Mile 47

So, I have ran a total of 47 miles since I started training. 47 MILES! Never in my life did I ever think I could be able to say that.

I run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The week runs vary from 3 to 4 to 5 miles, getting longer as the training progresses. I will start the 4 mile week day runs tomorrow.

The mornings I run during the week, my alarm goes off at 6 am. Now, I am DEFINITELY NOT a morning person, but surprisingly, I am able to jump right out of bed. I am outside by 6:15 am, and back in the house by 7 am, or a little before... I have been averaging 13 minutes miles (this is while running 4 minutes, walking 1 minute intervals).

Saturday mornings are a little different story. Since our runs begin at 7 am, I stay in on Friday nights. As I lay in bed, trying to go to sleep, I get nervous, 'can I really run 7 miles?', I think to myself. This was specifically going through my head last Friday. I try to come up with reasons not to do it, but my 'don't be a wimp' inner voice wins out, and sure enough, I am up and ready to go.

The great thing about doing something that I NEVER thought I could do, is the feeling of accomplishment after getting done. Last Saturday I did 7 miles, which I've never done before, and it is a GREAT feeling!

So, the moral of the story is, never underestimate yourself. You CAN do what you might have thought was once impossible. All you have to do is try.

Peace out,
Mandi

P.S. Much thanks to my running partner last Saturday, Sandy. She put up with me, weird noises and all! And those shots sure did help, too!

Honored Teammates

Throughout the training process, each team is given an honored teammate. Then, if you want, you can have personal honored teammates. I am lucky enough to have two great people in my life to have as honored teammates.

The first is Emily Lawrimore, she is a great friend who has been cancer free for 11 years. It just so happens that she participated in Team In Training a few years ago, running in Vancouver. She has already run the race for others, and I am honored to now run it for her.

The second is Greg Dugan, someone I have been friends with for 12 years, who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last fall. Thanks to early detection he successfully finished chemotheraphy last month.

I'm well aware that I am lucky to have them in my life because of the advances in cancer research. Again, this is such an important cause, and I'm very proud to be a part of it.

Also, we had an honored teammate picnic on June 16. We started out the morning at 7:30 am with a 6 mile run. It was a nice one, we were on the Georgetown Waterfront. My right calve sure was achey, but I ran through it.

This was a special day in a few ways. First off, since it was the honored teammate picnic, we had all the teams from the surrounding chapters (National Capitol, Northern Virginia, and Maryland). These included marathoners, cyclists, and the triathalon teams. We heard speeches from each teams' honored teammate.

Let me tell you, that was really emotional. The cute teenage boy who joked about how his friends all shaved their heads in a sign of solidarity, and how he didn't lose all of his through chemo-- the joke was on them! The man who was diagnosed long before the newer treatments came about, and how hard on his body they were. The ones who were diagnosed after the better treatments came about, and how thankful they were for the newer treatments. And the two women who have been in remission, but both recently found out their cancer is back...

That is why cancer research is so important. There is no absolute cure. It can always come back, and we need to try as hard as we can to help in whatever way we can to find a CURE.

Thanks,
Mandi

P.S. Thanks to Barbie and Melanie, my running partners that day, who helped me stayed motivated. The speeches I heard at the picnic will DEFINITELY serve as future motivation.

"We must run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1"

For those of you who didn't know, I am training for a marathon. Yes, a marathon, you read that correctly. For those of you who know me well, you're probably thinking... WHAT?!? It is true that I am not known for my athleticism. More like known for being just plain lazy.

Well, I am at that great age of 30. For me, it has brought thoughts of being healthier. Taking better care of my body. I have friends who have done the same training program as I am, and they say it is great. So I thought I'd look into it. I went to an information meeting, and just got hooked. The one line I remember most was from a video they showed us, where a coach's voice is in the background saying, 'the first mile is always the hardest. Just remember that whatever pain you are feeling, the people we are running for are dealing with much worse.' That really got to me.

And the great thing about this organization is that they train you to run and in turn, you raise money for such a worthy cause...

So, I'm going to do it. I'm going to try my hardest, and use the people I'm raising money for as inspiration.

I will keep everyone updated. This should be interesting...

To donate, go to: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaABerry