Success is determined by how you handle setbacks

Currently Playing: Pandora.com – Ani DiFranco Station

Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve.
-Mary Kay Ash – Founder of Mary Kay

Training had been going quite well, almost too well. I knew that soon enough I’d hit a wall, where I was not progressing like I wanted. Week four of training was wrapping up, and I was dreading my Thursday run of six miles, four of which were to be run at an 8:30min/mile pace. Sure enough, I managed to psych myself out and the run went absolutely horrible; I was unable to hit the steady pace I needed. As I was finishing up the run, I decided there needed to be consequences for my poor performance. I put it in my mind that on Sunday when I was to run seven miles that I’d attempt to run across the two bridges, Cape Fear Memorial and Isabel Holmes Bridge, which are a part of the course for the Battleship Half Marathon.

On Sunday afternoon, the rain began to fall (and hasn’t stopped since); I laced up my shoes, grab my iPod, and headed out the door. I have always loved running in the rain (call me insane – most people do). I find it to be more relaxing because there are fewer people out; it’s just me, the road, and nature. Sounds kind of corny, but I highly recommend trying it some time; you’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it! I headed out to the Cape Fear Bridge first, which is about a half a mile away from my apartment, and started to think that this was a horrible idea. But once I kicked that thought out of my head and just kept telling myself to get to the top, sure enough before I knew it I was headed back down the other side. I slowed my pace from 9:00min/mile to about 9:30 to save some energy for the Isabel Holmes Bridge. This bridge comes in the first mile of the race and can totally zap everything you have if you aren’t properly prepared or you go out too hard. I managed to maintain a steady pace (about a 9min/mile pace) as I made the climb over the bridge. As I finished the bridge, I smiled because I did something that I set my mind to and I knew that come race day I’d be mentally ready to conquer the bridges! The rest of the run went smoothly and I was absolutely drenched by the time I finished. But none the less I was still pumped that I had such an amazing run.

Week five is a pretty easy week of three-4 mile runs at a 10 min/mile pace. One of which has already been a rain run and if this weather doesn’t let up, tomorrow’s run will be wet as well!

October is Breast Cancer awareness month. I’m kicking off the month with the Run for the Ta-Ta’s Saturday, October 2^nd at 8am out at Mayfaire Town Center. There is still time to sign up if you want to join in supporting breast cancer awareness! I’d love to see your smiling faces.

xoxo

Mary Jo

Help for Today... Hope for Tomorrow

Currently Playing: Tegan & Sara – This Business of Art Album

It was pretty understood that I would become a runner. Besides great genetics, and being a soccer player since I was five years old, I was influenced by both of my sisters who ran cross country in high school. Once I was cut from the volleyball team (I have horrible hand-eye coordination), I realized I needed some other sport to play in the fall, so cross country it was. I have run in hundreds of 5K races by this point in my life, but none have meant more to me than the Women’s Only Breast Cancer 5K in Greensboro, NC that is held every year. I have ran/walked this with my mom and sisters since I was 12 years old. I missed a few years after I moved to Wilmington, but had the chance to run it last year with my mom and sister, Anna.

The Women’s Only 5K run has been going on for the last 17 years and starts and ends near The Women’s Hospital. Proceeds from the Run fund the Mammography Scholarship Fund at The Women’s Hospital, which provides screening mammograms for women who are unable to afford them. In the past 17 years, the Women's Only Run has raised more than $350,000, helping countless numbers of women in the community detect and overcome breast cancer. Last year when I ran, I was overwhelmed by the number of women, and girls that were participating. There are all types of women out there running for many reasons surrounding breast cancer. You see breast cancer survivors wearing pink shirts, you see people with writing on their shirts saying they are running/walking in honor or memory of one of their loved ones who passed away due to breast cancer, and there are runners like me who just love to run and support a great cause. What hit me the hardest was to see a seven year old running with a hand drawn piece of paper pinned to her shirt saying “Running in memory of my mommy.” I realize cancer affects everyone in one way or another but it brought tears to my eyes to see a seven year old who has lost her mother to cancer. Although I’m unable to participate this year in the Women’s Only 5K, I plan to run the Run for Ta-Ta’s 5K here in Wilmington, NC which also is in support of breast cancer awareness.

I have listed out a couple of upcoming 5K races that all support cancer, with the exception of the Bonzer 5K for Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). I raised money and ran for Friedreich’s Ataxia last year. Friedriech’s Ataxia is a disease that affects the nervous system with symptoms ranging from speech impairment to gait ataxia (difficulty walking), eventually worsening and attacking the trunk and limbs. This is a genetic disease that begins to affect children between 5-15 years old and can cause complete crimpling. It’s a very rare disease and in most cases families who are being affected by it cannot afford proper treatment. One of Outback Steakhouse’s owners has two children who both have Friedreich’s Ataxia, which is why Outback has gotten behind raising money for research.

I know I say it all the time, but there is no better time than now to get involved in helping make a difference in people’s lives. You never know when you or a loved one will be the next to be affected by some form of cancer or life threatening disease.

If you have any questions about these races, from signing up or how to get prepared, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope to see you out there!

Sept 25 – Movin’ for Meyloma (cancer of plasma cells) – Carolina Beach, NC
http://www.active.com/running/carolina-beach-nc/movin-for-multiple-myeloma-2010

Oct 2 – Women’s Only Breast Cancer Run & Walk – Greensboro, NC
http://www.active.com/running/greensboro-nc/womens-only-5k-walk-and-run-2010

Oct 2 – Run for the TA-TAs 5k & 1 mile walk – Wilmington, NC http://www.active.com/running/wilmington-nc/run-for-the-tatas-5k-and-1mile-walk-2010

Oct 2 – Susan G Komen Race for the Cure – Charlotte, NC
http://www.active.com/running/charlotte-nc/susan-g-komen-race-for-the-cure-charlotte-2010

Oct 23 – Outback’s Bonzer 5k for Friedreich’s Ataxia – High Point, NC
http://www.active.com/running/high-point-nc/outbacks-bonzer-5k-for-friedreichs-ataxia-2010

Oct 29 – Midnight Run for Ovarian Cancer – Wilmington, NC
http://www.active.com/running/wilmington-nc/midnight-run-for-ovarian-cancer-2010

xoxo

Mary Jo

"One good thing about music, when it hits - you feel no pain" - Bob Marley

“Part of what gets us through hard times is music…” - President Obama presenting the Gershwin Prize to Paul McCartney in June 2010.

Whether it's celebrating a promotion, or sulking over a bad day, or just having a random mix on while cleaning the house, music has a place in all of our lives. Music can represent moments in our lives that we will recall every time we hear that song, whether good or bad.

For me, I use music every day to get through my workouts and runs. And I'd never make it a mile if I didn't have music to get me through it.

So I'm calling on all of you to suggest new songs, albums, playlists, whatever for me to add to my collection. I’m up for seriously any kind of music, it does not matter. There'll be no judgment or discrimination placed on suggestions, so don’t hesitate to throw something crazy out there! My dad has already started out by suggesting a playlist from his own iPod, it's called his “Money” playlist, for obvious reasons.

Money playlist:

If Dirt Were Dollars – Don Henley

Money Talks – JJ Cale

M-O-N-E-Y – Lyle Lovett

Mercedes Benz – Janis Joplin & the Full Tilt Boogie band

Taxman – The Beatles

For the love of Money – The O’jays

You Never Give Me Your Money – The Beatles

Gotta Serve Somebody – Bob Dylan

Money For Nothing – Dire Straits

Just Got Paid – ZZ Top

Nobody Knows You when You’re Down & Out – Eric Clapton

It’s Money That I Love – Randy Newman

I am up for anything, so give it to me! You can post here on the blog or on my facebook page !

xoxo

Mary Jo

"A change is gonna come, oh yes it will." - Sam Cooke

CURRENTLY PLAYING: on TV Palladia HD: Gnarls Barkley - Live at Roskilde Festival

Well, week three of training is done as of yesterday morning. The seven mile run went just as I’d planned, and surprisingly the seventh mile added on from the six miles of last week was not completely unbearable.

I’m in Greensboro, hanging out with my dad, for a few days. He has always been supportive of me no matter what but specifically with my dedication to sports and staying healthy. He emailed me last Monday to let me know he biked 13 miles that morning, needless to say I felt like I was slacking off for not doing anything so I hopped on my bike and headed to the beach and back to match his 13 miles. There was no way I was about to let a 60 year old man out exercise me!

It was no surprise that he was completely supportive of my latest venture to raise money for cancer research by running the Battleship Half Marathon in November. His father, Joe B. Fish, Sr. passed away due to cancer when I was about ten years old. I would stay with my grandparents for a week every summer. My grandfather would wake me up in the mornings, tell me to wash my face before breakfast, and then we would head to the farm in his old pick-up truck to feed the cows. We would come home in time for lunch to enjoy the Spam sandwiches my grandmother had made (yes, I realize now Spam is quite disgusting). But I’m fortunate enough to remember these memories even though I was so young. I vaguely remember his illness and his final days. I know he was a great man, based on stories told by my dad and the pictures that were hung in his office of his accomplishments, but cancer took him from his wife, his sons, and me too.

That was my first of many encounters with cancer.

I woke up a few weeks ago with the desire to make a difference and every day that goes by I feel a stronger drive to make an impact on the world around me and with cancer research. I realize times are tough, and people are pinching pennies at this point in time. But there are some things in life that money cannot buy or replace, and that is a loved one and their presence in your life.

Let’s stand up to cancer and start making a difference in the research being done. Today is the day to the find an answer to this problem. Join with me and get AMPED to make a change.

xoxo

Mary Jo

The hardest part is getting out the door.

After some much needed rest after the race Thursday, I am feeling back to myself and ready to get back into training. My Sunday Funday always starts or finish with a long run. I planned it this way so come November my body knows that Sunday is the day to be prepared to hit the pavement for a few hours. Today’s mileage is seven miles at a 9:58 pace. I was debating about putting this off till I head to Greensboro this afternoon but decided that since I am already torturing myself with seven miles, the least I could do is give my feet, knees, and legs a break by running on relatively flat terrain as opposed to the foothills on North Carolina. Time to get this done!

xoxo

Mary Jo

28:02 minutes

That is the time it took for me to finish the 5K today. I’m slightly embarrassed by my performance because I did not do as well as I would have liked. In fact I did not finish anywhere close to the time I wanted to. But finishing in a slower time means more money donated to a great cause! So since I finished in 28 minutes, I’m rounded that up to and even thirty dollars and donated to Amped 4-a-Cure, in part because I couldn't donate the exact amount due to the widget and also as a kick in my butt that I should have hit the time I told you all I would.

Thank you all again for your support. I’m really hoping you all are getting amped about life and starting to realize that you all can make a difference, no matter how big or small it does matter.

I made the mistake of trying something new (a Gatorade Pre-Game Fuel) before a race & now its not settling so I'm headed to bed!

xoxo

Mary Jo

Ready to Run

CURRENTLY PLAYING: VH1 Classic Rock Fest on VH1 including: Guns & Roses, Led Zeppelin, Billy idol, & so many more great artists.

I’m so excited for today that I could barely sleep last night! First things first… Check out the new widget I added on the left side bar that allows each and every one of you to directly donate to Amped 4-a-Cure. It’s as easy as picking an amount and clicking Give! So I’ll have no excuses on why you haven’t donated to cancer research.

The other reason I’m so excited for today is because it’s RACE DAY!!! I’m like a kid on Christmas morning right now. The race is at 6:30 in downtown Wilmington, NC to benefit the Historic Wilmington Foundation. It starts and finishes at the Convention Center and goes along the Riverwalk. It would be great to see some of your smiling faces (specifically at the top of Nun St, after the grueling hill that will probably take everything out of me). And in case you missed my last blog I am donating my finishing time in dollars to Amped 4-a-Cure. You can check back tonight to see exactly how much that ends up being. Let’s stop waiting for things to happen and start making them happen.

By the way, in case you didn’t know:

The odds of YOU getting cancer in your lifetime: 1 in 2 men. 1 in 3 women.

(Look around next time you are in a crowd if you want to put that into perspective!)

Female runners cut their risks of developing breast and uterine cancer by 50%

Male Runners lower their risks of prostate, colon and kidney cancer significantly.

Tips of today:

DRINK WATER: There is absolutely nothing in water that will kill you (well as far as I know), unlike aspartame in diet drinks which has been linked to cancer and memory loss or like alcoholic beverages which can cause negative effects on your liver and other organs.

EAT A HANDFUL of ALMONDS: This fun nut is proven to slim your waist line, slimmer waist line not only attracts the opposite sex (always a plus) BUT reduces your risk of heart disease… seems like a win-win to me!

Alright I’m off to have hearty lunch to prepare my body for tonight and get myself mentally ready to run my best!

xoxo

Mary Jo

"Whether You Think You Can or Can't, You're Right" - Henry Ford

CURRENTLY PLAYING: Bruce Springsteen – Magic Album

(Figured I'd let you all know what was pumping through my headphones as I write all this craziness.)

So let me just say, this whole project isn’t about me. This is about something bigger than me. Much bigger that all of us. It’s about taking a small leap to help make a huge difference. I'm so eager to get this started, in part, because there are only eight short weeks till race day (eeekkk!!!), and because I’m so ready to see other people get excited about a great cause.

As I said in the first blog I’ll be keeping track of my training through this blog as well many other things. I found my training plan through Runner’s World.com. (As a side note: Runner’s World is my go-to site for all things running: newest shoes, gear, races, training plans, etc! It doesn’t matter if you have never run a mile before or you have already run five marathons, I guarantee that Runner’s World has what you’re looking for. Alright enough about how much I love them, it’s not like I’m getting paid to brag about their website but there is a direct link to the site on the left side bar!) There is a thing called “Smart Coach” on the website that allows you to enter what length of race you are training for, how many weeks you want to train, a current race time for whatever distance you choose, how hard you want to train, and it even allows you to pick the race day. Then the website works its magic and poof! You have a training plan in a matter of seconds. So for my training plan I knew I needed ten weeks based on my current cardio and physical level. I printed out both a training plan at the moderate and hard level (the difference is three days of running versus four days of running, respectively). Since I’ve been doing great with my training I'm switching to the hard plan come week four! Since I’m finishing out week three, there are only two more runs this week which are five miles tomorrow, Thursday 16^th, and then a long seven miles on Sunday 19^th.

Here is my personal training plan. The dates on the side are off because I had to recreate this since I lost my original copy but it is the exact same plan so I will let you know the day and week I am on!

For tomorrow, Thursday of Week 3, my training plan says: five miles including a warm up, three miles at 8:25 pace, and a cool down. It just so happens that there is a lovely 5K race here in Wilmington tomorrow. It is the Historic Wilmington Foundation 5K in downtown at 6:30 on the Riverwalk (feel free to come out & support). The money raised from the race goes towards Historic Wilmington Foundation and preservation across the Lower Cape Fear region. I don’t think there is anything better than a positive contribution back to the area you live in! Now clearly a 5K is only 3.1 miles, so I’ll be running a little more than three miles at a faster pace but as long as I warm up a mile and cool down a mile to get the total five miles in, that’s really what matters.

As I was sitting here trying to come up with ideas on how to get people involved in all this crazy music, running and cancer research thing, I decided that I would challenge myself a little more than I already will be tomorrow. So my personal goal is to obviously at least hit my time mark of 8:25 per mile, which would give me a finishing time just over 25 minutes. (Truthfully I would like to finish in less than 24 minutes – just not so sure I am in that great of shape just yet!) So my challenge to myself and to really show that I’m serious about raising money for cancer research, I’m going to personally donate my finishing time in dollars. Now in case some of you don’t know, I’m a single female living alone with one job as a server in a restaurant here in Wilmington. I, like everyone else have bills to pay and often skip meals to make sure the electricity stays on, so it’s kind of a big deal for me to give $25 plus dollars when sometimes that is all I make in a lunch shift. But that’s how serious I’m about this cause. And if I can do it, and make some sacrifices for cancer research then you can surely give up the Dollar Menu at McDonald’s one day and donate a little as well!

I’m super amped about the race tomorrow and ready to get out there with my Amped 4-a-Cure shirt and just get people asking what this is all about! I talk a lot, and now I have something amazing to talk about! Stayed tuned to find out how much I actually end up donating tomorrow! Thanks for reading… never forget you too can make a difference!

xoxo

Mary Jo

Are YOU ready to get AMPED?

What is this?

Ever wanted to help out with cancer research but never knew exactly how? With Amped 4-A-Cure (http://www.amped4acure.org/), it is a movement, raising funds to support cancer research through the universal language of music. The beauty of Amped-4-A-Cure is that it can be tied to anything music related. You don’t have to be musically inclined or talented to appreciate it. I listen to music daily in the morning while I'm getting ready, or in the car on my way to work, specifically while I workout or run. (Seriously, I do not leave home without my iPod!)

On Novemeber 7^th 2010 (that's only 8 weeks away! in case you was counting), I'll be running the Battleship Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in Wilmington NC. I'm hoping to use this as an opportunity to bring awareness to Amped-4-A-Cure and to raise whatever amount of money I can for cancer research. Everyone has been impacted by cancer in one way or another, directly or indirectly… Here is OUR chance to make a difference. If interested in sponsoring me, even if it is $1 per mile I finish (seriously thats only $13!), Please do not hesitate to contact me and help make this movement of cancer research even larger than it already has become. We are in the process to set up a PayPal account and a "Text to Donate" line... So please check back soon!

There is so much more to come from this blog (I'll explain a lot in future blogs... my underlying drive, my personal encounters with cancer, how I got involved with Amped 4-A-Cure, etc etc). I'm not only hoping to get a following of people who are also interested in supporting cancer research and eager to make an impact but broaden the scope of people that Amped 4-A-Cure reaches. I'm using myself as a vehicle to bring awareness to this organization and cancer research.

I'm looking forward to this journey and getting suggestions on new music to add to my playlist to get me through the grueling workouts and the actual race!

So I ask you all, Are YOU ready to get AMPED?

xoxo

Mary Jo