Waiting.................. the hardest part (of training for a marathon)

I am waiting.  Waiting until I am well enough to run again.  I feel like I'm so close.  My nose is still overflowing with the nasties (yes, I'm still using the Neti pot).  I'm still hacking like a life long smoker every time I start laughing, but I can feel myself getting better.

Laurelin and I have devised a plan (that needs some revising since the plan was originally scheduled to begin this week) for how I'm going to get back on track.  I've missed a decent sized chunk of training and I've got 20 miles to run in a few weeks and 26.2 miles to run in less than 8 weeks!!!

That's my running update.  I promise it will get more interesting very, very soon.

In other news...

Our trivia event raised $765.00 for Boston Partners, which Kelly, Todd, Erin and myself split four ways for $191.25 toward our individual fundraising goals.

A big thanks to Crossroads Pub for hosting us (and donating a $50 gift card) and to The Capital Grille, Picco, Flour, 606 Congress, and B.Good for generously donating prizes.  Last but not least to Bob and Gary for being our awesome trivia masters (can't get enough of them, they host trivia at Comicazi!)

Currently, I have raised $2,246.80.  That's $253.20 away from 50% of my $5,000 goal.  I know it's a lofty goal, but it would be amazing to reach.  Let's get there!  Less than 8 weeks until the marathon.  If you haven't donated yet, make my day!!!

Thank you thank you thank you to...
ALL the folks who joined us for trivia last Friday.  You rock!

And also to...
Tom Hutchings, Team Schnaible, Uncle Steve & Aunt Ayako, Grandma Barb, and Gretchen Anderson for your donations!  THANK YOU!  I'm grateful for you financial support!

I'm also incredibly grateful for all of the encouragement I've received from my teammates, coworkers, friends and family the past few weeks.  It's been really tough to stay positive and not be overwhelmingly envious of my teammates exhaustion and suffering (i.e. training). 

Mia Loves Boston Partners!

 

too cute.

Blog post soon to come!  Trivia tonight was a great success!  

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Boston Partners staff marathoners! 

For the love of running

I have been sick for a week.  I'm feeling a ton better than last week, but here I am still hacking up green nasties and feeling like someone jammed a bunch of cotton up my nose alllll the way into my brain.  I didn't run last week.  It was terrible.  I felt like I was totally missing out.  I guess the only thing worse than running 17 miles is missing a 17 mile run.  I left them this message:

So, I decided it was time to see a doctor.  I missed them Friday and couldn't get an appointment until today.  Good news is it's not a sinus infection.  It's what I thought, a really bad head cold.  Unfortunately, there's nothing by way of antibiotic to take.  Even more unfortunately my immune system needs energy to get well and running expands a LOT of energy so I'm supposed to take a few more days off.  And my doctor actually laughed when I asked if I would be ok to run 17 miles on Saturday.  I ran 3 miles yesterday and it felt awesome but it was also 37 degrees and sunny.  I can't say I was too crushed when told to take off today, as this is what it looks like outside right now:

Yeah - it's snowing.

Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly for any runners reading) this past week has been the hardest part of my training so far.  Not being able to run is scaring me.  While I know my insides are getting better (haha, sorry that was gross-sounding) I'm worried that my muscles are weakening at a rapid pace (yes, I'm being dramatic).  But really, the next long run I'm scheduled to do is 18 miles.  18 miles seems like it would be easier if I hadn't missed almost two weeks of running, including two long runs.  At the peak of my training. 

At this point, I'll do just about anything to get well again.  For the love of running... ok the fear of not running.  My doctor suggested a couple of over-the-counter remedies which I just picked up at CVS (don't you love going to CVS and spending thirty frickin dollars?!)  One of which is the last image I will leave you with today. 

photo credit: Nicole Dissette

See the watering can I'm sticking up my left nostril?  That's a Netti Pot.  You mix a saline solution powder and warm water in the pot stick it up to your nose and tilt your head to the side so that the water runs all the way through your sinuses.  See what I mean... I'll do ANYTHING to get better.  Including shoving a plastic watering can up my nostrils (yes, I had to do each side) in the hopes that they get flushed out and my head ache goes AWAY.  It might even be worth it if it works.  I hope it works.  Soon.

Big thank you to...
Laura Lintz, Colleen Dobson, Mike Hunter, and the Buzzells for your support this week! 

I'm getting there!!!!

FUNdraising

Ok y'all this is going to be a long one.  Feel free to skim.

I’ve been talking a lot about running lately, let’s for a bit chat about the other challenge that I’ve mentioned here and there – fundraising.

But this post is not to preach about why you should donate to MY marathon fund. It’s to share ways that teammates and I have been fundraising. There’s a lot of creativity happening and I think that many folks will find useful. I’ve tried to break it up into sections as best as possible. And for goodness sakes if I’ve missed something, comment on it and add to the list!  I will just list some of many ways to raise funds; I will expand on others (not too much because this is going to be LONG, please feel free to email if you’d like more details.

Take the easy stuff to the next level:

• Write a letter, write an email, do it. Many people feel bad about asking others for money, but you shouldn’t. If they don’t want to give, they won’t. There isn’t anything wrong with writing a letter or email asking for a donation.
• *Also, include a post-script mentioning that donations are tax deductible (make sure you or your organization sends a thank you because a) you need to thank these donors and b) it will serve as a tax note).

• Email often!  You don’t always have to make a “direct” ask. Let people know about events, important milestones, blog posts, etc.
• Update your facebook, twitter, myspace, whatever you’re using to stay in touch.  Don’t be crazy and write something every 30 seconds, but link to your fundraising page and to a blog (if you have one) just so that people can check out what you’re doing and easily link to you.
• Blog!  Connect with people… you are reading this now, right?

• Keep your change – I have so many quarters left over from laundry
• Return bottles/cans
• Give your donors some incentive – when someone donates at least $20 to Todd he writes them a song and performs it on YouTube
• Challenge your donors – Kelly challenged all of her donors to donate a dollar to her marathon fund when they purchased a cup of coffee, latte, cappuccino, etc and she matched each donation.

Raffles:
Have a hobby that other people enjoy?  Have a monthly raffle. My teammate, Erin is a fantabulous baker (and cook – check out this woman’s blog).  She has had amazing success with a monthly baked goods raffle.  I myself won a bourbon apple pie and it was well worth the $10 in tickets I purchased.
Other things you can raffle:

• Into graphic design?  Holiday card design raffle (I totally bonked on this one… good idea Judy)
• Anyone you know into beading?  Raffle off some homemade jewelry
• 50/50 raffle – these are good at events
• Online raffle: ask local organizations for gift cards or goodies and raffle them off online or at an event

Events:
Events are great. Some take more effort than others, but for the most part they can be easy to plan and wildly successful. Assume all events include a cover charge.  I will try to list beginning with most simple (as far as planning) to more difficult…

• Have a party.  Don’t have a big enough place? Contact local bars/restaurants to see if they will donate their space (they will). And while you’re at it, ask them for some free appetizers… I bet you’ll get them!
• Game Night. Make it a potluck so you don’t have to worry about making food for everyone. This works best in a residence versus a bar.
• Wine Tasting. Everyone brings a bottle of wine in a different variety; assign varieties to avoid duplicates. Cover the label and give each bottle a number. Have a key somewhere for when this is all over. Each guest tastes each wine and tries to guess which variety it is. Give the winner a prize, perhaps a bottle of wine…? (Thanks Jim)
• Trivia.  This can get tricky.  You need: 1) Space  2) Trivia Master  3)  PA system  4) Prizes (stuff or cash, but prizes are necessary)
  You can get all of these things donated. I know because the staff team members are hosting a trivia night. We’ve gotten all of these things donated to us.  Email for more details.  Or, see it in action FRIDAY, FEB. 19 at 6:00 PM at CROSSROADS PUB (Mass Ave and Comm Ave)     $10/person
• Poker – a tournament of your choice.  Please email me for details on this one.
• Pub Crawl!  ‘nuff said

A word on gambling:
People like to gamble.  It’s not technically legal. My only advice, be wise when planning events or pools.

• Superbowl squares
• March Madness
• Poker tournaments

At the office:

• Again, put a letter in everyone’s mailbox informing them of your endeavor and asking for their support.  Oh, and send an email too.
• Invite your co-workers to events
• Swear jar!  F bombs are worth a dollar!
• Jeans day – many companies will allow a casual day midweek for $5.  All proceeds go to charity. 

Company Gift Matching:
Many companies match employee gifts made to charity.  Urge potential donors to check with their employers about matching gifts.  And, make it easy for them.  Send them your nonprofits 501.C3 form.

I almost forgot

 

I almost forgot!!!  Thanks Aunt Shelley for this sweet new jacket.  

MITTEN HANDS!  YESSS!

A day of cross-training

Yesterday was Wednesday.  Wednesday is our cross-training day.  Cross-training is essential to the training process.  You have to work out your muscles in a way that is different than running.  I had a very... let's say interesting experience this week.  It was a good one, just very interesting.

I finally, finally, finally made it to the 5:30 spin class at the gym.  It started off rocky when I walked in and there was one bike left and I was asked if I was "on the real list or the wait list."  Well since I called the night before I was of course on "the list."  After I sat down the instructor announced that it is "bad karma to lie about being on the list."  I'm not exactly sure who the comment was directed to... but we'll let karma play itself out there...

Aside from the instructors horrible taste in music (Coldplay, really?) the class was actually great.  It was an incredibly intense work out.  There was a massive amount of sweat pouring off of my body - I really wish I would have taken my make up off... gross.  We did hills, jumps, sprints, the whole bit.  My muscles were screaming by the end.

Since I was feeling all cramped up, I decided to check out the 6:30 Vinyasa yoga class.  I had been to this class before and enjoyed it so I thought it would be nice to stretch out.  Yoga is new to me.  I don't know the moves, I have trouble with the moving/breathing timing.  I can clear my mind I think only because I have to pay attention so I don't look like a total fool. I feel like I can keep up, but I'm 2 for 2 in having yoga bring out the "weirdsies" in me.  Any guesses?



Yoga makes me cry.  I have no idea why, but this class and the class prior I cried.  In public.  At the gym.  Please tell me the first "spiritual" revelation I have ever had is NOT happening at the Boston Sports Club in Copley Square on a sweaty, nasty mat.  What?!  It's the strangest thing I have ever experienced; I can't help it... my jaw quivers and everything.  We finish up, the instructor turns down the light, we sit in the cross-legged position with our hands together (I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know it - looked it up "Namaste") and I cry.  I hope that you are all incredibly entertained by my "story" since it is completely embarrassing for me, but I also think it's very, very interesting.

Namaste Postition

So why the tears?  I did some reading.  Check it out:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21073097/
http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/806

My best guess is... after much pondering... that this whole running thing is putting an incredible amount of stress not only on my body, but on my mind.   The stress on my body is no surprise.  I assumed that I'd have sore, tight muscles.  I figured I'd be exhausted.  But I truly had no idea just how much committing to this would take.  It's constantly on my mind, sometimes it's excitement, sometimes it's anxiety, doubt, pride.  And it's taken up so much of my time, so much.  Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad that I'm doing it, but it really is taking everything that I have.  I so much appreciate all of the support everyone.  Apparently, I need it even more than I imagined.

**If anyone has any other thoughts on what the heck my problem is, or if you have ever cried in yoga class, let me know.... let's chat.  :)

Even though I have a mini meltdown in yoga class, I can't tell you have good I feel when it's all over.  So, I'm going to keep at it.  Even if it makes me cry.