Quality Friday: Team in Training

In my brief stint as a (self-proclaimed) runner, I've participated in a few of events that have challenged my endurance and have tested my will. Usually, the reason I've participated in these events has been to push myself to new limits, to prove something to myself. From 8K to 10K to half-marathon to marathon, I've tried to run faster, run longer, run further. Admittedly, the focus has usually been me and my ability to run.

On a few occasions, I've coupled a fun running distance (5K) with raising money for a charitable organization, and these have been fulfilling for a completely different reason. Perhaps it had something to do with a shift in my focus. On those days, my running - the whole event - was to honor, remember or benefit someone else.

I imagine that the disappointment I experienced after last year's marathon would have paled in comparison to the joy I would have felt for the steps I'd taken to strengthen a cause. And as the miles of training wore on me, had I been thinking of someone else's struggle (rather than my own), perhaps I would have been uplifted and inspired to honor them or uphold their memory.

I was reminded of this again after failing to be selected for the Nike Women's Marathon earlier this spring.

This year, through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program, I'm hoping to re-define why I run. I'm healthy - one of the greatest blessings God could ever give me. There are many people in this world who aren't as fortunate. Maybe my health, my ability to run, can help make a difference in their lives.

Team in Training is celebrating their 20th Anniversary in 2008. In the past 20 years, they have raised more than $850 million to support patients with blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, by working with doctors and scientist to find cures for these diseases.

Did you know that leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under the age of 20? That every 5 minutes another child or adult is diagnosed with a blood-related cancer? The research is working, though! Twenty-five years ago, only 5% of children diagnosed with leukemia survived. Today that survival rate has increased to 81%!

This training season, I'm hoping to do a small part to keep that survival rate rising. I'm both excited and nervous to be taking on this challenge - a large fundraising effort and the dedication needed to succeed at another marathon.

I hope you join me on this adventure! I'm sure I'll share my training updates here on my blog, and I've also included a link to my Fundraising Page where you can check in on my progress. Whether you're able to support me through donations or through your prayers for a injury-free season and encouragement along the way, I am grateful.

Happy belated Quality Friday.

Travel Brain

In a hurry to leave for the airport yesterday, I rushed out of the house without turning off the coffee pot. In fact, I hadn't even had a chance to pour myself a cup. It was 11am when I left home. Perhaps this caffeine deprivation explains this memory lapse?

Approaching the airport, I realized my mistake and frantically called the apartment manager, who asked if I would release permission for someone to enter our unit to turn it off. (Why else would I have called, exactly?) Thankfully, I had brewed just the right amount of coffee, because when Mark got home late that night, the machine was still on, but had enough liquid in it to prevent the fire I had feared. Did I mention that I had made a call earlier with this concern? Oh, right. There was a Work Order note next to it stating that the machine had not been found to be on. I guess the glowing red light on the ON switch wasn't a clear enough indication. :)

Then last night, twelve hours after my hurried departure, I finally arrived at my hotel room in Ottawa, Ontario. As I unpacked my 1-Quart Liquids and Gels Bag, I quickly realized that I had forgotten to pack toothpaste. It was 2am at this point, the hotel gift store was closed (obviously), and I didn't want to bother the front desk.

Instead, a brilliant idea came to me as my eyes landed on the miniature bottle of mouthwash sitting on the sink. Too tired to care, I took a swig and proceeded to "brush" my teeth with my new-found liquid toothpaste. And then I flossed. My dentist would be so proud, wouldn't he?

To top it all off, I also managed to pack two workout shirts and zero workout pants. Guess that's an excuse to sleep in tomorrow morning.

Quality Friday: Bag It!

Lately, I have been very conscious of how many plastic bags we bring home with us. A few months ago, while at the local Safeway, I picked up one of their reusable bags, and we have been making an effort to use it regularly. In instances when one bag isn't enough, we've opted for paper over plastic, but I recently learned that paper bags aren't the answer, either.

On a recent grocery shopping trip, Mark mentioned that we might want to buy a second bag for $1, but I pushed back, saying that we didn't really need it. What I probably meant was that I hadn't yet found the right bag to purchase.....

Last week while in Vancouver, I decided to stopped in at a fun home and housewares store to browse a bit during one of my lunch breaks. (Downtown Vancouver has GREAT shopping, for those of you who like that sort of thing. Yes, Why I Love Vancouver, Part 3.)

What I found was a fantastic bag by Reisenthel that I just couldn't resist!

This City Shopper is larger than the Safeway bag, and made of sturdy polyester with a reinforced bottom that I'm convinced will NEVER break. Its the perfect shape for me, because it carries like a large purse (and even has an inside pocket for your wallet and keys, and a small cell phone pocket). Notice the little rectangle clipped on to the handle? This is a second bag that can be unfolded to use when the larger one runs out of room!

Have I mentioned that its also cute and stylish? Why would anyone want to carry plastic bags, when they can carry this? Admittedly, Mark laughed at me when I came home with it. "The $1 bag wasn't necessary, huh?" he commented. ;)

I know it sounds silly, but I realize that I'm just more likely to use it for multiple purposes because I actually enjoy carrying it around. My new bag has made its way with me on two quick grocery trips, to Target, and even to the pet store. And the old grocery bag now lives in Mark's car for when he needs to pick things up on his way home.

Last week, we also made great use of another reusable Reisenthel bag, given to us by dear friends as a Thank You after their recent visit. We took it wine tasting with us, and in addition to saving from having to toss two more cardboard carrying cases, also got many a compliment along the way.


I know its just a start, but I hope that in this small way we can help to keep from generating more unnecessary waste - one bag and box at a time.

Why I love Vancouver, Part 2

Here are the photos that I promised, taken about a year ago on my very first trip to Vancouver.

Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit, and if you're able to stay in a hotel that's right on Coal Harbor, these views are at your doorstep (or out your hotel window):

The snow-capped North Shore Mountains as seen from the walking path along Coal Harbor.

Gorgeous rhododendron bushes in lush, green, Stanley Park.

A swan in the Lost Lagoon.

Sunset on the English bay.

The petrol station and seaplanes in Coal Harbor. (Yes, this was taken from my hotel window.)

See? Isn't is just gorgeous? If you don't believe me, you just might have to go and check it out for yourself!

Why I Love Vancouver, BC

This week finds me back in what is quickly becoming one of my favorite cities of all time. With each of my six visits over the past year, I have found myself loving Beautiful British Columbia more and more. I realize (in perusing my previous blog entries) that I've never really shared just why I *heart* Vancouver, save a brief mention with no follow up, and a single photo that doesn't even begin to do it justice.

Sadly, my pictures have no way of finding their way onto my computer at the moment. This time, however, I PROMISE to post them when I get home. And when I do, I guarantee that you'll begin to see just why I adore this place.

Enough about what I can't show you, though!

Today's reason for loving it here? They have the coolest running lounge, which I visited today after a L O N G day week at work requiring a mind-clearing run. I've gotta give it up to Nike and their marketing team for this fabulous place. They don't sell anything, rather they're outfitted with Apple computers and snacks, running gear (all Nike, of course) and storage lockers to provide a service that I, for one, truly appreciated.

So how does it work? Basically, I stopped by, laced on a pair of new shoes, powered up an IPod Nano to test out their Nike+ Training system (guess who wants one now?), borrowed a jacket, and headed out for a 7K group run through Stanley Park. And on my return, I was handed some Gatorade and a towel and offered a selection of post-run NutriGrain bars and smoothies. Seriously, what could be better?

This afternoon's running path. Photo from http://www.seestanleypark.com/.