#cancertomarathon

While I took photos during the @nycmarathon yesterday for all of my mile dedications, I also had the names of all those dedications for loved ones affected by cancer listed on my @fredsteammskcc jersey. Their strength and struggles helped carry me through one of the most difficult things I have done in my life. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ckvQwFQ1v/?igshid=1eebp1db3rrpc

0 days until the #nycmarathon ... and day 3 of #nycvacation, if you can call running a marathon part of a vacation! My day started off bright and early with @fredsteammskcc, a group of 900+ amazing runners who, as of today, raised more than $6 million dollars for cancer research. Then a little after 10:00 in the morning, I headed out on my first ever marathon. If you ever consider running the @nycmarathon, do it! Though, do it for the sheer joy of it and not to set a PR. It’s a tough run, with the hills and the number of other runners you have to wade through, but New Yorkers treat the day like a big city wide street party, with bands every few blocks and a very enthusiastic crowd. It was an absolute blast. I was running my desired pace until the Queensboro Bridge about mile 15/16, and just was never able to quite get back on track after that. But while I didn’t meet my “dream” goal of breaking 4:00, I still finished in a solid time of 4:21. Tomorrow, I’ll repost the picts I took along the way in ho it all the people whom I dedicated miles too. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon #cardiacarresttomarathon #cardiacarrestsurvivor Powered by @boston_scientific_mena @asics @untappedmaple @nuunhydration https://www.instagram.com/p/B4bfTf0FZC5/?igshid=38t2b35wl6yg

3 days until the #nycmarathon ... And time to pack. Flying out later today, so most importantly, gathering up my running gear first. While putting in those grueling 26.2 miles, I’ll also be representing some MN favorites. Hat — @mnbreweryrun series Buff (2019) and gloves (2018) — @twincitiesinmotion Then of course there’s some of my standard gear ... Shoes — @asics Nimbus 22 Socks — @procompression Energy packets — @untappedmaple And lastly ... Jersey — @fredsteammskcc About all in need is my bib, which I’ll pick up Saturday. And course, there is still time to donate to my #fundraiser through #fredsteam. The link is in my bio. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/B4SHqqglVVz/?igshid=xndggjamf5tu

With 5 more days until the @nycmarathon (and 2 before I head out to the Big Apple), I'm working on some final mile dedications. Along this crazy journey, from receiving my cancer diagnosis to running a marathon, I have had several folks tell me of their cancer scares and struggles. Their stories have both inspired and motivated me, and they deserve an encouraging shout out for what they have (and are continuing) to go through Link to my @fredsteammskcc donation page is in my bio. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon #fredsteam #cardiacarrestsurvivor #cardiacarresttomarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/B4NQ2AMltCW/?igshid=1cxew79j0yozb

6 days until the #nycmarathon ... And for today’s #marathontraining I ran my last medium length run. In a way, it was a strategy run. Looking at the NYC marathon course, it begins with 150+ foot climb over the first mile. Coincidently the St Claire Ave hill provides me a similar climb to start most of my runs. So what I’ve learned: start slow and do not get carried away in the excitement of the race, but wait to ease myself into cruising speed on the decline. The goal for the marathon: stick with the 3:45 pacer (about an 8:30 pace) for the first 10 miles to feel things out. If all’s good, I’ll push that pace for another 10. If not, I’ll slow to around a 9:00 pace. Then that last 6.2+ miles will be new territory for me. It’ll be giving it whatever is left in the tank. Yeah, I have a goal time I’d like to finish in, but if I don’t hit it, that’s really okay. Whatever time I set will be a PR for me, so just crossing the finish line is really the ultimate goal here. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon #cardiacarrestsurvivor #cardiacarresttomarathon #runningforacause #runningforcancer https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Lc2M8l15m/?igshid=gpnpu9jrosis

To help with my #marathontraining, I received a gift box the other with some cool new running gear, and now I have a new pair of “fast” shoes to break in. A big thanks to @heatherraekampf and @benkampf1 for the support in my pursuit of a first-ever marathon and my goal of #fundraising through @fredsteammskcc! Lacing these puppies up as I head out for today’s run. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon #cardiacarrestsurvivor #cardiacarresttomarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/B3uTo4Ynutw/?igshid=1rgfm4cc06bou

Just two more days and my swag store with @shamelessinc will close. T-shirts, string backpacks, running belts, and more . . . with a portion of all proceeds going toward my #fredsteam #fundraising campaign. Link is in my bio until Friday. And if you’re out and about in your gear, please tag me and add hashtag #airplanearms! #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rsBTanCDZ/?igshid=1qx3scxre2snt

20 days of #marathontraining to go ... Today’s run was my last #longrun, and it was supposed to be a bit longer (and faster) than it ended up being—my watch died, so I lost a couple miles, but also I am still hurting from the spill I took during the River Run. So I stopped short of my scheduled milage to play it safe. Too close to the final goal to risk injury by pushing through some pain. #cancersurvivor #cancertomarathon #cardiacarrestsurvivor #cardiacarresttomarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/B3nbF5Ola9F/?igshid=103ojgbp9q9yw