Fundraising Finale

Today marks the last official day of my fundraising effort. Unlike my marathon experience, this has proven to be a tough time to gather donations. I was definitely not as aggressive with folks as I have been in the past - knowing the bleak economic reality for so many. If you happen to read this blog (and feel that you can spare even the smallest of donations) please consider those who depend on these types of funds for treatment, ongoing research, and support in dealing with their illness. http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/wildtri10/jenshaw1

For those of you who have donated - THANK YOU!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2010! I know this is going to be a great year in the world of training, racing, and beyond.

One of my resolutions is to maintain my blog a bit more consistently, so in the meantime, here are some "mini updates" from my TNT website. More to come soon!

1/3/10: Happy New Year friends! It's been a great couple of weeks - getting deeper into training and working in some early morning sessions. I am beginning to experience some aches and pains, but I know this comes with the territory as the schedule gets more intense. I am not quite used to the days that include two sessions, but I'll get there.

We had a hilly team ride through Pacific Palisades yesterday, which definitely tested my nerves. I feel much more comfortable on the bike, but going downhill on Sunset Blvd with cars flying by has a way of challenging that comfort :)

12/20: It was a beautiful morning yesterday for a good team ride at the Rose Bowl. I'm feeling much more comfortable with the bike (especially the dreaded clips). Swimming and biking are a blast, but I need to get some running in!

12/17: Training is definitely getting more intense, and I am quickly realizing I need to make some sacrifices if I am going to be successful. This morning I was up at 4:30 am and off for a bike ride. Last night I swam for about an hour at the LMU pool. Today = sore legs! Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. Thankfully, I am still feeling excited and optimistic about this adventure :)

12/05: First fundraising event was very successful! Thanks to all the Murrieta community members who supported LLS at the garage sale today. A special thanks to my parents for their help/use of the driveway!

12/02: First bike practice took place last Saturday. It was great to be on the road. I see how people easily become addicted to this sport! Last night we took the swimming up a notch at the group practice. I need to concentrate on drills and form this week in my individual practice time. A long road to go!

11/21: I bought my first road bike yesterday! It's a Trek 1.5 2009. I can't wait to get on it more and learn the ropes. One of the best things about triathlon training is learning two new sports. The swimming continues to go well, but I have a long way to go! Thanks for all the support, friends.

11/10: First swim practice in Culver City. It was great to train with the group for the first time, and I really enjoyed being in the pool. I can tell this is going to be tough, but COMPLETELY worth it!

I've Lost My Mind!

Greetings, readers. It's been a while, but a lot has gone on during my hiatus. Long story short...I am in the early stages of training for the Wildflower 1/2 Ironman on May 1, 2010! I was inspired by some former running buddies from the marathon team, and my new tri-friend (and former high school classmate) Scott. Thanks to Scott, I have a box full of new gear and goodies. I'm quickly realizing this sport requires A LOT of goodies.

The training season started 2 weeks ago, and so far I've logged a couple of swim workouts (including first group swim). Due to lingering illness, I will miss the group run tomorrow morning, but I plan to get back on track this Sunday if all goes well. I decided to train with TNT again, since I had such a positive experience with the summer marathon team raising funds and logging miles!

I'm really excited to get more involved in swimming and cycling. I was getting so burned out on running toward the end of the summer/post-marathon, and it's nice to look forward to a workout schedule again. I know I am a nicer, less stressed, more productive, and overall better person when I'm active and working toward a physical goal.

I will be updating much more frequently and no doubt logging every last detail about new purchases, training milestones, and overall triathlon adventures.

The current "To Do" list:

1) Purchase new running shoes
2) Purchase bike
3) Start logging some miles
4) Get my nutrition plan together

**If you are looking to donate to a worthy cause, check out my fundraising page!** http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/wildtri10/jenshaw1

Great Strides!

The past 7 days were amazing! Last Saturday our team ran 20 miles...a major mental hurdle for me! I felt the most discouraged around mile 13 (because it was HOT and traffic was high on Palos Verdes drive). I finished feeling surprisingly strong (with the help of Coach Ed and a co-worker I happened to meet along the way). With a couple of brief walking breaks and many big hills along the way, I finished in a little over 4 hours. I certainly won't be breaking any records at the marathon, but my goal this first time around is to simply finish.

I also reached my fundraising goal this week of $2,500!! With the help of my amazing parents, (who held a garage sale Saturday morning as I ran) many generous friends and additional family members, we did it in just the nick of time! God bless Facebook and those special people who responded to my plea to raise that last $100 on the final day. :)

Tomorrow we taper to 12 miles for our long run, while maintaining steady mileage throughout the week. This week I slacked a bit on my daily runs, since I was traveling for work and putting in long hours. Hopefully I won't pay for it tomorrow morning...

Thanks again to all who have offered, and continue to offer any kind of support...I can't wait to fill you in on the big day! Meanwhile, I'll keep you updated on my progress over the next 2 weeks. Let the countdown begin!

If you are curious, here is a breakdown of how your donations to LLS are allocated:

18 Miles and $660.00

A hilly, 18 Mile route is what I ran successfully on Saturday...$660.00 is what I have to raise for cancer research by May 13th!

Blessed by a layer of fog and clouds during our run on Saturday, I finished feeling strong after 18 miles from Malaga Cove to the Trump Golf Course in PV. The Palos Verdes Marathon/Half was talking place at the same time, so it was interesting to encounter the racers along the way. I think the enthusiasm in the air gave me an added boost to keep going, and focus on my own race which is a mere 27 days away! I am definitely nervous, but probably more excited at this point. There are so many unknowns on a long run, and I just have to trust that all will work out.

This week my mission is to raise the final $660 to reach my goal of $2500. If you have been waiting to donate, now is the time! http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/rnr09/jennifershaw Thanks to all who have...you are amazing!

Here I am with some teammates, probably delirious at one of the aid stations on Saturday...

Thank you!

After a great 12 mile recovery run on the strand yesterday, I traveled to Murrieta to help get ready for the birthday party my family was planning for today. THANK YOU to all who gave me the birthday gift of a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! With your help, I have raised 72% of my total goal of $2,500 to date. My deadline for raising the total funds is May 13th, and I know we can get there!

Next week we are back up to 18 miles, and 20 miles the week after. I'm sure I'll have quite a bit to say after the big one!

This week on the workout schedule we add Monday as a run day (was a rest day up to this point). Since tomorrow is my actual birthday, I might be keeping that rest day one week longer...

Reflections

This last week has been a challenge, in many ways. Not even a month ago, my Uncle was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, and was sent home to live with my parents on hospice care. My parents were amazing throughout his time with them, and were both present when he passed away Friday morning. This was much more sudden than we originally anticipated, as he was initially told he had three months to live. I am just so thankful he was not in pain, and died in a peaceful, loving home. So many people are not this fortunate.

I'll be honest. When I decided to join the LLS Team in Training program, my intentions were primarily centered around getting in better shape and running a marathon to celebrate my 30th birthday. While these points are still an important part of why I'm training, my purpose has been significantly enriched by the events of the last month.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society not only supports cancer research, but provides educational resources for patients and families. I believe that the lack of educational resources (or perhaps lack of awareness around existing resources) is a significant obstacle for so many who suffer from such devastating illnesses. I am proud to raise funds for an organization that funnels resources AND creates awareness/educational opportunities.

On a related but lighter note, I decided to attend group practice Saturday morning for some fresh air and a new activity (other than planning, worrying, and mourning). We ran 10 miles, which is farther than I've ever run. EVER. The route we took in Palos Verdes was very hilly...the slow, gradual kind that made me want to beg any oncoming car for a ride back to my own. I felt fairly strong for the first 7-8 miles, but the last few were definitely challenging. Part of the problem was related to dehydration, as Coach Gail helpfully pointed out. I don't drink enough during my runs, for fear of side aches. At this point I'll risk it in exchange for the dizziness I experienced Saturday. Shot blocks are my new favorite source of nutrition during runs, and I downed 2 packs. Without the ladies in my pace group, there is no way I could finish these runs. They are so supportive and positive.

Donation Incentive

7 miler today = conquered! Can't wait to tackle 10 next weekend...

Calling all baseball fans...I have a donation contest that might interest you. The next person to donate a minimum of $50.00 will receive 2 tickets to the Dodgers vs. Giants opening night game on April 15th! http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/rnr09/jennifershaw
When you donate, I will immediately get an email...so first come, first serve.

Recent donation contest winners:

Alex Mestas: Clippers tix
Chi Tran: Mauritson wine

Many Thanks!

Some time has passed since my last post, and I promise to be more diligent with updates in the future. If you haven't already noticed, my fundraising total has jumped to $900.00!! MANY thanks to my generous friends and family for their selfless donations that directly contribute to cancer research, education, and treatment. I continue to be amazed by the support and encouragement I have received since beginning this journey. If you want to donate, please do so through my fundraising website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/rnr09/jennifershaw
Help me raise that last $1,600.00, and check out my facebook page for random contests and donation incentives!

By way of a training update, we embark on a 7 mile group run tomorrow in Palos Verdes. Work and family obligations have derailed me a bit from my training routine over the last two weeks, but I am feeling focused again, and ready to take it to the next level! I am also looking for some new group cross-training opportunities, so if anyone ever wants to join me for some basketball at the Playa Vista courts or spinning classes at LMU, let me know! Other ideas are also appreciated :)

Group Training Week 1

First, and most importantly-THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed a donation thus far toward my goal of raising $2,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you are curious, here is a breakdown of where the money goes. I was one of only four people at our first team practice that raised early funds through the website...a testament to your generosity! Please check out my fundraising page if you'd like to contribute.

There are approximately 30 people participating on our South Bay marathon team. Yesterday we met at the Aviation Track in Redondo Beach for our first (rainy) team practice at 8am. Following warm-ups, we ran a little over a mile so the coaches could get a sense of our pace. I ran the mile (cautiously) in 10:50. I was happy to finish feeling somewhat strong, and somewhere in the middle of the pack. This was the first time in a LONG time I ran outside on a track. The high school memories came flooding back...

New Commitments

Last year at the beginning of April I decided to commit myself to getting healthier. I knew I needed to lose weight, start eating better, and reduce my stress levels. I just started a new job, was working on my dissertation, and traveling a lot in the process. I made the decision to revise my eating habits, and start going to classes at Recreate Pilates near my home. I started cooking more with fresh ingredients (something I need to get back to) and was eating out less. With the support of family and friends, I dropped 31 pounds in about 6 months. I made the choice to try and maintain that weight loss for a few months without actively trying to lose more.

It's now been 3 months, and I'm ready for a new challenge. Based on the positive experiences of friends who trained in the past, I made the commitment to join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. I plan to run the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon on May 31, 2009. My first group practice is Saturday, May 7th. I've been casually running for a few weeks now for a bit of a head start. It's been about 12 years since I ran competitively (mostly 5ks and track-related events). A big part of training with TNT is raising money for blood cancer research, education, and awareness.

Please visit my fundraising link at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/rnr09/jennifershaw

If you choose to donate, I will list your name and donation amount on this site. If you represent a business, I will permanently post your logo and/or website address. Future posts will track my training and new health goals! Thanks for the support, and check back often!