Who ya gonna call?

When it's raining hard
In your neighborhood
Who ya gonna call?
ED BRADLEY

If you're feeling weird
'Cause runnin' alone ain't good
Who ya gonna call?
ED BRADLEY

I ain't afraid a no creeps
I ain't afraid a no creeps

If you're seeing things
Runnin' just before bed
Who can you call?
ED BRADLEY

An invisible man
Creapin' by your tread
Oh who ya gonna call?
ED BRADLEY

I ain't afraid a no creeps
I ain't afraid a no creeps

Who ya gonna call?
ED BRADLEY

If you're all alone
Pick up the phone
And call
ED BRADLEY!!!

A little perspective

I was having one of those days today. You know, the kind where every person who talks with you says, "are you doin' okay? No, really." And even though the day didn't start out that badly, my attitude just kept getting worse. (I wonder if it had anything to do with this being an "off" day from running.) My new flat shoes that I bought purely for comfort were digging into my achilles'. And around 4:45pm, when I tried to register for my very necessary prereq class for next quarter...I found out it was full. I was ready to be done with the day. I decided on my way home to treat myself to a gift certificate manicure. So, I stopped into In-Spa in U-Village (they accept walk-ins, and it's close to the hospital). And, as I sat down to relax and shake off my day, I noticed a young girl in the chair across from me. She was having her toenails painted, as her mother and grandmother watched on, protectively. She had only whisps of short hair on her head, a cast on her arm...and it was then that I noticed the Seattle Children's Hospital wheelchair waiting next to her. I could tell hot pink was her favorite color. Everything she was wearing was pink. This little girl, who the nail technician later told me was only 6, was clearly undergoing some serious chemo treatments. She had left the hospital for a short break from dealing with cancer, poking, prodding and beeping machines...to have her toenails painted pink. My problems instantly felt insignificant. My day melted away. And, as I told her that I liked the color she had picked, this little girl gave me the most beautiful smile I have seen in ages. It's funny...going to the salon did make me feel a lot better...but it wasn't because of the manicure.

California dreamin'...

In November when I decided to sign up for a Team in Training marathon, I thought I was soooo smart. I thought, "I'm going to sign up for summer season so I get to train in beautiful spring weather!" But the first few rainy, cold, and dark weeks knocked me off my high training horse. I had even started fantasizing about moving to California. Two weekends ago, Maura, Jenny and I went to Carmel for the weekend, and my good weather fantasies were confirmed. California is the perfect place to train. Sand, sun, surf...and when you need some scenery to pass the time, take your pick between expert surfers catching huge waves, or 6 million dollar homes lining the cliffs. Yes, I was in runners' heaven. But then a small miracle happened...I returned to the most unseasonably warm weather Seattle has ever had in February. I really feel sorry for all you east coasters, because this past weekend in Seattle it was at least 60 degrees and beautiful! The mountains were in their full glory, flowers were blooming, and everybody and their brother was our enjoying the rays. A few hours after my long Saturday training run, I even got to go out on a ski boat with some friends on Lake Washington. Summer season was a good pick after all!

Sadly though, the sun is coming to an end tomorrow morning. I expect to do my 6:45am run in cold, downright wet weather. Dodging mud puddles has got to count as cross-training, right? It's true, Seattleites. Our early spring is back to rainy winter, as of tomorrow. So, stock up on your vitamin D (seriously, at Safeway...it's buy one bottle, get one free), because who knows when mother nature will be so kind again in the coming weeks.

Lessons I have learned in my first two weeks back in training...

1. Wearing high heeled boots for 10 hours, then going for a run = a very bad idea
2. It is very difficult to go for a run after 8 hours of work and 3 hours of class
3. It is even more difficult to get up at 6:30am to run before work
4. I may have a small obsession with Mizuno shoes
5. A surprising number of people in Seattle are afraid to run in the rain
6. Running may be the answer to keeping me sane while I have so much on my plate
7. I love how people react when I tell them I'm training for a marathon
8. This season's Team is enthusiastic, very diverse, and some members have already run more marathons than I ever hope to run

My very first marathon - I need your support!

I am very excited to announce that I am training for another event with Team in Training this summer! I will run my first marathon on June 26, 2010, the Seattle Rock n' Roll Marathon! As an added bonus, I am acting as the Mission Captain for this season's marathon team. It is my job to help people share their personal connections to those who have or are battling blood cancers. I also remind teammates of why we fundraise: to further the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of improving the lives of those with blood cancers, and continuing to research cures! I feel fortunate to have this important role to talk with teammates and to help share their sometimes sad, but always inspirational stories. I train, as before, in honor of my good buddy, Bjorn. I run in his memory, and especially to further research toward a cure for multiple myeloma, which he battled so bravely. Beej, I miss your unmatched wit and humor, your truthful insight, and watching football with you (you would have loved the Super Bowl this year!)

Please join me in the fight against blood cancers. I'll be updating this blog with stories of my training and of my team's progress. You can help today by clicking on the link to my donation website, and giving (no matter how much) to help this worthy cause. Every little bit helps!

Catherine