Grape Stomp Half 10/21 Done!

My third race in two weeks was completed! I put in 6 miles on Saturday prior to Sunday's Grape Stomp Half (to get my long run training in). My running buddy Charlene did the Tarantula race the day before this one- way to go buddy!

The Grape Stomp Half was alright- not on my list to do again. 1. The race started about a half hour late. 2. There was disorganization and the MC just came up with long winded speeches about how "things happen." 3. I always carry my own fuel, but was surprised to see that no electrolytes were offered at any of the aid stations. This could have been a major issue if it had been warmer out. Also, I'm not sure if they stated whether there would be electrolytes or not on their webpage, but if they said there were going to, that may have messed up some people's nutrition plans. 4. The shirt and bag we got was nothing special. The only thing that made up for this race was the cute little grape medal that doubles up as a wine stopper. Other than that the route was part of some familiar areas that our coach has us do for Team In Training, which don't get me wrong, are nice views on good training terrain. Hey, we did the dang thing! At least I had my running buddy, we ran into some friends and also saw some Team Victorious members and other Nike finishers out there. -Lisa

TWO TEAMS, ONE CAUSE!

The Team In Training Side
Well folks, another Nike Women's race has come and gone! When I first began with Team In Training (TNT), the Nike Women's Half Marathon was my first race ever. Last year, again with TNT, I did the Nike Women's FULL Marathon- my first full ever. This year, I went for the "trifecta" and once again did the Nike Women's Half Marathon with TNT. All three years, Travis and I have both fundraised to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society despite times when one or both of us had already gotten accepted into the race via lottery. This past Sunday's race, October 14th, was dedicated to our personal honorees Tony and Steve. We also ran for all of our Team Fury honorees and in memory of Josh Knoblock.

The Nike Women's Race is one of my all time favorites because since it's inception in San Francisco 9 years ago, it has raised over $128 million dollars for the LLS. Nike of course does what Nike does best, "hook you up." At the finish, I got another lovely Tiffany's finisher's necklace and not going to lie, was super stoked to see that the finisher shirt was a NEON GREEN- matching my "Slimer" shoes (I even did a little dance when I saw the shirt).

I feel that this third Nike has really brought things full circle for me. Travis and I have come a long way with our running and fundraising. I have also found some renewed confidence in my health. The hills of San Fran at this race use to seem so daunting, but after great training from our coaches over the seasons and diving into crazy trail runs this year, those hills were nothing! THANK YOU to everyone who supported "Team Strom" through another season with TNT. Your generosity and continued support is much appreciated. You fueled us through the finish line and every dollar you gave, was a dollar towards finding cures for blood cancers.

The Team Victorious Side
So this year's Nike was extra special because I got a chance to be a part of a group that became something bigger than what we could have all imagined. Back in January, I chose to sign up for Nike's Virtual Half and they set forth a challenge for individuals to sign up as a group. The largest group would get automatic entry into the Nike San Fran race. Well, Team Victorious, which culminated from one wonderful "Captain Jules" were the "winners." Throughout the months leading up to this race, we all corresponded via Facebook, met at different races, shared stories of why we run and who we run for and gave each other advice when times seemed tough. Of course all of the individuals on this team also helped contribute to fighting blood cancers and some were even part of TNT as well, such as myself. You know you have inspired others and shown the public what a team can do, when Nike acknowledges your group with things such as a private shopping hour at Niketown, exclusive Team Victorious Nike Tech T and group photo shoot. WOW! Please enjoy all the photos below. Click to enlarge them and as always, thanks for reading.

My Race Day Shirt

Race Morning With Running Buddy Charlene & Trav

Coach Tim Meets Up With Us

Post Race Photo By The TNT Honorees' Wall

The Tech T That Nike Gave To Team Victorious Members (My name's inside the V)!

Group Photo Shoot For Team Victorious The Night Before The Race!

San Jose Rock 'n' Roll!

This past Sunday, on October 7th, Travis, Ernie and I completed the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon! I was very surprised at how well I did, considering I fell asleep in the car during the ride down to the race. I usually start slow and thought I was following my usual routine, until I looked over and saw that I was running with the 2 Hour pace guy. Pretty cool.

I ran for about 75% of the way with that pacer, until I decided to take it a little easier as I felt a little overheated (I don't do well with any remote heat) and still had the Nike Women's Half Marathon in sight for next weekend. Though I didn't PR (wasn't planning to) I finished with a new course best! Travis ran well, despite forgetting his socks! NOTE: NEVER FORGET YOUR SOCKS. He paid for it later having ran barefooted with his Nike Frees on the entire race.

Post race, we all enjoyed one of our favorite breakfast joints- Katy's Kreek. Bloodies were had by all, and Ernie and I of course had to get the SEAFOOD Eggs Benedict. Now I know all of my picky peeps back in the midwest are probably saying "yuck," but it is so good! If you ever make it out here, we should go to brunch there. DON'T WORRY! There are plenty of different eggs Benedict combinations to choose from!

Click To Enlarge

Light The Night & The Significance Of My Balloon!

Travis and I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in Light The Night with our dear friends Tony (one of our personal honorees) and his wife Julie. Together, along with his family and friends, we helped raise over $1,200 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! It was a great experience to be able to walk alongside Tony in Wisconsin. 

During the Walk, walkers carry illuminated balloons in three colors: white balloons are carried by survivors; red balloons by supporters; gold ones are carried by walkers who are walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. As you can see I was walking with a gold one. My gold balloon was in memory of Josh Knoblock, husband of my friend Rina. Josh lost his battle last year on October 21, 2011. The first season that I did Team In Training, I met Rina and her husband Josh. Rina was running for him as he was undergoing his chemo at the time. She completed the Nike Women's Half Marathon in 2010 in honor of him.

Last year, only a few days after Nike Women's 2011, Josh sadly lost his blood cancer battle. This year, Rina is running in memory of Josh and will again do the Nike Women's Half Marathon. She is doing it as part of her healing process, to give back and help raise valuable funds so that we can find cures!!!

Many of you have played an important role in helping "Team Strom" go above and beyond our goals and we thank you. For those of you who haven't quite jumped on the bandwagon yet, please take a moment to CLICK HERE and visit my friend Rina's fundraising website. Read her stories, view photos and consider helping her reach her personal goal. Thank you. A few photos from the walk are below, simply click on them to enlarge them.

Travis & I with Tony & Julie. The stickers on my legs represented my walk in honor of personal honorees Tony & Steve M., and Team Fury honorees. I also had a sticker for Rina's husband Josh as well as my "in memory" balloon for him.

A beautiful rainbow appeared right before the walk (ended up being a full double rainbow).

A shot that I captured during the walk in downtown Milwaukee.

Light The Night!

Hey everyone! I'm taking a slight break from giving you a running update. What you get instead, is an introduction to the Light The Night Walk! I just joined "Baker's Flock Of Angry Birds" team!

Light The Night Walk is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual fundraising walk to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Hundreds of thousands of participants raise funds for lifesaving research and patient services. To read more about why I've also joined this group aside from the TNT endurance program, visit the link below! Thanks for reading! -Lisa

http://pages.lightthenight.org/wi/SEWI12/LStrom

Nike Is About 9 Weeks Away...

So my first Half Marathon ever was the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, as well as my first FULL ever! I'm going to embark upon Nike for the third time, so just thought I'd share real quick a video of last year's course. You get the idea of what running the full was like for me (as well as part of the half marathon, which is what I decided to do this year since I've already done one 6-hour endurance race and plan on doing a different full- gulp...). Enjoy!

Summer Breeze Half!

Well folks, another half is down in the books. On Saturday, August 4th, three of us who did the Lake Chabot Half, jumped right back in for the Summer Breeze Half in San Leandro at the Marina. Short and sweet, I'm glad my leg held up (knee/IT band). I promised my legs that if I made it through, I would take at least a week break from running, which I did by taking a trip to L.A.- much needed after finding out my dad had a stroke just over a week ago. THANK GOD AND THANK EVERYONE OUT THERE WHO HAVE BEEN PRAYING AND SENDING POSITIVE THOUGHTS. Our family appreciates all the love and support- it has definitely lifted us in spirit and helped Dad on his road to recovery. He is doing better as each day goes by and can walk and talk. For those of you on Facebook with me, you've been getting the most updates, so stay tuned there. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Now, I'm ramping it up again, getting ready for our next races. We are thinking about doing the Dragon Fly half marathon next, which is in September, but first let's get through the Nike preview run with Team in Training this weekend! More updates soon! -Lisa

Myself, "E-Dog" & Jen!