2013 - Goals for the Year

What do I want to see in 2013? Well the biggest and most important goal is to get 'off the injured list'. But big goals are nothing without breaking it down into bite sized chunks. And in a nod to my 'too much too soon' injury, this year is all about keeping it simple and not trying to accomplish stuff my body is not ready for.

Big Goals:

• Progress in my rehab so that I am able to 'run' again. I cannot wait until I am able to run a full 3 miles without having to do walking intervals. Likewise, I can't wait to do a long run again. It's been 5 looonnnggg month since I've gone on a long run. 

• Build strength and flexibility. My PT exercises and work focus on strengthening my core, pelvic floor, hips and glutes. I do a series of exercises every day and do my run/walk 3-4 times a week. Once I 'graduate' from regular PT visits, I'll be focusing on a regimen that will include yoga, more strength training and hopefully a lot of cross training amidst all the running I hope to be doing again this year.

• Focus on building a solid base. I really neglected that last year and have a pretty awful injury to prove it. I will not make that mistake again. That means I will be extremely cautious in increasing my mileage when I am back to running full time. It also means I will be a total zealout when it comes to stretching, recovery methods and fueling my body. I will be a smart runner who doesn't take chances. I love it too much to allow this sort of injury to occur again.

• Keep the racing to a minimum - no matter how much I am tempted to do other fun races. That means that my first 6 months of the year will be focused on training for Rock and Roll in June and Ragnar in July. Past that, if all goes well, I'd like to do the full Seattle Marathon in November. If a full is too much for this year, I have no problem doing the half instead. But I am not planning on any more and think that keeping the focus on these will be better for my body.

• Not suck at blogging. This was a mirco goal last year....Not sure how well I am doing in this regard but since I now have a full year of blogging under my belt, I'd like to get better, more consistent and savvier. 

And that is it. No crazy big goals this year.....and no specific tiny goals either. Just going to be realistic, listen to my body and go with the flow. We'll see how that approach works in the coming months!

2012 Goals: How'd I do?

My hardware for 2012

I had grand plans for 2012. I started the year off totally high from my first half marathon that ended up propelling me to over-ambitiously over-commit. To recap - my goals for last year were doable but a tad bit ambitious. I actually knocked out the big ones, with only a couple exceptions.

Train year round - for the entirety of the 2012: 
~ I was very consistent with my training right up until I was forced to deal with my injury....so half credit on this one.
Run 1 race per month- 12 races for 12 months:
 ~ Ditto for this one. I did a race a month until August, when I started treatment for my injury. The only months I did not race were August, September, November and December. Not bad for a gimp.
 
Run at least 3 half marathons: 
 ~ Done! I ran 4 half marathons in 2012
 
Run my first full marathon:
 ~Done! At least in as far as walking across the finish line goes. I walked it so it only half counts in my mind.....so there will be a 'rematch' on the 'first marathon' in 2013 I hope.
 
Become more social with my running- join a running club, go to Fleet Feet group runs, connect with other runners to train and race with:
 ~I made some really awesome running friends this year....I couldn't have survived this injury without their encouragement and support. 

My micro goals were hit and miss....I did knock about 17 minutes off my half marathon time in that span of time. But post injury, the pacing and speedwork took a backseat....I also wanted to learn to take better care of myself by eating better and getting in significant cross training. While I did do a better job of taking care of myself while training, I have learned a big lesson with this injury - taking care of yourself while injured is also extremely important. To that end, I am proud of how hard I've been working to get off of the 'injured list'.

Goals for 2013 to come....January has been pretty busy in my house and I just haven't had time for the kind of self reflection that has been necessary to write these 'Goal' posts. So forgive the fact that I've posted exactly twice this month. I'm getting back into the swing of things again...and now that I'm getting close to doing more running than walking, I'll be tracking and writing about my training again. March is right around the corner and that is the goal month to be back up and 'running' so to speak. 

 

6 Months and Counting: Injury Recap & Update

I can't believe it's been that long already. Beginning of July, I started to notice the pain. I had been averaging about 100 miles a month since March, but cut way back to 60 miles in July due to the pain I was feeling. I hoped that rest would help that month and that I'd be good to go in a jiffy. Not so much. By August, it was clear that the pain wasn't going away and it was time to see someone. I started in Physical Therapy the first week of August.

After my first few visits, it was clear that I had some structural deficiencies, as it were. Pelvis was misaligned and my body was totally out of balance. The left side was working way too hard and over compensating for some major weakness on the right. I saw my PT for several visits over the month of August. I had done some full resting, then transitioned to some test runs that had walking intervals. By the beginning of September, it was clear that I was not only not improving, but that it was time to see the Dr. for some testing to rule out some other potential injuries. We paused PT for the majority of September while I had an X-ray and then an MRI.

By the end of September, the results were in. From my post:

And it's not pretty. I actually got the results over the phone late last week and have been mourning processing ever since. I have a "superior lateral and posterior acetabular labral tear", which is a fancy medical way of saying that the labrum (the thing that goes around your hip socket that keeps your thigh or femur in place) is torn. But that's not all! Oh no, there is more fun to be had here. I also have "significant tendinopathy at the hamstring attachment"....which is fairly self explanatory. The tendons attach your hamstring to your pelvis, and when they get angry and inflamed, it's called tendonitis or tendinopathy (essentially the same thing)....

I spent all of September and October (with the exception of that one day I walked a few miles) on full rest. I had been in pain just at rest and it was really hard to sit all day long. By the beginning of November, the full rest led to some progress. I was in a lot less pain and could tolerate walking again without increased tightness or discomfort. I started PT again the first week of November and have been going twice a week since then. Our new plan focused on strength training - I have a set of exercises I do daily and I got to start walking again. We also started doing ultrasound on the tendon and massage on the hamstring. And I am happy to report that there has been some real progress!

The walking was a slow build over the month of December. I started walking three times a week and after a couple weeks of tolerating that well, I've gotten to increase to walking every other day, with one minute running intervals. After a couple weeks of tolerating that well, I'll get to alter those intervals...increasing the running and decreasing the walking. Realistically, following that plan, I'll be back to running 3-4 times a week solidly by March. If all goes to according to plan.

This injury and my fight to get back to running is taking forever it feels like. The hamstring is so big and this tendinopathy is so stubborn. I will always have to baby it and pay close attention to it though. So in effort to make sure that when I am back, I am actually stronger than before and have a lower risk of re-injury, I plan to spend use 2013 as a 'Building my Base' year.

My focus this year is on strength, flexibility and balance. I want to continue running as long as I am able so I plan to take it easy this year on the racing and focus on all the other things I need to do for my body that will ultimately benefit my running. Things like strength training, cross training and yoga. I plan to focus on three races only - my goal is to be back to running regularly by March so I can begin training for Rock and Roll in June. Half marathon only - baby steps. July will be Ragnar - NW Passages again with my Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies. If those two races go well and I am physically ready to build after that, I am hoping to complete my second full marathon in 2013. Again, keeping it low-key, I would like the Seattle Marathon in November to be my "first" full that I run. And that's it. Depending on how things go, I won't rule out doing a 5/10K or two....we'll see how it goes. This injury has taught me that being flexible and listening to my body is key to being a successful runner.

Also a big lesson to my runner friends - if you have a niggling injury - DO NOT ignore it. See your Dr. or a physical therapist. You might have a structural issue that needs fixing. Don't just deal with it - do something about it. Figure out what the problem is and what you can do to fix it so it doesn't sideline you. I learned that the hard way.

I will be a runner again. I am determined to make it so. It's just taking much longer than I thought it would to get there.

December: In Which I Celebrate My Blogiversary

It's been a quiet month, relatively speaking of course. The holidays always make December just fly by in a blink. My least favorite holiday but I try to make the most of it and not be too grinchy for my daughter's sake. In fact, just a few weeks ago, she nudges me while we are sitting on the couch and says, "Mom, this is totally going to be your tree when I move out."

My future Christmas Tree

Or maybe this one....

In any case, it's been pretty quiet around here this month. I celebrated my birthday, my blogiversary, Christmas and now we've said goodbye to 2012.

My daughter did end up getting the one thing she really really wanted for Christmas....

Only about an inch...but it made her so happy!

I am looking forward to 2013....I will run again this year and it's going to be good.

Merry Christmas

It's My Blogiversary.....

Today.....I have been writing all about my running adventures for one full year. My very first post was a recap of a 10K race that I had just done. And I just kept going....

When I started running, back in July 2011, I was training for my first half marathon. I completed that training cycle and ran across the finish line of that Half in November. At that point, I knew it was a done deal. I was in love with running and this was not going to be a one and done kind of thing. In order to keep myself motivated and accountable....and because I wanted to be just like this girl....I decided to start my little blog.

One year later, I am still going strong. Despite the fact that I've actually been out of commission for the past (nearly) 5 months. I actually feel pretty proud about that. I was determined to keep at it....even when I didn't have anything much to say...I didn't want to let my handful of readers down and I knew that if I kept writing, even just a bit here and there, that I would be glad that I did.

Because the day that I will get to run again is getting closer. Unfortunately, it's taking much longer than I thought it would. This is a stubborn injury....one that I'll probably have to deal with for the rest of my running career. But I am determined to have one....I just love it too much.

So thanks for bearing with me readers...I appreciate it! I'll be back in action, hopefully better than ever in the near future....and will be celebrating many more of these Blogiversaries.

A few of my favorite posts from the last year:

Luck of the Season -- This was my first experience grappling with a less than stellar training cycle. It was good to get out the frustration while simultaneously giving myself a break.

Mercer Island Half Recap -- My second half marathon was awesome. And I knocked nearly 10 minutes off my time.

Wear Blue: Run to Remember -- I joined Wear Blue last April....here's why I was inspired to join this amazing group.

Heroes Half Recap -- Half marathon #3....this was the day I met a really really cool runner chic. Who then invited me to be on her....

Ragnar Relay: NW Passages....It's ON! -- team...Little did I know.....

Long Run...In Pictures --  This was one of my favorite posts....a little hometown love and a long run...what's not to love?

Seattle Rock and Roll - Wear Blue Mile -- My first time running a race with the larger WB group. Amazing experience and still my favorite race to this day.

Sea of Blue -- I posted quite a few on this particular race...this picture post was also one of my favorites...along with my first post after the race....It was such a moving experience. Can't wait until next year!

Ragnar: Odds, Ends and Awesome Stuff -- I wrote many posts about Ragnar...but this one collected most of my favorite moments in photo form....

How Do People Do This? -- My first post where I start to realize that denial re: the injury wasn't going to get me anywhere......especially if I planned to run there.

The Results Are In -- Official diagnoses of a labral tear in my left hip and a wicked case of upper hamstring tendonitis. And just like that....it's temporarily game over.

Finisher - Marathon #1 Done -- Except for this. Ha. I got permission to walk some of this race that I'd registered for prior to said injury but ended up walking the entire thing. Fortunately, it didn't set me back on the injury...and I can say that I've now completed a full marathon. And since I walked the damn thing, I'll likely knock a couple hours off my time when I actually get to run one!!

The Show Must Go On -- Speculating on the NYC Marathon that was scheduled right after Hurricane Sandy battered the NJ and NY coastlines. Then it was cancelled.....

Progress....Real Progress -- The patience is starting to pay off....I am getting there. I plan to return better than before....but it's slow going.

Thanks for reading this year!!

Make Yourself Monday

 Free....I hope to free myself from this injury soon.....

Make Yourself Monday

Extraordinary....

November: In Which I Get Closer to Running Again.......

Which, yay! I can feel it, taste it....whatever. Point is, I am making progress!! That I can feel.

November raged in with a ginormous 'Frankenstorm' on the East Coast. Hurricane Sandy came ashore in New Jersey and the outlying areas of NYC just before Halloween. Less than a week before my #1 dream marathon was scheduled to take place.

One of the many crazy Post-Sandy flood pictures

In the aftermath, NYRR and the city of New York decided that the marathon would go on. Which resulted in a backlash so loud and impossible to ignore that Mayor Bloomberg decided to cancel after all -- less than 48 hours before it was supposed to start - after most of the international runners had already arrived. While the final info regarding refunds and automatic entry to next year is still not clear due to haggling with the event's insurance company, this will likely affect the Marathon for years to come. Good did come out of runners descending on NYC anyway -- thousands of those that did arrive helped where they could and some of them held their own informal 'race' in Central Park anyway. 

Runners headed to Staten Island on what would have

 been 'race day'. Source.

That was only the beginning of the month! What an eventful November....right after all this brouhaha, we had the election, AKA Nerd Christmas, an actual real holiday I just made up. I was totally captivated along with the nation watching people decide on the future of our country....God, I love Presidential election years! Except for the commercials......those can go away and never come back.

Since I was so preoccupied, I probably didn't mourn quite as much about missing Ragnar LV Ultra with my girls. It was, however, very cool that one of my amazing teammates, April offered to run her first leg in honor of Wear Blue and a fallen soldier. She ran those miles in honor of Army Spc. Sarina Butcher, who was KIA on November 1, 2011 serving in Afghanistan. 

You will not be forgotten.

This month also brought two holidays that provided an opportunity to reflect and say Thanks. For both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving  I wanted to let our Troops know that they are appreciated and that we honor their service to our country. And for Turkey Day especially, I wanted to recognize Military Families and their sacrifice as well. 

Following my absolute favorite holiday, I got to continue participating in my newest Thanksgiving weekend tradition- the Seattle Marathon. No running for me this year but I spent a couple days volunteering and had an excellent time. It was great to be a part of it, despite not actually running....but speaking of running...

I am that much closer to it. I started PT back up this month and it was nice to find that I am actually healing and moving closer to being 'back'. Still have a month or so before running will start again, but I am working hard. Doing my exercises religiously and now walking 3x a week to start prepping my body to being able to run again. I cannot wait. I can't believe it's been 4 months now. But we are getting there....slowly but surely! 

Overall, November was a pretty eventful month! Onward to the very last month of 2012. Hopefully this will not be the last ever month in review.....but if the Mayans are right and we are all gone after the 21st, it's been real people. Ha.

Make Yourself Monday

Love it....running on a beach sounds nice about now.

Progress.....Real Progress

I am finally feeling it. The 'it' being closer to running again. Yay!! I am finally healing and feeling like I am getting stronger too. Working with my PT has brought a better understanding of my body and it's particular structural issues, if you will.

Mainly, I've discovered that 1) My core is not strong. At all. 2) The lack of engaged muscles deep in my abdomen and pelvis allowed my pelvis to shift slightly with the continual force that running was putting on it. 3) The miss-aligned pelvis and lack of core strength caused an imbalance and overuse of the left leg, which led to the injury.

To 'fix' this, we've been focusing on core strength. I've been doing a set of exercises at home that are targeting the deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. I already feel more balanced and stronger. It's been really helpful to learn how each part of your body is engaged while running and we've been working to stabilize the core so that when my body is balanced on one leg (which it always is while running), I am in line and my muscles are engaged properly.

We've started incorporating walking back into the picture. I will be spending the month of December walking to build back up to being able to run again, likely after Christmas. Boo ya! I was assigned a 3-5 mile walk over the last couple days and it was so nice to get out there, listen to music and just let my mind wander. Oh how I've missed that so much.

The plan is to continue PT twice a week through December. In January, we'll go down to once a week as I am able to start building my base back up. A few weeks after I am consistently running again, we'll go to once every other week for a couple weeks and then as needed. But once I am running again, she is going to give me a pretty detailed plan on building the base and smartly increasing my mileage back to where it was. I will also be focusing on being more well rounded so that I can keep my body healthy to keep doing what I really love. Strength training, yoga and incorporating warm ups and cool downs, which I've never really been good at doing. All of that will hopefully keep me injury free and prevent a relapse of this awful injury.

Yay for progress!!

Make Yourself Monday

Love it....

Marshaling the Course

Stray observations from the course:

1) Some people run really funny. Like arms straight down at their sides funny.

2) Marathoners come in all shapes and sizes. For reals.

3) I want to be badass enough to win a whole marathon sometime in my life. A bit after I got to my post, I saw the first three ladies running by looking all badass.

4) Some bikers are assholes. Closed course fools. Don't make me use my Mom voice on you.

5) I can't wait to start running again. Injuries suck.

Volunteering at the Seattle Marathon

One year ago, I ran my very first half marathon. It was cold, rainy and windy. I was nervous as hell and had no idea what to expect. Running to the finish line was an indescribable feeling. I felt powerful and strong and completely spent. I also hyperventilated just a bit and was swallowing more than a few tears.

One year later, I have to sit this one out. Stupid injuries...But the next best thing to running has to be volunteering...I spent the better part of yesterday handing out bibs at the Expo and will spend several hours today on the course as a course marshal. I had such a good time yesterday...It was fun to see all the different runners and you could totally tell the people who are experienced and who is a newbie....One girl was super excited and had so much nervous energy, I got a kick out of being the 'more experienced' one who offered some advice and encouragement. I even had my own little brush with a local quasi-celebrity, Allen Shauffler, KING 5 News anchor (our local NBC affiliate). And of course, I was super stupid...I was all "I know you!" and started looking for his bib. He's all "The question is, can you spell it?" Ha. I totally could and found it lickety split.

I was on the first shift so I was able to strategically place myself at the S-T table so I could check in my friends Bill and Mike. I also got too see a friend from high school which was nice....And I learned that as a course marshal, I have to hold a stop sign...so I decided against doing signs. But the weather seems like it may hold up...no rain in the forecast. Just cloudy and in the 40's all day. So I definitely need to dress warm. What to wear....I have a ginormous volunteer t shirt that I might wear....but it will likely be covered by a warmer layer so I might not. I also want to wear Blue....so my fellow runners know why I am yelling so loudly at them.

Anyhoo, I've got to go get ready to head out soon....more to come!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. It's the best one because it's all about family and food and you don't have to buy stuff. The only thing I don't like about Turkey Day is the fact that it's generally understood that it's the 'official' kick off to the Christmas season. I am not a fan of that holiday for many many reasons, best told over a cocktail. But mostly, I resent that as soon as the orange stuff and candy is put away, it's all candy canes and trees with lights. My birthday is Dec. 7th and the rule in my house is that there is absolutely positively no Christmas decorations until after said date. Hell, if I didn't have a kid, I probably wouldn't have a tree at all. But I digress....

I am not a super good cook, nor do I enjoy it as much as I wish I did. But on Turkey day, that rule does not apply. I actually love cooking this meal. It's my favoritest favorite of all. Like last meal before being executed favorite. And I'll be getting started on all that soon! We will do a little 'kick off to Christmas' activity tomorrow - we plan to go watch the Macy's Holiday parade downtown Seattle and then watch the tree lighting at Westlake that evening. But there will be NO shopping. Black Friday is a terrible terrible day and I will never ever be into it. 

Post Turkey Day activities, I plan to be a part of the brand new Thanksgiving Weekend tradition that I started last year. And it's the PERFECT addition because it has nothing to do with Christmas and involves running!! Woot woot - I plan to return to the place that started it all for me- my first Half Marathon last year, the Seattle Marathon on Sunday. And my little blog didn't exist then so I don't have a fabulous race recap to link to....but I'll be writing all about my volunteer experience this year! 

That's right - since I am not able to run, I am going to be there anyway because I just can't stay away. I have a few friends doing it and even though it's not an 'official' Wear Blue race, there will be many of my fellow Blue runners out on the course and there to support them. I will be volunteering twice - on Saturday at the Expo handing out bibs and on Sunday at the actual race - as a course marshal. I am super excited b/c I think that means I get stationed somewhere out on the course and I get to cheer people on all day. I already have my signs all planned - I can't wait to make them!

All in all, I think this will be an excellent weekend. We don't have to go anywhere, I get to eat my most favorite foods of all and I get to hang out with a bunch of runners! But this holiday is my favorite for another reason. It's a chance to reflect on just how fortunate we are and to be thankful for the wonderful friends and family in our life. I am thankful for so many things....the health of my family, a daughter who makes me laugh and burst with pride on a daily basis, and that I have a good job that pays me enough for us to have the things we need....

But as much as I am thankful for all these things specific to me, I am also aware that there are so many out there who are facing really difficult holidays. Families with a missing member at the table, men and women away from those families as they fight to keep up safe worlds away from here in the dessert. I am so grateful for the sacrifices these families make every day, but today especially, on a holiday that is all about family, it's got to be tough. I will choose to remember these brave men and women and their families this holiday and will be actively thankful for that service. 

Thanks for your giving. And to all of you reading - to you and yours- Happy Thanksgiving from me and mine.

New PT Plan

Update on the injury. I've been pretty quiet this month, mostly due to the once-every-four-year-occurrence of Nerd Christmas, AKA the election. It's my superbowl and I get so darn excited that everything else sort of fades into the background for me. But we've put it to bed for the time being, so time to refocus my attention.

Since my injuries were officially diagnosed in late September, I was on a fairly strict rest regimen, with the notable exception of walking 26.2 miles one Sunday last month. I wasn't going to PT and I wasn't doing my assigned exercises either. Full and complete rest. And you know what? It was really what I needed.

I was allowed to start back up on PT the last week in October but the gal I usually see was on vacation until a couple weeks ago so I just held off until she was back. I had my first appointment in over 2 months last week and I am pretty pleased to report that major progress has been made. I was starting to feel like things maybe weren't moving in the right direction...but during my apt, as I was telling Lexie all about how I felt, I realized just how much progress I'd made. She reminded me that when I last saw her, I was in pain just at rest and that sitting all day was very uncomfortable and just plain hurt sometimes. I was also icing my arse about 5 or 6 times a day.

Flash forward to today and there is no longer any resting pain or pain when I am sitting!! That is pretty major. That means that were are doing the right things to get this inflammation down. That was step one....

Moving to step two is all about strengthening the muscles of the pelvis, abdominal floor, hamstrings and glutes so that my pelvis will stay in alignment and the tendons will be better supported. We will also continue to focus on reducing inflammation and trying to stimulate new cell growth. The final step will be to reincorporate running gradually and under Lexie's supervision to make sure that my core is strong and that things are staying aligned and loose.

The plan until the end of the year is as follows:

• NO running. Walking is ok as long as I am not in pain and no more than 4 miles 
• PT Exercises - continue these as assigned. Focusing on abdominal floor, hamstrings and glute strengthening. Light stretching and foam rolling is ok.
• PT Appointments - continuing twice a week until the end of the year, then we'll reduce to once a week as running is gradually reintroduced. During PT, we'll be focusing on ultrasound, massage and  making sure my core is aligned and that I am engaging it properly during my home exercises.

I am determined to be a runner again. My doctor told me that perhaps I should find another sport. I thought, no - how about I find another doctor! When I told Lexie that, she said not to fear- I can run again. But I may not be able to train like I was and may have to be ok with doing way less racing than I did over the last year. Classic case of Too Much Too Soon. More on that later....

Make Yourself Monday

Celebrating a year of change since my inaugural 

Half Marathon last November. Woot woot!

Make Yourself Monday...on Tuesday

A day late and a dollar short. 

Story of my life.....

Thank You

 Happy Veterans Day

To those who have served, who continue to serve and to those who have the made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country, thank you. It's not enough, this simple thanks, but it's important to say.

To those that have served and have had their lives indelibly changed in the process - Thank You.

To those that are still serving, who are risking their lives and honorably representing the United States, both here and abroad - Thank You.

To those that have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in service to our country - Thank You.

I will be taking a walk today in honor of US Service Members, both past and present. My small way of honoring the fallen and those still fighting, as well as their families, who've also signed on to serve their country.

 "On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month..."

 Happy Veteran's Day - to all those who have fought and are still fighting - Thank You for your service.

Ragnar Relay: Las Vegas -- Running in Honor of...

 Army Spc. Sarina N. Butcher

Spc. Butcher was KIA on November 1, 2011 in Paktya Province, Afghanistan when her vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device. She was 19 years old. Also in the vehicle was 26-year-old Spc. Christopher Gailey. From Military Times:

 

"The Oklahoma National Guard says Butcher is the first female Oklahoma National Guard soldier to be killed during wartime and also is the youngest Guard member to die in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. She joined the National Guard in April 2010. Gailey enlisted in the National Guard in 2004 and was previously deployed to Iraq in 2007. Both were assigned to the Tulsa-based 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team."

Butcher came from a military family, following in her grandfather and brother's footsteps. Aside from being so young, she was also a mom to a 3 year old girl, Zoey. She joined the National Guard in order to help support herself and her daughter, and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She was awarded numerous awards in her short service and was posthumously promoted to Specialist. She is survived by her parents, step-parents, brother and daughter Zoey.

 

 My Ragnar teammate April has graciously offered to run her first leg in honor of Wear Blue. Her first leg is 12.6 miles and she'll be running those miles in honor of Spc. Butcher's service and sacrifice. Thanks April! Run strong! Run to Remember!