Let's Talk Ice Baths

Me at about 9 miles. Apparently, my legs were still bending at this point!

On our 14 mile run this morning my body was talking to me...so naturally I knew pain awaited me at the end of the run.  Morgan, a teammate of mine, and I (yes, the Morgans were in action together) talked ice baths during our run a few times, and we were dead serious.  Now, remember its 20 degrees outside and I have ice crystals hanging from my hair (unfortunately my picture doesn't do justice) but we were still considering.

I am kind of thinking this is a weird picture to make public, but I am just going to go with it!

Here's me in my ice bath (I am fully clothed).  I don't know what actually motivated me to do it right when I got home (maybe pain of stairs?), but it was terrible.  First off, there was no ice. I prompted my dad to get the ice and meet me in at my bath (now remember I am fully clothed), but by the time he was there, no ice was needed.  I WAS FREEZING! Let alone I had just been outside for 3 hours! So my ice bath was an epic fail.  My knee (the primarily pain place) was only in the cold water for 3 minutes total, so now I am back to manually icing.  So much for my ice bath that was really just a cold bath.  There is no doubt I will try again; I'll probably fail again, though.

A New Year Indeed

Yes, its New Years Day and I can't believe I have been up since 5:45am to run 8 miles and raise $75 dollars! If this isn't a good start to a New Year than I don't know what is!

A training this morning one of our coaches asked "Who had a different kind of New Years Eve than ever before last night?"

I proudly raised my hand as I thought about how I went to bed at 10:30 last night after watching New In Town on Netflix all by myself.  I can not remember the last New Years Eve that I wasn't even awake to ring in the new year, but I am more ready than ever for 2011!

And with a New Year comes a new resolution...

Unfortunately, this picture doesn't do justice for the horribly cold 15 degree weather this morning, but here I am getting ready to "boot block" today to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Now how does this relate to my New Year's Resolution?

Well, I am working on doing things out side of my comfort zone (notice I am running a marathon in March...not exactly something I am yet comfortable with), and standing on the corner of a busy intersection in 15-20 degree weather to raise money isn't exactly in my comfort zone. Today I have made steps to my new leaf.  And guess what??? It was a blast! Even if people just gave some change every little bit helps! Our group that went out raised $275 within 2 hours!

As a team member of mine said to a car who mentioned how cold it was: "This is a small pain compared to the one those individuals with blood cancers go through."

Help Us Fight Blood Cancers!

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.