10.14.10

Thank you for the overwhelming support I've gotten over the past few days thanks to the swift response from the friends and collegues of my parents, Willie and Diana Leal. You do not understand how much it means to recieve the kind words and well wishes from strangers! You, folks, are the reason we WILL find a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma. Your compassion and generosity will help change lives. I am truely grateful for everyone. Please share my site with your friends and family so we can keep making a difference.

10.9.10. How many people can say they put in 18 miles before 9 AM on a Saturday!? Me, thats who! I've never been so exhuasted in my life, finishing was a great accomplishment but felt anticlimactic since no one was there to share in my brief moment of glory .... I stayed and cheered on the rest of my teammates as they completed their MONSTER of a long run. Next weeeek...........our LAST long run 20 MILES!

10.2.10 0 Geez, with work and training updating has been so difficult. We logged in 16 miles this morning. I can't believe that I made it! I did my little deliriously happy laugh when I saw the parking lot people probably thought I was a lunatic. I cant imagine going 10 more miles after that. I have never been so happy to see my car! I'm starting to get nervous and so excited about race weekend. All of this hard work and fundraising means so much to me and to the people I am helping. 18 miles next week :D

8.28.10 - Oooooh my goodness. We put in 14 MILES today. I felt fantastic. I ran the 7 miles out, and punched the pole at the turn around it felt so good. Jackie wasn't kidding when she said "you'll see a scary looking warehouse. You'll know when to turn around." I started my intervals after an hour going 16 min run 1 min walk. Seem to work for me. I had a MUCH Better run this week than last.

8.21.10 - I officially hate 12 miles. I dont know if I was just having a bad day or what. But it kicked my booty. I walked a good chunk of the 2nd half. I couldnt help it, my legs felt like lead. Not to mention the chocolate cake I had the night before decided to greet me again. I also learned never dress in the dark. BAD things happen. I'm at $1000. I still need $1,500 more. So Help!!!!!

8.14.10 - I feel so awful, I missed my 10 miler because I was in Corpus for teacher training. I did put in 16 miles over 3 days in thier fitness room. It's something.

8.7.10 - 8 today was good. It was our alumni run. I got to learn alot from former team members and thier experiences. I am so glad there are other like-minded people out there trying to find a cure.

7.31.10 - 10 miles alone was such a bad idea. I ran in Harlingen down the loop to 7th st and back home. I was in pain and tired and it only got worse when I made it home.

7.24.10 - Pushed my limits to 8 miles today. Man, it was sooo hard. That last mile really did me in. Tried out an energy gel and yuck. it tasted NA-sty! My left foot was hurting like crazy, but my new shoes came in, so we'll see if that helps!!!! :)

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

For those of you who may or may not know who I am, my name is Jennifer Leal. I am a 22 year old teacher living in South Texas. I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. I will be running in the Nov. 17th 2010 Rock N Roll Marathon in San Antonio (yes, that is 26.2 miles).

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. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I feel very strongly for this cause because it is close to home. When I was in middle school, my best friend was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. I was terrified for my friend and felt there was nothing I could do for her but be there for her in her time of need. I supported her and skipped school to go to treatments with her. I admired her courage and seemingly unwavering strength. I am happy to say that she has been in remission for over 6 years and as an adult being part of TNT is my way to do somethig for others who have been affected by blood cancers.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Remember, no donation is too small or too large. Everything counts!

If you know someone who has been affected by any form of cancer, please let me know and I’ll be sure to dedicate my race to them by adding thier name to my racing jersey to honor them during the marathon! You can email me thier names at jnleal87@aol.com.

I am racing in honor of my friend Katherine, a blood cancer survivor. I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my fundraising progress. I'll also update my site using it as a blog, so you can follow me on my journey in completing this amazing challenge. Thanks for your support!

- Jennifer Leal

7.12.2010

ran my 6 miles today. And wow, I didnt think it I was ever going to finish! It took me 65 minutes. I ran from my house to the Wal - Mart in San Benito and back. I felt pretty good after my legs didn't feel like J-ello.

7.3.2010

Toady was our 3rd group practice in Mcallen. 5 miles this morning at 6 am. Yikes, so early. Don't even want to think about those 15-18 mile runs later on. It was so humid but our training group is great. Really productive run :) Printed out some flyers to distribute at Market Days and some shops in the Mall. Thank you Adan from Foot Action for helping me out. Heading out to ResacaFest in San Benito to spread the the word about our Mission! Wish me luck.

6.21-26.2010

6.21 - Got lost at the Nature Trail....before I knew it I was right by the Arroyo but kept on running until I found my way out. The trail gets kind of confusing when you get distracted by all the plants, trees, flowers and butterflies. The trail reminded me of the Xcountry Regional Course at UTSA. Oh memories.

6.22 - Really slow run. Switched up my shoes and ran a blister raw on my left heel. I think my socks were too short. Lessoned learned wear longer socks

6.26 - Missed practice this morning...felt bad for not waking up, so I got up at 9 and did my 4 miles. Felt good. Rest day tomorrow. Woo hoo!

6.19.2010 1st Group Practice!

Today was our first group practice at Harlon Sports Block Complex in Weslaco. It was overwhelming to see so many people there all with the same thing in mind, finding a cure for cancer. The marathon group ran 3 mi while the 1/2ers ran 2. I did 3 miles timed at 28:42 mins. Not bad. I wasn't going out to impress anyone, it wasn't a race. So I cruised it. It was a little humid...and the skeeters (mosquitoes) were out in full force. Plus, I think i swallowed a few gnats. yuck.

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Time: 28:42 min

Distance: 3 mi

Avg Pace: 9:34 mile

6.17.2010

I woke up a little late and started my run around 9:20 so it was already steaming hot. Before I left I slathered on some Banana Boat sport 100 SPF sunblock. With the current toasty color of my skin I can't afford to get darker or risk exposing my self to too much sun. It was seriously the thickest sunblock I've ever put on I hope I don't use up the bottle too quickly. But safety is more important. 40 minute run today, it felt easy. Not struggling or too easy. Tomorrow a 30 minute is due, or maybe an hour bike ride. I haven't decided yet.

Time: 44 mins

Distance: 4.5 mi appox.

6.15.2010

Met my brother and niece at Harlingen Soccer Complex so he could take some action shots of me so he could do his graphics magic and create some flyers for me. What a great sibiling. I had never been to the soccer complex before but it's super beautiful. It has a great dirt running trail. I figured if I was gonna be out there in my workout clothes for pictures, I might as well get my run for the day in too.

I did a 2 min warm up 2 min cool down 30 minute run. It was nice. I made nearly 3 loops on the complete trail... chased downs some ducks and watched summer soccer practice while I was out. Overall it was great run. tomorrow I think I'll do my Insanity Max Cardio Recovery its like intense yoga.

Total time: 35 min

Distance: Unknown

6.14.2010

I went out this morning for a 30 minute run plus a 2 min warm up 2 min cool down. I'm totally feeling that week I took off. My Insanity workouts plus the running were doing a number on my knees and ankles, so I decided to slow it down like my body had been screaming at me to do. Well I felt it this morning. The sun + plus the tightness in my muscles (even after stretching) + humidity. Bleh. Very slow run for me. After my shower I felt much much better. I've got to get back on the running wagon. Tomorrow will be better.

Total time: 34 mins

Distance: 3.5 mi

Avg Pace: 9:45 mi

-Jenn

6.12.2010

This morning was our Kick Off Party for Team In Training. Meeting everyone was great. I can't wait to get started with out Saturday Team Trainings. My group mentor Teresa is an inspiration with all of her energy and the experience she has with with the cause so far. I won't regret a moment I will dedicate to TNT (except for the 20 milers) I know those will test my strength.

Riding off my high from the kick of party, I set out to get donations from my community. In an hour I collected $33 and had given out 10 cards with details on how to donate to my site, I'm crossing my fingers that they follow through with thier interest in donating to our amazing cause.

Check in soon for another update!