No One Said that Being a Princess Would Be Easy

Wow you guys, the time has come.

What you ask?  The time for me to stop talking about my race!  Haha.

We've exceeded our fundraising goals.

I've got my ears, they passed the dress rehearsal:

I did my last training run.  On the beach.  It was perfect and relaxing.

I got my fingernails painted red.  I was going for "Minnie Mouse" red but that ended up being a polish called, "Die another day".  I laughed thinking that that was actually appropriate for Sunday, haha.

And now I'm ready to go.  The next time you see me, I will have a little more metal in my life!  I can't wait to share the results with you all!

I Can't Believe It, but I Can

This is what I feel like today:

Old picture at a hotel

On July 23rd, 2013 (which I just now realized is exactly 7 months before the actual race) I clicked on a button that signed me up for an amazing journey.  Then I had a heart attack.  (not really)

After the encouragement of a good friend, I signed up to 1.  Run another half marathon (this time at Disney!) and 2.  Raise $1250 for Autism Speaks.  You know the story, if not go here.

I hit click.  I panicked for 10 seconds, where in tarnation would I get that from?  I got on it.  The ball started rolling.

I had a fun Thirty One Party fundraiser that was specially tailored to Autism Speaks (311), went viral (or at least I felt like I was, sheesh), sold calendars, and had a fundraising event at Menchies.

Yesterday at around 3:30 ish I got the email.  Over $1250 had been raised.  (313)  We raised the money.  You see, I really, honestly could not have done it without the support and help from people.  This experience has really impressed me when it comes to other people genuinely wanting to help.

I also feel rooted for and supported.  You all did that.(314)

But it never was about me was it?  That's my favorite, this was all for a good goal and a good cause and I still feel this way!

I don't want you to feel though that just because I reached my goal, that means that Autism Speaks (and even my event page) can't still benefit from financial support.  So here is my link again.  Even if you're not donating, go see the part where it says over $1250 and my little meter line is at 100%.  It makes me giddy every time!

Update

I thought I'd update you on some running information!  It's been awhile!

1.  This weekend I will be up to 10 miles.  Yes, double digits.  Yay! (297)

It's amazing to me that once I get up into the high mileage I take off.  I have quit at way more 2 milers than any distance above 4.  Weird.

2.  For the last month (of really getting into the miles) I have been using my phone app to track my running, as well as Pandora and I have HATED it!  I don't usually talk about hating things, but ugh, it's been frustrating.  I almost threw my phone off of the bridge and into the water once.  I decided against it.

It would cut off songs in the middle, used up all of my data, but worst of all, it would simply stop tracking my distance whenever it felt like it.  NOT okay.  One time I looked down and I was taking pictures of my feet!  Ack!

I did however buy a new Mile tracking watch, kind of like a Garmin, but Timex.  It has shipped and it is on it's way.  Hallelujah. (298)

                                       

3.  I have started adding a weekly Pure Barre class to my routine (I got the Groupon) and it is really helping. (299)

4.  After an awesome Menchie's fundraiser, I am only $50 away from my fundraising goal.  I am seeing all kinds of finish lines in my near future!  More on this fundraiser later.  :) (300)

Oh It's On!

What you are looking at my friends is the first page of my half marathon schedule.  Yep, it's official.  Well, it was already official when I started to collect money for Autism Speaks (find out more about that here).  The rest of the schedule is under this sheet.  I made a little book out of it because I am a list person who enjoys crossing dates out and tearing top pages off to throw away.

Sidenote:  If you donated money and were wondering where your thank you note went, then please know that it is coming after the race.  Hopefully with a picture.

Also, please go to this post here and enter to win a super sweet scripture book from C'est si bon!  They are SO worth it!  Yes, I will be reminding you all week long.

Let the half marathon count down begin!! (414)

Blogger's Block?

Sorry if this is a bit rambly.  Here's a weird irony.

The busier I have been, the less information I feel that I have to share.  I would think that with all of the busy-ness, I would have too much to say with no time to say it.

Here are a couple of things making my heart sing today:

1.  My class is awesome (339).  My co-teacher is awesome (340).  My school is awesome (341).  My curriculum is even awesome (342).  I hope that this momentum can keep going double the time that it normally would.

2.  Why you ask?  Because I only work half day.  I work in a great job share scenario that allows me to work outside of the home, while staying in the county system, making some money, and then going and spending time with my guys and maintaining our lives at home.  It's a wonderful thing.  Really.

3.  Which leads me to this key word, that I have just now decided is the point of this post.  Balance. (343)  My prayer journal has had this word on it for months, it is circled so many times that it looks like it's been outlined with a Sharpie.  I have felt no sense of a routine that made me happy and I was having a hard time prioritizing.  Now, I know it's only been 2 days (plus all of crazy last week), but I feel that balance is one benefit that I am going to receive from this year.  This really makes my heart sing because I feel that this is going to really push me over that good edge.

4.  While we're at it, I am now back to 5k running (starting today).  I maintained 5k until about Maine time.  I'm not going to lie, it's hot.  But along with my balanced routine, comes a running routine that I can dive into!

Team Autism Speaks Update and Other Updates

Just feeling jubilant today!  Also, pretty grateful.

And now a confession:

When I first signed up to do this race and raise the money for this cause I felt super overwhelmed.  I kind of walked around all night in a daze thinking, "what in the heck was I thinking!?"  For some reason, there was something about that over $1000 mark that made this amount seem eeky to me.  If it would have been 999 would that have made a difference?  I don't know, but I got scared a little lot.

Old me would have panicked and then become paralyzed.  But this time, I got scared, then I got moving.  I over-shared on Facebook.  I wrote a letter.  I immediately called 2 places to do fundraisers.  I posted on here.

In just that short amount of time and one super fun Thirty One fundraiser later, we have made it to under the "eeky" thousand mark.  You guys, I feel downright rejuvenated about the whole experience!

People are good and people want to help.  I am sure that I will take away so much from this experience in it's entirety, but I feel like this has been my first lesson.

So back to the point, here are some updates:

1.  We are at $310 in total donations (one from a complete stranger.  Seriously.)  I have thought about it, and while I wanted to share whenever someone donated, I have learned that many people want to keep that information anonymous.  So I am going to keep their wishes, but you can still send them anonymous love!

2.  We have had one Thirty One Fundraiser party.  It is still open until next Tuesday (8/13) so if you're interested in some information regarding this, you can email me at ten000reasons@gmail.com

3.  I have not run more than 2 miles this summer.  This however does not worry me.  As long as I am back up to a happy 5K by the end of September, then I'm good.

Other updates:
1.  Today I sort of go back to school.  We have one training today and then Monday teachers go back.  Summer is on it's way out.

2.  If you'll notice, there is an easy "Like" my Facebook feature to the upper right hand of the blog.  It would make me so happy if you wanted to go and click on it!

3.  I have a HUGE (no, I'm not pregnant) announcement to make this month.  Seriously, walking on sunshine right now.  Keep checking in because as soon as I can share, you bet this over-sharer won't disappoint.

Oh, and if you're wondering, you can check out my Autism Speaks page at:

http://events.autismspeaks.org/disneysprincesshalf/heftykel

Running Update: Big Announcement

I'm here with another running post.  I originally shared my running bucket list/goal list here .  After completing a half marathon, I updated the list here.

I am now adding an additional piece to this here running bucket list:

Run for a cause.

I now know that I can physically accomplish a half marathon, so how else can I stretch myself?  It falls into the Do Hard Things category.  My new goal encourages me to take myself out of the equation.  It also encourages me to step out of my comfort zone to request help from those around me.  It's not just on me to run out and train.

I would love if you would consider helping me.  But you're not just helping me.  Here's some information that I took off of my training buddy's website:

Autism is a developmental disability that currently affects approximately 1 in 88 children. Further research is needed to determine risk factors, causes, and best treatments for these individuals.
(Source) - Kara Cannon

I feel that Autism Speaks is an awesome organization that is working to help others, I can't wait to see where this adventure takes me!

If you would like to help out financially, this is my website: 

http://events.autismspeaks.org/disneysprincesshalf/heftykel

ANY contribution helps!

Body Appreciation Day

I invented a holiday for today.  I kind of feel like there's a day for everything these days, so why not?

My body is still pretty young, but it's gotten me through a lot of stuff.  It has grown, had, and nourished 2 people, run 2 half marathons, gotten over sicknesses without antibiotics (and with antibiotics), healed scrapes, burns, and bruises, and so on and so on.

In fact, when I have ever had any doubts in my faith, it hasn't taken me very long to start thinking about the human body with all of its intricacies and that cemented my faith even further.  I love a good dose of faith connected with science fusion!

Here's what got me thinking along these lines:

                     "Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body," (1 Thessalonians 4:4 MSG)

You can take this wherever you'd like.  But in honor of my holiday, I think that I am going to take it for a run.  It's pretty gorgeous outside, my body is SO capable and it deserves a nice activity!

13.1 Because I'm Only Half Crazy

A while back I shared some running goals with you all.  (Here)

Well, I am now proud to announce that now the list can look like this:

This month:  Get back up to 5 miles

Next year:  Rock n Roll Half Marathon (Feb)
                  Maintain 6 miles even in the off season

Lifetime:  Big City Marathon (London?  Chicago?  NYC?) 
               International half marathon (Portugal?  London again?)
               Disney's Marathon Weekend Goofy Run (1/2 Marathon on Saturday, Full on Sunday)

That's right folks!  I did it!  I ran the Rock n Roll Half marathon on February 10.  It was hard and everything went against the plan, but it happened.

During training I did 12 miles 2 weekends before the race.  The next weekend was scheduled to do 10 and then the race.  Well if you remember that time frame then you will remember that week 1 of that 2 weeks was the week of Zombieland.
I don't recommend catching a flu 2 weeks before a race.  It can really put a dent in the training!

Also, even though fully charged the night before, both my Ipod AND my Garmin watch completely died in the middle of the run.  Both actually need some work or replacement.  I am also very mentally dependent on both of these items.  But I didn't let it get me down and I trucked through it.  Even if at the end I did have to bust out the ugly run.  

My guys were there cheering me on and it really helped. 

Doesn't it feel good to cross things off of a list?  For me, it feels really good to know that I can do this by myself.  I am not dependent on anyone or anything.  Unfortunately, I can no longer use those things as excuses, haha!