Happy 9 Months Angel

It's hard to believe already 9 months have passed since Ryan left us. So much has happened during that time. There have been some silver linings we have taken from what happened, and I want to write about one of those today. 

My sister has met an awesome and strong group that have been and continue to go through the same thing. They mean more to each other than any of us can ever understand. One of those women is Sarah. She and her husband Chet lost their son Holden on August 28, 2010. They, along with some other friends, created the Holden Uganda Foundation to build wells in Uganda that provide fresh drinking water. Each well is dedicated to a baby that left Earth earlier than we would want. Ryan's well is #10 (thanks to a generous and anonymous donation by a single donor.) 

Holden Uganda is holding their first 5K Fun Run for Water this Saturday August 27th, 2011 (one day before Holden's first birthday.) Whitney is really excited about the event and has been helping in the organization of it.  A Running With Ryan team has been created for the event with the goal to raise enough money to fund one well (the goal is $2246 - twice Ryan's birthday 11/23.) 

I have signed up to run the event "remotely" in California as part of the Running With Ryan team. I would like to ask you to make a donation if you can. No amount is too small. $5 donations add up and are very much appreciated. Thank you for anything you can give even if it is just support for the people involved.

Love You Angel Ryan!

Finished... Now Back To It

It's been a couple of months since I ran the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon and a little longer than that since I've written an entry for the blog. It seems every time I sit down to write about it the words just aren't there. It was such an amazing experience that I can't find the words to accurately describe how it felt to run that race with Ryan. She was with me the entire distance and definitely motivated me through the tough stretches.

Waiting in the corral for the race to begin.

It ended up being a warm and sunny race morning. There were so many runners that it made for a slow and crowded start. I was able to pick up my pace as the miles went along and my race splits started approaching my training times. In the end I finished at 2 hours, 7 minutes and 25 seconds. It was short of my goal, but I am content with it for my first half marathon, especially considering the slow start. Another person using a GPS watch said she actually ran 15 miles due to the zig-zagging around people, so maybe that also played a part.

My half marathon medal; pretty cool.

Ginger and me post race. Well done us!

Since the race I haven't been doing the full-on training for another half marathon, but I have continued running among other physical activities. I did run a 5K with the gym at work on my birthday. I finished in the top 10 with a time of 22 minutes and 59 seconds. I couldn't believe that pace after I finished. Crazy fast for me.

Me and other from the Sony running club after the 5K.

The training will start back up in earnest soon. I've signed up for another half marathon. I'm really excited about this one. I've been looking at it as a possibility for at least 7 months. I'll be running the Big Sur Half Marathon on November 20, 2011. That is three days before Ryan's 1st birthday, so that adds more meaning to it. I can't wait to give her this birthday gift. The course looks absolutely amazing as it winds along the cliffs of Monteray Bay in Northern California. Once again, I'm asking you to make any donations you can to the charities Whitney has chosen for Running With Ryan. Even better if you would like to participate in a race yourself, please buy a RwR t-shirt to wear and help raise money too.

Thanks everyone for your support leading up to the last race and for all the support I know will be coming for the next one. It means so much.

Love you Angel Ryan!

One Week to Race Day

It's exactly seven days until the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, which I chose as my Running With Ryan half marathon. This has been a decent week for my training, and now I start tapering off to be ready. I got in a little over 16 miles total in running to go along with a couple of days at the gym. I'm on a four-day weekend, including hosting a grill out session on Saturday (smoked two pork shoulders and some bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos). The first two days didn't include any running even though they were intended to. I did get in almost six miles today. Running Activity 5.91 mi | RunKeeper I'm ready to have some nice short runs this coming week and will probably have some other activities mixed in (tennis, hiking, etc.).

I'm a little nervous about the race, but I'm also extremely excited to do it. Physically, I'm ready. I know the tough part will be the mental push to finish the full 13.2 miles. Judging from my previous races the adrenalin will be high to start, so I'll need to keep that in check so I have some left in the tank for the last few miles. I know Ryan will be with me for the whole thing, so that will help push through any tough stretches I hit.

I made a donation to Molly Bears in honor of running this race with Ryan. It's a great cause, and I know the Ryan Bear has meant a lot to Whitney, Rob and Natalie. It's awesome knowing that my donation will mean that much to another family going through that pain. If you can, please make a donation to Molly Bears and help a grieving family. If you can make it in honor of Ryan that would mean a lot to our family as well.

Love You Angel Ryan!

Happy Six Months Angel

My sweet niece Angel Ryan. It's so hard to believe that six months have passed since you went to Heaven so much earlier than anyone anticipated. Around this time last year I was flying to Texas and getting to meet you for the first time. You were still only 3 months or so in my sister's belly, but you took part in adventures during that trip. There was a huge traffic jam in Louisiana where you got to experience your Uncle Michael's road rage. There was a crazy lightning and thunder storm as we got into Birmingham, Alabama where we stayed one night. And of course there was the deer that jumped in front of the van just outside of Atlanta.

Once back in NC, I talked your mom into a day trip to one of the most special places in the world to me Chapel Hill so I could get some pictures of you, her and Natalie. I don't think I had to do much convincing though. I was so grateful to get those pictures and became even more so about 6 months later. It was only a few days with you during that trip, but that was a great time I got to spend with you, your mom, older sister and puppy dogs.




Sadly I only got to spend a few more days with you in person after that. In the six months since November 23, 2010 I have enjoyed our runs together more than I can put into words here. I have a feeling you know how special they and you are to me. In 13 days I will do something that I set as a goal back in November as a way to honor you and help other people remember how special you are. I have been training for this half-marathon, and I am ready for it because of you.

Each of the last two Saturdays I've done challenging runs and you've motivated me on those runs. On May 14th I ran in the Cinco de Mayo 10K Trail Run at Lake Poway. It was up and down mountain trails including a huge incline up the mountain around the half-way point and an uphill finish. It was the most physically challenging run of my life, but every time I looked down at my shirt I saw your footprints and name. That pushed me to keep going. This past Saturday I ran twice around the Lake Miramar 5-mile loop to match my longest distance yet. Running Activity 10.01 mi | RunKeeper

On June 5th I'll beat that because I'll be Running With Ryan. Happy six months in Heaven my Sweet Angel.

Please try to donate to one or more of the charities that Whitney has chosen to honor Ryan. Remember to specify that the donation is in honor of Ryan Elizabeth Watts or Running With Ryan so it can be counted towards our goals. Thank you everyone for reading and remembering.

Love You Angel Ryan!

One More Month

It's exactly one month until the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon. The training has had its good weeks and its bad weeks, but more good ones than bad. Last week was a bad one because it seemed like I had something to do after work everyday. I got a run in on Sunday, then got to the gym on Monday and Wednesday. I went out to celebrate a friend's law school graduation on Tuesday, so there was no run that day. I did my Thursday morning run club at work and I did a 3 mile walk for the March of Babies with work on Saturday. That was a good time with coworkers and it was for a good cause that has a small relation to Running with Ryan. I wore my RwR shirt and had a few people ask about it, so hopefully it gave us some exposure. Still, only two runs during that week. Not my best effort.

This week has been "better" so far. I planned to run on Sunday, but it was perfect beach weather. I went down to the beach with one of my friends for a few hours then had fish tacos and a beer. No running after that. I came home Monday and got in a 4 mile run along the cliffs despite a tight hamstring making for a slow warm-up. On Tuesday my left leg was still very tight, but I pushed through for a 6 mile run on the cliffs and up the big hill. I switched it up and went to the gym Wednesday with some elliptical machine thrown in.

That brings us to today and one month from the half-marathon. I got up early this morning for my run club at work with no problem. We got a late start because the instructor was sick and couldn't run. Within the first half-mile I hit the edge of the sidewalk with my left foot and ate pavement, twisting my ankle in the process. I got up and walked a few yards and decided I could still run on it. I stayed at a slower constant pace, even dodging some obstructions in my path. I was able to finish the 5-mile loop feeling pretty good. I got back inside and did some post-run stretches, which is when the ankle started hurting more. By the time I had showered and dressed it was not feeling great at all.

The run instructor noticed my limping on the way out and asked what happened. I told her and she took a look at it. She said it is likely a sprain because of how I rolled it and where the pain was. She wrapped an ice pack around it and sent me on my way. Hopefully it starts feeling better as the day progresses and it doesn't end up being a sprain. I'm trying to stay off my feet as much as possible, so that should help. Tomorrow is an off day and I was only planning a short run on Saturday, so maybe it will be fine by then. We'll see. Either way the training will continue next week.

Please remember to check out my sister's blog at www.runningwithryan.net. Also please continue to send well wishes and any donations you can in honor or Ryan Elizabeth.

Love you Angel Ryan!

It's Official... My First Half-Marathon

I'm both excited and nervous about this, but I have officially signed up for my first half marathon. I will be running the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in San Diego on Sunday, June 5th.

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego

It's a big jump in race distance for me, but Running With Ryan makes it all worth it. I'm going to set a goal of 2 hours and 2 minutes, which would put me right around a 9:15 per mile pace. That is around my normal pace for 6-8 mile runs, so hopefully I can carry that over the full distance. I was able to run a much faster pace for the ACT Today! 10k earlier this month, but this race would almost double that distance.

I will be raising money for the four charities that my sister has chosen for Running With Ryan. They are Holden Uganda, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, Molly Bears and For Your Tears. I can take donations locally, but if you're not in San Diego it will be easier to donate online or mail a check to the specific charity. Please remember to specify that the donation is in honor of Ryan Elizabeth Watts, so it will help Whitney track the progress of Running With Ryan. You can also purchase Running With Ryan t-shirts and the proceeds will go to these charities. You can find more about all of these causes on the Donate page at Running With Ryan.

Thank you everyone for any donations and/or encouragement you send. Every bit of it is appreciated.

Love You Angel Ryan!

ACT Today! 10k

I ran my first race for Running With Ryan and it was great. I participated in the ACT Today! 10k. It was the inaugural race for the group, which raises money to help military families that have children with autism. I felt like it was a good way to kick off Running With Ryan for me because Rob (my brother-in-law) is in the Army and it helps children of military families.

I was in bed early on Friday night so I could be up at 6am for the 7:30 start time. I got ready and put on my Running With Ryan shirt for the first time; that was a great feeling. I arrived at Mission Bay in plenty of time and made my way to the start line. I met up with my friend Ginger to give her her RWR t-shirt for the race. A little stretching, the national anthem and we were ready to run.

I started out with a normal pace, but quickly got warmed up. My pace picked up after about 0.5 mile and I made my way onto Fiesta Island. I was passing a few people and felt like I was making good time. I looked at my watch and realized I was doing a bit under my normal pace. It stayed that way until around mile 4 and I slowed down a little, but I was able to pick it back up. I started passing quite a few Marines, so that had my adrenalin pumping. I got back to Mission Bay and finished the last .25 miles with as close to a sprint as I could.



I crossed the finish line at 53:23, which is an 8:36/mile pace. That's at least 30 seconds better than what I normally run! I finished 17th in my age group, which I was quite satisfied with. (http://www.y-events.com/11today10k.htm) Ginger finished a little behind me, and we were both happy to finish our first Running With Ryan race. It's a good start with more to come.



Love you Angel Ryan!