I love sprinting up hills and bee stings

It’s been a while since I last wrote, but the running is going so well. I love the feeling of the runner’s high (I guess my “drug” of choice). It gives me such a great time to think things through and figure out life decision(s) (though I have none going on right now). Still, it gives me a chance to ponder things.

I had to run my 8 miles last Wednesday as I had a birthday bash to attend Friday night (that would be my own :) ). It felt really good because it was so cold outside. That is the weather I am used to running in. I thrive in it. The Texas heat sure had wrecked havoc on my running. The heat is hard for me to handle. Well, after my run, I was sore. I could tell I needed a nice ice bath to sooth my legs. I think that with the combination on my morning leg workout and then my 8 miles was not the smartest move. The next day I was Gumby and tried to stay at my desk all day. I did run 3 miles the next night and was glad I did. IT surely helped stretch out my legs.

Yesterday was our hill run. As I mentioned before, heat and Heidi don’t mix well and yesterday was a little warm (minus the humidity thank goodness). Our same crew met up and we did our hills. As we started the first couple of hill sprints a bee or some bug flew up my shorts and stung, I mean kissed my cheek…and that would be my butt cheek. I haven’t been stung in so long, I forgot what it felt like. The bug not only stung me once, but twice. I had two swollen bites on my butt and they hurt. But I didn’t let that little hurdle stop me. I did all of my hill repeats, but must admit that I was burned out. I ran about half way back and Caro and I walked the other half.

I was proud I even made it up the hills. It’s amazing how I see my progress grow every week. The “monster” hill doesn’t get any better, but the other hills do. I just have to keep in mind that I am doing this for a purpose, not for me. I am helping the fight against cancer. I do it for Sarah, I do it for Betty, I do it for your mom, your dad, your brother, your sister and your children and your friends. Lets join together and help find a cure.

Much Love,

Heidi

p.s. wanna donate to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society? Check out my fund raising site

http://pages.teamintraining.org/stx/rnr09/hgerhardt

Roller Durby Running

Today was our pace run. For those who might not know, a pace run is when you run about 90% of what you can handle - Not a full sprint, but faster than normal. I have to admit, it hurt. I had a really hard time. I see why people don't work out after work and being a morning person, I truly just wanted to go home a veg out. That being said, I am glad I did go. I always am.

So today we ran the first mile at a comfortable pace then for the next two miles we ran 1/2 a mile fast and 1/2 a mile comfortable. It was so hard, but I find that when I have a goal in mind (the water fountain), I hauled butt to get there on the fast paces.

While I was running there was a girl in hot pink pants and a lime green shirt on old school roller skates. She was so funny, off in her own world. Needless to say, being on skates, she passed me a lot. Sometimes she was texting on her cell phone, sometimes she was on the phone and the last mile she was singing. It was so out of tune that Simon Cowell would have asked her to leave on the second note. But it was cool to keep seeing her go round and round and round, off in her own thoughts.

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I'll get to run on my own, at my own pace and figure out all of the worlds problems while I am at it. I guess I'll be thinking about America's piling debt that my grandchildern will being paying off :)

Much Love,
Heidi

--
Be kinder than necessary becuase everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle

Dear DeZavala Wal-Mart Customers...

Today I spent the morning outside your Wal-Mart and in a sense, panhandled, asked, solicited and begged for your small change to help with cancer research and those fighting cancer.

I wanted to publicly tell you thank you! Even when we as a nation hear day in and day out, the economy this, the economy that, bail out this, bail out that, you were gracious enough to give. I am so impressed with humanity today. It doesn't matter if you gave me .10c or $20 dollars, your donation will help in our country's fight to find a cure for cancer.

Today, being such an eye opening experience, I took the time to reflect and I learned a little bit about myself. I believe that I am a good person, but I am also the person who a lot of times will say, no thank you, I don't have change, good luck...Never again will I pass someone up working for a cause. You'll get something from me...it might be change, it might be a dollar, it might be $20, but I will now take the time to say hi and give you a little something.

Again, thank you. YOU make our world great and you are beautiful.

Heidi

p.s. a little quote someone told me a few weeks ago that has totally inspired me...

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

Sarah Fundraiser

So last night we had a fund raiser for Sarah (the girl I am running for). It was a great night and we raised $600 and counting.

As for an update on Sarah, she finished her last round of Chemo (yeah!!), but she is in the hospital with phenomena - :( Boo. She has been in isolation for awhile and I really want to go see her, but they are not allowing visitors. I must be honest, I am scared for her.

I have grown to love this girl more and more with each day that she survives her fight. Please, please pray for her.

Much love,
Heidi

**On a related side note, last night during the party, Sarah sent us a picture of herself with the word "Alien". That is the Sarah I know and love. Her humor amazes me in such a time of craziness.

Love ya girl!!!

The 6 Mile Sprint - at least for me

Holy cow! Saturday morning @ 6:15 and my alarm was blaring. I was up the night before until midnight playing Dominoes. I turned off the alarm convinced I would get back up. for some reason, I did get up, but almost fell asleep again. I must say, I would have been super disappointed if I had.

So I arrive right a 7am ready to go and it was so windy and about 50 degrees out. So cold. I decided that we all needed to be like penguins and huddle in together. We did and it was a lot warmer. :)

We started off our 6 mile run at a pretty fast. I'd guess this was because we were so cold and wanted to get warmed up. It felt so good. I must say I love the 4:1 intervals that we are doing. I am finding myself running a lot faster, even with the minute walk. So excited to see how this translates to the marathon.

I ran the first 3 miles in 25:42 and the second 3 miles in 21:37...I have no idea how I ran that fast, but I checked and double checked. It felt so good.

Even though it was so cold out it's so good to be healthy and so good to be able to even do. It also makes my day so much more productive. Can't wait for next week...7 miles here I come :)