New Years Resolutions

1. Keep Running/Fundraising
2. Eat dinner at the table as a family more often
3. Look on the brighter side of things

Should be easy : )

Bringing Family Together...

(Madison and I getting ready to head out for our 60 minute run)

Last Saturday, the day after Christmas, I jokingly asked my 12 year old sister is she would be interested in heading out for my 60 minute run with me. Shockingly, she said, "Sure."

I was a little worried that I would have to go slow for her, or listen to her complain the whole way, but all-in-all, she did great.

When we started she told me, "Wow, you run slow." I simply assured her that in 30 minutes it would feel as if we were blazing the trails. She shrugged not believing me, but as I suspected, at about the 25 minute time mark, she was beat, complaining of a cramp in her side, but she stopped to walk, and would sprint to catch up to me. As we passed the house at about 45 minutes she bailed on me. I was still pretty impressed that she hung with me that long. I think she ran 3.75 miles, I was able to go on and finish in 4.44 miles. Not too shabby.

It was fun having someone to run with, I am looking forward to meeting with the team again this Saturday.

Go Team!
Stephanie

Incentives...

So, like I said a couple of weeks ago, we have an incentive (a free TnT Hoodie) if we could hit $1,000 prior to December 21. Unfortunately, I was a wee bit short. But oh, so close! (I missed it by about $100) There were only a handful of people who hit the incentive, but I hope to hit the next incentive with ease. I believe it is being more than half way to your goal by re-commitment (that is in February), I hope to be way further than 50% of my goal by then since I am already at 30%.

I have some great ideas for the first of the year! If you are still looking for tax deductible organizations to donate to before the end of the year, I (and all of the TnT members) would be greatly appreciative. You can donate by simply going to my TnT Donation page or by mailing me a check to me!

I have had a ton of amazing donations this year, and can't even begin to express my gratitude, this has been such a great experience so far and the continued support from my family and friends helps keep me going! Thank you to all of you who have contributed and to all of those who are considering it!

More fund raising news in the New Year!

Stephanie

Making steady progress!

We have reached week 8 and as you can see from the above photo, I am still out there running! And some of you may notice a light thinning of my face, how nice! My Glee soundtrack is still keeping me going, I need to get the rest of the tracks! I am sure people see me and laugh because I definitely sing out loud as I am running (it helps keep me moving at a conversational pace, rather than running faster than I can manage—this is what our coaches have told us to aim for).

I have missed our group practices this last week and will miss it again this Saturday due to the Holidays, but I think it has been good for me to push myself to get out on my own. I am however looking forward to meeting with them on January 2nd, for what I am sure is set to be our longest run yet! This week will top in at a whopping 60 minutes (my goal is to make it 5 miles). I think it will be fun to head out on Saturday in Beaverton, hopefully to run on some of my old stomping grounds (I just haven't figured out where yet!).

That's all for now! Thanks for following!

Love,
Steph

Seriously Frozen...

(26 degrees and not a cloud in the sky)

So, today as I set off for my run, the temperature gauge said it was 26 degrees outside. This is absurd! It is so freaking cold. We are all just waiting for our 45 degree rain to come back!

Despite the cold, it was a great run!

I think is is time to give a shout out to the company I work for! I wouldn't be as successful without my great gear! For the first time I understand why they go to such great lengths to make "running" apparel for all climates and people. I was properly dressed in my fabulous new pants (Moving Comfort's Cold Weather Tight), they have fleece on the inside and aren't as fitted as most "tights." I love them. Seriously, my legs were not cold! At all.

I was also wearing my Brooks VaporDry 3D Hoodie and Brooks LSD Thermal Vest. Both of which are awesome! I have to work extra hard to keep my core warm becuase of my asthma, and these two items seem to be doing the trick! The Hoodie has little "flip wrist cuffs" that keep your hands warm! With an Equilibrium LS underneath and a fabulous Moving Comfort Sports Bra (never going back to any other brand, ever!) I was set. Oh yeah, my shoes are great too! The Ravenna's, I adore them. And they are pretty. They are super light too, they don't feel like I am carrying a ton of bricks a long with my every step! They seem to be holding up nicley too, I hate when I get new shoes and you go for a run in the rain and you are afraid to get them dirty, the color on these shoes seem to be weathering those days nicely.

I have been rocking out to the Glee Soundtrack on my runs! I love this show and the music is great! I am sure when I run past people they look at me oddly becuase I am sure I am singing out loud and don't realize it!

I got an email from my mentor (Megan) this week reminding me that there are incentives in place for those who hit fundraising goals! I am $200 off from my first incentive. If I can reach $1000 by Dec. 21st, then I get a TnT Hoodie. You all know how much I LOVE sweatshirts! Any donations, of any size/kind would be extreamly appreciated!

Anyhoo! Thanks to all of you for keeping up with my journey! I am doing great and am working hard!

Stephanie

A Successful Fundraising Event!

(Yes, these cookie dough filled, homemade fudge topped cupcakes are amazing! Care of Mrs. Kohn!)

While in recovery mode, it gave me some extra time to focus on my fundraiser that I held last week at work! I buddied up with a friend at work who is also in Team in Training but training for the triathlon (Tiffany). We spent about two weeks planning lunch and a bake sale for my office (I knew both would be a hit in a crowd of a bunch of runners!) for the Tuesday before Thanksgiving! It was a success!

(Our sign, donation jar and cookies care of Liz W.)

(Elaina—one of our team captains, who also works at Brooks, is showing how to fill up a goodie bag!)

We started by asking around for people to volunteer the baking skills! We had so many people bring in goodies! We must have filled a table that was 10ft by 3.5ft. Cookies, Cupcakes, pies, you name it we had it arrive.

(Scalloped Potatoes with Ham a la Stephanie—the final bites!)

(Salads a la Tiffany)

For lunch, I served up Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Tiffany brought a variety of Salads! We probably could have made more! We asked for everyone to sign up by the end of Monday, but as I am sure you all guessed we figured about 6 people signed up after the fact! No biggie!

I got lots of great comments about my lunch, which was nice since I tend to get picked on for burning food! The bake sale was such a hit we set it out again the next day for folks to peruse some more! And when I left mid day we were still gathering funds!

So, my fundraising tally has began to move! I have had some great donations from family and friends (way more than I was ever anticipating!) and am looking forward to planning more events at work, the lunch seemed to be a great idea!

Thanks to all who came to support us!

WANT THE DETAILS?
Bake sale: 
1. We sent out flyers in co-workers mailboxes asking for them to donate their cooking expertise!
2. We allowed folks to donate at their own discretion, however, we did provide small paper bags and suggested a $5 donation for a filled bag. 
3. We made lunch that day to give people more reason to come into the cafeteria where the bake sale was happening (everyone eats lunch and most can't resist the baked goods!)


Lunch:
1. Do a sign up sheet so you bring enough for everyone
2. Consider a vegetarian option
3. Set a recommended donation, we set it at $5 
4. We sent out an email and posted signs around our office the week prior! Note, you should probably check with the folks in charge to make sure this is okay, we got a small slap on the wrist!

A Small Set-Back...

Well, about two weeks ago now, I did some damage to my knees. I was ordered to rest, and walk rather than run. I am now back in the game and picking up the running pace again!

Phew!

Nearly 2 Weeks In!

(Before the run!)

So, I have been waiting for a milestone to make my second post. Everyday I went out for a run I would think, "That felt better than yesterday...I should post." But then I would convince myself to wait and see what the next day brought. Well, today, I couldn't wait any longer!

On my first run nearly two weeks ago, I took it slow, not knowing what status my body was actually in. I ran for two minutes and then walked for three for 30 minutes total. I left practice thinking, "I could have pushed it harder." The next day, is supposed to be a recovery day (an easy or light run), still not knowing what I was capable of, I pushed it a little. I felt good and like I was told, I took Monday off.

I wasn't sure how my weekday runs would go. I planned to do them on my lunch (very typical at Brooks, lucky me!), and as Tuesday came, I packed my bag in the morning and set aside 40 minutes. It was great. I ran 5, walked 5, ran 5, walked 5 for thirty minutes. I felt great. I did the same on Wednesday. And then because of a stressful day at work, on Thursday, I walked the majority (but I still got out).

I was so excited for our team run on Saturday morning! It was nice to leave Jackson at home tucked in bed with Rick and take off for two hours of "me" time. The members of the team are great. So friendly, all involved for different reasons, but many of us have so much in common! I kept up my run 5/walk 5 routine and was successful despite the weather being horrible! This was the first day I tracked my run! It was 3.13 miles. That is awesome! Sunday, I went out for a light run/walk (just about 2 miles).

Then I hit disaster. On Monday morning I was putting Jackson in his car seat. As I hoisted him in, I twisted wrong and heard my back snap. I almost cried right there. I couldn't breathe. Wow. It hurt. It still does. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Good thing it was a rest day!

On Tuesday, my back still hurt. But, I told myself the run might actually help. So, I went and changed. Nothing was going right. My new pants (freebies from Moving Comfort the day before) were WAY too big! But, I tried to make it work and pulled my support tank over them to keep them put. Once out on my run my tank slid up, my pants fell down and I put my shirt on backwards, so it was cutting into my neck. What a wreck. And to top it off, I got a cramp in my leg 5 minuted in. Ugh. I did my 30 minutes and scampered back into the office. At least I went out!

(I run along this path—it is one of my favorites!)

Today however, I started over. I had my good outfit. My back was still bothering me, but the weather was perfect! So I went out again hoping my run would help my back, and that eventually my leg cramp would go away (yes, it lingered!). Here it is. The exciting part!

(Post run!)

Today, I walked for 5 minutes, then I ran for 7 (two more minutes than ever before!), then I walked for another 5, then I ran for 15 more minutes, straight. No stopping! And I felt great! No asthma, no cramps, back was good, so I just kept running.

Very proud of myself today!

I have also received a few donations! I am planning a big event at work that should bring in some donations! So, look for new posts on that coming soon!

Thanks for following my journey!
Stephanie

What's this all about?

(First morning of practice—after we ran, hence the rosy cheeks and messy hair)

I have officially been a member of "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training" for four days. I have sat several times at my computer screen trying to come up with the perfect words to personalize my website. And they haven't come. So, here I am, telling my story, which compared to many involved in this amazing Team is seemingly "nothing."

As my busy season at work started to spiral to an end, I started to realize that I needed something for me. I needed some time to take care of myself. One could say I did a quick round of soul searching and realized that I was getting sucked into a routine of work, work work and very little play. I love Rick and Jackson to pieces, but I think everyone can understand that a mom needs a break to get out, get some space and come home a refreshed mom and wife. So I set out, looking for something. My goal was large. Find something that allows me to get out, meet some new local people with similar interests and heck, it would be nice if somewhere in there I could get some exercise!

I thought for a while about what this could be, I chatted with a few friends and was very quickly directed to "Team in Training." What is Team in Training you ask? I won't be able to even begin to do this description justice, but in a nutshell, they provide training for athletic races, in return for you raising money for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (much, much more information is available here). This team is by far one of the most amazing team's I have ever seen. Coaches volunteer their time, mentors hold your hand while raising funds themselves all to ultimately race together in an end of the season event. But the team isn't just coaches and mentors, they also have Honored Teammates who are either actively fighting Leukemia/Lymphoma or have survived it (with great help from the LLS).

I am lucky. I haven't been directly effected by Leukemia or Lymphoma. I pray I never am. While many of my team mates run in memory or in honor of someone else, I run for those I meet along the way, and in hope of a cure. Yesterday, we learned about one of our three honored team mates. She is three and is currently a patient at Seattle's Children's Hospital under going treatment. I can't help looking at Jackson and wondering what it would be like if something as difficult struck at home. It would be unbearable. So, if all I have to do is run, I can run.

This was it for me, I knew it right away. I get to be on a team. As a team sport athlete through my entire childhood, I knew that I would be able to hold myself accountable to get to practice whenever, wherever, knowing that I can't let my team down. I would meet a ton of new people. I would have something at home to call my own.

I did of course have some concerns. Fundraising. This was my biggest fear. But after being consoled by several friends my worries were put to ease.

I signed up on Thursday to participate in the BMO Vancouver, BC Half-Marathon as a member of the Seattle-Alaska Team. The race is on May 2, 2010. That is a little over 5 months to train for a great event and raise some funds to help those who are fighting with Leukemia and/or Lymphoma.

My goal is large. I have committed to raising $2,900 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. From that $2,900, 75% goes directly to both research for a cure, and helping those fighting with medical bills and support. 25% of it goes towards my travel to the event. Once I hit my goal, 100% of my funds raised go to the cause. I already have some great ideas on how to raise the money and am looking forward to the opportunity to bring more friends together to socialize all in the name of a great cause.

That being said, I am looking for any help reaching my goal. Whether it be financially or emotionally. I have already been to one group practice and have made it out on my own, so I am off to a great start. I plan to keep my progress updated here on my blog and would love any notes of encouragement.

Here is a link to my personal fundraising page through the society: http://tinyurl.com/yddas7s

There are many other ways to donate, so if you are able and willing, but aren't comfortable donating online, please shoot me a message!

Please, please ask me how this is going! I am very excited about it and can't way to have a larger story! Thank you for being a part of my journey.

Stephanie