Team in Training Update / Blog #3

Hi all! Yet another update on the marathon training. The past two weeks have been interesting. I hit a bit of a training bump. Last Saturday, I ran 9 miles with a fellow Team in Training member (and not with the group) and had a rather unfortunate bout of heat exhaustion. Basically, it laid me up for almost an entire week and prevented me from doing any sort of training. I’m fine now but having experienced heat exhaustion in high school, I learned that my now older body is not capable of bouncing back nearly as quickly as it used to. I did a 10 mile run today without a problem, but I did “tone it down” a notch just to make sure that I finished in one piece.

This bump in the road made me realize that training for the marathon is a science! Everything in your body need to be in perfect order. As a first-time marathoner, I am learning exactly how my body need to be treated, and unfortunately it has been a trial and error experience. Subsequently, I originally wanted to try and complete it in under 4 hours 30 minutes, but now, I really just want to finish. The thought of crossing the finish line in one piece is enough of an accomplishment for me.

Fundraising update: I am happy to say that I have crossed my original goal of $1700! However, since I hit my original goal so early, I have decided to try for the second fundraising incentive for Team in Training. The Mission 2015 Challenge is an opportunity to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reach its national goal to cure or at least make blood cancers manageable by the year 2015. This second incentive means raising $2500 for the organization. If I am able to reach the second goal, there are perks involved for me (like a Nordstrom’s beauty day) and ALL of the extra money will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So, if you have not yet donated, please consider doing so! You can donate online at http://www.active.com/donate/tntcoh/MNarui

I made the decision to try for the 2^nd incentive because I am finding this experience to be so worthwhile. Reaching the first goal means I do not have to drop out of the race; therefore, by helping me reach this next goal, you are further showing your support for the cause and my run.

Coming up: In the coming weeks, I have a couple of vacations planned. I will be in Boulder, CO this coming weekend. (During which I think the altitude change will be enough of a workout! It’s a “rest” week, meaning I am scheduled to only run 6 miles.) The following weekend I will be in Chicago to attend a wedding. This means that my running shoes and other equipment will be traveling with me as I land in various parts of the country. I am hoping that these coming weeks will go smoothly and that I will not longer hit any more training "bumps.".

Hope this e-mail finds you all healthy and well.

Mitsu