The cookbooks are getting published.

I'm super excited about this. I put together a cookbook to sell, with all of the proceeds going to my TNT donations page. I included many of our families favorite recipes and recipes from many other friends. Actually, it's good for me too because my favorite recipes will be in one place and I won't have to search for them anymore.

I should have them by Friday, and I've already pre-sold 21...WooHoo! If anyone is interested in ordering one (or more), you can make the payment straight to my donations page ( http://www.active.com/donate/tntnofl/tntnoflANelson1 ), then e-mail me your confirmation and address to TNTCookbook@yahoo.com.

The books are $15, plus $2 for shipping, 75 cents for each additional book.

Running, it does a body good.

There are 2 things I learned while doing my 10K yesterday. One is that you really learn to appreciate life as you are running past a bunch of tombstones (yes, the run was through a cemetary...kind of creepy), and two, those places are hilly!!!!

Our team had done an 11 mile run the day before, and when I got to the race yesterday, I really had no desire to do it, but I signed up for it, so of course I went. At one point the course split with the 5K participants going one way, and the 10K going the other way. I told myself I had done enough and was going to jump onto the 5K path, but my legs wouldn't listen to reason, and they pulled me down the 10K path. I was super happy at the end though. I had a personal best having run the 6.2 miles in 1 hour 1 minute. When I first started running again, I was averaging a 11-12 minute mile, and that was for shorter runs. I did the same thing on Saturday's run, but I figured that was a fluke. That really made my day.

Then when I got home I decided to take my measurements, because I had noticed my clothes were fitting looser. From December 30th until now I have lost 15 lbs and 19 inches! WOOHOO! Talk about incentive to keep going!

There's no turning back now.

We had our re-commit meeting last night. It got me that much more excited about The Rock 'N Roll Marathon, and what we as a team are doing. I have no doubt that this will be one of those events you just don't forget.

We had the option of customizing a name on our bib for the race, I chose Penguinz, well, for obvious reasons. Plus some of my friends from one of the Mom boards I belong to will be there cheering me on, and I figured they would get a kick out of it since that's my name on the boards. I may try to see if I can swing staying out there for a couple of more days too since I've never been to San Diego, and I will be kid-free. I figured I'd take advantage of that situation for sure...lol.

Saturday is a 10 mile run, then on Sunday I have a 10K St. Patty's day run through a cemetary. Seems a little ghoulish, but it's not like we will be running on the grass or anything, and they say it's nice and cool because of all the trees.

Harley Davidson was nice enough to donate a $25 gift card and a cool collectors box with 6 small tank replicas inside, very cool looking. I can't wait to put that out for the silent auction at the Poker Tournament on the 24th.

Time to finish off the cookbook. I want to try to send it to the Publisher tomorrow.

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Mini-Me

I am so proud of my daughter, Devon. She is 10 1/2 and is part of a great program called Girls On The Run here in Jacksonville. The goal of the 10 week program is for girls to train to run a 5K at the end, but to also learn about making healthy choices, to build their self esteem and to support each other along the way.

Today was her third meet, and she ran 3.25 miles. She was supposed to do 1.5, but after she did that she said she wanted to keep running, so several more laps later, she ran slightly beyond a 5K. That's my girl!

I hope she and I can start running races together, starting off slow and short, and building up to longer runs as she gets older. That is as long as she's not too embarrased to be seen with Mom.

The Gate River Run

Today myself and several members of Team In Training ran in the Jacksonville Gate River Run. It was a 15K, sounds straight forward enough, until the last 2 miles. That's when you have to run up the Hart Bridge (affectionately known as, "The Green Monster"). It was a 1/2 mile run to the top (141 feet up), and let me tell you, it kicked my rear! But, nonetheless, we all beat it and crossed that finish line.

This was my first time running a race with anyone I knew, let alone a whole group of great individuals. Every other time that I had crossed the finish line, I was happy, but lonely too. I used to watch friends gather around and congratulate each other and maybe go back to a tent to celebrate, whereas I used to just walk back to my car. Today was different. I got to experience what it was like to finish the race and find my teammates (yes, many were done before myself), and to wait happily for the others to meet us at the end as well. Some good food and drinks at a tailgate party was the perfect end to a great day. I honestly don't know how I ran all of those races by myself before. This was such a great experience.

Fundraising is moving along. I was concerned that I wouldn't make my 25% before recommit on the 21st, and some amazing ladies from one of my mom boards stepped up to the plate, and within a few hours I was above my 25% goal! Thank you...you all know who you are.

I am in the process of finishing up a cookbook that I put together and I am hoping to send it to the publisher this next week. I will let everyone know when I have the finished product to sell. The cost will be $15, with all of the proceeds of course going to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I can't wait to get the finished product. The recipes are tried and true by myself and my family, and many recipes were submitted by friends...their tried and true favorites.

Well, I'm off to relax and have a brownie, I think I deserve it...lol.

Yummy ice cream

A bunch of members of Team In Training met at Friendly's on Wednesday night. I took my 2 older kids with me, and of course they wanted the massive, monster, 12 scoop, 8 toppings sundae. Well, of course I caved....lol. I did steal a few bites, it was pretty good. But alas, even they could not finish it, but they sure had fun trying.

It's been raining here, so I have done some running on the treadmill. It's not the same, but better than nothing I suppose.

I'm playing hooky on our team run tomorrow, as we are taking the kids to Disney. But I figured I'll be walking all day long, and easily put in 8 miles that way.

Fundraising is a bit nerve wracking. I had hoped to have had more donations by now, since re-commit is just around the corner (March 12). I am trying to work on possibly putting together a cookbook that I can sell. I've also received some donations I am going to try to include in the silent auction at a poker fundraiser that is being put on in one of the local hotels. I know I will eventually get the donations, I just need to get a little more aggressive I suppose.

Off to get ready for Disney!