Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Everyone's a winner!

As I was walking out of the door last Saturday, 3/26, my husband yells from the bed,  "Honey, do you have to fill out a registration form?" "Uh, yes" I answer. I'm curious now. "I filled out the registration and mailed it in, why?" I ask. "Well, I know how competitive you are. I don't want you to get out there, try to beat everyone and pass out before you get to the finish line" he replied. "I wanted to make sure you filled out the emergency contact information," he continued.

 At this I laugh out loud! He's right! I am that competitive! But I also want to actually finish the race and I want to be able to finish the 1/2 marathon in June. So I think I can control my competitive nature.

And I did. Although, when the guy pushing the stroller and walking the dog passed me, I had to kick it into a higher gear. I mean really, he's pushing a stroller and walking a dog, surely I can beat him, right?

Monday, 3/28, was the beginning of week 4. I was supposed to run 4 miles. I ran 2.5 because I didn't get my booty out of bed early enough! Today, I took as my off day, so that means tomorrow is 5 miles. YIKES! Uhh, I mean, I'm not scared...

I'll finish today's post with this thought, lovingly said to me by my husband. Honey, you don't have to go out there and smoke all those runners (he used another term, but I'll be polite). You're a winner just because you participated. I love it when he gets sarcastic like that. He's knows it's all about winning...duh!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Captain's BLOG

My husband once told me that he thinks I'm a closet Trekkie. At the time I completely disagreed with him. Just because I said, "Make it so number one" a few times does not mean I'm a Trekkie. Now I'm thinking he may be right! Every time I sit down in front of my computer to write a blog post I think, "Captain's log. Star date 2011. My crew and I are exploring a new planet..." And I laugh to myself.

Yesterday was my first official 5K. I walked the Make-A-Wish 5K in November of 2010 with some friends. But this one was the real deal. It was a test. I'm pretty happy with the results. I did a run/walk combo and I'm OK with that. I had a 13.12 minute pace, which was only a minute off of my goal pace. And I also confirmed a theory I developed during training. It is easier to run on the treadmill!  I definitely need to get outside and run, at least on the weekends. My friend, Angela, says I can do my long runs with her, but she has already finished a couple of 1/2 marathons, very intimidating.

Tomorrow, 3/28, starts a new week of training. Four miles, five miles, four miles, I can do it! I think. Maybe, I hope! After the 5K yesterday, I know I can. Now, I've just got to kick it up a bit with the fundraising. A BIG thank you to everyone that has donated or purchased a candy bar! I appreciate your support!!!

Kirk out!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Testing, testing, 1 2 3

Tomorrow is March 26th. I have my first "training" race tomorrow. A test run, if you will. My intention is to run the entire 5K. What will actually happen, well I'll have to wait until the end to find out.

This past week, officially week 3 of training, has been hit and miss for me. I've been very busy with work and other commitments. I'll have to plan ahead and be more flexible so I'll be able to train as long and as hard as I will need to to complete the 1/2 marathon in June.

In addition to training, I'm also kicking up the fundraising efforts! I've started selling candy at work and I've had several co-workers make donations! Thanks guys!!! I know by the end of this my coworkers that sit right in front of the BIG box of candy will despise me! HA! I know every time they buy a candy bar they curse me! Or at least their hips do...

Sorry ladies, it's for a good cause.

I've got to hit the sack so I can get some rest before my "Test Run" Wish me luck!!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Time Management UGH!

It's 9:30 pm and I just got home from work. On my drive home tonight, the entire hour, I was wondering how am I going to fit it all in?!? Yesterday, I woke up, did Ab Ripper X and some Yoga. Awesome, right? Yes, except I went to a work related function last night and didn't get home until after 11pm. So I guess that means Wednesday (TODAY) is my day off this week. Thursday is a 4 mile run, work, then a board meeting. Aaahhhhh!

Then I remember my first Team Challenge conference call. It was bassically about how to fit in all of this extra training. This is important to me, so important that I want to wake up even earlier or go to sleep later to fit everything in. I'm supposed to run a 5K on Saturday. I might end up run/walking it. But, I will be there, I will compete, I will train!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Maybe I should start at the beginning.

Team Challenge had our weekly training conference call tonight. Because there isn't a CCFA Chapter or a team any where near me, I decided to join the national team. That means I have to be highly self motivated! Hmmmm... So far, so good.

Anyway back to Team Challenge. The woman assigned to be my mentor through this process does not have Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis; her 9 year old daughter, however, was diagnosed with UC when she was 8 and has had 3 surgeries since her diagnosis. I can not imagine an 8 year old going through what I went through at 25. The thought of it brings tears to my eyes. It also brings back memories.

And so I venture to the beginning.  I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 11 years ago with a 2 year old and a baby at home. I lost at least 45 lbs and over 1/2 of the blood in my body in a six week period. I remember my sister telling me after my first colonoscopy that my doctor told her I was the sickest little girl he had ever seen. I was 25 years old. I was admitted to the hospital a week later, just enough time to realize that the prescriptions were not being digested. I didn't even call my parents to tell them I was being admitted; I thought I'd be in the hospital for a week, they would pump me with medicine through an IV and I'd be on my way home. Boy, was I wrong. Seven days with no improvement, so my doctor called in a surgical consult. I was in the hospital for a total of 21 days in April of 2000. My baby turned one while I was in the hospital. She took her first steps while I was in the hospital. I left the hospital after 21 days with no colon and an ostomy, but I was going to get better. One year later my doctor removed the ostomy and I haven't looked back since.

Now I want to be a part of the solution. I want to help raise awareness and raise the needed funds for research and patient programs. Please be a part of the solution too. Make a donation to CCFA by following this link http://www.active.com/donate/kona11national/konaRKingha
draft
6:11:00 PMby Rolobay

Sunday, March 20, 2011

And off we go!

What am I getting myself into! At least that's what I'm thinking as I type. I've signed up to train and complete a 1/2 marathon AND raise $7,500 for a cause near & dear to me - Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America - AND I've decided to blog about my progress.  I was not/am not a diary keeper nor do I journal anything! At all! And yet here I am vowing to blog about my training and my fundraising.

Today is the close of week one for me. It is actually week two for all others on the Team Challenge Kona group. I've run until I couldn't, walked to catch my breath and then run some more. All the while thinking, OMG this is just 3 miles and I've got to go 13.1 miles! But here's the thing ~ I know I can do this, this training thing. After everything else, I KNOW I can do this. Maybe it's because of everything else, I KNOW I can do this.

I hope you'll join me on this new adventure, maybe make a donation to the cause.

See ya!