The End of the Project.

It's been nearly a week since I ran the Pasadena Marathon, and I've spent most of that time thinking about this Project and what it has meant to me.

One hundred days. Five hundred actions. And a goal big enough that I really wasn't sure I had what it took to see it through. But I did. And it's truly changed my entire life.

I wrote a detailed recap of my marathon experience for my blog at Runner12, but I will say here that it was an amazing day for me. I spent four hours, forty minutes in my own head, and I crossed the finish line happy and comfortable with the person that I am. One hundred days ago, I wouldn't have been able to make that same statement.

I started Project One Five to help me prepare for the Pasadena Marathon. I hoped that it would help motivate me to stick with my physical training and healthy eating. I knew I would be posting five actions a day to the blog (and through to Facebook), and that sort of public activity would make it harder for me to quit or ignore.

The element of public accountability is huge with me. Telling my friends and family upfront about me doing something is my way of fully committing to it. I mean, once it's out there, I can't take it back. And so this project began.

Somewhere along the way, though, it began to be more than motivation to eat healthy and be active. It became a true journey for me, heart and soul. It became my outlet for things that I have needed to talk about but just hadn't. It became my therapist, counselor and cheerleader all in one.

Through Project One Five, I've shared things that I might never would have otherwise. I've shared dark moments and realized that I am stronger for having survived them. I have discovered that I truly am a good person living a great life.

I've had so many great moments, too. I stepped up to teach a class, I ran a relay in Arizona, I gave interviews for TV and print, and I made future commitments to myself and others that will ensure the legacy of this project lives on.

Most importantly, I've learned that I have an unbelievable circle of family and friends. I am loved so much more than I ever knew. And in this life, I can't think of a single greater lesson.

Thank you, everyone, for sharing this journey with me. It's been quite a ride. I'm going to take a few weeks and let this entire experience settle. After that, I see another project starting. What else is life for if not to challenge myself, right?

Action 500 - Get Ready To Run The Marathon.

After one hundred days, it all comes down to this moment.

Action 500 - Get Ready To Run The Marathon.

As I type this, I'm sitting in my car at the Pasadena City College (in VIP Parking!). In just over one hour, I'll step across the start line and begin the marathon. I'm excited, nervous, and a little bit anxious.



This has been an amazing journey already. I'll blog about it more after the race, because I really want to capture this experience. All of these actions have had a big impact on me, and I want to use all of this as I go forward to my next challenge.

For now, though, my eyes are on 26.2 miles of the beautiful city of Pasadena.

It's run time!

Action 499 - Meet The Press.

I've never really been a shy person. But Friday tested even my own "look at me, look at me!" tendencies.

Action 499 - Meet The Press. Earlier this week, an article came out in the Pasadena Weekly. Yesterday, the author published it on the Huffington Post website. Here's a link. How cool is that? Before and After photos of me, too.

At the Marathon Expo, I was interviewed for The Marathon Show. I had a chance to talk about each mile I am dedicating to a Fallen Marine, and I also had a chance to promote the Semper Fi Fund. The audio show will be available on iTunes early next week, I think.

After that, I met with a lovely young lady from Crown City News. It was a fun interview, and I had a chance to talk about SparkPeople and how it really made a difference in my life. We also talked about my other races, my excitement about running Pasadena, and even a bit about the Ragnar Relay races. The video interview should be up on their site soon, though it seems to be down as I write this. (Guess my popularity just overwhelmed their servers.)

It was all a little surreal, to be honest. I've never been to a race where people knew my name, wanted to interview me, take my photo, etc. I'm used to showing up, milling about for a while, and then taking off to run. It's weird to think that even one person along the course might have heard anything about me, this project, the Marines I'm running for, etc. It just adds a little more pressure to me to perform well, I think.

I'm ready. Bring on the media, the fans, the critics... bring them all. I'm ready.

Action 498 - Get The VIP Treatment.

Friday was an unbelievably amazing day. I have never felt like more of a runner in my life.



Action 498 - Get The VIP Treatment.

My day started with the drive from San Diego to the Santa Anita Race Track. It was overcast but still warm enough, so I took the top off of the borrowed convertible. (And the lesson I learned? It is entirely possible to get sunburned while driving around under an overcast sky. Sunscreen is your friend, people.)

The drive was a great chance to calm my mind. I even had the radio turned off most of the way, so I could drive without distractions. I spent the time thinking about the marathon, the miles to run, and all the things that had brought me to this moment.



I managed to get up through Los Angeles traffic quickly and made it to the Expo just after noon. There were already a lot of runners in line, though there were far fewer waiting to check in for the full marathon. I got in line and found out that, since I was a VIP, my bib and runner packet were elsewhere. They were very apologetic, but it was going to be a little while before my stuff was ready for pickup.

Wait. What? Me, a VIP? Yup. I credit my Marine Corps connection with the Race Director, but it was still pretty cool. While I waited for the VIP folks to get all the stuff together, I wandered over and helped some of the volunteers sorting out bibs. (Hey, it's true. ALL volunteers are VIPs!)



And then, just like that, there it was. My bib for the marathon. And it was every bit as amazing as I thought it would be.

I can't really explain my response to finally  holding it in my hand. I'm running with the number 1775. It's a tangible reminder of the reasons I am running - the Fallen Marine heroes that will carry me through each mile and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund that is now more than $2,000 stronger.

I'm proud of my Marine Corps service and I am honored to wear this number and represent those who came before me, those who served with me, those who will serve after me, and most importantly, those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice to this great nation.

On Friday, I enjoyed what it felt like to a VIP at a large running event. And I also was reminded what true VIPs are.

 

 

Action 497 - Admit That It Takes Time.

Have you seen this going around?

You Have 1,440 Minutes Every Day - Take 20 to Workout.

I call BS. Sure, it may only take twenty minutes to get a quick workout or run a couple of miles, but that's not all the time required. If you work out at a gym or run somewhere away from your home, there's travel time there and back. If you work out during the workday, there's time to change clothes before and then shower and change back after. Saying it only takes twenty minutes seems stupid to me.

Action 497 - Admit That It Takes Time.

Let me be absolutely clear. It IS worth whatever time it takes. I get up at 4:30am to be at the gym by 5am, work out for an hour, get showered, dressed, and make it to the office by 7am. Working out or running first thing in the morning makes my whole day better, so I am happy to give up the time for it.

It takes time. And it isn't easy. But it's worth it.



But for those just starting out, understand that the "only 20 minutes" thing isn't the whole story. Don't feel bad if you struggle with adding exercise into your routine and find it tough to find the time. It WILL be tough. But it's worth it. So stick with it, keep experimenting with different times and different workouts. Find what works for you. And soon, it will start to feel automatic.

Action 496 - Make Good Fuel Choices.

You would think that after nearly two years of this fitness journey and one hundred days of this specific project, my eating habits would be absolutely solid. You would think wrong.

Just this morning... literally, this morning... I found myself standing in a 7-11, pouring coffee, and eyeballing a pack of mini-donuts. I was thinking, "well, I'm running a marathon on Sunday, so I'll totally burn those calories off."

And then the light bulb flashed in my head.

"Here's an idea, John. How about you DON'T eat those donuts and burn off calories you're already carrying, instead?"

Action 496 - Make Good Fuel Choices.



It really is that simple. Garbage in, garbage out. If I want to run strong and feel good, I need to put good stuff into my system. It's a basic truth that, apparently, I need to learn over and over again.

I went with this, instead. Is it the very best breakfast I could have? No, and I won't let myself get that obsessed with it. But it definitely isn't crap like mini-donuts or some sort of sausage tan food monstrosity off the rollers at the convenience store.

Good choices make good results. So I will make good choices.

Action 495 - Stand At The Edge.

Today has been quite a day. The newspaper article came out in the Pasadena Weekly, and I'm a little disappointed. I feel like what I said and what was printed are very different, and the article makes me sound like a shell-shocked combat vet using running to numb my pain. I never said anything like that, and I understand that the writer was trying to convey a lot of my story in a few sentences, but still...

On top of that, since I am heading to Pasadena for the Expo tomorrow, I needed to get myself packed and ready to go tonight. I wasn't quite ready for that, the process of preparing everything for a race. And this is a big race, so my nerves are already a bit raw.



Action 495 - Stand At The Edge. I am a day away from finishing this project and two days away from running the marathon. Right now, my heart knows I am ready but my head continues to analyze.

Soon enough, that edge will be a start line, and I'll be on my way.

 

Action 494 - Ring The Last Call Bell.

Last month, I announced that I had reached my fundraising goal of $1,775 for the Semper Fi Fund. But I quickly realized that I was not going to be content with just meeting the goal and posted a new challenge. My counterpart, Don Thieme, has also continued to raise money and has far exceeded the amount I have helped to raise. But the ultimate winner is still Semper Fi Fund, so there is no loser in this contest.

Action 494 - Ring The Last Call Bell. The Pasadena Marathon is Sunday, and this action is my last request to friends and family. For those who have already donated, your generosity is appreciated more than I can say. And for those who have been waiting until the last opportunity, this is it.

The Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund is an amazing organization offering real help to real Marines in need, like Corporal Colin Faust and Major Justin Constantine.

As I have said before, I will continue to talk about this cause anywhere and anytime, to any and all who will listen. The work they do is so important, and the Marines they serve so worthy, that pushing for more donations is the very least I can do. But this is your last chance to donate as part of ProjectOneFive and the Pasadena Marathon.

Click here to reach my donation page. And thank you.

Semper Fi, Marines.

Action 493 - Honor Heroes (Final Distance).

I am dedicating my run in the Pasadena Marathon to Marine Corps heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice, so that in my own small way, they may be honored, acknowledged, and remembered.

Action 493 - Honor Heroes (Final Distance). I will run the last two-tenths of a mile and cross the finish line in honor of 2nd LT James Blecksmith, born on September 26, 1980, in the city of Pasadena. A member of the famed Third Battalion, Fifth Regiment, Dark Horse 3/5, Blecksmith was killed during Operation Phantom Fury. On Veterans Day, November 11, 2006, two years to the day after Blecksmith's family heard he'd been killed in action in Iraq, the Marines renamed Pasadena's Marine Corps Reserve Center in his memory

I will complete my run and finish the marathon in honor of this hometown hero. Semper Fi, Lieutenant.

Marine 2nd Lt. James P. Blecksmith, 24, of San Marino, Calif, died Nov. 11, 2004, as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Blecksmith was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

(Photo and summary courtesy of militarytimes.com.)

Action 492 - Run Lighter.

There is definitely something to the idea of making a plan and sticking with it.

• On February 7th, I weighed 198.


• On March 28th, I weighed 190.


• On April 18th, I weighed 188.


• And this morning, I weighed 185.

I've dropped thirteen pounds since I started ProjectOneFive. That's going to make the marathon that much easier for me to run. (Well, not sure a marathon is ever easy. Maybe less difficult is the better description.)

Action 492 - Run Lighter. And I will. Because 185 is lighter than 198!

I love it when I see that my efforts translate into results.

Action 491 - Rev It Up!

This morning was my last scheduled run before Sunday’s marathon. I wanted to run at least six miles, but I wasn’t sure how much farther than that I would go.

Action 491 - Rev It Up!

I decided to start at 6.0 and work up every mile. The first mile felt awkward, sort of uncomfortable, like I was running on a new pair of legs. For a moment, I thought, “I should bail on this run today and save my energy for Sunday.” And then I thought, “shut up and run.” And that was that.

At mile 1, I kicked up the speed to 6.1. And I continued that way until I got to mile 5. I decided then that I would kick up the speed at quarter-mile intervals.

• 6.5 mph until mile 5.25


• 6.6 mph until mile 5.50


• 6.7 mph until mile 5.75


• 6.8 mph until mile 6.00

Then I kicked it up to 8 mph and ran like a crazy man until I hit mile 6.34 at 60 minutes.



It felt good. And once I stopped over-thinking everything in the first mile, the rest of the run was comfortable and almost effortless. And yes, I was a complete sweat monster by the end of the hour, but I still managed to look good.

My confidence is high. My training will be enough. I AM ready for this marathon on Sunday.

Action 490 - Make My Own Dinner.

Nearly 500 actions into this project, and this may be the single most shocking thing I have done to date. But it's true.

Action 490 - Make My Own Dinner.

I know it's hard to believe, but yes, tonight, I had to make my own dinner. My husband was at work since early, early this morning, so he fell asleep as soon as he got home. I didn't want to wake him up, so it was up to me to find something to eat.

Back in the day, this would be easy. I would hop in the car and drive to Taco Bell. No problemo. But I am running 26.2 miles in a few days and fast food isn't going to help.

Instead, I whipped up a little pasta and meat dish. Nothing too fancy, certainly  nothing difficult, but it was just right for me.

It was touch-and-go there for a while, but I survived the night.

Action 489 - Be A Chip Off The Old Block.

My Grandfather turned 90 years old last week. I went to Austin to celebrate his birthday, but he was in the hospital and unable to enjoy a party. I did see him in ICU, though, and was able to talk and visit with him there. Back at my Uncle and Aunt's house, I found pictures of my Grandpa and I knew immediately what they meant.



Action 489 - Be A Chip Off The Old Block.

The first picture is my Grandpa competing in the Senior Games in Texas. He was a menace in that wheelchair if you made the mistake of getting between him and the finish line. And really, it's not like they were specific and actually prohibited the use of your own feet to move you faster across the course. I like to think that Grandpa just applied a very loose interpretation of the rules.

And this photo is him afterwards, sporting his medals. And now I know where I get my love of cheap, shiny jewelry. Here I thought chasing medals was something new that I was doing. Turns out, it's an old family tradition and I am just the next one in line to do it.

Thanks, Grandpa, for passing down the "I must have that medal" gene. Now I can blame genetics and heredity when I find myself signing up for a race just to get the finisher's medal!

Action 488 - Count My Blessings.

For the most part, I am aware that I am a very lucky person. As I wrote earlier to a friend,

My burden is light and my troubles small.

I take that for granted. My life is pretty good, my basic needs are met, and I have no worries that a good night's sleep doesn't seem to solve. I'm very, very fortunate in this regard. And today, I'm going to acknowledge and remember that.

Action 488 - Count My Blessings.

Today, I read about a baby diagnosed with cancer. I was immediately overwhelmed with a sense of sadness for the little girl and her entire family. The news they received this afternoon about her condition was as good as could have been hoped for, but it's still a serious situation with dark, scary days ahead. And this is a baby. A baby. I can't imagine how those parents will be able to do anything but break down and cry, but they will. They will carry on because their child depends on them to be strong.

And to think, yesterday my complaint was that running was uncomfortable because I had a few mosquito bites. Imagine what suffering those parents would endure if it meant their child could be healthy again.

I still struggle with my spirituality. Is God real or a wish made by people desperate for a reason to have faith? I really don't know. But one thing is simple and obvious. Whatever and wherever the good things in my life come from, I am grateful for them. Each day brings with it another reason to smile, to laugh, to love and be loved. Whether it's random chaos of the universe or a divine plan, it doesn't matter. It makes each day a joy to experience and I am going to bask in that knowledge.

I will count my blessings today. I will continue to keep others in my heart and hold hope that they will know the same simple joy of the day that I do.

In the end, what else can I do?

Action 487 - Find Something "Special."

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm a snacker. And sometimes, the snack I want is salty and crunchy. But eating a big bag of potato chips is never a good idea.



Action 487 - Find Something "Special."

I don't know how long these have been on the market, but I am just now discovering the Special K Cracker Chips. For 110 calories, I get about 30 chips. I went with the Sea Salt flavor, and they were worth every single calorie. I'm definitely adding these to my list of go-to snacks.

And a note of caution to myself: Yes, they come in packages larger than the single-serving, 100 calorie bag. No, we will not be buying those larger packs. Because we will eat the entire big bag in a single setting.

Oh, yes. I know my weaknesses, and a bag of salty chip/crackers is among them. I'll only buy the sizes I intend to eat completely. Experience tells me anything larger is a mistake.

And tomorrow, I may try the Cheddar Cheese variety. Bring on the chips!

Action 486 - Share The Spotlight.

I've been ultra-focused on my upcoming marathon, and I make no apologies for that. This is a big deal for me and I'm proud of the progress I have made since I began this project. That said, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge two people who are inspirations to me and who are also running significant events this weekend.

Action 486 - Share The Spotlight.



First up is the amazing Katie, who blogs at RunsForCookies. She is running her first full marathon on Sunday, the Cleveland Marathon. This is her next step in a journey that has seen her drop 125 pounds. She is funny, adorable and absolutely motivating to so many people. I can't wait to see your finish line photo, Katie!



Second, a shout-out to the fabulous Mary. She blogs at ASmallLoss and has lost an incredible 151 pounds. She is running the San Francisco Bay to Breakers event this year, and she will be joined on the run by a long-time reader of her blog. How amazing is that? She has managed to not only motivate herself to change her life, but she is also motivating and inspiring others. I love that!

These ladies, along with several other running buddies, are hitting the streets this weekend all over the country. They will be giving all they have as they run mile after mile, and they are examples of what can be done when you set a goal and let nothing keep you from it.

I am happy to share the spotlight, because there is plenty of "oh my gosh, that is so awesome!" to go around.

Run strong, ladies!

Action 485 - Honor Heroes (Mile 26).

I am dedicating each mile that I run in the Pasadena Marathon to another Marine Corps hero who has made the ultimate sacrifice, so that in my own small way, they may be honored, acknowledged, and remembered.

Action 485 - Honor Heroes (Mile 26). I will run mile twenty-six in honor of Cpl Ramona Valdez. On June 1, 2007, the United States Marine Corps honored the memory of Cpl. Valdez by dedicating the II MEF Communications Training Center as the Valdez Training Facility during a building dedication ceremony. The building has a plaque with Valdez's name inscribed.

I will run this mile in honor of this fallen Marine warrior, dedicated wife, sister and daughter. Semper Fi, Corporal.

Marine Cpl. Ramona M. Valdez died June 23, 2005 serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom; She was 20, of The Bronx, N.Y.; assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; killed June 23 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq.

(Photo and summary courtesy of militarytimes.com.)

Action 484 - Handle The Unexpected.

Just when I thought I had prepared for everything marathon-related, along comes something so completely out of the blue that it caught me by complete surprise.



Mosquito bites. Lots of them. All over my feet and my ankles. Apparently, while I was sitting at my Aunt's house late Sunday evening, I became the buffet for every mosquito in the neighborhood. I knew I had been bitten by a few of them, but it wasn't until today that I realized how bad it was. The sweat and the scratching from my socks irritated all the bites, so by the end of my six miles, I felt like my toes and my feet were on fire.

Action 484 - Handle The Unexpected.

I completed my run, and that was good. Tomorrow is a rest day, so no problem there. And I'm hoping that by Thursday, the welts will have gone down and the bites won't be so red and itchy.

Sheesh, who saw this coming? I have a marathon to run on Sunday, and I'll inhale a bottle of Benadryl before I let something this petty stop me.

Bring it, bugs!

Action 483 - Run Six And Only Six.

With the marathon only a few days away, every choice I make right now is important. If I don't do enough, I could be running the event cold. If I do too much, I could run the event tired or even injured. So a balancing act is required here.



Action 483 - Run Six And Only Six.

And I did. It was an easy six miles at a ten minute pace. I felt good, strong, and crazy tempted to crank up the speed a bit. But I stuck to the plan and ran my six miles in an hour.

Seems weird that I had to talk myself OUT of running faster. What kind of upside-down world have I created?

Action 482 - Enjoy The Entire Experience.

When I'm in, I'm in. And this weekend is no exception. I was planning to get up to the fitness expo just before it closes on Friday at 7pm, but I'm changing that plan a bit.

Action 482 - Enjoy The Entire Experience.



I'm going to work early morning Friday, then leave from here and head up to Pasadena by 10am or so. I want to get to the expo, meet the race director, claim my Bib No. 1775, and then wander up and down every single row. I want to meet the different vendors, chat with other runners, and gather all the swag and free samples I can.

These expos are celebrations of runners and running, and this time, I will not just dash in, grab my bib and t-shirt, and then dash back out.

Bring on the free stuff!

(Image courtesy of RockandRoll Seattle.)