TNT Week 4

I went back home to Clay Center this weekend to visit my parents, so I missed out on the group training here in Kansas City. Five miles was our distance this week, so I used my handy dandy Garmin watch to track my distance as I ran the (horrible) streets of Clay Center. It wasn't near as bad as what I thought it was going to be and I was happy with what my Garmin said:
Distance: 5.00 miles
Time: 50:03.14
Pace: 10:01/mile
Calories: 606
Yep, that's right 606 calories, so I didn't feel bad at all when I went down to Tasty Pastry and got me one of these:
I can't go back to Clay without getting a nut roll. They are my favorite! I look at all my calories burned while I run and that's how I justify eating these special treats. I need to get away from this habit because the jiggly thing I have behind me while I run will never go away!

Devin's 30th

We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Gaslight Grill with family and friends for Devin's 30th Birthday! The food was great and they had live Jazz music for entertainment.

After dinner we all went back to our house for cheesecake and wine. Birthday boy must be getting old! He just couldn't handle all the fun!

TNT Week 3

It was another early and COLD morning of training this week. What I like about training so far is that we meet at various locations around the Kansas City area that I would not normally go to. We run on trails and I get to see all the beautiful nature KC has to offer. This week we ran the trail through Corporate Woods which I really enjoyed. It makes the run go by so much faster when you have something new and pretty to look at. Our early meetings on Saturday mornings isn't all about showing up, running, and leaving. This week we met here:

.....and enjoyed some warm coffee and bagels while chatting with the other team members.

TNT Week 2

It was my weekend to work, so I missed the group "team" training this past weekend. I hit the gym bright and early before work to run 4 miles on the dreaded treadmill. It's so much easier for me to run outside. Running on a treadmill is so boring and takes FOREVER!!! I successfully finished and arrived at work still red-faced and sweating. I'm glad I got it out of the way before work because after standing on my feet for 9 hours the last thing I want to do is go run!

Team In Training

I've always wanted to say I ran a half-marathon. I told myself by the time I was 30 I would do it. Then it was 31. Well I still haven't done it. There are many excuses I have come up with as to why I haven't finished....lack of training, lack of time, no motivation, the weather, etc., etc., ect. I came across Team In Training. I had received flyers in the mail in the past, but just tossed them in the trash. One of my technicians at work had mentioned Team In Training and was thinking about joining the group. We went to an informational meeting and signed up on the spot. Team In Training (TNT) supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and raises money for the organization while training for various events such as hikes, marathons, half-marathons, triathalons, and bike races. I will be training for the Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon in San Diego in June. What a great way to reach my personal goal and supporting a great cause at the same time! We have weekly workout schedules that we do on our own and then meet early on Saturday mornings for long "team" runs. This will be tough, but I can do it!! The toughest part for me will be the fundraising. I've never really done this before. I am needing to raise $2900!! I have a few ideas in place, along with the hounding letters, emails, and facebook posts. If anyone is experienced in fundraising and can pass along any ideas please let me know! If you would like to donate or check the status of my progess please visit http://pages.teamintraining.org/mid/rnr10/ezacharias. I will try and update my progress and share my experiences as often as I can. I'm so excited for the event. I am now committed!!!.....Committed to myself, committed to my team, and committed to a cause!! Our training has just started. We've had fundraising and fitness workshops and our first Team training run was this last Saturday. Here's me during my 3 mile run! I don't think I'll be as happy when I'm running 10!!

This is our running coach Helen. She's there to make sure we know the route, water stops, potty stops, ice, mud, ect.

This is the group before our first run. Can you tell we were all freezing????

Some Christmas Photos

Despite the cold and snowy weather my family was able to make it to my house for Christmas. I am so glad everyone was safe and we were able to celebrate the holiday together.

Halloween

Some of my favorite Trick-or-Treaters!!