The Story of My Running

So as to not bore my (5) regular readers with the agony & ecstasy of my 1/2 marathon training I've created an alternate blog for that. Check out the link in the sidebar to hear about my blisters & cramps as I struggle to cross that finish line.

To all of you who said "count on me for a donation" - I'm counting on you! Feel free to click the link below or in the sidebar to make a secure online tax-deductible donation.

I'm nuts

On May 6 (two days before my 36 bday) I will run the Avenue of the Giants 1/2 marathon in Humboldt. I'm doing this with the help of Team In Training They train me so I can be in shape for the run. My promise is to raise at least $2,200 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to support blood cancer research. Funds raised go toward the cure of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Check back often to hear about my journey. If you'd like to support me please click on the link to
Donate Now

Wish me luck!

I run in honor of them...
My dad:

Vanessa (click to read her story:


If you have a family member or a friend you want me to honor as I train please send me their name!

Guiness!

Watch this short film called Useless Dog (click here to watch) These will be the best five minutes of your day. Be patient through the credits to see a cutie-pie.

Perhaps this hits a bit close to home as Guiness could be Granite's twin (not due to coloration but by personality)

Enjoy

That Which Does Not Kill Me...

Should only make me stronger? Right? Please say yes. I've made the commitment to run The Avenue of the Giants 1/2 Marathon After tonight's informational meeting I'll begin the training. From tomorrow through May 6 I will be "a runner". That makes me cringe. I hate running. Honestly, have you ever seen a runner that looked like they were having fun?

But I also hate being the lazy slug I've become. I ran cross country in high school - was in great shape & had amazing calves (calfs?) I hope to regain some of that old physique.

Once I accomplish the goal I think I'll join Hash House Harriers That seems to be more my style. Run until you find beer!

I'll keep you posted.

World On Fire

Last month I spent the day with a group of teens talking about the UN's Millenium Development Goals. Our focus of the day was: extreme poverty. Our first project was to creat toiletry bags for distribution to the guests at the church hosting "Warm Winter Nights" - the church provides shelter & meals to homeless who need a place to stay during the winter. We sorted donations of hotel sized items and made 87 toiletry kits. Our next project was an assembly line to make a meal for 8 called "Love Soup". We layered the dry soup ingredients into jars, decorated the tops & tied on the instructions for cooking. By the end of the 2 hours we had prepared 786 healthy heary meals. It was amazing how simple the projects were and how easy it was to help those in need.

Before we celebrated the Eucharist we watched Sarah McLachlan's video: World On Fire (click to watch). Rather than make a fancy MTV type video she sat in a chair, played her guitar & sang. The $150K that could have been spent on production was sent around the world to those in need. Here is alink to the complete list of donations she made

That day left me inspired to do more. I'd love to hear about what you do to make the world a better place. Feel free to comment.