Mile High Madness

15 Miles so far this week, and surprisingly...I'm still alive!  Even better, I'm still able to walk!  I'd be lying if I said that my legs weren't feeling a bit like rubber this morning, but I did just get off the treadmill, so I'll write that off to adjusting to terra firma.

I'm getting excited to head home to Colorado for Thanksgiving.  I leave on Sunday, and get to spend a whole 9 days with family and friends!  There's something about the Rocky Mountains that inspires and lifts my spirit like nothing else can.  When I am there, I am home.

I'll also be home to watch the next two Bronco games, which is FANTASTIC!  Patriots, and then Chiefs again.  Both should be great, anxiety inducing battles, and I'm excited to watch them with fellow Bronco fans!

I'm a little nervous about training at altitude, particularly because I basically have to get off the plane and run 6 miles on Sunday...but I will just maintain my training philosophy that the distance is key, and listen to my body for the speed.  At very least, training for 9 days at altitude should help me out when I get back to the low lands.  There is a reason they sell running paraphernalia in CO that says "Sea Level is for Sissies!"

Wish me luck!

Love to all, and if you care to donate to LLS in support of my journey, please visit my fundraising page:

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

Bullet Proof!

This week has been tough.  My life now revolves around running, and the more I run, the more intimidated I am about the distance that I've committed to.  13.1 miles?  What was I thinking?!? I've done a couple of 10K's (6.4 miles) but other than that, the longest run I've ever done before was just under 5 miles.

My body isn't cooperating either.  When I was running back in my triathlon days  (just 2.5 years ago!) my goal was to get my mile time under 9:30.  Now I'm lucky if I can run a mile in under 11:00, and improving my stamina and strength seems to be so much harder, even at the shorter distances.  Getting old bites!

So...I had to make some adjustments to my expectations.

1) Slow and steady wins the race.  It doesn't matter how fast I am...as long as I'm not so slow that they pull me off the course...but I'm pretty sure I can maintain a pace faster than a 17 minute mile. :)

2) Intervals are my friends!  It's the distance that matters.  If I have to walk a bit to get to the the distance, that's ok!

3) My only competition is ME.  I can't compare my pace or performance to anyone else.  This is my challenge, and I'm the only one that can get in my way.

That being said, I've hit some milestones that I'm proud of this week!  Today I reached the 5 mile mark!  It wasn't easy, and it wasn't fast, but it was FIVE miles!  To be honest, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be.

I also have new kicks!  Visited Rhode Runner this week and had my friend Jim hook me up with some great new shoes.  I loved my old ones, but something was just not quite right with them the past few weeks.  The new shoes made their debut on my 5 mile run today, and I love them!

I have to give a shout out to one of my Cheerleaders, Janet, for giving me her training hint to use music as interval markers.  Run a song, walk a song.  I run until I need to take a break (today it was about 1.2 miles) and then start the alternating intervals.  It was like magic for me, and kept my pace up really well!  It also helped me run 11 miles total in the last 3 days, and I don't feel like I'm going to die!

I also discovered that music is an amazing motivator.  The right music.  Today, the right song was Bullet Proof by La Roux.  The reason?  Andrew.  Brittany and Andrew sing that song together at the top of their lungs, particularly in the car where they can torment Taylor.  Every time I hear it, I think of Andrew...being a silly, happy, healthy kid, and it fills me with joy.  Today it was especially poignant as I listened to the words from his point of view.  No longer did I hear lyrics about protecting a heart from potential heartbreak.  I heard an anthem of courage and strength, vowing that cancer was not going to win.

It's amazing what a motivator that crazy kid is for me.  This week they got the results of his annual full body MRI.  CLEAR!  His body is most definitely not free of the scars left behind by Cancer, but it is free of Cancer, and that is reason for celebration.  

I think I'll have to pad my running playlist with more "Andrew" songs.  If nothing else, it's good for my psyche.

From here on out, the runs are only going to get more difficult, so a positive outlook is a necessary tool.  I'm doing this race in 8 weeks, dang it, and I'm GOING to finish it!  

Thank you so much to those of you who have showered me with encouraging words and support, and to Wilkie for patiently accompanying me on my long runs!  I don't have the words to express how much it means to me!

Additional thanks to those of you who have so generously contributed to my fundraising!  I'm over 1/2 way to my mandatory fundraising total, and closing in on 1/2 way to my personal goal!  You all amaze me!!

On that note, if any one else would like to contribute to an amazing cause, while supporting my journey, please feel free to visit my fundraising page here:

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

Love to all of you!

Amy

Gratitude

It's the time of year when Gratitude is in fashion.  I don't mean that in a bad way.  It's refreshing to hear/read about the things that people are grateful for as they make their lists and post their 30 Days of Gratitude Facebook statuses.

I think we, as a society are far less grateful than we should be, and I am one of the worst offenders.  If I focused on only a portion of the things I have to be grateful for, I would have zero room in my life for self pity, frustration, annoyance or crankiness.

As it is, I whine, I get frustrated, I am often annoyed, and I definitely get cranky.

Even still, that being said, I am also grateful.  Today, in particular.

Today is Andrew's birthday.  He's 14 now.  If I had no other thing in life to inspire gratitude, that would be enough.  We still have Andrew.  Our own, perfect miracle.  Andrew beat cancer.  How can there be room for anything but gratitude?!?!

Then I sit back and think about some of the other challenges life has brought.  For all of the joy and peace that Andrew's miracle has brought, there is sadness and pain as we watch our mom fight a different form of the same monster.  Cancer is a vicious adversary, and it's showing its teeth as it steals moments, days and years from her.

I say as "we watch", but I'm sheltered from the daily reminder that life is so fragile.  She's 2500 miles away, being gently cared for by my amazing siblings.  I get to be removed from the reality, experiencing it through text updates and occasional phone calls.  For that reason, I find another thing to be grateful for.

I am grateful for an amazing family who loves big.  Their love makes life's challenges a little less daunting and a whole lot less painful.

Life is good, because I have love.

I sat down to write a bit about my training progress.  To tell you all about how difficult it is for me to break the 3 mile barrier, and how I'm starting to get nervous about adding distance to my runs in enough time to make 13.1 by January...but now I'm thinking...that's a piece of cake!

So, I will run.  I will run for Andrew.  I will run for my mom.  I will run for my family, and I will run for love.

How could I ask for better inspiration?

That being said, I still need your help to support LLS in my journey! :)  Feel free to check out my fundraising page if you're so inclined!

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

Thanks for reading, and much LOVE!
Amy

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

What is wrong with people?!?

Some days I'm inspired by the actions of others.  Yesterday wasn't one of them.

I took a 1/2 day off of work to enjoy the afternoon and hang out with some friends.  While sitting in a left turn lane, waiting to get on the highway, I looked to my right and saw a beat up Ford Taurus with a handicap tag hanging in the window, stopped in the far right lane with several cars backed up behind it, and cars whizzing by in the left lane.

A few seconds later, an elderly man (looked to be in his 80's) got out and, while holding on to the car to  keep him upright, shuffled his way to the front of the car to open the hood.  His car was so far to the left of the right lane that he was actually slightly into the left lane, and he was in danger of being hit by the many cars in the left lane that, not only did not stop to help, but didn't even slow down.

There was a young man, maybe 25, in the car behind him, and I thought to myself, "he'll get out and help...I'm sure he'll get out and help."  He didn't get out and help.  His biggest concern was finding a break in the traffic to get around the Taurus and go on his way.

Meanwhile, I could see the man stooped over the engine compartment, clearly not knowing what to do, and breaking my heart as I began to feel a measure of how helpless he must feel.  He left the hood up and made his way back around the car, getting in to the driver seat and sitting there, defeated.

I decided to cross traffic and try and help him, just as my light turned green to turn onto the highway.  I got honked at and flipped off in my attempt to get across the lane of people in such a hurry that they couldn't even slow down to safely pass someone stranded in the middle of the road, or wait 30 seconds to complete their turn onto the highway.

I pulled my car up about 50 feet in front of the Taurus and then took my own life into my hands by walking up to the driver's door to ask if I could help...waving traffic around and away as best I could.

The man had difficulty communicating, but handed me a piece of paper with a tow company's name and phone number on it.  From what I could make out, they had just helped him jump the battery shortly before the car died.  I told him I would call them to come back, but that we needed to get his car over to the curb where it would be safer.  I could hear the panic in his voice as he told me that he could not push his car.

I assured him that I would take care of the pushing, all he needed to do was put the car in neutral and steer.  He nodded and I moved to the back of the car.  Once again, I was greeted by honking horns and annoyed drivers, all in a hurry to get around us and get on their way.  It wasn't that difficult to push the car, but it took some effort to get it moving, particularly in my flip flops.  I pushed the car about 40 feet, and again, no one stopped.

I called the tow company and he said he'd send the tow truck back.  It was loud and difficult to communicate in the traffic, so I did my best to let the man know that help was on the way and went back to my car.  Since the battery was dead, his car had no flashers, and my car was in front of his, so all I could do was put my flashers on and wait for the tow truck to return.  While we waited, we endured more honking, dirty looks and indifference.  Even when backed up at the red light, not a single person bothered to ask if we needed anything, or give any slight indication that they were concerned for anything other than getting where they were going.

After about 15 minutes, I called the tow company again, who explained that they couldn't get ahold of the tow driver, so I should probably call the police, which I did.  In another 5-10 minutes a Cumberland Police officer showed up and relieved me of my post.

I'm not sure what happened after that...I went on to meet my friends and enjoy the afternoon.  I don't deserve any accolades for my actions, and I'm not writing this because I want a pat on the back.  I didn't do anything difficult, or even noteworthy.  My only sacrifice was a few minutes of time.

What's noteworthy is what I didn't do.  I didn't drive by in indifference.  I didn't ignore a fellow human being in need.  I'm disappointed and saddened that so many did.