Race for Something

I walked my first marathon in 2001. It was a bit of a fluke. I received a postcard to join Train to End Stroke, a charity marathon program for the American Heart Association. I was 27 and in my first corporate job. I was high stress and had gained 30-40 pounds since college. In fact, because of my family history of heart disease, my doctor recommended I loose weight and adopt a healthy life style before having to be placed on medication that I may have to take for the rest of my life. I saw my parents take handful of pills, and I knew that I did not want that to be my future.

When I joined Train to End Stroke, I actually did not understand the concept of a marathon. I had never heard that anyone had the desire to run 26.2 miles. In fact, I knew I could walk the distance, I just didn't know I was subject to a time limit to finish. During the orientation, I was asked how long would it take me to walk a marathon. I thought, well if I can work for 8 hours, I expect that I can also walk for 8 hours, but if I built in some breaks, perhaps it would take me 10 hours. I was dead serious, however, our coaches thought I was being facetious. My childhood experience in Volksmarches were that walking was casual, for enjoyment, and a family affair. I remember carrying my baby sister in one of those baby backpacks. At the check-points (similar to an aid station during a marathon) we would stamp our book, to verify that we were following the path and have a bratwurst, adults could partake in beer, I would have an orange fanta. There was usually music and other festivities. There was no training for Volksmarches. We just went out for the weekend to nearby towns and joined in on the fun.

Medals from childhood in Germany, as a family, we did Volksmarches,
10k and 20k family friendly hikes. Thus starts my love for medals.

Fast forward 15 years and for my first marathon, I started a 30 week training program starting with a one mile walk and completing with the Kona Marathon. We had participants from all over the country on the Train to End Stroke team. We trained along side stroke survivors, some told that they would never walk again. It was quite inspirational, I told myself that I was young and healthy, and there should be no reason for me not to be able to complete the marathon. I finished my first marathon in under 6 hours. Then I decided to train for a second marathon and run the whole thing, and finished in 4:27. I was hooked on races, but not quite marathons. After the second marathon, my body had a difficult time recovering. Actually, I didn't have a recovery plan. I then signed up for half-marathons, 5Ks, and bike tours. I joined the MS 150 Bike Tour, where one rides their bike over 2 days 100 or 150 miles. In my first year, because I am competitive, I rode 150 miles. I have always enjoyed the energy of a race, but there is nothing to scare me into a 6 month training program quite like a marathon.

When I decided to join Race 4 Veronika's Place, ASICS LA Marathon, I knew I needed a training program. I joined the LA RoadRunners. What a great group.They all have great energy, they're positive, and they are encouraging, especially to first timers. They start out at 3.5 miles and go to 20 miles and have just about every pace group you could ever need. There are 10 running groups, 6 run/walk groups, and 4 walking groups. To find a pace, typically look for a pace that is about a minute slower, because you will be putting on the miles. There are other local training groups, the LA Leggers meet in Santa Monica and typically run south, whereas the RoadRunners run north from Venice. We pass each other on the beach path and you'll hear, morning Leggers, morning RoadRunners.

Please consider joining me with Race 4 Veronika's Place, there are 3 race options. Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k, we also have several fundraising options from $250 to $2,500. Whatever you can raise for Veronika's Place will bless the people of Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya. In my next blog post I will talk more about Veronika's Place and why I chose to Race 4 Veronika's Place.

Medals from races completed in US.