Sometime in October after my first couple of treatments, I decided I would run the bleachers at Vanderbilt football stadium to get a little exercise. As I was running up the bleachers, I had flashbacks of high school volleyball workouts. Gosh, we spent so much time on the bleachers! Although workouts, practices and playing games fill up a large portion of my high school memories, the girls I played with meant so much more than that. After my first time running up and back down the bleachers, I picked up my phone and continued a group text with a couple of my closest girls, Melissa Kelley (Whitescarver), Danielle Durham, Niki Davidson (sister) and Margeaux Sinibaldi. We text daily on this group text about everything under the sun (probably most things should be kept private hahaha) and they are of course some of my biggest supporters right now. I asked them if they all would want to train and run a 5k with me when I come down in March for Niki's wedding. You see, Niki and her fiance' Brian are training for a marathon that they will run the week before their wedding. I was invited to join them before I was diagnosed and of course don't know that I am really up to running and training for a marathon while I got through chemo treatments ...although that would be so awesome if I did!! haha so I decided I would be content trading in marathon training for 5k training. I think it seems a little silly to "train" for a 5k because I've always been a pretty good runner when it comes to shorter runs like that and can run 3-4 miles without having to "train" for it, but considering the ups and downs of chemo treatments, I can't always run everyday, therefore, I lose endurance and strength during those days I can't run. So even though 4-5 months may seem like a long time to get ready for a 5k - I'm thinking I'm going to need it.
So, here's the deal. We all decided that we would do this together. I need the motivation to get up and go rather than sit on my behind at home all day. It is 32 degrees outside and will start snowing tonight - not the ideal running weather. I am committed to not letting myself "lose myself" while going through this. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. It will not only need to stay in tack, but it needs to get stronger. I have been given a treadmill by my second family here in Franklin, TN (Thank you Wrights!!) and am able to still run during this awful weather...and being a Floridian anything below 65 is too cold :)
Here we go.... My training buddies
Danielle Margeaux Niki Melissa and Charlotte
(Yes, Charlotte is along for this ride, too!)
Our goal is to run a 5K either the weekend before Niki's wedding or the weekend after her wedding. Unfortunately, with my treatments being pushed around like they are we aren't sure if I will still be going through treatments then or not. Hopefully that will all be figured out by then and we will be able to register for a run soon :)
My plan is to start training for the run this week. I ran for the first time in 2 weeks and felt good afterwards. I also am going to try to start my "jillian Michaels" DVD again... haha I know, I know a lame work out DVD.... but 1) I really like it and 2) I can't go to my workout classes I enjoyed going to so much because my white blood cell counts are consistently low which puts me at a higher risk of infections. Anyways, I'm already sore from just one day or completing the DVD and run/walk :) and it feels good! :)
We would love for anyone else to join us!! The more the merrier!! I'm not sure how we will keep everyone updated as we training, but maybe a blog post every months or so...? I'll figure it out :) For now, Run on!!
(Yes, Charlotte is along for this ride, too!)
Our goal is to run a 5K either the weekend before Niki's wedding or the weekend after her wedding. Unfortunately, with my treatments being pushed around like they are we aren't sure if I will still be going through treatments then or not. Hopefully that will all be figured out by then and we will be able to register for a run soon :)
My plan is to start training for the run this week. I ran for the first time in 2 weeks and felt good afterwards. I also am going to try to start my "jillian Michaels" DVD again... haha I know, I know a lame work out DVD.... but 1) I really like it and 2) I can't go to my workout classes I enjoyed going to so much because my white blood cell counts are consistently low which puts me at a higher risk of infections. Anyways, I'm already sore from just one day or completing the DVD and run/walk :) and it feels good! :)
We would love for anyone else to join us!! The more the merrier!! I'm not sure how we will keep everyone updated as we training, but maybe a blog post every months or so...? I'll figure it out :) For now, Run on!!
haha I guess this will be my motto as I start slow :)