We did it!

Ok, we didn't actually do it yet but we survived our longest run of the reason before the marathon and it went swimmingly!

The past few months have been hard, snowy, rainy and everything in between. I can't express the way this training has changed my life. I know it's not just the marathon training but somehow, I feel like I've been able to focus on the parts of my life that I truly enjoy and I've been working on focusing less on what I'm not and what I can't do and moreso on what I have that I love, what I'm capable of, how challenges make me better and obviously, spending copious amounts of time thinking while running and running and running.

I always said (ok, always meaning the last 2 years) that I wouldn't run the Boston Marathon because I wouldn't be able to train because of the ice, snow and cold. It just never crossed my mind that people just RUN no matter what. 10 Degrees? 37 MPH winds? Sideways blizzardly conditions? Icy, snowy, slushy roads? I've done them all and there was never a time that I even considered saying No. Because when you have to do something, you have to do something.

Do I have to run the marathon? No. But I'm committed to it and I'm committed to this cause that I've grown so close to thanks to the amazing people at LLS.

It's amazing what you can do when "no" isn't an option.

I'm not fast. I'm surely not going to win (but I'll be sooooo close:)). But after running this 20-miler in a surprisingly good time (in our books) with a smile on my face the entire time, I am 100% confident that I can do this, will do this and my goal is to have the best time on my way.

And it doesn't hurt that I have three awesome running buddies who are willing to talk about EVERYTHING for more than 4 hours (down to what were you like when you were 3 to what's your favorite steak to what will you do and wear every second the week before the marathon and let's see how many details we can cover for the zillionth time just in case).

It's amazing what bundling yourself like a mummy can get you through! That's 4 shirts, a coat, a vest, two pairs of spandex, socks, gloves and ear warmer.

In the past, I've always run in the cold because I despise the treadmill. But, I also had the luxury of deciding not to run if it was colder than 25 degrees. Not so much the case anymore! And despite sounding like a huge liar, it's been the most amazing experience to run in these freezing conditions. I can't help but be motivated by this cause, by the team in training and by all of you who have supported me in such incredible ways!

Last week, I did a 10 mile run before work and it was a measly 16 degrees and windy (and still dark). I thought that was going to be my coldest until yesterday:) Yesterday, we did a half marathon in 10 degrees and with about an inch or more of snow on the ground. I ran with the team yesterday and it was hard. My body wasn't in a good mood and it was simply a mentally tough day for me. I'm so thankful for the group of girls I run with (there are three and we're all about the same pace) - without them, I likely would have slowed down tremendously.

Friday will be my first time running more than 14 miles. I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Morgan

I spent this brisk morning on a 12 mile run through Boston! I've been feeling GREAT over the last few weeks but with the holidays, I've been cramming training in in some unusual ways so it's good to be back and able to spend the time on a long run. Two weeks ago while in MD, I felt awesome on a 10-mile run and even got to do some of it with my soon-to-be cousin Morgan. Having people to run with is awesome!

So far, TNT has been an amazing support and I'm excited to be able to join in on more speed work and long runs soon. Today though - Jordan ran with me half way (wahoo!). By mile 8, I felt terrible to say the least. My shoes are old, I wasn't hydrated, I started getting pretty dramatic climbing one of the big hills in Beacon Hill and if there's one thing I hate, it's WIND so that was a challenge:) Despite my mental weaknesses, I completed the 12 in a 9:40 mile pace...which is a big jump from my 9:00 pace two weeks ago so want to make sure I make up that time next week.

I can't thank everyone enough for all of their support in helping raise my funds and simply being encouraging through training! I'm having the best time on this journey already and I'm eager to get in to the upper teen runs.

Thanks for stopping by...I'm going to eat a burrito.

Morgan

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

Welcome to my Team in Training Page!

I have a mission to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m doing something that scares me more than any other risk I've taken in my life by participating in the 2013 Boston Marathon as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training.

For the next few months, I won't be running for me anymore. I'm running for my grandmother, Sandra Kelly, who taught me that independence is power. I'm running for my friend, Madeleine Bahar, who at 25, had done more good in the world than most accomplish in 80. I'm running for the 140,310 people in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with a form of blood cancer this year. I'm running for the more than 1 million Americans currently living with a form of blood cancer at this moment. Above all else, I'm running to make a difference.

Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

I hope you'll join this mission by making a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

Thank you for reading! And if you plan on coming back, there's more where that picture came from:)

YEAH!!!