I'm a runner?

Well, I'm not quite sure that I'm comfortable saying that quite yet. But, I can definitely say that I have acted a bit out of the ordinary. Two things I did this week that I can honestly say I didn't think I'd ever do:
I ran while I was sick
I ran in the rain

Running in the rain was actually quite nice, running while sick, not so much.
I woke up Friday with a pretty nasty head cold. I tried to rest and fight it off, but it was in full force when I woke up at 6:30am Saturday morning. Thankfully Sudafed came to my resccue.
I went to the race walk clinic before our group run so that I could learn a bit about using my walking time to my advantage. The information was useful, and I intend to "walk athletically" during my walk intervals as much as possible.

Saturday morning continued on with me completing 4miles. I ran about 2.5 of those 4. I definitely wasn't feeling up to par, but I fought through it anyway.

The rest of the day was dedicated to fundraising! Crystal and I (with the help of a couple friends) set up shop outside of Walmart to basically ask for donations and offer raffle tickets, brownies and bracelets for sale. Let me tell you, that was a tough job and we earned every penny. In total we raised about $300 there, and we are hoping that Walmart will match those funds.

This coming Saturday, our mileage jumps a bit....6miles! I think that may be the furthest I have ever run or walked in one time frame. The Climb is 3 miles up and 3 miles back, and I always walk both ways (I do jog a bit on the way up, but that's just to socialize). So, from here on out I'm going to be breaking personal records every week! It gives me something to look forward to :)

Training

I hope you like the look of the new homepage. I figure I don't want everyone to have to be subjected to my training posts, but if you want to see them, you can find them here.

Training is coming along pretty well. We have had 2 Saturday long run trainings. As we are still early on, they were relatively short. The first was 1-2 miles and the second 2-3. I've decided to stay in the top range, so I never have to make a drastic mileage jump (thanks Hanako, for your reasoning). I also run 30minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 20 minutes on Friday (I've been counting soccer); Sunday is a rest day and Tuesday is a cross-train or rest day. I've already noticed a difference in how I feel during the 30min runs and during my soccer games. Its great to see such quick results.

On Saturday was had a ChiRunning clinic (www.chirunning.com), where we learned about controlling your movements so that you are not exerting excess energy. I found it very helpful, and I'm glad to have an ideal running form in my head, so that I can concentrate on that during my runs.

Tonight was an injury prevention clinic. A PT talked to us about body movements and preventing injuries. He recommended we do some strength training for our running muscles, while doing a type of motion used in running. So, I hope to try to incorporate some of those exercises into my weekly training.

The $40,000 challenge

Are you up to the challenge?

A very generous donor has offered to match all of the funds that we, as Team Giant, raise to fight cancer up to $20,000. Maybe you need to count those zeros again. Yep. That's right. $20,000. What that means is that we ALL need to step up and raise some funds! This challenge includes both of our current endeavors: Climb to Conquer cancer, and the Marathon Challenge. Either way you look at it, that is a lot of money to fight cancer and help those affected by the disease. If we can raise $20,000 we will be matched, bringing our total earnings to $40,000!! Can you even imagine it? Well, start to, because we are on our way!

Do you think we can do it? We won't know unless we try! Let's get to it!

"How can I help?" you ask. There are several ways.

1. Join Team Giant as we Climb to Conquer Cancer with the American Cancer Society or make a donation to help the team. Click here to join or to make a donation. (You have until February 5th to sign up and get a Team Giant shirt).

2. Donate to our Marathon Challenge and help Crystal and me to raise $7,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click here to help us end the suffering from blood cancers. You may also mail a check to Marisa Allen at 193 W. Greer Ln. Tucson, AZ 85704

3. Pass this message along. Let your friends and family know how they can help Team Giant meet the $20,000 challenge.

4. Send me your ideas. Maybe you can't help financially, but you know another way to reach our goal. Do you have an item to donate that we can raffle off? Do you or someone you know own a restaurant that will let us have a fundraising party?

I hope that you all are half as excited as I am to do our part in fighting cancer. Did you know that cancer deaths are on the decline? The only way to keep that number down is to continue to offer our support.

Kick-Off TNT

Yesterday was the kick-off for Team in Training (TNT). I won a trisports.com t-shirt, which I gave to Tyson (because he has actually completed a triathlon!). I figured it served him better. At the kick off I met Gabbi. Gabbi is one of our honored teammates for TNT she is ten years old and is a 6 year leukemia survivor. It was very nice to meet her. Daniela is our other honored teammate, but she is only 3 years old (she's in remission as of this past month). Two other teammates we race in memory of: A little girl named Alex and a boy named Carlos (Carlos Valencia is a local celebrity for his work in encouraging Hispanics to donate bone marrow). I wish I could have had the opportunity to meet both of those special people. That is why I continue to stay involved in the fight against cancer. We should be running in their honor and not there memory.

Tomorrow starts a series of clinics to prepare us for the marathon. We are going to Fleet Feet Sports to have our gait and feet tested so that we can be properly fitted for new running shoes. I'm looking forward to this because I know how important it is to keep my feet healthy (plus, what girl doesn't love an excuse for a new pair of shoes?) :)

Wednesday is the fundraising clinic. I'm looking forward to this because I'm interested in learning new ways to get the cause out there and start earning money for the run!

Our first official group training session is on Saturday, where we will start from the beginning (1-2 miles). I have been working on the pre-training of 30mins most days of the week. At this point for me that equals about 2 miles (intervals of running and walking). I imagine that I'm going to need to improve dramatically in order to complete the marathon.

New adventures

I have decided to revive the giantallen.com website! I think that Josh would be proud to know that even in his absence, we are all continuing the battle against cancer in his memory, and in memory/honor of so many others.

I will now use this page to update you all on the many steps that we take in the battle to find a cure for cancer.

We currently have two upcoming events:

The first you are all familiar with, Climb to Conquer Cancer with Team Giant!
If you would like to join our team, or make a donation, please visit our team page here.
Team Giant has raised over $23,000 to fight cancer through research, education, advocacy, and support.

The second is a big endeavor that Crystal (my sister) and I are taking on together are representatives of Team Giant: RUNNING A MARATHON!
On June 3^rd we are going to run (or maybe walk or crawl) 26.2 miles as a member of Team in Training (TNT)! The event is the Rock n’ Roll Marathon and takes place in beautiful San Diego, California. I ask for your support in this colossal undertaking.
We have each committed to raising $3,600 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I figure we can tackle cancer from a different angle :)

Please help us in our efforts! Any amount counts, and we appreciate it. Making a donation is easy, you can hand deliver or mail me a check written to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or donate online:
Click here to go to our donation page


We know that this is a lot to ask all of our friends and family at one time, but the cause is a worthy one. We are very excited about these upcoming adventures and thank you for your support.

Please check in often for updates on our progress.