I am so excited about my progress. As you have seen in my earlier posts, I have been struggling a bit with the actual running part of this and have been walking more than running. This past week, I hit an exciting milestone as my running equalled my walking on the training route. I ran 2 1/2 miles and walked 2 1/2 miles for a grand total of 5 miles - all in one run. It felt so wonderful to know that I could go that far running. Now I know I can do more and more.
It was really thinking about Wally and everything that happened around his passing that keeps me pushing myself. I will try in the next few blogs to share with you some of the memories I have of that time to help you understand where I am at emotionally with this journey.
Richard is heading to New York City this week. He is going to visit Mickey Mantle's restaurant for his dad. Mickey Mantle was Wally's hero and he was never able to visit the restaurant. Richard is going to take some of the earth from Wally's grave there to sprinkle outside.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Nutria on the path
In case you were wondering, I do most of my training on the paths in The Woodlands. This works out well most of the time as the paths are shaded and winding and you can smell the honeysuckle along the way. There is also quite a bit of nature watching that can be done from the paths.
Usually, I run in the evenings, so I am most likely to come across a squirrel or two and maybe a bunny. Every now and then, I may see a snake or lizard sunning themsleves in the afternoon and they make a b-line for the woods as I get closer (thank heavens.)
On Saturdays, we start out very early. These days are for our long runs and we are up to 7 miles now (and I am running more and more of that.) Since the runs are so long and the heat is so stifling, we start out at 6 AM. I know that most of you are in the midst of sweet dreams at this time on a Saturday morning, but I have found that this is one of the most active times for wildlife along The Woodlands trails. Last Saturday, I saw deer grazing, and even had one along side us in the woods. I saw some very beautiful egrets.
And I also saw a family of nutria.
This was a new experience for me. I have heard that nutria are like rats on steriods, so I was glad I had never run across one. But as I saw this family of nutria swimming and gathering on the grass next to the path - oblivious to us runners by the way - I did not think they were that bad. They kind of remind me of beavers without the flat tail. I actually think they are sort of cute.
Many of my fellow teammates try to get by them as fast as possible. I actually like to look at them and see what they are doing. So now, I look forward to Saturday morning - not just for the run, but for the wildlife as well. I look forward to seeing the nutria on the path. I know - I am a bit weird.
Usually, I run in the evenings, so I am most likely to come across a squirrel or two and maybe a bunny. Every now and then, I may see a snake or lizard sunning themsleves in the afternoon and they make a b-line for the woods as I get closer (thank heavens.)
On Saturdays, we start out very early. These days are for our long runs and we are up to 7 miles now (and I am running more and more of that.) Since the runs are so long and the heat is so stifling, we start out at 6 AM. I know that most of you are in the midst of sweet dreams at this time on a Saturday morning, but I have found that this is one of the most active times for wildlife along The Woodlands trails. Last Saturday, I saw deer grazing, and even had one along side us in the woods. I saw some very beautiful egrets.
And I also saw a family of nutria.
This was a new experience for me. I have heard that nutria are like rats on steriods, so I was glad I had never run across one. But as I saw this family of nutria swimming and gathering on the grass next to the path - oblivious to us runners by the way - I did not think they were that bad. They kind of remind me of beavers without the flat tail. I actually think they are sort of cute.
Many of my fellow teammates try to get by them as fast as possible. I actually like to look at them and see what they are doing. So now, I look forward to Saturday morning - not just for the run, but for the wildlife as well. I look forward to seeing the nutria on the path. I know - I am a bit weird.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Time is ticking
Wow, how time flies. Only 4 months until the big race and only 1 month until I have to recommit to this race. That means, I have to make a choice to quit the race because of funds, or continue training for the race and guarantee the full fundraising commitment of $2,800.00.
I know I will recommit because, to me, quitting is not an option. Wally did not have the choice to quit - and neither do I. I also know that I can meet the fundraising goal, and hopefully exceed it with your support.
This cause is so dear to me and I am working on finding ways to raise additional funds - more for the life that may save than for the race I have to run. Did you know that more and more of the treatments found through research are working for not only blood cancers, but many other types of cancer as well? That makes me understand that the work the LLS does has an even bigger impact on the lives of all cancer patients and their families.
Current and Upcoming Fundraisers:
Team In Training Raffle Tickets
I am currently selling $5 raffle tickets for a raffle to be held on August 9th. There is no need to be present and there is a multitude of prizes. The grand prize is a Wii gaming system. There are also autographed sports memorabilia, restaurant gift cards and a variety of other prizes. You can donate on my website and/or send me an e-mail with the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
Hot Dog Social
With help of family and friends, I will be hosting a Hot Dog Social. Although I do not have all of the details worked out yet (date, time, location), I can tell you it will be in September and will include games for the kids and a raffle for the adults. I will send out an eVite and I will update my site with more information as it becomes available.
Thank you again for all of your support!
I know I will recommit because, to me, quitting is not an option. Wally did not have the choice to quit - and neither do I. I also know that I can meet the fundraising goal, and hopefully exceed it with your support.
This cause is so dear to me and I am working on finding ways to raise additional funds - more for the life that may save than for the race I have to run. Did you know that more and more of the treatments found through research are working for not only blood cancers, but many other types of cancer as well? That makes me understand that the work the LLS does has an even bigger impact on the lives of all cancer patients and their families.
Current and Upcoming Fundraisers:
Team In Training Raffle Tickets
I am currently selling $5 raffle tickets for a raffle to be held on August 9th. There is no need to be present and there is a multitude of prizes. The grand prize is a Wii gaming system. There are also autographed sports memorabilia, restaurant gift cards and a variety of other prizes. You can donate on my website and/or send me an e-mail with the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
Hot Dog Social
With help of family and friends, I will be hosting a Hot Dog Social. Although I do not have all of the details worked out yet (date, time, location), I can tell you it will be in September and will include games for the kids and a raffle for the adults. I will send out an eVite and I will update my site with more information as it becomes available.
Thank you again for all of your support!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Helpful Reminder
I am back from vacation, but I think my mind was still in vacation mode earlier today. I seemed to have become a little complacent. I started coming up with excuses to not get out there today - my allergies are bad, I am tired, I can do it tomorrow, etc. Richard reminded me of an important thought that I started this journey with - Wally did not have a choice to fight for his body everyday.
So I got out there and put in 5 miles, running as much of it as I could. I will be honest - I am beat and sore. But I thank God that I can feel this way. I am glad I got out there and pushed my body and my mind.
I did it for Wally and all those fighting cancer everyday. I did it because I believe in this cause. And I did it for me.
So I got out there and put in 5 miles, running as much of it as I could. I will be honest - I am beat and sore. But I thank God that I can feel this way. I am glad I got out there and pushed my body and my mind.
I did it for Wally and all those fighting cancer everyday. I did it because I believe in this cause. And I did it for me.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Training in Missouri
This week I have been on vacation with my family in Missouri. We have been staying with my Aunt Donna and Uncle Bob and having a wonderful time. I wish training included riding a Sea-Doo for most of the day.
Anyway, I wish I could say I was more disciplined while I was away. But I did go out and ran/walked. I had to come up with a different strategy in Missouri though. I know you might think that Texas has hills... or not. However, Missouri has real hills, steep and rolling! So my strategy there became to walk up the hills and run down. It was actually pretty effective and I was even able to get halfway up a few with the momentum I created.
The other main difference was the heat. I think the highest it got in Missouri was 94 degrees. And when I was out there training, it was only about 80 degrees. Still humid, but so much cooler. I will be back in Texas on Saturday and ready for that 6 AM run in the 92 degree heat and humidity. Home Sweat Home! - I mean Sweet.
Anyway, I wish I could say I was more disciplined while I was away. But I did go out and ran/walked. I had to come up with a different strategy in Missouri though. I know you might think that Texas has hills... or not. However, Missouri has real hills, steep and rolling! So my strategy there became to walk up the hills and run down. It was actually pretty effective and I was even able to get halfway up a few with the momentum I created.
The other main difference was the heat. I think the highest it got in Missouri was 94 degrees. And when I was out there training, it was only about 80 degrees. Still humid, but so much cooler. I will be back in Texas on Saturday and ready for that 6 AM run in the 92 degree heat and humidity. Home Sweat Home! - I mean Sweet.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
New Challenges
When I started this adventure, I thought the hardest parts would be the actual running and fundraising. What I have unexpectedly found is that it is the emotional stuff that is the most difficult.
Of course, losing Wally has been the most difficult part of all and I cannot even come close to describing the pain we feel. So I won't even try. Just know that all of your support and thoughts and prayers are helping.
But really what has surprised me, is the range of emotions I am going through for this cause in particular. There are so many stories of people struggling and battling these diseases. Some are triumphant, but so many are tragic. In our training, we have a Mentor Moment in which someone discusses why they are involved with Team In Training. There has not been one time in which I have not been overcome by the emotion of each and every story. Too many fo these stories end sadly. It is hard to bear sometimes.
But it also drives me to keep going. It reaffirms my purpose and makes me push harder - both in training and in fundraising. I want to hear more of the positive and less of the tragic. I want to make a difference - even if it is just for one more person to be triumphant.
Of course, losing Wally has been the most difficult part of all and I cannot even come close to describing the pain we feel. So I won't even try. Just know that all of your support and thoughts and prayers are helping.
But really what has surprised me, is the range of emotions I am going through for this cause in particular. There are so many stories of people struggling and battling these diseases. Some are triumphant, but so many are tragic. In our training, we have a Mentor Moment in which someone discusses why they are involved with Team In Training. There has not been one time in which I have not been overcome by the emotion of each and every story. Too many fo these stories end sadly. It is hard to bear sometimes.
But it also drives me to keep going. It reaffirms my purpose and makes me push harder - both in training and in fundraising. I want to hear more of the positive and less of the tragic. I want to make a difference - even if it is just for one more person to be triumphant.
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