Yes We Can

Raise $2,025 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in two months?

Yes we can.

Run 15.5 miles with 3,700 feet elevation gain in 2 hours 54 minutes and 24 seconds?

Yes I can.

Running The Rock

The Beacon Rock 25k was one of the most physically and mentally challenging races that I've ever run. It was also one of the most rewarding.

Dan and I ran together for the first two hours. I pointed out singing warblers and amazing Columbia Gorge views. He reminded me to breathe. I showed him the flowers. He pointed out the poison oak. We walked up the mountains. We flew down the mountains. We did this together.

My mantra stayed with me for the entire race: "Andy...cure...Andy...cure...Andy...cure, etc." When my quads burned, "Andy...cure." When my heart pounded, "Andy...cure." When I forgot that I was running a race, "Andy...cure."

At first, the mantra was just words to me. It kept me focused. But, 2 hours and 10 minutes into the race, something changed.

2 Hours 10 Minutes

My runner's high kicked in and I felt like a superhero. I saw a vision of what "Andy...cure" looked like. It meant working at the office instead of working from home. It meant hiking the trails of Beacon Rock on a sunny day enjoying the spring wildflowers. It meant living to see your great-grandchildren.

That's when I really started running for Andy.

At mile 12.8 I stopped to shake a rock out of my shoe. When I started running again I realized that the rock was in my sock. This is why trail runners have tiny gaiters. I gotta get a pair.

The Final Stretch

The last half mile stretch of the race included a 0.3 mile steep hill. My legs were shot and my body was fatigued. I wanted to walk, but I didn't. Looking ahead I realized that my hill would end, but Andy's fight with multiple myeloma would continue. I started to cry, but had to hold back tears so that I could breathe, and ran as fast as I could to the finish line.

Because I was healthy. Because I was strong. Because I believed that someday there will be a cure.

What's Next?
First, rest. I'll bike, swim, and do some yoga. After that I'll start hiking and running again.

And, a little later I'll run some more races. I'm hoping to win a pie at the Carnation 4th of July Run for the Pies 5K.

I think I'm in love with this trail running thing. I just might have to try a 50k race in the fall...

The Countdown Begins

Dan and I leave for Beacon Rock in a few hours. We'll be spending the night at the campground and start running tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.

I'm ready.

Thank your for all of your support. Together, we've raised $1,670 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to help find Andy a cure. That is incredible!

If you'd still like to donate, check out my fundraiser page at www.active.com/donate/triplec4mmrf. I'll keep it open for a few days after the race.

Tomorrow I'll be running from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., if everything goes according to plan. During the race I'll be keeping Andy and the hope for a cure for multiple myeloma in my thoughts. I encourage you to keep someone you know with cancer in your thoughts at this time as well.

This journey has been a powerful experience for me. I truly believe that each of us has the ability to change lives by getting outside of our routines and advocating for people that can use our support. We are all bigger than our individual selves. 

Andy and his wife Evonne will be joining us at Beacon Rock after the race on Sunday. Wow, what a gift. Dan and I will be trilled to see them after our run.

Caroline

Northwest wetlands specialist supports respected Ecology colleague

by Larry Altose, communications manager, Ecology Northwest Regional Office

Caroline Corcoran, a wetland specialist with Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program at Northwest Regional Office, never expected she’d run up mountains to support a colleague. But, that’s how to train for the Beacon Rock 25k Trail Race, which she’ll run on June 12^th.

She’s running up the rock to support Andy McMillan, the science and policy manager for the agency’s Wetlands Technical Team. Andy lives with a rare form of cancer called multiple myeloma.

Caroline ran cross-country and track in high school, and continued in college with cross-country. Years after college, she stopped for three years due to several running injuries. Then she read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, and ended her hiatus two years ago.

“I started listening to my body instead of listening to doctors,” she said. “I run just three times a week, max, mostly on soft surfaces. On the other days, I cross train. Variety keeps me healthy and injury-free.”

She ran her first marathon in October 2010 and decided that in her next big race she’d like to support somebody else. Andy seemed like a natural choice.

He’s been at his current post since 1991. Andy provides support, leadership and guidance to the wetland staff and is recognized by local governments, agency staff, policy makers and consultants as the agency’s voice on wetland policy and science.

“Andy can listen to conflicting viewpoints and create solutions that people agree on. While a consultant, before joining Ecology, I heard only respect for Andy from other consultants and local governments,” said Caroline. “When I came to Ecology four years ago, it was easy to see why Andy was so well respected and liked.”

Andy was diagnosed in 2005 with multiple myeloma (MM), a very complex cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, considered incurable. Andy’s doctors judged him a poor candidate for a stem cell transplant, the primary treatment, because he has a very aggressive form of the disease. Fortunately, recently available chemotherapy drugs control MM’s growth in most patients.

Andy has fared better than his doctors originally expected. Even so, he has a significantly compromised immune system and must continue chemotherapy to control the MM. Unfortunately, MM adapts very quickly to resist chemotherapy agents. He hopes to can keep the MM in check until new drugs in late-stage trials become available in the next year or so.

“I chose to run the Beacon Rock race to support Andy and the multiple myeloma research because I heard that the Columbia River Gorge is one of Andy’s favorite places,” Caroline said. “Also, to me running trails mimics life. You have ups, downs, get rained on, see sun, get muddy, fall down and get back up. Trail running feels real to me.”

The Beacon Rock race will feel especially real, with its elevation gain of 3,700 feet over 25 kilometers.

"Supporting Andy puts my training in perspective," Caroline muses. "When running up a mountain feels hard I think of Andy. I take vitamin pills to stay healthy. He takes pills to stay alive. I believe that supporting this life-saving research helps find a cure for Andy. I am grateful that I have the ability to help somebody else by doing something that I love."

Taper Time

It's less than four days until the Beacon Rock 25k Trail Race! This week's training has been about staying active and flexible without pushing myself too hard.

My Taper
Tapering refers to reducing the amount of exercise before a race, so that you are in prime condition on race day. There are all sorts of formulas out there for doing the perfect taper for different race types and events. I'm not concerned with finding the perfect model for this trail run. I just want my legs to feel rested so that they can take the 3700 feet of elevation gain without too much discomfort.

Yoga, Elliptical, Arc Trainer, and moderate-paced runs are my go-to workouts this week. Physically, I'm feeling great.

My Strategy
I've been thinking about my race strategy. This will be my first trail race. I've done lots of road races of short to medium-length and a marathon last fall. All the races I've done have had some ups and downs, but nothing compared to the course I'll be running on Sunday. I've talked to a few experienced trail and ultra marathoners, who encourage walking hills. As many competitive runners know, it feels shameful to walk during a race. I still remember the few times in high school and college cross country when I walked part of the course due to a side cramp or injury.

Apparently, this is a different kind of race, and I think I like it.

My Intention
Though I have my taper and race strategy down, my intention is more important.

My intention is to race for Andy and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

This is bigger than my fatigued legs and burning lungs. Bigger than my ego and pride. Bigger than my competition with others.

Your Support
You've supported me through donations, words of encouragement, reading my blog, and being my friend. Your support keeps me present with my intention.

There is still time to donate: www.active.com/donate/triplec4mmrf

Namaste.

Pregnant

deer.

During our last big training run at Cougar Mountain Regional Park, Dan and I ran right past a pregnant blacktail doe. Dan ran ahead a little bit. I stopped less than 10 feet from her.

She was huge and beautiful. I watched her for a few minutes saw her belly move. She didn't seem to mind that I was near her and continued eating. I think I could have touched her if I tried.

This is why I love trail running.

Top Ten Reasons Shot Bloks Rock

Any run over one hour requires fuel. Water works for short runs, but you run out of energy when you don't take in any calories during long runs. My fuel of choice: Clif Bar Shot Bloks.

Top Ten Reasons Shot Bloks Rock
1) They taste like candy.
2) Within five minutes of eating Shot Bloks I am totally energized.
3) They don't give me stomach cramps like other foods.
4) They taste like candy (I love candy).
5) After eating Shot Bloks I can't stop telling my running partner about how great Shot Bloks make me feel.
6) I smile after putting them in my mouth.
7) Eating Shot Bloks transports me from total exhaustion to total exhilaration.
8) They contain 95% organic ingredients.
9) I never get sick of them (I've used them for three years).
10) Just thinking about Shot Bloks makes me happy.