Runing (Week 14) February 16-22nd

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

- Lance Armstrong

This was a great weekend!!! We went to Escondido, CA and saw the finish of the Amgen Tour. Team Astana (as well as many other teams) completed the tour on Sunday. Levi Leipheimer won the race with the help of his team...have I mentioned that Lance Armstrong is on his team? :) I am a huge "Lance" fan. I have ten pages left of his book "It is Not About the Bike", and have such admiration for him. What is not to respect or admire about someone with enough drive to ride his bike while enduring the pain of cancer treatments? He is motivation for me....on the days when I feel like I dont want to run or that I am too tired...I think about Lance. He did it when his body was telling him not to....who am I not to run when I am completly capable? It was so much fun to be around people with such a passion. It reminded me of how I feel when I am at a race.... so many people, excited about the event. Brian is trying to talk me into a mini tri... I have to be honest...I did a spinning class last weekend....not only have a gained so much respect for those who ride the bike.... I wonder how people do it. I am so sore still from the class. My whole body aches...and let me tell you.... those seats are not comfortable, that may be the most sore part! yikes!

Please see above for the blurry picture of the furry friend I met at the event! This is my dad's favorite kind of dog....so I had to get my picture with him! Not the best picture....but.... you cant make a cute dog ugly! :)

Take a look at week 14:

Monday: 6 miles (not too shabby!)

Tuesday: 0 miles

Wednesday: 0 miles (no excuse, but this has been a horrible week!)

Thursday: 0 miles (trying to get myself out of bed!)

Friday: 4 miles (it was ugly!)

Saturday: 2 miles + 60 minutes of Spin Class ( eek, my buns!)

Sunday: 6 miles (Going to see Lance!!! )

Total Weekly Miles: 18 miles + 60 minutes of bike

Total Training Miles: 185 miles, 135 minutes of Swim, 60 minutes of Bike

Neuroblastoma Fact #10: Of all childhood cancers, Neuroblastoma accounts for approximately 7% of the cases diagnosed.

Running (Week 13) February 9-15th

"I'll never look back with regret. I will always believe in the ideal. I hope to be remembered, not recalled. And I hope to make a difference."

-Nike

I know the race is still a distance away (no pun intended), but I am starting to get nervous about it. I have heard everyone's "first marathon" stories and Marian has promised to run next to me and be my cheerleader (THANK GOD!!!), but....I got tired running 6 miles yesterday, so add 20.2.....oh man! I am assuming this is something that everyone goes through....if not, don't tell me! Looking for some additional support! :)

This week has been so busy! The condo passed it's inspection, and I actually drove to the beach from the condo to see how far it is..... .2 miles!!!!!! Yes, .2 miles. I am so excited!!!! Nervous, but excited! Between the running and condo buying, I am one tired girl! here is a look at week 13:

Monday: 0 miles

Tuesday: 2 miles (not easy today....lack of sleep!)

Wednesday: 6 miles (so much easier than yesterday!)

Thursday: 0 miles (sore!!!!)

Friday: 4 miles

Saturday: 6 miles (easy, easy, easy!)

Sunday: 0 miles

Weekly Total: 18 miles

Total Training Miles: 167 miles, 135 minutes of Swim

Neuroblastoma Fact #9: There is currently no way to prevent Neuroblastoma

Running (Week 12) February 2-8th

"Everyone has the desire to win, but only champions have the desire to prepare."
Author Unknown

This has been a big week. A big week of running, purchasing, running to forget purchasing, then running some more! Well.....we did it, we put in an offer on a condo here in CA. It was an emotionally trying week. Ups and downs, offers and counter offers....yet here we are... 20 miles later and one condo in the process of being purchased! I am so excited, nervous, nervous and nervous. This week running has saved my life. It is getting easier , the running. I have started to play games with myself on the treadmill...for example, trying to guess how many different people will start and stop on the treadmill next to me before I end my run. How many times I will get through the Frightened Rabbit album before I am done. What can I say, it makes time go faster! Check out my week:

Monday: 3 miles (feeling good!)
Tuesday: 5 miles (ain't no thang!)
Wednesday: 0 miles (needing my sleep!)
Thursday: 5 miles (the miles are adding up!)
Friday: 0 miles (I know, I know!)
Saturday: 7 miles (one Hammer Gel later!)
Sunday: 0 miles

Weekly Total: 20 miles
Total Training Miles: 147 miles, 135 minutes of swim

Neuroblastoma Fact #8: Children under the age of 1 have a cure rate as high as 90%.

Thanks for your support! :) Sarah

Running (Week 11) January 26th-February 1st

"The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat."

- Bill Squires

I have officially conquered my cold and am back in the game. I realize that to most people six miles doesn't seem like a long distance run, however.... I ran this distance two days in a row and I am claiming them as long distance runs! :) I officially reached a turning point in my cold on Friday and began to feel like myself again... so in a last minute attempt to make up for miles that were lost to a fever and cold, I ran 12 miles in two days!

A special thanks to everyone who has supported me and my running...your encouraging words keep me going! Take a look at week 11:

Monday: 3 miles (feeling much better!)

Tuesday: 4 miles (still fighting the cough...but can trudge through)

Wednesday: 0 miles (cough in full force)

Thursday: 0 miles (tired, still fighting this cold!)

Friday: 0 miles (eek, even I am getting nervous about not running!)

Saturday: 6 miles (feeling back to normal!)

Sunday: 6 miles (the only thing that hurts are these poor lil legs!)

Weekly Total: 19 miles

Total Training Miles: 127 miles + 135 minutes of swim

Neuroblastoma Fact #7: 1 in every 100,000 kids per year in will be diagnosted with Neuroblastoma in the US

For those of you who do not know- Logan will be doing the Relay for Life the same weekend that I am home to do the marathon. Come and join us in supporting Logan, my dad, and the fight against cancer!! My twin sister, three friends flying in from CA and I will show up to lend our support! :) We will stay and support for as long as we can, however this is the night before the Rock N Roll Seattle marathon...so we won't be able to stay all night. . .but we will stay as long as possible! We hope to see you there!

Thanks again for your support, it means a lot! Here is to week 12- the miles keep increasing! Yikes! :) - Sarah