Oct 28, 2014
I'm so excited! Four days until race day!!! And my Family comes in on Thursday!
This is the biggest challenge I have faced, and I am ready. I have funraised $831.50 and still determined to get to $1,000. I am honored and blessed that my coworkers, family, and friends have donated to my efforts.
I can't wait to wear my purple jersey and run with my team!
Sep 21, 2014
First of all, I'd like to give a big thank you to everyone who has donated to my Team in Training™ efforts. Yinz are awesome, and I couldn't do it without you!
Marathon training is hard. I don't want to sugar-coat it for those of you new to running. It truly sucks everything out of you. It's kind of like being on your period for 16 weeks. I am exhausted, cranky, sore, and emotional. I'm injured. I've tried to push through, but last weekend it was too much. I was supposed to complete two and a quarter hours (roughly 12-13 miles) with Team in Training. I cut it short-way short-after 3 miles. I'm mad at myself for cutting it short. I'm upset that I'm injured. I'm frustrated with where I am in my training. I'm terrified that I won't be ready. The little doubt monster has been creeping in..."drop to the half marathon, you know you can finish it." I'm doing little stuff-like buying new shoes-so I can get out of the slump.
But there are times of joy when I'm out running. Times where I feel like I could run forever. Times when my feet make music when they hit the ground. Moments, however fleeting, of pure happiness. Moments when I think about how amazing finishing the 26.2 miles will be. Moments when I think of the people in my life fighting cancer. They are strong people who never back down. They give me strength on the days it is difficult to run.
I also feel that during all of this training, I've become a real runner. I don't always run with music anymore. I run with my team, enjoy conversations, listen to the sounds around me. I hear my footsteps, my breathing, the cicadas making horror-movie music (They are really freaking loud and creepy sounding here in Indiana).
This is my new moto for the marathon. I'm currently in a wave of pain. (Thanks! www.rungiarun.com)
This was taken from my running blog http://runmilichrun.blogspot.com
Sep 01, 2014
For roughly a month, I have been trying to balance out running, work, sleep, and trying to have a social life. It kind of reminds me of this picture:
Let's substitute good grades for good training runs :)
Unfortunately, you need enough sleep to keep your body at it's best. I need the training to get me through the milage in November, and I need to social life to keep me sane. What's a runner to do?
But then I think of the people sick with blood cancers. I think of my experience while watching my mom beat Hodgkin's, and it drives me to push harder, run faster, go more miles.
All I know right now, is that I am nowhere near where I wanted to be with my training. I was hoping to be hitting 10+ miles on long runs, and 5-7 miles on my short runs. But it's just another round of "the suck," and I'll break through again. For now, I know that just getting out there makes a difference.
*FUNDRAISING UPDATE* I am $338.50 from my goal of $1000!
Aug 10, 2014
For the last two weeks, I have been in an out of the grand state of Indiana for various reasons. During these travels, I have let my training slide, which led to "the suck." "The Suck" is trying to get out of the slump and fighting off a minor injury. I spent most of the week resting and started back into it on Wednesday.
And then something hit me during the group training Saturday. The idea that I am embracing "the suck" for cancer patients who have battled through the treatments. Their "suck" is far greater than my pitiful injury. They go through rounds of chemo, radiation, and the side effects to beat their cancer. If they are stronger than cancer, then I have to be stronger than a silly case of runner's knee. I have to be stronger than cancer. I have to be stronger than the miles ahead of me. Why? Because I'm not running this race for myself. I'm running this race for the researchers who make treatments safer. I'm running this for the doctors who see patients triumph. I'm running for the patients who have beaten the disease. I'm running for the kids who watch their parents fight cancer. I'm running for the parents who watch their kids fight this horrible disease. I'm running for those whose battles were greater, and ultimately faced defeat.
This has renewed my focus on my training and pushed me to do seven beautiful miles yesterday and three miles today. Because I am not running for myself; I am running for others. I am using my gifts to help others. And that is what this is really about.
Jul 22, 2014
It's Tutoring Tuesday (for me at least)! I am planning on taking my workout to the treadmill later to do some hill training. I should mention that I dispise the treadmill. It is the worst form of toture for me because I can't automatically control my speed. I have to push buttons to go faster or slower. That's why I like running outside; I can just adjust my pace on my own. What is your choice, Indoor or outdoor running?
I want to give a shout out to some new donors! Thanks to Nikki Noah, Loretta Dunham, and Kyrylice Jurczenko! You are all awesome! 
Just a picture of me running a race in PA last year.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.