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Posted by Cassy ONeil 11 years 9 months ago

"Running requires endurance, character, pride, physical strength, and mental toughness. Running is a test, not a game. A test of faith, belief, will, and trust in one's self. So hardcore that it needs a category all to itself to define the pain. Running is more than a sport; it's a lifestyle." - Jessica Propst

For those of you that are friends with me on Facebook - I recently posted the above quote. I truly believe that every word in Jessica's quote is true. It defines exactly what I belive of running, at least for me.

So it's Week 15...less than 4 weeks away from Marathon time! I feel that in 15 weeks I have come farther than I ever thought possible. I have a much stronger runner and this experience as a whole has been the most difficult things I've ever done, but by far the most rewarding. I mean...thanks to this MN weather; I can now say that I've run 18 miles on a treadmil (yes 18 miles!) and have worn my winter running gear in May :) This week is our peak mileage week, it will conclude with the farthest run yet of this training and then it's all taper from here until the big chase!

Training this week:
Tuesday - 6 miles
Wednesday - X-Train
Thursday - 6-8 miles
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Chase for the big 2-0 - 20 miles of pavement

In closing, thank you again for those who have donated! I just sent in checks from my great aunt Nog and my grandpa so my total is now at: $396. I set a big goal at the beginning knowing that whatever people felt in the heart they could give would be better than nothing. Your donations are going to an amazing cause - childhood cancer.

I will be heading down to the Chaska Co-op's childcare program on Friday; this week they are hosting a lemonade stand from 10:30-1:30 to raise funds for Alex's Lemonade stand. I'm going to support their efforts and let them know I'm in the fight with them to help end childhood cancer.

So...when life gives you lemons (or MN gives you a severe thunderstorm the morning of your long run) KEEP ON RUNNING.

Cass

Posted by Cassy ONeil 11 years 9 months ago

As of today....my dad and I have logged 272.2 training miles, we only have 228 more until the final chase for 26.2.

I ran the Minnetonka Half Marathon yesterday - on my own. I finished in 1:52:27 - average pace of 8:36, which is a personal record for me thus far. I was nervous to run witout my dad - but it was an excellent run - I felt great and just listened to my body and allowed my body to tell me when to grab a gatorade and when to load up on Gu. Again, my mental toughness and love for running shone through, it was a great 1:52:27 to push myself physically, focus my thoughts purely on the task at hand (just keep running) and open my heart to all that I am thankful for.

I had a revelation yesterday during my run....why do I run - because I can, why do I love running so much - because it has transformed my life. Running allows a physical, mental and spiritual experience to take place for me on EVERY run. It's a fight physically and mentally, every time my foot hits the pavement - and though the fight, at the same time it's calming and a total spiritual escape that I can't even describe. Running is a gift that has changed my life.

So...this week marks our 12th week of training, it's a taper week:
Monday - Yoga
Tuesday - 5 miles
Wednesday - 8 miles
Thursday - 5 miles
Friday - X-Train
Saturday - 13 miles
Sunday - Rest

Total Pavement: 31

Thanks again for those that have donated, your money is going to an AMAZING cause.

5/20/13, 10:31 am

Way to go Cassy!! You are down to your final 5-6 weeks. I am so proud of you!! I cannot wait to see you cross the finish line!

Posted by Cassy ONeil 11 years 10 months ago

Training Mileage This Week:

Tuesday - 5 miles
Wednesday - 5/6 miles
Thursday - 8 miles ( first outdoor morning run during the week!!! Thankful to get off the treadmill and no longer have to wait until after work to run!)
Saturday - 15 miles

Total Pavement Covered This Week: 33/34 miles

Upcoming Race: I'll be running the Minnetonka Half Marathon on Sunday, May 5th for Team Lemon!

Thanks to those who have donated so far!

Posted by Cassy ONeil 11 years 10 months ago

This week marks the half way point of our 18-week training plan. In only 8 more weeks my dad and I will be at the start line waiting to chase 26.2. Training for this has been a completely different experience than when I trained for my 1/2 Marathon last summer. I thought it would be fun to share with you a little about this experience and what I've learned about myself:

So 8 weeks in....what have I learned about myself?
* I'm stronger than I ever thought I was
* Running is my therapy (clears my mind, allows me to focus, allows me to get lost in the moment)
* I can run an 8 minute mile....I proved that to myself 2 Sunday's ago running with my dad's running group (I'm typically at an 8:45/9:13 pace)
* Running to me is physical, mental and spiritual - when I run it takes sometimes all of my physical strength, the mental determination and is healing all at the same time
* I hate running in the cold/wind - Isn't it supposed to be spring?

So training this week:
Tuesday: 7 miles
Wednesday: 5 miles
Thursday: 6 miles
Friday: 4 miles
Saturday: 14 miles

I also wanted to share as I had quite the humbling experience a few short weeks ago. I was driving home and witnessed a women who is my age, (she graduated with John and she recently lost her 5 year old son to cancer) she was laying at her son's grave site and driving what looked like toy trucks over the dirt mound where he was buried. It instantly put a tear in my eye and lump in my throat. It made me physically ache for her. It also put some fire in my gut and reminded me of why I'm doing this, why I chose Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise funds for. I never want to see a mother over their child's grave again. This hits hard as I hope to one day become a mother and I see my friends who already are mother's or who also want that dream and how something like childhood cancer (which does not discrimate) could impact one of us. For this, I run for Team Lemon.

Join me in this fight.

Cassy

When life gives you lemons....keep on running

Posted by Cassy ONeil 11 years 11 months ago

Week 4 - Marathon Training

It's official...my fundraising kicks-off today!  I have offically joined Team Lemon.  I am so excited for this opportunity as it allows me to combine my love for running and the opportunity to give back - by fundraising to help put an end to childhood cancer.  During the next 15 weeks I will blog to share with you my experience training for my first marathon and hopefully inspire you to join me in this journey and supporting Team Lemon! 

I'm excited as my dad and I will be training for this marathon together - my mom will be running the 1/2! 

What does training look like this week....

Tuesday - 6 mile run (My dad's in charge of this run - guessing he'll choose our 6 mile route that is ALL hills!)

Thursday - 6 mile run

Saturday - My dad and I will be running the Get Lucky Triple 7K (aka 1/2 Marathon)  so 13.1 miles while celebrating our Irish Heritage!

Total Pavement Covered this Week: 25.1

 

My motto this week: When life gives you lemons...keep on RUNNING!

Cassy

Posted by Cassy ONeil 11 years 11 months ago

After the chase for my first 13.1....