because I don't want bloody nipples

I will always remember when my friend Brittany, a cross country runner for St Louis University told me, "every time I do a long run, a little bit of pee comes out".

And then of course, everyone has heard about guys and their bloody nipples.

But it never crossed my mind that I might lose a toenail...or six.

A co-worker just told me she lost six toenails during her first marathon. Another told me her big toenails turned black. I am not sure if it's better that I learn these things now or discover them in my own time. I can live with a little pee...in fact, don't a lot of runners running for time just pee down their legs during a race anyway? And I'm a girl, so bloody nipples are less of a threat. But the toenail thing is making me very uncomfortable.

Maybe I am not a real "Marathoner" until one of the above happens. In that case I should just accept them (as well as puking or passing out, etc.) as consequences of pushing yourself to the limit. But then again, prevention is key too, right?

Slow down if you can't breathe. Put Bandaids on those nipples! Relax your hands and toes when you run. Wear the right shoes. No cotton. I am learning quickly that running is a science. There's a correct formula. One must follow the rules if you want results. The Guess and Check Method is probably not the route I want to go if I want to keep my toenails. So if you have any words of wisdom, tried and true tips, even horror stories that I can learn from, send them my way! (anmacpherson@gmail.com)

LOVE ANDREA

Rochelle

I would like to introduce my friend and fellow TNT participant, Rochelle Williams. Rochelle recently wrote this journal entry about why she is running for Team in Training. I wanted to share it with everything because it proves that you don't necessarily have to have a personal connection to cancer in order to feel empowered enough to make a difference only in your life, but the lives of others as well.

In my life I have been fortunate enough not to be tied directly to anyone who is affected by a blood cancer. But part of what brought me here is something that my Mom said to me when I was a child. I recall having a conversation with her about another kid in my fourth grade class that had cancer and I explained to her what he looked like, what he was going through and how much school he missed. I remember my Mom telling me that all cancer was horrible, but that blood cancer "is the worst". For some reason, that stuck with me and stayed in my mind through the years.

As an adult, I have gone through my own personal struggles. I have struggled for several years with alcoholism and found that up until a year and a half ago, I had not been living life to it's fullest. In fact, I feel that I have lost many healthy years to my addiction. I am healthy now and working a program of recovery. My program suggests that I continually "step outside of myself" "get outside of my comfort zone" and do good works for others. I want to always follow my program that not only has helped me so much, but that can help others as well.

When I got the Team In Training flyer in the mail, I knew that this would be one way that I could help others in my recovery. I felt instantly connected with this cause and know that it will keep myself and others healthy. I am so excited for this. Never in my life did I believe I would be doing something this huge and I thank God everyday that I am sober, healthy and present.

Thanks Rochelle and GO TEAM!

I'm being featured at athletesgiving.org!!! Check out the post "Spike's Team in Training"

make two fists and keep fighting!

I just found out about a guy named Dan Rose from my friend Brad Ludden's blog (athletesgiving.org...definitely worth checking out!). He is a HARDCORE runner, a cancer survivor, and I find him very inspiring as I am training for my first marathon.

Here is what Brad wrote about him at athletesgiving.org:

"I was recently introduced to Dan Rose. He’s a cancer survivor and a runner. When I say runner, I mean he’s crazy! He run’s 100 mile races (and often longer). We were talking about doing a cool running fundraiser and he suggested timing it to run 3 full marathons leading up to an official one and then run in that to. This would be done in 1 day. In other words 4 marathons within 24 hours… I made it very clear that I would do my best to drive the pace scooter and cheer!

Here is his bio:

While undergoing chemo treatments in Boston in 2004, I knew if I was lucky enough to get healthy again, I needed to do my part to help inspire my friends who are/were/will be stuck in the hospital just like me. I wanted to come back from treatments stronger than ever to prove cancer can actually be a blessing in many ways. On August 1, 2008 I completed a 192 mile run across MA following the “Pan Mass Challenge” bike route in order to raise money ($7,650!) and awareness for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Even more important than the money will hopefully be the inspiration a few of my fellow patients will feel when they read about this run. I don’t know what my next goal will be just yet, but I do know its purpose will be the same: To inspire cancer patients everywhere to make two fists when they wake up every morning and keep fighting!

His blog can be followed HERE"

4 marathons in 24 hours?????!!! I don't think so.

a slight change of plans...

Today I was convinced to do something that I should have committed to since the beginning of training. I've decided to run the FULL marathon (26.2 miles) instead of the half (13.1).

When I told my dad this after returning from practice, his response was, "how are you going to do THAT?!"

I'm going to push myself harder, Dad.

I'm going to follow the advice that I gave everyone else during my speech at the Team in Training Kickoff Ceremony. That cancer taught me to be a braver person. It made me realize that my body can go much further than I think it can, and I am determined to live the rest of my life challenging that factor.

So here we go.....

THANK YOUS!!!

Today I raised $520!!!! YEAH!!!

I want to give a huge shoutout to some fellow First Descents alum who came through BIG today with donations!!!

I LOVE YOU ZSA ZSA, MOONSHINE, AND MAMA LUDDEN!!!

Also to Liz and Brett, who donated today as well as adopted a new kitty, JAKE!

THANK YOU!!!!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Mission

I thought I would start out by providing more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

According to their website (lls.org), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $600 million in research specifically targeting blood cancers.

LLS-funded research has directly contributed to breakthrough cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new targeted oral therapies.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society funded much of the research performed on Rituxan, an immunotherapy drug that was used in treating me for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Since adding Rituxan to the standard treatment protocol for this disease, survival rates has increased significantly.

LLS also provides many services to patients such as family support groups, an extensive educational website, free seminars and conferences, and direct patient financial aid.

A donation of $50 makes possible a family support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.

A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.

$500 could provide patient aid to a person with cancer for 1 year.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/nike09/amacpherson_LTN