Today tested my commitment to training in a few ways. First, waking up at 8:30am Sunday morning - not my first choice. Luckily, it looked sunny from my window, so I talked myself into it and was looking forward to a run on a sunny morning. My friend and Team Challenge teammate, Nicolette, picked me up at 9am and we drove out to Lake Merced (about a 20 minute drive from my house and feels like you've entered a completely different city). We parked and got out of the car to be met with my next challenge - gusty, cold winds and a few minutes later pouring rain. While Nicolette and Natalie got back in the car to wait out the rain, I started my run because I figured if I got back in the car I might never get back out to run. Luckily, about 10 minutes into the run, the rain stopped and the sun eventually came out again. So I enjoyed the 4.4 mile run - it was easier than last week, which made me feel good and the run was really pretty. Which brings me to another reason I love Team Challenge - I'm discovering all these new places in SF. I love that you can drive just 20 minutes and suddenly feel like you are so far from the city.
So another week under my belt. I need to make a commitment to run at least 3 times this week. This is our "recovery" week so next weekend's run will be short, but then we work back up to 6 miles.
I got one more donation - thanks Liv!! I'm now 10% on my way to $2,600. Only $2,310 to go!
Our route around Lake Merced
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Week 3
This was a tough week for training. I had to work 3 nights this week, so only made it out for a run on Tuesday night. Luckily, it was a nice evening and I went for a run in my neighborhood. And man, did the hills of SF kick my butt. It felt like a 4 mile run and I was quite disappointed when I got home and mapped it out and found out it was only 2.6 miles! But I was glad I got out for a run. I wonder if these hills will ever get easy! My friend Erinn is going to be in town this weekend and we're hoping to meet up for a 5 mile run on Sunday. I'm crossing my fingers for good weather!
I got two more donations this week, which was very exciting! Thanks Erinn and Julie - I'm now 9% on my way to my goal.
Below is the route of my Tuesday run:
I got two more donations this week, which was very exciting! Thanks Erinn and Julie - I'm now 9% on my way to my goal.
Below is the route of my Tuesday run:
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Beginning
If you’re reading this blog, you probably already know that I’ve decided to participate in a program called Team Challenge. Hopefully, you’ve already visited my fundraising website (http://www.active.com/donate/napa09norcal/JenLongpre), but I decided to start blogging so you can all track my training and fundraising progress…the ups, the downs, the long runs, the fundraising challenge and the rewards.
In short, I’ve only just begun. I officially joined Team Challenge in February and attended by first team training on March 7. I was drawn to Team Challenge for a couple reasons. The first, and foremost, being because several people very close to me suffer from Crohn’s or Colitis. I wanted to do something to try to make a difference for people with this disease, and this seemed like the best way to do it. I also wanted a reason to get back into my running, and what better motivation than raising money for such a great cause, to help find a cure for the people I love.
As many of you know, I have run several half marathons. But every single one is a new challenge. This time, it has been more than a year and a half since my last race and I have not been running much since I moved to San Francisco in June, so running 3 miles last weekend was…let’s just say not as easy as it used to be. I joined a few other runners for a weeknight run along the Embarcadero on Tuesday, again, not easy but felt great afterwards. Yesterday, I joined the group for my 2nd team training and ran 4 miles with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background (can’t complain about the scenery). A little past mile 2 I was about to start walking, but was luckily joined by one of the mentors, Amanda, who ran with me the rest of the way and gave me that extra push to make it the last 2 miles. Again, once it was over, it felt great and I was so proud of myself for pushing through the pain. I can’t wait to be able to run 6, 7, 8 miles again.
On the fundraising front, I’m starting to get donations, slowly but surely. Thanks to the Wymans for my very first donations! And of course, Chelsea – always there when I need her. So far, I’ve raised $155, 6% on my way to my goal of $2,600.
Today, it’s cold and rainy in San Francisco but I’m trying to find the motivation to make it to the gym to stay on track for my training. I hope you all check back to watch my progress in training and fundraising for this great cause!
In short, I’ve only just begun. I officially joined Team Challenge in February and attended by first team training on March 7. I was drawn to Team Challenge for a couple reasons. The first, and foremost, being because several people very close to me suffer from Crohn’s or Colitis. I wanted to do something to try to make a difference for people with this disease, and this seemed like the best way to do it. I also wanted a reason to get back into my running, and what better motivation than raising money for such a great cause, to help find a cure for the people I love.
As many of you know, I have run several half marathons. But every single one is a new challenge. This time, it has been more than a year and a half since my last race and I have not been running much since I moved to San Francisco in June, so running 3 miles last weekend was…let’s just say not as easy as it used to be. I joined a few other runners for a weeknight run along the Embarcadero on Tuesday, again, not easy but felt great afterwards. Yesterday, I joined the group for my 2nd team training and ran 4 miles with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background (can’t complain about the scenery). A little past mile 2 I was about to start walking, but was luckily joined by one of the mentors, Amanda, who ran with me the rest of the way and gave me that extra push to make it the last 2 miles. Again, once it was over, it felt great and I was so proud of myself for pushing through the pain. I can’t wait to be able to run 6, 7, 8 miles again.
On the fundraising front, I’m starting to get donations, slowly but surely. Thanks to the Wymans for my very first donations! And of course, Chelsea – always there when I need her. So far, I’ve raised $155, 6% on my way to my goal of $2,600.
Today, it’s cold and rainy in San Francisco but I’m trying to find the motivation to make it to the gym to stay on track for my training. I hope you all check back to watch my progress in training and fundraising for this great cause!
Maddy and me - my friend with Ulcerative Colitis and my inspiration for joining Team Challenge
The course for my run on March 14 - we ran the loop twice for a total of 4 miles
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