Myra's Team In Training Page
Racing to Save Lives
17.JPG)
Hey everybody and welcome to my Team In Training home page.
If you can believe it, I am training for the NIKE Women's Half Marathon...that's 13.1 miles, people! As a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, we are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. In my own life, there are family and friends who have fought various cancers; some who have won the battle...some who have lost...and some who are currently still fighting to survive. I run for all of them. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
My goal, besides trying to make it to the finish line (even if it means crawling!), is to raise $2100 for the cause. It would mean so much if you could make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.
On a more personal note, this has been a helluva year for me. No matter how hard I've been knocked down and despite all of the heartaches and drama, I want to put all of my energies into something positive. By running this marathon, not only will I be doing something I've never done before, but I will also be getting in shape (it's about time!), AND I'm doing it for a great cause. Visit this site often and check on my progress. Help me reach my goal! Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WEEK ONE UPDATE: Even though it's sad to admit, I'm proud to say that I'm NOW getting immersed into this whole fitness thing. It's been a long time coming. But with the marathon only a couple of months away, I just want to make sure that I get over that finish line! Now that some friends are supporting me with donations, I am driven to try extra hard to do my best.
It feels like ages since I've been in a running routine and my main concerns are breathing and stamina. I know that it takes a while to develop a rhythm, but I had high expectations of my first walks/runs. I felt disappointed and discouraged. But I got out of that mindset and am now going to focus on a little bit at a time...even if it means walking my butt off for the next week or so!
Went to an injury prevention clinic and had my gait analyzed...it was very cool to get a free screening from a sports podiatrist. I feel that I have a better understanding of what to expect as a new runner in terms of injuries. Very well worth it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WEEK FOUR UPDATE: What happened to Week 2 and 3?! I fell into a slump as I took advantage of my last week before school started. As Week 3 began, I pushed myself hard.
I've been training 3x a week at Ocean Beach. I find that the cool air, flat terrain, and scenic view makes me focus better. I've graduated from brisk walking to running/walking and I'm averaging approximately 15 minutes a mile. Still slow, I know, but I anticipate upping my mileage within the next couple of weeks. At this point, I've been running/walking the Ocean Beach strip for a total of 4 miles, I'm hoping I can do 8 miles by the end of the month.
I decided to splurge and bought some workout gear and new running shoes! While my wallet may hurt a bit, at least my feet won't! Talk about a major difference...I'm lovin' my ASICS!
One thing I am quite proud of is the fact that I have become more aware of the foods that I choose to eat. I've been loading up on the carbs, eating more fruit, and drinking lots of water...and when I see deep fried and other fatty dishes, my stomach actually turns. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm craving trail mix right now! My mom would be so proud...
Aside from that, the two main things that I need to work on is cross-training and getting more sleep. I tell you, there really isn't enough hours in the day! Looking forward to my run tomorrow!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MYRA'S LATEST UPDATE: Where has the time gone? With September coming to a close, the marathon is just around the corner. With more and more people generously donating to help support LLS (and me!), I'm always asked the same two questions.
1) How is the training going?
2) Why are you doing this?
To be quite honest, the training is coming along. The past week and a half have been slow for a couple of reasons (not excuses!). First of all, last week was Back to School night...that, in itself, takes a lot of prep time. With the evenings getting darker sooner, it's been tough for me to get in a run after taking care of all the things I need to take care of. Plus, I am NOT a night runner. Secondly, I've been sick. It's always around the first few weeks of school that I catch a really bad cold. It's my body getting used to the kids' germs- lol. It's been four miserable days, but I am slowly recovering. I feel that once I'm better, it will take me a couple of runs to get into a groove again.
Other than that, I do feel a different sort of energy that I haven't felt before. It really is about time that I took better care of myself...and that is something I am quite proud of.
Why am I doing a marathon? Hahaha..during the moments when I feel like my legs are about to give out, I ask myself this very same quesion! My answer to this hss been the same since the very beginning: 1) it's for a great cause and 2) it's something I've never done before. Plus, putting my energies into something positive is a great distraction for so many of my personal obstacles.
As the marathon gets closer, I find myself more determined to help others. By running, I am raising funds for LLS. At the same time, I am thinking on a more personal level. As my divorce became official, I truly saw how much of a support my family and my friends were during my really tough times. Without their encouragement and love, I wouldn't be where I am today...and in a way, this is my way of giving back. I want to be able to help someone else, someone who may be lacking the encouragement and love, someone who just needs that extra something to get them through another day. While divorce and cancer cannot be compared in terms of personal, physical, emotional aspects, the need for that support system is very much necessary and vital. I just want to be able to do my part and give back.
The fundraising part of the marathon is quickly coming to a close! Please give what you can to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...and keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I enter the last month of training. My goal is not to finish first...it's not even to finish 100th! I just want to make it across that finish line...and knowing that I am doing so to help others is worth all the pain it takes me to get there.
Do not delay- October 5th is the last day to donate! Thanks again for the support!
