So my training has kind of hit a speed bump, but I'm not going to let that deter me from reaching my goal. The weekend before last I managed an hour and 45 minutes of my 2:15 long run. What held me back? Lack of proper fueling. I ate a good breakfast, but my run was like 5 hours later and I didn't eat in that time. I ran out of gas on my run. And I think I started out too fast. Lessons learned. . . My longest run was supposed to be this past weekend - a 2 1/2 hour run. But during the week while out caroling with my small group from the Band, I managed to do something to my neck, and I could barely turn/move my head. Running would not have been a good idea.

I still have a month to go before my half marathon, and I still have a couple of 2+ hour runs left. They will be done in the cold and possibly snow of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan while I'm home with my family for Christmas. I just need to keep focused on those I am running for and they will help me through my runs. I will continue putting one foot in front of the other for those that can't run.

My major fundraisers are over - Pampered Chef was by far my most successful, followed by my bike wash. Applebees Dine to Donate got me nothing. Now I'm just a little over $100 from my goal and I know that I will make it. Of course, it's taking some begging on Facebook and Twitter, but I'll still get there! Every little bit helps, even the $5 donations add up.

I'm really enjoying my training! My long runs are up to almost 5 miles and I'm taking fewer and shorter walk breaks. My endurance post-baby is finally coming back. In fact, I ran 30 minutes the other day with no walk breaks at all! That was a great feeling. Of course, as we're getting farther along in the year, the weather is getting chillier, but running in the cold is nothing compared to the fight that patients with leukemia or lymphoma are fighting! I will cheerfully run in the cold for those who can't run at all.

My Pampered Chef fundraising party was a major success already, and my show is still open for a few more days. I also have a Dine to Donate night at my local Applebee's coming up and I'm planning a bike wash at my local Harley Davidson store. That should be a lot of fun, providing the weather cooperates.

Until next time. . . GO TEAM!!!

I've officially been training for 2 weeks now and things are going well! My runs are getting longer and my endurance is slowly coming back. Today I ran 4.3 miles, less than 6 weeks after giving birth!! I still have a ways to go before I'll be able to complete 13.1 miels, but my training will prepare me for it. As my runs gradually increase in length, it will give me more and more time to think about why I'm running with Team in Training and those that I am running for.

My fundraising is off to a good start as well, and I have a couple of fundraisers coming up that will help me along. I'm doing a Pampered Chef fundraising party where I'll get 15% of my total sales (and I already have over $200 in sales 2 weeks before my party!) and several days after that I'm doing a Dine to Donate day at my local Applebee's where I'll get 10% of sales from the day. I'm using Facebook and Twitter as well as e-mail and word of mouth to get the word out about my fundraising events and part of my e-mail signature is a link to my fundraising page. Anything to get more people to help find a cure!!

GO TEAM!!

Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.

It is with great excitement that I tell you that I am training for the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon as a member of Team in Training (TNT)! The half marathon is in Phoenix on Sunday, January 15, 2012, and it is with a humble heart that I ask for your contribution to my undertaking.

Now, many of you know that I have completed half marathons before (5 of them), and even full marathons (3 of them), but this half marathon is different. I will be running the 13.1 mile distance less than four months after having a healthy baby boy! Yes, you read that right - I'll be less than four months postpartum come race day.

To help me cross the finish line, I decided to join TNT. Not only do they provide me with a great training program, but they are part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a non-profit health organization dedicated entirely to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's Disease, and myeloma. There are Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapters across the country that support research, patient financial aid, education, and community services. Everyone on my team is raising funds to help stop these diseases from taking more lives.

I have committed to raise $2,000 to support the cause and I would love your support. Your tax deductible donation will help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission of finding cures and saving lives.