Happy Valentine's Day - Week 2 Training

First let me say Brrrr! It was 40F this morning but didn't take long to get warmed up...secondly let me say WOW! What an amazing run this morning. As I lay there in my nice warm bed cuddled up next to my sick 5 year old I thought to myself how perfect it would be to stay there. But then I thought of those that can't wager that thought when they have to be at the hospital that early in the morning to start their 8 hours of chemo. So Happy Valentine's Day to those of you capable of doing something fun & physical and a special salute to those of you who will just be trying to stay alive.

So last week I met Mark - a marathon newbie who is doing well in his training. We ran together for a bit, got the whole solidarity thing going. This week I met Annie...free-spirited and care-free. But before Annie joined me I was taking in some of the sights from the run. I had never run this route before and had never seen this side of the city (Seattle). We were on the waterfront of Puget Sound starting from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. As we came upon the water I saw sights that as an Okie I never realized existed outside of the plains. I know I've lived here for over 5 years but my encounters with the water have been in either very unadulterated areas or touristy sections. This was really cool to see the docks and the big boats, even saw a houseboat up close. It was amazing to imagine someone lived that way and clearly they did as it was a very old houseboat, but decorated and had a plastic table and chairs out on it so one could have their coffee out on the deck. As I came around this corner however is when Annie came upon me and decided to pace herself with me. We had a pleasant chat and it really made the run go fast (yeah Annie). Fortunately she's a talker so I didn't have to pant-talk too much but we got to really see what this time of event is all about. Making new friends, finding a common cause to be passionate about, and saving lives.

Toward the end of the run, walking set in as this was my longest run to date...so I took in some of the sights I missed while running with Annie. Sometimes serendipity does really play a part. I was thinking to myself, why do I do this every year? What possesses me to endure this? Then I came upon a boat in it's slip and the name of it was "The Seeker". The irony was not lost on me at this point and as I began to cramp and feel pain from the hills I looked up to see a big crane type ship called "The Perserverance". At that point I began to run again and finished it out. It's really amazing how little things like that can hold so much meaning. It's not that they were boats or anything of that nature but to know that someone in their lives needed a reminder of what's important: Seek the truth, seek the reasons, seek the need for living everyday to it's fullest. And most importantly while seeking these items, perservere to always stand up and have the courage to face the answer, the task at hand, the day to day. As Tyler's family mourns his loss right now, I hope they seek what they need to help them perservere. Again this is in his honor and memory.

Next week I'll be running on my own in Sequim, where it's absolutely beautiful. I love running there as it so wildernessy (don't steal my word, Stephen Colbert) and quiet and beautiful.

It's not too late to donate either. My website is: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/awestwood

And you can join my Cause on Facebook: Help Fight Blood Cancers (however, do not donate on this page, use the posted links to donate on the above page).

Keep the faith, keep on running and until next week!

GO TEAM!