A Meaningful Run

I finished! I never had a doubt, but to say that I ran the Boston Marathon is something I will never forget and will take me many days to reflect on. Here is what I remember so far:

Seeing the thousands of runners at the Athletic Village milling around trying to stay warm, mentally preparing for their run, reviewing their time splits written on their wrists in permanent marker, taking team pictures in matching outfits, rubbing Vaseline on critical friction areas, getting temporary tattoos on legs and cheeks and the ever so slow progression at the portable out-houses before the race.

I knew that many of the runners for the marathon are primarily representing some charity or cause near and dear to their hearts and so I felt “among them” though I was a solo runner for Hospitality Homes. As the starting gun went off and we, corralled like cattle, began the slow progression up to the start line, I started to look around at the people I would be spending the next 4 hours with. Two women in front of me, the “Pink Posse” ladies, had matching pink shirts and black shorts on but one of them had a message written down the back of her legs, “I’m living my dream.” I got choked up and still am remembering it. I thought to myself, “me too and we are running so that others can hopefully live their dreams.” As I continued on all I began to see was a sea of back sides of shirts with the story of each individual’s reason for running. A man with a picture of what looked to be his young son and it said “I am running for Max” and then another runner with the shirt listing more than 10 names with the beginning stating, “in memory of…”

Once I understood that, I began to look around at the crowds lining up every inch of the way, yelling out words of encouragement, cheering for the causes they saw on our shirts, never wavering in their support at any point. I can’t explain the feeling of having total strangers look you in the eye and tell you, you are looking great, keep it up, you’re going to make it for 4 hours straight! On top of that, I was wearing a shirt with my name on it so I had everyone calling to me personally and sticking out their hands for a high five or a personal touch from someone who understood the challenge ahead. I was lucky to have supporters from Hospitality Homes wearing red “Go Kristina” shirts cheering me on and meeting me along the way with some cold Propel. Stopped and got my picture taken with Loring at mile 13 and then Cheryl and her entire family around mile 22 who flagged me down, not easy in a sea of red shirts in Boston!

Again, I can’t say enough how much your donations and support have helped to make this day possible and many more days for those people Hospitality Homes supports on a daily basis. I was reminded that it was a luxury to even be able to make the choice to run a marathon or to even run at all. I have my health and the support from family, friends, and those I haven’t even met but who have chosen to support this organization and the service they provide. I am humbled and proud. Thank you.

Counting Down the Days

Well the marathon is Monday and I can finally relax and say that I have done all the running I can do at this point to prepare. Though I am still struggling with a pulled muscle, I have gotten some good long runs in, some much needed hill work on my best friend the treadmill and have also supplemented my running with some weight training and yoga. I feel at this point that I am ready enough for the run and focusing now on the positive mental attitude that will be necessary to pull me through come mile 20+!

I can’t say thank you enough to all the people at Hospitality Homes and the many supporters who have made such generous donations. I also appreciate all the people who wrote to me on my blog with words of encouragement and helpful advice and the wonderful letters and pictures from Driscoll Elementary School Second Grade class. You will never know how helpful your support has been.

I am looking forward to a beautiful day and seeing all of you out there in your Team Kristina shirts:

Until then…

Interactive Boston Marathon Map

View the Boston Marathon Course from a new perspective on this interactive map

"Go Kristina!" From the Second Grade Students at the Driscoll School in Brookline

Fans Make all the Difference

I heard that Tuesday was opening day at Fenway Park for the Red Sox and many fans came out to see the home opener and to show their support. Living in Yankee territory I understand how important this day was. I know there are many Red Sox fans out there reading this, so I wanted to let you know about a great opportunity to watch the Red Sox on April 21, Marathon Monday. Hospitality Homes was given 2 tickets to the Red Sox vs. Rangers game (see below for details) and they have set up an online auction. Follow this link, http://hospitalityhomes.cmarket.com, to bid on the tickets. All proceeds from the auction will count as Marathon sponsorship and will help us get even closer to our $10,000 goal and give you the opportunity to enjoy Spring Fever!

Just as the Red Sox have such great fan support, I am excited to hear that so many of you will be at the marathon. Having you all to support me in any way that you can will make ALL the difference in the world. I will have my radar on at all times looking for those who made the effort to come out and give me the boost I will need until I see the next red shirt! Your support and cheers mean so much to me and though I may pass by in the crowd of runners, I will hear you and it will give me the inspiration to keep running. Thank you in advance for your support.

Bid on Red Sox Tickets for Marathon Monday!

Would you like to see the Red Sox play the Texas Rangers and help support Hospitality Homes at the same time?

Go to http://hospitalityhomes.cmarket.com to bid on 2 Red Sox tickets for Monday, April 21, when the Sox play the Texas Rangers.

All proceeds will go towards helping Kristina reach her goal of raising $10,000 for Hospitality Homes.

Time for a Change

I am heading out for vacation for 10 days to visit family and finally see the state I grew up in with more effort. (Arizona) I have been running in this cold weather for three months and I just can’t wait to get out there and feel the sun on my face and lighten up the load of clothing, hats, gloves, etc. I will certainly be back to the blog with details of that trip and running routes that I am sure will be more exciting than what I have been doing so far.

Having said that though, I know that because it has been cold, I don’t drink as much water as I should, nor do I feel like I need to refuel during my runs, which I am sure will be different in a warm and dry climate. I have always had trouble with a lot of the sports drinks that most people swear by before, during and after their runs. I really only like water, but that isn’t helping to replenish the nutrients and vital electrolytes I am losing during the run. In the past I have traded off between water and Gatorade during the races. While I train, I carry a water bottle that I can fill up along the way and that seems to work pretty well. But there is something new out there that I am really enjoying and think it would be a great substitute for Gatorade and that is Propel. I love the lemon and Kiwi one. I guess it really isn’t new but it is to me because I gave up on all of those drinks years ago and just took a chance recently and wow- it's really good with half the calories and sugars. Though you may not think you really need to worry about that after 26.2 miles, why load our body up with unnecessary sugar? I am thinking about trying those gels which are tiny little packets of carbs, proteins and simple sugars meant to give you a boost when you need it. I don’t know if it will just make me more thirsty or really give me energy when I need it, but I do know it’s time to break out!

Gotta go run…..

Perfect Running Shoes

Well, another week of training under the belt and I am so happy to report that I finally broke the 20-mile mark this weekend. Most training plans have you running during the week and working your way up to your long run on Sunday. I hate having the big run hanging over my head all weekend so I plan my long runs for Saturday and then I have the rest of the weekend to relax, recuperate and eat anything I want!:) I am feeling good and not sore at all, surprisingly.

I know that there is a 2nd grade elementary school class who is studying motion and friction and interested in how running might tie into those two topics so I thought that I would share with them some details of my training that might tie these together. I am a huge fan of Saucony shoes and I have honestly tried just about every brand and there isn’t another shoe out there that allows me to put my feet into a brand new pair of shoes and run 26.2 miles without a blister or care in the world. I know there are many runners who do suffer from blisters, lost toe nails, heel pain or arch pain and I guess I am just lucky or I found the right shoes. I will share a little trick for those people who do tend to get blisters: cover your feet in Vaseline then put on your socks and shoes. This will prevent friction in your socks and shoes as your feet sweat and move back and forth in your shoes. Another good tip is to wear real cotton socks as they absorb the moisture, which also cuts down on the friction and subsequent problems related to that after 3+ hours of running.

As far as clothing is concerned, I have a lot of little preferences depending on the weather, but one thing I always place at the top of the list is what can I wear that will make me feel good about getting out there and doing it. Since it has been cold, windy, rainy and sometimes snowing, I like to wear running pants and a windbreaker that wicks the wind and rain and keep me dry underneath. Imagine a ski pant without all that padding. If the weather is a bit better but still a bit chilly, I will wear a lycra pant that is warm because it hugs the body and a turtleneck and t-shirt with a sweatshirt over it until I warm up. And when the weather is fine, like it was this past weekend (almost 60 degrees!), I will wear shorts! You really have to layer your clothes when you are running in the winter to spring time as you just never know how you are going to feel until you go out and get going. So, as we are heading into the spring, I hope by the time the marathon starts, I will be able to wear shorts and maybe a long sleeve t-shirt and think about tulips, daphodils and lilies :)


Gotta go run…..

Week 9: The Infamous Heartbreak Hill

Hello All!

Wow, I really appreciate all the comments and training advice you have sent me. I feel a bit isolated running down here with no one to bump into and share my aches and pains with or the high of just completing another week of training and a 3 hour run. In the past I have either had a training partner or have trained in the city where the marathon is held and you always see those lonely runners on a Sunday wearing a marathon shirt from previous years indicating that they are probably in training again. Or the couple that heads out together, the smart one on the bike and the other running along side.

Running is a very solitary sport and for many, too boring or sedate. I know a lot of people are not runners and so running a marathon seems like just a crazy idea to torture your body, but really there is truth behind the “runner’s high”. I didn’t start running until I was 25 and I decided I wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. I started running and walking a mile until I could actually run the mile and then I just worked my way up and within 8 months I was ready. I didn’t break any records but the high and feeling of accomplishment was enough to get me hooked. Since then I have been running for health and to work off extra calories throwing in a few races here and there.

Since I have run a few of these I have tried several training schedules and have found that no race is the same no matter how well you train, it’s all in your mind and your mood. I once ran a marathon only training as long as 10 miles once a week with a few shorter runs in between and I did really well vs. a marathon that I religiously followed the training plan and was miserable the whole race. I am a firm believer that if I feel good during the training, have more good days than not, then that’s how I go into the race. I approach it like “another training day”.

I say this all with such confidence, but I think I must take a step back and say, could the Boston Marathon be different? Could this marathon be the one that surprises me and catches my weakness? I am taking the comments about this with a healthy bit of skepticism as I don’t want to psyche myself out but I want to be prepared so I will just nip this in the bud and say that from here on out I will make beating the “HEART BREAK HILL” my number one priority! I have gotten two weeks of long runs in and I am feeling good and prepared for the distance portion so I can now focus on the specifics of the race. Hospitality Homes is making a shirt for me to wear and for the people who will be supporting me along the way and maybe we should have the shirts say, “Are You Gonna Let a Little Hill Like That Beat You?” That would do the trick! :)

The folks at Hospitality Homes and I check this site regularly and we squeal with delight at the comments and generous donations so many people have made. We are all making dreams come true and that’s enough to get me to lace up my shoes and get out there. I just have one more week of the really heavy running and then it’s all down hill from there. So keep the words of encouragement coming, I really appreciate it!

Gotta go run…

Week 8: Working Through Challenges

Well, another week of training bites the dust! Just like these families of Hospitality Homes have challenges, I too have had some with my training. I confess, I am nursing a pulled muscle in my buttock for the last two weeks that had me worried, but I managed to get in my long run of 19 miles this weekend. I have been doing some cross training, yoga and stretching to make sure I don’t do any long term damage that would prevent me from reaching the finish line and letting down all of you who have been so generous to Hospitality Homes. I also have tried to befriend the treadmill doing some hill intervals to prepare for Heart Break Hill and some speed work; though I promise I will not be breaking any records other than the one where we reach our $10,000 dollar goal!

I know I am lucky just to be running and want to enjoy the journey and that incredible feeling of accomplishment crossing the finish line. Some days you just have to accept that you are just not feeling the desire or drive to get out there and train, but then there are days when the sun is shining, you have a new pair of shoes or a bright colored shirt that inspires you to go shine and so you plug along and the next thing you know, you just ran 3 hours. Sounds easy right? Well it’s mostly mind over matter and the trick is making your mind matter!

The folks at Hospitality Homes and I check this site regularly and we squeal with delight at the comments and generous donations so many people have made. We are all making dreams come true and that’s enough to get me to lace up my shoes and get out there. I just have one more week of the really heavy running and then it’s all down hill from there. So keep the words of encouragement coming, I really appreciate it!

Gotta go run…

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Week 7: Training Update

Well I just passed the 7 week mark of my training which means I only have 9 more weeks to go before the marathon. I have been pretty lucky with the weather so far compared to the rest of the nation that is knee deep in snow and blizzard like conditions. Luckily, where I live at the beach, I only have high winds as my biggest obstacle on some days and for those days that I just can’t get outside, I hit the gym for a little treadmill work. I know there are a lot of people out there who have no problem spending an hour, or so on that machine, but for me, I get so bored that I have difficulty keeping to the marathon schedule. I have worked my way up to 16 miles for my long run and thanks to the weather holding out, I have been able to do that on the board walk and along the beach routes, which is very inspiring and full of interesting sites.

I was recently introduced to a fellow Boston Marathon trainee who has done the half marathon and knows “Heart Break Hill” well. I confess I may have not fully understood the significance of this hill as it relates to the placement during the actual run. It appears that it occurs close to the 22nd mile mark which is why it’s so appropriately named. I don’t think I have done enough to prepare for this part of the race so I have decided to hit the gym a bit more frequently and become friends with treadmill doing hill intervals. The good news is that I can catch up on all my favorite TV shows or the latest videos while I am plugging along!

I want to thank everyone who has visited this site so far and made such generous donations to Hospitality Homes. With your donations, and your help spreading the word about this organization, we have a better chance at reaching our $10,000 goal.
Thank you!

Gotta go run…

Welcome to my training blog!

Hi, my name is Kristina Duke and I am running the Boston Marathon for Hospitality Homes on April 21, 2008 (Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts). Running has always been a passion of mine and the best way I know to release stress and solve the world’s problems in 60 minutes or less!

Though I have run several marathons in the past, this one will be particularly special to me as I am reaching a milestone in my life, turning 40! They say 40 is the new 30, and inside I feel even younger. I feel lucky that I have never had any major health problems to speak of and I am aging as gracefully as possible.

I know first hand that so many people are not this lucky. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and thankfully she is now considered “cured”. My father has been in and out of the hospital with a variety of issues over the past 5 years; a few included lengthy stays in the ICU, where we thought we would never get the chance to say those three precious words again. I also know, as a registered nurse, that our family’s challenges pale in comparison to others and this makes you realize how precious time is with loved ones and that access to quality health care makes all the difference in this world.

With the help of Hospitality Homes, I am combining both my passions—running for my health and running for others—and setting a personal challenge to raise $10,000. My family was lucky to be able to receive medical treatment in our home town. Many families don’t have that luxury as they don’t live near the best medical facilities or the condition requires special attention that may only be found out of state. These families need our help to find a safe, affordable place to stay so that they can concentrate on supporting and nurturing their loved ones back to health, which often is an enduring process.

I have never been afraid of challenges and even put my fundraising capabilities to the test walking 60 miles for the AVON Breast Cancer Society and raising almost $5,000. I walked for three days with those who had beaten the odds, those who had been the support system through the fight, and those who walked for hope.

As I turn 40 and run the Boston Marathon, my legacy will be something far more precious than a shiny medal. It will be knowing that in running, I helped make life a bit easier for patients and their families at a time when they need it the most. I hope you will join me in making a difference for these families.

Stay tuned for training updates and pictures and wish me luck!