Got My Jersey!!

I got it!! I'm officially a Half Fanatic!! 

Well, I was on the 11th, but now I have proof, LOL!!

Langley Half Marathon 7/11/10

So, I decided that I wanted to be an official crazy person and join the Half Fanatics (www.HalfFanatics.com). To qualify, I could either run 3 half marathons in 3 months or 2 in 16 days. Well, 3 in 3 sounded easier, but I couldn’t find any that fit my schedule with school weekends, so I signed up for the Langley Half Marathon (South Whidbey Island) on 7/11/10, two weeks after the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle. I was on my own for this one too, everyone else thought I was crazy doing one so soon after Rock 'n' Roll.  Oh well!! It was MY personal challenge :)

The race was advertised as “Gently Rolling Hills”…no problem I thought, I trained on hills at Vassault & 5 Mile drive with Team in Training, no biggie!! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!! “Gently Rolling Hills” is their inside joke for 57 hills in 13.1miles with a BIG @$$ hill at the turn around at half way!! Ok, maybe not quite 57 hills, but it was a lot!! Up & down, up & down…never ending.One tough course!! Even the guy who won it said it was hard!! Langley Half Article

On my way!! (In green shirt)

But, I did it!! Forgot my iPod & slow poke me was near the back of the pack so was alone pretty much after the turn around. But I pushed on & DID IT!! And only 3 minutes slower than my Rock ‘n’ Roll time. Still under 3 hours, if barely…2:57:54. I battled blisters with Rock ‘n’ Roll, hills in Langley. I’d rather take hills overall, much quicker recovery :)

Only 5K to go!! :)

Bad thing about this one is that being a smaller race the support at the end wasn’t very good, since most people were already done. I didn’t even get a bottle of water, had to buy some from the vendors of the street fair!! Not cool! But the support on course was great, even if stupid people in cars did not obey the road closed signs and still zoomed down the road. But the Sheriffs usually caught up with them. Chatted with a few people on the course & even met a gal from Yakima area that had done TNT winter season to do the RNR Arizona in January. Found out later that she is friends with my cousins who live over there, pretty cool!! Small world!

At the finish line I had Tony & Connor waiting, Connor was my official race photographer, LOL!! It was great to have them there. And a fantastic surprise was my awesome friends Cat & Brianna plus their hubbies Mike & John, cheering me on right before the finish line! So cool!! They planned it a couple weeks ahead & were able to keep it secret, even from Tony, they told me they were going for a Harley ride that day.  And they did! To Langley!!

I DID IT!! #2 in the bag - I'm a Fanatic now!! :)

My awesome friends & hubby!!

So, now I am a Half Fanatic, number 491!! Should be getting my jersey any day!! Now to add some “moons” to my number…having different “streaks” of half marathons.  The next streak I could do is 6 in 6 months, I have 4 on the books (Sept & Nov coming up), but can’t find ones that fit my schedule in Aug & Oct...but there will be plenty of time to add…I’m going to keep on running.  A marathon’s out for this year…but next year…??? There is the Marathon Maniacs…

Sumner Rotary Freedom Fest 5K - July 3rd 2010

This was a nice hometown race. Not a huge crowd, but enough to make it seem like a “real” race. Had chip timing, race bibs & published results, so it counts! Just Jenn & I for this one, everyone else was busy or still recovering from RNR. Nice FLAT course through the streets of Sumner. Race results posted almost immediately, which was so cool!! Jenn & I both ran our fastest 5K times ever!! Pretty surprising considering we just did a half marathon the week before. I know I still felt like a slug & my left foot still hurts from the blister healing!!

Jenn finished in 33:54 & I was 35:43. I think my previous best was 38:25, so shaved almost 3 minutes!! I’d been aiming for under 36, so now I have my sights on under 30!! Since the field was so small, about 128 finishers, I thought maybe Jenn would qualify for an age group award. But WOW, our age group top 3 were faster than the 35-39 AND the 40-44 groups!! Guess we need to kick it up a lot more, LOL!! But really, I am happy to just finish…but still, I AM pretty competitive at heart… ;-)

Fun race, will do again…and maybe Tony will actually make it to see me at the finish line next time. A hometown race & he STILL missed…he won’t go to Seattle races. Hates crowds & hates Sea-town. he thought this one would start late & take me an hour!! Sheesh!! At least Pat (Jenn’s hubby) brought us coffee, yay!! Thanks Pat!! But T did buy me another one later to make up for it :)

Me & Jenn & our coffees!! And water too :)

Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Race Recap...AWESOME TIME!!!

I did it!! I FINISHED my FIRST HALF MARATHON!! Woo Hoo!! The Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle (06.26.10) was the BEST race to do for my first one AND I am so glad that I did it with Team in Training!! What an awesome experience!! We had our three coaches that helped us through the season in prepping for the race. But during the race we had EVERY coach from ALL the teams across the U.S. cheering us on! So cool!! We had our names on the front of our jerseys & Jenn said it was like running with a celebrity, LOL!! “Go Stacy!!” “Looking good Stacy!!” SO helpful to keep pushing on. I want to wear my jersey every race, LOL!!

I found Jenn & Jammie in the starting corrals so we started off the race together. Also saw friends Kim Gleason & Diane Fairfield in the crowd before. That was so lucky, considering there were only 27 THOUSAND+++ people entered!! Crazy!! Brianna started back a bit farther with Jennie since they were both walking.  The starter’s gun went off right at 7 AM, but it took us 55 MINUTES for our group to get to the start line!! Due to the number of people they start in corrals based on estimated finish time, slower to the back, and release a corral every 1-2 minutes. But still, fun times!!

Brianna & I waiting to go to start corrals (this is around 5:30 AM!!)

Jenn ran with me most of the time, doing my 7:1 run/walk intervals; run 7 mins, walk 1 min. She’d never really done that before & thought it worked out pretty well. Our coaches say it’s been shown to help even an experienced runner finish faster overall. Taking the small break rather than running until exhaustion helps keep something in the tank at the end.

Kim & I before race

About mile 5.5 I felt blisters develop on the ball of both feet, ugh!! Only had one tiny blister the whole training season & I ran more than 6 miles many times! But I kept going. Saw Diane out on the course too & several of my Tacoma TNT Teammates as well. By mile 10 I told Jenn to go on ahead, she was feeling a bit speedier & I was hobbling my way the last 3 miles, seriously.  I was SO glad to see Coach Courtney downtown with just over one mile left! It really gave me a boost. She’s been a huge motivator all season! The last ¾ mile in the Alaskan Way Viaduct another TNT coach ran with me a bit. I think she saw I was slowing & she said she would “take me in.” That was so cool that someone I didn’t even know would run to the finish with me!

Jenn & I at Mile 7...over Half way there!!

But I had just spotted Jenn about 100 feet ahead & told the coach I’d catch up with my friend. Turns out, Jenn was helping another gal out in a similar way. They had been chatting and the gal was having stomach issues, but Jenn encouraged her through, told her she could do it!! When I caught up they were just getting ready for the final push, so I let them go on. They sprinted to the end, so cool!! Right then my friend Cat texted that she & Mike were at the bottom of the Viaduct ramp, so I ran down, got hugs from them & finished the last ½ mile…and they had cut through the buildings so they were on the side of the finish chute as I came through! It was awesome to see them there too!!

I DID IT!! I DID IT!! :))))

Got my awesome Rock ‘n’ Roll medal & snacks, then headed to the TNT tent to check in. Got a special TNT 13.1 pin to go on the medal of my ribbon or wear on a jacket (had to buy a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon official jacket ). And they had PB&J sandwiches & bananas too. PB&J never tasted so good!! Feet hurt, but my blisters didn’t look bad enough for medical attention, until I got home of course. But made it through the afternoon & our TNT Victory Party at Gameworks that evening. Though I did skip the club hopping a few other teammates did!!  Briannna & I had a great time with TNT overall!!


So, while I’m never going to qualify for the Boston Marathon, I did beat my goal of under 3 hours; I finished in 2:54:59! Can only get faster from here, I hope…we’ll find out this weekend! I’m doing the Langley Half on 7/11. Will be a beautiful run on South Whidbey Island, will be spending the weekend in Anacortes, love the islands. I want to do all the Island runs next year, will just depend on school, and of course the budget…need more free races, but I do like the hardware, LOL!!!


Here’s my “photo journal” of the weekend that I posted on Facebook, it should be viewable without an account: PHOTOS

Rock 'n' Roll Countdown!!

Last Saturday the 6th was our longer TNT training run of the season.  And I did it!! I ran for 2 1/1 hours, my longest ever.  Got 11 miles in!! It was a beautiful day to run through 5 Mile Drive & beyond.  I think I will be able to finish the half in less than my estimated 3 hours.  Yes, I am slow, but I WILL finish!!  

My feet were burning the last mile, so I may check out some different socks in the next week.  Or bring an extra pair to change on race day.  I wore my old shoes on my short recovery run Sunday and I really do  like them better than my current shoes.  But I think they are a little too worn out to go the distance.  And it's too close to race day to get a new pair, even if it fit the budget.  They'll work, but something to keep in mind.  The insoles I bought at Route 16 seemed to aggravate my hip issue & knees too, so took them out.  They should be fine in my hikers.  The Target ones seem to work best, LOL!!

Signed up for a third half also! The You Go Girl Half in Tacoma on Sept 26th.  A group of us from TNT & other friends formed a team for a discount.  We may get some shirts to wear as the "Racing Divas".  Not too hot on the name, but running with friends is the best part.  So I'm signed up for 3 halfs, contemplating a full & I haven't even run ONE half yet!! But love the feeling of accomplishment of what I've already done! Thanks to a lot of support & encouragement from my family, friends & TNT Teammates!

ONE MONTH Until Rock 'n" Roll Time

It is exactly ONE month until the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle!! My first half marathon! I am feeling very good about the running part, it will be my longest run & I am slow...but I will finish!! :)  I have already signed up for a second half marathon two weeks later!  Still have about $200 left to meet my Team in Training fundraising minimum...I am hopeful I will get there too!

Great Kilted Run @ Magnuson Park

It was a cold, cold windy day, but at least the rain stopped for us!! Lots of great kilts & nice scenery, even Lake Washington with it's whitecaps! Unfortunately it was too cold to stay & enjoy the beer garden, so we went to breakfast instead :) Toni wasn't able to join us since she had to work, so Jenn suggested we go eat at Pat's Bar & Grill where she works, so we got to see her anyway. Great idea! Enjoyed a nice HOT shower when got home!

Signed Up for my Second Half!!

I signed up for the Langley Half Marathon yesterday!! Did it before the price went up by $10.  It's July 11th, 2 weeks after the Rock 'n' Roll, so completing it will qualify me for the Half Fanatics!!  I am thinking positive!! Not sure if anyone else is going to run it with me yet, but oh well!! It will be a nice weekend on Whidbey Island & the course is fully along the water.  Fort Casey is just over 30 minutes away, so we will probably take a couple days off & take our trailer & stay there, we try to go every year anyway.  Then Tony can drop me off on race morning! Will have a couple extra sleeping spaces if someone else does come up.

Still debating on whether to do the half or full for the Seattle Marathon.  Will wait to see how I do with these two and how my hip holds up.  Went to TNT practice Saturday and went almost the full 2 hours scheduled.  Walked much of it, but it actually felt better to run.  My doctor said I could "maybe" run a mile on Sat & I went 6 total...OOPS!  Well, I didn't feel bad after, but I did take the next 2 days easy to be safe.  Went for my first weekday run today.  Was scheduled for 50 mins, but stopped at 45.  Was a tough run & was starting to feel lopsided in the hips & didn't want to overstress.  Will see how tomorrow goes.  Want to be able to do my long run Saturday when I'm in Anacortes, can't wait to run the park loop along the water! 

Time Out from Training - Darn Hip!

So, I aggravated my hip pain with my run on Sunday.  It was worse Monday morning so I decided to go to the doctor.  My medical coverage is not that great and if I want to go to physical therapy I have to get a written prescription from my doctor.  But I have a super high deductible to satisfy before they pay.  BOO!!

Anyway, I do really like my doctor.  He is a runner, so understands my wanting to get back ASAP.  I didn't strain the muscle, but rather have an inflamed bursa of the hip joint.  Not fun.  My options were rest for several weeks and not run at all & de-condition...um, no...NOT an option.  The Rock & Roll Seattle is in less than 8 weeks!  

Or I could get a cortizone injection. It will take about 3 weeks for full effect, but can start running again in a few days.  Ok, will give that a try.  YEOUCH!! Not a fun injection, but it has given some relief already after one day.  He said I could walk a BLOCK on Thurs & a half mile on Friday.  Then maybe jog a mile on Sat.  Well, better than nothing.  Though as I got back to work after the appointment and walk from the parking area to my office, I realized I had measured it as a QUARTER MILE before.  More than just a block!! So I got permission to park closer for the rest of the week.  But I had to go to Target tonight, a bit of walking there!

It will be hard to not push too hard the next week or so, but I will have to hold back so that I will be healthy & ready for the big race June 26th...and more after that!! I still have thoughts of doing the FULL Seattle Marathon in November...we'll see!!

Unplanned Rest Week

Not sure exactly what I did, but somehow I strained a muscle in my hip.  It happened Sunday afternoon, only about 5 minutes into my run.  I don't think I did anything different or stepped wrong.  Though I did start my run in the field and I usually end there.  Tried to keep going for about 10 mins, but finally gave up and hobbled home.  Going to maybe try tomorrow (Thursday) if it feels ok in the morning.  Fingers crossed...I miss running!!

Mud & Chocolate Run

What a cool race!!! Course was through the beautiful Redmond Watershed, winding on the trails through the woods.  Very  nice!! Could have used iPod, but wanted to enjoy nature.  Jenn took off & she finished about 5 mins ahead of me, I think.  Jessica caught up to me after a bit, she had trouble with her watch at start & we finished the lap together.  She continued on for two more laps to complete the half marathon - YAY Jessica!!  I had about 300 yards to the finish line & I looked down at my watch then, it read 59:35.  Oh darn!! No way could I reach the finish in 25 seconds! But I had thought it would take me about 1:10 to finish, so finishing at 1:01 was great!

Pre-Race: Jessica, Jammie, Brianna, Me, Jenn

Brianna & Jammie came shortly after & we celebrated with Cheerleader Cat, who came to meet us at the finish! We took our chocolate medals & headed to "Chocomania", lots of truffles & bits & bites of various chocolate goodies. We weren't able to stay around until Jessica finished, but she did great too!  Fun times!!

Post-Race: Brianna, Jammie, Jenn, Cat & Me with our chocolate medals!

Fearthest Run Yet!

Today I ran 9.28 miles on my Team in Training run! Wow!! I was hoping to get to 10 miles, but it would have went over my scheduled 120 minutes by at least 15 mins.   But it was still great to accomplish!!

Doing the Mud & Chocolate Run tomorrow in Redmond.  4.5 miles with chocolate at the end & chocolate medals!! Now THAT'S a good race!!!  Doing the race with Jenn, Brianna & I think Jammie.  Jessica is doing the Half Marathon!

Training Update

I haven't posted for a couple weeks, so I thought I would do a quick update.  My training is going well.  The Team in Training Saturday practices are getting a little longer each week.  Last week was supposed to be 100 minutes, but they decided to change to miles.  So I ran for 8 miles!! My longest distance yet!! And it just took a little over the 100 minutes, it was 110 total!!  And I ran all the way across the Narrows Bridge and back to Vassault Park! It is TWO MILES from the top of the trail at Jackson Street to the top of the ramp on the West side of the bridge.  It was very windy, had to take my hat off, but very cool!!

Tomorrow we are back at Vassault, but we never know our route until we get there.  I hope we do 5 Mile Drive this week, I've been wanting to do that.  This week we run 120 minutes..2 HOURS!! The Half Marathon will take me about 3 hours, so getting closer!

Sunday, Jenn, Brianna, Jessica and I are doing the Mud & Chocolate run at the Redmond Watershed.  Jenn, B & I are doing the 4.5 mile run, I think Jessica is doing the half marathon.  This is a trail run, the mud part, followed by a chocolate party with chocolate medals!  Should be a fun time!!  Will be tired Sunday, but fun times!!  

Got new shoes this week, I pretty much wore out my old ones already, but they are still good for alternate shoes on shorter weekday runs, and trail runs.  I pound the pavement too hard, so not a lot of cush left.  Hopefully these ones will last through to the Rock & Roll in June!! Good shoes cost too much to buy every 3 months!! But they do protect the body, so a needed item.  Got a good deal at Running Warehouse, they have lots of great prices and I got a discount as a TNT member.  So saved about $40 over the local store, YAY!  But it is important to be fitted, so I needed to know what shoes work for me.

Wish me luck in further training!

TNT Run to Narrows Bridge

I had an awesome run with Team in Training this morning.  We met at Vassault Park & have usually headed down to Pt Defiance & 5 Mile Drive.  The Vassault Hill is killer coming back, but our coaches tell us the Tacoma TNT team does the best in the marathons because we deal with hills every week :)  

Today he headed the opposite direction, up Narrows Drive, then down Jackson St, over Hwy 16 & the trail that leads to the new Narrows Bridge.  I was scheduled for 50 minutes, but my turn around point (25 mins) was about a quarter mile from the start of the bridge.  I started to turn around, then decided I couldn't pass up the chance to run on the Bridge!! So I headed back & made it onto the Narrows Bridge! I thought it was pretty cool!! 

http://www.dailymile.com/people/stacymk/entries/1234715

The full marathoners had 90 mins run this morning, so they kept going.  I decided to turn around at that point since I was going to be at 60 mins by then.  But I did it!  Had a hard time at about 45 mins when heading up a long hill.  Thought I was going to have to walk the whole way back, another 1.5 miles.  But pushed through & did it.  Finished strong & ended up running my furthest distance so far, 5.14 miles in 64 minutes! Felt great & I even did a 20 mile bike ride yesterday!! Knees are a bit sore tonight, but tomorrow is just a 30 min recovery run.

Jessica, one of our coaches, also talked today about the importance of taking walk breaks during marathons, both half and full.  I had been pushing to 9 mins running before I walk for 1 minute, but she said just people with a couple marathons under their belt should do that.  I should cut back to 5-6 mins, 7 at most, run, and 1 min walk.  I went for 7 this run, but found 5-6 was better in second half.  The point is to not run to exhaustion, but give yourself the small recoveries so you have some in the tank to push at the end.  Studies have shown a person can cut 13+ mins off a half marathon time by doing the walk/run intervals!! Pretty amazing!! I was always intimidated by the thought of a whole marathon, but maybe.... My mentor Jessica went 31 miles today & my friend Megan went 28+ today too (45K for her friends 45th birthday!!)!! AMAZING!!!

St Patty's Day Run Tacoma

Last Saturday, the 13th, was the Tacoma St Patty's Day Run.  It was a nice course along the waterfront in Tacoma.  Perfect weather, a few clouds with the sun peeping through.  Brianna, Jenn & I met there & we were able to find Diane & Shad before the race.  D & S had great costumes, I just had my green fleece & shamrock glasses, maybe will get into it more next year :)

Diane, Me & Brianna at St Patty's Dash

I didn't go as fast as I would have liked, but did shave 1:20 off my time from last month at the Valentine's Day Dash.  This one I finished in 38:24.  Will aim for 36:00 next 5K, which will be May I think.  Next month we are doing the Mud & Chocolate Run April 18th at the Redmond Watershed, it's a 4.5 mile race.  May 23rd is the Great Kilted Run 5k...THAT will be a fun one! Kilts are highly encouraged! I need to come up with something!!

Jenn & Brianna did great too!! Jenn shaved a few seconds off her last month's time, but she was just getting over bronchitis for this race.  And this was Brianna's first 5K actually running it, so she set a time that she can work from for future runs :)

Training is going well.  Starting to do hill intervals this week which help increase leg strength & endurance.  Just did a couple last night & will work up a couple more each week.  I am also walking the big giant hill outside work 3-4 days a week at lunch & walking hills 1-2 nights a week with Toni & Pam.  And hiking & biking when I can - Jenn, Brianna & I are going to ride 20 miles on the Foothills Trail this Friday & Tony & I have been hitting Mt Peak almost every Sunday.  So I "should" be ready for those hills between Tukwila & Seattle on the Rock 'n' Roll course!!

Quick Update

I caught a bad chest cold shortly after starting this & it slowed me down a bit, but walked on most days I couldn't run.  Gotta keep the training going!! 

Saturday February 13th was the Love 'Em or Leave 'Em Valentine's Dash at Green Lake.  I was just a few days into my cold, but had signed up with Jenn & Toni so I was NOT going to miss it!  It was a bit tough, had to stop 4 times & I had planned only once, but I FINISHED!! Wanted to do it in under 35 mins, official time was 39:29.  The Tacoma St Patty's Run is next on March 13th, plan to beat that time!!  Toni did awesome, finishing in 31 mins & Jenn just under 35 I think.  The rain held off until we were done, started right as I approached the finish line, good timing! Fun day overall, look forward to more runs being healthy!!

 Jenn, Toni & Me at the Valentine's Dash

TNT training is going well.  Sticking to my weekday schedule, dragging my non-early bird rear out of bed & getting out there.  Feels good when I accomplish it!  Last week our Saturday practice went a slightly different route that sounds like it will be the standard for the Vassault Park runs.  We went down Vassault hill to the back entrance of Pt Defiance & started into 5 mile drive.  Last Sat's run was 50 mins & I went 4 .2 miles, felt pretty good about that.  The thing with going DOWN Vassault hill at the start though is coming UP it at the end! All 1.1 mile of it!! WHEW!! Had to walk a few times, but not terrible...I will run up the whole thing by the time we are done!! :)

Will miss this weekend's practice run.  I am going up to Bellingham for orientation for my Physical Therapist Assistant program.  I am very excited, but also nervous to be going back to school! But it will be worth it to have a job I ENJOY!! And be a fit, healthy runner! :)

My Team in Training Page!!

My First Post!!

I've set up this blog to help me track my progress from being a beginning "renewed runner" to successfully completing a half marathon...and beyond!!  Just a couple months ago I thought the idea of doing a full marathon was crazy, but it's creeping it is slowly creeping onto the list of things "must do" in my list, my bucket list I guess, LOL!  If you'd like to follow my adventures & help motivate me, that would be great! :)

So here's my "backstory" on what lead me back down this path, a good path!! I've kept fairly active over the years, hiking, biking, walking, etc., but not really "in shape".  After watching a friend's running progress on Facebook over the last year, I got motivated to hit the roads again!  Megan went from not really running, then a few 5Ks early in the year, to half & then full marathons in the fall!! WOW!! She became a "Marathon Manic", an actual club :), with her third marathon in 90 days.  Well, I'm not aiming for that, but I do want to become a "Half Fanatic" & get my official Fanatic jersey :)

Getting back to running ties in with another big life decision I made this past year...I decided to go back to school!!  After a back injury I was sent to physical therapy to help with the pain & healing.  I loved it! And became very interested in the field.  I have my bachelor degree in nutrition so it seemed a good fit. Did some research & found that a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a job that pays well & is in demand with good future prospects...perfect! I found a program at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham (same town as my Alma Mater Western :) that is an online hybrid program; the book work part is done online & I'd travel to B'ham one weekend a month for the lab work...PERFECT!! Worked hard for over a year to get the last couple admission requirements done & I got my program acceptance letter on January 13, 2010!! YAY!! It will take 9 quarters, just over 2 years, but will be worth it to be in a field I actually enjoy!! And I should be in better shape to do the job :)

So,  back to the running...a few of us banded together to motivate each other, started the "Couch to 5K" training program (http://c25k.com/) & we set our goals to run one 5K event each month in 2010.  Except January, the only event was a polar bear run on New Year's Day & we weren't ready for that...but I AM doing it next year!! Another friend did & it looked fun, though cold!

My friend Brianna still thinks I am a little crazy I think, but I decided I wanted to run a half marathon by the end of summer.  She humored me & said OK, LOL!! We decided on the Rock 'n' Roll (RNR) Seattle Marathon & Half on June 26th.  They have bands every mile & a big party at the end...sounded perfect for us!! 

We were ready to sign up when we found our that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training (TNT) was forming a team for the RNR Seattle!  TNT provides running coaching & mentoring, while also raising funds to help find a cure for blood cancers.  Well, this was perfect!! Brianna is an almost 2 year SURVIVOR of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma & LLS is our preferred charity! We have done other LLS events, like the Big Climb of the Columbia Tower & the Winter Pineapple Classic, a fun 5K obstacle race.  

         (Brianna, Jenn, Cat & Me)

So we did it!! We signed up with TNT & have committed ourselves to improving our health & lives & personal challenges through running, but also helping others through the funds we will raise as members of Team in Training! My personal goal is to raise $2500 for LLS.  This might sound like a lot, but every bit helps.  I would appreciate any donations, large or small...it can help more people like my friend Brianna!! She has gotten a second chance & has dedicated herself to helping others have one too...I intend to be right there with her :)  Here is my fundraising page if you would like to help too!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl10/sklontz     
               

Thanks for reading my long intro post, others will be shorter, maybe... ;-) Who knows what adventures in running I will encounter?!?!?!?  Have a GREAT DAY!!