M-I-C-K-E-Y… Why?? Because We Really Like You!!
So we leave for Disney Marathon Weekend in less than 2 weeks. Can’t believe it is here already! How exciting! In the midst of the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas and welcoming our new niece to the family there has been no time to train. With the wickedly cold weather, I have spent a majority of my Half Marathon prep time Spinning indoors instead and then got slammed with an upper respiratory infection last week which set me back to no training at all.
I admit, I am a bit nervous about running 13.1 miles on almost “zero” training, but I have done it before. I didn’t train at all for the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon in April and trained for the Philly Half Marathon mostly on the treadmill because of the heat. This time it was the cold, the craziness of the holidays, the excitement of new things happening in our family that has left me without a training plan….er should I say plan at all.
What does Jillian Michaels say??? If you fail to plan then you plan to fail. I have to say… Not true! As the famous Sarah Stanley says, “There is no such thing as “HITTING THE WALL” when it comes to running a full or even a half marathon. It’s all in your head.” I totally believe in this. How I will feel at mile 12 is another story, but I totally believe when you run out of steam physically and your legs are on fire because your body is burning your glycogen stores, you can push beyond the pain.
In my case, I will be running for someone else. This race is not about me this time. This time it’s not all about the medal. It’s about a very special person who is no longer here. I won’t elaborate here because it is a private matter, but because of this person, she will be on my mind pushing me to push passed pain, passed the wall and across the finish line.
In my endeavor to complete the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, I have raised almost $1000 for the Preeclampsia Foundation. With the help, support, and generosity of so many family, friends and colleagues. We are able to help save countless moms lives and babies lives as well! There are no words to express my deepest gratitude in what we have accomplished together. It means the world to me that people have reached into their pockets in a rough economy during the holidays when every penny counts. It means everything to me and I thank you with all that I am! I was so fortunate to be able to survive my experience with Preeclampsia, but so many moms won’t get the same chance.
When I run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday, January 8th, not only will I be thinking of this special person who inspired me to start this Preeclampsia Fundraiser, but I will be thinking of all the moms, families, babies, and supporters who have helped bring awareness and financial support to help find a cure this devastating disease.
Merry Christmas and Warmest Wishes from my home to yours!
Laura
For More Information on Preeclampsia and if you would like to help, click on the link here: http://www.preeclampsia.org/
