Three Things Thursday - PCRF Reaching for the Cure 5k Recap

1. Hyperbole and a Half is BACK!!!!! Man, that's exciting.

2. As Becka posted Tuesday, we are in week 2 of the #NotEatingAllTheThings Challenge.

While I was very busy the last several months NOT training for Eugene Marathon, I was also very busy eating everything I ever wanted.

The good news is, that according to the scale, I didn't gain much. Less than 5 lbs, I'd guess (I'm guessing because I don't really weigh myself frequently, I'm just going by the numbers I remember last, and where I was yesterday).

The bad news is, watching what you eat is NOT FUN, and it's especially NOT FUN when you're doing it in an effort to lose weight, and not just being weird.

I can't think of anything less exciting than posting what I eat daily, so instead of sharing all of that information with the internet machine, twitter, and instagram, B and I have been texting pictures to each other, to keep us in line.

It is as sad and lame as you'd expect. Here, I'll share some of that joy.

Yeah.

3. Reaching for the Cure 5k!

This year, I made the smart call to drop down to the 5k, in the name of "Eugene Recovery". The forecast was for cool temps and cloudy skies, though, and I resisted this change until the very last second - really, I didn't switch my distance until Sunday morning at 6:45am.

I love the back of the bibs!! Look at all that info!

The half starts at 7am, and the 5k a bit after at 7:15.

Heeeeeey, speedy Pam!

Sheila and the kidlets joined us for the 5k, in their Team Gab shirts :D

Two water stations for the 5k! (Thanks, volunteers!)

Reach for a Cure, indeed!

left turn for the 5k.......

There's a quick out and back, then on to the river path towards the finish.

Oh, the river path. My nemesis.

Haaaaa.

Oh, hey, I'm almost done!

Not quite a PR day, but they look like they had fun, right?!

As part of the fundraising, the Doubletree Irvine hosts accomodations for the VIP runners who raise above $1,500. It's a great property, they have always been inredibly nice, and even though the race start is less than 4 miles from my front door, I love staying there the night before.

After I finished the 5k (in a not-speedy-but-surprising-time-for-easy-effort) in 32:14, I walked back to the hotel to pick up the kids, and then back down to the finish line to watch for Pam, Madison, and The H (remember last year, when he said he would never, ever run a half marathon again? Ha).

At our VIP pasta dinner Saturday night, the girls were gifted with matching training shirts. They have been part of my training with PCRF from day one, and I love that PCRF thought of them, too.

Heeeeeey, Pam!

Gabby's teacher ran the half! Hi, Mrs. A!

And I'm the worst human at spectating - Gab's teacher had to get my attention, and so did Madison - I was watching for both, but totally missed them. I'm lame.

The tiny yellow speedy person is M.

The H looks super smiley, but he told me he was bummed he didn't do better than last year.

To give this some perspective, last year, he trained fairly intensively, and finished in 2:02ish. This year, he took basically the last 3-4 weeks pretty much off, and finished in 2:03:41.

Shut up, you.

So, overall, I loved th 5k. It was SO MUCH FUN running easy, enjoying the course, and then getting to spectate for the half??? SO MUCH FUN.

I was a little sad when we got our medals....

But then I got to go to the beer tent, so I guess it evens out.

Add caption

And, like the last two years, Gab loooooved this bouncing thing.

Obviously, this race means a lot to us, and I will likely run it going forward.

In my unbiased opinion, it's a really well organized event, and the family expo afterwards cannot be beat. It is FREE to enter, the bouncy things are FREE, there were samples of Weinerschnitzel, Jamba Juice, Juice it Up, Pop Chips, and other stuff. Face painting. Petting zoos. Balloon animals. Tons of stuff.

There is a 5k run, 5k walk, 10k run, and the half marathon - all are really reasonably priced.

And, most most most importantly, the VIP Fundraising team this year raised almost $60,000 for pediatric cancer research - that's $200,000 over the last three years, since we started.

The event overall this year came in at almost $650,000 for pediatric cancer research.

Reaching for a cure, indeed.

So... That's over. What's coming up?

First thing on my schedule, is Gabby's port removal. FINALLY. Her surgery went fine, and she's still knocked out in recovery right now. I hope she's prepared for some boredom, because no school for the week, and no activity AT ALL for 2 weeks. Zoinks.

Oh well. LATER, Port.

Switching gears... I took all of last week off as a recovery week. It was kind of nice. The most I did was some stretching and foam rolling, and I'm feeling pretty good - as in, the IT band/quad are quiet.

I dropped down to the 5k at PCRF yesterday (I'll recap that separately), and had a TON of fun. I went out without my garmin, just intending to run on feel, and... luckily, I felt pretty great. I had one tiny twinge running up a hill, but I walked for a few seconds and then it was fine. I'm super excited that there happened to be a photographer RIGHT THERE to capture that, too. Awesome timing.

I ended up coming in faster than I thought I would, which was kind of nice. Certainly wasn't FAST, but it was better than I anticipated for an easy effort.

I'll get back to running this week, I think, but everything at easy pace. I am not really interested in aggrivating the right leg, so I'll see how it goes, and maybe add in some hills/intervals something interesting next week.

So, what's next?

Corona del Mar Scenic 5k, the land of the creme brulee, is June 1st. I PR'ed there last year, and that was fun, but I think this year, I'm just going to go in for a speedy tempo run, and try to kill the hills. I'm certainly not in shape to PR a 5k (ouch), and I don't anticipate being ready in 4 weeks, either.

Speaking of hills.... after CDM5k, I have San Francisco Marathon!!! I'm running the first half this year, which... it's hilly.

I haven't run a half marathon for realsies since PCRF last year (so my 2:11:20 PR stands...). I don't think I'll be trying to PR here, but I'd like to at least run a good, hard effort.

So hills hills hills are in my future.

And after that, I'm empty until Dumbo Double Dare!

I spent last night furiously searching the internet machine for any half marathons in close proximity in the next 4 months, but was unsuccessful. What is that about, SoCal???

So now I'm on a fall/winter race hunt. I'd like to pull out a half and full PR by year's end, so.... CIM is a contender, but we'll see.

Any race suggestions? Only demand is that it has plenty of oxygen. And preferably close by.


PFTW:
Monday: Strength (WHAT?)
Tuesday: Run - 4 miles
Wednesday: Strength again (for real!)
Thursday: Run - 4-5
Friday: Rest
Saturday: hike?
Sunday: 6-8

Thank you.

First, I am still fundraising for PCRF, and any donations - large or small or enormous or tiny - are appreciated! You can donate HERE!

This weekend was supposed to be my third running of the PCRF Reaching for the Cure Half Marathon. Last year, thanks to Margot, I scored an 18 minute PR. That was fun.

I'm pretty sure I'm NOT running the half this weekend. I guess my hopes of being invincible did not come true, and I don't really want to risk actually injuring my right leg (as opposed to the annoying middling pain I'm currently experiencing).

I've toyed with running the 5K, and I might, just to do something, but in the end, I'm really excited to cheer on some friends, and have a fun day.

Because, this isn't a race I do for myself.

That puts the Team Gab total over the last 3 years at $12,680.

A friend of mine contacted me today, asking what would be a good thing to do for a friend that just had their kid diagnosed with cancer.

Those $12,680 will help STOP those kinds of emails.

It will help change a protocol that had my 5 year old taking 13 pills a night.

It will help to keep another kitchen cabinet from looking like this.

It will make another kids medical records stay under 4" high.

It will change the numbers that we are looking at, even in remission.

So many of you, in real life and the internet machine, have already donated, and I appreciate every penny that you have dedicated to this cause.

So that's it.

I want to say thank you, to each of you, for your support in my fundraising for the last 3 years.

Here's a cute picture to make your Friday happy.

Source

Team Gab Virtual Race Giveaway - Winners (finally)! Also, PFTW

I know, I know, I'm so far behind on this, it's kind of ridiculous.

Medals are packaged up and will be mailed out this week, and - without further ado - giveaway winners!

Traci @tracispaci
Jennifer @ Running Moves Me
Linda, one of my PCRF teammates
Pam, the master comment-er :)
Alene at Journey to Badwater
EMZ
Lovely Renee at The Solitary Road
Elizabeth from Running for Bling

Congratulations, you guys! I'll send out a separate email, but in the meantime, take a look at the giveaway items HERE, and send me your top 3 picks - first come, first served!

I want to thank everyone, again, for your generosity in supporting a cause that is just so important to me.

I am, as always, still fundraising for PCRF, and if you are so inclined, donations can be made HERE.

And of course, a huge thank you to Nuun, PRO Compression, Aspaeris, BIC Bands, Team Sparkle, and Allied Medal Hangers. These companies - in addition to being incredibly supportive to Team Gab and my fundraising - all sell products that I use, pay for out of pocket, and believe in.

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Plan for the week!

Last week:
Monday: 13 miles (um)
Tuesday:  rest
Wednesday: 5 untimed miles with a friend
Thursday: 5 easy
Friday: rest
Saturday: 20 easy
Sunday: rest

So, turns out if I run, I don't do anything else. There was no cross training, no yoga, nada.

But, I guess since I'm running a marathon in TWELVE DAYS, running is kind of important?

Monday's 13 was pretty easy, and everything felt good. Saturday's long run.... well, I didn't die.

I did the first 9 on the treadmill, watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (and goodness, thank the stars RHOC is back!), and the last 11 with PCRF. The weather all weekend was runners paradise...

Mostly flat, some hills, and somehow, I managed to sneak in the last two miles at 10:33, 9:55 - which is CRAZY fast for a long run for me. Huh.

And then I refueled.

I am slightly concerned about the right quad/IT band situation, still, so that's being closely monitored. It didn't hurt enough to stop, but it is still pretty touchy, and uncomfortable at times.

I'm trying to not freak out, and just take things light and easy with Ragnar this weekend. I ended up with some fairly hilly legs, which is a bummer for the rest of my team, because I'm not just regular slow, I'm EXTRA slow when hills get involved.

Anyway.

PFTW....
Monday: yoga
Tuesday: 6-7 easy
Wednesday: yoga
Thursday: 6 speed
Friday/Saturday: Ragnar
Sunday: Sleep/eat

Three Things Thursday

1. My house looks ilke a craft store exploded in it. So much glitter. So many scissors. Did you KNOW there are a billion types of glue???? I had no idea.

2. I guess I'm practically famous. Or I have pretty famous internet friends.

If I'd know it was emailing out to the Road Runner Sports mailing list, I would have done something to that mess of hair on my head.....

3. I'm featured on the San Francisco Marathon blog today! I know you're dying to figure out how I fit in event planning, working full time, training, kids, a husband, and eating everything, right? Check it out HERE.

BONUS 4. Have you entered the Team Gab Virtual Race yet?? Click here to enter!

Obviously, I have a personal connection that was the catalyst for my fundraising for pediatric cancer research. But, if you have some time, check out this article: Little patients, losing patience: pediatric cancer drug development. I promise that it's not a clinical type of read, but it certainly puts, in normal people words, the reasons that pediatric cancer research is struggling.

Starting with, "Cancer in kids is not profitable".

Bullets!

• I ran last night, and I didn't die. I almost didn't even bother, and then, once I convinced myself I would, in fact, run, I almost passed on the speed work I was going to do (3x1600 gross). I thought FOR SURE my lazy January/semi-injured-ish February would have rendered me useless.

• Turns out, I CAN still run semi-fastish (for me), and not die. It felt WEIRD, though, like my legs were not quite sure what was happening, and if they were going to be participating. Bizarre. Or totally normal for doing next to nothing for 2 months.

• Seriously, NEXT TO NOTHING. January mileage was 85 - 53 of those miles were Disney miles, so they don't even count. I'm going to close out February with a sad, sad 71 miles. Lame, me.

• Shameless plug: I normally avoid "VOTE FOR ME!" things, but I'm a sucker for Disney, so when I saw the contest asking for a Magical Memory, I just happened to have a TON of them tucked away from Gabby's Make a Wish trip last summer. So, if you have a minute and Facebook, if you could click here: Contest LINK, then like the app, and vote for this picture....

I'd appreciate it! :)

• Wednesday morning PCRF cross training is BACK. Phew. Turns out, when I have people to meet, I do things. Unlike when I'm working out by myself. Then I do none of the things.

• We met at 6am at a local high school, for some drills, and stairs, and core, and it was kind of fun, but kind of early, and cold, and tough after last night's repeats.

brrrrrrrr

• I'll probably be back. I think I said all of these same things last February when the cross training class started then, too. Plus, the view this time is WAY better than that boring 24 Hour Fitness room....

sometimes, I have to remind myself, I LIVE HERE THIS IS REAL LIFE.

• The Team Gab (not) Virtual Race planning is going along swimmingly. I panicked a little the other day, because I'm not a party-thrower kind of person, but with some help from the internet machine, and very patient people, I was talked down from the ledge, and have a to do list that I can tackle. Give me things to do, I'm all over it. Give me ideas to implement, and I'll stare at you.

• At least I got one item checked off my to-do list...

• If you're in SoCal, I'd love to see you on March 9th!! Check the link for details, and let me know!!

Team Gab Virtual Race - SoCal Edition

 

Details!

On Saturday, March 9th, I'll be hosting a picnic preceded by a fun-run through Mason Regional Park in Irvine.

"Registration" donation:
5k - $10
10k - $15
Half Marathon - $25
Marathon - $40

Donations can be made online HERE, or in person via check (payable to PCRF) or cash.

Included with your donation:

• Your choice of a marked, 1 mile loop in the park (a la the Operation Jack Richard Leary 6 Hour Challenge from October 2011), or I will provide a map of local routes if you prefer to set out on your own (hills, trails, fairly flat bike path - all available).
•  Water, Nuun, GU, and other fuel will be available at the staging area.
• "Race" bibs, and medals for everyone.
• Staging area will be ready by 8am.

I dare you to find a funner bib picture.

Delicious food provided at the finish area post-run.

There are plenty of bathrooms in the park, and a playground if you'd like to bring your kids to play.

This is an OPEN INVITATION! Please RSVP so I have an accurate head count :)

Link HERE to the evite - share it!

Not in SoCal on March 9th, or can't make it? Join us virtually! CLICK HERE.


Do I need a disclaimer here? This is not an actual, timed race. Just some people, hanging out at the park, and some running. I'm not a professional.

Three Things Thursday

ONE
I guess complaining for the world to see is what it takes to snap me out of a running funk?

I don't want to speak too soon, but both of my runs this week have been.... good?? Trust me, I'm knocking on wood while I type this one-handed.

It's been so long since running felt GOOD, I'd forgotten what that was like. It's a welcome change, I tell you what...


TWO
In case you missed it, I'm fundraising for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, in honor of my daughter, Gabby, who is currently nearing the end of her leukemia treatment.

I choose to fundraise for PCRF, because I believe - strongly - in their mission: “To bring hope and lifesaving treatments to children battling cancer.” 

Last night, I attended the Team Captain kick off event, as we head into the fundraising season.
 

The things that PCRF does with the money donated - it makes a difference. It makes a difference in lives of children fighting cancer RIGHT NOW.

One of the statistics shared last night was regarding non-hodkins lymphoma. The treatement protocol for NHL used to be 2 years of rigorous chemo, sometimes radiation, and resulted in a 40% survival rate.

Today, the treatment is 90 days, and a 95% survival rate.

These changes are because of studies that PCRF has funded.

I'm asking for help, in a few ways:
If you're local, and not already committed to OC Marathon, I'd love to have you join Team Gab on May 5th - you can click here to learn more about the Reaching for the Cure events (there's a half, 10k, 5k, and 5k walk). Team Gab is open to anyone.

If you're not local, join the Second Annual Team Gab Virtual Race! In addition to MEDALS this year, there are great prizes donated by Nuun, PRO Compressino, Aspaeris, Team Sparkl, and BIC Bands. Click HERE to register. There is some chatter of an OC fun run/picnic/margarita/beer festivity on March 9th, as well.

If you're not a runner/walker/cyclist/swimmer/hopscotcher - you can still donate! Click HERE to make your tax deductable donation to PCRF.

As always - THANK YOU. It truly, truly makes a difference, not just for this one.

But also for the 28 other kids who will be diagnosed with cancer TODAY (stats here)


FINALLY, on a happier note....
I don't really pay attention to the "stats" for my blog - but I sometimes glance through search terms that lead people here, just out of curiosity.

Some of my favorites over the last month:

does evan dando have kids? - Oh, Evan.....
batgirl las vegas 2010 - wasn't me
funny boob names for races - confused. are you naming your boobs? naming your team after boobs?
how to be really fast runner in 365 days - sorry, my friend. wrong blog.....
why is bridge being a little bitch - haaaa. why, indeed.
zebragiraffe - what?
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - sounds rough....
cim neighbour bilding an ark - an ark? they might have needed it, with the typhoon and all...
forehead wrinkles - are you talking about my TV boyfriend, Agent Michael Vaughn?!
jabberwocky creature - intrigued.
little forehead wrinkles - are you with that guy, up there?
super sexy make out ideas - sorry, friend, I've been married 15 years. I'm all out of ideas (also, I have children who read the internet machine, so I wouldn't share them here if I did have ideas)

And, strangely enough, one of my most frequently viewed posts? The one I did about my grocery shopping for $75 a week. 

Huh. Maybe lifestyle blogging brings in the cashflow more than medicore runner blogging....

Team Gab Second Annual Virtual Race!!

Can you call something "annual" if it's in its second year?



I am SO excited for this year's virtual race, you guys.

I'm doing things a little differently than last year, and I hope the changes are good ones.

If you're new here, Gabby, the cute kidlet in that picture up there, is my 6 year old daughter. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I run for to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, in hopes of a better treatment, better cure for kids in the future.

If you're in SoCal, I'd love to see you on May 4th for the Bike tour, or May 5th at the Reaching for the Cure Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K. I'd really, REALLY love to see you join the VIP training group and be part of the fundraising team - click HERE for info on the VIP program (or email me!).

You can click on the "Team Gab" tab up top to read more about her diagnosis, what her treatment has been like, and where we are now.

Team Gab Virtual Race Details!

DONATION LINK HERE

Registration 
Begins February 1-March 9.

Date
You can run your Virtual Race any time, any where!
However, I will be running my race on March 9th, the date of Gabby's last chemo treatment, and I'd love for you to join me - virtually for my internet friends, and maybe for real, in person if you're local! - on March 9th to celebrate her end of treatment.

CLICK HERE for SoCal "Race" Details!

Events, Donations, and Giveaway Entries
STEP 1 - Click HERE to make your donation to PCRF.

5K = $10 donation = 1 entry
10K = $15 donation = 2 entries
Half Marathon = $25 donation = 5 entries
Marathon = $40 donation = 10 entries

Want to donate more than the above? That's awesome, and you rock. I'll throw in 5 extra entries if you donate beyond the amount of your registration. For example, say you want to run the 5k option, and donate $17 - you'll receive 1 entry for the 5k donation, and another 5 entries for the donation beyond the registration = total of 6 entries. 

After you've made your donation, please comment on this post, and if you'd really like to make things easier, tell me how many entries you qualified for (otherwise I'll have to match up donations to names) (which I will, but it'll be awesome if you just tell me).


Bib, Race Reports, and Pictures
A bib will be posted mid-February, for you to print at home, if you'd like.
Once your race has been run, email me (hmgiraffy @ the gmail) with a link to your race report, and note that I may use your pictures in a report round up :D


What do YOU get?
This year, in addition to warm and fuzzy feelings for donating to an excellent cause, you will also get a hand-drawn medal (designs courtesy of the 6 year old).

You'll also have a chance to win some excellent things from these generous sponsors. I only sought out donations from companies that I personally use and love.

Nuun has donated 2 gift packs (each containing a pint glass, a water bottle, and a 4-pack). Nuun is a lifesaver for me - I'm a salty sweater, and I drink this stuff like mad during marathon training.

A medal display hanger from Allied Medal. I have two of these (you can see one in action here) and they are GREAT. They'll also customize hangers, if you can't find what you need!)

1 pair of Magic Pants from Aspaeris. I wear these for long runs, and recovery, and I swear they are like a hug for you bottom. Magic.

A set of BIC Bands. BIC Bands is an amazing company - $1 from every sale is donated to charity. I love these bands - they tame my hair like no other, and they're the only band that stays put on my weird head.

TWO winners can select a pair of compression socks from PRO Compression. I LOVE PRO Compression - they're my favorite sock, and they have a fabulous selection of colors (I own the neon yellow, orange, baby blue, and black).

Race legs and a sparkle skirt from Team Sparkle. I wear my Team Sparkle gear in almost every race - most recently, you can see my red, black, and turquoise skirts in action during Goofy Challenge and Tink Half the following weekend. That's 52.6 miles of SPARKLE.


How the prize drawings will work:
Instead of the normal, boring weekly drawings, I'm hand picking a couple finalists in some specific categories (including, but not limited to, best dressed {duh}, funniest, most creative use of the word amok, the report Gabby points at, or whatever else I find interesting when I'm putting the reports together). Once the finalists are selected, I'll put their reports up for a vote. Make sure you submit your link to me by March 10th to be considered for the voting!

The remainder of the prizes will be selected via random.org using the number of entries as calculated above. Race closes March 10th, and drawing will be done that week.

I hope that makes sense, if it doesn't, please ask, because honestly, it's been a long day and I may be confused :D.

Bottom line: Some winners selected by vote, some via random, if you're sending a report for voting consideration, do so by March 10th. Every participant will receive a medal designed and colored by Gabby. Please donate, if you can. 


As always, I truly, beyond words, appreciate your support of this cause.