Rock N Roll Chicago

A couple months ago I was asked by a group of running friends to join them for a girl's weekend in Chicago. Fine print was I'd have to run a half marathon. I was quick to register thinking it'd be fun and I'd have time to train. Then moving happened.
My longest training run was a 15k race where I hit the wall at mile 7. Was I nervous? Of course.
The weekend started with me getting lost in downtown Chicago. The Marriott there needs a bigger sign. Once I was parked and semi calm I found fellow running mom Krista. I've "known" her for years but that was the first time we'd met. Greeted by hugs I knew the weekend would be a blast.
We jumped on the subway and headed to meet the other ladies at the expo. Now I'm a sucker for a good race expo. I bought lots of good running goodies.
In the chaos of all the people we managed to find the other group of ladies. Some I had met in person other's I hadn't. Big hugs and hellos were exchanged and we continued shopping. That seemed to be a trend for the weekend.
Saturday morning Stacey and I watched and cheered for the other ladies as they ran the 5k. It was miserably hot. We were parched just from spectating.
Sunday morning came way too fast and the thought of running in the heat was terrifying.
Of course I was corralled second from last. Waiting on that start line felt like forever. But I felt good and ready!
My focus was just to finish and have fun. I stuck to my intervals (a 1:1 if you're curious) until mile 7 when my earbuds died. I tried to pace them out in my head until mile 8 when my foot decided it had enough. Walking the last 5 miles of a half marathon was not in my plan. But I did. A combination of heat, plantar fascitis, and blisters was too much.
At each water station I'd grab 2 waters one for inside and one for outside. Plus ice for under my hat at medical tents seemed to be my winning combination.
I considered quitting but didn't. Crossing that finish line was amazing. Almost better than my first.
After the race we all talked, laughed, shared battle wounds (mine a blister we named Walter), got tattoos, had dinner, and cheesecake in bed.
Looking back it was the best weekend I've had in forever. Taking a break from being a wife and mom was exactly what I needed.
Thanks RMM ladies for an amazing weekend. Thanks for being great friends and cheerleaders. Chicago or Vegas next year? ♡

Daddy's Girl

Anyone who knows me, really knows me, knows that I'm a daddy's girl. The story that my mom tells the minute I was born I was screaming and no one could get me to stop. One touch on my hand from my dad and I stopped.
Most children when they're sick want their moms. Not me I always wanted my dad. Maybe it was my mom's weak stomach or the fact that my dad was an EMT. Either way, if I was sick I wanted my dad.
We spent many nights playing basketball or volleyball. If there wasn't 8 feet of snow we were outside at night playing until we couldn't see anymore.
I see that same fun and fire when he plays with my kids. Only it's different now. We've known for awhile something wasn't right. It took him retiring from a very active job for us to see the scope of his illness. A bunch of testing and ruling out other illnesses later and we had a diagnosis. Parkinson's Disease.
Here's what Parkinson's does. Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder that results from the gradual degeneration of nerve cells in the neural area called the “substantia nigra”, which controls muscle movement and coordination through the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. As the neurons die off, the amount of dopamine in the brain decreases, resulting in classic parkinsonism symptoms including muscle stiffness, tremor, weakness, and trembling. Because the condition is progressive in nature, symptoms gradually worsen over time. Beyond the physical manifestation of PD, the disease is often accompanied by mental health problems including depression.
My dad is Stage 1. But some of his symptoms are progressing fast. What once was a small hand tremor has moved to his entire right side. He's forgetful and sometimes confused. He's still fun and playful with my kids but gets tired fast. It is truly heartbreaking to watch.
I know that we've only begun to feel the wrath of PD. My mom is a saint for caring for him. Being so far away is tough.
I'm a daughter but I'm also a runner. What do daughter runners do when faced with a life changing diagnosis? We want to change the world! I was lucky enough to be given a spot on Team Fox as an athlete to run the Marine Corps Marathon. I've wanted to run a marathon for awhile and decided I needed to do it before I turned 40.
With this opportunity comes a crazy fundraising goal. Not for me. But for my dad and someone else's dad, mom, sister, brother, daughter, son. This disease is brutal and there's no cure. Please, please, please all I'm asking is for my family,  friends, followers, to donate just a little. Just $5 can make a huge difference. The research that's being done could save me. There's a 9% genetic link. I know it's small but what if I hit the genetic lottery? What is YOU hit the genetic lottery? What if one day you wake up with uncontrollable tremors? It's terrifying!
Please check out my Team Fox page to see how you can help. I heart y'all big! ♡♡
Rachael

http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?px=2156068&pg=personal&fr_id=1781

Parkinson's Awareness Month

Today I wear Orange. For the 60,000 people who will be diagnosed with Parkinson's this year.
For all those fighting the disease, including my dad.
For all the caregivers, including my mom.
I'm honored to be a Team Fox athlete. To help raise awareness and very important research money for this awful disease.
 I'm asking 2 things, wear Orange this month to show your support and tag me in a picture. Number 2 head over to my donation page and make a donation. Every bit helps! Thanks all of you for being amazing friends and I can't wait to share my marathon journey with you! ♡♡♡

Donate Here!  http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?px=2156068&pg=personal&fr_id=1781

Marathon Emotions

I started running what feels like forever ago. I was a new stay at home mom feeling stressed by being in the house all day.
It started innocently enough with walking to get out of the house and it quickly turned to running.
My first 5K was terrifying. It had been a long time since my last athletic feat. I survived. I placed in my age group the next race and just kept going.
I don't think the race day butterflies ever go away. My first half I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, almost puked.
I'm getting back in touch with my driven side. Being mom all day is crazy and sometimes I get lost in them and my husband.
Approaching 40 I've realized there's so many more fun crazy things I want to do. All are fitness related, shocking I know. :)
My full marathon discussions started with my Sole Sister one night. That night the #FullBefore40 came alive!
I struggled with finding the right race. It will more than likely be my only full so it had to mean something.
My dad was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. I am a daddy's girl. Always have been always will be. While doing research on the Michael J Fox Foundation website I discovered Team Fox. A group of amazing athletes that run, bike, and do selfless things for Parkinson's research.
I was just selected to be one of those athletes! Crazy right? I will be representing Team Fox during the Marine Corp Marathon in October.
I'm excited, happy, nervous, on the verge of screaming with happiness every 5 seconds.
Half Marathon training started today on a bum ankle. :) That half in July will be a warm up to my running Christmas in DC.
Follow my training and other crazy babbling here. #GoTeamFox
Big Love friends  ♡♡