Continuing My Team in Training Journey. Mentor. Participant. Alumni.

Picture from Hershey Half Marathon

2010-10-12T08:15:00.000-04:00

Here's the awesome group of walkers from Central PA..... Coach Jim in the front, Beth (director LLS, top right), and me (middle row with sunglasses on my hat).

GO TEAM!

One Down One to Go!

2010-10-11T12:12:00.000-04:00

It was a dark and stormy night........ Well not really!

We arrived at Hershey Stadium for Team in Training check-in about 615 am on Sunday morning (of course we had to stop for coffee first!) and it was definitely a chilly fall morning - about 45 degrees. As the sun came up the temperatures rose and so did our excitement! We did start nearly on time - just a few minutes after 7 a.m. - and my finish time was not a personal best but better than I had anticipated (3 h 11 min). My fundraising for LLS with the Hershey Half was successful - raising about $790 for the mission to cure blood cancers.

This weekend I head to San Francisco for the second half of my two-half-marathon October. Stay tuned!

Two is Better than One

2010-08-09T19:55:00.000-04:00

This past week I made the decision to change from one full marathon to two half marathons. I will still be competing in the Nike Women's Marathon event in San Francisco on October 17 but I am also adding the inaugural Hershey Half Marathon here in PA on October 3.

I am really excited about this, and have committed to raise $1,000 for the Hershey Half Marathon in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I have reached my fundraising minimum for the San Francisco event and am now focused on the Hershey Half Marathon.

Please visit my new Hershey Half website and consider making a $10 donation in support of LLS.

The need to fund research for a cure is critical: An estimated 912,938 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under the age of 20. Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers and incidence increases with age. The survival rate for myeloma is only 37.1 percent.

On Saturday, August 7, I had the pleasure of doing my 10-mile training walk with my dad, Tim, who is in town for the weekend. It is so meaningful to share that time with him!

Hope you are well - best wishes!!

Training Continues - and Mileage Update

2010-07-15T07:27:00.002-04:00

The weather has been interesting lately and really as wreaked a little havoc with training! Raining and cool, flash flood warnings, and many-days-straight of 95+ degree weather. Since my training post on July 2, and including our 10 miles in Hershey on July 3, I was about 63 miles.

July 9, 4 miles hills in Camp Hill

July 10, 11 miles in Harrisburg (greenbelt)

July 14, 6 miles in Camp Hill (4 hills 2 flat)

Mileage to date: 84. Another 12 planned for Saturday. GO TEAM!!!

Book Excerpt - "If This Were My Last Hour"

2010-07-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

I saw this today on LinkedIn in the Group for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). It really moved me, and with permission of the author, Joyce Marie Sheldon, please see this excerpt from her second book, Seekers and Dreamers. I mentioned it tonight as our "Mission Moment" at the TNT group walk, and am pleased to present it here.

If this were my last hour
I would gather those I love
in a circle ‘round my feet
and these would be my words …

May the vibrations of my soul
Echo within your heart
With sounds of comfort and of peace

May the whispers of my spirit
linger in your daydreams
with visions of serenity and joy

And my the words that I have spoken
Through all the years of our togetherness
reside inside your being
all the days of your life

May my words cause you to reach
for more than you think possible to attain
and to become more than you think
possible to become

And the memories,
Ah, the memories!
All the days that we have shared
The tender times
The times of woe
May each lesson learned
and every moment spent
be forever a part of your daydreams

May you always know that my spirit will linger
close to your heart and that forever –
forever!
I will be yours.

Updated for mid-week training.....

2010-07-02T07:56:00.002-04:00

So..... just in case there weren't enough hills on Saturday morning, I did a 4 mile hill workout on Tuesday night with a friend, another 4 mile hill workout with fellow TNT teammates and mentors on Thursday, and we have 10 miles on tap for this coming Saturday.

Training miles to date (including Saturday): 62.8 miles.

Celebrity Bartender Event to Benefit LLS and TNT - Harrisburg PA July 8

2010-06-30T19:53:00.000-04:00

8 miles in the a.m.

2010-06-25T22:30:00.001-04:00

Thank you so much to those of you who have already donated to my Team in Training efforts for the Nike Women's Full Marathon in October. I am nearly halfway to my $7000 goal, and now that I have reached my "official" TNT minimum for fundraising, 100% of all money raised will go to finding a cure!

Tomorrow morning we head out for 8 miles - starting super early to beat the heat! Summer has definitely arrived!

If you have already given to Team in Training or LLS, thank you on behalf of everyone associated with this amazing organization. If not, please consider donating any amount via my website http://pages.teamintraining.org/cpa/nikesf10/jwarrensq2 or please drop me a check.

And thank you for checking out my blog!!! If you sign up to"follow" my blog you will automatically get emails when I update it!

June Brings Training in Heat and Thunderstorms

2010-06-23T07:09:00.000-04:00

Training in the heat brings challenges - reschedules due to thunderstorms, getting caught in the rain, and wishing that the trail had more shade on a Saturday morning! This past Saturday we did 6 or 9 miles in Hershey (I only did 6 because I am behind on my training due to commitments with my kids). Tonight we train on the Greenbelt in Harrisburg - probably speed training - which should be enjoyable (NOT) since it's going to be 90 degrees. Stay tuned!

Training miles to date: 37.5

In Memory of Mom

2010-06-05T08:00:00.003-04:00

Today is the two-year anniversary of my mom's lost battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. We miss you!

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs Chapter 31

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Saturday Training

2010-05-30T20:56:00.000-04:00

This Saturday's training was AWESOME! We had a whole group of new faces and mileages ranged from 4-7.5. Coach asked me to mentor some of the new half-marathon walkers so we did the 4-mile flat course but it was still a nice workout for a humid morning in late May.

Kickoff is this Wednesday - I am so excited! Promise to post more pictures soon.

Training Miles to date: 27.5

Training // Shoes // Kick-Off

2010-05-29T07:01:00.001-04:00

So last week (the 20th?) we did another team mid-week training, which fits perfectly in between the time I drop off and pick up Rebekah from ballet class. On Friday the 21st I had the good fortune to be headed to Hershey and had a few extra moments to stop at The Inside Track in Swatara and get a new pair of shoes. So excited to try them out today as we meet for our weekly Saturday walk.

On Monday I am hosting Coach and other mentors and their families for a BBQ at our home, which will be a great time to get organized and plan for the full training season. On Wednesday we have Kick-Off for the fall season and I am excited to meet all of our new walk team members. This will probably be the biggest walk team on record, and I am so excited to be a part of it!

PS I have surpassed $2000 in my fundraising for the Nike Women's Full Marathon and am excited to continue raising money all the way to my $7000 goal. And don't forget to visit my website for a super easy way to fund research to cure blood cancers! http://pages.teamintraining.org/cpa/nikesf10/jwarrensq2

Training miles 2010 to date: 23.5

Update on Training and Fundraising

2010-05-17T20:31:00.001-04:00

I am happy to report that pre-season training has officially began, with 6 miles logged on Saturday. We had a great group (even without Coach) and did a great walk in Camp Hill. We're going to have a great season and I am so excited to be meeting all of our new walkers!

My fundraising is going great, and so far I've already raised over $1,500!!!! I'm over 20% of the way to my ultimate goal of raising $7,000. Thank you for your support. And don't forget to visit my website for a super easy way to fund research to cure blood cancers! http://pages.teamintraining.org/cpa/nikesf10/jwarrensq2

Stay tuned for more updates.

Training miles 2010 to date: 19.7

Honoring my mom on Mother's Day

2010-05-09T10:50:00.000-04:00

Can you believe I'm competing in my THIRD MARATHON?

I hope you have a few minutes today to read this and consider this request. Although I signed up for the Nike Women's Marathon about a month ago, I wanted to wait until I'd started my training before I sent out my first emails and letters to ask for your support. After restarting my official training with a 4-mile training walk tonight, and with today being Mother's Day, it seems like the perfect time to honor the memory of my mom, Judith Nichols.

Join me on October 17, 2010, for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco.

As most of you know, I lost my mom, Judith Nichols, to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2008 when she was just 60 years old. Upon her diagnosis, my mom selected her “charity of choice” as the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The best way for me to support her in her fight against lymphoma was to raise funds through Team In Team (TNT), the endurance athletics fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Along with my dad and my sister, I'm happy to say that I'll be competing in San Francisco in October at the Nike Women's Marathon.

Adults are diagnosed with blood cancers 10 times more often than children and yet adults only have a 46% survival rate compared to 87% for children.

Through the support of many friends and families members, I not only competed in but completed the Baltimore Marathon (October 2008). In June 2009, I was blessed to share my marathon experience with my sister, my dad and my TNT teammates from Central PA. In fact - when dad and I crossed the finish line together, we had the same time to the second! (Thanks Dad!)

Completing these marathons in memory of My Mom has left a lasting impression on me. So much so.... that I am doing it again!

My personal fundraising goal for this event is $7,000. Why? Because if I reach that goal, I will have raised over $20,000 to fight blood cancers - all with help of generous friends, family, and donors like you.

Please help me finish my fundraising by June 28! Gifts of $25 are just as important as gifts of $100.

Feel free to "follow" my blog, or my posts on LinkedIn or Twitter, too.
Check Out My Blog: http://teamintraining2010.blogspot.com/
Check Out My Tweets: http://twitter.com/califgirl72
"Link" with Me: www.linkedin.com/pub/jessica-warren/a/493/727

Please support my efforts to fundraise for LLS through a gift on my secure website:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/cpa/nikesf10/jwarrensq2

Donations are 100% tax deductible and we need every penny to find a cure for blood cancers.

On behalf of LLS and my family and the many families struggling with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and blood cancers, THANK YOU again for your support!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

First "Real" Walk since January....

2010-05-06T20:51:00.000-04:00

Dear faithful readers....

So I knew it had been a long time since I walked when I remembered that last time I had my UnderArmour on! Now I look at my blog and see it's been since Jan 31! No wonder my feet (and legs) are sore.

It felt SO GOOD to get back out with the team - Coach welcomed me back like the "prodigal son" as did Carlyn, the coolest and most reliable mentor in the whole world. I had the pleasure of meeting two of our newest participants, Linda and Carol - way to go ladies!

Since it was my first time back (in ages) I just did 4 miles, but I completed the (albeit flat) walk in 58:17 so I'm very happy with the sub-15-minute pace. It was a gorgeous (and windy) night on the Harrisburg Greenbelt/Riverfront trail. Check out the picture!

Hopefully the soccer/baseball/errand/work/recital schedule on Saturday is conducive to another TNT walk. I am excited to get back in it!

On another note, I got $250 in donations today - and I haven't even started officially asking yet. THANK YOU to my donors. Thank you now - and I'll thank you later, too!

"official" training miles in 2010: 13.7

My Mom

2010-04-26T22:08:00.001-04:00

Written in Honor of and

In Memory of Judith Nichols

1948-2008

I think of my mom, well... often. Sometimes at the wierdest times - like when my lemon meringue pie was too "wooshy" and I couldn't call her to ask her how to fix it. I often think of her during TNT training walks, and at the Information Meeting I attended in Harrisburg last week, it felt good to share her story with a few of the attendees who didn't have a personal connection with blood cancers.

Tonight I was "tweeting" and checking my twitter account for good news articles and funny stories (like my friend who has her 3 year old twins in an "extended" time out - I can relate!).... I came across an article called "Mom's Eulogy" by Leslie Morgan Steiner. Although much of what she said about her mom didn't quite resonate with my memories of my mom, I felt I should share the closing statement with you:

My mother had her faults, certainly. She wasn’t always the mother I wanted. She wasn’t always there in precisely the ways I wanted or needed.

But she was always there.

I hope that I will carry that feeling with me for the rest of my life – that in spirit this strong, brilliant, beautiful, iconoclastic woman is there to protect me and help me navigate the decisions, losses and joys of my life.

Miss you, Mom.

p.s. to read Leslie Morgan Steiner's eulogy to her mom, click here.

San Francisco here I come!!!!

2010-04-09T23:13:00.000-04:00

This week I signed up for the Nike Women's Full Marathon - all 26.2 miles of it! The event will be held in San Francisco on October 17, 2010 - so if you've got nothing else planned - come on out and catch us on the course and crossing the finish line!

Signing up for a marathon with Team in Training means two things to me - rededicating myself to the training regimen (to make sure I can make it across the finish!) and beginning to fundraise again. With my two previous TNT events - 2008 Baltimore Under Armour Marathon and 2009 San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - I have raised over $13,000 combined. Needless to say I couldn't do it without you!!! This time I have set a very agressive goal of $7,500. And for those of you that know me really well, you know how competitive I am. Both of these goals - completing my 3rd marathon and crossing over $20,000 total raised - are things I take seriously and will pursue over the next 6 months.

Hope to hear from you soon - check out my fundraising page, or look me up on Twitter or LinkedIn!

5.7 miles, 86 minutes, 17 degrees

2010-01-31T21:31:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning we walked a mere 5.7 miles. Normally that's not so bad. However, I've not walked in WEEKS and compounded by the fact that it was 17 degrees when we started, it was a slow start!
http://www.mapmywalk.com/route/us/pa/harrisburg/567126499087748615

To those of you who've never trained in cold weather - I won't say I recommend it but honestly the worst part is just getting out of bed. (assuming there's no 20 mph winds, that is.)

Stay tuned! Promise not to stay so long from my blog (or my walk).....

"official" training miles in 2010: 9.7

7:51 a.m. - 24 degrees

2010-01-02T12:40:00.000-05:00

This morning marked the first training day of the new year and here in Central PA it is not very warm! In fact, it's quite seasonable - quite cold - and the wind chill was certainly with us. When we met for our 8 a.m. walk, my car said "7:51 a.m. 24 degrees". Somehow I think it was closer to 10 or 15 with the wind chill! I'm sure all of the folks driving by could not believe there were six of us out there on this blustery day!

Anyway, with my UnderArmour top & bottom, and additional layers throughout, two pairs of gloves, hat, and scarf, I was on my way. Since the season is new, the events aren't until May-June so we've got loads of time to train. We met at a two-mile loop in Mechanicsburg and I did 4 miles this morning. Not much but certainly a good way to start off 2010, and better than nothing!

Best wishes and stay tuned!

p.s. tomorrow I'm hopping on the Wii-Fit balance board and looking forward to using that to help get me ready for the full marathon in October, too.

Training in 2010: 4 miles

$6,200 + $26.20 = $6,226.20

2009-12-28T20:05:00.002-05:00

In 2010, my mom would have turned 62 had she not succumbed to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2008. So I will raise $6,200 in her honor to fuel research and researchers supported by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Of course the $26.20 is for the 26.2 miles I will walk in October in San Francisco at the Nike Women's Marathon.

Stay tuned as I get my LLS/TNT fundraising website set up - I will post it to the blog in hopes that you will help me reach my personal fundraising goal.

And it begins again.....

2009-12-27T19:31:00.000-05:00

As I begin to think about 2009 coming to a close, and goals for 2010, I know that one thing already planned for my life is the Nike Women's Full Marathon in San Francisco in October 2010. As with the past three events (Baltimore Full 2008, San Diego Full Rock-n-Roll 2009 and Baltimore Half 2009), I am so pleased to be a part of Team in Training. I have been a participant, fundraiser, and/or mentor for those three events, and now as we begin training in 2010 I will be all three in San Fran - as I prepare to walk another 26.2 miles and fundraise my personal goal of $6,226.20.

Stay tuned for more posts as this journey to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society continues.