Every step is for the children!

Every step I run on October 21, 2012 for the Columbus Marathon is for the children.

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Update 1 (5/26/12):  Thank you to several of you who have already claimed miles! This is so exciting! As of today, miles, 7, 17, 22, 26 & 26.2 are taken, click on the link above to view the map. I will continue making updates as other miles are spoken for. 

Update 2 (5/29/12): Thank you to Greg, mile 13 is now claimed! We're getting there! Which mile do you want to help me run for the children? (and my map is not updated yet with Greg's mile....need my tech support guy i.e. Jeff!)

Update 3 (6/7/12): Thank you to Roz, mile 21 (Halfway!) is claimed! The miles are quickly filling up! (I've put a request into my tech support to update the map) Which mile do you want?

Update 4 (7/1/12): Thank you to Andy for getting me started with mile 1 and to Melissa for helping out in the difficult mile 16!

Update 5 (7/10/12): Thank you Deanna for mile 25! Dave P, thanks for the donation for mile 14 to help me past the difficult turn-off and for the GREAT idea :)

Update 6 (8/16/12): Thank you Grandpa Jerry for mile 8! And mile 12 is now off the list. It is reserved for the Angels; the Angel Mile and I will run mile 12 for them! Here's the video of why.... Angel Mile

Anne Pistone's Children's Champion Fundraising Page

Unfortunately, we have had a few visits to Children's Hospital for our youngest son, Jacob. He was born with a heart murmur (that HAS repaired itself, thank you God) but we had to make a few trips with our newborn to the hospital. The doctors, nurses and support staff were all wonderful; not just with Jacob, but with the freaked out worried parents, too. We were very fortunate that his heart murmur repaired itself and he should be just fine. However, we have had to visit a few more times for accidents (what can I say? He takes after his klutzy mom!). We had a head wound that we thought might need stitches (luckily, no), and a broken leg. Now, he's 2.5 years old and I have determined that 2012 means no hospital visits for us!

My children mean the world to me and I can't imagine them not getting the help they need when sick or injured. We are fortunate that Jeff has a great career and medical insurance to help us with these costs. I have chosen to run the 2012 Columbus Marathon as a Children's Champion (my fundraising page) to help raise money to ensure that all children get the care that they need. You can click on the fundraising page link in order to make your donations.

For my fundraising, I would like to assign a mile to EACH donor in my fundraising campaign. When I hit your mile, I will think of you and run it for you and for the kids. On race day, I will have a list (or something, that's still in the works!) of each mile and who is responsible for each mile. Bad news? The final .2 mile is for MY KIDS! It's already claimed (and frankly, makes me tear up every time I think of it!), but there are 26 other miles that you may choose! I will update the map as miles are claimed, but feel free to choose a specific mile. If you make a donation without choosing a specific mile, I will assign one to you.

Feel free to check back and see my progress and the map's progress. Every PENNY helps! I thank you for reading and for anything that you can give for the kids.

Here's a break-down of the miles available:

Mile 1: Andy Smith
Mile 2:
Mile 3:
Mile 4:
Mile 5:
Mile 6:
Mile 7: Mom & Dad
Mile 8: Grandpa Jerry 
Mile 9:
Mile 10: 
Mile 11:
Mile 12: Angel Mile
Mile 13: Greg Peck
Mile 14: Dave Parsons
Mile 15:
Mile 16: Melissa Grobler
Mile 17: Natalie, Rebecca & Luke
Mile 18: 
Mile 19:
Mile 20:
Mile 21: Roz Batson
Mile 22: Allen Frye
Mile 23:
Mile 24:
Mile 25: Deanna V.
Mile 26: Jeff
Final .2: My kids!

Modeling, new shoes and an announcement

Modeling has never been something that I thought about (EVER) for myself. So, when my friend Amanda asked me to be a "model" for Diva Night at the local Fleet Feet Sports, I said, Sure. We got more details about Diva Night; dress like a diva, wear a lot of bling, etc, then we would be modeling running clothes and shoes during the "Fashion Show". It was such fun dressing up, it made me realize how infrequently I do that. (we need to work on that, Jeff!). Anyway, it felt strange to dress up to go to a running store, but it was such fun to see a store full of dressed up ladies.

RunDMC Ladies stop for a picture.
Picture from Fleet Feet Columbus

We got to the store, checked out the clothes we would be modeling and got to mingle, shop, drink some wine and eat. Also entered the drawing for door prizes. A possibility of free stuff from a running store? 'Nuff said! Finally, it was time for the "show". When it was my turn, I walked down the "Runway" hoping not to trip and fall with my klutzy self! Luckily, I didn't!

I definitely need to keep my day job!
Picture from Fleet Feet Columbus

By dressing up with lots of "bling" we got a discount, Thank you Fleet Feet!, and it's about time to add another pair of shoes to the rotation, so I tried on the new Brooks Adrenaline 12s (my current shoes, the Adrenaline 11s are the old model) and thought they felt great. Trying out running shoes in a dress was an interesting experience, along with being fitted by Amanda while she was in a dress. The 12s felt great and of course buying shoes with a discount is always the way to go!

Aren't they pretty?!

 After decided that I will leave the modeling to the real models and return to my job as a mom, they did the drawing for door prizes. First up was a Starbucks gift card! If you follow me on twitter or just know me, I LOVE coffee. I cannot start my day properly without coffee (even if I run first!). My name was drawn first! Yay, Coffee!

Of course, we had to follow up Diva Night by going out :) We headed over to the local bar/restaurant for chips and salsa. My biggest weakness... carbs... Yeah, getting serious about getting back on track starts..Today. It was yesterday, but that didn't work out so well for me. Today is a new day, so we'll try again! (That's one of the great things about healthy eating and weight loss. Every day is a chance to do better, to start over, to make healthy choices. Just because you may have one day of bad choices doesn't mean it's the end for you!)

On to my announcement.... I am registered for the Columbus Marathon! Yes, I know mom, I said I was going to take a break from running marathons. Sigh. But, I also didn't anticipate the Cleveland Marathon either, so...... However, I AM going to do things differently this time. I will be running as a Children's Champion to raise money for Columbus Children's Hospital. It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart as we have already made several visits there (I DO have two boys!) and I feel the need to give back and utilize my running for something more. I'll have more on this in later posts. My thought for now (which my friends laughed at me and don't believe me) is to run this one for FUN. No time goals, just go out and enjoy it. Well, I have five months to change my mind there.... and I'm sure I'll change it a few several times over that five months! I have heard nothing but fantastic things about the Columbus Marathon, it's on my home turf, and I won't have to drag my family all over creation. I can sleep in my own bed before a marathon (haven't done that one yet!). Also, have so many friends running this and others will be there for support. It should be a great time! October 21, 2012, Marathon #3! (wow!)

How's that for random posts? I didn't run much this week. Just enjoying a little time off and to sleep in. I am trail running this weekend, so I'm really looking forward to that!

Hope you had a good week training! What are you up to for the holiday weekend? Group runs? Races? Whatever you do, make it great!

It takes time....but anything is possible!

Like anything worth having in life, weight loss and distance running both take a lot of time, dedication and sacrifice. I have had so many thoughts swirling through my brain this week after the disappointment of The Cleveland Marathon and finally came to some conclusions:

• Five years ago, I couldn't run a mile
• Five years ago, I was very much overweight
• Five years ago, I was setting a bad example for my child 
• Three years ago, I couldn't run a mile
• Three years ago, although pregnant, I was very much overweight
• Three years ago, I was setting a bad example for my children
• Two and a half years ago, I decided to do something about it; I started running
• Two years ago, I started eating healthy and losing weight
• Two years ago, I started setting better examples for my children
• One year ago, I hit my goal weight (the first time)
• Seven months ago, I ran my first marathon
• Four days ago, I ran my second marathon

I may not have had the race I WANTED this Sunday, but in the grand scheme of life, it was fantastic. When I started running, I was aiming high, I wanted to be able to run five miles "comfortably". That was my dream goal. No idea if I would ever be able to do it, FIVE MILES was far! Now, I can't imagine not being able to run five miles. Sunday, I completed my SECOND MARATHON. When I was dreaming of running five miles, the thought of running a marathon, let alone TWO never even crossed my mind. 

Pictures that changed my life.
I didn't even recognize myself!

When I started trying to lose weight and be healthier, I honestly didn't think I would reach my goals. Why should I? I never had before. I figured I'd give it a good try, and continue on with life as usual. Luckily, something clicked in me this time. I was losing weight and feeling good. I was buying smaller, much cuter clothes and I LOVED it! 

I was running, I hit five miles and tackled a half marathon. Let me say that again, I RAN 13.1 miles! It took me a while to absorb that I actually did that! At that point, I still had no thoughts/desire/delusions of running a marathon. Then I signed up for half marathon #2 and started training for a time goal. Then I got the itch to run a marathon. Now, two and a half years after starting my running and active life, I have COMPLETED TWO MARATHONS. Up next? I have no idea. I know that I will continue to try to set a good example for my kids but being as healthy as I possibly can. I know that I will continue to try to set a good example by going after my goals and dreams. I know that I will continue to be active and encourage them to be active and healthy as well. I know that I will continue to encourage my friends and family to go after their dreams, to live a healthy and active life, too. 

Before Marathon #2. Two years, five months
after starting my weightloss journey.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Just like my running journey, my weightloss journey hasn't been "easy". Some people think that because I run (and run a LOT), it's easy to lose or maintain my weight. It's not. My "before" picture above was actually taken after I had been running consistently for about four months. I was under the delusion that I could eat what I wanted because I was running. I WISH! I learned that I had to start watching what I ate AND exercising in order to lose weight. Sure, training for a marathon and running 40 miles a week certainly helps. It allows me the occasional indulgences, but it certainly doesn't give me a free pass to eat whatever I want. I still struggle with making healthy choices. It's easier now than it was two years ago, and I'm hoping that one day it will just be "easy". However, healthy eating has become a way of life. No, I don't eat healthy all day every day. I have found that for myself, moderation is key. I still struggle some days with that moderation, but I think about my choices each and every day.  I continue to work at it. 

If you are looking to lose weight and looking for the magic "instant" skinny pill, then you need to keep looking. I, too, used to look for the fast, easy way to lose weight. It doesn't work! The only real way to lose weight and keep it off is by changing your life. It's one day at a time, one step at a time. Sure, it sucks that it takes a long time. It sucks that it takes a lot of hard work. But if you are ready to change your life, you can do it! Get your support system. Friends, family, on-line, anywhere and everywhere that you can. You will NEED it. But, every day it does get easier. You will have set-backs. You will struggle, but in the end, I think you'll be happy with the decision.

I will keep enjoying every milestone I reach. I will remind myself of where I started and how far I've come. 

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ENOUGH, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

I'm not sure where my running journey is taking me next, I have some thoughts swirling about that, too. More on those later. Whatever I decide, though, I know that with enough hard work and dedication, that it IS POSSIBLE!

Where are your dreams taking you? How far have they brought you so far?

My Cleveland Marathon Race Recap

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon did not go how I had anticipated. I've had a couple days to process everything so hopefully, I can write a good recap. 


First, I would like to thank the kind people at The Cleveland Marathon for the opportunity to be an Official Race Blogger. It was a great experience!


We had a great weekend in Cleveland for "The Cleveland Experience", but this recap is going to be long enough just with the race, so I will write another post on our weekend. 

Race week the forecast was calling for warmer than usual on race day. I kept telling myself it would be ok. I knew a marathon in May, in Ohio, could be pretty unpredictable (it could be cold and snowy or hot and humid, or somewhere in between). Knowing it could be hot on race day kept me trying to run during the hottest parts of the day (when it was warmer than usual), but as a pre-dawn runner, that is pretty hard to do! 

Marathon morning, I woke up early and decided that there was no point in trying to sleep for the next 25 minutes until my alarm went off. I checked the temperature hoping it had dropped during the night and I would need my throw-away long sleeve shirt. No such luck. At 4:45am, my weather app said it was 69*F! Uh, oh! Good news? VERY low humidity. After some drama with our in room coffee maker (thank you mom for bringing me yours so I could get my much needed coffee!), I dressed and headed down to the lobby to wait for Jamie and Kate. It was funny sitting in the hotel lobby watching the drunk people head to bed while I was getting ready to go for a "little" run! 

Look how excited we are! Getting ready
to leave the hotel.

We got to Browns' stadium where the starting line was and were looking for our friend, Allen, who had already arrived to cheer and support us! We ran into another friend, Greg while we were looking and stopped to chat with him a little. Greg and I were planning to meet another friend, Alissa and all start with the 4:25 pace group.  We finally found Allen and of course stopped for a picture. 

Pre-race. Kate, Anne & Jamie

This was the largest race that I have ever participated in, they had estimated 20,000 runners between the Marathon, half-marathon and 10K (I think that is correct). And while we were trying to make our way to the correct pace areas to start, you could tell there were TONS of people. It was very difficult to move around and harder still to get lined up in approximately the correct positions. Once I found the 4:25 pacer, I was on a mission to find friends from RunDMC (our local running group) Greg and Alissa. I finally found Alissa, then right before the starting gun, we found Greg. We were able to start together which really helped to have friendly faces. Alissa and I had primarily the same goals for time so we were hoping to be able to run together for a while. 

About 8 minutes after the starting gun, we finally crossed the starting line! Wow, that was a lot of people! All the races I've done to this point, after the first couple miles, it thins out and I have been able to run my race. Not so with the Cleveland Marathon. It was extremely crowded until the turn off for the Half Marathon finish. The first mile was slow as expected and then we were off with a good pace. The first several water stop were extremely over-crowded with either not any water ready or so many people stopped and crowded around that you couldn't get near the tables. I wasn't too worried, that is why I carry my own water; for insurance that I have it when I need it! Unfortunately, it wasn't until the Half Marathon turn off that water stops were actually good. I struggled in the first half to actually get to the tables for water and then, half of the tables were not ready. I don't know if it was the heat that they went through more water than they anticipated or if the tables were understaffed. Unfortunately, that put a real damper on the day! 

Somehow Alissa and I got separated, although for the life of me, I have no clue where! (I thought I just took too long trying to get through one of the water stops) and I was a little bummed that I'd have to go the distance on my own. I got so spoiled during my training this year, having so many friends to run with! 


I think it was around mile 8 that I saw Jamie's family. That was a much needed boost!  I had already seen a couple runners down and at the mile 10 hill, we had to move over for a squad. That's never good to see, a sure sign of the heat! At this point, I decided that if I could get water from a water stop, I needed to start dumping it on my body to cool down. We weren't even halfway done and it was getting HOT.

After crossing the bridge back into downtown, I saw the first of my family on the corner. It was AWESOME! The heat was starting to get to me, but not so much that I was concerned yet. My brother, his two girls and my cousin were waiting for me. I was hot enough that I got water from them to dump on my head (hadn't had much chance at the water stops because of lack of water or couldn't get to the tables) and they filled up my handheld and off I went. It was great to see familiar faces! 

Filled bottle, cooled off and I'm on my way!

My splits started getting a little slower by this point, but if I remember correctly, I was still running the majority of the way, just a little slower than before. Looking at my splits, I'm a little surprised they were so fast. We lost the pacer by mile two or three and with the exception of that first mile where we COULDN'T go anywhere due to the amount of people, we were doing pretty good.  

1	10:55.9	1.00	10:56
2	9:53.6	1.00	9:54
3	9:58.4	1.00	9:58
4	10:19.7	1.00	10:20
5	9:46.5	1.00	9:47
6	9:55.4	1.00	9:55
7	9:50.5	1.00	9:50
8	10:22.0	1.00	10:22
9	10:31.8	1.00	10:32
10	10:17.6	1.00	10:18
11	10:49.5	1.00	10:49
12	10:42.5	1.00	10:43
13	10:13.4	1.00	10:13

At this point, I remember thinking that I could still PR. I knew I wouldn't reach my goal time but I was adjusting and ok with that. I knew Jeff, my kids and my parents were planning to be around the halfway point, and I saw them between mile 13 and 14 (again, I think that's where it was! It's so hard to remember exactly where things were when there were so many miles to remember!) I stopped again to get more water, Jeff had my spare bottle filled with Nuun ready for me, dad dumped more water all over me (felt SO good!), got hugs from my kids and I was off again. The support and encouragement was just what I needed! 

My awesome family & support crew helping me on my way!

Unfortunately, things went rapidly downhill from there. We were running along and I remember looking ahead and thinking "Where is everyone?". It was at this point that the sidewalk was shaded so we all moved into the shade. There were a lot of people running/walking at this point; myself included. My legs wanted to go, but unfortunately, my body did NOT agree. Every time I started running, I felt nauseous. I kept thinking MLK is coming soon, it's a downhill and I think it should be shaded. It will be better. Not so much for me. So I ran as far as I could, then walked. This continued for the rest of the race. Here is what kept me going...

Text conversation with Jeff:

• me: Almost to 16. Walking a lot. Might make it under 5 (hadn't given up at this point) 10:02am.
• me: Too hot. Trying not to over heat. Lots of walking. 10:22am
• Jeff: Be Safe!
• Me: I am. don't know if I'll finish.
• Jeff: You will, but if not, your health comes first.
• Me: I know. so disappointed.
• Jeff: Hang in there! We love you and are proud of you no matter what! GO MOMMY GO!

That helped a lot, and of course there were some tears at that point! It was hard to let go of ALL of my goals, but even before Jeff said it, I kept thinking there will always be another race...there is only one mom for my kids and it would be stupid to jeopardize my health for a race (let's face it, I'm not an elite athlete, I don't get paid for this and will never be a contender for winning a race!).  


Jamie and I had a couple of text conversations along the way and I was extremely worried about her. I kept thinking; maybe I'll just sit down and wait for her, then we could finish the race out together. But I knew if I stopped to wait, I would NEVER keep going. At one point, I started thinking about a DNF, but at that point, there were so few people along the course that I had no idea how to even go about doing that. How in the world do you quit during a race?! Then realized that no matter my finishing time, I worked TOO hard and trained for too long to have a DNF. One foot in front of the other for as long as it takes. Besides, at this point, I thought that if people were being taken off the course by ambulance, I needed to finish as long as I stayed safe. I couldn't give up just because it was rough and not what I wanted. I had to finish for those runners that couldn't reach the finish line.

Mile 20 we ran along the lake on a bike path. I kept longingly looking at the cold lake while I ran/walked. I think it was just after we got off the bike path that I heard my name. I was looking around to see who I knew and it was ALISSA!!!!! I was so excited that she caught up to me, but at the same time felt bad that she wasn't ahead of me finishing like I had hoped she would be! We ran/walked or "shuffled" as we called it at that point to the finish. Luckily, the water stations in the second half of the race were better staffed and more prepared for us than the first half was . I was able to re-fill my water bottle when I needed too and they were hosing us down when we went through (THANK YOU!) 

The running community is awesome! I am thankful for the friends that I have made through running and the people I have met through RunDMC, DailyMile and Twitter. Without RunDMC, I probably would not have met Alissa who helped get me through the finish. There were two friends from RunDMC (our local running club) that came just to cheer for us and it was AWESOME to see them along the course! Thank you Jessica and Richard!! And HUGE thank you to Allen, making it to so many spots along the course!!! 

Miles 21-24ish went through some not so nice areas and the streets were in pretty rough shape. I was watching the ground to make sure I didn't step in a pot hole and twist an ankle. The way my race was going, anything was possible at this point! The course volunteers were now telling us how many blocks to water stops. However, I didn't know there were any heat alerts until Jamie texted me telling me it was a yellow alert. When we were around mile 24 I think it was, someone told us it was now a RED ALERT and we HAD to stop for water. We hit the mile 25 water stop, got hosed off again, and we decided that we would run it in and finish as strong as we could. It was rather slow going, but knew when we got to E 9th, it was all downhill to the finish. There were now volunteers out on the course passing out bottled water---I KNEW the heat was bad if that was happening! I have never been so happy to turn a corner in my life! We "ran" down the hill, turned the corner and entered the finish chute. I saw my family, yay!!!!! then Kate came running out to encourage me to the finish. I was so happy to see her with her medal and that she waited HOURS for me to come through! We crossed the finish line!!! Not in the 4:25 or less that I was looking for, but I FINISHED! Considering there were so many times during that race that I was ready to sit down and be done with the race, I consider that a HUGE win! 

14	10:39.5	1.00	10:40
15	11:50.8	1.00	11:51
16	12:22.7	1.00	12:23
17	13:04.9	1.00	13:05
18	13:05.6	1.00	13:06
19	13:46.9	1.00	13:47
20	13:43.5	1.00	13:44
21	14:08.0	1.00	14:08
22	15:45.8	1.00	15:46
23	17:01.4	1.00	17:01
24	16:13.2	1.00	16:13
25	14:58.7	1.00	14:59
26	14:24.6	1.00	14:25
27	6:00.6	0.60	10:00

The Cleveland Marathon taught me a LOT about myself. It taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. It taught me that no matter how badly I might think I want to quit, I don't give up. 

One of the members of RunDMC posted this last night on our facebook site: 

per·se·ver·ance noun
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.


and said that completing the Cleveland Marathon was a study in perseverance. He is absolutely correct.

My fantastic husband went to the store and found some fruit bars that he met me at the finish line with. That tasted SO good!! Luckily he did that as there was not much left over at the finish line. There was water, chips, pretzels and bananas. I was hoping for chocolate milk; apparently they ran out as I saw trash cans overflowing with chocolate milk bottles. I was hoping for a bagel, or SOMETHING full of carbs. Other than the chips, no such luck. I know it took me a LONG time to finish the race, but I never imagined that they would be out of food/drink already. Luckily, they had lots of water and I took a couple as I knew I needed it. 

With my biggest supporter!!! 

We took several pictures and moved into the shade to relax and wait for Jamie to come through. I received the text that she finished and made my way to the finish area. So happy to see her come through!!!!! 

We did it! Marathon #2 done!

Definitely not the race I trained for, but I know you cannot train for the weather. Definitely a race that I will always remember and hope that I taught my kids and nieces some valuable lessons about dedication and sticking to your goals no matter how they may change. I FINISHED! 


Official time: 5:20:35

My time may not be what I wanted it to be, but I am very proud of my race and the completion of marathon #2! Might have to run a third now though to get that time I wanted....