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

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 # 3

So this week was tough since I was fighting a chest cold and the fact that my first born turned 5 years old on Sunday! This birthday thing included a lot of pizza and cake and stuff that really doesn't make you feel like going for a run, but Ian had a great birthday and that's what really mattered this past week! Running basically took a back seat but now is the time to get back to reality! My mileage for last week was just over a whopping 7 miles and I'm ready to move to the next week!

I've found that when I go a day or two now without running I feel it, both physically and emotionally. Those endorphins are a wonderful thing and I look forward to them before every run! When I was running in Georgia for my first 5K, I don't remember this feeling as much. I also was training by myself and really the only other runner I hung out with was my husband, Ryan. As much as I love him and how supportive he is of me, it's not the same. I have quite a few friends through my church that are runners and now this whole team of people training for one goal! We each have our own reasons for doing this but it's important non-the-less! It's amazing how motivating that can be!

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.