Not High Maintenance, Just High Mileage

On The First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me...

2010-12-24T08:49:00.010-06:00

...a drunk who drove into a tree.

That phrase is the beginning lyrics to the Scrubs version of the Twelve Days of Christmas (you can see a clip of the scene and hear the song from the My Own Personal Jesus episode here).

While that's a hilarious comedy, the truth is, every night I spend working at The Med's Trauma center is a repeat of most of those types of patients. Thankfully, I haven't seen any beaten children, but sadly, I can pretty much account for every other type of patient. The majority of them, however, are there due to a drunk driving accident.

With the holidays right around the corner (OMG! Tomorrow!) I'd like to point out that drinking and driving is EXTREMELY dangerous. Seeing the people come in at 2am with mangled limbs and spine injuries, potential amputations or worse - dead, has given me a new prospective on driving after even one drink.

With my crazy schedule, and the fact that I'm not 21 anymore, it's a rare instance that I drink these days. When I do, I'll have two or three drinks in a 4 or 5 hour night and then I'm switching to water. I just can't afford to waste the next day away hung over and feeling terrible! Until I started working at The Med, I had this mentality that as long as I wasn't driving, I wouldn't be the one getting the DUI and therefore I was in the clear. I can't count how many times I've let someone who has had just as much to drink as I have, drive me home. I'm lucky...we're all lucky... to be alive. When you're in a car accident, it doesn't matter if you were the driver or not...or even if you had been drinking at all - you're still going to get hurt.

So this is my public service announcement: Don't drink and drive. Take a Cab. If you're in Memphis, call me! Even an expensive round trip cab ride is less expensive than attorney's fees for your DUI, and your medical bill after you've had an arm amputated and titanium rods put in both your legs - or worse - your life!

I'm going to be at The Med tomorrow night and NYE, and I better not see ANY of you!

Merry *safe* Christmas & Happy New Year!

♥ Dana

St. Jude Marathon weekend

2010-12-06T15:13:00.004-06:00

This weekend was St. Jude Marathon Weekend here in Memphis. Last year at this time, I was intending on running the full marathon as my first Marathon ever. However, sometimes life takes unexpected turns and due to a couple injuries in April and May I was unable to get enough training in for the full.

Honestly, I didn't get enough training in for the half either, but am I a qu

itter? Absolutely not. This semester has been hectic and the furthest distance I ran in the few months before the race was 8 miles...at a VERY slow pace. So when I got to the race Saturday morning, I really didn't expect to beat any of my previous times. And I didn't. Last year I ran the race in 2:06 and this year I ran it in 2:17. The good thing about this year though, is that I got to cross the finish line with one of my best friends. I lost her early on in the race because my shoe came untied. Somehow I caught up with her around mile 9 and we ran the rest of the way together. I definitely don't think I could have run as much as I did at the end if it wasn't for her being there. We were both beat. I'm really glad we finished together.

Most memorable part of the Race? As it is every year, running through the St. Jude Campus. I literally get choked up as soon as I see the huge balloon arch leading into the campus. This year was no different. I had a hard time breathing because my eyes were watering. It is just so emotional seeing all of those parents and kids out there cheering you on. It is truly an amazing experience. It took me a minute to get my breathing back on track, but taking a little extra time through the St. Jude Campus is definitely worth it. Such an amazing cause.

Advice for running a half marathon? Train. Or 1. you will find yourself at work, embarrassed because your shoe came untied and you are so sore you can't bend over to tie it yourself so you have to ask a coworker and 2. your boot camp instructor will call you a sissy-pants-bed-wetter and scream at you to pick up the pace.

Here's a picture of me celebrating post race with a delicious Mimosa at Flying Saucer Downtown.

I had to be at work that night at 5pm. It was a mistake not to take off work. I was moving pretty darn slow. Not to mention as soon as I left there, I had to go straight to The Med to get there by midnight. Of course everyone and their mother decided drinking and driving was a great idea and I walked into craziness-one already in shock trauma, another landing via life flight and all the beds in Trauma occupied. Before I knew it, it was 6:30am and I had been awake since 5:30am. I had to be back to work in less than 5 hours. Wow. I was exhausted. I passed out in my scrubs for about an hour before I had to get up and get ready for work part II. As soon as I got off, I went straight to bed. I woke up around 10pm WIDE AWAKE. I figured I may as well not waste time laying awake in bed so I went back to The Med at midnight. It was much slower last night so I left around 4am. My sleep schedule is now off. Oh well. I better get used to it. This will be my life for the next 8 years.

"It isn't reasonable to ask that we achieve perfection. What is reasonable is to ask that we never cease to aim for it." - Atul Gawande

♥ Dana

Tuesday Shmoozday

2010-10-26T10:12:00.004-05:00

I'm president of the Non-Traditional Student Pre-Med Society at the University of Memphis and we have a meeting tonight. I will be on my best shmoozing behavior.

Other than that nothing interesting (aside from school, work, waiting on my acceptance from Penn State) has been going on...unless you count yesterday when this face locked me out of my own house...TWICE. His name is Cash and I thought this shot of him with all the change I was rolling was pretty clever :)

I was outside talking with my neighbor and turned around to go back inside when I noticed I was definitely locked out...and it wasn't just the door handle that was locked, it was the DEADBOLT. Luckily I had just let the dogs out back and my back door was unlocked. As I walked in the back door I thought to myself, "I'd better lock this back door before I forget." So, I did. Then the doorbell rang. I opened the door and it was my neighbor again (he's doing some yard work for me) he had forgotten to tell me something. I left the door cracked, but Cash jumped on the door - made it close and then jumped on the door again turning the deadbolt.

I spent the rest of the night trying to break into my own home. It was not awesome.

♥

Dana

Memphis Greenline Run

2010-10-24T08:37:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday!

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to check out the new Greenline trail. My goal was a relatively slow paced 10 mile run. However, I got off work late and by the time I hit the 4 mile mark it was pitch black and I decided to turn back. 8 miles was short of my goal but wasn't terrible considering I've been slacking on my St. Jude training. I felt pretty good after the run, and opted to stay at home and do physics homework in lieu of going out. I got to bed at a decent hour and woke up early and refreshed on Sunday morning.

It wasn't until I actually tried to get out of bed that I realized something was not right. As soon as I put weight on my left foot it was clear that my Achilles Tendinitis had returned. A ridiculous amount of pain shot through my heel and calf. Obviously it wasn't a good sign for my running, but I also had to work Sunday morning - which includes me being on my feet all day. Half way through the work day I was slathering on bio-freeze and limping.

The broken bone in my right foot finally heals and now my achilles tendon in my left foot starts acting up. As a runner, and someone who relies on my feet for work, this is extremely, extremely frustrating. Who knows if I'll be able to participate in the St. Jude race. I know last time I had Achilles issues the doctor told me I needed to stay off of it for at least 2 weeks...I guess I'll be on the stationary bike in the meantime.

In other news...I am a HUGE Cleveland Browns Fan. If you know anything about NFL football you know that they struggle every year. This year is no different. Up until yesterday they were 1-5. 1 being the win. 5 being the losses. I woke up and put my #10 Browns jersey on and went to work. My boss is a HUGE New Orleans Saints fan...and that's who the Browns were up against. I was pretty sure we were going to lose...I mean, the Saints won the super bowl and everything last year! Somehow we pulled off a win!! It was a great day to wear my jersey in public :)

All my college teams won this week too! South Carolina beat Vandy and Ohio State KILLED Purdue. Great weekend for sports in my house!

♥

Dana

Coffee

2010-10-22T07:39:00.008-05:00

Hello. My name is Dana and I'm a Coffee Addict. I've admitted this to myself several years ago, so I figured I'd go ahead and come clean to the world. Not only am I a coffee addict, but I have been called a coffee snob. Einstein's, Folgers, Maxwell house, Kroger brands...one sip and I swear someone is trying to poison me with some form of motor oil.

Before I quit my "big girl" job and decided to tackle medical school, I probably went to Starbucks at least 3 times a week. That's over $15 on coffee. PER WEEK. Now that I'm on a broke college kid budget, Starbucks is a treat and I've cut my trips down to once every week to two weeks.

Does that mean I've cut down on my coffee intake? HECK NO. I've just started finding ways to make Starbucks quality drinks at home. For about $9 a bag, I was buying the whole bean coffee at Starbucks, having them grind it for me and brewing it at home. I'd buy Godiva cocoa and make my own mocha --and it was just as good, if not better, than a $5.63 coffee from Starbucks and I could have it every day!

As much of a Starbucks fan as I've been...I've finally found something better. Impossible. Right? I used to get downright mad when I flew into or out of an airport on the East Coast...or Atlanta. I would think to myself...what kind of po-dunk airport doesn't have a Starbucks and what the heck is Caribou Coffee?? Then I would find something else to drink like a smoothie or juice because I just couldn't bring myself to get disappointed by a mediocre cup of joe. However, my flight out of Richmond on Wednesday had two things requiring immediate caffeine consumption: ridiculously early departure time and screaming children. So...to Caribou Coffee I went. I asked for a Mocha with an extra shot of espresso, and was surprised to hear, "would you like dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate?" I love choices. Especially chocolate choices. I went for the Dark Chocolate option and when my coffee was ready they handed me a cup with a chocolate covered coffee bean on the lid. Yum. Then I took a sip of my coffee. Double yum. Plus, I had fun reading all the inspiring lines on the cup. I have been converted.

Of course, we don't have a single Caribou Coffee in the state of Tennessee. :(

MUST. SEEK. INTERNET ORDER.

&Hearts;

Dana

Home, (not so) sweet, Home.

2010-10-21T09:17:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I was up at 3am Eastern to catch a 5:30am flight. I arrived to find the gates to TSA security check locked so I took a seat with the other 6 people in the airport at 4am and immediately shut my eyes. LOTS of wine was consumed the night before at dinner, and as I sat there not exactly regretting (I had a blast) but not exactly happy about my decisions (I felt like I just got hit by a steam roller), I realized I got up at 2 IN THE MORNING central time. Holy crap. My flight was to land in Memphis at 8:30am and I was to immediately head to the neuropharm lab. I'm a research assistant part time. Next, cell bio class at 12:40 till 2:05 and work from 4:30 till 10. It exhausted me just thinking about it. Last night at work I literally closed my eyes while walking and my coworkers were like, "Dana, are you going to make it?" I made it, but I definitely passed out as SOON as I got home last night.

I'm super sad the trip has ended, but it's nice to count down and look forward to these get-togethers.

Here are a few photos of our outing in Petersburg and Richmond, Va.

Sushi Boat

Dinner at Wabi-Sabi in Petersburg

Drinks at Tobacco Co. in Richmond

LUVMUD 2010

2010-10-20T10:17:00.004-05:00

A couple weekends ago a group of us ran the LuvMud obstacle 5k. The race benefited Habitat for Hope a non-profit organization that supports, serves and cares for families that have a child that is critically or chronically ill. If you've never run an obstacle race you are definitely missing out. This race included 5 obstacles and ended with a 20 yard mud pit we had to crawl through. Costumes were encouraged and our team name was the Full Muddy Jackets. I'll leave you with some photos:

Team Full Muddy Jackets: Philip, Monica, Me, John

Monica and Me showing our muscles

Pre-Mud Pit

Crawling through 20 yards of mud

Monica and Me post mud pit

John and Me post mud pit

Pretty sure we had mud in every nook and cranny.

♥

Dana

Virginia Run

2010-10-19T08:04:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I had the entire day to myself while C was at work. I needed to get some Physics homework done, but it was so beautiful outside that I put on my running clothes and just walked out of the door.

BAD IDEA.

You'd think that since I live in Memphis, I'd be used to running on busy streets. However, in Memphis we have a thing called SIDEWALKS that apparently don't exist in this part of the country. While the Virginia scenery was spectacular, I found myself mostly off-roading it to avoid potential car-on-person collisions. Over-all it was a refreshing 5 mile run, and I guess since I made it home alive I should consider it successful.

Last night we had a quick dinner at Panera Bread before heading to see the Social Network movie. Even I forget I have a Gluten Allergy sometimes, and instead of ordering a salad I ordered half a Sierra Turkey sandwich and a cup of Tomato soup. I probably would have been fine if I had only eaten the half sandwich, but the bread that comes with the soup was just sitting there staring at me,..plus, tomato soup is for dunking bread right? Luckily I made it through the movie without any issues, but as soon as we got home my stomach was in knots. I drank some green tea while we watched the last two quarters of the Tennessee/Jacksonville game.

Anyway, it's my last night here. Pretty bummed out to return to work/school/research hectic-ness.

"If I had my life to live over...I'd dare to make more mistakes next time" -Nadine Stair

♥ Dana

Back in business

2010-08-16T12:04:00.002-05:00

Helllllllloooo Friends and Runners!!

Two weeks ago I was released to begin running! After a couple months of only stationary bike cardio, I can finally resume Half Marathon training.

Because of this minor set back, I won't be ready to run the full St. Jude Marathon, but I am going to run the Half. Training starts this week and I'm excited to get back on the streets.

My actual plan is to begin training immediately for the Full Surfside Beach Marathon. It is on February 26th, 2011. I ran the half last year and let me tell you - it was the funnest, and most well planned out race I ran during my one-a-month-half-marathon stint. Lots of fun race goodies, and the best after party/food ever. Did I mention it's course is on the beach? Yes, the entire race is run along the beach, in the sand.

Earlier this year, Surfside Beach, Texas was voted Best Gulf Coast town over Destin, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama by Gulfscapes Magazine.

I'm extremely pumped about beginning preparation for these two races.

If you'd like to track my training, or have a profile on DailyMile, you can find me here: http://www.dailymile.com/people/DanaMed8#ref=tophd

“You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.”

♥ Dana

Want to help The Med, but don't have $$ to donate?

2010-06-29T03:23:00.002-05:00

Well...you are in LUCK!!

Chase Community Giving has opened voting for a chance to be one of the top 200 local charities that will receive a share in $5 million. Even the smallest amount of money will help this hospital so I want to encourage you guys to VOTE!!

You get 20 votes...I'm assuming for 20 days of voting. So vote every day until it says you aren't allowed to vote anymore!

Just click the picture below:

Thanks for being supportive!!

♥
Dana Lynn

Go USA!!!

2010-06-23T15:14:00.007-05:00

BEHOLD!

THE STUDY HOLE!!!

Yes, that is a toaster. And yes that is a sonicare tooth brush, peanut butter and jelly, 8 types of caffinated beverages and lots, and lots of organic chemistry study notes and help videos. This is where I spend 17-18 of the 24 hours of my day. Every. Day. (If you're wondering, I spend 1 hour and 40 minutes in class every day...so you do the math on how much sleep I get)

In other news, I have been blasting Weezer's contribution to the USA soccer team while I study. It pumps me up!!

I never was terribly interested in anything about soccer until I started running. As a kid I hated running and therefore hated soccer. Once my foot is healed I'd like to start playing a little. I've been reading up on all the rules and paying attention during the games. Maybe I'll have a new hobby and can eventually join a coed league!!

Quick Update...Very Quick

2010-06-16T18:19:00.003-05:00

I'm going to have to put my year of the half marathon on hiatus. It looks like I will just commit to starting the entire year over in a few months.

While running the Andy Payne Memorial Half Marathon in Oklahoma City, OK, I broke the 3rd metatarsal in my right foot. I felt it happen at about mile 10, but continued running for a little over a mile. I'm guessing I walked a really good portion of the last +/- two miles and saved up what little pain toleration I had in me to finish the race strong (and avoid finisher photos with me walking!). Needless to say, I was hurting after the race...which means I FINISHED (in less time than I finished the Nashville Race with an injured Achilles Tendon!) I really thought that it was just a stress fracture and that it would go away on its own if I quit running on it for a while, but the pain and the swelling kept getting stronger and larger as the days went on. I think I went 11 days before I finally went in and got an x-ray confirming a complete break.

It's extremely disappointing that I can't finish something that I started-especially something that I was doing to help a great cause. It's also disheartening that I can't continue to run-something that not only relieves stress but has become a major part of my life. I'm determined to complete this goal though, so I am doing everything possible to follow orders so I heal as fast and best as possible.

I'll keep everyone updated on the progress.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi

♥
Dana Lynn

In the News

2010-05-19T10:05:00.003-05:00

I am going to start posting articles I find about The Med's situation as they surface. Hopefully this will bring some light to people's eyes on the need.

If you would like to donate to The Med through my fundraiser, please visit www.active.com/donate/running4themed

‘Saved’ MED Hinges On Budget Boundaries

BILL DRIES | The Daily News

Print | Front Page | Email this story | Email reporter

When interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford debated GOP mayoral nomineeMark Luttrell last week in East Memphis, he couldn’t have been more absolute.

“The MED is saved. It has not closed,” he said. “You have a great mayor in office.”

But the next day in Nashville, Ford broke his campaign mantra. He accused the Bredesen administration of not living

up to what he claims was an earlier agreement he has repeatedly touted as a face-to-face deal he made with Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Bredesen and his administration have always qualified their plans and desire to help with The Regional Medical Center

at Memphis by saying the exact terms depend on the challenging state revenue picture.

Ford became critical at a meeting of the Shelby County legislative delegation last week where Deputy Gov. John Morgan was also attending. Morgan sharply disagreed with Ford, saying the administration has amended its budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 to include $20 million in state funding for The MED.

The funding is a contingency in the event a federal match for the $10 million in emergency funding approved earlier this year by the Shelby County Commission is not approved in Washington.

Up until the confrontation, Shelby County legislators have been quietly negotiating with the Bredesen administration for the funding. After the meeting, Ford began calling local political leaders, making many of the points he made in the Nashville meeting.

Meanwhile, the talks between the Bredesen team and the Shelby delegation continued this week with another Capitol Hill session Monday afternoon.

Shelby County legislative delegation chairman G.A. Hardaway told The Daily News before that session that he remains confident The MED will be taken care of by the administration.

“They’ve been cooperative so far in working with us, trying to get a resolution to it both short term and long term,” he said. “We expect that we’re going to

have a package by the end of the budget process that everyone’s going to be happy with.”

The state budget is usually the final item the state House and Senate take up before adjourning for the year.

“We’re hashing this out. It’s just not as simple as some people think it is and I guess other people wish it was,” Hardaway told The Daily News. “It’s just not that simple. But we’re getting there.”

Bredesen has already signed into law the so-called hospital bed tax, which will also provide more revenue to public hospitals including The MED.

Some legislators have said the bed tax is more crucial to the long-term survival of The MED and other public hospitals in the state than any short-term federal matching funds.

No bed tax, they argued, would have meant cuts in TennCare funding that would have devastated all of the public hospitals and closed The MED in particular.

What's Next?

2010-05-11T10:58:00.002-05:00

My next race will be in...wait for it...FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA. Yes, I will be traveling afar to participate in the FARGO Go Far Challenge.

This challenge involves running a 5k on Friday night, and then the half marathon on Saturday morning. I am beyond pumped. My Achilles has healed nicely and It looks like I should be able to run with no aches or pains! I can't wait to keep you guys updated on this one.

I also plan to stop in on Mt. Rushmore on the trip. It's a few hours out of the way in South Dakota, but it's something I've ALWAYS wanted to see so it's a must!

♥

Dana

Nashville Country Music Half Marathon

2010-05-11T10:04:00.003-05:00

After the Germantown Half, I was determined to increase my pace and run the Nashville race in 2 hours. Instead of taking my usual week recovery break after the Germantown race I started back in on the training. Especially hill work. I also started running smaller races, 5k's and 10k's, to work on my speed work-which is something that I hadn't been doing much of during my training. It seemed to have been working. I went from running 9:15 minute mile 5k's to running 8:55minute miles. I was really seeing a sizable improvement. I was also wearing my Vibrams more and more. My feet were getting used to them, but I was at this point where I was running about 8 miles in them before my feet started hurting - but when I put my tennis shoes on my legs were sore after just 3 or 4 miles. They had adjusted to the Vibrams, but there was still a really large gap between 8 and 13.1 miles. I was determined to wear them during the Nashville race so I started wearing them EVERYWHERE. To the store, to class, out to eat, boot camp, and running.

My Achilles tendon apparently did NOT like my increased pace/training or the Vibrams. At a boot camp group track run one Tuesday I decided to deviate from the track for a bit and run the 2+ mile perimeter neighborhood and then finish up with some speed work on the track. I was ALMOST finished with the loop when I felt something pop. I've got a terrible left ankle anyway, so I thought it was just the normal nonsense and kept running. I got to the track and was hobbling. I was running, but running on my tiptoe to keep my ankle/heel from hurting. I figured that couldn't be a good sign so I walked. My boot camp instructor asked if I was ok, and I just told him it was probably the same ol nerve issues that I have always had acting up. I went home did the "2 alleve, ice and elevate" routine that I'm ever so familiar with and went to bed. I woke up the next morning and couldn't walk. My ankle was swollen to the size of a small grapefruit. I limped to class, found an old brace and somehow made it through work. I saw a doctor who completely misdiagnosed me according to an Orthopaedist that I know. Anyway, I was supposed to be out for a while on crutches and in a brace and the Nashville race was only a week and a half away. I already had plans to stay with a friend so I decided I would just go out there and cheer her on.

I should have known that I wouldn't be able to sit back and watch the race once I got out there.

Fortunately or Unfortunately (I haven't decided yet), I have this I can't quit/I can do anything mindset - and a little achilles tendinitis was NOT going to stop me from #1 completing the race and more importantly from reaching my goal of 12 races this year.

So - the next morning I strapped on my tennis shoes and headed to the VERY LAST CORRAL and planned on walking most of the race. My strategy was to walk the uphill and run the downhills. I felt like that would keep me at a pretty reasonable pace. I ended up run/hobble/jogging more than I thought I could and finished in 2:45 minutes. Clearly my WORST TIME EVER, but the race was really enjoyable and I got to take in all the Nashville Scenery going that slow. I'm glad I completed the race, and didn't give up. I know that it could have been a bad decision if I would have injured my Achilles even more than it already was, but what can I say - I'm hard headed. All I know is that finishing that race has kept my 2010 goal alive, and I am extremely happy that I can continue running for a great cause.

Please check out my donation site for The Med. Keeping this amazing hospital open is extremely important to me and the citizens of Memphis and 150 mile radius it serves.

www.active.com/donate/running4themed

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. - Winston Churchill

♥ Dana

Race Catch-Up

2010-05-11T09:31:00.003-05:00

I haven't been keeping up with my race log lately - Let's Start with the Germantown Half - March 21st 2010

School was really hard this semester...hence my lack of post-race prattle. Teaching my non-science brain to learn science has been a challenge. I've been in the analytical/technical/business/finance world for as long as I can remember and science...whooo it's tough stuff. I'm plugging through though!

The race was miserable. I can't describe it any other way. Pouring rain the entire race and COLD. I have a slight phobia of wet/sticky/gritty things on my hands that has sort of turned into an OCD with keeping them dry. It's gotten worse as I've been reading books on hand washing problems in hospitals. As you can imagine, running a race in the rain doesn't really help my cause. I spent the majority of the race thinking about drying my hands, and even stopped in a port-o-john to dry them off with a little TP. While I was in there I figured I may as well use the restroom, but my hands were so frozen I couldn't bend my fingers to grab my waistline and pull my running skirt down. After a few minutes I finally got it down, and then couldn't pull it back up because it was SOAKED, sticking to my legs, and my fingers still weren't unfrozen enough to muster any kind of force to yank them. After that stop, my time was pretty much shot. I finished the race and headed straight to my car to get dry clothes. My friend Irwin was behind me so I waited for her to finish. Her parents showed up to congratulate her/us and then we high-tailed it out of there for warmer/drier conditions. I don't think I warmed up for 3 days!

Irwin & me after finishing the race!

"Veebrums" Review.

2010-04-04T22:07:00.005-05:00

This was my first adventure in the Vibrams: Trip to Texas a few miles outside of Texarkana. 12 inches of snow on the ground.

This was the drive home. Again, outside of Texarkana. This was only 2 days later.

Vibram FiveFingers: Pronounced Vee-brum, not Viiii-brum as I originally thought. I recently had a friend inquire about my freakishly-amphibious footwear, and since I wrote a pretty thorough review of the shoe for him, I figured I'd double it as a blog post for my followers.

The model you chose will depend on your intended use. If your intended use is to run AND hike in them, I would definitely recommend the Sprints, KSOs or KSO Trek. The Treks are made for more hiking/trekking than running. I would probably only get them if you think you are going to do more hiking in them than running. The Flows are for REALLY cold weather (under 40F) use, and the Classics are O.K. for pavement running and work-outs, but they don't have a strap to hold them on which I think is important for hiking, trail running and even most water related sports. You don't want your foot coming out of the shoe. I personally like the "free-ness" of the Sprints over the KSOs. When I tried on the KSOs they felt a little smothering and more like a sock, but the sales clerk at Baumer's (One of two places that sell the Vibrams here in Memphis) said they are good for trail running because they keep rocks and dirt out better than the Sprints. I've taken my Sprints out to run hills in the parking garage, the unpaved trails at Shelby Farms, run in them on the beach and in the grass along the river downtown, and I've never had a problem with anything getting into them (sticks and weeds stuck in between the toes is another story!). I've read some people complain about the strap on the Sprints causing chaffing, but I've never had a problem with it.

There is a new model coming out next month (I think?) called the Bikila that is designed specifically for running. Although, I've looked into them, and I think they sort of take the point away from even having a "barefoot" running shoe. They are thick around the heel/ankle area and have a thicker sole. I probably will not buy a pair. I like the diversity of the Sprints

I like that you can feel the ground and use your toes to run. I can already see a difference in the way my toes separate - they aren't as squished together anymore-especially my pinkie-toe...I think that has helped with balance. I had some pretty nasty knee issues after my January half marathon. I bought new tennis shoes a couple months before hand and thought that my feet/shins were just hurting because they were new and needed to be worn-in. Turns out the shoes were TERRIBLE for my type of feet and caused a myriad of knee, top of foot, and calf/shin issues. It was so bad I thought that I was going to have to put my fundraising goal on hold. It was depressing. I quit wearing the tennis shoes and started alternating between my old tennis shoes and the Vibrams and almost immediately all those issues went away. I've also noticed that my hip is not snapping when I run anymore. Whether that's a product of passing time or the shoes I don't know...but it definitely stopped when I started wearing the Vibrams.

As for performance, they basically force you to forefoot strike which is awesome. It's helped my posture during running a TON. Without any real effort or increasing my training, decreased my pace by about 20 seconds per mile. The Vibrams are SO light - my stride seems weightless and I don't feel like I'm pounding the pavement as hard.

This paragraph needs lots of *********BEWARE ******** notices because it's an important one:

Be sure to follow all the advice out on the internet about working your way into them if you get a pair. Getting used to them takes time. I spent a good month on the treadmill/track/boot camp and just wearing them around the house/to class and running errands before I took them out for a run on the road. My first trip out I went three miles and had some pretty nasty blisters on my big toes and inner arches -not to mention my calves were on fire and my legs felt like jello. Even after 3 months I can only go about 7 miles in them before I start to feel a blister coming on-I don't get them in my inner arch anymore, but I still get them on my big toes - it just takes time to harden up the skin on your feet. I can tell a huge difference in the muscles that I'm using when I run. I'm definitely using my calves more from the forefoot strike and the muscles in my feet seem to be getting stronger as well. Even with all the ankle problems I have, I don't feel like I've lost any support or have issues with rolling. I pay more attention to wear I'm running because even though the Sprints provide good protection against pebbles, glass and other painful items, if you step on a big enough rock/gumball/pine cone or stick you WILL feel it and it will not feel good.

The only real complaints I have about them is #1 you really have to make sure you clean them after almost every use because not wearing socks = REAL SMELLY, and #2 when running down hill my toes slide too far into the toe slots, and it takes 2 or 3 minutes for them to get back into place if I keep on running rather than stop to fix it - a tad uncomfortable but not unbearable.

Oh - another thing: don't try to buy your first pair online unless you go get sized at Outdoors or Baumer's (if you live in Memphis, if not whatever local retailer sells them) first. They don't come in normal shoe sizes, and it's extremely hard to gauge what size you need by the sizing chart they say to use. With the shoes being on about a month back order - ordering the wrong size could set you back like 2 months before you ever get them. I'm almost positive Vibram is filling orders made by the retail stores before they are filling orders made by individuals online so it's probably faster to order them through a local retailer. As far as I know, Outdoors and Baumer's are the only two places in Memphis, TN that sells them. I know Baumer's will order any size/style/color for you and have it in 3-4 weeks. If you like to shop local like I do, both Baumer's and Outdoors are local to Memphis. Mr. Baumer himself kept the store open after close when my Vibrams came in so I could pick them up. Their customer service is 10 out of 10. I'm sure Outdoors is as equally accommodating though.

I said all that to say: I LOVE my Sprints. One of the best purchases I've made in a long time.

So, there you have it. My review of the Vibram FiveFingers.

Curso, Ergo Sum. - I run, Therefore I am.

♥ Dana

Running 4 The Med Half Marathon #3

2010-03-20T20:36:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow is the Germantown Half Marathon.

This is #3 of the year and the 4th in a row. I'm slowly getting people to donate to the fund. It's not much, but when I spoke with the Med Foundation, they seemed genuinely appreciative of every dollar they receive...no matter how small.

I picked up my race packet this afternoon from the Germantown Athletic Club. Nothing inside. An OK looking Tech-T and some pamphlets about other races. Boo. I knew this race would sort of be a small one, but I've gotten better goodies from a 5k race! I really considered running the Rock n Roll Atlanta March race, but it was just practical for me to save $$ and time doing a race here - not to mention my school schedule was horrendous last week so I'm happy I didn't have to drive anywhere. Monday through Friday, I got about 7 hours of sleep between work/studying/ER shifts. I know this is the life I've chosen and as miserable as it is, I love it (does that make ANY sense??).

I'm sort of worried about tomorrows race - this is the first time I've ever thought that I might do really terrible. After a week of basically no sleep, and not eating much, I tried to really force myself to drink LOTS of water and eat lots of vegetables and foods with protein to try to get my body balanced. I also haven't run or worked out in a week and a half, which makes me REALLY nervous. I also STUPIDLY wore 4 inch heels out to the John Mayer concert last night and got a nasty blister on the back of my heel. All of these things lead me to believe I'll be running SLOW.

If you're in the area, come out and cheer on the runners!

Don't forget to check out my fundraising page that Benefits The Med: Running4TheMed

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." - Fred Lebow, 1932-1994

♥Dana

Pretty Sure I Need This:

2010-03-09T22:13:00.004-06:00

Has anyone ever heard of Pearl iZUMi? I haven't, but I'm always looking for new running skirts that aren't black. This is gray - which is still plain - but at least it's not black. This is the W's Infinity Run Skirt

This one seems especially awesome because of the snap off function. Apparently the skirt will snap away from the compression shorts and you can wear them alone. Not to mention, the compression shorts have a plaid/screen print on them, which makes them less plain than any other running skirt I have.

Anyway, after I pay the SPEEDING TICKET I acquired coming home from ATL this weekend I might be able to afford to buy this!

Out of the silver heat mirage he ran. The sky burned, and under him the paving was a black mirror reflecting sun-fire. Sweat sprayed his skin with each foot strike so that he ran in a hot mist of his own creation. With each slap on the softened asphalt, his soles absorbed heat that rose through his arches and ankles and the stems of his shins. It was a carnival of pain, but he loved each stride because running distilled him to his essence and the heat hastened this distillation.

- James Tabor, from "The Runner," a short story

♥ Dana Lynn

Training efforts

2010-02-23T15:03:00.006-06:00

In order to improve my half marathon time, I've decided I'm going to try to fit more shorter distance races in between my half marathons.

This weekend is the Move It Memphis 10k. I ran the race last year and even though it was nasty/wet and cold, the race was a BLAST. It was the first 10k I had ever run. If you are in Memphis you should definitely check this out. Not sure if they are doing it again this year, but last year all the 10k finishers got a finisher's medal.

Check it out.

Don't forget to check out my fundraising page at www.active.com/donate/running4themed

♥

Dana

2010 Half Marathon 2: Complete

2010-02-16T21:11:00.009-06:00

What an adventure.

Thursday, I got out of class and went home to pack. I finished some homework and was packed and ready for bed around 11:30pm...but I wasn't tired! I had to meet a colleague to give him my voice recorder to record the next morning's Chemistry lecture, and decided that I was just going to leave. So, at 12:30am I rolled out of Memphis.

I was in Texarkana by 9am...and there was snow. LOTS. Of. SNOW. 13 inches to be exact. I was trying to be careful, but by 9:30am I was in the ditch.

Not exactly where I wanted to be 8 hours from home. Luckily a nice man with a big truck and a wench pulled over and got me out. I was back on the road within 30 minutes.

I got to Surfside Beach a little after 1pm. I checked into the hotel and went straight to the beach.

The sunny and 60 weather was hiding - it was more like dreary and 45, but whatever. It was the beach. I did a little warm up run to see how I faired in the sand, and then headed over to packet pick up. Apparently, the tent that was supposed to be set up on the beach for packet pickup got blown away. I had been awake for 36 hours at this point and didn't feel like waiting around for it to be put back up, so I just decided to pick up my packet the next morning before the race.

On my way back to the hotel I picked up Olive Garden To-Go (Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara-YUM) for my carb loaded dinner. I got 1/4th of the way done with it, and was just too tired to continue eating. It was 6pm and after driving 11 hours, the accident, and running a 4 miles on the beach I was ready for bed.

The next morning, I ate my PB&J on potato bread, drank a cup of black coffee and a little bit of water, and put on my new running outfit.

The new Nike Pacer DriFit running skirts are amazing. I love the zipper pocket in the back, and the mesh along the split side seams. It has a pouch in the compression shorts on the right side where you can stick an iPod nano. I just realized it was there after wearing the skirt 2 or 3 times. This skirt is made of lighter material than my others. I'm a big fan.

The top is also Nike - I can't remember what model it is, but it has a spot for your Nike+ if you have one. I use a Garmin watch, so I don't use the Nike+.

Shoes are also Nike (I'm loyal to my running gear...what can I say) They are Nike Structure 12's I had the 11's previously, and they just came out with the newer 13's which will be my next pair...if I continue buying tennis shoes - but that is for another post.

The weather was good race morning. It was cool and about 45. Not much wind for it being the beach and all. I started off good at a 9:35 pace and at mile 3 I realized I hadn't seen a water station. I was THIRSTY. This is definitely NOT a good thing. I couldn't believe that it wasn't until after mile 4 that there was an aid station. Later, I got an e-mail from the race director explaining that the team that had the first water station went 1.6 miles the opposite way on the beach - which explained why there were two aid stations right on top of each other around miles 4 and 5....I'd like to say that contributed to my time slowing - but really who knows.

About mile 6 1/2 my pace started slowing. The sand was packed, but still gave when you stepped on it. There was an e-mail that went out saying the sand would slow your pace about 30 seconds a mile. There were also points along the course where we had to jump streams of water.

Me after finishing the race.

Despite the start of the trip, I had a really amazing run on the beach. If you get a chance to run the Surfside Beach Half Marathon or Full Marathon I would suggest you do it. It's the only race that length in the United States run completely on the beach, so you're not going to get that experience anywhere else.

Another thing that was neat about this race is they send you a link with a video of your finish. I've never seen that before.

Really cool goodie bag swag too: The shirt was a tech-tee which I love, the bib number had my name on it which I thought was really awesome. In the bag there was a stone coaster that said surfside beach, and a couple hammer brand fuel things. What I thought was really cool was the plate. If you were from out of state you got a "50 States" plate. Pretty cool!

Another race done, another month of training ahead.

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired. -Jules Renard

♥

Dana Lynn

My Life Be Like: Ooooh, Ahhhh, Ooooh.

2010-02-09T19:20:00.006-06:00

Saturday at 8am I will run my second half marathon of 2010. My third half marathon in 3 months, and my 4th half marathon EVER. I'm pumped. Not only is this race going to be in much more favorable weather than my last race, it is on the beach. Surfside Beach, Texas. Weather.com has it sunny and around 60 degrees, and after the weather we have had in Memphis this week, I NEED sunshine and warmth. Added bonus: I will also qualify to be a Half Fanatic after this race!

This is how I spent my snow day yesterday:

Stocking up on ammunition to conquer the neighbor kids...and my dog. The snow was a complete surprise. Apparently, the meteorologists were too busy watching the Superbowl to predict accurate weather (and they admit it HERE).

Ok. Here's what I really have been wanting to write about today:

Everyone always wants a miracle facial scrub - something that keeps away blemishes and makes their skin super smooth. At least, that's what I want. I've never had really bad skin, but for the past few months it seems like I have been breaking out ALL THE TIME. Well, I found a super cheap home remedy that works...at least for me.

Osmosis.

Osmosis is the tendency of water in salt water to flow from an area of low salt concentration to an area of high salt concentration across a semi permeable membrane.

I was sitting in Chem II class the other day when the professor started explaining osmosis. As an example, he used gargling with salt water when you have a sore throat. A sore throat is usually inflamed due to bacteria and other germs wreaking havoc on your soft tissues or mucosa. These inflammations (known as edemas) are usually filled with water, and the salt works its way into your throat. Through osmosis, the salt draws out the edema fluid, killing the bacteria, which requires a warm, wet environment.

So I figured...if it reduces inflammation in your throat, maybe it'll reduce blemish inflammation on my face. So, I made a face scrub out of plain 'ol Morton table salt and water. I made the solution thick-so the salt wasn't dissolved. I've been using it every night before bed for about a week now, and my face is clear aside from one or two dark dry skin spots that haven't shed themselves yet.

Turns out, I didn't invent anything new (gosh-darned-it! I could have been rich!), there are tons of posts on salt scrubs online...at least I'm learning what I'm being taught, right!? I don't know if it'll work for everyone, but for less than $1 for a 26oz container of Morton Table Salt, I'd say it's worth a try.

Wish me luck this weekend! I'll be posting again when I arrive in Texas.

"You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face." -Gatorade ad

♥ Dana Lynn

Snowed in, Chemistry-ed out & FiveFinger bummed

2010-01-29T19:50:00.002-06:00

Nasty weather here in Memphis, TN today. My car had to be towed to the shop on Wednesday due to a tire slashing and subsequent blow-out-wheel-bending-disintegration of two passenger side tires. Not only did I have to pay for two new tires, but I had to pay for a new wheel. I wasn't too happy. University of Memphis closed the school down because of the snow and ice, but I still had to go to work. I fully intended on getting my car from the shop on the way to work, but my brother was driving like a grandma so I was 10 minutes late and had to go straight into work. Ugh. Finally got my car back this afternoon - but there is no way I'm getting out in this mess. I'm not afraid of the snow...oh no. I'm afraid of the crazy Memphians that have no idea how to drive in the snow but refuse to stay home. I heard on the radio that the interstate was down to one lane and that there was at least one accident on ALL of the exits off of I-40 and I-240. No thank you. I will stay away from the crazies.

So, I'm stuck in the house studying. Heck, I'd be stuck in the house studying if it wasn't snowing outside. I guess I should be happy that, because of the snow, I'm not missing much. Chemistry is getting to my brain. It's only the second week and I'm having a hard time. I don't know what I was thinking taking Chem I & II at the same time. Dumb Decision. Intermolecular Forces and I are not getting along.

I'm also bummed out about my Vibram FiveFingers Sprint shoes that were supposed to be in this week. Turns out, they are back ordered until MARCH. :-( looks like I won't get to run a race in them until some time in the summer or early fall.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." - George Sheehan

♥ Dana Lynn

Update and New Purchase

2010-01-24T13:47:00.004-06:00

I'm finally healing after the Jackson race. Boy did it take a toll on my hip and ankles. I took a week off of running and have eased my way back into it - very slowly - this week. I am probably going about it all wrong, but you know what, you live and you learn. This week I ran a 5k at a 9:13 pace and a 10K at a 9:00 pace. I wouldn't have been able to run those paces even 6 months ago. I'm happy that my times are still improving.

I did Boot Camp 6 times this week. Twice on Monday. I also rode a stationary bike A LOT this week. I guess it helps strengthen some leg muscles that you don't use when running...anyway, I was advised to do this by my boot camp instructor...so I did it.

School is sort of getting in the way of training as much as I'd like. I guess that is to be expected.

I've registered and got everything booked for the Surfside Beach Half Marathon. I'll be running this one February 13th. The weather should be MUCH warmer for this one compared to the Jackson.

I've been reading a lot about barefoot running lately and how good it is supposed to be for your feet. A lot of studies have shown that tennis shoes may cause more harm than good. So, I've decided to try it out. I bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers Sprints, and they will arrive tomorrow.
The concept is basically that our feet have been smushed into shoes that don't promote the correct shape of our feet and toes. Prime example is that my pinky toe is definitely squished next to my 4th toe...even when I take my shoes off. These shoes are supposed to promote barefoot running, while still protecting your feet from glass, gravel, sticks and other objects that might be harmful when running barefoot. Because our feet have been in normal shoes for our entire lives, it is recommended that you slowly ease your way into wearing these. Muscles that you've never used will be activated in these shoes and you don't want to start using them for everything too fast or you risk injury. I'd like to wear these for one of my races - but it probably won't be until April or May. I'll keep you all updated on my experience with the FiveFingers as soon as I get them.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm off to finish some Chemistry homework.

"The will to win means nothing if you haven't the will to prepare." - Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner

-Dana Lynn

One down, 11 to go.

2010-01-10T09:34:00.007-06:00

I'm not going to lie. Yesterday was pretty miserable.

I walked down to the hotel lobby around 6:30am to find about 20 or so other runners. We all stood around till the last possible minute and then made our way to the start, which was about a quarter mile up the road. It. Was. Cold. I'm not talking about dry, sunny, tolerable cold. This was the kind of cold where you can't feel your fingers, toes or nose as soon as you walk out the door, and to be honest, you don't really look forward to the feeling coming back, because you know it'll hurt. Remarkably, over 1,400 people still lined up to run either the marathon or the half marathon in the 18-degree-but-feels-like-10-degree weather. I did some stretching, kept my legs moving and started feeling a little bit better about the weather.

In addition to the 1,400 runners yesterday, over 600 soldiers deployed in Iraq ran the "first wave" on January 4th. Before we started the race, they showed a video of the soldiers starting their race and it was definitely encouraging.

The race started right at 7am. I didn't have a hard time maneuvering through the crowd and for the first 5 miles I was feeling really good. I was staying on pace and the cold wasn't bothering me. From looking at the elevation scale, I thought the largest up-hill battle would be around mile 5. WRONG. After mile 5 there were VERY few areas of flat ground. From mile 7 on I felt like I was going completely up-hill. My pace started slowing, my body started cooling down, and my sweat began to freeze. Did you know chapstick can freeze? Me either. I also felt like every time I took a breath through my mouth, that my tongue was in danger of freezing solid. It never happened, but I'm convinced it could have. People's backs and hats were iced over. Guys beards were forming icicles (those should make for some interesting finisher pictures!) and unlike the St. Jude race, no one was throwing off their gloves or ear-muffs. Anytime I slowed at a water station, getting my legs to start moving again was a challenge. I would like to commend the volunteers and organizers of this event for keeping the water area disaster free (at least while I was passing through). There was always someone pointing out potentially hazardous ice patches. I even noticed most racers making a concentrated effort to pitch their water/Gatorade cups in the grass/sidewalk rather than along the race path.

At around mile 10 the hamstrings in my right leg started tensing up. I could feel it about to lock up and had to pull off the road and do some stretches. Then the bottom of my foot...then my JAW! Luckily, I got the last 3.1 miles in without getting any severe cramping...that is until I crossed the finish line. Right hammie, right hip, right foot, right jaw muscles all locked up. It took all I had not to collapse right there in the middle of the crowd of finishers waiting to have their time-chip cut off their shoe. I downed a bottle of water as a volunteer put a medal over my head. I got my aluminum blanket and headed for the food tent. The food that they had was amazing. Some sort of seafood bisque, red beans and rice, hot chocolate, miniature sandwiches, bagels, cookies, bananas...I just wanted to be warm so I grabbed a cup of the seafood bisque, a hot chocolate and a Gatorade and made my way to the hospitality tent. Inside, I found a man playing blues music on stage (really good blues music), some tables and chairs and most importantly HEATERS. The tent was warm. I plopped myself down on the ground began stretching my legs and trying out the soup at the same time. Stretches felt amazing - my muscles began to unlock and the pain subsided. Soup...I almost vomited. Don't get me wrong, it tasted amazing. I just have no idea who's great idea it was to serve a cream based soup after a marathon and half marathon...maybe it's just me but I realized my stomach and creamy things do not like each other after running that far. I ended up throwing it out. By then my hot chocolate was already beginning to get a layer of ice on the top and was no longer 'hot' chocolate. I threw that out too. Even the beer stand, which is normally packed after races, was abandoned. I saw only one or two takers.

I decided my best defense against the cold was to walk the few blocks back to the hotel and take a hot bath. Gosh the trip back to the hotel seemed way longer than the way there. The cold wind was in my face and my aluminum blanket was flapping. Definitely wasn't keeping me very warm...when I got there I made a bee line for the coffee bar in the lobby. A couple other runners chatted with me about their experience (similar thoughts as me - freezing, hills were tough). I met a guy from Tunica, MS, a woman from Utah, and another guy from Georgia. One thing about runners is that they are generally extremely friendly, especially to other runners. It's like a bond. After I made my cup, all I could think about was soaking in a HOT bath. As I'm getting out of my icy clothes, I open the door to the bathroom to start running the bath water and there is NO TUB!! Only a shower! I was so disappointed. I've never seen a hotel room with just a shower. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Jackson, formerly the King Edward Hotel. It had been vacant for 40 years before being renovated and reopened as the Hilton Garden Inn just last month. Needless to say, I took my shower, packed my bags and started on my trek back to Memphis.

All in all, even though the weather sucked, and my time wasn't what I hoped for (I finished in 2:11), the race was a positive experience. I learned a lot about running in the cold, and I got some fun goodies in my race goodie bag!

T-Shirt, M is for Mississippi CD, Apple Cinnamon Hammer Gel, Brooks Vapor Dry Headband, a harmonica engraved with Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon January 9, 2010, all in a really nice bag.

Me, dressed and ready.

I got the key to the highway, billed out and bound to go. I'm gonna leave here running; walking is most too slow. - Charles Segar

♥

Dana Lynn

Pre-Race Routine

2010-01-06T10:17:00.009-06:00

I'm sitting in my hotel room, in Jackson, Mississippi preparing for first of the 12 races I've pledged to run this year. The Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon. As I gather my gear, eat my garlic bread and spinach tortellini and perfect my iPod playlist, I thought it'd be fun to share my pre-race routine.

Every athlete has a pre-event routine. From the meal the night before, to stretches and mental exercises minutes before the race begins. It's a very important part of preparing for a race.

For me, my pre-race routine starts about a week before the race.

1. Refrain from drinking any alcohol. You want to stay hydrated, and energized and alcohol inhibits both.

2. I cut back drastically on my physical activity. Aside from a few short jaunts at boot camp, I may do one 6 or 7 mile run at the very beginning of the week and that is it. You want to make sure your legs are rested and that you stay injury free. It would be terrible to train for several months and in the last week become injured.

3. Gather all necessary race equipment & goodies. A couple days before the race I go to the local running store and buy a few packs of Espresso Love GU, and a Mighty Mango Naked. I also make sure I have all my gadgets and their chargers - such as my Garmin watch and iPod.

4. The day before the race is when I really start paying attention to everything I put in my mouth. I try not to drink anything but water. Caffeine has a dehydrating effect and coffee, especially, sometimes irritates my stomach if there is a lot of cream and sugar added. I usually have oatmeal or grits with peanut butter for breakfast. Lunch I try to do a salad with either Salmon or Chicken.

5. Dinner. My boot camp instructor tells us that our last BIG meal should be on Thursday night...I don't really know what BIG meal means, but I'm not a fan of ever having big meals. Dinner the night before the race is important. If you've been involved in any sort of endurance run you have heard people talk about "carbo loading." When I hear this, I picture the football players when I was in high school, eating their pre-game spaghetti dinner. Heaping piles of spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread on the side. I have no idea how they didn't vomit mid-game from eating all that spaghetti!! It's important to eat carbs for energy, but it's also important not to overload.

6. Clothes. I like to lay out what I'm wearing the night before. ESPECIALLY if I am out of town. The morning of the Move it Memphis 10k last year, I spent the night with a friend downtown so I could sleep a tad later and not worry about fighting for a parking spot. That morning I got up, went to get dressed and I had forgotten a SPORTS BRA. Something pretty essential for a girl. I thought about running in my regular bra, but for some reason it kept coming unsnapped under my dri-fit long sleeve shirt. There was no way I could run in it. The only place I could think of that might have a sports bra at 6am was walgreens. Luckily they did and it was fine, but I was familiar with the city. If you are out of town and wake up to realize that you forgot something you may not be able to find a place to get new fast enough, and either be uncomfortable the entire race, or miss out on the race entirely.

7. Sleep. Races typically start pretty early in the morning. Tomorrow, my race starts at 7am, so I need to be up by 5am. Make sure you get a good night's rest the night before your race.

8. Breakfast. My breakfast routine has been the same for each of the half-marathons that I have run thus far. I start with a cup of black coffee - cream irritates my stomach so I steer clear away from that. While it's best to avoid a lot of caffeine the days leading up to the race, it's important to get a little on race morning. Make sure you drink it enough in advance so you can go to the bathroom before you race. You don't want to be stuck in a port-o-john line at mile 2. For food, I eat a peanut butter and jelly. It's got carbs in the bread, protein in the peanut butter, and sugar/carbs in the jelly. All of these things are great for boosting energy. I like to drink about 4-6 oz of some sort of juice as well. The Mighty Mango Naked Juice(that I bought in step 3) is a personal favorite.

9. Stretching. Make sure you get at least 5-10 minutes of stretching. I also like to jog from my hotel, or parking space to the race start to get my heart moving. Don't forget to stretch after the race as well.

So there you have it. My Pre-Race Routine. Hope it helps any of you who are thinking about running a longer race!

We carve out order by leaving the disorderly parts out. - William James

♥
Dana Lynn

Inspiration

2010-01-05T10:23:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago, I was running a tad late for dinner with some friends. My friend's brother was in town for the holidays and a bunch of us got together to welcome him to Memphis. There was an empty seat next to a guy I only barely know, and across from his wife - who I also only know because she is my friend's cousin. I asked if anyone was sitting in the seat and the guy said no. I could barely get my coat off before his wife began talking to me like I was some super woman. I thought to myself, "How does she even know all this stuff about me?" Turns out that while she doesn't have Facebook, she occasionally logs in under her cousin's (my friend) name. She went on to ask me what I was thinking when I signed up to run one half marathon a month this year. She then asked me about why I decided to get into medicine, why did I quit my job, why do I volunteer so much, how I do I run and do boot camp, why I had two degrees and can't find something I want to do with them, how did I raise money for St. Jude, how do I manage school and work and training, if I thought it was a mistake starting a new career path this late in life (while 25 is a little old to start anew, she thought I was the same age as all my friends between 29-32). After about 45 minutes of answering all her questions, she told me that I 'inspired' her.

This isn't the first time someone has called me inspiring. Compliments like that make me blush, I get embarrassed, nervously giggle and change the subject. When I think of the word inspiring, I think of Lance Armstrong, and my boot camp instructor...or the families on Extreme Home Makeover.

Me, I'm an every day person. I do what I need to do, and it's nothing special. Busy, yes. But inspiring? I just don't know how to sit still so I just do stuff. That's my explanation for trying to fit as much as I can in each minute. (Not to mention, my mom is sure that staying this busy and educated is the reason that I am single - hardly inspiring - haha) Plus, I still have those days where I sit in bed all day reading and drifting in and out of sleep, I'm extremely inefficient in the grocery store (going from one end back to the other because I forget things), I'm terrible with names, and I procrastinate. However humble I tried to be, she told me that she was thinking about going to nursing school, that she had been a surgical tech/doctors assistant for years and loved it, but thought she would have more job options in nursing. Her husband told me that she had been considering it for a while and that she didn't think she could do it until she started reading my updates about working full time and then going straight to class then to run and then to the library. Still, she was skeptical that day talking to me. I told her she should go for it, that she seemed like she would be a great nurse, and that if at 25 I can sign up for 5 more years of school, she can sign up for 2 more and become a nurse. She said she was going to start reading about the application process. We exchanged phone numbers and I plan on keeping in touch to see what she decides.

So it dawned on me after that - maybe I can be inspiring. Not with what I do, or accomplish or how much I can fit into 24 hours, but by supporting people's passions. I'm really good at that. I think it's super important to be realistic about someone's goals. Like, would I support my brother's decision to drop out of school and join a band? No -and he is EXTREMELY talented when it comes to music. I wouldn't support that decision because education is important. But if he wanted to run off and join a band after he graduated college I'd fully support his decision. Same with my sister...would I have gone to Equestrian School over college? No, but she has loved horses since she was born. From as far back as I can remember, she has been playing with horse figurines and at one point had at least 100 different types and could tell you the type of horse each one of them was. At 17 years old, she trained her first baby horse. I am a firm believer in if you work hard enough - you can do anything - and even if you think you can't, come talk to me. I will do my darnedest make you believe you can!

Don't follow your dreams; chase them.
- Richard Dumb

♥

Dana

Half Marathon #1

2010-01-04T09:27:00.007-06:00

Hi folks!

I hope everyone has had an amazing start to the New Year! I am already rockin' and rollin.

This Saturday will be my first half marathon of the year, and while I don't feel as prepared as I should be, I'm excited none the less.

The Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon is in Jackson, Mississippi this Saturday January 9th. I'm hoping to run 9:35 minute miles cutting just 6 seconds a mile off of my St. Jude pace. I think that is a good goal considering this course is supposed to be a bit more challenging. My only concern is that I went hiking this past weekend in the Smoky Mountains and my calves are a little sore. Hoping that clears up before Saturday.

Other than that, boot camp started back today. My friend Monica joined me. It's great to have a buddy to keep you accountable. I really DID NOT want to get up that early this morning and work out in 20 degree weather. Once I got there I was freezing, but I felt good and was glad I braved the cold. I think I'll go back tonight for the 5:30pm class...

School starts in a little under two weeks and I'm excited. So far during the break, I've read 3 books by Atul Gawande: Complications, Better and The Checklist Manifesto. This guy is my hero. I think it's amazing how he keeps in touch with certain patients, can write books, be a surgeon and a professor, publish articles in the New Yorker and Slate. He's also the director of the World Health Organization's Global Patient Safety Challenge and the associate director of their Center for Surgery and Public Health. Honestly, the books are nothing more than a compilation of cases that he has been involved with and his experiences while in residency. The the underlying message that he delivers by telling these stories, however, is incredible. When I don't know what a certain procedure is, I get on Wikipedia and read the entire article about it. Then, if there are words in that article I don't know, I read about those too. Sometimes it takes me hours to understand one concept, but it's interesting, and complicated...challenging. Even when I thought that I was going to be the woman version of Donald Trump in Real Estate, I never really got into reading the quarterly reports or Real Estate Magazines, yet I've picked up these books (plus I've just started How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman) plus Medical Journals and become engulfed. I'm amazed at how much sense the articles make to me. Equiped with only the basic fundamental principles from a general biology class and the wikipedia/books I have read I can understand most of what I read. Learning the material is no longer my fear. Now I just need to figure out if I can perform. Unfortunately, that is something I will not know for a good while. But for once, I feel like this is me - this is what I am supposed to do with my life.

"Don’t let yourself be. Find something new to try, something to change.'—Atul Gawande

♥
Dana Lynn

Fundraising Page is up and Running!

2009-12-23T20:43:00.001-06:00

I've been searching for a way to set up my fundraising page. I obviously wanted to make sure the people donating to the cause had a secure way to donate, and I also wanted everyone to know their money was going where I said it was. While I was in a horrendously long check out line at Bass Pro Shop trying to buy some Christmas gifts for the men in my life (i.e. My Dad), I picked up a copy of Outside magazine. Hello? Why did I not know this magazine existed? Anyhow, the very first article in the magazine, written by the editor Christopher Keyes, was titled Between The Lines and it was about EXACTLY what I am trying to do. He gives 5 techniques to philanthropy.

1. Doing good is as simple as combining a selfish passion with a real cause.
My selfish Passion: Running
My Cause: The Med Foundation - Keeping the Med's doors open

2. If you want people to give, tell them where their donation goes, and make it tangible and real.
Funds raised by The MED Foundation are directly invested back into The MED to advance technology, purchase life-saving equipment, and provide training and workshops for front line staff.

3. Make giving simple.
The article mentions creating an online donation site through Active.com SCORE! You can now donate online by going to www.active.com/donate/running4TheMED

Check it Out!

4. There is something in it for YOU!
According to research, the act of giving increases your brain's dopamine levels and over time, your life span. Donate to my run and you'll live longer. You're Welcome.

5. Be polite and persistent.
Please donate to my runs at active.com/donate/running4theMED

There you have it!! I got to read an amazing magazine AND learned how to set up my fundraising page!

It's Festivus - and I've been working in the ER all night. All I want to do now is finish reading Better -by Atul Gawande and go to sleep. I need to read as many "for pleasure" books as possible over break because come January I will be reading nothing but science.

G'night & Merry Christmas Everyone!

There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open. - Nike

♥ Dana Lynn

2009-12-14T13:38:00.000-06:00

I just submitted my 30 page Independent Study Research project required to graduate from the Master's program. Talk about a burden lifted!

Now I have a Biology final and a Real Estate Development final and I'm DONE ALL DONE!

I've compiled a list of my favorite running accessories. If you are a runner, do you have any items that you just can't live without? Here are mine:

Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch. Not only does this keep track of my time and pace, it beeps at me when I'm over or under. It also tracks mileage, and heart rate. It includes GPS and the ability to wirelessly sync with my PC using ANT+Sport technology. I can record data regarding speed, distance, heart rate and location as well as info about courses, goals and specific workouts to help me train more efficiently. If I knew someone else with this watch I could even send the collected data from my 405 to another wirelessly. To top this all, my computer will sync with my watch as soon as I walk in the door. The touch bezel makes beginning a new workout, accessing training history or challenging a Virtual Partner. The Forerunner 405 makes training with a Virtual Partner easy and efficient. I LOVE this watch.

GU Espresso LOVE Energy Gel. Can I just say - AMAZING. I only use gels when I run 9 miles or more. When I do use them, I will forever be reaching for the Espresso LOVE flavor from now on. I've frequently used the berry flavored GU Gels over the past year and a half and while they are not DISGUSTING, they certainly aren't good. During the St. Jude Half marathon they were passing out all sorts of flavors and as soon as I heard Espresso, I darted for that line. Espresso LOVE tastes like a mini package of thick delicious mocha pudding and has double the caffeine of other GU flavors. I'll take it! It gives me just the right boost to keep on trucking for about 4+ miles after I take it. While looking for a picture to post for this one, I stumbled upon holiday GU flavors Mint Chocolate and Vanilla Gingerbread....interesting....

Nike Running Skirts. I will not run a race in anything else. I don't care how cold it is outside. these things are amazing. The attached compression shorts keep my legs from chafing...not to mention these things are adorable. Running can be fashionable!

SPI Belt. These are awesome for long or short races/runs. The material of the pouch stretches so you can fit as little or as much as you want in this belt. While I don't run with all of this in my pouch - I've definitely fit my iPhone, my car key, 3 GU Energy Gels and a tube of chapstick in this thing with room to spare. It doesnt move around on my hips or cause any discomfort while I run. In fact, during the St. Jude Half I totally forgot I was even wearing it.

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

-Dana

from SDD to NhmJhm

2009-12-12T11:36:00.000-06:00

Just to bring you up to speed about where the heck I've been the last few months, just look at this picture. If you didn't follow me as SDD and are a new reader, Welcome!

That is my kitchen table. Science is no joke...put that on top of 12 hours of Master's classes and you have yourself a stressful semester. I graduate with my Master's in 7 days. Hallelujah.

Here is some bullet points of other things.

1. I have decided to stay in Memphis and take my chances on getting into UT Medical School instead of taking the guarantee from Mercer University School of Medicine. I also plan on applying to Vanderbilt School of Medicine, East Tennessee College of Medicine and Medical School of South Carolina. Staying at Memphis to finish up my pre-reqs will cost me around $7,000, whereas Mercer would cost me around $45,000.

2. I haven't worked in a month and a half. I study for 16+ hours a day. I have no idea how I was working full time and doing school. I study so much and feel like I still have no time to fit everything in. Not being behind a computer for 8 hours of my day has made my life so much happier.

3. I ran the St. Jude Half Marathon last weekend. It was amazing. I ran as a 'Hero' - which basically just means that you set a fundraising goal and raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I finished in 2 hours and 6 minutes. In April, I ran the Nashville Country Music Half in 2 hours and 22 minutes so I was really pleased with the improvement. I shaved 16 minutes off of my time. Here are some photos.

Monica & Me before the race

Me and Beth in our Hero team shirts we made.

Irwin, me, and Beth after the finishing the race.

Ok, back to studying.

We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.-Emil Zatopek

-Dana

Year of the Half Marathon

2009-12-10T17:06:00.001-06:00

As my 2010 goal, I have decided that I will run one half marathon every month leading up to *hopefully* running the St. Jude Full Marathon in December. I'm compiling a list of half marathons that I plan to run throughout the year.

If you would like to join me this year, or just for one run let me know! If your city has a half marathon during a month that I haven't booked let me know about it! Some of the races will be close to home, some farther away - but ALL will be a great experience. I think it's a great way to see visit some new places. I will be blogging about my experience here - which will include updates on training, but more specifically this will document my year of running. So keep an eye out for updates!

One reason I am doing this is to raise money for a cause. I will be working to set up a fundraising page for my year of running. 100% of the donations made will benefit The Regional Medical Center (THE MED) in Memphis, Tennessee. You can read more about the needs of The Med at www.themedfoundation.org (just for visiting this site, The Med will receive $1 in funding up to $5,000 until January 31, 2010) I've planned some of the year's races...so, here goes nothing!

January 9th, 2010 Mississippi Blues Half Marathon - Jackson, Mississippi http://www.msbluesmarathon.com/

February 13th, 2010 OverNite Software and ConocoPhillips Surfside Beach Half Marathon - Surfside Beach, Texas http://www.surfsidemarathon.com/

March 21st, 2010 Germantown Half Marathon - Germantown, Tennessee http://www.germantownhalfmarathon.com/

April 24th, 2010 Country Music Half Marathon - Nashville, Tennessee http://nashville.competitor.com/

May 16th, 2010 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon & Half Marathon
http://www.clevelandmarathon.com/

June 26th, Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon & 1/2
http://seattle.competitor.com

July - TBD

August 1st, 2010 Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon - Chicago, IL
http://www.chicago.competitor.com/

September - TBD

October - TBD

November - TBD

December 4th, 2010 St. Jude Full Marathon - Memphis, Tennessee
http://www.stjudemarathon.org/