“If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”

Currently Playing: Amy Winehouse - "Back To Black" Album

Its Halloween eve, and I’m planning out my Halloween: Wake up at 6:30, eat by 7:00, get dressed and leave my Apartment by 8:00. By the way, all these times are “A.M.” Tomorrow I’m planning a mock race day, meaning I will wake up at the same time I will on race day and eat the same thing. I’m only planning on running nine to ten miles tomorrow (yes "only"), as I don’t find it necessary to run a full 13.1 before a half marathon. I won’t lie, as I sit here, seven days out from the race: I’m nervous! I always get nervous before races but this race is different for many reasons including the fact that people have donated money to a great cause because I'm running. Mainly there will actually be people at the race that I know, ie: My parents and friends. (And my parents haven’t seen me race since my last cross country race five years ago, and I don’t like to disappoint them.) I’m pretty ready and excited to run tomorrow. But I have been pondering, as I mentioned before, why I run and at times torture my self with this obsession. The following is a list I've collaborated, it's unedited, meaning, I just sat down and thought “Why do I run?” and started typing. For those who don’t run maybe this will help you understand. (By the way they are in no particular order.)

Why I run?

To stay in shape

To relax

To relieve stress

To clear my mind

Because I like to sweat!

Because my butt looks better when it's toned

Because there aren’t too many other ways to slash as many calories in the same amount of time

To ward of my family “Hauser Hips”

Because I like cupcakes and they aren’t low in calories or fat

Because I like beer, and unfortunately that is not low in calories either

To ward of cellulite… as long as I can

To think about whatever I want for however long I’m running

Because I downloaded new music and want to listen to the whole album uninterupted

To keep my blood pressure low

To challenge myself

To beat my previous race time

Because running shoes are cheaper than a therapist!

Because I believe that it is beneficial to my long term health!

Because some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints... I can't but I can run!

There are probably many other reasons why I run, but this is all I could come up with right now. You don’t have a reason to run or workout but chances are, you do! Just thought I’d share mine! Off to bed to get some rest before my big practice run tomorrow. And while most people are nursing their hangovers tomorrow, I'll have already burned 1200 calories! Pretty great way to start the day!

xoxo

Mary Jo

- Picture is me in high school, one of my last cross country races.

Charity Event - Tuesday Nov 2nd... Don't Miss it!

The following is an official press release, which is why it isn't written from my point of view. It's about the upcoming charity event that Brewskee-Ball, Amped 4-a-Cure and I are putting together on November 2nd at The Blue Post Billiards at 7pm.

Wilmington Brewskee-Ball Gets Amped For A Cure For Cancer

Wilmington, NC – Wilmington Brewskee-Ball, a local competitive Skee-Ball league, is teaming up with one passionate athlete and one inspiring organization to raise money for cancer research. On Tuesday, November 2nd, the league will host a charity Skee-Ball tournament at the Blue Post to raise money for Amped-4-A-Cure, an organization founded locally that supports cancer research through music.

The Story

When Brewskee-Ball member Mary Jo Fish decided to run the Battleship North Carolina half-marathon this November, she was determined to make it count. Teaming up with fellow Brewskee-Baller Ashley Rogers – a founding co-creator of Amped – she committed to raising money for his organization for each mile of the half-marathon that she completes.

Documenting her training on her blog, Fish has spent the last few months writing about her experience, her motivation as she goes through each day, and about her personal goal of making a difference in raising money to beat cancer.

The Organization

Before Fish or Rogers ever joined the Wilmington Brewskee-Ball league, Amped-4-A-Cure was making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Founded in 2007 in Wilmington, the organization has a unique approach to fundraising: utilizing the power of music to raise money and awareness.

By teaming up with recording artists around the globe and leveraging technology, communication, and artistry, Amped makes cancer research relevant to all ages by harnessing the connection of music.

The Event

Because of Rogers' and Fish's membership in Brewskee-Ball, and their collective efforts in making a difference in beating cancer through research, Wilmington Brewskee-Ball decided to bring even more awareness to their cause. On Tuesday, November 2nd, the league is hosting a charity Skee-Ball tournament with all proceeds going to Fish's fundraising campaign for Amped.

With a $10 suggested donation, the league is inviting everyone in the community to come out, play unlimited games of Brewskee-Ball all night at the Blue Post, and "roll for research." With food donated by local restaurants and prizes offered by area merchants, Wilmington Brewskee-Ball promises an exciting and fun-filled night for a great cause.

The Final Word

Help Wilmington Brewskee-Ball, Mary Jo Fish, and Amped-4-A-Cure fight cancer through research. Come to the Blue Post Billiards (1 S. Front Street, downtown Wilmington, NC), Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010, at 7 pm. For more information about the event and Wilmington Brewskee-Ball, email wilm@brewskeeball.com or call (704) 793.6467.

Please come out and support a great cause. It promises to be a great time!

xoxo

Mary Jo

Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence. - Vince Lombardi

Currently Playing: The Dueling Fiddlers –check them out, they are awesome!

I turned off my alarm, turned on my light, and sat up in bed. And all I could think was “WOW, maybe I really have lost it.” (By “it”, I meant my mind) It was 5:30 A.M. I’d attempted going to sleep around 11 P.M. (probably didn’t actually fall asleep till 1 A.M.), and now I’m waking up to run. Why? Well unfortunately I’m not a professional athlete who gets paid to run, if so I wouldn’t have two jobs right now. Plus, I hate to slack on training and making time for my runs can be quite a task especially when they are seven to eight miles long. Therefore there are times that I've had to sacrifice sleep and other things to get running in.

I’ve been told before that my obsession for running is insane (by more than one person), and that I need to not overdo it, or I’ll be in a wheelchair by the time I’m 30 (seriously, that’s a direct quote from a friend of mine). I realize that many people don’t begin to understand why I’d pound the pavement even when I’m not training for a race. Truth is, I run year round, rain or shine, hot or cold. There isn’t really anything that will keep me from running. I’ve been suffering from severe allergies or perhaps a cold, yet I’m still getting my mileage in. I even skip dinners with friends and going out at night so I could get in a run or get up early and run before work. Even more so than ever, I’ve felt that people don’t understand. But for me, running isn’t about whether other people understand; it’s about what I get from running and why I personally do it (I have lots of reasons, I'll post soon). I know that fellow runners understand the obsession. I'm okay with my obsession and competitive desire to want to achieve more, even if it does make me a little insane.

My runs lately have been going great. This Sunday will mark two weeks till race day (EEEKKK!!). The race is more than just being physically ready; it’s about being mentally ready as well. I’ve ran horrible in many races because I beat myself mentally before I even stepped up to the starting line. By the way, this can apply to many things in life. I’m not talking about knowing your opponent or all the plays but just mentally knowing that you can do it. Occasionally I recite mantras to myself, nothing complex, simply “Just Relax” or “Maintain, Maintain, Maintain”(referring to my pace). I haven’t had someone come out to one of my races in years, mainly because I never invite friends, as I find my running and racing to be selfish, and “my thing.” But when you have no one you know to cheer you on for your long training runs or even on race day, you have to be your own cheerleader. I think about a million things when I’m running, and it’s my time to think and clear my head but every once in a while I will come back to reality and realize the pain that’s setting in, and that’s when I just tell myself something positive. It truly helps – try it sometime you will be surprised!

I apologize that I’ve been so slack about. Training is going great and I’ve raised $400 dollars to date. I’m so excited and appreciative of everyone who has gotten AMPED and supporting me and a great cause.

There are only 2 weeks and a few days left till race day!!! Only $100 to go to reach my goal but hoping to exceed that amount! I’m definitely excited but you all should be too because there will be a way for you to get even more AMPED on Nov 2^nd with the BrewSkeeBall Charity Skeeball Event at BluePost Billiards in downtown Wilmington, NC. I will have details to follow soon.

STAY AMPED!

xoxo

Mary Jo

If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it, you have won your race.

Currently Playing: Mumford & Sons - Sign No More Album

I always seem to have trouble sleeping the night before events; not just races but little things like going on a trip home to Greensboro. I guess it’s the anxiety of not knowing what will come out of the day. With races, I know I’ll run, and in most cases I know I’ll finish (I can’t think of a race I haven’t crossed the finish line, even after twisting my ankle, I still managed to cross the finish line, my time was absolutely horrible but I finished).

I set four alarms so that I wouldn't over sleep for the Run for the Ta-Tas 5k. I hit the snooze button a few too many times yesterday morning which left me with just enough time to brush my teeth and get dressed. I have no problem with not eating before a short run like a 5K, it almost makes me run faster because I just keep telling myself that there is food at the finish line (and at most races there is a plethora of bagels and fruit). It was the most perfect temperature for running yesterday morning. I always ran Personal Records (PRs) in high school in October and November, the cooler weather seems to make me run better. Needless to say I was stoked when my car said it was 65 degrees.

The race went exceptionally well and I was hitting a great pace of 8:15 at times and only slowing to around 8:45 at other times. (Not sure if I have ever mentioned how I track my pace in races. I always run with my iPod but I have the Nike + chip that tracks everything through a chip in my shoe and a connector on my iPod. It is a great tool and the Nike + website is even better.) As I rounded the turn, and the finish line came into view, I just smiled because I knew that my time would be good. I try to hold off on giving it all I have until I can see the finish line to avoid burning out. I finished in 25:56 minutes (This is the official time. In the picture above, it says 26:04 - there's a time delay due my timing chip crossing the start/finish sensor). Which compared to the last race is a huge improvement and probably had something to do with the fact the course was so flat. I collapsed (as I usually do, I’m very dramatic and act like I almost died out there) within 25 feet of the finish line. After I bring myself to sit upright, I enjoy watching the other runners finish. It was great to see so many people come out and support a great cause. All of the proceeds from the run went to The Pink Ribbon Project at New Hanover Regional Medical Center here in Wilmington, NC.

I just want to point out that although women are clearly at higher risk for breast cancer, men can develop breast cancer as well. So I strongly urge any man who feels anything different in his chest to get it checked out. Early detection is key to fighting cancer.

FACTS:

- Exercise pumps up the immune system and lowers estrogen levels. With as little as four hours of exercise per week, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer.

- Each year, about 550,000 Americans die of cancer; fully one-third of these deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying excess weight.

What have you done today to lower your risk of developing cancer?

xoxo

Mary Jo