Training Week 11!

I did it! I finally reached double digit mileage! I could not have done that without the great support I have received!

It was a gorgeous day as we ran through Solana Beach and Cardiff.

I was also presented with the spirit award from my run mate. What an honor! Our spirit award is a jacket that we pass along and the winner writes a quote or message that is then attached to the back of the jacket.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Training Weeks 9 and 10!

A lot has been happening!

On 11/04 TEAM ran in the Shelter Island 5K instead of having our normal session. I completed the 3.1 miles in 33:37 (way faster than my 36 minute goal)! The best part is that after the run we had a champagne brunch at Humphreys. It was very yummy! Here is a pic of my run mate Melissa and I during the race.

On Tuesday, 11/06 there was the Art Uncorked fundraiser. This was so much fun and I highly recommend this as a fun event to do. In a 3 hour class we painted Monet's Venice at Sunset and sipped on Wine. So much fun! Here is a pic of the final painting.

On 11/10 we had session at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. It was a cold morning and rain was threatening to fall but it turned out to be great cool weather for a 9 mile run. Longest distance yet and it felt great! It was a pretty run where we looked out at the ocean and the beautiful homes. Shout out to my run mate Melissa who earned the Spirit Award for being awesome!

Last night, 11/14, I participated in a Women's Clinic at Road Runner Sports. It was an informative session where we got properly measured for Bras and discussed topics that everyone wonders about but are too afraid to ask. This was complete with Champagne and cupcakes that looked like boobs, haha!

Once again, thank you everyone for the amazing support!

Training Week 7 and 8!

Thank you everyone for your help and support!

On 10/20 I ran 8 miles at the UCSD campus. It was a drizzly/rainy day but that did not stop us from rocking every mile! It was recommitment day where we officially signed up for the race. After the run I received a great 20 minute massage on my legs that really helped loosen up my muscles. 

Today I ran another 8 miles in Mission Beach. It was a lot hotter than last week and because it was the Halloween weekend, I ran in an 80's themed costume complete with leggings, leg warmers, earrings, side ponytail, and iconic line of sweat down my back. After the run we had a honored teammate picnic where we dined on yummy food and were reminded why we are running by listening to some inspiring stories related to Blood Cancers. Remember, your contribution helps save lives!

Training Week 5 and 6!

I skipped a week of posting so I have combined two in one.

10/06:

It was finally a back down week and we only ran 4 miles for our long run. We met at San Dieguito Park and actually ran a trail run. It was my first time completely running on trail and it is very different - I have new muscles hurting. It was a beautiful day with beautiful scenery.

After the run we has a great pancake breakfast with a lot of great toppings. They were so yummy and the perfect after run treat.

We also had our clinic on Nutrition where an elite athlete/nuritionist talked to us about the proper ways to fuel before, during and after our runs. It was very informative. Our coach then gave a foam roller demonstration (the roam roller has become a very good friend of mine).

10/13:

I ran 7 miles and it was my longest run to date! Hurts. So. Good. We met in the UTC area and it was the perfect weather to run. I cannot believe how warm it is in October. I finally got to wear my fuel belt on a run and love it. 

After running we all hung around and looked at fundraising items and chatted. I put in a order for a neat pair of sweatpants - I just hope it cools off enough so I can wear them. I did not bring any cash with me and will have to make some purchases next week.

Oh and if you have not yet contributed please donate! Just $5 - yes only FIVE BUCKS - can help save lives.

Thank you!

Ashley

October Training Schedule

Here is the training schedule for October. It looks like it formats weird when I transfer to jpg ( I can only attach pictures). Anyways...Looks like I have more hills in my future. I ran 3.5 miles of hills on Monday. Not my favorite.

Training Week 4!

I am so happy to have completed the 6 mile run on Saturday. Oh, and did I mention that the 6 miles was on hills. Hurts. So. Good. It was a beautiful and hot morning to run along concrete, trail, and asphalt in the Scripps Ranch area. Here is a picture of Lake Miramar that I took from the trail section of the run.

 Here is a pic of me after the run.

We also had a great injury prevention clinic where we learned about ways to help treat and prevent injury. I picked up a new hydration belt and a headband from a fellow teammate as part of her fundraising. And because I have reached 50% of my goal I picked up an awesome hat and order my new Team in Training sweatshirt!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the support.

Ashley

Training Week 3!

Yesterday marked the start of the 3rd week of training. We returned to Crown Point and I ran 5 miles. I have decided to train using intervals of running 10 minutes and then walking 2 minutes. By then end of the run I was actually passing some of the people who ran the whole 5 miles - and I felt great while they were slowing down and fatigued. The run took just over an hour and my average pace was 12'17"/mi.  Here is a picture after the run.

I also picked up some pretty cool swag. For raising at least 25% of my goal I got some socks (they say "saving lives one mile at a time" around the ankle) and a license plate frame.

I really want to reach 50% of my goal because I will get a Team In Training hat and if I reach the goal by October 20th, I will get a sweatshirt.

Thank you once again for supporting LLS and my efforts - it is greatly appreciated.

Ashley

Training Week 2!

Hello!

Thank you everyone for bringing me to 47% of my fundraising goal!

Saturday kicked off Week 2 of our training where we ran over 4 miles. I cannot wait for this heat to go away - It was in the 80s by 7:00am and then got to be over 100 degrees, yowza!

It was also the week where we got fitted for new shoes. At Road Runner Sports, they have this "Shoe Dog" program where they look at your foot type and analzye how you run. I learned that I have fairly flat feet and need a stability shoe. After trying on almost a dozen pair of shoes I selected the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8.

I also joined Chuze Fitness, a San Diego based gym, to do my cross training. I go there on Tuesdays and Sundays to do 40-45 minutes on the bike or elliptical. Last week I woke up everyday around 4:30/4:45am to run before my day began. This week, I am working out after work. I actually think I prefer getting up early because then I do not have to worry about it for the rest of the day. Mondays and Wednesdays are the hardest days to fit in running because I tutor for an Adult Literacy Program after work. At least I am keeping busy!

Thank you,

Ashley

Training Has Officially Begun!

Today was the first official day of Training! Go Team!

We met at Crown Point Shores in Mission Bay for our first meet. I ran 3 miles with the group. Here is a map of the route:

Today's session included an Expo where we received a lot of information and met the coaches and mentors that will guide us through the training season. Here is a copy of my training schedule for the next few weeks:

And may I say: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

It felt awesome going to my first training session today and already having 40% of my fundraising goal completed! Because I have already started raising money, I got a new training T Shirt - see the pic below.

Next Saturday we will meet at Road Runner Sports to get fitted for proper running shoes.

Thank you!

Ashley

Some General Information...

I thought I should post some general information about LLS/Team In Training, What the next several months have in store for me, and the event I will be running.

The Mission behind the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is to "Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families." Team In Training was started in 1988 and "Only Team In Training has trained over a half a million runners, walkers, triathletes, cyclists and hikers and raised over $1.2 billion to fund lifesaving research." Visit the website http://www.teamintraining.org/ for more information.

Although the official kick-off for my training begins on September 8th, I started running several weeks ago to get ready. I currently run on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 5 am and run on Sunday in the evenings. Each week my total mileage is about 10 miles. Once training begins, I will be adjusting my schedule slightly because

I will be running on Saturdays with the Team In Training group/trainer. I should still be running 4-5 days a week at that time. I will post more information specifically about training once it begins and will try to update this blog weekly with photos and such. I will be running the Tinker Bell Half Marathon on January 20, 2013 at Disneyland. I will be running through the Disneyland and California Theme Parks as well as the surrounding streets of Anaheim. This mostly women attended event's inaugural run was last year where there were a lot of runners dressed as Tinker Bell and Disney Princesses.

Thank you everyone for your support and I also really appreciate the words of encouragement! Please donate to this great cause and together we can help save lives!

Until next time, Ashley!

Ashley is running a half marathon...

Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team. Welcome to the Team In Training section of my blog. I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well. Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures. Thank you for all of your support! Ashley