First of all; what a clever title!
Now for the nitty gritty:
The inspiration dinner was just as the name implies, it truely was inspirational. Sometimes during the course of training, or fundrasing you can become so pre-occupied by the race that it is easy to let the cause slip your mind. This dinner brings it all back into focus. It allows you to think back on all your hard trainings or your unsuccessful fundraisers and remember that IT ALL MATTERS. Every part of this experience matters!
Reasons the dinnner is 'inspirational':
I do not understand how someone not involved in LLS could sit in that room and not WANT to become involved.
Final Focus: This is a time where you meet with your chapter and talk about the finish line. Bringing the whole experience full circle. Awesome!
RACE DAY!
I had a goal in mind before the race started. The goal was to finish in 4 hours and 45 minutes.
I had a new goal in mind half way through the race. The new goal was to Finish. This is what I meant when I said I reflected back to the part of the inspiration dinner where the speaker said to 'enjoy the race'. Whether I finished in my first goal of just under 5 hours or my actual time of close to 6 hours...it didn't matter. Crossing the finish line marked a milestone that I had accomplished. One I now know that I could not nor do I wish to complete without having the team on my side.
The race course was amazing, Everyone commented on how much Chicago I'd get to see...in actuality...I didn't see a lot of Chicago, I saw a lot of supporters and a lot of people who care. There were 1.7 MILLION spectators. Come On. Some of them had some pretty great signs. Thank you. It was amazing to hear people say my name as I passed them it gave me hope.
Running a marathon is very difficult. But I am so happy that I can now call myself a marathon-er.
GO TEAM!
Tonight marks the start of the home-stretch.
To celebrate today's date, I decided to run 9 miles. And it felt great! I needed a run like today to remind me to stay on track, that this is the home stretch and each run now needs to be a celebration of the entire journey. Which is exactly how the run today went.
I cannot believe that this experience is coming to a close so soon, I feel like it should still be so far off. But on the other side of the coin, I feel as if this has been all that I've known, that it has become so habitual in my life, almost like I've been doing this forever.
I am so appreciative of all the things that TNT has lead me to discover within myself. I'm so happy to be a Team Member.
GO TEAM.
Tonights' run was difficult, but amazing.
Towards the end I found it hard to lift my feet, I couldn't focus on my breathing, and my legs were burning. My clothes were starting to cause chafing, sweat was dripping into my eyes, and I could feel blisters forming on my feet.
But I had planned my run and I was determined to run all 17 miles. I had planned out to have my grandma pick me up at the 17 mile point at 10pm and kept reminding myself...I just have to make it to Gratiot, I just have to make it to Gratiot. She however left before 10 and missed the pick up time so, I continued to run until I was home...a total of 19 miles.
The other thoughts I had revolved around the Kickoff I attended on Tuesday. I heard stories from Honored Heroes and I saw how motivated people became either by their own stories or by those shared by other people. Nick Volpe's story gives me hope and demonstrates how necessary research is.
I was talking to a friend the other day about how his study of Sociology has made me feel small and insignificant, and my only thought was how lucky I am. My career and my education has made me like I am part of something so incredible. I may be insignificant as he suggested, but I feel part of something so amazing!
Lastly, I've been thinking about all the people I've met since I began volunteering at LLS. The only way I can say it is that these people have been my teachers, my mentors and my friends. I have a renewed faith in people because of the passion and determination that I have witnessed.
Even though runs are difficult, and I will more than likely will need help getting out of bed tomorrow, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I wouldn't trade my years as a volunteer and I wouldn't dream of running this marathon with any organization other than The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
This update is all over the place and doesn't flow and for that I'm sorry, but its almost 1am, and I'm tired so bare with me folks.
<3 xo
I've decided that Warren is a better place to run for one reason: NO HILLS. I don't know if I just did a terrible job picking a route today but it seemed every time I turned down a street there was a hill. Now I understand why after finishing the very hilly Woman's Nike Marathon you receive a Tiffany's Necklace.
I have been experimenting with nutrition while running now, it is very difficult to start that habit but I do understand how important it is so I’m going to keep trying.
Other than that, my coaches say that breathing and leg strength should be increasing now, and trust me they are right! I can tell a huge difference in my body from when I first started and I must say I like the changes.
Even though this was far from my best run yet, I think I'll keep going.
Thanks for all the support followers!
Well here it is, officially under 100 days until the race.
And in all honesty I couldn't be more excited! I mean...I'm also a little terrified but I am in good hands by starting this adventure with the great coaches, staff, and mentors of Team In Training!
Training has been going very well. I've never considered myself a 'runner' but I'm finding out that maybe I am more of a runner than I thought! That is what I think is so great about this experience, you find out so much about yourself. I was talking to a friend and fellow runner and during the conversation she said that she has learned more about patience, determination and herself during her training than in school.
I'm very excited about this weekend and this Saturday run because I'll be home, and it's always fun to run in new environments.
Anyways, I think I'm going to start keeping a record of this training to keep everyone updated and to look back on when I'm old and grey.
Huge thank you to:
Carey Mitchelson and Andrea Tiller
I cannot express how thankful I am for your donations!
Waiter/Waitress Race... | $750.00 |
Eastpointe Internist... | $200.00 |
Taste of East Grand ... | $160.00 |
Carey Mitchelson | $100.00 |
Andrea Tiller | $100.00 |
DANIEL DOYLE | $100.00 |
Michelle Lunn Hope F... | $100.00 |
Tammy Landis | $100.00 |
Molly Murray | $80.00 |
Brenda Zwyghuizen | $75.00 |
Katie Ricketts | $60.00 |
Edward Elsenheimer | $50.00 |
Mary Laney | $50.00 |
Charles Kilcline | $50.00 |
Ryan Tebbe | $50.00 |
Joe'l (mom Tebbe) | $50.00 |
D Goodspeed | $50.00 |
Dove Chocolate Disco... | $35.00 |
Taste of EGR - Mary ... | $30.00 |
Sue & Mike Lunn ... | $30.00 |
B M Karas | $25.00 |
Aaron Barton | $25.00 |
Mary Sheila | $25.00 |
Nick Volpe | $20.00 |
Erica Manna | $20.00 |
$15.00 | |
Late Road Rally Dona... | $15.00 |
Brandee Naumann | $12.00 |
Karen Hain | $10.00 |
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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.