Plainfield East High School Boy's Volleyball to Support Rebecca Scott in her Marathon for Melanoma

PEHS Boys Volleyball Shirt - Final Design Pending

Training Days: 26

Miles Run: 54.5

Pounds Lost: 1 (Seriously... WTH)

Death Threats During Training: 1

Best GU: Clif 'Mocha'

Best Gatorade: Lemon-Lime

$$$ Raised: $625

# Donors: 15

Plainfield East High School Boy's Volleyball to support both Marathon for Melanoma & Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

I am incredibly excited to announce that the boy's volleyball team at Plainfield East High School will be supporting my cancer fundraiser. They will host a cancer awareness night at their home game versus Romeoville on Thursday, May 10th 2012. I will be working hand-in-hand with my friend April Marlatt, who is raising money for the Avon Foundation for Women. 100% of proceeds will be split between our two charities. The sophomore game starts at 5:30 PM with varsity to follow. The boys will wear a uniform tee shirt we design. We will take pre-orders from anyone & everyone else as soon as our design is finalized. Tee shirts sold to the public will NOT include uniform numbers as shown. A limited number of tee shirts will also be available at the game itself. We hope to keep the cost to $10 per shirt. Feel free to contact me directly about ordering this unique breast cancer/melanoma awareness tee: rebecca.a.scott23@gmail.com

More about our tee shirt: black is the color for melanoma awareness, and pink represents breast cancer awareness. This is why we designed our shirts to be hot pink on black with both pink & black awareness ribbons. Additions to the design will likely include the mascots for both PEHS & RHS. Other fun activities at the game include a 50/50 raffle, freezer pop sale, lavender cancer awareness silicone bracelet sale, & a donation jar. I will announce the game & including facts about both breast cancer and melanoma. There will be something for everyone! Of course, it is always fun to support our teams as well as see the student body get excited about participating in charity work.

Training Update

Rebecca & Tommy @ Covered Bridge on Trail 4 at Turkey Run State Park

Well, well, well, it's been a great 2 weeks. I have been running, reading, & trying to figure out the source of all my aches & pains. I know I'm 38 but then again I have NEVER been so sore after working out. NEVER!!! The first time I noticed what I thought might be a real problem was over Easter Weekend when I went hiking at Turkey Run State Park with my dear son, Tommy. WOW! We had a blast & I can honestly say that this is the best hiking experience I've had in this area. We literally got to a point on our trail where we had to crawl up a field of boulders. Rugged! However, my knees hurt quite a bit all day & again, though it probably does not seem surprising to you, it was to me. I have been a runner forever, (see picture on 'So You Want to...' from 1988) so I was a bit concerned. After doing some research & speaking with my friend April Marlatt (who happens to be a certified Athletic Trainer & my fundraising partner) I probably have 'Runner's Knee'. I followed the suggestion of running with patellar tendon straps. These did the trick, but shortly after that I developed the beginnings of what I believe could be shin splints. I added OTC orthotics, & this helped as well. Still I was puzzled at all these issues because as I am completing my runs I feel great. My longest so far was 9 miles, & I honestly could have kept going. I did some more research & found a book that recommended running at a very slow pace, even at longer distances for the first few months of training. Also, apparently, I will lose more fat this way. Bingo!!! I found my solution. I do not want to give up the long runs, but I have no problem purposely slowing down my pace, especially if I am going to be burning fat in the meantime. Done! So the picture below shows my hot patellar straps & hopefully proof that I really do believe in running in short shorts. However, I'm not sure that men should be running in short shorts. I've already seen this fashion choice a few times & frankly it scares me. I have a feeling I need to get used to it because I guess this is the uniform for serious runners??? Even men???

Other fun notes: I tried to run with the Naperville Running Club. Um no... they were very very very nice people, but left me in the dust after about a mile. I believe I heard some talk of running 50Ks & several ultramarathons. I was in over my head that night. I am still planning to join them for the Chicago Marathon training program starting in June. & the gang there reassured me that there will be others joining the program at that time that will be at my level. Meanwhile, I am going to try a group (recommended by Lisa Simon) called Luna Chix. They also meet at Naperville Running Company, but on Monday's at 6:30 PM. Lisa reassured me that this group will NOT leave me in the dust.

On to the death threat: It occurred last Saturday as I was finishing up my 9 mile run at Springbrook Prairie. I was crossing Book Road at the 83rd Street light. Two cars of teenagers were on either side of the street. One car flashed their brights on me. The other heckled me with, 'Run Forest Run!' Wow. Creative. I said, 'What does it look like I'm doing?' Just to play with them a bit. The response was, 'Man, I really wanted to run her over!' What? That is not normal. Wow. Just because I am the same age as your mom but look better than you in short shorts... So, I guess I'll keep a tally of how many times people pretend or threaten to run over me. My friend Kathy Naslund said that it has happened to her once as well. The kids actually swerved to pretend to hit her. What is going on???

Going forward I will complete more of the same type of training runs over the next few weeks. I am hoping for better weather because I have two more pairs of short shorts to break in. Tonight I will cross train. Sunday I will complete a 10 mile run at SBP.

 

Fundraising Update 

2011 Jack's Team racing singlet

Quite a lot has been going in since my last post in regards to fundraising. I set up a table at the Millington United Methodist Church last Saturday & was able to earn $50 for Jack's Team in a few short hours. Thank you to my father, Kirk Scott, who is the pastor at this church & allowed me to jump in on their event at the last second. It was a touching & humbling experience for me to speak with church members about how cancer touched their lives.

Thank you to Teresa O'Brien at Jack's Team. The 2012 racing singlets have not been ordered yet, and so I asked her to send me one from last year. I thought it would help with my fundraising efforts and so far wearing it has been a great conversation starter.

Thank you to the following donors since my last blog entry:

Beth Bridwell - a great friend of my family since my days growing up in Texas

Peggy Beckman - Iota Sorority Sister (Delta Gamma forever - ITB)

Cathy Hirschauer - colleague at PEHS & always a wonderful source of moral support

Lisa Simon - colleague & accomplished Ironman & marathon runner

Brittney Smith - colleague & partner at the upcoming Chicago Rock and Roll Half

Jim & Marilyn Sirovatka - Katy's parents; two of the most fun, kindest, smartest people ever

John Zigmond - Mentor from Benedictine University's Alternate Teacher Certification Pgm
Anonymous - A dear friend that read my blog & said it inspired her; what a compliment!!!

Cancer Sucks!

Related Links

1) Rebecca's Fundraising Page: http://www.active.com/donate/12JTCHI/rebecca23

2) Millington United Methodist Church: http://www.millingtonumconthefox.org/

3) Plainfield East High School Boy's Volleyball: http://www.athletics2000.com/PlainfieldEast/Sport.aspx?nav=s

4) Turkey Run State Park: http://www.turkeyrunstatepark.com/ 

5) Springbrook Prairie: http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/ForestPreserves/Springbrook_Prairie.html

2 Days, 11 Miles, 1 Blister, & A Mini-Cooler of Gatorade

Marathon Training Day 7 - 7 Mile Run
Today, as you can see, I successfully completed my first long-distance run, 7 miles. For now I am using the marathon training program suggested by Dawn Dais in her book. In June I will join the Chicago Marathon training group at Naperville Running Company, at which time I will switch to the Nike Intermediate Program. On July 22nd, I will run the Chicago Rock n Roll Half.

I was thrilled to actually need some of my new gear including the infamous Fuel Belt & the 'Mountain Rush' e.Gel. For those that don't know e.Gel or GU is 'nutrition' for long distance runs. It is typically recommended that runners 'eat' the GU after about 45 minutes to an hour & at similar intervals until the end of their run. The purpose is to avoid burning out or even crashing. Before this week, I had no idea that marathon runners 'ate' during their race, but more on GU later. The Fuel Belt is a glorified fanny pack. I remember when I saw Katy put on her Fuel Belt the first time. I imagine that she was training for a race, maybe even the Iron Man, at that time when she was visiting my sister Karen. Frankly I was shocked when I saw it. Later that week I privately asked Karen, 'Does Katy know that people can see that she is wearing a FANNY PACK!!!' What does it do for her? What does she put in those six little bottles? Why is it necessary? & why in the world would one run so far as to require a belt completely surrounded by water bottles? WHY??? Gosh I was ignorant. But Katy, as usual, was a positive influence on me by her example. Now, here I am, strapping on my own fanny pack. My Fuel Belt even includes a cute little insulated zippered pouch with a reflective branded patch. The pouch is for GU, jelly beans, or other nutrition. I would have posted pictures of myself wearing the fanny pack, but unfortunately, no one was around to take one. Yes I am certain, no one was available. *wink* Next, I strap on my GPS, shoes, blister-free socks, & I'm off.

I decide that instead of taking 6-ish loops around Wetlands Park that I will instead take Waubonsie Creek Trail for 3.5 miles in one direction & then turn around. I head south & eventually this trails leads to an area that I know well from my  'Skill and Body' days at Waubonsie Valley High School. Are you with me Kristin Morris?!? Lisa Brown?!? Sully Dirilten?!? I loved Fridays when our physical education assignment was to run around the pond behind the high school. Wow... & here I am doing it again 10 years later. ;) At about mile 4 I think that I am never going to make it without a bathroom break, & I start looking forward to taking this break at the park facilities just over the dam.

Unfortunately,  I discover that these restroom facilities are locked & the water fountains are not turned on. Okay. Desperately needing to use the facilities while being desperately thirsty... it's an odd experience. Since I'm stopped anyway, I decide that now is the time to try my e.Gel. I am listening to my ipod & therefore can't hear anything except Debbie Gibson singing 'Only in My Dreams'. However, I am pretty sure I made some sort of choking noise to indicate my shock because an entire family turned around & stared at me. Oops. Once I get over the fact that something that looks like Herbal Essences tastes like concentrated Mountain Dew... I like it... a lot. 'Mountain Rush' e.Gel could be MY flavor, but I would like to try 'Tropical Blast' before I commit.

At about mile 5, my small intestines start to burn. Lesson-learned: Do NOT ever again put Tapitio hot sauce on scrambled eggs the morning before a long run.

At about mile 5.5, I start to consider what it might be like to wet my pants in public. Would people notice? Would they laugh? Or, would they politely look the other way? I suddenly become grateful that I was wearing running shorts OVER my sweat pants... just in case.

At about mile 6, I decide, that there is NO WAY that I am going to pee my pants in front of my neighbors & everyone else at Wetland Park. However, this is going to require that I head home in a straight line at a dead sprint. Can I sprint a mile after running 6? Yes I can!

Marathon Training Day 8 - 4 Mile Run
Today, before my run, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some bulk Gatorade powder for my Fuel Belt. They have Fruit Punch flavor, Glacier something-or-other (It's blue?), and Orange. Ew. What do you know; they are out of Lemon-Lime. Okay, that's cool. I will go to the fancy-ish neighborhood grocery store, Jewel, instead. (Come on... you know there is NO WAY that Whole Foods is going to have bulk Gatorade powder.) I get to the drink mix aisle, and yes, they do have Gatorade powder in Lemon-Lime, but the negative is that it is in a teeny tiny container. The positive is that this container is shaped like a mini-cooler. This thick plastic container is as environmentally unfriendly as possible. I don't care, because it is sooooo cute. Next, I think, 'What the heck, maybe I can pick up some extra 'Mountain Rush' packets.' I go to the health food aisle where Jewel has stocked, & I am not kidding, 50 types of protein shakes & mixes & 3000 types of protein bars. Therefore, I didn't think it was that ridiculous to think that they might have GU. The Sales Lady did though. When I explained to her that GU is nutrition for long-distance runs such as marathons, she looked at me like I had just asked for de-lousing shampoo or jock itch cream. Nevermind. I'll just purchase this cute little pretend cooler of Gatorade... BYE!

I gear up again, but this time, since it is sunny & in the 60's I wear my short shorts. It feels so liberating, like that first day in February when me & the other formerly southern girls break out our flip flops. Wishful thinking I know, but it works out. I decide to start in the opposite direction on Waubonsie Creek Trail in hopes that maybe I will find working restroom facilities. At about mile 2, it's time. I try the door to the facilities, & it comes as no surprise to me that the door is locked and the water fountains are not turned on. Thankfully, Aurora Firehouse #8 is in sight. I would like to give them a shout out for allowing me to use their restrooms. Holler! From here, the remainder of my run goes smoothly. After a second day of running with a bunch of gear on, I decide that I like the street cred I get when running wearing a technical shirt, GPS, & Fuel Belt. It's the same kind of respect I get from other runners when we happen upon each other on a trail at 4:30 in the morning. At that time of day, you know I mean business, & I know the same about you. It's a strange camaraderie, & I like it.

Epilogue Notes
1) I should probably also scratch 'Giant Bowl of Oatmeal' off my list of potential breakfasts before a long run.
2) I thought that breaking the Brooks in slowly would be a good idea, so I wore my old Asics today. I now have a blister on the second toe of my right foot. Asics... you are dead to me. I guess blister-free socks can only do so much.

Special Thanks
I would to thank the people that supported me with a donation to my fundraiser for Jack's Team in Honor of Katy Sirovatka since my last post. I will thank you personally. However, for now, know that your kindness, thoughtfulness, & support are greatly appreciated.

1) April Marlatt - my partner in teaching seventh hour Environmental Science
2) Liz Mays - my colleague & one of my unofficial mentors my first year teaching
3) Jennifer (Golk) Guyton - mine & Katy's classmate at WVHS  :)
4) Kim MacArthur-Self - my favorite Genetic Engineer
5) Patty Page - we went to graduate school together at Benedictine University  :)
6) Sue Zarbok - aka 'The Zarbokinator' - my partner in teaching fifth hour Environmental Science
7) Mike Dwyer - Mr. D was my AP English teacher. You deserve some credit for teaching me how to write & showing me how to teach (by doing) my own AP class (AP Environmental Science).

I love all of you!

Related Links:

1) My Chicago Marathon Charity Fundraising page for Katy: http://www.active.com/donate/12JTCHI/rebecca23

2) Naperville Running Company: http://www.runningcompany.com/Calendar/Events/Event-58/

3) Chiacgo Marathon Run for Charity Program: http://www.chicagomarathon.com/CMS400Min/Chicago_Marathon/giving_back/index.aspx?id=5041

4) Chicago Rock n Roll Half Marathon: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/chicago

5) Aurora Fire Station #8: http://www.aurora-il.org/firedepartment/stations/station08.php

Gearing Up... The Marathon Shopping Experience

What does one need to run a marathon? Apparently, a lot. However, I am thinking of tonight's purchase as equivalent to a one (make that two) month's gym membership. Except my gym is the entire world, & that is a great deal, right? I have been reading a book called The NonRunner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais. It is about a woman just a couple years older than me that decided to run a marathon for the same reason I did, to honor a lost loved one by raising money for charity. Thank you Dawn for your many suggestions... like the Bikini Car Wash fundraiser, which will be AWESOME, this blog, & several others. She also included a list of what a beginner should buy so that they don't end up permanently disabled. Accordingly, & with mental list in hand, I arrived at Naperville Running Company prepared to spend some serious $$$. Frankly, I like wearing flip flops in summer, & I hear that buying cheap running socks & shoes may result in the loss of your big toenails. Yuck.

I also walked in knowing that I would be spending an hour or more with a complete stranger. There are two sales people available at this time. A guy that immediately makes my spidey sense-tingle & a friendly looking woman. I browse the accessories & avoid eye contact with the man until the lady introduces herself. PHEW! NRC has an in-store test track, & later during my visit, I had to literally step over this guy six times as I tested a variety of shoes. This was because he was demonstrating hurdle stretches & drills in the middle of the track. There was nowhere else to go but over him, & it was... awkward, at least for me. :) My saleperson was super nice though, & I was very happy when she mentioned that I should go up a half-size & buy specials socks to avoid losing my toenails. These special socks range from $11 to $14 a pair. A bargain in comparison to disfigurement. I bought 4 pair, just to get started.

Here is my shopping list of absolutely necessary items needed to avoid injury when beginning a marathon training program:

1) Brooks Adrenaline GTS running shoes
2) A Fuel Belt (This, my friends, is a glorified fanny pack.)
3) 4 pairs of running socks
4) 6 packs of Energy Gel (I'm a little scared of the flavor called 'Mountain Rush. Is this like hillbilly p1sswater? aka Mountain Dew?)
5) A 26.2 bumper sticker (Bragging is absolutely necessary.)
6) A stainless steel runners pendant made from recycled materials (If you don't look good, you don't run good.)
7) Nike short shorts with hot pink trim (Guess what, I found out that runners do NOT wear underwear because they are built into the shorts.)

Speaking of short shorts, one of my fundraisers is going to be that the person, group, or business with the highest donation will be able to advertise on my short shorts. My sister Karen's verbal commitment puts her in the lead at this point, & she has already submitted her idea. They would say... 'Please Don't Lose That Butt' care of Sir Mix-A-Lot. Nice. I am not sure if any other slogan could be more perfect for me.






If you would like to be THE FIRST to officially donate to the Melanoma Research Fund in honor of Katy... here is the link.  ;)

http://www.active.com/donate/12JTCHI/rebecca23

& of course your support, encouragement, & the fact that you read my blog long enough to get to this sentence are always appreciated. With Spring Break finally here, I am sure I will have more misadventures to share with you soon. In the meantime, any and all fundraising ideas are appreciated & welcome.

xoxoxoxoxoxo,
Rebecca

So You Want to Run The Chicago Marathon... & So It Begins

Rebecca running X-Country - 1988

I like short shorts. I always have, & I always will. This picture is from 1988 when I joined the Cross Country team as a Freshman in high school at Waubonsie Valley. My neighbor Beth invited me to run with Coach Clendening & the rest of the girls the summer before, & a love affair with running sort of began; not quite yet. I never again ran Cross Country competitively in High School after Freshman year. Fast forward to 12 years ago when the little brother (Matt) of a classmate of mine, Katy Sirovatka, married my little sister (Karen). My sister kept me up-to-date on what Katy was up to, but since she lived in Wisconsin, we didn't hang out often. Although, there was that evening at Medieval Times... but that is a story for another day. Fast forward again to a little over a year ago. Katy heard through my sister that I was planning a road trip to Yellowstone & other National Parks out west & graciously offered to help me plan since she had just visited there a couple years prior. Katy & I got to talking & realized that we had much in common including our love of the outdoors, an interest in fitness, & apparently a not-so-secret love of the musical RENT. During this time Katy & her husband Jon talked with me about their passion for running in triathlons & particularly the Ironman. Apparently an Iron Man involves swimming 2.4 miles in a body of water followed by a 112 mile bike ride. When you are through with all of that, you run a marathon... without taking a break to nap. CRAZY COOL. Wow. So, again, a seed was planted, & I had in my mind that I too would like to try to push myself physically, if I could only find the time.

The much appreciated page in the IRON MAN scrapbook.

Fast forward to this past Thanksgiving. I had been running during every spare second since Mid-October by that time & I thought that maybe I was ready to run in public... in a race. Katy & Jon were planning to be in town to spend Thanksgiving my my sister & her brother. Aha!!! A plan was hatched to invite Katy & Jon to run with me in my first competitive run since before Tommy was born. It was great. Jon wore stocking cap covered with working Xmas lights while Katy wore some of her professional gear including her Iron Man cap. I encouraged them to do their best & not worry about me. Believe it or not, I set a personal record that day pushing past the urge to dry heave on the home stretch. (So did Katy, set a PR that is.) As I ran toward the finish line, I heard Jon say 'Hey Rebecca!!!' I turned & both Katy and Jon were smiling & waving at me as I passed. That meant the world to me. It was great to see my new friend and an old friend, both accomplished athletes, waiting for me to finish. I finished several minutes before I told them to expect me, & yet they were there. Later, on Facebook, Katy confirmed that my wildest dream had come true. She had included me in a page about the Naperville Noon Lion's 2011 Turkey Trot... in her Ironman Scrapbook. Whoa.

Fast forward to now. During this time, Katy was fighting a private battle with cancer. Melanoma. Katy lost her battle with cancer on March 16, 2012. I have no words to describe the loss I feel. The only thing I can think to do is to continue on the path her example set me on, & to nurture the seed that was planted. Therefore, I will be running the 2012 Chicago Marathon in her honor. Every bit of fundraising I do... every step of training along the way... every mile of the race, will be in her honor. I hope that you will join me on my journey whether it is by reading my blog, encouraging me, or by making a donation to the charity I am supporting through the Chicago Marathon, The Jack H Marston II Melanoma Fund. (See link below.)

http://www.active.com/donate/12JTCHI/rebecca23 

I hope that you find the things I have to say entertaining. Katy & Jon know me well enough to know that my humor is silly, sarcastic, & self-deprecating. I think that she would have laughed that I posted an ancient picture of myself wearing short shorts in the hopes that I may again be able to see every muscle in my legs as I wear... you guessed it... short shorts. More on that later. For now... think about this, '525600 minutes, how do you measure, a year in the life?'

Katy, John, & Rebecca (left to right) just before running the 2011 Naperville Turkey Trot.