Trying so hard to run faster

Breathing a sigh of relief that the fundraising portion is done! Now it's all about the running! We are in the tapering off phase so that means race day is VERY close. I'm beyond excited! I'm still hoping to set that PR. My PR is 2:18:51 for the half, but I believe I'm capable of 2:15 or less, 2:10 if its a great day! Sometimes I get frustrated with my speed or lack thereof.

 People assume because I'm a trainer I can run these 8 minute miles and that's really not true. The 10 minute range seems to be my plateau zone and a tough one to get out of. I try to push into the 9 minute zone. Some days are better than others, but i just feel like i have a hard time getting faster. At least I'm consistent. Sure, there's the excuse that I'm super short and I really don't have the "runners body" going on. Runners tend to have long legs, shorter torso, and are very lean, I have a long torso, VERY short legs and as some say, a little top heavy. I still get told I'm built like a gymnast even though i haven't done it in years. Sure, it doesn't help that I have that body type, but I'm doing my best to work with it. Another problem is old injuries. i have no arch in my left foot. i don't mean low, it's collapsed, i get plantar fasciitis A LOT! I bare 25 more pounds on my left leg than my right. i also have that nagging neck and scapula pain from a high school cheer accident. Really wish that girl didn't land in my head:-/

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That said, I'm trying to eat very clean yet get enough carbs to fuel my running, a little easier said than done. I also drink a ton of water, which you have to in this Arizona heat! I try to get in massages since that helps my neck a lot. Lots of icing for my foot too.

The great thing about San Diego is it will be nice and cool, especially since we are running in the morning! That will be helpful. I hear the motivation of the Team In Training community is amazing! I guess I'll have to find out for myself:-) until then, I'll keep eating clean and running the best that I can.

I did it! I did it! I did it!!!!!! Now the real fun begins:-)))))

Guess what? I not only exceeded my fundraising goal, I beat it with 6 days to spare:-) I know I annoyed a lot of people stressing whether I'd make it or not. Sorry for that, it's just it meant so much and I'm not the kind to back out. Even as stressed as I get, I know I'm good at getting what I go for. Thanks to everyone who donated, whether it was a dollar or $250! It's so awesome knowing that my nearly $3,000 donation will help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in a huge way! According to my captains, it sinks in on race day.  

Yes, I've run San Diego a couple of times now, but always went solo and just kinda ran the race and went home. This year, I'll be with my amazing teammates experiencing the race weekend in an entirely new way. The other exciting aspect of it is Carlos is coming with:-) He has been a big supporter in everything I do and this TNT season was no exception! So sweet how his entire family donated, from his parents to his sister to his aunt:-) my moms donation put me well over goal! She's always been supportive:-)

The real fun begins now! We get to go to the Mayo Clinic to meet the researcher who actually does the research we raise funds for. So cool! Also the travel plans for San Diego are all booked and we get to focus on having fun! 

The longest run of the season was so brutal!! It was really hot and we ran Granada. It seemed like everyone had a rough run. That said. I'm still on track to set a PR on race day! Two long runs away from race day; one more 2 hour and drops to 90 minutes the following week. Getting close!

Can't wait to blog to you all about race day. See ya! :-)

Tired, frustrated, trying to keep going.....

Two more weeks until fundraising deadline and I am freaking out. I still have about $700 to raise and I just feel like I'm getting burned out. Yeah, there's the party tomorrow, but sadly, not that many people can make it. Too many other priorities I guess. I'm so beyond tired that I don't feel as excited as I should. I know I shouldn't be frustrated, but I am. I just feel like I'm not accomplishing much. I AM putting in the work, but I feel like I'm sledge hammering into the wall and I'm running out of resources. At first I really thought I'd make $3,000, but I'll be lucky if I make my $2,800 minimum by the 17th. I was hoping to do the beads for a cause thing like I did for St. Patty's but I'm stuck with 100 beads and no one to pass them out with. I could go alone, but still. We all know I'm too awkard to be doing that, haha! I'll need shots first....

Training hasn't been going too well in recent weeks either. Maybe it's burn out. I guess what bums me out is knowing I'm not going to make my time goal AND my fundraising goal. There is good news though....I GOT NEW RUNNING SHOES! I love them! My boyfriend and his family have been very supportive. I don't know how I can get through this without their love and support.

I don't mean to sound whiney. Really, I don't. I'm just beyond exhausted and frustrated. This whole thing has been harder than I ever imagined. Some of the teammates can effortlessly raise thousands and breeze through the long runs like no biggey. I guess I need to accept I'm not one of them. I do want to do another season, but maybe I need to wait until I can afford it again. Who knows? Probably shouldn't be making decisions right now. Blah!!!!!

If people don't show up for the party, I guess I'm downing some Coronas;-)

Just about halfway through fundraising. Some days are better than others.

By the time my California Pizza Kitchen check goes through I will be halfway through my goal. I just got notice from Ruby Tuesday: $84. I was hoping it would be around $195 like CPK, but I'm still happy. Really wishing hoping and praying that the dog walk event brings in some donations. I've posted it everywhere so hopefully it will work out. We also have a car wash on Sunday. Presale tickets (all presale goes towards my personal goal) is NOT going well:-/ Kind of a flop now that I don't live in Tempe. Hopefully we will make a lot so everyone gets some donations:-) if you want a cat wash ticket it's a $10 donation!

I'm seriously hoping the Zumba event goes well. 150 people can fit in the studio so I'm hoping people will go! The coordinator and I have really tried to promote it. Presale tickets are also on sale:-)

I'm happy I recommitted, but still nervous about not making goal. It helps knowing it goes towards a wonderful cause and it will benefit another life. It doesn't mean it doesn't get discouraging at times. Hopefully it will pick back up or I'll at least regain motivation.

Want to check out upcoming events? Do it! Please:-)

http://pages.teamintraining.org/az/rnr13/cleedsshff. Please donate and help me save lives!!!

Recommitment time!!

I can't believe it's recommitment time! For those that don't know, this is when you confirm you are going to stick with team in training, register for the race, book hotels and airfare, ordering race day gear or if you are going to discontinue. I admit when I heard of recommitment a couple weeks ago I was TERRIFIED!! I mean, this is where it gets serious! As nervous as I was, I knew I came way to far to quit. Aside from the fact I don't back out of commitments.

I filled out the paperwork, but the thought of physically turning it in was nerve wracking! The deadline kept creeping closer and closer. Im so happy my boyfriend Carlos decided to join me on the trip! He's very supportive and it means so much!

What's awesome is my fundraising got a Huge boost this week! I pretty much received a donation notification at least once the past few days! One from a total stranger! She's a TNT member all the way from Pennsylvania! Wow! She asked to order Mary Kay products too, which not only helps my fundraising, but it gives my friend dawn Johnson some new clients! Win win!

I am beyond grateful for my donors! They all rock! Whether they donate $25 or $100, I appreciate it! It all gets me one step closer to my goal, which will benefit cancer research! I've booked several events so my friends can somehow get involved with my campaign. I understand they can't attend everything and I don't expect them to, but I wanted there to be something for everyone! Maybe someone can't make a donation, but they can participate in the upcoming dog walk, Zumba party, or one of the other events coming up. Even getting the word out is a huge help! Whether you help out by a financial donation and/or tell friends and family about the cause, it all helps me reach this goal! Thank you guys! I can't wait to write about the TNT experience in San Diego:-)

TNT track night!

Another night on the track. It gets a little tougher every week, but I come out feeling stronger! Intervals are so tough! I'm good at staying steady, but running super fast? Nope! It feels awesome when you're done! Hill work and intervals will improve your overall speed like no other. Bring it on! Over 80 miles logged and counting.

I feel so blessed to have read my email to see another donation notification! This time it was from Siobhan Tobin from O' Connors Pub! She lost a friend to cancer and understood what it was like to fundraiser for a cause like she did for Susan G. Komen! It really is a lot of work, but it's worth it because you know you're doing someone wonderful for someone else who truly needs it. It's brought me out of my comfort zone too, which is always a good thing!

April is jam packed full of LLS fundraising events! I hope my friends don't think I'm doing overkill, just tried to work something out where everyone cam help! Maybe someone can't do a $50 donation, but they can go to my Zumba event for example. Fundraising is supposed to be fun too!

I got my check from California Pizza Kitchen for my fundraiser a couple weeks ago. Drum roll.. $195!!' Wow! So much better than I thought! Thanks to my friends for either attending or inviting friends/family to attend. You have no idea how big of a difference it makes! Remember, ruby Tuesday is doing the same event tomorrow all day. My amazing boyfriend and my puppy will be in attendance on the patio! Come on, you know you'll go to happy hour somewhere!

There's also a dog walk event at Grover's off leash arena on the 13th, car wash on the 14th, Zumba party on the 20th and a store front fundraiser at wal greens in Scottsdale this Saturday! Wow. I'm almost at $1,000, I would like to be at $2,800 by the end of April! It can be done with your help! Wanna donate? Do it!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/az/rnr13/cleedsshff.

Did I mention I'm selling Mary Kay products all April long and 20% of the sales goes towards LLS?! Well, that's happening too! Help my friend Dawn Johnson out AND donate to a great cause simply by purchasing lip gloss, eye liner, make up remover and more! Message me for further details:-)

Anyway, another early day before heading off to my final restaurant night for the season! See you all tomorrow, right?

http://image.rubytuesdayrestaurants.com/lib/feb915797d6d0278/m/19/366603122013.pdf.

Have a good night friends:-)

Getting the ball rolling!!!

Wow, we got our recommitment papers! It's down to business where you confirm you are staying with the program and book your hotel, race fee, singlet, etc. I'm so nervous but excited!! I'm so happy Carlos is going with me! It'll be awesome having his support and he deserves a weekend getaway! It's nice to have someone you love to share this experience with:-)

Anyway, April is going to be BUSY!!! Car wash on the 14th (Applebee's broadway/rural), Zumba party on the 20th, a dog walk event set for April 13th, a store front event at Walgreens, a possible yoga/bootcamp event, dinner night at ruby tuesday, and planning for a cinco De mayo party. Whew! I'm really hoping to reach my minimum goal ($2,800) by the end of April! It CAN be done! I sent all my letters so I'm hoping that will help. Oh, and Carlos is moving in this month (love you babe!)Whew! Busy busy but exciting events!!!

My most successful fundraiser to date is definitely my homemade dog treats! Wow! $80 profit in 3 days and counting! I can do this! I've grown to love cooking! I love making treats for the pups:-) especially if its for a great cause!

The running is going well!! I love running with my team and we are improving every day. We ran a tough hour and a half on south mountain. Holy moly I almost walked! At least it was cloudy. We're all happy we did it though. So happy the new fuel belt worked. Best one ever!!!

Well, hopefully I make goal by the end of the month. Please help me by going to my web page. http://pages.teamintraining.org/az/rnr13/cleedsshff.

Thank you all for the support! I really do appreciate it and I'm working hard to make your generous contributions worthwhile. Have a happy Easter!!!!