Am I Insane?

I'm getting really excited and gearing up for my first ever half marathon. Last week at my boot camp toning class I was the only one to show up and had lots of time to chat with my trainer. I asked him if I was insane to do my first half marathon in San Fransisco. He said yeah kinda, but it's good to challenge yourself. That's what this half marathon will be a HUGE challenge. I was always concerned with the fundraising aspect, but now I'm started to become nervous about the running, and the hills.

I asked my trainer what a reasonable time goal would be. I'm really focused on the number and want to challenge myself and do the best I can. He asked what my goal would be if the course was flat. I said I'd want to do it in two hours or less. He told me to add thirty minutes to account for the hills. To me personally two hours and thirty minutes seems really long. I know I have to be proud to just accomplish and finish this race, but I also really want a good time.

I was google mapping out the race to see the hills and elevation, and I'm scared. It's always good to have some nerves before a race it can help, but hopefully doing hill repeats this week will help build my confidence!

In other running news I ran 26.89km on Friday, 12km of that in the pouring rain. That's the furthest I've ever run. I did it just to prove I could. So naturally now I'm going to get a pretty new running outfit from lululemon... anything my heart desires!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie

I guess I'm a runner....

Today on a lovely Sunday run with my friend Jenn we got to talking about how I started running and my feelings on running then. It was almost two years ago that I started running. I joined a learn to run clinic with the running room. I would go out and practice running one minute running one minute walking, building up to running ten minutes and walking one minute. I use to go over to the track to run, because I was worried about looking like a fool walk/running through the streets.

I remember running around the track thinking I don't know how people do this? I don't think I will ever do a 10km race, I don't know how people run for an hour. Two 10km races later I thought I'll never do anything longer than a 10km I don't know how people run for that long. Now having run a 15km race, and having run 21 and 23 kilometers I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to want to do a marathon.

Now I've always said running a marathon is my definition of insane, but at the same time I've had a personal goal of running a marathon on the great wall of China (go big or go home).

This week I want to go run 25km just to prove I can do it. My reward will be some new work out clothes, and maybe a running skirt!

Today it finally hit me.... I guess I've become a runner....

Fundraising thus Far

With 35 days left until my big race I thought I'd take some time and update you on my fundraising progress. There are several people that without their support this race would not be a reality for me.

My biggest donor has been my parenting weighing in at a whooping $900. Both my parents made donations, then my dad gave me $50 of loose change. They topped off their donations with selling a set of car tires they no longer needed and donating the profits. Part of me thinks they donated soo much because they didn't think I could do it on my own. I'm happy to have their support and happy that because of it I will be able to run my heart out!

My cousin Alex is another huge supporter! She held a loose change fundraiser on my behalf and vowed to match donations up to $100. She did amazing, asking co-workers, friends, family and strangers for donations tipping the scale at $243.43. Her donation was the one that put me over my fundraising minimum of $3500.

As you know my fundraising events didn't go very well, and I wasn't able to actually be successful with any of them. I'm thankful for everyone that sponsored me. From $1 to $900 I appreciate every single donation. Its helped restore my faith in people and help me know that I can do this race!

If you were considering sponsoring me and haven't yet, please do, there's still time!

Each dollar you sponsor keeps me running! And run I do! 23km on Saturday afternoon!

Thanks, as always for your support!

Stephanie

Weekend Update

Hey guys,

I wanted to update you on how I'm doing. I'm doing really well. As I've mentioned before my cousin Alex was hosting a fundraiser for me. She had a bucket at her desk at work and asked for loose change from friends, co-workers, family and strangers! She did AMAZING! She managed to collect $173.43 in change.... in change! That's pretty freaking amazing. The best part was she agreed to match up to $100 so the grand total was $273.43!!! I'm really thankful for all Alex as done, it really means a lot!

My mother in law also dropped off a bag of change she didn't think it'd be much but it was $26.50. If anyone has change they want to get rid of, I'll gladly take it, and add it to a great cause!

Now that I've surpassed $3500, I'm trying to get up to $4000 or above, so keep the love and support coming!!

My running is coming along, but I have a confession, I've been getting my miles in but I haven't been doing hills. My goal for the week is hills! I need to get them in now so that it makes my race easier. You can't cram hill training I know, but I'll do my best to get more in.

I find I'm really getting into a groove when I'm running, and I'm *gasp* starting to love it. I'm becoming a runner.. and saving lives!

Thanks as always for your support.

Stephanie

Update

Wow! I haven't blogged in a while, but at last I am blogging instead of lying in bed, that's commitment! Ever since I signed up with team in training my biggest fear and concern was fundraising. I didn't know if I could do it, it really seemed like an impossible task. I'm happy to report I'm gonna destroy my fundraising minimum and decided to raise my goal up to $4000. Now I'll be the first to admit if my parents didn't donate $900 I wouldn't be this far ahead. But what can I say they hate cancer!

I have two fundraising events this weekend and would love your help/support! On Saturday I have a tag day. That's where I stand outside of the LCBO at Eglinton and Laird and ask people for money. I'm not sure how it will go but I need people to help me! I can't/don't want to do it alone! On Sunday I'm having a loose change party, I'm not sure if anyone will show up, even my husband RSVP'ed maybe, but maybe a person or two will show up. I'd love to show off my condo and amazing roof top patio, so hit me up if you want the details!

On Saturday I went out for a morning run and ran 21km. I'm shocked, it wasn't hard, it wasn't difficult, it was nice. I am shocked to say I actually enjoyed it. I may be a runner....

That's all for now, but I hope to see you on the weekend!

Thanks, as always for your support!

Stephanie

Jack Layton: A Remarkable Man

Today Canada lost a remarkable man. Where we may not have the same views or agree on policies, one thing we can all agree on is Jack Layton changed the face of Canadian politics. He lead with passion and integrity. I'd like to share part of his final letter.

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

I'm $433.78 away from my fundraising goal!!

Thanks as always for your support.

Stephanie

Mid Summer Night Run

This was a really busy weekend for me. I was volunteering with Can Fit Pro at their annual fitness professional conference and I also ran my first 15km race. I'm exhausted!! I'm also up to $2900 in fundraising, which means $600 left to go. If you haven't sponsored me yet and were thinking about it, now's the time!!

I learned at a lot at the conference and really need to start following my passion. I have a couple of ideas I'm thinking about, I just have to believe in myself and go for it. I've never seen so many fit people in one room ever it was great! Also Richard Simmons was there and did a work out, I have video I should post it on you tube. Patrick House from the Biggest Loser was also there. I did a bosu ball, and trx work shop all before running the 15 km race... crazy!

The mid summer night race was hot, humid and hard, but I have a new personal best 1 hour and 23 minutes. I ran with my aunt Cathie, she pushes me and I LOVE running with her. I was wearing my team in training shirt, and had soo many people cheer me on with "go team!" most of them being fellow runners. My marathon running aunt was surprised how many people cheered go team, she thought it was great!

Here are some pictures from the race!

You can check out more photos here!

Thanks as always for your support!

Stephanie