Apparently I DO Love Pain!

For those of you who are unaware, foam rollers are voluntary torture devices. (I'd go so far as to say evil, but since you have to inflict them on yourself, I'll spare that particular label.)

I know this because we had a strength and stretch clinic tonight with Team in Training, and we got to use one.  I say "got" to use one, but really it was more of a "everybody's doing it" kind of peer pressure, mixed with a desire to please the teacher, which of course means I HAD to do it!

They say if you do it often enough it actually feels good, and it's supposed to be great for keeping your muscles loose and injury free...but HOLY MOLY!  I can still feel it!

Clearly I need to buy one.

Don't forget to check out my fundraising page!  Every little bit helps!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh

Things I Don't Love

You may be wondering why in the world I'd post about what I don't love...since it's so much more pleasant to focus on what I do.  Well, in an effort to continue focusing one what I do love, I need to admit to what I don't.

I'll connect the dots later, but let me tell you about what I don't love.

I don't love mornings.  Ever.  Even when I get a good night's sleep.  I don't know what my problem is, but even if I'm wide awake, I stay in bed until the last possible minute!  I play a little game in my head, doing the math to see how little time I can leave and still get where I need to be.  Consequently, that means I'm late...or at least rushing out the door at the last possible minute...a lot.

Training for the 1/2 marathon means that I have to run in the morning on occasion...like this morning.  I'm pretty sure you can see the problem in this scenario.

Suddenly I'm negotiating with myself...I can run a mile less and sleep a few more minutes...I can run after work and sleep in even longer...I ran last night, and my legs are kinda sore, so maybe I really SHOULDN'T run this morning.  Yeah.  That's it.  I'm being responsible and listening to my body!

Also - I don't love treadmills.  Wait.  That's not entirely accurate.  I hate treadmills.  It's torture. Particularly now...when I'm so slow.  My one mile mark feels like an hour on the treadmill!!  Running outside is SO much better.

Sadly, it's Autumn.  That means late sunrise and early sunset.  I think I will need to get acquainted with my reflective running vest and little, red, flashy light.  People will think I'm hardcore!  Even still, treadmill runs are going to be a reality in my training, particularly as it starts to get colder.

Anyway...my reason for declaring my distaste for all things morning and treadmill...I figure that a public proclamation will help keep me honest.  All of you folks can provide just the right balance of guilt and inspiration to keep me on my training schedule.  That's the theory, anyway.

We'll see how it goes.

Oh, and don't forget to visit my fundraising page!  I really need all the help I can get!!  You can use this link, or the gadget up in the top right margin of my blog.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh

Thanks, and have a fantastic night!  I'm off to Kickboxing...because I love pain. (not sure that's true, but this post isn't about what I love, anyway)

Kicking Cancer's Booty by Kicking My Own!

Cancers of all kinds have wreaked havoc on my friends and family. As I watch their pain, suffering, courage and faith, I am forced to stand idly by feeling helpless and hoping for the best. It's hard to know what to say or do, or how to help. That's why I've committed to raise money as a part of Team In Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

My mission is to help LLS find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers by raising money to support their efforts, while challenging myself to push limits and improve myself and my health and fitness.

I'm training to run my first 1/2 Marathon in January, 2014. That's over 13 miles! The idea of running that distance is intimidating, but the opportunity to challenge myself and support such an amazing cause at the same time is something I am excited to be a part of.

Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.  You can click on the gadget in the upper right margin of this page, or visit follow this link:  http://pages.teamintraining.org/ri/wdw14/anelson9oh