Racing For A Cure... My Running Journal

Not Long Now

2006-05-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, my yard sale is over, my fundraising is quickly coming to an end, and it won't be long now before I will be in San Diego (I am flying out a week from tomorrow). I am getting very excited! However, this week has been very busy, as Chris and I are getting ready to move... so lots to do!

We made about 200 dollars from my yard sale... not quite what we were expecting, but it was a success! So, as my last few donations are coming in, it still looks like I'm about $600 dollars away from my goal, which will be coming out of my own pocket. I am extremely grateful for everyone who has donated to me thus far! I feel very disappointed in myself, I guess. I was hoping to surpass my goal, and and I didn't even make it that far. I was hoping more for myself, but I am thankful I got as far as I did... which I couldn't have done without all of you who have so gratefully donated. I will think of each of you as I cross that finish line (and probably the 13 miles along the way. :)

It may be hard for me to update again before I leave, but I will try to one more time. And, don't forget, I can take donations up to 2 weeks after the race. So... it's not too late to make a donation!!! I will update as soon as I can! Woo-hoo... only 2 more weeks!

Postponed Yard Sale

2006-05-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Well... it is crunch time! We are a little over 3 weeks away until San Diego! Oh my goodness... that seems so close. We were going to have our yard sale this weekend, but due to some inclement weather and some other stuff going on, we are going to postpone it one week! But, we are still going to have it, and hopefully raise lots of money (like at least $1000, as that is how much I need to raise my goal)! So, if you have anything you may want to donate for the sale, please email me and let me know.

My training is going great. Last week, I was struggling with some tremendous calf pain that I couldn't shake off. My legs would start hurting after only a mile or so, and I couldn't figure out what was going on. However, I figured out that I wasn't stretching well enough, causing me to get knots in my calves. So, I started stretching really good, and have began increasing my runs again. And, although the weather here is chilly (like 48 degrees), I love to run in this kind of weather. I had a great run this evening (like 5 or 6 miles), and feel wonderful... back to my old self. Hopefully no more calf issues... I have a long run this weekend... the whole 13 miles hopefully! I will update again next week... hopefully I get some online donations this week, putting me closer to my goal of $3600!

Bake Sale

2006-05-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. It is time for another update! I had my bake sale yesterday, and it was very successful. We raised $350 for LLS! Thanks to Anna and Stephanie who helped me out, as well as everyone who helped bake for it. We had some wonderful yummy treats! Now... I am planning my yard sale, which hopefully raises a lot of money! I am still about $1000 away from my goal. I am 70% of the way there... so don't stop those donations. Don't forget, you can also donate online!

Thanks everyone for everything. I will update again soon.

11 minute mile average

2006-04-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

I just finished my first race ever... the Get in Gear 10K. How exciting... and I am so proud of how Anna and I did. We were towards the back of the start bunch, so the clock had started about 4 or 5 minutes (I am guessing - still waiting on official resutls) before we crossed the start line, but throughout the race, it seems we were averaging about an 11 minute mile. Anna and I generally average about 13 to 13 1/2 minutes miles, so that is what we were trying for. When we finished the race with the clock at 1 hour and 12 minutes, we were so excited! Today was definately a success, and a very proud moment for me. To see how far I have come since January, and to run a 6.2 mile race with an 11 minute mile average is something I am very proud of. Woo-hoo!

My bake sale is on Monday, and I have had lots of people tell me they are baking things. So, I am picking stuff up tomorrow, as well as baking myself tomorrow night. I hope we can make lots of money off of it... keep your fingers crossed. I will update after my bake sale to let you all know how it went! Until then...

It's going to be a success... I feel it!

2006-04-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Uhg... it has taken me a few days to recooperate from my 11 mile run... which tells me I need to increase my training runs! Anyways... I wanted to update everyone with my upcoming bake sale details. I am so excited that we have gotten it all set up! Here are the details: I am having my fundraising bake sale on Monday, May 1st, from 7:00 a.m. to around noon, downtown in one of the skyways near the US Bank building. If anyone would like to donate baked items to sell (like cookies or pastries), please let me know (neenawilcox@yahoo.com). If you are generous enough to donate some yummy treats to be sold, I will come to you and pick them up. The more baked goods there are to sell... the more money we can raise for LLS! I am so excited, and have had quite a few people already offer to bake items for it. I really hope this is going to be success... as I am still very far from my goal.

I will update on Monday with how my bake sale went... but let's just be positive and say it is going to go great! Thanks to everyone so far who has offered to bake something for it... I am so grateful to you all.

Also, Anna and I will be running in the Get in Gear 10K this weekend! Yeah!!!! We are going to do great... I am just praying for cooler weather (I like to run when it is a cool 55 to 60 degrees - but hey, I don't always get my way!). So... if you are going to be in St. Paul... come out and cheer all of us TNT'ers on... you'll see us in the white and purple jerseys (that obviously say TNT). Until then...

Oh yes... and one more thing! Don't forget to show your support this Sunday at Park Tavern Bowl for Mike and Kim's Bowl-a-Thon! I will be there show'in my support!

whewwwww...

2006-04-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

I had a group run today, and did almost 11 miles (like 10.75). I feel good after it... although the last half got kinda long. I was running by myself today, and I only had one water stop when I would generally stop like 3 or 4 times, plus have an energy gel stop. But, I made... and will continue with my training runs this week.

So, unfortunately, the bowling night in Kentucky isn't going to work out... but I want to thank everyone who tried... we just didn't have enough time. I am still waiting to hear on my sponsorship for the golf tournament... I hope that goes through! I should know sometime this week (so everyone keep your fingers crossed)! I am also still going to be doing the bake sale and the yard sale, which won't generate huge amounts of revenue, but the more people who dontate things to be sold - the more it will generate. I am hoping about $500 a piece for each of those... but that could be a high number. So... I still need ideas... and I definately still need donations. My mailbox hasn't been quite as "hopp'in" as it was at the beginning... please don't forget about me if you haven't already donated.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me so far. You guys ROCK! You are the ones who are making this journey so worth while... and I say that not for me... but for those I am running for. I have met and heard of so many people affected by these diseases, and what an honor it is to be fighting with them!

I am running my first "real" race next weekend called the Second Harvest "Get in Gear" run. It is a 10K (6.2 miles). I am very excited, as this is my first every real race... and several of my teammates are running it as well. So... wish me luck! Until then...

hello again!

2006-04-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry it has been so long since I updated. I have been so so busy with work it is absolutely crazy! Even on my days off, I am still dealing with work stuff. Anyways... I am in the process of gettting the finalized details down for my bake sale, and my yard sale. My word has donated a lot of stuff for the yard sale, and I am also going to ask around the neighborhood. Also, my mom is putting together a great fundraiser that I think will help tremendously. She is doing a "Rock-n-Roll Bowl" in Albany, Kentucky, and portions of the nights profits will go to my fundraising. I am very excited about that... and I wish I could be there to see it a success... but she will do awesome with it. I am still receiving some donations in the mail... but please... don't forget to still send those checks out if you haven't already done so!

My running has been going okay the last two weeks. On top of being very busy with work, I have discovered that the heat is something in and of itself that you have to train for. Since the temps have gotten back into the high 70's, it has been quite an adjustment. But... I am definately working at it... slowly but surely.

If any of you who read this (are you still out there - ha ha) who are in the twin cities area, one of my TNTmates is having a bowling fundraiser. Here are the details:

Host:
Kim Mitchell and Mike Walch
Location:
Park Tavern Bowl3401 Louisiana Ave S, St Louis Park, MN View Map
When:
Sunday, April 30, 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Calling all sharp shooters, gutter-ballers, and everyone in between. On April 30th we will be holding a bowl-a-thon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For only $10 you can enjoy 2 hours of good times and maybe a strike or two with friends and family while helping out a great cause. Anyone and everyone is welcomed to this event.$10 gets you:- 2 hours of bowling- Recently disinfected stylish shoes that smell great- 2 raffle tickets, with the option to buy more- Bragging rights over your friends' "great skills"The best part about this whole event is that every dollar goes towards to the LLS. Park Tavern (http://www.parktavern.net/) has graciously extended us this offer. We hope that you will join us for a Sunday afternoon of fun. Please RSVP by April 25th so we can judge how many lanes we will need. Hopefully we will need them all. Bring your friends, family, and your next-door neighbor and we will see you on the 30th.

So... make sure you get out there and bowl away! It is for a great cause... and Mike has helped me out with my fundraising... so I will be there showing my support (as will my checkbook!). Everyone have a great week... and don't forget to keep sending out those checks if you haven't already done so. Oh... what the heck... send another one. Ha ha... have a great one.

Happy April Fools Day!

2006-04-01T11:57:00.001-08:00

So... not an April fools joke, but I ran almost 13 miles today! How exciting is that... that is basically my whole marathon. I am a little tired, and am getting ready to take a shower to relax my muscles a little bit, but feel pretty good. Anna and I ran together, and 10 miles is definately our comfort zone. The last 2 to 2 1/2 miles were rough... they just seemed long. I can't believe I ran that far. I guess I wasn't supposed to run quite that far, but I wanted to see if I could do it. And... I did!!! Woo-hoo.... let's just say though, I am taking tomorrow off!

Not so bad I guess...

2006-03-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

Well... I just got done doing my long run for the week... it came out to be about 7 miles. I was hoping to make it longer, and when I running it, it definately felt longer. But I came back to the house and clocked it in my car, and found out it was only 6.7 miles. Bummer! I am very happy with that, but just it was farther while I was running it.

There was a group run this morning that I missed. I got off work last night at like 11:30 and got home by about midnight. I had made every intention of going, however woke up, and realized how warn out from this past week I really was. So, I decided to complete my full nights sleep and run on my own today. I was kinda disappointed in myself for not going, but I don't think I would have ever been able to finish my long run. I was just so exhausted. But, it wasn't so bad I guess... as I did run on my own. I will get to make it to my group run on Wednesday (how great is that... a week ago, I didn't even know if I would be able to continue)!

Anyways... thanks for all the support I've received over the past few weeks. I am so excited about San Diego, but realize that I couldn't, and can't, do it without the great support everyone has given me, and continues to give. TEN WEEKS UNTIL SAN DIEGO!

HALF WAY THERE!!!!!!

2006-03-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

Well... thanks to some very special people, I have made my halfway point, meaning I can continue with this amazing journey. Last night, I received a large donation from a very special person in my life, whose donation put me over the mark - thanks mom!!! :) I am so excited to be able to continue this journey, and to eventually cross the finish line!

Tomorrow I will be running a long run, hopefully like 9 miles or so. Well see... until next time...

How Amazing!

2006-03-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

I know I just updated yesterday, but I felt today deserved a special post. As I said last night, Anna gave me an extra $50 last night when we went out to eat after our group run. There were several of us who went out to eat last night. We were talking about our fundraising, and how it was going. One of the guys who were out with us, donated $200 on my website last night, which I discovered when I woke up and checked my email this morning. How amazing is that? My teammates have been so supportive, and have helped me out beyond belief. It looks that I may just make it to be able to continue! I am so speechless at how thankful I am... RB... you know who you are... thank you so much! Without having you guys' as my teammates, I don't know if I would make it through this! Thanks to everyone else as well who has continued to support me in this... over the past few days, I have gotten the best feedback and motivations from friends and family. Thanks to all of you!

I am going to be doing a bake sale downtown in one of the skyways. I'm not sure when it will be, but I will know more this next week. So... if you would like to donate a baked good, it would much appreciated. I will update this weekend... I'm not sure if I will make it to my group run this weekend, as I am scheduled to work. But, I am trying to change my schedule around... so we'll see. And... hopefully the donations keep coming!

Not quite there...

2006-03-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I have had a few more donations the past few days... so thanks so much to those of you who responded quickly (Dan, Sabrina, Jennifer, Anna, Julie!). Hopefully those kinds of donations keep coming in over the next few days. I have exactly one week from today to get.............$440.............!!!! I have sent out over 30 emails to local business trying to sell sponsorships for our upcoming LLS Golf Tournament on May 15th. The profit is very good... however it is just finding people interested in being a sponsor. Selling one sponsorship should get me through to $1800 I need to continue on.

I have been so amazed at how my teamates have stepped up to help me. One of the girls I run with is going to have to drop out next week because her and her husband are trying to get pregnant, but she has over half of her money already raised. She offered to transfer some of her money into my account so that I could continue. How awesome is that?? (Although I don't think LLS will allow that.) Another one of my teamates, and someone I have become good friends with, Anna, raised $50 from a local bar that her husband used to frequent... and she donated that money to me. How amazing are these people!!!!???!!! I am amazed at how wonderful and supportive my teamates have been. They challenge me to keep up my training... as well as support me when I need it. Thank you God.... for sending these kinds of wonderful people into my life for me to have the pleasure of meeting.

As far as my training... we ran 4 miles tonight, and did it in like 51 minutes (just a little over a 12 minute mile) which is not too bad. We really tried to step it up tonight, and thought we are going to do a little bit better. But... I am very satisified. The fact that I ran four miles, and it was that easy, and I picked up my pace is very comforting for me. I feel absolutely great... I haven't lost any pounds, but I can't keep up my jeans anymore, and my legs are definately reflecting a resemblance of muscles! Woo-hoo... they were under there!

Not a good report :(

2006-03-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

First of all, I would like to sincerely thank those who came out to the tournament last night. Without you guys, I wouldn't even be close to being able to continue with my endeavor. Saying that, I do have to report that last night's event was not a big success, and didn't make anywhere near the money we had hoped. Many people who RSVP'd to Chris and I didn't show up, and we had about 20 people show up. Thanks to my participants, we were able to cut costs on prizes at the end, so I didn't have to pay out quite as much as if we would have had a greater turnout. That said, I am $600 short of my half way point, and have exactly 9 days to get there. If I do not get there, I can't continue.

I have been incredibly upset last night and today. I keep trying to stay positive, and have had some good donations (thanks Jennifer!). I feel like if I don't make it, I am letting not only myself down, but everyone who has supported my endeavor. I am going to be sending out reminder emails one more time, and will keep high hopes. I think what is the hardest is that I have dedicated myself so much to this cause the past few months. I put my heart and soul into organizing the poker tournament, and have made it to every bi-weekly group run except for 3 since the beginnning of Feb. For those who know me, I put my all into everything I do, and to not succeed is unacceptable for me. I guess I have 9 days to do everything possible to find a successful solution.

Yeah!!! My tournament is tomorrow!

2006-03-18T09:56:00.000-08:00

I am sorry it has taken me a week to update. Things have been very hectic this week, as I have been planning and finalizing all the details for my Texas Hold'em Tournament tomorrow. I said in my last post that I was nervous about how many people I was going to have come... and now I think we are looking better. I have had almost 20 online RSVP's, as well as 10 to 20 verbal RSVP's! That doesn't include the people that are hopefully just going to show up. So, it looks as if we are going to have decent turnout. I am so very excited! I hope everything goes great and we make lots of money for LLS!

My training has been going pretty well this week. I have kept most of my training runs, averaging about 3 miles each. I also ran my group runs this week, which was 4 1/2 miles on Wednesday, and 6 miles today. Next week, I will be upping it again, and increasing milage. Only 5 more miles to go until I hit my target! San Diego is getting closer into sight!!

Oh no... am I going to make it?

2006-03-11T20:19:00.001-08:00

This week has been a long and very tiring week! I didn't get much running in. I have been running crazy at work, and have also been trying to get everything squared away for my texas hold'em tournement. Speaking of which, I am very stressed out about this thing. I have not gotten a lot of RSVP's, and am not sure how many people are going to show. I am depending on this heavely to help me make my fundraising goal. I have to have $18oo or more in my account by the end of this month to continue on. If I don't get that much, I will not be able to continue, and will not be able to run in San Diego. Some people have far surpassed their whole goal, and I am getting very worried. I am so grateful to everyone who has donated so far, and definately don't want to let them down. I have tried desperately to get people to RSVP me, and have just not had a lot of luck. Anyone have any advise???

I will update again after my run on Wednesday. I am now over $600 in my fundraising, with $3000 left to go!

Brining new meaning to going the extra mile... well, maybe just bringing back the original meaning!

2006-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning, and there was frost all over the grass. I wasn't all that excited to be running since it looked pretty cold... and over the last few days it has been pretty nice. But, I went (call it... ambition I guess). I met my group at Lake Nokomis Park in Minneapolis, and had planned on doing between 6 and 8. Well... I guess I need to better explain. You see, there are lots of different training schedules for my group depending on your ability: Half Marathon (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), and Full Marathon (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). I, myself, am at the bottom of the totom pole, being a Half Marathon beginner. So my schedule today said I would do a long run, which was 5. Well... I have been training with the Full Marathoners, both beginner and intermediate. Their schedule said to do 8 miles today. I was hoping that when I got there today, my fellow beginners would also plan to do 8, since we had been pretty much sticking together. However, I saw they all signed up to do 5. I felt since I had been doing between 3 and 5 over the last two weeks, I was going to attempt the next step (which would have been 6 miles). But, even then, I decided that I thought I could do 8 miles... so I went for it. AND I DID IT! Currently, I can't feel my legs, and am a bit exhausted... but I was so proud of myself because I ran 8 miles... and, I never stopped to walk. Some people do the run/walk method. That doesn't work for me. I keep my same slow pace... and as long as I am keeping my pace... I keep on trucking. So today, I ran 8 miles with the Full Marathoners... can you believe it? WOW!

I keep getting more of my donations from my letters in the mail every day. I get so happy when I get another donation. I am so nervous about making my goal, but I continue to get one step closer day by day. I hope it continues... really... 3600 dollars seems far away yet!

Here comes tomorrow...

2006-03-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

Everything is coming together for my poker tournament, and I am so happy. I am hoping lots of poeple come out to play. We are going to have some great prizes... more and more are being donated every day!

Training is going well. I have been so busy with trying to get all of my fundraising stuff going, so I have been training as much as hoped... but I am still workin at it! Tomorrow will be a long run. I am hoping to do somewhere between 6 and 8 (hopefull more along the lines of 8). I had hoped to do 6 on Wednesday, but the group run was only a short run.... so I did almost 5. This weekend is going to kick my butt... but I think I'm ready for it. I've already been sore once this week... why not again? :)

Again, thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far. I am so pleased with the results so far... and that goes for both training and fundraising results! Hopefully, by the end of this month, I will be quickly approaching my goal amount!

Back on track!

2006-02-28T16:10:00.000-08:00

Okay... I am feeling 100% better, and no more issues with my back. Sunday was a little rough for me, I was still feeling a little under the weather. But, Monday I was feeling great again, so I jumped right back into routine... I ran 3 1/2 miles. I may go to the gym tonight... not sure yet. But, I have my group run tomorrow, and am really going to push myself! I want to do six miles tomorrow.

I want to thank everyone who has sent donations, letters & notes, and just some overall great words of encouragment. It is so great to see how many people are standing behind me in my quest, and it is so appreciated. I love looking in the mailbox everyday, getting the emails, reading the notes... they are definately keeping me motivated, and one step closer to my goal.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!! My TNT Texas Hold'em Tournament has been scheduled! Here is the information:

March 19th, 2006
Sponsored by the World Poker Store

Majors Sports Bar

8301 Normandale Blvd.
Bloomington, MN 55438
7:00 p.m. Lesson
8:00 p.m. Texas Hold’em
Tournament Begins

Please join us for a Texas Hold’em Tournament, with proceeds benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A Raffle Drawing* (with various prizes from local businesses) will take place following the tournament, with tickets given away throughout. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive $200 in prizes from the World Poker Store.
*Those who have made a donation will be eligible for the raffle in appreciation for their contribution.

Suggested Donation: $26.20 (that's 2 dollars per mile, but so many steps closer to finding a cure!)

To Register: email neenawilcox@yahoo.com, or call 651-587-7143

I hate being sick!

2006-02-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

The past few days have seemed to hit me with everything possible. Yesterday, I did something to a muscle in my back... maybe a pulled muscle or muscle spasms. It was very painful... and hereditary! My dad gets them as well... it just takes its time to work out... and did! I am feeling better today. Although it is still a little sore, at least I can move today. I am going to give it an extra day before I run again just to make sure it doesn't come back.

This morning, Chris and I both woke up getting sick. Chris got sick in the middle of the night, and I started getting sick at about 8:30 this morning. Chris slept a lot yesterday, and wasn't feeling up to par... but we didn't know anything was wrong. I also was having some stomach problems... I just thought it was something I ate. Then it hit both of us. So, I think we both have some sort of stomach virus or something. But, we are functioning... both of us are going to work this afternoon. I feel much better without anything in my stomach.

So needless to say... this weekend has been a bummer. It was so pretty outside yesterday, and I wanted to do my long run so bad. So, I am going to give myself one more day to get back to healthy... then I will do my long run tomorrow, hopefully 5 or 6 miles. So... lets pray this little stomach problem is going to disappear! Although... as long as my back is okay, I'm going to run tomorrow anyway! How I feel will just depend on how long I run.

I watched "Extreme Makeover" the other day... I don't know if anyone else saw this one. Two twin girls were diagnosed with Leukemia only 5 months apart. They were like 3 or 4 years old when they were diagnosed. Seeing the story of them, and how hard they have fought the disease (one is in remission, one is battling it again)... it was a strong reminder of why I am doing this. In the words of her father... he said, "I just wish there was a cure so my little girl doesn't have to go through this!" I know that with all of us TNTers taking to the streets, we will truly be many steps closer to finding a cure!

2006-02-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

This week has been a very busy week! Monday I ran on my own, but I did run 3 1/2 miles. On Tuesday, I went to Bally's and ran a mile, plus lifted weights. Yesterday I did my group run with my running team, and did 3 miles. So this weekend I will do a long run. I was able to increase my pace quite a bit for my 3 miles yesterday, so I was very happy with that progress. I will have to miss my group run this weekend because I have to work, so I am very bummed about that! But, I will make sure to run on my own, and make it a rather long run... hopefully 5 or 6 miles!

I met with Jim today... he is the guy helping me set up my poker tournament. I am planning on it being the 3rd weekend in March. I hope it will be a huge success. I have had so many people already express their interest in participating!

My letters were all mailed out this week... woo-hoo! Everyone should be recieving them within the next few days at the latest!

By the way, thanks so much to everyone who has given me such great words of encouragement. As well... thank you to those who have signed my guestbook on here... it is so great to read what people have to say... it is wonderful encouragement for me to stick to this! I continue to get reminded why I am doing this... and have discovered it has been so worth it so far!

woo-hoo! $65.00 I made

2006-02-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

I just finished the Herberger's event... and I made $65.00! I am very satisfied with that. There were five of us that showed up, and we sold coupon books for 3 hours. Together, we raised $325 to go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society... that's pretty awesome. I am hoping to meet with Jim, the guy helping me with my poker tournament, early this week. I am going to be going to some local businesses tomorrow to see if they will sponser my tournament, and donate something toward the grand prize. So... we'll see how everything turns out. But, I am very excited about the money I did raise today.

I am taking today off of running, only because Chris and I haven't spent much time together this week... and we are going to tonight. But, I will hit the pavement again tomorrow. I will do a few miles (probably 2 or 3) tomorrow and Tuesday, and then do my longer group run on Wednesday. Here's to a new week...

BRRRRR...

2006-02-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well... for those of you who don't live here in Minnesota... it has been very, VERY, cold the last few days. The high yesterday was 3 below. This gorgeous morning, it was also in the negatives. But... for those who are wondering, I still ran... 4 1/2 miles. AND IT WAS COLD! Let's just say my nose may have been running faster then me. I was so bundled up, I felt like that kid on "A Christmas Story" when his mom sends him out of the house with like 4 coats and he can't put his arms down - that was me this morning. I brought my camera to take a picture of me and my running buddy, Anna, but my batteries were dead. So I will take a picture on Wednesday after our group run to post on my TNT website. So for all of you who have given me great words of motivation and encouragement... thank you so much. It was very hard waking up at 6:45 this morning, knowing I was going to be running at 10 below. Chris told me I was crazy for running when it was that cold... but I did it safely (...mom), I had lots and lots of clothes on. And... for the record, I was supposed to do 6 miles, but stopped at about 4 1/2 because it was so cold and I didn't want to get frostbitten.

For those who may be around this weekend... I will be selling some great coupon books at Herbergers (for those not living in Minnesota... I know it is a weird name, but it is like Dillards or LS Aires) from 1:00 to 4:00 on Sunday - the one on 494 and Penn Ave. The books are filled with really good coupons, and are $5.00 a piece - but all of what we raise (there are 5 of us selling them on Sunday) goes directly to our fundraising. So if you get a chance, come and stop by!

I will try to update tomorrow to give an update on how much we raised. Hopefully lots... so until tomorrow...

4 Miles... Wow!

2006-02-16T12:46:00.000-08:00

Well, as you can hopefully tell from the title, I ran 4 miles... TWICE! On Sunday, I ran 4 miles (half by myself, and the second half with someone else - so needless to say the second half went much quicker), and 4 yesterday. I have found another girl (running the Anchorage marathon) that is the same pace as me... so it has made my runs a bit easier. I do much better when I am not trying to keep up with someone, but when I run with someone that carries a faster pace, I try to keep their pace. Last night, the 4 miles actually seemed pretty easy (I can't believe those words just came out of my mouth). Afterwards... me and two of the girls I run with went out for a bite to eat. So... not only am I running for a great cause, but I am getting to meet some great people.

Good News...! I got in touch with a guy who runs the World Poker Store here in Minneapolis. He is going to help me set up an amateur poker tournament to help me raise my fundraising goal. So I am very excited about that... as you know that is something that has been bothering me. I feel like a small weight has been lifted in regard to figuring out how to organize an event like that. So... hopefully I can get lots of people signed up (becuase I do have to pay the poker store so much for providing the tables, supplies, and staff). I am working on getting some space donated for the event. Once I get the final details out of the way, and have my date set, I will feel much more secure.

Until next time... (which is 6 miles on Saturday... oh my God... that seems like a lot!)

Feeling a little bit better...

2006-02-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

I took a few days off of running to help my body recover a little bit from this cold I have seemed to pick up. I am feeling a little bit better today, and decided to pick up my running again this morning (but only with a 1 1/2 miles run). The run I did this morning went great... I can definately tell a difference in how much my training is helping both in my pace and in my stamina.

Tomorrow morning is my next team run. We are running 4 miles, and I am a little bit nervous about it. But, I think once I start, I'll be okay. I keep stunning myself with how much better I do each time I do a longer run. It has definately helped my confidence in realizing I can definately cross that finish line if I keep up the training.

I think the thing that worries me most is the fundraising. I don't know if I've said that before, but it is starting to play on me the last few days. Over the past month, I have really become passionate about what I'm doing. I guess it is just hard to portray that passion to other people. I will be sending my letters out Monday (as I get to stuff all the envelopes tonight), and will getting my poker idea down on paper the beginning of this week. I want to call around and hopefully have a venue for it by the end of this week. Baby steps in training... and baby steps in fundraising... right?

I am going to be surprising Chris tomorrow by taking him out of town to the casino in Turtle Lake, Wisconson for his birthday (the 13th) and for Valentines day. I figured we should do something for our first Valentines as a married couple. Chris will be really surprised I hope, and I know he will be excited. That means Theresa gets to dog-sit Paco... so she is also happy.

Because I am going out of town, the next time I will update will probably be after my group run on Wednesday if I can't do it tomorrow morning. Until then... wish me luck on my 4 miles.

2006-02-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well... I did another 3 miles last night. It felt much further then the following Sunday when I ran 3 miles to be quite honest. However, this time, I had a running partner... Anna. We ran a little bit together on Sunday, but I am slower paced then she is. Last night, she ran with me, though, and it was much appreciated. I was so inspired by her journey and how she came to TNT (thanks for sharing your story with me, Anna - I think you have truly become my inspiration - see you Sunday). Life is truly a remarkable gift, and I hope what I'm doing makes a difference for someone.

I seemed to pick up a run of the sniffles over the last few days, so I am taking a day off of running. I have been running so much, I hadn't taken a day off yet this week from it. So I decided today I wouldn't run. I have another group run on Sunday! I was very excited to see some other beginners there last night at our group run. It has been great meeing so many new people up here!

I got my letters printed off at Kinkos today (after getting in a nasty fight with my printer - and let's just say the printer won; it took me three days to get the paper out that it had eaten). So that means tonight, I will be stuffing envelopes and getting them ready to be sent out. I was hoping to have them sent out today already, but I am behind. Chris and I played a little Phase 10 last night, and just chilled out. He has been such a great support with this whole new adventure I'm taking on. Although... I can't figure out how to get him to help me stuff evelopes... hummmm....

Until next time....

2006-02-07T19:38:00.000-08:00

I have another group run tomorrow... but it is only a short run (2 miles). If others are running longer, I will probably also try. I have trained every day this week. I have actually made use of the Bally's membership we received. Although, I have quickly figured out I don't really enjoy running on the treadmill. So, I have been using the track, and it's okay.

I have my letters almost all done and ready to send out. I just have to go to Kinko's and print them all out. I have most of the envelopes done, and all of the return envelopes are filled out. Hopefully they will be in the mail by tomorrow.

My goal of $3600 seems like so much money, I am becoming somewhat nervous about it. I have though of some new ideas on fundraising events. On the top of my list so far... a "Poker Beer Bash." I just have to take care of the details. I guess I am just more scared about the fundraising part because I know I can complete the marathon, I am training like 6 days a week and continuing to improve daily. But the fundraising aspect isn't all in my control. And that is kinda scary! However, I will do everything possible to not only make my goal, but to surpass it. It is amazing how getting so involved has become a passion... I can only hope I make a difference in the fights against cancer.

OMG! I did a 5K!

2006-02-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

Oh My God... I actually did a 5K (that is 3.2 miles)! I can't believe it. Okay, so for those of you who don't know about my new quest... I'll explain:

I decided to join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program. I am training to run a half marathon, which is 13.2 miles, in San Diego this June. Please visit my site... http://active.com/donate/tntmn/neenawilcox . When I decided to take this one (about 3 weeks ago), I started training immediately. Let just say... I'm not the best runner in all the world... I could even go as far as saying... I am not a runner at all. The first day I realized I couldn't run a mile... how sad. So I stuck with it, and each day did better and better. At first I did the loop around my neighborhood, which is about 1 1/2 miles, and I did a run/walk. I ran as much as possible, but I was definately doing more walking. Then I just made myself keep going, and was finally able to do it without stopping.

Today was my first team practice. We had to run 3 miles. I was scared to death when I got up this morning. I thought for sure everyone would be far more advanced then me, and I would never make it that far. But I did!!! And... although I think I finished last (hey... baby steps... right?) I was only like 30 seconds or so (maybe a minute) behind the next person, and I didn't have to stop and walk! So I finished last in my first practice... but HELLO... I finished!!!! Three weeks ago I couldn't run 1 mile... today I ran 3.

And you know... half way through my run, I began talking to another girl on my team. She asked me why I had decided to join... and I told her my reasoning. I realized on our way back (the second half of the trail) that I had forgot to ask her. So... as tired as I felt, I spit out enough words to ask her why she decided to join. She shared with me that only a few months ago, her husband passed away from cancer, and she had decided prior to his death she was going to run. As tired as I felt, I suddenly remebered why I was there... and that made the run a lot easier. I have decided I will do everything within my power to blow past my fundraising goal. This run has come to mean a lot to me... and I can't wait to cross that finish line!