Exciting News!

Heather and I are really happy to announce that we have set a date for our wedding!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/HeatherSorgen&StaceyHolda

Starting fresh...

So, I came down with a horrible horrible cold... that may just have been H1N1, but I didn't want to do a nasal wash to find out. They wouldn't have been able to do anything different to treat me, even if it was, so I felt it was a moot point. I'm still recovering going into my 2nd week and training for the Eugene Marathon starts this Saturday morning offically. I feel like I'm really out of the loop and behind already! So, instead of focusing on what I haven't been able to do and freaking out, I'll focus on what I'm able to do. Yesterday morning Heather and I went to the gym at our condo complex and did cardo on the bike and treadmill and then weights. I'm TOTALLY feeling it in my arms. Even when training for runs, I don't usually weight lift, but I know there are amazing benefits - so I'm trying to start this training season off right. I am finally feeling a little bit better and my breathing is better. I can't believe that as someone who has done a triathlon, 200 mile bike rides, marathons, etc........ this last week I couldn't make it up the stairs in my house without wheezing at the top and stopping for a break. I'm slowly making my way back to being totally healthy. Tonight, I hope to visit the gym again and get a short 20-30 minute workout in. I'm excited for Saturday's team practice.

I've also been trying really hard to take a good fresh look at what I'm eating. I realized that I'm not including enough protein and that I'm reaching for simple carbs as convenience food. For example, instead of making oatmeal I was grabbing a bagel. Bagels really don't do much to keep you full and they can just be empty calories. So, I'm trying to eat better, healthier breakfasts, keeping a loose idea of how many calories I consume per day, etc. Nothing crazy here. I don't "diet". I'm trying to accept changes that I can use for the rest of my life. I'm going back to my nutritionist next week, so I'll check in with her to make sure the changes I am making are all healthy ones. :)

As I've said before, I have quite a bit to lose to be in the "healthy range" and to try to get off of my medications for hypothyroidism. Each pound is one that I not only want to lose in a healthy way, but to keep off in a healthy way.

I'll just keep waddling on!

-Stacey

Soggy shoes!!!!!

Today's run was WET!!!!! Left the comforts of a warm bed to go running in the rain with Heather. Reminded me of old times running in the rain in Illinois. We "technically" never ran in "thunderstorms".... but my old coach Walsh must have had some really bad hearing.... wink wink. Today there weren't just droplets or mist....... downpour. And it felt so good. :)

Fun...

Wow. I started running again. Saturday's run was ....... not the best run. Today's run..... was better. :) I got up early this morning, with my amazingly cheerful better half, and we hit Magnuson park together. She walked and I ran. In an incredible show of support of my running, she surprised me with this awesome Nike plus thingie for my shoe. It syncs to my Ipod touch and when I plug it into the computer, I can keep track of all running, pace, time, etc. It is really motivating. On Saturday, I averaged a 13:40 mile. Today, I averaged an 11:40 mile. At one point, I looked down to see that I was pushing hard to a really good song..... pushing a 9:40 pace hard. :) All in all, it was a good morning. We ran in the darkness, trying to follow the trail of streetlights and safe sidewalks. I'm grateful to have someone to be out there with. It makes it less lonesome to know I'm not by myself in this.

I'm going to do this. I'm going to get fit. I'm going to be healthy. I'm going to continue running... and remember how it feels to run.... just for the fun of running. Just to go FAST. Just to feel what it is to be ALIVE. I miss when running felt like that. Today, when I looked down to see that 9:40..... and I was rocking out to a great song.... I remembered that feeling for a moment.

Song of the Day: Galvanize by Chemical Brothers
Great running song...

-Stacey

EUGENE!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am OFFICIALLY training for the Eugene, OR Marathon on May 2nd! Check out my website!!!!!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/eugene10/sholdagtvz

Whewww.....

Sometimes life happens while you are busy making other plans.......ya' know what I mean?
This weekend was crazy busy! October is dun dun dun "PROPERTY TAX MONTH"....... so I've been working extra, Heather has been working extra, and I had Theo Chocolate call out of what seems like nowhere and offer me AMAZING GIGS all over town! I've been busy for the last couple of weekends and my weekends are taken by chocolate for the rest of the month. It kind of puts a damper on the whole training thing when I'm exhausted from being on my feet all day.

Tonight, I'm determined to wear my really silly headlight and go for a run in the dark after class... granted it's getting dark around 7pm now. So, around 8:00 tonight, I'll be headed out in the darkness to get in a couple of miles, just so I can stop talking and get started. Spin class with Cari has been a blast and I think that I've talked Cory into joining us in class this Thursday. Tuesday night I am going on a long bike ride with my better half.... around Seattle, maybe to LogBoom Park?

I'm stoked for October 15th.... that is the night of the amazing party Jeff Peterson is throwing for everyone doing the TNT Eugene HIT season! I'll be buying a new pair of shoes that night while we are up at RUN 26 and I can't wait. New shoes are like nothing else. I'm so excited to get out and use them....

It's the little things.

-Stacey

Way to go, Kelsey!!!

One of the amazing things that I've found since I started being physically active is that I've helped some really amazing people find it within themselves to do the same. I got an email a couple years ago from a random person looking at the Team in Training website. She was looking into doing a season with Team in Training and was looking through the fundraising websites, looking at info about all of the people involved. She wrote me to tell me she wasn't going to do the program.... until she found my website. She said that I was the only one she could "relate to". She wasn't tall and skinny and "runner" looking.

I have served as a mentor twice for Team in Training and both times I had people who at the end of the season told me that they never thought they'd be able to accomplish a season, except for that they knew that I had done it. In fact, I've done it 6 times now. Onto number 7. My favorite TNT coach, Jim Kirby, says it best; "You are better than you think you are. You can do more than you think you can".

I want to commend my friend Kelsey for taking her first steps into her journey of running. Kelsey, you can do this. You can make it happen. You are physically fit, a strong walker, and you can do it! I believe in you!

Whether my training has inspired you or not, reader, is not my main purpose, but it sure feels good to know that you care. :) If that means I get an extra workout/running/cycling buddy... then all the better.

If you are just getting into exercise... or turning a new page in life:

"The Courage to Start" by John Bingham



Love,
Stacey

Updates!!!!

Whewww, that a summer! I've been having so much fun and such an action packed summer that I haven't had a chance to update this blog at all! I've uploaded some pictures of my adventures.... pictures tell more than words, eh?

I enjoyed quite a few events this summer from the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon.... to the STP... to the Dansking Women's Triathlon. I had a blast training, getting to know people as a mentor for the RnR Marathon with Team in training, and had a great time doing the triathlon with my fiance and my sister! What a great way to spend the summer!

Things coming up:

Leavenworth Half Marathon Saturday October 3rd.... beer and brats to follow the 13.1 beautiful miles run through gorgeous countryside... with yellow, red, and orange trees lining the course...

Seattle Marathon... I am undecided about whether or not I want to do the half or the full.... on November 29th

Eugene,OR Marathon... May 2nd. I'll be training with Team in Training for this super flat fast course. I'm hoping for a personal best.

I'm really hoping to stick to some great training programs and to end the year feeling good, healthy, and in decent shape. Long-term, I have about 45 pounds to lose and I'm working my way there. I have lost about 25 pounds over the last 3 years and I'm working on my health, just trying to be the healthies "me" that I can. I have a great dietician that is working with me to maximize my health. Getting into a bikini for my honeymoon is a far off dream but keeps me motivated too. Why not? :)

I took a break after all the events of the summer. I honestly felt burnt out and I definitely felt the "blues" that some people talk about after having a big event.

In other things, I have a great new job that I love. I'm still with the same organization, just a different role. I LOVE IT. Other things are going well.

Hope to update again soon. Take care!

Love,
Stace

Absolute highlights of my summer... things I'll never forget

My parents visited for the Triathlon and for our engagement party:

My Dad and me:

My Beautiful Mom and me:

Katie did the triathlon with me. She put months of amazing training in and she did such a GREAT JOB. I am so proud of her and so proud she is my sister. I am her #1 fan.

My Dad and Heather talking at the party:

Heather's Dad Ritch, me, and Heather's stepdad Michael.. having fun:

Heather and her sister, Brook. The amazing sister duo.

Playing in the fountain at the Seattle Center during the festival, Heather and Cory:

I'll never forget how beautiful the sky looked on the day that we got engaged, the proposal was beautiful:

The cheesy but happy couple:

Flying a kite on the beach on my birthday weekend getaway, the best trip ever....

Danskin, STP, Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Mentor Group for Seattle Rock and Roll:

Riding to Portland:

Dangerous on-the-move photographs by Heather:

Danskin Triathlon with Katie and Heather:

After our 211 mile ride to Portland during STP:

Fun from the last year......

Biking with friends: The housewarming...

More fun on bikes...

Hiking Tiger Mountain...

My family threw me a surprise birthday party...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! It's OVER!

Now onto training for STP and Danskin!!!! Thanks for your support, everyone!

It's finally here!!!!!!!

First of all, I watched a movie last night that really got me... really made me think. "My Life Without Me". I highly recommend it. (Have a box of tissues ready.) Nothing like thinking about death, about cancer, about how much time..... to make you want to really appreciate, love, and live your life.....

With that said.... I often think to myself, "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

With the support of family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and strangers I raised $1,780 for cancer research with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Heather and I threw together a fundraiser in a week and half and raised a collective $1,500!!! Thank you to Thrive, Theo Chocolate, Willis Hall Winery, and the kindness of our family, friends, teammates, and co-workers. We could NOT have done it without you!!!!!!

This weekend, Sunday to be exact, is the Whidbey Island Marathon, and I will be enjoying the sights as I cross the Deception Pass Bridge and wind my way down along the water.... I'll be sure to post pictures after the event!!!

Today, I brought my very purple Team in Training Jersey to work to have it signed by the people who are the VERY REASON for the cause, the patients who are battling cancer. I was very touched with their comments and support!!! What awesome energy to have with me, signatures of over 50 people who support the cause - and me. I am very blessed.

Yay for 26.2!!!!!!!!!

Upcoming Events:

Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon June 27th (26.2 miles)

Seattle To Portland (STP) Bike Ride (200 miles)

Danskin Women's Triathlon (.5 miles swim, 13 mile bike, 3 mile run) August 13th

This Fall - A possible return to school... Behavioral Science M.A. at Saybrook/LIOS.... My application goes out this week!!!

Miracles DO happen....

I challenged my friends and family to make a difference.

I challenged them all to raise $500 in 24 hours. They did it. It worked. It was incredible.

I am fundraising in memory of William Anderson - an amazing person and friend.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/whidbey09/sholda

I present a new challenge. Let's raise $1,000 in 3 days. Please tell your friends, your loved ones, co-workers, classmates, hairstylists, and everyone we know. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been working at curing blood cancers for the last 60 YEARS.... and the end is IN SIGHT. The mission of the society presents an end goal: The year 2015. Incredible. Right now is the time to donate, the time to stretch those dollars, the time to help LLS make a difference in science, cancer, and treatment as we know it.

I work with cancer patients every day. I know that cancer doesn't hurt as much as the treatment for cancer does. LLS is working on less-invasive treatments, and ultimately, a cure. Did you know that LLS helps to support patients going through bone marrow and stem cell transplants? They help with whatever patients need help with... medications, trials, studies, rent, you name it. For so many people, their support is what helps them to live through their treatment... and keep on living afterwards.

Please help me help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I will be completing the Whidbey Island Marathon on March 29th. This is my 5th event with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I've helped raise over $8,000 over the past 3 years... but you are the ones that have made the difference. Please help me meet my goal of $1,500 for this event - by helping me raise $1,000 in the next 3 days.

Please donate in the next 3 days and help me make this miracle happen...

http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/whidbey09/sholda

What Does LLS DO?

http://www.lls.org/innovation/research.html