Monday, December 20, 2010

2 Months Later...

Few people have the imagination for reality.  ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Running in the cold has been disappointingly predictable. I thought I would feel like Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art with a triumphant fist-pump when I most certainly reached the top.  However, my asthma that I thought I outgrew has made a comeback.  An evening after running with Team In Training in Central Park is followed by coughing, wheezing, spitting, and my chest feeling as if it swallowed winter while snow caps decorate my lungs.  Fundraising, in this economy, seems damn near impossible unless I’m willing to make it my part time job to host events.  And while these all may sound like excuses, I like to see it as me being able to come to terms with reality which is normally a difficult thing for me since I often equate "reality" with failure.  Failure is giving up, which I have no intention of doing.  While I may not raise the funds to run on March 20th, and I may not be able to run outdoors in winter regardless of fundraising due to asthma, I still intend to continue the fundraising efforts.  This is an important cause that I feel strongly about.  I also intend to run 13.1 miles -- on my own, by myself, perhaps on a balmy day in spring or a steamy summer day.  The challenge for me is to run the distance of a half-marathon which is something I will most definitely do.



New York City Half Marathon:  Sunday, March 20th 2011
Funds raised:  $365.00 as of 12/20/10

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Half Marathon Challenge: 3/20/11

"Enjoy yourself.  It's later than you think." ~ Chinese Proverb


Once upon a time, circa 2003-2004, I ran a lot -- I wouldn't call myself a "runner" because it turned out to be a phase.  I needed an outlet to deal with some traumatic events (bad breakup, death in the family, job hatred, to name a few).  Running made me feel balanced, sane, and clear-minded.  And then a busier work schedule combined with being a full-time college student left no time for running until next thing I knew, I'd completely stopped.
  

Well, that was years ago.  Until I came across a brochure for endurance events sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training.  Team In Training participants raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.  Honestly, I've been thinking about getting back into running and this seemed like the best approach; a support system in place, coaches to help out-of-shape runner-wannabes, a workout schedule, and if all of that wasn't enough, it's all for a good cause.  I wouldn't just be helping myself.  By helping myself, I'd be helping others.  THAT was what sealed the deal for me.
 

In order to participate in the New York City Half Marathon with Team In Training I will need to raise $1,800.00 by March 1, 2011.  Please help me in saving lives by submitting your donations online HERE.  I'll post blogs to keep you in the loop as to my training progress (13 miles is no joke for this 32 year old post-childhood asthmatic).  And in every blog post, regardless of content, I'll include the donation link and fundraising status.
 

Preseason Training Session 1:  Tuesday, November 2nd 2010
New York City Half Marathon:  Sunday, March 20th 2011
Funds raised:  $80.00 as of 10/30/10