Run For The Fallen Challenge

Mission Statement:

Run for the Fallen is a collective of runners whose mission is clear and simple: To run one mile for every American service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 14, 2008, we run across America to raise awareness about the lives of those who fought, to activate their memories and keep their spirits alive, to support organizations that help wounded veterans and the families of those killed (Wounded Warrior Project, Yellow Ribbon Fund, HUGSS (Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors), and the 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary Memorial Fund), and to aid the healing process for those Americans whose lives have been affected by the war. We refuse any political affiliation or agenda, but simply honor those who have fought, and those who have fallen under the American flag.

I heard about the above organization through the running podcast Phedippidations in June. I thought it was such a great concept that I went to the website and learned more about what it is all about. That's when I knew I wanted to be a part of it. One hitch, I'm over 3,000 miles away from my homeland.

But, where there is a will...and all that good stuff, I looked over the route and saw that the RFTF would be going very close to my son's house AND the US AFB he is asigned to. So I got to thinking, why not on the Sunday the miles from his house to the connecting spot of the RFTF route and then on the Monday, run the miles to the AFB along their route! So I have committed to run approx 7 miles on Sunday 27 July and another 6 Monday 28 July, but why stop there.

I have written to my US family and said hey, why not join me on this!!?? Why not team up and see how many miles we can run, or walk to tribute the solders? So now there are miles committed from my younger brother, and my son. I'm looking forward to hearing from a few others to have them join us on this expedition. We can't be together to do this in person, but we can be linked over the thousands of miles that seperate us for this common purpose.

Then on 24 August, the final day of the event, I am looking at how I can do a tribute run. Putting the invites out again to family. Just a way of saying thank you to all those who have served.

One Hundred Eleven Days and counting....

......until the New York City Marathon! Yes, that is all that remains until I run my 5th Marathon. I've actually begun my training today with a rest day. My training schedule is taped to the inside of my kitchen cabinet, my spreadsheet is prepared and my mind is now in "Marathon Mode".

These 16 weeks are broken down to daily runs; speed sessions, marathon pace, long runs, recovery runs and strength training. My food/nutrition is being tweaked to make sure I'm as fit as possible. All of this is done a day at a time. I've learned from past training schedules that if I look too far ahead, I get nervous, anxious and doubt my abilities.

I've got 3 races planned during this time as well, and they will be taken as they come. I know I can run this distance, I know I can do the training. I've set a time goal that would be a new personal best for me. I will keep that in my sites as I run my marathon pace runs. So I take each week, each session as it comes and do what is infront of me. To do my best is my goal. Bring it on!

PS: I haven't written on here since my last marathon; London but I haven't been just sitting around. My running has been going well. I took some time off to recover from the excellent experience and eased back into my running.

I participated in my 5th Cancer UK Race For Life to benefit the charity and honour my Mom's memory. It is the only 5K (or shorter) distance I race because it is so fast. The thousands of women running is a real tribute to the cause and always brings a tear to my eye as I remember the battle my Mom experienced with her cancer. She lost her battle in August of 1990 and I attribute her battle to getting me started walking and now her memory which started my joy of running.

I also wanted to test myself with a long trail experience between London and New York. I took part in the 15.1 mile Garburn Trail in Cumbria in Mid June. It was marvelous and the sites were incredible. I've done several of the Lakeland Trail series before, but this is by far the hardest and longest of them all. I always look forward to the off road "mountain" trails.