My honored teammate this season is Erica Barth.
I met Erica early in November when I was at the Silver Spring, MD American Cancer Society office one day for a meeting. I had forgotten my lunch at home and was standing at the front desk consulting the Chinese food menu to find something to eat when a young, beautiful blond haired girl walked into the office with her boyfriend. As I stood looking at the menu, I heard this young girl as our Admin. person, Gissella, if we had any wigs available in the office. We do have a wig room in each one of our offices so women can come in and receive free, brand new wigs; however, Gissella had to let this young woman know that the wig room was becoming very low in its stock. Before the girl could leave, I introduced myself to the girl and asked her what kind of wig she was looking for. She told me her name was Erica, and as I had expected, she was looking for a long blond hair wig, just like the hair I saw her with. I reiterated to her what Gissella said about the wig room, but told her that we had just had an event with the Washington Redskins and I thought there was one long hair blond wig leftover in the Vienna, VA office and I could check to see and let her know. Erica was excited and told me that would be wonderful. I then got to talking to her, asking her what kind of cancer she was being treated for and asked her if she needed any other resources. She told me she was just diagnosed in September with Hodgkins-Lymphoma and would be beginning chemotherapy in the next coming weeks. In addition to a wig, her biggest concern was that she lacks health insurance. I was able to give her a bunch of different resources--including financial assistance information from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. By the end of our talk, she thanked me over and over for being so kind and letting her know about more information in the 5 minute conversation than anything she has been told in the past 2 months. A hug later and she was gone.
After verifying that the blond wig I had in mind was still in the Vienna office, I made arrangements with Erica to send her the wig in the mail, as she lived an hour away from the closest office to her. A week later, Erica left me the best voicemail I think I have ever received to date. On the voicemail, Erica, in her so cheery voice, said 'Hello Sarah, this is Erica! I am just calling to let you know my boyfriend was waiting for me yesterday at my house with the package you sent me and I put on the wig and it is just so perfect and beautiful! It is so perfect that I started crying and I know it sounds silly because you think it is just a wig, but it's not just a wig. It's perfect timing because I just started to lose my hair and now I don't have to be embarrassed when I leave the house. I can't thank you enough, you are an angel and the nicest person I have ever met. I would love to take you out to lunch or for a drink or something, I can't tell you how happy this has made me. I can't wait to hear back from you, or I will call you later in the week.'
I can't tell you how much this made my heart literally smile. I immediately called her back and thanked her for her kind words and she refuted the thank you saying, no, THANK YOU. She then reiterated pretty much everything she said before, but also added when I said, you really like the wig?, she says, are you kidding?! I feel SEXY in it! Again, my heart smiled! Do you know how HUGE it is for a woman undergoing chemo to say they feel sexy?!
I then asked, in lieu of a lunch or drink, told Erica about my en devours with TNT and asked her to be my honored teammate. She said she would absolutely love to be.
It might seem odd that I have taken a random stranger as an honored teammate. Erica really touched me and I just feel so motivated by her spirit. I also feel a connection to her, she is turning 26 years old in January and never thought something like this could happen to her. It made everything a little more real to me--ironic because I am around cancer patients all the time. Here she was, almost a mirror image of me, facing chemotherapy, losing her hair, and battling to cancer.
Erica will be joining me and my team at our honored teammate picnic on January 10th with the entire Team In Training Spring Season. I think it will be a great way for her to see how much she is not alone in her cancer fight and to see how many people are out there fighting for her as much as they can.
Please help Erica's fight and consider donating to my efforts. Your donation, no matter how large or small, could help Erica's financial burdens through the Leukemia and Lymphoma's financial support system which you can read about here: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page.adp?item_id=4599
Please stop by my donation page and spread the word: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/cmc09/sness
Happy running!
Don't forget to smile :)
GO TEAM!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Why donate?
One of the many lessons I have learned through my job at the American Cancer Society and through Team In Training is that unless people are directly connected to the cause, they tend not to give. Obviously, this is not always true, but definitely tends to be the trend. So, as someone who works for an organization that asks for money and is now a second year participant required to raise money, I have to ask myself, how do I explain to my friends, family and strangers why it is so important to donate even the tiniest amount to my efforts for another 26.2 miles, especially given the current economic state we are all lucky to be a part of.
To begin, I always say, any amount that one can give is greatly appreciated and helps in the fight. I like to tell my friends that instead of that one or two beers at the bar, you could donate that money to my efforts. It’s incredible to think that a simple 10 dollars from merely 10 people raises 100 dollars, which incidently is just about enough to cover the cost of a wig for a woman undergoing chemotherapy. This tactic generally does not work. So, I will go for the more tangible.
Two weeks ago I held a Christmas party at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC through my job at the American Cancer Society. I had been wanting to get my volunteers involved with children’s oncology floors for some time, but with all the projects on my plate, it had taken a while to get this one underway. Finally, in the beginning of November, I began to put together a holiday party in December at Children’s Hospital. I had been in collaboration with some other colleagues and members of another organization and quite frankly, it became more stressful than anything. To put it into perspective, I had a perpetual stress headache for the entire week leading up to the event. There was chaos and miscommunication and it had gone from an event that I was so excited to do to being one that I absolutely dreaded. After the week of stress, I finally decided on Friday to put everything aside, know that my volunteers would be great and that we were going to put on a great day for the kids.
Sunday of the party came and I headed off to Children’s Hospital with 75 tiny milk cartons glued to paper plates, boxes and boxes of graham crackers, dozen cans of frosting, many bags of candy, tissue paper, the Polar Express book, a Karaoke CD and about a hundred teddy bears all in preparation for the activities we had planned for the kids. If you couldn’t tell, the milk cartons, icing, graham crackers and candy were all the materials needed to make gingerbread houses. We were there from 2-5pm that day and saw anywhere between 5 and 20 kids at any given time. We began the party with each of my volunteers sitting at one of the tables in the craft room making their gingerbread houses. The first boy came in with his sister and sat next to me, his name was Miguel and he looked about 8 years old-turns out he was 15. The boy was the cancer patient and his sister, who was about 10 was there to support him. He had a hearing aid and several other issues going on. I talked him through how to put together the house and piece by piece we put it together. As Miguel worked on his house, another young girl by the name of Jennifer came in. Jennifer must not have even been ten years old yet and was hooked up to a machine, which she maneuvered round like a seasoned pro. She had no hair, but wore a pretty pink bandana, matching her pink fingernails and pink shoes. In addition, Jennifer wore a hospital gown and a mask, as she was one of the inpatients. Between Jennifer and Miguel, I thought to myself for a moment that I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get through the afternoon. My eyes were beginning to well up, but I fought it and pulled myself together. From there, we had about 15 kids join the room working with all my fantastic volunteers building the most creative gingerbread houses. Some of the kids tended to enjoy eating their houses more than they liked to build them. In fact, one of the young boys sitting at a table across the room from me asked my volunteer, ‘Who made this frosting?,’ ‘Betty Crocker did,’ my volunteer told him, and the boy answered ‘Where does this Betty Crocker live, I want to go to her house!?’. We had quite the laugh.
Many of the nurses came in and saw what a wonderful time we were all having. At one point, I went up to one of the inpatient rooms to see a young girl who just had brain surgery, she was 8 years old. She was upset she couldn’t come to the party, so I brought up the materials to make her gingerbread house. Many of the other inpatient nurses came down to get supplies for their patients who also were not allowed out of their rooms. They were all so happy to see the kids having a great time.
After the gingerbread houses, we did a little holiday karaoke and then we had the children break off into two different groups and using white, green, gold and red tissue paper, dress up two of my volunteers as frosty. After an initial hesitation, the kids really got into it. By the end, all of us were in the room laughing at the two volunteers dressed head to toe in tissue paper as Frosty. By the end of the day, all the stress of the event was forgotten and I realized that it turned out to be more than I could have imagined. What a great day of work.
Okay okay, so what is the point of my story? The day at Children’s hospital was absolutely incredible. It’s incredible to see these kids, barely even 10 years old, living a life that I can’t even imagine. Later that evening, I had gotten to thinking of Jennifer and how it didn’t hit me at the time of seeing her that she had no hair. Because I work for the Cancer Society, I am used to women who have lost their hair; however, that night when I thought of Jennifer, it made me even more amazed at the spirit she has. I said to my roommate Erin, who came with me that day, I remember how cruel kids were at her age for the silliest reasons, can you imagine being her age and not having any hair? There was another girl there by the name of Sandra who was just one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. The nurse told me at the end of the event how excited she was to see Sandra so happy because it was the first time in a month that she was able to leave her room. And she did leave her room, but dressed in head to toe in hospital gowns with gloves and mask on. But you could see the smile in her eyes.
The point of my story is this. I am not touched personally by cancer. I am not touched personally by blood cancer, but I also know I do not want anyone in my life to ever go through the things that I get to see on a daily basis. Your donation has the power to prevent a child like Sandra to ever have to be in a hospital. Your donation has the power to help those there get better.
Perhaps I am lucky in that everyday between my job and my involvement with Team In Training that I get to meet incredible individuals like Sandra and Jennifer and Miguel to remind me that what I do is so important. I chose my career and my participation as a charity runner because the things in my life have made me want people going through whatever they are to know they are never alone. Without fail, you get this sense from those honored teammates of ours that know about Team In Training. Specifically, the honored teammate that spoke at our breakfast 3 weeks ago told us that when her treatments got too tough, or things were just seeming too big, she thought of the wave of people dressed in purple crossing the finish line of their events, and she knew she was not alone. Many of you reading this do not get the chance to listen to the beneficiaries of the donations that come in through these wonderful events. You don’t get to hear someone with leukemia tell you that the thought of what you do makes them feel stronger and not alone. But I’m here to tell you that the dollars you donate to me, the dollars that I represent with every step I take, are helping so many people you can’t even begin to imagine feel stronger. You are giving someone you don’t even know one of the greatest gifts, and that is that they feel they are not alone.
So, that is my little rant for the day… Don’t forget to smile!
GO TEAM!
To begin, I always say, any amount that one can give is greatly appreciated and helps in the fight. I like to tell my friends that instead of that one or two beers at the bar, you could donate that money to my efforts. It’s incredible to think that a simple 10 dollars from merely 10 people raises 100 dollars, which incidently is just about enough to cover the cost of a wig for a woman undergoing chemotherapy. This tactic generally does not work. So, I will go for the more tangible.
Two weeks ago I held a Christmas party at the Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC through my job at the American Cancer Society. I had been wanting to get my volunteers involved with children’s oncology floors for some time, but with all the projects on my plate, it had taken a while to get this one underway. Finally, in the beginning of November, I began to put together a holiday party in December at Children’s Hospital. I had been in collaboration with some other colleagues and members of another organization and quite frankly, it became more stressful than anything. To put it into perspective, I had a perpetual stress headache for the entire week leading up to the event. There was chaos and miscommunication and it had gone from an event that I was so excited to do to being one that I absolutely dreaded. After the week of stress, I finally decided on Friday to put everything aside, know that my volunteers would be great and that we were going to put on a great day for the kids.
Sunday of the party came and I headed off to Children’s Hospital with 75 tiny milk cartons glued to paper plates, boxes and boxes of graham crackers, dozen cans of frosting, many bags of candy, tissue paper, the Polar Express book, a Karaoke CD and about a hundred teddy bears all in preparation for the activities we had planned for the kids. If you couldn’t tell, the milk cartons, icing, graham crackers and candy were all the materials needed to make gingerbread houses. We were there from 2-5pm that day and saw anywhere between 5 and 20 kids at any given time. We began the party with each of my volunteers sitting at one of the tables in the craft room making their gingerbread houses. The first boy came in with his sister and sat next to me, his name was Miguel and he looked about 8 years old-turns out he was 15. The boy was the cancer patient and his sister, who was about 10 was there to support him. He had a hearing aid and several other issues going on. I talked him through how to put together the house and piece by piece we put it together. As Miguel worked on his house, another young girl by the name of Jennifer came in. Jennifer must not have even been ten years old yet and was hooked up to a machine, which she maneuvered round like a seasoned pro. She had no hair, but wore a pretty pink bandana, matching her pink fingernails and pink shoes. In addition, Jennifer wore a hospital gown and a mask, as she was one of the inpatients. Between Jennifer and Miguel, I thought to myself for a moment that I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get through the afternoon. My eyes were beginning to well up, but I fought it and pulled myself together. From there, we had about 15 kids join the room working with all my fantastic volunteers building the most creative gingerbread houses. Some of the kids tended to enjoy eating their houses more than they liked to build them. In fact, one of the young boys sitting at a table across the room from me asked my volunteer, ‘Who made this frosting?,’ ‘Betty Crocker did,’ my volunteer told him, and the boy answered ‘Where does this Betty Crocker live, I want to go to her house!?’. We had quite the laugh.
Many of the nurses came in and saw what a wonderful time we were all having. At one point, I went up to one of the inpatient rooms to see a young girl who just had brain surgery, she was 8 years old. She was upset she couldn’t come to the party, so I brought up the materials to make her gingerbread house. Many of the other inpatient nurses came down to get supplies for their patients who also were not allowed out of their rooms. They were all so happy to see the kids having a great time.
After the gingerbread houses, we did a little holiday karaoke and then we had the children break off into two different groups and using white, green, gold and red tissue paper, dress up two of my volunteers as frosty. After an initial hesitation, the kids really got into it. By the end, all of us were in the room laughing at the two volunteers dressed head to toe in tissue paper as Frosty. By the end of the day, all the stress of the event was forgotten and I realized that it turned out to be more than I could have imagined. What a great day of work.
Okay okay, so what is the point of my story? The day at Children’s hospital was absolutely incredible. It’s incredible to see these kids, barely even 10 years old, living a life that I can’t even imagine. Later that evening, I had gotten to thinking of Jennifer and how it didn’t hit me at the time of seeing her that she had no hair. Because I work for the Cancer Society, I am used to women who have lost their hair; however, that night when I thought of Jennifer, it made me even more amazed at the spirit she has. I said to my roommate Erin, who came with me that day, I remember how cruel kids were at her age for the silliest reasons, can you imagine being her age and not having any hair? There was another girl there by the name of Sandra who was just one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. The nurse told me at the end of the event how excited she was to see Sandra so happy because it was the first time in a month that she was able to leave her room. And she did leave her room, but dressed in head to toe in hospital gowns with gloves and mask on. But you could see the smile in her eyes.
The point of my story is this. I am not touched personally by cancer. I am not touched personally by blood cancer, but I also know I do not want anyone in my life to ever go through the things that I get to see on a daily basis. Your donation has the power to prevent a child like Sandra to ever have to be in a hospital. Your donation has the power to help those there get better.
Perhaps I am lucky in that everyday between my job and my involvement with Team In Training that I get to meet incredible individuals like Sandra and Jennifer and Miguel to remind me that what I do is so important. I chose my career and my participation as a charity runner because the things in my life have made me want people going through whatever they are to know they are never alone. Without fail, you get this sense from those honored teammates of ours that know about Team In Training. Specifically, the honored teammate that spoke at our breakfast 3 weeks ago told us that when her treatments got too tough, or things were just seeming too big, she thought of the wave of people dressed in purple crossing the finish line of their events, and she knew she was not alone. Many of you reading this do not get the chance to listen to the beneficiaries of the donations that come in through these wonderful events. You don’t get to hear someone with leukemia tell you that the thought of what you do makes them feel stronger and not alone. But I’m here to tell you that the dollars you donate to me, the dollars that I represent with every step I take, are helping so many people you can’t even begin to imagine feel stronger. You are giving someone you don’t even know one of the greatest gifts, and that is that they feel they are not alone.
So, that is my little rant for the day… Don’t forget to smile!
GO TEAM!
Why Another 26.2.....
Well it’s a little less than a year later, and I am back with Team In Training to do another 26.2 miles while also raising money to find a cure for blood cancers! This marathon takes me to Nashville to run on April 25th—5 days after my 25th birthday! Many of you may have known that I had attempted to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October this past year following the first marathon in June, but I think my body was just burnt out and needed a break, so I deferred my race number until next year.
While I am not one hundred percent confident that my body is ready for another race (mostly due to stress), I decided that I wanted to join up with TNT for my second round after going to watch the Marine Corps Marathon in October. After a bit of hesitation (I didn’t want to feel like a quitter watching a marathon I had signed up to do), I decided to go and cheer on some friends, and one of my former Coaches for my San Diego season, run with a few of my old Team In Training teammates. Now, for everyone that has read my blog in the past, or has talked to me since my experience in San Diego, you know the enthusiasm I have for the marathon. However, I have to say, watching the marathon was just about as inspiring for me, if not more, than running it was. Perhaps it was because I went as someone who has already completed one, but watching thousands of people of all ages, races and abilities pass before me to get to the finish line was just so incredible. My friends and I stood at mile 18, the time when things get to be really tough, and clapped and screamed for literally 4 hours straight. We were there for the first man and woman to pass and stayed until the very last person went by, with the cop car following them and all. So, you may ask, why is it so inspiring to watch crazy people run so many miles?
I think the marathon and any endurance race is such a testament and tangible piece of evidence of the human spirit. To begin, watching the leaders, both the men and women, who pass by with such apparent ease and grace, looking as if they have barely broken a sweat, is almost an unreal sight on its own. Then, behind them are thousands of everyday people. The elite runners barely make up 5% of the race, leaving 95% or more racing towards the finish. Us non-elite runners have NO chance of coming in first, of gaining any fame or taking home any money. So, why do we do it? We do it because we are all trying to prove something. I’m not even sure if we all know what it is what we want to prove, but you can see it in the faces of each runner as they pass you on the sidelines. I think it definitely helped to have gone through one to really appreciate what was happening in front of me. As someone who has been there before and was standing at mile 18, it was easy for me to understand what most of them were feeling. Mile 18 is when what you are doing really starts to set in. The, pardon my language, ‘oh fuck what the hell was I thinking signing up for this?!’ Before that, thanks to the adrenaline, you are enjoying the ride. But at around mile 18, you start to notice pains and realize, oh shit I have another 8.2 miles to go. Many many people, Lance Armstrong included, have been quoted as saying, 13.1 miles is NOT halfway through the marathon, but rather it’s when you hit mile 20 that you are at your halfway point. Mile 18 is just about there. So, for all intense purposes, I think that miles 18-26.2 is when that human spirit that I was talking about really shines through. You see it in every one of the faces that passes by you. I have seen many movies/interviews with even the elite runners that talk about the absolute struggles of the marathon. Yes, even those individuals who at mile 18 look un-phased by 18 miles, are hurting and are battling through, and even though you may not SEE it, you know they are because that is the marathon. You see it in those who hear your cheers of encouragement and although they are appreciative, are at the point in their run that they would really rather tell you to just shut up, as they struggle to tell themselves to keep going. You see it in the face of the charity runners, who proudly wear their causes on their racing shirts and as you scream out, “GO TEAM,” burst out into a smile. You see it in the face of the stranger who is struggling and you call out the name on their shirt and even if it is just for a few steps, they speed up, just a bit. You see it in the man who has no legs and is peddling his way with his arms on a skateboard. You see it in the last man in the race, being hurried along by the cut-off car. Maybe I am nieve in thinking that anyone, runner or not, who watches a marathon would be moved, but I think it’s impossible not to be. I think it’s impossible because how is it not inspiring to watch so many people at the same time conquer things they might have thought unimaginable? As I said, it’s the closest thing to a tangible understanding of what life is all about-every day people conquering things they thought unimaginable.
Clearly, I didn’t leave my spectator experience of the marathon upset that I did not participate. Rather, I left inspired to sign up for my next one. It was as if I remembered why I love running again. So, here I am, about 5 months out and back with TNT again. This season, I am not only running as a member of TNT, but I have gotten a bit more involved and I am a Team Captain. As a Team captain, I am a mentor to the members on my team, helping them with fundraising tips, team building and tips on what to expect. Because of the holidays, I have only seen my team twice, once at the Kick-off breakfast and then at our first run. At the Kick-off breakfast, I decorated my table with different colored garland, mardi gras beads, purple pom-poms and then made goodie bags for each of my team members that consisted of Gu (the energy gel), silly star sunglasses, ridiculous little wristbands, candy and Accelerade. After the first run, a few of us went out to breakfast together and got to know one another a bit more. Between my teammates, the rest of the teams, and my fellow Team Captains, I think this season is going to be a blast all around! We have already made plans for game nights/pasta Fridays before Saturday runs, and I can tell that this group definitely likes to have as much fun as they do sweat it out in the many miles!
My goal this season is to get my teammates across that 26.2 mark in April and to fall in love with running. I truly want to go out to Nashville in April and have fun with the Country music and have as much of a great experience as I did in San Diego. Along the way, I definitely would like to raise a good chunk of money to go towards finding a cure for blood cancer—which I will talk about in my next blog.
Until then, I’ll see you out on the trails. Don’t forget to smile!
GO TEAM!
While I am not one hundred percent confident that my body is ready for another race (mostly due to stress), I decided that I wanted to join up with TNT for my second round after going to watch the Marine Corps Marathon in October. After a bit of hesitation (I didn’t want to feel like a quitter watching a marathon I had signed up to do), I decided to go and cheer on some friends, and one of my former Coaches for my San Diego season, run with a few of my old Team In Training teammates. Now, for everyone that has read my blog in the past, or has talked to me since my experience in San Diego, you know the enthusiasm I have for the marathon. However, I have to say, watching the marathon was just about as inspiring for me, if not more, than running it was. Perhaps it was because I went as someone who has already completed one, but watching thousands of people of all ages, races and abilities pass before me to get to the finish line was just so incredible. My friends and I stood at mile 18, the time when things get to be really tough, and clapped and screamed for literally 4 hours straight. We were there for the first man and woman to pass and stayed until the very last person went by, with the cop car following them and all. So, you may ask, why is it so inspiring to watch crazy people run so many miles?
I think the marathon and any endurance race is such a testament and tangible piece of evidence of the human spirit. To begin, watching the leaders, both the men and women, who pass by with such apparent ease and grace, looking as if they have barely broken a sweat, is almost an unreal sight on its own. Then, behind them are thousands of everyday people. The elite runners barely make up 5% of the race, leaving 95% or more racing towards the finish. Us non-elite runners have NO chance of coming in first, of gaining any fame or taking home any money. So, why do we do it? We do it because we are all trying to prove something. I’m not even sure if we all know what it is what we want to prove, but you can see it in the faces of each runner as they pass you on the sidelines. I think it definitely helped to have gone through one to really appreciate what was happening in front of me. As someone who has been there before and was standing at mile 18, it was easy for me to understand what most of them were feeling. Mile 18 is when what you are doing really starts to set in. The, pardon my language, ‘oh fuck what the hell was I thinking signing up for this?!’ Before that, thanks to the adrenaline, you are enjoying the ride. But at around mile 18, you start to notice pains and realize, oh shit I have another 8.2 miles to go. Many many people, Lance Armstrong included, have been quoted as saying, 13.1 miles is NOT halfway through the marathon, but rather it’s when you hit mile 20 that you are at your halfway point. Mile 18 is just about there. So, for all intense purposes, I think that miles 18-26.2 is when that human spirit that I was talking about really shines through. You see it in every one of the faces that passes by you. I have seen many movies/interviews with even the elite runners that talk about the absolute struggles of the marathon. Yes, even those individuals who at mile 18 look un-phased by 18 miles, are hurting and are battling through, and even though you may not SEE it, you know they are because that is the marathon. You see it in those who hear your cheers of encouragement and although they are appreciative, are at the point in their run that they would really rather tell you to just shut up, as they struggle to tell themselves to keep going. You see it in the face of the charity runners, who proudly wear their causes on their racing shirts and as you scream out, “GO TEAM,” burst out into a smile. You see it in the face of the stranger who is struggling and you call out the name on their shirt and even if it is just for a few steps, they speed up, just a bit. You see it in the man who has no legs and is peddling his way with his arms on a skateboard. You see it in the last man in the race, being hurried along by the cut-off car. Maybe I am nieve in thinking that anyone, runner or not, who watches a marathon would be moved, but I think it’s impossible not to be. I think it’s impossible because how is it not inspiring to watch so many people at the same time conquer things they might have thought unimaginable? As I said, it’s the closest thing to a tangible understanding of what life is all about-every day people conquering things they thought unimaginable.
Clearly, I didn’t leave my spectator experience of the marathon upset that I did not participate. Rather, I left inspired to sign up for my next one. It was as if I remembered why I love running again. So, here I am, about 5 months out and back with TNT again. This season, I am not only running as a member of TNT, but I have gotten a bit more involved and I am a Team Captain. As a Team captain, I am a mentor to the members on my team, helping them with fundraising tips, team building and tips on what to expect. Because of the holidays, I have only seen my team twice, once at the Kick-off breakfast and then at our first run. At the Kick-off breakfast, I decorated my table with different colored garland, mardi gras beads, purple pom-poms and then made goodie bags for each of my team members that consisted of Gu (the energy gel), silly star sunglasses, ridiculous little wristbands, candy and Accelerade. After the first run, a few of us went out to breakfast together and got to know one another a bit more. Between my teammates, the rest of the teams, and my fellow Team Captains, I think this season is going to be a blast all around! We have already made plans for game nights/pasta Fridays before Saturday runs, and I can tell that this group definitely likes to have as much fun as they do sweat it out in the many miles!
My goal this season is to get my teammates across that 26.2 mark in April and to fall in love with running. I truly want to go out to Nashville in April and have fun with the Country music and have as much of a great experience as I did in San Diego. Along the way, I definitely would like to raise a good chunk of money to go towards finding a cure for blood cancer—which I will talk about in my next blog.
Until then, I’ll see you out on the trails. Don’t forget to smile!
GO TEAM!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
WE DID IT!!!!
Hello Everyone!
I'm officially back in DC, back to work, and back to reality! What an amazing journey the past four months of my life have been and I couldn't have imagined a better ending than I had last weekend in San Diego. I can't do the weekend justice just talking about the marathon, so here's a little recap of my weekend that felt like summer camp.
I'm officially back in DC, back to work, and back to reality! What an amazing journey the past four months of my life have been and I couldn't have imagined a better ending than I had last weekend in San Diego. I can't do the weekend justice just talking about the marathon, so here's a little recap of my weekend that felt like summer camp.
Thursday Night/Friday:
After a mere 4 hours of sleep on Thursday night due to some interruptions, Kerry and Moses picked up me and our teammate Lauren who crashed the night on my couch to go to Dulles Airport at 5am. At 8:15, we were up in the air, off to the West Coast. I was entertained by the horrible acting skills of Katie Holmes in the movie 'Mad Money,' then cried like a baby to the movie 'The Bucket list.' Once the movies were over, I knew the weekend was going to be perfect because they played an episode of 'The Office.' Six hours and not a minute before I was ready to jump out of my skin we were landing in San Diego. As I looked out the window at the area, I said outloud, 'I may never go home,' apparently a little louder than I thought as Kerry burst out laughing several rows infront of me.
After we picked up our baggage, we loaded up onto the TNT bus to the hotel. I'm not gonna lie, I totally felt like an Olympic athlete. We stayed at a Marriot in Mission Beach that was complete with beds and hammocks poolside.
Kerry and Me on the way to the Hotel... 
Hotel Pool:
After we checked into the hotel, we headed over as a group to the Marathon Expo that was down at the Convention Center. For those of you who are not runners or have never been to an expo, it's where you pick up your race number and time chip and then are released onto a floor of endless discount running gear---aka it's like releasing a fat kid in a candy store. Perhaps it was the exhaustion, but I managed to control myself and not buy one thing!
Hotel Pool:
After we checked into the hotel, we headed over as a group to the Marathon Expo that was down at the Convention Center. For those of you who are not runners or have never been to an expo, it's where you pick up your race number and time chip and then are released onto a floor of endless discount running gear---aka it's like releasing a fat kid in a candy store. Perhaps it was the exhaustion, but I managed to control myself and not buy one thing!Moses, Lauren, Me, Kerry and Hector outside the Expo:
After the expo, Hector, Moses, Lauren, Kerry and I walked around the Gaslamp District of San Diego. As we walked around, I stated that I didn't believe actually lived in San Diego because it was just too damn perfect. If I lived there, I would call into work sick everyday, it just wouldn't work out. We wandered for what seemed like hours, and I was getting cranky because we were approaching a 17 hour day of being awake ontop of a 4 hour night of sleep. Nonetheless, we rallied and Hector, Moses, Kerry, Lauren and I met up with some of Hector's friends who lived in San Diego and they took us for a dinner in Coronado. We sat by the a window that overlooked the bay onto the San Diego skyline. I treated myself to Swordfish and wine---the marathon was still a good 24 hours+ away. On the way home from dinner, John Melloncamp's song "Jack and Diane" was on the radio, and I had one of those life is perfect moments as I was riding through beautiful San Diego and all of us singing under our breaths, "Oh yea, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone...".Group of us at dinner with San Diego in the background....
Hector, Lauren, Me, Kerry and Moses outside our Restaurant trying to capture the view we had...
Hector, Lauren, Me, Kerry and Moses again, closer view...
After 22 hours of being awake, it was time for bed....Saturday:
Of course I wake up ready to rock n roll at 4 am Cali time, 7am East Coast, on Saturday. I laid in bed and forced a little more sleep until it was time when a bunch of us went out and did a quick 1.5 mile run to remind our bodies why we were actually in California. After our run, we went to Michaels to get the all important iron-on letters for our racing singlets, and then it was off to the pasta party.
Of course I wake up ready to rock n roll at 4 am Cali time, 7am East Coast, on Saturday. I laid in bed and forced a little more sleep until it was time when a bunch of us went out and did a quick 1.5 mile run to remind our bodies why we were actually in California. After our run, we went to Michaels to get the all important iron-on letters for our racing singlets, and then it was off to the pasta party.
Moses Lauren and Me waiting for the Trolley on the way to the Pasta Party...
The 34 of us from our region went to the Pasta Party about two trolley stops from our hotel. This is when the weekend became emotional/reminded us why we were doing what we were doing. We walked into the Hall of the party to deafening cheering noises. As we kept walking, coaches and survivors from all over the country lined the hallways and cheered at the top of their lungs for all the runners. I had tears in my eyes immediately. What really got me, and many of us, was seeing a woman crying her eyes out, holding a sign that said, "This survivor thanks you." I can not do justice with my words that would properly explain the emotions of what those few moments of walking through the tunnel of cheering made me feel. All I know is that i felt unworthy. I found a clip on youtube of the pasta party in San Diego from the year before, and it is actually at the same spot as where ours was. The first few seconds shows the cheering, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laVhdeL-Uco&feature=related After getting our food, we sat down at our team's tables. We were a group of 34 joining a good 2 thousand in the room. As we ate, slideshows of our Honored Teammates and those who we were running for in Memory Of passed along the screens. After the slideshows, videos of past TNT events played, interviewing the participants, playing clips of them crossing the finish lines. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. The first speaker at the event was the VP of the TNT events for the Leaukemia and Lymphoma Society. She explained how far and how many improvents the LLS has been able to make in the past 20 years of TNT existance. It is amazing the improvements in the lives of both patients and families the money has helped to make, not to mention the astounding advances made from the research. We were also told that in the San Diego event alone, for the past 10 years, including this year, this race has raised $132 million from TNT!!! This year, I am proud to say that 66 chapters represented by 3200 runners raised a total of $12.5 million, $170,000 contributed from the 34 runners from the National Capital Region!!!!!!!
After the VP, a Runners' World favorite John Bingham, aka 'The Penguin,' spoke to us. John is famous for being a back of the packer marathon, and has quite a bit of humor in his views of the marathon world---which he has a lot of, he is a 45 time marathon runner! The Penguin gave us first timers some tips and things to expect--like not sleeping, don't make any decisions while on the course as after a certain point your judgement making abilities are not that great, he discussed 'The Wall,' and another portion of the run he named the 'Bite Me' stage, in which you will want to scream at even the person you love most in the world. I was familiar with that stage from our long runs, it was just really great to hear such an appropriate name for it!
When John Bingham was finished, the next speaker was Mr. Butcher, the husband of Susan Butcher, the first woman to ever with the Iditard 4 times and who had just lost her fight to Leaukemia. It was amazing and humbling to imagine the courage it took this man to stand before us and talk very much in detail about the point of diagnosis, the fight and the lost battle he had with his wife and two little girls. At the end of his speech, Mr. Butcher said that when TNT asked him to come and speak, he struggled with whether or not to. Once he decided to, they asked him to come and just say a few words of inspiration to us. He then said something along the lines of how his wife always lived by a saying from a philospher--I don't know the exact words--that when you are born, you sign a contract and that contract is you will eventually die. While you are here, you are to live life in an effort to do good for even just one more person. He said his wife did that times a thousand. He then went back into the thought of what to say to us about inspirtation, and he said, I walked into this room and I realized, I don't need to say anything inspirational to you all. You are like my wife in that you have inspiration in your hearts. All you have to do is look up at your table, look at the person sitting next to you, but most importantly, go home tonight and look in the mirror and know that you are a hero. Just when I thought the feeling of walking through the loud cheers from the coaches and survivors as we walked in could never happen again, it came back. It was an honor to hear such words from this man.
Some of the Team at the Pasta Party...
After all the food was eaten and the tears were dried, we headed back to our hotel pool where we had a pep talk and last minute race details from our coaches and got goodie bags on the beds that were poolside.The whole team at our meeting:
All of us piled on the bed for the meeting....
My AMAZING Coaches...Coach Tina and Coach Rebecca!!!!
Team Hector!!!!! Michelle, Carlotta, Me, Hector, Thais, Lauren, Kerry and Moses!!!
Sunday Morning:
I was pleasantly surprised that I slept like a rock on Saturday night!!!! I was dead to the world until 3:45am when my alarm clock went off and I jumped up out of bed like it was Christmas morning. All of my stuff was laid out compulsively the night before, so it took no time to get ready to join my team down in the lobby at 4:15am to take pictures. While all 3200 TNT runners were wearing purple race singlets, we were the only ones to wear the neon green hats, so it made it easy for friends, family and our coaches to spot us coming!! We walked out of our door to find that our coaches had decorated them!! You can even catch a picture of us in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/02/AR2008060202045.html
Here are a few pics of the morning prior to heading to the race---keep in mind, this is 4:15am!:
YAY TNT!!!!!
Kerry and Me in the Lobby:
The whole team before leaving!
We were on our shuttle to the Start line by 4:45. Would you believe that there was actually traffic!!!! Once at the Start, you have to check your bags and hit the porta-potties. If you have never been to a large race, the lines for the porta-potties are a sight to be seen! They literally go on for miles--so long that once you go, you literally get right back into the line because you will have to go again by the time you get to the front. After 3, yes 3, trips to the porta-potties, I lined up in Corral 10 with Lauren and Hector. The music blasted and we were surrounded by 22,000 runners patiently waiting for 6:30am to come. Before I knew it, the gun went off and I was taking my first steps crossing the start line for my first marathon! What an adrenaline rush! I said to my teammate, yeah, this will be the last time I feel this rush for a few hours!
The first half of the marathon flew by in a blur! The energy was insane between the bands and all the crowds! Miles 7-10 I noticed were tough, and as I was thinking, why is this so hard already, I heard someone from the crowd shout, 'the crest of the hill is just ahead!" Yea, apparently I was running 3 miles uphill and had no clue! At mile 10, the downhill, I pulled out my cellphone from my waterbelt and called my Dad. He answered and immediately said, "What the hell are you doing?!" Oh just running a marathon Dad, no big deal. The two guys behind me got quite the kick of the sight of me on my cellphone. I said my family couldnt make it, and figured I called while I still felt good!
The support for TNT was amazing throughout the whole course. I was so proud to able to run the race and have people know that I raised money for others to participate. At one point, I was going through a rough spot and I saw a man on the corner holding a sign that said, "11 year survivor. Thank you Team In Training," talk about motivation!
I spoke to my sister at mile 14, still feeling strong. It wasn't until mile 17, when my shins started to cramp that I had a problem. I've had this on all my long runs, I cramp up where my surgery scars from high school are on my shins. I carried bio-freeze with me and was forced to use it at mile 19 when I couldnt walk another step let alone run because they cramped up so badly. I was on my way again feeling good until mile 21 when my other shin cramped up and I had no biofreeze left, and none of the Medtents had it or Bengay. Luckily, just like the angels that they are, Coach Tina and Coach Rebecca were there and so I stopped while they rubbed my legs down with Biofreeze they carried with them. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to finish.
The last 6.2 miles of new territory, I feel like the Finish Line just pulled me closer and closer. It's the toughest thing I've ever done, but barring your body from completely giving up, there is no way you are going to just stop. What a loser would you feel like! You even decide that walking is not good because you just want it to be over with! Luckily, the beauty of San Diego is a great distraction. I made the decision that even in the tough times, to take in every moment of the race and to not forget the images. I worked so hard for it. At mile 25, I called my dad again, asking him to talk me through the mile because my shins were cramped up so badly I didn't think I could do it. When he said, "It's only a mile Sarah," I had a bite me moment and immediately hung up. Don't ever tell a runner in a marathon they only have 4 miles, 3, 2, hell one, left, unless you want to get cursed out. I almost cursed out a crying child around mile 23 who was on the side of the road. Apparently, I didn't think he deserved to be crying because he wasn't in my shoes. Needless to say, I kept my control and used my anger to push me through.
Finally, just when I though they must have measured wrong and it was more than a mile, I saw the 26 mile sign. Not only that, but as I saw it, the band was playing "Don't Stop Believing," and I did a little fistpump. I was going to do this. Those last .2 miles, I literally kept saying, I can't believe I'm going to actually do this. The finish line was a twist and turn away, so at first, I didn't actually think I was. But then, one twist, one turn later, there it is, the most glorious sight in the world. The finish line. Everyone around me disappaeared, and for some reason, I jsut started screaming. Now, before I finish the story, about 100 feet away from the finish line you cross over a wire that feeds to the announcer your chip/name so that he can read your name when you finish. I was screaming so loudly that the announcer goes, "Who's that making all that noise out there? Sarah Ness, is that you? You sure are loud I can hear you all the way up here!" And I looked up at him with a huge grin on my face, the cliche two fists in the air, and crossed that finish line at 4 hours, 35 minutes. You can see official race photos at this site (there are a few, you just have to scroll through, I'm bib number 10809 and I think there are like 5 or 6):
Here is a video link to a newsclip about the marathon and my two coaches are at the very end!:
Everyone talks about the emotions of the finish, but no one tells you how you will FEEL. You FEEL like death. You want to vomit, poop your pants, pass out, one at a time or all three at once. You want to sit, but you know that's bad, so you walk. I felt like I was drunk times 100. I called my parents and all I could say was, "Holy shit, that was hard" over and over again. I don't think I was coherent until a good 20 minutes later.
I met up with my teammates in the TNT celebration area where I got ice wrapped around my shins and began refueling my body. I could not stomach my celebration beer until an hour after I was done. Walking at this point is very humorous. Everyone walks like they have something in their pants. Curbs are the enemy and everything is hilarious because you are delirious from what you just did. Here are a few pictures of right after:
Jeesoo, Lauren and Me--I don't even remember this photo I think I was still blacked out... 
Starting to feel like myself again, almost time for the celebration beer(s)....Me and Lauren..
Me and Kerry......definitely feeling the cloud 12 feeling finally.....beer time!!!
TEAM HECTOR ALL SURVIVE!!!!!(Kerry and Moses, how in the HELL did you get low like that?!)
We headed back, then a few of us hit up the beach for a bit, then showered and went to the TNT Victory Party downtown. Like the natural rock stars that we are, Team Hector, or those who were left, hit up the bars downtown and partied it up in San Diego. It was easier to dance than it was to walk. It was quite the sight to see us try to "Get Low..". Another 24 hour day pulled that weekend!
Starting to feel like myself again, almost time for the celebration beer(s)....Me and Lauren..Me and Kerry......definitely feeling the cloud 12 feeling finally.....beer time!!!TEAM HECTOR ALL SURVIVE!!!!!(Kerry and Moses, how in the HELL did you get low like that?!)We headed back, then a few of us hit up the beach for a bit, then showered and went to the TNT Victory Party downtown. Like the natural rock stars that we are, Team Hector, or those who were left, hit up the bars downtown and partied it up in San Diego. It was easier to dance than it was to walk. It was quite the sight to see us try to "Get Low..". Another 24 hour day pulled that weekend!
A few of us at the Victory Party....
It wasn't quite the race time that I wanted, but shins will be shins. I enjoyed every moment, from the happy to the this is hard and I want to stop. I smiled more than I wanted to die as I keep telling everyone. When it got tough, I thought of all the money raised. At one point, I was going up another hill and I recited the mantra, "I am not alone." I was physically alone from my team, but I wasn't alone, I could make it. I thought of everyone who told my parents they were thinking about me that weekend, about all the people I knew were tracking me on the computer, of all the people who donated. You all got me through those miles, even if you weren't on the course with me. I ran this marathon for so many reasons, too many to quit when it was tough. This was a gift to those who can't do it, for the people I raised money for, a gift for those who donated to me, and a thank you to everyone (especially my family) who has been through hell and back with me over the years. I can do it. And I did it. And I will keep doing it.
Anyways, I just want to end with a huge thank you to each and every one of you. You have made a contribution to such an amazing cause. I wish you all could fully understand how much your donations really effect people. I have had the privilege to meet so many beneficiaries of your dollars and if you could just see their gratefulness, I think you would be so proud of your support of my efforts. This truly has been the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of. I have made the most amazing friends, been blessed with amazing coaches and got to cross something off of my 'Life To Do List." I hope that one of you decides to do TNT one day so that you can understand my words better. I will most definitely be a part of this organization again. I have my first 26.2 under my belt, new lifelong friends, raised money for a cure and memories to last me a lifetime.
It's still not too late to contribute, here is my link: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
THANK YOU!!!
GO TEAM!!!!!
Now it's off to train for Marine Corps in October!
Best,
Me!
*There will be days when you think you can't run a marathon. There will be a lifetime knowing that you did"
Monday, March 24, 2008
Recommitment
This was a big week for Team In Training-Recommitment was upon us and we had to resign with the team based on if we felt we could raise all $4000 dollars by May 16th. I am not a quitter and I know that this is the best thing I could ever participate in, so I resigned. It is scary though I am only at $1700 dollars and the thought of having to back the rest of that money up if I don't raise it is terrifying. I have to continue with this challenge though. Here are the reasons why I have chosen to do a marathon and complete TNT:
. To help find a cure for all those people-men, women and children-who are afflicated with blood cancers.
.To prevent any family from having to go through the pain that it is to have one of their own suffer from blood cancer.
.To raise money to find a prevention for blood cancer.
.Because one day, someone in my family, one of my friends, one of my friends children, or coworkers, etc. could be afflicted by the illness.
.To prove to myself that I am a runner and I can run 26.2 miles.
.To prove to myself that when I put my mind to it, I can achieve whatever it is.
.To show my family and friends how far I have come in 5 years and that I will live my life to the fullest and appreciate every moment.
.For my Uncle Charlie who emulates, for me, how much of life and the world there is.
.Because I CAN.
It's about stepping outside of yourself. Anything is possible. So possible that none of us are immune to cancer. Just because you haven't been affected directly at this point does not mean there is no reason not to help. Running a marathon for me is possible. I have enough family, friends and coworkers in my life that raising the funds should be possible. Those close to me may never fully understand the emotions and the sense of fulfillment this opportunity provides for me, because they will not be there running with me. However, those close to me have the amazing opportunity to contribute to this cause and be a hero with me.
Other than the recommitment, I went home this past weekend for Easter. Kerry and I ran our 10 miles in Chatham. We risked our lives on busy streets with no sidewalks. Oh and then there were the constant inclines and hills. Running with Kerry was great, but we definitely missed the Team and also the fun trails in the DC area. We did manage to hit up a bagel place after our run, however, have no fear.
This coming weekend we are running in the National Half Marathon. Other than that, it's been a fairly quiet week, just the norm.
Please be sure to check out my site and help make a difference with me!
. To help find a cure for all those people-men, women and children-who are afflicated with blood cancers.
.To prevent any family from having to go through the pain that it is to have one of their own suffer from blood cancer.
.To raise money to find a prevention for blood cancer.
.Because one day, someone in my family, one of my friends, one of my friends children, or coworkers, etc. could be afflicted by the illness.
.To prove to myself that I am a runner and I can run 26.2 miles.
.To prove to myself that when I put my mind to it, I can achieve whatever it is.
.To show my family and friends how far I have come in 5 years and that I will live my life to the fullest and appreciate every moment.
.For my Uncle Charlie who emulates, for me, how much of life and the world there is.
.Because I CAN.
It's about stepping outside of yourself. Anything is possible. So possible that none of us are immune to cancer. Just because you haven't been affected directly at this point does not mean there is no reason not to help. Running a marathon for me is possible. I have enough family, friends and coworkers in my life that raising the funds should be possible. Those close to me may never fully understand the emotions and the sense of fulfillment this opportunity provides for me, because they will not be there running with me. However, those close to me have the amazing opportunity to contribute to this cause and be a hero with me.
Other than the recommitment, I went home this past weekend for Easter. Kerry and I ran our 10 miles in Chatham. We risked our lives on busy streets with no sidewalks. Oh and then there were the constant inclines and hills. Running with Kerry was great, but we definitely missed the Team and also the fun trails in the DC area. We did manage to hit up a bagel place after our run, however, have no fear.
This coming weekend we are running in the National Half Marathon. Other than that, it's been a fairly quiet week, just the norm.
Please be sure to check out my site and help make a difference with me!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
What an inspirational week
Well after the last weekend I had that was filled with running in conditions that were not too pleasant--rain, hills and frigid temperatures--I was looking forward to running in pleasant conditions. On Tuesday night, Kerry and I ran our quick 4 mile Tuesday run together. We left the house thinking, oh we will just get this over with real fast, it's just 4 miles; however, this was not such the case. Those 4 miles felt like the marathon. Thankfully, Kerry was feeling the same way as I was---and for no better way to describe it other than death. Normally while on a run, you like to catch the lights so that you aren't constantly standing around waiting to cross streets, on Tuesday though, we were praying to catch the lights so that we could stop. It was defeating. There we were, struggling through an easy run, when on Saturday, we kicked ass running up and down hills for what my teammates told me was an 8 mile run. How could this be? Well the answer was simple and it was because our bodies were just tired. We put them through a tough weekend, and running on Tuesday was not what they wanted to do. But that's why we have easy 4 mile runs on Tuesdays, to get our bodies back into business. This does not do so much for you mentally, however. It's a blow to your confidence and frustrating.
Needless to say, I took Wednesday, the day for cross training, off because I knew that my body still needed a break. I got up at 5:30 Thursday morning to do my 4 miles before work. In addition to work that morning, I was taking volunteers to the Hope Lodge in Baltimore to make dinner for the patients and their caregivers that evening. I knew that by the time I got back from Baltimore, I would not want to go to the gym to run 4 miles, so 5:30am wake up call it was! Thankfully, the run was MUCH better than Tuesday! I forgot how much I enjoyed running in the morning! Also, for as much as I love running with other people, there is a great peace to running by yourself from time to time. It is a great way to begin the day, clear your mind, enjoy the beautiful morning. The world is so much more peaceful at that time. I concentrated on the sound of my breath and shoes methodically hitting the pavement and I was very much in a zen place. Needless to say, 17 hours later as I climbed into bed, I fell sound asleep!
Saturday morning was a day I had been kind of dreading, and it was more out of fear than anything! On Saturday, I met with my Team in Bethesda to run the Capitol Crescent Trail for 12 miles. I haven't run 12 miles in quite some time, so the thought of it really made me nervous! I woke up again at 5:30 that morning to eat a bowl of cereal and make my way to the trail for our 7:30 am start. Prior to the run, I ate a GU, which is not really how I like to start my mornings! It's not the flavor that is so terrible, it's more the consistency. For those of you who don't know, Gu is this little silver packet of energy gel. It comes in various flavors, ranging from plain to banana to chocolate to expresso to tri-berry, etc. As I said, the flavor=not so bad, the lovely consistency is the part that you have to get over. If you eat Gu and fall madly in love with it, you have issues. But, it works! I don't take Gu for any run under 8 miles. I also learned the hard way during the half marathon that if I don't consistantly take it, like every 4 miles, my stomach gets quite angry with me. So, I take it 15 mins prior to my run and then about every 4 miles, or like every 45 minutes. That morning I was consuming the tri-berry which is quite delightful if you swallow it ASAP and wash it down with lots of water. I have tried other routes of energy, such as shot blocks--which is kind of like a gummi bear, but not really at all, then there are jelly beans and bars. But I like the Gu because it's quick, doesn't take a lot of space up, and works for me. So one bowl of cereal, some Gu and I was ready to hit the trail. The morning was quite beautiful, little chilly with the wind prior to us getting out there, but the sun was coming out and, well, it beat running in pouring rain! Before the run, we all gathered around Coach Tina and did our stretching routine. As we bent over doing the one stretch, Tina did her usual, "I hope nobody had beans last night" comment, but this time took it a step further and added, "I've been on the toilet 4 times already this morning." Oh, runners, what can I say, you learn A LOT about each other quite quickly! Tina then told us that there would be a lot of TEAM members on the trial today because besides our group, the Spring athletes were on the trail as well, running their 18 miles that day! I thought to myself, oh god that is insane, 18 miles! And then laughed because I realized oh crap, I'm headed that way myself! In addition to letting us know about lots of Team members on the trail, Tina told us that NBC would be on the trail filming one of the marathoners training because she is blind. Once again, I attempt to shame anybody reading this blog who attempts to tell me that they can't run, or even walk a considerable distance, as I was among many body types, athletic abilities on Saturday AND ran with a blind woman and a woman who has leaukemia and they are all out there determined to keep going.
After our moment of silence remembering who we were running for, we were off running the 12 miles. We were instructed to remember, this is training, not a race, go slow! In addition, we were told that the first half of the run to Georgetown was downhill, while the second half back the Bethesda was all uphill. GRAND! Here we go! So my pace group set off and I could not look back! At around mile 4, our pacer Hector was like, uhm is it just me, or are we running really fast? And then he said that we were pacing a 8 minute mile. To which we all were like, wow that is borderline ridiculous. So we all backed off, especially with 8 miles ahead, and a long uphill climb. That is, we all slowed up, minus our one teammate Moses who just took off. We saw him at the turn around, and he made it look easy! Running past, all cheery in his green shorts. Mind you, we are all boggled by this as Moses came to the run telling us he had had 6 Miller Lights the nite before. As he ran by us, we are like, Moses, how the hell are you doing this right now--pacing a consistant 8 minute mile---and he shouted, 'carbo loading on 6 miller lights!". I can assure you all that could never be me. I would probably be puking in the bushes. But hey, whatever works for ya!
The trail we were on was so beautiful and there were so many people out! Kerry and I kepts saying how much we wished we had a camera. The houses that we saw were magnificent, seeing little waterfalls, and there were certain parts with tunnels and such that were absolutely gorgeous. I am finding many hidden treasures in DC, so much so that now when I know I have visitors coming, I don't even want to show them monuments, but rather the trails! It's amazing to be on the trails and see everyone out--it's like a whole other world that nobody knows exists! There were water stations for the various running programs that had volunteers handing out water and cheering everyone on! And of course, with all the Team members on the trail, there were many shouts of "GO TEAM!" which is a huge motivator as I said last week. Kerry and I kicked butt and ran the 12 miles in 1:46. The miles actually flew by which was due to the beautiful surroundings, the cheering and the good conversations. At around mile 11/11.3 Kerry and I were coming up on this bridge overpass on one of the roads in Bethesda. I hate this bridge so much for two reasons: one, it shakes incredibly much and literally makes me feel sick--even though it isn't a long bridge--and two, the incline leading up to it is ridiculous. The only positive to the bridge is that you know the run is pretty much over once you get over it. Kerry and I saw the bridge in the distance, with our heavy legs moving forward, and started swearing at the sight of it. Just before we started to climb the incline, came Coach Tina, shouting "There are my ladies! Way to go girls! You are kicking butt you and just look so great!" I practically wanted to burst out in tears, she was amazing! We told her how much we hated the bridge and she agreed saying, "it scares the shit out of me!" We talked about what a perfect day it was to be out on a run, and then corrected ourselves and said, it's a great day to be alive. Before we knew it, we were over the bridge without even realizing it. Kerry and I got a jolt of energy and finished our run and I know it was because of Coach Tina and her enthusiasm! All my teammates agree that everyone needs a Coach Tina in their pocket!
The run was over, we stretched, I struggled to get up off the ground, and then we all went across the street to treat ourselves to bagel sandwiches. Team Hector sat around, mouthing our bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel and had some laughs. Later that night, everyone came over my house for a little st.patty's day fun and a little team bonding. I feel like I've known these people forever and I don't know what I would do with my life without being apart of this. I can't imagine not knowing these people, not waking up at 5:30 and be greeted by the incredible coaches and teammates. I love every minute of this experience and I can only hope that everyone that is reading this, or who is in my life not reading this, has something that makes them feel this great and fulfilled as this experience does for me.
It's been a really inspiring week for me. Between my trip up to the Hope Lodge for work, being on the trails with my teammates, I'm standing a little taller each day. These experiences have put so much perspective on life for me that I have become much more relaxed and aware of what is important. Yesterday, we had a Look Good Feel Better training at work for the beauty professionals that want to help volunteer for the program. This program teaches women how to deal with the side effects of chemo and radiation, virtually giving them a make over and they walk out with a bag of makeup worth about 300 dollars. It is an amazing program. During the training, we have a patient come in for the trainers to do the demonstration of a session with. This particular woman came in all down, not wanting to be there. She even commented to me, you're just so full of energy, I am not there. I laughed and said that I was excited for her to find out what was in store for her and assured her that her spirit would change. My did it. That woman walked out looking and feeling like a million bucks! By the end of the training, this woman who came in with her head hung low, was up dancing with her new wig on, making jokes and just feeling good, like the progam says. At the end, she stayed after all the volunteers left and I was just speaking with her and she kept thanking me over and over again, and she sai, what a great day! Without even thinking, I blurted out, everyday alive is a great day. Now understand, most of these women look at me, a young girl out of college, not much life experience and no cancer, and they probably think I don't know what I'm talking about-so sometimes I keep my thoughts like that to myself. But yesterday, it just popped out. And Ms. Jean, the patient, said to me, my god that was beautiful, you are so right. I can't attribute this attitude to anything but my experiences with Team In Training and my job. I have been blessed to make it this far, especially from where I was a few years ago,and I just realize more and more how amazing things are. How amazing it is that I can give a wig to a woman and have her whole spirit lift and make her feel not sick, to have the ability and the courage to get out and run, to raise money for a good cause. I don't thnk I will forget the moment I had with Tina and Kerry on the bridge when the sun was out, the temperature was perfect and it just hits you, it's a great day to be alive, like I said. I'm glad that I can pass that on to others, especially those who forget that. I certainly know what it's like to want to quit and I hope I can keep spreading those words to others, you're alive, it is great, no matter what.
I am going home finally on Thursday for Easter weekend! I am so excited to be in NJ and to see my family, it's been too long! I will be running 10 miles on Saturday with Kerry, so if you're in town, look out for us!
I'm going to end with a quote Coach Tina sent us last week that was written by a veteran coach of TNT and the quote was about Team In Training. She sent this out in preparation for the recommittment date that is upon all the members. Basically, I'm signing all the paperwork assuring I will have raised $4000 dollars by May 16th--otherwise, I'm footing the bill. Please help spread the word and donate: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
Here is the quote:
“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; leaving in its place something that I have trade for it. I want it to be a gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it.”~W.Heartsill Wilson~
Needless to say, I took Wednesday, the day for cross training, off because I knew that my body still needed a break. I got up at 5:30 Thursday morning to do my 4 miles before work. In addition to work that morning, I was taking volunteers to the Hope Lodge in Baltimore to make dinner for the patients and their caregivers that evening. I knew that by the time I got back from Baltimore, I would not want to go to the gym to run 4 miles, so 5:30am wake up call it was! Thankfully, the run was MUCH better than Tuesday! I forgot how much I enjoyed running in the morning! Also, for as much as I love running with other people, there is a great peace to running by yourself from time to time. It is a great way to begin the day, clear your mind, enjoy the beautiful morning. The world is so much more peaceful at that time. I concentrated on the sound of my breath and shoes methodically hitting the pavement and I was very much in a zen place. Needless to say, 17 hours later as I climbed into bed, I fell sound asleep!
Saturday morning was a day I had been kind of dreading, and it was more out of fear than anything! On Saturday, I met with my Team in Bethesda to run the Capitol Crescent Trail for 12 miles. I haven't run 12 miles in quite some time, so the thought of it really made me nervous! I woke up again at 5:30 that morning to eat a bowl of cereal and make my way to the trail for our 7:30 am start. Prior to the run, I ate a GU, which is not really how I like to start my mornings! It's not the flavor that is so terrible, it's more the consistency. For those of you who don't know, Gu is this little silver packet of energy gel. It comes in various flavors, ranging from plain to banana to chocolate to expresso to tri-berry, etc. As I said, the flavor=not so bad, the lovely consistency is the part that you have to get over. If you eat Gu and fall madly in love with it, you have issues. But, it works! I don't take Gu for any run under 8 miles. I also learned the hard way during the half marathon that if I don't consistantly take it, like every 4 miles, my stomach gets quite angry with me. So, I take it 15 mins prior to my run and then about every 4 miles, or like every 45 minutes. That morning I was consuming the tri-berry which is quite delightful if you swallow it ASAP and wash it down with lots of water. I have tried other routes of energy, such as shot blocks--which is kind of like a gummi bear, but not really at all, then there are jelly beans and bars. But I like the Gu because it's quick, doesn't take a lot of space up, and works for me. So one bowl of cereal, some Gu and I was ready to hit the trail. The morning was quite beautiful, little chilly with the wind prior to us getting out there, but the sun was coming out and, well, it beat running in pouring rain! Before the run, we all gathered around Coach Tina and did our stretching routine. As we bent over doing the one stretch, Tina did her usual, "I hope nobody had beans last night" comment, but this time took it a step further and added, "I've been on the toilet 4 times already this morning." Oh, runners, what can I say, you learn A LOT about each other quite quickly! Tina then told us that there would be a lot of TEAM members on the trial today because besides our group, the Spring athletes were on the trail as well, running their 18 miles that day! I thought to myself, oh god that is insane, 18 miles! And then laughed because I realized oh crap, I'm headed that way myself! In addition to letting us know about lots of Team members on the trail, Tina told us that NBC would be on the trail filming one of the marathoners training because she is blind. Once again, I attempt to shame anybody reading this blog who attempts to tell me that they can't run, or even walk a considerable distance, as I was among many body types, athletic abilities on Saturday AND ran with a blind woman and a woman who has leaukemia and they are all out there determined to keep going.
After our moment of silence remembering who we were running for, we were off running the 12 miles. We were instructed to remember, this is training, not a race, go slow! In addition, we were told that the first half of the run to Georgetown was downhill, while the second half back the Bethesda was all uphill. GRAND! Here we go! So my pace group set off and I could not look back! At around mile 4, our pacer Hector was like, uhm is it just me, or are we running really fast? And then he said that we were pacing a 8 minute mile. To which we all were like, wow that is borderline ridiculous. So we all backed off, especially with 8 miles ahead, and a long uphill climb. That is, we all slowed up, minus our one teammate Moses who just took off. We saw him at the turn around, and he made it look easy! Running past, all cheery in his green shorts. Mind you, we are all boggled by this as Moses came to the run telling us he had had 6 Miller Lights the nite before. As he ran by us, we are like, Moses, how the hell are you doing this right now--pacing a consistant 8 minute mile---and he shouted, 'carbo loading on 6 miller lights!". I can assure you all that could never be me. I would probably be puking in the bushes. But hey, whatever works for ya!
The trail we were on was so beautiful and there were so many people out! Kerry and I kepts saying how much we wished we had a camera. The houses that we saw were magnificent, seeing little waterfalls, and there were certain parts with tunnels and such that were absolutely gorgeous. I am finding many hidden treasures in DC, so much so that now when I know I have visitors coming, I don't even want to show them monuments, but rather the trails! It's amazing to be on the trails and see everyone out--it's like a whole other world that nobody knows exists! There were water stations for the various running programs that had volunteers handing out water and cheering everyone on! And of course, with all the Team members on the trail, there were many shouts of "GO TEAM!" which is a huge motivator as I said last week. Kerry and I kicked butt and ran the 12 miles in 1:46. The miles actually flew by which was due to the beautiful surroundings, the cheering and the good conversations. At around mile 11/11.3 Kerry and I were coming up on this bridge overpass on one of the roads in Bethesda. I hate this bridge so much for two reasons: one, it shakes incredibly much and literally makes me feel sick--even though it isn't a long bridge--and two, the incline leading up to it is ridiculous. The only positive to the bridge is that you know the run is pretty much over once you get over it. Kerry and I saw the bridge in the distance, with our heavy legs moving forward, and started swearing at the sight of it. Just before we started to climb the incline, came Coach Tina, shouting "There are my ladies! Way to go girls! You are kicking butt you and just look so great!" I practically wanted to burst out in tears, she was amazing! We told her how much we hated the bridge and she agreed saying, "it scares the shit out of me!" We talked about what a perfect day it was to be out on a run, and then corrected ourselves and said, it's a great day to be alive. Before we knew it, we were over the bridge without even realizing it. Kerry and I got a jolt of energy and finished our run and I know it was because of Coach Tina and her enthusiasm! All my teammates agree that everyone needs a Coach Tina in their pocket!
The run was over, we stretched, I struggled to get up off the ground, and then we all went across the street to treat ourselves to bagel sandwiches. Team Hector sat around, mouthing our bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel and had some laughs. Later that night, everyone came over my house for a little st.patty's day fun and a little team bonding. I feel like I've known these people forever and I don't know what I would do with my life without being apart of this. I can't imagine not knowing these people, not waking up at 5:30 and be greeted by the incredible coaches and teammates. I love every minute of this experience and I can only hope that everyone that is reading this, or who is in my life not reading this, has something that makes them feel this great and fulfilled as this experience does for me.
It's been a really inspiring week for me. Between my trip up to the Hope Lodge for work, being on the trails with my teammates, I'm standing a little taller each day. These experiences have put so much perspective on life for me that I have become much more relaxed and aware of what is important. Yesterday, we had a Look Good Feel Better training at work for the beauty professionals that want to help volunteer for the program. This program teaches women how to deal with the side effects of chemo and radiation, virtually giving them a make over and they walk out with a bag of makeup worth about 300 dollars. It is an amazing program. During the training, we have a patient come in for the trainers to do the demonstration of a session with. This particular woman came in all down, not wanting to be there. She even commented to me, you're just so full of energy, I am not there. I laughed and said that I was excited for her to find out what was in store for her and assured her that her spirit would change. My did it. That woman walked out looking and feeling like a million bucks! By the end of the training, this woman who came in with her head hung low, was up dancing with her new wig on, making jokes and just feeling good, like the progam says. At the end, she stayed after all the volunteers left and I was just speaking with her and she kept thanking me over and over again, and she sai, what a great day! Without even thinking, I blurted out, everyday alive is a great day. Now understand, most of these women look at me, a young girl out of college, not much life experience and no cancer, and they probably think I don't know what I'm talking about-so sometimes I keep my thoughts like that to myself. But yesterday, it just popped out. And Ms. Jean, the patient, said to me, my god that was beautiful, you are so right. I can't attribute this attitude to anything but my experiences with Team In Training and my job. I have been blessed to make it this far, especially from where I was a few years ago,and I just realize more and more how amazing things are. How amazing it is that I can give a wig to a woman and have her whole spirit lift and make her feel not sick, to have the ability and the courage to get out and run, to raise money for a good cause. I don't thnk I will forget the moment I had with Tina and Kerry on the bridge when the sun was out, the temperature was perfect and it just hits you, it's a great day to be alive, like I said. I'm glad that I can pass that on to others, especially those who forget that. I certainly know what it's like to want to quit and I hope I can keep spreading those words to others, you're alive, it is great, no matter what.
I am going home finally on Thursday for Easter weekend! I am so excited to be in NJ and to see my family, it's been too long! I will be running 10 miles on Saturday with Kerry, so if you're in town, look out for us!
I'm going to end with a quote Coach Tina sent us last week that was written by a veteran coach of TNT and the quote was about Team In Training. She sent this out in preparation for the recommittment date that is upon all the members. Basically, I'm signing all the paperwork assuring I will have raised $4000 dollars by May 16th--otherwise, I'm footing the bill. Please help spread the word and donate: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
Here is the quote:
“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; leaving in its place something that I have trade for it. I want it to be a gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it.”~W.Heartsill Wilson~
Monday, March 10, 2008
Come Perfect Weather, Rain or Wind Chill, I'm out on the Road...
Another week is down! Down to 12 weeks until I run 26.2 miles in San Diego!
Last week was a very long week, again! I did break the $1,000 mark for fundraising! Not all the money is noted on my site currently because I got checks in the mail. Thank you to everyone who has sent me money--I promise the thank you notes are on their way, I just haven't had much time to myself! I still have a long way to go by way of fundraising, but I have to be optimistic!
Which is the same attitude I have to have in relation to my running. Tuesday here in Washington was absolutely beautiful. Hit up near 70 degrees and everyone was outside running. Thursday was nearly the same; however, there were rain showers in the evening. When I left work, it was pouring ran, by the time I got home, the rain stopped so I put on my running clothes and got out of the house as soon as possible to try to beat the next downpour. With a mile left, it began to pour. I felt so hardcore.
Then there was Saturday morning. I was greeted at my 6am wake up call to cold and rain. Not exactly the kind of weather that makes you leap out of bed at the crack of dawn on Saturday to go do a long run. Kerry came to pick me up at 6:45 and we were both not in the best of spirits. We arrived at the site of our long run and sat in the car until the last possible moment, trying to stay warm. Suprisingly, crappy weather and all, we had a great turnout for the run. As we were waiting to start the run, the staff handed out Team In Training hats to those of us who had raised $500 dollars. This changed the mood of the Team completely. So, with my new hat on, we made our way out onto the trail---that is, AFTER they told us that we would be running for no more than an hour and a half on a trail that was constant hills. GREAT! At least I got my new hat....My pace group led the pack on the killer trail of rolling hills. We ran at a good 8:45 pace, which is no easy feat when there was really no break in the action. It was so inspiring to see all of us out there, tackling this trail on a miserable, grey morning. At two different points, we were running in torrential downpour and everyone kept shouting 'Go Team!'. During the second downpour, we were headed up another steep hill and I started to sing the Rocky Theme song outloud--anything to keep us going! There was never a lull in the spirits of the Team. Our coaches were out there with us, giving us tips on the proper ways to go up and down the hills--"SHORTER STRIDES!....LET THE GRAVITY PULL YOU DOWN!!...BOUNCE ON THE BALLS OF YOUR FEET!"...All of the coaches are absolutely amazing. Coach Tina is this tiny ball of energy. You can be in the worst mood of life, and then you see her and you forget your worries. She has so much enthusiasm and love for this organization and her team, it's hard to hate that you are up at 6 am and spending your Saturday morning with her. Coach Chip is a former Army man. Last week, he was talking about his fastest mile. Upon our amazement at how fast he was, he said, well you would be surprised at how fast you can run with 30 pounds of gear on your back and you hear the clipping of someone setting a rifle up to shoot you. I nearly wet my pants. That was until he told the story of running the San Diego marathon. He had a previous miniscus (totally don't know how to spell that word and im too tired to look it up) problems in his knee that came back to haunt him around mile 17. He was resolved that his race was over, let his friend go ahead and he began to walk. At mile 20, there was a beer stand on the side for the crowds, so he got two beers, to which, magically his knee felt better and he went on and finished the marathon. Chip, you are my hero.
Soooo, my group did not run for the full hour and a half bcs everyone in my pace group was running in an 8k the next day, so we ended up running only about 7 miles. Following the run, we had our Honored Teammate Picnic inside the high school next to the trail we ran. It was a fun time to spend with our teammates, and then we listened to our honored teammates--those leukemia survivors and patients. In addition to our honored teammates, we heard from our fellow teammates and their stories of why they were running and who they were running for. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many people touched by this disease. I would also like to point out, that 3 of the stories told, were by people who ran with TEAM In Training once before and had no relationship to leaukemia or lymphomal; however, following their participation, had been affected by the cancer. This is what I try to tell people. You never know. The point is to raise money to help those with the cancer and to prevent anyone from having it ever again. We heard about the loss of children, the loss of parents, the survival and continuous battle of our honored teammates, and one of my fellow marathoners, the wife of one of the coaches, who for the first time openly spoke about her 11 year battle with leukemia. She has never had treatment and the doctors and convinced it is the running that keeps her going--and she said that she will not stop running until there is a cure. I have never seen a husband and wife so in love-her husband, one of our coaches, just held her hand the whole time, looking at her with teh most reassuring eyes, as this woman admitted her sickness to her teammates--if she can run with leukemia, I can run with my clean bill of health. And I will raise money for her and all the other amazing individuals I heard from that day. The survivors called US the heroes-and in turn I call my donors heroes because it is the money from the donors that make this all possible. Some of the people in the room that morning could not stress enough that their doctor's were funded by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and it was the funds from Team in Training that funded the drugs that are the reason they are alive today. How AWESOME is that?
Being a part of Team in Training I honestly can not put into words what an amazing experience it has been. I feel like I've known my teammates forever. Someone on Saturday morning, one of the triathaletes, described it as a family, and I could not say it any better myself. It is an emotion that I can properly do justice and I wish that everyone I knew could experience. I know that if everyone I knew were in the room with me on Saturday, no questions asked, would be shelling out the money for me. I can't even stress to you how awesome and honored and blessed I am that I decided to be a part of this team.
But anyways, that was Saturday. Then SUNDAY. oh man. Sunday Kerry and I had signed up for the St. Patty's Day 8k down on Pennsylvania Ave. We went down Sunday morning, wearing our Green Beer Taste Testers shirts, and Irish beads at 7:30am Sunday. Waiting for the race to start was the COLDEST experience of my life. I shivered off my Special K bar in no time and was convinced that if I were on the Titanic, I would have been the first to die. Kerry and I even almost left the wind chill was so bad. We stuck it out though and ran the race at an 8:33 pace. It was the worst experience. The course was terribly laid out and the people in DC running the race were just LAME. In fact, I am so over how terrible that race was, that I don't even want to write about it. Just never do the St. Patty's Day race in DC. Leave that type of a race for the NY/NJ folks who know how to properly worship that holiday.
Please check out my page and donate to this amazing cause!:http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
Next week, 12 miles!
Last week was a very long week, again! I did break the $1,000 mark for fundraising! Not all the money is noted on my site currently because I got checks in the mail. Thank you to everyone who has sent me money--I promise the thank you notes are on their way, I just haven't had much time to myself! I still have a long way to go by way of fundraising, but I have to be optimistic!
Which is the same attitude I have to have in relation to my running. Tuesday here in Washington was absolutely beautiful. Hit up near 70 degrees and everyone was outside running. Thursday was nearly the same; however, there were rain showers in the evening. When I left work, it was pouring ran, by the time I got home, the rain stopped so I put on my running clothes and got out of the house as soon as possible to try to beat the next downpour. With a mile left, it began to pour. I felt so hardcore.
Then there was Saturday morning. I was greeted at my 6am wake up call to cold and rain. Not exactly the kind of weather that makes you leap out of bed at the crack of dawn on Saturday to go do a long run. Kerry came to pick me up at 6:45 and we were both not in the best of spirits. We arrived at the site of our long run and sat in the car until the last possible moment, trying to stay warm. Suprisingly, crappy weather and all, we had a great turnout for the run. As we were waiting to start the run, the staff handed out Team In Training hats to those of us who had raised $500 dollars. This changed the mood of the Team completely. So, with my new hat on, we made our way out onto the trail---that is, AFTER they told us that we would be running for no more than an hour and a half on a trail that was constant hills. GREAT! At least I got my new hat....My pace group led the pack on the killer trail of rolling hills. We ran at a good 8:45 pace, which is no easy feat when there was really no break in the action. It was so inspiring to see all of us out there, tackling this trail on a miserable, grey morning. At two different points, we were running in torrential downpour and everyone kept shouting 'Go Team!'. During the second downpour, we were headed up another steep hill and I started to sing the Rocky Theme song outloud--anything to keep us going! There was never a lull in the spirits of the Team. Our coaches were out there with us, giving us tips on the proper ways to go up and down the hills--"SHORTER STRIDES!....LET THE GRAVITY PULL YOU DOWN!!...BOUNCE ON THE BALLS OF YOUR FEET!"...All of the coaches are absolutely amazing. Coach Tina is this tiny ball of energy. You can be in the worst mood of life, and then you see her and you forget your worries. She has so much enthusiasm and love for this organization and her team, it's hard to hate that you are up at 6 am and spending your Saturday morning with her. Coach Chip is a former Army man. Last week, he was talking about his fastest mile. Upon our amazement at how fast he was, he said, well you would be surprised at how fast you can run with 30 pounds of gear on your back and you hear the clipping of someone setting a rifle up to shoot you. I nearly wet my pants. That was until he told the story of running the San Diego marathon. He had a previous miniscus (totally don't know how to spell that word and im too tired to look it up) problems in his knee that came back to haunt him around mile 17. He was resolved that his race was over, let his friend go ahead and he began to walk. At mile 20, there was a beer stand on the side for the crowds, so he got two beers, to which, magically his knee felt better and he went on and finished the marathon. Chip, you are my hero.
Soooo, my group did not run for the full hour and a half bcs everyone in my pace group was running in an 8k the next day, so we ended up running only about 7 miles. Following the run, we had our Honored Teammate Picnic inside the high school next to the trail we ran. It was a fun time to spend with our teammates, and then we listened to our honored teammates--those leukemia survivors and patients. In addition to our honored teammates, we heard from our fellow teammates and their stories of why they were running and who they were running for. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many people touched by this disease. I would also like to point out, that 3 of the stories told, were by people who ran with TEAM In Training once before and had no relationship to leaukemia or lymphomal; however, following their participation, had been affected by the cancer. This is what I try to tell people. You never know. The point is to raise money to help those with the cancer and to prevent anyone from having it ever again. We heard about the loss of children, the loss of parents, the survival and continuous battle of our honored teammates, and one of my fellow marathoners, the wife of one of the coaches, who for the first time openly spoke about her 11 year battle with leukemia. She has never had treatment and the doctors and convinced it is the running that keeps her going--and she said that she will not stop running until there is a cure. I have never seen a husband and wife so in love-her husband, one of our coaches, just held her hand the whole time, looking at her with teh most reassuring eyes, as this woman admitted her sickness to her teammates--if she can run with leukemia, I can run with my clean bill of health. And I will raise money for her and all the other amazing individuals I heard from that day. The survivors called US the heroes-and in turn I call my donors heroes because it is the money from the donors that make this all possible. Some of the people in the room that morning could not stress enough that their doctor's were funded by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and it was the funds from Team in Training that funded the drugs that are the reason they are alive today. How AWESOME is that?
Being a part of Team in Training I honestly can not put into words what an amazing experience it has been. I feel like I've known my teammates forever. Someone on Saturday morning, one of the triathaletes, described it as a family, and I could not say it any better myself. It is an emotion that I can properly do justice and I wish that everyone I knew could experience. I know that if everyone I knew were in the room with me on Saturday, no questions asked, would be shelling out the money for me. I can't even stress to you how awesome and honored and blessed I am that I decided to be a part of this team.
But anyways, that was Saturday. Then SUNDAY. oh man. Sunday Kerry and I had signed up for the St. Patty's Day 8k down on Pennsylvania Ave. We went down Sunday morning, wearing our Green Beer Taste Testers shirts, and Irish beads at 7:30am Sunday. Waiting for the race to start was the COLDEST experience of my life. I shivered off my Special K bar in no time and was convinced that if I were on the Titanic, I would have been the first to die. Kerry and I even almost left the wind chill was so bad. We stuck it out though and ran the race at an 8:33 pace. It was the worst experience. The course was terribly laid out and the people in DC running the race were just LAME. In fact, I am so over how terrible that race was, that I don't even want to write about it. Just never do the St. Patty's Day race in DC. Leave that type of a race for the NY/NJ folks who know how to properly worship that holiday.
Please check out my page and donate to this amazing cause!:http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
Next week, 12 miles!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Team Hector WOOP WOOP!!!
Another week down and what a week it was! Between working 12 hours a day at my job and running, I was so busy, trying to squeeze in time to get everything in! On Tuesday I ran a quick 3 miles in between work and meetings later that night for work. It was a nice night on Tuesday, not too cold and a break in the rain.
On Thursday, Kerry and I ran the 3 miles together. We did my little loop that has 2 really nice sized hills. Did I mention that it was about 25 degrees out when we ran? Yeah, about that. I doubled up on my socks and my gloves. It is amazing how much the technical clothing does keep you warm and dry though. I think we ran a fast 3 miles just to get out of the cold!
Saturday we met our Team In Training folks out in Ashburn, VA--about 35 minutes away out in farm country. The Potomac Running company put on another shoe seminar for us, and then we headed out onto the trail to do 8 miles. It wasn't sooo cold that morning, but the wind was downright vicious. Not to mention, I was not thrilled to run 8 miles surrounded by farmland. I'm not a nature lover, I like to run in the city where there is lots to look out, and car fumes to inhale. The first 2 miles of the run were against the wind, the next 4 were with the wind, and the final 2 miles were against the wind AND uphill. I felt pretty strong for the first 6 miles, but those last two were a killer. Maybe it was the lack of things to look at, but I couldn't help getting the you're crazy to think you can run 26.2 miles thought out of my brain. I'm not gonna lie, I had to even say it outloud. So, I asked my teammate Moses who had ran a marathon before, when does it get easy. And he laughed, saying, it doesn't get easy until the taper weeks. It's just so frustrating to go out week after week and still struggle, and not feel really strong. But his words really encouraged me that I'm not alone. In addition to his comforting words, there is always the encouragement of running with the team. Not only were the Team In Training runners on teh path, but the Team In Training cyclists that are training for the Century Ride in Washington on the path as well. Everytime we passed either a runner or a cylcer, everyone cheered 'Go TEAM!' It's those little things that I absolutely love about this whole experience! It's so great to be a part of a team again. And it's SO nice to run with other people, laughing and talking along the way. I ran the 8 miles in a 1:09, so I was pretty happy with that-wanted to die, but still happy. Then we went back into the Potomac Running Store where I proceeded to spend money because I was like a kid in a candy store! Technical clothing just does it for me, what can I say?
We have been spoiled by these short runs that reality is starting to set in. Next Saturday, we are scheduled to run for 2 hours. Mind you, the last time I ran for 2 hours, I ran 13.1 miles. So apparently, I am running a half marathon on Saturday! On Sunday, Kerry and a few of our friends are doing the St.Patty's day run in DC. We are just going to have fun with it--dress in ridiculous garb--ie. green and white top hat with orange beard. Oh yes, you better believe it! At the end of March, a bunch of us from 'Team Hector' are going to run in the national half marathon here in DC together as well! So it's pretty evident that my life is slowly being taken over, but I love it!
Speaking of 'Team Hector,' we are working on that name. I told Kerry that we should just write 'Asshole' on our arms when we run in the marathon, because we are assholes for coming up with the idea to do this. That way when people yell to cheer for us, they would say 'Go Asshole!' Anyways, it's kind of been the standard joke now. I guess Kerry mentioned it to our Captain Hector and he thought it was great haha. Clearly, we will not be representing the 'Leukemia and Lymphoma Society' under such a title, but I know I will be chuckling to myself throughout many of those miles at the thought of 'Team Asshole.'
Anyways, that is all for now. I am hoping that the cold weather is just about over. I am also hoping that I can actually do this.
Please check on my progress on my site! I am almost at $1000! Which, to be honest, is not that great compared to my teammates! Da I hope I can raise the money!
On Thursday, Kerry and I ran the 3 miles together. We did my little loop that has 2 really nice sized hills. Did I mention that it was about 25 degrees out when we ran? Yeah, about that. I doubled up on my socks and my gloves. It is amazing how much the technical clothing does keep you warm and dry though. I think we ran a fast 3 miles just to get out of the cold!
Saturday we met our Team In Training folks out in Ashburn, VA--about 35 minutes away out in farm country. The Potomac Running company put on another shoe seminar for us, and then we headed out onto the trail to do 8 miles. It wasn't sooo cold that morning, but the wind was downright vicious. Not to mention, I was not thrilled to run 8 miles surrounded by farmland. I'm not a nature lover, I like to run in the city where there is lots to look out, and car fumes to inhale. The first 2 miles of the run were against the wind, the next 4 were with the wind, and the final 2 miles were against the wind AND uphill. I felt pretty strong for the first 6 miles, but those last two were a killer. Maybe it was the lack of things to look at, but I couldn't help getting the you're crazy to think you can run 26.2 miles thought out of my brain. I'm not gonna lie, I had to even say it outloud. So, I asked my teammate Moses who had ran a marathon before, when does it get easy. And he laughed, saying, it doesn't get easy until the taper weeks. It's just so frustrating to go out week after week and still struggle, and not feel really strong. But his words really encouraged me that I'm not alone. In addition to his comforting words, there is always the encouragement of running with the team. Not only were the Team In Training runners on teh path, but the Team In Training cyclists that are training for the Century Ride in Washington on the path as well. Everytime we passed either a runner or a cylcer, everyone cheered 'Go TEAM!' It's those little things that I absolutely love about this whole experience! It's so great to be a part of a team again. And it's SO nice to run with other people, laughing and talking along the way. I ran the 8 miles in a 1:09, so I was pretty happy with that-wanted to die, but still happy. Then we went back into the Potomac Running Store where I proceeded to spend money because I was like a kid in a candy store! Technical clothing just does it for me, what can I say?
We have been spoiled by these short runs that reality is starting to set in. Next Saturday, we are scheduled to run for 2 hours. Mind you, the last time I ran for 2 hours, I ran 13.1 miles. So apparently, I am running a half marathon on Saturday! On Sunday, Kerry and a few of our friends are doing the St.Patty's day run in DC. We are just going to have fun with it--dress in ridiculous garb--ie. green and white top hat with orange beard. Oh yes, you better believe it! At the end of March, a bunch of us from 'Team Hector' are going to run in the national half marathon here in DC together as well! So it's pretty evident that my life is slowly being taken over, but I love it!
Speaking of 'Team Hector,' we are working on that name. I told Kerry that we should just write 'Asshole' on our arms when we run in the marathon, because we are assholes for coming up with the idea to do this. That way when people yell to cheer for us, they would say 'Go Asshole!' Anyways, it's kind of been the standard joke now. I guess Kerry mentioned it to our Captain Hector and he thought it was great haha. Clearly, we will not be representing the 'Leukemia and Lymphoma Society' under such a title, but I know I will be chuckling to myself throughout many of those miles at the thought of 'Team Asshole.'
Anyways, that is all for now. I am hoping that the cold weather is just about over. I am also hoping that I can actually do this.
Please check on my progress on my site! I am almost at $1000! Which, to be honest, is not that great compared to my teammates! Da I hope I can raise the money!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sometimes, I Hate Running
Week number 3 down!
It's been a very hectic week, between work and running.
On Tuesday night, a few of the members of 'Team Hector' met down at the Smithsonian Metro Stop to do our 4 mile Hill run together. We ran up and around the Capital. Can't say it wasn't a picturesque run. But I will say it was a bitch. Pardon my language. Like I said, it was 4 miles, uphill, and against the wind. I pretty much hated my decision to run 26.2 miles from that day forward lol!
My week got hectic from there, as I had to fly to Atlanta, Georgia for work. Do not ask me how Atlanta was. I saw only the inside of my hotel-going from meeting to meeting. At first I was very jealous of the girls there, with their southern accents. They sounded absolutely adorable and made me feel like a man. By Friday, however, when I was leaving, I was 150% happy that I was not surrounded by it anymore. Too happy and polite too much! Though I won't like, I think the word 'ya'll' has become a staple to my speech. I did run while I was in Atlanta, on the treadmill in the gym hotel. Once again, doesn't matter if I'm in DC or Atlanta, a treadmill is a treadmill and it is TORTURE!
Due to the weather predictions for Friday and Saturday, the Team In Training run was cancelled, with an option to run on Sunday with the Team. I got home Friday afternoon and expected to just go to sleep for the night due to exhaustion. But, because I have fun friends, Kerry and I decided that we should have our last horrah night and go out.
Needless to say, it is a good thing no physical activity was required on Saturday.
So today, beautiful weather conditions. Blue sky, sun and 50 degree temperatures. But every fiber in my body did not want to run. Sometimes running feels like a job, and today was such a time. There was a fleeting moment while I was out there, running, by myself, that I was happy to be out there, but for the most part, I was not having it. I definitely had one of those days when I couldn't help but think, what did I get myself into? I hate running!
I think it's a natural thought. I also think that I've been in a bit of a funk, which is usually cured by a good run, but not today. Perhaps I missed running with the team, I don't know, I just know that my enthusiasm needs to return soon.
While I was in Atlanta, I got to take a tour of the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. I had been to our Hope Lodge in Baltimore and it is a very special place to visit. I knew it, but even the CEO of the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society told us that anytime we are feeling unsure or blah about our job, take a trip to the Hope Lodge and it will give you a renewed sense of fulfillment. The American Cancer Society has 25 Hope Lodges across the country that serve as homes away from homes for cancer patients receiving treatment more than 3 days a week at a facility at least an hour away from their home. There are no further guidelines for patients to meet, everyone is welcome and the stay is completely free. During the tour of the Atlanta Hope Lodge, we spoke with and got to hear patients and their caregivers talk about what brought them to the Hope Lodge and what it means to them. It is beyond humbling and amazing to hear someone break down infront of you telling you that you are an angel for what you do, and that without the work that everyone in the Society does-from the admin staff on up, people such as themselves would not have any chance of receiving treatment. My work is tough and it's defeating some days and it's long and it requires a lot, but its those moments that I have to remind myself of. Kind of like my running. I tried so hard today when I felt myself not wanting to run, to think of the young man I wrote about in my emails out to everyone last week. I concentrated on the picture of the women Theresa I spoke with at the Hope Lodge in Atlanta who was receiving her second bout of treatment for Leukemia. I thought of all of them and I just kept running.
Maybe I lack a sense of self control, or maybe my love of running is just not there yet, but I don't know how people train for a marathon without some form of a purpose. It is tough to not want to go out there and put in your miles. It is mentally exhausting to tell yourself that this thing that seems so impossible at times is possible. Running can be one of the most humbling things that you can do. You are against yourself. You have to listen to your body, and sometimes your body is telling you something you don't want to hear. This is tough for those people, such as myself, that are called perfectionists, competitors. I have to forgo my urge to sprint with the person that just passed me and realize that my body can't do that. I have to realize that as long as I'm moving forward, that I am okay. It's these moments of weakness that I think of everyone that I represent and run for with Team In Training. I think of everyone in my life, cancer patient or not, that has suffered and gone their own personal miles. I think of myself and how far I've come in my life, the miles that I have already put in in my personal life. Sometimes these thoughts help immediately, and sometimes it is still a struggle. But all the miles that I've come in my personal life, all the miles that people close to me and those that I've met through my work, strangers on the street, I know that I can do it.
I think today was just one of those days that the 6 miles wasn't just me placing one foot infront of the other on the road, it was more a mental struggle to know that I can keep forging forward. I like to thank all those wonderful angels in my life that give me the strength to do just that!
It's been a very hectic week, between work and running.
On Tuesday night, a few of the members of 'Team Hector' met down at the Smithsonian Metro Stop to do our 4 mile Hill run together. We ran up and around the Capital. Can't say it wasn't a picturesque run. But I will say it was a bitch. Pardon my language. Like I said, it was 4 miles, uphill, and against the wind. I pretty much hated my decision to run 26.2 miles from that day forward lol!
My week got hectic from there, as I had to fly to Atlanta, Georgia for work. Do not ask me how Atlanta was. I saw only the inside of my hotel-going from meeting to meeting. At first I was very jealous of the girls there, with their southern accents. They sounded absolutely adorable and made me feel like a man. By Friday, however, when I was leaving, I was 150% happy that I was not surrounded by it anymore. Too happy and polite too much! Though I won't like, I think the word 'ya'll' has become a staple to my speech. I did run while I was in Atlanta, on the treadmill in the gym hotel. Once again, doesn't matter if I'm in DC or Atlanta, a treadmill is a treadmill and it is TORTURE!
Due to the weather predictions for Friday and Saturday, the Team In Training run was cancelled, with an option to run on Sunday with the Team. I got home Friday afternoon and expected to just go to sleep for the night due to exhaustion. But, because I have fun friends, Kerry and I decided that we should have our last horrah night and go out.
Needless to say, it is a good thing no physical activity was required on Saturday.
So today, beautiful weather conditions. Blue sky, sun and 50 degree temperatures. But every fiber in my body did not want to run. Sometimes running feels like a job, and today was such a time. There was a fleeting moment while I was out there, running, by myself, that I was happy to be out there, but for the most part, I was not having it. I definitely had one of those days when I couldn't help but think, what did I get myself into? I hate running!
I think it's a natural thought. I also think that I've been in a bit of a funk, which is usually cured by a good run, but not today. Perhaps I missed running with the team, I don't know, I just know that my enthusiasm needs to return soon.
While I was in Atlanta, I got to take a tour of the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. I had been to our Hope Lodge in Baltimore and it is a very special place to visit. I knew it, but even the CEO of the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society told us that anytime we are feeling unsure or blah about our job, take a trip to the Hope Lodge and it will give you a renewed sense of fulfillment. The American Cancer Society has 25 Hope Lodges across the country that serve as homes away from homes for cancer patients receiving treatment more than 3 days a week at a facility at least an hour away from their home. There are no further guidelines for patients to meet, everyone is welcome and the stay is completely free. During the tour of the Atlanta Hope Lodge, we spoke with and got to hear patients and their caregivers talk about what brought them to the Hope Lodge and what it means to them. It is beyond humbling and amazing to hear someone break down infront of you telling you that you are an angel for what you do, and that without the work that everyone in the Society does-from the admin staff on up, people such as themselves would not have any chance of receiving treatment. My work is tough and it's defeating some days and it's long and it requires a lot, but its those moments that I have to remind myself of. Kind of like my running. I tried so hard today when I felt myself not wanting to run, to think of the young man I wrote about in my emails out to everyone last week. I concentrated on the picture of the women Theresa I spoke with at the Hope Lodge in Atlanta who was receiving her second bout of treatment for Leukemia. I thought of all of them and I just kept running.
Maybe I lack a sense of self control, or maybe my love of running is just not there yet, but I don't know how people train for a marathon without some form of a purpose. It is tough to not want to go out there and put in your miles. It is mentally exhausting to tell yourself that this thing that seems so impossible at times is possible. Running can be one of the most humbling things that you can do. You are against yourself. You have to listen to your body, and sometimes your body is telling you something you don't want to hear. This is tough for those people, such as myself, that are called perfectionists, competitors. I have to forgo my urge to sprint with the person that just passed me and realize that my body can't do that. I have to realize that as long as I'm moving forward, that I am okay. It's these moments of weakness that I think of everyone that I represent and run for with Team In Training. I think of everyone in my life, cancer patient or not, that has suffered and gone their own personal miles. I think of myself and how far I've come in my life, the miles that I have already put in in my personal life. Sometimes these thoughts help immediately, and sometimes it is still a struggle. But all the miles that I've come in my personal life, all the miles that people close to me and those that I've met through my work, strangers on the street, I know that I can do it.
I think today was just one of those days that the 6 miles wasn't just me placing one foot infront of the other on the road, it was more a mental struggle to know that I can keep forging forward. I like to thank all those wonderful angels in my life that give me the strength to do just that!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Team We Run for Food
It's 10:34 am Saturday morning, February 16th and I have already eaten two breakfasts, ran 4 miles, made it to the grocery store and showered! And on top of that, because of the early morning wake up call, I spent my Friday evening cleaning my house and doing laundry. Granted, I usually hang out with friends on Fridays even when I have to run the next day, but really, exercising really has a way of getting your life together!
Week 2 of training was interesting. And by interesting I mean hell. I am not talking about the actual physical running part, but the rather the weather. For many of us on the East Coast, we got hit with rain, cold and ice! On Tuesday the cobblestone sidewalks in my neighborhood were just one big sheet of black ice! I moved my car, anticipating to then go to the gym, and had to walk inthe middle of the street so that I didn't fall and bust my butt. Ah yes, the gym. I have come to hate the gym. It cages me in. Maybe it's not the gym that I hate. Maybe it's this little machine known as the Treadmill. I have come to the conclusion that if a runner goes to hell, they are banished to an eternity running on a treadmill. So I was to run 3 miles on Tuesday evening, which, for me, 3 miles is a mere sneeze. Before Team In Training, I kind of didn't even say I went on a run if I only did 3 miles. But on the treadmill, I felt like those 3 miles were 26.2. I probably looked like someone who never runs. I was constantly checking the clock, speeding up the machine until I was doing a 7 minute mile just to get it over with! As soon as the display read 3, I stopped that thing and ran out of there! I TRIED to find a happy place. I even closed my eyes at one point to imagine I was running somewhere else, but when I almost tripped over my feet and busted my butt (hm is it possible to use that phrase 2 times in one paragraph?), anyways, I then decided I better keep my eyes open.
So after Tuesday, I guess that was really the only day of running hell. I tend to exaggerate sometimes. The rest of the week, the weather was completely gorgeous to go out and run. Days like that I sit at my desk and daydream about my workout. Yes. I have lost my mind.
As I said, here I sit it is now 1o to 11 am on Saturday morning and I have done more with my day than most will do all day. Today we ran 4 miles of the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda, MD. Here is the link if you are interested/have stalker tendences:http://www.cctrail.org/CCT_General_Info.htm. For many of you who are unfamiliary with my territory down here, the Capital Crescent stretches from Bethesda, MD to Georgetown. Okay, that totally didn't clear it up for you. Anyways, it is a pretty nice trail, and I am trying to appreciate the low mileage while it lasts! I forgot how much running with a group makes it so much more enjoyable! At one point, I asked how far we had gone and someone said 3.5 miles and I couldn't believe it! The conversations just make it fly by! Running with the team is fantastic! When you pass team members along the way, everyone cheers each other on, so much motivation! It's also a fun way to meet people. We had people catch up to us and run with us a bit, by us I mean Kerry me and our teammate Moses, and you just introduce one another and find out about each other little by little. Our little running pack ended up pacing at 8:35 mile, which I was happy about. There is no way in hell though, that I will be able to maintain that for 26.2 LOL!
So in short, I love it (still). Moses kept saying how excited he was to see us run our first marathon, because there was nothing like it. He said when he crossed th finish line of his first one, he just broke into tears! I will be a puddle, guarenteed! 'Team Hector' (still working on that name) is just great! We all have great personalities and spirits, I think this season will be amazing! We are going for a buddy run on Tuesday evening down at the mall--not Tysons, the National Mall.
For now I'm just going to relax, ice my knee a bit and enjoy the rest of the day doing nothing--cause I did it all last night and this morning!
Week 2 of training was interesting. And by interesting I mean hell. I am not talking about the actual physical running part, but the rather the weather. For many of us on the East Coast, we got hit with rain, cold and ice! On Tuesday the cobblestone sidewalks in my neighborhood were just one big sheet of black ice! I moved my car, anticipating to then go to the gym, and had to walk inthe middle of the street so that I didn't fall and bust my butt. Ah yes, the gym. I have come to hate the gym. It cages me in. Maybe it's not the gym that I hate. Maybe it's this little machine known as the Treadmill. I have come to the conclusion that if a runner goes to hell, they are banished to an eternity running on a treadmill. So I was to run 3 miles on Tuesday evening, which, for me, 3 miles is a mere sneeze. Before Team In Training, I kind of didn't even say I went on a run if I only did 3 miles. But on the treadmill, I felt like those 3 miles were 26.2. I probably looked like someone who never runs. I was constantly checking the clock, speeding up the machine until I was doing a 7 minute mile just to get it over with! As soon as the display read 3, I stopped that thing and ran out of there! I TRIED to find a happy place. I even closed my eyes at one point to imagine I was running somewhere else, but when I almost tripped over my feet and busted my butt (hm is it possible to use that phrase 2 times in one paragraph?), anyways, I then decided I better keep my eyes open.
So after Tuesday, I guess that was really the only day of running hell. I tend to exaggerate sometimes. The rest of the week, the weather was completely gorgeous to go out and run. Days like that I sit at my desk and daydream about my workout. Yes. I have lost my mind.
As I said, here I sit it is now 1o to 11 am on Saturday morning and I have done more with my day than most will do all day. Today we ran 4 miles of the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda, MD. Here is the link if you are interested/have stalker tendences:http://www.cctrail.org/CCT_General_Info.htm. For many of you who are unfamiliary with my territory down here, the Capital Crescent stretches from Bethesda, MD to Georgetown. Okay, that totally didn't clear it up for you. Anyways, it is a pretty nice trail, and I am trying to appreciate the low mileage while it lasts! I forgot how much running with a group makes it so much more enjoyable! At one point, I asked how far we had gone and someone said 3.5 miles and I couldn't believe it! The conversations just make it fly by! Running with the team is fantastic! When you pass team members along the way, everyone cheers each other on, so much motivation! It's also a fun way to meet people. We had people catch up to us and run with us a bit, by us I mean Kerry me and our teammate Moses, and you just introduce one another and find out about each other little by little. Our little running pack ended up pacing at 8:35 mile, which I was happy about. There is no way in hell though, that I will be able to maintain that for 26.2 LOL!
So in short, I love it (still). Moses kept saying how excited he was to see us run our first marathon, because there was nothing like it. He said when he crossed th finish line of his first one, he just broke into tears! I will be a puddle, guarenteed! 'Team Hector' (still working on that name) is just great! We all have great personalities and spirits, I think this season will be amazing! We are going for a buddy run on Tuesday evening down at the mall--not Tysons, the National Mall.
For now I'm just going to relax, ice my knee a bit and enjoy the rest of the day doing nothing--cause I did it all last night and this morning!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
And We're Off!!! Team In Training has BEGUN!
So, if you read my previous post, you understand maybe a little bit more why I am running 26.2 miles in exactly 109 days, 22 hours and 52 minutes! Or maybe you still think I'm crazy?! Maybe I am, but I think it's the crazy in us that makes us the amazing individuals that we are!
So Team In Training officially kicked off on February 2nd at our kickoff breakfast! We had a chance to meet some of our teammates, our team captain and our coaches. Most importantly, we got our shirts. Okay,maybe not most important, but it's definitely all about the schwag! The morning was motivational, exciting and a bit overwhelming! In the room were all the 2008 summer season athletes for Team In Training-so there were the triathletes, the cyclists and the marathoners, about 277 in total. By now you all know that I have to raise $4000 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That morning, it was announced that the National Capital Region's 2008 Summer athletes were goaled at $1 million dollars! I know that with your support, you will help us reach that goal!
The morning was filled with stories of survivors, our honored teammates, who told of their personal battles to the finish line of beating cancer. While I deal with cancer and cancer patients on a daily basis at my job for the American Cancer Society, the stories of personal courage from the survivors and patients alike never cease to amaze and inspire me. I truly know that when the miles get difficult, the remarkable stories of these patients, combined with my energetic coaches and fellow teammates will motivate me to keep moving one foot in front of the other until I get to the finish. Our personal honored teammate is a young girl named Ashley who is now a freshman at James Madison University. Ashley was diagnosed at the age of 7 with leukemia. She spent most of her childhood out of school and in chemo. She tells of not making friends because they were afraid of catching her cancer and taking endless medications. We are dedicating our 26.2 miles to this courageous girl who has fought the battle of blood cancer and turned into bright, beautiful girl with a great future ahead.
This past Saturday, the 9th, we had our first team run. The first Saturday of many to come that I will be waking up before the sunrise to get to practice. We were to get there at 7:30 and it was supposed to be a 3 mile pace run to figure out what pace groups to put us in. Before the run, we had two really great seminars about choosing the right shoes and also injury prevention. While the seminars were really interesting, by the end of them, my stomach was angry at me for only providing it with only a Nature's Valley bar. Not a good sign for a successful pace run!
After the seminars, the 50 or so runners headed down to the track where we were supposed to run. Well, due to some miscommunication, the track was locked and we could not get on it. At first one of the coaches drove around the high school parking lot where we were trying to clock mileage for us to run. When she got back, she blasted jock jams out of her car as we all stretched in the freezing cold. After about 45 minutes of trying to figure out what to do, it was decided that we would forego the run and just go home. Well, not if you're on "Team Hector,"aka my team, the DC runners! We manned up and decided to go for a 3 mile run at the mall. Maybe those of you who aren't familiar with DC wouldn't get this confused, but normally, the worlds, the mall are generally only used down here in reference to the National Mall-or so Kerry and I thought. So Kerry and I geared up to drive down to "The Mall," but quickly realized we were wrong. We were actually going to run around a mall. Not inside the mall, but outside, along the parking lots, of the giant Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia. So for a little less than 30 minutes, we ran the parking lot of one of the largest malls I have ever seen in our Team In Training shirts. It was probably the funniest and most interesting running experience I have ever had and certainly a great first bonding experience with my teammates! I think we talked the entire time about how hungry we were and where we were going to eat-Chipotle? Silver Diner? Bagels? Olive Garden?! We decided on bagels and of course sat and talked about running. Even things like, how you don't sleep the night before the race bcs you are so anxious and excited.
It was a very low mileage week, but it was so much fun! While it is just the beginning, I feel like joining TNT might possibly be one of the best decisions of my life. While listening to the coaches and various speakers on Saturday, I became completely proud of my decision that brought me to that brought me to this point in my life. I am proud that I am going to take advantage of my healthy heart, my healthy legs (knock on wood), and run 26.2 miles. Furthermore, I am proud that I have entered into this race with countless others who are dedicating their miles of sweat and struggle to those who did not have a choice to enter into the personal physical and mental battle that is cancer. It’s these moments of self-awareness, that make me realize that I am not completely crazy, despite what family members or friends may say. And it seems like I'm going to have great times along the way!
Please continue to check in on my progress and in this blog and on my fundraising website! I'm sure I won't be sounding soooo chipper as the miles increase, but there will definitely be some good reading material--okay I'll be honest, not good, but a boredom filler, how's that?
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
So Team In Training officially kicked off on February 2nd at our kickoff breakfast! We had a chance to meet some of our teammates, our team captain and our coaches. Most importantly, we got our shirts. Okay,maybe not most important, but it's definitely all about the schwag! The morning was motivational, exciting and a bit overwhelming! In the room were all the 2008 summer season athletes for Team In Training-so there were the triathletes, the cyclists and the marathoners, about 277 in total. By now you all know that I have to raise $4000 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That morning, it was announced that the National Capital Region's 2008 Summer athletes were goaled at $1 million dollars! I know that with your support, you will help us reach that goal!
The morning was filled with stories of survivors, our honored teammates, who told of their personal battles to the finish line of beating cancer. While I deal with cancer and cancer patients on a daily basis at my job for the American Cancer Society, the stories of personal courage from the survivors and patients alike never cease to amaze and inspire me. I truly know that when the miles get difficult, the remarkable stories of these patients, combined with my energetic coaches and fellow teammates will motivate me to keep moving one foot in front of the other until I get to the finish. Our personal honored teammate is a young girl named Ashley who is now a freshman at James Madison University. Ashley was diagnosed at the age of 7 with leukemia. She spent most of her childhood out of school and in chemo. She tells of not making friends because they were afraid of catching her cancer and taking endless medications. We are dedicating our 26.2 miles to this courageous girl who has fought the battle of blood cancer and turned into bright, beautiful girl with a great future ahead.
This past Saturday, the 9th, we had our first team run. The first Saturday of many to come that I will be waking up before the sunrise to get to practice. We were to get there at 7:30 and it was supposed to be a 3 mile pace run to figure out what pace groups to put us in. Before the run, we had two really great seminars about choosing the right shoes and also injury prevention. While the seminars were really interesting, by the end of them, my stomach was angry at me for only providing it with only a Nature's Valley bar. Not a good sign for a successful pace run!
After the seminars, the 50 or so runners headed down to the track where we were supposed to run. Well, due to some miscommunication, the track was locked and we could not get on it. At first one of the coaches drove around the high school parking lot where we were trying to clock mileage for us to run. When she got back, she blasted jock jams out of her car as we all stretched in the freezing cold. After about 45 minutes of trying to figure out what to do, it was decided that we would forego the run and just go home. Well, not if you're on "Team Hector,"aka my team, the DC runners! We manned up and decided to go for a 3 mile run at the mall. Maybe those of you who aren't familiar with DC wouldn't get this confused, but normally, the worlds, the mall are generally only used down here in reference to the National Mall-or so Kerry and I thought. So Kerry and I geared up to drive down to "The Mall," but quickly realized we were wrong. We were actually going to run around a mall. Not inside the mall, but outside, along the parking lots, of the giant Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia. So for a little less than 30 minutes, we ran the parking lot of one of the largest malls I have ever seen in our Team In Training shirts. It was probably the funniest and most interesting running experience I have ever had and certainly a great first bonding experience with my teammates! I think we talked the entire time about how hungry we were and where we were going to eat-Chipotle? Silver Diner? Bagels? Olive Garden?! We decided on bagels and of course sat and talked about running. Even things like, how you don't sleep the night before the race bcs you are so anxious and excited.
It was a very low mileage week, but it was so much fun! While it is just the beginning, I feel like joining TNT might possibly be one of the best decisions of my life. While listening to the coaches and various speakers on Saturday, I became completely proud of my decision that brought me to that brought me to this point in my life. I am proud that I am going to take advantage of my healthy heart, my healthy legs (knock on wood), and run 26.2 miles. Furthermore, I am proud that I have entered into this race with countless others who are dedicating their miles of sweat and struggle to those who did not have a choice to enter into the personal physical and mental battle that is cancer. It’s these moments of self-awareness, that make me realize that I am not completely crazy, despite what family members or friends may say. And it seems like I'm going to have great times along the way!
Please continue to check in on my progress and in this blog and on my fundraising website! I'm sure I won't be sounding soooo chipper as the miles increase, but there will definitely be some good reading material--okay I'll be honest, not good, but a boredom filler, how's that?
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaSNess
Monday, February 11, 2008
Why I love running
Welcome to my first ever blog! I wanted to create a space that I could update everyone on my marathon training progress, so here it is!
So let's start from the very beginning...
Ever since I can remember, I played a sport. Being part of a team and going to practices and games was a way of life for me for quite some time. However, never in my time as an athlete did I ever think of running as something enjoyable. In high school, I thought cross country runners were the weirdest kids ever. Who would actually choose to participate in an activity that would require you to run miles upon miles? For me, running consisted of sprinting drills on the basketball court or field hockey field when someone missed a foul shot in practice or we weren't working hard enough according to the coaches' standards. The world 'mile' never corresponded with my exercise regime.
Of course, as with all of us, high school ended and thus, my career as an athlete. To stay in shape, I attempted to start running. I hated it. I forced myself to do it. It was tedious, it was painful, but I had to do something that kept me moving.
People always say to me, I can't run, I've tried and I just hate it. I always laugh. Running, for most people, takes practice. I think it was a good couple of years before I realized that I kind of enjoyed it, at least, I thought it was a bearable form of exercise. Running/working out takes discipline and effort. It is an acquired love affair, at least for most of us-the sane ones. As my distances slowly creeped up and the more I did it, I don't think I was even starting to love it, but I started to feel the challenge. The challenge of, well if I got this far, let's try to go a little further next time. Soon the days when I didn't run felt a little empty. Last year, when I had only basic cable, sitting in my studio apartment with nothing to do, I watched The Ironman race on TV. That afternoon, as I watched an 89 year old nun complete her 20th Ironman, a 66 year old father who pushed his 44 year old son with cerebral palsy through the race,and a man with prosthetic legs running, I realized I could do it. How could I not? Here I was with two healthy legs, a healthy heart, it would be selfish not to push myself. I'll start small. I'll run a marathon. Clearly, I need to rethink my definition of small.
It was a perfect solution. Running, just as any form of exercise, gets very boring for me. Especially when I was an athlete used to having a goal in mind. Building up to a marathon would be a great goal in mind to push myself. So, I knew I wanted to run a marathon, but I just didn't know when. Running buddies help this whole next equation, especially when you are 23 and single! Marathon training takes discipline and well, social events have to take backseats. So over the next year, I began running more regularly. Finally, one day, one of my best friends in DC Annie, got me on board for the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. I would like to say from there,the rest was history. If I were to say when I fell in love with running, officially, it would be this past summer when I trained for the half marathon. Suddenly, running felt like me. I was a member of a new club, or cult depending on how you look at it, and it just felt great.
Here I am, a good 6 years since I started running for exercise, hating every moment of it, and I am in love with it. You get me started, and clearly, I can't stop talking about it. I find myself in social situations with non-runners, and people ask me about running, and 15 minutes later, I experience an out of body experience. I see my lips moving, I hear the words 'Gu' and 'PR pace' coming out of my mouth, and I want to stop, but I can't! I promise, it's not just me. I think they cast a spell on you when you join the cult. We can't stop talking about it because we are trying constantly to recruit new members.
Running now is more than just a physical challenge to me. While the new mile markers are always a sense of accomplishment, the mental exercise it gives me is perhaps what I love the most. Since I've really accepted this as part of my life, I feel like running has become my personal form of zen or spirituality. You learn a lot about yourself when you are out on the road for hours by yourself, or with a running buddy. For those minutes or hours you are out on that road, you are forced to be in your own head, like it or not. I don't even run with music anymore-another practice I had to get used to. If I'm running with a buddy, it's nice to have conversations with them. If I am running alone, listening to my breath and my feet pounding on the sidewalk calms me. There are so many times I get so lost in my own thoughts that what I feel like minutes that have passed are really miles. Maybe that's what they mean by the runner's high. I can tell you, I've been there and it really is an awesome feeling. Especially because right before the high, you feel like you can't run a step further!
Running is a mental game. It's very much parallel to life. You are against yourself and yourself alone. Fighting the urges to stop, thinking you can't. Going past the pain, the boredom. One day you can go out and run ten miles and feel like you have another ten in you, and the next day you struggle through 1. It's defeating. But you have to rise above it and just keep going. I think the mental factor of running has made me a stronger person. Ever since I fully accepted myself as 'a runner' I just feel so much more balenced. Little mantras that I say to myself to get me through tough hill workouts, such as 'slow and steady wins the race,' suddenly come to me in my everyday life when I'm not running and I'm stressed out by life. There are so many times when I wish I had a pen and paper with me, because some of my best thoughts are while I'm running. I of course, forget them all when I stop. Everything in my life seems so much more clear and possible after a run.
In addition to my thoughts, the unbelievable views that I get running in this city are incredible. Whether I am running at sunrise, at sunset or mid-day, there are so many times that I close my eyes and try to take a mental picture to remember a particular setting because it is so breathtaking. Oftentimes, I wish that my family and friends could be with me to see some of the images I get to see when I'm on the road. If I tend to forget, as we all do from time to time, about how lucky I am to be where I am, it's those moments when I'm on the street looking at the monuments and I just so grateful.
Two weeks ago, fellow Team In Training member and one of my best friends Kerry, and I went to go see the movie 'Spirit of the Marathon.' It was a documentary film about 5 runners, 2 elite and 3 novice, training for the 2005 Chicago marathon. The film was only in theatres one night and was completely sold out coast to coast, filled with runners. It was incredible to sit in a theatre with complete strangers and feel as though they were friends because they 'got' what running was. For as incredible as it was to sit there with people who understood how you felt, I wished that my friends and family could see it so they could glimpse some of the emotions that I feel for this sport. One of my favorite parts of the movie said, the marathon is so unique because it is the one sport that you are experiencing the same emotions and struggles along the way with thousands of others. That's awesome. It is pretty incredible to be involved in something that is very isolating, yet so connected to so many other people.
There are so many times when I'm out on the street doing my usual stream of thoughts, and I think, 'how in the hell did I get myself into this?!' But the thought quickly disappears. I don't know how this all happened, but I am a runner. You can call me crazy, but I don't care. I will proabably try to recruit you repeatedly to the cult. You tell me, but Sarah, I can't because of "x, y and z" and I will tell you a story of a guy who lost both his limbs and was out there running in a marathon. When I was little, my dad told me there is no such word as "can't." I have to remind myself of this probably every run I have and I experience that moment of self doubt. I CAN do this. You all can do this. That is perhaps one of the greatest things about it. The one thing about running, you don't have to be a superhero, or an athlete even, you just have to have the mental toughness and the positive I can do this attitude and you can do it. You don't have to be a superhero or an athlete, but you will feel like one.
So let's start from the very beginning...
Ever since I can remember, I played a sport. Being part of a team and going to practices and games was a way of life for me for quite some time. However, never in my time as an athlete did I ever think of running as something enjoyable. In high school, I thought cross country runners were the weirdest kids ever. Who would actually choose to participate in an activity that would require you to run miles upon miles? For me, running consisted of sprinting drills on the basketball court or field hockey field when someone missed a foul shot in practice or we weren't working hard enough according to the coaches' standards. The world 'mile' never corresponded with my exercise regime.
Of course, as with all of us, high school ended and thus, my career as an athlete. To stay in shape, I attempted to start running. I hated it. I forced myself to do it. It was tedious, it was painful, but I had to do something that kept me moving.
People always say to me, I can't run, I've tried and I just hate it. I always laugh. Running, for most people, takes practice. I think it was a good couple of years before I realized that I kind of enjoyed it, at least, I thought it was a bearable form of exercise. Running/working out takes discipline and effort. It is an acquired love affair, at least for most of us-the sane ones. As my distances slowly creeped up and the more I did it, I don't think I was even starting to love it, but I started to feel the challenge. The challenge of, well if I got this far, let's try to go a little further next time. Soon the days when I didn't run felt a little empty. Last year, when I had only basic cable, sitting in my studio apartment with nothing to do, I watched The Ironman race on TV. That afternoon, as I watched an 89 year old nun complete her 20th Ironman, a 66 year old father who pushed his 44 year old son with cerebral palsy through the race,and a man with prosthetic legs running, I realized I could do it. How could I not? Here I was with two healthy legs, a healthy heart, it would be selfish not to push myself. I'll start small. I'll run a marathon. Clearly, I need to rethink my definition of small.
It was a perfect solution. Running, just as any form of exercise, gets very boring for me. Especially when I was an athlete used to having a goal in mind. Building up to a marathon would be a great goal in mind to push myself. So, I knew I wanted to run a marathon, but I just didn't know when. Running buddies help this whole next equation, especially when you are 23 and single! Marathon training takes discipline and well, social events have to take backseats. So over the next year, I began running more regularly. Finally, one day, one of my best friends in DC Annie, got me on board for the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. I would like to say from there,the rest was history. If I were to say when I fell in love with running, officially, it would be this past summer when I trained for the half marathon. Suddenly, running felt like me. I was a member of a new club, or cult depending on how you look at it, and it just felt great.
Here I am, a good 6 years since I started running for exercise, hating every moment of it, and I am in love with it. You get me started, and clearly, I can't stop talking about it. I find myself in social situations with non-runners, and people ask me about running, and 15 minutes later, I experience an out of body experience. I see my lips moving, I hear the words 'Gu' and 'PR pace' coming out of my mouth, and I want to stop, but I can't! I promise, it's not just me. I think they cast a spell on you when you join the cult. We can't stop talking about it because we are trying constantly to recruit new members.
Running now is more than just a physical challenge to me. While the new mile markers are always a sense of accomplishment, the mental exercise it gives me is perhaps what I love the most. Since I've really accepted this as part of my life, I feel like running has become my personal form of zen or spirituality. You learn a lot about yourself when you are out on the road for hours by yourself, or with a running buddy. For those minutes or hours you are out on that road, you are forced to be in your own head, like it or not. I don't even run with music anymore-another practice I had to get used to. If I'm running with a buddy, it's nice to have conversations with them. If I am running alone, listening to my breath and my feet pounding on the sidewalk calms me. There are so many times I get so lost in my own thoughts that what I feel like minutes that have passed are really miles. Maybe that's what they mean by the runner's high. I can tell you, I've been there and it really is an awesome feeling. Especially because right before the high, you feel like you can't run a step further!
Running is a mental game. It's very much parallel to life. You are against yourself and yourself alone. Fighting the urges to stop, thinking you can't. Going past the pain, the boredom. One day you can go out and run ten miles and feel like you have another ten in you, and the next day you struggle through 1. It's defeating. But you have to rise above it and just keep going. I think the mental factor of running has made me a stronger person. Ever since I fully accepted myself as 'a runner' I just feel so much more balenced. Little mantras that I say to myself to get me through tough hill workouts, such as 'slow and steady wins the race,' suddenly come to me in my everyday life when I'm not running and I'm stressed out by life. There are so many times when I wish I had a pen and paper with me, because some of my best thoughts are while I'm running. I of course, forget them all when I stop. Everything in my life seems so much more clear and possible after a run.
In addition to my thoughts, the unbelievable views that I get running in this city are incredible. Whether I am running at sunrise, at sunset or mid-day, there are so many times that I close my eyes and try to take a mental picture to remember a particular setting because it is so breathtaking. Oftentimes, I wish that my family and friends could be with me to see some of the images I get to see when I'm on the road. If I tend to forget, as we all do from time to time, about how lucky I am to be where I am, it's those moments when I'm on the street looking at the monuments and I just so grateful.
Two weeks ago, fellow Team In Training member and one of my best friends Kerry, and I went to go see the movie 'Spirit of the Marathon.' It was a documentary film about 5 runners, 2 elite and 3 novice, training for the 2005 Chicago marathon. The film was only in theatres one night and was completely sold out coast to coast, filled with runners. It was incredible to sit in a theatre with complete strangers and feel as though they were friends because they 'got' what running was. For as incredible as it was to sit there with people who understood how you felt, I wished that my friends and family could see it so they could glimpse some of the emotions that I feel for this sport. One of my favorite parts of the movie said, the marathon is so unique because it is the one sport that you are experiencing the same emotions and struggles along the way with thousands of others. That's awesome. It is pretty incredible to be involved in something that is very isolating, yet so connected to so many other people.
There are so many times when I'm out on the street doing my usual stream of thoughts, and I think, 'how in the hell did I get myself into this?!' But the thought quickly disappears. I don't know how this all happened, but I am a runner. You can call me crazy, but I don't care. I will proabably try to recruit you repeatedly to the cult. You tell me, but Sarah, I can't because of "x, y and z" and I will tell you a story of a guy who lost both his limbs and was out there running in a marathon. When I was little, my dad told me there is no such word as "can't." I have to remind myself of this probably every run I have and I experience that moment of self doubt. I CAN do this. You all can do this. That is perhaps one of the greatest things about it. The one thing about running, you don't have to be a superhero, or an athlete even, you just have to have the mental toughness and the positive I can do this attitude and you can do it. You don't have to be a superhero or an athlete, but you will feel like one.
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