I hope you'll cheer me on as I train for this race. I promise to keep you posted on my progress through blogs, e-mail and Facebook. Many of you supported me as I scaled Columbia Towers' 69 floors in 2009. I very much appreciated your support then, and would appreciate it again now!
Why I'm running
My friend Courtney signed up for the Rock 'n Roll half-marathon months before I did. When she told me about it, I thought she was nuts. Who would want to run 13.1 miles, much less all at once? It seemed insane, but her bold move both impressed me and piqued my curiosity: Could I take on such a challenge? Was it within the universe of (athletic) possibility for me?
As I toyed with the idea, I put myself through a 3-week preliminary trial to gauge my endurance. I surprised myself by running 2.7 miles around Greenlake NON-STOP in 33 minutes. I’ve never done that before! Usually, I get halfway around the lake before I slow to a defeated trudge, then debate the fastest way back to my car. Never in the history of Liz Fong and Greenlake have I run it non-stop before. Sad, I know – but it was an amazing first accomplishment, one that pushed me to wonder, "What else could I do?"
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| Our weary feet after a run around South Lake Union. |
My goal
My goal for this race is simple: I want to finish. Ideally, I’ll run/walk the 13.1-mile stretch in three hours or less; but I’ll be happy just to cross that finish-line. Considering my lack of physical stamina, I’m stacking up on mental grit. I rock out to teenage angst music with a good beat; I practice my fist-pump finale; and, I even made dim sum reservations for exactly 4 hours after the race start time. I WILL NOT MISS DIM SUM! Clearly, I'm committed.
I’m also very committed to a greater, more important effort. I plan to funnel my energy and enthusiasm for this race into raising money for the American Cancer Society. This is a small gesture, but it makes 13.1 miles seem like a breeze compared to the marathons others face.
My plea
So, with nine weeks left to train, I humbly ask for your support. Whether through a donation or just a friendly fist pump, please help push me across that finish line! This runner is full-speed ahead!
To support me and my fundraising goal, please visit my ACS DetermiNation Fundraising Page!
To read more about my training pursuits and follies, check out my "Running" label.
