Hi All!

I have a challenge for you! Check this out:

-The Preeclampsia Foundation is participating in the CHASE COMMUNITY GIVING to win $250,000 so that they can continue to save the lives of mothers and babies through awareness, research and education. 

* As you may have read, my life has been directly effected by preeclampsia and eclampsia. I have 3 energetic and lovely children, but each pregnancy was plagued by preeclampsia/eclampsia disorders. I have spent lots of time running from preeclampsia and eclampsia but this December I'll be running FOR it. I'll challenge myself to finish the Lookout Mountain 50 mile trail race in Chattanooga TN. I can't wait to cross that finish line and say "I beat preeclampsia!!" 

The Preeclampsia Foundation needs your help to "beat" preeclampsia too! Please take just a few moments to VOTE today. If you don't mind, please copy and paste this information to your fb page, email, twitter, any way you can think of. Together we can make a difference in the challenge to BEAT PREECLAMPSIA! 

Thanks for taking the time to do this! It means a whole, whole lot to me and I know there are many mothers, fathers, and children that it means a great deal to as well!*

PLEASE VOTE FOR THE FOUNDATION BEFORE SEPTEMBER 19 AT

 https://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving/app_162065369655?cv=2&app_data=ein|91-2073087|ref|1070285a45

-Tina

Being selfish, is very time consuming!

Yes, I admit that I am selfish! I have such a strong desire to complete this 50 mile trail race in December and it's taking all the extra time I have!!
I can envision myself crossing the finish line and crying like crazy with joy, feeling a huge sense of accomplishment that I had prevailed over Preeclampsia. This vision is constant in my thoughts. It's paired with the memory of struggling to walk once around the nurses station, post ECLAMPTIC seizures, the day after my 1st son was born.
I know it seems insane for me to run such a long challenging race. Insane it may be, but it's just 4 more months of me getting to do what I love, to the extreme,...with a purpose! Rest assured that I won't die trying to run this race, if at any time I feel the need to quit, I can. And I'm ok with that. I just want to try!
Running brings me back to who I am at heart, minus the clutter of everyday life. I can be at peace in my heart, mind, and soul. I'm sure you all have something that you feel this way about, something that is just fun for you.
My days don't always work out as I would like them to and it's hard to let a run go when I'm so wanting to do it. But I guess that is what my biggest challenge is, working with what's given to me. I'll make it work, somehow.  

Using my best asset....

READER DISCRETION ADVISED- ;-)

   I am so excited!!!! I just had the best run I've had ALL year! I had absolutely ZERO pain in my 7 mile run, and I also took ~1 min off my average pace! I have not had a run, free of pain, since last February. This sheds all new light on my training!

   It all has to do with my greatest asset, no pun intended really, my glutes. Today I read an article in the September issue of Running Times that changed everything for me. The article is titled 'Hibernating Heinies' and it talks about how leg, IT band, hip flexor, front of the knee, tight calves, and even foot pain can be caused by the glutes not firing. I never thought that my hip/leg pain could be coming from NOT using my butt!! Turns out my butt has just been along for the ride this whole time...not any more. No ifs, ands, or BUTTs about it! (sorry, I had to put that.)

    I've looked for this article online, to put on here, but they have not posted the September issue online yet. As soon as they do, I'll post a link to it!!!

WooHoo! Let the pain free running continue!!

I'll leave you with a quote that Caballo Blanco used to sign off on some of his emails:

           "Close the gap that separates thought and action...you simply must do things." (Ray Douglas Bradbury)

My fight for a cure to Preeclampsia

TOMORROW I TURN 40!!!!!

I'd like to run a mile (or 2, 3, 20 etc.) for you!! Dec 15, 2012 I will run the LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN 50 mile trail race in honor of The Preeclampsia Foundation. 

Please go to www.preeclampsia.org and make a "tribute donation to Tina Harris." Then LET ME KNOW ON FB OR ON MY BLOG- www.mommasgonnarun50@blogspot.com, 

which mile # or #'s I can run for you! That way, when I run the 50 mile race in Dec, I will know each mile who I am running for. 

You may not have been personally affected by Preeclampsia/Eclampsia/HELLP SYMDROME/PIH, but you may know someone who has. Together we can help save lives! Thank you for your help and support!

www.preeclampsia.org http://youtu.be/bvQna6NXKS4

Let it rain...

Two days ago I started back running. Just 2 miles but it was great. It felt so good to be back on the road, by myself, going for a run. And pain free too!! It has been a good long while since I have had a good, pain free, run. I've missed it tremendously.

Today I ran 3 miles in the rain. I loved hearing the rain falling around me. This area has needed it so badly, it was comforting just to be out in it as it fell. I had another run free of pain in my hip and I savored every second of it. I'm praying that I can ease slowly back into it and keep running without injury.

I still have 5 of the Momma's gonna run 50 dry fit T-shirts for sale. 50% of the proceeds will go to the Preeclampsia Foundation. Please message me if you'd like to purchase one. Thank you!!!

http://www.preeclampsia.org/

Make friends with pain...

On May 19, 2012 I ran my 1st ever marathon! And it was a TRAIL marathon! I loved every minute of it. That would be 430 minutes of love. A lot, I know, but it was still very cool. I had been dealing with this hip/leg pain that slowed my training before the race and definitely slowed me down during the race. I've done some physical therapy (not as much as I should tho) and I've had 1 round of oral steroids. I've held off on running to give it as much chance to heal before starting my 50 mile training plan at the end of this month. Anxious to see how it feels now.


Yes, now it's time to get down to business! I hope & pray I can take the heat and the pain! I've been reading the book "Born to Run." Very great book. There is a quote in there that says this:

        “Make friends with pain, and you will never be alone.~Ken Chlouber, Colorado miner and creator of the Leadville Trail 100 mile race”


I believe that this shall be the quote for me to live by for the next 25 weeks or so.  ;-)

Not a good blogger

One thing I have realized with this whole experience is that I'm terrible at keeping up with a blog!! Oh well! I vow to myself (not sure if anyone is reading it anyways) to keep up with it better.

Training has been going well. I am realizing just how hard it is to fit it into my schedule. That's very frustrating but understandable. I just do what I can. My brother introduced me to a new word. I am now hooked on LSD. It's how I have to approach my running from now on. Long Slow Distance. And let me tell you, I am slow, that's for sure!

I have been fighting some sort of pain down the front of my left quad. Hurts when I put impact on it. I can't seem to stretch it out. I'm thinking maybe it's my hip flexor or it's a nerve in my back. I just keep thinking that maybe it'll just go away. I guess that I should see the doctor if it doesn't go away on it's own. Just gotta find the time to go. Ughhhh!

I don't feel like I'm doing enough to raise funds for the Preeclampsia Foundation. Does anyone have any idea what I can do? Help me please!!