My final thoughts....

Can be found here

Thanks for every ounce of support, monetary and spiritual.  I am deeply grateful.

A full and normal life

Those are the words at the end of the first paragraph of the last blog post on behalf of my cousin Pat's husband Sid.  That's great news.  You should expect to live a full and normal life her doctor said.  There are still some tests to be done, but it seems her treatment has been successful.

Makes me feel good about raising money for LLS to see the people close to me surviving Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma.  Because right now my friend Kay Kay's dad is doing well also.

And so I keep running.  The last three weekends saw 2 hour runs and at 12 miles each.  They haven't been very pretty, but that's okay.  The first of those was at 5:30 am on my own so that I could get in a run before heading to the summit of Pikes Peak to support my friends running the Ascent.

Last weekend's run was just hot.  It was on a part of the Santa Fe trail that I like, but that doesn't have much shade.  I don't much like the heat.  So I slogged through 12 miles - slow, lacking energy and well, just ugly.  I wasn't able to do any more mileage this week, but it wasn't quite as hot.  The second half started to get warm, but there was enough shade among the hills to make it doable.

I think that I'll only be able to get in one more long run before race day.  School has started and so has travel season for work.  So I have class Monday  til 10 and Wednesday til 7 and for most of September I am hopping on a plane on Thursday morning to work the weekend and then fly back on Monday morning.  I'm hoping to get in A run on the days I am on the road.  Won't likely be time for 2 hour runs, but any run will be better than none.  I got new tunes from Kat which will help if those runs have to be treadmill runs.  I'll be home and able to run long on Sept. 19, but that may be it until Oct. 9 which is a week before the race.

Once, again, I am grateful for all your support.  I've raised over $1000 beyond my minimum and I'm so glad to be doing this even in the midst of the craziness.

10 good miles

School took over my spare time. At least my spare time to post. Finished the summer semester. Phew! 8 weeks is short and intense.

Track practice has been rained out more than it hasn't in the last few weeks. We've had crazy thunder, lightning and rain storms and they've been rolling in between 3 & 6 pm making it tough to predict how quickly they'll pass. And some of them have been lingering most of the night. So not much to report from the track.

I've kept up with the running even with school taking so much time. Will attempt to do the same now that I am back to work after 5 weeks of vacation from work.

Last Saturday we ran from Goose Gossage Park. I don't love running from there. The trail is paved in asphalt or concrete nearly every direction and the scenery is pretty average for Colorado Springs. Did 11 miles in 1:48 and change. Was a difficult effort but I was glad to have covered 11 miles. I haven't run that far since the Pikes Peak Marathon last summer. Close, maybe 10 but not more than that.

So yesterday we were in the Garden. Even a bad run in the Garden is a good run. It's an insuring place to be. And I had a good run yesterday. It was hard because the garden is always hard. Did two laps - one took us outside the park via Balanced Rock and back up Ridge Road - otherwise known as the "No sh*&" hill. It's a doozey. It's long, steep and deceiving. I have no shame about the fact that I had to walk part of it. Second lap kept me in the park entirely. Did 10 miles in 1:46 and change.

Fascinating to me that I ran only one mile longer last week on the relative flats. The Garden is all hills - rolling and some steep. But I don't do flats very well so it's not really a surprise. Yesterday's run in the Garden was euphoric and the first really good run I can remember in a while.

So training is going well, as is the fundraising. I'm just a few dollars shy of raising $1000 more than my minimum requirement. Thanks again for all your support.

Team Hero

Each team, each season, has a team hero.  Our team hero is Ed.  We met him at Kick-off back in May.  I suspect he's been around a few other times, but I've been around for team practices only off and on.   Ed came to send us off on our long run this morning.  Ed is in remission from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Ed shared with us today that the research that LLS does saved his life.  They conducted research on the drug that saved Ed from the aggressive cancer that he was diagnosed with in 2004.

I don't know Ed well, but there's a genuineness about him.  The connections in my life are much closer than I imagined they would be when I first started thinking about running with TNT.  My own cousin Pat who continues to show incredible strength week after week.  KayKay's dad who also shows incredible strength week after week.  But it's powerful to have Ed join us periodically.  I don't see Pat or KayKay's dad - I keep up with them through blogs and family members, but it's still one step removed.  Ed makes it very real.   

So today's run was tough.  Not sure that I've had a run recently that actually felt good.  But it's nothing compared to Chemo, of that I am certain.  I made it through 8.5 miles.  Turns out my average pace was a tad bit faster than the last long run.  That means the training is paying off.  Now I just need to pay better attention to the diet and I should see miraculous results.  It does feel good to be running with a purpose again.

So thank you again!  I am lucky to call so many generous spirits my friends and family.  

Vacation

I've been absent from this page and from running for a bit.  I went to Mexico for a week with 6 of the women with whom I run.  I ran twice while I was in Vallarta and did the Vallarta version of the incline too (200 steps up from the beach, repeat 3 or 4 times).  I think Jane captured the feeling best, "I feeling like I'm breathing in water."  It was HOT and sticky and wet.  But I couldn't go on vacation with my running friends and not run.  :-)

And today I ran my first 5k in a LONG time.  26:33 or something like that.  Good to know I can run a few sustained miles in a row under 9 minutes.  Tomorrow I'll do my long run since I raced with Micky today on the all women's winning team "Won't be dead last" at the Veteran's Home Run instead of with TNT!  Tuesday I go back to TNT full swing and hit the track again!

I thought I'd put in a shout out to all the people who have donated.  My total doesn't reflect it yet, as I've just mailed a few more checks, but I've now met my goal of raising $2100.  No reason to stop though.

Many of you have donated in honor of friends and loved ones including: Donald Seeburger, Tom Blumn & John Blumn, Pat Hunt, Joel Conner, Lisa Sundeen, grandfather's, friends and others.  $900 dollars that you have all contributed goes straight, 100% to LLS research and programs.  I've said it before, but it's worth saying again!

I am deeply grateful and eager to continue on this journey not only on behalf of my cousin Pat in whose honor I do this but on behalf of KayKay's dad and all those people important in your loves!

Keep Running!

Isn't the track supposed to hurt?

I did my second track workout yesterday with the Team.  I know I need to find a way to consistently hit the track - if not with the group, then I need to do the workout on my own.  It'll make me faster.

Last night we did our usually ~1 walk/warmup.  I was nervous because it was hot.  I don't do well in the heat.  The workout was a successively faster group of 4x800 with a 400 recovery.  I ran every one of my 800's too fast.  My first one was supposed to be a 5:12; I ran a 4:35.  Next one was supposed to be a 4:52; I ran another 4:30ish.  My third one was supposed to be 4:30 and I ran that one in 4:20.  My last one was supposed to be a 4:20 and, you guessed it, I ran that one in 4:10.  And I didn't feel exhausted, beat up or generally spit out the way a track workout usually makes you feel.  And it was HOT.  Did I mention that?

Not sure what this means, actually.  My long runs have been between 9:30 and 10:30 pace.  Definitely much closer to the 10 minute/mile pace more often.  So why is the track so easy?  I fear posing that question.  Especially when my long runs are hard.

Had to scurry out early to get home and study for class tonight.

Loving this Team in Training program, though.  And I'm pretty darn close to reaching my fundraising goal, so if you've been meaning to donate now is the time!

Happy Running!

A busy week = a slow start to the running

It's been a busy week.  My first run was on Thursday because I was in Denver on Monday and Tuesday and in class on Monday and Wednesday nights.  So I missed Tuesday track practice because I was sitting in Denver traffic.

But that's okay.  My runs on Thursday and Friday were tough.  I felt tired.  My legs felt like lead - like they do when you don't run for 3 days.  And when you are fighting a nasty cough.  Might have been allergy related, I have no idea.

So I was skeptical of today's run.  Supposedly doing 1:45.  Turned out that it was much better than I anticipated!  It wasn't fast, but the lungs were fine, again, much better than anticipated.  I put in 9.7 miles and 1:40.  All in all a good effort with many weeks yet to go before the race.

I'm so psyched by the generosity of spirit that surrounds me.  All of the money that I raise over my $1600 minimum will go 100% directly to LLS programs and research.  And at least 75% of the $1600 will go to the same.  I've got nearly $500 additional dollars in donations going straight to LLS!  You all are awesome.

Time for a little rest so that I can go for a trail run tomorrow with the girls and then dive into the school books!

Happy Father's Day to all out there who are father's!

Minimum Goal: $1600 ACHIEVED!!

I am deeply grateful to those of you that have donated. I sent out my letters and email the week of Memorial Day - approximately two weeks ago.

On June 14 I reached my minimum thanks to the generous spirit of friends, family and colleagues. Two weeks. You all rock!

I am equally as grateful to those of you who have shared your own stories, making me realize, even more the importance of this fundraising. So many of you have been touched by one of the cancers that LLS researches cures and provides support for!

BUT just because I reached my minimum does not mean that I stop here. The more money that I raise that more money that can go directly to research and support program. I've sent a goal of $2100, but there is no reason not to surpass that too!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/denver10/jraabu

I thought it was summer?

Today's long run was 90 minutes.  And it was in the low 50's with low, grey clouds.  Really, perfect conditions for a long run.  But it was cold.  And I'm done with cold.  We had a cold winter and then a long, gloomy, schizophrenic spring.  This past week it finally felt like summer.  80's and even 90's (which I don't mind for the first few days).  I had on three top layers today.  really?  yes, really!  But I was glad for my Sugoi "magic jacket" as the raindrops started to fall on our last lollipop.

Brilliant idea for a long run.  We did three "out and back loops" each in a different direction today.  Team in Training does an amazing job in thinking out how to reach a wide variety of abilities when they do their training.  And this workout was good for the mind - it made the 90 minutes feel much easier.  And the first loop had the most uphill - so it was the hardest.  15 minutes out, 15 minutes back to the starting point, the TNT coaches, captains, and supplies.  Supplies?  Gu, gatorade, bagels.  Pretty much anything you could want!  A chance to regroup and then head out again for the second 30 minute out and back.  I had good, steady running partners today in Ellie and Will.  It was a good run.

And then I had coffee with Ashley and Denise - the two friends who encouraged me to get involved with TNT.  We went to Dogtooth - a great, local, neighborhood coffee shop!

This afternoon I am headed to my second home :-), the Colorado Running Company!  They are celebrating 10 years this weekend and I'm helping out at the Team in Training Table.  I can't think of a better place to spend a gloomy afternoon!

I am running in honor of this stunning smile!

I love the spirit and energy in Pat's smile. I've always admired her style!

With her blessing you will see at right a link to the blog that Sid and Pat are keeping to allow friends and family to know about her treatment and her daily experience. Many thanks for allowing me to share your story in my effort to support LLS!

Pat & Sid's Blog: http://patwitnews.blogspot.com/

Why TNT?

Sometime early in the new year a friend and fellow runner told me about her experience running with Team in Training. It was at a time in my life when I was craving change and I was looking at wholesale change - maybe job, maybe city, maybe state - as well as looking at alternative volunteer efforts because what I was doing wasn't really fulfilling any longer and my motivation was waning. So I tucked that conversation away and as the spring unfolded and my searching did too, I decided to attend an informational meeting. Much was still uncertain in my life at that meeting, but the TNT folks were enthusiastic but not pushy. There was no hard sell, just encouragement and personal stories of how powerful the experience was for each of them. I've seen many TNT support groups at races I've run. They're loud and colorful and unbelievably motivating - even for those of us not running for the cause. So when things in my life settled down and I recognized that I would be staying right where I am, the first thing I did was commit to TNT.

Turns out that there are even more personal reasons to do this. My mom's cousin, Pat, was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. Pat and Sid used to live in Boston and early in my Colorado College career, I recruited in Boston. Pat and Sid always took me out for dinner - usually lobster. Once, I even locked my keys in the rental car in front of their house. I can't remember how Sid got the car unlocked, but he did. It was SO nice to have familiar people in Boston - a place that overwhelmed me at the time and still holds some of my recruiting nightmares. Pat and Sid always welcomed me - to stay at their home, or just to go out to dinner depending upon my schedule. And I remember those lobster dinners fondly. The place wasn't glamorous, but boy was the lobster good and the company, too! Pat and Sid are now in sunny Southern California, so the next trip won't be for lobster, but maybe for some other yummy seafood and good company. And a walk around the neighborhood. I marvel at the energy that Pat has while undergoing treatment - she has a strength that I so admire.

So to run in honor of Pat this fall is the least that I can do.

More than a 1/3 of the way to $1600

Today marked my 2nd long run with the TNT group and my third run in total.

I love my Sunday running girls, but I'm also enjoying meeting new runners and walkers! TNT won't replace, not even close, my Sunday Girls, but it's good to have a purpose bigger than my own goals.

A little bit of catch up: My first workout with the group was at the track. I've avoided the track since last summer, often blaming Sydney :-) as she dislikes the track. She is a dog, after all. But she isn't running right now I no longer have excuses for avoiding the track. The first TNT training was a 1-mile test to determine our pace groups. Since I missed that first effort that's what I got to do on the track that first Tuesday evening. Coach Thom asked that I keep track of my own time since I wasn't doing the same workout as everyone else and I was happy to do so. Two things stand out to me about that evening: 1. Coach Thom paced me with his watch and also paced all the other runners and 2. I ran an 8:33 mile. Pretty cool on both accounts.

So my second workout with the group was a long run on the first really hot Saturday of the summer season, Memorial Day Weekend. It wasn't a brilliant run, but I finished 8 miles. And got back to Monument Valley Park to discover that not only does TNT put out water and GU ON THE TRAIL, but they have ice water, Propel, Gatorade, bagels....you name it at the end of the run. I wasn't in need of food, but the ice water HIT THE SPOT.

So today's run took us through the Garden of the Gods. It's a favorite of mine and I've been running there at least once a week since April. This was my third run in the Garden this week! :-) Today was on the roads and we were a very small group. I ran with the same new running partner, Mindy. And our pace this week, in the Garden, was quite similar to our pace last week on the flat Monument Valley Trail. I do much better on hills than I do on the flats. My muscles are just not fast twitch.

As far as fundraising goes, I feel pretty good that I'm more than a 1/3rd of the way towards my requirement of $1600. Many of us benefited from Title 9 generosity by getting new bras and by getting their donation of $700 towards our team. It'll be split by those of us that bought new bras - pretty cool!