Top 3 Fundraiser!

Couldn't have done it without all your support! Give yourself a pat on the back! Thank you all!

The Only Thing I Have Ever Raised...

I have a new addition to my strapline (its in bold):

"The only thing that has ever raced is my heart! And the only part of me which has ever run is my nose! The only thing I have raised is blood pressure, and that's not my own!"

Top Ten Fundraising Individuals!

Can you believe this? We've made it into the "Top Ten Fundraising Individuals" list, ranked at # 5! Now the list isn't upto date! I know on 23rd July the total was $2020, and as of now the total is $2401. I took a screenshot, just in case the numbers and ranking changes!

And Its All Over... Until The Next Race!

Its all over! Well, for this race anyway. I completed RunSFM Progressive marathon's final 5k today in 45:41, which is 1 mile in 14:43 minutes! Not exceptional, but still something I can use as a baseline to improve upon! My pre-race miles to qualify for the final 5k totalled to just over 40miles. Now, if only I could have done 26.2 of these miles in one go, I'd have completed a real marathon!

More importantly, we've raised $2401 for the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBPRP.) I write "we" instead of "I" because I know I could not have raised such an amount without any of your support. A BIG thank you to you all!

So, now this is over, what do I do next? Continue training... continue walking, continue what I've been doing with more determination and stamina! And sign up for the next race!

The Day! Sunday 3rd August!

Its today! Its 5:30am, leaving the house at 6:15am... I need to be at the Start Line at 7:30am for a 7:45am start.

Am I crazy?

Oh, and Happy Friendship Day to you all! :)

Friendship Day celebrations take place on the first Sunday of August every year. The tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends began in US in
1935.

Its tomorrow! 2 August

1. I've picked up my bib number.
2. I've decided what to wear!
3. I've arranged my ride to the city.
4. I've arranged to meet my friends in the city.
5. I've put water on the stove to boil for my noodles (its the Carb thing I've been told to do the night before!)
6. I am creating a special playlist for my race!
7. I think I should have a number 7, but can't think of what else I should list! 7 is supposedly a lucky number. Maybe I should just stop this list right now!

Anyone remember the "Fun-Run" episode from the US season of The Office where Michael organizes a charity 5k fun-run? Michael becomes ill, having "carbo-loaded" and abstained from water. He ends up in hospital suffering from dehydration!

I have to give a special thanks to Ustad Bhai for looking after me, and pulling me out of Saturday nights party, insisting that I rest and sleep before the race day. I guess 3 very late nights prior to the race day are not a good idea!

Oh! I completed another 1.68 miles today, taking my pre-race total to 40.86 miles! WhooHoo! AND - I have raised $2401 up until today! WhooHoo! WhooHoo!

Bachchans & Co.

These guys really do know how to throw an Unforgettable party. I am still tired from Sunday...

I sang with the great shahensha Amitabh Bachchan and danced with the dhak-dhak girl Madhuri Dixit.

(Okay okay - so they were on stage and I was in my seat! BUT I did sing and dance with them all!)

Sunday With The Bachchans

I'm spending the evening with the Bachchans! So, with limited time, I've managed to get a mile into my busy day today! Not much, I know, but I am keeping it up! And yes, as per RO2's suggestion, I will do a complete 5k before the race day!

1 Week Left! - 26 July

I have just come back from a 2km (1.24mile) run/walk! I know its late!

I was planning on running 5km... I was working. I really needed to get some files and work completed for AND(NOT("International Fitness Guru - ex-playing Professional Rugby Player"), ISPICKVAL("but still my twin")) which has a time-dependant workflow trigger...

The fitness center in our apartment complex, which is supposed to close at 11pm, was closed when I went there before 10pm! I will need to have a word with the ladies in the office!

So, what do I do? I run around our block 3 times. If I had done it 4 times, I think I would have been married to the building.

Its late. I need to rest. Tomorrow is another long day. Next week is even busier with work. And then the weekend... 1 week left!

Watermelon + Blender = Ahhhh.... Hmmmm... :) Bliss!

I have been walking/running - whatever you may call it! I've just not been logging it that much! I may have had a few days where I've simply been unable to do anything! Another story for another blog!

Anyway, have you ever blended a watermelon in a blender. The juice is delicious! So good, that I walked to the farmers market and purchased 2 more today!

Well, that was my 1.3 miles today! I thought it was worth writing this and telling you all about watermelon juice!

I need to get another glass... :)

Dipa is ...

unknowlingly running.

?

Dipa is ...

wondering why she has a sore throat and achey limbs and just ... ?

Limited Time Only - Comments are on!

Yes - I do receive special requests! I had to switch this functionality on... I did not need a developer.

OMG! No more Twinkle!

Well, my "International Fitness Guru - ex-playing Professional Rugby Player" is soon to become my "Ex-International Ex-Fitness Ex-Guru - ex-playing Ex-Professional Ex-Rugby Ex-Player 'but still my twin' Ex-Colleague"

Would it have been easier for me to write the following?
AND(NOT("International Fitness Guru - ex-playing Professional Rugby Player"), ISPICKVAL("but still my twin"))

I won't even go into why I am up at this time...

2 Weeks Left! - 19 July

Countdown begins... Not that I've not been counting down! But hey, I am 2 weeks away from the race day! Maybe I'll become the "Progressive Marathon Goddess" - you can just used PMG for short! :)

2 weeks left! 99% of my $2k fundraising target reached! Just another $20 bucks more! Whoohoo! My Mother has told me not to raise my target again! :)

"-.. . .- - .... / -... -.-- / -.. .- - .-"

This is a very inside joke... That stretches across the Atlantic.

So, you may notice the time on this blog... I went to sleep just after midnight, and woke up 4 hrs later.

I thought I would add a post. Thursday's miles were 2 - there and back from work.

--- .... / -.-. .-. .- .--. !

Thursday AHM & Some Babylon Play!

We had our AHM today...

And then we walked to North Beach to watch a Play.

More details and my miles coming soon... I need to finish some work off right now!

Wednesday Woes...

?

Man of Mystery's Birthday!

Whoohoo! Today, is the Man of Mystery's Birthday!

No running! Just partying!

And on the right, you can see a picture of the Man of Mystery! I just hope that his identity is still a secret! Haha!

Happy Birthday Man of Mystery!

Monday 1 Mile

Mondays are tough! I've said this before... But, did go out for a mile today...

Its a very busy week ahead!

Trader Joe's for 3.11 Miles...

So, I didn't wake up at 6am and walk/run... I did wake up at just after 5am though! I can't just walk with no end goal! I mean, I have to go somewhere or meet someone. Do you know what I mean?

Trader Joe's opens at 9am, so my aim was to walk/run there, buy a few things then walk back. Which I did, 3.11 miles - as I am sure you can tell by the title of my post...

I seem to be waffling a lot more than usual today. Hmmm...

3 Weeks Left! - 12 July! And 3 Miles Today!

Today, I ran/jogged/walked+talked 3 miles! Not continously, but in 2 chuncks! The talking is me on the cell phone!

All in all - this is good for me! Now, tomorrow morning, I am planning on waking up early, and attempting my first continous 5k!

Wish me luck!

Nothing Today!

No walk or run today! I'm just sooooo tired!

See you all tomorrow!

96°F, A Watermelon And More Organic Vitamin D!

If I carry on at this rate, then when I say "I'm from Africa man!" - people will actually believe me! But I think I'd need to work on the accent a little more! Or is it in Jamaica they use the word "man" at the end of their sentances? Oh well...

Its 96°F, I had some errands to run so went out. 1.54 miles!

Whoohoo! I've done 26.53 pre-race miles! Now that's a marathon, isn't it? ;)

The Weatherman/Gadget Got it Wrong!

Its 104°F outside. My weather gadget said it would go upto 110°F... Somone has got this wrong!

Just came back from my usual 1.24 miles!

"Sangathan Mein Shakti Hai"

"Sangathan Mein Shakti Hai" - translated, means "In unity there is strength!"

A special thanks to all those individuals from the HSS Sangh Parivaar in Birmingham, UK who on Sunday 6 July, donated their spare change and have sponsored me!

This is a fine example of support from many individuals from across the Atlantic! And it is a true example that in unity there is strength, because without everyone's support and encouragement, I wouldn't be where I am today!

A BIG thank you to KB for co-ordinating this!

I am only $120 away from reaching my target of $2k! Whoohoooooo...

103°F, And Organic Vitamin D!

Working from home does have its advantages... Today is Farmers Market day, so when I needed to get away from reality, I took a lovely walk, purchased some delicious organic fruit and vegetables, and took in some free vitamin D as well! All for 1.2 miles!

Whoohoo! And I have reached my pre-race target! 23.75 miles! This calls for another...

Whoohoo!

100°F and 22.55 M

Its 100°F outside... and I walked/ran 1.14 miles! Now this has taken my pre-race target upto 22.55 miles! Isn't that great? I only have less than half a mile to do before I complete my pre-race target!

One thing is for sure... actually, make that two things:

1. I love this weather (maybe its a novelty having been in England for the last 6 months, and you know what they say about London rain!)
2. I know I am going to do more miles than I need to for the pre-race... And I don't mind one bit!

Sunday Strolls...

Well, not quite a stroll, as a stroll by definition is to walk in a leisurely manner!

1.65 miles again today! My aim is to keep this up each day, or at least every other day until the race day! AND - I hope to continue afterwards as well! Whoohoo! Watch this space!

So, my walk took my to Safeways and back. I felt green... "Hmmm... is she feeling envy of some king? Or maybe a little peaky?" I hear you ask yourselves! Nothing of the sort! Mo and Ro (they sound like twins don't they?) are going to avoid coming to my place, as they are afraid of the Green Juice! Any green vegetables - spinach, cucumber, fennel, serrano chilli, bell pepper, coriander, and a little ginger! Yummy!

Now onto my Domestic Goddess duties...

Embrace The Sunshine!

This time in 4 weeks time, I shall be laughing with my friends - full of happiness, tired with sore feet as I would have completed my race! Having achieved something which when I signed up in May (6 weeks ago) I'd never have thought I would get this far! My pre-race miles have steadily been increasing, as has the fundraising. I have become fitter and healthier and look forward to just putting on my Nikes, grabbing my iPod and just simply walking...

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do it is increased."

I know exactly what Mr. Emerson is talking about!

Its a beautiful sunny Sunday! I am going to embrace the sunshine...

4 Weeks Left! - 5 July

Its late, and I need to make my blog post! 1.24 miles today! Getting nearer to my pre-race target!

Sleep well all! And if you'r reading this in the morning, then "Good morning! Hope you have a great day!" :)

I hope my British Colleagues do well in the British 10k London Run. Think of me while you're at Shakespeare's Globe having lunch!

I could have been running the following course!

I still have 4 weeks to go before the RunSFM race!

Friday July 4th 2008

There will be no blog post today due to the holiday...

And seriously - is there a doctor reading my blog? My Monday blister is still sore! Any advice?

There will be no run today due to issues with the foot...

Wednesday Woes! :(

I am not having any luck with my feet. I shall be precise - my foot. I wore a pair shoes today, which were nice, pretty, open toed and allowed my blister to breathe. Apart from the big toe and litte toe becoming sore from all the rubbing everything was fine...

That is until I got home. I opened the front door, stepped in, door swung back (towards me), and over my naked toes on my right foot. Off came the skin on my little toe. No training today. :(

Tuesday Twin Treats!

Went to the Man of Mystery's house! Had some twin treats and had a ride back to my apartment. 0.8 miles... clocking the miles up now! 6 more miles before I reach mt pre-race target! :)

Monday Pinks...

Most people suffer from Monday Blues... Right now, I have Monday Pinks... "What?" I hear you all cry...

Once upon a time... lets get to the chase... I had planned to run/walk to the Man of Mystery's house this evening, and then get a ride back to my apartment. Anyway, with the weather being great here in sunny CAlifornia, I wore my strappy shoes, and have ended up getting a blister on my right heel. Hence, the Monday Pinks... and no run today. :(

I think the 75minute walk around San Francisco this lunchtime looking for NikeTown may have had something to do with the Monday Pinks!

At least now I have a bag to carry all my accessories in! And Maroon is the nearest color I found to pink. Grey compliments pink.

And so, you may have come to realize, or may be a little unsure or hesitant to ask... So let me confirm: "Yes, I am co-ordinating my run."

1.89 Kilometers = 1.17 Miles !

I am such a blonde* at times! I know I have to run 23.1 miles before the race day. And I thought I had to complete 5 miles on the race day to get a medal. And if I completed 3.1 miles, I wouldn't get the medal... So, what do you see here? Well, I found out that its not 5 miles I need to complete. Its actually 5 kilometers which is 3.1 miles!

I have just come back from a 1.89 k run/walk, which is equivalent to 1.17 miles! Google is my friend.

And so to answer my family and Ro2's question: Yes - I have been for a run today! I nearly did do the Phoebe run... but there were people at the lake, so I decided against it!

* Apology to all blonde people who may be reading this, but if you see me, you'll know this is the most ridiculous comparison one can ever make!

5 Weeks Left! - 28 June "Got Milk? No? Go Run!"

I must go on... My body does not want to co-operate with me. My legs had decided to send some pain messages via the nerve network to my brain, hoping that heart would intercept and overule the brain's decision making power...

Well, legs had another thing coming! After some painful negotiations, and phone calls from old friends and new, I decided to venture out. 1.65 miles return from Safeway! Well, I needed some milk. You know the ad "Got Milk?" Well, mine is "Got Milk? No? Go Run!" And there is no Google map for this. I used my Nike iPod Sports kit, which is working well. I just need to get a better backpack to carry my cell, keys, purse, water bottle and anything else I may have!

By the way, the phone calls had nothing to do with me deciding to run or not... Mo was at a garage getting her car fixed. I know reception is bad where I am, but I am sure she said she was at FatBoy! And one of the first things Ro2 asked was "Did you go for your run?"

Either the run is going to kill me, or encouragement from my friends and family! Keep it up guys!

Traing Day 10 - 1 Mile on the Treadmill

I finally managed to get all my iTunes songs off one computer onto another and then onto my iPod Nano. I'm all kitted out, with my Nike shoes, the iPod and the Nike + iPod Sport Kit.

My pulled muscle isn't pulled anymore, and my right ankle doesn't hurt anymore! I did one mile on the treadmill again in 9 minutes! Whoohoo - I am getting there!

Either this Marathon training/run will khock me out completely, or I'll end up looking like Kareena Kapoor in Tashan! She's become a size zero. Well, I can dream at least!

6 Weeks Left! - 21 June

OMG! 6 weeks left!

My right ankle hurts! :( Got to keep going though... well, not today though. Going to a Barbeque Birthday party...

Training Day 9: 1.4 Miles - And 2 Dozen Bananas!

Friday evening - and my workout consisted of walking to buy 23 bananas. No, I don't have any apes or chimpanzees as pets, although my apartment did smell like a monkey's zoo!

I also ended up pulling a muscle after Wednesday's workout!

Back to the bananas - Milk Chocolate and Pecan covered forzen bananas, and White Chcolate with Coconut and Toffee crunch frozen bananas! Yum yum! Its all for a party tomorrow.

Training Day 8: 1.4 Miles - Over The Half Mark!

Whats the best way to start the day before working? A good brisk walk! 1.4 miles and I'm halfway over my progressive total!

I needed to go to a UPS store. On the way there I saw a FedEx Kinkos store. I was tempted to go to this, since it was nearer! BUT I didn't! I'd already planned my miles from home, so stayed with the longer distance!

Whoohoo! Hows that for dedication now!

Whoohoo! $1400 Raised - 93% of Target! - Which Calls For An Increase!

One month ago on May 20th, I set up my website, and received my first donation. My initial target then was to raise $1000. I did wonder whether I would reach my target. As the donors started pledging, I saw my little blue thermometer and the gauge on my raise-o-meter increase!

On June 1 I reached 91% ($912) of my target, so I raised it to $1500. Come this morning, I've reached 93% ($1400) of my second target!

All this hard word calls for another raise! My target is now $2000! Never had I thought I could get this far! I know I can do it - with your help!

Come on, if you're reading this and haven't yet donated, now is a good time! :)

Training Day 7: Swami - The Personal Trainer! And 1 Mile!

Swami IM's me today asking whether I was going to the gym. And I knew I had to! Especially after all the good advice I received from My International Fitness Guru - ex-playing Professional Rugby Player coach yesterday!

Swami showed me how to program the cardio equipment and use the weight machines, and showed me how to use the weight dumbells. 10lbs! I can swing a 10lb bag of carrots that need juicing, but the weights were just too weighty for my skinny arms! I did say that I wasn't going to cartwheel or handstand the race. To which I received a stern reply "you need to work on the whole body!" Sorry Swamiji!

I am exhausted! I ran one mile on the treadmill within 10 minutes! I know I need to get this down to 8 minutes, so will persevere. I also did some weights. For my legs and arms. Don't ask me which muscles. Its all a bit too much to take in! I am just so tired!

All in all, an hour or so in the gym! And I am exhausted! The main thing is that I am clocking up the miles. 11.1, and 12.2 to go before the race day! Whoohoo!

My daily horoscope for today stated: "Today's Full Moon in philosophical Sagittarius floods our consciousness with powerful feelings that arise from the most hidden reaches of our subconscious mind. " Aha! So that explains why I was at the gym today!

Advice From My "International Fitness Guru - ex-playing Professional Rugby Player"

So its nearly 10pm, and I've finished working... Hmmm... so, to cut things short so I can watch "Ace Of Cakes" on the FoodNetwork channel, I'll just paste some of advice I received today! I also need to find a decent picture of the Superstar ex-playing Professional Rugby Player from somewhere... with his approval of course! So, here goes the advice - applicable to all!

It all started off with a discussion about wobbly legs:

Guru: Lots more water, cause your legs will always feel wobbly
me: Ok Doc. Sports
Guru: Seriously, if you start training, it's something your body has not done for a while so you need to focus on getting your body ready to run
me: Yes, actually, my diet in CA is very different to when I was in the UK. I have one of those power juicers, so am always juicing. My friends think I'm nuts.
Guru: Juice is good
...
Guru: Ok when you get to the gym you need to do the following: Warm up which will mean a 5 mins brisk walk on the treadmill or 5 min bike ride at a brisk pace
me: Ok [add a few nods for the full imagination]
Guru: you need to do this to raise your pulse rate. So you will actually feel a little warm, as the blood flow around the body increases
me: Ok [more nodding]
Guru: The reason it increases is because internally your muscles are working and therefore heating up. So the body gets rid of excess heat by increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin, then you need to stretch. And thats all major muscle groups
…
Guru: Brianmac - warmup So stretching, you need to focus initially on all the major muscle groups. Legs, arms, chest, back
me: Ok [even more nodding]
Guru: So legs = Calves, hamstrings, quads hip flexors and abductors and adductors. Chest, or top half of the body, abdominals, pectoralis major and minor. Back = Latisimus dorsi (AKA wings. These allow you to move your arms above your head and down again)
me: Okay, I am going to need to Google to see where these muscles are
Guru: Arms = Biceps, Triceps etc . Don't worry I'll send you an appropriate link. Finally the most important one baring in mind you're running is you glutious maximus. Aka you bum
me: Cheers!
...
Guru: So all of those need to be stretched before you even think about doing anything over a long distance. The first step is knowing where they all are and what they do. The next step is getting your body used to them working again. So for the first few days of using them you will be in pain. This is normal
me: Yes, pain, no gain
Guru: After that you then need to work on your stamina. Basically, thats getting your heart and lungs used to working together to pump oxygenated blood around your body economically for you to use whilst excercising. At the moment thats not happening. Hence why your legs were wobbling after a short run
me: Yes - stamina is what I need to be able to do this, and hence all this advice is great!
Guru: Yes stamina is what you need, but you need all the other stuff to be working before your stamina can be of any use
me: Exactly! And that I wasn't all aware of!
...
Guru: Mayoclinic.com - health - stretching good site for basic stretching techniques
me: Excellent!
Guru: Also very simple one of the major muscle groups and their names Wisc-Online
me: oooh
Guru: This is actually better img - quamut - chart
me: Awesome dude!
Guru: and finally wikiHow -Prepare-For-a-Long-Distance-Run great tips for the day before
me: Well, I have running shoes, and legs to get started with
Guru: To be honest, the nutrition side of it you need to do from now. So lots of carbs, fibre and water just to get your body used to eating and taking in this type of energy. You will feel tired initially but that will go.
me: Okay, you can be "My International Fitness Guru - ex-playing Professional Rugby Player"
Guru: Haha! Brilliant

Later this week, I have a Swami teaching me how to use the equipment at my Gym... Watch this space!

Training Day 6: Soul4Souls - Changing the World - One Foot at a Time!

Woohoo!

I walked 1.8 miles today! I am back in the swing of things!

Special thanks to Mo who picked me up from the shopping mall!

And for the record, Mo only purchased one item from Macys!

I participated in the Sole Destination program where I purchased my new shoes from. When I purchase a new pair of shoes and donate my old pair, I recieve $5 off my new pair! Its all part of the charity for Soul4Souls.




This running lark I've got myself into is certainly doing good for others (and not my credit card!)

7 Weeks Left! - 14 June

Seven weeks left, and have raised $1130! Am deeply touched by many of the supportive messages donors have left me! One which touched me deeply is from a previous colleague of mine, Charlene "Dearest Dipa: Thank you for doing this for ALL of us!" It really made me realize that I am doing something! I am making a difference, and its only because of your support! I thank you all!

It has been 2 weeks since I've done any training. The last week I was in England I was working ridiculous hours. This followed a week of jet-lag, and my body recuperating. I have recovered from my jet-lag, kind of... but am ready to rock and roll, and RUN! Roll on Sunday, when I start up again!

Inspiration...

If anyone sees me running like Phoebe, then thats because its so much more fun!

8 Weeks Left! - 7 June (Back in CA)

8 weeks left... It's been a crazy week, working very long hours so I didn't get round to any walks or runs. :(

However, I am back in CA now! Whoohoo! Completely jet lagged, still need to unpack and then start my training again!

One thing I know for sure is that this time, in 8 weeks I'll have completed my race and uploaded a picture of my medal!

Watch this space for updates! :)

WHO (World Health Organization) - Cancer Facts

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. From a total of 58 million deaths worldwide in 2005, cancer accounts for 7.6 million or 13% of all deaths.

Deaths from cancer in the world are projected to continue rising, with an estimated 9 million people dying from cancer in 2015 and 11.4 million dying in 2030.

The most frequent cancer types world wide are:

• Among men (in order of number of global deaths): lung, stomach, liver, colorectal, oesophagus and prostate.


• Among women (in order of number of global deaths): breast, lung, stomach, colorectal and cervical.

Source: WHO (World Health Organization)

Monday's Are Always The Hardest!

Although I walked 2 miles today, I cannot count the miles! These 2 miles are general everyday miles, from the train station to my client site. And since Monday's are the hardest and I've not walked, I had to put something up! (Plus, it gives me a chance to play with HTML code!)


Well, I guess this is the bright side in my car breaking down!

Training Day 5: 1 Miles and a Whopping $200 Donation!

Friday was a long walk day for me, so Saturday was a day of rest! Today, I decided that I must walk at least one mile.

I came back, to find that I had been sponsored $200!

Whoohoo! I have reached 91% of my target!

So, now its time to up my target to $1500.

Where is Adil? Well I know one thing, our $200 sponsor has A-big-dil

9 Weeks Left! - 31st May

I was asked today what I would do once I reached my target to raise $1000. I replied that I would increase my target to $1500, then $2000, onwards, until the race day!

So, I've messaged Adil Ray of BBC Asian Network in the hope that he can give me a shout out!

Wouldn't it be great if all his listeners sponsored me? Just think, all those lovely £s being doubled and converted to $s!

"Come on Adil! This little experiment will be much better than the 'Dunk Dip Challenge' one. Lets see how many of your listeners you can get to sponsor me! Maybe, (and maybe this is a BIG Maybe!) we can set this as a task for Wax to see how many sponsors he can get in a week or so!"

Show us some green love!

PS: Maybe I'll find Wax a nice American girl!

Training Day 4: 2.7 Miles and Dinner!

We were invited for dinner at a relatives house this evening.

What better way to train by walking? That'll be 2.7 miles for today!

Whoohoo!

My total is now 7.3 miles, and 32% of my pre race day miles!

Now, if I just need to be able to run five miles in 59 minutes or less!

I shall keep training!

Question: What % of the Funds go Towards Administrative Costs?

A few people have asked me what % of the funds I collect will be used by CBCRP for administrative purposes? Well, I sent an email and received the following information from a lovely lady called Lyn:

"The California Breast Cancer Research Program applies 95% of all donations and funding towards research and education efforts towards the prevention, detection, and treatment of breast cancer.

Administrative costs are capped at 5%, and we are working to reduce that further."

Well thats really good to hear!


Further information can be found from the CBCRP - About Us page. Should you wish to email CBCRP directly, you may do so by clicking this link!

"Near Leathal Overdose" on H20 (Water)

I came across the following article in The Telegraph:

The young man was admitted to hospital with severe water intoxication after drinking five litres of water during a workout session.

Doctors called it a "near lethal dose" and said he was lucky to be alive after the extremely rare condition led to widespread muscle seizures and kidney failure.

The illness is usually linked to marathon runners who drink too much after a race. It causes dangerously low salt levels in the blood and can lead to fatal brain swelling, organ failure, coma and cardiac arrest.

To read the full article, click on the image.

Training Day 3: Rain and 1.7 Miles

Yesterday I worked late, so didn't get around to doing any training. Today, I cycled 3 miles to make up for this (see post below.)

I know I need to keep this up! So, when my SiL and nieces went to the Mall, my Big-B suggested I walk towards it, and they pick me up on their way home. I've come back from a 1.7 mile brisk walk in the rain! My pre race day total is now 4.5 miles, which is 20% of the way! Whoohoo!

Meetings, 3.052 Miles and a Break!

I'm having a break. I'm in the middle of a conference call from 9:00am-11:00am GMT... listening via the phone, viewing via the laptop (I love technology!) So, I though what a great way to strengthen my legs by working out on the exercise bike!

Unfortunately, I can't count these miles towards my pre-race day target. Although Mother thinks I should.

Uh-oh - I need to get back! Hope you're all having a splendid day!

Training for a 10K / 5M Run

I came across the following sites which will contain training plans for a 10K/5M run. Please be sure to check them out!

Hal Higdon’s 5 K Training Program - Novice - an eight week plan where one trains at least 4 days a week. You start off with 1.25miles a week, increasing each week as you get nearer the race day. The days which you do not train, can be used for walking, rather than a complete "rest day." After all, this is just a 5M run!


The Couch-to-5K/3M Running Plan - this is a 9 week plan aimed at beginners. "Our beginner's running schedule has helped thousands of new runners get off the couch and onto the roads, running 3 miles in just two months." The workouts are the same until you get to week 5, then one has a choice of 3 workouts to choose from. Either walking, a combination of walking and running, or pure running!



Training tips - 5 mile schedule - a simple six week program where one trains 3 days a week. It follows a very simple 6 week program which will "help get you to the finish line." Again, with each week, the number of miles run/walked are increased.

Deeply Touched...

Before I go to sleep, I must say, that I am deeply touched by everyone's support. Yesterday, I had 3 donors and a total of $166. Today, I had an additional 5 donors, taking my total up to $366. I was excited when I reached 25% of my goal during the middle of the day. Now, I go to sleep having reached 37% of my goal, a smile on my face, and tired legs!

A big hug to today's donors! :D

Training Day 2: 1.8 Miles

My legs hurt! But am happy to say I walked 1.8 miles today! My progressive total is 2.8! Thats 12% of the way towards my pre-race 23 mile requirement.

Whoohoo!

But I still have a way to go! I need to be able to run 5 whole miles!

I know one thing for sure! I'm going to have a very good nights sleep tonight! :)

Woohoo! 25% of the way!

If only this was the number of miles I have completed so far! Anyway, I'm taking a break from data... and thought I would give just a little update for this latest Woohoo I am shouting!

I've reached 25% of my target! Blessed are those who have friends returning to work in the morning, opening their emails, and actioning them right now! :)





Thanks Joey - for taking me 25% of the way! And I remember target="_blank" from the good old days, which I am using everywhere I can!

Training Day 1: 1 Mile and Google is My Friend!

Google Maps is my friend, and I used it to measue the miles in first route! One whole mile, return journey, walking/running, being blown by the wind! :)

I am really getting into blogging! I've even discovered a Google App which I can link from my online spreadsheet used to track my miles! If you look on the right hand side, you should see a section called "My Miles so Far!"

Thats another Whoohoo for today! :)

Its Progressive!

A special message for my Mother, and others, who simply do not belive that someone can run 26 miles in one go:

"Its the Progressive Marathon Maa! Thats were people like me complete 23.1 miles before the race day, and on the day I run 5 miles. So that will be a total over 28.1 miles and maybe a little more!"

I went on to explain that one of my previous colleages (Weisin) used to run ultra marathons, thats 2 marathons one after another... After the shocked expression my my Mother's face, I stopped explaining.

Right, I'm off for my first run!

2 Whoohoos and a Blah!

First Whoohoo! I sent an email to all my personal contacts yesterday/today (depending on which timezone you are in!)

Second Whoohoo! I've started receiving donations, which is great!

Only one Blah! I think some of the emails have gone a little weird... maybe I forget to tick the "Contains HTML" on some of the emails.... I could only send out 10 emails at the same time. However, the standard text with the full donations page has not been chopped off the email! So thats a plus! And I've changed my logo on the donations page to include my website address! Okay, lets end in a Whoohoo! :)

Why?

1. Why am I participating in this race?
2. Why am I blogging
3. Why is it raining outside?

1. Its part of our Company's Project Wellness program. Project Wellness is a voluntary program at our Company. Its purpose is to promote camaraderie, personal accomplishment and the mental/physical well-being of each participant, while recognizing personal capabilities and differences.

"Participants are required to select a personal goal that can be completed within the program's timeframe and submit online status reports on their progress.

Acumen Solutions affirms our core values of Teamwork and Anything Is Possible. Project Wellness provides another opportunity to support our core values and emphasizes that Our People Matter."

Members of our UK office are taking part in the The British 10K London Run. I was originally part of this race. However, since I'll be back in the US (where I hear its not raining), I won't be able to make The British 10K London Run. So, I had to do something! Especially since our names were announced during a couple of company meetings that we are participating. Plus, I have been given a running shirt to wear for the London Run! Yes, I felt guilty that I had committed to race and would not be able to run in it with my colleagues. Guilt is a good motivator!

2. Because I know you're reading this, and I hope your encouragement helps motivate me. Plus, I hope my posts being a smile to your face.

3. Because thats where the clouds are.

10 Weeks left...

I cannot sleep. I have 10 weeks to train up. And I just realized the time. 00:46am here in the UK. Its already Sunday.

Anything can happen in 10 weeks. One thing I know is that I need to start running! But first, I should sleep.

CA Breast Cancer Research Program

My sponsorship page is finally up and running! I have decided to join the CA Breast Cancer Research Program team in raising funds.

Cancer is cancer, regardless of what type, and we need to find a cure! Both my father and Sister passed away due to cancer. I am not even going to count the friends who have a relative who has passed away or is having treatment, because of cancer.

So, I hope you'll be generous and make a donation.

As Winston Churchil said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

A Pledge Has Been Made On Your Behalf!

My first donation! Thanks for helping me test out the email templates!

I've Finally Registered! Bib Number: 55153

I received my confirmation email stating that I am officially registered in the The San Francisco Marathon (TM) - August 3, 2008!

I think I need to lie down now!