A Head Full of Stuff

These past few days have not been the best. I'm bummed that my visit with my sister Khai was marred by illness, and I'm bummed that I haven't run since last Thursday. I'm not sure if running has anything to do with my sinus and ear infections - Kyle (my guru) did say that intense work-outs can lower one's immune system. I do know that I have never had either, at least to my knowledge, and it was miserable.

I am just now getting out of the "head full of stuff". Yes, there is still some fluid in my head, and it still gives me some trouble, but I'm not feeling seasick every time I move my head. That's an improvement, and I'll take it. And I'm going to run tomorrow - it may only be a couple of miles, but I really need to get out there and do it. I have a 10K to run this weekend with Bonnie, and I'm not bailing on her!

So, nothing really interesting to say, other than TGIFB!

Bonkity Bonk Bonk

"In endurance sports, particularly cycling and running, hitting the wall or the bonk describes the condition when an athlete suddenly loses energy and becomes fatigued, the result of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles becoming depleted."

Ok, whatever, I'm no science-y nutrition-y type (although I DO like some science, just not the technical bits). But this is what Kyle thought happened to me on Saturday, and he's probably right.

Jeni and I ran together on Saturday for the first 10.5 miles. I felt incredible the first 6 miles or so, but then my energy started to flag. By the time we returned to our cars and I took off solo for my last 5 miles, I was pretty much toast.

I managed to push it for 3 more miles, though, when suddenly I just couldn't go any further. I was DONE with a capital D-O-N-E. Even walking the last 2 miles back to my car (ok, minivan) was brutal. I was spent, physically and mentally, and I actually felt like crying.

I want to feel good about the 13 miles, I really do. But this is only the 2nd time in training that I haven't been able to complete what I set out to do. I said I'd do 15 miles - by God I was going to do 15 miles! - but I didn't mean that I was going to walk the last 2. So that sucked.

I set myself a huge goal, I know that. I don't want to let myself down, so I've got to figure out the whole re-fueling thing so I don't "BONK" again the next time I set out on a long one.

Sore Kneecaps

I really didn't know if I could do it, and I'm a bit surprised that I did, but I ran 12 miles yesterday morning. I didn't break any speed records or anything. It took me 2 hours and 15 minutes. But that is a lot faster than I thought it would be. I thought it would take me 3 hours!

Running 12 miles when my body is really in no shape to do so takes its toll, however. My kneecaps hurt. My lower back hurts. My legs hurt. But the silver lining to all this soreness? I can totally justify getting a massage!

Double the Trouble, Double the FUN

Is running fun? Hmmm. Not fun, exactly. Satisfying? Is that the right word?

Well, I've been so satisfied with the past 6 weeks (Is that all it has been? Geesh!) that I decided, as some of you already know, to run the FULL marathon instead of the half.

Why would I do something so... foolish? Crazy? Exciting? Amazing? Lengthy? Because I can. Because I never do things in a sensible manner.

I'm having a blast, really. My scale hasn't changed (At all! Not even the BMI part! WTF?) but my body has changed. And I hope I've changed too. Not the things that were already good. The bad bits... you know.

Awesome Weekend in So Many Ways

What a great weekend!

I was planning a weekend filled with fun - probably too much fun, so I asked our coach what I should do about our planned 8 mile run on Saturday morning. Our family was going to a hotel with friends/neighbors on Friday night, and I just knew too much alcohol would probably be involved and a very late night, considering no one had to drive home. And Saturday night was our big LLS benefit with Tim Mahoney, so I knew I would be in no shape to run on Sunday, either. Our coach told me to switch Monday's run for Saturday's run if I could - run 3 miles on Saturday and the 8 on Monday; otherwise, just take the weekend off and run 8 on Monday.

The kids had a blast at the mini water park, and we adults had a good time both in the pool and pool side. The kids were up late, and by the time I laid down with Griffin at about 11:00 to put him to bed, I was pretty tired myself. I didn't mean to, but I fell asleep and never made it back out to our little party!

Needless to say, I didn't have an excuse not to run on Saturday, so I mapped out 8 miles at http://www.mapmyrun.com/ and set off. Since I've never run 8 miles before, I really wasn't sure how I'd do. I know that our hill workout was supposedly 7.5 miles last weekend - and that monster HILL 3x to boot - but since I never officially confirmed that number I am not 100% positive.

I am happy to say that I ran those 8 miles. And I felt good doing it. Cardiovascularly, I felt great. It's my legs that took a beating. As soon as I was done running, I think they turned to jelly. I had to come home and get ready for the big TIM MAHONEY BENEFIT. The night we've been waiting for and planning for. Getting dressed, my calves hurt. So I decided to wear my running shoes out last night. Hey, they were comfortable!

The show was so much fun, and it was a sell-out - I heard there were plenty of people who didn't get in - what a bummer! I had a lot of fun getting up on stage with Tim and making my announcements because deep inside I'm a rock star myself - just without the song-writing and singing skills. :) We sold our remaining TV raffle tickets and some glow-in-the-dark bracelets. And Tim auctioned off the autographed guitar. I had no idea going in how much that would bring, but we were lucky it was a crazy night at the Basement, because it fetched $1150!

All told with the raffle, bracelets and guitar - minus our expenses (our cost for the bracelets, the TV), Jeni and I each made about $1150. I have some raffle tickets that haven't been paid for yet so I'll take the loss if they aren't paid as Jeni didn't sell any on "credit". With those donations, I have raised about $2750 for LLS. So, $1050 until I reach my goal of $3800. Getting closer! :)

You know what I like best about that picture of us with Tim Mahoney and the winner of the auction? That my belly is hanging out. Nice! What happened there?

The Big Switch

I don't know for sure, but I don't think anyone's going to care that I've switched half marathons. Originally scheduled to run in San Diego on May 31st, but now I changed to the Seattle RnR half marathon in June.

I have a couple of reasons for switching, one being financial. While I am commited to raising the same amount - $3800 - I have another 3-4 weeks to do so. My biggest reason, however, is that most of the gang on my team is running Seattle. And I want to run with the team! :)

Oh, and this gives me an additional month to train. The Seattle course is much hillier (!) than the San Diego course, so I'll need that extra month!

Today ran the hilly 3-mile course around my neighborhood. Ran with my friendly neighbor Susan. Man, the difference between that and running on the treadmill yesterday! With the wind and the hills, it's like a totally different run - for me, anyway!

Holy Crap That Was Tiring!

I knew going into it this morning that it was gonna be tough. Although our schedule said 4 miles, coach had told me on Wednesday that we'd be doing hills. So it was with a great deal of apprehension that I drove to Normandale Lake for our run.

What I didn't know, and what no one knew, is that not only would it be hills, it would be the most horrifyingly terribly tiring hill in the world.

And the schedule wasn't completely wrong. We DID run 4 miles. However, that 4 miles didn't take into account the hill training. And we had to run up that hill (and down again, obviously) 3 times. And that added on extra distance - 3 EXTRA MILES, half of which was UPHILL. Did I mention that the hill was steep? The sign said 9% grade, which meant nothing to me, but when I told Kyle after I'd gotten home, he told me that when he was driving in the mountains with his sister years ago it was like 7-8%. SO IT WAS REALLY STEEP.

Man that was tiring. My calves are feeling it, definitely.

The Bug?

Have I caught the running "bug"? If I'm feeling sorta disappointed that today is a "rest/stretch" day so I'm not supposed to run... does that mean I've got it? Runners? Help me out here.

Last night the team did 5 miles at Lake Calhoun. I felt great the whole 5 miles. I think those Gu thingies work, because I ate one of those "Chocolate Outrage!" Gu's, and I had lots and lots of energy for that run. Coincidence?

My Love Affair with Cheese

So I've been running/working out for about 1 month now. Not a lot of time, I know, but enough time, you'd think, to see some "results".

Now, one could argue that I AM seeing results. After all, I can run a lot further now than when I started. Which is great.

But I'm wondering, what about the mushy middle stuff? What about shedding a couple o' pounds? I'm not greedy, I'm not looking for a drastic weight loss or anything. I'm only looking to lose about 5 pounds, but the scale has stubbornly remained unchanged.

I am forced to concede that it might, just might, be the cheese. Cheese and I go way way back together. Cheese is always there for me, and knows how much I love it. I see cheese way too often and I know it's not good for me to spend so much time with cheese. One might say I'm addicted to cheese.

Cheese goes by a lot of different names, but cheese doesn't fool me. I love cheese pretty much no matter what cheese chooses to call itself: Brie, Camembert, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Feta, Havarti, Gouda, Bleu, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, Edam, Swiss... just to name just a few. And cheese usually brings a friend, Chips.

Ask me what I'll never give up. I think you already know.

Uphill and Into the Wind

It's been a really good running weekend. The weather has been fantastic, as all my Minnesota friends know. On Saturday I ran the 100% Irish for a Day 5K at Lake Harriet, which was my very first event ever. I'm happy to say that while I didn't win - or even come close to winning, obviously - I ran perfectly respectable 10 minute miles. That's perfectly respectable in my world, anyway.

I wasn't able to make practice this morning because Maryn had a cousin, Avery, sleep over. Actually, I think Avery is my second cousin, so I don't know what that makes her to Maryn - all that stuff gets confusing beyond the first cousin thing. So I mapped out a 5 miles route here in the Shack (Shakopee). It's pretty hilly right by my house, and I had heard that the Monument - where team practice was today - is hilly, so I figure I've done a comparable run.

Miles 3 and 4 were mostly uphill, so those were hard. What made them even more difficult is I was heading South, which was right into the wind. But I've decided that I'm not a quitter. So I just kept on going. And I did it!

I start just about every run thinking I can't do it, and then I prove myself wrong. I need to get to that point where I start every run KNOWING I can do it. Considering I have only been running for 26 days, I am not complaining! :) Happiness!

In Honor of Gracie and Others

Gracie Theis

In remission since January 2007

Sometimes I forget when I'm running and fundraising who I'm doing it for. Of course, I am running for me too - I want to improve my health and fitness just as much as the next person. But I'm not raising money for me. It's for Gracie, and people like her.

Just Another Day, Only Colder

Today was a bit disappointing, because practice was cancelled due to the wind chill or something like that. Oh well. It gave us time to do our "photo shoot", which was actually just Kyle taking pictures of Jeni and me for the Shakopee newspaper. We're going to be part of a story about our honored teammate, Gracie Theis. It's a long story how this came to be... okay, the truth is, I suggested the story to the newspaper, and after some conversations back and forth the editor assigned a reporter to it, and it's a go. As I've said, it may be the only reputable way that Jeni and I are ever going to get our names in the paper. :)

Anyway, so I had to run the three miles indoors tonight because of the bitter winds. I dislike treadmills, but there were a couple of actually decent looking guys at the gym tonight, so it had some benefits.

Grateful

I had a difficult week last week. And when I say difficult, what I really mean is awesome. Because, my week, while busy for me, was full of things that I WANT to do. And looking back and reading what I wrote, it is RIDICULOUS that I would complain about all the things I am fortunate enough to be able to do.

So, what I want to say is I'm grateful. I have a great life, with a great family, and great friends and neighbors. I have a solid community and fantastic opportunities and everything else a person could wish for. Truly, I do.

Last week I was a big ol' dope. Sorry about that.

Things Do Get Better

After Thursday's "yucky" day, I was sure I'd do the run again on Friday to make up for it, even though I was only scheduled for 30 minutes of cross training.

Well, guess what? I didn't do it. In fact, I didn't do ANYTHING on Friday!!!!

One might say I was falling down the slippery slope into the "do nothing" abyss, but the good news is: No, I didn't. Instead, I went to Lifetime with Kyle on Saturday, my actual scheduled rest day, and did the stair machine as well as some treadmill. Worked up a very sweaty sweat, I tell you! I actually DRIPPED. :)

So this morning, it being daylight savings and all, 6:30 am came really early. Early because my body really thought it was 5:30, which is what it had been the day before. Well, y'all know how daylight savings works, I'm sure. :) I made my Kashi oatmeal and got ready for the 8:00 am run at Lake Calhoun. Today's weather was really nice so there were no concerns about freezing my fingers off or anything like that (for once!).

Driving to these training runs, I get a very nervous, kinda sick feeling in my tummy. Today we were scheduled to run 6 miles, and as you know, I ain't never run 6 miles! Today's route was around Lake Calhoun to Lake of the Isles and back. As it turns out, the route is 6.5 miles, and since I ran the whole darn way, I have a new personal distance record! Whoo hoo!

This coming weekend I am going to run a 5K at Lake Harriet, called 100% Irish For A Day. I figured it would be fun to do a few small races before the big day, to kind of see what it might be like. Also, I have discovered from running around the lakes that I do not like the feeling of having someone run behind me. It's creepy and I want to keep looking back to see who it is. I realize I'm going to have to get over that in order to do any events, unless I plan to always take last place - I guess that would work too.

A Yucky Day

Today was a terrible run day. Last night's run with Kyle at Lake Harriet was actually good. We ran 4 miles, but we had to push ourselves over a couple of long stretches. I don't know if those extra bursts really tired me out or if it was the gluttonous anniversary meal we enjoyed at Salut afterwards, but my legs are seriously tired today. Probably both of those things, plus the bad idea of bringing Henry along for the run today, because I basically threw in the towel at 2-1/2 miles. Fighting Henry from chasing around the other dogs in the neighborhood was energy I just didn't have to spare on this day!

So, today was my worst run yet. We were supposed to go 3 miles. Feeling guilty. I might have to do more than 30 minutes cross training tomorrow...

Running with the Wolf

Today is my 9 year wedding anniversary! And, to celebrate, as I said yesterday, Kyle and I are going to my team training to run around Lake Harriet (plus a little extra - total 4 miles).

Now, Kyle and I have never run together. So, I'm actually pretty nervous about running with him. Just watch, tonight will be the night I am struck down by some stabbing pain, or afflicted with breathing problems, or something equally debilitating. On the night I want to do my best.

Spending my anniversary with Kyle running around the lake: $0. Catching a quick dinner after our run: Around $40. Paying the babysitter: Around $30. Still wanting to impress my husband after 9 years of marriage? Priceless.

Full Disclosure

Okay. That post earlier today we can call my "Complaining Blog" or "Woe is Me Blog". I could delete it, but that wouldn't be honest - and I am above all things going to be honest!

I don't know if it is genetic or environmental or what it is, but I have always been one big quitter. Okay, with one notable exception - but that's the one thing I've NEEDED to quit for a long long time. Yes, I know - my inability to quit has really been "quitting the quitting". I just have never had that "stick-to-it-ness" that some people have, which is a really huge regret of mine. My husband has it, which I greatly admire, and I have been hoping that some of it will rub off on me.

Today I ran the 4 miles. I did it. And I have to keep on making myself stick to the program, because I really don't want to be a quitter anymore!

I really cannot understand why some people think running 4 miles is easy. I truly truly don't. Maybe it's because I've never been a runner, and so I've never gotten to that point. That would be such a great feeling - to run 4 or 5 miles and think, "Wow. That was really easy!"

Anyway, forget all that stuff about me having too much on my plate. For me, it's a challenge and a learning experience to get it all done. I know I can do it. For you, Kyle, just as much as me.

Where's the Balance?

It's official. I have taken on WAY TOO MUCH. Yes, again. I have a tendency to do nothing for months, then try to do EVERYTHING all at once.

So there's the training. It doesn't take that long most days, about 45 minutes. But add on top of that my homework. The philosophy is SO time consuming, and I have a paper on democracy, an exam, and reading all due this week. My biology isn't as bad, but still I have reading and a shorter paper to write by Friday. The housework has taken a back seat - okay, the housework is no longer even in the car! - but I have the Pampered Chef fundraising party at my house on Saturday, so I need to clean this week. And, it's my 9th wedding anniversary tomorrow night. Luckily, men don't seem to care so much about those things, so Kyle has agreed to spend our anniversary at my team training running around Lake Harriet with me! :)

I feel badly for my kids, because I just don't have very much time to be in the moment with them. My mind is swimming with all the things I need to do. Add on top of that my raging case of PMS the last few days, plus nicotine withdrawal (yes, I quit smoking again), and I am a basket case.

So, where's the balance? Kyle says I need to find it. If you see it, please let me know asap!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race?

Slow and steady didn't win the race today, but slow and steady FINISHED the run. And for me, that's winning.

Today was my first 5-mile run, and it was a cold one. The thermometer said -2 when I was getting ready this morning, but I think it had warmed up to around 9 degrees by the time I was running around Calhoun. It was kinda amusing to see all the runners with frost-covered faces, and believe me, there were plenty of runners out there this morning.

The trend I mentioned last time - that of feeling great while running - wasn't quite the case today. I was tired, cold (freezing fingers and toes, mainly), and I had a stitch in my side the whole way. I flirted with the idea of stopping to walk many many times, but I worked through it. Once, I had to stop for one second to pick up a glove I had dropped. Man, that one second was BLISS.

I learned a couple of things today. One, at heart, I am a team player. I ran by myself for the first three miles, and was able to put one foot in front of the other by my own sheer will. The last two miles, however, I finally caught up to Darren, who had been about 20 yards ahead of me most of the way. Those last two miles were tough, but running with my teammate pulled me through, and I hope I did the same for him. Would I have made it the whole 5 miles without walking without his support? I don't know, and the great thing about a team is, I don't have to know. He was there and it really helped!

The second thing I learned was that one should keep their toenails short. When I finally got home after the run, I was exhausted and cold - really really cold. I have never wanted a hot shower more than I did right then. (Except for that one time Griffin smeared the contents of his diaper on my head. I wanted a shower pretty badly then, too.) I ran upstairs, and when I took my shoe off, my sock was covered with blood. Turns out one of those little sharpies cut the toe next to it. I never felt it - I had way too many other ailments going on! Note to self: super short toenails from now on!

$3800 is an awful lot of money to raise, especially in these horrific economic times. If you can, please donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by going to my website at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/mn/rnr09/maleej

Every little bit helps. THANKS.

Night on the Town

I love Lake Harriet! I have so many memories from there, so I really enjoyed running around the lake last night. We ran 4 miles, ending with an uphill to Lake Calhoun and back. The craziest thing was that I felt GREAT the whole time! I couldn't believe it! Longest run ever, and I felt the best ever! I hope that this trend continues, as we have a 5 mile run scheduled at Lake Calhoun on Saturday morning.

Jeni and I went to Famous Dave's at Calhoun Square after our run to see Tim Mahoney play a solo show. I love Tim's voice. We talked to him during his set break about the FUNdraiser we're planning for March. We also met his girlfriend Kelly, who is a really down girl! I think Tim likes my ideas - now I just have to get The Basement fully on board to support these ideas, and we can have a fab party and raise funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at the same time.

Yesterday Kyle found out that he was accepted onto the Lifetime Fitness MTB 100 team. Yikes! With all this training, we'll be like the 2 ships passing in the night, as they say, but I'm sure we'll both be better for our efforts.

Kyle's race means we won't be able to attend our annual camping trip in August this year with the Guidingers (Khai, you reading this?), which is a bummer, but it's only one year. I'll also be missing my 20 year high school reunion, which is another bummer, but it is way more important to be in Colorado supporting my man!

The Body Responds

I'm keeping up quite a lot with this blog, because it's keeping me accountable to something. Good motivation when you're posting your actions to the "world".

This gal's ol' body is beginning to respond to my training. I ran my 3 miles again today, and it was the easiest it has been since I started. That's not to say it was EASY for me, but I ran over a mile and a half pretty easily compared to where I started a week ago. I have proven to myself that I can run a full three miles. Now tomorrow night at team training, we have a four mile run at Lake Harriet.

I'm posting a picture my 5 year old son Griffin took of me today after the run. He greeted me with "valentines", and wrote for the very first time "Mom". :)

I love you, Tim Mahoney!

I've never enjoyed fundraising before, so I'm trying to find ways to make it FUN. And I thought of THE PERFECT THING.

I recently emailed Tim Mahoney about helping me fundraise for LLS. He is open to the idea, which is AWESOME!

If you haven't heard of Tim Mahoney (and I would think most of us Minneapolis-ites have, but you never know), he is an extremely talented singer/songwriter recently featured in Rolling Stone this past November. Check out his music on his webpage at: http://www.Timmahoney.com

Details on this (hopefully to be planned!) event to come soon!

The Things that Stick

Isn't it funny the things that stay with you, that motivate you? Last winter, when Kyle and I went dog-sledding up in Ely, MN, we had the awesome opportunity of meeting explorer Paul Schurke and to hear him talk about his experiences. (I also got to beat Paul, the other guides, and Kyle at bowling one night when I bowled an astoundingly good game, considering I usually don't bowl unless there's tequila involved.) Paul was co-leader along with Will Steger of the team that went to the North Pole, among other things. Anyway, ever since that trip, whenever I am cold or facing some arduous task, I think of Paul and say, "This is NOTHING compared to what Paul went through." I don't know why, but somehow it works for me. For instance, this winter I have been much more willing to face extremely cold temperatures than ever before, taking the dogs out for walks when it was 20 or 30 degrees below.

That quote from Lance Armstrong that Kyle read to me the other night, "Pain is temporary; quitting is forever," seems to be one of those things. Today I ran six times around my block - or "my track" as I call it. Our block is exactly 1/2 mile around. I think it was my best run ever, mainly because that quote kept me going. I knew that the tiredness I was feeling would pass quickly after being done, but if I stopped or walked, that was going to bother me at least all day. After running the 3 miles, I grabbed Henry and walked around the block once more as a cool down. The whole process took me 45 minutes, which isn't great, but feels pretty good to me!

My hope is to eventually be able to run with Henry, but the other day when I tried it, he went too fast for me and tired me out too quickly. I'd also love to be able to run with the best doggie ever Hannah, but her running days are past, I'm afraid.

I doubt I'll write about every single running experience I have (to your great relief, I'm sure), but it's still all so new to me - I'm filled with enthusiasm!

Ever wonder how hideous I look when I'm outside in the freezing cold running? Wonder no more - here's a shot of me from Saturday's "FUN" run!

2nd Team Meeting/Training

Today at 12:12pm

When I woke up at 6:45 this morning and looked outside, my first thought was, "Oh no." A good amount of snow fell last night, making the scheduled 8:00 am run feel somewhat more daunting. Kyle, who is re-reading a Lance Armstrong book, told me that Lance would say to instead think, "Well, this will be different."

My participation in this endurance event has inspired Kyle to train for his own event. He originally wanted to tackle the MTB 100 in Leadville, CO. This is an EXTREME mountain biking race that Lance Armstrong will be competing in as well. I am strongly encourging Kyle to perhaps train this year for the MTB 50, because, quite frankly, I want him to come back in one piece. Even the 50 mile mountain bike race through the mountains with quote, "Steep climbs, SERIOUS descents," is considered extreme! As it turns out, the MTB 100 is sold out and difficult to gain entry to, so I may get my wish after all. :)

Anyway, I want to say that my run this morning was uplifting, but it was not to be. Once I arrived at Runner's Gate in Lakeville and started running our course, I was immediately reminded that I am not in shape. No, not at all. The five inches of snow on the ground had not been plowed, and the course, according to my mentor Mark, was the kind of course even on the best days that feels like you're running uphill both ways. Simply put, it was hell. Awful, terrible, and I disliked every moment of it!

Last night, Kyle had mentioned a quote from Lance Armstrong (again, I know, but that is the book he's reading). Sir Lance said, "Pain is temporary, but quitting is forever." That stayed with me as I trudged the three miles through ridiculous amounts of snow. Frankly, it made me feel worse, because I had to walk half of that darn course. Not even the lure of our after-run 30% off at Runner's Gate could propel me any faster.

Believe me, even walking through that disaster was a workout. I haven't felt sore from any of the working out I've done, but today I already feel the effects of that run. I welcome the soreness as a reminder that I need to WORK HARD to achieve my goal of running this half marathon. What Wednesday's run gave me was the sense that I can do this, but today's run reminded me that I've still got a lot of work to do.

Yes, the pain was temporary. I did manage to make it back to the store without hailing a taxi-cab, and I did manage to purchase identical shoes to the ones I had just purchased on Tuesday to replace my doggie-damaged ones - this time at 30% off. Thanks Runner's Gate!

To donate to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please go to my website at:http://pages.teamintraining.org/mn/rnr09/maleej

First Day of Training for Half Marathon

Thu 12:16am

Today was the first day of our training for the half marathon that I will be running in May. We met up with the team at Lake Calhoun. I met for the first time Coach Kelly, Coordinator Kristen, and my mentor Mark. Although the thermometer said it was 18 degrees, with the windchill it was definitely colder than that!

This being my first real run, it came as kinda a shock to hear that we'd be running 5 miles. The rest of the team started meeting twice a week about 2 weeks ago. Jeni and I just signed up last Wednesday, and I was out of town all weekend, so today was the first day we were able to go to a team training.We started off on the run, and my mentor Mark ran with me. They assign all the runners with mentors - i.e. other runners who have run the marathon before and are there to answer our questions, etc. I'm glad he chose to run with me, as it was extra motivating to have someone there who didn't quite realize just how little running I've done.

Let's see - what running have I done up to this point? Well, last week I started a beginner's running program. I ran twice on the treadmill, following the program of running 1 minute, walking 2 minutes, repeat 10x. That's it. Since HIGH SCHOOL.

The run started off really well, except my hands were absolutely freezing. I was SURE I would lose fingers by the end of the 5 miles. At last, about halfway around the lake, I suddenly realized my fingers were finally warm. If that isn't bliss, I don't know what is. Then Coach Kelly showed up to tell Jeni and I that we were to run just 3 miles, it being our first day. At that point I was feeling really good and thought I might just be able to go the 5 miles, but who am I to argue?

I'm happy to report that I ran just about all the 3 miles around the lake. I only stopped running to walk twice for one minute each, which I thought was pretty darn good since I don't even know if I've ever run 3 miles. Everything felt great, even though I couldn't figure out what was going on with my right eye. It either started freezing or twitching about 3/4 of the way around the lake. By the time I reached the end of the 3 miles, yes, I was ready to be done. I could have walked the extra 2 miles I suppose, but I didn't want to overdo it the first day out. But I felt great. I am proud of how I did, and it is fun to be part of a team again - it's been so long since I played sports.

The night didn't end on a high note, unfortunately. As some of you know from my OMFG status, after I returned home from my personal triumph, our 9 month old dog Henry chewed a big ol' hole in my brand new running shoes. Well, I guess I got to wear them once. And they were really comfortable.

Next group training is Saturday morning at 8:00 am. Those of you who know me well know that that is mighty early for me! But I'm looking forward to it. I have some cross training to do between now and then.

Thanks for all your support, both in words and in deeds. With your help, I've raised $425 in the 7 days since I started. "Only" $3,375 to go! :)SAN DIEGO HERE WE COME!To support me, but more importantly, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit my fundraising page at:http://pages.teamintraining.org/mn/rnr09/maleej