Midnight Sun Marathon

Well, this #7 of 2012, but my 21st marathon to date, and I can say this is a first. Never have run an evening marathon before.

Along with 600 other runners, I will start my 42km race at Tromso Radhuset (Tromso City Hall) at approximately 8:30 PM on June 30 and finish around 1:15 AM on Sunday, July 1st. Not sure what the hydration, food and rest plan should be as these are all usually tied to a morning race. Get back to on that.

Tromso is beautiful. At the far north tip of Norway, it will be broad daylight when I am running...another novelty.

A mainly flat "figure eight" course except for two bridges of 45 meters each in the first half of the race. Temp should be upper 40s or low 50s. Expected sunshine but rain is now on the radar. Fingers crossed for better weather than last month.

Race number is 1013. Follow me on www.msm.no.

Please give!

Marathon #7 is looming large... Less than 24 hours. Getting excited and looking forward to cool weather and a midnight run.

Thanks for all the good wishes as well. Much appreciated. If you could find it in your hearts to support me with a donation to Cancer Research UK, I could soooo appreciate it.

Do it for a loved one or friend, do it for yourself, do it to support the thousands who battle a marathon of their own each day they fight this disease.

Give, give, give ... I am $5000 away from goal. Thanks

Www.justgiving.com/Holly-Young2012

Taking it one step at a time.

Land of the Midnight Sun

Marathon weekend is here... Budman to arrive on race day...race #7... Still sorta surprising it's already here.

Mostly I am amazed that as I depart the airport at midnight that it is sunny... Looks like 5 pm. Weird.

Tromso weekend

Airline issues with BA - they no longer honor Scandinavian Airline code share tickets. Would have been nice to have had some advance notice??????

So. As I wait for my BA flight to Oslo to be assigned a gate, I am now looking at a delayed arrival in Oslo in my immediate future. It is entirely plausible I won't clear immigration and baggage claim in time to negotiate with Scandinavian air to honor my 2nd flight.

Then it's Oslo for the night????and a new flight to the Arctic Circle on Friday????

I was expecting a marathon but not this one exactly....

Quiet blog

New job. Long days. 'Nuff said.

National Running Day

Today is National Running Day....well, in the US anyway, but I am celebrating as well in the UK.   The day is to celebrate "all things running" and why not?  I run...

*  to stay fit
*  to socialize with friends
*  to eat (yea...I do!)
*  to see places with a different pair of eyes (than what i see in a car)
*  to raise money of a good cause
*  to achieve a goal
* because it is who I am

If you are a runner, celebrate in the best way possible...have a run along your favorite path or park or with a best running buddy.  Carpe Diem!

I am made of the journey not just the distance

The Asics Stockholm Marathon is tomorrow, Saturday, June 2 at 12 noon.  Never ran a marathon that began that late.



As I reflect on the race tomorrow, it will be #6 for the year of marathons.  As a friend has calculated for me, if the marathon challenge was actually a marathon, I would be at mile 11.  Tomorrow, I reach the halfway point.

What can I expect tomorrow?  Well, 90% rain and a high of 48 degrees.  It has been downright cold and wintery today but the proper running gear is laid out, race course marked, food and beverages collected, and alarms are set (although no worry about oversleeping this race day).

I totally agree with the Asics, the Stockholm Marathon, sponsor  This year....it has all been about the journey.....not just the distance.

Taking it one step at time.
HY

Praha Maraton

The post is a little overdue, since it has been 3 weeks since the Prague Marathon and no update.  Sorry friends!



In summary, the fifth race in the "12 marathons in 12 months in 2012" challenge proved to be the best race yet.  I felt great in the week leading up to race, was rested and hydrated, had no nagging aches and pains...in short, I had done all I could do and felt relatively assured I was going to run a good race (for me, anyway).  Now I needed to rely on Mother Nature and a flat marathon course.

Before I get to race day overview, the marathon expo provide to be quite enjoyable, with lots of vendors, as well as THE photo opportunity of my life.  Yea, that is me with the "new" women's world marathon record time (get the 12 theme again????).  Sorry, Paula, but I had to beat you, if only in my dreams.



I was not dissapointed.  Race day bright and sunny for marathon #5, including just the slightest of breezes to keep cool throughout the race.



As I arrived at the marathon start (above), sunshine was periodically followed by  a little intermittent cloud cover throughout the race, but no complaints otherwise.  Great race logistics, by the way Prague Marathon Organizers, with multiple drink stops along the way and a flat and slightly undulating course to keep things interesting.

Road crew and Road Crew Chief all rolled into one; the Budman was able to see me over 7 times throughout the day thanks to a couple of out and back loops. When he saw me at km 30, we both knew a sub 5 hour marathon was in my sight.



A few photos from the day, along the cobblestoned course (my 2nd set of cobblestones in 5 marathons).











Getting tired, but encouraged by the run...the last loop along the river.





And now the big finish (and in multiple photos) in a time of 4:55:06.  The Marathon Foto paparazzi were definitely out in full force on the day.  And yes, could I have gotten the hand gesture number "5" in a few more photos? 




Good to see that the Hachie Gal's signature running sign, the proverbial "thumbs up" has crept back into the picture.  Maybe that is why those neck and shoulders were a little tight the next day?  Good grief.. "Run Forrest, run!"



And it's all over except the celebatory burger and fries.





And now, on to Stockhom...oh yea...that is tomorrow!

Taking it one step at a time!

Hurricane Bud

Just noticed the second US tropical storm of the year is named Hurricane Bud. Already category 2. Could dump alot of rain and cause some damage.

Not sure what the big deal is... I've been living with Hurricane Bud for 28 years.

LOL

Summer is here

Now I remember why summer in the UK can be challenging. No A/C!

Ready to run

Tucked in, running gear laid out, and marathon course plotted. The best part I am 300 meters from my hotel bed to my marathon corridor starting gate.

All is right in the world!
Taking it one step at a time!
HY

Trials and tribulations of UK immigration

I get that the current state of UK Immigration and Border Control is not good. The agency has had to cut budget, lay off staff, and do more with less.

Trouble is more people (residents and non residents) enter the country more each week at LHR than ever before. Recently, immigration queues have been 2+ hours where hundreds of people wait on 2 immigration officials to process everyone. Literally.

Thankfully, for 6 more months I can enjoy IRIS and bypass the long lines...when it's working, that is.

When not, I come mentally prepared and make sure I have a book handy.

Imagine my surprise when departing LHR tonight to find 4 immigration officials checking passports of travellers leaving the UK, not entering. And this was after previously being checked and going through security. What gives?

Gotta tip for those UK immigration lads and lassies. Send those dudes to the arrival hall.... Please!

Dr. E - my "Prague" honorary person

Thanks to everyone who continues to support my cause by donating to Cancer Research UK as part of my "12 marathons in 12 months in 2012".  I certainly could not have done it thus far without you all!

Donations hover at 57% of goal...just a few pounds shy of £7000.  I am humbled by the generosity of those who have contributed in memory or honor of a loved touched by cancer, or who have simply been willing to support my crazy scheme.  Please know that your donations do and can make a difference  - all donations are still welcome!

http://www.justgiving.com/Holly-Young2012

My bags and "remembrance team" list is packed - currently there are 58 names that I remember in few moments of silence as I wait at the start line.  These special peopel are with me again this coming Sunday.

However, this race will be a little more special because I am running in honor of a high school/Baylor friend, Doug (a.k.a. "Dr. E" for the purposes of this blog) who was recently diagnosed with and is successfully battling bladder cancer.  You know who you are and the Budman and I love you and your family to bits!  Just know that I will be dedicating this race to you; when the race gets a little lonely or I get a little tired, I'll be spurred on by the courage youare displaying as your face your bout with cancer right now!

So, for all of those who know Dr. E or simply want to show your support, no better way than by a donation to Cancer Research.

Taking it one step at time!
HY

Marathon #5 - Volkswagen Prague

Hachie Gal is Prague (otherwise known as Praha) bound...yes, marathon #5 is looming large on the weekend horizon.  Actually, the race start is this Sunday at 9 AM in the Prague Old Town Center.   (Check)

I have felt good the last three weeks, experienced no muscle soreness after the London marathon (amazing), and have slept, ate, and hydrated well.  (Check)

As for the race itself, it is a relatively flat, looped course which should be ideal for the 9000 +/- runners on the day.  Weather temps on Sunday are expected to be sunny and highs of 56 degrees.  PERFECT! (Check)

Catch you on the flip side of the race....

Taking it one step at a time!
HY

Never underestimate the impact one person can have

Running my marathons for charity has been very rewarding and has certainly sustained me during the training and all the actual races by simply reflecting on the postive impact these monies can make.  In the London marathon alone:

* Marathoners who ran on behalf of Cancer Research UK, of which I was one of 800 runners, raised over £1.5 million (that is USD 2.4 million). 
*  In 2010, over £50 million (USD 80.8 million) was raised by runners for charities.
*  Since its inception, London Marathoners have raised over £450 million (USD 727 million).

That is a chunk of change raised by people just like me....doing nothing but running marathons.

Perhaps my little £6800 raised to date this year does not go far by itself, but never undestimate the small efforts of many people.  When combined with "other small efforts", the results can be inspiring.  Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.

Many of you are aware of a young woman who died while running last month's London marathon.  She had less than 600 meters to go before crossing the finish line when she collapsed on the course and died shortly thereafter.  Her fundraising goal of £500 for her chosen charity had been reached by the time she ran the race; today, thanks in large measure to 80,000 strangers donating mostly in £5 or £10 increments, she has raised posthumously £1,126,193 (or $1,819,970).   Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.

This holds true for so many things in life. For example:

* if everyone picked up 3 pieces of trash a day, what an amazingly clean place we would live in.

* if everyone donated 3 cans/boxes of food to a food bank, our food banks would be overflowing.

* if everyone donated just their smallest denomination loose change to worthy causes, think of the the charities those "pennies, nickels, dimes" or "pence" could support...money that otherwise often ends up in money jars or cannisters on a shelf in closet or cabinet.

* If everyone donated 3 hours a month to help someone else, a senior citizen, a physically or mentally challenged individual, or just someone who needed a little extra help...cleaning a yard or garden, running some errands, cooking a meal, visiting someone who is ill...what a difference this could make in the life of someone else.

* If everyone encouraged 3 people a week...to achieve a goal or dream, to get through a rough patch, to let them know they are loved and appreciated, the dark days would not be as dark and the mountains would not seem so high or the valleys quite so low.

Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.

Taking in one step at a time,
HY