Tagged to play "Crazy Eights"....ugh.

Well, T.Z. has tagged me to play "Crazy Eights," I was going to just pretend, that I did not see my name written on his list. I also could have thought he meant another person named Rachel, as my name is spelt Rachael...but alas, I will play the game. 

8 Shows I Love to Watch

1. NFL Football

2. ESPN Sports Center

3. Law and Order

4. Law and Order Criminal Intent

5. Law and Order SVU

6. Without  A Trace

7.  Cold Case

8. A & E Channel

8 Places I Love to Eat

1. My Mom's House 

2. Kimo's (Maui)

3. La Fogatta's (California)

4. Fisherman's Market (California)

5. In & Out Burger (California)

6. Cheese Cake Factory

7. P.F. Chang's

8. Pei Wei's

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Woke Up

2. Brushed my teeth

3. Ran

4.Went to Starbucks

5. Showered

6. Met with my boss

7. Worked

8. Worked some more....

8 Things I Look Forward To:

1. Getting to Fly Home for the Holiday

2. Seeing my family

3. Running

4. Watching Football

5. Getting my work completed

6. Getting to Fly back to Tulsa

7. December 18

8. Running some more

8 Things I Wish For

1. That my life makes a significant impact in the hearts and lives of people.

2-8. Just refer to my first wish

I now tag...

The next 8 people who actually read this blog...

It's not just about the run..

I am sure you have all heard the statement, "Behind every great man, is a woman,"(of course makes you wonder who stands behind a great woman...that is for another time, another blog.)  maybe you have even heard it said, "There is no "I" in team." Each of these are stand alone statements, we get the jest, that people don't make it on their own and a team is not about one person.

I have another line to throw out there for you to chew on, "It's not just about the run." I have had the incredible pleasure to be connected with Runner's World and those who consider themselves as part of the Runner's World Training Program.

The journey really began in January, running in the cold winter mornings, with my eyes set upon running my first 1/2 marathon. I had this infatuation with running, I liked it, I just did not seem to be as efficient with my running, while running on my own.  I suddenly found myself meeting some wonderful people, who met consistently to run. These folks came in all shapes and sizes, all ages, backgrounds, male & female, advanced runners and well, those like me that are not so advanced.

Now, I believe in setting goals, to having a vision & purpose for everything that you do, taking aim to hit your mark.  But, I further believe that one should take caution to not be so focused on the task, that you forget the journey and the people who are along the way helping one in fulfilling the journey at hand.

This actually can be a daunting self-exercise, especially when it comes to running, as running for most part is an individual endeavour. You can pass a ball to another member on the team, so to score the final point, but no one can really run for another person.

I say all this, mainly due to the fact, that I have discovered that running is not just about the run, but it's the journey you share with others. It's gathering with people that are like minded, heading toward a common result and goal of crossing the finish line, it's discovering new friends who have a passion and a love for pounding the pavement or the trail, it's knowing that your running partner will be there waiting to hit the trail, no matter how early in the morning you ask them to meet you before church.

I really want to take time to give a shout out to some folks that have been part of my running journey to date. These unsung hero's who have been so faithful this past year.

Special props to you Coach Kathy, I cannot believe that you do all you do and it's for FREE, then again how can anyone ever repay you for all you do to train runners, the emails, the pep talks, and fitting me for the right shoes. You are appreciated!

My Runner Girl Power-Runner Partner, Linda.  You know, I still am in awe of all you have accomplished, your encouragement along the trail, our long talks, and my grumbling about wanting to know when we were going to stop and eat. Time to time, I still like to ask you the question, "We are doing this because?"  Even though I know the answer to this question. It's just funny to ask, cause it still makes you laugh. You totally rock, there is no one I would want to fight crime with more, than you...can I wear my cape? RGP Activate...form of a marathon runner...whoo hoo!

There is also my "friend" Allen. You have been so faithful to call and check on how each of the runs have gone. You have encouraged me, when I needed courage, you have been a listening ear, with all my enthusiastic triumphs of the long runs and my somewhat discouraged moment of my 26.2. You made me a believer that I could actually break 30 on my 5k's and now, have me convinced that my marathons will only get better.  And no, this does not mean you can be my running coach.  Stay safe nation building....see you in December.

And then there is you, the Runner's World Runners Gang, I cannot begin to list how each of you have influenced and encouraged me as a person and a runner. Whether it's the enthusiastic, "hello's, good mornings, & whoo hoos" along the trail, the cheering on the sidelines on the training runs, the camaraderie that we share as runners. None of these things go unnoticed or unseen, they are well received and deeply appreciated.

I really encourage you to take time to consider and to ponder, that "It's not just about the run..."

I finished my first 26.2

Purposely, I have allowed the dust to settle, the sky to clear, the fanfare to calm, and the experience of finishing my first marathon to sink into my mind, before I took time to place my thoughts in writing for this blog. I will be perfectly honest, I was anticipating and expecting a much better run performance from myself, not dismissing the fact, that this was the first time to run 26.2 miles. 

I was having a wonderful day, this was what I had been waiting for, dreaming for, and training for, to run a marathon. It was at last years Route 66, by a fluke that I had convinced a friend that we could run the 1/4 marathon. No, we had never run that far before, but we knew we could run 3 miles and a 1/4 is just 3 more miles than that. It was when we finished the 1/4 marathon, that I decided that I wanted to run a marathon.

So, here I was a year later lined up with runners, gladly awaiting the official start of the Route 66 Marathon. I was thinking, this is just another long run along Riverside Drive, how many times had I been up and down Riverside Drive this past year? 

The start began and so did I, along with so many other runners and of course, my faithful Runner Girl Power friend Linda. The run actually was not too bad, fact is, I was enjoying the day, not often do you get to run down the streets with people cheering and waving, while chatting to other runners who have traveled near and far to run this race. 

Somewhere, I lost Linda & Tammy along the run. I had looked back and they were no longer running behind me. I opted to soldier on, keep my pace and run this race.  And run is what I did, if you ran the marathon, you know the route...all the way down Riverside to the Jenks bridge, around the loop and then back across the bridge to Riverside.

Things were good, running was good and I was staying at a nice even pace. As the miles clicked by, I actually was getting really excited, as I knew eventually I would get to run the hills. I have enjoyed our hill training and knew once I got to the hills, it would be all down hill, although I would be running up hill.

Just as Superman has no power over kryptonite, I discovered that I have no power over my legs having severe cramps. I could run through the cramp in my feet and calves, but not the quads and much to my dismay, I had to take walking breaks until the cramps would subside and I could run again. This was disheartening at best...

I have heard it said, that marathon running is 90% mental, so what does one do when the 10% is overriding the 90% that is still in the game and wanting to go? I guess this is when one learns the lesson, that it's not the destination, but it really is about the journey.

I finished this first marathon, was not as pretty as I wanted it to be, but I did finish. I have the shirt, the medal and the time to prove it. I am also ready to begin again, to train for another run, wherever coach Kathy charts our running course, I will be there.  

Congrats to all of you who reached your goals!! 

Special props to Linda & Tammy, great going.

Twas the night before the marathon and the runners big day,

not a runner was stirring not even Tatur Dave.

The Runners are nestled all snugged in their bed,

with visions of running the race in their heads.

The shoes and the gu are packed ready to go,

Along with throw away shirts and gloves, for it's cold.

We've been training for months for this special big day,

Including the long runs each morning on Saturday.

The race will begin soon and so will the beat

of thousands of runners, running down the street.

Runner's World Runners, there is one thing I'd like to say,

have fun on this Route 66 Race Day.

Whether you are running the 1/4, the 1/2 or the full,

as they say here in OK,  Good Luck to y'all!

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

Just when I thought it was safe, I got tagged, no thanks to Rock Star Ed!  Okay, so here is my photo...sixth file, sixth photo. The photo was taken in Maui 2006. I flew to Maui for $10.00, yes frequent flyer miles really do work. I flew in and met my folks who had already been in Maui for a week. Maui is one of my favorite destinations, Lahaina my favorite place in Maui, and Baby Beach, is just steps away from where we stay.



The photo was taken just off the patio area of the condo at Baby Beach where we were staying. I was sitting on the patio, enjoying the evening when the sun began to set...being that most of you are in-landers, you may not be able to comprehend how captivating it is to watch the sunset in the islands. There is just something mesmerizing & hypnotic viewing the sun slowly sinking into the horizon as if it is being swallowed by the ocean.

I grabbed my camera and just began to shoot photos, while I gradually made my way from the patio to the sands of the beach with hopes, to see the "green splash," of the sun's final setting point. Unfortunately, I did not see the splash, but did get some cool shots.

Okay...so this is a game of tag and I officially tag Susan!!

22 Skidoo!!

I have happily been waiting for our Runner's World Mock Marathon, this past Saturday, and to be real candid with you, the Mock Marathon, did not disappoint. Although I do prefer our early morning run's at 5:45 AM, it was quite nice to sleep in a little bit longer on Saturday.

I was so amazed at the number of runner's who were anxiously awaiting for Brian to finally get us started, of course there are always the last minute instructions, details, and directions. I was happy for the delay, as I had to walk back to my vehicle to grab my Garmin, which was sitting right where I had left it.

We were finally off and running, "we," being my Runner Girl Power Friend Linda and, we were happy to have Tammy and Roman run with us too. (No, we did not wear of capes, although I really like my cape.) So on we trekked down the path, mile after mile, running and chatting, running and laughing, running and sweating, and..............running

This is my first marathon experience, and for the most part, I have enjoyed every portion of the training that we have undergone. I can tell you, that I did not enjoy running on the grass path during our mock run. Don't ask me why, but I had a momentary lapse of retardation, not only once but twice. Those of you who ran the alternative route, you were the wise ones. I do not think I will ever trust Brian's assesment of what he feels is a nice grass path for running.

Fact is...I would take the hill portion of the run over running on a grass path any day of the week. The hills were not at bad as I had anticipated, I had just determined within my heart to run the hills one step at a time. The most plesent portion of the hills, was the water station, Joe did an awesome job aiding the station, it also gave us a chance to catch the Team Bean Girls.

We were the last of the Marathoners to finish, which the most important thing is, we did finish...22.28 miles, what a fun day it was.

Special props to all those that did so well and of course to my RGP Friend Linda...you Rock Runner Girl!! Special thanks to Kathy and Brian for all you do...hope to make you proud the day of the marathon.