Post Race Update :-)

What an incredible journey I have been on in the past 4 months! September 2011 is when I chose to join Team World Vision: The Grove Mover’s. We met as a team and trained together each Saturday, and trained on our own during the week. Making training a priority was tough, but once I got in the groove, it was so beneficial. Towards the end of training (about a week before Christmas) I came down with a sinus infection that lasted nearly 3 weeks, I’m on the last leg of my medications now! It was at a crucial time in our training, when our long runs ranged from 8-10 miles. I thankfully was able to make it to the last training of 10 miles before the race, but before that the most I had completed was 7.5 miles. I was getting nervous for race day!

As race day approached, our fundraising efforts skyrocketed. My personal goal was $1,000, which was far surpassed at $1,760!! As a team, our goal was $30,000 and to date we’re at just about $38,000. A well costs $15,000 to build, and when broken down by average population sizes where the wells are being built, it amounts to approx. $50 per person to provide water for life. So alone, WE raised enough money for 35 people to have clean water for life. Then by the grace of God, a grant has been given to World Vision to match every dollar raised for the 13.1 LA Marathon. The night before the race, I attended a very moving team dinner, where they announced the grand total that had been raised for the 13.1 LA Marathon, a HUGE $357,000.00!!! They expect the amount to continue growing to at least $400,000, as they continue to accept donations this week as well. I hope you realize the impact of each and every dollar you have donated to such a great cause!!!

The day of the event came and I woke up at 5:15, ready to face the day. I met with my team at the starting line, we all got pumped up & we lined up. I was one of the last pace groups to leave that morning, as I was targeting a finish around 3 hours 15 minutes, my ultimate goal being 3 hours. Around mile 2, I realized the course went right in front of the hotel where we were staying. I pulled my phone out (yes, I attempted to text & run at the same time!) and sent my mom a text to look out the window because I’d be coming by, it was such an encouragement at that time to see my mom & Melissa waving back at me! Around mile 3.5, my bad knee started giving me some pain. I remembered the pep talk the night before, “Remember the cause for which you’re running, it’s worth it!” I specifically remembered a story being shared that prior to having a well within the community, they would have to travel 5 miles just to get water, and then carry the hefty buckets back to their home. As I remembered this, I just prayed that the pain I was having would go away, just as the pain and struggles for those in Africa will now be minimized as they have a CLEAN, FRESH, water source close to their home. As I prayed, my pain was gone, I continued on and finished the race in 2:59:17, 43 seconds to spare!! When I crossed the finish line I was SURPRISED by more friends & family J

I am so thankful to have had each of you run the race with me, because WE did this together. The impact would not have been the same if you didn’t have my back in this. Your support in this is something people will forever be grateful for. Remember each time you fill up a water bottle, the gift you’ve given to someone else, FOR LIFE!!! We will continue to make a difference for generations to come & I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and graciousness in this.

I’ve put together a small collage of the photos from the day’s events, I hope you enjoy them. Maybe next year you’ll be at the finish line to cheer me on J

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”

Matthew 25:40

Encouraging Day

There are 10 days until the LA 13.1 Half Marathon, and I am a part of the fabulous Team World Vision, The Grove Movers - whoop whoop! Today's training called for 5 miles, and I am still trying to get over this sinus infection (today makes it exactly 2 weeks). I got a call from my doctor this morning & he said he was going to send an order down to the pharmacy for me to get an antibiotic. I left work around 3 today, and since it was still daylight, I decided a 5 mile trek down to the Kaiser Pharmacy was a great idea. So off I went! I completed my 5 miles in 1:03, that's a 12.6 minute mile, yay!

As I was waiting in line at the pharmacy, my phone rang w/ a 310 area code. Definitely didn't know who it was, but for once I decided to answer it. Boy am I glad I did! It was John Huddle, our team director, just calling to check in & see how I was doing. I told him it was grand timing, as I had just done my 5 miles & was in need of that encouragement to keep going, despite being sick the past 2 weeks. He was also expressing to me the extent of the fundraising I, (rather YOU) have done. To date $1,375 has been raised by my supporters, over $22,000 for our Grove Mover's team. What really stood out to me, is the fact that the $1,375 that has been raised, this provides water for 28 kids for LIFE. Do you realize what that means???? We have just given LIFE, for 28 kids in Uganda, and then life also for their kids. So encouraging to see that every step of the way, WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!! I think before race day, 10 days from now, at minimum we can take that 28 kids to 30. Let's see what we can do! Alone we can do little, together we can do a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you'd like to give to this wonderful cause, please visit my personal fundraising site:

http://support.worldvision.org/site/TR/TeamWorldVision/General?px=1188105&pg=personal&fr_id=1510

Special thanks to all who have supported me:

Mom & Dad, Grandma Peanut, Anonymous, Aunt Terrie & Uncle Gary, The Miller, Aunt Joyce & Uncle Chris, Aunt Janet & Uncle Kevin, Aunt Clarice & Uncle Jack, Roger & Marian Heap, Corky & Greg Rex, Chris Bradford, Jeff & Amy Wolber, Ken & Pam Ingold, The Linton Family, Rose Martin, Grandpa & Grandma Moffett, The Goodenough's, The Crossley's, Ron & Annie Sakahara, The Hall Family, The Drury's, Doug & Leslie Metzger, Uncle Frank & Aunt Leanne, Uncle Dennis & Aunt Julie, Mike & Lyn Cloninger, Tom & Debbie Ruge, Stacey & Jim Fenwrick