Another 10 miles!

Week 11
April 24, 2010

Another 10 miles this week!
Thanks for your support everyone:)

16 miles today!

Week # 10- April 17, 2010
There is always a first time- today, for the first time, I walked 16 miles in 4 hours and 3 minutes! It wasn't pain free, but it was injury free. This morning, my coach and I started out from Kennedy Park just about 5:15 A.M. and once again made our way to the Miami Hill, the Rickenbacker Causeway, where we became one with "the bridge". We kept a brisk pace. It was a good walk. Coach Joe and I never run out of conversation!

Hunger kept me company for just a few moments. For those of you who know me, I like my food and I don't like being hungry. My fuel belt consisted of four water bottles and a pouch for storing my energy gel! Ah...energy gel = food; not exactly "beef and rice", but something to keep me going.

At mile 14, my right instep began to hurt. The pain radiated to my toes and only subsided slightly when I curled them under. The last mile was a challenge, but I made it back to my team without slowing my pace. I left Kennedy Park with my training buddy Shanti, knowing that my temporary pains will go away.

What about the pain of those afflicted with blood cancers? My readers, thank you again for your generous donations. The LLS and blood cancer patients thank you. Please visit http://www.teamintraining.org/ to find out more about Team In Training and how you can also train to complete a marathon, raise funds for the LLS, and help toward finding a cure for blood cancers.

Have a pleasant day everyone!

Stop Thinking- Just do it!

Photographer: Scott Kaldahl

Okay, so I updated my web page and forgot to write the breaking news here! "Stop thinking, just do it" were the words of my husband as I mulled over the idea of pursuing the full marathon. Well,I did stop thinking about whether or not I'll do it, and made the decision to get on with the training. Yes, I am training to complete the San Diego Rock n' Roll marathon on June 6th!!!

April 10, 2010 (week 9)

This morning when my alarm clock went off at 4:00 A.M., I couldn't pinpoint from which direction the loud sound was coming! It seemed that I had just drifted off to sleep and next thing, I had to get out of bed. I left home at 4:37, the plan was to leave at 4:30, but I spent the extra minutes looking for my sun glasses and sunscreen- essential items for the Miami sun. Shanti, my training buddy, waited patiently as I ran back and forth into the house. As luck would have it, the day we left a few minutes late, we ran into a detour. At 4:55, we were not even at the U.S.1, so Shanti picked up her driving speed. No cops were out at that time which allowed us to get to Kennedy Park just after 5:00 A.M.

My walking goal was 14 miles, but I completed only 13. Reason: I did not read my weekly e-mail training schedule carefully! Coach Joe and I, once again started out before the runners- I was thrilled that we had a nice, long stretch of flat terrain before starting out on the Rickenbacker. By the time we got to the bridge, my legs were fully warmed up and I was ready for yet another hill climbing experience, or so I thought! We trudged up that hill with the wind pushing us back. It was even a challenge to have a conversation. The great thing about the return trip, was that our speed was "wind-aided".

How did I feel upon my return to Kennedy Park? Hot, sweaty, wet, elated, and proud! Was I tried? Most definitely, but not the kind of tired that made me want to crawl into bed.

Shanti and I finished up today's training by stretching on our new yoga mats and enjoying a small meal of carbs, protein, and water. We're taking this training business seriously!

Next week: 16 miles...ouch!

Thanks to everyone for helping me meet my fundraising goal. Thanks to all who continue to donate on my web page.

It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.~Henry Ward Beecher

Our Fabulous coaches and mentors!

April 3, 2010
Week # 8 (10 miles)

Today marks two months of training! Today, I became “one with the Miami bridge”, as I walked over it 6 times (3 return trips). My training began at 5:45 A.M, which meant that my alarm clocked buzzed in my ear at 4:30! We did not meet at Kennedy Park; we met at Wainright Park because today was just “hill/bridge work”. On my first trek over the Miami hill, I felt as if I was not moving- I attributed that to not having a stretch of flat terrain to get the legs adjusted to walking. Don’t really know. What I do know: I felt as if I was in blessed land once we started our down hill walk. What sweet relief! It got better as I made the other trips back and forth. Today’s training culminated with breakfast at a lovely restaurant in Coconut Grove. Thanks to Neville for treating us to the much needed nourishment!

My love and gratitude to all of you who have contributed toward my fundraising goal. I truly appreciate your kindness. Without your generosity, it would have taken me much longer to reach my goal.

Many thanks to my friend Shanti, who after meeting her goal of $3,000.00, campaigned actively to help me get to mine.

My readers, it is now my turn to assist my other teammates. I am kindly asking you to send me an e-mail at celebrating_life@hotmail.com and I will respond with the web pages of my teammates to whom you can donate.

Please continue to send me your positive thoughts and energy!