Numbers and the Nike Half Marathon

13.1. That was an important number for me this weekend. On Sunday, I participated in the Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington, D.C. where I ran 13.1 gorgeous miles full of cherry blossoms, historic monuments, and lots (and lots) of cheering spectators!

I stood at the starting line with 15,000 amazing women and a few (500) good men. And I was lucky enough to run next to one great friend (Shawna Strine) who allowed me to share in her first half marathon experience!

I never considered myself to be a runner. Running was one of those things that "I could never do" (or at least that's what I told myself). Yet this was my second year to cross the finish line and have a man in a tux hand me my necklace from Tiffany & Co. (one of my favorite parts of this event!)

 

So how did a non-runner make it 13.1 miles to claim her little blue box? I didn't do it alone. I was lucky enough to connect to Team in Training - a facet of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that trains team members for endurance events like this one. I committed to raising $2100 and in return I received a coach (Larry), a mentor (Cyndi), and a staff partner (Caroline). I also become part of an unforgettable team (a sizable roster of athletes who I now call my friends). Together they helped me do the impossible - they made me a runner!

Now let's talk about some really serious numbers - and these numbers are not as fun to share. One person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer approximately every four minutes. By the time you finish reading this post, another person will hear the words, "You have cancer."

But what does this have to do with D.C.? How did a post about running 13.1 miles turn into stats about cancer? Here's the connection... This year's Nike Women's Half Marathon (the 2nd annual) raised $4.7 million in the fight against blood cancers! That $4.7 million will help to fund life-saving research like that being done by Dr. Brian Druker.

When you think of the good that can come from it, 13.1 seems like a small number. It's a short distance - just a few miles longer than a 5K, right? Before Team in Training, I thought 13.1 was impossible. I know better now. 

What if I told you that YOU could do the impossible? Is 13.1 in your future? It could be! Join me in DC next April or find a different Team in Training event online! I'll see you at the finish line! Go Team!

What I learned from Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher - actor, producer, writer, pop culture icon, and... philosopher!? I know what you're thinking. What can we learn from this 30-something cutie pie on the ways of the world? He's eye candy! But before you disregard his insight, listen to this Kutcher quote...

"I'm continually trying to make choices that put me against my own comfort zone. As long as you're uncomfortable, it means you're growing."

Let's start with the one word the jumped right out at me - UNCOMFORTABLE. Kutcher is saying that we need to deliberately put ourselves into uncomfortable situations in order to reap the benefits of learning and growth. This is a tough challenge because very few of us enjoy this. We'd rather do what we know, what we are good at!

Just this week I registered for the annual Zumba Instructor Convention. It's a four-day convention in August that brings over 6,000 licensed Zumba instructors to Orlando for education, networking, inspiration, and fun!

Zumba Instructor Convention 2013
Selfie with some of my fave Central PA ZINs 

It's my third year to attend the convention and (of course) I immediately wanted to register for my favorite sessions! I wanted to see Tamara Said and Amanda Grant in BROADWAY LIGHTS; I wanted to see Steve Boedt in BE THE INSPIRATION; I wanted to see Nick Logrea in SWING BABY SWING (all sessions that I was guaranteed to love)!

Zumba Instructor Convention 2013
ProSkills training led by Steve Boedt and Donna Giffen

Instead, I challenged myself (and it really was a challenge) to register for the sessions that I didn't naturally want to go to - the ones that I probably need the most! So I'll be taking a class on injury prevention, a Zumba Gold boost, Salsa/Merengue Mash Up, and even a personalized feedback session (now we're REALLY talking about UNCOMFORTABLE)! 

But here's what I can look forward to... Just like Ashton promises in his quote above, I can expect to walk away with much more than I would have by taking my favorite classes. I may be uncomfortable, I may not be very good at what I'm doing, and I may look a little silly (maybe a lot silly). But I WILL walk away with new insight about myself, new strength in areas that I need to work on, and new security that I can put myself into those uncomfortable positions and come out better in the end!

What have you learned from stepping outside of your comfort zone?

A Special Day With Area M Athletes

Last week I had the opportunity to volunteer for Special Olympics Area M at Messiah College! It's an annual tradition I share with a wonderful group of gals I met while working for a different non-profit (the American Cancer Society). These ladies rock - they have tirelessly donated their time for so many great causes, and I love our reunions!

So every year around tax time, we head to the field to volunteer for what I believe is truly the best job available at the Games. We are RIBBON PRESENTERS! The athletes come to our station after their race or event, and we have the incredible honor of announcing the winners and presenting everyone with their ribbons!

Over the years we've noticed the joy of the participants as they hear their name being called. So we've gradually increased the pomp and circumstance surrounding the presentation. We add drama, excitement, and theatrics similar to that of an announcer at a heavyweight bout! "And the heavyweight champion of the world is…" It's a BLAST!

There is much to gain by celebrating the successes of others. By the end of the Games, I'm hoarse, sunburned, and 100% fulfilled. But we don't need to wait until next April to find that joy again. Every day offers us the opportunity to support and encourage each other, and to celebrate the successes of our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers.

Who can you celebrate today? Who will you encourage?

Going the Distance

Today I spent the day in New York City. I always love visiting, but today had added significance. Today's trip was a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. With two buses filled with friends both new and old, we raised $1850 toward the fight against blood cancer.

When we arrived in New York, I couldn't wait to see the new musical ROCKY (How could I resist, given my own name?!). In the musical as well as the movie, Rocky's main goal isn't to destroy Apollo Creed. Instead, he wants to GO THE DISTANCE. He wants to make it to the end of the fight knowing that he stuck with it all the way.

I know another guy like Rocky. When I was in high school I took martial arts classes. One of my instructors and role models was a black belt named David Burns. At the time, he was already a two-time cancer survivor. This afternoon I found out that he lost his life just last month to Leukemia after a 23-year battle. 23 YEARS. And throughout that time, he never stopped educating and inspiring those around him.

For me, it puts things in perspective. Like Apollo Creed, like leukemia, and like so many of the challenges that we face, life can hit hard. But we have a Rocky Balboa inside of all of us. And whether our fight is 15 rounds (like Rocky) or 23 years (like Burns), there is much to be said for having the heart to keep standing in that ring.

I offer my sincere THANKS to those that spent their day with me today in New York City because today YOU were in that ring with me. Gloves on, mouth guards in, and full of HEART to continue the fight against cancer. Let's go the distance.