Determined to Dance!!!!!

The party is only 9 days away! Have you bought your tickets?????

It's official, I'm back on the wagon!

3 days! I've made it to the gym 3 straight days! I definitely back on the wagon. It's almost like starting over though. Miss 6 days and starting again is, well I didn't really want to get out of bed.

In other news...

A very generous Midland Reporter-Telegram reader has been following my progress through my weekly articles. She is donating a raffle item for the Determined to dance event and is also donating 20% of all May sales. WOW! Thank you so much Vanessa! I'll give everyone the details on ordering on May 1st!

I've fallen and I can't get up!

At least that's what I thought last week. The week of one work-out!

I'm thrilled to report that I woke up this morning and headed to the gym! Now let's see if I can do it again tomorrow morning...

Gimme a D, Gimme an I, Gimme a S, FORGET it I need some discilpine

Discipline is the word of the hour! The word of the day, week, month, my life!!!!! I have run one day this week ~ ONE DAY!

So that means I need to re-group! Tomorrow is the day I submit my paperwork for recommitment to TEAM CHALLENGE. That means I'm in. I'm raising money, I'm training, I'm going all out.

Last week was more like I'm sleeping in, I'm spending money, I'm not training, well... you get the idea.

I need that little blue fish from FINDING NEMO - Just keep running, just keep running, just keep running, running, running. Where is she when I need her? Maybe Ellen will do a voice over for me and I can download it...

It's all about the benjamins...

Monday April 25^th is the start of week eight, the half way point. That means I’ve been through seven weeks of training, conference calls, raising awareness and fundraising. Remember, I started a week late. I’ve completed two 5ks and I am working towards a 10k with the ultimate goal being the half marathon in June.

I’ve only raised about $1000 so far. Is that good? Should I be half way to my goal by now? Should I have reached my goal by now? I don’t know. Seriously, I need help; I’m losing sleep at night. I am not a fundraiser. I didn’t like it in elementary school (when we had to do it) nor do I like it as an adult. I would send in donations to my children’s school in order to avoid the dreaded fundraiser. So I capitalized on a lesson that life has taught me, when you aren’t exceptional at something find someone that is and learn from that person. Enter my supervisor and fundraising guru, Shalayna. She has given me great ideas and she has decided that we are throwing a dance party to raise funds! I’m very excited about the party, I know we will raise money and have a good time while we are at it. We’ve found a DJ, Ruben Olivas, there will be a raffle and door prizes. It is shaping up to be a great night. The event is called Determined to Dance! The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation has launched a new website, www.illbedetermined.org, to help patients better manage their disease. It is this new website that was the inspiration for the name of the event.

I know the event will be successful, but what’s next? What else should I do to reach my fundraising goal? Do I send an email blast? Start a snail mail campaign? What would you do? I’m asking for suggestions, ideas, any thoughts or successes that any of you have had while fundraising. Have any of you actually made a donation when you’ve received a request in an email? Think about it. Even if you only donate $5, you are making a big difference in that person’s efforts. I am so grateful when I receive that email notification that a donation has been made. I’ve been sending out personal thank you notes to everyone who has made a donation online.

When I started this adventure, I thought if 750 people would donate $10, I’ll have reached my goal. If 75 people donate $100, I’ll have reached my goal. Now I’m thinking, what can I do to reach my goal? Team Challenge has become a personal journey for me. Pushing and pulling me out of my comfort zone. I know when this is through I’ll be a different person, a better person. I’m very interested in your thoughts and suggestions. Please email me at rkingham@mrt.com if you want information about Determined to Dance or if you want to give me suggestions.

Yesterday is gone, now on to tomorrow...

The 5k yesterday was tough. I really felt bad, but I was there and I didn't want to back out. What if I'm not feeling so great the day of the half? Am I going to not at least try to walk it? Of course I am! So I figured, training is to prepare me for the race, how will I know if I can race when I feel sick? I have to give it  a try. I finished and I felt much better after. Not right after, but about a half hour after I was fine. Now I know I can do it. Granted 3 miles is a far cry from 13.1 miles but I'm working my way up. That's what training is for...

NOW, on to the fun subject that I've mentioned but one that I have mostly been avoiding!!! FUNdraising! WooHoo! Sounds like fun right? For me it's more like UGH! Let me explain something to you, I've never been a fundraiser, not even in elementary school. I've participated because I had to, but I hated it. Even with my own children, I rarely participated in the school fundraisers. I'd send in a donation instead of taking all of the forms and products to work to sell. Now, here I am attempting to raise $7500. It boggles my mind why I would take this on. But I did, willingly. So, as I've learned through out my life - when you need to do something and you don't know how - call an expert! My supervisor at work is a fundraising guru. She gets excited about it and she loves it. Just the person I need to help me and show me the ropes. Shalayna is awesome and jumps right on board: throwing out ideas, thinking of possible events, and giving me ideas on how I can get started quickly just so I can see some money coming in so I don't get discouraged. Thank you Shalayna!!!!!

On to the BIG event!!! We are throwing a dance party on May 7th. The event is called Determined to Dance because the CCFA just launched a new patient website www.illbedetermined.org. This new website will help patients to better manage their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tickets are $20 and the proceeds go to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. There will be a DJ and door prizes. The dance will be held at the Hilton Midland Plaza in Midland, TX and the tickets are advanced sales only.

If you want a ticket let me know, they are selling fast! If you just want to make a donation then click on the Team Challenge logo to the right. It will take you to my fundraising page and you can make a donation there.

If anyone has fundraising ideas that have worked, please leave a comment. I'm all ears!

I knew when I signed up for Team Challenge that it would be indeed a challenge. That is one of the reasons I signed up. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I wanted to stretch, learn, grow and find out new and interesting things about myself and the person I'm becoming.

What a ride!

I'm glad that's over!

OK, so the 5k was a little rough today. I wasn't feeling great but I ran anyway. Last time I checked the times weren't posted yet so I'll check again in the morning. Running against the wind is also, well I'll just say - it ain't easy!

On the good side, Matt came with me this morning! I was so glad he was there. I'm trying to talk him into coming with me to the half in Kona. So far, it's not working.

Next week is supposed to be a 10k. I'll have to think about that one...