Friday, April 11, 2014

Chasing My Shadow [And Running for Others]

Last night, Harry and I met up with his Aunt and Uncle after their run by the park near where we live.   What's better than a beer and mac n' cheese wedges (with applesauce!) on a Thursday evening?

Nothing.  That's what.



We ended up going to Sutherland's Food & Spirits for some grub and giggles.  It really helped that it was perfect walking weather (though Harry wanted to drive, since he was brave and ran a day after our monster speedwork session Wednesday evening).

Mmm...mac n'cheese wedges...these are the best and I actually had a hankerin' for 'em.  That applesauce is an absolute must for dunking!  I know it sounds odd; Harry and I were super weirded out by it the first time we tried it, but it's delicious.




Kim reminds me so very much of my Aunt Jeannie Weenie.  She's just fun and spunky and a real hoot and a holler.  She's very caring and has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. 

Kim is training with Team Challenge for her third half marathon.  Here is a part of her write-up on her donation page:

"Thank you for supporting me in my personal challenge to complete the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon, while raising money and awareness for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA)!  Through Team Challenge, I have committed to raising $1,900 to help the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Although I've committed to $1,900 my goal is to exceed that and raise $3,000! I know with all the resources I have, we can do this!  A minimum of 82 cents per dollar raised by CCFA goes directly to research and patient support.  Your tax-deductible contribution will go toward curing Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.

Each day is gift from God, and each day brings challenges to many of us.  Most of us that are healthy, may take leading a normal, healthy life for granted and then there are the 1.5 million people that are diagnosed with Crohn’s and Colitis and only dream to live a normal “healthy” life. Of course then there are my family members that have been affected and honestly, its then that it becomes personal. So today I am taking this opportunity to make a difference and challenging myself to raise $3,000 by running 13.1 miles on their behalf. 

On June 7th I will be running for Donna Bynes!  Most of you know the struggles that Donna has been through and for those of you that do not –Donna was diagnosed with Crohn’s at a very young age, and last summer she was diagnosed with colon cancer, just shortly after giving birth to their son. She is now in the final stages of kicking cancer in the ass, completing her second round of chemo and doing great.  I will gain my strength and endurance from her along with the support of my friends and family."

I've provided the link to her donation page above AND HERE.  :D  Every little bit helps, y'all!

After some frosty beverages and noms, Harry and I walked home and I immediately hit the hay.  I had to get up extra early this morning to run before work.

I'm usually up and at 'em after a cup of coffee first thing in the morning (4:30am, mind you).  If I'm truly desperate and need to wake up more, I have to rely on a dance/sing party in the Jeep on the way out to the trails/work.  Sometimes you have to go with the basics for that...cut to me, this morning:


It's easier than one would think to dance in the driver's seat.  Plus, that song is just so snappy!

I managed to get to work, throw my stuff in the locker room (yup, I'm lucky to have a shower at work, and a ~10-mile loop nearby) and get out the door when I needed to, and felt pretty good about it.  The dance party worked.  It was about 35*F (I still love running in the cold) and the sun was already up.  This is one thing I look forward to that comes along with Spring, 'cause sometimes it's scary running in the dark.


My Go-Go Gadget Legs were still so worn out from the speedwork a couple of days ago.  My quads and hamstrings were tight, but once I started running it all loosened up a bit.  I kept an easy pace over the hills and rollers, and just enjoyed chasing my shadow until it was time to turn around and head back to the school.  A couple of the teachers were already there, so I got to chit-chat a bit with them while stretching.

After showering, working a bit on pressing Special Olympics matters, and planning for lessons next week, it was time for lunch.  I ate potentially the most offensive meal of my life.  Allow me to highlight the offensive ingredients:  this salad had Romaine lettuce, hummus, guacamole, quinoa tabbouleh, and brown rice and quinoa with garlic.  I felt horrible for anyone I came within 20 feet of.


Friday = swim day for my Adaptive P.E. classes.  This is our tiny pool at the REC on campus.  I'm not sure, but I think it's like 15 yards.  *le headtilt*  I get in for about two hours with the kids.  It's pretty awesome.


And swimming, no matter if I just got in the water and played around or if I did a structured workout, will always and forever make me ravenous as all getout.  I searched through the kitchen cabinets at school for a snack and came across some jumbo 'mallows.  Time to play "Fluffy Bunny"!


Things are starting to get really busy here on this bloggie of mine!  I have several things coming up, including a giveaway pretty soon.  I also have some brand new footwear from Altra Running to test out next week.  I can't wait!

Also, THIS.  I'm doing my first color run 5K (because why not just have fun, for crying out loud?), Run or Dye!  Check out the discount code BLOGCHICAGO for $10.00 off registration, y'all!  It will be located at Toyota Park on May 24th, 2014.


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Have you ever done a color run?  Which one?


Does swimming make you hungry?
I'm still hungry.

What's your favorite cause or charity to run for, donate, or support?

4 comments:

  1. you are amazing! i love that you are running for this charity. It's near and dear to my heart! keep it real friend, we're here to support. wish i could bring coffee. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim has run for this charity a few times...she's amazing!

      We might have that coffee next January. 3M is calling my name!

      Delete
  2. Yayyy for a fun run! I have done 3 color runs now and I looooove them, and I don't even really like running that much :) BTW those mac n cheese bites look so frickin incredible! Thanks for all of your support...I love seeing your positive comments. It really helps :)

    ReplyDelete

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