Weeks 11- 14

Wow, it really has been a long time since I have updated. My apologies. For some reason, time has truly run away from me lately. So I will do my best to update you on all that I have been up to.

Fundraising- I was lucky enough to be apart of two fundraising events since I have last updated. Some of my amazing former co-workers threw me a fundraising BBQ in Fort Collins. It was an amazing time to catch up, as well as make some money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Thank you ladies and gents, it was a big help and great to see you!

I was also a part of my Team's fashion show. Together we raised over 2,000 dollars for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!! It was a great success for our team!

Running- I ran my first half-marathon this past weekend!!! I can not BELIEVE I ran 13.1 miles... and actually survived. Never in my life did I think I would run 13.1 miles!! Surprisingly, I felt pretty good during the race, which gives me confidence that I can gut my way through 26.2 in a couple months. Check out the pictures below! It felt pretty good to be wearing TNT purple! I am getting excited for race day!!

Week 9 & 10

Wow! Sorry I have not been very good about blogging lately. The last time I wrote, I thought I was running an eleven-miler for my long run. Turns out we only had to run eight. It was such a relief when I got to practice. Last week we had to run nine, and I was shocked at how well I felt after I was finished. Another nine mile run this weekend, but I am off to camp in Telluride and will be attempting to run it on my own! All in all, I am feeling much more like a runner. My body feels pretty great concidering... and it is a great way to clear my head. I think I'm addicted!

I had a fundraising BBQ in Fort Collins this week! It was great to see some of my old friends & co-workers while raising more money for LLS! Thank you to those who were able to make it over for the BBQ, I truly appreciate your support.

Tonight is our group fundraiser, Charity Fashion Show & Silent Auction. It should be a great time!

Week 8

Well, I am still running. It has become a part of everyday life. We did not have group training this week due to the holiday weekend. It was scary to think of running the long run for the week on my own. Luckily, it was only six miles and I got out and did it! It's pretty cool to know I can get out and conquer six miles all on my own. I just never imagined myself ever running more than 2-3 miles... and here I am training for 26.2 and loving almost every minute of it! The next long run is ELEVEN miles!! This Saturday morning, I will join my team members and attempt to run those miles. I am a little nervous, but I know I can do it! I will be sure to let you know how it goes!

Pub Crawl Pictures!!

Here are some pictures from our fundraising pub crawl! Thank you again to those who came out to support a great cause!

Week 6 & 7

Hello family and friends! Thank you again for checking in and keeping updated on my training. It has become such a huge and important part of my life, and I truly appreciate your support. Last week, week 6, was my first 7 mile run. I was very nervous as my running partner, Stacey, has been out with a knee injury and I was going to have to run it without her. Lucky for me, I run those brutal long runs with the TEAM on Saturday mornings and I DID IT! I was so excited to run 7 miles! Soon enough, a 7 miler will be a short run. Hard to believe!

Week 7 was a lighter mileage week for us. I only had to run about 3 miles Mon-Thurs with a 6 mile run for the long run. It was a nice and cool morning, and it was the easiest 6 mile run ever! Not that I have run 6 miles many times, but it felt really good this morning. I could have kept going... but I am happy to stick with the training schedule.

Tonight is the fundraising pub crawl that Stacey and I have organized! I have recruited many of my wonderful friends to come out and support the cause. We will be crawling around Denver in green and purple drinking for a cure! I will be sure to get some pictures up! Thanks again for all of your support!!

Week 5

Well I am home from Michigan and I must say running at sea level was not quite what I thought it would be. My endurance was great, but the humidity was horrible!! It was HOT!

I did get to run my "long run" for the week at Tahquamenon Falls, which was beautiful! My high school friend, Libby, got out and ran with me. It was more of a trail run, which was challenging, yet fun! After our run, we treated ourselves to huge ice cream cones and an "ice bath" in Lake Superior! Yikes, it was COLD!

Otherwise, running in Michigan was NOT my favorite part of the trip home. It's good to be back to the mountains!

Lib and I before the run.

Soakin' up the view!

Ice Cream. Yummm! I think we deserved it...

We are in there, I am the little pink blob!

Week 4

Wow, it is hard to believe it has been four weeks! I am enjoying ALMOST every minute of training... I could live without the aches and pains in my muscles... but hey, it's got to be better than chemo!

On Saturday I finally got to meet my team hero's, Sharon and Allison! What an inspiration they were! Sharon had mentioned she walked the San Fran marathon last year and it was one of the most amazing experiences in her life. I can not wait to feel what she felt. These two lovely ladies truly are hero's. It was great to finally meet them!

Allison, Sharon and I

Stacey and I ran our 8K race in Denver this past weekend. It started out a little rough with our late start in the morning and then we had trouble getting there due to the roads being blocked off for the races. We ended up running TO the race, which added an extra mile and a half to our run. We managed to get to the start line about 2 minutes before the race began, had time for a quick stretch and we were running again! Not quite what I was hoping to do, but it worked out. We finished in about 51 minutes, and it was fun to get out and do another race! (Why I think it is FUN to get up and run on a Sunday morning... I don't know, but I do!) We even had a few friends out to cheer us on! Thanks to Lori, Bryn, Mike and Turner! It was great to see familiar faces at the finish!

Stacey and I ran in our new TEAM shirts!

I think it motivates me to run harder...

I am off to Michigan for a wedding and will spend most of week 5 running at sea level!!! Pretty excited about that! Thanks for reading!

More race pictures!!

Finish line!

Lori and I at the expo.

Lori and Bryn

(They made an awesome cheering section!)

Tuner and Mike

(Not only did they watch us at the finish, Mike also drove us to and from the race. Thanks again!)