Fundraising Goal Achieved!!

Thank you!!!

I'll continue to provide updates for my Half Marathon Run... January 25, 2009!

Crossing the finish line & finding a cure!

Week 15 Summary & We're getting ready to board the plane!!

Week 15 Summary:

• Jan 4: Rest
• Jan 5: DC Lunchtime Ran for 50 mins
• Jan 6: Rowing 25 mins
• Jan 7: Rowing, Biking, and more Rowing (30 mins)
• Jan 8: Ran 45 mins in DC
• Jan 9: Resting up for Team Run tomorrow
• Jan 10: Team Run... 6 miles

Total Running... 16 miles + some cross-training and now for the even better news!! We have raised $3,361... that leaves about $200 needed to meet my goal.

So close to Miami and so close to the minimum needed to go...
We're going to cross the finish line & find a cure!!

3 Thousand and Beyond... every dollar does count!!

Happy New Year 2009!!! The $3,600 required minimum to run in Miami is now closer than ever!! I did even better than reaching the 3,000 mark, I surpassed it as I went into the new year!! Actually, I should change all the "I"s in the first sentence, and say "We did it!" I've been running, but all of you've been supporting me with cheers and fundraising help, so it's definitely been a Team effort since the beginning!!

Thanks to all my family and friends who have helped me... We're getting closer to finding a cure for Crohn's & Colitis and 2009 will be a great year starting on Jan 25 in Miami when I cross that finish line with all of your support and the Virtual Runners with me. This is such a great experience, to raise awareness for CCFA and help such a great organization.

Plus I have found a new hobby - running is really great! Whether it's a run @ lunchtime around the Washington memorials or a run with a friend on a new found trail.... it's really great to turn something negative into something as positive as this has been.

It almost sounds like I'm writing my last post.... but I'm not!! There's still a few weeks before Jan 25th... so even if it's a dollar, it all adds up to help CCFA and we'll cross the finish line in Miami!! You can still help... click here.

Week 13 Summary - most miles!!

This is a short, quick post to keep record of reaching the most miles (22) I have run in one week time so far... and it all started with the Jingle All The Way 10K!!

•  Dec 14: Jingle All The Way 10K was awesome!
  
•  Dec 15: Ran 4 miles to Lincoln
  
•  Dec 17: Ran 4 miles to Lincoln
•  Dec 18: Ran 50 mins all over downtown DC
•  Dec 20: Ran > 9 miles @ Burke Lake Park

I believe my previous post back in October, was right about banking miles help you in future.  It's great to be able to see my progress since I started in September.  Thanks to everyone for your support and help!  Miami is only 3 weeks away, and I'm only $600 away from the required minimum to run!!

I was so happy and proud when I saw an advertisement for Team Challenge - ING Direct Miami Half Marathon in CCFA Take Charge monthly newsletter.  It emphasized the importance of who is behind Team Challenge.  For the past 40 years, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) has paved the way to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis.  CCFA created the first dedicated research program to change the course of treatments and search for a cure.  The future has never been brighter and new breakthroughs our on the horizon.  

Thank you for supporting me with DC Team Challenge so we can get to the finish line and find a cure!

Pushing myself to 10 miles today!! A great run with Kate

I still have the cold and I ran 6 miles yesterday.... but what's 10 more? lol I met Kate today for a run in Rock Creek Park. She was great to plan out the run - 5 miles to DC-Maryland Border and back, so that gave us our 10 mile goal for today. I didn't pay attention to the time, since I was more concerned w/ being able to go the distance.... but we kept our same pace and even pushed ourselves when we saw the DC-MD Border sign. We're great support for each other!! :-)

Here's a quick picture of us when we reached the DC-MD Border (one entrance to park):

I was smart and brought a few tissues today... that helped so I could give myself some relief w/ this cold. Kate & I both noticed around the 6 mile mark

that we were thirsty and our mouths were getting dry... so this probably had something to do with hitting the so called Wall so early today. We helped each other by staying positive and motivating each other to the finish.

We went to Potomac Running Store afterwards and bought some PowerBar Gel Blasts and Clif Shot Bloks. A couple other DC Team Challenge teammates had these in previous long runs, so it was great they let us try a couple (Thanks Lynn!) and we knew we liked them. The Blasts and Blocks are perfect to help w/ electrolyte intake during these long endurance runs.

Potomac Running Store is great and our Running Coach for DC Team Challenge is a manager there. They just opened a Cleveland Park store right off the Metro - perfect after a run at Rock Creek Park. :-)

This weekend, I made up for my rest during the week because of the holiday. It was great to test myself and see what I could do after a long rest and having the cold. I'll keep providing updates this week w/ my lunchtime runs w/ Jeremy. And Kate is going to try to meet up with us, since she works in DC, too. Jeremy will have two girls chasing him! lol

I have great news, too!! Kate surpassed the goal of $3,600 and has a new goal of $4000, which she is doing awesome to already being close to that! I'm just shy of the $3,000 mark, so getting close to the $3,600 minimum required to run in Miami. Kate & I hit the 10 mile mark today, so I know I'm right behind her with my fundraising.

All donations - no matter the size helps! Thanks for all my friends & family (Virtual Runners) who have contributed and supported me in this great cause.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and looking fwd to a great New Year! 2009 is going to start off great finishing in Miami!

Change really does make a difference!

I'm not referring to Obama's campaign slogan... I saved 2 Jack Daniel's bottles with change and that turned into $269.35!!  I couldn't wait to get home and enter the amount into my fundraiser page and to top it all off with some help from friends' donations today... 

I hit the 75% mark!!  Thanks EVERYONE that helped me reach 75% !!!

The last few days have been great for me - Running my first 10K, saving over $200 with spare change, and hitting the 75% mark!!  I'm almost there.... thanks for everyone's support and cheers!  It's a lot of fun when you know friends & family care about something that means so much to you.  Colitis isn't the most fun disease to have, but it's given me the opportunity to help raise awareness to people, raise money for a great organization CCFA, and truly feel great running with others who suffer the same disease as me or know someone who does.  Turning something negative into positive is what it's all about! :-)

Crossing the finish line in Miami is all about finding a cure for a really horrible disease that so many children and people shouldn't have to live with.  I probably should have done it earlier, but here's a link to CCFA that provides information about the diseases - Crohn's and Colitis.

8am, 30F degrees, & Jingle Bells on all our shoes

It was a great run... It was my first 10K run!!  I'm so excited how I great I felt before, during and after.  There was about 10 of us from the Team Challenge that met to run the Jingle All The Way 10K today.

I was surprised when I learned there were over 4,000 runners in the race and was even more surprised when we all lined up at the Start Line with no problems.  Of  course it was a mob of people all gathered... this was the best way to start - all of us huddled together, blocking the wind and chill from each other.  Everyone was wearing their jingle bells on their shoes... so it was great to hear us all start to run.  

Every kilometer was marked, which proved to be very motivating.  And as you can see from the course map on the left, we ran so far and then circled back to return to the Start Line, which was now the FINISH LINE.  I found this to be great for my first run.  We ran along the Potomac River, which was pretty with the sun shining, but also was chilly by the water.  It was an even, flat course, with a minor hill to cross a small bridge... but nothing like Jeremy & I run during lunchtime like over the 14th St Bridge or behind Thomas Jefferson Memorial.  So I was ready - Thanks, Jeremy! lol

I ran with my friend, Kate, during the race.... funny how I planned to run with Elizabeth, but with so many people there it just didn't work out.  Anyway, the object of the race was to just have fun and enjoy the experience!! Thanks to Sherry for my 1st Race Great Advice... I jogged some before the race, so my body was ready to go and I also made sure I had fun - thanks Nichole!  And it looks like my next visit to DK, might include a race - so that will be exicting... maybe I'll get Kelli & Mads to run, too. :-)

I felt more than prepared for this race - so thanks to Team Challenge Coaches for great training and Jeremy for all my lunchtime runs.  I didn't break any records, unless there's record for happiness! haha Kate & I crossed the finish line at the same exact time and it's a funny time, too.  We completed the 10K in under 70 mins exactly... 69:59!!  Now, I have my first race time recorded to keep improving.  I remember crossing the 5K line at 37 mins, so I would say I had a good consistent, evenly paced first run.  I'm still learning about things I should pay attention to so I can improve my runs, but I can't do anything wrong if I'm having fun!! :-)

I'm really looking forward to Miami... the warmth, the extra distance (so should be double the fun - ha ha!), and the great cause we're supporting - Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.  I'm still trying my best to reach the fundraising goal and with only $1,000 left; I believe we'll achieve it.... don't forget every donation helps!!

Here's something that one of our coaches shared with us that puts the remaining $1,000 left in perspective and what an impact everyone can have with a small donation ...

If 100 people donated $10 that would be 1,000 bucks for a great cause!! $1,000 can send one child with Crohn's or Colitis to Camp Oasis who may otherwise not be able to go!

 Thanks to all my friends and family supporting me with this great & important cause!!

The Drawing is tonite for Amazon $50 Gift Certificate

Happy December 1st!!
I'll do the drawing tonite when I get home from work... so contest ends tonite @ 8pm. This gives me plenty of time to get home and eat dinner.... umm set up the camera and draw the lucky winner!!

Good Luck to everyone who donated & entered to win. Thanks for everyone's support for my run and Colitis. This contest is ending, but my fundraising continues.... watch for more contests!

I'm so close to the minimum required to run... We have over 60%!!!

Happy Hour Success & Running Update

I'll start with letting everyone know how the Happy Hour went for Chris & I on this past Thurs, Nov 20.  It was a big success for us!!  I believe we both needed that to help w/ our fundraising.  Both of our fundraising seemed to plateaued from all the support we were receiving from our friends & family.... so I was trying to look at the Happy Hour as a way for Chris & I to celebrate all of our hard work so far - running and organizing an event together.

It started out slow... Happy Hour began @ 5pm, but as many know lots of ppl are just leaving work at 5pm.  After the first two ppl arrived (Thanks, Jill for being Numero Uno!), it picked up as time went on.  Crystal City Sports Pub provided great drink specials and Half-off Appetizers... plus we had great door prizes from Victoria Secret, Gotta Run, Starbucks, and some cool labeled wines.

So how did we do?  We raised about $900 total!!!  Thanks to everyone that came out and supported Chris & I with running ING Half Marathon for Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

So now the running updates....

This past wkend I didn't feel that great, so I didn't want to push myself with the running, but at the same time I was starting to disappoint myself if I didn't get out there and run soon!  Jeremy was off this week... so I didn't have his motivation, but I got out and ran 3 miles on Friday!!  It was so cold & windy!!  But I didn't run alone... and no I didn't replace Jeremy for skipping out all week (Hope his moving to his new home went well btw), but it's pretty nice how I met a friend on Friday.

I had just started my run around the National Mall to the Washington Monument... and I hear, "Rachel, Rachel."  It was my friend, Lisa..... she was like an angel to be there I told her.  We ran together and toughed out the cold winter weather.  We're going to keep in touch and maybe meet up again, since we both don't work too far from the National Mall.

Now for today's DC Team Challenge run meetup.... I woke around 6am and enjoyed my stuffed egg sandwich for breakfast.  I made sure I had on as much blue & orange + my Team Challenge tshirt for the Team Challenge Spirit contest for this meetup.  I'll mention it now though... next time, I'm not running in a heavy sweatshirt.  I don't believe I'm finding excuses for feeling sluggish today, but it really did feel heavy... and I might be tempted to leave my gloves home next time, too.  But all the running I'm doing each time, helps me get ready for Miami!!

We ran about 7 miles today.... which I felt pretty good about.  I know I can run 6 miles comfortably, so it looks like I'm breaking through to 7 now!!!  And Elizabeth & Lynn were great to run with today... I really liked how we looked out for each other this run.  Also, Lynn let us try something new half way through our run... she shared Starburst chew gummies... not sure of exact name, but they gave us a boost/burst of energy!! Thanks, Lynn!

Thanks again for everyone's support and donations.... I've started to count up and organize how many entries everyone has for the $50 Amazon Gift Card.  I don't know yet if there'll be an extension from Dec 1, bc with the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching I'm not sure how many ppl will be interested in reading my running blog lol  So I might extend it a couple weeks, but I'll post the official decision on  or before Dec 1.  I want to have the drawing soon enough before the holidays, so the winner can utilize it for holiday shopping.  Oh, and I believe I'm going to do it as an e-certificate, so you'll get it really quick! :-)

Yesterday 3 and Today 4... Become my Virtual Running Partner!

Yesterday I got a surprise invite to run with a friend from the Team Challenge, Chris, who is an avid runner and she's running in the ING Half Marathon for CCFA, too. I thought it was funny and actually very impressive when she told me that this is first Half Marathon.... but she's ran a Marathon before!! So when she asked me to run last nite, I was really excited and even more excited that we have arranged a Happy Hour @ Crystal City Sports Pub on November 20.

So yesterday we ran a 3 mile loop through Arlington and on the Mt. Vernon Trail. The trail is where I ride my bike to work... this was the first time I ran on the trail and might give it another try this wkend. It really is a great place to run & bike or walk!

Today, I met Jeremy to run @ lunchtime and he and I agreed on running just to and around the Washington Monument.... but when we got to the backside of the Monument, Jeremy kept running along the path but toward the Lincoln Memorial. I asked where he was going... he said we're running to Lincoln. So today was a surprise 4 mile run. I felt much better than I thought I would having just ran last nite... but glad Jeremy was there to encourage me to run a little more today.

Thanks again for everyone's support and contributions to CCFA for me so I can run. I'm almost at the 50% mark, so getting more and more excited! I have to meet this $3,600 minimum goal to be able to run... so you're literally helping me cross the finish line when you donate!!

I'll do all the running... just become my virtual running partner by contributing to my run :-)
(Click Here to be my Virtual Running Partner!!)

Miami and Copenhagen on different days!

Friday was a good run... we ran somewhere between 5 and 6 miles.  I mapped out at least 5 miles, but Jeremy reviewed my route and said I missed some of the distance... so we probably ran closer to 6 miles.  It was a fun run b/c Jeremy led the run (as always lol) and seemed to just run anywhere throughout DC.  It was warmer than what either of us expected for beginning of November... so that's where the title of "Miami" came in for this post.  I felt much better than what expected w/ the warmth and also the distance, which is definitely (at least I think) a good sign!!

So where does Copenhagen come in?  As much I would like to be there right now, it just seemed like that's where I was today during my bike ride.  Yesterday, I took a rest day and was really feeling like doing something today.  So when the sun was shinning bright this afternoon, it only seemed appropriate that I go outside & stay away from the gym today.  I opted for a long bike ride.... I've been missing biking since I've been running @ lunchtime during the week.  And I didn't want to overdo it by biking to work and then running so much at lunch.  So I took advantage of the great weather today for a great bike ride.  It started out nice and sunny... not warm, but not chilly... then the clouds moved in and it started to feel chilly.  The Concierge at my apartment building asked if that made me ride quicker coming home... I don't think so, but wearing a T-shirt and shorts wasn't as comfortable for the conclusion of my ride as it was in the beginning.  So the weather on the chilly side and all the bikers out on the path today, reminded me of when I was in Copenhagen. :-)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, too.  I can't believe we're only a couple weeks from Thanksgiving and that means Miami is that much closer!  And now for quick fundraising update... I passed the $1,500 mark... so this a very motivating milestone!! Thanks for everyone's support and cheering me on!!  Almost to the 50% mark... there's still time for anyone else that would like to make a donation to help me make the required $3,600 to run in Miami!  Click here to go to my Fundraiser Page.

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger... so we'll keeping adding more distance

We've had two great runs so far this week, both at least 5 miles! Week 6 has been awesome for me!

I commented to Jeremy before the start of the last run that I really enjoyed just running anywhere and then figuring out how far we ran. So that's what we did on our second run this week... totaling 5.5 miles (at least). Jeremy mapped out the run and you can check it out here. We ran by the White House in this run... definitely something you can't do everyday... or maybe we can lol :-)

Today, Jeremy hinted already at going for the 6 miles! I'll keep you posted... 6 miles during Week 6 sounds like a great idea lol :-)

Thank you for everyone's donations!! I'm really getting excited as the time gets closer for the run in Miami... I know I'll be prepared and definitely psyched with everyone's support! :-)


Week 5 Summary:

• 10/17: Ran 5 miles
• 10/16: REST
• 10/15: Ran 45 mins/about 4 miles
• 10/14: Ran 5 miles
  

3, 4, now 5 Miles!... & the "345" ticket!

Today was our DC Team Challenge Meetup training run @ Arlington, VA.  We meet every Saturday at various places throughout the DC Metro area at 8am for a long run and today it was 5 miles at least.  I don't have an exact calculation, but some team members wearing GPS said it was 5 miles.  We ran 30 minutes and then turned around for 30 more mins ... so it was a good run.  I found another running partner, Elizabeth, who shares similar pace with me and she's great at saying encouragements at the right times!

We met at Washington-Lee High School and headed for a run/bike trail called, Custis Trail.  There were plenty of hills and windy paths on the trail, but Elizabeth and I kept going for the 60 min run.  We only had to briefly stop for a traffic light to wait for traffic to pass, so this is a great trail to run without stops.

After the run we all met back @ Washington-Lee High School and Kevin (our Team Coach) answered any questions.  Then our fundraising clinic, presented by Dani our Team Manager took place.  She shared some insight on how we're (DC Team) doing compared to the other at least 50 (I believe it was a # high like that) Regional Teams are doing.  Team DC was in 2nd place last Saturday, but Team Long Island has surpassed us.... we'll catch up again I'm sure.  Dani made sure to congratulate on our great Team work so far and it's only the beginning!

Next was the fun surprise part.  Every Saturday, Dani acknowledges the Team Memeber who has raised the most donations during the week, she also awards the most creative websites, and Team members are invited to enter into a Raffle for a few dollars.  The winning you receive is then for you to place towards your Fundraising Goal.  I bought a ticket for $5 and 20 minutes later Dani pulled the winning ticket - Ticket #345.  I reached into my pocket and at first I couldn't find it, thinking no problem, because I never win anyway. lol  I found my ticket and it was #345!! I won :-)  I've only been home for 20 or so minutes and I already recorded the winning amount on my website.  Thanks DC Team Challenge!! :-)

I can't wait to continue running this week.... my last post is correct.  I keep feeling better the more I run! :-)

Training = Fundraising AND Running @ Lunch is Fun!

This is a quick post that I'm writing while watching the last Presidential debate.  Today, Jeremy & I ran about 45 minutes, but we're not sure of the distance.  I believe Jeremy said he estimated it to be 4 miles.  We started running to the National Mall and then Jeremy asked me if I wanted to head to the Lincoln Memorial or go up Capitol Hill.  I suggested we run up the opposite side of the Capitol (which is still a hill), so that's what we did.

Then we ran down different streets in the neighborhood behind the Capitol and I recognized some of the streets from the "Mystery Capitol Run" we did last week.  So it's great we're able to change up the running route.

Also, after running at least 5 miles yesterday, we weren't interested in pushing ourselves too hard.  But thanks to Jeremy I pushed myself with this run.... if he didn't meet up with me at lunch, it would have been a perfect REST day lol

I just realized tonight when commenting on Nichole's comment on my previous post, that my Training and Fundraising are progressing at the same rate... Training is at 5 mile (38% of 13.1 miles) and Fundraising is at $1,389 (39% of $3,600).  Thanks for everyone's support & donations!  I'm going to cross that Finish Line in Miami and CCFA will get closer to finding a cure for Chron's & Colitis!

You're part of the Team & My Fundraising Update

I found a fellow Team Member's fundraising page and she says something that really puts all of this Training & Fundraising into perspective for me and I thought it was a great point to share with my Blog Readers!

Be a part of Team Challenge with me... No, you don't have to run... I'll do it on your behalf with your donation & support.

This is a good way to let my supporters know that even a donation of $13 (a dollar per mile) is appreciated!

Thanks for everyone's support & donations!  All your support and help means a lot for me to be able to cross the Finish Line in Jan 2009.  Thanks to you, I'm 39% of achieving the required fundraising  - this is exciting!

13.1 miles is far, but finding a cure for Chron's & Colitis is getting closer for us!

Thank you for your support & I'm going to keep running!!!

Here's a quick update how I'm doing with my donations. I need to reach the goal before the recommitment date on December 11 or even with all the training I'm doing I won't be permitted to race @ the ING Half Marathon. But I know I'm going to cross that finish line!! :-)

Thanks for everyone's donations, so far!! It definitely is keeping me motivated to know you support me & CCFA!

Click here or on the right to donate. --->

Total Donations Collected:$1,184

Goal: $3,600

$0 33% $3,600 Goal