runningbrooke: 2009

2009 Year in Review

Posted by runningbrooke at 6:32 PM |

Brooke's 2009 Running Review

Hello World!

So when I look at all I've done this year, I'm very happy with myself and my accomplishments. I think I've taken The Good well -- ha ha! -- accepted The Bad and The Ugly and adapted to what I can't change. So without further adieu, here it is...

The Good

I spent the year maintaing a daily and monthly training schedule with six days of running -- peaking at 80 plus miles a week -- and an off day of a one mile swim. I've started Vikram yoga (hot yoga) which I do twice a week. You've gotta love a 95 degree room with sweat dripping into your eyes and ears and saturating every piece of clothing... But seriously, what I'm really proud of this year, is that I have finally made progress in the mind/body connection (PMA -- positive mental attitude -- equals enhanced body connection and performance with meditation, relaxation and believing in and trusting in myself) and how these things can make you a better runner and really better overall. Sometimes you have to relax into something hard, not push and force, to make it happen... Until this past year, it was only my times, track or marathon, that qualified me, in my mind, as a good runner. If I didn't have a good time or didn't make my anticipated/projected time, I felt that I wasn't a good runner and sometimes -- albeit briefly -- wondered why the HE** I was subjecting myself to all of this if I wasn't any good anyway... I've blown through some fears that I've had for a long time, public speaking for one! And have learned -- still room for improvement on this -- self promotion. But, here are the running highlights:

Master's Track Tournament (March) where I ran the 3000 (11:30) and the mile (5:58). I ran the mile with running-great Alisa Harvey. She was very nice and unassuming, just like every other person lining up. I felt proud to be only lapped by her once... and when she came by me, I felt the air as she pushed on past! Effortless. Effortless for her, not me :)
Boston marathon (April) - 4 years in a row with Boston PR of 3:21...
Started to blog (April)
Created a website (April) with help from running friend Cheryl...
Inception of RunningBrooke and the RunningBrooke Fund (May) which has now raised over $20,000 for Alexandria, VA charities...
Easter Island, Chile marathon (June) - 1st female finisher on a must-see island. What an incredible feeling to break the tape (3:30).
Philadelphia half-marathon (September) with a 1/2 marathon PR of 1:29 and a 10th place AG finish.
Steamtown, PA marathon (October) with a marathon PR of 3:09 and a 1st place AG finish.
JFK 50 miler (November) - My first ultra-marathon with a finish of 9:58 and a qualification for Western States, the Boston of ultras... Our female team came in 2nd!
Memphis, TN marathon (December) - two weeks after the JFK but still finished with a 3:30 and placed 3rd in my AG.

The Bad

Slowing down -- significantly -- on the fast stuff and maybe, ok likely, on the marathon times too... I knew that this would happen when I began to run a marathon a month, but until it did happen, I didn't really think it would. I still have hope that my body will figure this all out and will relax into the monthly marathons and give me back some faster times... Only 43 states, 4 continents and 1 major to go!

The Ugly

Exercise and stress induced asthma. Something that was once sporadic -- though I didn't recognize it for what it was -- and erratic -- sometimes at the track and sometimes at races -- became EVERY time I really pushed my body hard with speed or distance. It -- and I know my father still hates this word -- sucked, and it happened overnight. One day, not a problem, the next day, PROBLEM! I didn't understand what was happening to my body. And the more winded and stressed I got physically -- why is this so hard? -- the more stressed I got mentally. Old lurking negative thoughts of running self-worth crept back into the forefront. I must be a bad runner if I can't do workouts that I could do, even as recently as last month... Thanks to running friend Sharon D. -- after seeing me fight this for a couple of weeks -- pushed me to go see her asthma doctor, where I learned that I had a 20 percent oxygen deficit as compared to women my age... Five medications: two inhalers, a pill, and two nasal sprays later, I'm fine... Or at least I can breathe :) I've decided to accept asthma for what it is and not fight it, not run myself into the ground in attempt to make a certain time. Really, I used to do this... I used to not listen to the signals -- wheezing and muscle seizing -- and have a total body breakdown. I'd hobble, literally hobble, over the finish line. It was ugly. Some of you may be thinking 'well Brooke, maybe you were running beyond your fitness level,' and I admit, sometimes I was. But sometimes, it was just the pace and distance I'd done a week before... So now, I back off a little if I begin to get that wheezing feeling... It is what it is and I want to enjoy the ride...

So that about wraps up 2009. 2010 promises to be a great year with finishing my last marathon major (London), going to my forth continent (Australia) and running ten other marathons in ten different states. Cheers and it was a beautiful day for a run!

RunningBrooke

Upcoming post: 2010 Goals!

Upcoming marathons:

Goofy Challenge (January)

Sedona, AZ (February)

Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV (March)

London (April)

Tribute to Cubby

Posted by runningbrooke at 8:01 PM |

Hello World-

It just doesn't seem right to have any other post before paying tribute to our dog, whom we had to put to sleep yesterday...

Cubby -- named after the Chicago Cubs -- spent most of his days following me and the sunbeams around the house. He was an avid tennis ball getter and squirrel chaser and was tireless in both of his 'sports.' He loved to go for walks, take rides in the car -- with his head out the window -- natch, and get petted and hugged by his family. He was a cuddler, who always snuggled next to you, with his chin on your leg or in the crook of your arm. He was always waiting for you to return, leaving multiple nose prints on the door panes. He had a funny way of cocking his head -- literally 45 degrees to the left -- and then to the right -- if you asked him a question like 'Cubby, wanna go outside?' and he'd hurriedly go search for one of his many tennis balls, or 'Cubby, wanna go for a ride?' and he'd go right for the door. Cubby had Inflammatory Bowel Disease that prevented the proteins in food from being absorbed. His bowels leaked like a kitchen colander into his abdomen and we couldn't find a way to stop it. Food changes, many different types and combinations of medicines, nothing worked and his body couldn't take any more.

He was our first family dog and we will miss him sorely.

RunningBrooke

Happy Holidays and Ho, Ho, Ho!

Posted by runningbrooke at 2:39 PM |

Hello World!

Wishing you and your fam a Happy Holiday!

Coming Soon....

2009 recap, running and otherwise...

2010 goals, running (what else) and otherwise...

In 2010, look forward to more amazing content and guest posts, from some of my amazing running pals!

Until then, may Santa bring you health, wealth and fitness.

Cheers, it was a beautiful day for a run!

RunningBrooke

Alexandria, VA or Antarctica?

Posted by runningbrooke at 11:54 AM |

Hello World!

Alexandria, VA or Antarctica? And the funny thing is, is that I'll be running in Antarctica in March of '11. Who knew I'd get a little training in?!

Thanks to www.lululemon.com and www.yaktrax.com for their help in making these runs doable and fun.

First, notice how the hood of my jacket has, YES!, a spot for my pony tail to come out. Very handy, not too goofy looking, and very wearable. I've been looking for a jacket like this for years. This is why I love Lululemon -- my fav is the Arlingon, VA store -- and why I fork over the extra bucks for it. Hood stays on and up and is not annoying, zip for ventilation, hand flaps that fold over and become mittens, and just the right weight to be warm but not too warm. And it is totally cute! A friend of mine -- hello Anne :) -- successfully wears this same jacket to bike and her helmut fits easily over the hood.

Note to self and to others out there with long hair: If you think your hair is coming out of it's braid or bun, stop and fix it. I ignored this little issue yesterday and was left with a total 'rats nest,' that took me, and I'm not kidding here, 25 minutes to comb out.

And YakTrax. I don't know anyone in YakTrax land as I bought these online. They are the type of things that you don't use too often but when you need 'em, they are great. For those of you who are wondering what these things are, it is the same principle as chains for tires. Imagine a series of wire coils in a diamond pattern that go on the soles of your shoes that are held on with an elastic band at your toe and heal with a velcro strap.

Piece of terrific news: I'm having dinner with Bart Yasso, YES!, the Bart Yasso from Runner's World, in Florida when I'm down there next month to run the Goofy Challenge -- half marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday. Can't wait and wonder if it'll be too strange to ask to have my picture taken with him :) Am I available, ummm, YEAH!

Cheers and it was a beautiful day for a run!

RunningBrooke

P.S. I'll leave you all with a good piece of advice from Jim Croce -- favorite husband was YouTubing '70's artists last night.

... don't pull on Superman's cape, don't spit into the wind, don't pull the mask off of the Lone Ranger
and you don't mess around with Jim...

Article Redo... oops ;)

Posted by runningbrooke at 10:59 AM |

Running Globally, Acting Locally
Marathoner Brooke Curran raises money for Alexandria charities.

By Sandy Levitz Lunner
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It all started with her life list. One of her goals was to run a marathon.
"Once I ran my first marathon, I thought, ‘I can do this again … I can improve my time … I can qualify for the Boston Marathon.’"
So Alexandria resident Brooke Sydnor Curran continued running — to improve time, which she did. And to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which she did.
She started to wonder how she could turn her passion for running into something for the greater good.
"It took time — a couple of years of planning," Curran explained.
"First trying to be different — to set a goal that was kind of cool, that would catch people’s attention."
She decided to run a marathon on every continent plus all the major marathons. But apparently that wasn’t challenging enough for Curran.
When someone suggested that she include running a marathon in each state, she was quick to oblige and has committed to running a marathon a month to reach that goal.
Next she had to figure out how to turn this challenge into a fund-raising opportunity.
"I always knew I wanted to help Alexandria charities," Curran said. "I started looking into creating a 501(c)3, but I’m not a paperwork person, so I ruled that out."
She thought it might make sense to be under someone else’s non-profit umbrella. "I wanted to give my donors confidence that their dollars are going to something real, something good."

A FRIEND who is a member of the Alexandria Community Trust (ACT) suggested that Curran contact them to see if she could work something out.
"It was a perfect match," Curran said. "We established a partnership last May. They hold the donations I’ve collected and at the end of the year, I decide which Alexandria organizations will get the funds."
She’s leaning towards the groups that help women and children because, she explains, as a woman and mother, it’s true to her heart.
"It’s who I am," she said.
Curran lives in the Rosemont neighborhood of Alexandria with her husband Christopher and three daughters Clare, Kate and Caroline, ages 16, 15 and 12, respectively.
She’s named her fund-raising program "RunningBrooke." Brandi Yee, program director at ACT, says Curran’s model is exactly what her organization is trying to do — energize more people to give and be philanthropic.
"Brooke has combined her passion for running with her compassion for the community," Yee said.
"She’s raised awareness of what’s going on with Alexandrians in need and galvanized a group of new donors.
"It’s encouraging for us to see someone in the community take the lead in being philanthropic in such a creative, unique way."

ON NOV. 21, while Christopher was home cheering on their daughters in two lacrosse games and one soccer tournament, Curran was in Boonsboro, Md. for The 47th Annual John F. Kennedy 50-mile — "America’s Ultra Marathon." Her personal time was two minutes under the 10-hour "good time" benchmark, and her team placed second — just three minutes behind the winners.
"If I’d realized how close we were, I wouldn’t have stopped to take so many pictures," she laughed. "But it was so beautiful."
Just last weekend, Curran traveled to Memphis for the Run for St. Jude’s Hospital, her final marathon for 2009.
"All the money I’m raising goes directly to the city," Curran said. "I personally pay for my travel and entry fees to all the marathons."
So far this year, she’s raised $18,000 for ACT, just shy of the $20,000 goal she set for herself. Naturally, the folks at ACT are rooting for her to reach that goal.
"I’m a runner, so I have a special affinity for what Brooke is doing," said John Porter, executive director of ACT. "It’s a very creative way to help. She’s fulfilling her personal goals and her philanthropic goals."
Curran would love to see greater support from the business community and other Alexandrians who want to help locally. Many employers offer matching grants so a donor could double the worth of his or her contribution. Curran says she’s even open to some sort of sponsorship from local businesses.
"For example," she said, "I occasionally give small receptions to garner support from friends and colleagues, and I would welcome a donation from a local caterer." Or, as she says on her blog, "I’ll wear it, eat it, drink it or use it …"
Curran says that when someone makes a donation, it’s usually by check, made out to The Alexandria Community Trust. She asks people to write "RunningBrooke" in the memo line so ACT knows how to credit the donation. And, if someone wants to support a specific Alexandria program, they can just add that to the memo line. Plus, donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

CURRAN ALREADY knows her schedule for next year. In January she’ll be at Disney World for the Goofy Challenge. She plans to register for and run a half marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday for which she’ll earn three medals.
"I’m a little crazy for my medals," she said.
In February Curran runs in Sedona, Ariz. March is the Nevada Red Rock Canyon marathon. And in April, she’s off to London to complete her goal of running in five major-category marathons.
"People are getting excited, and it’s getting to be fun," Curran said. "Yes, some people kind of glaze over and can’t get their hands around what I’m doing, but with others it’s ‘Oh my God, that’s great!’"
Curran attended the Maury School Fall Festival this year to promote "runningbrooke."
"A small group of teen boys said, ‘That’s sick!’ which I think means ‘that’s great,’" she said. "They kept coming back and couldn’t believe that I had run a marathon in Easter Island or that I’m going to Antarctica in July. It was fun to see them be excited for what I’m doing."
With the holiday season in full swing, people are starting to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and ACT’s Yee and Porter hope that the gift Curran is giving to the community will inspire others to join in.
"Everyone is well aware that with the economy where it is, more and more people are in need," Porter said. "It’s important that people remember and do what they can to help others during this giving time of year.
"We know Alexandria is a giving community and will step up during our growing need to help those less fortunate."
For those who want to help, write "RunningBrooke" in the memo line on the check. If Curran can reach her goal of $20,000 this year, imagine what she’ll set out to do for Alexandria in 2010.