Almost Time for San Francisco

After completing the Nike Women’s Marathon/Half Marathon last year in San Francisco, even after all those long uphill stretches, I vowed to make my way back to San Fran for the 10th Anniversary of this race.  I also committed to run the race once again for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) with Team in Training.

As I have posted in the past, this is extra special because this year is also the 25th Anniversary Year for Team In Training (TnT).  Over the years, TnT has dedicated itself to training individuals, average individuals, to participate in endurance events while raising money and awareness for LLS.  Click here for the blog I wrote on what has been accomplished by this group in the last 25 years.

All that aside, I officially began this journey back to San Fran in March of this year.  Besides the much needed training, I was also dedicating many hours to fundraising, setting up events, organizing fundraisers, attending said fundraisers, and sending out MANY letters to friends, family, and frankly, anyone who would listen… I always say, the worse that can happen when you ask the question is the answer could be “No”.  Generally, that is not the case.

As of tonight, I have reached my minimum goal of $3200.  Actually, I have reached $3250 which is fantastic.  This does not mean I am done… You see, a small portion of the minimum amount a participant raises is necessary to cover the costs TnT incurs with the event (race entry, insurance, etc…) and the remaining 77% goes toward research, patient services, cures… Once the minimum is reached, 100% of every donation over that amount goes directly to the cure!

So, Yes, I have reached my goal. However, every donation I receive at this time will go 100% toward patient care services, research for cures, etc… Please consider a donation to help inspire me (even more) through my 13.1 miles in the hills of San Fran on October 20th.  You can CLICK HERE to donate.

In just about 10 days from today I will be crawling into bed early for a good nights rest before taking on the Nike Women’s Marathon/Half Marathon once again.  Along the way I will be thinking of each and every one of you who have supported me in the past, donated to this event or other events, and encouraged me to continue this journey with TnT.  It is the generosity of folks like you during this uncertain economy that truly inspires me to keep moving forward.

It is also the courage of our heroes that keeps me moving forward. Specifically, this one angel, my niece.  I posted a few weeks ago about my event in Philly and I described the photo that was captured at the end of the race when I was able to give her my medal… well, after weeks of searching through race photos, Marathon Photo found the picture and sent it to me.  This image will stay with me as I run San Fran in a few days.  I hope you can see the elation on my face, as well as that of my niece, knowing that every step, every mile, and every dollar is getting us closer to a cure.

My Step Brother, my niece Courtney, my Sister In Law, and me

Again, Thank you for all your continued support.  Bring on San Fran!!

Tempo Run Tuesday

Already into week 3 of training for the several half marathons I have at the end of the year.  First up on the schedule is Rock & Roll Philadelphia on September 15.  Although training is underway, this particular event is just for fun really.  I wanted to visit my sister in PA and figured why not visit when I can run a race I have been wanting to run.  As such, there are no real goals for this race other than finishing: without injury!!

In any case, it is a stop on my way to my real goals for the end of the year:  Finish San Fran Nike Women’s Half Marathon in under 2:30 (hills and all) and my big running goal is finishing St Pete Women’s Running Series Half Marathon in a PR of under 2:15.  Today I trained with that in mind.

Just a short tempo run at race pace: 2 miles at 10/mile was the target.  I finished with 10:03/mile average over 2.2 miles.  I am happy with that.  I actually could have kept going, but training for this race is, like the race itself, a marathon not a sprint.  I am not risking injury by pushing too hard, too fast.  A 2 mile tempo run was on the schedule for tomorrow, but I needed the cardio workout today (stress/work related).  I decided to swap today’s strength training with my tempo run and get my strength training in tomorrow.  (Actually, I think I like the idea of Tempo Run Tuesday so I might switch these days permanently!!)

That is it for now.  Remember, I am running San Fran (with all those incredible hills) as a fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with Team in Training.  Please consider supporting my efforts with a donation.  You can make a tax-deductible donation on my personal (and secure) website: Making it Count, NWM 2013.

Another Saturday, Another Long Run

Post 5.5 Miles in 100% humidity, UGH

Officially the Team Training started on June 15th for the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Fran (my next LLS race), but I have been slacking and not writing any updates. Fear not my followers and supporters…. I have been training, just not writing about it.

As a quick catch up, I am at about 20 miles a week. Some weeks are more, some are less: but I am still running (just slower in this dreaded heat). No injuries to speak of (knock on wood). The only issue I face is related to my asthma which has kicked up a notch in this humidity and my slight weight gain.

Yep, I have put a few pounds back on. Mainly due to stress snacking. Stress sucks!! After today’s run, with a new inhaler, I am back on track. My goal has not changed, other than extending the dates.

GOAL: lose 25lbs by my next race, September 15th, 2013
GOAL: gain the pace I lost with the weight gain by the next race.

Today was 5.6 mile long run. Other than running in a shoe I generally like for short runs, the training was not so bad. I am struggling in the heat and humidity of South Florida in the summertime: pace wise that is. As much as I hate the treadmill, I do at least one workout a week indoors to work on my pacing without the humidity factor. This is also my chance to get some hill work in with the incline on the treadmill.

On the fundraising front, I am almost 50% to my goal. I still have a few fundraisers going on. Specifically for those of you in South Florida, I have tickets for the Fort Lauderdale Improv at the Hard Rock Casino for sale. At just $15 per person, this is such a deal. The date is July 18th, so if you are in the area, contact me for tickets. It is a great cause and always a fun night at The Improv. Comedian for the main event is Dean Napolitano.

That is my update for now. More to come in July. Remember, you don’t have to go to one of my events to support my endeavors with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You can click this link to my page to read about my event and make a tax deductible donation. No amount is too small, so give what you can. Every dollar helps LLS continue to fund research into a cure for blood cancers.

From June 30th to Race Start