Running and Volunteering

Hi Again:
I am three weeks from the marathon and life has been insane! Work was wild in the last couple of weeks and another cold has kept me from the running schedule! Achoo! Sniffle. Excuse me. Despite the insanity I am trucking on and running again and best of all??? I have been off this week and I am off next week! BLISS! Well, kind of.. I had planned a week of yoga and quiet time for myself, but that hasn't actually worked out that way. A good friend reminded me just the other day, "tell God your plans, and watch God LAUGH!" Ah, yes. Surrender I think is somewhere in there.

Anyway, I signed up to volunteer in another facet at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Since becoming a patient-to-patient volunteer I have not been altogehter busy helping. As it turns out, Hodgkin's Lymphoma has such a high cure rate now, that not a lot of people feel they don't need to talk to someone like me who has gone through the treatment. So, feeling a little useless, I thought, I am off work for a couple of weeks, so I will ask if I can help in another way.

As of two weeks ago, I am officially trained to accept and deliver flowers for and to patients! And as of yesterday I have clocked 7 hours on my own taking flowers up and down the slowest elevators in history to in-patients at MSKCC. What an incredible experience! To see children on the pediatric floor whose faces light up at the sight of the bundle of balloons and stuffed teddy bear I bring into them is PURE JOY. One woman who was walking her floor while being administered her chemo, met me at her room where I brought her a huge bouquet of yellow roses, her favorite, from her sister. She introduced herself to me as Mazy. She was all smiles when she saw the flowers were for her. I would much rather deliver flowers to cancer patients during the holidays than sit in deep meditation singing "mama's got the magic of clorox bleach" in my head because I can't find that quiet place in my soul just beyond the logo music of the latest commercial in some yoga class!

Other than that I have been Running! I can honestly say, that when I signed up for my second marathon I did so only because I wanted to participate with TNT again. Not because I had fallen in love with running and couldn't get enough. In fact, I would have to confess that I wondered what I had gotten myself into shortly after the glow of being a part of TNT again started to wear off in September. But now...now I feel differently. I think I actually like running! Did I say that out loud? I think I did. Seriously, once I started to run longer with less pain, I started to feel good! Before, during and after...can you believe it? I am not sure I will do cardio any other way from now on. I still think I need to get my butt to a yoga class now and then or even with some regularity. Other runners have told me that the yoga keeps you flexible and gives your muscles more resiliency. In other words you are in less pain after running 20 miles and going downstairs isn't such a harrowing event. Sure my knees sound like Rice Krispies when I do squats...but they don't hurt, so it can't be that bad. A little snap, krackle, pop can put a hop in your step...or a limp. Heh! Just kidding.

So there you have it. I am running and volunteering and keeping busy as per ususal. Jason and I are spending the holidays in NYC and keeping it on the "downlow" as they say. I thank you, again for taking an interest in what I have been up to. I hope that if you haven't already, that you will consider making a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society today. Have a warm, joyful, and peaceful holiday and a Happy Healthy New Year! Be sure to stop back for the last minute up-to-date details as I move closer to the big race day.

Lots of love and only the deepest gratitude,
Shannon

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Life Affirming and Record Breaking-with your help!

Hi Everybody!
It's been awhile since I updated my blog. I apologize. Between battling colds, training, and the holidays...it's been insane! I am sure you understand. Since I last wrote, I have come $160 from my goal! Woohoo! Thank you to those of you have already donated! To those of you who are waiting...please consider doing so sooner rather than later!

That being said, I have been busy fulfilling my role as honored teammate. Most recently, I was the key note speaker at our Connection to the Cause brunch for the participants of the Walt Disney Marathon. It's a bagel brunch where we listen to the stories of coaches, honored teammates and other participants and why they are involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My talk included my initial diagnosis, treatment and life support recognition-those who helped me through. It was a life-affirming morning and a kind of pep rally for the runners and their fundraising effors. I just heard a rumor the other day that this particular season may be a huge recording breaking season for Team In Training's New York City Chapter. I will keep you posted.

Running is going good. No injuries..knock on wood. In fact, I ran the 3 hour practice over the George Washington Bridge into Palisades State Park with a great deal of energy! What a difference from last season! The most valuable asset I had that day was my teammate and running partner, Ally Gibbs! She and I take it slow and steady...the only way in my opinion, to keep moving on your feet for 3 hours!!

Only 5 weeks to go and...life is good. Please help me continue to raise and pass my goal. It's about what we all look for over the holidays and into the new year- a place to make a difference, family, life and memories...Help me and my teammates make this a RECORD BREAKING-LIFE SAVING SEASON EVER!!

DONATE NOW AT :
www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/sblack