Boston Marathon #Spirit #loveandperseverance #foralison

On Monday, April 18, I had the honor of running my 11th Boston Marathon. I was welcomed to Boston with a banner from one of running heroes at baggage claim. #spirit

The Boston Strong spirit was there and stronger than ever. I went to the expo and was so excited to pick up my bib. That evening, I met other Girl Scout team members at a dinner and shared our scouting stories. We also heard about the camps that our fundraising helped support- 450 girls received financial assistance to attend camps. So cool.

Sunday, I went down to the finish line which was buzzing with energy and excitement as I looked forward to crossing it! It seems so far away when training in January and February that the marathon will finally arrive.

Race morning I met a sorority sister and we rode the bus to Hopkinton together.  It was such a treat to reconnect with a dear friend. We talked about our training and caught up on 20 years. We also shared our sorrow over the recent death of a sorority sister. Pink #Foralison. We got to Hopkinton and we were soon shedding our extra layers. The handwarmers I packed were not necessary as it was already warm. 

Soon we were in the starting corral and the race began. The first few miles were a little fast but I got settled down around mile 5. The crowds were out in full force. I felt a little off and was already heating up around mile 8.At that point, my time goal was slipping.  I started pouring water down my back to keep cool. Whenever my mind started to drift, I saw a Boston Strong shirt. I passed Santa at mile 9 and reminded myself to enjoy the experience and stay in the moment.

I heard the Wellesley girls screaming before I saw them. Every year the signs get more creative!

I made my way through 15-17 and was thankful to be in single digits for miles left to run. At that  point, I was off pace running by effort. The Newton firehouse at mile 17 had a misting tent which was nice to run through. At mile 20, my boyfriend had the crowd cheering for me.

 I made it over Heartbreak Hill and had less than a 10k to go (6.2 miles.) Mile 21 I had to dig deep and kept saying my mantra- love and perseverance.  A friend had written a sweet Facebook post inspiring to run with love and perseverance. This really helped me as my mind was wandering the last few miles and I battled a headwind. As ever, the crowds kept me going whether it was the kid with the poop emoji hat or the sign around mile 22 "It's Almost Ovary."

Mile 23 I got stuck downwind of someone with gi issues and that helped motivate me to speed up for a pass. Next thing I knew, the Citgo sign was there at mile 25 and then I ran under the Boston Strong bridge. Right on Hereford and Left on Boylston. With the finish line in sight, I looked at my watch and realized I could requalify by running the last half mile in 5 minutes. That was my fastest pace of the day!3:52:41

We wrapped up the race day with celebrating Mile 27 at Fenway Park. Thank you to everyone who supported me. It was an honor to run the marathon and be on the Girl Scout Team.

Run happy and cookie power!

Race Day is Almost Here

It's almost here. On Monday, April 18 I'll be running the Boston Marathon!


Thank you, thank you! I was truly touched by all the support and donations! The day I wrote the blog I was wind blown from running through a gusty 10 miler. The response to the email, blew me away. The contributions will make a difference in providing health and wellness programs to young girls. I am so excited to be part of a bigger effort as I run the marathon.

I'll be heading to Boston this weekend prepared to wear a big smile as I run through the miles. I'll be wearing the singlet below.

To track my progress during the race you can go to the Boston Athletic Association website. There will be an app and athlete tracker. Just enter my bib #24304


http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon.aspx

I'll be in Wave 4 corral 1, starting at 11:15 am
Bib#24304

Thank you and Run Happy!

In closing and in honor of TBT (Throwback Thursday) thought I'd share some previous photos...

Heartbreak Hill 2015

Meeting Olympian Desi Linden at the expo

If you would like to contribute to the Girl Scouts please use the link below:


https://www.crowdrise.com/gsemboston2016/fundraiser/malissazimmerman

Who's That Girl (Scout)?

I'll be running my 11th consecutive Boston Marathon in just two weeks! I never guessed I'd be able to run so many Bostons, eight as a qualifier and two running for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEM) team.  I couldn't have done it without the support of family and friends like each of you.

By finishing my 10th consecutive Boston last year, I achieved coveted "streaker" status which guarantees entry as long as I have a qualifier. One of my birthday presents last year was a banner commemorating the 10th marathon!

My 2015 Boston race also qualified me for this year's race and I'll be running on the Girl Scout team one last time.  I kept a modest training base this fall when life got hectic, knowing that I'd be entering the formal training cycle in January. I began the New Year bundled up, running with a headlamp and dodging ice patches as I ran hilly loops around Iwo Jima. The marines inspired me as I gasped for breath.

As my long runs increased the temperature dropped. This was taken on Valentines Day where I ran 14 miles as a popsicle.

I escaped to Florida and ran the Disney Princess half marathon, which was a fartlek run- stops for characters and speeding up in between. 

Trying on a glass slipper

I try to enjoy the whole process of training and do not take 10 milers for granted like I used to as I know how fortunate I am to continue running through the years. I'm also reminded of the community of athletes and supporters when I head out to runs and see a friend on the trail or a colleague asked me how my running is going. Running on the Girl Scouts Team has been an amazing experience as so many have shared their love for scouting and being active. I meet fellow scouts in races when I wear my singlet. "Run like a Girl Scout" is more than putting in the miles, its about inspiring others, service and giving back to the community.

When I run Boston this year, I'll proudly "Run like a Girl Scout"!  Please consider supporting me.  
https://www.crowdrise.com/gsemboston2016/fundraiser/malissazimmerman

All Positive, No Negative

Checking out the finish line
the day prior to the race

I came to Boston ready to have a great race on April 20. I'd made it through a bitter winter of training buoyed by so many supporters who lifted my spirits with their generous contributions and kind words.  "All Positive, No Negative"- this was one of my mantras that cycled Another one was "We are whipper-sinkers, we are duck, if it rains all week, we're in luck. Quack, quack, waddle, waddle." "Cookie Power" was another mantra.

Before each race, I write down a race plan which includes things to do in the days leading up the race - salt foods, drinking Gatorade, wearing compression socks, sitting on ice packs for my piriformis (that's a muscle in the butt that can be a huge pain). The race plan also includes course strategy and mantras to get me through the miles.  This year's mantra "ALL Positive, No Negative" -helped me focus on making it through a section of miles or a rough patch when I get tired and things start to hurt. The plan gets condensed on an index card that I tuck into my shorts pocket. 

Got to meet 4th Place finisher Desi Linden!

  Race day weather called for a cold rain but it didn't dampen my spirits.  My race plan included a  conservative time goal that would allow me to enjoy the race and not be too pressured during the first few miles which tend to be very crowded. I got frustrated the first mile as it was slow, but immediately reminded myself "All positive, no negative."  From then on, I stuck to the pace band as I made my way through the miles. I eased into the miles and didn't push early so I wouldn't struggle so much at the end.

I made my way through the towns dodging the puddles. The half marathon I ran in March in a steady rain reminded me that I was comfortable being uncomfortable. I turned to my mantras to push out the negative.  Santa was there around Mile 7 in Framingham, wearing  a red slicker. I though of Howie, my former coworker at Frager's, who loved to dress as Santa each year. Although wet, the crowds were cheering just the same. The screams from the Wellesley girls were deafening. My singlet had "Run like a Girl Scout" on the back, another mantra. 

After seeing the Marathon Coalition-Girl Scouts Coach Rick at Mile 15, outside of Newton I had a tough part of the course to negotiate so I buckled down to make it through. I thought of all the inspirational messages I received before the race. I saw Andy at Mile 20 and headed toward Heartbreak Hill as I gave him a thumbs up and a smile.

The wind picked up Mile 22 in Brookline and I noticed another runner my size running at the same pace.  I tucked in with her and we took turns leading in the wind for the the final miles.  I said a little prayer at Mile 24.5 for the bombing victims and turned right on Hereford to the screams. Left on Boylston and the finish was in sight.  I made it to the finish line of my 10th consecutive Boston Marathon and saw that I beaten my goal by a minute and qualified for 2016 with a final time of 3:51:58!


I am so thankful for the support. Beginning with the contributions in December when I was just beginning the daunting task of raising $5000 got me going on so many cold mornings. I could not have done this without the generosity of so many people who made donations to my fundraising and helped me give back to the Boston community. Every contribution made a difference and helped get me to the finish line!

Spring is here and so is the marathon!

Sharing some love on the Army Ten Miler race course

Spring is finally here and so is the marathon!  If you would like to follow me running, on Monday, April 20 I'll be in the Boston Marathon. Wave 4 beginning at 11:15 am. Bib number 26959 which can be tracked online www.baa.org  There is also a runner ap to track progress over the marathon course.

Although this has been one of the most challenging winters to run through - right through my final long training run on a chilly 17-degree Saturday morning - I’ve really had a lot of enjoyed most of it. 

Often the weather was so cold, I didn't look at splits, and just pushed through the interval. Instead of being frustrated, I was thankful that I had mustered the courage to run hill repeats in 20 degrees.  My Wednesday Track group got me through the tough weekly workouts. Often we ended with a #sunriseselfie 

Most weekends, I ran my long runs with the Reston Runners who took me on trails around lakes and always up a hill. (If we didn't know where to turn, it was usually up a hill.) Post-run, my boyfriend, Andy, cooked me breakfast and then I recovered on the couch- watching Downton Abbey with icepacks on my legs.

I also ran a "Backyard Burn" Laurel Hill trail race on March 22, where I was surprised to be 4th in my age group.

Through it all, I have reconnected why I love running and how much fun it can be.  Running on the Girl Scout Team, I've shared scouting stories and heard how much an impact being a scout made on people's lives.  Raising support for the Girls Get Moving Initiative has inspired me as we look for ways to promote healthy lifestyles. So many people have supported me in this effort and I am so grateful. I posted the photo from the Army Ten Miler as I felt awful that day and wasn't going to run. I was sick and thought about running 5 or so miles, then hopping the metro home. When I started running, I started feeling better and was so inspired by the Wounded Warriors and other runners who were just out there running. By the time, I saw Andy at mile 7 I was smiling and shared some love. 

26.2 miles is a long way to run, but when you are running with the support of so many it is little easier. 

Running in Gratitude

Malissa

I'm honored to be running the 2015 Boston Marathon on the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Team! 

Please consider supporting me by donating online at

https://www.crowdrise.com/girlscoutsboston2015/fundraiser/malissazimmerman. 

Any contribution would be appreciated, even $10 for my 10^th Boston or $25 for my 25^th marathon.  

  

Girl Scouts, Gorilla and Gratitude

Heartbreak Hill Running Store Gorilla 

It's been a long, cold winter that seemed to never end. I wrote about the challenges of running in frigid temperatures and the theme continued for the next month. On the Girl Scout Team we are fundraising for the Girls Get Moving Initiative which provides health and wellness programs for young girls. The programs educate young scouts on how to live healthy and active lifestyles in a variety of ways and to "keep moving all year long." I've taken creative ways to keep moving this winter. 

It seemed like there was a snow storm every weekend. One Sunday, I stepped out my door and started slipping on ice so I found the newly-renovated-and-still-unknown Barry Farm Aquatic Center pool where I aqua jogged for 2 hours.  As you can see in the picture below, I had it all to myself for over an hour and imagined running outdoors as I went up and down the pool lanes. It's a little mind-numbing, but I like to recreate some favorite running memories. I also think about why and how much I enjoy being active and thankful that I have a beautiful place to swim and pool jog (for FREE).

I went to Boston in early March and ran with the Girl Scout Team on their Saturday Training Run as part of the Marathon Coalition. The snow had melted some, but there were snow banks to be negotiated on some corners. The picture was taken at the end of my friend's driveway.

I went to the training run and set off for a 12 mile run with the group. I got caught up in talking with other Marathon Coalition runners about how inspired we were running for our causes and the positive impact. We were running the marathon route but it looked and felt different running on the sidewalks. I lost the group as I kept following the route. When my Garmin hit 12 miles, it didn't look familiar. I kept going until 13.5 miles and stopped at an aid station. A volunteer told me I had run past the turn and offered to drive me back to my group. 

We drove back and I saw where I'd missed the turn- at Heartbreak Hill Running Store with the Gorilla. I had given the Gorilla a high-five instead of turning. Oops!

I am hopeful that with my early spring flowers blooming that warm weather will soon follow.  It seems that my garden, like the rest of us, is ready for spring. I am grateful that my body has allowed me to run through another winter. I am thankful for the support of family, friends, neighbors and colleagues through the years to inspire, motivate, and keep moving. I am especially thankful for the healing spirit of Boston strong as I still get sad when I think about April 15, 2013 and those affected by the bombings.

If you haven't done so already, I hope you will please consider making a contribution to my fundraising efforts. I could really use your help! You can donate through my fundraising website at:

https://www.crowdrise.com/girlscoutsboston2015/fundraiser/malissazimmerman. 

If you would like to mail a check:
Please make it  payable to the "Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts",
credited to the fundraising account of Malissa Zimmerman
Mail to: 
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts 
ATTN: Jennifer Perrone
95 Berkeley Street Suite 404

Boston, MA 02116

Any contribution would be appreciated, even $10 for my 10^th Boston or $25 for my 25^th marathon.  

Thank you for all your support!

Running in gratitude

Training Update: Take a right at the beer can, a tutu and running in negative wind chill

Building a base is always a critical part of marathon training, but winter training is also about building character. While my fellow Girl Scout team members in Boston have been dealing with an avalanche of snow, I’ve encountered a few wintertime training challenges of my own here in DC recently.

I ran a half marathon at the end of January that was very frigid. I felt like a toy soldier, running stiffly as I also negotiated ice patches.  The next week I was rewarded with a relatively mild 35-40 degree day for my long run.  I ran 2 miles by myself, 10 with the group and then 3 afterwards for 15 total. For those last three miles I just let my friend direct me where to go. We were running on the trail and needed to turn back to the start, so she told me "Take a right at the beer can."  There was a cut-through to the golf course and then we ran back to our starting point.  We finished with a Gatorade toast.

The next week, I wanted to shake loose some rust from my legs so I ran a 10k on Valentines Day. My plan was to run the first two as a warm up, next 3 hard and last mile all out. I wore a pink tutu to have some fun for Valentines. First mile was up a hill and felt hard-- oh my I thought. Settled in the second mile, steady for the next three and then hard the last mile. I got some company at the end and pushed it for my fastest mile. 

The next day, I planned for an easy 10 miler. Not so. It was 10 degrees with a brutal wind and icy roads. I ended up walking backward at some points and managed a five mile loop. I got chilled to the bone and took an hour hibernation nap when I got back. When I woke up, I still wanted to get in the rest of my run. I went to a plan B, pool jogging.  I was really nice to be warm in water.

Not sure what the weather is going to do to my training, but I'll be creative and get it done.  My teammates in Boston have been running around snow banks for weeks, so I'll reach out to them for some ideas.

As the runs get longer, I am committed to moving forward as I am raising for the Girls Get Moving programs.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts are going strong and so am I.  My fundraising is picking up and I am so thankful. It's the support of so many that has kept me going through the years. It means so much to me to fundraise for programs to teach young girls about health and wellness. These programs do more than educate, they help instill  the tools for an active lifestyle.
Thank you!

I'm honored to be running the 2015 Boston Marathon on the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Team! 

Please consider supporting me by donating online at

https://www.crowdrise.com/girlscoutsboston2015/fundraiser/malissazimmerman. 

Any contribution would be appreciated, even $10 for my 10^th Boston or $25 for my 25^th marathon.