...way behind formally announcing a great success at the Vancouver Marathon!

Some of you were there to cheer me on and so you've known about my victory for almost a month. Some of you I contacted after the race. Some of you heard through the grapevine. But just to be sure I've not left anyone out who gives a darn, I decided a final post to the website was in order to bring everyone up to date.

Final Post - The Vancouver Marathon was, without a doubt, one of my finest hours - well actually, six hours & then some. Most of the13,000 runners quit long before I was even hitting my stride. The first to quit only lasted 2 hours & 15 minutes. He was probably drinking a beer after his nap while I was still running... and running... and running. Although he may have been the first to cross the finish line, I'm thinking maybe he just didn't have what it takes to run for six hours, so he rushed to get it done in two. You'd be surprised at how many other marathoners were rushing right behind him! Ah-h-h-h-h, so many feet & so little stamina!

Friends and family kept me going, popping out here and there along the race course with a motivating sign or encouraging applause. Some even ran along beside me for a block or two. But not once did they offer to take my place or call a taxi. I think I was just smiling way too much for them to even consider that I might be getting tired.

The crowds that lined the streets in Vancouver were inspiring. I, of course, assumed they were all out there to cheer me on, so I waved and thanked as many as I could along the way. I was deeply moved by the many courageous runners I met, like the man who had amputations below both knees. He moved confidently on his metal prosthetic legs and crutches, followed by a friend who carried a chair for him so he could rest when tired, and another friend who recorded his efforts on film.

Many, many people ran in memory of loved ones who had lost their battle with cancer, carrying their names and pictures on their shirts as they ran. There were many, like me, who are also cancer survivors and saw this race as an opportunity to raise funds, raise awareness, and raise hope.

And that's not all I raised. After the race, on a great cruise to Ketchikan on the beautiful Diamond Princess, friends and family & I raised a glass or two - a great celebration to cap off a wonderful event.

I thank all of you for your support and prayers. I am deeply appreciative of my friends, family, coaches, coworkers, and teammates at The Wellness Community who have cheered me on endlessly.

I hope you'll consider joining me next year in Humboldt County as I run the Avenue of the Giants marathon - one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the US. As it's a more challenging course than Vancouver, I have already started my training. If you're ever out on the Iron Horse Trail about 6 a.m. and see a beautiful, young, long legged woman running by - well, that would not be me - I start much later in the day. ;-) Hugs & High-Fives until we meet again - Georgie

Month 2 - 12 miles, 15 miles, 17 miles - all Saturday milestones now behind me. Saturday group runs are now called " rest and prep" runs as we run/walk "easy" 8-10 miles in preparation for our upcoming 20 miler on April 9th. It's hard to believe that two months ago I was excited that I could run 3 miles. I shed tears when I did 12 miles. Fifteen miles was staggering, and two weeks ago I was lucky enough to have my granddaughter, Courtnie, by my side for 17 miles in the pouring rain. Seventeen miles seems to be much easier on an 18 year old than on a 56 year old body. I followed my 17 miles with a hot bath, ice to my feet, and a 3-hour nap. Courtnie followed hers with lunch and a trip to the mall.

My longer runs are now punctuated by bathroom breaks, periodic capsules of a magical green powder that's supposed to keep me running like a kid (but instead has me belching grass like an old goat!), water, snacks, and prayers - and not necessarily in that order. I grease my body with vaseline on a stick - otherwise known as "Body Glide" to reduce the friction of my clothing, hook myself up to a heart monitor and an interval timer/chronometer, and thus prepared, slide and beep my way down Iron Horse Trail.

Less than a month to go before the big day!

Month 1 - January 8 was the first official day of training. About 3 dozen of us met for the first time with our trainer, Gina, a perky, petite, 30-something-year- old-gal who runs for the fun of it. She may have a warped sense of fun, but I give her credit as she has completed 13 marathons, with her best time averaging 7 minutes per mile, for 26 miles!

That first meeting, Gina was like a puppy on a leash, tugging us along a 3 mile stretch of the Iron Horse Trail. We ran, walked, huffed, and puffed until, at the end of the course, Gina had split us up into teams based upon our times of completion. Team Greece: a one-man-team, who ran the course in under 25 minutes. Then there's Spain, Italy, Japan - all with different time trials, 10 minute miles, 11 minute miles, 12 minute miles, etc. Me - I'm in Team Mexico - a perfect place for me - on the "manana team". We run a 14 minute mile. Many people can actually walk faster than Team Mexico can run. But we're a happy, determined group of 5. Even within Mexico, we do not all run at the same pace - but we all run - at least most of the time.

Over the course of our first month, we've gone from 3 miles on that first day to 8 miles last Saturday. We meet every Saturday for our long, group runs. We're encouraged to increase our endurance by working out 4 to 6 days per week, running 4 of those days and cross-training on at least one other day. No matter what the coaches say, I think "cross training" is going to church. One thing is for sure, as I push myself harder and harder, I seem to get more and more religious. The greater the challenge, the more fervent the prayers!

Gina has us on a run walk ratio - for me it's a 2 minute walk followed by a 2 minute run. Gradually, we try to run longer and walk less. The run/walk method has been proven to improve endurance and speed while lessening the chance of injury and Gina is confident that this method will get us to the finish line. - If it doesn't I may end up crossing the line as an illegal immigrant. For any of you coming to Vancouver to cheer me on, if you'd like to bring something to help me along the way - bring a moped!

That's all for now. This Saturday I'm running 9 miles and the following Saturday I'll huff and puff for12 miles. By the time I send you another email, I'll be on my way to 15 miles - or on my way to the hospital! Either way - please continue to keep me in your prayers & keep a look out for me along side the road ;-)

Thanks for your support!