52 For You Archives - Marathon Goddess

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Great Spirits-The Route 66 TULSA, OK MARATHON #34

As you may or may not know by now I am dedicating all of my marathons to someone affected by pancreatic cancer. I ran this one for Jay Saunders who just recently passed on November 12th. I wrote a special blog for him. For the very special dedication please read the Jay Saunders blog. It was beautiful, I felt his energy running with me, running in front of me, running backwards and pulling me forward. I visualized his beautiful smiling face, right there. We were cruising. I was ahead of the 4:45 group for over half of the race and feeling the strongest I had in a while. It is very important that I don’t go too fast in all of these marathons, so I stay injury free, but I knew with Jay beside me I could continue this pace for the rest of the marathon. At about mile 15 I stopped to take pictures, then stopped again to rock out with the band. By then I knew I had lost the 4:45 group and just decided to have fun. Although I could have gone faster, I settled in for the ride. A wise move, thanks Jay, it was such an honor to run with you and for you <3

Look at that smile. It was such an honor to run for Jay. xoxo

Then at mile 17 I am running along and the song Spirit in the Sky comes on by, Norman Greenbaum. Well just at that moment I look to my right and I see a cemetery and I am in Awe. Spirit in the sky was playing loud in my ears and they were there. I had all of the great spirits guiding me, lifting my spirits on this journey cheering for me louder than anything I have ever felt before. Miles 17 to 26 were my fastest, funnest miles of the marathon. Thank you spirits. I was flying!!!!

Not only did Jay pace me, he picked me up and we FLEW accross the finish line. Love ♥

I even got two medals and I was only supposed to get one, and now I know why. The second medal is for Jay! One was from the race that most finishers got and the other one was a special medal for Marathon Maniac finishers only, but I was only supposed to get one, however, the volunteers told me to keep the second. I mailed the second medal to Jay’s family. <3

Here ya go Jay, one for me and one for you ♥. We did it 🙂

  Let’s back up now to my plane ride to Tulsa, wake up call 4am, for a 6:30 flight. I get on the plane and tell the two gentlemen sitting next to me about my campaign, I just checked my donation link and they donated $300!!! Wow! I tell everyone about my journey, I love to see peoples reactions. Some don’t believe me and are amazed and then some people look at me like, did I ask? Ha ha, no but it’s ok. I get that from my Dad. That is really awesome! I decided to check my bag since there was no room on the plane for it. I made it to Tulsa, but my bag did not. Great, well at least I had my shoes. Time to go shopping, I could not take a chance in case my bag did not show up in time. and low and behold it did not until I returned to LA. It got stuck in Houston. My favorite comment from facebook was from marathon mitch who has done 104 marathons he said “Houston, we have a problem”, Marathon Mitch. 🙂One good thing about this whole ordeal is since I never opened my suit case I am already packed for my next marathon #35 in Seattle. Yee Haw!

They can take my luggage, they can try and break my spirit one way or another. But I’ve got my new purple running clothes, just bought purple flowers for my hair and some new found determination. I am a girl on a mission and Jay’s got my back ♥ There is no stopping us now. Route 66 Marathon We got this! #unstoppable — at Tulsa Convention Center

I met Keith at the marathon expo. We did a podcast there. He said he was interviewing celebrity runners and he wanted to interview me. I am a celebrity runner? Me and my 5 hour + marathons? Flattered! Here is Keith’s awesome webiste: http://www.sunrunnerpodcast.com/ So I got my clothes, I was grateful to have the hotel service drive me to the market to get me some purple flowers for my hair, my marathon goddess bib and we are good to go.

Beautiful Purple 🙂

 

Love it 🙂

I had emailed the local news in Tulsa and they picked up my story and met me at the start line. Not only that, they followed me throughout the whole marathon, it aired Sunday night. Here is the link and here we are talking before the marathon. I am so grateful to them for helping me spread awareness. http://www.NewsOn6.com/story/20132209/california-woman-tackles-route-66-marathon-in-fathers-honor I also ran into Spidy Women, Camielle Herron, right before the start. We have been friends on facebook and finally got to meet her in person. She went on to WIN the race for the women, and achieved the new Superhero Costume Marathon World Record. of 2:48:51! Amazing! Do you think I would be faster if I wore a cape?  

Speedy Spidey!

Also, what are the chances of me running into any team hope runners amongst over 10,500 runners at the start line? Pure Fate! I climb over the gate into the start line and help the camera man over with me. Immediately I spot two women wearing Team hope shirts. I of course did not have my team hope shirt because it was somewhere in Houston, but I did have purple on, but WOW. What are the chances, I call it synchronicity.. We even got it on the news. They had lost their mom to pancreatic cancer and tears were flowing. Sigh. This has got to stop. It was awesome to see so many Marathon Maniacs on the course today. The Marathon Maniacs are a group of runners who do multiple marathons like me. I am Maniac #2544. They have all different levels and something for everyone. I feel like half of the runners had maniac shirts on. I just put my order in to make my own purple maniac shirt.

Photo op with the Marathon Maniacs at mile 7

I felt so strong this marathon, nothing hurt. My knee was not perfect but better than it has been and my heart was full of joy with some sadness for all those who have lost their lives to pancreatic cancer and the loved ones they left behind. However I have a new found determination and I have now been to the center of the universe, there is no stopping us now.

Now we can do anything!

The bus ride back to the start line was fun with cheering, first time marathon, veteran marathoners, me. It was a party. A great way to end the trip. Even better after I showered and made it to the airport my bag showed up with a $75 dollar travel voucher and $50 cash to cover my expenses. Thank you Southwest, sort of :/ With only 18 marathons left, I am so grateful to be touching so many people, making a difference in the world of pancreatic cancer and at the same time having some fun. It’s a win win win. I would love to turn this into a full time profession, if my body and bank account could handle it, I would do it all over again, and I think I could. For now it’s back to work at my Mon through Friday 9-5 but so grateful to have the best boss in the world. Thank you everyone for following my blog, it was a beautiful weekend, stay tuned for Freezing in Seattle. Freezing in Seattle? sounds like a movie. I hear they have a high of 45. Burr. I appreciate all your support in helping me fight the good fight and beat pancreatic cancer once and for all. We got this.xo   Love, Julie xoxo Jay was such a love, look and “like” this page . He has a huge social comminuty that supported him and his family and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and still do: https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Social-for-Saunders-PAGE/192020637476811?fref=ts
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The Marathon that never was- NYC to Santa Clarita #32

It started as an exciting adventure, which quickly took a sharp turn. As super storm sandy slammed down on the east coast, it took a piece of my heart along with it. For me and so many other runners I went to New York to show the American people that we are a courageous people in the face of heartbreak and recommit to hope and possibility when things are the hardest, but it wasn’t meant to be. We arrived on Friday at JFK. In the cab ride to our hotel our driver was telling us of all the horror stories going on. Generators and back up generators were sitting there not being used and in place for the marathon, meanwhile there were still millions without power and shelter and some without food. My heart sank. As we got closer to the hotel I see a two mile long line of cars waiting for gas. Then I see a hanging crane dangling over the city streets. The wind had broken the crane high up and the top of the crane was dangling by wires 100s of feet above the ground below. The streets were barricaded off and no one was allowed within a block or two. I sank deeper into the floor of the taxi. We arrive at our hotel and get a quick bite and we are ready to head to the expo for a great opportunity and interview with Poland Springs water. I had CBS/KCAL news following entire my marathon adventure in New York which quickly became more interesting to them because within minutes after we arrived at our hotel we hear a rumor that the marathon was cancelled. The rumor quickly became a reality and honestly my first reaction was a sense of relief. Here is my reaction along with some other runners in LA. I was on the phone live from NYC. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7916523 The next thing I did was order a drink and console friends. A young woman, who had also just arrived, and also like us had not been to her room yet had come from London to do the New York Marathon. Ouch! Now to figure out the next plan of action. Quick find another marathon! I called friends, posted on facebook, someone please register me for the Santa Clarita marathon. I knew it was on the same day as New York. Next, get a flight home. Called my travel agent and we are booked on the first available flight back to LA the next morning. We made the best out of our 12 hour stay in NYC. I had big press withNYRR, interviews and a photo shoot which had all been cancelled and a fantastic article in the official program which no one got to see. Would have been huge for Pancreatic Awareness. Hopefully they will remember me next year after I finish the 52. We then had a nice dinner with David’s family, snuck into Central Park and did a quick bandit run.

Sneaking into Central Park 🙂

Early next morning we hop on a plane back to LA, with little to no sleep we arrive back in LA and get out to the Santa Clarita marathon expo to register. CBS/KCAL got the whole story there and did a great interview. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/7919578-santa-monica-woman-vows-to-run-52-marathons-in-a-year/

Purple bags 🙂

After another few hours of sleep Sunday morning I am off and running the Santa Clarita marathon #32 of 52. The 52 lives on and the people of NYC were heard. On the way to my marathon I heard that thousands of marathoners were on the ferry to Statin Island to help out. That made my heart sing. Here is a great video/blog from Steve Mackel he is the head coach for the Sole Runners. [http://marathontraining.tv/steves-post/my-ing-new-york-city-marathon-2012] Santa Clarita marathon was hot and fun. It was not NYC we had 500 marathoners vs. 50,000. I ended up running 28 miles. At mile 14 I went back to help out a friend who was ready to quit. This marathon adventure was a bit crazy but nothing as hard as the fight against Pancreatic Cancer, and doesn’t even come close to what my girl Ashley is up against. I dedicated marathon #32 to a very special young lady named Ashley. Pancreatic Cancer does not discriminate. Ashley is 26 years old and in February she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She has a fantastic blog called http://cancerkickingirl.com/ and she writes daily of what her life is like fighting Pancreatic Cancer. She is a beautiful soul, such great positive energy and her attitude so amazing that she could light up any room. I have never met her, this is just the energy I get from her blog. With the hurricane, the NYC Marathon cancellation, the fight to just get to the starting line was like nothing I have experienced, but does not hold a candle to what she is battling. She has a beautiful positive spirit and she is amazing. On October 26th, she posted “Things aren’t good, but I actually feel fine. Hmm? Time to just sit down, think and come up with a solution because I feel like I could handle anything. If I was told I needed to juice and run 5 miles a day – done.” Today I ran for her Ashley and hoping we can run a marathon together. She posts this song by Kelly Clarkson “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” and Ashley is a fighter and I am confident that she is going to beat this thing. She is doing fantastic. Please send prayers, love and lot’s of healing energy her way. What an adventure this was, truly heartbreaking but we made the best out of it. “Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out”- And that is exactly what we did. 32 down 20 to go… let the countdown begin.  

Thirty Two- Let the countdown begin!

CBS/KCAL captured my finish: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/7922418-santa-monica-woman-keeps-52-marathon-pledge-runs-santa-clarita-race-despite-nyc-marathon-cancellation/ And here is the silly video we did go along with the whole ordeal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3C5SGZ9S6w&feature=plcp Tomorrow I run the Malibu Marathon #33 of 52. Getting close. WE GOT THIS!!!! xo

We got this!!!

 

The Challenge!

I’ve learned that if people think your crazy, more than likely you are on the right track. The challenge: 52 Marathons in 52 weeks to raise over $1,000,000 to help find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer.The contender: Julie Weiss a Real Estate accountant by day, a Marathon Goddess by early mornings, nights and weekends. Risking her job, her dog, her amazing life in Santa Monica for a deranged assignment of greatness (good thing her kids are all grown up and can confirm their Mom has lost her marbles). This blog was inspired by Julie & Julia. Julie’s challenge was to cook a Julia Child’s recipe every day for a year, while my challenge is to run a marathon every weekend, sometimes two. That doesn’t sound too hard, but she is faced with a giant obstacle, with her 1st marathon less than 50 days away she has a knee that won’t let her run. Is this the Universe’s way of making her rest up? Could be. Oh my, this is crazy and absolutely PERFECT! 50 days to take off……

Spirit of the Marathon 2

We just started filming for the Spirit of the Marathon 2. The Rome Marathon becomes a movie. I will be able to spread my love for running marathons, the love for my father, and spread awareness to help find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer through out Rome . It is really unbelievable I have been given such an amazing gift to shine my spirit all over the world. I feel like I am living my dream. I am not going to lie, I am freaking out a little, how am I going to run all these marathons, keep my 9-5 job, my dog, my fiancé and my life together? But I know I have an unstoppable will and with enough faith and strength together we can make this happen. Also, I was a bit torn to find that Rome was the same day as the LA Marathon. My first reaction was there is no way I can do this. But with the amazing support from my friends and my running group The G6 and the love and excitement they expressed for me to go and shine in Rome, it was hard, but I am going for it. I even have a few of my runners coming with me. It is awesome. Life is about opportunity, and seizing it is pleasure. So off I go, and seriously, it just goes to show that when you do what you love, and follow your dreams, miracles do happen. Wow! XVIII ACEA ROME MARATHON 2012 | Rome Info

The 52 Begins

Working with my amazing website designer on what is going to be the most amazing web site and awesome way to start out the New Year. Here we go. Stay tuned for Magic!