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!?!