Welcome,
There could have been a million titles for this post, but I am not creative. Although for most reading this newsletter, running a marathon isn't "crazy." Well, ask a nonrunner to run 26.2 miles, and they'll probably think you've lost your mind.
This newsletter is a bit all over the place. I doubt I'll "teach you something." It's more of a personal life update and talking out loud. It kind of reminds me of what blogging was around 2015. But that's ok; rambling has always been a specialty of mine.
I've decided to run another marathon: Los Angeles. Not just that, but I'm going to raise money for the McCourt Foundation (like I did for the Rose Bowl Half Marathon). The minimum I need to raise is another $650.My time running with Team TMF for the Rose Bowl Half Marathon was fun. I liked fundraising. It motivated me. So I signed up to run again with Team TMF to raise another $650 for neurological diseases. I won't lie; that part frightens me. I have already begged people to donate and am to ask again. How many more people can I ask?
I decided to raise money again for McCourt Foundation for two reasons:
Raising money for neurological disease cure and treatment is important. We probably all know someone affected by Parkinson's'', ALS, or something else.
Raising money commits me to the race. Running a marathon is still "scary" to me. While I've run 4, I haven't mastered the distance. If I had just signed up, it would be easier for me to back out. I have no shame in taking a DNS.
Adding a layer of fundraising is also scary. So I appreciate anyone donating! No donation is too small!
As mentioned, I've run four marathons; my last marathon was in 2019, the New York City Marathon. It's crazy because, at that time, the newsletter was just a few months old. That fall, I planned to run the Revel Big Cottonwood a couple of months prior, but I pulled my hamstring the week of the marathon. It was just bad timing, and it healed in a couple of weeks. Downhill races aggravate the hamstrings, so there was no way I was making it to the starting line of Big Cottonwood with a bum hamstring.
After that, New Balance offered me a bib to New York, and I ran a 3:27. It was a short buildup, and around mile 16, I wondered how I would finish. It was my slowest marathon, 3:27, with my fastest, 3:07, in New York the year before. 2018 New York was my last PR, and the last time I felt like "running me." Since then, I've been plagued with life, injuries, illness, and more. It's been a hard 4+ years on the running front.
After that 2019 New York, I needed a break from marathons. I decided I would come back when the vibe was right. I haven't felt interested in running anything over 10 miles in the last few years. So I haven't. Ten miles is a nice sweet spot. Then one day, I did. Sometime in November, I ran 14 miles, and it didn't feel bad, despite the high desert wind. Then I ran 16, and a few 16 milers after that, 16 didn't feel too bad.
Despite not running that far, I've had trail runs with more time on feed. Over the past two years, I've run a dozen-plus trail runs between 2-3 hours. On the roads, that would easily be 16 miles, even 20. On the trails, that is around 10 or 12.
But in 2023, I am getting out of my comfort zone. My goal for Long Angeles is to finish. The marathon race course is hilly (which I like, my body appreciates the variety), but the LA marathon can also be very hot...it was last year. So finishing seems like a good goal. The A Goal, everything is perfect, would be finishing under 3:30.
So anyway, I guess the newsletter this week isn't teaching you anything. Just telling you I'm doing something crazy, and if I can, you can too. Whatever the thing is.
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
Rose Bowl Half Marathon (1:34.55)
Nobody Asked Us Podcast: Kara Goucher and Des Linden created a podcast, and it does not disappoint. I already can't wait for new episodes.
Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners: You know I can never say no to a running movie. But this shares 9 of their stories, including fast friends Sika Henry and Shawanna White.
Do your fueling needs change during the winter?
What Gear Am I Loving Right Now?
Long runs have been fueled with maurten. They are basic, and "everyone" loves them, but I do like you don't need water. I don't like that they are expensive. I take a gel every 40 minutes (or 4-5 miles); that's what I plan to do in the marathon.
I will likely run the marathon in the Nike Tempo Next%, but TBD. It doesn't have a carbon plate but has plenty of cushion and I've run fairly well with it lately. Hopefully, Nike will keep it around.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoy the LOLZLetter, I appreciate you sharing it! Or Donating to McCourt Foundation.
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I think this is awesome. Not only putting yourself out there going after the marathon, but raising funds and awareness for a great cause.
Crazy Cat Lady!!🤣👏👏👏 I love it Hollie! I agree that raising $ for a cause is scary & motivating. I did my 60k on my 60th for cancer. I think I set a goal of $6k, which was highly ambitious, but raised about $2.5k, which I felt good about. I feel uncomfortable asking people for money, even if it is a good cause. And it put added pressure on me to complete the event, no matter how I felt. In the end it worked out, & would do it again. I felt it was more rewarding than just finishing. Is it ok if I post the link to your fundraiser in Vinerunners FB?(if I can find it. I am an "old-timer " Lol)