I CAN do it!

With my fundraising goal met and my injuries from the Fiddler's 5k healed (mostly) it was time to focus on my training.

 

I took a week off from training to get my shin splints and kneed healed and rested. But that 1/2 marathon will be here before I know it. No more excuses.

 

This past week was really busy with work and I found I could only get out and train once and it was a very wimpy 2.5 miles. I wasn't feeling the motivation and barely even ran. The most I got out of that run was the fact that a seagull pooped on my leg while I was running #floridaproblems

 

I registered for a 10k earlier last week, the Winter Park Road Race, after two of my DC teammates encouraged that to be our Saturday training. Even though I had already completed 6.5 and 7.4 miles in past trainings, I felt no where near where I should be and felt nervous about completing it.

 

My two teammates have been doing interval trainings (walk 1:30, run 1:30) and I had decided I would do that with them. One even asked the morning of and I said "oh ya, I can't run this."

 

It was a pretty crowded race and I was started a little towards the back, which is where I was comfortable with. Starting the Fidd's 5k at the front was awful, I started way faster than I had planned and it killed me around mile 2.

 

I started jogging very, very slowly. I was caught in the crowd and I tried to stay with my friends, but I just couldn't go any slower, I felt like I was jogging in place. My first mile was over 12 minutes, and after I hit the first mile the slower racers started tapering off, the faster ones were long gone, and I was surrounded by runners who were at my pace.

 

I was feeling really good at this point, wasn't to tired, nothing hurt, and feeling a lot of energy. I made it to the 2 miles at an 11:30 pace and I was still feeling great. I wanted to make it to the 5k since I had never run a full 5k before.

 

I made it to the 5k and was still feeling good, so I changed my goal to make it 4 miles.

 

Once I made it passed 4 miles I was starting to feel tired and was thinking about stopping and walking for a little bit...but then I heard "you only have 2 miles to go, you are over halfway done, just keep going." And I didn't stop.

 

There was a water stop at 4.5 that I grabbed as I ran through, but kept going.

 

When I hit 5 miles I was really struggling. I wanted to stop so bad, but at this point I had ONE mile to go! I could do it!

 

I kept thinking if I could make it through this last mile I could officially say I ran the WHOLE thing!

 

On previous posts and status's I make sure I say I COMPLETED x miles, I don't want people thinking I'm actually running this stuff. I'm no super women, I am really starting at 0.

 

If you've seen this vine, you'd know what I'm talking about. You must clap while you say it.

"Do it for the vine, do it for the vine, do it for the vine."

 

I wasn't vining, but I did want to make a status, so this went through my head:

"do it for the status, do it for the status, do it for the status"

 

That last mile was seriously so tough, I couldn't go any faster even if I wanted too. I could see Park Ave right around the corner and I could see the finish line in the distance. I kept panting "omg, I'm almost there, I'm almost there," which may have caused the wicked side pain I got the last .2 miles.

I usually finish my races pretty strong, but there was nothing left, I just wanted to finish.

 

As I was getting close, I heard my name called out and I saw my dad! He was in Florida for business but didn't think he would be in WP in time, it was so great to see him so close to the end of my race.

I finished the race in 1:11 minutes and average 11:33 mile. Not to shabby I think.

 

With a little bit of celebrating afterwards, I was feeling pretty great about myself. It was an awesome feeling to push myself and to prove to myself that I really CAN run!

Now, I have no excuses when I train.

Right after I finished

And I got my beer!

Fundraising & Running Update

Miles: 7.4

Money Raised: $3,670.36

Percentage to Complete: 115%

Amount to raise to ROCKSTAR STATUS: $529.64

Days till Race: 42 

 

 

FUN-raising

Last week felt like Christmas.

Maybe even a little better.

I have been struggling with my fundraising and wasn't seeing as quick results as I had hoped. I hoped my friends would see my fb requests and read my blog and just donate, but it wasn't happening and I was feeling discouraged and I felt stuck. I began to worry if I would even make close to the amount I was required.

My TNT mentor, Danielle, sent us an email with a challenge.

I figured, what can it hurt? Dream big and I might get a decent amount, dream bigger and I could get $1,000, dream the biggest and I may even make my goal.

I posted the challenge Monday afternoon and immediately I saw results.

The donation emails started coming in like hot cakes!

I was getting donations from people from high school, college, sorority sisters, family, acquaintances, and even strangers.

I was definitely feeling the love and the support. 

It was almost overwhelming.

I wanted to show immediate thanks to my donaters and keep the buzz in people's ear about my challenge, so every time I got a donation I gave that individual their very own facebook shout out. 

It's just two days I raised $400, in three days it was over $500, in four days, it was over $800, and the last day I reached over $1,000. It was AMAZING!

What took me to the top was my aunt, who graciously donated the $600 to get me to my goal! I was speechless, I literally thought I was going to start crying when I saw the email from TNT telling me I made my goal.

But it wasn't over with yet! Donations still came in! My friends continue to donate and I ended up raising $3,670! That's $470 OVER my initial goal and commitment.

Now I have made a new goal. To raise $1,000 over my commitment of $3,200. If I am able to do this, I earn ROCKSTAR Status. My singlet will have rockstar on the back and i'll earn a pin and certificate. 

But more than, it shows that I have an awesome support system, because I definitely would not have anything if it wasn't for all of my amazing family and friends!

Now I just have to run a half marathon...

TNT Update 3.2

Two months to go to my half marathon and the training is getting tougher and the runs have to start getting longer.

I took a "break" this week. For no particular reason besides a combination of being lazy and busy.

I only get two afternoons off a week and work at the Y at 5 on Mondays/Wednesday/Fridays. Monday  and Wednesday, I had to run errands after work before the Y work and Tuesday I had to get projects done, and Thursday I had to stay late for a work event.

So, I took the week off and I paid for it at my race on Saturday.

My friend Meg and I signed up for the local Irish 5K, Fiddler's Green 5K and it was bright and early Saturday morning.

The race was fun with lots of runners dressed up St. Pat's themed, but the course was a little challenging. It went through neighborhoods, uneven ground at times, and a few hills. We were lucky to get to the very front of the group, but when the whistle blew to start running I was QUICKLY passed by all the experienced runners and I started the my race a little faster than I would have prefered as I was going with the crowd.

I ran my first mile at a 10:08 pace, which is almost a minute faster than my previous records. It was about there that I quit and started my staggered training, which I have decided is the best way for me to complete the half marathon. From there I was able to keep a pace of an 11:30 mile and finished the 5k under 34 minutes, which was another PR for me.

I knew I could do better, but mentally I could not get myself to keep pushing. That is my biggest block; thinking too much.

It was like the angel and devil on my shoulders as I ran. The angel side was trying to give my body the mental pushes to keep going "don't let that kid pass you, get to the stop sign, that old lady is going faster, you did 7 miles last week, that man is running and pushing a stroller...."

The devil side said screw you, I don't care

And most of the time, the devil side won. I know I could have PR'd a lot better than I did, but mentally I didn't want to.

I didn't get the rush of adrenaline until I could see the finish line and saw the timer at 33 minutes. I knew I had to be under 34 so I started to sprint and finished strong.

Of course, it being an Irish race, we were rewarded after with a large beer and a shot of Whiskey.

Honestly, every race should end with a beer at 9am.

I didn't take too much time to rest and met my friends at 10 to go to an amusement park all day. The weather was beautiful and it was a great day. But my choice of flip flops after a race was not smart.
I strained the tendon below my right knee and my shin splints started to come in full force! I iced my knee Saturday night and Sunday while I was at work and it feels much better. But those pesky shin splints have made their presence known.

I kept saying, it's not a matter of if I get shin splints, but when.
I got them every year during track in high school. It's due to my flat feet. I have professionally made inserts in my shoes, but they still hurt. It's a sharp, full leg pain, and it's a pain in my ass. 

I'm trying out KT tape to see what all the fuss is about. It's supposed to give support and injury prevention. I've been wearing them all day yesterday and today and it doesn't feel much different.
I think I'll try to re-tape them tonight.

I'm only 40 days away from my final funds for my race and I've got 42% to go. Be prepared friends for me to go fundraising crazy!

Kate's Fundraising Page

 Fundraising & Running Update

Miles: 7.4

Money Raised: $1,865.36

Percentage to Complete: 58%

Amount left to go:  $1,334.64

Days till Race: 55

TNT Update 2.22

I officially completed over HALF of a HALF MARATHON! 

For my Saturday long run I went for another mile since my PR last week and go for the whole 7 miles!

At 7am, when it starts to rain on the run and a strained muscle at mile 4, I am definitely looking more beast than beauty. I try to find something to capture on each run. This week, it started to rain around mile 5. We were winding down by this time and running through nice neighborhoods and talking about the different styles of houses. I noticed a patch of clovers and couldn't help but capture one of the them. No 4-leaf ones, but I love the vibrant green, the rain drops, the luckiness, & that St. Pat's is right around the corner!

I seem to have good days and tough days on my run. Again, when my alarm went off at 6:15, I kept thinking of how I could get out of it and what excuse I could give to not go. But that's not gonna work. I got dressed and headed to Meg's house. We were both in the same boat this morning. 

Our TNT group was training at a park 45 minutes away. It's hard enough for me to get up early on a Saturday, but even worse to get up even earlier and drive to something I don't want to do in the first place. So, on those days, my friend Megan and I run at the local parks.

We were thinking of our options for our run…we could do an easy 3-4 miles and be done, or we could beat our distance PR and complete 7. After some thinking we decided to bite the bullet and go big. The half marathon isn't getting any smaller.

It was a rough loop. It was through neighborhoods and along busy streets. The sidewalks were uneven, there were hills, it seemed to never end, and it rained at the end.

Last week at my 6.5 miler, I really pushed myself and that resulted in an ice bath. I still had some pain in my groin muscle and around mile 3.5 it was really starting to hurt and slow me down. 

Although it wasn't my best, there were good feelings afterwards knowing that I have officially ran over half of a half marathon. We were only 5 miles away from the whole thing.

CROSS TRAINING

 I've been trying to bring different types of cross training in my workouts and turn this half marathon into a full body workout. It is much more than training to run, but being active in everything. I have found that Groupon is the best place to find new exercises to experiment.

Trampoline Park

My new favorite activity has been Aerial Yoga. It has been great for stretching, strengthening, and core workout. And I feel pretty sweet doing it.

I took a lesson from Nike Women, "earn your selfie" and I'm trying!

I am obsessed with my Nike Studio Wraps. They were a special edition from the Nike Women's run in San Francisco last fall.

 Baldwin Park is my local running hole. It is a beautiful spot very close to where I live and work. It is a stunning place to run; very calm, easy run, and it's about 2.5 miles around.

And my FAVORITE after work out meal:

It is the BEST! I make sure to add a workout blast and a shot of leafy greens. It is perfect post workout!

 Fundraising & Running Update

Miles: 7.4

Money Raised: $1,815.36

Percentage to Complete: 57%

Amount left to go:  $1,384.64

Days till Race: 64

My Fundraising Page 

TNT Update 2.16

Many big things have happened with my training and fundraising for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC!

First: I have reached 56% of my fundraising goal! Wahoo to all my family and friends who have supported me in my training and fundraising for LLS. I still have a ways to go, but I feel so great knowing I have reached over the 50% and keeps me motivated to train.

Second: I have really started taking my training more seriously. I've picked up the slack during the week and really pushed myself on my long runs. I PR'd on my average mile time (2 minutes better) PR'd on my 5k (2 minutes faster), and completed 6.5 miles last Saturday--the longest I have ever gone in my ENTIRE LIFE! 

I was definitely hurting after that one. It required an ice bath afterwards. Took me back to my LHS Track & Field Days.

Third: I signed & turned in my TNT recommitment paperwork. This means that I have fully committed to the race & my fundraising commitment. This requires me to give a credit card that will be charged any left over amounts from my fundraising commitment. So whatever is left come April 11th, will be my responsibility. And that is why is it so important for me to get support and donations for my training.

Fourth: I OFFICIALLY registered for the Nike Women's Race. When you fill out your recommitment paperwork, you are now able to register for the race. 

Fifth: I purchased my airplane tickets to DC! I found a really great deal for $117 each way, I had to take advantage of it. 

So it is OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL. DC Half Marathon or BUST!

Fundraising & Running Update

Miles: 6.5

Money Raised: $1,790.36

Percentage to Complete: 56%

Amount left to go:  $1,410.64

Days till Race: 69

I've made my commitment. Can you help me reach my goals? Please support me and make a donation today:

Kate's Fundraising Page

Perspective

My motto for my fundraising and training for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been

I'm the lucky one

I want more people to be the lucky one

Not only have I personally not been affected by cancer of any form, I haven't had any family or close friends affected as well.

Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every 10 minutes someone loses their battle.

When you look at it like that, I need to count my blessings every 4 minutes for the life I have.

I believe we are on this planet to make a difference, whether that's through our jobs, life choices, or even random acts of kindness. You can make a difference in someone life every day if you try.

But I'm not only lucky because I haven't been touched my cancer, I am lucky for so many reasons, and this morning was an EYE-OPENER to why I am doing what I am doing.

I did not want to get up and train today, I just wanted to sleep. But my friend was counting on me to be at the park so I had to go (another reasons why TNT is great, if I was by myself I totally would have stayed in bed!)

While I was waiting I decided to watch a youtube video that had been shared several times on Facebook...this one:

If you've already seen it, you know.

I was sobbing, straight up sobbing.

I thought to myself…why, why, why did I chose to watch that video today. Especially with all the FB warnings that it was a tear jerker and I am the biggest baby there is.

 I am lucky that I never have to say goodbye to a love one and worry about them every day while they are fighting for our freedom. 

My running buddy is getting ready to send off her husband to Navy Seal Basic Training in May.

I used the families as motivation.

And off I ran.

As we were warming up, we saw a large crowd of people gathering in the park. Many had matching tee-shirts and booths were set up, but we couldn't see what the occasion was.

We started the run around the lake, and I soon realized why all those people were there.

It was a community walk for Prevention of Suicide.

Out of the Darkness.

There were signs posted around the lake with quotes and statistics about suicide. 

Talk about another slap at counting my blessings.

I have never been affected by suicide, and seeing all those people out there supporting it was another reminder of why I am doing what I am doing.

I used the signs as motivation. 

I was struggling with running and felt out of shape. My being sick lasted for two weeks, so I hadn't trained since the 5k two weeks ago.

I staggered my miles and followed the signs as distance markers.

As I was coming around the back side of the lake I saw the walk begin. 

Not to run up stream I left the path and made it to the road, but I couldn't help but look at the participants and think of their reason for being there.

I saw one couple holding hands and walking. They were both wearing sunglasses, but I could tell they were crying.

I used them as motivation.

I had been been feeling discouraged and frustrated about my fundraising lately and stressing at raising the money. 

I deserve a slap for that one.

What I am fundraising for is not for me, but for the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And that is to find a cure for blood cancers and to improve the lives of those affected by it through financial and educational support.

Please make a difference in the lives of someone today.

Use your donation as motivation to count your blessings and share them with the world.

Kate's TNT Fundraising Page

Fastest 5k

Two weeks ago Brandon & I did a 5K at Universal Studios called the Dick Batchelor Run for the Children. I heard about the race from my new job. The fourth graders had created a team called "Park Maitland Smiles" and I like the opportunity to get involved with my new work outside of the school and it was perfect for on track training. Plus, Dick Batchelor run raises vital funds for the programs at the Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, part of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children--which is Brandon's Hospital. It was a great event for both of us! 

Florida has experienced a tiny bit of the polar vortex. The weather hasn't been the greatest for the last few weeks and it was cold that morning. Plus, four days into teaching 90 kindergarteners and 50 pre-kindergarteners, I got sick for the first time in a year. It was one of the never ending common colds. Starts at the nose, moves to the throat, and ends in the chest. I had planned on training the week before so I could run the whole 3.1 miles, but I just couldn't feeling so awful. 

The morning of the race my cold had moved into my chest, but I still had a goal of doing as much as I could, instead of running the whole 3.1, I decided to make a goal of under 40 minutes. That puts it at a 13 minute mile. 

I did better than I thought. I ran 2 miles and I started feeling like I was breathing through a tube. For the next half mile I staggered my running. I would walk for 20 seconds and then run. Running through Universal Studios made setting goals easy. I would walk the 20 seconds and make the goal to run through a "World." Such as making it through The Simpson's World, walk 20 seconds to the next and run through Dr. Seuss World. 

Once I hit the marker at .5 away I knew I wanted to finish strong.

I made it to the last .1 mile and picked up the pace. I kept thinking that this is how I want to finish the half marathon, and then I saw the clock reaching 40 minutes. I crossed the finish line at 38 minutes. My fastest 5k ever!

I may not feel like I've had a lot of progress, but when I did that. I knew things were improving. But also going through my head through the run was that 3.1 miles is NOTHING compared to a half marathon. So onward I go!

The great news is I have reached the 50% mark for my fundraising! I still have a ways to go, but it's amazing the support I've received from my family and friends!

Keep it coming guys! I can't run my race without you!

Fundraising & Running Update

Miles: 5

Money Raised: $1,600.36

Percentage to Complete: 50%

Amount left to go:  $1,599.64

Days till Race: 85