To Save A Life

It is important to remember in my endeavor what I am doing it all for.  It was tough last week's practice because I got very little sleep and did not fuel myself properly the night before.  (Too much heavy foods = dumb)  And oh yeah, we had to run for an hour.  The variables were definitely against me, but during our information/discussion time I was reminded of what this all really means.

I have talked about the drug that Leukemia and Lymphoma Society help funded.  We were breaking down what that really means this week because one of the participants brought it up.  Tens of thousands of people our living full lives now because of this drug, that they would should have been dead in 6 months to a year.  We looked at the cost and how many that is and then averaged that $3,000 raised saves a person's life!!  It totally hit my like a brick.  By fundraising that amount, I am potentially saving a person's life!  The pain and exhaustion while running seems mute at this point because I am just blown away.

If everyone I know donates just a bit, then the money raised can be used to LITERALLY save a person's life.  *chills*  Please donate! http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nikesf12/hleppert

After the run, a long running (pun intended) tradition is to get breakfast together.  The place they go to is called Hoff's Hut.  I have seen these around, but never tried them.  First, it is pretty fantastic.  Second, the company made it the best. 

It is such a blessing to get to know my team.  They are a amazing, friendly, caring people. It was also neat to meet one of our coaches 7-month-old little girl.  I am kicking myself now because I did not take a picture of this very beautiful smiley baby.  It would have warmed your heart so much you would feel compelled to donate.  Anyway, we were becoming fast friends! I hope she becomes a regular. Haha.

All and all a great day!

Also, random accidental shot of my jersey...

Plus, afterwards it was such a beautiful day that I got my car washed...

Seconds and Thirds

Well...it happened!  The second week I could not make practice.  I am not sure what happened, but the lack of sleep I got and distance to where we practice joined forces and created a terrible effect on my ability to make it to the second practice.  What this means?  Loss of a run, but more importantly a shoe clinic.  I know what shoes I like, but they usually give killer deals!  Lesson learned: Sleep better. (Easier typed than done)

After the second week no show, I was determined to not do so again.  The third Saturday's practice took place at the same park and was good and bad.  Going back to the mental fights of going around and around was the bad, but the good was more bountiful.  First, my sleeping habits the night before were much better.  Second, the run itself felt good.  Third, I met another 3:1 runner and so more people to learn about on this journey. 

The fourth is the best part of this lesson.  It involved a clinic on moves/stretches that help in preventing different running injuries.  The delivery with this particular clinic was sometimes hard to follow, but the content was extremely useful.  The exercises looked like they could potentially help me greatly.  Once I start getting a hang of the moves, I will post pics.

The last thing we did was we were given an opportunity to decorate our shirts.  The theme is Disney because of the many people doing the Disneyland endurance event.  My talent does not stem very far from lets say being able to draw a heart, so I wrote my name.  However, I do know many artistic friends to send my shirt to and one in particular would be perfect because she can do Disney characters well.  If I can convince her, then I will also post pictures of a nicely decorated shirt!

My name... (There is more than one Heather)

Proof of my skills is that I cannot even do my name very well!

First Practice Was Nuts...

...okay it really wasn't nuts as in crazy, but there was a joke about peanuts (to be told later) and trail mix snacks.

My trepidation has now past and I have no reason to feel as uncomfortable, so we will see how next week goes! 

The first part was the business/information part and introductions.  I love that there are honored teammates doing the events with us.  It is so inspiring.  In fact, it makes me feel like there are no excuses when accomplishing things. We also went over walking and running techniques.  I learned two important things.  One, I do not walk properly (blah, need to work on that.)  Two, walkers can be quite fast.  I laughed because my running time for a half marathon is about the time of a fast full marathon walker plan. 

The second part was our 30 minute run.  I was really excited to find people to do intervals with that I can keep up with.  They were a nice bunch and I can't wait to get to know them more.  Intervals are great for endurance running because it is actually faster for runners than to run as long as you can (which I used to do)  My interval is a 3:1, so I run for three minutes and than walk for one.  It was tough mentally because it was a run through out a park in a circle.  It has the same feel as running a track.  I am not a fan of the round and round.  "I just feel like I was just here!"  Basically, for me, it is the mental part of running that slows me down.  Whatever the reason, when I keep having to pass the place that I started off with, it messes with my head.  I am hoping the training will help me mentally. 

The third part, was a stretch and breakfast.  As we were stretching, it was getting really quiet.  The coach made mention to have someone tell a joke in the silence.  Me being the opposite of shy, I thought I would tell my favorite simple and funny joke.  It is not as funny reading it as it is telling it, but let's see if you can get it.

"Two peanuts were walking down the road; one was assaulted."  Read it out loud!

Snack was provided by all the mentors and coaches.  Delicious homemade coffee cake and trail mix.

All and all, a good day.

Here Is the Kick Off...

Tomorrow will be my very first training day this season for Team In Training.  I am both extremely excited and a bit nervous.  The excitement is because I know that this is exactly what I want to be doing.  I know that it is an amazing cause and to be a part of it is empowering.  Nerves are simply because it is something new.  Doing something new has always given me apprehension.  By tomorrow afternoon, this feeling will be gone because I will know what to expect until the next big step (most likely when we go into double digit running!)

I felt the same way going to the Kick Off for the season.  I did not know anybody and felt kind of awkward walking around, but there were so many mentors, coaches and staff that were full of smiles and kindness to get to know.  And eventually, I ended up chit-chatting with a few people.  I found out that one survivor was doing so well because of a pill they have to take everyday, but they then do not have to do chemo or radiation therapy.  The thing about this pill is that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was the first to help fund it.  No one else wanted to give it a chance.  It gave me chills because you realize that this stuff truly matters to people's lively hood.

The greatest part about the Kick Off was a story from a survivor named Kyle Garlett. I must point out that any survival story is going to be amazing no matter if it was a quick fix or a long journey because life is precious.  However, Kyle's testimony was extraordinary, uplifting and emboldening.

I am a terrible story teller, but let me give you a short rundown as I remember it (Read his book Heart of Iron for the full story.)  It was about twenty years ago that Kyle found out, at the age of 18, he had Lymphoma.  He had to go through treatment of both radiation and chemo over the years. One of the biggest issues with these treatments at the time were the chemicals used because they are toxic to the body.  He developed Leukemia after the Lymphoma had remission because of the treatments.  During the time of therapies, he also ended up needing a heart transplant because one such chemical was heart toxic.  Suffering all the ups and downs of this and then having to wait and hope that someone will have a heart for you is life stripping.  Good news is that not only did he get a heart, the heart transplant worked.  He then was also inspired to do a triathlon (swim 750m, bike a 20K, run a 5K) through Team In Training.  After finishing the triathlon, he then decided to do an Iron man triathlon (Swim 2.4-mile bike 112-mile and run a marathon (26.2-mile.))  Holy Moly!  My thoughts keep getting me worried about a marathon and Kyle, a survivor of blood cancer, with a heart transplant, did an Iron Man Triathlon!  It makes me re-think possibilities!

For information on Kyle Garlett and his story check out his page: http://www.ironmankyle.com/

It is my greatest honor to be doing this for people like Kyle Garlett.  When I began to struggle, when I feel like possibly I made a mistake, I will remember and I will push through!