Well, the season is drawing to close! It's been long, successful, busy, fulfilling, injury riddled and AMAZING! I reached my goal of $1000 and went over a bit but it's not too late to donate: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/awestwood, the team is trying to reach $1,000,000. Right now we are at $730,000.
I battled through shin splints and a cortisone injection in my foot this week, but those aches and pains are minimal compared to what a patient goes through when being treated with chemo and radiation. Especially children. Each time I think of Tyler and what his family went through as well as past honored teammates I strap on the sneaks and don't even think about the twinges of pain I'm surely just imagining.
Saturday's run was beautiful. It was at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington, the sun was shining, run start was a balmy 60F. My goal for the day was 18 miles if I was going to hope to complete the full marathon. So I set out at a brisk walk hoping against hope that my injuries would cooperate and allow me to do some running. This whole journey I've taken my cues and inspirations from the Universe! Starting with whether or not I should even do it. Each time I decided no, something happened to make me rethink and eventually I couldn't say no. Each time I thought I couldn't get the distance in I did! Since I started running 2 years ago I have not put this much distance in and I'm looking forward to another year of running and tri-training.
When I got to the top of the hill abutting the lake, the second team water-stop, I just took a minute and soaked in my surroundings. The sparkling lake was backdropped with an amazing view of Mt. Rainier to the south and in the way distance Mt. Baker. On the lake were rowers and yachters and it was just a breath-taking view. I was feeling strong and capable, and running of all things. As I hadn't "run" in weeks I didn't challenge myself beyond 1 minute walk/run intervals and it was working amazingly well. I got out to the point where the coaches told us to turn around before my half way point, which meant as long as I got back to the park with 40-45 minutes to spare I'd be very close to my 18 miles. I was exuberant! The trek back was feeling good and mind you I'm now 3-3.5 hours in and my body finally starts communicating to my mind. It was a good rehearsal for race day when I hit the wall at 20 or so miles. My legs started tightening up and you would have thought I'd stolen a couple off a mannequin by the time I finished (which I'm still feeling today with no doubt). The Universe sent me some company about 3 hours in and boy was that welcome. Great distraction that I most definately needed and it left me to reflect on my last 40 or so minutes. Which was my second trek around the park. My final distance was 17.7 miles and I still had two minutes to spare. I got a burger made by the amazing Skip and soaked waist deep in Lake Washington while chowing down. Having met my goal I'm now ready to start the tapering phase, allowing my body to heal and relax waiting for the big day!
I COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN THIS FAR WITHOUT YOUR DONATIONS & SUPPORT!
GO TEAM!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Very Delayed Training Update
Many apologies for the week's of no posting. But there's lotsa good news for this post!
1. The "Team" this summer has raised $667,420 to date! How amazingly awesome is that? 400+ of us recommitted to Seattle RNR and we'll be putting on shoes for the race. My goal of $1000 has unofficially been met, still waiting on a matching donation to go through. We need more funds though so you can still donate at my fundraising webpage: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/awestwood.
2. Training in OK was amazing too. I got some awesome runs in of durations I never expected and almost met my 125 mile goal for the month. Unfortunately I seem to have overtrained and am now battling shinsplints. Coach Shelby says he can "dig it out" which worries me a little but I'm looking forward to finishing this marathon and hope to put in a reasonable time (for me that is).
I was riding my bike today and reflecting on this morning's mission moment delivered by Jackson. He lost his father to a blood disorder and was on an opposite coast from him during his illness. He joined Team in Training to do something positive to help other's like his dad. He related that when he got the call that his father passed away he laced up and headed out for a run. When he got to his run destination there was a "Team" there preparing for a training run, so he connected with them and mourned with "family" that morning. After having not trained with the team in several weeks I was eager to get back there this morning and Jackson's story really struck a cord with me. I personally have lost one person relatively close to me to a blood disorder. It more affected my mom than anyone else in the family as it was her best friend. When I joined TNT it was really for more selfish reasons. I needed a motivator to lose weight and I figured I could fundraise for a good cause at the same time. I figured if I was going to get something out of it I should give back. I did raise the money and didn't lose the weight but I finally realized today the many more things I did get. I've completed a marathon and not just one but two, also I've completed three half marathons and am now considering doing a triathlon. I've been known to be a "quitter" when things get tough. I think more than anyone I expected to quit running too. If you follow my training stats that would certainly seem the case. 2008 stunk as far as mileage goes. But 2009 was a bit of a renaissance for me. Training is great, I'm biking to work and I have an extended "family" that I don't think I really connected with until this year. It's been great seeing everyone on Saturday's and I'm really blessed with the new connections I've made: Stacey, Heather, Alexxx, Amy, Kim, Rebecca and getting to know Gerb better, just to name a few. The fellowship really centers a person and makes you realize why we do this. I've gained more than the $10,000 plus I've raised in friendship, fitness and motivation. I've learned that the only limitations I have are the ones I put on myself and over the years I've put "a Lot" of limitations on myself. So if you believe there's something you can't accomplish then you're probably right, but not for the reasons you think. You can accomplish whatever you set out too as long as you set out to accomplish it.
GO TEAM!
1. The "Team" this summer has raised $667,420 to date! How amazingly awesome is that? 400+ of us recommitted to Seattle RNR and we'll be putting on shoes for the race. My goal of $1000 has unofficially been met, still waiting on a matching donation to go through. We need more funds though so you can still donate at my fundraising webpage: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/awestwood.
2. Training in OK was amazing too. I got some awesome runs in of durations I never expected and almost met my 125 mile goal for the month. Unfortunately I seem to have overtrained and am now battling shinsplints. Coach Shelby says he can "dig it out" which worries me a little but I'm looking forward to finishing this marathon and hope to put in a reasonable time (for me that is).
I was riding my bike today and reflecting on this morning's mission moment delivered by Jackson. He lost his father to a blood disorder and was on an opposite coast from him during his illness. He joined Team in Training to do something positive to help other's like his dad. He related that when he got the call that his father passed away he laced up and headed out for a run. When he got to his run destination there was a "Team" there preparing for a training run, so he connected with them and mourned with "family" that morning. After having not trained with the team in several weeks I was eager to get back there this morning and Jackson's story really struck a cord with me. I personally have lost one person relatively close to me to a blood disorder. It more affected my mom than anyone else in the family as it was her best friend. When I joined TNT it was really for more selfish reasons. I needed a motivator to lose weight and I figured I could fundraise for a good cause at the same time. I figured if I was going to get something out of it I should give back. I did raise the money and didn't lose the weight but I finally realized today the many more things I did get. I've completed a marathon and not just one but two, also I've completed three half marathons and am now considering doing a triathlon. I've been known to be a "quitter" when things get tough. I think more than anyone I expected to quit running too. If you follow my training stats that would certainly seem the case. 2008 stunk as far as mileage goes. But 2009 was a bit of a renaissance for me. Training is great, I'm biking to work and I have an extended "family" that I don't think I really connected with until this year. It's been great seeing everyone on Saturday's and I'm really blessed with the new connections I've made: Stacey, Heather, Alexxx, Amy, Kim, Rebecca and getting to know Gerb better, just to name a few. The fellowship really centers a person and makes you realize why we do this. I've gained more than the $10,000 plus I've raised in friendship, fitness and motivation. I've learned that the only limitations I have are the ones I put on myself and over the years I've put "a Lot" of limitations on myself. So if you believe there's something you can't accomplish then you're probably right, but not for the reasons you think. You can accomplish whatever you set out too as long as you set out to accomplish it.
GO TEAM!
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