First Day of Training

Saturday was the first day of training for the season. I was unsure of how it would go since I haven't been running as regularly as I used to, and I haven't done any distances beyond a 5K. Since I'm on the Flex team, our coach coaches using the Training Peaks website. So she had assigned for me to run 2 miles at a 12 minute mile pace. I was very unsure if I would be able to keep that pace up for the whole 2 miles. But I did it! It was a great run, no problems. I actually had an average pace of 11:13 per mile. So, all in all a good first day of training. Today was a rest day and tomorrow is a strength training day. My coach suggested pilates, so I'm going to try to check out a pilates class at the YMCA. I've never taken pilates before, so we'll see how it goes!
So training is underway! Now I just need to get going with my fundraising! Mark and I have some ideas of fundraisers that we hope to get going soon. As always, you can donate on our fundraising website. It is tax deductible! :)

Dusting off the running shoes

I'm baaaaaaaaack! I've decided to participate with TNT again! This time I'll be doing the Rock and Roll Savannah Half Marathon! Yay!

I had such a great time doing the ING Marathon in 2009, but a lot has happened since then. One huge thing that happened is that I got pregnant and had the best baby in the world! Following the pregnancy I have really gotten out of shape. It's been a while since I've done any serious running. I mean I've done several 5K races but that's about it. So I feel like I'm going to be starting from scratch with my running. I'm looking forward to it though.

In 2009 I raised over $2000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm hoping to raise at least that much this year, so I need all of your help! A friend of mine(and also my very first donor this year, big shout out to Ashley Garrett!!) mentioned earlier this week that she met a woman whose 5 month old son died from a rare form of Leukemia. This just broke my heart. I can't even imagine this!! I have been so blessed to have a happy, healthy baby, so the least that I can do is to help raise money for those who need our help. I hope that you will help out in any way you can. If you can't donate at this time, then forward my fundraising page to your friends and family!

There are a few differences in the program I'm doing this year. There currently isn't a TNT team in Athens anymore. :( So I'm doing the new TNT Flex plan, which basically just means it's an online team. I really enjoyed training with the group last time, but this is the best I could do. We do have conference calls and emails with the rest of the online team, but it's just not the same. Oh well....Tomorrow is the first day of training. I'll post and let you know how it goes....yipes! :)

3 days and counting....

The marathon is this Sunday! Yikes!! For those interested, you can sign up to receive text message alerts about where I've made it on the course at this website: http://live.activeresult.com/msg/MSG-signup.tcl?event_id=25 or if that doesn't work you can go to www.inggeorgiamarathon.com and sign up for runner tracking alerts.

My Hay is in the Barn

I had never heard of that saying until today...apparently "the hay is in the barn" is an expression used when the big training build is complete and all that remains is to taper and rest up for the big race. Apparently each workout completed in training is like a bale of hay and each time you complete the workout it's like stacking the hay in a barn...anyway...I must admit this is one of the dumbest expressions I've heard...but I'm really glad my hay is in the barn. :)

The big day is near...only 10 more days until my marathon on March 29th. I'm really proud of myself for sticking to the training and hopefully I'll finish my first marathon in 10 more days. I've raised over $2000 for LLS during this time, which I'm also really proud of. :)

I'm very nervous and very excited at the same time. I just hope I can finish it!! My only goal is to finish the race before they open the streets back up to the cars...so keep yr fingers crossed for me!

3.11.09

Wow...it's been a while since I updated this site...sorry...not like anyone is reading it anyway. Haha :) So my marathon is coming up in about 2 weeks...I must admit that I'm quite nervous about it. I have reached my fundraising goal...actually I've passed it so I'm really happy about that! We're tapering down our runs now, we don't do any runs longer than 8 miles for the next 2 weeks until the big day.

1.16.09 Update

Happy Birthday Daddy! Today would have been my dad's 53rd b-day.

In fundraising news...I reached my fundraising goal!!! Yay!! I've actually passed it by $152!! No worries if you haven't donated yet but still want to, you most certainly can! There's no limit on how much I can raise once I pass my goal, so keep it coming!! Thanks to everyone who has donated!!

I ran 14.2 miles in Albany on Saturday in the rain and in the middle of nowhere. I must say it was a lot more boring than my runs here in Athens, even though it was a flat course, it was a lot more difficult mentally because there was nothing to look at except trees!! I didn't even hardly have any turns, I just ran down one road forever and then turned around. It took me longer than normal to do it too...I did it in 3 hours and 23 minutes. But oh well, I did it and it's done! On to 16 miles this weekend...

2.11.09 Update

Had a 4 mile run yesterday afternoon...did it in 50 minutes. Weather was beautiful! I'm so ready for spring! I've got 6 miles to do tonight and then 4 more tomorrow night then I move up to 14 this weekend! I'll be in Albany this weekend to get my taxes done and to celebrate my dad's birthday (his b-day is Feb 16th) so I know it will be a very flat course, nothing like the courses up here in Athens...so that will be a nice change, although I will miss running with the team and having water stops set out for me...guess I can throw some gatorade in a bush and hope no one steals it. :)