Allison's Team In Training Page

Running to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page!

(3.15)
Well the last long run I had was actually right around my last post. I've somehow developed tendonitis in my right knee that renders me incapable of running beyond 35 minutes without it inflamming. I've tried to stop running and swim, lift, and use the elliptical, but it's still hanging around. I have my theories how it developed (too many laps on a small indoor track), but can do nothing now but rest and let it heal.

Consequently, I will probably not be able to run the full marathon. :( I'll still probably be okay for the half, but there's no way I can heal fast enough to log long runs and be ready for the big event. We'll see how a run tomorrow goes, but at this point, I suspect I'll still feel pain around the same place. I'm just praying for a quick recovery, but I know it could be another month. :( We shall see!

I'm still thankful I was able to be part of the team and donate so much to the Society. Thanks sooo much to everyone who was part of that with me!

(2.11)
Hooray! The date auction went great! 18 bachelors and bachelorettes were auctioned off while a concert played and a raffle was going on. All told, around $800 was raised! I think around 75 people showed up and everyone loved the facility (CJ's Off the Square)and said they had a great time! I'm so thankful for the support and encouragement. Thanks everyone!

I also did my first 14 mile run in my training on Saturday. It felt great though and I think I'm moving faster than usual, which is encouraging!

(2.1)
My mom is now going to walk the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon in Indy on May 3rd with Team in Training! I'm excited that she's on board with the cause now too. Hopefully I can run it next year!

(1.29)
The date auction preparation is going strong! We even have our catering donated! I can't wait to see how many people show up for the event!

Also exciting is that Bridget, Tempie and I picked out our next marathon. :) This fall we want to run the Marine Marathon in Washington DC. It runs past all the major memorials, monuments, the Pentagon and the Capitol! I've never been to DC so this will be a really cool way to see the nation's capitol--all while running!

But first, Country Music. We'll see how it goes! Last night I did a mile warmup, 8x800 meters (4 miles), and a mile cool down. The 8x800s I did at a pace a minute faster than my usual time. It was a harder workout, but it'll help me get a little faster which is what I'd really like to do. I'm aiming for a 4:20 finish, but will still be thrilled with 4:30. We'll see!

(1.28)
Sad news today. My running partner Bridget isn't going to be able to do the full marathon. :( She's had a lot of pain in her knee because her muscles need strengthened. With the overuse of them, it's caused a lot of pain. She'll get to do the half, but not the full. It's definitely not the same running without her, but our team is great and I've found some other great people to run with. One of the girls from last year, Tempie, is back again too and she and I run together a lot. It's so exciting to be doing this again!

(1.25)
Bridget, Tempie and I went to see Spirit of the Marathon, a documentary about the 2004 Chicago marathon last night. It was awesome! I'm so encouraged to really push myself and keep running.

Best lines of the night: "It's funny how when I go out to dinner with my running friends, all we do is talk about running. But on the course, we talk about everything else!" "Chicago is notorious for it's cool weather that really helps people get a fast time." The whole theater cracked up on that one because this year, Chicago was so hot they ran out of water and had to shut down the course! But I still want to do it sometime. :)

(1.22)
Today was an exciting day. I decided how I'm going to raise money for the cause! I'm having a Date Auction. Oh yes, a Date Auction! I already have people who are willing to be auctioned away. Plus, 3 bands are playing and we're going to have a raffle! I'm very excited not only for the fun night, but also for a chance to tell other people about LLS/TNT and how they can get involved.

(1.17)
So far, so good with my training! We're up to 10 mile runs now which is a nice distance. I just don't look forward to getting up at 6am and running in 20-some degrees! SPRING COME SOON!

In a cool story, my mom called me last week to let me know she is going to an informational meeting with TNT to see about walking the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. It's the country's largest half and takes place in early May before the Indy 500 training begins. You walk/run on the 500 track which is pretty cool! I hope she ends up doing it because I think it would be a great experience and a wonderful goal for her!

If anyone is interested in doing TNT for a race in their area, you should definitely attend an info meeting!

(1.1)
It's 2008 and that means there are only 17 weeks until the Country Music Marathon! Our training group ran a very hilly 7.5 miles on Saturday at Percy Warner. Hard, but good. I've run over 460 miles since last April so I'm ready for the next few months!

(12.3)
I'm thrilled to report that Bridget and I both finished the Memphis Marathon in great time! I finished in 4 hours and 42 minutes and she came behind me at 5:05. It was an amazing event! The weather was perfect and though parts of Memphis were a little sketchy, it was great overall!

The best part was seeing my time improve so much! It's made me really excited for Country Music now because I know I can run faster than last year.

(11.17)
Before my training for the Country Music Marathon really begins, I'll be running a marathon in Memphis to benefit the St Jude Children's Home. I'm excited for my 2nd race and hope to bounce back quickly so I can get CMM training underway!

The exciting thing about running CMM again with TNT is how many other runners are returning from last year. I rolled my eyes a bit when I started in 2006 because I didn't believe the coaches when they said you'd make good friends during the training. But it really is true. Not only am I running Memphis and the '08 CMM with Bridget, a runner from last year, 7 other people from last year are returning! It should be a great time!

(11.15)
I'm excited to be part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training for the second year! Running has become more than a way to relax or stay fit. It's also a way for me to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives by raising money for cancer research. 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!

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!