First Day Back

Today was my first official day back on the road with Team Baltimore! Though I'm not getting to run just yet, I was able to still be a part of the day with my team, acting as navigator and DJ for the van. It is definitely frustrating not being able to run miles, but being able to contribute at all is enough for me at the moment. Our journey today took us from Schaumburg, IL to Rensselaer, IN -- into the 10th state of our trip!

Schaumburg was an AMAZING experience. My teammate, Kristin, grew up in Schaumburg, which is right outside of Chicago. We were welcomed with a crew of cheering school children with balloons, open arms, couches, air mattresses, and a spread of snacks. Who could ask for anything else?? Kristin's family and friends organized some great activities for us while we were in Schaumburg. The night we arrived, after fantastic taco fiesta, we were able to talk to people from the community (including a service dog named JoJo) and tell them more about ourselves, 4K and Ulman Cancer Fund. I love getting to talk to people in the community because we can spread awareness for UCF and open doors to support for those who might unfortunately face cancer in the future. We want to make sure people know there are resources available to them.

Our welcome to Schaumburg -- Complete with a welcoming committee of cheering children!

Teammate Corryn, Service Dog JoJo, me and a boy from the community after speaking to St. Peter's Lutheran

Yesterday we had an off day that was packed full of activities! We started the morning with pancakes, eggs, fresh juice, fruit and chocolate milk. I have to mention the food because a hot breakfast is not something we get regularly... or ever. After breakfast, a group went to Gilda's Club Chicago to take breakfast and tour the organization. I highly recommend taking some time to read more about Gilda's Club. They share the same idea as Ulman Cancer Fund, that nobody should have to face cancer alone.

While we were there, we were taken on a tour of their facilities, which included everything from Noogieland play area to a yoga studio and private support group rooms. After taking a tour and learning more about what Gilda's club does, we were able to sit in on part of their teen camp and listen to a DJ teach the teens about music and what it takes to become a DJ.

Once we finished our tour, we headed back to Schaumburg where we got ready for our first scholarship presentation! This is something I had been looking forward to since I had become part of Team Baltimore. During the months leading up to 4K For Cancer, I was part of the scholarship team that read and evaluated scholarship applications. While this was honestly one of the most difficult parts of the experience, it was also one of the most rewarding because I had a hand in deciding where the money was going that our team had worked so hard to raise.

Our first scholarship award was given to a girl named Nikki, a 17 year old Thyroid Cancer survivor, who was from a suburb of Chicago. With this scholarship, she is able to attend college with a little help from Ulman Cancer Fund, and she has decided to apply for 4K for Cancer next year! It was so touching to hear her story, learn more about her and what UCF means to her. A real reminder of why we run.

Team Baltimore with Nikki, one of our scholarship winners.

To continue on with our unforgettable Schaumburg experience, we then went to Lou Malnati's, one of the best pizza places in the Chicago area, for some real deep dish pizza! Our dinner was graciously provided by the parents of Matt Peterson. Matt was Kristin's youth pastor who lost his battle to cancer a few years ago. Matt is one of the biggest reasons why Kristin is running 4K For Cancer, and Team Baltimore has adopted him as one of our reasons for running.

With full hearts and uncomfortably full tummies, we went to bed last night with a looming 3:30 am wake up call to get on the road to Rensselaer. We were originally supposed to be going to Watseka, IL. Unfortunately, their town was flooded and evacuated so we had to make a last minute change. Through 100+ degree temperatures and endless corn fields, Team Baltimore covered about 130 miles.

Along the way, we were stopped waiting for a group of runners to finish their leg and a man named James came and talked to us because we were parked outside of his work building. He introduced himself and told us that running saved his life. He used to way over 400 lbs but has now run multiple marathons and half marathons. He's currently training for the Chicago Marathon in October! He was so moved by our cause that he wanted to help us in some way and gave us his case of Powerade that he carries with him for work.

Top: Liz Cowle, Lindsay Rock, James, Allison Julie Brentzel, Matt Jordan, Hannah Rickets, Me
Bottom: Jenna Burnett, Danielle Prill, Allison Flitter, Corryn Wheatley

Getting to meet people like Nikki and James are part of what makes this journey so sweet. While James was not connected to cancer, running was a huge part of his life and saved him and inspired him to be something more.

A HUGE Thank You to St. Peter's Lutheran, Joe and Nancy Decker, James, Nikki, The Peterson Family for making our Schaumburg to Rensselaer leg so memorable. Thank you to my parents, my family, my boyfriend, and my friends for your continued love and support each day.

And thank you to the Memphis Grizzlies for retweeting my photo! #MemphisVSErrrbody Errrwhere!

On Staying Positive

Well, here I am. This is the blog post that I have been somewhat avoiding writing because it involves one of my least favorite things: injury. I have fallen victim to the most dreaded injury for runners -- the stress fracture.

The last two and a half weeks, I have been confined to one of those lovely, chunky, velcro, black boots. Unfortunately, it doesn't really match anything I try to wear and is quite the inconvenience when you're trying to run across the country. But, I know it is helping me heal (though it seems to take forever). This injury has added a new challenge to the summer that I was not expecting. The challenge of staying positive in the shadows of disappointment and frustration.

About two weeks into the trip, I was having some severe pain in my right shin. Hoping that it was just some shin splints from running 40 miles that week already, I taped it up with some KT tape, rocked my compression socks everywhere, took some Advil, iced, and continued on my merry little way. That day was a 14 mile total and I made it to about mile 12 and began to really hurt more than I knew I should. But, my stubbornness overpowered my common sense and I finished the last two miles of the day. A couple hours later, I couldn't walk. So, that escalated quickly.

Thankfully, we were heading into Sandy, UT which is right outside of Salt Lake City. One of my teammates has family in the area and was able to get a recommendation for me to see a doctor while I was there. Of all the doctors I could've been referred to, I was sent to Dr. Testa. He is one of the most experienced, respected and well known physicians in the cycling world. He has been a USA Tour de France team physician more than once, so I was having a bit of a "fan girl" moment when I found out that's who I would be seeing.

When I arrived in Salt Lake City the morning of my appointment, I was welcomed into an incredible training facility and office. After an X-Ray and ultra sound, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture and thankfully hadn't torn any muscle or ligaments. I was then confined to a crutches for at least 10-14 days, and a boot for at least 4 weeks. Not what a runner wants to hear. But, I had to shoulder the diagnosis and keep a positive mind.

As I was leaving the office with my teammate, we bumped into a triathlete that I have followed for a couple years. Cue "fan girl" moment number 2. Lora Erickson (@theblonderunner) happily chatted with us, asked us questions about our run, and then asked to take a picture with us so she could share it with her followers. Having one of your inspirations tell you that she is impressed with you is one of the greatest, most unforgettable moments.

Hannah Rickets, Lora Erickson, Margarett Frisby at Intermountain Live Well Center

Though I had a very unfortunate diagnosis in regards to my running and the remainder of the trip, I had an overall amazing experience with Dr. Testa, his colleagues and the Intermountain Live Well Center.

After a long back and forth discussion with my parents, my leaders and my team coordinator, we made the decision that I would take a leave of absence from the 4k for Cancer run for a couple weeks while I recovered and hobbled around on crutches. The thought of leaving my team for a couple weeks was completely devastating, heart breaking, and disappointing after working endlessly for months to make this trip possible. But, alas, the next day, I boarded a one way flight back to Memphis.

While I could've wallowed in self pity and become a stick in the mud, I promised myself that I would not let that happen. I would not allow this set back to ruin my experience and my love for 4K and running. I've had injuries before, and I'll most likely have injuries again. I opted to take care of my body, take a step back, rest at my parents' house, and rejoin the team in a couple weeks. I had worked too hard for the last six months for it to be blemished with a pity party. I'd rather have a dance party.

After a couple weeks of books, puzzles, and naps, I was given the clear to rejoin my team in Chicago! While I'm still sporting this boot, I am back where I belong, I am back where my heart was, I am back with Team Baltimore. I am so glad to be back with my team, even if I'm their cheerleader for now.

Staying positive throughout this recovery made it easier to stay in touch with my team without developing bitterness and FOMO (fear of missing out), allowed me to reunite with my team seamlessly, and continues to allow me to be a part of 4k for Cancer though I am not running until next week (very limitedly). Staying positive allowed me to remember why I am running, why I chose to do this, and made even clearer that this battle to recover is still so small compared to the battle of those fighting cancer. Fighting negative mentality is often half the battle of challenges.

“What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity.” - J. Sidlow Baxter

The Tenderloin to Wine Country

Have you ever met somebody that you feel utterly blessed to know? They are truly amazing from the outside to deep down in their soul? Multiply that times 27 and imagine how full my heart feels. After months of anticipation, we have finally started our running journey across the country! I am unbelievably lucky to have these new people in my life, hopefully forever.

I have to go back a couple days to update you all. It's been a wild couple of days, and I feel like I'm losing my mind when I remember we've only just finished our second day of running. To start off, I want to gush about San Francisco, because it's truly stolen my heart. I'm sure it wont be the last time I say that about a city. But for now, San Francisco is the proud owner.

Once Mary and I landed in San Francisco, we met up in the airport with 4 other of our teammates, Danielle, Leah, Hannah and Julie. After wandering around SFO for what seemed like MILES (am I allowed to complain about that even though I'm running across the country..?), we found the plane train that took us to BART and we were able to make our way to where we were staying. In order to save as much money as we could, we opted to stay at the Hostel International in what turned out to be the Tenderloin. If you're unfamiliar with the Tenderloin, it's a neighborhood in San Francisco that is full of... character. I honestly loved it.

Mary, Julie, Hannah, Leah, Danielle and I after meeting in SFO

While the other four girls shared a room, Mary and I were paired with two random people in the hostel. Though a little frightening at first, since we didn't know what to expect, we had AMAZING roommates for a couple days. The first one that we met was with her husband and his students. Her husband is a literature teacher and as a class trip, he takes his students to locations that are relevant to the novels or pieces that they are reading. The second roommate that we met is named Elly (HI ELLY!!!). And she.was.awesome. She is originally from Iran and was in San Francisco after biking from Vancouver! The group she was with was primarily 60 and over, though they had one 26 year old with them. The leader of the trip was in his mid-70s! Elly now lives in Ottawa, Canada and she welcomed Mary and me with open arms, strongly encouraging us to come visit her. I do believe I will take her up on that offer!

After getting settled into our rooms at the hostel, we went on the search for food. The surrounding area was primarily Asian cuisine so when in the Tenderloin, do as the Tenderloin people do! We went to a place called Turtle Tower where we had some traditional Vietnamese cuisine in bowls larger than I've ever seen!

Chicken Noodle at Turtle Tower

Fast forward to our first full day in San Francisco -- We started off the morning with a breakfast at the hostel and then got ready to go exploring. Our first stop was to go to Fisherman's Wharf and Buena Vista Cafe, as suggested by my former swim coach. We all piled around a tiny table at Buena Vista Cafe, enjoyed the famous Irish Coffees and laughter while making a plan for the rest of the day. After finishing our drinks and food, we meandered around Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, stumbling across little shops, street performers, and many more interesting characters. We were also sure to make the painful climb to the top of Lombard Street and the view was 100000% worth it.

Danielle, Leah, Lia, Hannah, Hannah and I in Fisherman's Wharf

Street Performer in Fisherman's Wharf

Danielle, Brandon, Kevin, Hannah, Lindsay, Julie, Lia, Leah, Mary and I at the top of Lombard Street

View from Lombard

Mary, Brandon and I

After spending a couple days and walking miiiiiiles around San Francisco, we cleaned up for our Send Off Dinner. Here, we got to meet Team New York, more of our teammates and some of our teammates' family members. At the dinner, the organization directors presented the top fundraiser awards and introduced everyone on the team. 

Team Baltimore - Send of Dinner

Saturday was full of training including van safety, CPR/AED, and procedures. I'll skip most of this since it's more boring than it sounds.

FINALLY Sunday arrived and we were officially underway for the 2015 4k For Cancer Run. Bright and early on June 14, Team Baltimore and Team New York met at Crissy Field near the Golden Gate Bridge. We all assembled for the traditional foot dip in the Pacific Ocean and had our first official dedication circle. Each morning of the trip, the team gathers for a dedication circle. During this time, we hold hands with our left hand facing up and our right hand facing down to represent us always giving and receiving support. We then go around the circle and say who we are running for that day. After doing the dedication circle, we do a 4K cheer to get us pumped for the day! We then lined up and began our journey running across the Golden Gate Bridge!

I ran my first day in honor of my friend Jess and Jamie Roberts, a 4K rider who was killed a year ago on her bike trip

Team Baltimore!

Running across the Golden Gate Bridge

Mary Clare and I were running partners for the day and we ran through beautiful wine country in Southern California. We finished our run in Vacaville Sunday evening and were welcomed to our the city by Church of the Epiphany. Thanks to Father Mack and the ladies of the church, we were fed an amazing meal and were provided a safe, comfortable place to sleep. It was an amazing way to start the trip!

The trip has been wild so far and I know I'm incredibly behind on blogging, but I promise I'll catch up soon!

Run, Frisby, Run

Hello from 30,000 feet! It’s pretty incredible how connected we are these days, and I am so thankful for that as I embark on this insane adventure (because now I can skype with my dog). I can’t wait to update everyone regularly about our days and what challenges we overcome throughout our next 7 weeks. As I sit here on this flight, I am reflecting and realizing how much of my life I have recently dedicated to 4k For Cancer and Ulman Cancer Fund and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

After boarding the plane to San Francisco with teammate Mary!

I can very candidly admit had no idea what I was signing up for when I initially submitted my application to 4k For Cancer, but I can honestly say it’s already been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. 

Seven months of planning, raising money, training, host phone calls, and anticipation are behind me and 49 days of running, laughing, (I’m sure) crying, and memories lie ahead of me. The camaraderie of the team, the frustration of struggling to find hosts, the passion that fuels the running, the money that we have raised, the stress of packing (and fitting everything into our issued duffel bags) – it’s all coming together and I can finally breathe somewhat easily, especially because my bag zips and I think that I remembered everything.

Amazing feeling to know that everything I need for the next 49+ days fits inside a duffel bag and backpack.

Over the next couple of days, I will be fueling my wanderlust as I adventure through San Francisco for the first time. Come Friday evening, our journey will truly commence. We will share a dinner Friday evening with Team New York and then we will (literally) hit the ground running on Sunday morning after a day of team training on Saturday. After leaving San Francisco, we will be making our way to Vacaville, CA followed by Placerville, CA. Below I have listed our full route!

Along with announcing our final route, I’d also like to take this time thank everyone who has donated and taken the time to reach out and send me love, support and encouragement. I will not be able to complete this adventure without you!

Vacaville, CA 6/14/2015
Placerville, CA 6/15/2015
Carson City, NV6/16/2015
Rest Day 1 6/17/2015
Fallon, NV 6/18/2015
Hawthorne, NV 6/19/2015
Tonopah, NV 6/20/2015
Alamo, NV 6/21/2015
Cedar City, UT 6/22/2015
Rest Day 2 6/23/2015
Delta, UT 6/24/2015
Sandy, UT 6/25/2015
Rest Day 3 6/26/2015
Evanston, WY 6/27/2015
Rock Springs, WY 6/28/2015
Craig, CO 6/29/2015
Laramie, WY 6/30/2015
Rest Day 4 7/1/2015
Scottsbluff, NE 7/2/2015
Mullen, NE 7/3/2015
Broken Bow, NE 7/4/2015
Aurora, NE 7/5/2015
Omaha, NE 7/6/2015
Rest Day 5 7/7/2015
Creston, IA 7/8/2015
Oskaloosa, IA 7/9/2015
Cedar Rapids, IA 7/10/2015
Rest Day 6 7/11/2015
Dubuque, IA 7/12/2015
Madison, WI 7/13/2015
Milwaukee, WI 7/14/2015
Chicago, IL 7/15/2015
Rest Day 7 7/16/2015
Watseka, IL 7/17/2015
Marshall, IL 7/18/2015
Evansville, IN 7/19/2015
Rest Day 8 7/20/2015
Louisville, KY 7/21/2015
Cincinnati, OH 7/22/2015
Columbus, OH 7/23/2015
Rest Day 9 7/24/2015
Canton, OH 7/25/2015
Slippery Rock, PA 7/26/2015
Pittsburgh, PA 7/27/2015
Rest Day 10 7/28/2015
Deep Creek Lake, MD 7/29/2015
Berkley Springs, WV 7/30/2015
Ellicott City, MD 7/31/20
Baltimore, MD 8/1/2015

Frisby vs. Errrbody, Errrwhere

Over the last few years, Memphis has gained great publicity thanks to the work of the Grizzlies. The team has brought attention to our city that, thankfully, does not include murders or a crime rate. While growing up in Memphis, it was easy to see that the city got a bad rap and was generally in the Top 5 on crime reports, obesity, or some other negative finding. But, there's one thing that those "scientific" researchers can't measure. They can't measure soul. They can't measure passion. They can't measure character. And they sure can't measure grit or grind.

Those things can't be measured, but they can definitely be felt. The city's reputation often precedes Memphis. People who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing a Grizzlies game, Beale Street Music Fest, Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studios, St. Jude, or the Memphis Zoo will chalk the city up to just being another big city. But, there's an ambiance in Memphis that can't be compared. 

From the boozy breath of Beale Street patrons to the bar-b-q aroma wafting through the air, the colorful sunsets over the mighty Mississippi to the winding trails in Shelby Farms, the bluesy notes drifting from B.B. King's to the screaming crowd in the FedEx Forum, there is truly something to entertain everyone in Memphis. But, no matter how locals choose to spend their time, they all have one thing in common; they are Memphians. And, I can tell you one thing. I am damn proud to be a Memphian. 

Though I'm currently living in Orange Beach, my family, my heart, and my soul will always reside in the 901. The determination of Memphis to beat the odds is instilled in each and every Memphian. That grit and grind has 100% led me to where I stand today. I've taken on challenges that most people would never think twice to attempt. That will continue as I travel this summer on a 49 day run across the country with 4k For Cancer and Ulman Cancer Fund. Each day I will need that grit and grind instilled in me from Memphis. I will have to beat the odds of failure and prove that I can make it, much like Memphis has been trying to prove to the rest of the country. 

This summer will be Frisby vs. Errrbody, Errrwhere. I will tackle each city, each road, each  mile with grit and grind. I will take the soul and passion of Memphis to each town and each cancer center. I will take Memphis with me errrwhere I go, this summer and forever. 

Thank you Memphis, for errrthing. 

To help support me, 4K for Cancer, Ulman Cancer Fund and Team Baltimore, visit: http://4kforcancer.org/profiles/margarett-frisby/

Standing Outside the Fire

Sigh... Here we are, 15 days into 2015 and I can confidently say that I am still procrastinating on my New Years Resolution to stop procrastinating. I was in the middle of composing a 2014 recap post, but got a little distracted with the New Year, work, and other day to day activities. When I continued to log back in over the last two weeks, I couldn't get the words to line up the way I hoped -- I suppose a general case of writers block. Today, I came to realize that my half-written post no longer conveyed what I was really trying to publish.

On this dreary and rainy morning, I, like every other work day, bustled around the house trying to get out the door for my 55 minute commute along Orange Beach roads and the stop-and-go Pensacola traffic. Normally, I listen to Podcasts or music on my phone. However, this morning I didn't feel like going through the hassle of untangling Aux cords, charger cords and whatever else manages to get stuck in the labyrinth.

I was scanning through radio stations of never ending talk shows (I just want music!) and I finally stopped on a country station that was playing a song I had heard a few times. Without me noticing, the station went to commercial and I mentally tuned back in when I heard the beginning of a Perceptions from the United Methodist Church. I'm not particularly religious but I do enjoy the Perceptions because it, as it states, puts things into perspective; reminds me to be thankful and appreciate.

This particular anecdote was about memories. It began by the narrator introducing listeners to a girl and a boy who were popular back in high school - he was a stud football player and she was homecoming queen. The story went on to explain that they were both stuck talking about the past memories and never make new ones. Memories are a blessing as they are carved deep into our minds and hearts. There are good memories and also bad memories, but they all shape our future.

Earlier today when I sat down to finish up the undeveloped 2014 recap article, I realized that I was essentially just harping on past memories. 2014 was quite a roller coaster for me and I can sum it up in a sentence or two. My family became smaller by 2 grandparents, close friends lost loved ones, I completed IM New Orleans 70.3, I  moved from Mobile to Orange Beach, I bought a new car, I got selected to participate in 4k for Cancer over summer of 2015, and I loved harder than I have ever loved. Through experiencing loss and pain, excitement and joy, I had the best people by my side and for that, I could not be more thankful.

Just recently, I began to truly understand how much I love and how deeply I feel things. That love is something I want to carry with me through 2015. Everything I do, I want to do through love and with love. I want to deeply feel every emotion and genuinely experience each day, not just go through day-to-day motions. I don't want to stand outside the fire (and Garth Brooks would be pleased).

This recent self reflection has brought a deeper appreciation for everyone in my life and for everything I set out to accomplish. So, if you are reading this, you are likely one of my family members or close friends who feels obligated to read my musings, and I want you to know that I am thankful for you. You mean the world to me.

Go attack each day and make it your own. Roll with the punches and do everything you can to be happy. Love hard, love deeply, and appreciate each person and day that you are given.

This Garth Brooks song has always been one of my favorites, but it has really hit me particularly hard recently. Isn't it great how music can do that? Take a listen to his lyrics and remember that life is not tried, it is merely survived if you're standing outside the fire.