update :)

So, ever since I started team in training I've heard over and over again how important good running shoes are. I've been wanting to buy some new ones but of course, the ones I want are the most expensive so I've been putting it off. On Easter I went back home to my grandma's house for dinner, and since I've already met my fundraising goal [THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all of your support] my grandma wanted to give me some money to get some much needed running necessities. So, of course, the first thing I went out to buy were new shoes. After much searching I decided it was between two pairs. I put one on the right foot and the other type of shoe on the left, and let me tell you, I never knew that running shoes could be so comfortable. The left foot was the winner. It was like a cinderella moment :) So of course I buy them and this week has been by far my best week of training. I've worked out every day and have been pushing myself harder than ever. When I put on my shoes I feel like I could run forever. So, I guess the moral of the story is, good shoes really do make a difference.

On another note, I can't believe this marathon is less than two months away. I can't believe I've raised the money I've needed and I can't believe I'm actually beginning to call myself a "runner". For any of you that think you can't do something, or think the goal is way to hard to reach, let me tell you that I was the person that got out of EVERY mile in high school. I never ran a full mile in my life, and now look at me, I'm a distance runner... A runner that in less than two months will have completed 26.2 miles.

Those 26.2 miles are more than just a long distance, they are 26.2 miles closer to the cure of cancer. They are 26.2 miles that hold support for families and patients that are suffering from these diseases. Those 26.2 miles aren't just for my own sense of self accomplishment; they mean hope, faith, love, strength, perserverance. And that is why I run.

one word- HILLS.

I have to say that this was definitely the hardest week for me. I have been super busy and stressing over the little stuff lately that I guess this past week I lost my focus on training. I ran about twice but never as hard as I should have. As Saturday was quickly approaching, the word hills crossed my mind like a hundred times. And to make it worse, it was 9 miles of hills. Friday night came and all I could think was that I wasn't prepared to run 9 miles of hills and as Saturday morning came, I never wanted to sleep in so badly. But I forced myself out of bed, and boy am I glad I did. I look out the window and for the first Saturday in a couple weeks it wasn't raining, so that was good. I get dressed, throw on some cotton socks (bad idea... you'll find out why), put on my shoes and I'm out the door. After fundraising announcements (I GOT MY GREEN AND PURPLE JACKET FOR REACHING THE FUNDRAISING GOAL!!) and the mission moment, we listened to a quick lesson about nutrition and strength training. Then it was time for our quick warm up run and stretching. Since this week was all about the hills, of course our warm up run was uphill.... My legs had already started hurting as we made it to the 7 eleven parking lot where we did our stretches. We stretched for a few minutes and then it was off to our run. I was dreading it, but as soon as I started I threw that mindset out the window. Let me tell you, running with about 100 other people is quite inspiring. I paced myself and was doing quite well; it was then time for the turn around point and as I was coming back up the hill I felt this blister growing on the bottom of my foot (from wearing cotton socks) that started hurting quite badly, so what did I do? Yup, I stopped and walked. What was I thinking, right?? Here I am running for people that have gone through trials much bigger than a blister on the bottom of their foot and kept going, but I decided to stop...

Well if you read my earlier blog I mentioned someone named Julie who ran with me for a while last weekend. There she was again, telling me to keep going and telling me how she deals with blisters and you kind of have to just run through them. And then this other lady was running with us (I wish I could remember her name) and was talking about how she remembered me from the previous mission moment and that coming out to run in the rain was so worth it just to hear my story. How amazing, huh? At that time I completely forgot about my blister and ran until the end, and all of a sudden I wasn't tired or exhausted anymore. This team has already taught me some amazing things. When my sister was living with leukemia and having to go through painful treatments I swore to myself I would never complain about the small stuff. But there I was, wanting to stop after a blister... As soon as I refocused, and really remembered why I was here, why we are ALL here, I was able to run my heart out. Some things I learned from my sister and from the other people I've seen battle this disease is that you can't stop, for even a moment, when a blister gets in your way. You can't focus on the negative, and you just have to keep going, you have to keep fighting, you have to keep running. I am so thankful to be surrounded my such inspirational people and such a great team.

What a Week

So I just finished our fifth week of training. I can't believe it's already been five weeks. And I still can't believe I am actually on my way to running a full marathon. This week was definitely a big one for me. Sunday marked the anniversary of Tiffany's death (for those who may not know, Tiffany is my identical twin sister, and the reason I am running). It's been ten years already which is absolutely crazy to think about. Coincidently, it has been the rainiest it has ever been around this time since she passed away. The week she passed away it rained about all week... This week has been exactly the same. So many things have happened this week that takes me straight back to being at City of Hope with her during her last few weeks. I would do anything to go back to those days. Anyways, on a much more positive note, Sunday also marked my completion of my fundraising goal. I am SO SO SO thankful for everyone that has donated and supported me in this. I can't put into words the greatness of my appreciation. Also this week, my mentor, Kristen, asked me to share my story during the mission moment. It was amazing to be able to tell the team about Tiffany and carry on her memory in that way this week. It's amazing what an inspiration she still is, even for people who haven't met her. So that was this morning, before our four mile run. Today was what is called a "step down day" which means we took it easy and ran a shorter distance so our bodies can rejuvenate. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. Today it poured down rain. I've never ran in so much rain before; a couple minutes into the run my clothes were drenched. I was stepping in puddles that sent water straight through my shoes and socks, and at the turn around point rain was coming down so hard I could barely see. It was definitely one of the harder days, but I did it. We did it. Sharing in the mission moment today allowed me to meet some great people. I ran with one of the mentors, Julie, who is a cancer survivor and also has a twin. I don't think I have ever met a set of twins, one with cancer, one without, but today I did. Well, I met one of them. Her sister runs for the orange county team in training. Despite the rain and horrible running conditions today, I can say that it was a good day. I am so thankful to be a part of this team and to have the amazing support system around me. I will update this again, soon. Thank you everyone for taking the time to check up on my progress and thank you for your continuous support.