I ran most of 12 miles yesterday.

Did I just write TWELVE? Yes. I just wrote TWELVE MILES!

I can't believe it. That is the most I have run in my entire life in one go! It really has been amazing what my body has been able to do with some training and discipline.

And yes, I'm still able to walk today. :)

As my fundraising comes quickly to an end--only a few more days to reach my goal--I am reminded of the great cause that helps me perservere to run. Running 12 miles shows me that I am blessed to have a strong and healthy body--and that this half-marathon is to help fund research that is seeking to find a cure for those who are seeking a healthy and strong body once again.

We all know someone affected by cancer--and if not, we will.

Because I am running to honor the name of Cindy Bolbach, as I come to my final weeks of training, I ask you, WHO would you like me to honor as I run on April 7th?

If you tell me their name, I will place a temporary tattoo with their name on my arm on my race day. I want to honor all those you love, miss, and who are fighting.

Every dollar counts. Thank you for cheering me on!

The picture below is my foot after 12 miles of running. :)

GO TEAM!

I ran and walked 10 miles the other day. Yes, I had to stop and walk here and there, but after a LOT of sweat, pain, and perserverance, I completed 10 miles... only 3 miles away from a half-marathon.

It's incredible to me that I can do this... that I AM doing this. It feels like a long time coming, but with the event literally a month away, I am feeling the pressure of the event and am even more determined now to continue on track with my training and finish strong.

Fundraising is not my favorite part--and yet, as I continue to hear the stories of our honorees and remember the woman I am honoring as part of my run, Cindy Bolbach, I will continue to ask for your donations--because I do believe it makes a difference.

Thank you for your love and support!

Yes, I am still training for my first half-marathon.

It's becoming more and more difficult for me to stay motivated as the weeks go by. Actually, something always gets in the way, doesn't it? This time, it was a cold. Thank goodness I didn't get the major flu that was going around, but I did get sick enough that I couldn't run to the same extent I had been running. When I did run, I couldn't run for long and would get discouraged at how many steps "back" I seemed to take.

I am realizing more and more, with the health journey as well, that so much of being healthy and trying to live a healthy lifestyle is mind over matter. It is mentally getting out of my own way and to still say, "I am doing what I can do right now--and even if it's not the best or the greatest, I'm still doing something."

I can come up with a lot of excuses, but I am not going to name them. I continue to train--I continue to run--and I hope you'll support me as race day gets closer and closer.

Thank you for your love and support!!

Is it strange to say that I'm amazed by MYSELF? hahaha...

Today, I ran 7.5 miles. SEVEN AND A HALF MILES! I know last week I had mentioned via social networking that I had run six miles for the first time ever--but to know that I added another mile and a half to that personal record in one week amazes me! I can't believe I did it!

Interestingly, the final mile was the hardest for me this time. My legs were burning and if they could talk, they were screaming at me wondering why I couldn't just stop and walk for a while.

So many people say exercise and running is mind over matter--I would say that real training is super important, but for that final mile, it really was mind over matter. I really wanted to stop and start walking. I mean, at that point, my run was at the pace of a fast walker anyway, I told myself.

But then I remembered why I am running--yes, in memory of Cindy--but honestly, for all those who continue to endure through treatments...who endure the final mile.

We learned this week of an honoree Sylvia who found out her cancer had returned and is back in treatments again. I don't know her, but from what I hear, her attitude is amazing and she's determined to continue fighting.

So, today, remembering her and all those who endure, I endured that final mile--and reached a new milestone for myself.

I'd love your support as I continue to train and endure!

T

Last week during my training, two amazing things happened.

One of the days we were to run 3 miles. Believe it or not, in my head, I was RELIEVED to "only" have to run 3 miles! I didn't realize the oddity of me saying this until my wonderful friend Abby texted me that day for some accountability to run. We were feeling stressed and anxious and I replied to her: "Running will help. I'm freaking out today, which is why I'm going to run now. It's only 3 miles today. You can do it!"

Her reply: "'Only' three miles... look at us!'"

I laughed for a long time. Because she's right! Just 4-5 months ago, I was training for a 5K (3.2miles) and was panting and out of breath after a minute or two of running. I was nervous about running 3 miles, and here I am now training for a half-marathon! AMAZING.

The next amazing thing that happened was in the same day. I was determined to try and run those 3 miles as hard as I possibly could. After I warmed up, I started running, and I FELT slow...

But guess what?!

I finished 3 miles in just under 30 minutes!!! The first 2 miles I managed to do in 10 minutes and a few seconds, and I think that accomplishment gave me the kick in the pants to run that last mile a bit more quickly than I normally would have done. As I finished the 3 miles and heard the 29 minutes and 40 seconds on my app speak to me, it felt GLORIOUS. AMAZING!

I'm so thankful that my body is able--and I'm ever more thankful that all of this training is side by side for a great cause--for a great woman--and for many more who are determined and relentless to live.

I will be relentless as I continue to train. I'd love your support to help me reach my goal as I continue to train!