I completed my First Half Marathon! My official time is 3 hours 6 minutes and 53 seconds.

Thank you to those who have made cash donations* this week ( a total of $70) in addition to those who have already made donations online. My fundraising total is now $1920 which brings me 77% of the way to my goal of raising $2500.

It isn't too late to donate. Help me reach my goal of raising a total of $2500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by September 30th by making a donation here today.

*Cash donations take about 10 days to be officially posted to my fundraising account.

Tomorrow, Sunday August 16th is Race Day

So, you want to watch? Awesome, the race starts at 7:00 am in Central Park (E. Side) and ends on West Side Highway & Rector St. For the race map, click here. For other details about the race, including Celebrity Runners and Entertainment click here.

How to find me:

My bib # is 12086, I will be wearing a purple Team in Training singlet with my name somewhere on the front and In memory of My Grandfather Joseph Goff somewhere on the back. I will be running 12.5 to 13.5 minute miles (approx.) so add this amount per mile to the mile marker near where you are standing then add this to the 7:00 am starting time and watch. Please feel free to cheer on my team mates ... collectively we've raised over 1/3 of a million for the cause.

Good places to watch:

1. East Side of 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park 7:00am (a little short of mile 1, and then again between mile 6 and 7)

2. Times Square at 8:00am on the pedestrian island on Broadway between 45th & 46th Streets-just east of the Marquis Theatre where 9 to 5 the Musical is playing (just past mile 8)

3. Anywhere along the West Side Highway between 42nd St and Rector St - this is the end of the race and where Emily N. says I'm gonna be needing the most support

Last Training Update Before the Race - August 11th

In a few hours, I will be heading off to my final team practice of the season ... I have been training for roughly three months and my longest run (August 1st) has been 12 miles to the Williamsburg Bridge and back. I have been tapering off ever since to prepare for race day. I will be up before 5 am on Sunday and to Central Park by 5:45 am. By 10:30 am or 11 am I'll have finished my first Half Marathon (13.1 miles).

Training Update - July 25th

I ran my longest run yet yesterday - 9 miles over both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges during Team in Training practice. It was a scorcher, and my legs and feet sure were tired afterwards, but I made it and I'm looking forward to an even longer run next Saturday (with two shorter runs in the middle of the week of course). Just 3 weeks left until the race - August 16th is that magic day!

Why I'm Running

I am in running in honor of my grandfather, Joseph Goff, who died from Leukemia in 2003. He was an avid sailor, served in the Navy during World War II, and invented and built the antennae that allowed us to see the first landing of man on the moon. I am grateful to have spent many years getting to know my grandfather, but regret that his late diagnosis of the disease gave me little time to say goodbye.

I am also running in honor of my cousin Lisa Rockett Ziegler, who though hasn’t directly suffered from Leukemia or Lymphoma, has suffered from 3 different onsets of other forms of cancer. She is currently still battling cancer and I think of her and her family’s everyday struggle as I prepare for my race.

Training Update - July 22nd

I am now back in New York City after my month in New Hampshire and am looking forward to being able to resume training with the team this weekend. My runs are gradually getting longer and my minor calf injury is a thing of the past. I went for a run of 5.5 miles on Monday and am still keeping a pace of under 13 minutes a mile. This Saturday will be my longest run as of yet ... stay tuned for next week's update.

Training Update - July 6th

I have been in New Hampshire for the past two weeks working with Shakespeare in the Valley. The first two weeks here have been intense with all the rehearsals preparing to open three shows, which I'm performing in repertory ... I sustained a minor calf injury, but am determined not to let that keep me from staying on track. In my limited time off, I have been taking advantage of the Waterville Valley Athletic Club to do some cross-training ... swimming laps, weight training, and stretching. I am gradually getting back to my running ... doing my workouts as a combination of run/walk while I heal. I will do the Half Marathon in August, regardless of how much of it I have to walk.

Pilates Day Fundraiser - June 13th

Thank you to those who came out to my Pilates Fundraiser today at Backbone & Wingspan and helped me to raise $155 towards the cause. Special thanks to Tim Driscoll who donated the studio space and his time.

13.1 Miles - 1 day at a time

Thank you for visiting my Team in Training Home Page. I am excited to be training for the NYC Half Marathon and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Your partnership in my efforts is greatly appreciated.

Check back here for information about my progress in both training and fundraising. I look forward to daily inspiration in this journey towards completing 13.1 miles on Race Day.

Natalie