So a little while back I registered for the Brrrooklyn Hot Chocolate 10K and that race was this past saturday. I must say it was a good way to introduce me to road racing even if it was a small event. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the lovely 19 degree temperature and waking and hour earlier. MEH.

Its been 9 years since I wore a bib. Admittedly, it was a little nostalgic. Brought me back to my highschool days. Lucky number 501.

So I wake up at 6:40. Make my usual breakfast before a run: peanut butter and strawberry jelly on toasted wheat bread. Pack my bag and get ready to go. I decided to try these Gatorade Prime chews. Yucketh. Its such an odd texture. Like a gusher. I cant say that I will repeat trying it again. I'll stick to my sport beans.

The upside to this race is that it was only a stones throw from the crib so I do bag check and try to get hype for my race. Although how excited can you get when your trail looks like this.

Yeah, its pretty but its cold as hell. Not really here for that. I mean I am, but this is for le burds.

So heres the fun part! Actually running!

They line us up like animals in a herd.

I take a selfie. Side bar: I was overdressed and hot as hell. Learned my lesson. Better warm than cold though.

Take a pic with my teammate Chris

I run my race and do pretty well (as per results) and I get rewarded with hot (well warm really) cocoa

Race done. Dress. Go home. Await resuts, which werent too bad

12/102 in my division (Female 25 to 29)

Overall: 109

Gender Place: 40

Time: 49:34

So I'm super proud of my performance. It's a great indication of my strength and how I will manage in the future. I am seeing the fruit of my labor. This training has not been in vain. I am running comparable times in sub freezing temps that I ran in warmer months. I have about 8 weeks left of training. Dannielle is NOT enthused by this months workout of hills but I am excited that the race is steadfast approaching!

In other news:

1- submitted the recommitment letter

2- fundraising going well. Only $400 to go!

3- Knees aint bothering me anymore! Yay

So all is well. Just looking forward to the upcoming weeks.

Be well. Thanks for visiting. Share the link. Donate. All that good stuff. =)

Danni

In the middle of month two, I truly begin to realize how serious training is becoming for this half being that I find myself more tired than usual. The runs are getting longer (yay) and Monday is no longer a rest day (boo). I still rest though because apparently Dannielle has developed runners knee and I don’t want to over exert myself with calisthenics / circuit training. Currently lying down with a compression band over my knee. Last week I was icing almost every day. Anyhow…

What have I learned thus far with TNT?

1- A handful of names of my fellow team members

2- You need to consume some kind of food every hour that you run to replenish electrolytes that you lost

3- Cotton is NOT your friend

4- Proper fitting for sneakers is essential

5- Pacing while running & modified form

The most important thing I am learning is how to be more social. Being the Aquarius that I am, I am seemingly aloof and uninterested in people and things around me. However, I’ve been making a more earnest effort to talk to my fellow teammates. I never met one person I didn’t like. I find a new running buddy every week. Today I was running with Ryan. I never met him before but apparently he likes speed just as much as me. It’s great to find someone on your level, at least for the day anyhow. I’ve been to two socials this month so as to get to know my teammates on a more personal level. Nothing in depth but at least this time I get to converse with them over my second favorite activity in the world- eating. I like that the coaches really don’t harp on you about diets.

Im way in le back. I had a burger shake and fries that night. Nom...

Speaking of diets… regarding nutrition and my training… Let’s just say this is amongst my biggest struggle. I am getting better with hydration and now I have to learn to accommodate these energy gels and chews while I run. It’s a process. Outside of running, my diet could still use some work. I’ll admit I am no health nut. I’m in my mid twenties still doing what normal twenty something’s do. I eat out. I drink. I’m working on it.

Fundraising is still going good and I am naturally pleased with that. I’d like to close this entry by saying that it is truly an honor to be a part of this team. I was perusing this month’s issue of Runners World magazine and found this.

I smiled because I AM a part of this. I am helping to make a difference. There is no greater joy than knowing that I train, I run, and I sweat to help fight blood cancer. Thank you for visiting and thank you in advance for your possible donation. Share the link too! =)

~Danni

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! *Throws rainbow confetti*

I really cant ebelive that 2013 is here. The past year came and went so quickly. I have a new year to do new things as well as cut the proverbial fat and better my life. With that being said, I started the new year off on the right foot (pun intended). I went running on Tuesday with my fellow teammates, as it was a GTS day. Cold cannot sufficiently describe the weather. It's getting really %$^%$* cold man. Yet and still I was out there doing lunges and push-ups and all those fine exercises.

January is far more intense than December being that there are longer runs and more corss training. I welcome the fatigue and soreness because I know that my efforts are not in vain. I constantly remaind myself why I am running because I would much prefer to remain in the warmth of my home than to run through city streets or in the park. The current dilemma I have is wondering how I am going to squeeze in two runs over inauguration weekend when I know I will be participating in revelry. DC should be a fun place to run around at that time anyhow.

Fundraising is going okay thus far. I figured the holiday season would have to pass before anyone made donations. That is not fully the case but I have reached 37% of my goal and that excites me. This isnt my forte as I am not equipped with an abundance of ideas. I'll be sure to put on my thinking cap and see what I can muster up.

I'll try to update this about every week or so. Again, thanks for visiting and thanks in advance for donating.

~Danni

So I am slow and I am only recently writing my first personal entry on my fundraising page. Nonetheless, welcome to my page. Glad you are here. Thanks in advance for your donation! I ensure that your contributions are going to a worthy cause. =)

How did I end up here? LLS’s TNT ads played very often on the Pandora stations I listen to and they piqued my interest. I finally took the time to check out the website and requested more information because it still sounded good. Eventually I signed up and now one month later I am registered for the 2013 NYC Half Marathon with LLS’s TNT. It’s pretty dope and I am pretty excited.

I don’t have family or friends suffering from any blood cancers. You would think that that would give you less incentive but it really doesn’t. I am honestly very proud of myself that I am doing this because I promised myself that I would stop running for “no reason” and run for something that matters (my personal health and fitness aside). What I am doing is helping others and knowing that gives me a feeling of satisfaction.

No matter how crappy the weather is and how sore I feel after Tuesday workouts, I remain inspired to keep going. Coaches, mentors, and fellow teammates are friendly and supportive and push you to do more. Outside of that my friends and family tell me to go even when I don’t want to. It’s not the running or sets of SEXC7 that deter me. It’s that weather that sometimes dampens one’s spirit. Admittedly, its only horrible the first few minutes, even if it’s raining. After that it becomes oddly enjoyable, as per this picture from last Sunday. Peep the rain drops on my jacket and cheesy smile. Both are really real. LOL.

I want you to know that if you managed to get this far down this post, I am thankful for you visiting my page. Thank you for helping me reach my goal and thank you for helping find a cure for blood cancer.

~ Danni

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

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. 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.

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