run little run

We have a running endurance team run little run and everyone can join us. I am an NF runner mom wanting to raise awareness about NF and our foundation. I am going to run as many 1/2 marathons as possible in our state of Wisconsin this year. Join me! We will add your story to ours.

Instep Icebreaker Indoor Marathon: #1

Instep Icebreaker Indoor Marathon: 1st half of the year. Well I will admit I was not trained for this race . It was slow going and I could tell by the peoples faces cheering they knew I was digging deep. The race is held at the Petit National Ice Center in Milwaukee. There were a few great things that stood out at this race-- One you were able to watch Olympic Speed Skaters train. It was truly amazing to watch them skate. Another great thing about this race is that it is green. You call out your number as you round the water station and someone gets your water bottle to you. Lastly, the volunteer and race staff were so encouraging on the course of many laps.
http://www.indoormarathon.com/

Sandbox Indoor Trail Marathon # 2

As I live in Wisconsin and its February, this one was inside too. We ran around and indoor biking track that was plowed down with only one hill left. It was nice to run on the dirt-- you twisted and turned and ran over a hill 60 times. Again I admit to not being in top running shape and had to again dig deep. It is easier to get that strength with my son Sami there. He goes through so much seeing multitudes of doctors, needles, scans... So when it get hard I visualize him and the finish line. The race director here was Finn like me and super supportive as all directors have been in raising awareness for our NF cause. I walked from the finish line to the massage table!
http://sandboxindoormarathon.com/

South Shore Half Marathon #3

Okay 1st race outside. This was a beautiful course along the south shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee all along a biking trail. I was much better trained and this race was not as painful. It was overcast and 40 degrees so perfect running weather. The great thing about this race was the course. Birds singing, people pass (as it is out and in) and they are very encouraging. Lots of “run little run”. This race director set up a TV morning show interview for me to talk about Neurofibromatosis and our foundation. After a long winter, I have to say it was wonderful to listen to birds, waves and to smell fresh air.
http://www.badgerlandstriders.org/home/Races/SouthShoreHalfMarathon.htm

Oshkosh Half Marathon: #4

Okay this was the coldest race of my entire life. Rain, sleet, snow, and wind. My fingers did not actually thaw until an hour after the race. I woke up knowing the forecast and asked my husband to run for me. He replied not a chance-- you do not have to run it. I thought about it and realized I am raising awareness and cannot not run because of rain. There are no options for scans or chemo or surgeries because of uncomfortable conditions. So I came up with another idea. I will walk with an umbrella. I always swore I would never walk a step in any race EVER. Well a miserable miserable day in April changed all that. I walked ever single step. It took 3 1/2 hours-- I did walk about 11 miles with another walker so it was not bad other than being unable to feel extremities and the freezing sleet in your face. So all in all glad I did it. As you can see from the picture the race director Gloria was literally frozen. A giant shout out to all the volunteers at that race. They were not moving and I imagine the feeling in their fingers must of come back a day later.
http://www.midwestsportsevents.com/oshkoshhalfmarathon.html

Jailbreak Half Marathon Wautoma #5

Great race! This event started with a few words from the partner of the recently fallen Police Officer Craig Birkholz. It was a great beginning to a race that raises money for the Waushara County Crime Stoppers. I cannot say enough about how fantastic this course is. You wind around farms, lakes, wooded area, rivers-- a truly, beautiful run. The many volunteers on the course were encouraging and very happy. This course director lined up press to help us spread the NF word. Running conditions perfect 43 degrees and better yet my time is improving every race. This race may be due to my friend Amie’s pre-race pizza night. I recommend this race to the world. Go to Wautoma and have a great run!