Four Miles!

I'm sweaty. In spite of not feeling well this morning and not sleeping well last night, today's four miles went better than expected, largely due to having teammates. Mary is a little faster than I am (she's young!) and Nicole a little slower, but Nicole would have been on her own in her pace group (half a minute slower than ours) so she joined us for today's training. Even though it was a push for her, she hung in there and we got back together.

I was the only one wearing a watch, so I somehow got elected 'pace leader'. We did our first two miles well UNDER our planned pace, so we were able to dial back a bit on the return journey and we still made our time right on the mark.

On the fundraising side, I got an unexpected donation this week...from my company! $500!!! I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that our partners cared enough to donate in the company's name. My boss had already donated, as have a couple of my coworkers, and while EVERY donation means a lot to me, having the partners' support and encouragement just really made my day.

Every week I feel a little stronger. Every week, it hurts a little less!!

Pace Run

We had our first group run to sort us into our pace groups this morning. Three miles - my target was to be <=45 minutes. I started with a lovely young lady named Mary, who has a stride pretty well matched with mine. Turned out Mary is a great pace partner - we ran some, walked some, ran some, walked some. The idea was to NOT kill ourselves, so every time we started huffing and puffing we dropped back to a race-walk.

We beat my time target! Yay!

The training program is a run/walk program, which means that based on our pace group, we run for a set # minutes then walk for a set # of minutes. Based on todays' pace run, we'll be doing either 3:2 or 2:2.

I'm so out of shape that the thought of even three miles made me more than a little nervous...but we DID IT! Next Sunday we do 4. Then 5 the following week. Then 6. We run on our own at least twice during the week to help "build the base". The coaching staff are really supportive.

I am still a bit daunted by the prospect of running 26.2 miles (even though I have walked a marathon - running one scares me), but I am convinced that I can do it.

Amazed and Inspired

My friends never cease to amaze me.

I got another donation from a friend I have never met IRL. I won't name her here...I'll only say she is struggling with unemployment, yet still dug up $$ to donate for my run. She has inspired me. I hope to return the favor!

On My Way...to Victory Lane

I was out of town at a conference this week, which usually means too much food, drink, and a wacky schedule. I made a point of hitting the hotel gym and running, walking, & weight-lifting. Felt good!

In previous posts I have mentioned one of my sources of inspiration, Mike Corrado, a Marine and musician. Yesterday Mike released a new tune "Victory Lane". Rockin' tune, and perfect for running. Thanks, LtCol!

And in Case You Missed It...

Sponsor me here:

http://www.active.com/donate/MCM_T2DC2011/suzanner

Official Start!

We had our official kick-off meeting today. Met my coach, Karen. Got some great advice about running, nutrition, gear, fundraising, & injury prevention/treatment. Met some awesome folks who I expect will become close friends in the months ahead.

Sent my first batch of "please sponsor me" emails. Got another donation, yay! Enjoying my last Saturday night beer for the next six months, lol!

I'm excited!

In my last post, I mentioned Mike Corrado, musician extraordinaire and Marine. His newest tune "Victory Lane" drops on Tuesday, just in time for my Tuesday run.

Perspective

We officially start training tomorrow morning.

I am mixed with both thrill and dread. Thrill because I know I need to do this. Dread because I had a crap day, I have anxiety about this, I don't know how I'll raise the money (yada, yada, yada).

My friend Mike Corrado has provided much inspiration with his posts about Wounded Warriors. My Marine buddies (Mike included) must think I am being a total sissy about this. Holy f*cking cow, for what they have been through, surely training to run 26.2 and meeting the fundraising goal is a small drop in the bucket.

So I am trying to put this in perspective. Not so tough. I CAN do this, depression, bad day, self doubt be damned.

Wish me luck!

Slow Going

I don't have an urge to write...been a heck of a week. So my only post will be to share the tune this blog is named for:

I'm Going Slightly Mad


Three words: Doc Bri, penguins
This has long been my favorite Queen vid, which is saying a lot. The first time I saw it, lo so many years ago, I laughed and cried. Laughed because...well, just watch. And cried, because I could no longer ignore what we all suspected. Broke my heart to know. Still breaks my heart. We still love you.