Jenn

Archive for the ‘Bucket Goals’ Category

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Why I run

In Bucket Goals on September 21, 2012 at 9:02 pm

I am an organizer for a marathon/half marathon training program. As we near the end of the season, I sometimes struggle to find the right topic that is relevant and motivational.  This week I seemed to touch the right nerve in myself and a few others. I received the most positive comments about the newsletter. So I thought I would post it out here for posterity.  Note, it was written with small kiddos jumping all over me, preparing for school/work and participating in their normal am shenanigans.  But somehow with its imperfections in grammar and punctuation, it came out perfect.  Given the chance to re-read and correct, I may never have hit send.

Race day swag

Why I Run – USA Fit Albany Newsletter for September 21, 2012
“Race season is here! As you can see by the photo above, I have expanded our closet. The Palio does not pass out medals (which I knew about ahead of time), but it reminds me of the topic of the week..”why we run”.

I am a big medal junkie! I myself just booked a whirlwind last minute trip to run in the Nike Women’s Half marathon. Nike magically opened up bibs on Monday and after 5+ years of trying I got it. It is a dream event for me for several reasons, one of which is that the medals are necklaces packaged in perfect Tiffany boxes and handed out by fire fighters in tuxedos on silver platters. But as I was frantically booking my dream running trip across the country it sort of hit me, “why is this a dream to me”.  Anyone who knows me, knows I would run 100 miles for a one of a kind designer item.  And I run even harder and farther for an event that supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (like this one does). But that is not why I started running. I did not start running for the medals.  After all, it would be cheaper for me to drive to Tiffany’s in NYC and buy my own necklace. I did not set my goals for a marathon or half marathon for the swag.

I have my own personal reasons why I run, why I keep going, why I sign up for event after event.  The medals are great, but they are all sitting in my basement collecting dust.  I run for me. I run to be healthier, to keep my sanity living with three males, to have a goal, to do something others most others have not, to do something hard, to constantly improve,  I run because I want to see what my body can do (instead of what it can’t), to help others, to see things in the world others will miss, to enjoy the fresh air, to tell my children and grandchildren stories of accomplishment, to be me.”

So remember as you approach your event, to have fun and run for your reasons. It is your own two feet. Your event may or may not go the way you want it to. But remember, you have done the hard work. As Jenika said this week the “hard part is over, now its fun, what would you tell that person you were back in April who was not sure they could do x”.  We think there will be a lot of positive things you can say. We think you would tell them,  you will accomplish so much, GREAT JOB!”

❤ Jennie

, , , , ,

Nike Women’s Marathon – I am in!!!!

In Bucket Goals on September 19, 2012 at 8:34 am

I am not even exaggerating when I say I have tried for 5 years…5 long years to have the opportunity to run the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.  It is on my top 10 bucket list of races to finish. I have tried the lottery several times, I even registered with Team in Training one year when much to my disappointment I had to switch to a local event when our schedule just would not permit it.  Every year, I submitted for the lottery. Every year I received a rejection email.

So you can you can guess my blind excitement when my friend calls, texts, calls again to say “Register now!”. Apparently, excitement from their 50,000 likes on facebook prompted Nike to open up additional spots on-line to Nike+ members. No lottery, just straight registration. How was I supposed to book a flight, hotel, transporation all with four weeks notice? I had no clue! All I saw were Tiffany blue boxes, firefighters in tuxedos and a shiny Tiffany necklace dancing in my head. Plus, this event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and if you have not already heard, I am a big fan of this charity.

My fingers went to manic work andafter 4 pages of registration questions I received the confirmation! I am officially signed up for their half marathon 🙂

Nike Women’s Marathon Event

 Now…to find the perfect running outfit to match those pretty Tiffany boxes 😉

❤ Jennie

 

, , , , , ,

My Hero Fundraiser

In Bucket Goals on July 26, 2012 at 1:03 pm

Do you have a hero? Somone who has fought cancer, fighting cancer, dedicated their time to help cancer patients or just a person that really has made a difference in your life? On January 12-13 I will run in the Disney Goofy Challenge covering 39.3 miles over 2 days  with a goal of raising over $3900.  I want to honor 39 individuals during this run.

How you can honor a hero

  • Donate $39 (or more) at http://pages.teamintraining.org/uny/wdw13/jennieh
  • Write, “I have a hero” in the comments section when you donate. Feel free to name your hero in the comments or I will contact you.
  • I will contact you with additional details. You may choose as short message, name, and mile number if available.
  • One $39 donation per mile (you may donate for additional heros or list mutiple family members on one mile)
  • Only 39 spots available 😉

Who is a hero?

Anyone! It can be an honored patient, in memory of a loved one, your children, a person who is just a hero in your life. You name your hero!

What you receive

  • One mile of the 39.3 mile run will be dedicated to your hero.
  • A photo of their mile maker from my run mailed to you in January.
  • A ribbon on my shirt with a short message honoring your hero (white for boys, lavender for girls). I will wear these during the marathon weekend.
  • A special holiday card.
  • A special thank you note.

The Disney courses run through all four theme parks and by their themed landmarks such as Cinderalla’s castle.  You can see their maps in large scale and detail by clicking the link titles below. Feel free to pick a specific mile marker if it is still available, otherwise I can randomly assign one to your hero. All miles have awesome mile markers and there is something great each mile along the way.

Disney Half Marathon

Disney half marathon course

Disney Marathon Map

  1. For Jack C. Your daughter is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met (both inside and out). It is an honor to have you at mile 1!
  2. Marshall Bowen (aka grandpa). Thanks to aunt Phyllis I get the honor of running a mile for you.  Cancer took you from us too soon 😦
  3. Suraih who lost his battle with cancer but still lives in the hearts of his family.
  4. Kim R.from your friend Bill 🙂
  5. Dylan C. For your big 5 buddy. Your mom says you do chemo with a smile. Truly honored to run this mile for you!
  6. available
  7. Adam Harrington from Amy for being 7 years cancer free 🙂
  8. available
  9. available
  10. available
  11. available
  12. Louise B (aka Grandma). Thanks to a wonderful donation from aunt Phyllis, I have the honor of running a mile for you. You fought cancer and won!
  13. Dad – giving you the last mile of the half. Thanks for making all those raw egg shakes, packing double sandwiches and helping me get through cross country season in high school. You are the perfect inspiration for the last mile of this day 🙂

Disney marathon

14. Grandpa T.  I miss you. The first mile of this day is for you. Cancer took you from us too soon. Mom donated enough for many heros and I thought you should get a mile. Thanks for swimming all those laps for us, making me smile and being a great example of true love.

15. available

16. available

17. available

18. available

19. For little Miss Kylie from your mom’s friend Cindy! This mile of the marathon with Cinderella’s castle is for you for fighting Leukemia and going into remission!!!

20. available

21. Mom – the age you had me.  You are my hero. You put up with me and love unconditionally. (PS. Check out 13 and 14 too 🙂

22. available

23. Reserved for J.C.

24. available

25. available

26. available

27. available

28.  Mary Ann M. For a special gift. 🙂

29. available

30. available

31. available

32. available

33. available

34. available

35. available

36. available

37. available

38. “Jennie -For her big heart and all the time and effort she puts in helping others.” Yes this is me. I did not write this. My parents donated a hero mile in my name, because I am their hero. Corny, I know, but gotta love them <3. (Of course they donated enough for several more so I am sneaking in a few hero mile suprises for them…13,14 and 21 🙂

39. Kim R.  Our friend Tiffany is the BEST as I am sure you know! This is my favorite mile and she dedicated it just for you :)!

39.3 My 3 guys because the last .3 miles are the hardest!!!

, , , ,

Disney Goofy Challenge! 39.3 miles I am doing it!

In Bucket Goals on July 12, 2012 at 11:21 am

I did it! I signed up for an event on my bucket list.  My full list is HERE>>>My Marathon Bucket List Top 10.  The Disney Goofy Challenge is a two day event where participants run the Disney Half marathon (13.1) on Saturday, January 12, 2013 and the Disney Full Marathon (26.2) on Sunday, January 13, 2013. 

I needed something BIG to say goodbye to my 30s!  And when I realized that the Disney Marathon weekend would begin on the day I turned 39 years and 39 days and the Goofy Challenge was 39 miles, I knew what I had to do. Not only do I want to run the event, but I want to do it to raise money for my favorite charity, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

GOALS

  1. Complete the Disney Goofy Challenge (without crawling to the finish).
  2. Raise at least $3900 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  3. Run for 39 heros. I want to dedicate each mile to someone special.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Donations

Over the next 6 months, I will be training for the biggest event of my running career.  It will take hours each week, putting in miles of training, in rain, snow and heat, cross training and discipline to complete this event. All so I can raise funds for one of my favorite charities! You can help from the comfort of your own home by making any donation, $3.90, $39.00 or any amount that you are willing to help with. When you make your donation, please feel free to provide a name of a loved one who has battled cancer. 

Donate on-line at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/uny/wdw13/jennieh

OR

Consider dedicating a mile to a hero

My Hero Fundraiser

ABOUT ME

My name is Jennie, I am a wife, a mother, a runner, and I despise cancer.

My first personal experience with cancer and the impact it has on a family was in my senior year of college. My grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  It was devastating to hear that someone I loved so much was riddled with a disease that had no survival rate.  My grandfather was an athlete, he swam almost every day and dedicated each lap with a prayer for every family member (and he had lots of them!). To see a strong man who served his family and country well, wither away was unbearable. On July 7, 1995 we laid my beloved grandfather to rest.

 In 2008, when I received a flyer from Team in Training, I was intrigued that I could use a hobby I love to help others.  I went to an information meeting, hesitant about this venture. After hearing personal stories of survival, heartache and determination, I knew I wanted to help. I completed my first Team in Training event at the Disney Half Marathon in 2009.

 On a recent trip to College Station, TX I had the opportunity to visit the President George H.W. Bush library. There I learned that the President, long before his days in office, lost his 3 year old daughter Robin to Leukemia. When Robin was diagnosed with Leukemia, it was considered an incurable disease. Today the survival rate is astounding. I am grateful for this beautiful opportunity to learn about their story and the remarkable progress that has been made. It solidified my determination to be a part of this organization. Research has come a long way, but we still need your help!

MY RUNNING EXPERIENCE

Setting such a lofty goal requires not only determination but experience.  When you are donating your money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society under my campaign, you can have the comfort of knowing that I have the experience to meet the challenge.

  • 8 years of solid running experience
  • 15 half marathons
  • 1 full marathon
  • Dozens of smaller running events.
  • Organizer for a local running group.
  • 5th time fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Team in Training.

Check back as I document my training, fundraising and milestones!

Jennie

%d bloggers like this: