My first team workout: 

runwithmdf:

When I arrived there were at least over 100 people there checking in. We heard a couple announcements about our workout, and heard from a lymphoma survivor who is now training for her 1st marathon (she’s actually already completed 2 half marathons since her remission!). Hearing our honored teammates speak always helps to remember why I’m doing this. Sure, I’m going to be in great shape, and even have some bragging rights when I complete the marathon, but really, we’re doing this for something much bigger.

I can’t explain how I feel called to do this. I guess some people are called to different things in life, and while I feel like I have purpose as it relates to my career and work, this is just a whole different feeling. I feel like I have all the power in the world to do this, like nothing can hold me back…not asthma, not previous injuries, not time, not weather. It’s just beyond that, and the real reward is how everyone is being incredibly supportive and donating to this cause I believe so deeply in.

Back to today’s run…it was nice…a little challenging, but nice. To be completely honest, I haven’t worked out since I moved to New York. It’s terrible of me, I know, but the winter was just the worst. I wanted to be snuggled in bed or on the couch at all times and not leave the house. (In fact, I basically didn’t leave and never heard the end of it from my roommates).

So for the run, we did the low loop of the park, plus a little further with a half loop. I guess it was somewhere close to 2.5. I had a little trouble breathing, but one of my teammates, Jenna, told me to focus on exhaling more, and that helped me relax my diaphragm and back muscles. In fact, I highly recommend trying that if you ever feel tight in your chest while running. It really helped!

After the run we all stretched as a group, and then had a team picnic. Ok, and when I say picnic, I mean bagels and cream cheese;) I ate a poppyseed bagel with vegetable cream cheese. It was a great treat after a work out.

While at the picnic I met up with my roommate Jen, who introduced me to Team In Training, and she had just compeleted a 20 mile run!! It’s hard to believe that that will be me in 4 months, but it’s also completely inspiring. It just speaks to Team In Training’s program, and its coaches. I’m definitely pumped for the next work out on Tuesday!

To support me in raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please visit my Training Page.

xo,

Michelle