Randy and Sarah's Training Update

As Randy and I are not runners (but we will be), we are training using a Couch to Half Marathon training program. We have just entered our third week of training and today was our
longest run of the year, 16 minutes of running. I know it doesn't sound like much, but as a beginner it is NOT easy. We are however getting stronger and able to endure a little more. You should have seen our first run, we could barely run 1/4 of a mile. Now we are running about a mile and a half!

(---Randy and Sarah---) This morning's run was broken up by a less than pleasant sight. Just after the mile mark, I looked up and saw a dog running across the path a bit ahead of me, I looked back down and continued to run. Just then it occured to me that was a weird looking dog. I looked back up and realized that it was not a dog, but a coyote, and not just any coyote. It was a coyote with a cat in its' mouth! I put on the brakes and started to yell and scream. Poor kitty cat! Randy caught up to me and then told me that the cat was already dead. So the coyote ran off with its' breakfast :(, and we continued our run. Thinking of the coyote was enough of a distraction that I didn't even really notice the next half mile and I was able to run that last bit with relative ease.

I am actually looking forward to our next long run (18 minutes) later this week. Compared to how we felt when we first started really training 3 weeks ago with our first 10 minute run (oh it was hard), tomorrow's 10 minute run seems a little too short and too easy. I am looking forward to getting my work schedule for March, hopefully I will have the time off and we can head up to Tempe for the first run of the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation!

(---Baby Jolee bundled up for her run with Mom and Dad---)

Meet the newest Team Member: Rachel Harris

Rachel Harris

On June 26, Rachel will be running her very first half-marathon in Seattle, WA with the Team supporting the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation. Here's more on Rachel....

Where do you live?
Aspen, Colorado

Where is your hometown?
Tempe, Arizona

Tell us about your previous running and athletic experience.
I was a complete jock in high school and college. Spandex and t-shirts were my typical classroom garb and days full of sand volleyball, my ultimate weekend plan. Running didn't come into play until after college, mostly because it was pretty much the cheapest sport around....have shoes, will run!

What are the biggest challenges you anticipate coming across during half-marathon training?
I live at an elevation of 8,239 feet. It's the middle of the Winter...in the mountains. 'Nuff said!
:-)

What are you most looking forward to about race day?
Getting to run my very first long-distance race with a great friend. It's been well over a decade since hangin' with my die-hard workout buddy, Anna. I'm so honored to be part of such an awesome team and to benefiting an amazing cause.

What are your biggest fears/concerns about race day?
I plan on having a pocketful of red and clear gummy bears....the ultimate in nullifying fear! :)

Why did you decide to join the Team and run for Susan's Foundation?
Anna is the most die-hard, team playin', family lovin', hope rallyin' cheerleader I know...I am excited to support that in any way possible.

Is there anyone else you like to challenge to join the Team and run in Seattle?
hmm... Tonia, perhaps... Yes, Tonia!!!
(Note from Anna: Yes, Tonia!!!!) :)
SO EXCITED to have you on the team Rachel!! Those Colorado mountains will make those Seattle hills look laughable on race day! I can't wait to see you rock your first half!

Anna's Marathon Miles

February is nearly here-- which means that Anna's miles for the Washington Marathon are open for sponsorship. You'll notice that the donation amounts vary a little more per mile than previous races. Why is this? One word.... HILLS!! Below is the elevation chart for the Seattle full and half marathon courses. My first three marathon courses were fairly flat, and as you can see- Seattle's course will be a bit more of a challenge. :-) I'll be hitting the hill training hard this season to prepare-- and you can help by choosing an 'upward bound' mile number and adding that extra $25 to the typical $50 donation per mile. I'm going to need all the extra motivation I can get to get up some of these hills come race day... so how about we make a difference in the lives of young adults fighting cancer in the process. Their battle is much more difficult than mine will be on race day-- and these young adults and their families need all the support we can give them. Also check back into the blog later this week to meet our newest Team Member (Rachel), and to read more about how you can start supporting our Team Members, Sarah, Randy and Rachel in their training and fundraising efforts to prepare for their first half-marathon. With these great people running with me, I'm confident this is going to be our best season yet!!

And please continue to spread the word that we're still looking for at least one more Team member, and as many fans as we can get to join us for the fun in Seattle!

Susan's Foundation Website

I am very excited to announce that the Susan Mortensen Turley Foundation now has its' own website. Please visit www.susanmturley.org to learn more about the Foundation Susan inspired and how you can help young adults fighting cancer.

The website also gives details on the first event to directly benefit the Foundation:

Susan's Run
5k, 1 mile fun run, Kids Dash
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Kiwanis Park- Tempe, Arizona

Please make it out to the run if you can.


**Washington Marathon miles open for sponsorship on Monday, Feb.1st, and soon you will be able to support Sarah and Randy's half marathon training through the blog as well.

Meet the newest Team Members...

I'm very excited to announce that my racing and fundraising goal for Susan's Foundation has acquired some new team members! Randy & Sarah are both new runners training to run the half marathon in Seattle, Washington on June 26th, and will be raising money for Susan's Foundation during their training. Here's more on Randy & Sarah....

Randy & Sarah Swann
(Tucson, Arizona)

What is your previous athletic/running/racing experience?
Sarah- soccer player (many years), some volleyball, some softball, some track and field (400, 200, 100 and relay)

Randy- Does marching band count?

What do you anticipate the biggest challenges to be in training for your first half marathon?
Making time to train with night work, student teaching, and an 8 month old. Old injuries rearing their ugly heads.

What are you most looking forward to about race day?
Finishing the race and still being alive.

What are your biggest fears/concerns about race day?
Sarah- not being able to handle the hills. not finishing in time.

Randy- falling over dead.

Why did you decide to join the Team and run for Susan's Foundation?
Sarah- I think of Susan often and her foundation fulfills such an important need. It doesn't matter how much research has been done for treating/curing cancer if those who need the treatment can't afford to have it. Knowing that what I am doing to help raise funds will go to helping a cancer patient gives me the inspiration and dedication to keep running and go that one more step. Also, reading about Anna's runs gave me the courage to step up and join.

Randy- Sarah asked me to join with her and help support her as she supports both Anna and Susan. This foundation is so awesome in that it helps those who can't afford to get treatment. Susan's foundation helps to break a huge barrier to treatment.

Is there anyone else you'd like to challenge to join the Team and run in Seattle?
My mother, JoAn Ellsworth. Mom, you are preparing for your first mini-triathalon. You definitely could do the half-marathon with us! And what a great reason to come to Seattle!

Anything else you'd like to add?
We are definitely novices when it comes to running, but as we train, it is getting to be more and more enjoyable! When I am running and getting tired and ready to stop, I think of what Susan's Foundation stands for and the people it will help and I am able to run on! Thank you Susan for your love of life and the inspiration that you were and continue to be! I know you continue to serve and uplift everyone around you on your side, we love you!

Randy and Sarah's 8 month old daughter, Jolee--


The Swann Family--

Keep an eye on the blog to read updates on Randy and Sarah's training progress, and for opportunities on how to help them reach their fundraising goal.

Building The Team

With the Texas Marathon being about 3 weeks ago now, this week I realized it's been more than a month since Texas Marathon miles filled up. Why is this significant? I realized how much I miss getting that burst of gratitude and motivation that comes everytime I get an email from someone saying they'd like to sponsor a mile for Susan's Foundation. Yes, helping cancer patients is a fantastic cause and one I truely believe in. Although I admit that my motivation to continue this fundraiser is not completely altruistic. I love how much fun this is and the great feelings I get being a part of helping Susan's Foundation. It's so easy to get caught up in the ups and downs of day to day life. Getting those notices of interest from new marathon mile sponsors always gives me such a boost- and this week I really started to miss it. I can't wait for Febuary 1st to open to open those Washington marathon miles.

But it turns out I didn't have to wait until February for that excitement again after all. This week I got a message that we have two new members joining The Team to run the half-marathon in Seattle and raise funds for Susan's Foundation!! Randy and Sarah Swann live in Arizona and are both new runners looking foward to training for their very first half-marathon. I am so excited to have them as part of The Team! Check back to the blog this week to read more about Randy and Sarah!

I'm still looking for at least 2 more Team Members to run the full or half marathon in Seattle in June, as well as fan club members, and mile sponsors come February 1st. Please do what you can to help spread the word.

Thanks!

Last Run of 2009

New Year's Eve 2009 started with a 5:15 am wake up call. Why crawl out of my warm bed so early to brave the sub-40 temperatures- on my vacation none the less? You guessed it-- had to take advantage of my last 2009 opportunity to loop White Rock Lake with some of my favorite running friends. :-)



This was a great event attended by well over 100 runners to celebrate 2009's end and to benefit the charity Marathon Kids.



A few pics of us making all efforts to stay warm pre-run. Still on my to-do list....buy warm running clothes!! I've already decided I don't want to tolerate winter running season freezing to death.

The loop run was cold, and tougher for me than expected. This was the furthest distance I'd run since the White Rock Marathon 2 weeks ago, and I was still feeling the fatigue. My usual energy kick at mile 7 never came this run.
But not every one will be your best. In spite of that, this was a great chance to celebrate with many of the friends I made in 2009, and to meet some new friends as well I'm looking forward to running with in 2010.



All total, I ran 1,014 miles in 2009, and created many, many more great memories than that along the way.



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!