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!

Today

Today you can find me discussing my reasons behind choosing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon (THIS MONTH AHHH) on the team for Autism Speaks on the Tampa Bay Moms Blog any time after 1PM.

I hope to see you there!  Feel free to comment!

Menchie's Night (301)

This week Team Kara and Team Kelly teamed up with Menchie's Frozen Yogurt in Northeast Park for a fundraiser night.

20% of all of the proceeds went to our Autism Speaks fundraising efforts plus they let us put out a "spare change for Autism Speaks" tip jar.

I was so impressed with the whole night.  The staff was remarkably friendly and not just easy, but pleasant to work with.  I couldn't believe they would forfeit their tip jar for the evening! (302)

Also, Menchie themself (himself?  herself?) made an appearance which one of my guys was ALL over! (303)

The younger one appreciated from a distance.  This was indicated when he backed up to the chalkboard wall and emphatically shook his head NO!  I love how they can both be so different!  Their personalities make me well up with the lovelies. (304)

Menchie's did not ask me to write any of this, but I wanted to:

1.  Give you all an update on my fundraising efforts (see yesterday's post) and
2.  Share what I feel is a great local company that I would be happy to work with in the future.  Their enthusiasm was remarkable and I almost felt like family.  Plus I loved the kid friendly atmosphere, and of course the Froyo!

If you were able to make it to that night, THANK YOU!  I had such a blast hanging out with everyone and I felt so supported. (305)

This night also put me at just under $50 left before I reach my goal of $1250, that is so close to what used to seem so far that I can taste it!  I am so pleasantly surprised and happy with everything! (306)

If you'd like to see for yourself, here's my Autism Speaks Link:

events.autismspeaks.org/disneysprincesshalf/heftykel

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)

Making 2014 Count

A host of blogs (including one of my personal favorites, Little Baby Garvin) is putting together a linky party to discuss the goals of the coming year!    Here is my contribution:

1. What is something you want to change, or a goal you want to set for the New Year & what is your plan for making it happen?

~  Our family is starting out the year gluten free.  I know that this is very trendy now, but Lukas has most of the symptoms of someone who has a gluten intolerance so we are going to give it a try and see if it works!  We've already begun working in the direction of gluten free, but we're going to be more strategic now.

~ I am also running in the Disney Princess Half Marathon on February 23rd.  I have a training schedule (that I am on time with!) and I am $244 away from meeting my fundraising goal of $1250 for Autism Speaks, more on that here.

2. Many people chose a word to reflect on, live by or aspire to for the New Year. Let us know your word, how you decided upon it & how you plan to incorporate it into 2014.

~ My word is kindness.  I had already set the goal before coming up with a word to use kind words when I am talking about myself.  I wouldn't let other people talk to me the way that I do sometimes, so in order to boost my self esteem, I am not allowing self negativity.

3. I will make 2014 count by...

~ Tracking joy here on my blog!  I will continue to keep count of the things that make my heart sing!

Well, that was fun huh?  Do you have any goals this year?  I don't usually try to do New Year's Resolutions, but these were all goals that I planned to try anyway!  If you want to check out more blogs, I am linking up here.  Go check them out!

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)

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