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Today marked my longest run to date! My Tia and I woke up this morning expecting a 6-7 mile run, but were astonished to reveal that we were going to do a MIGHTY 8 mile run at practice. After we shook off the shock we were well on our way down an 8 mile path that would only lead to victory. I would have to say that running the mileage was not that bad and it seemed less and less intimidating as we knocked each mile down. I am HAPPY to say that I have recently purchased new shoes, a size bigger, because I was previously running in a size just right with no room to spread my toes. I believe this senselessness is what caused my shin splints prior. I am happy to say that the bothersome muscle is not such a problem anymore! I've learned that running is a progressive sport. You build yourself up progressively to the desired miles you want to run, you build your supporting muscles to help you progress during your run, and you continuously learn about the mental and physical abilities your body can and cannot handle.

Regardless of the pain, my efforts were all there and the hopes of finding a cure forever engraved on my heart. Pain is only TEMPORARY. God made our bodies like that for some reason, ya know, when the pain goes away it's like it was never there to begin with. When our pain is there, we think of how lovely it is when it's not. It's all worth it because I'm doing this to stand firm for what I believe in. So, in these next 2 1/2 months of training I say, "BRING IT!!" If it doesn't kill me, it only makes me STRONGER! 10 miles here I come!!!

Yesterday was an encouraging and patriotic day for me in the life of Team In Training. All three San Antonio Marathon Teams, the Triathlon team, and the Cycling Team gathered at 7 AM at the Cibolo Municipal Building to do a 4 mile run/26 mile ride TOGETHER! It was awe inspiring to see just how many of us there are training across the city. All of us started the run/ride together and luckily for me, I had my fiancé and aunt by my side. It was heartening to see all of the different types of people pushing through their physical pain and strife to achieve a goal bigger than themself.

A funny thing happened to me at the beginning of the run, however. The bottle of water I drank earlier that morning was ready to burst out of me with no remorse. I painfully ran past closed business after closed business until a half mile or so down I saw glory. Who knew that a Shell station would be so glorious to someone? It was for me, and my fantastic companions accompanied me along my detour. I learned a very important running lesson that day: Don’t drink too much before a run!!

I don’t know what they do on actual race days for those of us with bodily urges, such as myself. I hear the port a potties have gigantic lines. I don’t know what will prepare me for that, but I’m ready for anything now. My running has only begun and I look forward to the lessons and pain to come. I am doing this for the benefit of others, for those who CANNOT do what I am doing because they are stuck in a hospital bed receiving treatment for an incurable disease, for those who can only DREAM of running outside in this beautiful world that was created for us.

I hope to inspire those who care to make a change and REACH OUT for those in need. If this is you, please make a donation to LLS to support cancer research and to financially aid the patients who are dealing with Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancers. :) God bless!!

Today marked my first Marthon Training Practice with Team In Training. I must say, I was not very excited to be out in this freezing weather so early in the morning. After a few announcements, however, we were well on our way through our first run. Those ever so amazing leaders set up the course with two turnaround points- one for the half marathoners and another further down for the full marathoners. My running partner, my Aunt Sandy, lifted me through each mile. She was well aware of the mental battle raging though my mind: Just slow down Nicole, your breathing is off. Walking won't be so bad, it might actually feel better! Luckily HER words pierced through my thoughts and helped me to focus and realize just how amazing the human body is. Every time the negativity crept in I had to gain perspective. I'm not dying. My lungs have not exploded. My body is still moving. My legs have not fallen off. As we passed the sign for the half marathoners and on to the full, our thoughts began to race in directions completely different form the former…

I'm convinced this running thing is 90% mental and only 10% physical. I absolutely LOVE a challenge, especially one that involves me testing my self-control. So, after finishing the 2.46 miles and crossing that purple paper finish line today, we talked about it and decided to continue training for the FULL. Why not? It can only make us stronger. Plus, we’re running this race in Anchorage, Alaska. I don’t know about you, but I don’t get to go there very often. Why not GO BIG OR GO HOME? After all, IT’S ONLY TEMPORARY.

I really need your support, so do the millions of cancer patients that LLS helps each day. I’m running for a cause, to find a CURE for cancer. I can’t do this alone. I’m certain that through my struggles, we’ll be able to shed light and hope to those who need it most through our donations. Let’s rock this people!!!!!!!!!

Racing to Save Lives

(Insert Pic of Me Running :)

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

First and foremost, I give all praise and glory to God for blessing me with the ability to take action on my passion to FIGHT cancer. My family and I have seen first hand what the disease can take away. This race will be ran in memory of my Uncle Guadalupe Magana, my Grandmother Arlene Colvard, my Step Grandmother Nora Hamilton, and all of our loved ones who are saving a place for us on high. My only hope is that we can give back to the people and families dealing with the hardships cancer brings. I am SO PROUD to be apart of LLS! Here's a little bit about what LLS and this run are all about...

I'm training to (for the first time EVER!) participate in an endurance event (1/2 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 or any type of cancer. These people are the REAL heroes on our team, and we need YOUR support to cross the ultimate finish line - a CURE!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Have questions about what exactly that mission is? Check it out! You will find some AMAZING things LLS has been able to provide for blood cancer patients as well as other cancer patients!!

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress (cause it's going to be INSANE!!) Truly, thanks for your support! God Bless you!