Training - Week 13

Wow...we are already in week 13 of our training. Talk about time flying by....

Thoughts from the past few weeks of training and looking forward:

• I have now done up to an 11.2 mile training run/walk in under 3 hours - although I felt good on the actual training, I was defintiely sore in the days that followed...but that's a good thing, right? :)
• Our weekly track workouts are officially kicking my butt, but in a good way I suppose. For example, last night we did 6 miles in about an hour and a half - however, it was what Coach Andy called a "pyramid run". I learned quickly that 6 miles with extremely tight hamstrings is not so much fun - but I finished it!
• Our trainings will continue to increase from now until September 25th (which is officially our longest training of the season - I'll do a 5 hour training that day, which will hopefully equal 20-21 miles for me)

So, as you can see, training is still going well. Knock on wood, I've been lucky in the injury arena and am more recently starting to understand the actual need for regular stretching and even the perks of regular massage therapy to keep your muscles loose. In fact, I think I'm going to look into at least monthly professional massages moving forward. Anyone have a good contact for even a bi-weekly cheap massage?? If so, please pass it on!

As for fundraising, I am only $115 away from reaching my ultimate goal of raising $4,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so please pass my website information on to your friends and family who might be interested in supporting this incredible cause (or me!) :)

Lastly, I'm officially 76 days away from my first marathon = CRAZY!!!!!

Training - Week 11

Wow, its been awhile since I posted - I apologize!

You'll be pleased to know that I'm officially up to about 8 1/2 miles now in 2 hours...so we're making progress people! :) I did a 2 hour run/walk on Monday and it was amazing how good I felt. Then, yesterday, I did a 40 minute run/walk and felt like crap...nature of the beast I suppose. Thankfully, there are more good days then bad days with this training...so I do my best to push through!

We get a break in our training schedule this weekend and only have to run one hour and 15 minutes on Saturday which is a pleasant surprise! (By the way...who would have ever thought that I would be happy with an hour and 15 minute run! ha ha ha)

Lastly...I am only $190 away from hitting my final goal of raising $4,500 in the fight against blood cancer. PLEASE forward my page on to anyone who might be interested in supporting me or this cause! Thank you!

Training - Weeks 6 & 7

How is it possible that we are already in week 7 of our training? Time is flying by....

On the plus side, training for me is still going really well. I'm sticking to my training schedule like glue and to date have successfully completed up to an hour and 15 minute run/walk. Now I realize that to some of you an hour and 15 minutes sounds like nothing...but for me, a non-runner, this is a pretty big deal. And the best part? I actually felt pretty darn good while I was doing it and after I was done...definitely reassuring!

We also had our first track workout this Tuesday. The purpose of these workouts is to work on our speed and overall strength, which makes total sense. We started with a brief clinic on the importance of speed and strength and then took off around Wash Park for some short sprint work. The coaches did this through something called an "Indian run"...have you ever done this? You basically run in a single file line with the front runner setting the pace for the entire group. In roughly 30-second intervals, the back person sprints to the front of the group and takes over the pace lead....you continue through this pattern until every person has sprinted to the front of the group. In my pace group, each runner had to sprint to the front of the group twice. I'll gladly admit that this was tough for me...not so much the sprinting sections, but just sticking with someone elses pace for that long. But, I did it....I survived...and I told my coach that my goal is to only improve with that drill in the coming weeks!

This weekend we get a bit of a break on our long run...we full marathoners only have to do 45 minutes - woo hoo!!! I'll actually be supporting my cycle team tomorrow morning, so I'll do my 45 minutes on Sunday morning around City Park.

Thanks for all of the support and for checking back to see how I'm doing...you guys and gals are the BEST!

GO TEAM!!!!

WE DID IT!!!!

I am so happy to announce that as of 10:34pm this evening, I have officially reached my goal of raising $4,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of my Grandpa and in honor of all of our amazing team heroes.

THANK YOU to all of my generous friends and family...you should be proud because YOU are helping to save lives!!!

THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Training - Week 5 Continued

Another week down...thanks to my awesome friend, Kim, I did 4.39 miles on Saturday in an hour. We had a cold front come through Colorado on Friday night which left us with temperatures in the 40's on Saturday with some light rain and mist. My coaches say this is the best weather to run in...I'm not totally sold yet ;)

I felt pretty awesome after the run/walk on Saturday though and cannot thank Kim enough for keeping me going and talking my ear off to keep me entertained - she is great.

On another exciting note, I am now only $173.16 away from reaching my personal goal of raising $4,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! You guys...my donors...are incredible! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!

Training - Week 5

We are just over half way through week 5 of training and I have to admit that I had my hardest run last night to date. I only had to do 45 minutes, but man was my body fighting it! I think its just because my schedule has been so off with all of my events and such and the fact that I am severely lacking sleep at this point....or at least I hope that's why! The good news is that I got through it....

I'm scheduled to do something this evening (so boot camp will count for that)...and then one hour on Saturday with the TEAM!

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

In keeping with tradition, I thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures from this past weekend in Lake Tahoe with my team. They were absolutely incredible!!!! (Sorry they are not in order, but I'm too lazy right now to put them in order!) :)

Randy and I at the Victory Celebration Party (after the ride)

Michelle, our team hero, modeling her helmet decoration

Getting the team pumped before their short practice ride

The beautiful TNT quilt that Dale won

Kathi, me and Judy on the south shore of Lake Tahoe

The 2010 AMBBR TEAM

Coach Dale showing his TEAM spirit

Welcoming us!

Me in front of Lake Tahoe

It truly is beautiful! *Lake Tahoe*

Bike pick-up

Me and Kathi out cheering on the course

Another shot of Lake Tahoe while driving around the lake

My top fundraiser letting lose at the Victory Dinner :)

Something wrong with this picture? After riding 100 miles, Patty wanted to give me a back massage :) Notice I did not pass on the offer!

Some of my support staff getting ready for the red carpet

Darren was chosen to speak at our Inspiration Dinner to share his story (and his wife's)

Training Week 4

Week 4 was kind of a bust...not going to lie! :) Monday was Memorial Day so I was out enjoying the beautiful weather with friends, Tuesday was my cycle team's send-off meeting, Wednesday I did some outside contract work until 10pm, Thursday night I packed and got ready for my trip and Friday-Monday I was in Lake Tahoe with my cycle team on their event weekend. So yeah, training didn't really happen. I did, however, walk a TON in Tahoe and was on my feet for about 12 hours on Sunday...so I'd like to think that counts for something.

There's always next week, right!?!

Marathon Training - Week 2

I've officially made it through week 2 of my marathon training! :)

I did my first timed 5K on my own on Monday, May 10th since I knew I would be in the Grand Canyon for our first group training (when the rest of the team did their timed 5K). I did mine on a treadmill at the gym and completed 3.1 miles in 46:36. My first thought...I only have to do that 8 more times to finish my marathon. ha ha ha

I attended my first officially weekend training this past Saturday (May 22nd) and my team and I did 30 minutes along the Cherry Creek Trail. I found a good group of girls who are also planning to do the run/walk method, and the 4 of us completed our training by running for 2 minutes and walking for 1. I have to admit, it wasn't bad at all. *I think I can do this!*

After our group run, most of the team stuck around for our stretching and injury prevention clinic and then we all went to Toast in Cherry Creek for breakfast (yummy!).

Here are some pictures from May 22nd:

Some of the Central Denver team listening to our stretching/injury prevention clinic

Another clinic picture

Me and Chris getting ready to enjoy our breakfasts

I'm currently on a weekly training schedule that has me run/walking 30 minutes on Monday and Tuesday, optional 30-minute walk on Wednesday, 30 minute run/walk on Thursday and our group training on Saturday. We've got one more week of just 30-minute trainings and then we'll slowly start to up it in preparation for the big day in October... :)

Training Week 1

I actually missed my first group training because I was in the Grand Canyon with my hike team May 13-16th. Since I don't have run/walk training pictures to share, I thought you all might enjoy seeing a few pictures from the Grand Canyon :)

Kathi, Me and Brenna in the Denver airport
Almost all of the team after dinner on Thursday night in Phoenix


The 2010 Rocky Mountain Chapter Grand Canyon Hike Team

Our Inspiration Board

The Bright Angel to Plateau Point group at sunrise on finale hike day

My AMAZING Hike Coaches - Mike and Cristy

And so it begins...

Well, here goes nothing...my marathon training season has officially begun. No turning back now :)

We had our official Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, May 8th and it was just awesome to see so many people in one room who all have the same goal...to find a cure for blood cancer! One of the many reasons that I walk is Leanne Weinshenker (pictured below with her older daughter Lydia while in treatment with stage 4 lymphoma and after, with her beautiful, new daughter Rena), someone who has become a dear friend. She gave an emotional, raw and touching speech on her personal battle with blood cancer and the incredible journey that she and her family have been on since the very day she was diagnosed. I feel so blessed to have her in my life...as motivation, as inspiration and as a friend.

I also really enjoyed meeting some of the other ladies in my mentor group and my fabulous mentor, Kim. She is too sweet and is already so supportive and motivating (as are the other ladies I will be training with)!

Since I will be in the Grand Canyon this weekend with my hike team, I'll miss the first official group training and therefore the timed 5K that officially starts the season. In an attempt to stay on top of things, I did my own timed 5K this evening at the gym and successfully finished in 46 minutes and 36 seconds (while walking and running as I saw fit). I finished the 3.1 miles and instantly thought to myself "you only have to do that 8 more times to finish your marathon"....CRAZY! ha ha ha One day at a time though, right!?!

Tomorrow night is our shoe fit clinic. I plan to buy some new shoes, a fuel belt, some new socks and a new watch that will help me keep on pace during my trainings and the actual marathon - hey gotta take advantage of the 20% discount, right!? :)

Here's to marathon training...

Country Music Excitement!

I just returned from Nashville, TN and the Country Music Marathon & Half Marathon weekend. I was lucky enough to be included in on this incredible weekend along with my co-worker Cathie and our 21 fundraising participants (who collectively raised over $70,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society I might mention!). And talk about motivating....I am more exited than ever to get started with my marathon training. Just watching the camaraderie, excitement and happy nervousness of this amazing TEAM truly motivated me!

Marathon/Half Marathon weekends are always special just in them self. As a cheerleader on the sidelines, I am always humbled by the runners and walkers at these events. For example, this past weekend I saw pregnant women, military men in full uniform carrying a full pack on their backs (running in boots none the less), an elderly gentleman pushing his wife in her wheelchair so that she could have this experience, several brides- and grooms-to be, children of all ages, cancer survivors not afraid to show off their beautiful bald heads, extremely overweight people making every step count, numerous folks in head to toe costumes (some of which were quite hilarious!) and countless participants who actually took time out of their experience to say thank you to me for simply ringing a cowbell and cheering them on. You cannot help but think, 'if they can do, I can do it'....and with your help, I will!

To date, I have raised over $2,400 thanks to your support. That being said, I still need to raise $1,549.99 in order to reach my personal goal of raising $4,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! This means that I only need 39 more people to donate just $40 each in order to reach my goal. Please pass my information on to anyone who might be interested in coming on board as one of my donor angels!

Thank you, once again, for all of your support!

$800 and Counting....

Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly donated to date! I am proud to announce that I'm already over the $800 mark thanks to you! It will truly be my pleasure to walk and run with all of you in mind.

On that note, please let me know if you have any loved ones that have been affected by a blood cancer (or really cancer in general) as I plan to walk/run in honor of and in memory of each of those folks - and will most likely add ribbons to my singlet to recognize them on race day!

Thanks again....and don't forget to pass my email and website information on to anyone who might be interested in supporting me and/or this amazing cause!

Go TEAM!

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Relentless For A Cure

As a TNT Campaign Manager, I consider it my privilege to relentlessly work on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. This year, I am honored to be fundraising and training for The Nike Women’s Marathon, A Race to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on top of my regular staff responsibilities.

Just how serious is blood cancer you might be wondering? Did you know that every four minutes someone in the United Sates learns that he/she has a blood cancer and that every ten minutes someone dies of a blood cancer? Perhaps even more shocking is the fact that leukemia is the number one disease that kills children, yet it affects 10 times as many adults.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life. However, with decreased public funding, private donations are becoming more and more important…and that is where you come in!

On October 17, 2010, I will be doing 26.2 miles in the Nike Women’s Marathon, a Race to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. On that day and throughout my training season, I will be participating in memory of my grandfather, Edward Barnett, Kyle Lindgren and Baby Melina…and in honor of Leanne Weinshenker (who will be training alongside me!), all of the other Rocky Mountain Chapter TNT Team Heroes and for the countless people who will one day learn they have a blood cancer.

According to LLS, nearly 140,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma this year, joining the over 912,000 people currently living with a blood cancer. That is why I am taking on this challenge!

I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me -- by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. There are two ways to make a donation:

• Make a secure, online donation by clicking HERE
• Send a check directly to me. Please make checks payable to 'The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society' and return them to me at 1525 Hudson St, #5 Denver, CO 80220

I need 100 friends/family to donate just $40 each in order to reach my personal goal of raising $4000 for this amazing cause. My goal is to have this money in the bank by May 1, 2010, before my training even begins, so that I can concentrate on getting this body ready for 26.2 miles! Will you be one of my $40 donor angels????

Be sure to check back here as well for updates on my fundraising and my training!

Thank you, in advance, for your kindness, support and generosity!

Together, we are saving lives...one mile at a time!!

26.2 miles...Seriously, What Am I Thinking!?!?!

So I'm actually doing this...I've officially registered for the Nike Women's Marathon, a Race to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the Team In Training program - the worlds largest sports training program. On October 17, 2010 I will be running and walking 26.2 miles, but between now and then, it is my goal to raise $4,000 for this amazing cause!

Please check back here frequently as I will be posting as often as possible sharing pictures, my training and fundraising milestones, stories of the amazing people I am sure I will meet along the way and just my overall TNT marathon experience.

Until next time.... :)