When 22 Degrees is a Blessing...

In case I haven't told you, like, a thousand times, I'm a Floridian. I was not made for cold. I don't DO cold. So when I signed up for an April half marathon, it was bigger than the distance-it was me committing to run through a Northern winter in the very very cold, often sub-freezing temperatures.

Today while I was whining to one of my Florida friends about the current temp (14 at the time. That's FOUR-TEEN!!!! As in 18 BELOW freezing!), I was also whining about the fact that I have a 10K on the running calendar for today. Then she told me something that snapped me out of my whining. One of her family members, who I simply adore, has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She was in remission for the last few years...WAS being the operative word here. It's back. The horrible battle with this awful disease is starting over again for their family. I have no words to express how upset I am - for myself and the thought of possibly losing this woman who I rarely see but love and adore, and for her family who I love as my own and knowing the path they are walking now and may walk in the future. It makes you want to curl up in a ball and just cry. And that's when my friend reminded me that I should be grateful that I get to go run in sub-freezing temps, because it means I CAN RUN!

I'm not battling cancer. I'm not crippled. I have asthma, but it doesn't impede my ability to run. I have Celiac Disease, which forces me to eat cleaner than ever. When I tell my legs to run, they do. Sometimes they scream back at me in protest, but they move. I don't run like the wind, I'm probably not graceful like the pros, and I know there are days I whine about it a lot. But I CAN!

In a couple hours I'm going to put on lots of layers of warm running gear and two layers of socks. I'll lace up my shoes. Then I'll add head and ear protection, a neck garter to breathe through, and a wind breaking layer on top of all that. Then I'll start running. By the end of the first mile a layer will come off because I ALWAYS overdress for the cold. And I'll just keep running until today's goal is met. Every mile will be a reminder of how blessed I am and every mile will come with a prayer for the people in my world who aren't as lucky as I am. Because today, I GET to run in 22 Degree weather!

Exercise Makes You Feel Better! Right, Daddy?!

 

I got this video from Raegan's mom today. It's her older sister running on the treadmill with Daddy. Understanding that my reason for starting the team was to help Mom with stress relief from the hardship of having a baby in chemo, this touches my heart so much! Even if Mom still wants to kill me for roping her into a Half Marathon, Big Sis is ready to go! She's our youngest member of Team Relentless 4 Raegan!

R4R Virtual Race

After spending the whole weekend handling logistics and facebook advertising, the Relentless 4 Raegan Virtual Race is finally live!

The R4R Virtual Race can be run from any location, at any time, in any weather, with any one! Run alone or in a group. Run while running another 5K, run on your treadmill, in your neighborhood, or at your favorite park. Just RUN! When you finish, post your results to www.facebook.com/r4rvirtualrace along with a photo for the record books. For the longer distances, feel free to break it up into bite-sized chunks and conquer your goal a piece at a time. As you're running, remember everyone who can't run and be grateful for the gift you have! Medals will be mailed mid-March (we couldn't get them produced any faster!)

To participate and earn your medal, register here: R4R Virtual Race

We are so excited to see everyone's pictures and results!

Happy Running and GO TEAM!
From Team Relentless 4 Raegan

Facebook Giveaway

Click Here to enter our Giveaway. 

The prizes are:

1 Race Addict app for Apple Products

1 Leukemia Awareness Paracord Lanyard

1 Exclusive R4R Charm Bracelet Beach

 

1 Races for Awareness T-Shirt

Tami's Story

This is why I am a proud member of the Relentless4Raegan team!

Tami Komar

Last October, as I realized that I was about six months away from turning 40, I began to reflect on my life. I wouldn’t say that I was freaking out or anything, just kind of thoughtful. There are a lot of things that I thought I would have accomplished by now that I haven’t. The first thing that came to mind was that I haven’t ever run a marathon (or a half). I had been a runner on and off from high school until about age 27. My life, at that point, became so complex and stressful that I barely had time to pick my nose! Ok…so that was a little dramatic (and gross), but also kind of true.

So I began looking at different running clubs and local races. I’ve done this several times over the past ten years and I guess I was never motivated enough, because I didn’t register for or run in any of the races I researched. I needed some real motivation this time and simply approaching 40 wasn’t going to do it for me.

It was around this time that Jean texted me that she was getting a team together to support her friend Sam. My heart hurt for this mom that I had never met, and I hadn’t even heard the whole story yet. I wanted to be a part of this team but I was seriously hesitant. I’d been to Team in Training information sessions in the past and the thought of raising $2100 AND sticking with running enough to train scared the crap out of me! After debating with the voices in my head (just kidding…maybe), I realized that I needed to do this. It was the perfect time, the perfect motivation, and the perfect group I needed to succeed.

On April 27, 2014, eighteen days after I turn 40, I will complete my first half marathon.

R4R Swag Giveaway on Facebook!

Enter our giveaway for a chance to win the exclusive R4R Charm Bead. There are a bunch of ways to earn entries - find out more here: R4R Giveaway