The second I start feeling bad for myself, this is what appears...

So the minute I start to feel down and out about training and bitching commences, this is the email that magically hit my inbox.   You, the Kids of St. Jude, are the reason why I continue to run every week and take every step, one after another.  Thank you, St. Jude, for giving me a reason to run and continuing to run.  St. Jude Heroes run for a reason

"If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon." – Women's marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer Dear St. Jude Hero, When you complete a marathon, half marathon or 5K for the children of St. Jude, you cross the finish line for a higher cause: Raising money for the research and treatment of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Don't let your motivation run down.   Recharge your inspiration by watching this video about 7–year–old Anthony Lawrence, who bravely fights ependymoma with the help of St. Jude. St. Jude patient Anthony Lawrence (age 7, ependymoma)

Running is Getting Better.

A running update finally!  Okay, so running has been going great!  I've been feeling like my fitness levels have been increasing and running is not as painful or awful as it was before.  In other words, I don't hate every step I take.  This is good progress for me.  I find that I have periods where I start to get in the groove and I just feel like I am coasting.  On longer runs this typically happens between 4 and 7 miles.  And my 3 mile runs are becoming much much easier.  I even ran on Monday without music and it wasn't a problem.  

With all of these great things said though, I have a 12 miler on Friday morning.  I'm scared.  I'm scared about over-heating, feeling like crap, and wanting to die.  I will be in pain afterward and probably in bed early on Friday night.  It's for the Kids of St. Jude though!  

Speaking of them, planning for the charity date auction is coming along.  I met with the ladies who work at the DC chapter of St. Jude on Friday.  They are being very helpful and informative and providing us with some St. Jude schwag.  Yay!  Next, I need to hear back from the events coordinator at the bar where this will be held and Friday I may start going from one restaurant to the next in hopes that they will donate gift certificates.  So probably the first really big important week in my training in terms of mileage and fundraising... wish me luck!  [Or as they say in Italian, augurimi la fortuna!]

And I almost forgot... see pics below from this weekend after my long run.  My weight on the scale is holding steady, but my body fat percent is falling while my muscle percent is creeping up!  And my clothes fit better!  Yay!  Go me!  [Please note: The long photos are taken with skinny mirrors, so it's a bit of an optical illusion.  I'm not that tall or skinny - hahah.  But I'll take it!]  

love love.  ~Mel