I am starting to second guess my decision because I now understand what it means to train during the summer. It is blessed miserable. It is too hot to run during the day without either getting sunburned or dying from dehydration. I am not particularly fond of either. One is much too painful, the other is just so final.
So I decided to have an early dinner and hit the road at about 9 p.m. after the sun had started to go down. This way it is cooler out and the sun isn't beating on me. Besides, I only have to run two miles. That should be a piece of cake.
And I was surprised that it was. I was getting annoyed that I was constantly wiping sweat off my face. I cannot stand to have sweat dripping off my face. I also hate when it gets in my eyes. Yuck.
But two miles. No problem. In fact, if I had to run longer today, I could have done it without an issue. I was surprised that I finished and could stop. In the past when I just ran for no apparent reason but to torture myself, I would run until I pretty much couldn't run anymore. Now I have a plan. I like having a plan.
Tomorrow I have to punch out 3 miles. I wonder if it will be cooler. I think thunderstorms are predicted. Not sure if it is safe to run in thunderstorms. My better judgement says - no. We will see.
If I do three as well as I did two today, the five I have to do on Saturday should be a piece of cake!
The best part of the run in heat like this? The cold shower afterward. Never has a cold shower felt so wonderful!
Happy trails!
Monday, June 27, 2005
First Long Run
I am thinking that at my first long run, I won't be in such poor shape. We only have to run 4 miles and I have run 3 already this week so what's another mile?
Turns out, that other mile is the difference between slight discomfort and extreme nausea.
We started our run at 8 a.m. thinking we would beat the heat. Not so, my friends. It was already sweltering when we arrived at the bike path prompting our coach to declare that we are to run at 7 a.m. for the rest of our summer long runs. EGAD! Thank god I don't have a Friday night social life anymore as I did in my youth.
Our coach tells us that we have to sign in and sign out each week to make sure we are all accounted for. Presumably, if I don't sign out, they will send a search party for me on the bike path. They will likely find me curled up all fetal in a ditch praying for an end to the suffering while I try to find my happy place with Sven in a loin cloth feeding me grapes and fanning me with a palm frond, but I digress. (sorry J)
He also tells us that we will likely find others who run at our pace and they will be our buddies, so to speak. I did find others who worked at my pace but it is a rather pathetic retelling.
I run slowly. Very slowly. I will finish, but it won't be breaking any records. There was a group of girls who I think were new to running - which I applaud. Well, they ran/walked the 4 miles and for the first 2 we would pass each other. When they were walking, I would run past, when they ran, they would run past me. It was sort of odd. The coach did say that I was running at a consistent pace which is better than an alternative (which I think would be standing still).
I did find a buddy who runs a bit faster than I. She is pretty cool and she keeps things in perspective. She was a bit upset that I described my time as pathetic. She said, it is what it is. You are running, that's better than nothing. Already I have someone who is motivating me. She's cool and she does well. With any luck, I will be able to train so that I can keep up with her. I can see myself being motivated by her during the marathon. Perhaps I can return the favor at some point.
That would be nice.
Turns out, that other mile is the difference between slight discomfort and extreme nausea.
We started our run at 8 a.m. thinking we would beat the heat. Not so, my friends. It was already sweltering when we arrived at the bike path prompting our coach to declare that we are to run at 7 a.m. for the rest of our summer long runs. EGAD! Thank god I don't have a Friday night social life anymore as I did in my youth.
Our coach tells us that we have to sign in and sign out each week to make sure we are all accounted for. Presumably, if I don't sign out, they will send a search party for me on the bike path. They will likely find me curled up all fetal in a ditch praying for an end to the suffering while I try to find my happy place with Sven in a loin cloth feeding me grapes and fanning me with a palm frond, but I digress. (sorry J)
He also tells us that we will likely find others who run at our pace and they will be our buddies, so to speak. I did find others who worked at my pace but it is a rather pathetic retelling.
I run slowly. Very slowly. I will finish, but it won't be breaking any records. There was a group of girls who I think were new to running - which I applaud. Well, they ran/walked the 4 miles and for the first 2 we would pass each other. When they were walking, I would run past, when they ran, they would run past me. It was sort of odd. The coach did say that I was running at a consistent pace which is better than an alternative (which I think would be standing still).
I did find a buddy who runs a bit faster than I. She is pretty cool and she keeps things in perspective. She was a bit upset that I described my time as pathetic. She said, it is what it is. You are running, that's better than nothing. Already I have someone who is motivating me. She's cool and she does well. With any luck, I will be able to train so that I can keep up with her. I can see myself being motivated by her during the marathon. Perhaps I can return the favor at some point.
That would be nice.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Official Training
I think I have officially started training about 400 times but this time it's really official. After receiving my packet, I also received my official first month training schedule. It began this past Monday.
I had to run 2 miles on Monday which is no problem for me. I am only concerned that I don't run fast enough to finish this marathon this century. But I ran two miles and felt good.
I was supposed to run 2.5 miles on Tuesday. I don't often run on consecutive days because I have never had a reason to, truthfully. So this is a test that I promptly neglected. Hell, if I am going to slack, better I do it right from the get go. So I don't run the 2.5 because my day was too full of work and meetings. A poor excuse, I realize, but I'm using that excuse!
Wednesday I am to run another 2 miles and I tackle that without any trouble. I am ready to begin.
Thursday I am to run 3 miles and am a bit afraid. I attend our kick-off meeting for more information and fundraising supplies. And motivation. I am thrilled to be a part of this team. I am sitting at a table with other girls who are afraid of the program because the most they have run is 10 miles and 13 miles. I don't want to say that the farthest I have gone is 3.5 miles but hell, if they can train me, they can train anyone.
I promptly go home and run the 3 miles. Then I sit on the couch and bemoan the pain I will surely be in on Friday.
Friday is here and I am supposed to rest but I feel so bad about skipping Tuesday that I plan to run 2.5 miles today to make up for it. Then tomorrow morning I have to run 4 miles with the team. I hope they don't kick me off!
We do have our fundraising packets and kits. There are so many ways to help, some of which I will outline here!
I will have more information in the future about my training and about the Society. I will highlight my honored patient (after she completes the paperwork - HIPAA, you know). Don't want to invade privacy.
Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoy my training diary.
I had to run 2 miles on Monday which is no problem for me. I am only concerned that I don't run fast enough to finish this marathon this century. But I ran two miles and felt good.
I was supposed to run 2.5 miles on Tuesday. I don't often run on consecutive days because I have never had a reason to, truthfully. So this is a test that I promptly neglected. Hell, if I am going to slack, better I do it right from the get go. So I don't run the 2.5 because my day was too full of work and meetings. A poor excuse, I realize, but I'm using that excuse!
Wednesday I am to run another 2 miles and I tackle that without any trouble. I am ready to begin.
Thursday I am to run 3 miles and am a bit afraid. I attend our kick-off meeting for more information and fundraising supplies. And motivation. I am thrilled to be a part of this team. I am sitting at a table with other girls who are afraid of the program because the most they have run is 10 miles and 13 miles. I don't want to say that the farthest I have gone is 3.5 miles but hell, if they can train me, they can train anyone.
I promptly go home and run the 3 miles. Then I sit on the couch and bemoan the pain I will surely be in on Friday.
Friday is here and I am supposed to rest but I feel so bad about skipping Tuesday that I plan to run 2.5 miles today to make up for it. Then tomorrow morning I have to run 4 miles with the team. I hope they don't kick me off!
We do have our fundraising packets and kits. There are so many ways to help, some of which I will outline here!
- Please go to my online web donation site and consider supporting me in this incredible endeavor. It is very easy to use and the donations are secure.
- If you don't feel comfortable with that, please let me know. I will be sending sponsorship forms via mail. These cards allow you to send a check or use your credit card to sponsor me. All correspondence is sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma office.
- Book a Tarot Card reading party and/or Aromatherapy party. I will come to your home and read tarot cards ($25 per reading per person) and/or host an aromatherapy party featuring my products - Wild Mountain Organics. Proceeds from each will be used for my fundraising goal. So it's tax deductible!
- I have rubber/plastic bracelets for sale. They are purple and read Train Endure Achieve Matter (TEAM - get it?). They are a knock-off of the Lance Armstrong Live Strong yellow bracelet. I am selling them for $3 each - $2 of the sale goes to my training.
- If you have a business or know someone who does, I have spare change buckets. These buckets have the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society logo and phone number on them so they are official. Please consider placing one in your shop/office. Let me know.
- Forward the link to this blog or my donation site to everyone you know. I certainly appreciate a good deed. I am running this marathon for all survivors and those not yet diagnosed as much as I am for myself.
I will have more information in the future about my training and about the Society. I will highlight my honored patient (after she completes the paperwork - HIPAA, you know). Don't want to invade privacy.
Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoy my training diary.
Monday, June 13, 2005
I have my Packet
For those of you who haven't done this before, after you sign up to run the marathon or participate in another endurance event, you receive a packet of information from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society outlining all the rules, training, fundraising, etc. I got my packet on Saturday and was thrilled!
I was further delighted to learn that not only could I get started with my fundraising efforts by crafting a rather witty and charity-provoking letter to send via snail-mail, but we also have the ability to solicit donations online!
Praise Jesus, Hallelujah, and Kumbaya! We wanted this last year because it makes things so much easier, but they didn't have it available. Now the possibilities are endless! I imagine random people surfing the internet and coming upon this blog. Then they will say, my, isn't this a wonderful project and an amazing cause, and isn't she a great writer. I have cash that I don't know quite know what to do with so I will put it here.
To access my personal fundraising page, please click
here. Also, I will provide the link to the right so you will always have it at the ready!
I want to thank everyone in advance for all of your support. I have the best network of family and friends.
Also, now is the time to start thinking about hosting a tarot or aromatherapy party! Let me know via email or phone. Or just comment on this blog.
I was further delighted to learn that not only could I get started with my fundraising efforts by crafting a rather witty and charity-provoking letter to send via snail-mail, but we also have the ability to solicit donations online!
Praise Jesus, Hallelujah, and Kumbaya! We wanted this last year because it makes things so much easier, but they didn't have it available. Now the possibilities are endless! I imagine random people surfing the internet and coming upon this blog. Then they will say, my, isn't this a wonderful project and an amazing cause, and isn't she a great writer. I have cash that I don't know quite know what to do with so I will put it here.
To access my personal fundraising page, please click
here. Also, I will provide the link to the right so you will always have it at the ready!
I want to thank everyone in advance for all of your support. I have the best network of family and friends.
Also, now is the time to start thinking about hosting a tarot or aromatherapy party! Let me know via email or phone. Or just comment on this blog.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Training
It is hotter than a witch's boob in a brass bra in Phoenix in July. By that I mean, it is hot!
I did go for a couple runs this past week and they felt good. The first time I went to the Alden High School track well after hours so as not to disturb any track and field training. I did 2 miles and felt awesome. I could probably have kept on running, but I thought about all the things I had to do at home and so I left.
The second run I took after taking my mom to get her truck from the repair shop. I took advantage of being out and about and went for a run on the Clarence Bike Path. It is a shortish path but very picturesque. It is also quiet! I ran without my headset so that I could hear any noises should I be followed. I also carried my keys with me and had them at the ready should I be jumped or something. I try to practice running safely. I try to do most things safely.
That was beautiful. It wasn't too hot but the sun was out. The grass and trees were completely green. The wild flowers were in bloom. The forest critters were out in full force. I even saw several dragonflies. It was an all around good experience.
After both runs I felt rejuvenated and ready to continue. Now I just have to get through the hot summer. Perhaps I will have to run at the crack of dawn or at sunset. Wonderful.
I did go for a couple runs this past week and they felt good. The first time I went to the Alden High School track well after hours so as not to disturb any track and field training. I did 2 miles and felt awesome. I could probably have kept on running, but I thought about all the things I had to do at home and so I left.
The second run I took after taking my mom to get her truck from the repair shop. I took advantage of being out and about and went for a run on the Clarence Bike Path. It is a shortish path but very picturesque. It is also quiet! I ran without my headset so that I could hear any noises should I be followed. I also carried my keys with me and had them at the ready should I be jumped or something. I try to practice running safely. I try to do most things safely.
That was beautiful. It wasn't too hot but the sun was out. The grass and trees were completely green. The wild flowers were in bloom. The forest critters were out in full force. I even saw several dragonflies. It was an all around good experience.
After both runs I felt rejuvenated and ready to continue. Now I just have to get through the hot summer. Perhaps I will have to run at the crack of dawn or at sunset. Wonderful.
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