YOU Can Help Save A Life

Hello Family and friends (and friends of friends)! I am glad you are here to read this. I have committed to raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This organization is close to my heart because my father passed away from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when I was very young. I have decided to run this half marathon in memory of him. If you could take a minute (or 5) to consider this, I would really appreciate it.

1. Gimme 5 minutes of your time- go to my website and learn more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and my fundraising progress; read more about my training below in past postings.

2. Gimme 5 bucks- you can make a secure credit card donation online. You can rest assured that your money will go toward a great cause! If you would like to donate more, fantastic!

3. Gimme 5 friends- send this to five of your friends and help me spread the word about what I am doing!

4. Every 5 minutes, someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer- money for research is desperately needed so donate now

5. $5,000 - My Goal. Please, I cannot do this without your help.

Whoo-Hoooo!!!

So, I am super excited right now. I have reached the first $1,000 in my fundraising! Still a ways to go, but THANK YOU!

Carin and I went for a 4 miler on Sunday night. I ran about 2 of those miles before I thought my knee was literally going to give out. But, we finished out the other 2 miles walking - so I still did it after a week of nothing and it felt good.

Did a 3.5 mile power walk this week too....knee pain still hasn't gone down enough. I can take off another week to let it rest and then if I can't start running by then pain-free, I will have to go back to the doc and see what they can do. Carin re-assured me that taking this extra time off would not really hurt in the long run, and I would still have time to get enough training in. So, I'm listening to her. :)

Alrighty, that's it for now!!

one week of rest...

So, after not running all week - I'm feel like I'm going stir crazy.  I didn't think I would become addicted to running, but I think I have.  It makes it easier with a goal at the end of the road, though and I think that is where this addiction has come from.  Once I have a goal set in front of me, I'm not about to give up on it.  

Sundays are usually rest days but I think I will go for a walk tomorrow for the 5 miles that I was supposed to run today.  Give me the extra day of rest for my knee, but get me back into the swing of things a little bit. :)

Fundraising has started off well.  I will be sending in some more checks (THANKS FOR THOSE DONATIONS I HAVE RECEIVED ALREADY!!!) soon.  I definitely would not be able to do this without support from all of you!  

Carin got info on doing an equal exchange fundraiser selling coffee, tea and cocoa.  It's turning out well, and I think it's something different that people are interested in.  Not to mention the farmers get more out of it and its all such great product! If you would like something - drop me an email at madalynw23@gmail.com!

Some not so good news

Went to the doc yesterday because my knee pain was not going away and I was not so happy with what he told me.  I apparently have bursitis in my right knee and have to take at least a week off running and he gave me steroids to help take the inflammation down.  This is only going to a small set back, and I will hopefully be able to do some more cross training, swimming and strength training during the week, and be able to come back just as strong.  As long as it doesn't keep coming back, I will be ok.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July!!

Hoping to feel better

Training has slowed as I have had some serious knee pain in the last few weeks.  I have gotten a foam roller to work on my IT band, and it is beginning to feel better.  I will hopefully to able to walk/run the 5 miles tomorrow.

I got the funds from a few weeks ago deposited so my fundraising page is updated too!  yay!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sc/nikesf09/mweber1msy

Here are some pictures from our fundraiser a couple weeks ago!

More Successful than I thought!

So, Carin and I hosted our coffee house concert and silent auction last night.  I was a little nervous how the whole thing would actually pan out, but trusting that it would be ok.  We probably could have had our PR a bit more set, but things happen.  So, the evening finally got started after only making two trips back to the house for forgotten things :)  The music was GREAT, and I cannot thank the artists enough for coming out and donating their time to our cause, and one even driving from Nashville!  We asked for a $5 donation at the door, has coffee from starbucks donated and some donated desserts and Carin and her sister and mom made some others.  I did not realize how many items we really had until it took 3 of the long party tables and few other random small tables to set it all up.  Thanks to Sarah for speaking and helping out so much with the event as well!  When it was all over we raised somewhere around $1,377 for LLS - split in half thats about $660 each!  Also, we met another girl who came because her friend was one of the guys playing - she had no idea it was a fundraiser.  When she arrived, she saw the posters and everything, and came up to us after our speeches to thank us.  She told us her mom had been fighting Leukemia for about 6 years now,but was doing better.  I am so glad she was there, and hoping she will be able to run with us.

I survived the first full week of training!  However, my knee has been bothering me quite a bit, and I'm trying to figure out why.  Overall, I think I have done well, and am looking forward to the rest of the journey ahead.

One Step at a Time

Saturday I went to run with my TNT group, and was under the impression that we were doing 3 miles.  I had done 3 miles earlier that week, and was not really worried - it was hard, but I made it through.  However, when I got there - I learned I was mistaken.  Apparently, we were doing 4 miles.  whoops.  I thought to myself - how can I make it to 4 miles when 3 miles was difficult??  When I got to the end of the 5k loop, I had a one mile loop to go, and I didn't think I could do it.  I thought of the stories I have learned so far of people fighting cancer and running the race of their lives, thought of my Dad, and pushed on.  I finished the 4 miles and couldn't believe it.  I just need to remember to take one step at a time to reach my goal, and before you know it - that part is over.

This friday is the coffee house silent auction Carin and I are hosting - and we are both very excited for the event.  We got a lot of support from friends and businesses who donated several different items and services.  We're hoping this auction will bring in a good amount of donations - all towards this great cause.