Skip to main content

Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter

I worked on my first Kickstarter and it got approved! It’s for the Special Edition Hardcover of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer and the release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. I contacted my graphic designer about the Special Edition Hardcover of vol. 1: Archer—it’s going to be SO beautiful! The Kickstarter focuses on the Special Edition Hardcover, but it’ll also include vol. 7: Spinster so that it’ll sort of be like a launch day for vol. 7, too. A third special thing that’ll be in the Kickstarter is Special Edition Paperbacks of all the books in the series. They won’t be available in stores, just in the Kickstarter (and later, from my website, and also in my Patreon book box tiers if I decide to do them). The Kickstarter is not live yet, but you can follow it to be alerted when it has launched. (You may need to create a free Kickstarter account.) Follow Camy’s Kickstarter

Honolulu Marathon!

Captain's Log, Stardate 12.13.2010

I finished my very first marathon! And a huge thank you to everyone who prayed for me! I really felt those prayers! (See below.) My chip time was 7 hours, 13 minutes.

(Chip time is the electronically tracked time using a chip I got that attached to my shoe. Every time I passed a special strip on the road, the sensor picked up my chip, which was registered to my race number and identification, and that’s how my time was posted on my Facebook wall—the company who does the whole chip thing has a program that posted my time on my Facebook whenever I passed a chip sensor strip. For some reason, when I passed the 10K mark, it didn’t post on my wall, but it posted at 13.1 miles and on.)

We got to the starting line at 4:30 a.m. and the gun went off at 5 a.m., but I was so far in back that it took me about 10 minutes just to cross the start line. When I crossed the start line, my timing chip on my shoe recorded my start time, so my actual race time wasn’t affected by the fact I started so far back. There were 22,000 people so there were a LOT of people lined up for the race.

The weather was hot and rather humid but I’d much rather run in hot weather than cold weather because in cold weather, my hands get numb (even though my torso will be covered in sweat. Go figure).

I have been training using the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run method, and I also paid for 6 months of e-coaching with Jeff, and he suggested that for my first marathon, I should start at a :10 seconds run/ :50 seconds walk ratio for the first 5 miles, then up it to :15/:45 until mile 20, and then I can do whatever. So I did that.

The :10/:50 ratio kept me from starting off too fast, which is the biggest problem of most people who run marathons (from what I’ve read). You start off too fast, and then you completely poop out around mile 20. So I was really glad I made myself keep to that ratio.

I ran/walked steadily, although when I walk, I tend to walk very slowly. I’ve actually tried walking faster, and I always end up hyperextending my knee and being out of commission for a few days, so I stopped trying and just walk with a gentle stride. (I’m going to do a few exercises to strengthen my knee to see if that will help with the hyperextension.)

Anyway, when I walked in the marathon, everyone passed me. And I mean everyone. 90-year-old grandmas walk faster than I do when I walk.

But I kept running/walking, and the walking segments kept my legs fresh. I stopped to walk at each water station (there were 16 along the course) and drink water, eat gummi bears (to keep my blood sugar up) and also take electrolyte caps to replenish my electrolyte and salt since I was sweating so much.

However, around mile 8 or 10, I suddenly had a dull ache at the top of my right thigh, near where the tendon attaches to my hip. It made running painful and I started worrying I wouldn’t be able to finish the race. I started praying like you wouldn’t believe, and I knew a lot of people were praying for me, too, and I asked God to please take away the pain and help me to finish the marathon.

Then around mile 10, my left foot stepped on a rock. I didn’t sprain my ankle, but I definitely strained it a little. And I started worrying and praying again.

And do you know what??? By mile 13, the pain in both my hip and my ankle had died to only a twinge, and my hip pain (the worst of the two) stayed that way for the rest of the marathon. Praise God!!! The pain in my hip came back a few hours afterward, but by that time, I was so achy all over my body it was just one of a million other aches and pains.

By mile 18, I started passing a lot of people who were getting too tired/sore to keep walking or running. Thank you, Jeff Galloway!

At mile 20, I switched to a :30/:30 ratio and I really started passing people. I was running slower than I had in the beginning, but my legs felt pretty good (and my hip pain was still only a twinge).

However, and I don’t know why, but my right ankle started to hurt just like my left one, but I don’t remember twisting it in any way. It was really painful especially when I started running from a walk, so the longer run segments actually helped. I did a 1 minute/1 minute ratio for a while, but then I switched back to :30/:30 because we started going uphill around mile 23.

I was really starting to pass people by then, because everyone was walking up the hill. My ankles hurt, but my legs and lungs and heart still felt very fresh, and so the running was painful, but not tiring. Did I mention Jeff Galloway rocks???

Did I ever want to quit? NO. I was going to finish this marathon, darn it, and the only way I wouldn’t finish would be if I passed out on the course.

Was I in a lot of pain? Oh, heck yes. But I remembered a sign from one of the people cheering us on along the course: If it was easy, everyone would do it.

It was also hotter than the seventh level of hell, but since I’d done a lot of running at midday in California, the heat didn’t really bother me too much. I’m really glad I did that “hot running” training during the summer and early autumn.

I crossed the finish line and was so tired, I didn’t even feel any sort of elation. But when I saw Captain Caffeine just outside the fenced-off area for the finishers, I admit I started tearing up, because I was so hormonal and emotional from all that running.

The only thing I didn’t like was that they made the finishers walk ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PARK CLEAR TO THE OTHER SIDE to pick up our finisher’s T-shirt and medal. I mean, seriously. I’ve just run 26 miles. That extra 0.25 mile was torture.

I am definitely going to run another marathon! I hope I can run faster if I keep training. I think I’d like to one day run a marathon in 5 hours.

My race number/bib

Captain Caffeine took a picture of the clock to prove/complain we had to get up at the butt-crack of dawn to get to the race on time.

Don't I look amazingly chipper for 4:30 a.m.?

Some random shots of the other people at the race.



This is a shot of the finish line behind it, when finishers were heading to get their medals.

This is me, exhausted, before I heard Captain Caffeine call to me from behind the fence of the finisher's section.

I think I look pretty good considering my feet were screaming bloody murder.

This is Kapiolani park, where the finish line was.

Here are shots Captain Caffeine took of the volunteers at the race in their orange T-shirts.




This is a Banyan tree (I think).



I was being facetious and pretending to be a Japanese tourist.

My ankles were so painful, I sat on the curb and waited for my parents to drive around with the car to pick me up.

My post-race pig-out was at Kua'Aina hamburgers, which have the BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!
I had a burger with provolone cheese and avocado, and THE BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!!
Did I mention THE BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD???

My finisher's medal!


The backside

Comments

Linda B said…
Congratulations, Camy! What an achievement!
Karen Barnett said…
Way to go, Camy! I know that I couldn't have finished if I were in that much pain. You are amazing.
Cheryl Wyatt said…
WAHOOO! I teared-up reading this and especially the part about when CC (what a hero!) was at the finish line waiting for you!

AWESOME JOB CAMIKINS!!!!! I am SOOOO proud of you!

Hugs
Cheryl
tricia said…
Awesome and very inspiring! So happy for you!!
misskallie2000 said…
Congrats Camy. I would not have made it and so glad that you finished. Way to go.
You will always have your medal to remember once the pain goes away. lol
Captain Caffeine said…
For the record....it was way BEFORE the butt-crack of dawn.
LaShaunda said…
Congrats Camy,
More power to you girl. I use to hate to run the mile when I was in the navy. As I'm reading your post, I'm thinking why is this girl torturing herself. LOL

Glad you were able to complete your goal.
Aloha Tony said…
Wow, congratulations are in order for certain. It's a great story and I have to thank you for sharing it. I might just have to try and create my own marathon story next year. Start training now I guess.
Preslaysa said…
I'm so proud of you Camy. What an inspiration!!! You go girl :-)
Anonymous said…
Bravo Camy! Thank you for sharing how you got to this point with us; I've enjoyed reading about it a lot.

~Sasafras
Myra Johnson said…
Woohoo, Camy! You are amaaaaaaazing!!!! (Sez Myra from her comfy recliner.)
Congrats, girlie! I'm so proud of you! Wow, can't believe how far you've come and your determination along the way. So amazing!!! You're awesome! :-)

Popular Posts

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And

Camille's Writing Progress

Join my newsletter to get regular updates in your inbox!

Lady Wynwood's Spies Special Edition paperbacks covers revealed!

I’m in the process of formatting Special Edition paperback editions of all the Lady Wynwood’s Spies volumes so far. Click below to see the new covers for the Special Editions! (You may need to sign up for a free Patreon account to see the covers) As a bonus, I’ve also included an image of what the outside edge designs will probably look like! Check out the pretty new covers

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Camille's Writing Progress

Join my newsletter to get regular updates in your inbox!

Captivating, chapter 3

Captain’s Log, Stardate 06.30.2006 Blog book giveaway: My Monday book giveaway is CONSIDER LILY by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt. My Thursday book giveaway is LOVE ONLINE by Kristin Billerbeck and Nancy Toback . You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for CONSIDER LILY and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned. Haunted by a Question: Sorry, this is really long again. As before, some things I liked and some questions. Eve—What Happened? The authors say: “[Eve] brought strength to the world, but not a striving, sharp-edged strength. She was inviting, alluring, captivating.” I don’t know if I buy that. I don’t know if I really see how being inviting, alluring, or captivating is a strength. I understand how restfulness (restful inner beauty?) can be a strength, or solidity like a rock. To me, that’s strength. But being alluring? Captivating? Then they talk about “Why do so few wom

A List of my Free Blog Reads

Curious about what my writing is like? Here’s a list of all my free books and the free short stories, novellas, and novels that you can read here on my blog. I’ll update this post as I add more free reads. Christian Humorous Romantic Suspense: Year of the Dog (Warubozu Spa Chronicles series, Prequel novel) (Currently being posted monthly on my blog as a serial novel) Marisol Mutou, a professional dog trainer, finally has a chance to buy a facility for her business, but her world is upended when she must move in with her disapproving family, who have always made her feel inadequate. When she stumbles upon a three-year-old missing persons case, security expert Ashwin Keitou, whose car she accidentally rear-ended a few weeks earlier, is tasked with protecting her. However, danger begins to circle around them from people who want the past to remain there. Can they shed light on the secrets moving in the shadows? Christian Romantic Suspense: Necessary Proof (Sonoma series #4.1, n

Interview and excerpt - If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.30.2009 If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky Childhood sweethearts Kinna and Jimmy Henley had simple dreams–marriage, children, a house by the sea…everything they needed for happily ever after. What they didn’t plan on was years of infertility, stealing those dreams, crushing their hopes. Now, all that’s left is the memory of young love, and the desperate need for a child to erase the pain. Until… Kinna rescues an elderly woman from the sea, and the threads of the past, present, and future weave together to reveal the wonder of one final hope. One final chance to follow not their dreams, but God’s plan. Can they embrace the redemptive power of love before it’s too late? Or will their love be washed away like the castles they once built upon the sand? The past whispers to the present. And the future shivers. What if tomorrow never comes? Buy from Christianbook.com Excerpt of chapter one: Only the fog is real. Only the sand. Only t

What's a Kickstarter and what will I get from it?

I’m hoping to do a Kickstarter in late July or early August, and I thought I’d post this to answer a few questions you might have about it. What’s a Kickstarter and why’s Camy doing one? My Kickstarter is a crowdfunding campaign to fund the production of a Special Edition hardcover with dust jacket of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer. Depending on how this Kickstarter goes, eventually I would like to do Special Edition hardcovers of the other books in the series. For all you avid fans of the series, this Kickstarter will also offer an early release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. However, the main focus of this campaign is the Special Edition hardcover of book 1. Kickstarter isn’t a shopping website, but I admit I kind of feel like I’m shopping when I back a campaign for books or items that look fantastic! Why Kickstarter: Kickstarter enables me to produce the kinds of gorgeous special editions that I love and offer them to you, my readers, so you can