Team in Training Fundraising Site Set up!
Visit here and help fight blood cancers!
My Team in Training Fundraising Site
Becky Runs |
My summer Team in Training running log |
Visit here and help fight blood cancers!
My Team in Training Fundraising Site
Friday- Ran 5 miles in the Baylands in Palo Alto (pic). Befriended some sea gulls. It was MUCH harder after turning around and going back because it's WINDY by the bay! Last Saturday was the kickoff day- easing us into Saturday mornings- we had to be at the Hyatt around 9:30. I'm amazed by the support Team in Training gives- there were at least 5 volunteers just in the parking lot directing us where to go. We met our Mentors- mine is James who is in his second season, and coincidently enough, grew up in Noblesville, IN just north of where I grew up!
We also were introduced to our Honorees, who are those who have been affected by blood cancers and astounded that our speaker, Keith, is not only an honoree who was only last year diagnosed, but is also competing in both the Hawaii and Nike Marathon.
Monday- Ran 7.3 miles at one of my best paces yet- 7.35!
Tuesday- We had our gear clinic where I was tempted by all kinds of new fun running gear. If there is anyone in the S. Bay who runs- definitely go here, they really care about making sure you're getting the right things. Bought a water belt that makes me look super hardcore and some socks. :) (then came back on Friday for another pair of shoes- mine are great for short runs, but needed a half size up for my longer runs so my feet have space to swell...)
Wednesday- 3.5 mile Treadmill run with incline between 3-4% Need to start training my legs for the SF hills!!!
Thursday- Spin class!!! I love these cross training days- but man did my legs burn! Mary-Anne at Vivre in Palo Alto is a great instructor who really keeps you accountable to putting on the resistance you need.
This morning was our first Coach led long run starting at Los Gatos High School. I had my Nike+ kit on from my car and my warmup- so I logged 8.2 miles, but the run was only supposed to be 6 miles. I also missed the marker to turn around... and went about a mile over. They don't allow you to train with headphones while in Team in Training, so this was the first time I've run a considerable distance without music. It's an interesting twist to talk to the people around you vs. pumping along to Daft Punk, but I would have thought it to be much harder. I actually enjoyed hearing my breath and my stride, I think it kept me more honest about whether or not I could keep the pace. It was great to have food afterwards and people clapping as we finished... though, I think that might have been what spun my stomach into knots for this whole afternoon. We had an Honoree speaker, Doug, at today's run who told his amazing story of his clinical trial and a new drug that was just approved by the FDA that was horrible at the time, but has him in a 3 year remission... 3 years past when the doctors originally told him his life expectancy was. I'm blown away by these people who have been so brave to put these drugs (this one is a mustard gas derivative) in their bodies not knowing how terrible the side-effects might be, and they still come out and give us water, or run with us. It's really a testament to the strength of the human spirit and reminds us why we're there.
Go Team!
Height- 5'10"
Current Weight- 146 lbs Current Average Weekly Running Mileage- 15 miles
Current Diet Coke or other Caffeinated Beverage Intake- ~4 a day
Biggest Food Weakness- Cheesy Mexican and Mt. Dew
My Power Foods- Avocados and Bananas! Least Enjoyed X-Training- Weights- especially legs... ugghhhh or Yoga- don't have the attention span for it
Most Enjoyed X-Training- Spin class!! My Inspiration- My mom, she's not a blood cancer survivor, but she's a breast cancer survivor who thanks to some amazing drugs is 5 years cancer free this year!!!
Why am I running a marathon? To challenge to my body and my athleticism, to meet new people and to support a great cause.
So at the encouragement from my boss, Fadi, who has completed several events with Team in Training, I've taken the plunge and signed up for a FULL, yes, 26.2 miles of on my feet goodness. Did I mention in was in San Francisco? The hilliest city ever!?
Here's the event-
http://insidenikerunning.nike.com/category/events/nike-womens-marathon/
More to come later!
Documenting my journey to 26.2 miles on Oct. 18th 2009
Donate to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at My Fundraising Site
