Vicky's Team in Training Web Page

The Hard Question

I know that donating in these times of utter economic turmoil is tough. It's hard to say to oneself, "sure I'll give money" when you don't know your own financial future on a day to day basis, especially as the markets ebb and flow at a dramatic rate. It's hard too for me to ask people to part with their hard earned money. With that said, the sad truth is that cancer doesn't give a crap about the economy. Cancer comes and traumatizes a persons life and his or her family, regardless of what has happened on the markets that day, regardless if you are a democrat or a republican, regardless of whether or not you favor the stimulus package or any other polarizing point we see covered in the news on a daily basis. By donating, whatever small amount you can, you help Team in Training support families that don't have time to watch the news because they are rushing their small child or frail parent to a chemo treatment or doctors appointment.

I know I sound like a fundraising infomercial, but think about it this way: if the tables were turned and you and your family (god-forbid) were the ones that needed the support and were praying for the research, wouldn't you want someone to help?

I know its hard, and I know donating at a time like this is not at the top of the "musts" for spending, but please consider making a small donation. Your funds will directly impact the lives of patients and families who are battling this awful disease, and that’s a stimulus that anyone can understand!

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Two Down! (2/16)

This week Wade even joined me for one of my training runs - which was a great treat! The big news is that I did a five mile run this week. It wasn't planned, but it felt pretty good! Its amazing what a motivating factor running with a group is. I am pretty sure I wouldn't have done the last mile on my Saturday run if I hadn't been with the part of the big TNT group. Having others around and coaches yelling "good job" and "keep it up" really made a difference.

I have run into a bit of a roadblock to start week three as I have a bit of a stomach bug that is keeping me closer to home than I'd like. But, I am hopeful that will be over soon and I'll be back to pounding the pavement.

Good news is, my running buddy from New York is coming to visit on Friday, so I'm looking forward to running with her this weekend!

Also - I've been updating my blog with pictures, slideshows, etc. Check it out. www.vickysteel.blogspot.com

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One Down! (2/10)

Well, the first week of training is done and we are on to week two. My body is certainly in shock because I'm working a lot harder than I had been, but in general I feel pretty good and am hoping all the running and yoga will help the pounds start to melt away!

Our first team run was held last Saturday. It was pretty straight forward, which was good as I was nervous about how well I'd hold up! We learned the basics of running form, some stretches for after warm up and completed a two mile run (and a one mile warm up!) I didn't do too poorly and now I'm into the next week of training. By the end of today I will have done 7 miles already!

Wednesday brings our first track training! I'm a little worried about this one as I haven't run track since I was in high-school and Coach Starpoli was chasing us down the side of the track! Anxiety setting in! We'll see how it goes.

Until then - keep on moving forward!

"For all of us, the miracle isn't that we finish, the miracle is that we have the courage to start." - John Bingham

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Race Training Begins!

So I've decided to try to make this page a bit like my blog, with short little training updates posted now and then. This week was the first full week of training and its actually been a bit tough for me. I haven't run with any team members yet, that starts on Saturday, but I've been running on my own.

I botched my way through three miles on the treadmill on Tuesday, which was a pretty awful run - no more running on the treadmill! I did four miles this morning (2/5/09) in the rain. I ran a short loop around my neighborhood and despite the rain and a few necessary walk breaks, I ran the four miles in about 47 minutes, which isn't too bad considering the shape I'm in right now!

We have our first team run in Santa Rosa on Saturday, which I'm looking forward too. I'll let you know how it goes!

I am thinking about switching up my run - I'm not sure I can be ready for 13.1 miles by May 3rd, so I'm looking at running in San Diego or Seattle in June.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

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Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in an half marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, but in particular, I am training in honor of my Grandmother, Margaret, who lost her battle with blood cancer in 2008.

My Grandmother, and the people we are running for, are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

This is an extremely important cause which is near and dear to my heart. It would mean a great deal to me if you could please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!