Mayor's Marathon prep/race day!

I've never been so nervous for anything, other than the birth of my children. The knowledge that I'm about to embark on something that will be painful and take time to recover from, but that will totally be worth it is amazing! I'm thankful to report that I did finish and my medal currently sleeps through the night, unlike my children!

It's an amazing process of training for a marathon, prepping for the actual race, and then finally race day. Team in Training is an amazing organization that really is a team! I felt some amazing camaraderie from people from all over the US! I spent about 7 miles of the race with Sara from the Arizona chapter and about 11 miles of the race with Tracy from the Monterey Bay chapter.

Because I wasn't caught up in finishing within a certain time I was able to have conversations with people and really find out why they chose to run. A lot of people are out there for more than just to run a race. Sara lost her dad a year ago in December and her and I both shed a tear or two at about mile 12 when we each told our stories. We both lost someone we love yet we chose to turn that into something positive! Tracy was having a hard day and was thinking about quiting, we encouraged each other and took our minds off the pain. I know I appreciated it as much as she did.

I will never forget this experience and I'm so grateful to all help I had along the way! Will I do it again? I know I will be signing up for more races, but no full marathons as of yet. I guess we'll just have to see. Running will definitely stick with me, I'm hoping for a long long time.

Just picked up my bib and timing chip and I am so excited! It's becoming more real!

My shirt is ready! It was a privilege to run in memory of these wonderful people! Running for a reason is awesome!

Sue, Krista, and I trying not to be too nervous!

Here we go! Getting ready for real!

Running strong into Mile 9 aid station with my teammate/friend Aprille!

Mile 13 aid station with Sara and feeling the love from my guys!

Mile 20 and enjoying the encouragement from my guys! Blisters are killing at this point!

Mile 22 with Tracy! Almost there!

Coming up to West High School track were the finish is! Almost there!

Running with my coach Sara! She is amazing and helped me run up "the hill" at mile 25.5!

Running for the big finish with my little guys! They rock!

I'm a finisher and Declan wouldn't leave my side! He's such a cute little dirt ball!

FINISHER check in! Team in Training ROCKS!

My awesome teammate, Sue! WE DID IT!

Three Days Left!

I'm having a hard time believing that I only have THREE days left before I become a full-fledged Marathon runner! When I look back at were I started this journey. I was really starting out of a way to deal with the grief of loosing a loved one but I have learned through this experience that it doesn't cure the problem! Each one of my teammates have different reasons to run and all of them has become motivators to me. Every Saturday we would have a team run a person would share a "mission moment" and the stories from different people about family/friends/coworkers (both sad and happy) have become my motivation.

Each person that reads this may have a different story from his or her lives and I plan on running for you also! Let me know a person/people's names and I will be glad to represent for you and them! I was thinking of something like this but I guess I'll see how many names I get.

I'm obviously not above stealing an idea from a past Team in Training member and I know that it's as long as we are all working together to find a cure it will be worth it! Thank you for all your support, prayers, and kind words! I'm so grateful that I have been given this opportunity and will continue to keep you all posted with how it goes!

You know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who complete in the games use self- control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that only last for a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So do not run with out a goal.

1 Corinthians 9:24

One step closer...

One step closer to race day and I'm feeling more motivated by fear than anything! This journey has been a really good one and I've never looked forward to crossing a finish line so much!! I've learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. I've learned that I'm way harder on myself than I need to be (I'm working on that). I've learned that running is sometimes more about the mental rather than the physical (sometimes!). And finally, it's better to be under trained and healthy than to go in to the event over trained and injured (not sure how many times the coaches said this but it is permanently in my brain).

I'm excited to report that if feel like I'm fairly well trained and healthy! As long as the next 16 days go smoothly race day will come and go, but our fight for a cure will still be there! The more you can help the better! I'm excited to do my part for the fight against leukemia and lymphoma but I couldn't and I still can't without the help of my friends and family. Any little bit helps! I have a link to my fundraising page if you would like to donate online or feel free to send me an email and I will give you my address. Thank to all!

Training Week #8

This week I have been really enjoying running outside! That says a lot when it's still in the 20's or colder here most of the time! It's the amazing sunshine that I feel so excited about! I didn't realize how much I love sunshine even if it's still cold outside and it's a major mood booster for me lately! I guess that's good considering I ran 15.5 miles this week and a personal best for a 10k (6.2 miles) at 77 minutes! I'm sure for you super speedy running friends of mine that's nothing but for me it is amazing!

The photos for today's post is from my run on Saturday. I'm sure it's some sort of training party foul that I'm taking pictures but I just can't help myself. I'm making it a point to enjoy this training experience instead of being too serious about it. Having fun doesn't mean I'm not trying my hardest, it just means that I am determined to appreciate the beauty of my surrounding and being thankful for every mile I'm able to run!

(along the Glen Hwy. heading toward Ft. Richardson)

(leaving Ft Richardson on Arctic Valley Rd.)

Training week #7

I can not believe I've been doing this for seven weeks already! I know I've come a long way but I still have a hard time calling myself a runner. I have noticed that if I don't run I get a little antsy! I guess that's a good thing considering that I'm due to run a marathon in June! With more running comes some different issues. I'm learning how to dress for a run in icy, snowy, and freezing weather. I'm learning that if you don't start out with hot water in your water bottles when it's 0 degrees then when you need that drink it will be frozen! I'm learning that it does matter what you eat and drink before a run. It's amazing what you learn about yourself when you're running!

It's amazing how a team seems to keep me going strong especially on the longer runs! This includes my friends and family that have been a constant encouragement on my posts and Facebook! Speaking of long runs...I surpassed my previous record of longest run this past Saturday! I ran just under 8 miles and I didn't die! It shouldn't amaze me still, but I am every time! It's such an awesome feeling!

Training Week #6

This week, to be honest, did not go as planned. One of my coaches recently lost part of his family to Burkitt's Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (I'll include some info on this if you're curious) and I didn't think it would affect me the way it did. For those of you that don't know, we lost my step-dad almost a year ago to this same disease and it's amazing how a simple email to share with the team about her story can still effect me so. The lost feels so recent yet so long ago. I'm blessed to know that he's in a place with no sickness and no pain! I know I'll see him again someday, but until then I will live my life in a way that would make him proud!

On a more uplifting subject, I am that much closer to the halfway mark in my fund raising! That means that if I can raise $470 more by March 19 I get a really nice Alaska Team In Training hooded sweatshirt! I am so grateful for those who have already helped me on this journey and those of you who are planning one help me reach this awesome milestone in the upcoming weeks! You are all appreciated! I'm just really having a lot of fun with this training and really excited about this summer! Thanks for your support!

Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Burkitt's

Burkitt's lymphoma is a very fast-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that originates from B lymphocytes. Burkitt's lymphoma can develop at any age, but it is most common in children and young adults, particularly males. Unlike other lymphomas, Burkitt's lymphoma has a specific geographic distribution: It is most common in central Africa and rare in the United States. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma.

Burkitt's lymphoma grows and spreads quickly, often to the bone marrow, blood, and central nervous system. When it spreads, weakness and fatigue often develop. Large numbers of lymphoma cells may accumulate in the lymph nodes and organs of the abdomen, causing swelling. To make the diagnosis, doctors do a biopsy of the abnormal tissue and order procedures to stage the disease.

Without treatment, Burkitt's lymphoma is rapidly fatal. Intensive chemotherapy, which includes chemotherapy to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord to prevent spread to these areas, can cure 70 to 80% of people.

Training week #5

So this was week five in our training and it was absolutely beautiful! We got at least 6 more inches of snow so it made our run on Saturday a little challenging, but it was so worth it! Granted, I ended up walking more that running simply because I kept twisting my ankle on the snowy trail. It was still better than running on the treadmill and way more exciting! I took some pictures with my phone since I was walking most of it and I'm so glad I did. The above is a picture along the Bootleggers Cove and that is totally ice! It was amazingly breathtaking!

As far as my mileage this week was just short of 10 miles even and I'm looking forward to upping that soon! I believe the slow gain of sunshine is helping with that! I'm really looking forward to running more outside and less on the treadmill!

OK, back to the exciting run on Saturday, we had some excitement when we ran right past a resting moose right off the trail and then as we were heading back to the lagoon we ran into another one right on the trail!

Just one of the trials of trail running in Alaska! I love this place! It is cold, it is a little on the dark side sometimes, and I definitely haven't been this pale in a long time but it is all worth while! The views, the animals, and amazing people make it all worth it! By the way, did I mention that I'm becoming a runner! Bring on the run!

Training week #4

I know this isn't me but I wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like when running outside here! This is my fourth week of training and it was much better than last week. It's amazing how easily life can get in the way if you let it. I logged about 11 miles this week and I'm learning that the main battle is definitely in my head (as on of my lovely coaches has told us).

Saturday was one of my proudest moments! When you never really consider yourself a runner, distances can be really intimidating! I have be rather consistent on the treadmill running about 3 miles in 30 minutes but this past Saturday was our group run. Group runs are really important for me since I don't really get a chance to run outside until we get a little more sun in the evening. Anyways, Saturday I ran almost 5 miles in 50 minutes! This might not sound like much if you are a runner, but it's the most I've ever ran at one time...EVER!

Now that you understand the craziness that is this goal of mine, running 26.2 miles may sound crazy but I feel more confident today than I did yesterday! Each day is something new I'm learning about myself and truly learning to stick with my training or more importantly not making excuses to get out of running! Whether it's running or eating better or even being less negative, no matter what your goal is sometimes we need to learn that sticking to it is half the battle.

My Team in Training Update

I have completed my second week of training for the Mayor's Marathon in June and I'm still thinking that I'm a little crazy for taking this on! I am completely proud of my motivation because I have people that have already sponsored this endeavor! Words can not express how grateful I am for that motivation!

Last week we had our Kick-off party and got to meet all my team mates from the area as well as our special honored team mate! Seana is an amazing 16 year old with Leukemia and just another inspiration for raising money to fight for a cure against this horrible disease. She has made it her personal goal to encourage and cheer up the nurses and doctors that she meets on each hospital visit. If only we could all have such a positive outlook while going through such a tough time.

We also had our first Team Run on Saturday and I was so nervous. Nothing like working yourself for no reason! It was a wonderful experience and I'm so looking forward to the amazing support from the coaches, team mates, and friends who signed up with me! This was my first run outside in the snow and it was much less intimidating than I had made it in my head, just a little cold! : )

Most of you know that my step-dad lost his fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year and I would love for my children to grown up to see a cure for all cancers, God willing! We all have something on our hearts that motivate us and we find worth fighting for and this is one of mine! Any support either in the form of a positive word, a prayer, or financial support I will be grateful! Help me fight this, one mile at a time! Thanks for checking in with me and I'll continue to keep you all updated with my progress. JUST KEEP RUNNING!

My Dad's Bday Present!

So today was the first step. I had my first meeting with the Team In Training group and I'm excited! I'm going to be running the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, AK this June 18th! It's a big step of faith on my part! I am running in memory of my step-dad (Glenn LaMarca) and I feel very strong about doing what I can to honor him! I just hope I can make him as proud as I was to have him as my dad!

I'm going to be training with a amazing group of women from my church. Strength in numbers is what I'm thinking! I have my very own website for fund raising, so if you feel like supporting me or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society please do so here. I will be keeping you all posted on my training process and progress.