Running Woman

Kontakt with China

2007-09-13T03:48:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am Mr. Li from China.Although in newspaper or on television you know message the information received:China are the one biggest export and import country of the world since three years.In China we also saw that many foreign company to China supplied the producked.
And the volumes of both import an export country Haendel nearly always increase 30% to 40%.

As small individual people I would like to play also a small role. Therefore I could find the info.over the good Chinese Importure and dealer for you.

Perhaps you have Interresse with china. , or you would like to seize market more chance in China Wenn you need info .or help from China, I cann do it for you .

I wish you much Gluck and its company much success!

Jihong Li

Email : chinastein2002@yahoo.com.cn

Tel : 0086-438-2134440
Fax: 0086-438-2134440

cheaper producer from China ?

2007-07-10T23:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Gentleman,
I have many years experience south China(Shanghai)
in trading producks, since long ago grasps very many domains
the production factory information, moreover has the good
relation with the Chinese massive many companies. I can find
cheaper products with good quantity.If you want to establish
the initial relation with the Chinese company or and the more
Chinese company carry on the relation, more opportunities and
the Chinese production merchant carry on the trade, we are willing
to provide the corresponding help. You only need the product
which tells us you to need, the request and the idea. We can
in the Chinese with all one's strength help, you at your service,
the loyal hope can become the your firm forever friends.

Best regards!

Mr. Lu

Jian She 6th Road No.323
Shanghai China
TEL :0086-020 � 6887 1179
FAX :0086-020 - 69191686
Email: Jacklu1950@yahoo.com.cn

About some Chinese company's news

2007-05-31T18:23:00.001-07:00

Dear Gentleman,

We have many years experience south China the trading company, since
long ago grasps very many domains the production factory information,
moreover has the good relation with the Chinese massive many companies.
If
you want to establish the initial relation with the Chinese company or
and
the more Chinese company carry on the relation, more opportunities and
the
Chinese production merchant carry on the trade, we are willing to
provide
the corresponding help. You only need the product which tells us you to
need, the request and the idea. We can in the Chinese with all one's
strength help, you at your service, the loyal hope can become the your
firm
forever friends.

Best regards!

Export Manager : Mr. Lu

Shanghai Lishi Co., Ltd
Jian She 6th Road No.323
Shanghai China
TEL¨0086-020 � 69191685
FAX¨0086-020 - 69191685
Email：Jacklu1950@yahoo.com.cn

Nike 26.2 - JUST DID IT!

2004-10-25T23:57:00.000-07:00

Hello my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my mentors, my neighbors, my classmates, my soulmates, my partners, my contributors... Hello Everyone!

I AM DEBBIE!!! FINISHER OF MARATHON!!!

In the next couple of days, I will be posting some really incredible stuff from San Francisco October 24th, 2004. But to begin, let me say that I had a pinnacle experience. I just might have been smiling the whole dang race. The weather, which had been threatening rain and c-c-cold, literally turned out to be perfect - not cold and just slightly overcast enough to shield us from the sun. San Francisco is so beautiful. We started by the Cliff House. We ran with a view of the Golden Gate. We ran by Pier 39 and the Transamerica Pyramid. We ran past the Presidio and the Palace of Fine Arts. We looped through the Avenues and into Golden Gate Park. We trotted past a sleeping Bison Herd and beyond the Dutch Windmill, finishing next to the ocean with sweet salty smell of the ocean propelling us to the finish line.

We got to the starting area about an hour early and I was so excited I could barely contain myself. There were about 10,000 participants. Since my partner Cristy and had plans to begin with a 3 mile walk, we gathered at the back. It took us over 6 minutes from the gun going off until we actually passed through the starting gate. I had a tiny little camera with me and got this picture of us at the exact moment we officially started.

Now, as you all know... I am a certified SPAZ... a fact in which I am proud. At around mile 6, I saw my husband Gert and daughter Alice by the side of the road, camera ready to take an action shot. I was so amped up, I just had to do a little marathon ballet:

Here is a great shot of my finish. This was a chip race We all had a little disk on our shoes which recorded each of our times individually and not by the starting gun, which is the time on the big clock. My actually finish time was 5 hours 36 minutes. I am really happy with that time. Cristy and I decided from the get-go to run a certain plan: 3 miles walking, 7 miles running, then again another 3 mile walk and 7 mile run, with a finish of a last 3 mile walk and 3 mile run. We did this for a couple of reasons. First, this was our 1st marathon... and with 1st marathons, the idea is to finish happy and enjoy the experience. In subsequent races, you can go for time. Also, this being San Francisco, it was hilly... and we felt it was in the best interest of our joints and muscles to switch gears to try to minimize the damage. We ran our plan. Then at mile 23 I felt a real surge of adrenalin. With Cristy's blessing, we parted and I ran a fast 3 miles home. Mile 23 to 24: 10 minute pace. Mile 24 to 25: 9 minute pace. Mile 25 to 26: 8 minute pace and the for the last .2 of the 26.2, I sprinted as fast as I could through the finish gate.

I have so much more to tell you and many more awesome pictures- from the evening before with my team, from my viewpoint during the race with my little camera and from a spectator's viewpoint from the camera of my husband. Also from afterwards in the finishers area. My husband Gert is putting together a whole page which we will try to get out to you this week. But the bottom line is that I had an experience beyond fantastic. And on top of that, with your help I was able to raise over $3000 dollars to aid cancer research. And of top of that, all of the participants in Team in Training who came to this race from chapters all over the country raised in total over - get this - $10 Million Dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I want to say Thank You Team in Training, Thank You San Francisco and Thank You All for your support!

Love, Debbie

In 2 Days...

2004-10-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

Well Folks... The Time Has Come...

Tomorrow I board my plane with my little Alice and other team members and head up to beautiful San Francisco. We'll get in, check into our rooms, go to the pre-race Expo, eat our pre-race pasta dinner, get back to our rooms, not sleep for the excitement, get up, eat peanut butter sandwiches and bananas, drink coffee, get our gear on, go to the bathroom like 16 million times, and then head out to the race.

How am I doing? I'm tired and a little tense. I've had a lot to do this final week. Gert, the hubby, is already up in the Bay Area for work, so I've had Alice alone for the week. Fun, but maybe not the smartest idea, cause being a single mom for the week has left me a bit overtired. The good news is that I've seemed to have skirted the cold Alice caught last week, and that she's still coughing from. I credit massive doses of Zinc. I've also spent the week getting last minute gear together: trying out my new Ipod, washing my race clothes, printing all my contributors names on my race tee shirt, and going to Kmart for 99 cent ponchos. There is a 60% chance of showers on Sunday.

Tonight I pack and cross my fingers that I don't forget anything.

I want to thank everybody who's called and emailed me this last week for your kind thoughts and enthusiasm.

The next time I write, I will have completed a marathon and will have a ton of pictures and memories to share.

Love, Deb

Final Preps... Let The Nerves Begin

2004-10-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today I did a little trial run with the clothes I intend to wear for the race. A new white specialty running shirt, my Team In Training singlet (a thin tank top with all the corporate sponsors and such), my running capris, my new Ipod, and my waist pack (in which I carry 4 Gu energy gels, some Starbursts, lip balm, and anti-chafing stuff.)

It was so weird. Up until now, I've been excited and a little nervous, but nothing extreme. But when I put that singlet on... It just felt so real... So close... My stomach started to churn and my shoulders started to tense up. Everytime I started to run, my shoes felt a little awkward. I ended up adjusting them like 5 times.

But I'm glad I tried everything out, because I decided on not wearing the singlet. That over my shirt feels too hot and constricting. And anyway, the plain white shirt is better because I have room to write all my personal sponsors on it.

And speaking of this last week, I defiantly have had a brush with a little Murphy's Law. Alice, my toddler, is sick. Just a cold, but the last thing I need. I felt myself coming down with it on Saturday. So since then, I've been taking a zinc and a multi-vitamin 3 times a day and drinking massive amounts of water. And as Alice goes through the phases of the cold, it seems that for now - knock on wood - I have avoided the brunt of it. But dammit, unless I have like an 800 degree temperature, I'm gonna do this thing. I've run sick before. I've run nervous before. I've run in the desert heat and in the rain. So it's all good!

Less Training and Gearing Up

2004-10-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm in the final stretch. Less and less miles. Getting all the logistics together. And waiting, waiting. I think the waiting might be the hardest part. Waiting = thinking = worrying. So I'm trying just to remind myself that I have done a coupla 20-milers and I felt good then and I'm ready now.

More Donations to Report

I want to thank my Auntie Freddie and Uncle Larry for their generous donation. The donation is made in Loving Honor in the Memory of Ruth McFaul, who passed away from Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Reminds me of what I'm doing this for. Thank you Auntie Freddie and Uncle Larry. I am honored to run for you and Ruth.

And to keep it all in the family, I want to thank the offspring of the above mentioned... here's to my cousins Wendy and Peter Rich for their wonderful contribution. Wendy is a superb chef and I just want you to know Wendy, that I will be thinking of that yummy food during the hard parts of the race!

I also want to thank my friend Kimberly Vizcarra and her family for their great donation. Thanks for helping out, Kim.... I really appreciate it!

Hitting The Goal

2004-10-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

This week I started ramping down my training in preparation for the marathon in a few weeks. It feels weird, almost like I'm losing all my fitness. Today I only have to do a 10 miler and compared to the 20 last week, it seems like almost nothing. I was talking about this to my friend Josh, an ultra-marathoner who works at the Village Runner. He totally understands how it feels, but says it's the right thing to do in order to have the maximum training and freshness for the race date.

OH YEAH!

Big thanks to my ole Transamerica colleague Tad Brenneman for his recent online donation. With his help and yours, I have now raised my minimum goal of $3000.00! Of course, all donations are still welcome if you want to come along for the ride, help Joshua, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. But for me - I'm done with the asking, the begging, the pleading. Now it's on to the Race!

20 Miles and 10 Cosmopolitans

2004-10-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

OK folks... DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME...

This last Saturday, I proverbially lit the candle at both ends. I am still paying the price.

I awoke to my evil watch alarm at 3:30, ate my peanut butter on whole wheat and half banana. Then I made my way over to the Team In Training meet located at one of the hilliest areas of the Las Vegas Valley - Sun City Anthem.

By 5:15 I was out on the road for a 20-miler. And to really kill the ole legs, my partner and I made a wrong turn and ended up having to climb a steep 1 and 1/2 mile hill to finish the run, 4 hours later.

So what did I do? I got home, ate some cereal, took a shower and went shopping. Why? Because the night before, I found out that my best friend from college - one Sandee "Mehoe" Sanger, was gonna be in town - at the Mirage - with her girls from Buellton. Bachellorette stuff. Good Stuff. Great Stuff. And since I haven't gone out, I mean like to a club with the girls, in like 8 billion years, I had to go a get some clothes to wear. Mommy-wear would not do. So after 4 1/2 hours on the road, I went shopping and then headed over to The Strip.

The drinking began immediately with this great group. Red wine before dinner in the hotel suite. I decided to make it a science project... just what does happen when you run 20 miles and then forget to eat lunch and then drink? Just how much can you drink? For the sake of science... I was determined to find out.

Long story short, the answer to that question is somewhere between 6 an 10 Cosmopolitans, but I don't know because I stopped actively counting after 4. We got back to the room at 3 am... and just before I fell asleep, thank goodness, I remembered to turn off my alarm due to go off once again at 3:30.

Just a few weeks now till the big day and I am ready. I am excited but not nervous. Those 2 20-milers made all the difference. And I am so close to my fundraising minimum goal. Just need about $100.00 more.

BIG THANKS
To my dearest Sandee Sanger for her gift of friendship, booze, and money. And to my husband's wonderful colleague Julie Hayashi for her friendship and donation as well. You guys are the best!

On Being a Borg & Mental Strength

2004-09-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Being a Borg

Above is a great picture Gert took of me just before a run in Utah. Gert calls this my Borg look. I have on my GPS watch to track distance and pace & my regular watch for easy access to the day's time. Around my waist and sitting in the small of my back is my water bottle carrier & and at my belly in front is my mp3 player and case. Of course I need my white hat, sunglasses and headphones. What is not shown is actually a few more additions I made to my Borg-ness. Now, on each side of the mp3 player are clip-on pouches. One holds my goodies: Now-And-Later hard candies and Starburst chews. The other holds 1 Gu training gel for each hour of my workout (6) and extra batteries, a small tube of sunblock, lip stuff, and and this other kind of goop that you can use if skin starts to get tender. It's all about easy access, Baby!

Mental Strength
This weekend I had a series of mental fart episodes extrodinaire. I needed to do a long training of 10 miles: 3 walking at my 13 minute pace and 7 running at my endurance pace of 10 1/2 minutes. And I just felt scared. And it's weird, because at this point I can do that kind of training pretty easily. But I felt tense, scared and tired. I think it is because I am really getting so damn close to the actual marathon, and because I know that coming around the corner - this Saturday- is my last super long training of 20 miles: 3 walk/7 run repeated. And that 20 miler is definitely not easy. I'm afraid that I can't do it although I know that I can. Isn't that weird: knowing you can and you can't at the same time?!? And that is the key to this whole damn thing. You train yourself to lengthen the endurance of your body and your mind. And the proverbial wall... that is also both mental and physical. I experience hitting walls all the time. And I hit one this weekend and simply did not get out of the house and did not get my run in. This morning, however, I tamed that bull and went to the gym and did my 10-miler on the treadmill. And get this.... after all my tenseness and worrying, I felt great when I actually started. Not only did I do my miles, but I did it on a hill program at a higher incline and pace than ever before. Break on through to the other side...

MORE THANKS
Big ups to my dear cousins Sharon and David Baratz & Family for their supreme online donation. David has trained before for a marathon and understands the pain. I'm carrying you with me buddy!

And also, yet again, another donation from a member of the great IH Class of 1988! I want to thank Bernadette "Limtao" Chang & Family for their wonderful gift. It warms my heart to hear from you and know that you are doing so well.

Yeah! More Online Donations!

2004-09-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my old friend and mentor, the fabulous Bernie Smit, for his generous gift. He took the opportunity to go ahead and click over to the right... an awesome online donation.

Bernie and I used to work together at Transamerica in San Francisco during the go-go 90's. He and my other old colleague Damien Couture are, without hyperbole, the best and smartest financial guys out there. They are still based in the Bay Area. Give them a call. They specialize in financial, tax, and contingency planning for individuals and business owners.

Bernie Smit
Damien Couture
JBC Financial
3478 Buskirk Avenue Suite 300
Pleasant Hill ,CA. 94523
925-280-1800

Addendum 9/19/04
Also Big thanks to Derk and Marjan Bolhuis of Groningen, Holland and Piet and Marina Beukema of Usquert, Holland for their awesome contributions. Derk and Marjan are great friends of Gert from university and have since become a couple of my best friends. And Piet and Marina are my incredible parents-in-law.

Hmmm... I just thought of good slogan.... "Debbie Beukema's Marathon for Joshua... Turning your Euros into Hope!"

Running In Utah

2004-09-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just got home from a week in beautiful Park City, Utah... At the new residence of my folks - Casa Del Dachound.

I had a wonderful time with my parents and my sister Janet's family... Running, shopping at discount centers, eating too much, etc. etc.

It's now official, after 8 months of power walking, I am officially re-hooked on running. I wasn't even going to begin running again until after the SF Marathon. I was convinced that I wanted to race walk the 26 miles for it's own sake.

See, in short... I was always intending to run my 1st marathon. Last year I trained for 9 months to do the LA Marathon and just a month before - came down with some acute nerve problem in my left foot. So when I signed up to run for Joshua, my goal was to pick up where I left off. And that was also the goal that Alexis and I originally shared. That changed when she developed a really nasty tendon problem in her hip. So we then decided to train to walk the thing together. A few months ago, due to this same issue, my dearest Alexis, needing a bit more time, decided that she needed shift her sights to another race in Arizona in January. At that point, having spent the majority of my training time walking, I decided, what the hey, why not keep it up, walk this one as fast as I could (13 minute mile) and get this here marathon under my belt.

Then I caught the running bug again. See, in Park City, there are like 8 billion beautiful trails to run. And, sure nuf, I ran em. And from my walking, my running has gotten just so much better. My posture is better. My stride is better. With less weight on my body, my joints and endurance are better. So I am contemplating a coupla options:

1. Split It Up Down the Middle- Walk 6 1/2 miles, Run 6 1/2 miles, repeat.

2. Split It Up Lopsided - Walk 3 miles, Run 10, repeat.

3. Run the Whole Damn Thing - I am in the best condition of my life, I know what it's like to get to 20 miles, and I'll be in the midst of thousands of racers - good for a lot of pep.

Option number 3 excites me the most, so on Sunday I will do 13 miles and the following weekend I'll do 18. And see how I feel. If that is successful, then #3 it is. Then comes October and 3 weeks of bringing down the training.

New contributors
All my thanks to my old Immaculate Heart Chum Nicole "Lecker" Cravello and her family for her generous donation. The generosity of the Class of 1988 is astounding!

And thanks to my Renter's Insurance Guru Rock Rocheleau for his incredible contribution. If any of you living in the Vegas/Henderson area need a great guy who can set you up right, please give Rock a call.

Rock Rocheleau
Farmer's Insurance and Financial Services
7530 West Sahara #103
LV, NV 89117
702-341-5532

Another Half Marathon in the Bag

2004-09-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Alexis and I and about 20 other Team in Training folk had our weekly long workout at beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Now, I am most familiar with Red Rock from my old climbing days. And let me tell you, it's one of the greatest places to climb. Nice hand holds. Good rough stone. And the scenery is unbelievable: giant brown rock hills with streaks of red. This, however, is the first time I had ever walked there.

There is a "loop" there for cars to drive through the canyon that is about 13 miles. (A half marathon.) Lots of people train for marathons there. But Red Rock is really hilly. And the hills can be long and steep. It is a challenge.

I had meant to go there before to train, but being a paranoid city grown girl that I am, I am always nervous to train in remote areas in the wee early hours on my own. Even though I am known to carry my share of mace, I just don't see a reason to take a risk with my bodily safety. I have my psyche and an incredible little toddler to think about.

That's why this day was perfect. I would be able to train with a whole group and a coach who would follow in a truck with nice glasses of ice cold Gatorade on hand. The day started very early. I woke at 3 am to eat my wheat toast with peanut butter and half banana. Then get dressed, get sunscreened, and pack my bag with music, hat, sunglasses, sports drink, GU gel, hard candies, ID and credit card, and flip flops for after. Then it was off to meet Alexis at her place by 4:15 and a half hour drive to the other side of town to meet the crew. Then we carpooled to the canyon and began.

I was stoked. I was using a new gadget for the first time: my new Garmin GPS watch! This device helped Alexis and I keep our pace much higher for the whole duration, even though it was hilly and hot once the sun came up. When I did my 20 miler, I had about a 15 minute mile pace, but this day we were able to keep it between 13 and 14 minutes per mile - a huge breakthough. And big congratulations were also in order for Alexis, as this was her longest mileage yet in her training. She was awesome.

The one lame thing to the day was the rogue cyclists. See , there was a group of about 100 cyclists training for something or other. And cyclists know they are supposed to stay to the right. And that makes it possible for the cyclists and other users of the trails to share the road. But, man, you would have thought they were all asshole Porsche owners or something because they thought it was their turf and no one else's. They were pretty cool to Alexis and I. Only once did some guy yell that they were coming on our right. They were screaming, however, and they startled us even though we were like totally on the left hand side of the road already. But we chalked it up to better safe than sorry and thought no more of it. But we heard bad stories when we came in to the end of our trek: some of the guys who were running had been cursed at. It was lame.... and I just couldn't figure out why these guys thought they owned the road at a FRIGGIN' PUBLIC PARK?!?! Maybe their tight colorful cycling spandex made them feel all big and stuff.

Anyway, that's all for now. Thanks for reading. PS. a lot of you have been responding with emails back to me, which is totally cool. But how about adding a comment to this page? Just click on comment and type away! - Love Deb

Long Time No Blog....But It's All Good

2004-08-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

He Y'all... sorry for the long hiatus. Much to report, much to tell.

My training is going well. On Sunday the 14th, I did my longest training yet, with a 20 mile walk on the Las Vegas Running team route. 20 MILES! I felt great most of the way. It was wierdly perfect weather here for my little endeavor. All week long we had been hitting 115 degrees, but on that weekend, we were coming off some seasonal monsoons and it was overcast until about 11 am. So I was dealing with ONLY 90 degree heat. That's training in Vegas for you!

That day I awoke at 3:30 am to have my powerbar and sportsdrink. I was out the door at 4:30 and on the road at 5:00. Thus began my 5 hour journey. Actually, to be specific, 4 hours and 59 minutes. Ha! I made it under 5! Which is important. I am not, shall we say, the world's fastest walker. As I found out, walking fast is truly an art. It takes so much concentration and core strength. When I decided with my partner Alexis to speed walk the marathon, I was walking at an 18 minute mile. Dude, how depressing. But I have been very focused and dedicated to figuring this out and have improved my speed to a 14 1/2 minute mile in the past 3 months. So on this 20 mile journey, I continued this pace. And what stretched it out to a 5 hour run was my pit stops for Gatorade. Drinking fast, it added about 25 seconds to my mile.

Like I said, I felt great most of the way. I had new music in my walkman. I had a dedicated coach following my progression and on hand with nice cool gatorade. I was in good spirits and determined to get a 20 miler under my belt. At about mile 16, I mentally got tired. See, mile 16 is close to the end but no cigar. But I have experienced this before. No matter what the distance, I always feel burnt out about 4 miles from the end. So what do I do? I thank my brain for sharing and keep going. I change the subject....

BRAIN TO DEBBIE - "I am so tired, Debbie. My legs hurt and it's getting hotter. You have never done 20 miles before... that's just a ridiculous amount. It's soooooo long till you can stop... let's see, 15 minute mile times 4 = 1 whole hour to go..... ARGGHHHHH!"

DEBBIE TO BRAIN - "Y' don't say! Hey look at that mountain over there. Cool. I think I'll forward my walkman to the song Gypsy Woman by Crystal Waters. La Da Dee Da da dummm...."

You get the picture.

This week has been an off week. I have just started with a new personal trainer who is in the habit off kicking my ass all the around the gym. And I'm a little macho, so when he says do 8 million more squats, I'm like no problem dude... what else you got... I just walked 20 miles... I can do anything! But actually, I'm gonna have to tone it down. I had so much lactic acid in my muscles that I actually threw out my back because it hurt too much to bend my legs to do anything around the house or with my toddler.

BIG THANKS TO MY NEWEST CONTRIBUTORS
The awesome Shulte family from college
Elia "De La Vega" Rodriguez from high school
Leslie Blake - Happy Birthday!

Dr. Jo Briggs / Briggs Applied Chiropractic
10120 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100, Henderson NV, 89052
702-568-0000 www. HealthOptionsNV.com
Dr. Briggs is a fantasic doctor and friend. I call her the "miracle woman" for her abilities. I wouldn't be able to accomplish this marathoning feat without her help. If you live in the area, I highly recommend her services!

AND SPEAKING OF CONTRIBUTIONS
If you are intending to contribute or have already made a pledge but haven't sent it in, I need your help NOW! It's getting close to the date and Joshua and I are determined to get at least $3,000 under our belt by mid- September! Donate over this website - it's totally secure! Or send me your check. Make it out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and send it to me at 92 Urbana Drive, Henderson Nevada 89074. I am on my knees, beggin' baby pleeeeeeze!

Thanks Solomons!

2004-07-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Jeff, Erin and Wyatt Solomon for their awesome donation and use of the online donation system! Yeah Team!

Tomorrow Alexis and I have a 2 3/4 hour walk to do... about 11 miles. And the weather here is now getting to 110 degrees. We will have to be on the road by 4:15 in the morning. OUCH!

Walking

2004-07-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

I had been adding a lot of walking into my training. I started when I got together with Alexis as my running partner. At first, it really went against my innate sense of macho-ness. Running is tough. Running over long distances is really about mitigating the pain. It hurts from the first moment to the last, but it does feel awesome being bigger than the pain. Plus, in the past, I had always been slightly bored by walking. I was slow and my form was sloppy. I was just so much more engaged when I ran.

All that began to slowly change as I trained with Alexis. You see, Alexis is a walking phenom. She's like a billion years shorter than me and common sense would dictate that I could at least keep up with her... well, um.... not really. In fact the first day we walked together in training, I could barely keep up a conversation with her, needing all my concentration just to keep my butt in gear.

Over the months, I have really worked hard in my cross training days to get my form and speed better. It means totally sucking in your gut, keeping your posture ram-rod straight, hitting the ground heel to toe, and relaxing your arms. Seems easy, but try doing that consistently for 2 hours.

Anyway, this last Sunday I decided to walk for my long run. And I made it a point to stay at my 15 minute per mile pace and do hill training at the same time. And I had this awesome epiphany... I actually enjoyed myself. Not just feeling proud of my accomplishment but so damn glad I was done... but enjoyed the whole experience, start to finish. And I thought to myself that maybe I would like to walk this race instead of run it. That is huge because on it's surface it seems so wimpy. But really it's not. Especially for a marathon in San Francisco. Even at our most trained, Alexis and I were looking at walking at least some if not half of the course due to the kinds of injuries that are common at hilly marathons: hips and knees destroyed and that kind of thing.

BIG THANKS TO
Bonnie "Baur" Chauvin & Family (great to hear from you, girl!)

More Running, More Injuries, More Donations

2004-07-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

The title of this entry should be my theme song, really...

Last Saturday I trained by walking 10 miles on The Strip. That was both cool and lame. See, I was with my other Team In Training partners and that was cool. I actually don't work out with them much for a number of reasons: 1) many of the locations picked are pretty far away from my part of town, 2) my pardner Alexis and I live close by and share a deviated sense of humor that mostly works well as a twosome, 3)and sometimes their schedule cuts into my family time. But last Saturday I was determined to work out with the group and not be such a hermit. And once a season, it turns out that they do a long day on the strip, which is not so far from me.

Here's where the lameness comes in. The start time is about an hour late for me. I like to backtrack from 7am when I like to be finished. So if I have a 2 hour run scheduled, I start at 5. So I already knew I was probably gonna get overheated towards the end. And the course, The Strip, lost it's novelty about 2 minutes in. See, the thing is... I live in Las Vegas... so The Strip is not a big deal to me. The other problems: because of traffic, there is no running on the street, which leaves the only option of training on the sidewalk. And concrete is like the worst surface to train on due to it's hardness... it's bad on the joints and Achilles. And speaking of traffic... yup, that means inhaling exhaust. So about 2 minutes in, Alexis and I were about ready to get back to our car and leave. But it was late and we were started, so we decided to finish. Because of the concrete and the pain it caused in our knees, we decided to walk rather than run. A little bit of a bummer because we were hyped to run, but oh well. But I still didn't end up saving myself because a few hours later my left Achilles was very achy. And I have had to take 2 days off to let it heal. I have this injury occasionally, so I know just what I have to do for it.

Anyway, hopefully we'll have better course in the future.

I know this entry is a little BLAH... but my training is about all the ups and downs and doin' it anyway, know what I mean?

ALL MY THANKS TO:
Steve Elzer (in honor of his beloved father)(Steve, I am honored to run for you)
Didi Cosentino (another IHHS classmate helping with the cause!!!)
and
Wonderland SE / Tanya Wallace
Wonderland School of Dance, Gymnastics, and Karate
702-269-7018
...This is where my lovely Alice learns all her moves!

Running on the 4th of July

2004-07-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

Look at us run! Alice and I had a great 4th, running the annual 5K race. It's fun but oh so HOT. Part of the route has no shade and that's towards the end. You just got to gut it out.

And even though I have gone every year for 3 years, and every year it is at the same place - Bunker Park, I still got the directions totally messed up. I found my place at the start pretty much just as the gun went off. But that was ok. I was already intending to run this race slow and easy. The previous day, Saturday, I had my long run... 2 hours on the road, and my thighs were pretty tired. I could tell because during the race I just didn't feel bouncy with my stride. So I ran slow. Stopped at each water stop. Used the cups of water well by taking 2 sips and pouring the rest down my head for instant relief. See the photos here.

I guess the fund raising is going well. I have my on days and I have my off days. Some days I just feel raring to go, to ask strangers for help, to send off letters, to make call backs. And some days, I just wish I didn't have such a big goal. I mean, this is so obvious, but of course this is my thing to keep track of, not visa versa.... so when I call back my friends or businesses it is urgent for me, but not necessarily for them. Of course! Duh! But some days, I just feel deflated leaving one more message and writing one more note to myself for the next follow up. There is such a fine line between being timely and being a pest. It should get a little easier now that we have set up a way to donate easily online. This is so cool. Just a few clicks and you're done... no muss no fuss.

This weekend I'm upping my miles and will have a 2 1/2 hour run on Saturday. So I'll be doing something around 12 or 13 miles I think, depending on the weather. It's hot and that slows me down.

BIG THANKS! Thanks so much to my latest donors:
Marian Lutz (half a sock and all the love)
Jos, Areke, and Joshua Visser (we got some Dutchies on board)
Eileen Colinayo (love to you and your little girl!)

Thank You Neighborhood Businesses!

2004-07-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Yes indeedy do, I have some thank-yous for the wonderful and supportive businesses in my neighborhood.

Like I mentioned before, I have been bringing my information with me wherever I go and ask the businesses that I am a patron of for their help with the marathon. It does get easier to ask, but every time I still have to step over that little psychological barrier - fear of failure, fear of rejection, etc. etc. I know that sounds a little weepy, but it's true.

Today I had such a good set of responses. First it was from Larry and his daughter Courtney of the business Pump It Up. Pump It Up is an inflatable party zone for kids. It's awesome, especially in the summer when kids can't really play outside in the day light hours due to the heat. Larry and Courtney are athletes, too - competitive swimmers, so they really can appreciate my training. And they gave me an awesome gift certificate for my auction: an entire party package for the winning bidder.

After playing at Pump It Up, my friends and I went for lunch at The Olive Garden. I want to thank the incredibly kind culinary manager, Cindi, for her donation of a gift card for auction.

Larry Allen
Pump It Up "The Inflatable Party Zone"
7685 Commercial Way, Suite G/H
Henderson, Nevada 89015
702-487-3068
www.pumpitupparty.com

Cindi Mojeske
The Olive Garden
4400 East Sunset Road
Henderson, Nevada 89014
702-451-5133

And PS... Thanks my brother David, Joy, Bradley & Jackie for your donation, too!

Forth of July

2004-07-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have a cool upcoming event. I will be running a 4th of July 5K with Alice. We do this every year and it's really fun. Alice gets to dress up in her red, white, and blues and we decorate the jog stroller. Last year it was already 110 degrees by 8 in the morning - but got some good info: it may not even break 100 this year. In Las Vegas, you live for news like that. Then we spend the rest of the day together at the park and watch the fireworks at night. And also this year we'll be having some Dutch guests staying with us: Jos, Areke, & their little son Joshua. So I'm pretty stoked.

I spent last weekend down in LA at a Daily Nexus/UCSB reunion. So of course I hit up all my ole pals for donations. So I'll hopefully be writing about those in the near future. Anyway, that Saturday was long. Up at 4 am, an 11 mile hill run, home for a pancake breakfast(good carb), and a flight to LA. Then a rental car, an In & Out burger (bad carb), and a fantastic trip up to Santa Barbara with my best friend Kate.

I'd like to thank Kate Sullivan for her generous donation. And I also got my first donation back from all the high school friends. Maria Cordoba, Thank You! You guys have been and always will be awesome!

More workouts and more thanks

2004-06-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am tired. Took my little girl to a party a few days ago- and of course we both picked up toddler cooties and are both a little sick. Still, I had a great run the other day on the track at my gym. The cool thing is that this indoor track has mirrors so I can check my form. Have to make sure my gut is in, my head is straight, and shoulders down.

I want to thank Lenny at Allstate for his donation. And for explaining car insurance to me in a comprehensible way ... a minor miracle! He gave a donation and got a new client. I get to save on my car insurance. Yet another unforeseen benefit from this here fundraising.

Lenny Laszlo, Jr.
Allstate Financial and Insurance Services
2561 Wigwam Parkway
Henderson, Nevada 89074
702-361-4020

More Donations to Report... Yee Haw!

2004-06-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

I want to thank P.K. Bhatnagar of Affordable Mail and Notary Public for his generous donation. It's so nice to have the support of my local businesses!

Affordable Mail and Notary Public
2564 Wigwam Parkway
Henderson, Nevada 89074
702-361-3229

A Well Earned Day Off

2004-06-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

This week was awesome. I had some weight training, some walking, some running, and some cross-training - 5 straight days of training and 22 miles under my feet. So today I am taking a well earned day off. But it's weird because it is really hard now to not do anything. I feel like at least going to the gym for something... some yoga... something. But just as disciplined as I have to be in training, is as disciplined as I need to be in taking days off.

Had some great contacts for donations. Terry at The Bike Store will be sending in my check next week and I meet with Lenny at Allstate on Tuesday. I have expanded my mailings to include my entire high school class. I went to a small all girls catholic high school, and all of us were pretty close by the year of our graduation. So I am in the process of sending all those girls my donation letters and forms. It's a little weird because I haven't had contact with most of them since 1988, and it's seems a little strange to be essentially saying to them "Hi! Haven't seen you in years, now give me some money for charity!" Yet, I can't wait to have those donations come in and hear what my old friends are up to.

Good Training and Good Donations

2004-06-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Training is going well. Running, walking, cross-training, pilates, weights... It's all being done in the name of my goal. But I've been dropping dead with tiredness at about 5 pm everyday. I think I'm still getting used to this waking up at 4 each morning thing. But the good news is that my achilles and other hot spots feel pretty good.

Got another coupla great donations under my belt. From the following corporations:

Tom Brooks Physical Therapy
2567 E. Windmill Pkwy. #B
Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 617-3535
With 6 locations in the Vegas area. They are the best and I credit them with my speedy injury recovery. With special thanks to Mark C. for your care and follow through!

GameStop
2631 Windmill Pkwy.
Henderson, NV 89074
(702)407-0835
They donated some awesome auction items.

Vons
On Windmill and Pecos
Henderson, NV 89074
Donated a wonderful gift card for my auction. Thanks Ron!

Hobin & Blunt Antiques and Estate Jewelry
107 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 466-5513
If you live in L.A., this shop has the most beautiful period jewelry. I kid you not. Check them out!

New Individual Donors:
Damien Couture
Garry Knight
Julia, Eric, & Cade Cohen
Wendy & Chris Fish
Thanks guys, you're the best!

I LOVE PEOPLE

2004-06-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

I LOVE PEOPLE. That is all I have to say. Because just when you are reading about all the horror in the world, there are times when strangers and neighbors come through.

Yesterday I was getting my hair cut. And I happened to have my sponsorship information with me. So I decided afterward just to walk into the surronding businesses and ask for support. I was nervous. How do you just walk in and ask for money? What kind of disappointment was I in for?

Well let me tell you, every business responded with help and consideration. I got my first donation from my hairdresser Lisanne. Marci at Brandon's Black Belt Academy gave me 2 karate scholarships for auction. Next were the incredible folks at Green Valley Pet Grooming. Jeff and Susanne Frost helped me with a donation and Jaime gave me part of his day's tip. At one place, even the Sparklett's guy Matt, gave me the spare change in his pocket. I just never knew how generous people could be. I am touched beyond words.

If you live in my neighborhood and could use the following services, please give these businesses a try. With so many places competing for your business, wouldn't you like to go to a shop that supports it's community?

All the following businesses are located at 80 N. Pecos, Henderson, Nevada 89074

Green Valley Pet Grooming & Doggie Bakery, 702-263-8869

Green Valley Lock & Safe, 702-897-0164

Fanny's Bistro, 702-269-1699

AmPro Orthodics & Prosthetics, Inc., 702-457-3200

All the following businesses are located at 2545 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, Nevada 89074

Brandon's Black Belt Academy, 702-897-7225, www.brandonsata.com

Salvi's Cleaners, 702-492-2449

Lisanne Forrello, hairstylist at Rev Illusions, 702-492-9286, www.revillusions.com