5 miles, shot blocks and 37% towards goal - Thank you!

First, the big news: we are now at 37% of my goal of $1700 by July 2 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Thank you so much to folks who have contributed in the last week or so.

Elizabeth, St. Paul
Carin and Ross, Minneapolis
Carolyn and John, St. Paul
Lesley, Washington, D.C.
Maria and Joram, St. Paul
John and Phyllis, Sioux Falls, SD

I can't accomplish this goal without your help, and you have definitely stepped up - thank you, all of you, for your generosity and your encouragement. There's a little over four weeks left to raise the remaining 63%, or $1077.60 - I know we can do it.

On Saturday, I went on our weekly long team run. I am finding that team tranings are the highlights of my week, and the long runs are the best. I am still getting used to my 6 min run/2 min walk interval. We finished 5 miles on Saturday, and I did it in 64 minutes. Not too shabby, considering that is my longest outdoor run, and it was also a quite hilly run (think Randolph down to Shepherd Road, up Elway eventually to Lexington, on Jefferson to Victoria.) Our fantastic coaches showed me a couple of tips for running up hills (a little slower pace, use arms more to move up the hill) and running down (kick your feet back a little bit, but don't lean too much - when your legs are fatigued you can loose control quickly.)

After the run, we had a "team shop" at Run N Fun at Victoria and Randolph, who not only opened a whole five hours early for us to leave our things during our run, but then gave a 25% discount to all TNT members! For the first time, I got running shoes fitted (if you plan on running regularly, you absolutely need to get fitted for the proper shoes at a running store - department stores and Target won't have the first idea.) Being fitted for a shoe involves an analysis of your foot arch - how much your foot moves when you take a step (pronation) - and getting a shoe that fits your needs. A proper shoe will help to prevent injuries to your knees and ankles.

I also now have a proper running belt - with room for sustenance during long runs (more on this in a bit) - and a visor when it rains. This of course also means that I will look like a true running geek out on the road. Point and laugh!I have also not seen a single blister since I switched to synthetic running socks (cotton is rotten - for running, that is.)

Since I was getting the discount anyway, I decided to buy a range of items to try out in our longer runs. I find that I have a very sensitive stomach during and after running and I'll need to figure out what my stomach can tolerate when I'm running for four to six hours at a time.

You would be amazed the number of hydration/energy options that are available! There are gels, a thick substance, almost the consistency of frosting, I've heard. It's meant to be consumed with water. I got Gu and Clif Shot energy gel in various flavors to try out. Then there are the gummi-type products, which contain sugars and electrolytes. Clif Bar makes shot blocks in various flavors (I got pina colada, I think, but will that sit well on the road? We'll see.) Luna Sport makes moons energy chews - same idea, gummis shaped like moons. And then there are sport beans, made by none other than Jelly Belly, again with sugar and electrolytes. Who knew? Strangely, some of the Jelly Belly beans have versions with caffeine - maybe for those ultra races I hear about when people are running overnight? I don't think I'd want to consume caffeine during a marathon, but then again, I am the newbie here. Onward!

Join us at a Team in Training team walk/run; and 26.9% of goal!

Ran outside today, which is always tough on the ego - those treadmill runs are so much easier. Either way, though, got in 4.8 miles in about 58 minutes, using my new run 6: walk 2 intervals. Good stuff. On Monday, I did about an hour of weight training. I am pretty stiff and sore, believe me! Tomorrow is our first track workout, and I'm hoping I will be able to move (big goals here!) Stretching and ibuprofin are my new best friends. I would like to also introduce you to two other new but valuable acquaintences: Mr. and Mrs. Sports Socks (fantastic) and Ms. Timex Triathalon Sleek Watch, who times my intervals flawlessly while not emptying my meager bank account. Much appreciated.

Some exciting news: we're at 26.9% of my goal to raise $1700 by July 2! I couldn't have done it (and can't do it) without you. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. We're not there yet, of course, but I know we can do it!

Come see what Team in Training is all about - join me at a training session! Did you know you can try out a Team In Training team run (or walk)? I have a few guest passes that I am willing to share - get in touch with me if you are interested. Dates of upcoming guest walks/runs include:

* Saturday, May 30, 8am, St. Paul;
* Wednesday, June 3, 6:30pm, Minneapolis; and
* Saturday, June 6, 8am, St. Paul.

Let me know if you're interested - there are only a few and when they're gone, I can't guarantee I can get more. All paces are welcomed - 80% of TNT participants are training for their first endurance event, and many are doing some combination of walking and running (some walking with a little running, some running with a little walking (me!) and some just running.) The coaches are great, as are the other folks on the team - come on out if you can!

"Cotton is Rotten" and about our training

Saturday's run went really well - maintained about a 10:45 pace for three out of the four miles or so. I really need an interval watch so that I can start training these longer runs with a 6:2 run/walk interval. Fortunately, watches that have intervals are pretty cheap, I'm told - $30-40.

You might be wondering why our mileage is starting out fairly low while training. Our head running coach, Jan, addressed this question before our team run on Saturday. Team In Training's program is longer than the average marathon training program, apparently - about 4.5-5 months, or 18 weeks (longer for other TNT events that are scheduled later in October.) Team In Training does this for a couple of reasons. First - and I find this incredible every time - over eighty percent of Team In Training participants have never trained for an endurance event before (like me - whew!). That extra time allows beginners (like me) to get the solid mileage base that they'll need when we're eventually training at 10, 15, and ultimately 20 miles on our long training runs. Secondly, 14 weeks would leave far less time for the fundraising that Team In Training members commit to.

I think I mentioned the sordid tale of my feet. Though it doesn't hurt, the bottom of my left foot has blistered pretty badly, about halfway across my foot right below the toes. I knew that "cotton is rotten" when it comes to running clothes (cotton soaks up moisture and leaves it close to your skin, causing chafing) but it never occurred to me to apply that theory to my socks. Well, duh.

In any case, I made my first trip ever to a running store - Run N Fun, on Randolph and Victoria in St. Paul - and got my first bunch of running socks (the ones I got are foot-specific - one for the right foot, one for the left - crazy!) and bodyglide, that ubiquitous stick of anti-chafing stuff that looks like deoderant. Run N Fun staff actually did our gear training clinic, and are really great about giving discounts if you belong to a running club. Very friendly staff - I didn't feel intimidated. Highly recommended.

Alright, enough from me today. Onward!

Enough about me. Let's talk about you.

Since embarking on this journey, I have been humbled, amazed and inspired by the support I've received from you, friends and family. Handwritten notes on donations, comments on my workouts on DailyMile and social networking sites - they have all been an source of strength when I'm feeling tired and the thought of a squeezing et another commitment (a workout) just seems a bridge too far.

And now, for the exciting news: we are now 15% towards my goal of raising $1700 by July 2 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to promote research and provide family services for families and patients battling the disease. (You won't see this reflected on this website because a few contibutions were submitted by check or on paper - they'll be appear on the site in a couple of weeks, have no fear.) Your support made this happen! A number of you have already contacted me, committing to contributing in a couple of weeks. Thank you so, so much.

And a tremendous thank you to those of you who have already contributed:

Sally, Minneapolis
Michelle, St. Paul
Ruth, Minneapolis
Jenna and Mark, Minneapolis
Libby and Bob, Hastings
Jenny, WA
Michele, CA
Doron, Minneapolis

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you for believing in me and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's incredible work. And now on to our next team run- 4 miles tomorrow. Woohoo!

3 mile team run

Run-walked three miles around Lake Harriet tonight, and felt good. Yesterday, I set a new record for myself - 6.75 miles in one run, over 70 minutes! As our runs start to progress, I'm not going to be able to do these runs as much - risking doing too much and injury.

We had a gear clinic on Monday where I learned about running shoes and other equipment. I had no idea that there were different kinds of running shoes (still very new to this.) And I officially need synthetic socks - my feet are not a pretty sight.

Well, with that lovely visual, I'm off. Tomorrow is a rest day, Friday I believe is cross training. Onward!

Training begins!

Well, okay, that's a little misleading. Sunday was our first team training - we ran three miles around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. I've decided that the best strategy for me will be a run walk - so far, a ratio of six minutes running, two minutes walking. I can still cover quite a bit of distance without getting my heart rate up too high (listen to me, talking about heart rates ; ) ) and I'll be less prone to injury. Always a good thing.

By the way, I know I made the right choice training with Team In Training. The coaches and participants are great - there are people faster than me, and people slower (but certainly more persistent.) If I would have known one didn't have to be a rockstar athlete - or injured all the time - to be a runner I would have picked this up long ago.

Just got done reading "Marathoning for Mortals" by John "The Penguin" Bingham and Jenny Hadfield. If you're interested in incorporating running into your life but it always seemed too intimidating, try this book out - it is very accessible and approachable. No need for speed here (though if you've got it, that's great). The have a similar book called "Running for Mortals" for those not training for a marathon or half : )

Did you know I actually started with Cool Running's Couch to 5k program last fall? I started getting too tired doing that (because I was running at 6mph at a 5% incline and wondering why I was dead tired... hmmmm...) and thought, what the heck, I'll try running at a VERY modest pace - 4 mph - to see how long I could. To my great surprise, I knocked off about 20 minutes right there. And so on, it's progressed - my longest distance to date has been 6.6 miles.
Anyway, what a great experience so far. Onward!

Racing to Save Lives

5/17/09: Racing to Save Lives
Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4 as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

I'm running for my dad (on the right) and my aunt Mickie. I lost both of them too young to disease - my father, Ned Jimmerson, in December to complications from stroke and diabetes, and my aunt, Mickie Hovelsrud, to multiple sclerosis.

Even though LLS supports patients with blood cancers and their families, I thought the best way I could honor the memories of my Dad and Aunt Mickie would be by surmounting an incredible physical challenge, and to support a worthy charity in doing so. In addition to running in honor of Aunt Mickie and Dad, I'm running in honor of others who have survived, lost or are battling with a blood cancer.These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

I have never run a marathon - and never thought I would be a person to run a marathon. With Team in Training, I have a team, a daily training schedule, weekly team trainings, and a coach.

I can't complete this endeavor without your help, though. My personal goal is to raise $1700 by July 2 (though of course if you need more time, donations will gladly be accepted after that date.) Please contribute to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Donations are tax deductible.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!