I just returned from completing my first Half Marathon!! We had the most wonderful time in San Diego between Team in Training activities and visiting with all our friends. I thought I would update everyone on the race activities. On the Saturday night before the race I attended the TNT Inspiration Dinner. I knew I would be inspired but I did not expect it to all hit me so hard. As soon as you walk into the lobby of the Hotel you hear the cheering and see all the people. What are they cheering for? Why me of course? The TNT staff and volunteers lined the lobby making a walk way for all of the TNT runners as they enter the ballroom. Purple flare is everywhere! I was very overwhelmed and tried to keep it all together, which was very hard for me. We had a nice carb loading dinner followed by guest speakers who drove the mission home. The whole evening was truly “inspirational.” That evening I stayed in the Team Hotel with running buddy Brittani although I wasn’t able to sleep. I was too excited and nervous! It was nice to start the day with the whole Team who has been together for months.

Fast forward to the race- it was PERFECT running weather! It was cool and overcast- just perfect. My friend Lauren ended up running with me the whole time, while Bryan, and our other friends were also out on the course. Obviously I didn’t know what to expect since I’ve never even run a 5K before, but the amount of Route support was phenomenal! It was one hilarious sign after another, followed by cheer group after cheer group, and of course tons of TNT Coaches (who I didn’t even know) supporting me along the way. Hearing “Go Team” everywhere was pretty cool!

The running itself was very challenging, but I had Lauren to distract me with stories, great live music and all those fans! When it was especially hard I dug deep and really thought about why I was there. I had lots of inspiration from my yellow finger tips to my bib. I knew I would cry at the finish line but the amount of times along the route I had to hold back tears I did not expect. As I ran I saw other bibs, saying why they were running. It puts it all into perspective. You just never know someone’s story. Many people asked me why I was running and it allowed me to talk about Mom.

The last mile Lauren and I booked it and I felt like some kind of celebrity with all that cheering! I was already crying on the last bit but when I finally crossed the finish line I just LOST it! Lauren just held me and let me let it all out. The race seemed to remind me that I’m still mourning Mom - a lot. When life is so busy I can just suppress my feelings but finally I was able to let it all out. I was a mess seeing my friend Paula and then again when I finally found Bryan and Zander. I didn’t even notice at first that Bryan, Tom, Erin and Zander were all wearing different shirts. Bryan surprised me with yellow and red (mom’s favorite colors) “Go Zett /Congrats Shirts.” Bryan has been my biggest fan throughout this journey always putting me first even though he was also running! So that leads me to my thank you- of course my loving Husband Bryan I truly couldn’t have done it without him and his sacrifices. My in-laws Linda and Wayne and my Dad were equally as supportive. My AU girls- we virtually trained and motivated each other for months and months even though we live thousands of miles apart! Girls- we did it! My TNT Team and Coach for helping me train and learn to run- especially Brittani for giving me a reason to wake up early. All my friends and cheerleaders over the months- thank you! And the biggest THANK YOU of all- to my donors! With your support I raised $3666 to fight cancer!!!!!! With each dollar raised it was one more push to train harder. THANK YOU for making a difference in my life and the lives of so many cancer patients!! And thank you for following my journey and supporting me every slow step at a time!

Lastly, I want to thank my Mom for continuing to inspire me. Mom- I know you were out there cheering VERY loudly for me! You are always in my heart- I love you!

I’m off to pick up my finish line photo….. (You can check out my ridiculous running photo proofs here. I told you I was emotional http://marathonfoto.com/Marathon/Rock-n-Roll-San-Diego-Marathon--2013/offering/myMarathonfotos/RaceOID/26482013S1/Language/en )

Hello Dear Friends and Supporters!

Tomorrow I leave for San Diego and I had to write to once again say a quick thank you! It has been a LONG road but on Sunday I embark on my first half marathon! I can't believe it's finally here! I want to thank each of you for contributing to my fundraising efforts. I have raised over $3200!! Your support not only makes a difference in the fight against cancer, but in my journey too. I have thought of each donor and dollar on every training run. Remember when I said I this would be hard, well it has been, but your support has meant the world and has inspired me to keep going. I will certainly think of it on Sunday too!

So I am off to fill this frame that my good friend Karla gave me at the start of my journey! I will keep you updated on pictures and details too!

Thank you!

Love,

Zett

Hi Everyone!

I know I have been awful with posting but with one month to go I thought I should write. I cannot believe exactly one month from today I will be running my first half marathon. I am both excited and nervous. I have been busy with work but you should know I have kept up with my training. I've dragged my butt to late night runs when Bryan returns from class and woken up early too (which I hate almost as much as running). It has been challenging between work, my husband's schedule and oh of course having a baby! But I'm really proud of myself for doing it. One huge thing that has kept me going is all your support both financially and emotionally. I want you to know I appreciate all the kind words. And not one run training goes by without me thinking of two things 1) all the money you have donated to support me and 2) my Mom. Mom is the reason I agreed to do this afterall. When 4 of my college Besties agreed to do this run I didn't want to. I opted out. But I keep thinking of Mom's strength through treatment and how she pushed through. I know she wants me to do it, Her memory inspires me to keep my legs moving when I really want to stop. On my runs I'll even do my best internal impression of her cheering me on like she would on the soccer field... " COME ON ZETT MOOOOVE THOSE LEGS!" I hear you Mom and I'm still moving!

I'm so close to my goal. So I've created another fundraiser for the Derby check it out here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iWFV8JjZKc7dCliCJTgrBTDenJlrfJATffKFrt-xZA8/viewform

and again- thank you SO much for all your support!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Today was my first day of training for the San Diego RNR Half Marathon and my first time doing anything with the Team in Training group. I was very nervous since I didn't know what to expect. Sure I knew the first day of training would be "easy" compared to the 0 to 10K app I've been using the last 5 weeks, but what is "easy" on paper means nothing to me. I decided early on I will have to take one day at a time, and that is my plan.

I arrived a bit early and went up to the group of friendly faces in purple. One person came right over and said hello and asked if I was there for the IronMan or Triathon Group. I said, "Um no?!?" She was very sincere in helping me find my OTHER group, but I already felt a bit like an idiot looking at all the fit people in this group. "Nope I'm with the beginner scared as s*** group!," is what I thought! After that , I met my group, my Coach, and my mentor. We all exchanged greetings and started to get to know each other. I enjoyed hearing everyone's stories and reasons for participating. It is my story, their stories, and all of your stories that will carry me through this journey. I also loved hearing about everyone's background. There were so many different levels of fitness. It is here that I learned I am not alone. The actual training was 30 minutes of a walk /run combination, which was perfect for this beginner. I love the TNT philoshly of being conservative to help you build your base and get you to the starting line injury free! And by the end of Day 1, I already felt motivated and part of this special group of people coming together to push themselves and do good in the world.

I will continue to keep everyone posted on my progress. Each of you are helping to not only encourgage me but also hold me accountable. When I woke up this morning at 5:45am and drove an hour while very groggy to our Training Site and again when I got tired today while running, I kept chanting to myself "$1625, $1625 (how much I have raised so far)!!! They are counting on you Zett, you got this!"

So thank you not only for supporting me but also motivating me to do my best every day. I want to make you proud, and I WILL continue to wake up early ( I love sleep by the way), I will continue to push myself physically, and I will continue to fight to raise money for a cure for cancer once and for all! Once again- Thank you for supporting me on this journey! Day 1 down- a million to go! PS- best part of Day 1- receiving my Purple TNT Shirt!

I hate running! I mean loathe, despise- HATE!!! Not only do I hate running but I’m bad at it. And growing up in the Scheinbaum family - we are kind of competitive, so doing things I’m not good at is tough. But there is one thing I HATE more than running and that is CANCER! Pancreatic Cancer took my Mom Marybeth on October 2, 2012. Cancer took her when I needed her most and during one of the scariest, happiest and most confusing times in my life- right after having my son Alexander. I miss her every day and it breaks my heart thinking about what she will miss in our lives.

But My Mom was such a fighter. During the 14 months of her diagnosis she lived with us in Houston while she received treatment at MD Anderson. It literally wasn’t until her last two weeks that she admitted pain. She fought so very hard. And in her final conversations she talked about how to make an impact in the fight against Cancer. So it is with that I am embarking on a journey out of my comfort zone. I will be running the 2013 Rock N Roll San Diego Half Marathon in June. I have to do this. I have to go out of my comfort zone. But I have to make a difference while doing it. I decided to not just run it for me, but for My Mom’s legacy and for those that can’t fight. I am running to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and all those fighting cancer. I will need all of your support not just in donations, but in spirit. I’m not exaggerating when I say this will be hard for me. But I know it’s nothing compared to what my Mom went through. So with my Mom in my heart and all of you beside me- I know I CAN DO IT!

I hope you will consider donating. Thank you again for your friendship and support this past year.