Online Diary: Darci
Entry: October 9
Entry: October 6
Entry: October 5
Entry: October 2
Entry: September 30
Entries 11-20
Entries 1-10
Entry: October 9
“The Things I Look Forward To”
After training many weeks and months, wearing out shoes, nursing blisters and overcoming the mental games, there are several things that I look forward to on race weekend.
The Expo... There is an unparalleled excitement at the Expo. Yes, there is a excitement at the start line and throughout the race, but the expo thrives off pure excitement. People pick up the runner’s bib and chip and admire their number proudly. They “ooh and ahh” over all the gadgets, gizmos and clothing that one could purchase. They treat themselves to something special. They are looking forward to race day with great anticipation of everything that is in store for them along the 26.2 mile route. The expo may be chaotic at times, but it is exciting.
Waking up on race day... It is the one day that when the alarm goes off, I have no problem getting out of bed. It reminds me of the movie Jerry Maguire and his mentor, Dicky Fox, as he says, “I love getting up in the morning. I clap my hands and say, ‘This is gonna be a great day!’” Indeed, it will be a great day, especially when the finish line comes into view! I like to get up early. Last year, I awoke suddenly, two minutes before the alarm was scheduled to go off, because I had a dream (nightmare) that I missed the start of the race. Nothing like getting the heart rate going early in the morning. I do like to be at the start line early, too. I think that I was literally skipping to the start line last year.
The CROWD... Chicago’s fans really are the best. It truly is deafening especially in the first few miles, as the noise bounces off the high rise buildings. In one part of the course last year, I was running and waving to people on both sides of the street because I could hear them calling my name. It was so much fun; I felt like a celebrity! I made eye contact with those random people who cheered for me and didn't stop until they couldn't see me anymore, who believed in me and who made me realize that I could do it. It is hard to understand how a complete stranger can boost your confidence that much and have such a profound impact on you. Those are the moments of the race and the images that I never forget.
At the top of my “looking forward to” list would be the shirts... I love reading people’s shirts - the slogans, quotes, tributes, memorials are always a great pick me up. You realize that there really are “45,000 stories being told” as we run. Of course there are shirts that bring tears to my eyes, even as I write this and think about ones that I have seen in past races. Those are the shirts that remind you, especially in the last 8 miles that there are worse things than getting a leg cramp or having tired legs. There are people who put something motivational on their shirt. Something that is so engrained in their mind, they don’t need to see, but want to encourage others with it. Last year on my shirt, I wrote “one more mile... one step closer”. As people passed me last year, they thanked me for the encouraging words and I fought back tears each and every time. To them, it was a push to keep going, for me I was racing toward a finish line that was still three months away. My all-time favorite shirt though was in my first race, at the Marine Corp marathon in 2006. Nothing that I have seen since, in any race, has come close to this. It said, “For all the girls who were picked last in gym class, these 26.2 miles are for you!” WOW! Regardless of athletic ability, or more so, popularity, anyone can run a marathon.
Safe travels to the start line and here’s to celebrating at the finish!!
ForgetWaterGiveMeWine@hotmail.com
Entry: October 6
“When the going gets tough… think pink!”
October is a special month for my family. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month and the “silent kick-off” to celebrating my Mom’s title as a breast cancer survivor. This year marks her 12th year as a survivor! On Sunday, I did a little “workout replacement” and participated in the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Binghamton, NY. My Mom happened to be at the right place, at the right time and was asked to be part of the survivor’s ribbon cutting to kick-off the walk (she is holding the scissors on the left hand side of the picture).
Here’s to all breast cancer survivors out there. Cheer loud for them and for those who have sadly lost their battle at mile 23, the Bank of America Pink Ribbon Tribute, on Sunday! For those of us running, it will be a reminder that there are worse things than hitting the wall or struggling through the final few miles.
ForgetWaterGiveMeWine@hotmail.com
Entry: October 5
BAM!
What was once “___ months until the marathon” became “___ weeks until the marathon”. Now, we can say it is “___ days until the marathon”. However, at this point, I skip counting the days; I count the hours. With each tick of the clock, we move another second closer to the grand event on Sunday. Yesterday (Sunday), at about 7:43 a.m., I decided I was officially 168 hours from crossing the start line. (I am known for my 100 hour countdown until Commencement is over!) It’s amazing how quickly the hours will fly by. Before we know it, we’ll be on our way to Chicago in planes, trains or automobiles. Shortly after that, we’ll be feeding our “runner junky mindset” at the Expo, picking up the “must haves” for race day or treating ourselves for the hard work and pain we endured for months. (Personally, I can’t wait for the expo! I love it!) And then, BAM! – we’ll be at the start line!
BAM! Excitement has set in. I am excited; my family and friends are excited; my co-workers are excited. For me, the excitement is partially due to the fact that the weather forecast is a 40 degree swing from last year. Can I get a WOOHOO?! Beginning last Friday, I started checking the weather once a day. Last year, this experience was completely different. If I remember correctly, ten days out the weather forecast called for mid-high 60s. Boy, did that change over the 10 days! It was 91 degrees at mile 23. A cool, comfortable (for me) 51 degrees is what I saw this morning. One of my co-workers said, “Oh you will do so much better.” I responded with, “I’ll be more comfortable, but I don’t know about better!”
I am more thrilled with the fact that I had a great selection of clothing ready for this event. No running out to get a special shirt to keep me warm. A few weeks ago, I found a great reversible shirt at our local sports store. One side is designed to keep you cool and the other warm. I wore it on my last 20 mile and it was super comfortable. It was 35 degrees when I started that run, and keeping me warm, it did! Even at 60 degrees when I finished, I was still comfortable. There is no second guessing, at least at this point in the weather forecast, as to what I should wear on Sunday.
The next few days will involve picking up travel size containers, so that we can carry on our luggage; creating a list of restaurants near our hotel for Saturday’s feast and Sunday’s celebration; packing and re-packing; arranging for the shuttle to/from the hotel; sending out e-mails to friends and family who want to track me; maintaining focus at work and squeezing in a couple of short (5 miles, 3 miles) runs. A busy week, but so exciting at the same time!
My sister-in-law, Jennifer, and her boyfriend, Jim, will be joining me in Chicago for the marathon. Josh, as you know, will be our cheer person. He is actually very excited for this opportunity, as he has never experienced the sidelines. He is taking his job very seriously. We can’t wait! Chicago -- here we come!
ForgetWaterGiveMeWine@hotmail.com
Entry: October 2
I had the honor of meeting one of the most amazing and humble individuals on Wednesday - Lopez Lomong. Hopefully, you recognize him from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, not only as an athlete in the 800m and 1500m events, but as the individual who captured the Nation's attention with his triumphant story as one of the "The Lost Boys of Sudan" and the flag bearer for the United States Olympic team in Beijing.
His American story began in Tully, NY, about 20 minutes north of Cortland. Our Sport Management program was fortunate enough to have Lopez on campus to speak and visit with our students while he was in the area visiting his family. Lopez shared many stories from his running career – anything from his first cross country race in high school to declaring to a friend on the “mountains of Tully” that one day he would be in the Olympics to meeting Michael Johnson to carrying the flag representing the United States to his friendship with Bernard Lagat. Running times on the track that most of us couldn’t comprehend, which he considers to be fun, his goal is to run a 5k in 13:10, or to even break the 13 minute barrier. (Remember, it’s a 5k! I am lucky if I am a mile and a half into a run at that time; Lopez plans to maintain a pace of 4:10 per mile in order to break 13:00!)
His visit to SUNY Cortland could not have come at a more ideal time for me. I was in the midst of writing Wednesday’s entry when I heard him speak. For those of you who have been following my diary, you know that my emotions, thoughts and feelings about the marathon have been all over the place. It’s hard to capture in words how powerful Lopez Lomong’s visit was for me. Simply put, I am thankful I had the opportunity to hear him and I thank him for the “pep talk.”
* This entry and picture were posted with Lopez Lomong's permission.
ForgetWaterGiveMeWine@hotmail.com
Entry: September 30
“Mixed Emotions”
In some way, each of us, regardless of talent, expertise or knowledge, is experiencing a mixed bag of emotions these days. With each tick on the countdown clock, a new emotion surfaces, just as one fades or grows more intense.
Perhaps, you are excited for the big day, and at the same time, scared - wondering if you trained properly or did enough long runs to get you through on October 11. Some are elated that it will soon be over and life will resume as you return to a “normal schedule,” yet nervously wondering what you will do with all of the extra time. Others may be thrilled at the thought of sleeping in on Saturday or Sunday mornings, yet sad to see the journey end. Hopefully, regardless of what emotion comes on the other side of the “and” or the “yet,” everyone is enthusiastic about our shuffle in the streets.
For me, all of the above apply. I am excited, scared, elated, nervous, thrilled, sad and more.
For example, August’s Question of the Month: “Of the many sacrifices you’ve had to make to train for the marathon, which one hurts the most or is most difficult?” Without delving too deep into thought, my initial response was MY TOENAILS! Gross? Yes, but so very true. I miss my toenails, no matter how small they are on a good day. I just want them back. I am eager for the day to arrive when I splurge and get a pedicure. Yet, I will miss the routine, regardless of how irregular my training may have been at times this year. I will miss the push to get out the door and run. I will miss the thrill of recording the distance of the run.
Of the three experiences I have had, I can honestly say I am most nervous about this one. I have been longing to find the answer as to why, but haven’t quite discovered it. Will my second trip through the Windy City be as exciting as the first? I am afraid that of all the things I looked at along the course last year, the buildings, markers, people will not appear as quickly as they did last year. There is something about running a route once; it’s always fresh and new. To help with this, I ran my two 20 mile distances on old routes that I either already took this year, or on routes that I did in the past. Even Monday night, I ran 12 miles in my neighborhood or a 1.33 mile loop NINE times. I am hopeful that this will ease any worries I have now and that the thrill will still be there as I run up Columbus Drive or through Lincoln Park or down Wells and out to Little Italy and Chinatown and back around to Michigan Ave.
I can again say I AM running a marathon. It’s hard to convince yourself that it is actually happening when the training is going less than desired - so sporadic that it is happening at random points in the day or not at all throughout the week. If all goes as planned, in 11 days, I will say I finished my third marathon! Third! Granted, it is not as exciting as the first-timer, as inspiring as completing it in a wheelchair or blind, as incredible as crossing the line first, or as disciplined as the person who is completing their 70th (plus!) marathon, but for me, it is my third and one more day to be extremely proud of in my lifetime.
ForgetWaterGiveMeWine@hotmail.com