I'm delighted to announce that I am 10% on my way to the fund-raising goal! The generosity of people in these tough economic times really warms my heart! I realize that I still have a long way to go, but am working on some crafts and events to help get me there. Gotta keep the momentum going!
Yesterday was my first run as an official marathoner-in-training. I ran the 'Dash' 10k in Central Park. It was a really fun run, and I succeeded at slowing down my pace in preparation for the long distance training. It wasn't too hard to slow down, since the humidity (and the 2 mojitos the night before!) kept me dragging a little! It was still a really good time, 10k being my favorite race. Plus I ran into a colleague after the race, so had someone to chat with on the subway ride back downtown. She has run marathons in the past so had a lot of inspiration and encouraging words for me.
As I was running my mind was racing from one topic to another. I love how running has become free therapy for me! It's great to put on some headphones and have that time to myself, even though I am running amongst a pack of people. It's such a great feeling to be independent like that, and surrounded by people doing the same.
I'm about to hit the pool for a little bit and relax, later I'm going to work out the details of my training plan, which I will post here in the next day or two for your feedback.
By the end of this week, I hope to be 20% on my way to the fundraising goal, wish me luck!
Again, thanks for all the support!
xo
K
http://www.firstgiving.com/karathon
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
She's Going the Distance
The paperwork has been handed in, and I've begun the task of fundraising. I am officially a Guaranteed Entrant in the 2009 ING NYC Marathon for the Achilles Track Club. Over the next 4 months, I'll be raising the money (at least $2500) that goes along with this honor, and training to run 26.2 miles, through all 5 boroughs of the best city in the world.
Most of you know this already, but if not, here's how I got involved with running and Achilles:
3 or 4 years ago, I joined a gym, started eating healthy, and got really into my fitness. It was purely about vanity, I just liked looking good, and being able to eat whatever the heck I wanted. After moving to Brooklyn in April, 2007, this continued. I maintained a gym membership, and kept up with a regular workout schedule of the elliptical machine, weight training, belly dance, and yoga. In January or February of 2008, I was hanging out with some friends, and one of them was a runner. He had done the marathon the previous year and convinced me to try running. So I did. My first race was an 8k in March of 2008. After that, I was hooked.
Wanting to earn some karma points to counteract some of my misbehavings, I started to look around for a volunteer opportunity. Running in the park I had always noticed these T-shirts that said "Achilles". I looked them up, and it seemed to be the perfect volunteer gig for me.
The mission of the Achilles Track Club is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people.
I contacted them, and they told me to just show up and be ready to run or walk. So I did. And week after week I would meet new people, athletes who overcome amazing odds- blindness, amputation, brain injuries, paralysis, only to name a few. And AMAZING athletes too. So over the past year or so, I've been volunteering at the workouts whenever I can, and getting not only some awesome inspiration from the athletes, but great training too! I can't tell you how many times I have eaten the dust of a blind or disabled runner!
So now, this is my chance to do something I've been wanting to do (run the NYC Marathon) and give back to such and amazing organization, with amazing athletes.
I met with Dick Traum at the Achilles office yesterday. He gave me some great advice, inspiration, and a gorgeous book about Achilles.
I'm hoping to keep up this blog, and share my journey. I've been resting since the Brooklyn half-marathon on 5/30/09, and my subsequent head-cold, but I'm back on Saturday in the 10k in Central Park to officially begin my training.
Please feel free to share advice, encouragement, training tips, and, oh yeah, donations! Every little bit helps, from $5 to $500!
http://firstgiving.com/karathon
See you in the park ;)
xo
K
Most of you know this already, but if not, here's how I got involved with running and Achilles:
3 or 4 years ago, I joined a gym, started eating healthy, and got really into my fitness. It was purely about vanity, I just liked looking good, and being able to eat whatever the heck I wanted. After moving to Brooklyn in April, 2007, this continued. I maintained a gym membership, and kept up with a regular workout schedule of the elliptical machine, weight training, belly dance, and yoga. In January or February of 2008, I was hanging out with some friends, and one of them was a runner. He had done the marathon the previous year and convinced me to try running. So I did. My first race was an 8k in March of 2008. After that, I was hooked.
Wanting to earn some karma points to counteract some of my misbehavings, I started to look around for a volunteer opportunity. Running in the park I had always noticed these T-shirts that said "Achilles". I looked them up, and it seemed to be the perfect volunteer gig for me.
The mission of the Achilles Track Club is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people.
I contacted them, and they told me to just show up and be ready to run or walk. So I did. And week after week I would meet new people, athletes who overcome amazing odds- blindness, amputation, brain injuries, paralysis, only to name a few. And AMAZING athletes too. So over the past year or so, I've been volunteering at the workouts whenever I can, and getting not only some awesome inspiration from the athletes, but great training too! I can't tell you how many times I have eaten the dust of a blind or disabled runner!
So now, this is my chance to do something I've been wanting to do (run the NYC Marathon) and give back to such and amazing organization, with amazing athletes.
I met with Dick Traum at the Achilles office yesterday. He gave me some great advice, inspiration, and a gorgeous book about Achilles.
I'm hoping to keep up this blog, and share my journey. I've been resting since the Brooklyn half-marathon on 5/30/09, and my subsequent head-cold, but I'm back on Saturday in the 10k in Central Park to officially begin my training.
Please feel free to share advice, encouragement, training tips, and, oh yeah, donations! Every little bit helps, from $5 to $500!
http://firstgiving.com/karathon
See you in the park ;)
xo
K
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