Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event 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. 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.

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

9_28 Finished a 4 miler and legs are sore. Knees swelled up a little...I am glad I have the week off before he marathon. Nerves are setting in a little but I am so thankful for everyone's support and focused on the cause!!

9_24 Off to Illinois. Unfortunately I had to miss the Pacifci Grove run which I understand was great. I did however run my 12 miles on my own in Bloomington. To my surprise I ran into another TEAM IN TRAINING group preparing for the Chicago Marathon.

9_17 Wendy and I completed a buddy run of 7 miles. It was tough getting the legs moving again.

9_12 Last long run before marathon. Lake Merced and Golden Gate park 20 mile run. It was lightning, thundering, and hailing for a small part of the run. I did really well through 12 miles and then we found out we had to run around the lake twice. First time (mile 12) was very mentally challenging until we hit the water station around mile 14. Second lap wasn't as bad mentally (physically knees were sore and swallon a little but made it through). I was really proud of the initial pace and I finished strong. Actually ran 20.5 miles in 3 hrs and 49 minutes, which is only about 9 minutes longer than my 18 miler. At this pace I will be coming close to the 5 hour mark for the marathon. Pretty sore tonight but the ice bath definately helped!

9_10 Run 2 miles (fast pace) and swim for 35 minutes at the hotel in Portland

9_8 Bike Ride

9_7 Swimming down in Monterey

9_5 OYO run and did 8 miles with the support of my family at the playground. They would always run to me and with me when I went near the playground (Ryan said this is too tiring).

8_30 to 9_4 Did the weekly swim,bike and a few miles running

8_29 Today was the big team run and although I didn't win any speed races....I did take over the farthest distance I have ever run (or even dreamed of running). I ran 18 miles in just under 3 hours and 35 minutes and felt pretty good. Of course, I am sore and constantly icing now but it is all worth it. The amazing part is it was a faster overall time than mile 16 miles(thats how bad I did during that run). Just about a 12 minute mile, which is what I expect. I DID IT....18 Miles. Also...thanks again goes out to all who supported my great cause..I achieved the minimum donation required ($3800 and counting).

8_27 Decided to test the calf for not quite 2 miles. Running became a little easier as it warmed up but again still quite tight. I am going to try to see the PT again today. Not sure what I am going to do for Saturdays 18 miler yet....probably won't make the whole thing but need to at least run some. Good news is we still have two 20 milers left before the race.

8_24 Visit to the PT..Good news is that there isn't any long term damage; bad news is I have to find time to rest it while training.

8_22 At Pasadera tried to run and did well for the first mile but too much aggrevation the second on the calf. Looks like I need to rest it again.

8_20 Buddy run with the neighbor for 6.5 miles (supposed to be 8)....felt quite a bit of tightness on the outside of the calf. Woke up next day with re-injured calf.

8_17 Track day....what a great excercise. Lunges, crunches, stairs, and more core. We had stations for each of the different type of races (biking, triatheletes, running, and hiking). It was fun and challenging.

8_16 Legs feel pretty good (after they said no more yesterday) after completing 16 miles !!

8_15 The leg was feeling a little better and I decided to test it out at the Bay Shoreline run (16 miler). I had planned to run only 8-10 miles but the legs were feeling good thanks to a very slow but steady pace (about 14 minute mile for the first 4 miles). I was very conscious of the legs and needed to take it easy. Second 5 miles I felt good enough to pick back up to more of my normal pace 10:30 minute mile and kept going. As I made it past mile marker 10 I was still holding up ok so I decided to go for the 16. As I made it through the water station and to the mile marker 11 things started to catch up with me. My body was realizing I haven't run in 2 weeks, knees a little achy, legs drained, but calf was ok. It was very hot and it seemed like I was full of fluid but the body wasn't using it. I made it to the turn around ,which seemed like forever and mentally i was shot at this point, and the legs were saying THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING? I made it back slowly to about 14 and decided the legs were too sore, feet hurt, and I was drained from the hot sun that walking in the last 2 plus miles at this point would be best. Although it was my slowest race by far there were several good things:

1) I finished 16 miles which later we found was mis marked and it is almost 17 miles

2) I got back into the training mode which isn't easy about a few weeks off

3) My body was very sore but has recovered quickly

4) I know with some more weeks of training that I can finish the 16 miles without walking the last 2...legs and mental state just need to be worked on weekly.

8_2 to 8_13 I was told by my neighbor, who is a physical therapist, things don't look good and I needed to rest as much as possible. This meant no running, elevating, icing, and stretching as my main daily activity. I wasn't sure when it would get better and still have to be careful.... I missed the 14 mile run in Santa Cruz and the weekly buddy runs (however, I did do a little swimming and biking).

8_1 I was feeling pretty good during my 6 mile on your own run until about mile 3 which happened to be the furtherest point from my house. I injured my calf (as many already know) a couple of weeks prior (major playground incident) with a severe contusion. It seemed to be fine for a couple of weeks (even my 12 miler) but on this day it said no more and I could barely walk home the 3 miles...gimpin'

7_28 Back from vacation but training was at a minimal...6 miles this week

7_24 Ran the 12 miles with my very brave Sister Emy (who has not run more than 8 miles before). She did awesome. The run was slower, more humid, and fairly sluggish but it is DONE (2 hours 10 minutes). Thanks to my sister for helping me get through the run....now that is support!!

7_22 Light 2 miles on the treadmill...feeling sore (knees are a little tender)

7_20 Traveling runner made a few miles in Bloomington, Ill. Visited the Nation Coffee House.

7_18 My first training in Wisconsin. Completed 6 miles in beautiful Mukwonago (ran by two different lakes but didnt catch any fish).

7_16 Completed a 4 miler.

7_12 My kids decided to hold a lemonade stand with their best buddies to raise money for cancer. Ryan is really getting into raising $$ for daddy's cause..I am so proud of him and Kayla.

7_11 Although about 30 seconds per mile slower I made my first 10 miler at Guadalupe parkway (near airport and through out skirts of downtown San Jose). It was definately challenging and my form was not good for the last 3 miles (according to a friend); however, I finished strong and sprinted the last 500 yards. Another challenge met but it brought on my first ice bath of the season.

7_9 My buddy run was extremely hot and we could only make it 4 miles today. Getting rest and icing for the 10 miler on Saturday.

7_7 I ran a couple of miles in Spokane on the Cennitenial trail..that was a great place.

7_4 I ran 6 miles along the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Pacific Grove. I definately have been struggling a little bit but I always seem to have support near by to keep me going. Thanks to the brother in law for coming this time.

6_28 I am so proud of my little boy Ryan (almost 6 years old). He has taken it upon himself, without anyone asking, to raise money throughout the neighborhood by making personalized envelopes and pictures. Ryan has joined the caused and raised $25 on his own.

6_27 Ran my first ever 8 miles and did it in 1 hour and 22 minutes. It was a pretty hot day but everyone seemed to do very well. Thanks honorees for helping out this week.

6_20 Participated in my first buddy run...it was great and I finished 7.7 miles in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Getting prepared for my 8 miles next week!!

6_14 Finished another 6 miles...fastest time yet apprx 57 minutes

6_7 - Finished first Team in Training Run. What a blast. Great Support and Enthusiasm....I finished 6 miles and met about 15 new people. Today is definately a well needed rest day and tomorrow I will cross train.

6_1 Update - Ran 6 miles last night and preparing for 5-6 miles on Saturday which is our first team training!!!