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!!!

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...