Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year to ALL!!


As you can see  from my last post, 2010 has been one heck of a year for me.  I am looking forward to a fresh start in 2011 with many goals in mind to make it a very memorable year.  That said, what exactly are my goals for 2011??  What exactly do I want from the next 12 months?

Let's start with one goal that I missed in 2010... Set my personal record in a half marathon at 2:20 or less. Of course that would mean I would have to actually begin training again.  Yes, I know most of my friends think all I do is train train train... Well, honestly, although I did run two half marathons in the last three months, that is about all the running I have done.  It is sad, I know.  Given that my next race is 30 days away, I really need to begin training again.  So starting tomorrow morning (yes, the early morning after New Years Eve) I will be up and at it, back on track to finally meeting this goal in 2011.  Most likely NOT at the Miami ING January 30th, but there is always Fort Lauderdale A1A February 20th.

Next, I want to hit the mark this year with $20,000 raised for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I started a new 'business' as a way to help me make that goal.  I became a BeautiControl Consultant as a way to have a consistent stream of funds coming in for LLS.  If you are interested how you can help me by pampering yourself, visit my website to learn more.  In addition to putting on Spa Parties, I have a few other events in the planning including a Song Writers Showcase featuring some of Country music's top song writers and local celebrities; a bachelor/bachelorette auction; and a Larry Wolfe Memorial Poker Run.  All of these events will benefit LLS, either in their entirety or at least in part.

In addition to my fundraising goal for LLS, I am also geared up to participate in two major events for Team In Training: America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (a 103-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe) in June and the Dublin Marathon in Ireland in October.  I am looking forward to participating in both events.  And, YES, this will mean even more training.

This year will also be about saying good bye.  In March I will be traveling with family to spread the ashes of Mom and Dad (or step-dad) in Tennessee.  I remember my mom always talking about how she adored being in the Blue Ridge Mountains and could not wait for another vacation there with my dad.  Unfortunately, they never had the chance to experience another vacation together.  So this March, my family and I will spread their ashes in their final resting place somewhere alone the Blue Ridge Highway.  I have a feeling this will be a pretty tough month for me.  It is a good thing I have many great friends and family who will be by my side through it all.

I think the most important job I have this year is to help my daughter get into a good college and get her ready to start her adult life.  Yes, my little girl will be going off to college in 2012. It is kind of scary to think she will soon be off on her own.  A moment I am both looking forward to, and fearing at the same time.  I guess that is normal for a MOM.

So, out with the old and out of date, in with the new and improved.  No more settling for second best or less than what I deserve.  Time for a fresh start!!

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” (Edith Lovejoy Pierce)
I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2011.  May all your hopes and dreams become reality.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Happy Birthday to ME....

So, here I am on the eve of my 40th birthday and I am pondering the last year of my life... So much has happened, so much to be thankful for, so many memories to cherish...  I wanted to take a moment to relive the last year and all I have accomplished, overcome, challenges met, stories gained, new friends and families, love, life, and loss...  Here is my year in review as I see it...

January - I started the year off with a bruise tibial plateau.  That is a bone bruise on the top of my tibia which was borderline fracture (could have been really bad).  Even though I was dealing with this injury, I push forward with an amazing accomplishment that only a small percentage of people on this earth can say they have done, I finished a full marathon.  Although, I did walk this particular event due to the injury, I still got myself out there in 24 degree weather (17 degree windchill) and finished the 2010 Disney World Marathon... All 26.2 miles of it.  The way I saw it, what I was doing was quite literally a stroll in the park compared to what my hero (Courtney) was going through.  She was struggling to walk, and I was doing it all for her!  I was very proud of myself for sticking with my goal, injury and all.  Did I mention I raised $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on my way to Disney???  That was just the beginning for LLS. 

I also started the year off with an interview with for a new position.  I remember this being a bit scary.  Who wants to risk changing careers in this economy?  I looked at the interview with an open mind... The worse thing that could happen is I would not be offered the job.  Much to my surprise, I was...  The decision was quite simple for me.  I loved my job in Deerfield with Fire Rescue; however, this was a huge step forward and a position which would utilize my education, skills, and assets to their fullest.  It was the right choice.

February - At some point near the end of January or the beginning of February, Courtney was diagnosed with neuropathy from one of the cancer treatments she had to endure.  I decided my goal with LLS was not just to find the ultimate cure, but to help raise money to fund research which will provide for better treatments which will not have these side effects.  A Cure is the Ultimate goal, until then, I will take treatments which will offer our patients a better way of life while fighting these cancers.

After a few weeks off of training to recover from the injury, I started running again in February.  Just three weeks into the month, I trotted out to the A1A Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon and set my new PR (personal record) in a half marathon at 2:36.  I finished that event off the right way... with two very large ice cold Ultras!  Much deserved, I say! 

March - Just two weeks after A1A I set another new PR finishing the Princess Half Marathon in Disney in 2:33.  Yes, that is three months and three endurance events. And another $2,100 for LLS (now up to $7,100 for the year.) I was on a roll!  

Did I mention this was my first event Mentoring for the Society's Team in Training?  After Courtney was diagnosed, TNT became a big part of my life, a huge part of me.  I am not sure I know how to define me without TNT and LLS.   

After returning from Disney, I started my new career at the Broward Sheriff's Office as a Program Manager over the Regional Law Enforcement Records Management System.  Quite a change from Emergency Management, but not entirely without my EM roots.  I am still responsible for assisting with disaster recovery, only not for a city, just for the IT division of Broward County Public Safety.

During March also came another injury... This time from play, not from training.  It was enough to cancel my plans for the Nashville Rock n Roll Half Marathon in April. =(

One thing I cannot forget to mention about March... Time at Jimmy Johnson's Fisherman's Cove with my dearest friends!  Steph, Deb, Beca, and Dani... You will always be my besties!!!  What a great weekend, and so well deserved!!!

April - Most of this month was getting used to my new job, mentoring a few new recruits for LLS's Team in Training, continuing to raise money and awareness for blood cancers, and letting my body heal!  All important stuff.

May - What a month as I remember... Courtney had finished her treatments, at least to a point where she was able to check into a live-in rehab facility to start aggressive physical therapy aimed at helping her walk again.  I visited her at Brooks Rehab in Jacksonville and met so many incredible kids struggling through different types of physical challenges.  This visit made me grateful for what I have and for what I have been able to do.  In addition to watching Courtney stand for the first time in months, I met an incredibly strong and beautiful young lady named Analiese.  She became an INSTANT friend to Courtney.  And, I still keep in touch with her on facebook! 
 
In May, I also began training again for LLS/TNT in preparation for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in San Diego.  I also help my Step Dad (or just plain DAD) celebrate his 65th birthday and retirement from Miami/Sims Crane.  I remember a huge party with friends and family; lots of fun; karaoke; shots; love; laughs; and just very happy times.  It was so great to see my dad ready to take on a new life in retirement.  

June - It was actually the end of May when I set off to California for the first time.  I actually had the opportunity to stick my toes in the Pacific Ocean.  Um, yeah, that water is so cold that was the ONLY part of me making it in the Pacific!  =) While in Cali, why not run another marathon event for LLS; that was the reason I went there.  The Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Little did I know at the time, this is one of, if not THE, biggest event for LLS all year long.  Over 9000 Team In Training Runners participated in this event last year and raised more than $12 million for LLS.  I raised $2,200 ($9,300 for those keeping track for the year)!  What an amazing weekend that was.  

At the San Diego Event I choose to have fun and help others rather than set a new PR for me.  Besides, I was certainly not trained up for this event.  Injuries are no fun for training!! I met so many great people along the way.  Many who inspired me to keep up my work with LLS.  Many who told me I inspired them to keep going when they did not think they could.  Many people who will always hold a place in my heart as I continue my journey with TNT/LLS.

When I returned from Cali, I started training full throttle for my next challenge - a Triathlon.  I was not quite sure what I was thinking other than I NEED TO DO SOMETHING MORE!  I grew up in Florida so I thought I knew how to swim.  I was wrong.  Oh so wrong!!!  But I learned.  I think I have yet to mention the incredible coaches we have with TNT!  Thank goodness too!  Lisa ROCKS and taught me a lot about triathlons!

July & August - I am merging these two together, since they seemed to run together over the summer.  All I remember about that time is 430am wake ups to swim 3-4 days a week; spin classes on Mondays (and Wednesday when I could make it); biking at least two if not three times a week; running when I could (summer allergies make it difficult for me to run with my asthma); working 45-60 hours per week; and oh, did I mention finding time to raise money too??
In July, I cut my hair.  That would normally be no big deal.  But actually, I chopped 11.5" off and donated it to Locks for Love.  I figured (1) it is just hair, (2) it will grow back, (3) it was just in my way with all that training (swimming biking running!!!), and most of all (4) someone could use it more than I could!!

Then in August, all that training paid off the first time when I participated in my first triathlon (a sprint tri) at Loggerhead.  I think it was just under a 1/2 mile swim in the ocean, 13 miles on the bike, then a 3.1 mile run... No Sweat... well actually, a lot of sweat, it WAS August after all!

Oh, and this was a HUGE month for Courtney.  Although it marked the anniversary of her diagnosis, this month also marked the 1 year anniversary of her move into REMISSION!!!  This is a big YAY!!!!  She has been amazing through this all!  I am incredibly inspired by her daily!!  

On top of all this, LLS asked me to Chair the Street Team Program.  What an honor!  I love this organization and all they do for blood cancers and blood cancer patients!  This is certainly a way for me to give back even more to my favorite charity.  So what is this program?  We recruit for the Team!  So, don't be surprised when I ask you to join!  To do something incredibly inspiring with your life!  I will tell you, there is little that can compare to the feeling you get when  you cross the finish line at an endurance event knowing you are saving lives with every stroke, with every spin, with every stride!  One Mile At A Time!

September - This is a month I will never forget.  It started off with such an amazing accomplishment, and ended with drastic disappointment.  So, all summer I had trained hard for a triathlon.  Yeah, in August I finished a sprint, but that was just practice for me.  My real event was Nation's Triathlon in DC.  I was excited, I had never been to DC and to be there on September 11 was going to be amazing! 

Not only did I finish the Triathlon, but I had one of my best friends there at the finish line waiting to congratulate me and cheer me to the end.  (Thank you, Tricia & Zack, you guys rock for weathering that cold rain!!!!) I finished the race so hard I almost ran past the guy trying to hand me my finisher's medal!  =)  At the end, I truly thought THIS IS MY YEAR!Oh and another $2000 for LLS, so $$11,500 total this last year)

When I returned home, my world tumbled.  Not even 30 hours after returning, I received a call that my dad was in trouble.  No one knew how bad, no one knew the severity, no one knew anything!  On September 17, my Dad, Larry Wolfe Sr, passed away.  I was devastated.  Honestly, I am STILL devastated!  It has been a struggle over the last 5+ years learning to live without my mom... now I have to learn to live with out my dad too.  HOW?
October - This month started off with another event, one solely dedicated to my Mom & Dad.  Given the circumstances of September, I was once again attempting an event when I was not trained for it.  I was still determined to go and finish, regardless of my time.  My goal was to do what my dad was so proud of me for; and what he told me my mom would have been even more proud of me for... Run!  Run for a cure!  Run because others can't and I can!  Run for Courtney!  Run for Mom!  Run for Dad!  Run for Life!  

So I did.  I ran the Inaugural Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon.  I needed this little get away.  I spent the majority of the run lost in my music, thinking about everyone and everything.  Not my best event, but certainly not my worst event!  And the bottom line... I did not give up, I did not quit!  I finished! 

November - hmmmm, what can I say.  I still have yet to find my stride again.  I have struggled with new shoes, new speeds, tired legs, and a mind that won't give!!  As much as I know running makes me feel so much better about everything, I have had an incredibly difficult time getting my mind off of life and on to running.  Nevertheless, I still participated in and finished my 10th endurance event in 1 year:  the same event I started this all with in 2009 when Courtney was diagnosed, The Women's Half Marathon in St Petersberg, FL. 

Thanksgiving was tough this year.  I know I have a ton to be thankful for, and I am very much so.  I have a great life, an amazing daughter, family and friends that mean the world to me, a terrific career, my health... what more could a girl want??  Still, it is a bitter sweet holiday.  Not only the holiday itself, but the fact that my parents anniversary was two days prior.  I have missed them both dearly!

December - Well, here we are... and I am turning 40 tomorrow.  Do I feel it, NO!!!  How could I?  I run events with people half my age and finish just like they do, and sometimes trip them as I run passed them!  (Just kidding, well not entirely!)  If nothing else, I have proven one thing over the past year... I CAN DO THIS!  I believe in myself more than I ever did!  I have so many people to thank for that!

Writing this blog has really made me think.  I certainly have accomplished a lot this year.  Without the love and support of my friends and family, NONE of this would have been remotely possible.  Undoubtedly, if I began to name people here, I know I will forget someone and I don't want to do that... So... for all those who have time and again believed in me; for all those who have stood by me and supported me; for all those who unselfishly gave to a cause I believe in; for my family and my friends, old and new... THANK YOU!!!!  Your support and encouragement has made this one heck of a year for me!  And, to GOD, who without His Love, none of this would be possible!!  


So one question remains... NOW WHAT???  Well, January 2011 it starts all over... Miami ING half Marathon 1/30, A1A Half Marathon 2/20, Tahoe Century Ride 6/5, Dublin Marathon 10/31...  and that is just what is planned... there are always events that pop up! Just keep tuned here and you will be able to keep track of all I will be doing in 2011... Life Is Good!!!

All my love and many many thanks for a Happy 40th Year on this Planet!!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

103 Miles.... Really???

So I have made a change to my goals for next year, 2011, with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I have decided to go all out... 103 miles out that is... No, I won't be running this time.  I have decided it is time to give the knees a break and take a bike ride; a 103 mile bike ride around beautiful Lake Tahoe!!!  That is right, I am committed to the 2011 America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride Tour of Lake Tahoe. This event is a full 100-mile (actually, 103 miles) Century Ride; out and back on Highway 89-Bike Trail to visit historic Truckee, California, before continuing around Lake Tahoe. 103 Miles of Beautiful!!  I am already excited.  Giving my legs a little break from running before I start the 26.2 training for Ireland... 
 
All I need to do now is develop a plan to train for this great event. The group I am planning to ride with is opting to crank it up for a cure and average about 18-20.  That said, seems slow for some, take a look at the elevation chart for the ride.  The increased mph will take lots of training for the climbs involved, but I am not scared... 

As I was writing this blog, I received an email from a friend.  I took a break from writing to read the email since I had not heard from him in a few months.  Scott, my friend, emailed me about one of his students, Joey Powers.  He told me how Joey was always helpful and patient; how he had a heart of gold.  Over the summer Joey was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) just like Courtney, my niece.  And just like Courtney, Joey went into remission.  Unlike Courtney, Joey had a relapse that took his life.  On November 20, just four months after his initial diagnosis, and just one day before his 17th birthday, Joey lost his battle with leukemia.  It is in Memory of Joey Powers, and always in Honor of my love Courtney, that I will ride all 103 miles of America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride with Team In Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

It is so often I hear the words "I Can't" while I am recruiting for Team In Training.  So many people lack the courage to try.  It is my favorite quote from an inspirational speaker, a national spokesperson for Team in Training, John Bingham... he said "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."


In Honor of Courtney Wolfe; In Memory of Joey Powers...  I will RIDE!!!  


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Keeping Focused

I read this article today and thought, Why not share...  (You see, my mom did raise me right... ) http://www.active.com/women/Articles/Stay_driven.htm

In the article the author talks about how women who exercise just for body-image reasons often lose focus.  However, when a goal is set the determination and drive continues to the finish line.  The author speaks of a women who struggled to continue exercising just to lose weight, but found out her driving motivation “has more to do with challenging herself and seeing what she's capable of than losing weight.”

The article tells us we should exercise to FEEL good, not necessarily to LOOK good.  Funny thing is, once you FEEL good, you start to have more confidence in how you LOOK as well.  Just get out there and do what you can, do what makes you feel good.  I have always said I do all these endurance events because I can when so many others can’t.  *thinking* Maybe I should start a movement… Like NIKE’s JUST DO IT…  It will be “BECAUSE I CAN”. 

They say exercise helps with mental health as well.  I certainly believe this.  One of my all time favorite movies quotes: "Exercise produces endorphins, endorphins make people happy.  Happy people just don't shoot their husbands." *giggles* (Can you guess the movie?? Hey... don't cheat with google... I mean really!!!)

Nothing cures a bad day like a good, long run.  Something I wish i could do right now, only I am still recovering from my last half marathon a few days ago...  Maybe Thursday, Turkey Day, I will get back out there... BECAUSE I CAN...

As for having a goal, I guess you could say I have wrapped my goals up in finding a cure.  What better motivation could there be?  Sure, the finisher’s medals are pretty, and they look great hanging on my dresser mirror.  But I have never been one who is motivated by shinny things (no, seriously, I am not).  A better way of life for cancer patients, a better chance of survival, a cure… those things are motivation enough for me.  That and BECAUSE I CAN…

Until next time… go out there and run, walk, bike, swim... Because YOU can!!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome...  Over the next few months I will be embarking on yet another endurance event with the hope of finding a cure for blood cancers.  May 1, 2010 I will be participating in the St Anthony's Triathlon in St Petersburg, FL.  In doing so, I will be raising money to help fight blood cancers and to one day find a cure.

Let me start by saying endurance events are somewhat new for me.  Although you might not think so if you saw my resume of events from the last year. The reason I took on this challenge is on August 8, 2009, my then 13 niece, Courtney was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia - a type of blood cancer). Courtney is a very active and outgoing young lady. Fearless almost to a fault, she is rarely afraid of anything. Now, at only 14 years old, Courtney is faced with battling this horrible disease; and, the many ill-effects of the chemo treatments she undergoes to heal her tiny body.

It is Courtney who inspired me to start running for Team in Training (TNT), a sports club solely dedicated to raising money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) through training individuals to push their limits in endurance sports. 

Through her therapy, Courtney is had severe reactions to a few of the medications she is on.  One in particular has left Courtney now battling neuropathy as well as the cancer.  She is bound to a wheel chair until she is strong enough to learn to walk again. I have set out on this path to do my part to help continue to fund research with LLS to find not only find a cure, but better ways of treating these cancers which offer patients a little less discomfort during their battles.

In one year (November 2009 to 2010) I have completed 10 endurance events:  7 Half Marathons, 1 Full Marathon, and 2 Triathlons.  This from the girl who never thought she could run after three knee surgeries.  What I have learned along the way is that my work for LLS has only started. There are so many stories around this country (and throughout the world) of children and adults alike: some who have successfully battled blood cancers, and some who unfortunately have not. I am proud to wear my purple jersey with Courtney's photo on the back at every race. People ask me all the time WHY do I do this. My answer: Because so many others CAN'T!  

After a year of proving to myself and everyone around me I CAN DO THIS, I have selected two more major events with TNT for 2011:  St Anthony's Triathlon (May) is one, and Dublin Marathon (October) is the next.   You have the opportunity to experience this incredible journey through my blog.  Follow along and enjoy the ride.  I promise you wont be let down.

Through this blog I will talk about my nutrition, my training, my aches and pains, and of course update you on my Inspiration, Courtney.  Stay tuned as my next season begins in January 2011.  Until then, I am preparing myself and continuing my training to participate in the Miami ING Half Marathon on January 30th where I hope to set my personal record in a half marathon at a time under 2:20.

See you at the blog...