Saving lives, one dollar at a time

Hello, Start! Running Marathon Team! Thank you again for being part of this journey with me.

We’ve each got a $1500 fundraising goal, and I’d like to talk a little more about that today. The funds you raise for the American Heart Association during this process will save lives. By joining the team and raising money for the AHA, you’ve taken a personal goal of running the marathon and turned it into something that has outside supporters. For me, raising money as part of the marathon training has really upped my accountability – it keeps me focused and helps to keep me motivated. Now that I know I’ve got people counting on me to run this race, I know I have to keep training.

I’m also finding that fundraising has been a great way to reconnect with people and keep them involved in my life. When we talk about the marathon and why I’m running, it gives us the chance to get into things that we would never normally talk about. I’ve been through some big changes in my life in the last few years, and this has been a way for me to introduce the people in my life to the new me, to involve them in my new goals and how I live my life now.

There are some easy ways to reach your fundraising goal – I’ve been contacting friends and family through email and also through Facebook and Twitter. I know we’re in some tough economic times now, and that’s why I think it’s important to note that every dollar helps. Not everyone can make a $50 or $100 donation these days, but every little bit does help. Here’s what the AHA can do with the money you collect:

$10
Educates 50 people about nutrition, physical activity or the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke through our brochure publications.

$15
Makes the newest CPR Guidelines available to an emergency care provider, giving them the most effective skills to treat a patient in cardiac arrest. (Visit AmericanHeart.org/CPR and enter your ZIP code for classes near you.)

$35
Provides training for healthcare providers who care for infants and children in pediatric advanced life support.

$50
Provides schools with lesson plans and activity guides to teach children about heart health and nutrition.

So keep plugging along with fundraising, and be proud of what you’re doing. You are helping to save lives!

More than $12,000 raised so far!

Congratulations! The Start! Running Marathon team has raised more than $12,000 for the American Heart Association so far. A special shout out to our top fundraiser Will Haverkamp -- great job, Will!

Let's get physical

I’m sitting with my friend Rebecca, who is a runner and a registered dietician. She has a few great tips for staying in shape for the marathon that I’d like to pass along:

Follow your training program: it’s so important to make sure that you stick with your plan. If you over-train, you run the risk of injury, and you’ll be out of the marathon before you even start. I’ve heard stories of runners who train so hard for the marathon that their bodies give out weeks before the race. When you train, make sure you do your homework, but there’s no need for extra credit right now.

Rest and heal: if you’re feeling sore, make sure you take the time you need to rest and heal. It’s important to listen to what your body is telling you. You want to challenge yourself, but you don’t want to push too hard.

If you’ve got any training tips you’d like to offer, post them here! I’d love to hear them.

Little steps add up to big things

Welcome to week five of your marathon training!

The short distances that you’re running this week – the 3 and 5 miles runs – are just as important as that 10 mile run on Saturday. I know we tend to focus on those longer runs, but it’s the shorter runs that prepare you and keep you safe for the long distances. So keep going, and remember how big these small, everyday runs are to accomplishing your goal!

Now is the time to get to know your body and how it reacts to the running experience.

This is a perfect time to learn how much water you need when you’re out for a run – how much is too much and how much is too little? What kinds of energy drinks work for you? What doesn’t? I know I can drink both Gatorade and Goo during a run, but some of my friends get sick when they combine drinks. These smaller runs are a good chance to figure out what’s best for you.

Also, pay attention to what you’re eating throughout the week and how it makes your body feel. I love to eat a big bowl of pasta on a Friday night (with some lean protein mixed in!) – that gets me ready for my big Saturday run.

If you have any tips for your fellow marathon team members or any questions for me, please feel free to post them here!