Tuesday, June 24, 2014

So I'm back at it!! I have decided to run the NIKE SF Half Marathon with Team In Training.  This will be my second event with TNT and I couldn't be more excited!!! But at the same time I am scared out of my mind.....for those of you who don't know San Francisco has A TON of hills and to make it worse, hills and I don't get along LOL.  So I guess for this race I may actually have to follow a training plan!!! (which is my weakness, I hate following schedules!!!)  I am super excited to be running for such an amazing cause, so many amazing people have been affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma and I have pledged myself to help raise money for research and to find a cure!!!  I can't wait to meet more amazing people this time around!!!  I am just getting started with my training and look forward to sharing my entire experience with you!!  Be sure to check back for updates on my journey from NJ to San Francisco!!!!

You can have an impact on cancer.  Join Team In Training (TNT)and run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon (NWHM) in San Francisco on October 19.  You’ll be helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) fund research to advance lifesaving blood cancer treatments.
TNT is the flagship fundraising campaign for LLS, and the NWHM in San Francisco is always sold out.  At its 25th anniversary last year, TNT has trained more than 600,000 participants and raised more than $1.4 billion.
 With TNT, in exchange for raising funds, you’ll train for four months with world-class trainers, have access to  clinics on nutrition and injury prevention and race through  San Francisco’s iconic landmarks.
Learn More About Team in Training and help TNT harness the power of physical activity to help LLS find cures and improve the quality of life for patients with blood cancer. Help patients feel better while you achieve your personal best.
Join TNT and help us get closer to a world without blood cancers. I'll be there, will you be joining me???


Can't run/walk the event??  Still want to help??  You can make a donation to my fundraising page by clicking here!!!!!


Friday, May 2, 2014

From 273lbs to MARATHONER!!!!

This past weekend was EXTREMELY emotional for me……I pushed my body to do something I never dreamed it would do.  I ran my FIRST marathon!!!  Now this is an extremely huge event for anyone but for me it was a breakthrough!!!  I  sit here thinking back on my life and tear up just thinking about how far I have come over the years……just a few short years ago I weighed 273 lbs and was short of breath just walking up the stairs to my apartment (which was one flight at that time).  I was extremely unhappy with myself and my confidence was at an all-time low……now I’m gaining confidence and each day becoming more and more proud of what I have accomplished and more happy with where I am!!!  But you all have heard that story a million times, so let me talk about the race!!  I was super nervous about running this race, my first full…..two nights before I couldn't sleep!!!!  I woke up race day, packed the car and went to work, and man that was the longest work day ever!!!!  After finishing up at work I hopped in my car, took a picture of my speedometer for my little buddy and was off to pick up my travel partner, Anna.  One last stop and we were on our way!!! 


An hour later we arrived at the expo to pick up our numbers, now it was getting real!!!  First thing we picked up bibs and shirts, then shopped the expo….being my first FULL I needed to get my 26.2 gear!!!  And then one more photo opp!!!!  Now off to the hotel for some dinner and R&R!!!
 


After some issues with SIRI we were finally at the hotel!!!  It was amazing, what a great view of the ocean and finish line right from my room!  After checking in I arrived at my room to settle and meet my Team In Training roomie!!!  We arrived just in time for dinner…….after an amazing and inspiring team dinner it was time to sleep!!  My alarm was set for 4am!!!!!

4 am comes earlier than I ever imagined!!!  Now to get ready to run!!  Nerves were running high, I was sweaty and nauseous and I hadn't even run yet!!!  A got down the lobby to be greeted by 100 other runners all with Team In Training…the energy was outrageous!!!!!  Shortly after we board our big yellow school bus and set off to the start line!!!  We arrived at the start at 5:30am, the half marathoners began getting ready for their race (I wasn't starting until 8am), while waiting I had a chance to meet up with some amazing runner friends for a photo opp. (Love me a photo opp)  Then back to waiting……..what do you do while sitting for that long??  The nerves kept building while I waited!!!!


Finally time to check bags and head to the start!!!  At this point I thought for sure I would throw up, but that never happened!!  We entered our corral all set to go and then before I knew it we were off!!!!  

Everything was stiff at first but by mile 3 I was feeling good!!  Ok, I've got this!!  We had our team coaches and cheerleaders out along the way to keep us going…..amazing!!  Nothing was going to stop me…….famous last words LOL.  Around mile 11.5 I felt a pop in my hamstring……I kept moving, pushing forward but the pain kept getting worse….around mile 12 a team coach, Kathy came up and asked how I was doing…I explained the deal and she was amazing!  She told me she was going to stick it out with me, we were going to do this!!  Even with limping and having to walk here and there she stuck with me and crossed that finish line with me….I don’t think I would have finished without her amazing support!!!  The race course was beautiful….huge beach houses, running on the Jersey Shore board walk, and seeing the beautiful ocean really helped!!!  As I approached the finish I began tearing up just thinking about how far I have come!  I had not realized how emotional this event would be for me!  Not only was I running for me but I was running for a great cause (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and had dedicated my run to a few very special ladies who had suffered from the diseases…..after crossing the finish the emotion over took me….it still feels like a dream!!!!!  Well at this point a very sore dream LOL



If you would like to make a donation to my fundraising page please click the link below and help me make a difference in so many lives!!!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nj/nj14/kjermain

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Pretty Muddy Giveaway!!!!!

Have you ever wanted to get “down and dirty” with your friends?  Pretty Muddy the women’s only obstacle/mud run has events is 4 major cities this year including Chicago, Richmond, Dallas and Sacramento. 

Pretty Muddy has given me the opportunity to giveaway 2 regular entries and 2 family edition entries!!!!  How cool is that??  AND if you don’t win, you can use the code GIRLSGONESPORTY for $5 off any entry!!! 


Winner will be chosen on the 24th of February at random from all entries received!!  Winner will be able to choose their city….how do I enter, you ask…..well that’s easy!!!  Go to facebook.com/coachkaseedeej on Sunday February 16, 2014 for full instructions !!!


Friday, February 14, 2014

A Race That Gives Back!!!!!! Pretty Muddy


So have y’all heard of the 5K race called Pretty Muddy?  Pretty Muddy is an all-female obstacle race, climb, jump and get dirty!!!  Sounds like a great day out with the girls!!!  There are no penalties if you can’t do an obstacle and NO time limit, love it….we just get to go out there and have a good time!!  I can’t wait to bust out my tutu and get dirty!!!!  There is also a Family Edition where you can bring the hubby and kids to compete as a team!!!


The BEST part?  Pretty Muddy has teamed up with the Susan G Komen Foundation and is giving FREE entries to breast cancer survivors!!!!!  Check out their page for more details!!! 


How AMAZING is that???  Stop by and like em on Facebook and share with your friends!!!!  If you know any survivors send em over to sign up!!!!  And you can sign up too!!!  The sooner you sign up the more money you save…..stay tuned here, I have a surprise coming this weekend for all you ladies, maybe a chance for a couple of you to get “pretty muddy”

I can’t wait to participate in this event!!!!  Check back later to see how it went!!  Locations are Chicago, Dallas, Sacramento, and Richmond!!!


Twitter: @Pretty_Muddy