the lonely road.

I just did 11.5 miles! All by my lonesome too! Running by myself is more of an accomplishment than doing my longest run ever. I am in Athens this week and so I had to miss our group run on Saturday morning. So sad, cause I definitely missed all my running partners. I was going to hook up with the Huntsville Team In Training and try and get in my long run with them, but I was on the road on Thursday and Friday, so I figured it would be best to wait til Sunday to run. I also had to get a fuel belt, which is essential for long runs. So I got that on Saturday and a few energy supplements to get me through my run. Not sure how you can survive on a run without those things! They always say put your money in your shoes, but I think the fuel belt and supplements are almost as important!

I had to map out my run last night in order to make sure I got in the mileage without having to do a million loops. I decided that I was the most comfortable with running over in Decatur out at Point Mallard, so I got onto MapMyRun.com and plotted out my course. It took me from the ice skating center all the way through some neighborhoods, to the golf course and back to my starting point. Of course my goal was to hit 12 miles, but I only made 11.5 and will explain that in a minute. Here's the course I took. It looks like I ran all over Decatur when you look at the map!

I printed out this map and took it with me, cause there was no way I would remember all the roads. Also just in case I do end up lost, I will have at least something to help me get back. I called my map The Treasure Map to Accomplishment! 

So you ask, what in the world do you think about while you are out there? Well, I am going to tell you. And since I was by myself, you would have thought I had a lot of deep thoughts going through my brain, but no. Here's to the best of my memory what all I thought about.

mile .5 - Don't start out too fast, cause you have 12 miles to run! Alright, just slow down a bit cause you can always pick it up later.

mile .75 - I feel pretty dang good. Even though it is humid as everything, at least the sun isn't blaring down on me.

mile 2 - At 30 minutes I need to start thinking about replenishing my fuel so I don't crash too soon. I should be about there. Crap - I've only gone 2 miles!

mile 3 - Look at that cute puppy. Wait, is that a statue? Why hasn't he looked at me yet? It's a dog, right? That's one well behaved dog. He hasn't even looked at me, that's not like dogs. Oh well... I guess better to sit there than chase me down.

mile 4 - I'm feeling the humidity. I need some water and I think I will try this Powerade Gel Pack. I sure hope it doesn't make me sick. I'll just start out with half the pack. Hey - not bad. Tastes like bananas when it's really green apple, but who cares at this point. Give me energy!

mile 4.5 - Woo hoo! Those gel packs really do make a difference. I need water though, but not too much, cause I have to ration out the water so I don't run out.

mile 5 - only 5 miles!! No way. I think this Nike iPod thingy is broken. I feel like I've been running forever... Awe, look at that beautiful boxer. He's just going to stand there and look at me, isn't he. No, stay! He's coming to the end of the drive way. Surely he'll stay there. Okay, he's following me. Stay! Thank goodness he isn't running after me, but I do have my back towards him... Wait, he needs to get out of the middle of the road. Oh well, not my fault, at least he's not following me now.

mile 6 - I really want to walk. I need some water. Good excuse to walk. Ah walking. Okay just walk to that mail box.

mile 6.1 - Feel so much better after that brief walk. They say to walk whenever you want instead of when you need to. So I should be good by the end of this run.

mile 6.5 - More gel please! These things really aren't that bad.

mile 7 - Umm... I think I am getting into the projects. I don't like this. Wait I'm suppose to turn right before that street. There is no right. What happened to my road? Let me turn around before I get into a neighborhood I'm not comfortable in. I'll just go back the way I came, it'll end up being close to the same mileage anyway. Do I really have to go back the way I came?? Okay, just do it, it's better that way.

mile 8 - Alright this is the home stretch. All I have to do is get around this golf course and I will be good. You've made it this far, this is a piece of cake now. Hey - I think I'm due for a short walk break. I need to replenish fuel anyway. Here we go! I'm feeling good. No real aches or pains. Just mentally bored. At least I can watch the golfers. I am soaking wet and my shorts are getting there. I don't think my shorts have ever been this wet!

mile 9 - This part of the run isn't bad. Maybe I should have stopped at that water cooler on the golf course. I'm starting to run out of water. Maybe I can make it last. I'll just take a sip and save the rest for that last mile. Yeah, I should have stopped. Oh well, maybe there will be another one up here a little ways.

mile 9.2 - So much for the water - that's the end of the course. Think about what you are going to do. I'll stop by my car before I make that last little loop and I'll grab my gatorade.

mile 10 - This looks familiar! I'm almost there! Well, almost to my car, then I have to make a loop. Lada di, lada da. I don't have a dry spot on me, and these shorts are not helping me. They keep riding up or sagging cause they are so wet.

mile 11 - I'm already at 11.2 miles! Maybe I won't have to run that loop. There's my car, should I stop. No if I stop, I won't start again. Just get 11.5 miles and you'll be fine. Just run to that parking lot and back and that'll be enough. Everyone else just did 8 miles yesterday. You'll be fine with just 11.5.

mile 11.5 - I am soaking wet. Whew - I am glad that is over with. I'm quite proud of myself. That really wasn't that bad. I kinda enjoyed it. Did I seriously just run over 2 hours by myself? I did! I did!

On the way home, I think my brain was just a big ball of mush. I could feel how loose my muscles were and how achy my knees were. Although I didn't quite get to my 12 mile goal, I am still quite happy with how I did. I felt healthy and my energy level was good. So in all it was a very successful run!

10 mile run - check!

On Saturday I ran my longest run EVER - 10 miles. It's quite a huge accomplishment for me. It was a pretty easy run too. I had some great running partners that kept me entertained and pushed me when all I wanted to do was walk. I did walk a few times, but I was just "practicing" going through the water stations. (There were no water stations, but there will be at the marathon, so my thinking is, practice makes perfect!) I did make the mistake of not really preparing for the run and getting my fuel belt to keep properly hydrated on the run. Thankfully Anja had one and let me take a few sips of her Gatorade. I think I probably would have crashed and burned if it hadn't been for those few sips! It really does make a difference. So, this week I will bite the bullet and purchase my $35 fuel belt.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she was asking questions about how to start training for a marathon. She was asking how much to start out with and it caused me to step back and think about where to start. I told her to just start out with one mile runs a couple of times a week and build up. I starting thinking back to when I first starting running (again) and it was about the end of March. I could barely squeeze out a mile then. And in the middle of March, I could barely walk a mile without loosing my breath. Granted, I had surgery on March 17 and was walking 2 days after that, but still, it's worth noting in my book. But there were plenty of times weeks after surgery that I couldn't finish a mile because my legs were either really tired and heavy or my breathing was just so labored. So if any one has ever wanted to run a marathon, but didn't necessarily believe you could - YOU CAN! Sure, it takes a lot of time and commitment, but so far, I can say it's been worth it. Just take small steps and you will be amazed.

With all of the donations, I have currently raised $2892.20!! I can't believe I am over half way there! I am so surprised at all of the support I have received and it definitely makes this journey worthwhile. Since I have started the fundraising and training, I feel like everyone around me has been affected by cancer. It's such a common illness and hopefully with all of the money Team In Training raises, there will be a cure for the blood cancers soon. 

Tonight we have a team meeting and we learn about nutrition! I am so excited about this meeting because in the past couple of months I have really learned how important nutrition is. It is going to be interesting to hear a different perspective and to gain good knowledge on some of the foundations of proper nutrition. It should be a great meeting. But I have to tell you, I am really excited about next months meeting - Massage Therapy!

Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to donate and show your support! I truly wouldn't be able to do it without you guys! 

froggies.

I just received this in the mail and thought it was so cute and appropriate. And it's about frogs, which I love! So you know it's got to be good. I'll be thinking of this story when I run my 10 miles tomorrow morning!! Wish me luck!

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.

A big crowd gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.

The race began...

Honestly: No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:

""Oh, WAY too difficult!"

"They will never make it to the top." or

"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one. Except for those, who in fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.

The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!! No one will ever make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But ONE continued higher and higher and higher... This one wouldn't give up!

At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it.

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal. It turned out...

That the winner was DEAF!

The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you - the ones that you have in your heart!

Always think of the power words have. (There's life and death in the power of the tongue. - Proverbs 18:21) Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Therefore: ALWAYS BE POSITIVE!

And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

Always think: God and I can do this!

almost halfway.

I am almost half way to my goal of $4500. I have officially raised $2152.20! Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to donate. Every little bit means the world to me and will definitely propel me to the finish line on October 19. There's no way I'm letting you guys down! I especially love getting the notes of encouragement. They always make me smile. I am definitely holding on to them and will carry them with me to San Francisco and read them before the race. Every little note and donation means so much to me!

I have also been overwhelmed with all of the names of survivors or those who have passed away from blood cancer. A little piece of me hurts every time I read a name that is preceded by "in memory of." Hopefully with all of the money Team In Training raises, there will be a cure for these blood cancers soon!

I was excited yesterday when I received a donation in the mail from the parents of a good college friend. (Don't worry, I am excited about ALL donations, but this one was kinda cool.) Terry Thalhofer, the mom of my friend Erin, has been a participant of Team In Training for 15 years! Their whole family is very active outdoors, they live in Washington State, so I think they would be kinda crazy not to get outdoors and see the beautiful land! But anyway, I had no idea she was such an active participant. On top of just being a participant, she has also coached several seasons for the Washington/Alaska Chapter. Terry also lost her dad, Don Allen, to myeloma in 1999. She is a huge inspiration to me and I hope to follow in her footsteps and to help make a difference in so many peoples lives! She is aiming to raise $4600 to run in the Equinox Marathon on September 20. So if you have a few extra dollars to spare... check out her website http://active.com/donate/tntwaak/tlt. 

And for a little reflection - I can honestly say this has so far been one of the best experiences of my life. Just seeing the support from people and all of the encouraging words have made it so worthwhile. I have meet so many great people and continue to get to know them all with each meeting or training run. I can't even imagine where I would be today if it weren't for this entire experience. So thank you to everyone who has contributed some how to this amazing experience. I can only imagine that it is going to get better as I get closer to October 19!

firecracker.

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far! I am officially at $1376! I honestly never thought I would make it this far. Not that I didn't think anyone would support me, it's just my fundraising seemed to get a slow start. I am getting a response in the mail daily and trust me, that is the highlight of my day! So keep them coming! I am so thankful to have such awesome friends and family to support me.

I ran in another 5k race on Friday morning, the Easley Firecracker 5k. It really didn't go as well as I had hoped, but at least I am consistent! I came in right around the same time as the last 5k. It makes me a little frustrated because I actually sometimes run my training runs faster than when I race. I wonder if I get to the start line of the marathon, am I going to freeze up and run as slow as possible? Although my goal right now is just to finish, I still have that goal of finishing under a certain time in the back of my mind. But I guess as long as I am healthy and strong the day of the marathon, I shouldn't ask for much more! Oh, other than meeting my fundraising goal.

Since this was a holiday weekend, most of my team was out of town for our Saturday run. I think about 4 of us ended up showing up. I ran by myself the whole time because my two best running partners were out of town. It was such a struggle to finish 6 miles! My legs were heavy and I was concentrating on them the whole time. It just was not a good run. I ended up catching up with Kelly and ran with her for a few minutes, but my legs felt like concrete and I decided that I was just going to go as slow as possible in order to just get the run over with in the least amount of agony! Days like this make me really wonder if I'll ever be able to finish 26.2 miles! But then there are days like last week, where I ran 8 miles as easy as I could run 1 mile. I look forward to the day that running is easy as walking, if there is such a day!

I'm starting a new routine this week, I'm going to do a little less running (just fewer days, but same mileage) and more cross training. I think doing other things such as biking and the elliptical will really help me out and help prevent burn out. I'm really looking forward to it!

Thanks again to all those that have donated! I couldn't ask for better support!