Today is the Big Day!!!

Wish us luck. We'll be thinking of you!

21 Days and Counting

Here's something inspiring one of our fellow marathoners, Alicia, found on Runner's World. Get ready for Nov. 4th!!! Oh yea!


I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.

I AM A RUNNER because I don't have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say "Coolmax" and "Gore-Tex" in the same sentence and know which does what.

I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I'm pushing the limits of my comfort and why I'm doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate--things I once avoided--are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I've done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won't have to scream in pain later on.

I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.

I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.

Waddle on, friends.
By John Bingham

From LA, with Love

The most wonderful thing about the marathon is that I get to go back to New York.

You better prepare yourselves, cause in under a month, I will be there.
Oh, yes...
there is where I will be......

20 Miles Club

9/15/07

4:30 am woke up
5:00 am transit to Central Park
6:15 am registration and Team for Kids warm up
7:30 am START
8:30 am conquered Central Park's Harlem Hill and 6 miles
9:20 am rain drizzles our course with 9 more miles to go
11-11:30 am 20 miles - mission accomplished!



LoAnn and I still managed to stand once we arrived home so we thought a picture (above) was necessary to document this momentous occasion. Both of us have yet to run this far continously so to have it under our belt was quite a confidence builder. 26.2, piece of cake! ha.

Here are a few words from LoAnn of her 20 miles experience:

Today, my roommate, Yen, and I awoke in the wee hours (4:30am) of the morning for the 20 mile NYRR marathon training run in Central Park. We were early enough to spend some quality subway time with our fellow New York Party-goers, who were on their ways home from the bars and clubs. I love New York City!

We ran one 6-mile loop, two 5-mile loops, and one 4-mile loop. This was my first "race-like" experience ever, and by far the farthest number of miles I have ever run at once. I managed to run the entire length, stopping only once to pee and a couple times for water. In the end, I finished in about 3 hours and 40 minutes, giving me an average of 10 minutes per mile. The goal of 26.2 miles is much closer to a reality after today.

The run got challenging after the 12th mile. After all, the farthest I've managed to run prior to today was around 13 miles. But running amongst my team mates, all wearing their bright green TEAM FOR KIDS jerseys, and having my coaches cheering me along was enough inspiration to keep me going. Also, even though it wasn't the Marathon, we had a decent crowd of people - regular Saturday morning Central Park visitors - cheering us on. It was great! I had to laugh when one of them yelled, "on Marathon day, there's gonna be about a million more of us doing this, so get used to us!"

And I realized, this is wonderful thing about running the NYC Marathon. I've spoken with many experienced marathon runners (naturally, as we don't have much else to do during our long runs) who unanimously agree that the New York Marathon is the best to run, and all because of the millions of New Yorkers who come out to show their support. Today, I heard one woman state, "the NYC marathon is the best sporting event EVER to participate in! Better than the Olympics... better than the Superbowl!" Ha ha, I don't know if most would go so far as to agree with that, but you get the idea.

If you are in the area on November 4th, 2007, I really really encourage you to come out and watch! It's a lot of fun! I watched the marathoners last year and it was a great motivator. Again, thanks for all of your support. I couldn't keep going on without it!

Unfornately Jac was out of town and of course Nini is in Cali. We missed them on the course, but wish them HAPPY TRAINING!

And We're Back ....

HAPPY HAPPY SEPTEMBER EVERYONE

It's a new month with new happenings. I promise an update post will follow, but for now all I want to say is:

We miss you, Nini (and Killer)!!!!

Big Changes

In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves two weeks away from Labor Day. How did this happen? Where did all that time go? One minute we were celebrating our entry into the race, and the next we're at the height of our training. From here on out, we're told that we are to build the distance we run for the next two months, starting with 16 miles last Saturday. Sixteen miles!! Sixteen miles is farther than I'm generally willing to drive, let alone run. But with the marathon being 26.2 miles and all, it's a good thing we've got great coaches and a great team to push us forward as we approach November.

Well, none of the Turtles actually went running with the Team last Saturday... we meant to, we really did. But some big changes have been a-brewing here at the Myrtle Avenue Mansion, and we are taking some time off as we find ourselves at a crossroads.

Yen, having left her beloved position as an AmeriCorps VISTA, will be starting her graduate studies in International Public Health at Columbia this fall. She is the first to leave the nest for the remainder of the summer, and is now back in Texas with her family.

LoAnn is also leaving her old VISTA position behind, and will be starting a new job at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in September. Her and her visiting brother, Ben, will be going back to Minnesota tomorrow to spend some quality time with the family as well.

Jac is preparing herself for her move to the sexy state of Florida at the end of September. Having spent years away, she's feeling the urge to be closer to family and friends, and is looking forward to the sunshine and beaches.

Nini is packing as we speak, and is leaving in two days for her move to Los Angeles. She'll be starting her next trimester of school at Yo San University in Venice, and has plans to grow up one day, hopefully some time in the near future.

Let's take a moment to acknowledge the accomplishments of these fine individuals, and celebrate change. Change is good!

So for the next couple of weeks you might not hear from us. Don't be alarmed! We're still here! The same forces that brought us together from the four corners are now sending us on our way back out into the world: Lo in Minnesota, Yen in Texas, Nini in Cali, and Jac holding down the fort in New York.

The party continues in September, so stay tuned!!

Countdown: 89 Days

The excitement builds as we count down to the date of the marathon. We've been training hard, attending thrice-weekly workouts with the team at Central Park whenever possible. Other times we must fill in the gaps of our training schedule on our own, either on a treadmill or through the city streets. Despite the hard work and constant effort, it's hard to believe that the race is really less than three months away.

The marathon is less than three months away!?!

Yikes.

After hearing stories of people passing out at finish lines, pissing and soiling themselves, and having blisters and chaffing sores on every imaginable surface of their bodies, I have to wonder whether or not I'll actually make it. It makes me nervous, but excited nonetheless. Especially when I meet up with my other team members who have done it before, and are living proof that you can run 26.2 miles without keeling over and dying.

So the excitement builds, and the pressure heightens, and the need for reassurance exponentially increases.

Our first fundraising deadline is fast approaching in 10 days. We are looking to have a collaborative $5,000 in donations by August 15th, and are working nearly around the clock to meet our deadline. If you've considered donating before, and have been waiting for the right moment to inspire you, now's the time!

And if you know anyone with lots of expendable cash that they don't know what to do with, send them our link!