Teenagers Fight Melanoma Too! (Plus... How Many Staples Does It Take to Put Rebecca Back Together Again?)

May - Melanoma Awareness Month

Training Days: 41

Miles Run: 80

Pounds Lost: 0

$$$ Raised: To Be Announced

# of Donors: 214 & Counting

Teenagers Fight Melanoma Too!!!

It has been another incredible 2 weeks. April and I just finished up our 'No One Fights Alone' tee shirt sale at Plainfield East High School on Thursday. Including players' uniforms, we sold an astounding 197 shirts. This is just... INCREDIBLE. We ran our sale for about a week and as each day passed the interest built until finally, on the last day, I received so many orders during each passing period that I couldn't count them all until after school. During this week, I found the time to speak to my classes as well as other small groups about what melanoma is, how it is treated, how to increase your chances of not getting this disease, and how to help those afflicted. Everyone I spoke to was interested in learning and educating others. Many were motivated to make a difference. On that note, I have over 10 students signed-up to fundraise at our game next week. Two will be singing the National Anthem a cappella. Others will be in charge of selling the very few 'No One Fights Alone' tees we have left, 50/50 raffle tickets, lavender silicone awareness bracelets, and freezer pops. Sometimes as a teacher, I find that students are motivated by a carrot such as extra credit or freezer pops. However, most PEHS students are motivated by nothing more than the opportunity to help others. Not only this, but the class most interested in helping our cause was the Chemistry class that I worked the hardest to reach. Well, I finally earned their trust in May, and they came through for me in spades. The lesson is to NEVER give up on teenagers. Some of my students join the Ms. Scott Fan Club in September, and some want to keep me on the hook until May. That's okay. I bet that this Chemistry class, the one that gave me the hardest time, the one that gave me the most support, will be the kids that wave to me in the hall next year, and the ones that sign up to take Environmental Science Senior Year. You Never Know. Never Give Up! No One Fights Alone! Finally, as Katy would say, 'Just Keep Going!'

May is Melanoma Awareness Month - Celebrate by Attending the PEHS Boys Volleyball Match At Home Against Romeoville Thursday, May 10th Starting at 4:30 PM

Training Update

I wear pink tights with short shorts... bc I can.

I ran only 25 miles in the last two weeks, which is much less than I would like. However, I believe this was a much needed break for my body. Every night before I go to be I read 20 to 30 minutes in the magazine 'Runner's World' or in one of my running/training books. My takeaway lesson recently is that I need to slow down a bit to avoid an injury that could take me out of my training program completely for 6 weeks or more. I also purchased a Strassburg Sock to wear at night for what I fear may have been the return of Plantar Faciitis in my right arch. The sock is $40 & available off the shelf at Naperville Running Company. It worked great. Improvement in pain was substantial after just two nights. It is annoying though, so I only wear it every other night and this seems to be enough. I also try to stretch &/or use the PT Roller every night whether I work out or not. Again, due to my dedication to regular stretching, improvement in my knee pain, arch pain, calves, & IT band is remarkable. I graduated from using the ankle brace on my left ankle. This means I am down to wearing just the Patellar Tendon Straps when I run. Lastly, I ice my knees and sometimes my ankles after every run.

I just reread the above paragraph. If all of that does not turn you off of taking up running, I do not know what will. Sorry. I guess that running is one of those things that if you have a passion for it, micromanaging and caring for your aches and pains the way I do is worth it. The run itself, especially a long run, is pure joy and worth every bit of planning, stretching, icing, and ibuprofen. Running is also great for getting back to nature. Last weekend, there were so many caterpillars slowing crawling across my path that I lost tack of how many I squished. I eventually stopped looking down because dodging them just didn't seem worth it. Unfortunately, not looking down resulted in my kicking a fossilized pile of dog poo about 50 yards. (Eat your heart out Robbie Gould. <3) I am not sure why someone would let their dog poo right in the middle of a running path. Wait... yes I do. It is because they are jealous of my pink running tights & short shorts. Yes, that's it.

One Lucky Caterpillar at Springrook Prairie

Going forward, I am on week 4 of the Hal Higdon Novice 2 plan. My modifications are that I run no faster than an 11 minute mile pace. I also skip days if I am too tired after a 12 hour work day. No make-ups. I also plan to run no more than 10 miles at any one time until my marathon training program with Naperville Running Company begins June 14. (Only time will tell if I stick to that one.) This weekend I plan to hike Starved Rock and run 8 to 10 miles for my long run. Coming up I have the Soldier Field 10 mile over Memorial Day Weekend and the Rock and Roll Half in July. I am considering running these at a training pace rather than race pace since my big goal is the Chicago Marathon in October. My training pace of 11 to 12 minute miles will get me to the finish lines well before the maximum times. I have come so far since being slightly overweight last summer that I would be proud to finish middle of the pack and earn my medals.

In Memorium

My son Tommy is blessed to have the kindest, smartest, elementary school teacher I have ever worked with this year for third grade, Mrs. Donna Gudanick. Donna lost her sister Carol to Melanoma last week. Please pray or send positive energy to Carol's family and loved ones. Meanwhile, I and my friends, family, colleagues, students, etc. will continue Carol's fight.

In Case You Missed It...

Last Tuesday leaving my cabinet doors open, a bad habit I ignored since my first apartment in college, finally caught up to me. I open a cabinet to retrieve my coffee mug for work. This particular cabinet opens over the hallway (much past the countertop) where I keep my bookbag. I bend down to grab my bag when... *insert every expletive you can think of*. I am trying for a family-friendly blog so I will not repeat what I said. I put my hand to my head and see blood, but not as much as I would have expected for a major head wound. At the same time, I am not sure, but I THINK I may feel a skin flap. I'm pretty tough, so I decide that the best thing to do is to head to work and let the School Nurse take a look at it since I absolutely can't see the ouchie myself. Next, I am driving to work with one hand on the wheel and one holding a bag of ice to my head. Maybe it's wrong to drive one-handed, but really how is this different than driving one-handed with a stick shift. I drove stick for many years so in my book it's not different. Plus, I drive to work at the crack of dawn, 6:00 AM, and therefore I am practically the only vehicle on the road at that time. However, this does not stop a large man in a pick-up truck from honking and pointing at me. What is his problem??? I decide not to look in his direction, because I am capable of language that I am sure would make him blush. Plus, I do not want to provoke another high speed car chase. (My first high speed car chase is a story for another time.)

By the time I get to school, I am pretty sure I have a blood clot in my hair. Damn. So much for my good hair day. I am expecting to be told to lay down with a bag of ice for an hour. However, long-story-short, the nurse, Mary Beth (an awesome lady) takes a look and says that I need to leave immediately and get stitches. She goes on to say that its possible that medical glue will be good enough. This is where I finally break down and burst into tears, mainly because I am embarrassed that I showed up to work on standardized test day with a head wound serious enough to require stitches.

Fast forward to the Immediate Care Clinic. Due to recent changes in my insurance, I am very concerned that I may be charged for an emergency room visit, which is very expensive on my plan if you do not need to be admitted. Shades of gray, red tape, & a bunch of BS on the phone later, I have even the admittance staff cracking up with my dry sense of humor, or maybe you could call it sarcasm. I don't care at this point. The head wound occurred at about 6:00 AM & it is now 9:30 AM. I am a bit cranky with insurance hang-ups, rightfully so I think.

Finally, the wonderful staff at Naperville Convenient Care are given the green light by BCBS to get to work. The nurse and doctor that worked with me were kind, caring, and I can't thank them enough for their empathy during a time when I was clearly distraught. Dr. Neal took one look at the wound and announced that staples would be the best option. Staples. Wow. I thought I was cool last summer when I allowed my dentist to fill a cavity without using Novocaine, but this is going to take me to the next level in regards to toughness bragging rights. Unfortunately, by the time my wound is prepped the doctor has a hard time getting the edges of my wound to come together due to swelling. I know that if she is not able to close it, I will be stuck with an oozing mess on my scalp for several weeks. I would rather deal with any amount of short-term pain than that. So, I encourage her to put her back into it. She agrees, and for several seconds I am not sure of what is going to happen. This is like being at the top of Giant Drop at Great America. Let the suspense end! Finally, I hear & feel a click, and the doctor says, 'I got it!' She sounds  proud of herself, and so am I. Upon request, she even took a picture of my wound for Facebook, which was my most commented on post/picture of ALL TIME. Here it is in case you missed it:

My Scalp - Tuesday, April 22, 2012

This picture still makes me sick. My staples were removed, without Novocaine, the following Monday. In case anyone is curious how this is done, the doctor basically uses pliers to spread the prongs & pry them out. For those of you that don't know, I am still healing from nerve damage I got from taking the antibiotic CIPRO in February. At this point, I am sure that the nerve damage will PROBABLY be temporary. I hate living my life with maybes in it, but sometimes you do not have a choice. In any case, I decline things like Novocaine and antibiotics whenever possible because I am allergic to practically everything. Quite a bit of blood came out of the staple holes and it was touch and go on the drive home as to whether or not I would throw up from the pain. However, I am happy to report that my ouchie did not get infected, and I can now pretend this never happened... just as soon as I burn that cabinet door in the fireplace.

Thank You to the Following Donors Since My Last Blog Entry:

1) Donna Gudanick - the best Third Grade Teacher in the world

2) Thomas Nitsch - my son & the best Third Grader in the world

3) The Students & Staff of Plainfield East High School - It IS best to be a Bengal. Enough said.

Related Links:

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

2) The Strassburg Sock: http://www.thesock.com/

3) Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Marathon Training Plan: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51138/Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program

4) The American Cancer Society on how to stay safe in the sun this May: http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/BeSafeintheSun/index

5) Giant Drop at Six Flag's Great America: http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/rides/Giant_Drop.aspx
6) Naperville Running Company: http://www.runningcompany.com/ 
7) Naperville Convenient Care: http://www.cdh.org/Visiting-CDH/Locations-Directions/Convenient-Care-Centers/Naperville-CCC.aspx

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

Katy's Iron Man for Melanoma - September 11, 2011

Katy running her first Iron Man triathlon

Katy ran the Ironman Wisconsin on September 11, 2011. She accomplished this with stage IV melanoma and set a personal record of 12:38:22. I did not realize that Katy ran her Ironman for melanoma until after I signed up to run the 2012 Chicago Marathon for charity in her honor. I found her fundraising page a few days ago, but today was the first day that I felt up to reading what Katy wrote about her personal battle with this disease. I was afraid that reading her words might make me feel sad. They did, but I am truly thankful that I read them anyway because they also made me more feel more determined than ever to accomplish my goals. Katy is an incredible person. She writes intelligently, compellingly, & beautifully about what melanoma is & what it is like to begin such a battle at only 26 years old. I think that her words will benefit others in terms of awareness and inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to read this message.

Sincerely, Rebecca Scott

 

The Ironman motto is “Anything is possible.”  I proved as much on August 31, 2008 when I crossed the line of my first Ironman triathlon, covering 140.6 miles in 13 hours.  The date marked seven years and one day after a surgeon removed the last known melanoma cancer cells from my body.  Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer – totally curable when caught early, and impossibly dangerous if not.  I had been diagnosed at stage III, meaning the cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes before it was discovered.  At the age of 26, I was faced with only a 60% chance of seeing 36.  So hearing my name announced as I crossed that finish line at twilight felt like an exclamation point on my victory over the disease.  I was newly married, life looked beautiful, and I thought melanoma was permanently in my rear view mirror.

Not so.  Barely a year later, I sat in another surgeon’s office weeping hysterically when he told me that the “cyst” he had removed from my neck was actually a recurrence of that same melanoma.  Eight years later, it was back, and now it was stage IV – systemic disease with a dismal prognosis.  Even though the cancer had metastasized to the “least bad” of possible locations in my body, appearing as bumps under my skin and in my lymph nodes, the chances of living just one more year were 60%; only one in five survive five years.  To make a long story short, my loved ones mobilized with me and we fought.  For six months, I spent about a week per month in intensive care, receiving an immunotherapy regimen so brutal that it killed 2% of patients in clinical trials – and helped only 16%.  Still, it was the best available therapy.  I was among the lucky ones, and my melanoma responded.  After another surgery, I came out on top again.  No evidence of disease – NED

My reprieve lasted three months.  Last September, melanoma showed up again under my skin, and terrifyingly, in my brain.  Metastases to the brain are the most feared risk of melanoma, because median survival is as short as 4.4 months.  Radiation, a clinical trial, brain surgery, and more surgery followed.  For now, I am winning.  My most recent scans show a few things to watch, but nothing requiring immediate attention.  I shall have another three-month reprieve.  I’m going to spend it doing what I love most:  enjoying my family, living to the fullest, and racing triathlons!

In order to do an Ironman, one must register a full year in advance.  (Indeed, there are enough crazy people in the world that these races sell out within hours!)  The registration window for this year’s Wisconsin race opened up just after I’d learned of the most recent recurrence.  My husband encouraged me to register, risking the $600 entry fee, because in his words, he wanted me to have a chance.  He wanted me to have a chance to cross that line again, to live my dream, to prove that anything IS possible.

- Katy Sirovatka, June 2011

Related Links:

1) Rebecca's fundraising page for Melanoma: http://www.active.com/donate/12JTCHI/rebecca23

2) Katy's fundraising page for Melanoma:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/katysirovatka/imwi

3) Official 2011 Iron Man Wisconsin Race Results: http://ironman.com/assets/files/results/wisconsin/2011.txt

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.