Shout Out

My sister and nieces are running this race tomorrow...and I can't wait to see the outfits they have been working on! 

Also I was supper excited to see this post on my sisters blog: http://lathamsontherun.blogspot.com/2012/05/get-ready-for-it.html

She was excited when Beachbody contacted her about the P90X product, so I'm excited to see what she has in store for next week! 

On tap for me today...Race expo! 

Pre-Race Email

I just received this email...oh $hit this is really happening!  Nervous giggles and pacing the living room has begun.


Hello Jennifer Yeatman,

The following is important information for the 2012 Michelob ULTRA Tacoma City Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K and Kids Marathon.

PACKET PICK-UP AT THE 2-DAY EXPO
The Hotel Murano, Venice Ballroom
1320 Broadway Plaza
Tacoma, WA 98402

Friday, May 4 (12 PM - 8 PM).
Saturday, May 5 (10 AM - 4 PM)

• ·         Packet pick up is mandatory. There will be no packet pick-up on race morning unless pre-arranged.
• ·         You may pick up someone else's race pack as long as you have permission from them to do so.    Written permission is not required.
• ·         Relay team packets will be grouped together by team name and can be picked up by anyone on the team.
• ·         You can downgrade or upgrade your distance at packet pick-up. Be prepared to pay the difference if upgrading. No refunds are given. Please go to the registration table.
• ·         Registration Last Gasp: register for all events at the Expo registration table. There is no race day registration.

Your race packet includes:

• ·         Bib number
• ·         Timing Chip
• ·         Event guide w/map
• ·         Event shirt
• ·         Goody Bag w/promotional offers and coupons from event sponsors (this bag can also be used as your gear check bag on race day)
• ·         If you pre-purchased a HyraPouch, Hoodie or Running Hat you can pick it up at the shirt table (it will be listed on your packet label).

Event merchandise for sale at the TCMA booth: embroidered hooded sweatshirts $40, embroidered running hats $20 (while supplies last)

List of Expo Vendors:

• Fleet Feet Sports Bonney Lake
• Half Fanatics/Marathon Maniacs
• Proctor Chiropractic
• Super Feet
• Tacoma City Runners Club
• Blue Steel Sports
• Dirty Dash 5K
• Team In Training
• Rainier to Ruston
• Pure Energy Band
• Quantum Tech USA
• Run Pretty Far
• Vita Zapp
• Tacoma Fire Department
• Operation Homefront
• AdvoCare
• Run For All
• Northwest Runner
• American Laser Skincare
• doTERRA Essential Oils
• Vancouver USA Marathon
• Spartan Race Inc.
• SAVI Day Spa

PRE-RACE PASTA DINNER - Load up on your pre-race carbs and listen to inspirational stories from our guest speaker Gary Allen. Gary Allen has years of experience as an athlete and is one of a small and exclusive group worldwide that has logged sub 3 hour marathons in 5 consecutive decades. He is both a gifted story teller and an inspiring motivational speaker. Gary draws upon a wealth of experiences gained from running over 100,000 lifetime miles, many of them logged on a small off-shore island in Maine where the main road is only two miles long. Gary Allen started a personal tradition of running the Boston Marathon route on New Years morning back in 2005 simply as a one man tribute to what is arguably the greatest piece of road in running. Running Times Magazine recently featured an article about Gary and his Boston Marathon run which has since attracted others who join him for the annual run to start the year.

Dinner Location: Venice Ballroom, the Hotel Murano

When: Saturday, May 5, 6:30 PM

Everyone is welcome to attend. 

You can purchase tickets during the Expo (at the registration table) or at the door. 

PARKING – parking lots and garages are available at the Convention Center as well as street parking throughout the city. Street parking is free on Sundays. 
BIB NUMBERS AND TIMING CHIPS – – bib numbers must be worn on the front, and timing chip worn on your shoe using the zip tie provided.
GEAR CHECK – Gear check is provided for your personal items at the start line gear check tent. Please tear your gear check tab off of your bib, fill out and attach to your gear check bag (using the zip tie provided in your gear check bag). Your gear check bag was given to you at packet pick up. Please do not put valuable in your bag. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. You may claim your bag after you finish by providing your bib number.
MEDICAL – Medical personnel will be on the course and at the finish. Competitors unable to finish should walk to the next water station to seek help.
TRAFFIC – part of the course is open to local traffic. Tacoma City Police Officers will be directing traffic at all major intersections, and course marshals will be located at all turns and neighborhood intersections, giving direction to runners/walkers. Please be aware of vehicles around you. If wearing headphones it is recommended that you keep one ear bud out and don’t turn them ups so load that you can’t hear volunteers and police. Be safe out there!
RELAY TEAMS – Each team member will receive a timing chip. Timing chip instructions are in your race packet. Please read the instructions carefully. It is important that the last team member be the only team member to cross the finish line timing mat. Otherwise the team's finish time might be recorded too early, and will cause problems with the overall results. Please see the TCM website for more relay team information and driving instructions.
WATER STATIONS – are located approximately every 2 miles. Water, Powerbar Electrolyte, Vaseline, and Porta-Potties will be provided at all water stations. Powerbar gel will be provided at mile 7.4, 14.5 and 20.2.
MILE MARKERS – there will be markers at all mile points and kilometer markers at the 5K, 10K, 15K, 30K and 40K points.
TIME LIMIT – there is a 6 hour time limit for the marathon and 4 hour time limit for the half marathon. 
EARLY START - There is an early start provided for those MARATHONERS needing more than 5 hours to complete the marathon. Early start is at 6:30 AM. Please check in with the timer at the start line. Early starters finishing under 5 hours will be disqualified and not given a finish time. You must need the extra time to start early. Early starters must be self-supported, know the route, and obey all traffic/pedestrian laws until officers and volunteers are on the course. You are on your own until officers and volunteers arrive on the course.
PACERS - Pacers are provided by the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics. There is no cost to participate. Pacers will line up along the start close to the pace per mile signs. Pacers will be holding signs marked with their finish time and will be wearing their Maniac or Fanatic gear to help identify themselves. Each Pacer will take water from every aid station to ensure that runners remain well hydrated throughout the race. Runners are welcome to use the Pacers through whichever portion of the race they think will help them most. You can run ahead or drop back at any time.
Marathon pace times (hr:min) - 3:15, 3:30, 3:35, 3:40, 3:45, 3:55, 4:00, 4:10, 4:25
Half Marathon pace times (hr:min) – 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20
PHOTOGRAPHY – Our official photographer is Ontherunevents.com. They will take pictures of runners on the course and at the finish and will have them available for purchase about 1 week after the race.
RECOVERY AREA – The finish line recovery area is located at Tollefson Plaza adjacent to the finish line. Icelandic Glacial water, Seattle Bagel Bakery bagels, bananas, oranges, chips, chocolate milk and pizza will be available. Use your pizza ticket attached to your bib to receive a slice of pizza. Michelob ULTRA will be available in the beer garden for $2 a glass. Massage also available with suggested donation of $1/minute. Showers are available at the YMCA on 11th and Market St. (be prepared to show your bib number, ID and sign a waiver).
AWARDS – Awards are presented to the top 3 Overall Male & Female, and the top 3 Overall Masters Male & Female in each event. Age group awards are available for pick up at your convenience at the awards table in the plaza. Age group ribbons will be given to the top five in each of the following divisions: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80 & over.
RESULTS – will be posted in the recovery plaza at the results tent computers. Results will be available online by 5 PM on race day. Visit the TCM website at www.tacomacitymarathon.com
TIMING CHIP RETURN - Participants who fail to return timing chips and timing tags within 30 days of the event will be charged a $20 fee.
Timing chips are collected at the finish line. If you ended up retaining your timing chip or timing tag, please return it in a PADDED envelope to:

Rogue Multi-Sport, LLC
PO Box 745 Beavercreek, OR  97004
Please include a slip of paper with your first and last name and the name of the event the chip was used for. Thank You!
KIDS MARATHON - Start Line: S. 15th and Market St., Downtown Tacoma, WA (a block from the start of the marathon, half marathon and 5K). Finish Line: S. 17th and Commerce St., Downtown Tacoma, WA. Parents have the option of running with their child (registration not required). The course will be closed to traffic and heavily supervised. The Kids Marathon is not chip timed. Everyone is a winner and receives a medal when they finish! Use the pizza ticket attached to the bib number to receive a slice of pizza at the recovery plaza.   Race day pick up is at the merchandise booth in the recovery plaza from 8:30 – 11:30 am.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, May 4, 2012

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Fitness Expo and Packet Pick Up at the Hotel Murano Venice Ballroom More Information HERE

Saturday, May 5, 2012

9:30 AM	Group Run Meet outside the Hotel Murano
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM	Fitness Expo and Packet Pick Up at the Hotel Murano Venice Ballroom More Information HERE
6:30 PM	Pasta Dinner (more information HERE) at the Hotel Murano Venice Ballroom. Guest Speaker Gary Allen. For more on Gary Allen click HERE <<

Race Day - Sunday, May 6, 2012
Start and Finish for all events located on S. 17th and Commerce St.

7:05 AM	Pacer introduction
7:22 AM	National Anthem
7:25 AM	Wheelchair Start
7:30 AM	Marathon & Marathon Relay Start
8:00 AM	Half Marathon Start
8:30 AM	5K Start
9:30 AM	5K Awards Ceremony
10:00 AM	Half Marathon Awards Ceremony
11:30 AM	Marathon Awards Ceremony
11:45 AM	Marathon Relay Awards Ceremony
12:00 PM	Kids Marathon Start (at 15th and Market St.)

Thank you for participating and have a great race!

The Staff at TCMA

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful to all those that have helped get me to the start line this Sunday!  I could not have done this alone.

In no particular order:

My Sister - for the inspiration to start running in the first place, for all the advice and answers, for the emails that said "I know you don't plan on running 1/2's or fulls, but just in case some day, here is some great info", for all the text's/emails before a race saying she would be thinking of me.  I'm never really running alone thanks to her.  :)

Jodi - for the training runs the first half of training, and getting me through 6 and 8 miles, which at the time really freaked me out.  :)  I miss running with you...I will be waiting for you when your ready to run again after baby #2.  :)

Elya - for running the first half of my two longest runs with me, and for being cool with when to talk and when to not.  You get a chance to know someone in a different way when you run and I can't wait for your ankle to heal and to start running with you again.

Amy (Jodi's sister) - for a while there I think Jodi was asking her sister questions every day between the two of us in our training.  Some of her advice has been a total game changer (in a good way) for my running comfort.  I hope I see her Sunday before the start so I can say hi.  Once we start though her pace is twice as fast as me and I know I won't see her on the course.

Bob and Michelle - for letting Sky spend the night Saturday (her first sleep over!) so that Mark and I can focus on getting ready and out the door Sunday morning.

Dad - for so much!  I have the most amazing running gear, some of it needed, some of it not totally needed but really nice to have.  For spending hours researching issues and advice and for the support.  Understanding the desire to push and see just how far I can take it.   

Random Peeps - there are countless people from stroller fitness/friends of friends that joined in on a walk or run here and there that offered encouragement and advice.  To friends that have said hey good job on the running I'm really proud of you.  To the fellow runners who give a wave or smile or have something nice to say when you pass them.  To the workers at Chambers Bay, I ran there so much the last few months that some of them have become familiar faces and they offered support when I was trying to finish my longest runs and they could tell I was not enjoying it like I was when I started there 2 hours earlier. 

My Husband - without his support and willingness to let me run baby free when I need to this would never have been possible.  He may not always like how I feel after the long runs, but he has encouraged me all the way no matter what.  I could have all the support in the world outside my home, but if I didn't have support in my home this never would have happened.

Sky - she is the best little running partner ever (up to 1 hour that is).  For the most part she is not cranky or fussy when I run.  I put her in the stroller and usually she falls asleep, but if not she is pretty happy to chill while I push her around.  No way all this training would have happened if she was not such an easy baby to run with.

I'm pretty sure I'm leaving some peeps out it's not intentional.  I'm thankful for every little bit of support I have received!  

I Pop A Lot Of Pills!

It seems like I have to take a lot of supplements to keep this body working. 

 From Left to Right: Multivitamin - because I like to cover all my basis, Calcium - because I'm getting old and apparently my bones are going to start getting holes in them any day, Ibuprofen - temporary and due to the foot, Acidophiles - it promotes good GI health and helps fight off yeast - I think this is why I have not had any athletes foot issues, Vitamin C - because I don't want to get sick, Cranberry Pill (the red one) - all I have to do is type the words bubble bath and I get a UTI and this helps prevent that, Vitamin D (the small one above the red one) - because we don't get enough sun around here, Glucosamine (the two dark ones) - to help out my joints that are taking a pounding, and Recovery e21 (the two mud colored ones below the two dark ones) - electrolyte replacement that helps with muscle cramps, and can I say that it totally taste like fish scales and sea animal waste that was scrapped off the bottom of the ocean and crammed into a capsule?  It's nasty stuff. 

Kind of a wicked looking smiley face no?  

And last Glutamine - it's sort of a magic powder that helps with muscle repair, fight colds etc.  

All in all it sure seems like that with every birthday a new something is added that I have to take with food, but not OJ.  

Some concern has been expressed about what, if anything, I will be taking the morning of my race as far as pain killers.  After going to the Dr. yesterday it was made clear that the only acceptable thing to take is Tylenol.  So that is what I will be doing.  

I tested out the new inserts today and my foot felt pretty darn good.  Granted I tested them out in fitness class running up and down the gym, so who knows how it will feel on pavement.  But you know what I decided this morning I'm done thinking about it, and done test running only to verify yet again that yep it hurts.  

It's going to be what it's going to be, and I will finish or I won't, thinking and stressing and test running this late in the game is not going to change the outcome on Sunday.  So I decided that I would rather go to class, take it easy (only did half the reps and effort), see my friends that I have been missing, and enjoy a workout for a change.  

From here on out the foot is a non-issue, done talking about it, done thinking about it.  I'm not stressed, I am ready and I know what I need to do.  I'm totally excited and can't wait to get out on the course about 5 to 6 miles in and am settled into my pace and have all the jitters worked out.  It's going to be a great day!  

On a side note, my friend Elya that ran the first half of my two longest training runs with me, broke her ankle yesterday.  I feel horrible for her.  She was running the last leg of the Marathon with her Relay Team on Sunday and now obviously she can't do that.  I was so looking forward to seeing her Sunday.  

Foot Update

Went to the Dr. and no shot.  Since it only hurts when I run, and I can't reproduce the pain standing, or with the Dr. pushing like crazy on my foot she was not confident she could inject me in the right spot, or that it would even help. 

Bone related issues were ruled out.  Bottom line is she thinks it's just over use.  I went from mostly trail running to road running, and from running 6 maybe 10 miles a week to closer to 20 sometimes more.

She suggested as a temporary fix getting inserts for Sunday, so off to South Sound Running I went.  And, guess what I found out?  My go to running shoes are a no go.  I knew I was close to needing to replace them, but they made it clear I should not be walking in them let alone running in them.  But, they also realize I don't have time to break in new shoes between now and Sunday, especially with trying to rest my foot as much as possible.  So I ended up getting inserts that you heat up in the oven, put in your shoes and let them mold to your feet.

I put them in my back up shoes, that I don't like, but they are new and only have a few training runs and one race on them.  So they are not broken down like my fave shoes were.  I will go for a test run tomorrow with the new inserts and see how that goes.  At the very least these are the shoes I ran my 12 miler in, with the original inserts that came with the shoes.  So if the test run does not go well I will put the original inserts back in and deal with it.  

After this race I will go get evaluated/fitted for shoes, rest, and hopefully be ready to go for Sound To Narrows in June.  

Last Run Before the Race

I went on my last run before the 1/2 this morning.  Was just a short little test run to see if my foot was any better after resting it and treating it all week.  It isn't better.  It hurt from the very first step. 

But, you know what it's ok.  Pain is proof of life, and I would rather have a pain in my foot, than lose the use of my foot.  I'm still going to have an easier time running my race than some people who race do.  It's all a matter of perspective right?!

I am pretty confident that a few miles in, once I'm settled into my pace and the race day jitters are settled down I will be able to block out the pain and just run. 

I'm supper excited and feel ready.  I did all the training, my conditioning is what it needs to be, I have new music on the MP3 player, my outfit is ready.

I saw the forecast for Sunday...62, clear and sunny...PERFECT running weather!!  I am thankful for that at least!

P.S. - Mark  called and suggested I see about a cortisone shot.  At this point it's too late for treatment, so I'm opting for quick fix just to get through the race.  I have an appointment in the morning to talk to my Dr. about the shot.  After Sunday, "for real" treatment/rehab begins.  I have a month until my next race to work it out.