Crystle Torvinen's Team In Training Page
Running to Save Lives...one Mile at a time!!!
Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My name is Crystle Torvinen
Let's face it: I've gone nuts, that’s the slogan some are using but I think I have actually gone CRAZY!!!.
Yes I must be out of my mind to run 26.2 miles, but it’s for a good cause and I am always up to help a good cause. I started training on February 11, 2006 and I am looking forward to the hard work it is going to take to cross the finish line. I joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training program. Team in Training is a fundraising and a marathon-training program that will prepare me, along with my teammates, for the challenges of running a marathon while fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
I've decided to take on this challenge for numerous reasons. Simply stated, I want to make a difference. Then of course there is the physical challenge of running 26.2 miles, and most importantly I am doing this in honor of a very special person: Monica Trent, my Team in Training honored teammate. Monica is 12 years old and in remission from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Monica was diagnosed with ALL one month after her eighth birthday, she finished a two-year course of chemotherapy in April of 2004. She is currently in remission and doing well. With the help of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, new treatments are being researched and developed to help others just like Monica My training will be tough, but nowhere near as tough as the doctors' visits, the months of chemotherapy, and the endless poking, prodding's and needle sticking that Monica has gone through. It will be nothing compared to the treatments that thousands of leukemia patients go through every day. I'm in for a long race, but theirs is longer. Every bit helps bring us closer to the finish line, and we'll get there with your help.
I invite you to support me as I fundraise for the Team in Training program and train for the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 4th. I have made a personal commitment to raise $2,100. Your tax-deductible donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will further this great cause. I am asking for your support in making a difference. A full 75% of all donations go directly to the cause, so I'm asking you to be as generous as possible. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society prides itself in having an expense ratio of no more than 25%, and was rated by Money magazine as one of the top ten charities for having the highest percentage of funds raised directly benefiting research and patient services.
Please contribute to the “She's Gone NUTS” ”CRAZY” campaign in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I thank you for your support and look forward to sharing with you my experience with such an amazing organization
With many Thanks,
Crystle
MY TRAINING THUS FAR!!!!
2/11/06 SATURDAY 5 mile Walk at Balboa Park, I did run but it was mostly walking, I meet Liz and we walked together as we couldn't find the team until the end of practice. I felt great all day long! My Measurements from January 2005: Weight: 200 Waist: 50 Hips: 45 Thigh: 26 Chest: 44 Arms: 13.5
2/12/06 SUNDAY Michael drove 1 mile away and timed me a did a 14 minute mile, me the person who hasn't done any exercise in over 6 months. Feeling great needed a nap though and I am very hungry.
I forgot to say I went out to get new gear because I had a really bad blister
from my old tennies.2/13/06 MONDAY I walked 1 mile on my lunch, it was such a beautiful day! My 11 year old son and I ran and walked 2 miles, he is a GREAT buddy he really pushed me to keep going.
2/14/06 TUESDAY rest day, YEAH!!!
2/15/06 WEDNESDAY I ran / walked 2 miles on my lunch break today. Wow I can't believe how good this feels, I stared out planning on going for a mile and once I was out there for 20 minutes my body was like why should we stop now!!!
2/16/06 THURSDAY My son and I went out again, I had every intention on running but after we warmed up I just didn't feel right so we walked 2 miles instead.
2/17/06 FRIDAY REST DAY, I am so thankful for this day. I have been sleeping like a BABY, and if anyone knows me that is a great thing. I think I have been falling asleep within 15 minutes of getting in bed and this is normally a task of about an hour and a book, I haven't made it thru one page this week....hehehehe looking forward to Saturday's run 7 miles at BP, I hope it doesn't rain, if it does its off to the club for me, I can not get sick, normally when I start an exercise program I get sick so I need to take extra precautions. I'll let you know how Saturday goes.
2/18/06 SATURDAY Well its was raining and very cold today so I didn't join the team, I went to the club. My first hour was 2 minutes walking 3 minutes running for a total of 3.67 miles. The next hour was mostly walking for a total of 3.50 miles. WOW 7 MILES!!!!! It was very hard but I forged thru it. While I was on the treadmill out in the distance I could see a small patch of blue sky and the closer I got the end of my 7 miles it just got bigger and bigger what a beautiful thing to watch. While I was working out I was thinking about my grandfather and how much I wished he could be at the finish line when I cross in June, and I felt "I WILL BE" I got chills. I am very tired today, and not hungry at all which is the opposite of last week. Michael and I went out to get some movies at Best Buy today and when we were getting in the car a honey bee was on the my door. (My grandfather who passed away was a beekeeper.) Well if you know honey bees they are not normally out in cold rainy days, so it was a nice surprise to see one hanging out on the passenger door. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing night at home. I AM EXHAUSTED!!!!
2/19/06 SUNDAY
2/20/06 MONDAY 3R/2W for 2 miles, got sick afterwards and was in bed at 8pm...
2/21/06 TUESDAY Rest day Good thing not feeling to hot still.
2/22/06 WEDNESDAY Nothing still not feeling to hot
2/23/06 THURSDAY Went out for a 2 miler but only 3R/2W for the first mile 2 mile was a brisk walk, I can't believe how just a few days off can put you back to square one.
2/24/06 Rest day, I feel bad that today is a rest day because I feel pretty good today and would like to run because of how sick I was this week, I will just follow the rules and today is a REST DAY!!! I am nervous about Saturdays run, HILLS, I am scared especially after how sick I was all week. My Measurements: Weight: 200 Waist: 48 Hips: 45 1/2 Thigh: 25 Chest: 41 Arms: 13
2/25/06 SATURDAY, PR 8 miles yikes, well it was only 7 miles as we had the wrong map and we had the 7 mile map, oh well all in all tuff day, the hills oh the hills and the blister from the hill NOTE TO SELF wear higher socks.... I ran pretty well until we got to the hill after the hill I had nothing left, maybe that was from being sick all week. After the hill I walked a fast pace and when we got to the third water stop and they said 2 miles left I was like NO WAY!!!!
2/26/06 SUNDAY
2/27/06 MONDAY
2/28/06 TUESDAY Rest day, did some stretching.
3/1/06 WEDNESDAY
3/2/06 THURSDAY I just noticed how lazy I have been this week I need to get back in gear, CHEER ME ON, GET ME OFF MY COUCH!!!!!! I walked 1 mile during the day and ran for 1.3 miles at night and I sat in the hot tub to relax.
3/3/06 FRIDAY REST DAY YEAH!!!! I am a little nervous about the 10K, but I am really happy that I have the support of family and friends and Michael and the boys are going to be at the finish line. Early to bed, because we need to be there early!!
3/4/06 SATURDAY The Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills at Agoura High School Stadium. I was really nervous about this run, I'm not sure why as we have been doing more mileage during training. We got up at 5:15am and we were out of the house before 6am. It was very cold outside. When we got there we got in line and got my packet, my goodie bag and my t-shirt. Then to my surprise I saw April with Bucket. OMG I felt so much better when I saw them. We put our chips onto our shoes; the chips are used to time your race. Michael helped me put my number on my jersey. We then hung out at the Team in Training booth for a while. April signed up for Team in Training, I'm so proud of her. We hung out and had some fruit and took some pictures. Bucket has been trying to go by her real name Susan when we are TNT but April kind a let the name slip out of the bucket so to say!!! Tim started introducing her to everyone as Bucket...April was sorry, but I guess Bucket is just going to stick.... We headed up to the start line and I had butterflies in my stomach. We stretched out and had a little team rally. We listened to the Star Spangled banner that gave me goose bumps. I hear runners set and I can't remember if a gun went off or if a horn sounded, the next thing I know is we are running.... OMG I am running.... yup I'm crazy.... we started down hill so that was a little nice. As we are running it is silent except for sound of sneakers hitting the pavement it was such an amazing sound. It was so awesome to see people outside of their houses cheering us on, cars were beeping their horns at us you would have thought a wedding was taking place on the corner, Starbucks employees were outside supporting us. The first mile wasn't that bad, I did have to pull back and find my pace witch meant being out there by myself which is ok because I can't talk while I run. I tried to do the 3R2W but I didn't have a timer. I was feeling really good at the 2-mile mark. There was a photographer at the 2-mile mark, can't wait t see that photo! From the 2 to 3 mile mark we went up behind the stadium and I called Michael at 9:07 to tell him I was back there so he could get photos but he didn't answer his phone. I left him a message, which was great because I got to listen to myself out of breath running up a hill. After the 3 mile I called Michael "I'm half way" he says what "I'm half way love you bye" mark it was so beautiful out there it was wonderful being in the country. Running along side a brook, the water clear as day. Reminded me of my grandparent’s creek back home in Connecticut. The houses out here are so beautiful. Running across the one lane bridge and the support staff reminding me to smile, do they know I just ran 3 miles and I am closing in on mile 4? Ok so I smiled, for a second, back to concentrating and running. There is the most beautiful tree, it was so huge and I just wanted to sit there and enjoy the nature around me but as we all know that is not why I was out here. The horses and the farms, the sounds of a peaceful environment oh man I sure miss the country! My heart longs for being in the country more often. Approaching mile 4 and my legs are like Jell-O, time to walk so a very brisk walk I forge on. Hills who thought of hills now!!! Well the hill wasn't that bad, but try going down hill with J E L L O Legs!!! Not fun, so I think well if I run I can get down faster, not really you use a lot of energy trying to not go to fast. At the bottom back to running, nope back to walking I am cooked. Coming around a bend I think I will go to the inside shorter right yes, but my feet were at a bad incline and I really hurt my arch on my right foot, so I decided to go back to the other side of the street. Round another bend and there is a support member last mile, oh I can hear the music in the stadium. I call Michael, I can here music oh and I can see the stadium. I want to run again, but the trail is dirt and muddy, never ran on this before, maybe today’s not a good day to start, so I err on caution and walk really fast, yes using my arms. Michael spots me on the hill and he takes a photo of me. I see them they wave I wave, I wave again. I am so happy to see them and so glad this is almost over. As I get to the bottom of the hill I hear my wedding song on the speakers and I get goose bumps everywhere. The ones who love me are waiting and they are proud of me. Thanks Adam for requesting the DJ to play my wedding song. I round the corner and I see Michael, he is taking pictures of me. I see the boys they are waving to me. Adam runs beside me on the track and I tell him come on run with me so Adam runs the track lap with me we see Bucket and April and they cheer me on. Adam steps off the track just before the time mats. I DID IT!!!!! I ran my first 10K!!!!!! I go the fence were Michael is standing and this is surreal. I'm thirsty, tired, and sweaty. Every time I try to stand still I almost fall over my body doesn't want to stop, it takes a while be for I can just stay in one spot. Michael tells me he is so proud of me. I'm proud of me!!!!
MY STATS 3/4/2006 Agoura CA
The Great Race of Agoura - Old Agoura 10K
Bib: 3570
Name: Crystle Torvinen
Gender: F
Age: 34
Hometown: Burbank CA
Place Overall: 623 out of 650
Women: 344 out of 365
F 30-34: 58 out of 59
AgeGrade: 30.92% Place: 630
FINISH: 1:36:13 pace: 15:29
Chip Time: 1:36:13
Gun Time: 1:36:33
3/5/06 SUNDAY Ok its time to get off this computer and get my buns running....Ran 1 mile and walked the other mile. My Measurements: Weight: 200 Waist: 48 Hips: 43 Thigh: 25 Chest: 41 Arms: 13. Feeling good, a little disappointed on the weight thing when is this ever going to budge....I guess I should be happy about the inches right?
3/6/06 MONDAY This day is just hard for me to train I am going to swap Tuesday and Monday's
3/7/06 TUESDAY
3/8/06 WEDNESDAY 1 1/2 miles
3/9/06 THURSDAY went for a walk at lunch
3/10/06 FRIDAY Rest day....
3/11/06 SATURDAY.....COLD & RAINY, it's off to the club for me. The story of the treadmill I soon hated!!! I much rather be out in the open. But with the cold and wet weather I just can't take the chance and get bronchitis. I would not be able to train for a month or so and that would be bad. I did my TEN miles on the treadmill at the YMCA. The first 5 miles R3 / W3, there was a point when I did 1 R6 / W3. I was feeling good, just a little board. The treadmill I was using over looked the Media Center Mall, so I get to look out side at the top of the mall, and a pretty purple blooming flower, I gained some inspiration and motivation from what I could see of the Mervyn's sign” ME" I just kept focusing on that. When I hit my 7 mile I was just board out of my mind, and started thinking WHY am I doing this again. Well I know why and I am blessed to have a why to help support this great cause. I almost got off the treadmill on mile 7 to go home, but I remembered that day at Porter Ranch when Monica and her family came out to say hello, so with that little face in my mind I forged on. A little after mile 9 I pulled something in my left leg and it didn't really hurt it just kind of clicked every now and again. I hit mile 10 and I smiled briefly and got off, stretch for a long time, sauna, and hit tub and when I got home ice for my leg and oh yes a NAP. A much deserved NAP!!!! I felt better on Sunday than I thought I would, sometimes the back of my leg clicks but it doesn't hurt just feels weird. I am hoping to train more frequent this week and journal here more....One last thing THANKS TO EVERYONE YOUR SUPPORT AND DONATIONS REALLY MEAN ALOT!!!
********A SPECIAL MESSAGE********
This message came in our Team in Training weekly email
Hi, my name is Monica and I am writing to you to thank you for what you have done. You may not realize it but you have saved my life. You have become my friends and part of my family. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was so scared because I wasn’t sure if I would come out alive. With your hard work and fundraising, you have made it possible for me and others like me to go back to a normal life filled with school, band, gymnastics, and friends. I really hope that you continue with Team-in-training to find a cure for these terrible, life-changing diseases.
Thank you and good luck!!
PS. I have included a very appropriate music video/song about what you are doing. Please listen to it. You have to choose a broadband width first.
CLick Here to see the Rascal Flats Video
(Dealing with issues very close to our TNT hearts).
I have to tell you the first time I heard this song, I was driving in my car and I just cried and cried, my heart was breaking for the girl in the song, how the boy had so much compassion for her. And I felt so bad because I realized then how horrible disease can be. You always wonder how you can help and now I know how I can help. I will raise money (WITH YOUR HELP), and run!!! This song touches my heart and when I am out there training, I will remember WHY I am here!! Thanks Monica for the message and the song! My Best to you!!
Here’s the other message that were in the email as well…..
Here’s a message from Kelley:
Hey Team! Hope your training and fundraising is going well for you. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your dedication, not only to finishing the marathon, but your dedication to the cause. Seeing how much effort you are all putting in is inspiring to me. The money you are raising is going directly to fund those research groups who are finding a cure. I am certain that without such funding, I might not have been able to complete my first marathon. Thank you for your hard work, you ARE saving lives and I can’t wait to see your finish line photos!!! GOOD JOB TEAM!!!!
– Kelley Coco
From Audrey-
I am blessed to say that during my three years of remission, I have completed four Marathons, five half Marathons, one triathlon, and one Century ride with Team-N-Training all trying to help find a cure! I cannot thank each one of you enough for your commitment, and I look forward to meeting and thanking you in person for your dedication to the cause! Go Team!
Last week was lots of rest and stretching, I hurt my leg on Saturday's run and I just needed to rest it up.
3/18/06 SATURDAY Today Bucket and I went to the YMCA instead of the run with the team. Bucket hurt her knee two weeks ago and was told to ride the bike and do the elliptical. We started out with some great stretching. I did 10 miles on the bike and 2 miles on the elliptical and 2 miles on the tread mile. It wasn't the full 12 miles the team did but for the 2 of use with injuries this was the best thing to do. After we did all the stretches again. I need to stretch more often and for longer periods of time I felt so good just from stretching.
3/19/06 SUNDAY Today I ran at the track, but before I went down there I stretched really well at home. Bucket, Thank You so much for the stretches, they are awesome. So I ran the track while the boys played football, and Michael was the paparazzi. My personal paparazzi. He took some great photos, and the run tonight felt so good. Make sure if you injury yourself you rest like you are supposed to and when your body is ready you will know. It was great tonight. I had planned on running a 3R / 3W and I did three sets of 6R / 3W, I need to get up to 6R /1W, I think that is where I need to be. My last 1/4 mile I ran the hardest that I could and I had a 14 mph if the thing was working right J my average is about 4 mph. If I could just run like I did in that 1/4 I would finish the marathon in like 2 1/2 hours now that would be sweet....I'm dreaming...let me just cross the finish line. My Measurements: Weight: 199 Waist: 46.5 Hips: 43 1/2 Thigh: 24 Chest: 41 Arms: 13. Here's the photo's from my personal paparazzi.
3/22/06 WEDNESDAY Tonight I trained at the YMCA and I did 4 miles on the elliptical and 10 miles on the bike.
3/23/06 THURSDAY Taking it easy and icing my ankle it feels like the tendon is on fire.
3/24/06 FRIDAY REST DAY Taking it easy and icing my ankle it feels like the tendon is on fire.
3/25/06 SATURDAY I look at my calendar and say hmmm what is CWO? Well it stands for Coaches Work OUT!!!! And let me tell you this was a workout, like no other. I couldn’t believe the next day I was actually craving more. Which is crazy because my body hurt so badly. Let me tell you a little bit about it!!! The first part the warm-up 1 mile (4 laps) done at an easy jog at slow pace; just enough to get the kinks out and getting a little blood flow to the muscles. Then we went to the center of the football field and did high knees all the way to the goal post and back. From the center kicking our own butts all the way to the goal post again, from the goal post we ran side ways to center switched sides and went to the other goal post. Then we stretched gently, to not damage the muscle. It was funny because I thought we must be done as we are stretching…hehehe boy was I wrong…Take another easy lap around the track, well they blew the whistle at like lap 4. Now we are going to do sprints so we get in lines of about 8 people in our pace groups and we all jog slowly and the person in the back needs to run to the front of the line, well to make it fun we pick something to get to know each other as they pass. SO Lisa Trent goes first and this time by it is first and last name. We are also working on a fundraiser game, we can earn money of we know 20 people’s first and last names and what city they live in. We did this many times and we did a bunch of things Names, city, where you were born, favorite food, favorite candy bar, movie, favorite alcoholic beverage, job etc…I remember a few things David Woslowski? - Dry martini, lawyer, LeVette -Crab legs, no movie, Michigan Lisa Trent - Princess Bride, Strawberry Daguri, Chips & Salsa, Pistachio (From Rite Aid) I remember other things too just not the names of who they go with. Sorry Oh Here’s mine Crystle Torvinen Burbank CA, All food but if I had to choose pizza, Frozen Snickers, Pistachio (Baskin Robins), Bristol, CT, True Lies, Real Estate Coordinator & Small business owner. Oh and don’t’ run backwards and talk to the person behind you or just when you say this feels good, you land on you kester. Yes I feel it was pretty funny, just when I knew it was too late to stop it I just went with it and when I was bouncing back up, Lisa & David where there to grab my hands and get me back to my feet…Graceful I know. I just cheered my self on…. We did the sprints for ever….when we were done with sprints that time our mile, I was thinking are you crazy your going to time us exhausted…yeah like I’m going to be able to do this. Well it is amazing what you can do when you put your heart in the right place….I did my mile 4 laps in 13 minutes 7 Seconds……YEAH I am so proud….My time is improving…Well now its time to stretch again, and I think oh yeah we are done….yeah right…stretching does not mean you are done at a CWO….We do high knees standing in place for 20 seconds and squat for 20 seconds, and high knees and squats and high knees and squats….oh did you know if it doesn’t hurt you are not doing it right…well it HURT!!! So from there we lay on out stomachs and hold our hands out above our hands and a little above the ground. From there we add the legs so we are laying on our stomachs with our hands and felt slightly elevated above the ground, I don’t know how many we did, just let me tell you I do have stomach muscles although I wouldn’t have known it trying to do those. And from there we stayed on the stomach and bent our knees towards our backs and held our ankles with our hands, I didn’t even know I could get into that position. Still on our stomachs we put all our weight on for arms and toes and we bend our knee slightly towards the ground, these are crunches….the were tough!!!! And know onto our backs with a partner they stand above your head and you put your feet in the air and they push you feet away and you bring them up for more. These were crazy and I didn’t do them because my lower back hurts when I am not on a mat so next time we have a CWO I will bring my mat…I think that is it, I may have missed something but it was after all a work out I had never done before, I’m just glad yet again that I was able to finish. Oh and it was about 5 miles worth of moving today, with all the other training. The team work that came from this day was awesome, I got to know new people, get hugs from my friends and high fives from the team. Thanks for a great day!!
3/26/06 SUNDAY Today Michael and the boys and I went for a bike ride, just a nice casual ride that wound up being 11 miles. It was a very nice day, even though every muscle in my body hurt from the CWO the day before.
3/30/06 THURSDAY Went out for a mile run
It has been a tuff few weeks, my son had an emergency appendectomy on 3/27/06 and I have trained only 1 day in the last 2 weeks. That being said I need to get my butt in GEAR!!!!
4/9/06 SUNDAY Went for a bike ride and was doing great until my bike broke down DANG IT!!! This very nice lady lent me her bike bump so we could make it back home. All in all we did 8 miles not bad I guess.
4/13/06 WEDNESDAY As many of you know my son had surgery a few weeks ago and I lost my mojo. But today is a new day!!! I went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical and 5 miles on the bike and then sat in the sauna and hot tub for a while. Boy do I fee energized! Oh I almost forgot, I am at the gym and just finished and I am getting ready to leave, and I look out the window and there is a SWARM of honeybees. THOUSANDS of bees, well many of you know my grandfather was a beekeeper and many times I take things from seeing a bee. Well today I think he was really happy I was training again or mad because I haven't been training. I'll take it as glad.... thanks for your support grandpa, even if some may find it strange I find peace in seeing my honey bees. So here’s to training again tomorrow. OH and CWO is this Saturday, if you have been keeping up with my progress you have read about it.... I am very scared!!! I'll let you know how it goes.
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