My Reward

*Sigh* Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this adventure.

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
-Emil Zatopek

Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon Race Report

This pretty much describes how I felt about the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon on June 21st. Yes, it's been awhile sine then, but I needed time to gain perspective. Believe me, I did not have anything positive to say about my first marathon experience right afterward. I was just happy for it to be over.
We got there a couple days early to adjust to the time change. Anchorage isn't the most beautiful place especially in comparison to the rest of Alaska. Not...even...close. The day before the marathon, we all went for a short 20 minute run, I could definitely feel all the nervous energy/excitement in our group. We all wanted it to be over. The unknown is always scary.

My first glimpse of Alaska.

Surprisingly, I was able to sleep quickly and we made sure to keep the curtains drawn as Alaska gets 19 hours of daylight during the summer months. 19 hours!! It can mess with your head a little.

I couldn't believe it was finally happening. I'd been training for 6 months and the day had finally arrived. I felt a little sick. What if I couldn't finish? I would not only be letting myself down, but so many others. That freaked me out more than anything.
Ready to start.
A bus took all of us from the hotel to the start line. Having witnessed both the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathons, my expectations for the number of runners and spectators are more than a little skewed. Those that had traveled to the marathon probably increased the population of Anchorage by 25%. I wish I was exaggerating.

We started and I quickly found my groove. After the second mile, it started to rain and it kept up for the first 8 miles. The course was supposed to be a combination of paved paths and trails. My expectation of a trail is packed dirt, maybe some rocks. This course had 7 miles of rocks which made it difficult to stabilize and for me to maintain pace. It was awful and put a tremendous amount of pressure on my lower legs. Running the bridle path in Central Park did not prepare me for this assault on my body.

7 miles of hell
Not only was I hurting physically, it was wreaking me mentally and emotionally. They say that most people hit the wall at mile 20 and I was hoping that I would not be affected. I hit the wall at mile 19. I felt like that the race officials had moved the mile markers farther away. I kept moving, but each mile just seemed to get longer and longer. Would I ever get to the finish line?

The marathon ended on a track at the local high school. Finally after climbing the last hill, I came into the school parking lot and saw my coach. I can't begin to say what I felt when I saw him. I was a jumble of emotions and was unbelievably happy to see him. He grabbed my hand and told me that the rest of the way was my victory lap. I hit the track, light and pain free as I saw all my new friends and the big finish banner.

Would I do it again? Maybe in a few years, but right now I just want to savor the experience I had. Six months of early mornings, late nights, speed work, long runs were worth it for that moment when I crossed the finish line.

The Final Miles...well, at least till the actual marathon.

I'm in the home stretch with training for the marathon in Alaska, which means I'm in the home stretch as far as fundraising is concerned as well. I don't leave for the Alaska until June 19^th, but the folks over at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have asked that we get our donations in by MONDAY!!!

That's just few days for you to help me reach my goal of $5000.00 raised to fight leukemia and other blood cancers. Seeing as the LLS does all the hard work, I figure it's the least we can.

What will your donation get you? How about that warm fuzzy feeling in your belly that you get when you know that you just did something really, really good without expecting anything in return? Sounds pretty good to me.

What are you waiting for?

You guys have been awesome so far. How awesome? $3500.00 awesome, that's how awesome.

But I'm not there yet. I only have $1300 more for this event and for that, I need your help. With all of the great and generous people we know, it won't take much. Just $25.00 from you (or your friends and co-workers who you are more than welcome to pass this along to) will go a long way towards helping me reach my goal and it will do so much more for the people that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be able to help with that money. And not for nothing, it will make it a LOT harder for me to quit out there around mile 21 in Alaska.

I only have 6 dedicated miles left so get your mile now!

Mile 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 20 are up for grabs.

Seen

• Man running while juggling (yes, he was still going faster than me).
• Pregnant woman running (at least 6 month along!).
  
• Man at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, sitting with cash till giving money away. I only wish I'd had time to stop and ask why and perhaps get a 20 bill.
• A blind woman running with sighted partner.

and lastly,

• A troup (yes, a troup) of wizards. Must have been a student film project, but in New York, who knows?
  

Let's Get Together...

Hope everyone can make it. It's going to be great time. The weather will be beautiful and it's always nice to get together with friends you haven't seen in awhile. Bring anyone and everyone you can find!!

~Saph~

Finding the Balance

Nuff said.

~Saph~

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

Oh the places I've run...(Part Deux)

Okay, there were some issues with the pictures I wanted to post showing all the places I've run and a glimpse of a future trail that I hope to conquer. But that's all fixed thanks to Erin.

So why pictures of places that I've run to? Well, running is pretty much the only way that I've been learning about New York City. Central Park? Forget it! Sadly, I could have lived here for 3 years and never step foot in it. So, I'm working on that and hopefully even after the marathon, will continue to do so. Suggestions as to places I should definitely hit are appreciated. Enjoy the pics.


Later,
~Saph~
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

Oh! The places I’ve run… (Part 1)

Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.

So…get on your way!
--Dr. Seuss

What’s been happening with the marathon training? It's going much better. Hell, it’s been pretty awesome. Things were a little touch and go a few weeks back when I was hurt along the Hudson River and could barely hobble home, but all is well and healed. I just upped my strength training to build my quad muscles and incorporate more stretching and Yoga. It’s helped me so much and my long run last weekend turned out well. No ice baths needed!

We’ve now graduated from hill workouts. YES! And will start working on pacing our miles. Though my goal is to just finish the marathon, it will be nice not to finish last.

Fundraising Update:

Out of $5,000, I have raised $2500. I’m almost there!! Remember a little goes a loooong ways. Anything you can give to help out is great.

If you donate $100 or more, you will have a mile dedicated to you!!

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Here is my website where you can donate:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

***As always anyone you can forward this on to is greatly appreciated***

~Saph~

The Struggle

Okay so it is just 2 months till the marathon and it's getting much, much, much harder. Our coach has decided that running hills for an hour will help us run faster. I'm not sure that I agree seeing that the day after I can barely walk. But, I trust that he knows what he's talking about since he just ran a 50 mile race and is prepping for a 100 mile one. He does seem to get a thrill out of seeing all of us in pain though.

As the weather has improved so have my long runs on the weekends; though we'll see how this week goes since we can no longer listen to music. Rough, right?! But rules state that we can't use it during the race so might as well get used to it now. Plus if I have headphones on, how will I know if a moose* is approaching??

I wanted to show you guys some pictures of what I've been up to leading to the marathon. Please find them below.

Running the races keeps me focused and is a good indication of how I will perform during the actual marathon. Plus I love the energy of the events. The people are inspiring and the advanced runners are always encouraging to the beginner runners. Believe me I need as much cheers as I can get to keep going.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me thus far. Slowly, but surely, I'm getting to the goal, both with the fundraising and the training. You guys are amazing!!

Please help me reach my fundraising goal by making a donation of at least $35.00 to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My fundraising goal for the marathon is $5,000 but I can only succeed with your support.

If you donate $100 or more, you will have a mile dedicated to you!!

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Here is my website where you can donate:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

***Spread the word***

Peace

~Saph~

*Those of you who don't know, umm…the race is in Anchorage, Alaska.

Training is going...

Well….It's going. I'm feeling much stronger than when I first started running. I've been running in the rain, snow, and sleet and I can't wait for the warm weather to finally get here! And I'm definitely excited about where the next couple of months will take me, from a shuffler to a full fledged runner, (okay, maybe not full fledged runner, but a faster shuffler).

By the end of the month, I'm apparently supposed to be up to 10 miles. Umm…yes, that's correct, 10 miles! I do have great people around me that are making the pain worthwhile. I'm running along side cancer survivors and even those who are still in treatment. How incredible is that?!?! So far, it's been an inspirational journey that I am grateful to be on. I'm humbled helping such an amazing cause, knowing that I am part of an organization that is making great strides in cancer research and improving the quality of life for patients.

So far, I've been blown away by the number of people who have supported me through this challenge, both financially and personally.

Please help me reach my fundraising goal by making a donation of at least $35.00 to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My fundraising goal for the marathon is $5,000 but I can only succeed with your support.

If you donate $100 or more, you will have a mile dedicated to you!!

All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Here is my website where you can donate and has other information:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

**Spread the word**

With your help, I know that I will reach my goal. Thanks so much!

~Saph~

The More You Know - Leukemia
Leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) of the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells. Leukemia is divided into four categories: myelogenous or lymphocytic, each of which can be acute or chronic. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved.

The relative five-year survival rate has more than tripled in the past 45 years for patients with leukemia. In 1960-63, when compared to a person without leukemia, a patient had a 14 percent chance of living five years. By 1975-77, the five year relative survival rate had jumped to 35 percent, and in 1996-2003 the overall relative survival rate was 50 percent. The relative survival rates differ by the age of the patient at diagnosis, gender, race and type of leukemia.

I'm running a what?! Yep--that's right a marathon.

This year I've decided to really challenge myself both physically and mentally (what can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment) so I will be running in the Mayors Midnight Sun Marathon on June 21. It's going to take a lot of commitment and dedication (getting up super early every Saturday to run of all things is going to be harsh), but I am up to the challenge.

I will be training with Team in Training and raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you can help out with any amount, it would be very much appreciated. The money will be going to a great cause that is working to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma.

Stay with me and I'll let you know how I'm faring.

Here is my website that has all the information:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycSNajafe

***Anyone you can forward this on to is greatly appreciated and will encourage more to fund raise!***

Thank you all so much for your support.

~Saph~

"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory."