I have officially raised over 25% of my money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!!! As of last night I have raised $1603!!! That's just over 26% of the total goal that I set for myself which is actually much more than what I have to have for the marathon. Please visit my fundraising website... see the link on the right and check it out!
Thank you everyone for your continued support. I really appreciate it!
10 miles tomorrow... I'm actually looking forward to it. AND, Kelly [sister in law!] is coming to visit TODAY! I get to leave work today at noon and she'll be here at 3:00pm!! :)
I'll have a report after the group training session later this weekend.
Until then,
Melissa
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Every time I hear this Kanye West song I think about this new running adventure that I am on. I know that the song has nothing to do with this and isn't even that wonderful if you read the lyrics, but still...
Harder - Each week from here on out is going to get harder and harder.
Better - Each week from here on out I am going to feel better and better about my ability to finish the marathon.
Faster - Each week from here on out I am going to get faster [as evidenced by my performance on Sunday!!!]
Stronger - Each week from here on out I am going to get stronger... I can already feel myself becoming more toned and having more strength in day to day activities, not to mention while running.
Work it harder, make it better,
do it faster, makes us stronger,
more than ever, never over,
Our work here is never over.
Harder - Each week from here on out is going to get harder and harder.
Better - Each week from here on out I am going to feel better and better about my ability to finish the marathon.
Faster - Each week from here on out I am going to get faster [as evidenced by my performance on Sunday!!!]
Stronger - Each week from here on out I am going to get stronger... I can already feel myself becoming more toned and having more strength in day to day activities, not to mention while running.
Work it harder, make it better,
do it faster, makes us stronger,
more than ever, never over,
Our work here is never over.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Mardi Gras Marathon - Pictures
The following are pictures of our awesome Sunday morning in New Orleans :)
Us at the starting line... before.
Karen and me, before! Go Tigers!
Karen and me... AFTER :)
Three girls, with beer, after :)
Karen!!!
We also had lots of professional pictures by MarathonFoto but the proofs are SO tiny online you can't save them and see them really at all. There's a funny one of me at the finish line, though :) Haha.
Until next time,
Love,
Melissa
Us at the starting line... before.
Karen and me, before! Go Tigers!
Karen and me... AFTER :)
Three girls, with beer, after :)
Karen!!!We also had lots of professional pictures by MarathonFoto but the proofs are SO tiny online you can't save them and see them really at all. There's a funny one of me at the finish line, though :) Haha.
Until next time,
Love,
Melissa
Sunday, February 24, 2008
New Orleans Half Marathon!!!
What a fabulous weekend! First, college baseball started at LSU on Friday and at Clemson on Saturday. Clemson won the series, Wil Boyd hit a home run, and I missed every single minute of it. But I'll be listening during the week!
Second, and the biggest news, is that I ran in the Mardi Gras Half Marathon in New Orleans, and I got a PR [personal record] by 2:15!!! Last January I ran 2:23.45 and TODAY I ran 2:21.32!!!! The chip time is actually 2:23.15 but that's because I waited in line for a portapotty for about 1:00 and then got back on the course after about 2:00 total. I stopped my watch to do that, so my watch reflects the time [2:21.32] that I was actually running. It was so fabulous. I felt SO STRONG, so happy, and so confident!
Marcelle and her friends were waiting for me around mile 10-11, and they had a sign that said "GO MELISSA, ASHLEY, AND KAREN." I was so happy to see her! It was so sweet of her to have a sign for us, that was so awesome.
I was technically there with those two sweet girls but we all ended up running at different paces so we just met up at the end! Ashley was cheering for me and then after I finished she and I cheered for Karen! It was so great. The whole time I was running I was wondering where I would see Mauri, our TNT coach, and I finally saw her at Mile 11.25ish. That was so fabulous! It was great to see her and when I told her I KNEW I was going to get a best time, I really did know it for sure.
We spent about an hour and a half [after a Subway and two beers and Chee-Wees!] cheering on the marathon finishers. It was incredible. We saw one girl who was really in trouble medically when she crossed the finish line. They had to put her in a wheelchair and all but we never heard sirens or anything so we hope she was alright. It was pretty scary though. We were standing there watching marathoners finish and all of a sudden Ashley realized that a TNT teammate of ours, Rose, was finishing the half marathon. We started jumping up and down and screaming Go Rose! Go Rose! It was awesome!!!
Other sights we saw were a daddy holding his three-week old baby after running the half marathon, the most beautiful blonde curly haired 19-month old named Wyatt :) whose Mommy had just run it, and a woman who was sobbing while embracing her husband after finishing the marathon. It is always such an emotion-filled place to be. I just love it.
So then we walked back to the hotel, via a pit stop in Dominic's Bar for bloody marys for them and an Abita Amber for me. We showered, checked out, and then went to Chili's for lunch/dinner/snack, whatever it was.
I've just been home resting ever since. It was such a wonderful weekend. I am actually looking forward to running my 10 miles on Saturday. I really do think this is the beginning of something wonderful this Spring. We shall see :)
Until then,
Love always,
Melissa
Second, and the biggest news, is that I ran in the Mardi Gras Half Marathon in New Orleans, and I got a PR [personal record] by 2:15!!! Last January I ran 2:23.45 and TODAY I ran 2:21.32!!!! The chip time is actually 2:23.15 but that's because I waited in line for a portapotty for about 1:00 and then got back on the course after about 2:00 total. I stopped my watch to do that, so my watch reflects the time [2:21.32] that I was actually running. It was so fabulous. I felt SO STRONG, so happy, and so confident!
Marcelle and her friends were waiting for me around mile 10-11, and they had a sign that said "GO MELISSA, ASHLEY, AND KAREN." I was so happy to see her! It was so sweet of her to have a sign for us, that was so awesome.
I was technically there with those two sweet girls but we all ended up running at different paces so we just met up at the end! Ashley was cheering for me and then after I finished she and I cheered for Karen! It was so great. The whole time I was running I was wondering where I would see Mauri, our TNT coach, and I finally saw her at Mile 11.25ish. That was so fabulous! It was great to see her and when I told her I KNEW I was going to get a best time, I really did know it for sure.
We spent about an hour and a half [after a Subway and two beers and Chee-Wees!] cheering on the marathon finishers. It was incredible. We saw one girl who was really in trouble medically when she crossed the finish line. They had to put her in a wheelchair and all but we never heard sirens or anything so we hope she was alright. It was pretty scary though. We were standing there watching marathoners finish and all of a sudden Ashley realized that a TNT teammate of ours, Rose, was finishing the half marathon. We started jumping up and down and screaming Go Rose! Go Rose! It was awesome!!!
Other sights we saw were a daddy holding his three-week old baby after running the half marathon, the most beautiful blonde curly haired 19-month old named Wyatt :) whose Mommy had just run it, and a woman who was sobbing while embracing her husband after finishing the marathon. It is always such an emotion-filled place to be. I just love it.
So then we walked back to the hotel, via a pit stop in Dominic's Bar for bloody marys for them and an Abita Amber for me. We showered, checked out, and then went to Chili's for lunch/dinner/snack, whatever it was.
I've just been home resting ever since. It was such a wonderful weekend. I am actually looking forward to running my 10 miles on Saturday. I really do think this is the beginning of something wonderful this Spring. We shall see :)
Until then,
Love always,
Melissa
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Washed by the Water
Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Daddy was a preacher
She was his wife
Just tryin' to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light
People started talking
Trying to hear their own voice
Those people tried to accuse my father
Said he made the wrong choice
Though it might be painful
You know that time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed
Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me!
-- Washed by the Water, needtobreathe, from the album The Heat. Also the title line of my blog comes from this song. It's raining all day today and I've had it in my head. Look up needtobreathe if you don't know them. They are fabulous! www.needtobreathe.net
Love,
Melissa
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
Daddy was a preacher
She was his wife
Just tryin' to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light
People started talking
Trying to hear their own voice
Those people tried to accuse my father
Said he made the wrong choice
Though it might be painful
You know that time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed
Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won’t never ever let you down
I won’t fall
I won’t fall
I won’t fall as long as you’re around me!
-- Washed by the Water, needtobreathe, from the album The Heat. Also the title line of my blog comes from this song. It's raining all day today and I've had it in my head. Look up needtobreathe if you don't know them. They are fabulous! www.needtobreathe.net
Love,
Melissa
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
$1000!!!!
I wanted to let everyone know that I have raised my first $1000 as of this afternoon! Actually, over $1100 after I checked the mail this evening. I am so thrilled because that means that over $750 of that goes directly to research and treatment of blood cancers through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!!! How amazing. I am so thankful for each of you who has contributed so far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I also wanted to let you know that with this first $1000 came my first "dedication" as well. I mentioned in all of my letters that I'd love for all of you to let me know about people in your life who have been affected by blood cancers or cancer in general. I'd really like to dedicate my run in honor and memory of these people. Well, this week I received a donation from my cousin Genie Hill in Charleston. Her husband Bob died in 2003 of carcinoid cancer, and she asked that I dedicate my run to him. I am honored to run for Bob and for Genie and for each of you. Please keep the stories coming.
More soon. Until then enjoy this incredible weather that we've been having, as well as this exciting week... hehe... college baseball opening week!!
Love always,
Melissa.
I also wanted to let you know that with this first $1000 came my first "dedication" as well. I mentioned in all of my letters that I'd love for all of you to let me know about people in your life who have been affected by blood cancers or cancer in general. I'd really like to dedicate my run in honor and memory of these people. Well, this week I received a donation from my cousin Genie Hill in Charleston. Her husband Bob died in 2003 of carcinoid cancer, and she asked that I dedicate my run to him. I am honored to run for Bob and for Genie and for each of you. Please keep the stories coming.
More soon. Until then enjoy this incredible weather that we've been having, as well as this exciting week... hehe... college baseball opening week!!
Love always,
Melissa.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
BEAUtiful Day.
Today was the most perfect Saturday EVER. I spent it with Remy, which was incredible. I woke up at 5:30 and took him outside, then took him back upstairs to sleep with Tony while I got dressed and went to meet the Team in Training folks for our 6:30a.m. group training session. They had been saying all week that it was going to be horrible weather today, but I think someone got that very wrong. It was cloudy and chilly and windy at 6:30a.m., but I had taken my long sleeve shirt off after about a mile and a half. I ran with Ashley, Kelly, and Maydel until Kelly and Maydel broke off to do about one mile less than Ashley and me. Ashley and I are running in the Mardi Gras Half Marathon next weekend, so we thought we'd need to do a 10k today in preparation for next week's 20-ish-k :) I'm not too sure how that's going to go next week, but that's a different topic for another day. I'm supposed to be writing about the BEAUtiful day we had today! After our 6.2ish miles, a wonderful breakfast, and a spontaneous group shopping spree at Fleet Feet, I came home and Remy and I went outside and sat for about an hour and a half. Well, I laid on a towel and he laid on my chest and I fell asleep in the sun. It was wonderful. We checked the mail before coming inside, and I had three donations in there, totaling $226.20!! That brings the running total of donations to just under $950. I am so excited!
So after hanging out outside we came in and watched the Ford Ironman World Championships [well a replay of it on NBC] from Kona, Hawaii. That consists of swimming 2.4 miles, biking a zillion, and running a marathon. Wow. The chick who won was just someone who picked up running to lose weight however many years ago and look at her now. Wow. :) After that we "watched" golf, meaning we took another nap until about 5:30. We woke up and there was an infomercial on, haha.
So tonight Tony is finally coming home from studio and we're going to watch Rush Hour 3 that just came from Blockbuster Online. It really was a BEAUtiful day today and I can't believe it's only mid-February! I hope tomorrow isn't as yucky as they say it's going to be, but it probably will be...
Until next time...
Love always,
Melissa
So after hanging out outside we came in and watched the Ford Ironman World Championships [well a replay of it on NBC] from Kona, Hawaii. That consists of swimming 2.4 miles, biking a zillion, and running a marathon. Wow. The chick who won was just someone who picked up running to lose weight however many years ago and look at her now. Wow. :) After that we "watched" golf, meaning we took another nap until about 5:30. We woke up and there was an infomercial on, haha.
So tonight Tony is finally coming home from studio and we're going to watch Rush Hour 3 that just came from Blockbuster Online. It really was a BEAUtiful day today and I can't believe it's only mid-February! I hope tomorrow isn't as yucky as they say it's going to be, but it probably will be...
Until next time...
Love always,
Melissa
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