With the busy holiday season, I have been struggling with finding the time to keep up with my training runs. Traveling, packed schedules, and feeling under the weather has left my running shoes staring longingly at me from the closet. I have only been able to muster up the energy for a few 3-4 mile runs over the last couple of weeks, nothing close to where I should be.

After flying home last night from a Christmas visit to my parents' house in the Bay Area, all I wanted to do was sleep in. Thanks to Sean and some hidden motivation, I managed to get out of bed this morning to head out to my group run at 7 a.m. I knew that I needed it.

Our run time was scheduled for two hours and forty minutes. The longest I had run up to this point was an hour and forty. I have missed the last two long group runs due to traveling and illness. I had a feeling I was in trouble.

However, I am happy to report that I managed to end 2011 with a 12 mile run! Running along the beach path from Bolsa Chica past the Huntington Beach pier and back kept me moving, as did the fog and cold. I am proud to have pushed myself and with the Tinker Bell Half in a few short weeks, I feel confident that I will be ready. I am also confident that the start of 2012 will find me limping around with soreness. No pain no gain, right?

Thank you all for your continued support. I hope to see you all at the Wine Tasting Fundraiser next Saturday, Jan. 7 from 3-6 p.m.

Wishing you all a happy and safe New Years!

Hi family and friends!

With only 41 days left until the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I am well into my training. Now that my runs are getting longer, scheduling them is getting a little tricky. Because of my work schedule and being mindful of my time with Stella, I find myself up at 4:45 a.m. or completing my runs around 5:30-6:00 p.m. at night. All I can say is DARK and COLD. To mix things up a little bit, the weather was kind enough to send rain, hail, thunder and lightening my way last night during my run. That was interesting to say the least, but I kept on going and finished soaked to the bone.

Saturday mornings are the only days that I have the time to run with my Team in Training group. These are when they schedule the longest runs, so it has been good for me. Last week we did an hour and 20 minute run. Tomorrow we are jumping up to an hour and 45 minutes. WIth these runs starting at 6:45 a.m., I have had to learn to run in 40 degree weather. Who would have thought that I would be doing that in Southern California. I am proud of the everyone who shows up each Saturday. That really shows the commitment level of all of us.

Adam is doing well. He has had a welcome break from chemo and is not scheduled for his next treatment until December 22nd. Let's keep him in our thoughts and prayers through the holidays.

Thank you for all of your support. Everytime I think about staying in bed or skipping a run, all of you keep me going! Remember to keep those donations coming. It doesn't matter if it is $1 or $50. Every little bit helps!

Love,

Kelley

The holidays always bring forth a time of generosity and thankfulness. With just about 50 days until the half marathon (and even less time to meet my fundraising goal), I have been able to experience both of those things first hand. The amount of feedback that I have gotten back about the services of the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society (LLS) have been amazing, many from cancer survivors. Everyday, I meet someone new who confirms the utter importance of what I have chosen to do. Each one of them has had a story as to how LLS contributed to their own survival. The generosity of people who have come forth and donated have left me speechless, not with monetary amounts, but of the kindness of people who I would never have expected to show support.

For all of this I am very thankful. I am even more thankful that this weekend, I was able to spend time with Adam and his brother and sister. He just completed his second chemo treatment this past Thursday. His spirits are high and he looks great! He even shared with me that he was able to put a little time in at work over the weekend. Amazing! With a long road ahead of him, it was wonderful to see him out for a bit at his sister's ugly Christmas sweater party joining in on the holiday festivities.

As for my training goes, I am starting to get into my weekly longer distance runs. Team in Training has been a huge support in my preparation. This weekend I completed 60 minutes of running intense hills. So intense in fact, I am having a little bit of difficulty moving today (slightly embarrased.) I have been getting up just before 5 a.m. during the week to squeeze in my other runs. I often use Adam and his strength as my inspiration to get out of bed or run harder.

There is a little competition going on with my training team regarding the amount of online donations between now and Tuesday morning. I am very competitive and I WANT TO WIN! Thank you in advance for your donations...every little bit helps!

Adam and I at a holiday party this past weekend.

Thanksgiving always brings the reminder to be thankful for those that we have in our lives. It is a time for family and friends. It also is the start to a holiday season of giving. I have been overwhelmed with those that have donated to my Team in Training so far. The amounts have been generous and I have even had donations from people who I have just met and that do not know Adam. This truly makes me feel thankful for the people that surround me.

Tuesday, as I prepared the house for Thanksgiving with my family, I received news that Adam had been admitted into the hospital. Due to the chemotherapy treatment, he has developed ulcers in his esophagus. Because his white blood cell count was so low, this led to an infection. His sister was told that had he not have been brought in, the infection would have been fatal. Adam was not able to come home and join his family on Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving morning, I decided to run in Long Beach's Turkey Trot 5K. I figured I had to get a training run in, so why not make it festive at the same time. Adam and his family weighed heavily on my mind as I waited for the race to start. With my brother by my side, I took off along the course and found myself getting emotional as I thought of the reason for my running, Adam, and the fact that he could not be with his family on this holiday. I ran for him and his family on Thanksgiving as I will everyday, for the next couple of months. Having Adam in my heart must have made me feet a little bit swifter; I set a personal 5K record that day!

Thank you to those that have and continue to support me as I run for Adam. The Tinker Bell Half Marathon is getting closer, and your thoughts and donations are appreciated as we get into the holiday season!

Welcome Friends and Family!

As if life isn't busy enough working and being a mom to Stella, I have embarked on a new adventure. I have joined a mission to help find cures and more effective treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. By joining the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, I'm improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the life for cancer patients and their families as well.

This cause holds a very special place in my heart. A very dear friend of mine has been recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His name is Adam Eves and he is 29 years-old. Full of spunk and life, Adam has started his fight against cancer and is ready to kick cancer's butt! He knows the fight will not be easy, and I am doing this in honor of him.

On January 29th, I will be running 13.1 miles at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland. I am running for Adam, for his family, and for all of those out there who have been affected by cancer.

My goal is to raise $2,200.00 and like Adam, I want to kick butt! I cannot do this without the support of my friends and family, and that includes you. Whether it be $5 or $50, every little bit helps. You can help even further by passing this email on to others so that they can join the cause.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

Love,

Kelley

Adam, his sister Heather, and their father