Preparing for my last training run...

Tomorrow morning will be my last training run of the season...8 miles...before the St. Jude Half. A week from now I'll be so wound up...anxious & nervous that I probably won't be able to sleep! This will be my 1st race since my injury back in the Spring. Tomorrow I will also be visiting my chiropractor for my last Active Release Therapy (ART) session before the race.

I must say that I am very grateful my chiropractor introduced me to Rock Tape! It has worked WONDERS on my knee during my long runs! If you haven't noticed...I like funky & different. I also have a roll of Tribal Tattoo tape (not pictured).

 

A week from tomorrow I will be running the St. Jude Half-Marathon as a St. Jude Hero. I raised a little over $500 for the children of St. Jude, so I will be proudly donning my Hero singlet.

 

Front view...a wee bit big, but proud to be a HERO nonetheless!

 

Back view

 



Not only will I be running for the kids of St. Jude, but I now have another reason to run. Two weeks ago I was matched with my "running buddy" from IRun4. I am running for a nine year old little girl named Bella that is struggling with seizures among a few other issues. I hope that by running for her & posting pictures to the IRun4 Facebook page, I can bring a smile to her face & give her a little something to look forward to...even if it is just a tiny bright spot in her life.

 



This says it all...

 

IRun4 Bella shoe bling...whenever I want to quit I look down at these.



If you're interested in donating to St. Jude, you can donate to my Hero page HERE

Holiday-to-Holiday #RunChatHunt

I'm not one to run with my phone, but since I recently won a FlipBelt from someone's blog...it now makes it easier to carry my phone.  So I thought I'd play along with this photo scavenger hunt sponsored by #RunChat . My half-marathon training is winding down, which will make it a little easier to be more relaxed on my runs & look for some of the items on the list...some of them I can even incorporate on race day.

Here's a list of the items I'll be looking for...

 Day 1: Thanksgiving Day

Before my COLD #RunChatHunt Run...giving a shout-out to my new #IRun4 Buddy, Bella!

My 1st item...a body of water! Easy peasy!

I couldn't resist this body of water when I saw the geese coming in for a crash landing. The pond is FROZEN on Thanksgiving Day in Tennessee (not normal)!

 

Item #2: a Snowman...real or decorative

Cold enough for snow, but no real snowmen yet...so a decorative Frosty will have to do!

I saw some deflated inflatables on my run, but didn't think that would count...maybe next time! I also run past animals on a farm (usually cows) on a regular basis, but they weren't anywhere in sight this morning.

Hopefully on my long run this Saturday I can get a picture of a mile marker, if we run the highway.

At the St. Jude Half-Marathon, I know I'll get a picture of a porta-potty & a runner I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if I see someone running as Santa or at least wearing a Santa hat with the race being on Dec. 7.

Get a load of some of these sweet prizes...

Each tweet is considered one entry to #RunChatHunt for the following prizes:

• 4 CamelBak prizes: Marathoner, Dart, Arc 2, Arc Quick Grip
• 2 PRO Compression #RunChat socks
• 2 Headsweats #RunChat hats
• T-shirt and a 2.7 oz. RunGuard Anti-Chafe bar
• 1 entry to the Asheville (N.C.) Half Marathon at Biltmore Estate
• 1 crossFIXE MUSCLE paste from SKINourishment
• 1 6-month membership to RunSmart Online
• 2 SparklySoul headbands (winners choice)







Check back to see if I'm successful, or better yet...join me in the Holiday FUN!



Day 3: Saturday, November 30

Today was my last LONG run of training! I only had to run 8 miles, so I wasn't sure if I'd be successful with any pics today.

I ran with my training buddy, Ruthie. When I told her about the Scavenger Hunt, she was all for it...she said it'd help take her mind off all the miles she had to run.

We first looked for the COWS (animals on a farm) down our usual hill, but I still didn't see them. I swear, I think they're hibernating because it's so cold here in the South!

Next, we headed down to Meadowbrook (the next subdivision/street)...when what to our wandering eyes should appear, but a blue All-Brite porta-potty in the clear! Ruthie was the one that suggested there may be one..I had totally forgotten about the new house being built.

Porta-potty...Check!

 

Then we headed for the grounds of the Mental Institution in the hopes of a historical marker, but no such luck. Though, on our way out & past Wal-Mart we noticed THIS...

 

a MILE MARKER!

(Too bad it wasn't mile marker 13 for my upcoming half-marathon!)

 

Probably won't get anymore pics until Race Day, since my next two runs will be at 5am. Check back to see what I find next...

 

Day 5: Monday, December 2





The one day I don't take my phone with me, because it's a 5am run & it's dark...not a lot to see, I spot a holiday inflatable! I WILL bring my phone along on the next run!

Day 7: Wednesday, December 4

Today was my last training run before the St. Jude Half-Marathon on Saturday in Memphis.

I wore my FlipBelt this morning & took along my phone. Luckily, the holiday inflatable was up! I made my running buddy, Beth, take a picture of me with the inflatable on our 5am run. We had to go all the way up into this person's yard (almost to the porch) to get the picture. I was so scared we'd get caught or wake the people up, but I GOT IT!

This makes 5 items! 5 more to go...

I couldn't believe how warm it was this morning...so much so, that you can see I ran in shorts & tank top! We have had some cold weather early for Tennessee...now a few warm days...then we're under a Winter Storm Watch for Friday!!! The weathermen are predicting an ICE STORM! Just what I don't need for my half-marathon!

 





Day 11: Sunday, December 8

On Friday evening, I got the disappointing news I had been dreading...the St. Jude Marathon Weekend had been CANCELLED due to winter weather/ice (I live an hour east of Memphis & we didn't hardly any ice). Needless to say, I was devastated! I had trained my butt off (literally) to come back from injury. I was to run the half-marathon as a St. Jude Hero. I had raised over $500 & received my Heroes singlet to wear on race day.

I did a lot of moping on race day, Saturday, December 7. I could've run at home that day, but it was extremely cold & windy with a 5 degree windchill & 15+ mph winds. So I decided to run my own St. Jude Half today. I honestly didn't know if I'd make the whole distance. I didn't leave the house thinking I'd run 13.1 miles. I just told myself I'd just see what my body felt like doing. Well...I DID IT! I ran the entire thing all by myself...absolutely no running buddy motivation. I came within 12 seconds of beating my 1st half-marathon time! My 1st half-marathon I ran with no walk breaks with a time of 2:02:59. Today's half-marathon I ran in 2:03:11 with a few walk breaks (still have to take it easy with injury).

My husband hopped in the car with the dog & found me along my route to cheer me on and let me know how proud he was of me.

Here I am around mile 10 (wearing my St. Jude Hero singlet)

 

I did not find any #RunChatHunt pics on this run, but I just had to share. I was on the "hunt", just didn't see anything to take pics of.

 

The cancellation of the race really messed up my plans for pics. I had hoped to get a pic with many runners I didn't know & I just knew with the race being so close to Christmas I'd see someone in a Santa hat. Also, several miles of the race take place in downtown Memphis in which there are train & trolley tracks.

 





Saturday, December 14 (starting to lose track of how many days into the hunt)

I've been hunting, but in my small town I just haven't had a lot of luck lately with the photos.

I did snap a picture of this yard display of Santa. It wasn't the Santa or Santa hat I was hoping for, but it's the closest thing I could find. It may not count for the actual list item, but it's still fun to have people wonder why you're taking pictures of other people's yards. :)

 

Notice the little reindeer head with antlers on the house (a deer hunter must live there)

 

Tuesday, December 17

 

I ran by myself this morning, so I decided to take a different route to see if I could see the cows at 5am. I was in luck! Several of them were lying in the pasture. The flash of my camera phone must have startled a few, because they started coming towards the fence were I was standing. Unfortunately, the only thing you can see in the pic is the glow of the cow's eyes. Better luck next time!

 

Looks like an alien cow...freaky!

My 1st Guest Blog...

Recently I was approached to do a guest blog for Bani Bands on my Top 5 Reasons Why Every Runner Should Cross Train. I JUMPED at the chance to do this! I just realized that my post is now LIVE! So exciting!

I discovered Bani Bands a while back ago on Twitter. They are a FABULOUS headband company! And I don't just mean your typical running headbands, these are different from any I've ever worn. They are made of adjustable elastic, so they'll never stretch out! Can you say G-E-N-I-U-S?

Please go check out my blog post & Bani Bands headbands HERE . Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win some of their awesome "schwag".



Penny the Pirate invades Jamaica

During my Fall Break, we returned to Jamaica. We "adopted" Penny the Pirate for the week.

One of my friends/co-worker is doing a project with her class, which she calls "The Pirates". Her whole classroom is pirate-themed. She has put her own spin on "Flat Stanley". She is sending out "Penny the Pirates" & "Perry the Pirates". People agree to take them on their travel/adventures & document with pictures. She has even created a Facebook page (Room 7's Pirates) where people post their pics. Her goal is to get a pirate on every continent, though Antarctica may be difficult. If you'd like to adopt a pirate for a bit, let me know...I can get you in touch with her.

I thought I'd post some of Penny's adventures here.

 

Here's the letter that came with Penny.

 

Penny all tucked in & ready for Jamaica. She only got 3 hours of sleep!

 

Penny meets Elvis.

 

Penny meets her 1st Jamaican!

 

 

"Roger Robinson" doesn't know what to think of Penny.

 

Penny chillin' with the towel art.

 



 

 

Penny floating her cares away in the Caribbean...

 

Penny enjoying my favorite dish...fried, ripe plantains...YUM!

 

Penny hangs out with some young boys spear fishing.

 

Penny makes a new friend.

(one of our decorations under the hut)

 

Penny meets a Jamaican cat.

 

Penny being spoiled...

 

Penny catches a "croaking lizard".

(these make a peaceful chirping sound at night)

 

Penny being attacked by an alligator.

 

Penny photo-bombs while our good friend, Teco, naps.

(Apparently our hut was the napping & hang-out place.)

 

 

                            

Penny waves good-bye as the planes take off.

 

 

 

Saying good-bye to our butler & friend, Nasha.

 

 

Our friend Marc & "Puny" as he kept calling her.

 

Alas, Penny sees one of her kind...

 

 

If only I could have Penny's life EVERYDAY!  "A pirate's life's for me..."

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Who do you Run 4?

Most of us run for ourselves...for our health.  Some might dedicate a run or race to a particular loved one.



Have you ever considered running for a complete stranger?

A while back ago, I ran across this site called WhoIRun4.  It matches runners with a child or young adult that may be struggling with a disability or disease. 

"The mental and emotional encouragement for both runner and honorary runner is proving to be a whole new level of motivation and awareness. Runners are able to find a whole new sense of purpose in their running while sharing who they are running for and bringing awareness to diseases and disabilities of all types."

The runners & families connect through the IRUN4 Facebook page.  The runners dedicate runs & races to the child.  The runner & the child's family will post pictures and encouraging words.  From what I've viewed, everyone seems to form a special bond.

I have been on the waiting list for about 6 weeks or more.  I am patiently waiting to be matched with my "little buddy".

If you want to be an inspiration to someone & touch their life in a special way, I encourage you to sign up.

If you are a parent of a special needs child or know of someone who is, I ask that you consider joining. We runners want to run for your child!

Check out what USA Today has to say about WhoIRun4 HERE.

Where do I begin?

Ok, I've been M.I.A. since school started back in August.  I feel like since school has started, I've literally hit the ground running & haven't stopped!

We got a new Reading series this year & we, the Reading teachers, didn't receive our teacher manuals until after the students started school.  Therefore, I've felt like I haven't really been prepared for the school year.  I'm having to take it one story at a time...one week at a time.  I feel like I'm not on top of my game, which really worries me when it comes to our state test in the Spring.  I, once again, have received Level 5 status as a teacher in Tennessee...the highest status a teacher can receive based on state testing & in terms of growth.  I would love to maintain this status, but I just feel like I'm doing nothing but trying to stay afloat.

 

Sometimes I feel like this little guy.



Anyhow, since school has started, my injury & running have really been improving! I started seeing a chiropractor that practices in Active Release Therapy (ART).  Basically it's massage with movement and going deeper to the problem.  I discovered that my knee run was collapsing inward as I ran. 

 

The chiropractor has given me some extra hip & glute strengthening exercises to build upon what I had learned in physical therapy.  In the beginning, I was going to him every week.  Now my visits have been anywhere from 2-4 weeks apart.  I have been very pleased with the progress we've made!

 

To make a long story short...

 

I've been training for the St. Jude Half-Marathon that takes place in Memphis on December 7...that's 32 days away!  This past Saturday, I ran my longest run since my injury...12 miles!!!  I'll admit, I do have to take some brief walk breaks & keep an eye on my knee.  But thanks in part to Rocktape, I can run pretty much pain-free!  I have come a LONG way just since Labor Day weekend, that was the first time I'd even run 6 miles!

 



I will be running for the children as a St. Jude Hero.  To date, I have raised $500 for the children.  If you would like to donate to a great cause, please visit my fundraising page: http://heroes.stjude.org/jennifermarcum.