33 days, but who's counting?

I cannot believe I am a little over a month away from running my first marathon! This past weekend I ran 18 miles-which is the furthest I have gone to date. It is wierd for me to have now run 3 1/2 marathons but not actually in a race setting. I only have 1 more long run, 20 miles on June 5, and then we begin to taper until race day. I am surprised at how strong my body has become and how 10 miles used to seem so far, yet now, is like a walk in the park. crazy, i know. The pain is pretty minimal-just some aches in my knees and feet. Team in Training has been an amazing experience-- I have made life-long friends and raised money for a great cause. This is definitely an organization I hope to stay involved with for years to come. I am so thankful for all of you-your support has been great-both emotionally and financially. When I originally signed up for TNT I didn't know of anyone in my life that had battled a blood cancer. A few months into it, I found out a younger sorority sister of mine, Kristen, is currently going through her 2nd fight with cancer. She has truly inspired me to be a stronger person-if she can do this-I can do anything that scares and challenges me. I knew I was raising money for a great cause and pushing my body further than it has ever been but I was recently challenged to overcome one of my biggest fears in the fight against cancer....needles! Kristen asked for platelet donations-I had heard my fellow TNT'ers mention the process and how they had donated for someone before but I didn't really know what to expect. It wasn't bad at all! The ladies at Atlanta Blood Services took great care of me! The overall process was about 2 hours but they offer you movies and snacks and hide the needles so you can't see them :) I will be back next week to donate again. Please look into donating platelets in your area too!! If you are unable to help financially, this a great way to help fight cancer. I hope you will check out Kristen's caringbridge site and be inspired too.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ktrentacosta

Thank you so much again for your support, love, thoughts, prayers, donations, etc!! I am so lucky to have you each in my life. I can't wait for Seattle!!

A Marathon, a Recommitment, and the Iron Bowl in June

Well, its official. I am now running a marathon. 26.2 miles. I was convinced by my coaches and other Team in Training members to switch from a half marathon to a full marathon. When else will I have this much support? I know it will be a challenge, but it will be very rewarding. This is also the week that I have to "recommit" to Team in Training--that I will raise all the money that I had previously committed to and that I will be going to Seattle to run my marathon. Faxing the paper work tomorrow...

And most importantly-the Iron Bowl in June!! The votes have been added up so far-not everyone has given me a vote (I already knew some choices) but here are the scores thus far---Georgia 2, GA Tech 2, Alabama 15, and Auburn 23. WAR EAGLE! I hope this trend continues throughout the rest of my fundraising. It seems as though its turned into an Auburn vs. Alabama thing--and I would like to run in an orange and blue hat not crimson and white so keep it up!! So....please encourage your friends and family to go online and make a donation and in the comments section let me know your collegiate school of choice. All donations are tax deductible and continue to fund the fight against cancer!

Thank you to everyone who has supported, donated, and followed along with my training!!

Why I Run (now)...

Wow. That's all I can say. I am completely overwhelmed by the support and encouragement of my friends and family over the past few weeks. As most of you know, I have been running for several years now but became a 1/2 marathon junkie last year. I love the rush I get when crossing the finish line. I love beating my time from the last race. I've had a few minor injuries (knee pain, stress fracture) but I haven't let that stop me, nor do I think they are that big of a deal. And after the past few weeks, I have realized they really aren't a big deal at all...

I signed up to do Team in Training because I wanted to run for a charity and because I wanted to meet new people who had similar interests. It has been an amazing experience so far. I've made several new friends and we just had a very successful fundraiser at Park Tavern. (I raised over $600 for my goal!!) I have gotten up on Saturday mornings for my group clinics where we learn new things about running (nutrition, injury prevention, proper shoes, etc) and then go on a group run. I've gotten a chance to learn why my teammates are running. Its all so inspiring. I decided to attach Caring Bridge sites of two people who have been in my mind while I run. You see, I can complain about it being cold, or raining, or my breathing being off, or my knee hurting--but that is nothing compared to what theses patients with cancer are going through. I am so blessed to have my health and I am truly inspired by those who fight this disease and by those who fought but lost their battle. What is my pain compared to what they have gone through?? Nothing. They are why I run now.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/averysmith1

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/merrillking/journal

I've already decided I will continue to be involved with Team in Training for years to come. I am really looking forward to the next few months--increased intensity in training, fundraisers, and running my race for an amazing cause.

I'll update again soon on the battle for what collegiate team hat I will run in. Don't forget to put your team of choice in the comments section with your donation!! So far-lots of Auburn and Alabama. Come on Tigers :)

Thank you again for your support and words of encouragement!!

Elizabeth

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

This is my first entry to let you know where I am in my training and my goals. I will be running the Seattle Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon on June 26, 2010. I am lucky that I am already training for a 1/2 marathon in February in New Orleans, so the running is the easy part. :) All that is left is the fundraising.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I am "running a contest" for my donors. If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE Auburn fan. When you make a donation, please put in the comments section your Collegiate team. On race day, I will run the 13.1 miles in a hat from whichever team has the most "votes". All i can hope for is alot of Auburn support :) !! So please forward my site to your family and friends!

I hope that you can donate (no amount is too small!) to support my participation and to help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your

support!

Elizabeth