Giant Redwood trees as tall as a 30-story building paved the way for the 37th annual marathon/half marathon at the Avenue of the Giants run in Humboldt’s Redwoods State Park on May 2, 2009.

I felt like an ant running through the majestic redwood groves. The trees stood like skyscrapers in the forest. I was awed by the sheer beauty of the 2500-year old giants. But there was another giant lurking around.

The giant “elephant in the room,” was my achilles pain. I abstained from running for 4 weeks to allow for adequate healing of my right foot. When race day came my foot was only 80% healed, but I wasn’t about to opt out of my race. Many people expressed their concerns…and for good reason. Call me rebellious. Call me stubborn. Either way, I was going to finish my race even if I had to walk it.

Everyone who ran the race had the same determination as I did-even more. Amanda had blisters on her toes that pained her with every step. But she continued trekking along at a consistent pace with sheer determination, never once complaining.

Palmira took a nasty fall halfway through the run that produced 2 large, bloody lesions and swelling as large as a tangerine on her left knee. Risking a tendon tear or a fractured kneecap, she hobbled the rest of the way to the finish with courage.

Amber suffered from a stabbing sciatica pain early on in the race. Most people would probably throw in the towel and call it a day, but Amber relentlessly walked the entire 13.1 miles to cross the finish line.

And Matt, who endured radiation and chemotherapy, is in remission from his cancer. He ran his first half marathon that day. He is the reason why Team In Training members run. He is our hero and yet, he wanted to run for us. He called “us” heroes. It was an honor running with him.

The unbelievable tenacity of the redwoods to survive 25 centuries was representative of the tenacity of my fellow runners. They displayed courage, determination, and unwavering faith. Their spirits were as large as the giant redwood trees. Yes, I ran with GIANTS that day.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Team In Training

When my friends learned that I ran marathons, I received mixed reactions like, “Wow, that’s amazing.  I wish I could run 26.2 miles like you,” to “You’re crazy!  Why would you want to run 26.2 miles?”

Unless you participate in an organized run, you’ll never understand the excitement and thrill of being a part of a race.  It’s very exciting to be among thousands of runners with a passion for running, and in the midst of the energy that they bring.  It’s also heartwarming to be surrounded by an overwhelming number of people who come to see the race.  These supporters are out there because they admire what we do.  They offer us encouragement and support through claps, whistles, signs, and cheers.  This is what keeps us going.

No matter how many marathons I’ve ran, each time feels like my first.  I get nervous at the start of every race.  It’s common.  Afterall, 26.2 miles is a lot of miles to cover on foot.   And I never know how my body will perform or how my mind will react at a given point in the race.  Only one thing is certain; that there will be supporters, who I can rely on, to offer me encouragement.

I find that cheers help me run faster than I normally would run.  When bystanders are sparse, my pace slows a little and my energy drops. But as soon as I hear the cheers of the crowd, my pace picks up, my energy rises, and my face lights up.  It’s an instant adrenaline rush- my energy boost that carries me through a couple of miles until I reach the next batch of supporters.  I love all the “hoopla” that comes with an organized race.  Even if I am at a point of exhaustion, the encouraging words I hear from the crowd, makes me want to push myself a little harder.  The cheers drive me to do the best I can in the race.  The best I can do is finish.

Nothing compares to the thrill of crossing the finish line.   That’s is when I get to experience what it’s like to be a rock star.  The crowds grow thick and the cheers get louder.  The cheers resognates in me like an echo as I fight to the finish.  And when the race is over and I’ve settled into my cozy home after a warm shower, I will relive that final moment.  I will recall all the cheers, the congratulatory  remarks, and the excitement of the event to experience that feeling of worthiness a little more longer.

“A word is dead when it is said, some say.  I say it just begins to live that day."  Emily Dickenson

Good job

Looking good          

You can do it

AWESOME       

you’re almost there

way to go                   

keep it up   

~Running-girl

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/avegiant09/rguittap

I sometimes run on a trail called Sawyer Camp. It is a recreational trail with a never-ending path of twists and turns. Every time I approached a turn, I kept thinking that the end of the trail was right around the bend. I get excited, until I get passed the bend and see another turn...and another...and another. Every winding turn starts to look the same. It can be very daunting.

Running can be tedious at times. There are a lot of people who don't see the joy in running- even runners themselves. They run because they have to or they make themselves run, because they know it's good for them. I know this because I go through this everyday.

When I find myself getting tired and weary, I try to redirect my focus. Instead of dwelling on the repetitiveness of my run, I focus on God's blessings by taking notice of the nature around me--from the moss covered trees, lush greenery, and blue skies that surround me, to the little creatures like the deer, rabbits, and blue jays that sometimes greet me.

There will always be other runners running the same trail. When a runner passes by, it is common courtesy to acknowledge each other with a smile or a nod. It is nature's beauty, the little creatures, and the smile of people passing by that makes my run enjoyable and worthwhile.

Life is like a running trail. It can be redundant. As the day is ending, another one begins. We feel as if our life is a routine. We wake up, eat, go to work or school, eat again, go to sleep. Everyday is the same. But it doesn't have to be.

What we fail to do is notice the little things in life. Ironically, the little things are what give life significance. So when we go about our daily lives, and life seems so routine, remember to enjoy the people that make you smile and the conversations that make you laugh. Sometimes if we focus too much on the routines of our life, we rob ourselves of the beauty that's around us. Be thankful for your blessings. Look at life in a new way--with a fresh outlook and a new vision. Create yourself a New Year!

Happy Running!

~Running Girl

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/aveGiant09/rguittap

On Sunday, June 1, 2008, at 6:30 AM, 17,828 runners at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon, in 70° weather, ran 26.2 miles with an average time of 5:01:08 and raised $12.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I was one of the 17,828 runners at the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon. It was a beautiful day for a run, and I was thrilled to be a part of the event and be surrounded by people with a common interest. I was a little speck in the sea of purple, which is Team In Training's signature color. "Running-Girl" was printed on my running number. Bystanders yelled out, "Go team!" and "Go Running-Girl!" They even called out my real name, which was printed on my singlet in white letters, to show their support. Having strangers cheer me on was very encouraging, touching, and emotional.

Earlier on in the race, I found myself behind a man sporting a t-shirt with the verse: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). It was the perfect prelude to my run. I meditated on that verse. For a moment, the cheer of the crowd was muffled by the intensity of my thoughts. As I entered into a world of my own, all I could hear was the cadence of my foot striking the asphalt. All I felt was my chest rising and falling with every breath. All I could taste was the saltiness of my perspiration rolling to the corners of my lips. And all I could smell was the freshness of the open air. I was beside myself. All my focus was on the quietness of the moment with my time with God. Each step was a thanksgiving with Christ, my Savior.

I thanked God for my health and for my ability to run 26.2 miles, especially during a milestone in my life. I declared my run in San Diego as a rite of passage as I entered into my 40^th year of life. Not coincidentally, San Diego is my birthplace.

I absorbed the beauty that San Diego had to offer. On my run, I enjoyed the sites as I passed by the Seaport Village, Petco Park, Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Fashion Valley Center, Fiesta Island/Mission Bay, and Sea World.

Running 26.2 miles doesn't come easy, but I cannot complain. There is someone wishing they could be in my shoes going through the challenges I am faced with on my run, rather than suffering through the emotional struggles of cancer and the physical pain of chemotherapy.

Mile 21 was the toughest for me. That's when I thought about my personal honoree, Minnie, and the strength and courage she had shown over the 4 years battling cancer. One of my team honoree, Gregg, once told me, "Cancer survivors and runners have one thing in common. They both have to find the inner strength to continue on, no matter what the circumstances."

At mile 23, my inner strength grew weary. Then, at the right moment, God sent me a messenger on foot. I approached another runner wearing a shirt with a message, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Yes, the same message I read at the beginning of the race. I knew God was with me.

My finishing time was 4 hours, 26 minutes, and 43 seconds-a personal record for me. The fascinating thing about running is that it's really a race against oneself. Each runner has their own agenda. One runner said it best, "There can be tens of thousands of marathoners sharing the same course, experiencing the same weather, covering the same mileage, but no one runs the same race."

In a place where life began for me 40 years ago, I felt as if my life has only just begun. Running 26.2 miles reminded me that I am capable of doing anything. My run is a celebration of life. Through Team-In Training, I got to fulfill my personal goal and be able to give a part of myself to make a difference in this world. I raised a total of $7810 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with the help of family and friends. My run is not just for personal glory, but also for the fight against cancer so that others may celebrate life year after year.

The rewards for running a race through Team In Training are priceless. I've gained new friendships, helped raise money for cancer research, fulfilled my desire to mentor young runners, experienced the thrill of crossing the finish line, and gained a heightened respect for runners and the sport of running.

Now that my marathon is over, I can truly say that I had a great run. But the race isn't over yet. There is still research to be done. Until there is a cure for cancer, I will continue to run.

Happy Running!

Running-girl signing off....

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit my fundraising page . Every penny counts. Thank you for making a difference!

Running The Last Mile

The Mental Challenges of Running

The sun's rays pierced through the tree branches above. The intense heat softened the patched asphalt to a sticky taffy. The black tar ripped away from the soles of my shoe with each step. My perspiration rolled to the corners of my mouth. The taste of the salt reminded me of the last few ounces of water I had left in my bottle. The last few miles of my 20-mile run felt like a never-ending trail of twists and turns.

My 20-mile run is my last long run before my event. In 2 weeks, Ill be running the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon with Team In Training (TNT). I have been thinking about my last long run since last week. I've been dreading it because of the thought of running 20 miles by myself. I couldn't make it to Team In Training's group run in Monterey last weekend so I had to make up my mileage on my own.

I decided to run at Sawyer Camp (from Bunker Hill to San Bruno Avenue and back). If you've ever been to Sawyer Camp, you'll know that the path winds and every turn start to look the same. Every time I approached a turn, I kept thinking that the end of the trail was right around the bend. I got excited...until I got past the bend and saw another turn... and another turn... and another. By this point, I just wanted to finish. I got tired of seeing one turn after another. Each winding path gave me a false sense of hope that the end was near.

To keep my mind distracted, I decided to say a little prayer for myself. Realizing the path wasn't going to end, I started to pray for my husband, my kids, my parents, my extended family, then my friends...After running out of people to pray for, I figured that I must be near the end. I finally decided to look at the mile marker-1-1/2 miles to go. Yay! I decided to pick up my pace thinking I could get to the end quicker. Over the course of my run, the temperature was quickly rising. It was unusually hot for this time of year. The intense heat got to me.

The next ½ mile was the longest mile. I kept thinking about my personal honoree, Minnie, and how she struggled with her battle with cancer. I thought about the discomforts and pain she endured during her treatments over the years. She's still fighting today. I thought about her strength and undying faith in the Lord.

I thought of our team honoree, Doug, and the shirt he wore to one of our meetings. It read, "If you think training for a marathon is difficult, try chemotherapy!" I kept on running, constantly reminding myself that this was nothing compared to what cancer patients go through. Finally, I reached the end of my path.

But wait! I needed to run another 1.5 miles and back to make my 17-mile trail into a 20-mile run. I stop. I sigh. "Only 3 more miles," I say to myself. By this time, the sun was at its peak with temperatures rising to unbearable records. I already finished 42 ounces of water (which, by the way, I had to lug around). I had a few sips left in my water bottle. In this heat, I needed at least 8 ounces more of water to finish my run. With no water left in my bottle, I decided to run to the ½ mile mark and turn around. I ran 18 miles-- 2 miles short of my goal today. Hey, I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid.

I called it a day. It was a challenging run, but I didn't suffer from any injuries, body aches, heat stroke, nor dehydration. So, I congratulated myself for a good run. I convinced myself that what's more important than completing my goal is running safely!

Sometimes I like running alone to set aside time for myself to sort out the day's events. But for the most part, I enjoy running with a buddy. My top 3 advantages of a running with a buddy are as follows:

1) The conversations make the time quickly pass by and helps me forget about the distance of my run

2) There is always safety in pairs

3) When I feel tired, my running buddy is always there to give me encouragement

My last run was a 16-mile run in Woodside. I assigned myself a running buddy. After a few track workouts, I pretty much know who has been running my pace. So, I spotted him out in the crowd and stuck by him. My running buddy is a perfect running buddy. He's great company and doesn't talk too much, he's slightly faster than I am, and never tires. His slight edge in speed forces me to push a little harder, which helps build my stamina.

What is my biggest problem? Bathroom breaks!!! I hate when I have to go because it just messes up my momentum. It also sets me back so much that I end up losing my running buddy. Did you know that a "quick" bathroom break could mean a half a mile difference between my running buddy and me? Well, I never like to make people wait for me while I'm taking a potty break especially when time is important. So I usually tell him or her to go on ahead.

So now, my bathroom break left me all alone. More so because I had to wait an extra 5-minutes. There were 2 portal-potties, and it was my lucky day to have both occupied by people taking a dump! Now the 10-minute bathroom break made it a mile difference between my running buddy and me. All I could think of was the grueling hills, the intense heat, and the horse manure that lied ahead of me.

But you know what? The advantage of running in popular running trails or with large groups, such as Team In Training, is that you are bound to run into another runner along the route. And sure enough, I caught up with a runner who I assigned as my new running buddy. I kept my focus on her and tried to keep her as my pacer. The unknown person became my encouragement. She kept trekking along...I kept trekking along. I made sure I didn't lose site of her. Keeping one foot after the other was my mission. And it was my goal to keep up with her. After awhile, she knew I was following her. We acknowledged each other. She admitted that it was comforting for her to know that she wasn't alone on this trail.

We finally stopped at a water stop and introduced ourselves to each other. We made an unspoken agreement to run with each other the remaining 6 miles. "You go first," I said. "No, you go first," she said. Apparently, neither of us wanted to go first on the single path. There is something more comforting about following rather than leading when it comes to running.

As a follower:

• You don't have the pressure of worrying whether you are going too fast or too slow because the leader becomes your pacer.

• You don't have to worry about where you are going or where you are stepping. You just follow the steps of your leader.

• If you feel like stopping, you can stop without worrying about spoiling it for the person behind you.

• When the leader stops, you don't feel as bad as if you initiated the stop.

• It is easier to run behind someone, because the person in front of you makes pacing easier. All the follower has to do is put one foot after the other and stay behind the leader.

Anyway, to be fair, I led this time; but only up until we got to a 2-person trail. Then we ran side-by-side. So, in the end, the 16-mile run wasn't bad at all. I'm sure I would've walked more or have gone a lot slower if I wasn't running with a buddy. So, I strongly recommend a running buddy.

If you don't have a running buddy, you can use my stategy for self-assigning a running buddy. If my running buddy isn't around, I'll start on a course solo and after a few miles, I can pick out the ones who's been running close to my pace and run by them. Another technique I use is to pick out a person in front of me and focus on that runner. If I happen to catch up with him or her, then I pick out another person in front of me and focus. I sometimes even make a game of it and try to see if I can catch up with the person in front of me. It helps make the time go by.

Happy running!

-Running Girl

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." (Hellen Keller)

March 15, 2008

The beautiful run through Portola Valley made me forget about my 5:30 AM wake up time on a Saturday morning when the rest of the city was still asleep. Moss covered trees, tree-lined tunnels, and gorgeous views of the lush valley was a stunning prelude to my weekend run.

The invigorating aroma of pine and eucalyptus trees refreshed my senses. Above me, the varying shades of green, and the different shapes and textures provided a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. Below me, the running stream alongside the steep embankment gurgled. I ran carefully along the narrow trail dodging root stumps, large rocks, twigs, and fallen trees. Loose gravel, mud, and slippery leaves also posed a threat to me. My concentration was so fierce that all I could hear was the rhythm of my breath. Then a raucous cry of a raven reminded me that I wasn't alone.

I actually had the pleasure of running with my fellow teammates and friend- Charles, Fatima, and Stefanie. Running with company always makes for a fun run. I almost always forget the difficulty of the run when I am running with others. And Portola Valley is definitely a challenging run full of winding paths and lengthy hills.

I ran the 10 miles in a slower than expected time. It is easy to argue that my time was a result of the difficult course and other excuses. It's natural for some of us to focus on our times during a run. But the message I want to send here is that I was not racing against anyone; nor was I racing against myself. It's not what I'm racing against...it's what I'm racing for.

I am racing for my heroes- those close to me who have and are battling cancer. I am racing for a cure!

If you want to help, please visit my donation page.  And thank you for your support.

Now tell me. What are you running for?

-Running Girl

"...Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrew 12:1)