A Warm Awakening

And a new running buddy...
For only a week though.

I spent Christmas with my family in Florida this year, so it meant that I got to run outside in the warm! What more could I ask for? I guess for it to never end.

It was absolutely wonderful to run in 75 degree weather.  The best 6 mile Christmas present ever (and notice: it was only 6 miles).   My sister-in-law and I found a 1.5 mile loop right by our resort that we were able to do three of our (well my) runs.  Thirteen miles of blissfully warm running. I can't wait to run in LA!

Our resort also had a "sculpting" class that we went to twice (why twice I don't know), but unfortunately the constant caution to those with knee replacements somehow mentally made me think I was doing an 80 year-olds workout.  And of course I can't lie but I was sore the next day, so I think I just psyched myself out.  I guess old people work out as hard as us "youngings," as our instructor called us a multiple times.

New Inspirations

It seems like every day brings a new dose of inspiration for me.  Through my fund raising mostly, I have heard unbelievable stories about families that have dealt with some kind of blood cancer in their lives.  I have learned how Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood related cancers have affected so many people just within my small scope of existence.

People I hardly know are telling me stories that keep me running each and every mile.  This past week, I had a woman donate $100 to my fund raiser I am having at my mom's quilt shop, and told me about her and her husband Bob's fight with this cancer twice. What courage it must take to not give up and to keep up treatment regardless of the fight that it will take two times.  I have never met this couple, but I can tell that they are like so many that keep on fighting, while still hoping for a cure.

It's amazing how many people have such personal stories to share with me.  Each one is just as important as the other.  They all are stories of individuals with power and fight within them.  And these stories are the ones that keep me going.

Originally, I wanted to run this marathon in honor of my grandma who passed away in August.  She was always wanting to help everyone in any way (I know if she were still around, she would be at every Bingo game trying to win as many quarters to contribute to me).  She would be so happy that now that I have found so much joy in helping others.  Now being part of Team in Training is so much more, but it all stemmed from the lessons that my grandma taught me about how helping others is the biggest fulfillment in life.

Exhaustion

I think that "Exhaustion" explains how I am feeling right now.  After running 10 miles this morning (which was actually easier than 8 miles a few weeks ago) and working all day, I am exhausted.  I think that I am going to have to relax after runs longer than 10 miles.  It's just tiring to be on my feet all day after running that distance.

This is Melissa and I in our new jackets! Unfortunately, Andrea couldn't wear her matching one with us too, but I am sure the next day that precipitation is present in our early morning runs we will be triplets running through Kansas City!

Our run today started at Panera, which sadly all week I had been anticipating because I knew it would be easy to talk anyone in to going with me after. I act as if Panera is a hot commodity that I can't ever have (which is not the case at all).  And as I suspected, we enjoyed a nice breakfast and coffee there after.  One coach commented on our last mile and half stretch (which happened to be very hilly), and I assured her that I continued to run with a Jalapeno Cheddar bagel in mind.  That is truely what got me through those grueling hills.

New Shoes

I feel as if I should be more excited about my new shoes.  After our 6 mile run on Saturday from Garry Gribbles Running Store, we all got new shoes.  I know exactly why I am not excited.  Even though I wore them running this morning and they feel like heaven, I just can't get over the size I had to get.

I swear it says 10 here, but I gave my trust to Jerri and let him tell me I really needed an 11 1/2!!! I know, I know...he's the expert here, but I am having a hard time accepting my large increase in shoe size.  I thought 10 was on the big side...but now 11 1/2?

I mean I only fumbled over my new enlarged feet once this morning on a run...

My Christmas Tree Needs Help!

It's somewhat funny that the fundraiser I am doing at my mom's store (Harper's Fabric & Quilt Co. in Downtown Overland Park) is to decorate this Christmas Tree with these ornaments that I have made today.  But here's the thing.  It really needs help (not because I am fundraising but because it looks kinda pathetic). Check it out yourself...

We even had our photo area set-up for a shoot earlier. You'd think perfect lighting and white black out cloth would make anything look good.  I did just move it to its alloted position next to the front counter and it looks much better standing tall on two antique suitcases.  I am hoping some people might see how pathetic it looks, so they will be sure to buy a home-made fabric ornament star.  Hopefully not more than five tonight, because that's all I have made.

Jacob or Snow?

I wish I could say that Jacob L. Loose watched us run pass him 3 times this morning as we circled Loose Park, but no unfortunately he faced the wrong direction.  Maybe he turned around to stare at the flurries just barely fly through the sky.

I wanted to be more excited about the snow, but ashamed that I thought it was cotton blowing from the trees (well I don't know from where exactly) I just couldn't muster any excitement for such a pathetic sprinkling.

But, my excitement today (besides our 4 mile run) was that I have finally figured out who Jacob Loose is.  He owned a biscuit making company.  Duh!

The Turkey Trot

Turkey and running! What couldn't make a better Thanksgiving? Well, maybe a few things, but I'll stick with the optimism on this holiday.

Hilary, Andrea, Holly, my dad and I all ran the 5K Turkey Run in Overland Park this morning.  Not too bad besides the 6,000 other people running and the 20 degree weather, but seriously it was good practice for our marathon.  Weaving in and out of people (now, no worries people were for sure weaving in and out of us), but it seemed somewhat counter productive that the line for leaving went from a 9 minute mile to the walking line.  I guess we should have gone closer to the 9 minute mile.  All and all, the traffic wasn't too bad after the first mile or so.

I guess our 3 mile training day was a success with the 5K! 

Runner's Remorse

First off, Melissa has joined our team! The more running friends the better! The picture above is after our 6 mile run today, and although it looks as if we are posing...well, we are because none of the running pictures turned out more than a blur.  The blurry ones are Facebook quality, but definitely not blog material.  And speaking of 6 miles...it was surprisingly easier than I expected.  Ok, the last mile was tough...but the last mile of our 4 mile run was hard too! It's just that last mile mental psych-out!

I promise that if it becomes a routine to see deers, I will not post my terrible Blackberry quality photos every post.  But TWO RUNS in a row our running buddy has been there...just creeping on us from the woods...

Now on to Runner's Remorse...I did some shopping today.  Some shopping for running gear, and I even went to the BIG sale Under Armor was having, but still I am having some remorse about buying running gear when I probably don't need it.  Or do I? I guess since it hasn't been under 40 degrees on any of my runs I feel like my "armour" is ok for now.  Maybe I will be feeling better when I have to run 18 miles in 15 degree weather.

Our New Teammate!

Alright, I might be acting like I have never seen a deer, but I didn't know they would let me get so close while it just sits there and watches me.  I am sure he was thinking, "what is that girl doing all bundled up, fondling around with her gloves and that Black device that looks nothing like a Berry?"

I wish our new teammate would have at least followed us, but when I mentioned that to Hilary...she looked at me like I was crazy.

He was gone after our 3 mile run...guess he got tired following us incognito in the woods. 

First Official Team Run

Saturday was our first official team run! 7 am wasn't all that bad and 4 miles was easier than I thought!  The training actually officially began with that run too! Just all this excitement!

I enjoyed running with the other team members and Andrea.  I was surprised to do it without my Ipod, which our trainer highly suggested we not get into a habit with our Ipods.  I don't want to have to rely on either, so it's good not using it on the longer team runs.  I am sure I'll probably still use it on my 3 mile run with Hilary tomorrow morning.

So far, so good and so much better than I expected already!

Meeting Emily

We had our Team in Training Kick-Off party last night and was great to meet our team going to LA!!! Our friend Andrea also joined the team so it will be great share these memories with her as well.  Along with meeting our team, we met our sponsors who have experience in running events with Team in Training, and will also be running it with us!

Most importantly we met our Honor Patient, Emily, who will be our united team inspiration. Her story truly gives me a hope and cause for what we are running for.  We are running to save lives like Emily's, through fund raising for research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Emily was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) on January 20, 2010 and is currently recieiving maintenance treatments that will last two years. She was only 20 years old and just getting ready to restart classes at KU after Winter Break when she got diagnosed.  After taking a semester off from her Speech Pathology major she received grueling and painful treatments that have battled the cancer so far.  Emily is now back in school ready to graduate in December 2011!  

Emily's story hit home with me, because she is so close to my age, lives close and is at a similar point in her life.  It feels like yesterday that I was a junior in college. This disease seems is so real, and I am so happy that I am running in March to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

As for the running...we haven't hit big runs yet.  Only the 2 and 3 miles so far, but come tomorrow (when training ACTUALLY begins) and the 4 mile run...I might have a different opinion.

Hydration or Dehydration

So today's run ended with the conclusion that the ease of the run has to do with hydration, well at least for the two mile runs we've been doing. 

Doesn't seem like a genius statement, I know. But Tuesday's run was harder for me because I was not as hydrated as I should have been; the few beers the night before soaked up some moisture (or maybe I can claim its still the cold weather).  Hilary's run today with her coffee guzzling habits was harder for her.  Both were consequences of our own dehydration.

I didn't know this was a profound statement until I spoke with my dad today.  I thought everyone knew.

He made me feel as if I was a genius, well somewhat.  He was skeptical of this and had really never thought that water effected your workout.  Yes, this is the man who works out religiously almost every day. 

Maybe I am not all that smart. Maybe I am wrong. When the robotic engineer heads to the gym tonight to test my hypothesis, we will see.  I am sure he is bound to prove me wrong.

Brrr!

I know I can seriously not even say that word yet...but I have to admit that this morning's run was much chiller than it has been the last few weeks.  Ok, maybe the coldest I ever have run in, not meaning much (it was probably in the 40s). We needed gloves (which, of course, my brillant running partner remembered, but I didn't) and ear warmers to keep us warm. 

Yes, I know that I have a few months of those extremely chilly runs and I have to admit that it wasn't all that bad.  It was a different kind of run, because I never got hot, but I didn't stay cold all that long.  I was, though, freezing once we cooled down.

I feel kind of guilty for even complaining about this, honestly. I have a feeling I might like running in the cold, once I can figure out the appropriate attire.

Day 2

Ok...2 miles is more work then Yoga but today's run was simple.  I think to myself...well I can at least accomplish about 1/13th of whole Marathon.  I guess I really am on my way :)

Hilary and I had been running on this path near my house, and today we opted out of the Hills.  I think we have decided this is just not a today thing; maybe a forever thing.  Not that we don't need to train on Hills, but these are massive and going down them is really rough on our knees, so we have vetoed those.

Today, I kept telling myself...
"You can't complain about 2 miles, considering this is just a small coverage of my end goal."
Luckily, I didn't have to tell myself too many times, but for some reason the last 1/2 mile wasn't as easy as the rest.  Probably because I knew I was almost done.  It's this whole mental game.

And here I go...

Believe it or not (because I am not sure I believe it yet), but I did sign up for the LA Marathon on March 20, 2011, last night.  Thankfully, my official first day of training happened to be yoga day so I am not groaning yet.

A friend of mine, Hilary, and I joined Team in Training which is the largest fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Through the team we get training, coaching, weekly practices and I am sure a lot more than I even know now.  Sounds like a lot of support so far, but I know this is something that I can do.  I just have to do it mentally.

This commitment is not all that random, because I have wanted to run a marathon for a few years.  Well maybe my goal had fallen recently to a half, but its something I have wanted to do.  I somewhat dragged Hilary to the meeting last night and we were both thinking before that even a half sounds like a lot. And well...what do you know...an hour later we've embarked in twice that! Thanks to Hilary's words of wisdom...

"Go Big or Go Home!"

So here we go! We are going big!