25th Anniversary Cruise

Team In Training's 25th Anniversary Cruise around Tampa Bay

was a great time!  I am honored to help celebrate the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training's 25th year!

I have participated in a number of events for Team in Training.  I have fundraised and mentored and maybe one day, I can coach and help other first time or veteran runners as much as my coaches have helped me.  My first run with TEAM Was Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon, next up was Rock n Roll Savannah Full, I mentored Disney Princess, and finally, Disney Goofy!  With Team I have met some really great friends of which I am so thankful for their support, love, and generosity.

On Tuesday we set sail from the Bay Spirit II which is located directly behind the Florida Aquarium and right next to the Victory ship.  We took off promptly at 8:40ish because Christa had to get in some hill and speed training running to the boat. We were greeted with friendly faces and runners and triathletes in "normal" clothing.  Light appetizers were served and there was a cash bar. I was so hungry I darted right to whatever they were serving and stuffed my mouth, not unusual of course.  After we left post, we wandered around the boat and took pictures.  It was my first boat trip out on the bay by Channelside and it was really beautiful.  With my house hunting search, I of course would love to know how much those houses would go for off the water at Davis Island.  

Christa getting in her training before the boat leaves

We were summoned downstairs to hear presentations by Irene and hear Patrick Duffy speak with his daughter Elli.  Elli was diagnosed with AML when she was 19 months old.  You heard the emotion in his voice when he spoke.  I do not think there was s dry eye in the room when he was done.  Patrick also ran Goofy with us this year but for some reason, I did not know his reason for running.  

Team in Training participants have raised over $1.3 billion for life saving cancer research

More than $875 has been invested in blood cancer research

Coach Teresa, Christa, and me!

There is more than just running.  There are cycling, triathlon, hiking, and obstacle racing events.  

This is a program that changed my life and was honored to be able to be a part of such a great event.  If you have any questions, please ask! or head over to their site

I

f you would like to donate, please visit my sister's site who is running her first half marathon!  I am so excited for her to take this journey!

Wordless Wednesday

This is all mine :)

Marathon Recap II- The day before the Race!

Ok. So I do not even remember where I left off, but I am pretty sure I left of on Thursday before the race.

I am going to write about the Friday then you can have the actual race recap.. Or what I can remember as I have blocked most of it out.

Dana and I woke up Friday.  I went to get some free breakfast from the hotel.  I did not like what they had so we showered and got ready to hit the road on our way to the Race Weekend hotel where all the Team in Training participants stayed.  We stayed at the Marriot Riverfront.  We check in, looked at our hotel, put some stuff away and got on our way to begin looking at the city.

Before I get any further, let me please rant about our hotel.

It was right on the water and right at the start line.  That was about the only thing I liked about that hotel.  As I begin my rant, please remember that this hotel was packed with TNT participants.  We had a room that overlooked the atrium.  There was a pool in the middle and we shared a balcony with a suite.  Ok. That isn't too bad we thought.  Oh we were wrong.  They need to have soundproof glass doors because we were above the bar and we heard everything going on.  Next door was a suite, with a bunch on people.  They were not quiet.  And thinking that it was a race weekend, don't you think they would go to bed early? or not wake up the morning after the race anytime after 6:30? NOPE!  It was horrendous!  We did not sleep all weekend, we were exhausted.. yes. I will stop there for my hotel rant.  I am a sleeper, I need my sleep but I have to have perfect sleeping conditions.

Ok. so we checked in and then bought tickets for the trolley around town.  That was a waste of money as the whole city is waling distance and they were cheaper everywhere else.  I learned my lesson.  But I do guess it was nice to see this by Trolley on day one instead of walking around.  We got off the Trolley where we can go shopping.  It was so cold and windy and there was no sun.  We stopped to buy Dana a hat.  We found a bar for food, Shipwrecked.  The food was good.  Nothing too special but we were hungry and cold.  We then searched for a candy store. We stumbled upon a cake shop and shared a cupcake.  We went back on the Trolley to finish the tour after we ate our way around Savannah.  By this time, the traffic was starting to pick up and it took us way to long to get back to the hotel.  I then got ready for the Inspiration dinner.

The inspiration dinner is always Inspirational.  Make sure you attend one if you can:)

We ate, talked and were inspired by speakers, patients, and survivors.  I do not really know what to say but WOW :)

We took pictures and it was final preparations for race day and it was off to bed.  Yes, I slept:)

Again, I am a sleeper and was not really nervous for the race.  I knew no matter how long it took me, I WAS FINISHING:)

Apparently my pictures of the Trolley and Savannah are somewhere else..WOOPS.. I will post more soon :)