Training at Marymoor Park

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/168108548
Here is the training run I completed today. It felt good, I did not have the same problem with cramps that I have been dealing with in past long runs. This run I stopped every 15-20 minutes to stretch my IT band and calf, well worth the time. Prior to today I was not confident that I would be able to complete the Vancouver marathon. I believe that I will be able to cover the distance, just not sure how fast. I would never have thought that I would be running in a marathon but life has a way of putting things in front of us. In my case it was my brother's diagnosis of leukemia which lead me to Team in Training. I am running for a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers. You can go to my fundraising page to contribute: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/vancouvr12/jmcgowau5t

Thanks,
Jack McGowan

Training continues

May 6th will be here before I know it. I am doing my best to prepare for the Vancouver Marathon. I am completing the marathon as part of an effort to raise money for cancer research. I appreciate your support and hope that you are able to help me reach my fundraising goal. I am doing this in honor of my brother Charles who has leukemia.
Thanks,

Jack McGowan

3/26/2012

Today I completed my P90X2 workout and completed a mile on the treadmill. In the afternoon I went to the pool and completed 30 laps there. I am getting back into training mode.

March Update

I wanted to update my blog, it has been a while since I last wrote something. I was not successful in meeting my fundraising goal to participate in the 2012 Lavaman Triathlon. I was deeply disappointed that I did not achieve the fundraising minimum, I spoke with my brother Charles and let him know that I was not going to meet the goal and I was going to withdraw from the Lavaman and shift my focus to another event and he agreed. At first I thought that I was going to participate in the Seattle to Portland bike ride, but that option was not available to me.  However the Vancouver marathon was an option. I decided to participate in the marathon based on my experience in the birch bay half-marathon. I finished the half-marathon in about 2hours and 30 minutes. When I crossed the finish line I felt like I had the energy to finish a complete marathon. The one thing holding me back was the pain I was experiencing in my calves and hip.
I have been training to complete the marathon by using P90X2 and cross training to increase my conditioning. Last week I ran a little over a half-marathon distance about 20 minutes faster than I completed the half-marathon, it looks like the conditioning is paying off.

Helping those with cancer

Today I received notification that I need to commit to the fundraising goal of $5,600 by January 18th.
Completing a triathlon and raising this much money is a big personal challenge for me--I've never completed anything like this before.  I am reaching out to you--my friends, family, and colleagues, to make a donation to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as your way of showing support to those fighting blood cancers and to my training effort.

I wanted to post a couple of things for those of you who would like to donate:

If you wish your gift to be anonymous, be sure to check the "Add Comment & Edit Donation Privacy" section before you click "Donate Now."

I am running a half-marathon on February 19th, I will write your (or your loved one's) name on my T-shirt that I wear at the half-marathon in recognition of your support!

Most companies offer a matching gift for any donation you make. So make sure to go to your company's matching gift website to register your donation.

Your donation is tax-free (so the more you donate, the more tax deductions you get!)

Monday, 82 days to go . . .

Today I went swimming in the morning and in the afternoon, it was a good workout. I am working on improving the techniques that my swim coach taught me. The improvement in my swimming from September to now has been remarkable and I am growing in my confidence in my swimming. The attached video clip highlights a swimming method and I found the mental images in this system very helpful.

I would appreciate your support and look forward to meeting my fundraising goal.

Sunday, 83 days to go and I need your help to reach my goal.

I am writing this on Sunday after spending a wonderful day with my wife in Seattle on Saturday. However the weekend started on a more somber note. I attended a memorial service for a person who lost their life to cancer a few days ago. The memorial was tribute to a person whose life was cut short by cancer, I did not know the person who died but it was clear from those who spoke about his life, he was a terrific person who had a lot to offer the community and his loss will be felt not only by those who knew and loved him but the community at large as well.
I could not help but reflect on my own efforts to raise funds for cancer research and how in a small way I am contributing to making a world that could be cancer free someday. But it seems that my efforts have not been enough. I cannot do this alone, each person who reads my blog or Facebook page is a critical part of this fight. I need your help, I am asking that you consider how you might be able to help if you can donate $25 that would be great, $56 is 1% of my goal  so please consider contributing to help rid the world of cancer. Please tell your friends and family and let them know what they can do to help.
Thanks,
Jack McGowan