Jen McDevitt's Blog

Who says you have to run to do a marathon?

Jen McDevitt — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:21:32 GMT

As I write this, I am trying to plan out how I am going to chase Glen around not only Chicago this year but New York City. It has been a huge debate. And the reason is because I am going to be carting around my little buddy, Jack , who may or may not be all that cooperative with both situations. I am fearing that if he gets a feel for how Chicago goes he may catch on to the program come November 1st in New York City. The 4am wake up call and the random running to various spots across both cities may not be that exciting for a kid who only joy in life is to be the center of attention.

This will be the first year in 6 years that I am not participating in either marathons. And it will be a bit of a transition in that I am usually the person people are cheering for not me being the cheerleader. (see where Jack gets the center of attention thing. I know....it is not his fault) So I have my work cut out for me....

I have to learn to be a spectator not a runner. This is a highly stressful situation and I am diving right in to training. I have to motivate, encourage, replenish, endure, sacrafice, agonize, prepare, support, dedicate, recover and succeed. Did I mention that I am not running in the marathon because I all of a sudden feel like I am running. So THIS is what it is like to be on the "other side"! I do believe that I see the light!!!!!

In this role that I am participating in I have made several promises to myself. One most importantly, I will have a greater understanding and respect for the specators and volunteers who keep the runners moving. Without you, there would not be a race!! Second, I have to train myself to mentally not feel like even though I am not running I am still participating! And finally, I have to put together a pretty kick butt route so I can scream my head off and push Team McGraw on! If I am not out there running, I better be out there screaming, right?

So, in conclusion, YES I am running my own marathon. It is just not on a closed course with water stations and timing mats.And the people are not yelling at me but with me for the fabulous Team McGraw and the Tug McGraw Foundation!!

Who says a fire hydrant can't get you through

Jen McDevitt — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Jennyism #1: It's always good to have a goal

Jennyism #2: It's even better to finish the goal

Jennyism #3 First you gotta go up the hill then you gotta go down

I haven't even taken off my shoes yet but I got so exicited becuause I just ran 5 miles...no problemo! Okay, maybe I should go and stretch and take off my muddy running shoes but this is the start of something good!!! My goal was to run to every fire hydrant and see how I felt. But pretty soon...okay here is goes....I WAS ROCKIN' AND ROLLIN' WITHOUT MY EVEN KNOWIN'!

AND THERE IT WAS...A FORK IN THE ROAD

Coach Kevin is going to cringe when he reads this because I know when you just start out running you have to take it slow. And I did. I ran from fire hydrant to fire hydrant in my neighborhood but all of a sudden, like a flash before my eyes there was a trail. Yes, a glorious trail that had my name written all over it. So I did what any other normal girl never listening to anyone's sound advice would do. I went TRAIL RUNNING! Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. I laughed and laughed and felt like I was on a closed course running route on crack. I went up the hill and I almost just wanted to roll down the hills. Now, let me clarify. In Illinois a hill constitutes as any incline of 20 feet. Totally no big deal. But how much fun. I am muddy, smiling and well....just like a pig in poop!

Totally needed that run. What a way to get things started. Spring is finally here! And the fire hydrant is my newfound hero! Now I know why dogs love them so much!

SUPER SPIRIT CHEERLEADER

Jen McDevitt — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:33:42 GMT

So......bummer.....I am not running a marathon this year but YYYYYEEEAAAAHHHHH I get to go back to my grassroots (highlighted blonde and all) and do what I was perfect at...CHEERLEADING! I do believe that I am now the official captain of the Team McGraw Cheerleading squad. I am already perfecting some rally cheer's. I will post them on YOU-TUBE for you to see.

But in the meantime....

I AM running in the Shamrock Shuffle and that is going to be my mini marathon for lack of a better word. I hit the road yesterday with 50 degree weather (finally...whoever said anything about global warming is lying) I put in 2 miles which is a milestone for me! I was so incredibly excited to run again today but of course it is pouring and miserable. Just so I did not lose my motivation I opened up my garage door and jumped rope for 25 minutes looking outside. I guess you could say that I am cross-training. Running/cheerleading is a very demanding sport. I am going to be most excited to live through everyone else's running experiences this year.

I have several friends running in the Nashville Half Marathon and all will be wearing Team McGraw and I will be screaming my little lungs out to push them along. I may even jump in and run with a few of them.

I missed running these past several weeks. It is kinda like an old friend. You just pick up where you left off. I can't wait to be in Nashville showing my cheerleading moves to everyone. SUPER-SPIRIT CHEERLEADER here I come. Here are a few ideas:

TACO, BURRITO, WHAT'S COMIN OUTTA YOUR SPEEDO

YA GOTTA BELIEVE, YA GOTTA BELIEVE

CROSS THAT FINISH LINE AND WHAT A RELIEF!

RUN ON TEAM MCGRAW...RUN ON!!!

And now the end is near....

Jen McDevitt — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:20:28 GMT

Good 'ol Frank...he knew how to sing it. This is the final countdown and right now at this time next week I will be enjoying a much needed celebration at Foley's in the Big Apple. (Oh God, did I just jinx myself). I headed out this morning for my last big run with just a few "shorties" over the next few days. I have to be honest, I have enjoyed the extra time on the weekends since I have not had to incorporate long runs into the crazy McDevitt schedule. However, I feel as though there will be a small void in my life. What will I do now that marathon mania has ended? How am I going to spend my days off of work when Jack is at school all day? And am I going to start to be fat and lazy as the winter months keep me inside.? I guess I will have to do what any normal girl does in time of dispair....GO SHOPPING!!!

I head out on Thursday for New York City and I am looking forward to seeing everyone who is near and dear to me. I am even more excited to meet all the Team McGraw members who have kept me running this year as I have been touched by each of their amazing stories. The courage Team McGraw has and the tenacity and strength of each member has kept my feet on the road and kept me moving. I cannot wait to thank each of them personally for their incredible acheivement. 'YA GOTTA BELEIVE!!!

P.S. I did a dorky thing today. As I was running I started chanting a little "ditty" and it is going to stick in my head I think until I cross the finish line. It goes like this..."negative, negative makes me stop. I think of the positive and I won't drop" Isn't it awful??? If anyone makes fun of me watch out. I will steal your marathon shoes so you can't run Sunday. I swear I will!!!!

ARE YOU WEIRD????

Jen McDevitt — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:01:15 GMT

So I am preparing for a long run in the morning and I started thinking about what I want to do to mentally and physically get ready or it. I usually do my carb load the night before chased down with Gatorade. And I do all of the things that I am supposed to do but I started thinking...what quirky things does anyone else do? For example, I always lay out what I am going to wear. I get my iPod charged and ready to go. I make sure my contact lenses are going to go into the right eye at whatever ghastly hour. Finally, I shave my legs (you got it easy boys!!). I crawl into bed and tell myself good thoughts about my run. I fall asleep thinking about how awesome I am going to run. When I wake up in the morning I eat my pancakes with peanut butter chased down with Gatorade. I get dressed and I walk out to my driveway. Now, my driveway is not large by any stretch of the imagination but it serves as a visual focal point that allows me to realize that I am starting here and guess what...I am finishing here and whatever happens in the middle well, that is between me and the road.

But back to the quirky things. I have spoken to many a runner and they all have a different way of "getting their groove on" It's kind of funny in a way. Here we are all doing the SAME thing yet totally different and unique. I have spoken to runners who sleep in their clothes they are going to run in. Some have to eat at exactly the same time or else their stomachs will explode (or whatever they think will happen). For me, I know that I have a set of "magic socks." I only pull them out in extreme and dire situations. These socks will almost always guarantee me a successful run so I do not abuse them and use them only when I got a case of the "kerplutters" (um...that is when my running performance is not up to par...kinda like a golfer gets the "shanks".).

And what about what about after the run? Any ritualistic things going on there? All I can say is...HOT FUDGE SUNDAE!!!

CARRY ON.....

CAUSE SHE'S GOT HIGH HOPES...

Jen McDevitt — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:12:48 GMT

So you have heard of the song..."Just what makes that little ol' ant, think he can move a rubber tree plant"...(yada,yada)? Well, yesterday I was the ant and the rubber tree plant was the road. Let me start from the beginning.

I made a family decision that we were going to run the course for my up-and-coming race, Joggin for the Noggin. After many protests from the boys, I chucked them into the car with the jogging stroller - (yes, I am freakishly strong) - and demanded that we drive to the start line. We get the jogging stroller out, I plant Jack in there and yell "GO!" and we start running. What happened next will go down in family history as one of the worst runs that could possibly happen.

It starts raining, no...POURING. But we are still running. Now out of pure stubborness I will not allow us to go back. Glen just bought a new pair of shoes and he is soaking. Jack, my tough little monkey, is not only drenched but curled up in a little ball to avoid any further water damage. But we are still running. And now Jack has become some kind of brain-child because he is telling us which way to turn on the course AND he is right. (That was kind of funny.)

BUT....just like that the rain stopped, within 5 minutes, and the sun comes out. We were only 5 blocks into the adventure and all that happened. So life is good, right? WRONG! In an effort to support TEAM McGRAW, I am proudly wearing my red, COTTON Team McGraw t-shirt. (Kevin Leathers...don't say a word that I have cotton on.)

And by the way, did I mention the sun was out? It was BLAZING out and the humidity was at about 250%.

But we are still running....then the song pops into my head and for at least 5 minutes I felt like I owned the road, master of Joggin for the Noggin, running fashionista with cotton on. Then, I tuckered out. The anxiety of ensuring my family's safety and well-being just got the best of me. In reality, it was the cotton, moisture, humidity and that stupid little ant that was in my head. We made it through the course. Glen finished first with Jack, who had fallen asleep as a defense mechanism.

And me, well, let's just say that I finished strong because I knew that next time that darn rubber tree plant was going down.

STILL WAITING....

Jen McDevitt — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:50:54 GMT

Still waiting....

The great Snoopy once said..."anticipation far exceeds the actual event." (I swear he did) Right now, I am sitting here looking at my computer, hitting the REFRESH button and all that pops up is..."New York City Marathon Lottery still in progress. Please check back later." Team McGraw (http://www.tugmcgraw.org/) with the Tug McGraw Foundation is running New York and while I know that I am already selected for the marathon with Team McGraw, I just want to see if I had a better chance of getting hit by lightning or if I might hit the jackpot and be selected to the ING New York city Marathon.

STILL WAITING....

So, while I am doing that, I am looking for travel arrangements and more importantly trying to put together a game plan for my upcoming races. Not only am I running the Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathons with Team McGraw, I have decided to venture out and host my own race. It is called Joggin for the Noggin 5k Fun/Run Walk (http://www.jogginforthenoggin.com/) So I am trying to put together a training plan that would include all three. I have never used a training program for my marathons and I am thinking that this year might be a good time to start. My only problem is that I think that my long runs will have to be on Thursday mornings between 2am and 7am (kidding). But it is kind of along that line that I realize that you have to make time to run. I guess the word make is wrong it should be WANT to run.

Okay....it is currently 9:30 (CST) no word on the lottery so....I guess I will go for a run...not because I have to but because I want to.

ILLEGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM

Jen McDevitt — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:59:38 GMT

ILLEGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM.....

That is what I read on the back of a runner's shirt as we waited in a corral to start the Nashville half marathon. In Latin, it means "don't let the ******* get you down." It was an appropriate mantra for the day. After all, it was raining and I was feeling a bit queasy about beginning the race. Actually, I was totally freaking out.

On April 26, I completed the Nashville half marathon with Team McGraw. I have to admit, I was very ill- prepared and quite frankly embarrassed that I even called myself a "runner," but I set only one expectation for myself....FINISH. Guess what...I did. I have never been that unprepared for a race and I just felt awful about it. I can sometimes call myself an overachiever and when it comes to running I get crazed like cramming last minute for a final only to ace it and promise myself I will never do that again. After running in Nashville I have made a promise to never be unprepared again. That was just plain luck that I made it. Of course, I have run races and felt absolutely horrible afterwards, but on this particular day, I felt really good. Maybe it is because I realized that there is always room for improvement. Mostly I think that it was because I had some wonderful friends running with me and since I was the only girl, I wasn't going to act like one.

It's that time of the year again. The time when the sun will rise a bit earlier and birds are either a Godsend because you want to wake up for that early run or just throw your head under the pillows to make the noise stop. Back to that early run....it's that time of the year again. It is now time when I run out of excuses getting up early and running.

So as I was being heckled for knowing what "illegitimus non carborundum" means, I was beginning to feel like living proof that miracles can happen. Team McGraw's rally is "Ya Gotta Believe." I love it. I live it. Proud to be part of it.

Now if I could just shave one hour off of my time......