In honor of #BloodCancerAwarenessMonth, I’m posting every day to spread the word about why people like me are running for Team in Training – to help find cures and support those affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Join the effort here and read on!
The first day I came out to a Team in Training group run was March 1, 2014. I had never run in snow before, and the trails were packed with more white stuff than the North Pole. The coaches helped me find my way – and more importantly, to take it easy on the trail and adapt to the conditions, listening to what my body would allow me to do. It wasn’t as scary as I thought. I felt like a badass afterwards.
Me and my Wonder Woman arms in Highland Park, IL on March 1 after my first TNT training.
Since then, as seasons change and I’m now training for my second race with TNT, those basic principles have held true. Becoming a distance runner has challenged me to adapt physically and mentally to training in all kinds of weather. Case in point: Two weeks ago, we had an “All Team” training day at gorgeous Waterfall Glen near Argonne National Lab. It was 90+ degrees, with 95 percent humidity, and the marathoners were scheduled to run 16 miles. Oh, and I had to wake up before 5 AM to make it to the park for the 7 AM start.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Oh HELL TO THE NO! Who would do that?” that is reasonable, but you’ve probably never met a Team in Training participant. These people are so cool that even I look forward to waking up early and working out. My teammate Kristen and I had a blast carpooling together. Relatives of the runners volunteered at aid stations throughout the park (God bless them and their ice-filled towels!). The mentors share fundraising tips while running alongside you. The coaches made sure we all stayed safe, and there was a barbecue afterwards. Everyone has a story to share about how blood cancer has touched their life and how they have been able to help others through TNT. In short, hanging out with these people makes me feel like I can do anything. Even run in swampy humidity – with a smile on my face. Here’s the proof.
Jen's Running For It! 