A new year, and new series of goals and dreams....
Let me start by recapping where I have come on this journey....
This journey began in March.... I was getting a few short 1-2 mile prep runs in for my upcoming military PT test.. you know, the twice a year, get through it, run? Well, this one began the same... but it ended up different... the week or so prior to the PT test (which was early because of a change in drill schedule...) I saw a post on Facebook from a high school alumni of mine. He company and another team together every year for the Corporate 5k held in downtown Orlando each year. This one was no different. They always select a fundraiser to raise money for and this years hit home.... Comradery foundation serving central Florida. A way to help other military folks. I did a "test" run on a Friday morning, and learned, I can in fact run 3.1 miles.... so I signed up. Other than the high school alumni, I knew no one at the race.... didn't know where anyone was, and basically was on my own.... A friend drove me there, and waited at the finish area for me.... I ran, I walked... most importantly, on April 18th, I ran in and finished my first ever race.... I crossed the finish line of a 5k! I raised $81 to support the foundation. I got the bug....
My mind went wandering... it was around this time I began thinking how close my 40th birthday was getting, and how my former next door neighbor did a marathon for her 40th birthday.... I remember her training and running..... marathon? not for me... but you know... I think I can do a half marathon... so I thought about signing up and running the Disney half marathon... it was just a thought at this point... I spoke with Karen, and casually mentioned I thought about doing this for my birthday.... she looked it up... registration was already open... $160 each... ouch.... and oh by the way, Give Kids the World.....
I was reluctant at first... large amounts of money to raise, over 8 months time... could i do it? could she and i both do it? while training and working and kids? She convinced me that we could do it... so we both signed up.
Fundraising was a roller coaster... it had its highs and it had its lows. Unfilled promises and amazingly generous strangers .... and even some amazingly generous friends and family. I worked very hard to find the right angles to promote this amazing organization. I trained. I ran... i learned intervals. I bought specialized gear. I ran a two mile race with my youngest and the kids mile race.... I ran my only 10k. I ran a 10 miler in the forest and trails.... I was having a blast. Fundraising was getting closer to goal, but still not there...
Then amazingly right around Christmas, it happened. Goal was achieved..... $3030 in my fundraising account ... other monies intended for me diverted to help other teammates.... i did it. The next weekend, I met a friend and some MRTT moms, and I ran my first 13.2 miles... i did it... distance and fundraising goals met... two weeks before the race!!
Day of the race I woke at 3 am.... left the hotel by 3:45 dressed and ready, and on the shuttle bus.... met my team out there... and ran... mostly by myself. it was AMAZING... it was emotional.... i got the bug and was hooked!
Let me start by recapping where I have come on this journey....
This journey began in March.... I was getting a few short 1-2 mile prep runs in for my upcoming military PT test.. you know, the twice a year, get through it, run? Well, this one began the same... but it ended up different... the week or so prior to the PT test (which was early because of a change in drill schedule...) I saw a post on Facebook from a high school alumni of mine. He company and another team together every year for the Corporate 5k held in downtown Orlando each year. This one was no different. They always select a fundraiser to raise money for and this years hit home.... Comradery foundation serving central Florida. A way to help other military folks. I did a "test" run on a Friday morning, and learned, I can in fact run 3.1 miles.... so I signed up. Other than the high school alumni, I knew no one at the race.... didn't know where anyone was, and basically was on my own.... A friend drove me there, and waited at the finish area for me.... I ran, I walked... most importantly, on April 18th, I ran in and finished my first ever race.... I crossed the finish line of a 5k! I raised $81 to support the foundation. I got the bug....
My mind went wandering... it was around this time I began thinking how close my 40th birthday was getting, and how my former next door neighbor did a marathon for her 40th birthday.... I remember her training and running..... marathon? not for me... but you know... I think I can do a half marathon... so I thought about signing up and running the Disney half marathon... it was just a thought at this point... I spoke with Karen, and casually mentioned I thought about doing this for my birthday.... she looked it up... registration was already open... $160 each... ouch.... and oh by the way, Give Kids the World.....
I was reluctant at first... large amounts of money to raise, over 8 months time... could i do it? could she and i both do it? while training and working and kids? She convinced me that we could do it... so we both signed up.
Fundraising was a roller coaster... it had its highs and it had its lows. Unfilled promises and amazingly generous strangers .... and even some amazingly generous friends and family. I worked very hard to find the right angles to promote this amazing organization. I trained. I ran... i learned intervals. I bought specialized gear. I ran a two mile race with my youngest and the kids mile race.... I ran my only 10k. I ran a 10 miler in the forest and trails.... I was having a blast. Fundraising was getting closer to goal, but still not there...
Then amazingly right around Christmas, it happened. Goal was achieved..... $3030 in my fundraising account ... other monies intended for me diverted to help other teammates.... i did it. The next weekend, I met a friend and some MRTT moms, and I ran my first 13.2 miles... i did it... distance and fundraising goals met... two weeks before the race!!
Day of the race I woke at 3 am.... left the hotel by 3:45 dressed and ready, and on the shuttle bus.... met my team out there... and ran... mostly by myself. it was AMAZING... it was emotional.... i got the bug and was hooked!