It is kind of Goofy but I will do it anyway

So I realized yesterday that I am running in Florida in August. Why hadn't I realized that before?Well I did know my address but what I didn't think about was that not everyone runs in Florida. If you don't run at 6:30 am, you are screwed. It was sticky wet even at that time. But one of the upsides running in Florida? Mostly doesn't rain in the mornings (I haven't done a rain run yet). And my race is in Florida so I will be prepared. Well except that the race is in January in Orlando and it has been known to be in the 50s at times. (I know, brrrrr.)

So many (most) of my friends and relatives think I am crazy. I think I am making some of them sick from reading about running. Such a weird concept to run when no one is chasing you or you are not trying to get away from a creepy gang of guys. Most of my running consisted of running to the car when it was raining, running to the store (ok that was just a figurative of speech because I was actually driving), running the dishwasher (hmm maybe that doesn't count), running my mouth when stupid people are in my way on the road (again, car), running after one of the kids when they were toddlers and wouldn't stop when I said stop (ok that was yesterday). So running was slightly foreign to me. Other than as a nice quick warm up at the gym before the real workout (strength training). That workout I love.

I am not a runner. I am not a runner. I am not a runner. Yet, I am about to look at my schedule for the week to see when I get to run next. I just bought headphones that won't slip off my ears when I do use my iphone (not allowed to in the official training on Saturday mornings but that is ok because I am talking most of the time to my teammates). I just bought a water pack because now I know what kind I like. I think about running a lot. Mostly before it was because I dreaded it but kept telling myself the Team in Training mantra ("it is better than chemo..."). Can't argue that one. Yesterday something happened. I realized that I kind of like it. My legs like it (well not this morning but over all it is very trimming!). I felt elevated yesterday. OMG I am a runner. Now that is Goofy.

Why I train

Today's post (I really don't like the word blog - sorry whoever came up with that but I just don't like it!) is taken from my weekly Team in Training coach's email:

I RUN

I run because I am not a scientist and cannot help by research and experiments.

I run because I am not a doctor and cannot help my administering treatments and medicines.

I run because I am not a celebrity and cannot appear on TV or posters to ask for contributions.

I run because I am not wealthy and cannot donate large sums of money for research or to help families.

I run because I know loved ones are still dying from blood cancers.

I run because I am a mother who cannot imagine what I would do if one of my children got sick.

I run because the little girl pictured above was diagnosed with Leukemia last October and I want with all my heart to make her well.

Her name is Leah. She's 2 years old. Will you run for her? Will you support me as I run for her?

Ok so now I need to comment on this. The little girl I mention above is from my kids' preschool. Her older sister (who is 6) was in my son's class when they were both 3. The mom was pregnant when the two of them were in school together. Last October she discovered her daughter Leah had leukemia. She is only 2. My daughter is named Leah and she just turned 4. Every time I see her Leah I am so thankful that my Leah is healthy and I feel so horrible that her Leah is not. Little Leah is doing better than before but she has undergone so many treatments already. She has a port in her chest so that she can get monthly treatments now. But she is a smiley little girl. Her hair is starting to grow in. I am so happy that she is a happy little girl. And I am so thankful that my own children are well. But I feel so helpless. So I run.

I hope you follow my journey and support me as I run my first half-marathon.

I run because I can.

I'm going to Disney World

When I talked to my friend Ali about Team in Training earlier this year it was with the thought that I would run the Disney half-marathon as my first half-marathon. Then as a couple more friends joined TnT we decided we would do the Miami ING together. This felt like a good idea because I would be running (and walking) my first event with friends - friends that I would train with over the next 5 months. And I wouldn't have to travel. It made sense...

Then I went to my first group training and a few things were on my mind...a few people in my pace group said that were training for the Disney event and I was so jealous and envious and wistful. And my friend Meri that I was at training with was in a totally different group (I am a run/walker right now and she is one of those run/runners that I have heard about). So I ran with new people...and it was bonding even though it was just a 30 minute training session and not even an actual event. I can't imagine the actual event.

Ok so some seeds were planted. There were a few already there. My shoulder coach (named not because he teaches me how to do lat pulldowns and such but because he is like a little virtual running coach on my shoulder) and his wife are signed up for the Disney marathon. It would sure be nice to be working towards the same goal. He is a great motivator. And I need that if I am going to go from 1 mile to 13.1 miles in 5 months time.

But my biggest seeds were planted long ago. The best family times growing up were mostly at Disney World. I know, many people have great times at Disney. That's why it is the greatest family vacation destination in the world. But my dad travelled most of the year - year after year. So my mum would plan our family times to be at Disney (we lived on Long Island most of my youth). Not only was the family together but my mother was happy and relaxed and we would have the best times. We went twice a year normally. Then we ended up moving to Orlando in the 80s and my brother and I got jobs at Disney. I would go even on my days off. (Hey, it was free!)

One day in the late 90s my parents got very ill and we didn't go to the Parks anymore. It was too much for them and who had time when so much time was spent at doctor's offices and hospitals. Then my dad passed away and I think we all realized how quickly time went by. One such person was my boyfriend (he was so much more than that really). He took me and my mum (and his young son and even my brother and sister in law and baby nephew) on a boat in the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom one evening in May of 2000. And as the fireworks blasted in the sky and Tinkerbell "flew" through the air, he got down on one knee (it was still a good knee back then) and he changed my life. He made me one of the happiest women on earth. My mother was the other one.

Anyway...I am sure I will go on and on another time...but my point tonight is that I am going to Disney World and in so many ways I am going home.

Please follow my journey as I raise money for leukemia and go from a non-runner to someone who can do a half-marathon.

Lucy Lubin

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/wdw10/llubin

Running (and walking) with the pack

Yesterday was my very first training session with Team in Training. I was amazed how many people were out on a Saturday morning at 6:45 to run or walk for this cause. I am usually still in bed with either my son or my daughter crawling into bed with me and my husband...and trying to get just a few more minutes of sleep. But yesterday, I had my water and my running shoes and I was ready to run. We stretched, we talked, we got in pace groups (mine is a 3-1 which means I run for 3 minutes then walk for 1 over and over for 30 minutes). Then we were off. Out of Town Center and down Bonaventure to Royal Palm. Quite a few cars out - where do all these people go on Saturday morning? Work maybe or to the gym or to Starbucks....must not think of Starbucks as that is later...

I ran (and walked) with a pack of about 6 people. I found myself running most of the time next to a lovely lady who had run a marathon a year ago and had not run since. I was at the training with a friend (but she is a runner - no walking stuff for her!) but I found myself gaining strength from a stranger. It was only 30 minutes but we are strangers no more.

I take part because I want to help raise money for leukemia. My parents lost their battles with cancer in 2000 and I feel like I can take control of something (anything) to do with cancer by training for this half marathon. I do it for those that are still battling and hopefully will win.

I hope you will come back and see how my journey goes. Mine is a journey that is emotional and spiritual and physical. I hope you will join me.