Michelle Dalton's TNT Fundraising Page
For my Friend
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.
Recently I decided to make a personal commitment to help find a cure for cancer with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I have joined their exciting training and fundraising program called Team in Training right here in San Antonio, Texas! I will be participating in the Rock -N-Roll marathon on June 1st in San Diego. Yes, I did say marathon(that’s 26.2 miles)! I know, those of you who know me are thinking I must have lost my mind, but I’ve actually been inspired. The mission of Team in Training & The Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. To be a part of something so spectacular is my motivation for running those miles.
First, I am training and fundraising in honor of my friend, Amy Wolfe.
Amy Michelle Wolfe was born January 3, 1975. She grew up in Portland, Texas. She attended the Gregory Portland school district and graduated from high school in 1993. After graduation, she went on to Del Mar College and received an Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies in 1997. She then attended St. Edwards College in Austin, Texas and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in business in 2001.
In April 2002, Amy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She endured several rounds of chemotherapy and later had a bone marrow transplant in February 2003. Despite her long, hard fight with leukemia, Amy passed away on April 18, 2004. At the time of Amy’s death, she was engaged to Brett Mitchell, the love of her life.
I met Amy when we were in fifth grade. She had a really great sense of humor - always had a joke to tell! I'll never forget her laugh. I miss her dearly and am so honored to do this fundraising and training in her name. I know she is getting a big kick out of the idea of me running a marathon!
Second, I am grateful for my good health and want to express that gratitude by using it to help others. I also want to challenge myself and prove to myself that I can meet difficult goals. I have twin girls who are almost two years old, and when they get older I’d love to be able to tell them, “You can do anything you set your mind to” and REALLY mean it. Most importantly, I want to help sponsor cancer treatment research.
I have committed myself to raise $5000.00 by March 26th. I am going to need your help to make that happen! Please know that donations of any size are greatly appreciated. Take a moment and choose the amount you would like to donate. This website is very secure, but if you would rather pay cash or check, please feel free to do so. Please make checks out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and send to the address below:
Michelle Dalton
7822 Sierra Verde
San Antonio, Texas 78240
Please continue to visit my website. I will be providing updates as I progress in my fundraising and training efforts. I’ll be sure to include the details of my sore muscles, early morning runs, etc…
You can also send me your prayers as I prepare for the race…Lord knows I need them!
I know that thinking of the people who will benefit from my fundraising efforts will help me make it through those long runs.
I greatly appreciate your donation, and I know you’ll feel just as good as I do about your contribution to the fight against cancer.
Please forward this to anyone and everyone you know who may be interested in offering their support.
Also, ask your company if they'll match your donation - many will!
Update – February 10th
To start with, I am amazed at how generous people are when they know they are doing something good for others! My website shows my fundraising total to be $1235.00, but the actual total including checks I’ve received is almost $2000.00! That is amazing! In about a two week time period, I’ve raised $2000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – I’m almost half way to my goal – I feel great about that!
I am also feeling great about my training. I’ve been keeping busy each day either hitting the streets for a run or hitting the gym for cross training. We have a team practice each Saturday. Our first practice was two weeks ago. We were scheduled to meet at 7 am, and the temperature at that time was about 38 degrees. I’m not really a morning person, and I don’t consider myself a cold weather person either. So I’m driving to practice that morning, hyper-focused on the time and the temperature, really not wanting to get out of my car when I got there. As I pulled up, I was shocked to see how many cars were there and even more shocked to see the smiling faces as I approached the gathering spot. It took a very short period of time for me to forget about the cold and the fact that most people were still nice and cozy at home in bed. The friendly faces of the other participants and lively greetings from our coaches and mentors made me feel nothing but good about being there. However, there was one person there on that early, cold morning that stood out and let us all know that we were exactly where we needed to be. Her name is Madison and she will be 4 years old in just a few days. She was diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) when she was 2 years old. Madison is one of the honored heroes for our team this season. She and her mom were there to cheer us on! Madison started the morning bundled up and riding in a stroller, but it didn’t take long for her to be up and about. The best part was seeing her wearing her Team in Trainingshirt with a huge smile on her face waiting to give us each a high-five at the end of our 3 mile run.
I left practice that morning feeling so good about being a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training!
Yesterday’s practice was just as early, but not quite as cold! We ran 5 miles yesterday, which I was a bit nervous about. Luckily, the coaches taught us about interval training before the run, so we got to experiment with that. Interval training is a combination of running and walking – it is supposed to help you build endurance. My group ran for 3 minutes then walked for 1 minute. It actually made the 5 miles very bearable. We finished in just under an hour, and felt great about the fact that we could have actually kept going.
I know that I am not even close to being able to run 26.2 miles, but I also know that I’m taking baby steps to make that happen. And truthfully, finishing those 5 miles yesterday felt like a huge accomplishment since it is something I’ve never done before.
Please continue to check back for updates.
While I'm alone running, I'm thinking of the usual things...my girls,dinner, laundry, tomorrow's schedule, but I also spend those quiet moments thinking about Amy, Madison and other families who are forced to deal with cancer. When I finish my run, I feel great on the inside because I'm actually doing something to make a difference in someone else's life. I'm proud of that, and I'm really proud to have your support!
February 21st update – Look at my fundraising total!!
I don’t know how many ways I can say how thrilled I am with the generosity of others! I never imagined I’d be getting this close to reaching my fundraising goal so soon! I’m so excited to check my email throughout the day to see if any donations have come in, and I’ve met the mailman at the mailbox several times now anxiously waiting to see if any donations have come through the mail. I love seeing that number at the top of the page get higher and higher! I also love knowing that as soon as that money comes in, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society put it to good use. The money I’ve raised is already helping someone, and I couldn’t have done it without the generosity of so many!
I missed last weekend’s practice because I was out of town, but I did manage to get a five mile run in while I was away. Who ever thought I’d be looking for places to workout while away from home?!? I have tried really hard to get in my daily exercise. Our coach has set a workout schedule for us, so we know exactly what we need to do each day. Most days I’m walking out the door as Dan walks in from work. I’m so appreciative for Dan’s support and encouragement. This marathon training is definitely time- consuming, so it is taking a team effort to keep things on track at home. One day last week I did decide to load up the girls in our jogging stroller and take them along with me on my run. I made sure they were settled in with snacks and drinks, then off we went. I realized very quickly that what seemed like a great idea really wasn’t so great after all. Pushing the extra weight of the stroller, along with holding onto the stroller with one hand really just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t ever really get into a good groove, so we didn’t make it too far. Reese and Rylan enjoyed the trip, but I don’t think it’s something that will become a habit! I have to admit, the time alone while I’m running is really nice!
This Saturday we are scheduled to do a five mile run. We are still doing interval training which seems to be working really well for all of us. Saturday afternoon we are having an honored hero social. This is an opportunity to get to know our fellow teammates better, as well as our seasons honored heroes. I mentioned Madison in my previous update, and there are actually four other honored heroes for this season as well. There is one other honored hero for our marathon team, and the others are for the triathlon and cycle teams. The second honored hero for our marathon team is Linda. She was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2005 and endured seven rounds of intense chemotherapy. As of today, she is in remission and thrilled to be part of our team. Linda was at our team practice last night. She was there to support us, and she even brought us brownies and juice to have after our run. I have only talked with Linda briefly, but I quickly got a sense of her positive attitude and just general happiness. To me, she is a perfect example of someone to be inspired by.
This is a short quote from a bio Linda shared with our team, “I was diagnosed with Leukemia in November 2005…I took on 7 rounds of intense chemo which almost killed me to go through. However, I did it with a smile on my face. Whether it was going to be life, chemo or death, I went through it knowing that what ever happened I had no choice but to endure it. What I could choose was to smile, laugh, and love through whatever for however long it would take.”
I feel blessed to be part of this organization and lucky to have the opportunity to meet so many great people. So for now I’m pushing on with my fundraising (I’d love to exceed my goal), I’m pushing on with my training, and I’m thrilled to be doing it!
February 27th update - UNBELIEVABLE!!
I can’t believe that less than one month into my fundraising I am only $21 away from my goal! I am so thrilled and excited! So I’m thinking I only have one choice now… I have to set a new goal! As of today, I am raising my goal to $6000. From the beginning I knew I would feel so great about raising $5000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and it is an awesome feeling! However, raising $6000 will feel even better! There is still so much time left, so I feel certain I can get to $6000. A million thanks for your support!
On another note, I’m definitely starting to feel the pains associated with training. We are about a month into this now, and I’m told it is common for your body to really start responding to a new training routine after about a month. So I guess I’m right on schedule! I guess my body is trying to adjust to all this new exercise it’s getting! I’ve got shin splints and various other aches, so I’m spending lots of time icing my sore muscles. I know it’s to be expected. One thing I am super thankful for is that we are training during the winter season. Just a few days ago it was 88 degrees outside when I headed out for my 3 and a half miles. Being from South Texas, 88 degrees really isn’t even considered hot, but it sure zapped my energy awfully quick. Those 3 and a half miles were so much harder than usual! Man am I glad I signed up for the winter season – I can’t even imagine hitting the streets when it’s 100 degrees outside!
So all is well…I’m truly overwhelmed by this entire experience, and I can’t wait to reach my new fundraising goal!
March 3rd update – Woohoo!
I’m happy to announce that I survived our first long run – I’m not exactly sure who decides what is long or not, but our run on Saturday was considered a long one! It was our longest of the season, and the longest of my life – 8 miles! I was really nervous as we approached Saturday, and I didn’t sleep well Friday night. Luckily I made it through the run relatively well. It took me and my running partner just over an hour and a half. We were running intervals – running for 3 minutes and walking for one minute. Let me tell you… that one minute of walking feels like about 5 seconds, but it really does allow your body a bit of recovery time. I know I wouldn’t be making it through this training nearly as well if we weren’t doing intervals – thank goodness for our coaches and mentors! One really amazing thing that’s happening is I’m looking at the week’s training schedule, and the days where we run 3.5 or 5.5 seem like a breeze! Before this experience I would have never challenged myself to run 3 or 5 miles, much less 8 or more! This journey has been full of personal challenges and accomplishments. I’m thankful every day for that! This week I will run a total of 21 miles, with our long run of 9 miles on Saturday. The following week I’ll run a total of 24 miles, with our long run jumping up to 11 miles. I’m taking it one day at a time, though I’m very aware of what’s ahead!
As you can see by my fundraising total, I’m getting closer and closer to reaching my new goal!
Each Saturday morning before our team run, one of our coaches, mentors, or team captains gives our “Mission Moment.” This is a time to reflect on what we are doing and why. It’s really touching to hear different people’s reasons for being part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. It is also a time when it’s reinforced to us that the money we are raising is being put to use right now to fund research for new drugs, to help families who are facing cancer treatments, and in so many other ways. So to those of you who have donated, congratulations… you really are making a difference in someone’s life!
As always, I can’t thank you enough for supporting me on this journey! I’ll keep you updated. Think of me on the next few Saturday mornings when I’m out running those long runs!
March 11th update – I can’t believe it!
Wow! Can you believe my fundraising total? I’m so thrilled! Looks like it’s time to raise my goal again! As of today, I’ve set my new goal to $8000. I never imagined my fundraising efforts would be so successful. I’m so excited and incredibly grateful to all of you who have donated.
Our practice last Saturday was great. When I arrived at McAllister Park, the temperature on my car said 29 degrees. You already know how I feel about the cold, so I probably don’t need to elaborate on my feelings as we stood outside and waited to start our run! Just like before, once we got started and the numbness in my hands and feet went away everything went really smoothly. My usual running partner wasn’t there, and I couldn’t find anyone else who was running the same intervals I wanted to run, so I started out alone. I realized quickly that I really needed to pair up with someone otherwise the nine miles ahead of me were going to be much too long. I caught up with two ladies who were running 5 and 1 intervals (running for five minutes and walking for one). I was a bit hesitant to join them because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep up with 5 and 1 intervals on such a long run, but I decided to give it a try. Their pace was just perfect for me and the 5 and 1 intervals ended up being great. I was really excited to bump up from 3 and 1 to 5 and 1intervals. We finished our 9 miles and it felt great! It was great getting to know some new people and learn why they joined Team in Training. I never would have thought I’d be able to run 9 miles and still be standing afterwards! This weekend we bump up to 11 miles, and we will also have our first practice at a new location. Apparently we’ll be running along a hillier course – I’m not too thrilled about that, especially for such a long run! I’m a little nervous about it, but I’m mostly feeling really confident.
The most exciting part of this weekend’s practice is that our run will be dedicated to Amy! Each week our Saturday practice is dedicated to one of our teammates honored heroes, and this week we will be running in memory of Amy! To know that all my teammates will be seeing her picture at our water stops and hearing her story before our run is incredibly touching. I know she’s been with me every step of this journey, so I know she’ll be there Saturday cheering us on and helping me get over those hills!
I’m incredibly proud to say that I’m playing a part in the fight against cancer. I’m also deeply touched by how many others have joined with me.
Update – March 16th – I’m going for it!
That’s right…I’ve increased my goal to $10,000! I will be beyond thrilled to get there, but truthfully I’m so thrilled to be where I am now. Since I still have about two months left to fundraise, I think it’s completely possible to get to $10,000. So I’m going for it! Why not, right?!? I know you’ve already heard me say numerous times how proud I am of how successful my fundraising has been, but I just can’t think of a better word than proud. I’m so glad to know that my hard work is paying off, and that so many families are benefiting from that hard work and dedication. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced in my life. Each week when I gather with our Team in Training group, I really am taken aback by the positive attitudes of all my fellow teammates and just the positive feeling I get from the entire group. It’s really refreshing and motivating. This truly has been a life changing experience for me.
So about the 11 mile run… I paired up with one of the girls I ran with last week and two others I had never run with before. It’s great to match up with new people because you don’t run out of things to talk about! We did 5 and 1 intervals again and that was really great. One section of our loop was a bit boring and we all agreed it seemed to drag and drag, but overall the route was good. The weather was great, though it was starting to warm up towards the end of our run. We all held up really great until about the last 2 miles. I think we all started to get fatigued and had to really keep each other motivated to keep up our pace and finish. Thank goodness for my running buddies – I really don’t think I could do this alone! It took us just over 2 hours to finish. Knowing that our run was dedicated to Amy was a huge motivator for me. I think about her during each of my runs, but I really needed to gain strength from her during this long run.
I’m so amazed at how far my fundraising and training have come in such a short period of time. I know you’ve probably heard the saying “Pay it forward” – my life has been full of so many blessings, and I really do view this as my opportunity to do just that – “Pay it forward!” Thank you for joining me and taking your own opportunity to “Pay it Forward!” Hmmm…that may be a great motto for my race day jersey! What do you think?
I'm working on a slideshow with some pictures of our practices... please check back soon!
April 7th update
The last several weeks have been going pretty good except for a back issue that had me out of commission for a few days. I took the girls out in their jogging stroller almost two weeks ago to get my four miles in for the day and ended up really messing up my back. I took them out on Wednesday afternoon and by Friday morning I was in tears due to the pain. Luckily one of the girls I’ve been running with is married to a Chiropractor, so I was able to get in to see him Friday afternoon. I’ve been in for about 4 adjustments and am feeling much better now. So…I missed one Saturday practice due to my back, and I just missed this last Saturday’s practice because I was participating in our Mother’s of Multiples sale. Luckily a group of us got together yesterday to make up the run we missed on Saturday. So I actually go all my runs in this past week and my back has felt fine. We completed our longest run yet yesterday – 13 miles! Actually about 13.8 miles, so we actually ran a half-marathon! It was a little tough. The route was a bit hilly, but we all finished.
Our mileage is really starting to increase now – a bit scary! This week I will total 30.5 miles, including a long run of 15 miles on Saturday. Next week we drop back a bit with a total of 24 miles, with our long run being 10 miles. The last week of the month we will run 31.5 miles, topping out at 16 miles at our Saturday practice. It’s hard to believe that 10 miles doesn’t seem so bad now! We only have about 7 weeks until the marathon. I can’t believe how quickly the last few months have gone by.
My fundraising is still coming along. I’d love to hit the $10,000 mark before our deadline in May, but I’ll feel great even if I don’t quite get there. I’m still shocked at my current total and feel so great about it! Thanks for checking in!
April 13th update
I’ve officially completed the longest run of the season - 15 miles! Saturday morning we started with windy, chilly weather and ended with an absolutely beautiful day. The route was tough – some tough hills – one thing about the hills is that they always seem to come at the wrong time! We never hit a hill when we are starting our 1 minute walking time, and this particular route ends with a long, steady incline – definitely not great to see when you’re hitting your 15th mile. We added a few new bodies to our group at different points during the run, so that gave us much needed new conversations. I will say there seemed to be more silence this week than usual. By the end of our run all of our bodies were feeling the miles we’d completed. My knees and hamstrings were hurting, so I knew I’d probably be in for a few days of soreness.
I decided to do what I’ve put off as long as I possibly could…take an ice bath! Yes, an ice bath. I’m a big bath person. I’m all about a nice, long, hot, relaxing bath at the end of the day. The thought of filling the tub with cold water and ice, then actually getting in that cold, icy water seemed like torture. A few of my friends have been doing ice baths for several weeks now, and our mentor, Heather, swears by them. I think I’ve just been in denial, thinking I would never have the need to take an ice bath. However, after our run I realized I was feeling pain I hadn’t before, so I decided to just suck it up and do it. I got home and into the bathroom I went… along with Dan, Reese and Rylan. Yes, this became a family event! Dan filled the tub with water – don’t forget, this is cold water – then he added the ice. I had been told not to put my toes in because apparently that’s particularly painful. I stood staring at the water trying to figure out just how to get in without getting my toes wet. I tried my hardest to lower myself in the water without putting my toes in. I got my rear in and was literally shocked by the feeling of the cold water. It was incredibly hard to make myself lower my legs into that water. I did eventually get both legs in and under the water. I had Dan start my stopwatch. My goal was to stay in for 10 minutes. Dan was watching the clock so he could tell me when one minute was up. Meanwhile the girls seemed concerned and were asking, “Mommy, you ok?” So I was trying to let them know I was ok even though I really wasn’t feeling ok. I kept telling them, “Mommy’s ok. I’m just taking a bath.” I’m sure they thought it was a bit strange that I was taking a bath with all my clothes on – I figured my clothing would help the water not seem quite so cold! Looking back, the entire scene was actually funny, but at the time I wasn’t laughing! After that first minute was up and Dan let out his first laugh, I kicked him and the girls out! Those first three minutes were really awful, but then I guess my body got numb so the rest wasn’t as terrible. I ended up staying in for 15 minutes. So I feel pretty good that I’ve survived my first ice bath, and my muscles are actually feeling good today so I guess it was worth it.
It’s funny how my vocabulary has changed since I started this journey.
Here’s an example of some new terms I’ve learned and actually use regularly: ice bath, gu, gel, shot bloks, chafing, body glide to prevent chafing, recovery drinks.
I’ve learned so much about running and my body’s needs as our mileage increases. Our coaches, team captains and mentors are wonderful – I couldn’t be doing this without them! One great thing about this group is that everyone has a really great sense of humor. When we get together at our team practices the mood is always upbeat and people are genuinely happy to be there. There’s always someone there reminding us of all the good we are doing by working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We start our runs with a really positive mindset, and we finish with claps and cheers from our fellow teammates. Our marathon team has raised $157, 319 so far this season. I’m so proud that my fundraising efforts have helped us reach that total.
I know that this experience isn’t about me. I know it’s about the young women like my friend Amy and our team honored hero Linda, and the kids like Madison, and the parents who are forced to deal with their child’s illness, and the parents who are faced with their own illness, and all others who are forced to deal with cancer. This journey isn’t all about my running even though I tend to write more about my training than anything else. It’s about something so much bigger. It seems strange, but I actually find it a bit hard to express in words how I feel about my fundraising efforts and how I feel about knowing that I’m helping others. Saying it feels great just doesn’t touch how it really feels. Honestly, I feel better inside, not that I felt bad before. I’m learning so much about the goodness of others. I’m also learning about myself – never would I have thought I could actually run 15 miles or submerge my lower body into an ice bath! This experience has been nothing but good. I’m just proud to be part of this group and to be supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s mission.
Check out http://www.rnrmarathon.com/home.html to see details about our race day in San Diego. Make sure you play the video highlights. This year, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is attempting to set a world record for the largest number of running Elvi. Yes, some people will be dressed up as Elvis for their marathon run! The current record is 48, set in 2006. What a hoot!
May 1st update So here we are…one month away from marathon day! I can’t believe how quickly these last few months have gone by. We are hitting really high numbers with our weekly mileage now – this week I will run a total of 34.5 miles including our long run of 18 miles on Saturday! Last Saturday we ran 16 miles. It was definitely challenging. I’m beginning to feel nervous about the actual marathon. The great thing is I’ll have my running buddies with me every step of the way, so I know we’ll finish together! I have huge amounts of respect for those who train for a marathon alone – I just can’t even imagine. So much of the challenge of running a long distance is mental. The aches and pains your body feels come and go, but your mind is constantly reminding you of the distance ahead. I’m so thankful for my running buddies – we talk about our week, laugh at each other’s stories, complain about pain…anything to pass the time! Michele, Natalie, Christie and Shanin – I couldn’t be doing this without each of you!
Our countdown has officially started. We’ll run 18 miles this weekend, then top off at 20 the following Saturday. 20 miles is the most we’ll run. I’m told if I can run 20 miles, I can run 26.2! Then we’ll have a 14 mile long practice, and the weekend before the event we’ll run 10 miles. With our 3 runs during the week getting longer also, we are really getting some serious miles in each week. I’m so thankful that my body is holding up as well as it is – we’ve got lots of people on the team with various injuries who are trying to keep running. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I stay healthy these next few weeks!
I continue to hear touching stories of honored heroes each week. I’ve also had the opportunity to hear from several families who have received support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during their time of need. It’s so nice to know that families really are benefiting from our fundraising efforts. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. Our new team fundraising total is $188,888 ! I’m excited to see how much that total is at the end of the month. I now understand why people come back again and again to train and fundraise with Team in Training. This group is filled with really generous, kind-hearted, caring, fun and inspirational women and men. I’m so thankful to my friend and mentor, Heather, who introduced me to this idea… an idea that I originally thought was crazy and way out of my league and now know as one of the best experiences of my life. A million thanks Heather!
Please say a prayer for me on these next few Saturday mornings! Thanks for checking in on my progress!
Final update!
It’s been so long since I’ve updated my website – sorry! The month prior to the marathon flew by and now I’m realizing more than a month has passed since the marathon and it’s gone by just as quickly. So, I’m going to back track some! When I last wrote we were just hitting the highest mileage of our season. The 18 mile run was really hard. I remember finishing, then immediately walking to my car and crying! Weird, I know! I felt great because of the huge accomplishment running 18 miles was to me, but I was also terrified at the idea of still having 8 miles left to run on race day. That was the first time since the very beginning of our training that I really did feel afraid that I wouldn’t be able to finish all 26.2 miles. Luckily my mentor and friend, Heather, reassured me that all was ok and that I would indeed be able to finish all 26.2 miles. I’ve trusted her through the entire course of my training, so her reassurance made me feel more confident. The next week we ran 20 miles. It was hard, but no harder than the 18 the previous weekend. The great part of that day was our families meeting us as we finished our 20 mile run! It was a day of celebration and a time for our families to come out and see us at practice and witness the finish of our longest run of the season. Knowing Dan, Reese and Rylan were waiting for me at the finish was huge motivation to keep pushing through those miles! The great news after that day was that all of our runs would start decreasing in length. So the next few practices seemed easy and the excitement of the big day was all around us! It was hard to believe that our four month training season was almost over. I was so excited to get on the plane and head to San Diego! Dan and I fell in love with San Diego – like most people who visit probably do! The weather was unbelievable and such a nice change from our South Texas heat! San Diego really is beautiful and we plan to take a family vacation there one day. It was the perfect place to run a marathon!
We arrived in San Diego on Friday and had lots of Team in Training activities to keep us busy. Saturday morning I had to get to the expo to get checked in and receive my official race number, time chip, etc.. There were lots of really cool running products to look at and purchase. Saturday afternoon was the TNT Pasta Party. I never could have imagined how awesome this would be! Thousands of people waited outside the event location as our coaches and TNT staff stood and cheered as we entered the building. This was all about celebrating our accomplishments and really pumping us up for race day – also…lots of pasta to eat so we could build up the carbs for fuel for race day! The pasta party was so much more than I expected. There were some awards handed out and some really great speakers. We heard all about the money we raised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – huge, huge amounts – our South Texas Chapter marathon team raised over $230,000 alone! Emotions ran high as one of the speakers told his story of losing his wife to Leukemia. You could hear how truly grateful he was to all of us sitting in the audience – a very touching speech and not a dry eye in the room. The experience of fundraising for such a worthy cause really was a life changing experience. Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are really great about making sure you know just how important and appreciated your fundraising efforts are. I know that I’ve done something that really will make a difference in someone’s life and that is an incredible feeling.
I was so afraid that I wasn’t going to sleep a wink Saturday night, but I actually slept really well. We were up bright and early Sunday morning – we had to meet in the hotel lobby at 4:30 am. We gathered together, ate some breakfast, took team pictures then loaded on the bus to head to the race location. Dan planned to see me start, then try to catch up with me a few times along the course, so he rode the bus to the start location and hung out until it was time! Believe it or not, I actually missed the official start of the race! I ended up being stuck in line for the port-a-potty for 45 minutes – I couldn’t believe it! It really didn’t make any difference though – there were so many people crammed in the starting area that we were able to just walk in and join the crowd. So off we went, completely in awe of all the runners and all the spectators – major adrenaline rush! Honestly, I could go on and on about how great my marathon experience was – beautiful scenery, pumped up runners, thousands of spectators cheering you on….I really could talk about it for hours! Here’s the short version! My body felt great the entire time, running with thousands of people was such a huge rush, hearing spectators call my name and cheer for me and Team in Training was an awesome feeling(I actually had several people say “Thank you” – total strangers thanking me along the course..Wow!), the course was really pretty. I enjoyed every single minute. Really, I did! I didn’t expect to really enjoy the marathon, but I honestly did! I never thought I’d use the word “fun” to describe my first marathon experience, but it was a blast! I tried really hard to just take it all in and fully enjoy the experience, and I’m so thankful that I succeeded in doing that. I finished in 5 hours and 37 minutes. I feel pretty good about that time, but I also have a strong desire to beat that time! So… I’ll be running my next marathon in November here in San Antonio! I’m so excited! Dan and a few of my friends have also jumped on the running bandwagon – yay – so they’ll be training and running the San Antonio marathon too!
I can’t even put into words how thankful I am for the experience I had with Team in Training! The time I spent fundraising and training is something I will never forget. I feel like I’ve done something good for others and for myself, and I just can’t explain how that makes me feel inside! Thank you for your support through this journey. I’m attaching a slideshow that has pictures of my training and the actual marathon – hope you enjoy! I will warn you in advance, it is pretty long...
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
