I have found my largest training obstacle is finding time to actually go out and run. I've always been taught not to run at night and since I have an incredibly over-active imagination, I'd rather not risk running at night since I'd be scared of every noise I heard. Unfortunately, I work a full time job and don't get home till dinner time. That only gives me a few hours of daylight to run.
The weekends are quickly filling up and I'm having trouble finding time to do my long runs on Saturday morning, but I'm making it my new goal to run no matter where I am. I was wholeheartedly planning to stay home and run this Saturday (since I couldn't make it to Ama' out-of-town birthday :( ) and at the last minute, I found out I have to go out of town to meet with a florist for our wedding. I'm making sure to pack my running shoes and work out clothes and I will be sure to run 6 miles this Saturday. I'll let you know how it goes...
Between now and race day, I plan to carry my workout clothes with me in town and out of town. Even if i only have 30 minutes to work out, I plan to force myself out the door and onto the trail/road/treadmill. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.....
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Running and a new perspective
I have already mentioned that I'll be running a half-marathon in December. I registered for the race because I wanted to do something for my little brother, Sebastian. I got a flier in the mail the week he was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis that gave information about a non-profit organization called Team Challenge, an organization affiliated with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. The program advertised a half-marathon dedicated to raising money for researching a cure for the disease. All you have to do is raise a few thousand dollars and run 13.1 miles. Without thinking twice about it, I signed up.
Then I realized what I had just signed up for. I had just committed myself to the next 4 months of training and fund-raising. I promised to raise $3,000 so I could run 13.1 miles, and I have never even enjoyed running! I made a commitment to my brother, though, and I was going to follow through. I started to embrace the idea of running and soon found this race to be more than just 13.1 miles and months of begging for money. I began to see how it could shape who I am and what I want to be.
I honestly didn't know how popular marathons were. It turns out that quite a few of my friends are training for them and it has opened doors to many new bonding experiences. I have started running with my friend Maria and although we have known each other for years, this experience has given us a chance to truly get to know each other (we are even planning our weddings together!). She is a wonderful girl and we have been able to share our engagement stories, faith discussions, and work experiences during our runs. Much of the discussions I have had with her have left me reflecting on where I am in my life and what is truly important to me. Who knew that running could impact so many different parts of your life??
One of the major changes I've seen in myself lately is my desire to give back. I've always enjoyed giving back, in fact one of my favorite parts of Christmas time is donating to the Red Cross Santas outside of malls and buying gifts for the children on the Angel Tree. Recently, though, I have discovered a new way to give back. Most races have a charity aspect to them and I've really become driven by idea that my running can help others. Of course, I began running to give back to my brother and the 1.4 million that suffer from the same disease as he does, but along the way, I've met others that could use my help.
A couple Saturdays ago, Maria and I went to Starbucks after we ran a few miles. We brought my dog, Daisy, with us and sat outside to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather. While I was sitting there, two children wanted to stop by and pet Daisy. Their names were Claire, 5, and Grant, 4, and they began to tell me all about their lives. I could tell that Grant had cancer and asked his dad about his treatment. He has been battling Leukemia for a while now, but seems to be recovering fairly well. At one point, he couldn't even speak or walk, but this Saturday, he was running around and sharing all sorts of stories! His dad mentioned a 5K run to raise money for children's cancer and I immediately volunteered myself to enter it. I went home to look up the closest run and began to recruit friends of mine to enter it as well. That run is the first weekend of November and I plan to dedicate it to Grant. I'm hoping this will be the first of many runs I can enter to help others. Although it isn't always easy to talk myself into running a few miles, I realize that the people I'm running for may not even be able to run. God gave me a gift and I feel like it's my duty to use that gift to help others who may not have the same opportunities as me.
Then I realized what I had just signed up for. I had just committed myself to the next 4 months of training and fund-raising. I promised to raise $3,000 so I could run 13.1 miles, and I have never even enjoyed running! I made a commitment to my brother, though, and I was going to follow through. I started to embrace the idea of running and soon found this race to be more than just 13.1 miles and months of begging for money. I began to see how it could shape who I am and what I want to be.
I honestly didn't know how popular marathons were. It turns out that quite a few of my friends are training for them and it has opened doors to many new bonding experiences. I have started running with my friend Maria and although we have known each other for years, this experience has given us a chance to truly get to know each other (we are even planning our weddings together!). She is a wonderful girl and we have been able to share our engagement stories, faith discussions, and work experiences during our runs. Much of the discussions I have had with her have left me reflecting on where I am in my life and what is truly important to me. Who knew that running could impact so many different parts of your life??
One of the major changes I've seen in myself lately is my desire to give back. I've always enjoyed giving back, in fact one of my favorite parts of Christmas time is donating to the Red Cross Santas outside of malls and buying gifts for the children on the Angel Tree. Recently, though, I have discovered a new way to give back. Most races have a charity aspect to them and I've really become driven by idea that my running can help others. Of course, I began running to give back to my brother and the 1.4 million that suffer from the same disease as he does, but along the way, I've met others that could use my help.
A couple Saturdays ago, Maria and I went to Starbucks after we ran a few miles. We brought my dog, Daisy, with us and sat outside to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather. While I was sitting there, two children wanted to stop by and pet Daisy. Their names were Claire, 5, and Grant, 4, and they began to tell me all about their lives. I could tell that Grant had cancer and asked his dad about his treatment. He has been battling Leukemia for a while now, but seems to be recovering fairly well. At one point, he couldn't even speak or walk, but this Saturday, he was running around and sharing all sorts of stories! His dad mentioned a 5K run to raise money for children's cancer and I immediately volunteered myself to enter it. I went home to look up the closest run and began to recruit friends of mine to enter it as well. That run is the first weekend of November and I plan to dedicate it to Grant. I'm hoping this will be the first of many runs I can enter to help others. Although it isn't always easy to talk myself into running a few miles, I realize that the people I'm running for may not even be able to run. God gave me a gift and I feel like it's my duty to use that gift to help others who may not have the same opportunities as me.
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| Grant and Claire.... that smile is enough motivation for me |
Monday, October 18, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to my new blog! I named this blog "Chasing Fireflies" for many different reasons, but I have always loved fireflies and how magical they seem. I see the title as symbolic of life and the chase for that magical moment when you feel a sense of accomplishment -- whether it is achieving a seemingly unattainable goal or simply catching a firefly on a summer night. I'll likely make a lot of references to the chase or the firefly (or both!) along the way, and hopefully you'll begin to understand why I feel the title is fitting for myself and the future I see ahead of me.
I guess I'll start off with a little bit about what's going on with me right now:
I'm getting ready to run my first half marathon in December. I'll be going to Vegas to run 13.1 miles which will be dedicated to my little brother who was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.
I've never even run a 5K before, so I guess I'm living by my friend Ama's philosophy of "Go big or go home" and I'm starting off with a challenge. Not only am I running 13.1 miles down the strip of Las Vegas, but I'm trying to raise $3,000 for the race. The money will go to research to discover a cure for Crohn's and Colitis. I'd love any support (monetary or word of mouth) that you can provide for the race! My fundraising page will provide information about the race and my brother's story.
I'm also in the process of planning my wedding. On March 19, 2011, I will marry the love of my life and begin my future with him. The next 5 months are likely to be filled with excitement, anxiety, stress, and decision making (and changing!). Hopefully I won't bore you with too many details, but I'm excited to share my engagement adventures with you.
I guess I'll start off with a little bit about what's going on with me right now:
I'm getting ready to run my first half marathon in December. I'll be going to Vegas to run 13.1 miles which will be dedicated to my little brother who was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.
I've never even run a 5K before, so I guess I'm living by my friend Ama's philosophy of "Go big or go home" and I'm starting off with a challenge. Not only am I running 13.1 miles down the strip of Las Vegas, but I'm trying to raise $3,000 for the race. The money will go to research to discover a cure for Crohn's and Colitis. I'd love any support (monetary or word of mouth) that you can provide for the race! My fundraising page will provide information about the race and my brother's story.
I'm also in the process of planning my wedding. On March 19, 2011, I will marry the love of my life and begin my future with him. The next 5 months are likely to be filled with excitement, anxiety, stress, and decision making (and changing!). Hopefully I won't bore you with too many details, but I'm excited to share my engagement adventures with you.
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