Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I am training for the San Diego Rock n' Roll marathon on May 31, 2009.

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 my grandfather who lost the battle to leukemia in 1986 as well as all individuals who are currently 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!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and 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!

Clare

2/8/08: Today was the first official team in training practice. We ran 3 miles...which wasn't that bad :) Next week we are supposed to be running 4 miles on Sunday with the group. I am going to be in New York for toy fair so looks like I will be getting my training in on the treadmill at the hotel!

2/11/08: First off I want to thank EVERYONE who has donated thus far. In the past 4 days I have raised over 20% of my goal!!!! Thank you soooo much!!!

Tonight I went to my first strength and conditioning session. Boy am I going to be sore! I workout on a regular basis, but this one is gonna hurt. Let's see how my 30min run tomorrow goes after tonight.

2/12/08: Woke up a little on the sore side...not nearly as sore as I thought I would be from last night. Tonight I completed my 30 minute run without any problems. Dare I say that this is getting easier? Off to New York City tomorrow for Toy Fair with Elizabeth. Going to have to do my Sunday long run on a treadmill at the hotel.

2/15/08: Happy Valentine's Day to all! Thanks again for all of these amazing donations! I am on my way to my goal :) Just realized that I am 1/4 of the way to my GOAL!!! YEAH!!! So, Elizabeth and I are in NYC! Just saw Billy Elliott on Broadway last night! AMAZING! Just finished my 4 mile Sunday run...on a treadmill from the 1980s in a room that had to be 100 degrees! Not gonna lie...it was a little difficult to get done. But, with 1/2 mile left to run "Eye of the Tiger" came on my IPOD and helped me get through! Couldn't have asked for a better song at a better time. Off to Toy Fair today to find all kinds of new toys!!!!

2/17/08: So tonight I was able to fit in a 30 min run before the rains started again. It was a bit of a rough run...maybe the jet lag, lack of sleep, or the wonderful New York food that I consume this weekend! Looking forward to another torture session of strength and conditioning tomorrow night :) Off to roll out my tight hips!

2/19/08: So I did strength and conditioning last night...kind of sore today but not as much as I thought I would be. But, I decided to totally over do it today!!! Circuit works class this am, massive house cleaning all day followed by an evening run. Will be sore tomorrow for sure!

2/21/08: Well, I guessed right....very sore yesterday!!!!!!!! However, I forced myself to go to a Circuit Works class this am :) Looking forward to running with the team again tomorrow...thank god no more ghetto New York hotel treadmill! 5 miles or bust tomorrow!

2/22/09: This morning we ran 5 miles as a team. We went from Shutter's to Washington and the boardwalk and back. Went really well. It is amazing how the time and miles go by so fast when you are running with the team :) Looking forward to the week ahead!

2/26/09: Starting to experience my first running related aches and pains!! Getting shin splints in my right leg. A little uncomfortable but ice and stretching as much as I can. Still getting my workouts in...although todays run is going to be postponed until tomorrow. Strength and conditioning last night and Circuit Works class this am...gonna run tomorrow instead! Off to ice my shins :)

3/1/09: Today I ran the farthest that I have ever run....7 MILES!!! I still am not totally sure whether I am going to do the 1/2 marathon or the full marathon...so I am training the full distances. We ran up San Vicente to 23rd street..rough on the way up (up hill and rather warm out)..much better on the way back.

3/2/09: So, I woke up this morning pretty sore. My right shin is bothering me. Going to take some Advil and rest today. Doesn't look like Circuit Works is in my cards tonight :) But, the season finale of the Bachelor is on tonight, so I can put my leg up with some ice while watching the tv tonight!!!

3/3/09: My right shin was sooo sore today at work! I was very nervous running tonight, but decided to give it a try. I did my 30 minute run...didn't have any pain until I was done. Ice and Advil are in the cards again tonight :)

3/5/09: Went to strength and conditioning last night. Talked to our coach about my shin...he says to take it easy and not run again until Sunday...man this is going to be hard :(

3/6/09: So, I went to the Starting Line running store to investigate my shoes possibly being the culprit for the shin splints. Come to find out that my shoes are made for short distances and are very light and hence light in terms of support. So, a new pair of shoes I have! Funny that I put them on and the pain instantly went away :) But. still following coaches' orders..no running until Sunday.

3/7/09: Attempted Circuit Works today....got a good workout in, but no treadmill...following coaches' orders :)

3/8/09: Wow....8 MILES today. Looks like I am committing to the FULL MARATHON...thats 26.2 MILES! We had a field trip and did our run in the Marina, which was a very nice change of scenery. Amazingly my shins didn't hurt AT ALL! But, not gonna like...my hips were pretty sore by the end. Then, off to breakfast with the TEAM.

3/10/09: Tonight was our recommitment party! Which means that we sign paperwork saying that if we don't raise our minimum amount of money, we commit to paying the rest ourselves...so, I need to get this fundraising thing taken care of. We had mentor runs to and from the bar tonight. So, I did my 45 minute run and then stayed for a drink :)

3/11/09: Tonight we had our last Strength and Conditioning workout for the season. We had a plank contest...nope, I didn't win. But, the winner did the plank for more than 8 MINUTES!!! Wow, congrats!

3/12/09: Another 45 min run down....I changed up the scenery myself and run through the Marina. Very nice to look at all the boats. Also nice that it is staying light later for my after work runs. Tomorrow I am off to the running store to buy some "fuel" supplements. As our running distance increases, we have to take in some calories every so often!!

3/14/09: Just finished another 45 minute run. Could it be getting easier again? I'll let you know that answer after I do an hour circuit training class this afternoon...I know, I am now certifiably crazy!

3/15/09: So, today was quite a milestone day.....10 MILES...and, not gonna lie...it was hell! I think that I totally over did it yesterday. About halfway through the run I started to get intense hip pain that radiated down to my right knee. I wanted to stop and give up multiple times...but, I managed to finish the 10 miles! Wow!!! Off to rest and ice my knee!

3/17/09: I am still pretty sore. Decided to lay off the running today and opted for a massage instead. I think that it was the most AMAZING massage that I have ever had. Don't know if the massage therapist was that great or if I was that sore. Probably a combo of the two!! Going to sleep like a baby tonight!

3/19/09: I went for a short 30 minute run tonight to test out the hip/knee. Felt alright until the last 10 minutes or so. Came home and foam rolled, stretched and iced. We'll see how it feels tomorrow :)

3/21/09: Knee feels alright, a little sore. Went to Circuit Works today and was able to make it through the class. Also bought an IT band strap which is supposed to ease this knee pain. Looking forward to trying it out tomorrow.

3/22/09: Today we did an 8 MILE run in the Santa Monica Mountains! Let me tell you it was hard!!!!! Up hill for a good portion of the run. To make matters worse, it was freezing cold (while not actually freezing...but really cold) and started to rain sideways as soon as we made it to the top of the mountain! What a great feeling when we were done though. And, I came home to an AMAZING breakfast courtesy of Riz...pancakes, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, and fruit salad!

3/24/09: Took yesterday off to rest! Tonight, I did a 45 minute run on my own. Knee started to ache about the last 10 minutes or so, but managed to finish the run. Ice and Advil afterwards did the trick :)

3/25/09: Tonight I went to hill training! We ran up a massive hill 4 times. I thought that I might die the first two times up and it actually got easier as I did it! Apparently last week, a few people lost their lunch during the hills! Knee felt great the whole time...wow! Hopefully this hill training will help on Saturday when I run my first race....a 10k in Agoura Hills....based on the area I believe that there may be some hills! Can't wait for Saturday!

3/26/09: Feel pretty good today considering the torture last night. No working out tonight though. A day of rest is in the cards. Circuit Works tomorrow and picking up my race packet...oh, and an oil change...and hopefully taxes :) Speaking of taxes...if you haven't already donate, don't forget that your donation is tax deductible next year!!!

3/28/09: Did a circuit works class yesterday and had my FIRST RACE ever today....a 10k in Agoura Hills, CA. Other than having to be up at the crack of dawn, the day was amazing! I think that I am starting to get somewhat addicted to this whole running thing. The race was fabulous. Although once I stopped running, my knee froze up and took some time to calm down. What a rush it was to cross the finish line. Who would have thought that I would have run a 10k a year ago? Tomorrow is a different story, 12 miles here we come!

3/29/09: This morning the team ran 12 MILES!!!! We ran from the Santa Monica pier up Ocean Ave to San Vicente to Wilshire and back to the Civic Center....wow! I was worried about the knee, but it held up just fine. The hip, however, felt the beating. Oh, and the blisters that I have on both arches of my feet. But, I almost ran a 1/2 marathon today...we'll save the actual 13 miles for next week :) Off to celebrate with the team and raise money...pick up line party here I come!

3/31/09: Not gonna lie...very sore. But, I pushed through and completed my 45 minute midweek run today. Hurt a bit towards the end, but glad that I went out there and did it!

4/1/09: Family arrived today..uncle Terry, aunt Julia and my cousin Zoe. I was going to try to make it to hill training...but my sore legs and the family won out. Taking the night off!

4/2/09: Today we went to Disneyland with the whole family gang. Needless to say, I got quite a bit of walking in. Oh, how much fun we had. Traveled back to the age of 10 for the day!

4/5/09: Today was a milestone day! We ran 13 MILES....that is equivalent to a half marathon. Remember the time that I signed up for the 1/2 marathon race :) Well, it was quite an accomplishment. And, my body felt it! My right leg from my hip down to my knee gave me a bit of trouble. But, with all that, I was able to run the 13 miles in just under 2 1/2 hours! Can't believe that I am actually going to run double that in just 8 weeks. After the run, we gave ourselves a bit of an ice bath and went into the ocean....felt amazing! Might be aqua jogging this week...giving the right leg a rest!

4/10/09: So, I followed coaches orders and rested this week. This week was a recovery week, so I took the time to recover. I went aqua jogging for the first time today...wow, intense! It was way more challenging than I expected. Basically, you are running in the water without touching the bottom of the pool...with a floatation device around your waist. But, the good thing is my knee didn't hurt at all. Looks like I will be in the water for a week or so.

4/12/09: Happy Birthday Riz and Happy Easter! While the team was running 10 miles today, I aqua jogged for 1 hour and 50 min! Can you say prune...Boy was I winded and worn out at the end! At least I was with Ellie, one of my teammates who is also suffering from an injury. Thanks for the company!

4/15/09: Tonight I decided to try to do a run to see how the body would hold up. I really want to run with the team on Sunday, but felt like I needed to see how a midweek run would go. So, I ran for a little less than an hour. I was a little sore afterwards, but not too terrible. I foam rolled and stretched well, followed by a little ice.

4/16/09: Back in the pool for an hour of aqua jogging...by myself. A little boring, not gonna lie. But, trying to give myself the best chance of success this weekend!

4/18/09: THANK YOU to everyone who has donated thus far. I am over 2/3 of the way to my fundraising goal...but not there yet! Headed back to the pool today for a 45 min aqua jogging session. Back to the pool I went today. Although, I was supposed to aqua jog for 45 minutes, but was only able to go for 30 min. I was overtaken by a scuba training class. So, I did some laps which felt great! Looking forward to tomorrow :)

4/19/09: A big day it was today! 15 MILES!!!!! We ran from Shutters south to the Marina Jetty and then back past Shutters to Ocean Ave up to San Vicente to 20th street and back.....WOW!! The beginning of the run felt fabulous. Then, it got REALLY hot out and my body didn't like the heat. Also, a teammate was having some aches and pains. So, I dropped back and ran with her. We had a really rough time on the way up to 20th street, but as soon as we turned around we both felt great. I think it was a combo of the extra strength Tylenol, shot blocks and shade! When we made it back to Shutters, the group went into the ocean for an ice bath! Felt amazing! Guess if I am going to train for a marathon, there couldn't be a better place to be doing it.

4/23/09: I was pretty stiff and sore after the run on Sunday. So, I did some walking here and there, but nothing too active until today. Today, I had a very nice 60 minute training run. Felt good afterwards :) Have a big weekend ahead. Thinking about aqua jogging again on Saturday and then another long run with the team on Sunday!

4/25/09: Decided to take it to the pool again today and do my 45 minutes aqua jogging instead of on the road. Finshed about 20 min and was taken over by a swim lesson group...so, I finshed up with about 35 minutes of lap swimming. I felt really good in the pool today. Off to make a pasta dinner and gear up for tomorrow!

4/26/09: Today was our second longest training distance.....17 miles...But, I had a really rough day. I made it to about mile 9 and then my right knee (specifically IT band) completely tensed up and I couldn't even walk. My mentor walked with me up to the next water stop where I stretched. I talked to our coach who suggested that I take my time and walk back to our starting spot. I am to ice and stretch and foam roll this week! Gonna take coaches advice and do what I can. Pretty frustrated that I wasn't able to complete the 17 miles, but I was reasurred that it was alright :(

4/28/09: Had a massage tonight :) Apparently had tons of knots in my back and right leg. Now going to ice and take some Advil. Might try a light run tomorrow night after work...we'll see. I think that aqua jogging is in the cards for Thursday for sure!!!!

4/29/09: Tonight I chose to do some lap swimming instead of run. Figured another day of rest would only help my leg. I was a little nervous with the "long course" 50m lanes, but had a very nice swim. Can you say triathalon in the future???

4/30/09: I did an afternoon 70+ minute run along the beach today....and it was great! The knee held up and the run gave me some confidence for this weekend :)

5/1/09: Elizabeth, Christy and I attended the Miss TNT pageant tonight. Tons of fun and for a good cause!

5/2/09: Tonight was my beer pong tournament. We had a blast and raised some more money for LLS. Seth and Alice took home the title of beer pong champs...with a Guitar Hero game pack to prove it :) Thanks to everyone for playing and donating!!!

5/3/09: Today was a taper run with the team. We were supposed to run 14 miles, but coach gave us a pleasant gift....12 miles. The run was beautiful and it felt amazing. My leg was a bit stiff throughout the second half of the run, but nothing like last week. I think that the icing, stretching and rolling are helping :) But, I ended the day with a few more blisters :( One thing is for sure, this running is not going to be me a foot model! FYI....marathon is only 4 weeks away!!! Really starting to look forward to it.

5/6/09: Went to the pool tonight with the intention of possibly aqua jogging, but decided to do some laps instead. I swam 100 laps (2.5km) or over 1 1/2 miles! It felt so good to be in the water. I am really liking the swimming. Looking forward to some more swimming when I am done with the marathon.

5/7/09: Was going to run tonight, but was exhausted from a very busy week at work. Why are all these kids sick, isn't it spring?

5/8/09: Just got back from a 45 minute run. Thinking about hitting the pool this afternoon after I finsih my errands! I believe that I have convinced Riz to join me in running the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon on Sept 6th, 2009!!! YEAH!! I want to have another goal to look forward to once I complete this marathon...in oh, 22 days! In the meantime, gotta save myself for a very big sunday run...20 miles!

5/10/09: Just finished 20 MILES!!! Wow, it was rough, but I am so glad that I did it. I started to have some IT band pain and then got a very strange dizziness/vision issue. I walked for a little bit. Then, I ran into our coach and one of our teammates who were doing quick run/walk intervals.....this totally saved me! If I hadn't found them, I would probably still be on the side of San Vicente now :) Now, I am laid up on the coach with some ice! Guess if I can run 20 miles, apparently I can run 26.2! The marathon is exactly 3 weeks from today...wow, this is all happening very fast! Happy Mother's Day to all of the mother's, but especially to my own!!! I love you!