The True Inspirations

This past Saturday was our first 20 Mile Run (out of two) before we head to LA in just 4 weeks.  It was the best run yet, and I really think there were so many reasons why.  Below is our team at 5 Miles and at 15 Miles.  Sorry we forgot to take pictures after the 20 Miles.  I guess we were all anxious to get to the ice bath.  What was amazing about running 20 Miles was not that we ran it, but what got us through it.  I am very lucky to have two of the girls I run with working at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, because Saturday when times got tough running, Kourtney and Morgan both told inspirational stories about their closeness with patients and families who have struggled with blood cancers.  The stories were truly the ones that got me through the run. We are making a difference and helping to fund research for the cure for blood cancers.  Kourtney said it perfect (something like this), "those who have blood cancers are fighting much harder and are in much more pain than us."

Today, I had another inspiration.  Not necessarily the most happy moment, but it reminded me of what I am running for.  I have mentioned before about a customer who I have never met whose husband has Lymphoma, and she supported me with a contribution and a very nice email.  When I got to work this afternoon, a note was left for me about her coming in from Lawrence.  She wanted to meet me and tell me some devastating news.  Her husband, after battling Lymphoma for the second time, was now put on Hospice.

After receiving this note, I knew that I would have to write a very difficult email letting her know that her family and her husband were in my thoughts and prayers.  It's truly devastating that now his blood cancer has taken over his life and time has run out for him.  He has put up a strong fight for years, and on March 20 he will be in my thoughts as I run those 26.2 Miles.  In a reply from his wife, she wanted me to know that she appreciated everything I was doing.  This meant the world to me and will always stay with me. I am helping and bringing hope to many that I don't even know, and this is one of the most powerful things I have experienced from all of this.

LA-Like? Maybe?

Today, is one of those days that is a pure tease.  It's February and I am running in a tank top in 60 degree weather thinking about how wonderful the months to come are.  It just never works that way.  Those fluke nice days in February just give me a taste, more like only a droplet of Spring, and then terrible weather creeps from behind the corner to get us a few more times.  But who am I to be negative about such a wonderful running day in February!

So as I am running, I am thinking about LA and how it will be similar to this. Unfortunately, the only thing similar was the weather and the disgusting port-a-potty I had to stop in (well, from what I have heard).  I came up with way more differences:

- Instead of dodging puddles of melted snow, other racers will be dodging to get around me during the race.

- Crowds of people will be cheering me on from the sidelines; not brown snow littered with trash that only crunches when I accidentally step on it.

- Bikers won't be zooming by leaving their trail splashing on my face

- And, I'll be running 26.2. miles, instead of 4 Miles (which turned into slightly more)

As I finish this post, I almost want to delete it, because it sounds as if I had a horrible run today when in actuality, I had the best run I have had in weeks.  Or maybe, it's because I just know that LA will be so much better than the Leawood trails that I am accustomed to.

We have our first 20 Mile run this weekend! And another Sewing Saturday Fundraiser (why I scheduled it after my 20 Mile run is unknown to me)! Look for an update!

Running All Day

I really felt like yesterday my entire day consisted of running.  And to be frankly honest, it did.  I woke up and ran 4.5 miles with the team and then had to leave for class. I felt guilty, but extremely lucky at the same time.  Since the snow has been so bad, we have been in limbo all week of where we would run come Saturday.  Lucky us, it was Shawnee Mission Park and it's massive hills.  I felt lucky when I was done with my small one loop, but guilty that everyone else was enduring much harder of a workout than I was.  I give them much more props for finishing their 18 miles in Shawnee Mission Park.

After class, I headed to gym to hang out with this thing.  Nothing like my friends with Team in Training.  It doesn't talk back, and worst of all it has a 30 minute time limit! I can not complain, because my 13.5 miles might have seemed to be endless, but I am much more proud of everyone else for accomplishing the dreaded course of Shawnee Mission Park.  One of these days, I am sure I will come to terms with this course.

I had established a little plan of how I was going to get 13.5 miles in at the gym where the time limits on the incredibly busy treadmills are somewhat of a burden.  Here's how my workout played out:
3 Miles (Running and yes, I did go over my limit considering that I don't run a 10 minute mile)
1 Mile (Bike=12 Minute Mile)
3 Miles (Running, over my 30 minute limit again)
1 Mile (Bike=12 Minute Mile)
3 Miles (Running, over my 30 minute limit again)
1 Mile (Bike=12 Minute Mile)
1.5 Miles (Running, finally under my time limit)
It wasn't exactly how I would have wished my 18 mile run went, but I had been dreading this day since I signed up for the marathon knowing that I would have to perform magic to get this run in without the support of my team.  I could have done it outside, but since I only have one outside running outfit that couldn't get washed in time, it just wasn't happening.  Yes, yes, maybe I am too much of an over-planner and could have just winged it without obsessively planning all week, but I guess that's just me.

So my day full of running, ended around 5:00pm.  If I wasn't running on the treadmill or at Shawnee Mission Park, I was frantically racing to be to class on time, which I was not.

I am really looking forward to my 20 Mile run in two weeks (yes, I did just say that), so that I can get back on schedule without this cockeyed treadmill predicament.  We have 6 weeks left of training. Three 8 mile runs, two 20 mile runs, and then the finale of 26.2 Miles!!! 

And thank you to Tyler, for helping me format my blog, so that it doesn't look like I am a novice blogger, as well as a novice runner. 

Oh, Snow Days...

Yes, it's a blizzard here (well not so much anymore) and I am waiting for my driveway to get cleaned off so I can go to the gym. It's really the only thing I can think about because I am so sick of being trapped in my house.  I ran on Monday in fear that I wouldn't make it to the gym with the blizzard coming, and just barely squeezed my work out in yesterday morning with my dad (who knew my dad would kick my butt with his workout).

So, I've also been shopping.  Well, to be accurate, I haven't bought anything yet.  I keep opening the links that some of Team in Training girls have been exchanging through emails; and I mean by keep opening them, I mean I re-open them about every hour or so, thinking that I am ready to make my decision and then can't do it.  This is a hard decision; what am I going to wear on my lower half for the marathon?

I thought about sharing pictures, but I decided I wanted it to be a surprise. I don't know why, but if I release this information then all the fun goes to waste, and my posted marathon photos will not be a surprise.  I resemble the model so much that my readers/fans (the so many that I have) will think that I have already run the marathon in these funky pants.

Only Ten Miles and A Thousand Dollars

Thankfully, this weekend was only ten miles.  Honestly, ten miles now seems simple compared the longer mileage that we are doing.  The marathon is seven weeks away from today, and after my 16 miles run last weekend I am truly feeling confident that I will pass through the finish line on March 20.  Unfortunately, not first to win the car (I had to give up on that goal early on in training realizing that speed just wasn't going to happen for me).

For about a month now, Hilary and I have been planning a fundraiser for my mom's store that was last night.  It was The Best of 2010 Gallery Open House where the customers, students, teachers and staff of my mom's quilt store, Harper's Fabrics & Quilt Co. had the opportunity to display their work in a gallery type of open house which cost $10 for the evening.  I fostered up lots of silent auction items, raffle items and food from the Downtown Overland Park area (where the store is located).  I am so thankful for how giving everyone in this neighborhood was.

The fundraiser was a huge success! I didn't anticipate all the people that came and am so thankful for everyone who came to spend the evening with us and those who donated items and their time in helping.  Together Hilary and I raised around $1,200 that evening. I am so happy with the turnout and support! And, of course, am very thankful for my mom's support and letting me use our small business as a venue!

A Saturday Success

I don't know if I have ever accomplished so much in one Saturday.  I ran 16 miles and raised $455 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

It all started at 5:30am when I woke up to indulge in a bagel and peanut butter to give me energy.  I didn't even really need my alarm Saturday morning, because I was honestly tossing and turning thinking about what I was going to do if my knee couldn't make it on this 16 mile run, since it just barely got me through 14 miles two weeks before. I had been nursing it carefully with ice and barely running for two weeks (although, I did get my 4 mile birthday run in), but I was scared that my knee would be what would stop me from completing my goal.

Before I headed out at 6:20am I took some Advil, and I don't know if that was what was different, but I honestly felt like I had a new knee! Thanks to the City of Leawood we had clear trails and a beautiful view during our run.  I can't lie that it wasn't easy, but I also feel bad complaining considering that my knee worked (seriously, like a new knee!) It wasn't pain free, but it wasn't nearly as painful as my 14 mile run. I guess it could have been the electrolyte supplement I took, too and I don't know and probably won't know until our next long run, when I am sure I'll try something else new.

Here's my "Snow Bath", where my dad got the shovel and covered me with snow and I sat for about ten minutes.  It was cold, but I think that it was beneficial, and I can officially say that I think it cut my recovery time in half (I mean I don't really know because I have nothing to compare it to considering it's my first 16 mile run).

Saturday Night was my very first Youth Sewing Saturday Night where all the proceeds of the evening went to my fundraising efforts.  I had 13 girls come to sew, eat pizza and of course have fun! It was a great turnout and thanks to one of my co-workers who volunteered her time to help me, we all had fun with treats and a raffle (I think I was more excited about the raffle than they were)!  Thanks to my mom for donating her portion of the class and making some treats, all the girls who came out for it and especially to Joyce for helping me keep track everyone!

I found out today that this week marks our honor patient Emily's one year since she was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL).  She has fought so hard and is still fighting; she is doing great and has overcome so much. She and every other patients and survivors are the true heroes to every story.  This money that I have raised this weekend goes towards the research to fight Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers. There is no better way I have spent a Saturday than running and teaching sewing to help cure blood cancers.

My Dilemma

So for the last week my knee has been bothering me every time I have run, so I have been doing my miles in different ways to let it heal before our 16 mile run this weekend.  As seen below this is me ice swimming this weekend for my 8 miles...

Just kidding...I was, though, impressed with how long I was able to swim (in the pool, of course).  I was suppose to  do an hour and half (the amount of time it would take me to run 8 miles) but thought that was going to be nearly impossible, and was actually shooting for an hour.  Well I swam for about an hour and 20 minutes.  Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with the swimming genes of many of my cousins but I was still impressed considering I haven't swam for 10 years or more!

So tomorrow's my 25th birthday, and all I seriously want for my birthday is to run my 4 miles and know that my week break of running (but not training) has paid off and my knee gives me no pain.