Wow - training is going quickly! Only 61 more days until the race in October. And SIX DAYS before August 9. If you haven't already, please consider contributing today. I'm at 47% towards my goal of raising $1750 by August 9 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - but I need your help to get across that finish line!
Big thanks to most recent donors - you're great!
Kris & Britta, Moorehead, MN
Stacey K., Minneapolis
As far as a training update - we're getting up there in mileage! Last weekend, we ran 16 miles, much of it along the marathon route along Minnehaha Parkway, Lake Calhoun and Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. Some exciting news there. I had been having trouble with getting enough electrolytes and fluid in, especially when it was warm (like it has been), without upsetting my stomach. On a friend's and coach's advice, I tried a salt tablet (only for the long runs), and lo and behold, I wasn't nauseated. Not once. Couple that with the fact that my right leg felt good - only hurt at the beginning until mile 1, then after mile 3, then after 6 it felt great - and that's a successful run in my book! We'll be doing 16-17 miles in the next couple of weeks, and jumping up to 18 soon.
Quick marathon training fact: we never actually run 26.2 miles for a training run. The longest we'll run will be around 20 miles.
PT is going well. It seems my right leg, which is apparently weaker than the left, is finally starting to respond to the series of strengthening exercises I've been directed to do.
Finally, a mission moment. Here's a little bit more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
44.7% towards goal; 15 miles this weekend!
Whew! What a week it's already been. First things first - we're now 44.7% towards our goal of $1750. I can't believe it - how great is that? Only three weeks and a half weeks left to go. Donate by clicking here.
BIG THANK YOUS to our most recent donors:
- Alison L, St. Paul
- Dalton & Anna, Ohio
- Brad B., St. Paul
"Mini mission moment", or why I'm running: Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
Training update
We did hills for our mid-week team run - 8 of them, with each hill being a half mile! That's four miles of hills, two miles just going up. And my midweek runs seem to be going a bit faster... I completed today's 5 mile run at a pace of 10:21, which is so hard to believe. This time last year, I was doing sporadic runs at everywhere from 14 to 10:30 paces - mostly toward the 12-13 minute pace mark.
I can't believe we're doing 15 miles this weekend already! Whoa! Going to try out the salt tablet strategy and see how that goes. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement from everyone. We'll get there yet!
BIG THANK YOUS to our most recent donors:
- Alison L, St. Paul
- Dalton & Anna, Ohio
- Brad B., St. Paul
"Mini mission moment", or why I'm running: Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
Training update
We did hills for our mid-week team run - 8 of them, with each hill being a half mile! That's four miles of hills, two miles just going up. And my midweek runs seem to be going a bit faster... I completed today's 5 mile run at a pace of 10:21, which is so hard to believe. This time last year, I was doing sporadic runs at everywhere from 14 to 10:30 paces - mostly toward the 12-13 minute pace mark.
I can't believe we're doing 15 miles this weekend already! Whoa! Going to try out the salt tablet strategy and see how that goes. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement from everyone. We'll get there yet!
Monday, July 19, 2010
42% towards goal, thank yous and trip to the physical therapist!
HOLY COW! In one day, we managed another 10% towards our goal - so far we've raised $732.40. That's almost 42% towards the goal of $1,750 by Monday, August 9. Woohoo!! Pretty awesome. If you haven't already, you can donate here. Less than four weeks left, and every little bit counts and is very appreciated.
BIG THANKS, my-awesome-colleagues edition:
- Kate E. and Pat S., Minneapolis
- Ruth P., Minneapolis
- Sheila B., Minneapolis
- Bob F., Boyceville, WI.
Training update
Went to the physical therapist this morning recommended by my coach. If you've been following my DailyMile posts (and if you haven't, I can't blame you - interesting to me and maybe four other people), you'll know that my right IT band has been giving me trouble AGAIN. #$#$%!! This was the same injury that jeapordized my participation last year. This year, I have been so careful to stretch after running and dedicate about 30-45 min after each run to core and hip flexor strengthening. So when I started to feel that familiar migrating pain on my right leg again - quad to IT band to glute and back to IT band - I was pretty disappointed and frustrated. After icing, treating with anti-inflammatories and taking it easy for a week didn't work, the next stop was the PT.
Boy, am I glad I did. Talk about a valuable lesson in going to the doctor when the pain doesn't clear up after a week and not waiting longer. Turns out my right side is weaker than my left, something I found odd since I'm right-handed. And since we caught it with about eight weeks left in the training schedule, there's still time to do strengthening exercises to make things workable for the race in October. In other words - not only do I know now what's causing this persistent injury, I can actually do something to to fix it. Hooray!!
Well, we'll be doing 15 miles for the long run this weekend. On Coach Jan's suggestion, I will be experimenting with salt tablets for this long run to see if they help with the cramping I experienced at last year's marathon in mile 21/22ish.
PSA - Walk or run your first marathon, half marathon, triathlon or century ride and be part of a great cause. Join Team In Training!
More generally, this post is a stellar example of the support that Team In Training offers its participants as they work to support the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Most folks who are part of TNT are first-time endurance event participants. When I first started Team In Training last year, I hadn't done anything more than a 5k (3.1 miles), and I was hardly alone. This season there are plenty of folks on the team who at this point in the season are running and walking farther than they've ever gone in their lives. It's pretty cool.
Our Minnesota run/walk marathon and half marathon TNT teams have a coaching team. Not just one coach, but three - a head coach, running coach and walking coach. They give you a schedule and you're able to run with the team twice a week. There are informative clinics about various endurance sport issues, like nutrition, injury prevention and gear. TNT has two team shops per season where the weekly long team run is held at a local running store, and afterwards, the store can determine the best shoes for you, and gives a generous day-long discount to team members - 25-30%. Even better, you get a personal mentor to help you with fundraising, not to mention support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society staff. It's pretty awesome. And of course you get to be part of making the mission of a great organization possible. Can you ask for more? I can't! If you're interested in learning more, check out Team In Training, and if you're in Minnesota, check out TNT Minnesota.
BIG THANKS, my-awesome-colleagues edition:
- Kate E. and Pat S., Minneapolis
- Ruth P., Minneapolis
- Sheila B., Minneapolis
- Bob F., Boyceville, WI.
Training update
Went to the physical therapist this morning recommended by my coach. If you've been following my DailyMile posts (and if you haven't, I can't blame you - interesting to me and maybe four other people), you'll know that my right IT band has been giving me trouble AGAIN. #$#$%!! This was the same injury that jeapordized my participation last year. This year, I have been so careful to stretch after running and dedicate about 30-45 min after each run to core and hip flexor strengthening. So when I started to feel that familiar migrating pain on my right leg again - quad to IT band to glute and back to IT band - I was pretty disappointed and frustrated. After icing, treating with anti-inflammatories and taking it easy for a week didn't work, the next stop was the PT.
Boy, am I glad I did. Talk about a valuable lesson in going to the doctor when the pain doesn't clear up after a week and not waiting longer. Turns out my right side is weaker than my left, something I found odd since I'm right-handed. And since we caught it with about eight weeks left in the training schedule, there's still time to do strengthening exercises to make things workable for the race in October. In other words - not only do I know now what's causing this persistent injury, I can actually do something to to fix it. Hooray!!
Well, we'll be doing 15 miles for the long run this weekend. On Coach Jan's suggestion, I will be experimenting with salt tablets for this long run to see if they help with the cramping I experienced at last year's marathon in mile 21/22ish.
PSA - Walk or run your first marathon, half marathon, triathlon or century ride and be part of a great cause. Join Team In Training!
More generally, this post is a stellar example of the support that Team In Training offers its participants as they work to support the mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Most folks who are part of TNT are first-time endurance event participants. When I first started Team In Training last year, I hadn't done anything more than a 5k (3.1 miles), and I was hardly alone. This season there are plenty of folks on the team who at this point in the season are running and walking farther than they've ever gone in their lives. It's pretty cool.
Our Minnesota run/walk marathon and half marathon TNT teams have a coaching team. Not just one coach, but three - a head coach, running coach and walking coach. They give you a schedule and you're able to run with the team twice a week. There are informative clinics about various endurance sport issues, like nutrition, injury prevention and gear. TNT has two team shops per season where the weekly long team run is held at a local running store, and afterwards, the store can determine the best shoes for you, and gives a generous day-long discount to team members - 25-30%. Even better, you get a personal mentor to help you with fundraising, not to mention support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society staff. It's pretty awesome. And of course you get to be part of making the mission of a great organization possible. Can you ask for more? I can't! If you're interested in learning more, check out Team In Training, and if you're in Minnesota, check out TNT Minnesota.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
31% towards goal; belated thank yous!
Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged! My apologies. I've been working a great deal on training. I have several belated thank yous because we are actually 31% towards our goal! You won't see it yet in the "badge" on the right-hand side of the page, but I've just submitted a few checks that should be showing up in about a week. GO TEAM!
A HUGE thank you to the latest folks who have contributed:
- Sarah K., St. Paul
- Maria SM and Joram M, St. Paul
- John and Phyllis N, Sioux Falls, SD
- Aunt Julie, Fergus Falls, MN
On the training side of things, we just completed a 13 mile run last weekend on Saturday. Next weekend 15 miles is on the schedule. My IT band, like last year, has been acting up and on the advice of my coach I've scheduled an appointment with a physical therapist to see what we can figure out.
Overall - more soon, I promise!
A HUGE thank you to the latest folks who have contributed:
- Sarah K., St. Paul
- Maria SM and Joram M, St. Paul
- John and Phyllis N, Sioux Falls, SD
- Aunt Julie, Fergus Falls, MN
On the training side of things, we just completed a 13 mile run last weekend on Saturday. Next weekend 15 miles is on the schedule. My IT band, like last year, has been acting up and on the advice of my coach I've scheduled an appointment with a physical therapist to see what we can figure out.
Overall - more soon, I promise!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Raise $367.60 by Monday?; Thank you, 29% towards $1750 by July 2!; Meet Robert, our honored teammate
Looking at the "progress meter" on my official TNT webpage, you'd think we're doing pretty well. You're right - but owing to a few check contributions not reflected in that total, we're making even more progress than you know! So far, we have raised 29% ($507.40) towards the $1750 by July 2 goal. Holy cats - you are all amazing. We can absolutely achieve this goal by July 2 - a little over two weeks away - but we'll have to keep up the pace (an unforgiveable pun, I know, but there you have it.)
My challenge to you: Can we make 50% of the goal - that's an additional $367.60 - by Monday?
I think we can do it. But, again, I'll need your help! If you haven't already, you can contribute here.
Big "thank yous" to the most recent donors...
Bill S., Moorehead, MN
Mark S., Minneapolis, MN
Cristy D., St. Paul, MN
Margit M., DC
John and Carolyn R., St. Paul, MN
Linda and Greg T., Minneapolis
Ann C., St. Paul
Carin S. and Ross A, Minneapolis
Linda A., CA
Miranda and Paul G., St. Paul
Jannette S., NY
Wow... I know I've said it before, but it clearly bears saying again... I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by such supportive folks. Thank you, so much, again.
Meet Robert, 2010 Minnesota Team In Training Marathon & Half Marathon Honored Teammate
As you probably know, many of my teammates have chosen personal honorees in whose name they will train this season. My personal honorees are my dad, Ned Jimmerson, and my colleague, Sam Weis.
In addition, each year the Minnesota chapter picks an honoree for each endurance event team. This year, the Minnesota TNT marathon and half marathon folks (these are teammates training for Dublin, Nike full and half marathons in San Francisco in October, and Twin Cities Marathon) are running for (and with!) honored teammate Robert.
Robert was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in February of 1990. He officially went into remission on March 3, 1990. This year marks his 20th year in remission from leukemia. On his 10th year in remission he ran the Twin Cities Marathon with Team In Training.
Get this - this year Robert is not only back as our marathon Honored Teammate, but will run both the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon & the Adidas Dublin Marathon. (He's going to run TWO marathons this season! Holy crap! I am officially an under-achiever.) To say it's pretty cool to be able to train with someone who's overcome so much - and who is now running TWO marathons within about a month of each other - is a bit of an understatement. Go, Robert, go!!
My challenge to you: Can we make 50% of the goal - that's an additional $367.60 - by Monday?
I think we can do it. But, again, I'll need your help! If you haven't already, you can contribute here.
Big "thank yous" to the most recent donors...
Bill S., Moorehead, MN
Mark S., Minneapolis, MN
Cristy D., St. Paul, MN
Margit M., DC
John and Carolyn R., St. Paul, MN
Linda and Greg T., Minneapolis
Ann C., St. Paul
Carin S. and Ross A, Minneapolis
Linda A., CA
Miranda and Paul G., St. Paul
Jannette S., NY
Wow... I know I've said it before, but it clearly bears saying again... I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by such supportive folks. Thank you, so much, again.
Meet Robert, 2010 Minnesota Team In Training Marathon & Half Marathon Honored Teammate
As you probably know, many of my teammates have chosen personal honorees in whose name they will train this season. My personal honorees are my dad, Ned Jimmerson, and my colleague, Sam Weis.
In addition, each year the Minnesota chapter picks an honoree for each endurance event team. This year, the Minnesota TNT marathon and half marathon folks (these are teammates training for Dublin, Nike full and half marathons in San Francisco in October, and Twin Cities Marathon) are running for (and with!) honored teammate Robert.
Robert was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in February of 1990. He officially went into remission on March 3, 1990. This year marks his 20th year in remission from leukemia. On his 10th year in remission he ran the Twin Cities Marathon with Team In Training.
Get this - this year Robert is not only back as our marathon Honored Teammate, but will run both the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon & the Adidas Dublin Marathon. (He's going to run TWO marathons this season! Holy crap! I am officially an under-achiever.) To say it's pretty cool to be able to train with someone who's overcome so much - and who is now running TWO marathons within about a month of each other - is a bit of an understatement. Go, Robert, go!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thank yous; First $100 in; 6% towards goal!
Just a quick update... I can't resist thanking the folks who have donated already. We are already 6% towards our goal of $1750. What a great start! We'll get that goal by July 2 yet.
My tremendous thanks to...
Training has started to gradually pick up. I've been feeling out the intermediate training program (no promises there, we'll see how it goes), and last week got about 20 miles in. Last Saturday's group training was a trail run in Minnetonka, where we managed to avoid the rain. I saw a mallard, just hanging out next to the trail as runners and bicyclists passed, and a lot of beautiful wildflowers. One reason I love training with TNT (aside from the great mission, of course) is the variety in our training locations.
This week, I'll probably be logging about 23 training miles (including hopefully 12 miles on this Saturday's team run; we'll see!), plus two half-hour cross-training sessions (I've been experimenting with some weight training and a yoga/strengthening DVD.) Yesterday's scheduled run called for 5 miles, which, though I wasn't trying to go especially fast, apparently managed in just under an 11 min pace! A snail's speed to more experienced runners, and not even a personal record for me, but compared to my usual 11:30ish pace, an accomplishment. And for anyone that really, REALLY wants to know more about my training, I log all of my runs here on DailyMile.com.
Tonight, I'm getting a run in on my own, and then heading out to a team fundraising fair and injury prevention clinic. I learn something new every time I attend these clinics and will be sure to report back. More soon!
My tremendous thanks to...
- Susan S., MN
- Emira I., NM
- Michelle R., MN
Training has started to gradually pick up. I've been feeling out the intermediate training program (no promises there, we'll see how it goes), and last week got about 20 miles in. Last Saturday's group training was a trail run in Minnetonka, where we managed to avoid the rain. I saw a mallard, just hanging out next to the trail as runners and bicyclists passed, and a lot of beautiful wildflowers. One reason I love training with TNT (aside from the great mission, of course) is the variety in our training locations.
This week, I'll probably be logging about 23 training miles (including hopefully 12 miles on this Saturday's team run; we'll see!), plus two half-hour cross-training sessions (I've been experimenting with some weight training and a yoga/strengthening DVD.) Yesterday's scheduled run called for 5 miles, which, though I wasn't trying to go especially fast, apparently managed in just under an 11 min pace! A snail's speed to more experienced runners, and not even a personal record for me, but compared to my usual 11:30ish pace, an accomplishment. And for anyone that really, REALLY wants to know more about my training, I log all of my runs here on DailyMile.com.
Tonight, I'm getting a run in on my own, and then heading out to a team fundraising fair and injury prevention clinic. I learn something new every time I attend these clinics and will be sure to report back. More soon!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
My honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis
A quick training update: Training has begun! I am feeling out the "intermediate" training schedule to see how it goes. So far, so good. We will be running 8-10 miles on Saturday already, and I'm averaging about 12 miles a week plus two 30 min cross-training sessions a week. Yesterday, we held our first team run on the Lock and Dam #1 to work on hills. This is a HILL - a quarter mile one way (down), half mile up and down. Great training for the marathon, believe me!
Now that that's out of the way, it's time to introduce you to my personal honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis.
I'm running in memory of my dad, Ned Jimmerson. He passed away about a year and a half ago at the age of 59 of complications from a massive stroke that occurred a few years earlier and diabetes. Dad loved the arts, particularly the stage - he was an actor and director at the local community theatre - and singing with the local community choir. While he did not suffer from blood cancer, I knew I wanted to accomplish something difficult in his memory - something that would require a great deal of dedication and that would benefit others. A couple of years ago, I learned about Team In Training but wasn't able to commit the time for training, and was worried about how successful I could be meeting the fundraising goals. Last year seemed the right year. And my concerns about fundraising - well, you all proved me wrong there! I am so happy to be able to run in Dad's memory again this year.
This year, I'm tremendously privileged to also be running in honor of my colleague, Sam Weis. Sam is a smart, talented guy in his mid-twenties who works for a Wisconsin environmental nonprofit, working for public policy to ensure clean air and clean water for future generations. Sam was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2008, and only in January of this year received the good news that he is in maintenance. What's more, Sam's mom also overcame leukemia only a few years earlier. Sam informs me that he's gradually regaining his physical fitness, and was recently hiking in the Porcupine Mountains.
You can read more about Sam's experiences over the last year and a half on his blog, Blog Strong: The Leukemic Adventures of Sam Weis.
It's such an honor and a privilege to be able to run in memory and in honor of two such extraordinary individuals. One more hill, one more pushup, one more step at a time, we'll make it across that finish line in October!!
Now that that's out of the way, it's time to introduce you to my personal honorees: Ned Jimmerson and Sam Weis.
You can read more about Sam's experiences over the last year and a half on his blog, Blog Strong: The Leukemic Adventures of Sam Weis.
It's such an honor and a privilege to be able to run in memory and in honor of two such extraordinary individuals. One more hill, one more pushup, one more step at a time, we'll make it across that finish line in October!!
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Hi, I'm Erin. I am committed to not only run a marathon but set a personal goal to