Connie Dressen's Team in Training Page
Racing to Save Lives
Dear Family and Friends,
Well, I did it. I crossed the finish line. It took me 6 hours but I did it and I couldn't have done it without the donations and support of all of you.
It was a great experience. I was really sore for a few days and I did get a couple of blisters. I ran the marathon for those who cannot run, My suffering for 6 hours is nothing compared to the suffering of the people that have Leukemia or Lymphoma.
I had the great support of my husband all through training and the marathon and to my surprise, he decided to train with me and do a half marathon..
I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. If we all pitch in, we can find a cure.
Running for a Cure,
Connie Dressen
I am training to participate in the Long Beach Marathon as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. All of us in Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I'm completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
- An estimated 712,145 Americans are currently living with blood cancers.
- Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed – more than 110,000 new cases are expected this year.
- Every 10 minutes, someone dies from blood cancers – an estimated 55,100 deaths in 2004
- Leukemia causes more deaths than any other blood cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.
I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!
UPDATE
06/16/07 Today, we ran 5 miles, there were some hills. Going up Terracina was tough but I took it slow and had no problem. It is getting hotter each time we run. I will have to adjust to the heat.
06/23/07 Today, we ran 6 miles, I held up pretty good. I ran 6 miles before but not lately. It was real hot out there but with the encouragement of fellow runners we all got through it with no problem.
06/30/07 Wow, we ran 8 miles today. There were some hills which is good because we need to get ready for those San Francisco hills. I feel pretty good and am looking forward to 10 miles next week.
07/07/07 Today, we ran 10 miles in Redlands. It went ok until mile 8, then it got really tough. Afterwards, I was really tired and sore. The next day I was fine so next week here I come!
07/14/07 We went to Yorba Linda today to run with the Orange County Team. We ran 10 miles along the Santa Ana River. It was very hot for this run. The route was pretty flat but it was still difficult to me. I didn't feel as sore this time, maybe, my body is getting used to the longer miles.
07/21/07 Today the team ran 12 miles. I missed out on running due to a foot injury but I was there and provided a water stop.
07/28/07 Two weeks of bad luck, I could not participate today due to a very bad cold. The team ran 14 miles. I am a little discouraged but I know I have the drive to work hard and catch up. Next week, here I come!
08/04/07 Luckily, we ran 12 miles instead of going up to 16. I ran the 12 miles but it was difficult after coming back from being sick. I was real tired at mile 10 but kept going and made it through the 12 miles. Next week, we will really be doing 16 miles. Wow!
Also, I have changed my marathon destination from San Francisco to Long Beach.
08/11/07 Today we ran 15 miles which went pretty well considering I missed two long runs previously. It took me 3 hours to complete but I made it without collapsing. I am on my way to 26.2 miles.
08/19/07 Something came up and I was unable to run on Saturday with the team so I had to run by myself on Sunday. It is really difficult to run that many hours all by yourself. I managed to run 13.5 miles. It is very important at this stage of training to get the miles in, it is less than 2 months to the marathon.
08/25/07 We ran 16 miles today, it went ok until the end. My muscles were hurting for the last 3 miles but I hung in there and finished.
09/01/07 We went back down to 14 miles today and it went well except for the fact that I thought since we were dropping in miles, I could skip my ice bath afterwards. That was a bad decision, I had sore calf muscles for three days.
09/08/07 Today, we ran 18 miles. It went ok, I didn't have any real aches or pains but I thought I would never get done. It took me over 4 hours to complete. I took an ice bath afterwards but still was sore for two days.
09/15/08 We went back down to 12 miles, this was nice after the 18 miles last week.
09/22/08 Today, we ran 21 Miles. It was a very long run, it took me almost 5 hours. It rained during the run. Some of the time, the rain felt good but by the end it was getting annoying. I was sore afterwards but felt better than I thought I would.
9/29/2007 Today, we went down to 10 miles. It was a piece of cake after the 21 last week.
10/6/2007 We are still tapering off, we only ran 8 miles today. It is amazing how quick it went when the 21 miles almost took me 5 hours. Next week is the big marathon, 26.2 miles, This is way cool!
Connie Dressen
