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:).

The Beginning

To begin, please know that I am so thankful for all of the support and encouragement I am receiving! It truly means a lot and helps with my motivation during my endurance runs (the long runs) on Saturdays!

I am running/ walking this marathon as a fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) with their Team In Training. I received an invitation in the mail to listen to an informational about the marathon and what it entails. Since I had previously thought about doing this, I figured it was a sign. So... I showed up, met Chuck Abbott and signed up immediately:). Another teacher, whom I barely knew at the time, actually decided to sign up at the same time. Now I have a cause I am training for, making new friends, and pushing myself to new limits.

I am very excited about this endeavor and look forward to completing this mission. Please feel free to check in on my blog, leave comments, offer fundraising ideas for me, and forward my blog onto others. I am also providing my web site for LLS Team in Training:(http://pages.teamintraining.org/snv/pfchangs09/mmosby)

If you could find it in your heart, and in your pocket (if you have it) to make a contribution, it would be greatly appreciated to help me meet my goal of raising $3400 to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. Every dollar counts!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! And pary for me. I will be completing 8 miles this coming Saturday...on my to completing 26! Ohhhh... the marathon is on January 18, 2009 in Arizona (P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon).

Marcia the Running Girl:)