the hottest day

This is the official start of my "runner's" blog. I say runner in quotes, because until I finish the marathon I am a runner in training. Aside from fundraising my other goal will be to be able to remove the quotes from "runner," when I cross the finish line.

I actually woke up this morning at 5:45am ready to run, which is good for me especially since I only get up that early unless I need to go bathroom (I know it's TMI), but I suspect that as I add mileage to my training the TMI will only get worse.

I officially finished two one mile intervals. And I ran up my first hill after running 1/2 mile. Of course I had to slow down and walk just a bit because I was determined to race up the hill and after doing that I got more than just runner's high.

The second mile interval was timed & I was really proud of myself because after walk/running one mile with a hill, I sprinted the last 200 yds of this second mile interval crossing the "finish" with a time of 12 min 59 sec, which was so great for me because I am a certifiable couch potato.

The most exercise I get is walking to and from Fresno State & from my apt. to the mailboxes.

Although, I walk/ran both miles, I am glad to say that I walked about 5% and ran the other 95%. The best part of this experience for me is learning to pace myself and set very small goals that will be achievable so that I am spurred on for the next challenge.

So my next goal is to be able to run two miles without walking. When that happens you will definitely hear about it.

The one thing I will definitely need to remember is to put sunscreen on my face, get a pair of sunglasses and a hat. There is nothing more thrilling for an out of shape use to be athlete than running on asphalt at 7:30 in the morning while Fresno's blazing hot sun beats down on your black head of hair, trying to suck in as much polluted air as possible so you don't collapse.

But in reality I have to say that every time I thought I couldn't do it, I looked down at the Team in Training bracelets we were given & the names of the people we are running for & I knew that stopping was not an option.

So my first day of training was wonderful, but I know muscles I didn't even know I had are going to hurt, but this pain can be no worse than the pain of chemo, continual IV injections or whatever other pain blood cancer patients must endure.

On that sentimental note, until tomorrow all!

Please donate to LLS...instead of a high-five how about a five dollar for LLS!

Roxanne Villaluz’s Team in Training Website

http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/rvillaluz

Casimiro Llamas, Jr.’s Team in Training Website

http://pages.teamintraining.org/cca/nikesf08/cllamas