Getting Closer...

I'm so excited!

I have word that I have some corporate sponsorships coming in! Now, this won't reach my goal in and of itself, but it sure helps!

I am actually a bit nervous right now... Reaching this goal is important for my marathon training, but it is most important for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We have all been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, and I believe it's safe to say that every human in our country runs the risk of developing it. I don't say this to sound negative as much as I say it to explain the importance of this cause. If any of us do have to battle this disease, I think it's very important that we have organizations like LLS well-funded and supported so that we can have the best possible medicinal and treatment advances.

If you are able, it would mean the world to me to receive your donation (large or small!) to this cause. I (obviously) get none of these proceeds, and are donated straight to Team In Training, which is owned and run by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click on the link connected to my face above!

Please help me raise $1400 by March 15th!

Truckin' Right Along

I caved. I've been trying not to join a gym, as hard as I could. But after yet another weekend of freezing cold weather, I finally gave in.

I cannot tell you what cold weather does to my very soul. I become cranky Jessie. It's not pretty. Take a look:

Like I said. It ain't pretty. Anyways...

I joined a gym. Oh, the wonders of workout equipment variety, men taking up all the weight machines (what is UP with that?!), and the best part - cardio machines with tvs! THANK YOU, blessed inventor of that idea.

I went this past Sunday to get my long run in, as I couldn't do my usual Saturday run, thanks to an irritating cold and the fact that it was butt cold outside. While I ran, I watched the perfect chick flick take-me-away-from-everything-but-happy-thoughts movie - "Failure to Launch." It really and truly made the run feel more enjoyable. Now if only someone could invent a tv helmet you could wear outside while you run. That wouldn't make you run into cars. Ok, maybe that's a bad idea...

And though my run went well, my knees are not feeling too hot. I think my joints are taking a beating with the long runs, so if you're reading this and have any suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated!

And as I leave, just thought I would, once again, direct you to my donation page. I know that this is an extremely trying time for so many Americans, and now, with so many unbelievable natural disasters happening to our fellow brothers and sisters, it is hard to know where to help. I understand this, as I am in the same boat, so I do understand if you cannot find the resources to donate to this cause. However, if you can, it would mean the world to me to receive your financial gift. It goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm getting nothing for this at all, except some sore legs and a stronger heart. :)

They really do great work. And they have helped a lot of sick people find healing and gain their life back. Women, children, men, all kinds, have been helped, thanks to their medicine and research advances. Please help them stay afloat and keep doing what they're doing.

Love,

Jessie

:)

Can It Be True??

Is it true??

Did Jessie really run 8 MILES? Without stopping??

YES!!

I still am in shock. And I still don't know if I could ever do it again. BUT, I'm learning that's the beauty and irony of this whole situation...

The run went well, but it was cold and windy. My long-sleeved t-shirt didn't keep me warm enough. My heart did well (especially since I was running a snail's pace!), but afterwards, my knees were killing me. They still kind of hurt today, but feel much better than Saturday.

After the run, I rewarded myself with some Blue Coast Burrito fish tacos and chips and frozen yogurt from TCBY. Thank you, and amen.

I found an awesome website that has helped me find good running routes. If you're a runner, and you don't already know about this website, it is amazing. Well, it will be amazing when I actually figure it out (sometimes, I'm a bit directionally challenged.) It's called mapmyrun.com. Anywhere in the world, you can map out a run for whatever distance you'd like, on whatever area of town you'd like. Do it!

And have a BLESSED week!

6 Miles!

This Saturday, I ran 6 miles. 6 MILES!!
Clearly, this excites me. And I didn't stop! Except for that one part when I got kinda lost. But other than that, I didn't stop! I think it took about an hour and a half. I'm slowly still learning my pace and learning what it feels like to run that far of a distance.

Long-distance running is so much different than what I have done for exercise in the past. In my (short) experience, long distance running requires far more psychological stamina than I ever imagined. For most of the run, my heart was good, my joints felt good, and I was breathing well. However, keeping my mind in check was more difficult. I kept pushing down the urge to quit, or to take a rest, or to curl up into an egg-like position and just roll the rest of the way. I tried my best to think of the scenery around me, the fact that the weather is finally warming and all the pleasant things about life, but it was hard. I thought about good memories and bad memories, and the bad memories tended to try and dominate, making my run seem far longer than it was.

This week, I want to focus on how I think while I run. I want to find things I can listen to while I run, and things I can think about that would give me hope, keep me positive, and keep my mind off of monotonous activity.

I like marshmallows. Maybe I'll think about them. Who doesn't get happy when they think about marshmallows? :) Marshmallows and roller gel pens. *sigh* I'm in heaven.

Ok, so my list needs a little work. :)

Woohoo!

Great week! Finding my pace, actually enjoying the running, but WOW, it has been unbelievably cold here! Over the past week, there has been about a 1-degree windchill, with around 18-degree weather. This GA girl can't take much more of this!

Thankfully, today it has warmed up to the 30's. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd be excited about 30-degree weather!

I can't talk long today, but I just wanted to reiterate that I would greatly, humbly appreciate your donation to this cause. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is worthy, hopeful, and needs our support. Your donation to my run goes directly to them, and they use your donation to help find cures and medicines for victims of blood cancers.

Have an amazing week! <3

New Year, New Donations!

What a beautiful week! I hope your holidays were wonderful and restful. I'm totally off my sleeping patterns, thanks to New Years, but it was worth it. :)

I have found my pace! The way I have been running has been a quicker pace than I realized, thus making me tired before I hit my running goals. I guess you could say that my perfectionism got in the way of my progress (ha! Imagine that! I thought perfectionism makes me work harder. Now I know better!). As soon as I slowed my pace down, two things happened: first, I felt way more confident about making it to my 13 mile goal, and secondly, I enjoyed the run so much more!

I also wanted to say a HUGE, RESOUNDING Thank You to my first two Team in Training donors! Georgia and Bruce, thank you for your kind generosity and for supporting this worthy cause that is far greater than my running. I can't thank you enough.

If you feel compelled to give, click on my face at the top, and it will direct you straight to the donation page.

Merry Christmas!

It's 3 days 'til Christmas!! I LOVE Christmas!

Remember to enjoy yourselves, spend time with crazy family, and rest!

And I'll remember to run like the dickens! Along with the rest of it. :)

And why not give a fulfilling Christmas gift by donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Click on my face at the top to donate!

Have a very Merry Christmas!