Our Story

Hello Everyone!

I guess it’s about time for an update on my running! Well, Saturday the 12th, I was able to run the NY Mini 10K. I’m not quite sure what the name of the race means, but it isn’t a miniature 10K race, it was the full 6.2 miles. I counted. I was able to run it with my good friend Alex Basko, who is also running for Team in Training. TnT builds optional races into our training schedule to allow us to train for a race, not just for a run. I didn’t really know what to expect from myself, but it turns out that I was more ready for it than I thought. We set a goal of running it in under an hour. Alex finished it in 59:59 and I finished it in 1:00:00 exactly Hooray!

The race itself was basically a lap of Central Park, and we could not have asked for more gorgeous weather. The moisture on my shirt in the pictures is mostly water…I dumped a few cups over my head for fun. The race was a great way to ease into the racing mentality. It is definitely different when you get out there and ask your body to hold a steady, hard (yes, 9:40 is pretty hard for me) pace for a long distance, and then you ask it to increase that pace in the last mile or so. That’s a pretty big difference from: “Well, lets go ahead and just jog for 30 minutes and enjoy the scenery.” You quickly discover that you have latent reserves of competitiveness. Or maybe that is just me…

But no worries, after the race, you can reward yourself with a bagel, bananna, bomb pop and gatorade. Everyone knows that the best time to eat a large meal is right after some heavy exercise, right? Seriously, I don’t get it yet. But the liquid was definitely much needed at that point. I know that the carbs (from the bagel) and potassium (from the bannana) are good to replenish after a race, and I did get pretty hungry around mile four, so I am learning.

It was a great first race to run. We paced oursleves well and were able to run the second half faster than the first. I think I could have pushed a little more, but it was more important for me to learn about how to race. Now I just have to work up to more than four times that length!

Fundraising is going well, and the money is slowly trickling in. I am so excited to be raising this money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The more personal stories I hear, the more important I realize their goal is. I already have names of several family members and friends of donors that have been diagnosed with cancer to wear proudly on my jersey the day of the marathon. If you would like me to do the same for someone you know, please contact me or send the name with a donation. Even small donations are so helpful and hopeful! Thank you so much for everyone who has already donated!

My workouts in general have been going well. I find great stress relief in my running time. And I enjoy the time with my mini iPod, too. However, my poor dog is quickly falling behind in the training. I know that pitbulls are supposed to have been bred for gameness (heart, loyalty, stamina, and determination) over the years, but I think Dina would just rather go home for a nap after the first 3-4 miles. I am also much more worried about heatstroke, dehydration and GI problems with her, so I may have to leave her at home more often now that the miles are extending. I can’t read her as well as I can read myself, and I would much rather be safe than sorry.

We are also moving to Newark in August, so I will be challenged to find a safe place to run off all these miles. I’m sure I will find something, but I just got used to the routes here

Now that the miles are adding up, the time on the road is too. That is a lot of time to think. Recently, I couldn’t help but think of all my friends who consider me crazy. They ask me what I could possibly enjoy so much about running. I think the answer is: because it feels so good when I stop!

It will especially feel good on Oct. 24th. And then I can eat some San Franciscan bagels!