How’s that training going?

Sep 10, 2012 | Running, Team Challenge

You’ve all heard me say it a million times–I hate running. Has that changed this season? Nope, not really. But am doing it? Yup, I am.

Last December, I ran 13.1 miles. Did that change my mind at all? I loved running with my teammates. I loved the lights of the strip. I loved my mom waiting for me at the finish line (with a margarita in hand). Did I love running? Nope. But I did it anyway.

Training is that way too. I have found the things I kind of like. I like running to a place, not in loops. I like to do 30 seconds of really fast running while counting my left foot steps and then 30 seconds of walking, but you can’t do that for 9 miles. I like running on trails. I like running barefoot. I like running at night. I don’t love any of it.

So where am I in my training? I ran/walk/ran four miles on Saturday with Team Challenge starting at Mt. Baker Row Club. Today, I am running as fast as I can the Turkey Trot 5k route. It’s mostly downhill and then I’ll climb the Golden Garden Stairs to get home. I’ll post my record breaking time later today. Next weekend, I’ll do interval training with Team Challenge and run 9.5 miles towards my distance training. So, I’m doing it. I’m just not loving it.

Why am I doing this? Because my mom has Ulcerative Colitis, which really does suck. What a horrible, terrible disease. She shouldn’t be in pain. I can be in a bit of pain and discomfort running all the time if perhaps someday they’ll be a better treatment for her.

I’ll check back in later today with my September Turkey Trot time. If you’re on runkeeper, add me on your street team. I need the motivation, and you’ll feel great beating my average times every week!

Team Challenge Fundraising Kickoff

Aug 14, 2012 | Team Challenge

Kickoff for the Vegas Team Challenge Season is just 10 days away, but I’ve already started fundraising, getting a head start as I have a very long way to go.

On December 2, 2012, I will be running with the Northwest Chapter of Team Challenge in the Las Vegas Rock n Roll Marathon. This will be my second 1/2 marathon with Team Challenge, and I plan to finish it running in honor of my mother who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2008. During my fundraising last year, I learned that among the 1.4 million people who live with Crohn’s & Colitis are many of my friends. Last year, I raised $8,000 for them and this year I plan to beat that!

 

Over the last year, my mother continued to inspire me as her Ulcerative Colitis continues to worsen. Like me, she’s a trooper, but I can see and feel her pain and sometimes her embarrassment from her disease. Recently, she was dropped from her clinical trial for having a white blood cell count that was too low. In essence, she was too sick to test the drug that might make her better. She is the reason I am running this and she is the reason that I want to raise $10,000 this year.

 

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are known together as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and are both painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. The cause of IBD remains unknown; however, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and steady advances in research bring us closer every day to finding the cause and probable cure of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

 

HELP ME REACH MY GOAL

My goal is to raise $10,000 (or more) for Team Challenge and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, as well as to finish the race as my mom cheers me on. Over 80% of every dollar I raise will directly fund the mission of CCFA, to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by inflammatory bowel diseases.

August 22: Kick Off! – I’d like to have $1,000 raised. Help me out by donating what you can: http://www.active.com/donate/seaLV12/kmacris

October 14: Re-Commitment – I’d like to have $6,000 raised.

November 14: Final Fundraising Deadline – $10,000 goal – My goal MUST be met by this day!!!!

December 2: Las Vegas Rock n Roll ½ Marathon.

January 4: Last Day to Accept Donations. Even after I meet my $10,000 goal, I can keep fundraising for CCFA.

I am hopeful you will join me in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. You can help by visiting: http://www.active.com/donate/seaLV12/kmacris and donating generously to my campaign for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Donations are tax deductible. If you donate $500 or more, I’ll dedicate a mile in Las Vegas to you! Thank you for your generosity and support! For my friends who would like to donate a raffle or auction item, please contact me for more information.

On behalf of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Thank you,
Kristie Macris

P.S. I would appreciate it if you would forward this email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well. Thanks again.

Donate and Follow my Training: http://www.active.com/donate/seaLV12/kmacris