Hi again 🙂
First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who expressed your support over my decision to run the 2009 Nike Women’s Half Marathon with Team in Training!
Your comments and emails actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you especially to those that already showed their support by donating!! I seriously want to hug each one of you because it means the world to me! Raising $4,200 for cancer research seems like an insurmountable task, but I know that together we can do it! Remember, no donation amount is too small. Every penny counts in reaching the final goal of $4,200! But to be totally honest, $4,200 is the goal that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society gave me. I FULLY INTEND TO EXCEED THAT AMOUNT by October. How amazing would that be?!
My official training begins May 16th so until then, I just plan to stick to the 3 mile distance and build up my endurance by continuing my triathlon training. I cannot wait to meet my coach and new teammates and start the journey!
This afternoon I really wanted to take my bike out for a spin but it started to downpour and got really windy and nasty. So instead, I relaxed with some yoga! I did 40 minutes of a Dave Farmar’s podcast and it felt delicious. Before I practiced, I fueled up with another one of the yummy bars that Kristen sent me!
The rest of the afternoon was just spent reading up on all the new material I have regarding the LLS (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and writing donation letters. I was psyched to see that my RoadID finally came in the mail though!
Love that hot pink!
Dinner was super random tonight. Am I the only one that craves weird things when its stormy outside?! I baked an organic acorn squash with butter and brown sugar and had a yogurt bowl on the side:
My mess contained 8 oz Voskos Greek yogurt, 1 crumbled weetabix, 1 spoonful almond butter and a little bit of raspberry preserves.
Delish 🙂
And for dessert, I totally pigged out on the “healthy” dark chocolate peanut butter cups that, again, are courtesy of my yummy care package from Kristen!
Now that I got my candy craving out of my system I can move forward! 😉
I’m headed into a bubble bath then off to do bible study and read myself to sleep. REALLY trying to get into Ahab’s Wife but just can’t seem to! Anyone?!
Gen
March 23, 2009 at 3:38 pmI actually just bought almond butter yesterday on my first ever trip to a Co-Op, so I’ll let you know how it goes! I plan to try it with my oatmeal tommorrow morning 🙂
Bec
March 23, 2009 at 3:44 pmdark chocolate pb cups sounds yummy
bibixs
March 23, 2009 at 3:59 pmjenna you are such a good, generous person! i promise i’ll find a way to donate to your cause!
hope u had a terrific weekend ^^
Leah @ Simply Fabulous Now
March 23, 2009 at 4:01 pmHi Jenna!! I just read that you are planning on running a half! Way to go! I JUST posted on this topic last night, how I want to run a half marathon but i’m mighty nervous!! How do you feel about it? Are you nervous? Once I sign up for my half i’ll definitely let you know!
jenna
March 23, 2009 at 4:27 pmLeah,
I’m SO nervous and I always have the constant fear that my shins will give out on me. But, at least I have two strong legs to run on and am in good health. I’m running for those that can’t run themselves and that gives me the power to go on NO MATTER WHAT.
Sarah (lovINmytummy)
March 23, 2009 at 4:08 pmI dig the sweet, not savory dinner. Three courses of dessert, all the way!
VeggieGirl
March 23, 2009 at 4:18 pmHope you reach your goal, for sure!!
Have a loooovely evening!!
K
March 23, 2009 at 4:21 pmYay pink!! Dark chocolate PB cups?! That could be dangerous in my house – yum!!
Run Saraaah
March 23, 2009 at 4:21 pmThat road ID is really cute! I still want to try an acorn squash…I looove bnut & spaghetti squash and yours looks sooo good!
Chrissy
March 23, 2009 at 4:24 pmJenna!
First of all…I will email you this week! Life is crazyyyy…
Secondly, Thank you thank you for committing to run for such an amazing cause! You know how near and dear cancer research is to my heart!! My best friend ran that same full length marathon last year and LOVED it! You will do awesome 🙂 xoxo
Chrissy 🙂
Lisa D
March 23, 2009 at 4:34 pmNice Road ID!! And yes, I completely agree the weather does funny things to my appetite/cravings but I am pretty sure I could always be in the mood for those PB cups
Kailey (SnackFace)
March 23, 2009 at 4:41 pmAw, Jenna I just caught up on today’s posts. CONGRATS on the big decision to do the half marathon!The past few races have definitely shown that you are BEYOND capable of tackling this one. I’m so pumped for you! And what an amazing cause.
I love your dinner tonight. I mostly crave sweet things, so this looks perfecto. Rain and gray calls for a warm squash for sure.
Matt
March 23, 2009 at 4:41 pmYou’ll hit that goal easy!
I hope you like your road ID. I run with mine every morning.
Amy C.
March 23, 2009 at 4:56 pmCongrats on the 1/2 marathon decision! Good luck with meeting the goal!!! I’m glad you like your Road ID. I’m hoping mine gets delivered any day now. Also, my rule with books is that I’ll give it no more than 100 pages if I really am not loving the book. I say if you can’t get into it, find something that you really want to read not that you feel you should. Life’s too short and time is too precious to waste on forcing yourself to read something you don’t like. 🙂
Jaclyn
March 23, 2009 at 5:03 pmHey Jenna-
I think it’s great you are running that half marathon! It’s such a good cause and I know you’ll have tons of support. Oh, and btw, I totally crave “weird” foods when it’s stormy–not just you lol 😛
~Jaclyn
Nicole
March 23, 2009 at 5:09 pmMmmmm, those peanut butter cups look so good!!
Kimberly
March 23, 2009 at 5:16 pmCongratulations on the upcoming race!! Since I’m pretty sure you can do anything you set your mind to, I have no doubts you will reach this goal.
I haven’t read Ahab’s Wife, but if you’re looking for a beautiful, absorbing novel about strong women, I highly recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns! I picked it up Sunday morning and ended up not being able to put it down until I’d finished 6 hours later (and cried twice.)
Michelle Hisae
March 23, 2009 at 5:26 pmLove that pink! Good choice 🙂
Sharon
March 23, 2009 at 5:28 pmCongrats on the upcoming race!!! You’re going to be stellar!!
Meg
March 23, 2009 at 5:38 pmOooh I love your road ID, I have to get a pink one too!!
jane
March 23, 2009 at 5:49 pmwow congrats on setting your sights on the half marathon! how exciting! my only advice to someone who tends to have problems with shin splints is get a good pair of shoes! i would suggest going to a running specialty store where the staff actually knows about shoes/gait analysis/injury/etc. this means they should watch you walk, try on different shoes, watch you run in them, etc. they may even suggest an insert to help with the shin splints.
i work in such a store (too bad it’s in pittsburgh!) and i’ve seen tons of cases of shin splints that go away or greatly improve when the runner has the RIGHT pair of shoes for their feet.
and don’t forget to train smart! That means no overtraining and listening to your body when you need to back down. but i’m sure you know all that, i’m just being a friendly reminder 🙂
Kath
March 23, 2009 at 6:04 pmAhab’s Wife is my very favorite book!!!!!!!!! Give it more time 🙂
laci
March 23, 2009 at 6:07 pmI am so proud of you that race girl! I have done cancer walks in the past, it is so exciting you are training for a triathalon! This is one of my (distant- no anything is possible!) dreams… don’t worry I’ve had cereal dinners in the past as well! 😉
Kaila
March 23, 2009 at 6:28 pmthanks for the dave farmar link!
you WILL reach your goal! 😀
Lauren
March 23, 2009 at 6:30 pmSo awesome that you’ve decided to do this marathon. I am participating in my very 1st 1/2 marathon this September and know exactly the anticipation, excitement, and nerves that you must be feeling.
The LLS is such an amazing foundation. My grandmother passed away from Lymphona 2 years ago, and even though there are no local marathons in my area that support this, they do sponer a 3 mile walk every year that I traditionally particpate in.
Good luck girl! You will do great!
brandi
March 23, 2009 at 6:38 pmcongrats on the decision 🙂
I thought those pb cups were for Ryan? 🙂
Fit Mommy
March 23, 2009 at 6:50 pmlooking forward to reading about your training. Good luck on the fundraising too. I did a TNT event a few years ago -SD RockNRoll and had to raise $3500 and I thought that was alot.
It’s a great beginner runner kind of program.
Red Head, Yellow Dog
March 23, 2009 at 7:22 pmThis is amazing Jenna! What a wonderful journey you have in front of you!!!
I love acorn squash! I definitely have one that needs to be baked. And peanut butter cups are def my fave…I can’t even imagine how heavenly dark chocolate must be!!
Taylor
March 23, 2009 at 7:27 pmGood luck on the run & getting all the donations.
LLS is such a great organization! I was diagnosed with Lymphoma my sophmore year of high school (2 1/2 years ago), so I’ve been through it all and definitely appreciate what people do to raise money for the organization. But don’t worry, it’s 100% clear from me! 😀
I’m definitely hoping to do one of these races within the next few years. <3
Adi (oatonomy.com - repaired!)
March 23, 2009 at 7:31 pmI’m the same way — when it’s stormy out (rain or snow!) I crave weird foods. Strange!
Amanda
March 23, 2009 at 7:36 pmHi Jenna, I just donated to your race! Its a great cause and I enjoy your blog, so hey why not give back? I know I wouldnt have the patience to have an amazing blog like this (not to mention I dont eat as exciting food as you, lol) but we are similar in age (I’m 22) and you have inspired me with your healthy lifestyle change. Plus I visit San Francisco once in awhile and always enjoyed it (except the driving part!!!!!!) and since the race is there it makes it even better! Good luck in your training and keep on bloggin’!
**Best wishes from San Diego**
Cyclist Kate
March 23, 2009 at 8:04 pmHey Jenna–just wanted to let you know that you CAN safely use a HRM in the pool! In my water aerobics class last summer we all used Polar HRM’s in the water and they were no worse for the wear!
gina (fitnessista)
March 23, 2009 at 8:10 pmWHOO HOO! congrats on deciding to do the half! when i’m in town, you know you have a running buddy 😀 may i copy your road id? the only reason i haven’t bought one is because i thought they only came in black haha.
i need to try acorn squash again– last time i wasn’t a fan.
hope you’re having a great night!
Jessica
March 23, 2009 at 8:55 pmCongrats on the half Jenna!!! You are sooooo gnarly, I love it!
The yogurt bowl looks delicious by the way!
HeatherDee
March 23, 2009 at 9:17 pmHi Jenna,
Congrats on the decision to do TNT! I ran a half-marathon with them in the Spring, and am about to run my second half with them next weekend (the 29th). SO rewarding! I look forward to reading about your progress. Thanks for the great blog! 🙂 GO TEAM!!
Melissa
March 24, 2009 at 5:37 amAwesome that you’ve already received donations!! I’d always wanted to do the AVON Breast Cancer walk but didn’t think I could raise the money. Maybe this was the kick in the butt that I needed!!
Melissa
March 24, 2009 at 6:36 amI was in San Fran during the Nike Marathon this past year and the energy was so amazing – you will have a great time.
Danielle
March 24, 2009 at 7:06 amJenna you are truly doing something amazing by raising this money for such an important cause! Good luck with the training and good luck with the fundraising!
Rebecca
March 24, 2009 at 7:34 amYummy! Peanut butter cups.. that sounds amazing!
Ann
March 24, 2009 at 7:57 amCongrats on your decision!
Brooke
March 24, 2009 at 8:04 amJenna,
I am so proud of you for deciding to do something truly inspirational! You will be awesome and you will reach your goal (both monetarily speaking and also physically!). My thoughts and prayers are with you as you begin training and working towards your goals! You go girl!
Eat, live, love, dream
March 24, 2009 at 8:32 amI crave weird dinners wether it’s stormy or not:) I have the same pink flowered plates! Gotta love target!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
March 24, 2009 at 8:36 amYou are such an inspiration to others with your generousity and passion to do what you can to give back – it’s so refreshing! 😉
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you start your journey traiing and raising money for this race! I can’t wait to read all about it;)
p.s. love the PB cups – delish!
Fitzalan
March 24, 2009 at 9:33 amThat is wonderful about TNT. I did the Portland Marathon for TNT a few years back and it was a very memorable part of my life!
sweets&sweats.wordpress.com
Holly
March 24, 2009 at 11:53 amCongrats on doing the half – and for such a great cause! It’s encouraging to hear when runners who are struggling with injuries (I just am coming back from a year off of running) are still out there, pounding the pavement. It’s my ADDICTION!
I love your blog…you seem so positive and I LOVE your healthy eats. Adding you to the blogroll if that’s coo’? 🙂
bobbi
March 24, 2009 at 10:00 pmI want a pink one!!!
Laura Brandon
March 25, 2009 at 7:08 pmHey Jenna, do you know of any good (free or cheap cheap) resources for yoga beginners? I’d really like to get into it but can’t really afford to sign up for classes or join a gym or anything.