My family has lost my aunt and two friends since January to Leukemia and lung cancer. My grandfather
also lost his battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. All of this makes it even more important for me to do what I
can to find a cure. We may be in a recession, but cancer isn't...and doesn't care. Please support my fight against
cancer!
I am training to participate in the Disney Goofy Challenge weekend. This is a 13.1 mile half
marathon on Saturday, and a 26.2 mile full marathon on Sunday, to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
This page also includes updates from my century ride, because I am training for both events together.
7 August 2009
I apologize for not updating in a while. I was spending as much time with my grandfather that
I could before he lost his battle with cancer. That happened 2 weeks ago, on July 23. I have decided to continue
my cycling and marathon training, however, I am not participating in the San Francisco Nike Marathon this year. I have
decided to participate in the Disney Goofy-a full and half marathon weekend in January. This is also to help raise money
to find a cure, but just a different event.
It was very hard to come to this decision, especially since I get to see my mom in California (and
she loves to watch me cross the finish line). I just have to focus, and the loss of my aunt and grandfather this year
have taken its toll on me.
However, as you can tell, this program is so addicting that I had to get in the Goofy (in case you
didn't figure that out by my coming back every year for more...lol)
30 August 2009
I've been getting focused on my training. I restarted my marathon training yesterday.
I got in two miles and 50 miles today in my cycling training. I'm feeling a little worse for the wear, however, cancer
patients suffer through so much more. I'm looking forward to keeping it going...for you, Nannu u Zija Diana. RIP
14 September 2009
The last couple of weeks have been a little tough. I have been getting in 60-milers and am at
3 miles with my marathon training. This weekend, we are attacking "Big Bertha" (hill in Clermont) so that we're in shape
for the hill at mile 18 on event day. I'm on a 6-day week training circuit. This isn't as difficult as I thought
it would be.
Last week, I struggled with my 60 miles...almost to the point of giving up at 45. My legs were
on FIRE!!! I still had a mile on the treadmill after that and I couldn't see how I was going to get through it.
Then I thought of what my loved ones must have gone through with their treatments and pain, and realized it was nothing compared
to that. I finished 58.74 miles in 4 hours and 20 minutes...and still did the mile on the treadmill.
This week, I did 60 miles in just under 4 hours...plus the three miles on the treadmill. So
that's my secret. When it starts getting tough, I remember my loved ones and their battles to remind myself that I still
have my health and can do anything when I remember why I am doing it.
27 September 2009
I did it!!! I participated in the Arnold Palmer Miracle Miles 15K (9.3 miles) yesterday.
This event is for the babies. My daughter was a high-risk baby born at Arnold Palmer so this event was very near and
dear to my heart.
Not only did I keep each mile under 16 minutes, I finished in under my goal time of 2:28. That's
with taking pictures at each mile marker AND forgetting my power gels at home. I went with a 2:2 ratio...2 minute jog,
then 2 minute walk. Except around water/gatorade stations...dragged out the 2 minutes a bit, but then I would try and
make it up by adding a minute or two to the next jog. I've tried different ratios, but this seemed a lot more doable
for me and it WORKED!! YAY!!
Anyway, Goofy has requirements of each mile being under 16 minutes, so that's what I was focusing
on. October 17, I have to do a qualifying 13.1 miles to qualify to participate in Goofy. I won't forget my power
gels that day!
I'm off to do 65 miles on the bike today. Only a few more weeks before the Intracoastal.
11 October 2009
Just a quick update...I'm up to 63 miles cycling and will be up to 13.1 miles in the next week or
so to qualify myself to participate in the Goofy Challenge (yes, 13.1 miles is the half marathon distance.) I have
to finish in under 3:30 to qualify for Goofy. With my time in the last few weekends, I know I am able to qualify.
Also, the Intracoastal is 2 weeks from today. With the Intracoastal event under my "belt", I
will have participated in one of each type of event that Team In Training offers, and now qualify for the Triple Crown award.
My children, fiance, and some of my other family members will be there when I receive it. More to be psyched about.
:)
26 October 2009
I DID IT!! Yesterday was the Intracoastal Waterway Century ride. We started in Cocoa,
went up to Titusville, crossed over to Kennedy Space Center, down to the Eu Gallie Causeway, crossed over to Viera, and back
up to Cocoa. WHAT A RIDE!!
I had three riding buddies that crossed the finish line with me. One of them had three flats.
We also had a short stint off-course, stopped at all 5 SAG stops ("Stop And Go" for gatorade/water fillups, PEANUT BUTTER
& BANANA sandwiches YAY!, and whatever else we needed to replenish our bodies with), and one unscheduled stop to rest.
But after just under 10 hours on the course, we crossed the finish line. WHAT A DAY!??!?!
Also, there were 10 of us on the Central Florida team that raised over $22K with this event.
There were a total of 53 Team In Training participants at this event, and I will let you know the total raised when I get
the numbers in.
My 13.1 mile qualifier has been changed to November 7, to give me a little extra time to prepare and
the rest of my team will be up to the same distance. Rather than accelerate my schedule and risk possible injury, this
works out MUCH better for my training.
17 November 2009
My qualifier did not go as I had expected. I was halfway done and started experiencing some
pain in my leg. I figured with my time as good as it was, that I could walk the rest of the way. I got a half
mile through the walk and realized that any more was going to make matters worse. I contacted my coaches and they picked
me up, took me to the end and we iced it.
Since then, I have had an MRI and x-rays which have confirmed the diagnosis of arthritis in my foot
and "myositis and tendinosis involving the distal vastus lateralis and tendonmyositis and tendinosis involving the distal
vastus lateralis and tendon", which explains the pain from my foot to my knee.
With all of this being said, I am allowed to strength train and cycle, but the half marathons and
full marathon I have in my schedule from now through January are out of the question. Team In Training has allowed all
the money I have raised to be put into another account to go towards participation in the next season. This is great
because I am still mentoring several people on the team and I can do everything, but the actual event weekend.
My next event, I will be completely healed and more fit when I start the season and hopefully, it
will be for the San Francisco Nike or Dublin Marathon event. Also, anyone
who participated in the Sponsor-A-Mile program ($75 donation or more) will still be getting a certificate of thanks, with
my race time and picture of me at your sponsored mile and with my medal for that next full marathon event. I will not
forget you when that time comes, and you will be getting updates. I appreciate all that you have done and your support!
Thank you, again!
