Tortise

Slow and steady wins the race.

I think that's going to be my new mantra. That old tortise had it right!

I had a great practice this weekend. On Sunday, I finished 5 miles! It doesn't sound like alot, but I was really proud of myself. The goal for the half-marathon team was 4 miles, and 8 miles for the full. I did much of my walk with assistant coach Linda again this week. When we got to the 2 mile marker, she asked if I was ready to turn around to go back-- I said let's go another 1/4 mile. And at 2 1/4 mi, I said let's go another 1/4 mile. At 2 1/2, I still thought I could go further. I decided to turn around because I didn't want to get all the way out to 3 miles and figure out that I was too pooped to get all the way back!

The other really great thing that happened at practice is that I FINALLY PASSED SOMEONE ON THE TRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have NO idea how great it made me feel. It's really hard to see what seems like MILLIONS of people pass you all morning long, every single time. So I was really excited to be able to say "on your left"! It was a small victory, but you would have thought that I just won my own Oscar yesterday morning! (Linda and I had a quiet celebration afterwards; I wouldn't want to rub it in to the guy we passed.)

I have also scheduled an appointment with a nutritionist in March. I sort of thought that after a month of training, I would look a bit different, but I haven't lost a blessed pound! I think with all the miles, I must be overcompensating with calories or something. Could be my metabolism is just sound asleep. Those of you that know me well, know that I am practically allergic to exercise! So it's frustrating to get that sweaty so often, and not have anything to show for it. I want to make sure I get enough calories to support my body during our longer training days and on marathon day, but still get smaller overall.

Dan continues to lead the pack at practice. He is consistently walking 14-15 minute miles, and is usually the first one to finish. I am really proud of him! I can't say that I am really surprised, he has dabbled in all sorts of athletics while growing up-- Tae Kwan Do as a kid, Wrestling at East Catholic, & Crew Team at UCONN. I think there is some story of him and an unfortunate turn on a little league team that didn't end well, but overall, he's a pretty athletic person. (Okay, go ahead and ask "However did he end up with you, Sara?". It's called a glowing personality, people. Work with me here.)

Fundraising has slowed down a bit, so if you haven't sent us your contribution yet, we hope you will do that soon. We need to raise $2,000 by mid March so that we can send in our registration for the race. Thank you to everyone who has generously donated thus far! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society donates 75% of every dollar directly to patients, families, research and development. The other 25% helps with administrative costs, since LLS is a nonprofit organization.

Thanks for checking in on our journey! Your support means the world to us!

-Sara