people. We've raised $3580 already for the Bottom Line charity. Thank you so much for your support. I'm a little tired from the weekend so I apologize for the short entry, hopefully I'll have more updates from the event later in the week.

Ice, Rest, Run, Repeat

Yesterday was a big day with many monumental moments.

I scheduled myself to run 16 miles on the Boston Course with my charity, but my plans changed and I only wanted to run 10 miles because of my shin splints. I ended up running with the Hopkinton running club. It was a beautiful running route and the company was very nice. The club members are a little younger than the GFRC members. I had heard this rumor once before, but it's the truth! I ran mostly with Jessica, a woman from Hopkinton, 4 year vet of the club, 2 time Boston runner, and employee of Genzyme. I had invited along my other GFRC Bottom Line charity runner, Linda York and she also ran with us. Linda and I didn't really have much of a clue of the course though, and Jessica was nice enough to stop and wait whenever we didn't keep up. For instance, yesterday was my first woods pee break. Other runners do it all the time, but I haven't since I was five on a car trip with my family. All went well, and I enjoyed the rest of the run besides the fact that my hand was bleeding. I climbed up a mountain to be away from the street. Then I fell down the mountain and grabbed branches on my way down. My hand has been patched up, but it was a hoot of an experience.

I have learned that my body must be judged the day after a long run to determine its level of comfort. I slept in today, but my shins are a little sore, but not PAINFUL like last weekend. Ice, Rest, Run, and Repeat may or may not be my life until April 20th with a few small fundraisers in the middle.

A few runners have suggested buying dixie cups, freezing them and then rolling them over my shins. I bought the sleeve of cups. I can distinctly remember the last time I bought dixie cups. My college roommate Heather Alexsa and I received a lovely Christmas tree from Joe Piedrafite- HoHoJoe -and Andy Cook- Handy Andy- one year. To properly celebrate the season and our gift, Heather and I hosted a Holiday party. We served little red and green jellO delights in the small dixie cups. Wow! How my life has changed? Now, I'm freezing water in the cups and staying far away from those other red and green things.

After my morning run, I rested with ice, stretched, and almost fell back to sleep but prepared an evite instead! Please stop by Owen O'Leary's on Wednesday, March 4th Evite for Owen O'Leary's Bring everyone!

Two other big important marathon logistics were taken care of this weekend. I joined Joe Pi for a trip to the Natick Collection yesterday. I picked up a running hat from North Face. It's breathable, salmon pink and perfect for the event. Carolyn Cross also offered her braiding skills. My personal braiding friend, Michele Gaulin recently moved to Texas so Carolyn has really stepped in during a time of need.

I also watched Spirit of the Marathon yesterday while I prepared tickets for the Boston Point Fundraiser. Wow, it's a good movie! As they say, when you cross the finish line it changes your life forever! I might watch the movie eight more times before the marathon!

Funnies & Comics!

This evening, I took my running back to my schedule, back to enjoying, and not rushing through the process. I could have run during work, but I think I'm going to try my best to avoid it. Unless, I can take a solid 1.5 hours, running during work doesn't allow for proper stretching and rest.

I jumped out after work, not thrilled to be running, a little anxious about how my legs would feel. I did well and the 45 degree air felt perfect with my layers. I ran less than 150 feet and fell down. Granted, I attempted to run in the awkward icy patch of grass mountain between the office parking lot and Starbucks, and now I proudly have a huge swollen hip. I actually teared up. I'm not sure if it was the pain or feeling of defeat before I started. I'm all better now though with ice resting on me.

One tough thing that first time marathoners struggle with, and I am no exception, vets are reminding me of is that training is one day at a time.

And I leave you with these wonderful comics provided to me by Miss Karen McGrath. Thanks Karen! You're the best!
Three Days. My favorite One!