A Little Tougher

So...I am still training for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. It seems a little tougher to do the FUNdraising and the training, even though I am out of work for the summer! However, I know it's a recession, and plus it is HOT here in Vegas, so it makes training just a little bit more challenging.

So I decided today that I had to change my mind frame. I know it is hotter, and that we are in a recession, but people are still dying from leukemia and lymphoma. AND our community, here in Southern Nevada, is still suffering from the closing of one of the biggest patient care facilities. AND... 33 percent of cancers in children aged 0-14 years are leukemia. The most common cancer in children 1 to 7 years old is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).

Needless to say I still have a mission. So it's time to suck it up, and give it all I got, for those who cannot help themselves, or just need a little extra help!

GO TEAM!!

Fundraising Page

If you are able, please go ahead and donate $3950 on my fundraising page please, so that I concentrate on my training. That would be great thanks!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/snv/nikesf09/mmosby

I am at it AGAIN!!

So...last that most of you knew, on January, 18, 2009, I had completed my 26.2 mile marathon in a record 2 hours and 30 minutes!!! IN MY DREAMS!!! However, I did finish alive:). That's my buddy Rich in the picture. We pulled each other through!

It was an amazing exprience. I cannot even describe the feeling accomplishment I felt in helping LLS, and completing a marathon. I was so excited...I signed up for another one! I will be training and mentoring with Team in Training (TNT) for the Nike Women's Marathon , on October 18th, 2009, in San Francisco!

Be on the lookout for more info coming your way in the near future.

Thanks for your support,

Marcia

20 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Me and Amanda bundled up before the 20 miler)

I haven't updated this in over a month. My apologies in case you do check this blog:).

Well, so much has happened since the last blog, but here are a few things I want to touch on:

1. Thank you to all of my supporters and supporters of the LLS (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). I appreciate all of the donations and all of the support from my friends, former strangers to me, family, coworkers and Team in Training team members and mentors.

2. I have come into contact with several people who have been directly affected, or close to someone directly affected by blood cancers. One specifically is Molly McCabe. There is a support page for her on Facebook, and reading about her and recognizing her strength helped me get through the 20 mile practice this past Saturday

3. Giving up! There were several times I almos hit the wall during this process of training for the marathon, and in fundraising. These are hard times, and it has been difficult to find time for training, and asking people for money who may not have it to give. However, I am so grateful again for everyone who have been able to give, and those who have responded even if they cannot give. I have certainly been humbled to a degree by this experience, and have also realized the power of perseverance, and the notion of mind over matter. It's true!!! People have told me on more than one occasion that they could never do this. You're wrong. You just don't think you can. "If you think you can right. If you think you can't you're right."

4. The 20 MILER!! Here are some memorable moments:

* Up at 3:30 am to meet Amanda to drive out to Jean! Yeah...Jean! (On the way to the state line)
* Freezing my a** off with other crazy people to get ready to meet the challenge. I told Coach Chuck I felt like I was hazing.
* Beginning the journey with partner in this, Amanda, with what felt like frozen limbs.
* My mother should be proud...I finally used the roadside bathroom skills she taught me as a young one. Amanda and I became one with nature early on, as there were no bathrooms on the route, except at the beginning and end;).
* Amanda and I finally finally caught up with Rich and Tom, then....my girl went out on a knee injury:(. But I still had Tom and Rich:).
* Then Tom moved ahead and left me and Rich in the dust! However, we trudged on through the tundra (well, at least it seemed like it). The further we got, the colder it got, and the more snow we saw.
* I enjoyed getting to know Rich. Even though I didn't know much about him, I have always enjoyed his great attitude. Very inspiring, but boy did we become B**CHY around the 13th mile or so.
* Then ahead of us, we saw that Tom was out! He wore cotton socks! I would never have understood the importance of this before training. NOT GOOD!
* Rich and I were dead last, but at least we had each other. We got to know each other really well. He even was my lookout as I squatted in the snow for the final time! I am so glad I didn't lose my balance!
* Finally, we finished in 5 and 1/2 hours, and many 4 letter words, along with our own thoughts about how it feels to be told "you're almost there", when we couldn't see the end:). We have great supporters, but we really wanted the support of 4 wheels and an engine!
* Anywhoo, it quite an experience and we are less than a month away from the marathon. I can't believe it's almost here!

5. I am about $500 from my fundraising goal. In my dreams, if 25 more people could donate $20, I would be ecstatic! However, if you have not been able to donate yet, I would appreciate whatever you can afford: $5, $10, $15, $20,......$100 :). The link to my page is below to donate.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/snv/pfchangs09/mmosby

Finally, I hope everyone is having a wonderfu holiday time, and is appreciating all that they have to be happy for, even during these challenging times! Happy Holidays!!

Halfway and a Third of the Way to Phoenix with Many Blessings!

Okay.....I have sooo much to say,but I do not want to bore anyone:). This is going to just be a bunch of randomness.

First of all, thank you for the donations and the encouragement.

This has been quite a journey already and I am not even at the marathon yet!

Halfway there = I completed 13 miles with my partner in this, Amanda, yesterday. The actual marathon is 26.2 miles. So I'm off by .2 :). I couldn't run .2 when I started this!

A Third of the way there = My donations collected. The cup is 1/3 full:)

Following are some nice stories along the way I want to share:

Gina and Paul (My BFF:0): So Gina let me borrow a table to use for a fundraiser that Marissa at Facelogic Spa allowed me to do at their business for the day. Anyway, in getting the table from Gina she told me that reading my blog inspired her and Paul, and that in turn inspired me even more. I think Gina is incredible anyway, and Paul...hey...he's my BFF.

The Juppenator: So Vivian (aka The Juppenator) sat outside for me on November 1st to hold down my fundraiser at Facelogic Spa, while I did my 10 mile run. I love you Viv! While she was there she even got a free 10 minute facial, and a palm reading!

Marissa at Facelogic Spa on Blue Diamond Parkway (531-3223): As mentioned, Marissa, the manager at Facelogic Spa, has been very supportive of the run, and in supplying me with a fundraisr venue! Thank you Marissa. Please know that they have a great staff and great products!!

Lori: The best neighbor ever! Lori has been training with me in the wee hours of the morning. And she donated a popcorn bucket for my fundraining efforts. Also, she was with me to talk Gordy, owner of the Rumrunner Packer Bar. Read ahead for more info on that one. And...she introduced to me to her aunts.....read on!

Patt and Christine: These are Lori, my neighbor's aunts. Watch out for these two... nothing but trouble:). Seriously though, Christine's husband had leukemia, and they donated $50 in support of LLS, and in memory of the BIG GUY! Thank you guys.

Gordy at the Rumrunner Packer Bar: Now....while at the bar with my Wisconeee friends from work, and Lori my neighbor (also from Wisconsin, is when I mert Patt and Christine (from Wisconsin). Well, I also met Gordy, the owner of the bar, because my friends there mentioned how nice he was, and that he was always doing things for charity. Well, I me Gordy, and within 2 minutes he donated $250 to the cause! And he's going to allow me to have an event there for the Leukemia Society. Details to follow soon! Anyway, I have seen Gordy since then and was the recipient of a big hug! Thanks Gordy!

Eyebrows R Us (1-888- 694-2769): So as some of my friends know, I get my eyebrows threaded at this place, Eyebrows R Us. Whie in there, I figured I would ask for a possible donation of a gift certificate that I could raffle off at work. Well, Primus, the owner, not only donated a gift certificate, he donated 10!!! He also offered some other fundraising opportunities with his establishment. Thank you sooooo much! They have 3 locations. Sheila is who takes care of me at the East Flamingo location (corner of Pecos).

Jessica at the Body Shop (at the Boulevard mall): Jessica at the Body Shop donated a gift box for me to use to raffle off too! She was very welcoming and supportive. Thank you Jessica!

Susan: She's my 4th grade neighbor at school. She and Meg (roomie) donated to me, and Susan passed along the email to friends and family, and her mom, and two friends donated. They don't even know me! Thanks girl! Chawlie bit my finga!

My Parents: What can I say? They are my official donors. I wouldn't be here without them:). They held a yard sale for me this weekend and brought in $150! You guys rock. They have already warned that they earning diaper changes in their severe golden years!

Amanda: This is my partner in this marathon. Thank you to you and your Aunt Rut for doing the garage sale on Saturday! Also, thanks for the support in general. We will finish this!! Even if we can't walk after!

Mrs. Chalhoub!: Good luck on your marathon! I am going to try really hard to be there to see you finish, because I think I have my 18 or 20 mile the day before:(. Hopefully we can do one together.

Marcy (my mentor) and Kathy (lead mentor): Thank you for the fundraising boost of the $105, and thank you for your support, and Cytomax!

Chuck and Cynthia (The coaches): Thank you for your support and encouragement. You guys are the best!

I'm tired. I am sure I have forgotten some more stories and great moments. There are others who have donated. I am not neglecting you. I will be shouting out again on the next post!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

THE BREAKTHROUGH!!

Wow!!! What a challenging couple of weeks it has been: professionally and emotionally. I know others are going through the same, and I won't dwell on that. I just had to put it out there:).

Over the past week I had really been on a rollercoaster about whether or not I should continue with the marathon. The stress of the fundraising and the training were beginning to take a toll on top of the other challenges. I had mentally thrown in the towel earlier in the week, ad had even told of few of those close to me that I was going to let it go, train on my own, and try it again next year. However after speaking of my surrender, I began to feel like a quitter. That feeling began to take a toll on my mind and heart. Well, by Friday I was mentally back in the race, but my training during the week had suffered, and I had to attend another event on the same morning of my 10 mile Team in Training (TNT) run. I had made up mind that I would run the 10 on Sunday...by myself! Easier said than done. One of the great aspects of TNT is that you are surrounded by support especially during those long runs, and that was not going to be available this time. So here goes the rest of the story and what I call my BREAKTHROUGH:

This morning I get up and ready to run this 10 miles, after finding out the path. I had my fuel, my hydration, proper running shoes, and my iPOD armed and ready with an audiobook to entertain myself with. Usually I play my motivation music, Pink (So What!) and Rihanna (Breakin' Dishes), but I rode in silence this time. I was not as excited as I usually was because I knew it was just me, myself, and I. Anywhoo, I started driving and thinking about how I could could just go to the gym and treadmill it, or just take a brisk walk, or even just turnaround and go back to bed. I drove around for a good 20 minutes playing these head games with myself. I seriously thought I was losing it! Finally, after deciding that the original path was on a somewhat busy street, I decided to head to a trail I had ran before. I geared up, strectched, and began this lonely Sunday journey.

I decided to try 2-3's (run 2 min., walk 3 min.). I had been walking more than running, because my achilles tendons had become quite bothersome. As I started out on th trail I noticed others walking and running toward me. One specific group stood out because of their t-shirts, Las Vegas in Motion. I assume it was a running club, and at the moment I really missed The Team, but I kept moving forward. I was listening to my book on tape and thought about how far I had come already in the training. I also noticed all the other people on the trail. As they passed, they waved and I waved back. I wasn't alone was my 1st BREAKTHROUGH. In the passerbys, I had also taken account of the age of the people that seemed to floating by me. I'm sure several of these runners were at least in their 60's. That is not old by any means, however I realized that if they could do it, i could shut up and do it too That was my 2nd BREAKTHROUGH. Then, as I kept running I found myself almost in a meditative state I didn't even notice legs, my tendons, or any negative thoughts for that matter. At one point I realized I had been running for 5 minutes non-stop. It was the best feeling! I was living in the moment and enjoying the moment, which I haven't found myself doing much of lately. This was my 3rd BREAKTHROUGH.

Towards the end of the run, I saw Tish, a friend of my friend the Juppenator (Vivian). I gained another boost of energy, because she and her friend were very encouraging. Then I saw the Juppenator on the trail on my way to my finish!!! Finally...I finished! However, it was 6 miles instead of 10. I am still proud, because I didn't even think I could do that on my own. My final BREAKTHROUGH are thoughts of how I am going to pass on my great feelings! Ideas are already running:).