I Did IT!!!!!!

WOW what an amazing experience. I am home safe & sore from Phoenix. This is me & my new friend Tom. He is from the Team in Training Idaho/Montana team also. This was his 5th marathon & he set a pr at 4:16 WOW!!!!

Day 1 - Friday was a very very long day. The anticipation to get to the airport was killing me. Finally at 11:30, Andy takes me to the airport. We pick up Kyleigh & meet the rest of our team at the airport. Now Kyleigh is the only person I really know. I ran a few times with Tom and met the others briefly. BUT after the weekend I have some new amazing friends but I shall get to that....... So at the airport we check in and head to the gate. Excited and hungry we grab a bite to eat and then straight to boarding the plane. Flight was fantastic a quick 2 hours & we are in beautiful Sunny Phoenix. WOW 71 degrees out already.
We hope in the taxi and make it alive (crazy drivers in Phoenix) to the beautiful Hyatt. WOW this hotel is AMAZING!!!!!
We check in and then head straight over to the Expo to get our race numbers and timing chips. I was in runner's heaven!!! A ton of booths of all running stuff. It was overwhelming!!!! After we got our race numbers and toured the Expo we meet in the lobby and meet our National Team (since we only had 6 TNT from our chapter we merged with other chapters)! Heather & Coach Maureen & everyone else was amazing. We all walk to dinner & we end up at Cooperstown restaurant. For those of you who know me well you know what a HUGE baseball fan I am. So this was AWESOME!!! Dinner was great chatted & ate and had a ton of laughs. Back to hotel & I conk out I was exhausted!
Day 2 - Exhausted I was but tooo excited to sleep in. We meet in the lobby w/ our National Team for a beautiful 2.2 morning jog. This was to get our muscles loose and another chance to meet our teammates. I ran w/ Tom (pictured above) and an amazing coach. It was a BEAUTIFUL run. After our run, Tom, Erin, Darbie, Kyleigh & I all met up and went to the Hard Rock for lunch! YUMMMMMMYYYYY. When lunch was over we were suppose to rest our legs.... NOT again those who know me, know that I can't sit still for nothing. Darbie and I found a Catholic Church so we went & did some praying and this church was Breathtaking. After that we parted ways & I walked around downtown. I might add that I was in capris & a t-shirt in JANUARY!!! YEA!!! I got to see Chase Field home of the Arizona Diamondbacks; The Phoenix Sun's arena; and a ton of other beautiful sites. All this just walking a few miles. After my adventure, I stopped for a coke (hmmm) and pizza and back to the hotel. I got ready for the Inspiration Dinner with TNT. We all met in the lobby & headed over 2 blocks to the Sheraton for our dinner. O-M-G.... when we walked in & up the escalator it was the most amazing sound & site. At least 100-120 people TNT people were there cheering us on & hootin & hollaring and inviting us into our ballroom. Coaches, mentors, survivors, friends, families WOW!!!!! Dinner was fantastic & then came the tears. A father gave the mission moment. His beautiful daughter Kimberly Joy Costa died July 24, 2000. He touched my heart and I thought of all the parents who have lost their babies & knew that right there was why I was sitting in that seat. At that moment I knew that God lead me to this to help find the cure. After the tears were wiped away, Kyleigh and I head to some sites I did not see that afternoon. Beautiful is all I can say with the lights & moonlight it was amazing. Back to the hotel we get our race gear all set out, hydration belts backed & ready to hit the sack. BUT who the heck can sleep now???

Day 3- I was beyond excited...... after waking up almost every hour we get out of bed at 4 a.m. I hope in the shower & get ready. Shoved under our door was a message from our TNT Idaho people with a touching letter from Byron our TNT Captain and Survivor. On our doors was a message about us being heros. Now hero I don't think I am but it was amazing. We are up ate breakfast & meet in the lobby for the bus..... I am beyond anxious now.... It is finally hear I have been training for this day since August. And it is finally here. We load up on the bus and head to the starting line...... We have a bit to wait & the morning is clear & brisk. We find Corral #9 and the butterflies are fluttering in my stomach and then the elite start and then it happens we are starting. I ditch my jacket and we are off!!!!!!!!

The spectators and the bands were AMAZING we are pumped up and cruising along. I lose Kyleigh at mile #4 trying to get thru the crowds look back & can't see her. I back track a bit and still no Kyleigh so it is just me & the pavement with 22 more miles to go. I embrace it & do what Coach Brad, Kerri & Ann have trained me to do. I am feeling FANTASTIC pass mile marker #13.1 (1/2 marathon) at just a bit over 2 hours (my pr for a 1/2 I might add) I am feeling amazing I have stayed way ahead of the 5:00 pace group. Doing my food every 3 miles & drinking often. Then comes mile 17 OMG not sure what the heck happen but something from my lower back shot down my right leg and the pain began....... Me being stubborn I keep trucking along and then I finally have to stop to stretch (not wanting to stop at all) so I stretch for a good 2-3 minutes & start hobbling along. Now the TNT coaches from all chapters were AMAZING they would run along with me to make sure I was okay concerned about my gimping and holding my leg. But I REFUSED to quit. By mile 22 I see my "adoptive" coach Maureen. I am walking at this point she is worried about me but I told her I am saving the last bit of energy I have to run across that finish line. She stays with me for a bit talking telling me that I am almost there & that I am doing fantastic. Then I cross mile marker 24 & I know this is it 2.2 miles left & I know that I can do this. So I start a slow jog and the pain just shoots thru the leg but I ignore it. I run thru the last water stop get a drink walking while I drink & then I hear the band & the crowd at the finish line. Not sure what happen but that runners high FINALLY kicked in. I run mile marker 26~ .2 left I see the crowd & the stadium the crowd is cheering & I see the finish line in the distances.... I feel David, Ryleigh, Bryon and all of those people I am running for pushing me along I am giving it every last bit of energy I have left. I SPRINT across that finish line!!!!! I can't believe it 5:03 was the clock time. Now that is not my official time so I have to wait to find out what that is from my chip. Had to find the medic tent to get some ice for my leg and everyone is congratulating me and I am on cloud 9!!!!! I did it.
After a nice & long HOT shower I get myself ready & we head to the victory party. The food AMAZING and the company incredible. We all just accomplished our goals we did it!!!!! We danced the night away. Yup we danced after running 26.2 miles, I am out there dancing but it felt sooooo amazing. Back to the hotel and to bed.
Day -4 We all meet in the lobby to head to the airport we are all walking a bit slower!!!! :) I have met some life long friends and am soooo blessed to be apart of Team In Training. This is my first of MANY events with TNT. I want to be at that Inspiration dinner where they say...... I am sooo happy to say that this will be our LAST Team In Training event. We have found the cure for cancer!!!!!!!!! That day will come. For now, I will work hard to do my part and I thank God for the experience and bringing TNT into my life. I love to run but now I get to run for an amazing cause. I thank each and everyone of you who have prayed for me, supported me and who believed in me. Without you I would not have just completed my 1st marathon! Thank you!
My official finish time was 4 hours 59 minutes and 36 seconds. WOW under 5 hours!!! :)

Oh MY!!!! I have 5 days until I am on a plane to Arizona BABY!!!! I can't believe that it is already time!!!! I have trained for this & I am ready. I am pumped & ready!!!! BRING IT ON!

OH yea 102% so far on my fundraising! I still have time to get some more in there! I am sooo pumped for Arizona. I got my packet and info for the race and am ready to go. I have 1 more 20 mile run on Saturday. I hope the weather cooperates. We have a ton of snow right now. BUT God has provided simply beautiful Saturday's for every run we have had so far so I know it will be a good run. I have been training this week so I am ready to kick the 20 miles butt! :)
More to come later.......

Made it!!!!! Thanks to my sweet daddy, I met my goal of $3850!!! I am so blessed for my parents. They are my rock and are always there for me. I have so many things in my life that are amazing and I am so thankful. I am glad to do my part & help others. I know I am not doing much but if I can help 1 person with blood cancer's all this hardwork was well worth it. I am 3 weeks away from heading to Arizona. I can't wait.

Well I did it! 20 miles under my belt. It sure was a tough one but well worth it! I slacked majorly on my training & felt it. But I sucked it up and made it! What an amazing feeling. I can't wait until I cross that finish line next month. Also, I am below $400 mark on fundraising! YEA

Wow it has been a bit since I have written. But I have been busy. I am $437 away from my goal! Yea I still have 2 weeks left to collect donations so it is on full force. I am sure you guys are probably tired of my emails but too bad! :) I am gonna keep sending them until I reach my goal. hahahhaa. Day after tomorrow will be our longest run & my personal longest run ever 20 miles! I am stocked. It is gonna be really amazing. This time next month I will have completed my 1st marathon. Wow hard to imagine that I am that close to doing something I have been training & fundraising for for so long. This experience has changed me & I am so blessed to be apart of this journey. I will post to let you know how my 20 miles goes! Pray for me!

What a fantastic night. The Be the Difference Benefit raised over $1300. WOW we had such a good time. The servers were amazing & we had every table full. A big Thank You to the Gonelli's; Loutzenhiser's; Lemke's; Father Jerry; St. Paul's Church; St. Paul's Boy Scouts; Jana; Jonny; Ryan; Missy; Tyler; Kyle; Cali & Miranda. They all worked so hard to make this such an amazing event. That puts me $800 away from my goal.

Had a beautiful run this morning. 4 miles on the greenbelt. Lots of ducks & some sunshine. It was so nice. Got lots done for Friday. After tomorrow I should be totally ready! :)

What a fantastic day! Lots accomplished. Everything is coming together perfectly for the benefit dinner. I know it is going to be such a huge success. We have some amazing silent auction items. I can't wait! I did get a 40 minute run in today. It was beautiful out not too cold it was perfect. Sad news, Ryleigh a sweet little girl lost her battle with Leukemia on Monday. This little girl had such an amazing heart. I never had the honor to meet her but she is and will always be in my heart. Her story is amazing. Rest in peace sweet Ryleigh no more pain.
This is why I am doing this.... No more babies (adult & young) need to die. Lets find this cure so the "c" word is no big thing!

What a great Thanksgiving vacation we had. I did bring my running shoes but only walked the streets of Forks & LaPush! :)
So Monday, back on track. Lots to do. This Friday is the big Benefit dinner & Silent Auction. We have some AMAZING items & I can't wait. It is going to put me over my goal and then I can concentrate 100% on my training. Also, on Saturday is our 18 mile run. Can't wait!

What an amazing day! I ran 16 miles! Yup 16 miles. My longest run ever. Boy oh boy I am feeling it tho. It was great. It hailed on us, wind and sunny.
The benefit dinner is coming together perfectly. It is going to be a fantastic evening and then the next morning it is our 18 mile run oh yea!

Day hmmmmmm ?

hahahha it has been a week since I have been on here. Crazy how fast time is going. This week I have been hitting it hard getting ready for the dinner benefit. I have been so blessed with the amazing people in my life. Nonie, Jennifer & Lori have been a HUGE HUGE HUGE help. This benefit will be a success because of them. We have some great silent auction items.
Workout has been great. Man was it COLD on Saturday but great run. I did get to the store & got myself a long sleeve running shirt. It is awesome. Another busy week of running, working & getting things ready for the benefit dinner.

Day 77 & 78

Sunday - a day of rest ~ great day of rest scrabble/clue w/ the family
Monday - just a short run little over a mile. Really windy but felt good.

Fundraising is going well. I am getting lots of donation for the silent auction. It is going to be a fantastic evening.

Day 74, 75, 76

Thursday - speed work not as fast as I like but did pretty good 3 miles
Friday - rest day
Saturday - my longest run ever! It rocked 14 miles it was absolutely beautiful running in Boise. I was having some pain in my leg but coach Ann said it is from not stretching enough so I will be doing WAY more stretching. It was great took us 2:34. I am excited about that cause my last 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) was 2:23 so I am improving on my time. I kept a consistent pace of 10:23 per mile. Great run! YEA

Day 73

What a great day. I got some really amazing auction items. Spent the entire day on the computer & getting stuff done! Feel really productive! YEA!!
It was my cross training day & well Mikayla's basketball game lasted way longer so no Rec or workout but that is okay. It was an intense game!!!!

Day 72

Great run this morning did 4 miles with Kyleigh! We were rocking it! YEA.
Got lots done today & got some stuff for the fundraiser! I got some donations for the silent auction yea!! Everything is coming together.
HUGE news. LoneStar Middle School's Leo Club are going to present me w/ a $400 check from their bake sale last week. They wanted it to go thru me! WOW amazing. I feel so blessed. I am invited to a special dinner and they will present me with the check.

Day 71

Had a great run this morning 4.82 miles on the greenbelt. It was chilly but sunny. LOVED IT!!!
Started getting things for the big fundraiser dinner. Got a box to make a donation station for loose change, basket & aprons for the kids to wear while they serve the food. Mikayla is going to design them. Can't wait to see what she does! :)
I am feeling strong & excited! YEA

Day ?

Well after having the swine flu, I had a sinus infection. UGH!!!! I am done being sick.
Saturday I went on my 1st long run w/ the combine Nampa/Boise Team. It was AMAZING 12 miles. It was soooo beautiful running as the sun was rising & seeing it over the lake WOW a great time to run. I felt amazing & only coughed a few times. But finished in 2:10. After that we had a potluck w/ honored patients. After listening to them, I know that I am on the path that God has lead me to. These people are AMAZING and they are who I am running for & why I WILL make my goal. It is the least I can do. They have fought for their lives and I have to fight for them.
So, I am planning a fundraising dinner with some AMAZING friends. Nonie, Jennifer & Lori have stepped in & are going to make this a wonderful night. Mark your calendars for those of you in the area Dec 4th in Dempsey Hall at St. Paul's church it will be a dinner & a silent auction.
Training week starts tomorrow in full swing AGAIN! Can't wait!

Day 59,60, 61, 62

Darn Swine Flu!!! Still sick now I have it. Thought I felt better but went out today to the store & it took everything I had. After 4 days you think it would be thru my house. So no 12 mile run tomorrow. Will keep you up dated.

Day 57 & 58

Well an unexpected turn in my training but it is all good. I am home w/ a sick kid. My youngest has Swine Flu & I am not feel all that great either sooooo taking the night off & hopefully will hit it hard tomorrow.