Weekend "Training"

This weekend, as we all know, was Memorial Day Weekend. This weekend, instead of train for the run, I thought I would train for the post-run party.

Friday I ate and drank.
Saturday I ate (I couldn't drink because the thought of drinking made me sick).
Sunday I ate (same comments as above).
Monday I ate and drank. I guess I was ok to drink.

Tuesday is wonderful here. The sun is out, it is warm, everything is still green. I will have to run today. Besides, I painted my toe and finger nails. Don't ask me why, but it always makes me feel good and makes me want to get outside to do stuff when I have pampered myself in this way.

I am starting to regret falling off the wagon already, but I am back. And ready. Gotta go eat.

To power my run.

First Run As a Trainee

I know my post ended ubruptly yesterday so I could go for a run but that was not to be. Instead I decided to get more work done and meet a friend for dinner. We had planned the dinner so it wasn't a surprise, I just didn't plan my day well enough to sneak the run in.

We ate Greek which can be relatively good for you. Dessert, on the other hand, is not. Why do I run? Is it for the kids? Is it to increase cardiovascular fitness? Is it to raise money for a worthy cause? Is it to test the limitations or not of my body?

I train so that I can call dessert "training food". Let's be honest.

That's half true. I do train so that I can add points to my unsanctioned Weight Watchers tracking system I seem to work well with. That allows me to eat dessert and other assorted goodies including potato chips, wine (more than the recommended daily glass of red wine), extra helpings, etc.

I also train because I want to test my limitations. At present, I haven't set any limitations so the sky's the limit. I prefer no ceiling at all so that I can just keep right on going and going beyond my wildest expectations.

I train so that I benefit a worthy cause (and the kids). The TNT program is top notch and does benefit many people including several friends of mine. I am thankful for that.

I do train to increase cardiovascular fitness. I like that I am extending my life. I like that I don't get winded walking down the street or up the stairs. I like that I am healthy.

So this is my roundabout explanation for not running yesterday. Instead, I ran today.

Today was an amazing day in Western New York. Warm, sunny, beautiful. I ran for 30 minutes and then walked for 30 and felt outstanding! I could probably have kept going but I had to do some work before a late lunch engagement (it always comes back to the food). I didn't feel as guilty about not running yesterday. Today was a good day.

I also run so that I may get ideas. I have solved many problems working out - running, biking, hiking, kayaking, etc. If I have writer's block or am stuck on ideas/problems, I work out. The solution presents itself nicely.

This also works with the bathroom. Don't even ask me to explain that because I can't. But if I have a problem, a nice visit to the bathroom with a magazine seems to bring a solution to the fold. But that has nothing to do with training. Just a distgusting aside.

So I ran. And I thought about the race. I probably ran about 2.5 miles and walked another 2. It felt good. And I may do it again tomorrow. And I may follow the run with a wonderful yoga session. Because tomorrow a friend is visiting and I plan to "train" hard!

It Is Official

I have officially completed the application form and placed the stamp on the envelope. It is off to the Western New York Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphona Society. I should be registered for the Marine Corp Marathon in a day or so. What does this mean for those reading this:

• I want your money!


• I want your time!


• I want your family and friends!


• I want your first born child!

I want your money: I shouldn't be so rude. I would love your donation for this wonderful cause. For those who aren't familiar with the endurance training/fundraising program and haven't clicked on the link to the right, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training is the first and largest endurance/fundraising training program. It's team of volunteer professionals train us poor bastards to run a marathon (that's 26.2 miles for those not in the know). In return for the bodily abuse, we raise funds to support education, treatment, and a host of other things for the Society.

I want your time: Many of you remember that last year I did the Century Ride for the Society. Part of my fundraising included Tarot card reading parties. I would love to entertain again. If you are interested in hosting a Tarot card reading party, please let me know. Who is the reader? I am. And I'm good. Readings are $25 with $15 going to the Society. For more information, please view my Tarot blog - TippyTarot.

NEW THIS YEAR! My sister, Pam, and I purchased an organic/natural body care company - Wild Mountain Organics. I will do an aromatherapy party for you instead (or in addition to) Tarot reading. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of Wild Mountain Organics will be donated to the Society (Pam - I haven't shared that with you yet). Do you want me to read your fortune or pamper you, or both? You decide. Book now - good dates will go fast! (Not really, but the marketing professional in me tells me I should write that.)

I want your family and friends: This is really a continuation of the above but a small bulleted list would have looked foolish. I want you to invite your family and friends for a night of entertaining and pampering!

I want your first born child: This point was to see if you were paying attention. I know all of you - you can keep your first born (kidding!).

What should you know:

• I need to figure out how to run 26.2 miles by October 30, 2005.


• I need to raise $2,600 by October 14, 2005.


• I need to raise $1,300 by August 12, 2005. Ideally, I would love to raise it all by then so that I can concentrate on training, but I digress.


• I will be celebrating the 22nd anniversary of my 14th birthday on August 9, 2005.

I need your help! In the next few weeks I will be sending my fundraising letters along with information on how you can help. I will also be doing some different things this time around:

• I will be keeping track of my progress - fundraising and training - using this blog.


• Anyone who donates $50 or more will have a link put on my blog (to the right) to their website/blog/whatever. This is primarily for businesses, but could be for anyone!


• Anyone who donates $100 or more will have a link to the right and will have a blog post dedicated to them or their business - approved by them first, of course.


• Anyone who donates $150 or more will have all of the above and will have their/business name written on my race t-shirt.


• Anyone who donates more than that will be thanked until the cows come home - in addition to the above.

In the spirit of training, I have to go out for a run right now. I will continue to outline what is going on in the next few posts. Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested. Please also consider a party of one kind or another!

A Recap....And...Am I on Crack?

My interest in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) program began over a year ago. I thought I would test my physical limits by challenging my body to a century ride - 100 mile bike ride. Lake Tahoe seemed beautiful enough. I would try it there.

Suffice to say I damn near killed myself. But, like many things, you forget the pain and think about the rewards:

• I may have saved someone's life.


• I improved myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.


• I rode 100 miles at a high elevation (compared to Buffalo, New York) and over hills. Many, many hills.

For more on my Lake Tahoe TNT adventure, please click here. This will direct you to my site which profiled my journey.

Onward!

That goal accomplished, I thought, why not try a marathon? That's what logical people do, isn't it? After they've abused their bodies with one activity, they wholeheartedly try another!

And here I am. At the juncture of signing the paperwork that will make it official - a marathon runner, a participant, a fundraiser, a crack-smoker. I don't know if I will make it - the running or the fundraising - but I am on board! I am committing myself to raising $2600 for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and education in my area.

I will further document my training and my progress here. Many of you will be referred to this blog because you received a postcard/letter from me begging for money - AGAIN! Others may stumble on it accidently. However you arrive you, thank you for getting this far. I appreciate all of your help on this journey. I will keep you abreast of my progress.

Wish me luck.

Oh, and if you have any spare change....