Saturday, April 9, 2011

Team time

This morning began with the alarm squeaking at me quietly so I would not wake my husband. <I am not a morning person>  I wanted to get up earlier so I would have time to hydrate and eat some breakfast before heading out to meet the team for the Saturday morning training.

I am not sure how successful I was at not waking the husband as I did not gather my running gear the night before so I was using the flashlight on my phone to go in and out of the bed room.  <sorry honey, will do better next week>  Off to McKinney, I go.  Mentally saying 7 miles walking or running is still 7 miles, Go B, go!

This morning the training calendar said 7 miles.  So here we have it:




For those of you who have never been a part of a Team In Training event each Saturday morning we talk about our fundraising, we cheer the folks who had an awesome week, share tips and then there is a mission moment.  Mission moments are reminders of why we are participating in Team In Training.

Today a mother shared with us her passion for finding a cure for leukemia.  She shared with us about her son and her family. What a brave little boy who fought and unfortunately did not win the leukemia battle.  I cannot begin to imagine how this impacts a family.  She shared with us how they honor his life by continuing to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure for blood cancers so, some day, no other families will have to go through what they did.  Tears are not uncommon on Saturday morning and today was no different. 

If you know someone who has battled these cancers and you can spare even 1 dollar please honor them by contributing to the cause.  You may do so one of two ways:

Click the "Donate Now" link on the right hand column of this blog or you may make a check out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and email me at Brenda75035@gmail.com for the mailing address.

In addition, if my conversion from couch potato to enrollee and training for an endurance event has inspired you to get involved.  Please email me or post a comment to the blog.  I can tell you how to become a participant in the Team In Training program.  It is a WIN/WIN experience!  My life has been blessed in so many ways by participating in such an amazing program. 

I am grateful,
Brenda

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tuesday nights are for...


Jogging.  Last night I dropped back to 3 miles as I missed Monday night.  Tonight I will tackle the 5 mile jog.

You may have noticed I changed my terminology to jogging rather than running.  I think jogging more accurately describes my progress at this time.  I had to slow it down a bit so I could run for longer periods of time at once.  It makes for a much nicer story in the mind to feel like your stamina is steadily improving.

Fund raising is going well. I have an event on April 11th that should help get me one mid size step closer to the goal.  Many thanks to all of you have contributed!  I really appreciate the support!  If everyone on FB that is listed as a friend would donate $1.00 I would make my goal.  So what do you think, can you spare $1.00 to help find a cure for blood cancer and provide much needed care for those that need help?

I hope everyone is having a great day!  Looking forward to trying a new 5 mile run route tonight.  I hope TX weather holds on and there is no rain!

I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Wake up call

This past Saturday was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining, a nice breeze was blowing, and the temperature was perfect, perfecting for the team training. I was very tired this morning but I got out there anyway and enjoyed spring in Texas because before tooo long it will be gone.

My training plan said 5 miles but I was the only one there Saturday on the 5 mile route so I joined the 7 mile group.  Why not, right?  Next week I will be there, anyway.  I figured I might as well move on up!

I did not jog nearly as much as I would have liked but I had not stayed hydrated the week before while I was traveling and was very tired. This was my wake up call.  FOCUS!   I got out there and put in the time and at the end of the day that is the mindset needed to finish the race in June, go me!

This week I am in town and will be able to focus more on the training and make sure I stay hydrated and eat right.  San Francisco is one of my favorite cities and has amazing food!  I ended up out with co workers/friends having fun rather than taking care of business.  :)   Back to focusing on the task at hand.

Here is to a great week of training this week!

Til next time.  I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, March 20, 2011

It is Spring in TX

All the trees are blooming and North Texas is turning green.  The weather is beautiful.  I would love for time to stand still and the beautiful spring weather stay for a while. 

Tuesday and Saturday team run's are going great!  Now that the weather is warmer more folks are coming out and participating.  I on the other hand do not care for the warmer weather and am concerned about my ability to tolerate it when the temperatures start rising.  Saturday morning was good but I had a mild headache after the run.  We will see.  Pushing forward and taking each challenge as it is presented to me.  Stopping is not an option.

The physical therapy is awesome and I am really feeling a difference in my runs due to the strengthening of the core muscles and stretching, stretching, stretching.  My hope is that after the race in June I can try going off the Lyrica and see if I still experience the nerve pain.  The PT has experienced this same issue and has for the most part controlled it and relieved the pressure by focussed exercise and stretching.  I am hopeful.

Next Saturday is the Pot Of Gold drawing if you haven't donated please consider doing so before next Friday!  We have around $550 dollars in gift cards calling someone's name!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/anchor11/bgordon2nf

Til next post.
I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, March 6, 2011

A Week has flown by

On Tuesday I went to see Dr. Sethi at MetroCrest Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine.  After a thorough examination with a scheduled follow up, she sent me packing with a scrip for Lyrica (the drug used to treat fibromialgia).  There was an immediate change in my sciatic nerve pain.  For the most part it went away! 

So I had a wonderful week of training this week.  Tracy and I did 3 miles on Thursday night and then on Saturday morning (drumroll please) I for the first time jog/walked 5 miles.  My time was pretty good for a beginner, 15.5 minute miles.

On the drive home I called Tracy and celebrated the accomplishment.  I was so proud and happy with myself.  Friday night I will admit to feeling mild anxiety about completing 5 miles.  I had been struggling with training and worried about not being able to push myself to move faster because my leg would go numb after about 10 minutes.  Now, I feel like I can push to improve weekly and keep up with the training schedule.

So that is the weekly recap... Saturday night once I settled down and joined a dear friend for her birthday celebration at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar I COULD NOT MOVE without groaning, lol.  Now I know what normal running aches feel like. 

All is well and I am grateful,
Brenda

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A beautiful night for a walk

I have a new appointment tomorrow with a new sports medicine group.  Thank you, June, for the referal.  I am anxious to hear a second opinion and I am hopeful.

I went to team training tonight with every intent of running; however, thanks to the coach I walked which means I saved myself some agony tonight.  It was such a beautiful night, light breeze, 57 degrees.  I love this time of year in Texas.

Sleep well everyone, I am looking forward to a new day with a different outcome tomorrow.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Monday, February 28, 2011

Want a second opinion...

As training was progessing my old friend <not> the sciatic nerve started chatting with me.  So off I go to the ortho that I visited back in 2007 to ask what can be done and why the nerve is acting up again.

Here is the part I did not want to hear, "your piriformis muscle is pinching the sciatic nerve and you cannot run anymore".  That was about the extent of the conversation he said that he has tried surgery and there is no fixing this.  I am hard headed and want to speak with someone who will consult with me rather than emphatically state, some people are not meant to run and you are one of them.

I am very upset needless to say.  I start physical therapy next Tuesday and am in a state of indecision and confusion.  After the visit with the ortho I went to an urgent clinic to ask for some anti-inflamatory meds.  So far they are helping a bit.  I am also stretching the piriformis as much as I can to address the pain.

I did not run tonight, I am on the fence about tomorrow.  Decisions, decisions, sigh.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Monday Night

Last night I visited Deven Reid, Licensed Massage Therapist Extraordinaire!  She works at Stonebriar Spa and is a life saver.  I am having issues with my hamstring and sciatic nerve again which is very untimely considering I need to be running 4-5 times a week. GRRR.

I may ask my ortho to do another injection to relieve the swelling and pain.  I do not need the pain jacking with my training.  I have enough challenges without sciatic pain being one of them.

I ran 1.7 miles last night. :(  I did shave a minute off my time even with gimping.   I will take progress any way I can get it. 

I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Pot of Gold Raffle - Win up to $1,000 in gift cards!



The Team in Training summer team is busy collecting $50.00 gift cards for the Pot of Gold Raffle!  In the past the “Pot of Gold” has been filled with up to 1,000.00 dollars in gift cards from all your favorite retailers and restaurants.  Each donation helps me to reach my personal fundraising goal of $5,000.00.  Thank you to each and every one of you who support this cause.


How it works
Click on the below hyperlink and donate $5.00 or more to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  We will collect your name, email and physical address when you make your donation and you will automatically be entered to win!

We will hold the drawing on March 26th!

All participants will receive an email notification announcing the winner.
Tickets Cost:
$5.00 per ticket OR 5 tickets for $20.00
All previous donations are eligible and you will automatically be entered in the drawing!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Saturday Morning Joy

This morning the N TX team met at 7 a.m. to run our 3 miles.    I completed 10 miles this week total. 
I have my moments where I feel like, "I got this" then the next moment I am asking, "Can I do this?"  The answer is a large, resounding yes!  I must keep my mind from quiting before my body. 

There are so many amazing folks on the N TX team.  The advice and willingness to share is very touching.  Go Team!

If you have not stopped by my donation page please consider contributing today!  Every dollar counts.  Simply click the Team in Training link in the left hand corner to donate.  If you would like to send a check please contact me at brenda75035@gmail.com and I will send you the information you need.

I am grateful,
Brenda


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

First Tuesday Night Team Run

2.96 miles
Duration 0:51:44 | Average Pace 17:28 / mi | Average Speed 3.44 mph | Elevation Climb 65 ft
 
Not bad for a beginner...
 
I need to build stamina and improve speed to under a 15 minute mile at a bare minimum because the "Mayor's Race" in Anchorage sweeps (which means if you don't keep up they pull you out of race)  I presume this means everyone must finish in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
 
This is achievable!
 
Grateful,
Brenda
 
 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Contest Announcement - You don't want to miss this!

As a special surprise, everyone who has donated or makes a donation through March 25th will be entered to win a "Pot of Gold" which will contain a mix and match of  $50.00 gift cards from all your favorite places!  In the past this prize has been up to or exceeding $1,000.00 dollars!  The cost is $5.00 per ticket OR 5 tickets for every $20.00!  What an awesome prize!

All you need to do to enter is go to the following link and donate! Or you can write a check made payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mail it to:  Brenda Gordon, 12350 Ridgetop Circle, Frisco, TX  75035.

I will turn in your tickets and submit them on your behalf.  The winner will be announced on March 26th.  


UPDATE:
My donation page is under construction and will be displaying the total donations on or around the middle of this week.  (I changed races and they must move the prior donation data to a new site.)  For each of you that have donated I do have a record and you will be entered into the contest and as mentioned above your information will be restored to the donation page very soon!

Please note the new page is functioning and you can donate using the following link!  
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/anchor11/bgordon2nf

Currently, you have contributed over $1,245.00 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!  THANK YOU!

Good Luck, everyone!

I am grateful,
Brenda

A Productive Week

There is a lot going on in the next 30 days that I cannot wait to tell you about.  Stay tuned!

Yesterday was our first team training.   We went to Luke's Locker in Allen and spent part of our morning learning the right gear and overall running tips.  If you do not shop at Luke's Locker I highly recommend you stop in.  Their staff is amazing.  We jogged / walked approximately 2 miles.  Each day I feel stronger and stronger and it is a great feeling.

Thank you Jennifer for hanging back with me when the "mystery pain" reared it's ugly head.
This week I had to travel for work.  It was an overnight trip but when you pack your running shoes and gear it tends to look as if you are moving in, lol.  I am looking forward to my next trip.  Huntington Beach, CA.  We are staying on the beach and I will have a beautiful run along the water each morning.  One could get used to that, ya know.  I know this area very well from when I used to live in Long Beach.  Being there always brings back great memories.  We used to hang out on the beach on the weekends, build a fire, have a seafood boil, and drink.  Ahhh, the twenties.  I wouldn't want to go back but they sure were good times.

To run or not to run today?  Will let you know later tonight what I decide.  It is beautiful out so I am leaning towards running.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Go Steelers!

I wish I still had my terrible towl to wave in the air, Go Steelers!  I am looking forward to hanging out with friends, watching the game, and previewing the commercials.  I hope the commercials are better than last year...

I just finished my 3 mile workout that I was supposed to do yesterday.  It took me 55 minutes to go 3.1 miles on my treadmill.  I had to laugh at how little difference it makes between casualy walking a 5k and switching  between walking/jogging one between 3.5 and 4.5 mph.  A lot more energy is expended, that is for sure, for so little time improvement (8 minutes)   Either way I worked out and I feel good about it.

I had a great day yesterday.  We went to Luke's Locker and purchased shoes and supplies that I will need over the next few months.   We then went to Eldorado Country Club to talk about a charty golf tournament, in April.  We received some good information and plan to talk to a few more.  We will have to decide pretty soon to pull all of this together and advertise. Next was Sun and Ski Sports.  Tracy needed a few items so we purchased some items there and passed out some coupons to folks shopping that day.  Then dinner with friends.  What a productive day. 

Well off to get ready.  Have a great evening watching the Super Bowl and be safe.

I am grateful,
Brenda

Go Team!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday night. Oh, how I love thee...

I finally left the house.  Ice and snow, I am over you and I need to get out and be among friends.  Off to dinner Tracy and I go.  We were all so glad to see eachother, well at least the ladies were, lol.  We were not the only Frisco households with cabin fever.  By 6 p.m. Cantina Laredo was lively and every table full.  Going out was just what the doctor ordered. 

The training calendar says rest, tonight.  The first team training tomorrow has been cancelled so I plan on getting up and spending some quality time with my treadmill.  I plan on going 3 miles as I believe that is what were were going to do tomorrow.

Tonight when we returned the dogs were so excited to be able to go outside again and play in the snow.  Roxi especially likes the snow and runs and plays by herself.  Suga tends to be more of a princess and does not like to get her feet wet. 

Well good night everyone.  I hope everyone is safe and warm.  Please visit my site if you have not contributed and would like to.  No amount is too small. 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntxok/heelhalf11/bgordon2nf

I am grateful,
Brenda

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Getting a late start again tonight

I am enjoying finding ideas and ways to raise funds.  So much so,  that each evening I sit at my laptop filling out my plans on my fund raising calendar and reading and researching until almost bedtime.  Then it hits, get up and go do your 30 minutes.  It is day three of training, last night was marked rest on the training calendar, and I am writing tonight quickly to say, "here I go to the treadmill". 

I wish it was better outside but we are on day 3 of ice and cold in North Texas.  The garage door is still stuck to the driveway and the subdivision is mostly ice.  The dogs are the only ones enjoying the weather at this point.

I am looking forward to Saturday and hope the weather breaks enough to have our first team training. 
Go Team!

Grateful,
Brenda

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Day 2 - Check

Ok procrastinatioin is not good. I just finished my 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at midnight.
Good night all.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Day 1 Training complete - Check

Day 1 simply said 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise - CHECK.

I put on the Couch to 5 k running program and started week 1.  Walk 5 to warm up and then alternate between 90 second run and 120 second walk. Wash, Rinse, Repeat for about 20 minutes, then 5-10 minute cool down. 

So I have a funny confession.  I don't think I have turned on the treadmill since we adopted our dog Roxi.  (for inquiring minds that want to know we adopted Roxi about a year ago, lol)   I am famous for not planning so I realize during the warm up that I cannot hear the podcast.  So I asked my husband to connect the iPhone into the speaker dock so I can hear the evil voice tell me when to run and walk.  I like the speaker dock because I hate wearing ear buds, they make my ears sweat and itch.  That was probably an over sharing penalty, but get used to it this is one of many to come.  Meanwhile, I am trying to remain focused so I don't miss the evil voice relieving me to the 120 second walk portion but I am laughing and shaking my head because Roxi is running to and fro and in circles, freaking out over the treadmill. 

The other dog is just looking at me like I am crazy and the cat is taking advantage of the camera being out and posing with his mouth open.  I think he was secretly mocking me, so not cool.  The cat gets no treats tonight.

Well, day 1 is complete.  Time to shower and snuggle up with my book before bedtime.  Have a good night/day.

I am Grateful,
Brenda

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Team In Training Kick Off Meeting

Today was awesome and thought provoking at the same time.  I often wonder how I, party of one, can make a difference in this world. The older I am the more I ask this, by the way.  So for 2011, Team in Training is one way I will help make a difference.  Tonight I write because I am grateful.  I am grateful for my health.

Please consider supporting me as I commit to raise money for this cause supporting the Lieukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by training and running a half marathon.  I am not an athlete, today, but tomorrow I hope to be.

If you cannot contribute you may still help by forwarding the link to my fundraising page to your friends, family and co-workers.

Below is a digital scrapbook layout I created for my TNT memory book. 

I am grateful,
Brenda


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Looking for Purpose

2011 was approaching and I kept feeling the need for something more in my personal life.  I am infamous for never finishing what I start.  Ask my scrapbook group about the last paper page I completed. In my defense, I may create a beautiful page but photo's never make it on.  :) 

This thought kept rolling around in my head, "I need to start and finish one thing in 2011".  The question is what do I want to do?

Then I had a phone conversation with a friend and colleague in December and we were talking about his desire to train for a triathlon.  He mentioned his participation with Team In Training a few years ago and he thought I should look into it. 

So here I am, signed up for a half marathon and very excited to participate and contribute to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

PS.  I have never run and I am no spring chicken.  I hope my female parts do not fall out!  Many thanks to a dear friend for planting that in my head.