2012 Boston Marathon: CHECK!

I DID IT! Last Monday, April 16th, I completed the 116th Boston Marathon! It was far from ideal conditions, and the heat actually threw a huge wrench in my initial running plan (to beat my personal record), but I loved every minute of the marathon and cannot wait to run it again someday! In addition to receiving a LOVELY new metal to hang on my wall, I reached a new fundraising total (thanks to my generous friends who donated on race day). I have currently raised: $7,718.00! I'm not going to lie, completing the Boston Marathon is super cool, but raising that much money, and having that much support and love from family and friends truly makes me feel like a ROCK STAR!

This unfortunately will be my last post (this blog is about running the Boston Marathon after all), but please feel free to keep in touch via e-mail (valerie.valant@gmail.com). I have loved being able to share my journey with all of you and I hope you will also send me updates on your lives as they occur. Below is a recap of my "race day experience" as well as a few fun photos from the day (the 2nd to last is my favorite....note the completely exhaustion on my face!).

So, until the next Marathon adventure, PEACE, LOVE AND RUNNING!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Race Day: The alarm went off at 5:05am and much to my surprise, I quickly hopped out of bed (I am not exactly a morning person!). I went to bed the night before at 9:30pm and had a great night sleep. I quickly pulled on my race day uniform, made some breakfast (bagel with peanut butter), grabbed my pre-packed bag and headed down Beacon Hill to our team bus (which was conveniently located 2 blocks from my house). At 6:00am sharp the bus pulled away and began the drive to Hopkinton. Let me tell you, this was one of the most entertaining and nerve racking parts of the day. Why you might ask? Well, has anyone every driven from Boston to Hopkinton? For those of you that have not, it's about a 45 minute drive, which is a LONG time to drive and an even LONGER time to run! It was at that point that we all took a deep breath, a big gulp and realized, this is the real deal....in a few short hours we will actually be RUNNING this route home!

We arrived at the MGH pre-race tent around 7:00am and were greeted by water, Gatorade, snacks and porta-potties galore! For those of you who read my 1st blog post on "marathon perks" you may remember my obsession with porta-potties. As any runner will tell you, there is nothing more satisfying on race day than an abundance of porta-potties (let's just leave it at that). After settling down, we had some time to kill since our wave (#3) did not head to the start line until 10:10am. We filled our time by decorating our shirts and bodies with sharpies, taking group pictures and completing a group stretch. Soon enough, it was 10:10am and we began walking the 0.7 miles to the Boston Marathon Start line! The crowd was very dense and the sun was already VERY hot. My teammates Delia and Dain and I passed the time by talking about our "race strategy." Basically we were all going to start running at our race pace and would adjust accordingly.

Well, for any of you who tracked me on Monday, you may have noticed that it did not take long for me to "adjust accordingly." I have run in the heat before, and know some decent tips to keep cool while running (wear a hat, splash yourself with water, etc), but Marathon Monday was pretty miserable. I think part of the problem was that for the past 4 months we had been training in snow, rain and overall cold conditions. We were not used to running in shorts let alone in 86 degrees! I felt the effects very quickly into the first 5K. I began running the race at an 8:30 min/mile pace but around mile 6 started feeling lightheaded and tired. It was at that point that I had a little mental fight with myself: This heat is absolutely horrible, I do not want to run ANOTHER 20 miles in these conditions and overall, I am NOT having fun. My counter-argument: Really Valerie? You're running THE BOSTON MARATHON! Sure, the heat sucks, but what are you going to do about it, drop out at mile 6? Get over it, enjoy the experience and stop being a baby! My counter-argument won this battle and I decided to slow my pace (10:30 min/mile) and enjoy the amazing race that I was so fortunate to be experiencing!

The Boston Marathon is truly an experience! The race course was filled with spectators along every inch of the 26.2 mile course and the spectators even became 4-5 people deep at some spots. During the residential towns of Ashland, Framingham and Natick, families were handing out a WIDE array of snacks for runners, which included pretzels, Twizzlers, freeze-pops, water, Gatorade, and my personal favorite, ORANGE SLICES! I usually do not like eating while I run, but holy moly, those orange slices were absolutely heavenly. But even better than the snacks were the water hoses and ICE! Almost every 0.25 miles (or more) you could find a garden hose, open fire-hydrant, sprinkler, or kids with super-soakers that were ready and willing to cool you down. I honestly felt like a little kid playing around my backyard, running in and out of the sprinklers. The pro: I was cool and wet the entire race. The con: my sneakers and socks were SOAKED! I luckily did not get any blisters, but I know quite a few runners who had some nice battle wounds to show off the next day. Also, having ice on the race course literally saved my life. I was handed a zip-lock baggie of ice around mile 12 and kept refilling it during the race for a constant supply of ice cubes that I would both chomp on and put in my sports-bra (which I must say is a GENIUS way to keep cool)!

Feeling great, I entered into Wellesley where I encountered the "screaming tunnel" of Wellesley girls! Talk about GIRL POWER! Since I had my name on my jersey, I received lots of personal shout-outs, screams of motivation and high-fives. I received similar enthusiasm as I ran through Boston College (mile 22ish) and Boston University (mile 24ish), but the BEST motivation came at Mile 20! It was here that I was greeted by the MGH Marathon Team cheering squad and my family! Below is a picture of my reunion with my Aunt Susan and grandparents, as noted by my attacking hug, I was very excited to see them.

Photo 1: The MGH Marathon Team party at Mile 20! My grandparents and Aunt Susan were awaiting my arrival, and as a thank you for their cheering efforts, I gave them all a nice wet hug :)

After a quick jog up heartbreak hill (mile 21) I was greeted by one of my best friends (Leigh!) who gave me a quick pep-talk as I ran through Boston College. After giving about a zillion high-fives and receiving some VERY enthusiastic cheers from the BC kids, I headed into Brookline and was greeted by another group of friends! My girlfriends Liz, Bethany and Katie were awaiting me at mile 23 and cheered me onward as I entered the last 3 miles! It was at this point that I began to get really excited. My legs were tired, but I was feeling great mentally! A HUGE part of what kept my excitement was knowing that I had another 2 groups of cheering squads at miles 25 and 26! My boyfriend and friends had made a HUGE "RUN VAL RUN" poster which awaited me at mile 25 and my mom, brother and co-workers awaited me at mile 26! However, by mile 26 I was tired. Luckily, I had convinced my brother to run the last 0.25 miles to Boylston St with me. In typical competitive, younger-brother fashion, I got a "suck it up, stop being a baby, you're almost there, push through the pain, it's not that bad" speech as we ran the last bit. Finally, I turned onto Boyslton St to run the last 0.37 miles and complete the Boston Marathon! See photo below:

Photo 2: I just turned onto Boylston St for the final 0.37 miles to the finish line....I was SO excited and COMPLETELY exhausted!

Crossing the finish line felt AMAZING both for the realization that I had completed this race in crazy conditions and because I knew I could finally stop running. See photo below:

Photo 3: FINISHED! I received a lovely "reflective" blanket and a SWEET metal, which naturally meant a photo opportunity!

After the race, I made my way to the FitCorp Fitness Center where I had an AMAZING shower and met my friends and family for a post-race party hosted by the MGH Marathon team! After receiving my complementary massage, I made my way home for an afternoon of lounging: napping, pizza and tv.

To recap: I ran the Boston Marathon and CANNOT wait to do it again! I had an absolutely amazing day and felt more love and support than I knew what to do with. I love running, but more than anything, love knowing that in running this race, I have been able to connect and share my passions with my family and friends. So, to everyone who tracked me, donated to my fundraising efforts, read my e-mails, or liked my numerous facebook updates, thank you - your encouragement means more than you will ever know.

Love, Valerie

13 HOURS UNTIL THE 116th BOSTON MARATHON!

Hello family, friends and fellow runners!

As I sit here in my bed, 13 hours before the start of my 1st Boston Marathon, I am thinking about the challenge that lies ahead of me. Tomorrow, after waking up at 5:00am, I will head to Hokpinton, MA via bus. At 10:10am, I will exit the Athletes' Village and walk 0.7 miles to the Boston Marathon starting line. By that point, the elite women (starting at 9:30am) and the elite men (starting at 10:00am) will already be on their way to Boston. At 10:40, I will cross the starting line and begin my journey. From Hopkinton, I will run through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and finally enter into Boston. Over those 26.2 miles, I will have net elevation drop of about 500 ft, and encounter both uphill and downhill regions that are notoriously known by runners worldwide - ex: heartbreak hill. Also, to top it all off, it will be a high of 87 degrees tomorrow.

Wow. I have a wide variety of feelings going through my head. I'm nervous for a new course, anxious for the pain that I know my body will feel and scared for the heat. But most of all, I am EXCITED. Despite the pain, weather and course (which is known by many as the world's most challenging marathon), tomorrow I know that I will be running THE Boston Marathon. Even more exciting, I am running on the 30th anniversary of women running as well as the 15th anniversary of the MGH Marathon Team. The Boston Marathon is not just a race, it is truly an experience, and I plan on enjoying every single step.

So to end my pre-race post, I want send out a final thank you. Currently, I have raised $7,608.00 and have already received numerous texts, e-mails and facebook posts from friends and family wishing me good luck for tomorrow. I cannot tell you how much this means to me and I promise that tomorrow, when I think I can't go any further, when I am cursing myself for signing up for such a physically exhausting and painful race, I will be thinking of every single one of you and will remind myself that I cannot let myself and my fans down :)

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

Valerie

3 Days to GO: 84 Degrees? REALLY WEATHER?!

Check out this forecast for Marathon Monday...84 degrees and partly cloudy! Granted, for those of you who have been checking the weather daily (as a certain blog writer/runner has been doing), you know that the predictions for Marathon Monday have ranged from 65-85 degrees and have included sunny, partly cloudy and isolated thunder storms. Needless to say, I am very anxious to see what the weather on Marathon Monday will actually have in store for the 27,000 runners headed for a nice little 26.2 mile jog! For anyone running, or spectating (which is a whole sport in itself) be sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and be aware of the warning signs for heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramping (which include dizziness, chills or nausea while running).

I had a nice little 3 mile jog yesterday and will run another 2-3 today. Tomorrow I am resting and enjoying myself at the Running Expo and then a little pasta dinner and RACE DAY!

Remember to set up your AT&T Athlete Alert if you haven't already done so (text RUNNER to 345678 - my bib# is 25476) and let me know where you'll be standing on race day.

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

Valerie

4 Days to go: MARATHON MOTIVATION!

Kenyan Caroline Kilel winning the 2011 Boston Marathon women's race (2:22:36):

What I tell myself on days I don't want to get out of bed:







Truth:

My all time FAVORITE quote:



Bring it on Marathon Monday!


Peace, Love and RUNNING!

5 Days to Go: MGH MARATHON TEAM JERSEY!

Check me outtttt!!!!




If you're planning on watching the Marathon, PLEASE e-mail or text me your estimated location so I can be on the lookout as I am SPRINTING for the finish line :) Also, don't forget to track me on your cell phone so you know when I'll be approaching (cow bells, blow-horns and excessive screaming will be very much appreciated)!

I LOVE TAPERING

A few of you have asked what my "training" regiment is for my week leading up to race day, well let me tell you, it is WONDERFUL. I think I may run marathons for the taper week. Not to brag, but I can run 2 or 3 miles in my sleep, so the fact that these are my "training" runs is heavenly. Below is my training schedule

Monday - 3 miles
Tuesday - 5 miles
Wednesday - 2 miles (WALK)
Thursday - 3 miles
Friday - 3 miles
Saturday - REST (1-2 mile walk)
Sunday - 2 miles (EASY), stretch, rest
Monday - RACE DAY: 26.2 from Hopkinton to Boston!

The point of the taper week is to keep your body loose while cutting back on distance and intensity. All of my runs will be at an 8:20 min/mile pace or LESS and will be accompanied by a lot of stretching. I am also hydrating like a camel - water and mango ZICO coconut water are my new best friends! For food, I am keeping pretty normal to my regular diet (nutritious and healthy), and staying clear of fatty foods. Starting on Friday I will begin the infamous carbo load (another reason why I love marathon running!) of pasta, potatoes and rice! I will add in veggies and protein, but will make carbs be my priority for lunch and dinner.

Keep up with me this week as I blog about my: MGH Marathon Team Jersey, Pre-Race jitters, Pre-Race Pasta Dinner and of course, one last final blog about RACE DAY!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

How To: AT&T Athlete Alert (Bib #25476)

Good Morning!!!

With only ONE WEEK until Marathon Monday, I thought I'd share the AT&T Athlete Alert instructions with you. This wonderful tracking system will provide you with 4 updates during my race, so whether you're wondering when to head over to Boylston St or keeping track from Dallas, now everyone will know EXACTLY where I am!!!

Instructions below:

AT&T and the Boston Marathon are proud to introduce the AT&T Athlete Alert for the 2012 Boston Marathon. Whether you want updates on top runners leading this year's race, or want to track the progress of your friends and family as they make their way from Hopkinton to Boylston Street, the AT&T Athlete Alert is the easiest way for you to stay up on the latest from the 2012 Boston Marathon.
Beginning on March 20, there will be three different ways to sign up for the AT&T Athlete Alert.

Please note that you will need an athlete’s bib number to register:

* TEXT - Simply text the word RUNNER to 345678 using your US mobile phone. You will then receive an sms text response with instructions on how to submit a runner’s bib number. (You will be opted in to receive 4 messages during the race. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel, Text HELP for help. This program is available on the following carriers: AT&T, Boost, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless.)

* EMAIL - Continue to the registration page for the AT&T Athlete Alert on the race website. Sign-up using your mobile phone number for SMS text message updates, or by entering an email address for email updates. Click here to sign up now.

* ONSITE - If you prefer to register in person or have any questions, representatives will be available in the Bib Number Pick-Up area at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday, April 13, from 2:00pm-7:00pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, from 9:00am-6:00pm.

If you register a mobile phone online, you will receive a message asking you to confirm your intention to receive updates from the 2012 Boston Marathon AT&T Athlete Alert. Once you’ve completed registration for AT&T Athlete Alert, you will receive text updates courtesy of AT&T and the Boston Marathon when your runner has crossed the following points on the course:

10K
Half-Marathon
30K
Finish

Registration through the BAA website will close on Sunday, April 15th, at 6:00pm. However, AT&T is pleased to announce that registration via mobile phone text messaging (for US mobile phones only) will remain open during the marathon.

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

YOU GO GIRL!

Hello Friends!

With only 12 days until the 116th Boston Marathon (AH!) I want to blog quickly on what has been motivating me recently. As a "seasoned" marathon runner (this is my 2nd) I can tell you that it is about this time that running gets tedious and often feels like a chore. Imagine you finish a busy day at work (even got out a little late), you didn't get your full 8 hours of sleep, and you need to grocery shop, make dinner and pay bills all before you go to bed. The last thing you want to do is run, right? That's the same way I feel, except, I HAVE to run. The most important part of marathon training is consistency, which means I have to get on my sneakers, stop complaining and run.

Yesterday was particularly bad. I left work at 6:30p and was super grouchy that I had stayed so late, tired from looking at the computer all day, and mad that the sun was going to set in an hour. I got home and had a letter waiting for me from the parents of my childhood friend. Inside was a donation towards my race and a note that had one sentence: You go girl!

I looked in the mirror and smiled. Why was I so grouchy? It was a beautiful day, I was going to run on the Charles River and I have more support and love than I know what to do with! I then went for an AMAZING 7 mile run to Harvard and back, which I ran at a comfortable 8:10 min/mile pace!

I don't know what motivates you to run, but for me, it is knowing that I am running to train for the Boston Marathon, running to honor my mom, and running to better myself! I saw this NPR article last night and wanted to pass it along to my readers. It is about Katherine Switzer, the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon in 1967 (unofficially). She started a revolution for women runners and helped campaign to include the women's marathon in the Olympic games. YOU GO GIRL!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/04/02/149876890/photo-the-first-woman-to-enter-the-boston-marathon?sc=fb&cc=fp

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

BIB NUMBER!!!!

WAHOO! Check it out --> 25476

Details on how to follow-me via AT&T Athlete Alert to follow :)



Peace, Love and MARATHON RUNNING!

Updates GALORE: 26 DAYS/Happy Spring/$5,441!!!

Good MORNING fellow runners!!!

I have SO many exciting things to share with you all I do not even know where do begin!

To start with the MOST exciting news, I HAVE SURPASSED MY $5,000 FUNDRAISING GOAL AND HAVE CURRENTLY RAISED $5,441!!!!!! Last Friday, realizing I was $99 short of my goal, I posted a little facebook status to ask if anyone would want to help me reach my $5000 target and I had EIGHT people donate! I went from $4,901 to $5,441 in a matter of hours! I am still in shock from the generosity of my donors, especially because I have not even had my fundraiser yet (Remember, Friday-March 30th http://www.facebook.com/events/382078658485738/). So to all of you who generously went to my Crowd-rise page and gave, thank you so very much. I cannot tell you how much your support means to me and how inspired I am to run this race which is now in LESS than a month!

Which brings me to my 2nd point....ONLY 26 DAYS UNTIL RACE DAY! BAH! If that isn't scary, I don't know what is! I've been told that one of the best things about running the Boston Marathon is the anticipation, and I am 100% vouch for that (especially now with the nice weather!). I actually let out a little shriek last Friday when I realized the Boston Marathon banners were hanging from the lamp-posts on Cambridge St (mind you think was during a meeting, but luckily my co-worker thought my girly screaming was cute). Training is going AWESOME. I ran 19 miles last weekend and will be running 20 miles this Sunday with my entire MGH Marathon team! I am super psyched since we are actually going to be running the Boston Marathon course. We will be driving together to Hopkington, MA and running up to mile 20 (ending with Heartbreak hill!). I know I can run 20 miles, so I am going to use this run to really push myself and evaluate where my body stands.

Last, but not least, HAPPY SPRING! Today is a great day for so many reasons...

1) THE WEATHER
2) 10 Days until My fundraiser (Alex and Ani just donated....so ladies, get ready for some intense raffle-ing!)
3) 26 DAYS UNTIL THE MARATHON....That is a MILE-A-DAY away!!!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

New Breakfast Smoothie recipe!

So, by now you may have been getting bored of those green smoothies. I already had two this week, and although I LOVE them and think they are DELICIOUS, I find that I am still hungry in the morning. So today, I did some smoothie searching, and found this yummy breakfast smoothie (recipe below):

½ cup yogurt, plain or vanilla
1 cup fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries, and mango oh my!)
½ banana
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp psyllium husks (FOR DIGESTION)
1 tbsp spirulina (FOR VITAMINS/ANTIOXIDANTS/IMMUNE BOOST)
1 tbsp bee pollen (FOR ENERGY)
1 cup ice (or use frozen fruit and skip the ice)

Yield: 2½ cups; Calories: 435; Total fat: 4.5 g; Fiber: 11.8 g; Protein: 8.8 g

I will be making this smoothie tomorrow morning (and will be sure to comment on the taste) but what I think will be SO great about this drink is the addition of the "psyllium husks." Apparently, they are very good at absorbing water (to make you feel fuller longer) in addition to doing great things for your bowel regulation....yum!

I am off to run a nice and easy 5 miles and I can't wait to update you on my smoothie adventures tomorrow!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

5 Tricks for making a Run Routine STICK!

Happy Tuesday all! I saw this blog on Lululemon today and thought I'd re-post for my blog readers. Considering weather.com says that tomorrow is going to be a high of 56 degrees in Boston, I suggest you put on your running shoes, hit the Charles and start your Spring running routine NOW!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

5 tricks for making a run routine stick no matter what....

1. pick a time that works for you and book it into your calendar

If it’s in your calendar, it’s more likely to happen. Making appointments with ourselves and committing our precious time makes us more likely to stay on track. Also, most of us have a time of day we like running at (Deanne is a morning person). Learn what your time is and stick to it – you’ll enjoy your runs more.

2. find awesome running partners

Deanne enjoys running the most when she is joined by some of her running pals (usually her daughter or her friends Michelle and Eric). Enroll some of your friends into joining you on your running missions – we are more likely to keep with a program if we have a partner in crime. Added bonus: running buddies also make great coffee buddies (a VERY important part of run training).

3. keep your running gear with you at all times

All of the most disciplined runners I know have one trait in common: they bring their running stuff with them every day. To make excuses even more obsolete, keep toiletries and a change of clothes at your office (Editor’s Note: I have a conspiracy theory that Deanne was born in a pair of Speed Shorts).

4. set goals and work towards them

Without fail, people who set goals achieve more. Deanne regularly participates in races and sets time goals for herself – this gives her the additional motivation she needs to train hard with a target in mind.

5. eff the program – aka, if you have spare time, just go

There were many days when I saw Deanne leave at lunch time and run for 40 minutes, only to come back and take a conference call filled with bliss and yes, covered in sweat. The moral of this story? Instead of setting rigid rules about how long her runs had to be, Deanne seized the time she had and just went running. Sometimes it is as simple as that.

http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/5-tricks-for-making-a-run-routine-stick/?cid=fbrunroutine

Race Pace: How to get faster for Marathon Monday

Today let's chat about our running pace. Sure, it's fun going for a leisurely jog, but it is also really fun to run fast, especially if it allows you to PR on race day! So the question is, what strategies should you use to increase your race pace?

Please find 3 running tactics below. In addition, what I personally LOVE to do (and use quite frequently) is assign different tempo music for the different stages of my run. For example, I tend to start my runs slow with Adele and then gradually increase the tempo, moving from Katy Perry to Rhianna, Niki Minaj and the Black Eyed Peas. Kap Slap is also AWESOME for fast-pace running mash-ups (http://kapslap.com/).

3 Running Tactics....

1) Negative or even splits

This means you’re running the same pace (even splits) or finishing faster (negative split) than how you started. Generally this approach is best for longer races like the marathon, where you don’t want to go out too fast and get yourself into trouble with mannnyyyyyy miles to go. The key is to consistently keep or pick up your pace throughout the race. You don’t want to leave too much in the tank, but it can help you finish strong while everyone else is fading.

2) Starting fast and holding on

Obviously, this is the opposite to whats above (and my personal favorite!). This tactic is best for shorter races like a 5K. But please be careful... although you can get a great runner's high from this type of run (woo hoo endorphins!), it can also be a disaster if you start too fast, get in over your head and crash and burn. So make sure to do LOTS of training runs before applying this tool to race day.

3) Surges

A surge is where you pick up your pace for 100-400 meters or so. It’s usually done if you’re trying to drop a competitor, but if can also be done by yourself if you're trying to finish a hill or are at the end of your race. The key is you again don’t want to go too fast, because at about 75-80% of your max heart rate — your anaerobic threshold — your body starts pumping out lactic acid to slow you down, and you’ll hit a wall. But if you stay below that zone, it can actually help you because you’re switching up using fast twitch (speed) muscles, which will keep your slow twitch (endurance) muscles fresh.

You know you're a runner when....

You know you're a runner when...

-You no longer make fun of fanny packs because your running belt looks very similar (although cooler) to one.

-You have more running clothes than regular clothes in your laundry pile.

-You're not embarrassed to wear spandex.

-You're ALWAYS hungry.

-You smirk when non-runners ask you, "So how long is this Marathon?"

-You know where exactly one mile from your front door is (in any direction).

-You own more pairs of running sock than dress socks.

-You get jealous when you're driving in your car and you pass a runner.

-A beautiful summer day turns overcast and you're glad because it's much better running weather.

-You call 5 miles a "short run" and people look at you funny.

-You spend the last two miles of a marathon thinking about what you're going to do different when you run your next race.

Peace, Love and RUNNING

New Search Tool from nSphere!

Happy Tuesday! As I'm sure many of you may have noticed, I have a new blue search box on the bottom right of my blog. Instead of explaining it myself (which could end poorly) I've asked my nSphere contact to help me out! Please see below for his explanation of this awesome new feature.

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

Hi Valerie's readers! Valerie kindly let me guest write a paragraph of her blog to explain the new search tool on her page. My name is Thom, and I work for a tech company called nSphere. I am currently working with runners and running blogs to try to get them to join the nSphere network. I contacted Valarie because her blog is full of great posts about fundraising and running for charity that could benefit others who are thinking about doing the same thing. By joining our network, her content will be able reach new readers through relevant searches, and her readers (like you) are able to search from her site for local information. For example, if you are reading a blog post about a running injury like Plantar Faciitis, you can use this local search tool to search for Podiatrists in your area. Your search results will include a list of the podiatrists closest to your location along with a phone number, address, and reviews. Soon the widget will also help share content, reviews and posts, by other bloggers that are also extremely relevant to the search. That said, the best way to learn about the tool is to try it out!

The widget is a "simple" search function that:
* Sits on a website and delivers search results on website, keeping your traffic on the page
* Has the ability to get your websites content out to people at a time when then want it
* Takes 5 minutes to add to your page.

We want to share this widget with as many blogs and sites with good content as possible! If you would like to give the widget a try, please give me a call at 617 933 7539, or contact Valerie for my email address. Happy Running!

Holy WIND!!!!

For those of us who live in Boston, we know that every once in a while it can get a little breezy....our hair might get caught in our lip gloss or our umbrella might get turned inside out. But have you every been blown off of a running path or been blurred by your own tears? Because that was my experience this past Saturday (see picture to the right).

I woke up around 8:30am Saturday morning and immediately checked my weather application....44 degrees and sunny, not bad! But before I closed my phone, I noticed a small red "warning" symbol. It was for severe wind and I giggled to myself since one of the warnings was to actually avoid trash cans being blown over. Not thinking much of it, I got ready, ate 1/2 a banana and a GOO (no more gummies for me!) and headed out in my Asics running tights and new Asics 1/2 zip. It was a little breezy heading down to the esplanade, but nothing to blog about. However, as soon as I began crossing the Storrow bridge, I saw white caps on the Charles river and noticed waves crashing onto the shore line....that's right, white caps and crashing waves. From that point on, it was an epic battle for 2 hours and 44 minutes....Val vs. Mother Nature.

This is basically how my run went: Val runs 3 steps forward, runs in place as the wind pushes her backwards (put this on repeat)....Val wipes the tears from her face while attempting to open her eyes against the wind... Val HEAVILY debates turning around and going to the gym to run (or back to bed)...Val has a mental battle, telling herself she is being a baby and she needs to suck it up...Val gets pushed off the running path every 5 minutes...it starts snowing (???)....after 12 miles Val FINALLY has the wind at her back for the last 6 miles...Val is still being pushed off the path but is no longer crying...Val feels like she is floating back to the MGH bridge...Val smiles...Val laughs at how miserable the runners look going the opposite direction only to realize that's how she looked for 2/3 of her run (sad)...Val finishes 18 miles as her ipod dies, a sign from Mother Nature to go home and get out of this crazy weather.

So there you have it. On days like last Saturday, I truly believe the saying that running is 10% athleticism and 90% mental strength. What kept me going through the wind, tears and snow (???) was looking around me to see my fellow Charles runners...if they can do it, so could I.

The purpose of this blog? Well, aside from venting about my windy run, I want to reinforce my belief that you can truly do ANYTHING you set your mind to. Just remember that the pain and frustration you're feeling is temporary....for me it was for 2 hours and 44 minutes, and in the grand scheme of life, in comparison to the real battles that people face every day and all day, running in the wind isn't all that bad :) So stop complaining, embrace the elements and be thankful that you have the ability to enjoy a little Saturday morning jog!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!!!!


PS: For those of you who actually want strategy against running in the wind, please see below for an excerpt taken from a fellow running blog (http://marksvo2.wordpress.com/)

"The basic strategy is to run behind someone when running against the wind. The person ahead of you would do all the work cutting through the wind leaving you fresher as the race goes on. This is called drafting and is a well known fact with cyclists and race car drivers. In many big meets, the top runners would take it easy and wait till the last lap or even the last 100 meters to make a move. This commonly happens in big meets like the world championships or the Olympics. A 10,000 meter race ends up being two events a 9,600 meter jog and a 400 meter sprint. The biggest downside in drafting is you rely on the person in front to set the pace. If he/she is too fast than you risk some lactic acid build-up since you have to change your cadence and stride rate to match the pace of the other runner. If the runner is too slow then you are running sub optimal pace.

On the other hand, running with the wind behind you is a big plus. You can actually wear a loose tank top and use it like a sail to gather as much help from the wind. But most of our races are out and back so on a windy day you will be running against the wind as much as running with the wind. It actually evens out."

2012 Boston Marathon Colors: CORE ENERGY/BLACK!!!

There is really not much more I need to post in this blog other than the below picture! Needless to say, once I put this jacket on, I will NEVER be taking it off!! Bad-ASS does not begin to describe the infamous Boston Marathon apparel, and I am absolutely THRILLED that this year's colors are CORE ENERGY and BLACK.

You can check out the other apparel on the Marathon Sports website below. I have already started saving, since I anticipate that I will be walking away with almost every one of these items. If you're going to run 26.2 miles, you might as well look good :)

Running Update: Ran 17 Miles last weekend @ 8:50 min/mile....18 this weekend!!

Fundraising Update: I have reached 88% of my fundraising goal and am currently at $4,405.00!!!!! I have also received over 30 donation items including gift from the Liberty Hotel, Boston Red Sox, Upper Crust Pizza, and Marathon Sports!!! Remember to keep Friday, March 30th open on your calendar for your chance to WIN!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!!!!

The perks of organizing a fundraiser: Re-discovering generosity

Over the past two weeks I have been working like a mad-woman planning my silent auction fundraiser! Although it has been a lot of work (and will be a lot more over the next 7 weeks) I am SO incredibly excited for the event (refer to my prior post or facebook invite for details - http://www.facebook.com/events/382078658485738/)! Currently, I have 16 items that I will be auctioning and I have about 40 more requests pending. Although I would love to brag about the amazing gifts will be auctioned during the fundraiser (4 Red Sox tickets, Oleana Chef Tasting, Healthworks and Fitcorp gym memberships….just to name a few!), what I want to share in this post is how incredibly generous my donors have been! However, instead of blabbing my feelings, I will rather share stories of their generosity, which reflect both the kindness and selflessness of my donors.

Family Friends: A close family friends owns season tickets to the Boston Red Sox. They own 4 seats in a great location behind 1st plate, which I have been lucky enough to enjoy myself a few times! When I asked for a donation for a weekend game, I was immediately told yes and asked which game I WANTED. So not only are they donating their personal tickets, but I was asked my preference. Wow.

Pinkberry: Upon agreeing to my request of one $25-$50 gift certificate, I was additionally asked what I thought would generate the most interest…what did I want. I then asked for 2, $30 gift certificates. My contact enthusiastically agreed and thought it would be more exciting to make gift packages, including both a t-shirt and bag with the gift card. I was so surprised and touched by her generosity and when I gratefully thanked her, she actually turned around and thanked ME for asking her to participate.

Prana Power Yoga: I initially requested one 5-class card and this is the response I got back: “Thank you for contacting Prana! We'd love to help you out with a donation to your event. We are excited to help you raise money and to also bring more people to their mats and therefore to joy and inner peace, so we are happy to donate two 5-class passes, each worth $65.” That’s right, they actually DOUBLED what I requested.

SPIbelt: This company, which is based in Austin TX, is a local based group which typically only supports other local businesses. However, when I told them I am a SPIbelt user and LOVE my running belt they decided to make an exception and agreed to donate one of their amazing belts for the auction!

Brewsees: This local start-up company, which makes sunglasses that have beer bottle openers on both temples (boys, get ready to buy those raffle tickets!), actually contacted ME and asked if they could donate a pair of their signature sunglasses as well as a t-shirt! Now they’re just making my job easy!


General updates:

Running – I ran 14.3 last weekend in New Orleans and will be running 10 tomorrow through the snow. This weekend is lighter in preparation for 16 next weekend. I also have been feeling NO pain in my knee (everyone knock on wood…I’m serious). I don’t know what has changed, but I’m not complaining!

Fundraising – I have SURPASSED $4,000 and have currently raised $4,046!!! With only 9 weeks to go, I am confident that I can reach and potentially surpass my goal. So THANK YOU to everyone that has donated thus far and be sure to mark your calendars for March 30th for my Fundraiser at McFadden’s!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

The cons of marathon running: CAVITIES

Cavities and marathon running? Yes, you read this correctly. This morning, during a lovely 8am trip to the dentist, I was informed that I have not one, but two cavities. One was filled this morning and the other will be filled at a later appointment. However, aside from informing you all about my dental hygiene, I wanted to share WHY, after 24 years of almost no cavities, I now have two new surprises in my mouth. The answer…

RUNNING FUEL SNACKS: Bars, Blok Shots, Gel, Gummy Chomps and Goos

These delicious, sugary, energy rich snacks have been allowing me to power through my long Saturday runs while also attacking my pearly whites. As you can probably tell by the sarcastic tone in this post, I am not a happy camper (or in this case, a happy runner). I mean come on, I am running MARATHONS and as a result I have cavities? You really can’t win : )

Clearly I’m annoyed, but I also find it kind of funny. So the real question of this post, what is the solution? After chatting with my dentist, there are three things you can do to protect your teeth while fueling your body:

1) Stay away from the Gummies! Try to eat the goo or gels since they wont stick to your teeth as much. This is particularly upsetting to me since the Cliff Bar Shot Blok gummies are my personal favorite.

2) EAT WITH WATER! Swish water around after you eat your goos to try and get most of the sugar off of your teeth

3) Brush ASAP! After catching your breath and stretching for a bit, throw some toothpaste on your toothbrush and go to town!

At the end of the day, it’s a tough balance, but hopefully I have provided some good insight into keeping both your body and mouth healthy and prepared for race day!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

Silent Auction Fundraiser: Fighting Kids' Cancer...One Step at a Time

Please join me on Friday, March 30th (7:00-10:00pm) at McFadden’s Boston for a silent auction fundraiser!!

Entrance fee is $10.00 per person, which includes:
• A Rubber Wristband with our team's theme engraved!
• 5 raffle tickets for the auction
• Cover charge for McFadden’s
• Free appetizers
• McFadden’s drink special ($3.00 house beers and $4.00 drinks with house liquors)

The way it works: Each item will be separately raffled in the auction. Each guest will receive 5 tickets with their entrance fee and can bid on any and all items!! Additional raffle tickets can be purchased throughout the night ($10 for an arms length) and the winners will be announced at 9:30pm!


Below are some of the items being auctioned. More gifts are “in the works” and I will be sure to update my list once they are confirmed.

• Red Sox Tickets (Fenway Stadium) – 4 seats in section 14 row 5 vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, May 25 (7:10pm) ($250 value)

• Fitcorp Fitness Center - 1 Month Gym Membership ($85 value http://fitcorp.com/)

• Prana Power Yoga (Multiple Locations) – 2, 5-Class Vouchers ($65 value each http://www.pranapoweryoga.com/)

• Back Bay Yoga (Boston, MA) - $25 Gift Certificate (http://www.backbayyoga.com/)

• Balanced Health Massage Studio (Boston, MA) - $50 Gift Certificate (http://www.lifeneedsbalance.com/)

• Abielle Jewelry Studio (Brookline Village, MA) – 2 Jewelry Making Class Vouchers ($40 value each http://www.abeille.us/)

• Oleana (Inman Square, Cambridge) – Chef Tasting Menu for 2 ($108 value http://oleanarestaurant.com/)

• Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt – 2 Gift Packages ($30 Gift Certificate, Bag and T-shirt http://www.pinkberry.com/)

• Flatbread Company (Davis Square, Cambridge) - $40 Gift Certificate (http://www.flatbreadcompany.com/)

• Freedom Trail Run - 2 Vouchers for a Running Tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail ($35 value each http://www.freedomtrailrun.com/)

• SPIbelt - 1 Red Running belt ($20 value http://www.spibelt.com/)

• Brewsees - 1 pair of Brewsees 12'Oz'er sunglasses, a Brewsees Coozie and a "Real Men Pry" T-shirt ($60 value http://www.brewsees.com/)

• Healthworks Fitness Centers - 1 Month Healthworks Membership ($100 value http://www.healthworksfitness.com/)

• S&S Organics - 1 Homemade Gift Basket of Organic Beauty products, including face scrubs, essential oils and salve ($85 value)


Please e-mail me (Valerie.valant@gmail.com) or join the facebook event (http://www.facebook.com/events/382078658485738/) and invite ALL your friends! Let's get together to eat some food, drink some beer, win some SWEET items, and help raise money to support MGH in their fight against pediatric cancer!

It's my BIRTHDAY and I want....$4,000.00!!!!

Hello friends and family and Happy January 30th! In addition to being THE GREATEST DAY EVER (because I was born), today is also a historically monumental day for the reasons below....

In 1487: Bell chimes were invented

In 1790: The 1st lifeboat was tested at sea, by its inventor, Mr. Greathead

In 1917: The 1st jazz record was recorded (Dark Town Strutters Ball)

In 1958: The 1st 2-way moving sidewalk became in service, Dallas TX

In 1973: KISS played their 1st show (Coventry Club in Queens New York)

In 2007: Microsoft releases Windows Vista

But in all seriousness, thank you for the well wishes for my 24th year. However, I may ask one favor since it is my "special" day. I have currently raised $3,750.00 towards my marathon, which is SO AMAZING! But, how AWESOME would it be to hit the $4,000.00 mark on my birthday?!! Think, that is just $250.00, which is....

$50 by 5 friends

$25 from 10 friends

$10 from 25 friends!!!

So think about it, and Happy Birthday to ME!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

My 1st MGH Marathon Team Run!

Today I had an AMAZING run with my MGH Marathon Team! We met at Marathon Sports on Boylston St and ran the Boston Marathon course backwards all the way to Boston College (and then back!). We didn't get as far as the infamous heartbreak hill, but boy was it hilly! In total we ran 13.3 miles, but I ran a mile there and back from my apartment, so I'm saying I ran 15 haha. I absolutely LOVED this run. My body felt awesome, I had a great running partner (Chad from my team), but most of all, the course we ran was filled with runners! Every where you looked were groups of 2 or 3 runners, decked out in past Boston Marathon gear and loving life. I have never run out by the BC area (I'm a Charles River snob), and it was like a running utopia - everyone smiling, waving, saying hi and rooting you on during those Brookline hills. I am definitely going to start doing my long runs out that way and recommend that route to anyone who wants a more challenging workout! I've posted my MapMyRun route below. You have to be my friend to check it out...so friend me and get to running!!

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/66362240

Also, last Wednesday was our 2nd MGH Marathon Team meeting and 1st team social! We talked a lot about upcoming dates, our personal struggles (either running or fund raising....which thank to all my FABULOUS donors is not a problem for me!) and what inspiration means to us. Here's a little summary of what we talked about, which hopefully will help inspire you to use the above link!!!

The runners on the MGH Marathon Team have 2 finish lines: The physical finish on Boylston St and the personal finish of raising $5,000.00. It is the latter that inspires us. By raising money, we are actively working to support cancer research and cancer recovery. Almost all the runners have family or friends who have been affected by cancer. Members of my team have lost best-friends to cancer, have children who are currently being treated at the MGH for Children, or have lost parents and siblings. For me, as you know, I am running for my Mom, who fought through 3 rounds of intense chemotherapy to live. While talking to my teammates during the social, we realized how much we are not only motivated by our own stories, but by each others as well. I cannot wait to run for Matt's friend or for Ping's father, and hearing their stories made me so motivated to run today. But what surprised me the most was how my story also impacted others. My story has a happy ending, and as one of my teammates told me, we need to hear a happy story every now and again to know that our fight against cancer IS working. We also received a list of 26 motivational reasons to run a marathon, I will end this post with my personal favorites:

1. The best way to remove the words, "I can't" from your vocabulary.

7. There is no rational reason to run a marathon. Pretty cool, eh?

10. Inspiration in life. Marathoning brings out the best in humankind. You'll see people from all walks of life and situations in a marathon - in wheelchairs, with amputated limbs, blind. You become inspired by seeing what the power of will and human spirit can achieve, and overcome.

23. Learning about life. Life is a marathon. It is not short. It has its ups and downs. It is all about having goals, taking it one step at a time. The parallels are downright amazing. You'll be better in life having run a marathon.


Peace, Love, and RUNNING!

How to self-treat an IT Band: KT Tape and Sports Massage

As many of you already know, or may have realized through my continuous mentioning of “my annoying knee,” I pulled my IT band during my last marathon. It began bothering me early into my training last summer and felt like a weakness on the outside of my left knee...kind of like someone was cupping my knee if that makes sense. Anyways, I went to the MGH sports medicine dept and they informed me that I have “Runner’s knee” (or Iliotibial Band Syndrome) which is a strain of your IT band. The only way to treat this is by stretching, strengthen and of course, rest. Lucky for me, aside from a few weeks last summer, my IT band did not bother me again until mile 20 of my marathon. At that point, I was in so much physical pain that I didn’t even care...you honestly could have shot me in the arm with a gun and I would have kept running (I’m telling you, it’s ALL mental). But moral of the story, I rested it for about 2.5 months, but unfortunately, it is still seems to bother me.

Some people call it determined, some stupid, but needless to say, I have decided that the physician’s diagnosis of “rest” will not work for me. Therefore, I have selected a different diagnosis that better suits my needs (let’s call it training for Medical School).

Val’s Treatment for Runner’s Knee: Yoga, STRETCHING, KT Tape and Sports Massage.

I have already chatted about Yoga and stretching, so let me introduce you to the miracle that is KT Tape. This “revolutionary sports medicine solution” is an adhesive, elastic band that provides stability and support to injured, sore or pulled muscles (I totally stole that from their website). But in all seriousness, it is a minimalist solution to any injury or strained area of your body and is incredibly supportive. The KT Tape website provides detailed description of many common sports injuries and provides very detailed you tube videos for applying said tape. My injury, the “ITBS-KNEEX,” is incredibly easy to apply and I can leave the tape on for 5 days – which lasts through exercise and showers (see picture below)! I personally love it and do feel like it provides me with great support. That being said, I make sure to leave it off for a few days in between uses and go on runs without it. It is incredibly supportive, but I also want to build up my strength independent of the tape.

I have also recently discovered a love for sports massage! A co-worker, who is a HUGE runner (10+ marathons!), has had many past injuries and highly recommends massage. I went today to Balanced Health (courtesy of Groupon!) and had a long conversation with my therapist about the type of massage I should get and their frequency. We decided that a stretching-focused massage, about once a month, would be great. So, for all of you who are unsure about running, now you can validate getting massages once a month if you are in “marathon training” haha.

For some other FUN updates….

1) Today I ran 9.68 miles (every 100th counts!) in 1:21:13…8:20 min/mile!! Wahoo! Despite the fact that I am a New England girl, this was actually my first run outside in the snow! I ran along the Charles River and although most of the path was paved there were a few slippery spots. The secret: SLOW DOWN and be sure to stabilize every step. Next weekend is 13 (eek!) and after today’s GREAT run I cannot wait!

2) I HAVE CURRENTLY RAISED $3,420.00!!!!! I cannot tell you how EXCITED and GRATEFUL I am for all the generosity and support shown by family members, friends and co-workers. As I told many of my donors, I am beyond excited to run the “prestigious” Boston Marathon, but I am even more excited to be able to celebrate my mom’s past and hopefully future successes! Each donation is another reminder of how lucky I am to have people in my life who want to join in on my celebration and I cannot tell you how blessed I feel.

I love you all SO much. I had an amazing weekend and during my run today realized how happy I am in my life...so thank YOU all for being a part of my life and thus a part of my happiness!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!

Green Smoothies are AWESOME!

Hello again!

So I know I was not going to post again until Sunday, but I just could not resist writing a short blog about this DELICIOUS green smoothie I am currently drinking! I'll be honest, I initially wanted to start drinking "green" drinks because they look cool and make you "feel" healthy. But I will tell you, this morning I went for a FRIGID 3 mile run outside and drank 20 oz of the below green drink and I feel awesome! What a lovely way to start a Thursday!

Below is the recipe for my new favorite green smoothie! I added everything, even the bee pollen, and I can 100% tell you that it is delicious....even my roommate Tom likes it! I would also recommend making double the batch and doing it the night before. Give it a quick blend in the morning and you can head on out to change the world! I am hoping to drink 2, or maybe 4 a week (?) and will drink one for breakfast with a snack around 10am ish. Enjoy!!


1 cup water
1/4 inch of fresh ginger root (peeled and chopped)
1/2 banana
4 leaves of kale (cut the stems off)
1/2 cup parsley
1/2 bag of frozen mango
1/2 tsp bee pollen
1 teaspoon spirulina
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup of OJ




Peace, love and RUNNING!

The Charles River in winter: How to survive the cold and prevent injury.

So I realized that my New Year’s resolution to you all was to post weekly regarding my training, however, my last post was December 31st. I clearly have not been sticking to my promise, but no time like the present to change!

Today I want to talk about running in the winter…outside. I was once a skeptic and would often look at people like they were crazy when they’d talk about enjoying themselves on a “brisk” 30 degree day. I am here today to tell you the secret to success...LAYERS and LAYERS. Let me describe to you a typical outfit: Bottom Half - Asics thermal tights on top of under armor compression shorts; Top Half – Asics thermal top, Asics thermal ½ zip with thumb loops, Brooks reflective water-resistant jacket (in neon orange, of course), running gloves and a fleece headband courtesy of the American Academy of Optometry (aka my mother). For my birthday, which is in only 13 days people, I have asked for a Brooks women’s running hat with a BUILT IN PONYTAIL LOOP! I have also asked for some additional running tights, and will most likely go with another pair from Asics or Brooks (because I am a running snob). But honestly, the secret to success is both finding clothing that is comfortable and not layering up TOO much. I understand that it is absolutely freezing outside, and I often feel that I need to add a vest, scarf and parka to my outfit before stepping into this tundra we call Boston. But the point of all this ridiculously expensive cold-weather gear is that it truly insulates your body as you work out. So remember, only layer-up enough to prevent shivering, and let the clothing hold in your body’s natural heat. Also – to give a disappointing piece of knowledge, your feet will never get warm. The ultimate goal of most running shoes is for ventilation. However, in the winter when the wind is blowing at your face, this means that your toes are EXTRA ventilated. If anyone has advice on how to reduce the feeling of numbness, I would be very interested in listening :)

Training is going well otherwise. I ran 6.5 miles along the Charles last weekend at an 8:20 min/mile pace. I completely surprised myself by how fast I ran! Although it is not surprising since I was trailing a 6’5 man the entire time (sometimes I get a little competitive). My knee (knock on wood) has been sore but I haven’t felt any sharp pain, which is good. To prevent injury I’ve been doing A TON of stretching, foam rolling and yoga. Although these three things are KEY in the winter (both before and after a workout) I think they are essential for all running and I do them religiously year round. Even if I am going on a 3 mile run, I always make sure to add in 20 minutes to my workout time (10 before, 10 after) for quads/hammys/calfs/IT band/abs/glutes and whatever else hurts that day. Yoga has also been my saving-grace, especially with this IT band business. What I have often been doing is going for a run before a yoga class and letting the class stretch me out. So in addition to a good stretch, I also get an endurance workout, since I am basically active for 2.5 hours. For anyone in Boston, I highly recommend Back Bay Yoga on the corner of Boylston/Arlington. My favorite classes are Hip-Hop Yoga (yes, you read this right) and Vinyasa with deep relaxation (just reading it makes you feel calm). My mom, a new yogi, and I are headed there this Saturday for a “Women’s Mini Retreat Workshop” which will complement my morning run of 9 miles nicely!

Thank you all for READING and I hope you all are doing well. As a promise to you, I will update NO LATER than next Sunday for an update on (1) my new KT athletic support tape for my IT band, and (2) the Women’s yoga mini-retreat. As a promise to ME, I think you all should test out winter running for yourselves. Granted I am “special” in that I absolutely love to run, but last Saturday, while watching the sun rise over Cambridge, I realized how happy I am with my life and how lucky I am for my family and friends who support my crazy endeavors…such as this. Just think...this realization could happen to you too if you just put on your sneakers and stepped outside!!

Peace, Love and RUNNING!