Mal and I did something crazy a few weeks ago. We’re not pregnant! (Sorry, Mom!) We signed up to run a marathon!
But, not just any old marathon– the 2010 Honolulu Marathon!! 
Remember my Life’s To Do list? Ever since posting it on my blog back in April, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of running a marathon. I just can’t get the idea out of my head, and I’m not getting any younger, so it’s now or never!
This time last year, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to run a marathon because of my hip, but learning about my injury and what I need to do to stay healthy, I’m confident that I can complete 26.2 miles. I’ve walked three marathons, so now my goal is to RUN one.
So, why now? Why fly halfway across the world to run a marathon?
Well, my original plan was to run the Boston Marathon next year through one of the charity programs. But, the more I thought about training for my first marathon in the dead of winter in Boston, the less appealing it became to me. So, I started to look for marathons that took place in the late fall or early winter. That way, I could train outside before it gets too bitterly cold in Boston.
My two biggest concerns for running a marathon are preventing injuries and losing motivation. I’ve heard wonderful things about Team in Training (TNT), so when I found out that they are sending a team to Hawaii to run a marathon, I knew it was the one for me. A few days later, I called TNT and registered for the Honolulu Marathon.
It gets even better! 
I told my husband about my plan to run the Honolulu Marathon and asked him if he had any interest in joining my 26.2-mile endeavor. I never thought in a million years he’d actually say ‘yes,’ but Mal knows how much this goal means to me, so he signed up to run the marathon too!! (I still can’t believe it!) Running a marathon in Hawaii with my husband is a dream come true!
I’m training to participate in the Honolulu Marathon as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. I’m raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma from taking more lives. I’m also completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes and I need your support to cross the ultimate finish line– a cure!
As I type up this post, I feel a mix of emotions. I’ve dreamed of running a marathon for as long as I can remember and I’ve literally cried watching the runners finish the Boston Marathon year after year. I never thought I’d be able to do it, but now I am mentally and physically strong enough to do so. I know that I am training for the right reasons and it’s icing on the cake to raise money for such an amazing organization and their research efforts.
So, this is where I need your help.
Unfortunately, many of us know someone who has been affected by cancer. When I think of the daily struggles that these people go through, it makes training for a marathon seem like nothing and raising money for the LLS that much more important. If you regularly enjoy reading Carrots ‘N’ Cake, please consider making a donation to my Team in Training page. Even the smallest donation makes a difference. When I say that every dollar counts, I’m not just being cliche. Every single donation that you can give, makes a difference to finding a cure for cancer. Please DONATE HERE!
And, of course, I’ll be documenting my experience on Carrots ‘N’ Cake all along the way, so be sure to stay tuned. My training with TNT officially starts a week from Saturday! I’m excited! Wish me luck! 
{ 130 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
That’s so awesome!!!! I can only imagine how exciting it is to be running a race with your hubby, especially in a place like that! SO exciting!
VERY exciting! I considered the Honolulu marathon for my first marathon but it was a little out of the budget so I chose one closer to home. I hope to run the Honolulu marathon one day though! Can’t wait to follow your training
I love your blog but seldom comment. I live in Maui and ran the Honolulu marathon several years ago so I had to chime in! It’s a fantastic course and the weather is usually perfect that time of year. Good luck with your training, you will have a blast!
Tina that is Great!!! I did my first 1/2 Marathon this past May in Columbus, Ohio with LLS Team in Training! It was a great experience and those people really keep you motivated!!! If you need any fund raising ideas just let me know!! My goal amount was $1500 and I ended up raising almost $2000! I ran in memory of my father whom died of Luekemia when he was only 29 years old. I was 8 years old at the time. GOOD LUCK! Go TNT!!!!
WOW! a marathon in Hawaii sounds so exciting! I trained with TNT for a triathlon two years ago, and it was an incredible experience. I’d always wanted to do a tri, but didn’t really want to do it alone. Not only was this a great way to meet one of my goals, train with a team, but it was an opportunity to make a real difference. Best of luck in your training! I hope you get to tack on a week of vacation after the race!
Good for you, Tina! I convinced my husband to run a 1/2 marathon with me in November. I also managed to convince my sister to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Florida in February. I love the idea of a vacation/race. Happy training!
What a GREAT first marathon to run….what an EXPERIENCE!!! Can’t wait to read all about it on CNC!
i live in hawaii
but i never ran the marathon.. i give you lots of kudos. 
Tina – this is awesome! Look out for my donation! Also – I worked for LLS on the Team In Training program for 4 years and have helped hundreds of participants raise tons of money. I’ve also done two triathlons with TNT and fundraised tons myself, personally. If you ever need help fundraising – feel free to shoot me an email! Happy to help!
Congratulations…that is so AWESOME! I have signed up to do my first marathon in the fall (Toronto waterfront….September 26th)…and have been feeling nervous…so glad to have you training along with me….well…sort of.
This is so awesome! Congrats on making the big step and registering for the marathon! I’m looking forward to reading about your training!
congrats! my best friend ran a marathon in hawaii last year. she said it was really humid, but a fantastic experience!
I’m so excited for you!
Good for you guys.. Check out this link,
http://www.chirunning.com/shop/home.php
great info Chi Running helps reduce or eliminate injury and pain such as: knee pain, hip pain. You might get some good info from Chi running.
Good Luck training.
I figured you weren’t preggers, since you just talked about being hungover on Sunday!
That is such an awesome way to complete your goal. I mean, how awesome will it be to run in Hawaii!?!
Good luck! I ran Honolulu a couple of years ago. I do not want to discourage you but it was the hardest marathon I have done. I’m excited to read about your journey/training/ and kickin’ booty in Honolulu with Mal!
Power to ya! I am not a marathoner so run for all of us non-runners
Oahu is my fave island!
Way to go, Tina! This is such a monumental, inspiring endeavor. I’m also floored by where it’s taking place, what a wonderful, life-long memory this will make! Looking forward to reading about your training and progress.
Congrats on setting a lifetime goal! I’m looking forward to reading your updates as you train. You’ve totally inspired me to start a lifetime goals list! Thanks!
congrats Tina! TNT was one of the best experiences of my life!
How incredible! I love that Mal is doing it with you too
how awesome is this? Congrats!! and thank you very much for wanting to raise money for leukemia. My 9 year old cousin died last sept of it. I am sure you will tweet or post your link to the donation- I would love to donate
Aloha Tina! I’ll be there also! I live in Oahu! Lots to do here
If you have any questions please feel free to ask! 
Very exciting! I can’t wait to watch your training and accomplish your life goal!
That’s seriously awesome! What a great goal. I can’t wait to watch you both as you train!
A marathon? In Hawaii? Wow! Good luck! This is AWESOME news! You’re going to be badass! So is Mal! I’m using too many exclamation marks!
Wei-Wei
i have been reading your blog for some time now and i have never left a comment on a blog ever.– Today, however, i feel compelled to thank you for joining the team in training to raise money for the LLS. My son just finished a three and a half year treatment for ALL Leukemia on June 25th. He is 17. Amazing organization, great cause and every dollar contributed brings them closer to a cure. Thank you!
What a great marathon to run! Hawaii is my favorite place ever in the world. I love Oahu, but Maui is my “second home”…in my heart at least. Great job! Can’t wait to read all about your training and your trip.
Go for it, that’s awesome!
What a great place to run a marathon!
Congrats on signing up for your first marathon!! And it is very sweet of Mal to run it with you
oooo, I just came back from Waikiki a couple weeks ago and it was so beautiful and breath taking I can’t wait to go back! What an awesome place to run your first marathon and it is so cool that Mal is running with you! If that isn’t love I don’t know what is!
Tina, I am way more than happy for you I am THRILLED for you! How amazing it is watching your dreams come true!!
That is so cool!
Oh my gosh, you have NO idea how happy this makes me!!!!!!! I got total chills reading this post. I ran the San Diego marathon in June after training with TnT and it completely changed my life. I’m so so so excited that you’re doing this through TnT, you will NOT regret the experience (as I’m sure you know already
). I’m so super excited to read your journey and relive the craziness that was training for a marathon. My mother passed away from Lymphoma so the cause is very near and dear to my heart. YAY TINA!!! xoxo
Oh Tina! I joined TNT last year and participated in the Nike women’s marathon! It was honestly one of the BEST experiences of my life. I met such great people, and had a blast raising money for the LLS! Best of luck with your training! :0)
TNT is AWESOME! i’m currently training for the portland marathon on 10.10.10 with them and i am having such a great time. the fundraising is the hardest part for me of all of this, but i have no doubt with all your connections and blog friends that you will rock it! i’ll donate to you if you donate to me – even $10 would help since my race is 8 weeks away!! my page is http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/portland10/cmccann. GOOD LUCK!!
I think it’s kismet because I’m going to be training for a marathon on December 12th (Tuscon) and I’ll be in Boston for training!!! We should get together for some long runs!!
what a wonderful task to take on together!
Tina, what an awesome endeavor! I absolutely love your drive and dedication, and it’s great that Mal will be joining you in running the marathon. I hope you guys can take advantage of the location and enjoy a relaxing vacation either before or after the race! I will certainly contribute to your fund, and look forward to reading about the training process involved in preparing to run the marathon.
This is so exciting!! I’m thrilled for you and Mal. You guys are going after a dream that I also have. And in Hawaii, of all places? Even better!
Wow that is going to be amazing!!! I just came back from my honeymoon in Hawaii and it will definitely be a gorgeous location to do a marathon! can’t wait to follow your training adventures. I love that Mal will be joining you. He needs to give me some tips on getting time off not around school vacations haha.
congrats! i ran the Nike Women’s half in San Fran last fall with TNT and it was without a doubt one of the most amazing experiences. I love TNT and ran with the Boston team! You’re going to remember this experience forever, I know I will
OH MY YOU WILL HAVE SO MUCH FUN!! HAWAII IS SO GORGEOUS!!
Congrats!! I’m so happy that Mal will be doing it with you as well! so cool and such a great memory for you both.
Wow!! That’s so great! My dream is to run the Disney half marathon in the near future…your story is a great inspiration and motivation for me to do continue towards my dream and maybe convince my boyfriend to join along.
Good luck! You guys will do great!
I have two friends who run the Boston Marathon with TNT, also supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (and have for years), and it’s SUCH a great cause. And enjoy Hawaii! I don’t remember a ton about it since I went when I was 13, but I do remember thinking it was beautiful!
Congrats! That’s going to be awesome!!
Oh awesome! Best of luck Tina!! I think signing up for a destination marathon is a great way to do it. With a trip on the horizon, it’s easier to stay committed…wouldn’t want to waste the trip by not doing what you booked it for. Plus, this REALLY makes it something to look forward to
.
Wow, if I were ever to run a marathon, it would def. have to be in Hawaii. I think I said this last week, but CONGRATS, and I can’t wait to follow your training plan and your race recap!
Tina,
Please contact me via email. I work for a cancer drug company that might be able to make a donation.
Thank you
Agnieszka
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →