Now for the icing on the cake

I did it!  With today's new tally, I've made my goal of $2000.00!  It appears, however, that I've underestimated the generosity of my friends and family and set my goals too low.   I still have a week and a half to go before the race and I think we can blow by my mustache goal of $3000.00 pretty easily.   Since I set my main goal at $2000.00, you could say getting to $3000.00 would be icing on the cake. . . but who likes cake without icing?

The more icing the better!

So let's do it!   We're currently at $2350.00 with 27 different individuals/families contributing!    Every little bit definitely makes a difference and with 93% of the HealthEd Connect budget going directly to programs it is clear that your donation will directly impact the lives of women and children who desperately need it.


On to the thermometers!

                                    

First Goal - $1000          Stretch Goal  - $2000                Mustache Goal - $3000

As always if you want to support my run go to www.healthedconnect.org and click on the button donate now or follow this link.   You'll see "Jeff's run for healthy kids" in the purpose of gift  drop down menu.   If you want to learn more about why I'm running for HealthEd Connect click here. 

  
And as an added incentive - if we get to $5000.00, then I will shave my head for the run in addition to sporting the mustache.    Throwing that out there in case there's someone out there who likes a challenge.

( I was trying to find some examples online but most of them were too scary to post, you'll have to use your imagination)

Some unintended and pleasant consequences

When I set out to write this blog, my plan was to blog about my training for a half marathon to raise money for HealthEd Connect.   It's been fun to share with folks my trials and tribulations as I train and I've been amazed and inspired by the support I have received so far.  There will be a fundraising update below that will demonstrate that support.

But before I get to the thermometers, I've noticed a couple of other unintended consequences.   First, I've had 3 or 4 people let me know that reading my blog has either helped them start running for the first time or get the motivation to get back into running.   As I've said earlier, getting back in shape and challenging oneself is tough. It's hard to overcome the inertia of our busy lives and to find time to get moving.   I also think hearing about other people taking the leap can be motivational as well.  I hope people continue to share with me their own goals as we all work to lead healthier lives.  

Second, I've reconnected with some friends of mine that I haven't heard from in awhile.   As I've written this blog, I realize that some of my strongest relationships have developed over running together.  I've had great conversations with folks over the years as we've run many miles and blogging about running has reminded me of those relationships.   I guess social media can be helpful at times.

Third, I'm realizing how truly generous my friends and family are.   It's feels great to know that there are people out there willing to support something for which I feel so passionate.   Thanks again to everyone's generosity.    

And now, what you've been waiting for - the thermometers!

ok, so my thermometers aren't as cool as this one

Here's the real thing

                                    

First Goal - $1000          Stretch Goal  - $2000                Mustache Goal - $3000

As always if you want to support my run go to www.healthedconnect.org and click on the button donate now or follow this link.   You'll see "Jeff's run for healthy kids" in the purpose of gift  drop down menu. 

half way to mustache

We went camping for the first time as a family of four last night.  We camped at Round Mountain Campground in Pike National Forest.    We camped with two other families and had a great time!  There was a bit more rain than we would have liked, but all in all it was a good time in nature with great people.  Next year, we'll have to go for more than one night!

I'm also continuing on with my training despite the camping expedition.  I ran 12 miles yesterday morning before we left and despite being stiff from sleeping on the ground, I managed to do 5 miles today (while pushing Brooks in the stroller, on a wet, gravelly path).    I'm going to start tapering now and am looking forward to the chance to let my body recover a bit.

Most importantly, I got a surprise update on the fundraising front.   Thanks to some very generous donations, I am now at $1505.00.   That means I've met my first goal of $1000, I'm 3/4 the way to my stretch goal of $2000.00 and 1/2 way to my mustache goal of $3000.00.  With less than 2 weeks to go, I can feel the momentum and am hoping we fly past the $2000.00 mark.


And now, the thermometers!

                                    

First Goal - $1000          Stretch Goal  - $2000                Mustache Goal - $3000

As always if you want to support my run and improve the lives of many orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nepal then go to www.healthedconnect.org and click on the button donate now or follow this link.   You'll see "Jeff's run for healthy kids" in the purpose of gift  drop down menu. 


Thanks again for everyone's support, I really appreciate it!   (And I appreciate all the comments too!)

Fundraising Update

Quick update today - With a little less than 2 weeks to go we're getting closer and closer to the 1st goal of $1000.00!   We're now at $855.00.   Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, your generosity makes a difference.

And now, the thermometers!

                                    

First Goal - $1000          Stretch Goal  - $2000                Mustache Goal - $3000

As a reminder, if you want your donation to count toward the run (and the mustache goal), it needs to be done online by the Thursday before the race (August 8th).  

If you want to contribute to the race go to then go to www.healthedconnect.org and click on the button donate now or follow this link.   You'll see "Jeff's run for healthy kids" in the purpose of gift  drop down menu.  

Thanks again for everyone's support.  

Next stop - Triathlon???

The last few days, I've been reading about the adventures of my friends Jim and Anne as they bike across the great state of Iowa.   For the past 41 years, a bunch of bike nuts embark on this great journey through the event known as Ragbrai (The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa).  If their blog is any indication, it sounds like they're having a great time.    Good luck Anne and Jim!


When I hear about friends training for bike races and triathlons, I often get the notion that I should train for a triathlon myself.   It's a popular thing out here in Colorado and I know tons of people that have completed them.  Still there are two main reasons why I don't compete in triathlons:




1. I can't ride a bike.

2. I can't swim.

1. I can't ride a bike. 

Ok, it's not totally true, but I am miserable on a bike.   It all began at the tender age of 10, when I fell off my bike going up my steep driveway and chipped one of my front teeth.   I grew up in a super hilly neighborhood, so I wasn't that confident on my bike to begin with.  After the fall, my confidence along with my tooth was shattered.

I never really rode a bike again until I went to Hawaii with my family.   My dad convinced me to bike down Mount Haleakala.   We woke up way before the sunrise and headed up to the top of the volcano where we watched the sun rise over the clouds.  It was pretty surreal.  Then we had to ride down the volcano on these bikes with super fat wheels and very little peddling.  Not sure that really counts as riding a bike.

My biking tribulations continued when I spent two months in Malawi.  We were scheduled to go visit a village 20 km from where we were staying.   Normally when we travelled we would all pile into these minivans and head off down the road.  The catch with this particular trip was that the only real way to get there was by bicycle because the roads were not well maintained.    I didn't want to let everyone down, so I agreed to go on the trip.     The bikes that we rented looked like they were constructed in the  50s and had super thin tires.   They would have potentially made ok road bikes, but as I mentioned earlier we were traveling on roads that were not suitable for cars or I would argue bikes.   The trails we were on would have been beautiful mountain biking trails, but we were not on mountain bikes.   I probably fell over 50 times over the course of the 20 km.   The folks that we were traveling with were super gracious, but I can only imagine what was going on in their heads.   I could blame the bike, but my partner Audra peddled gracefully and effortlessly on a bike that was nearly identical to mine.    We made it (there and back), and there were no broken bones, but it definitely didn't add to my confidence on two wheels.

So, for me to compete in a triathlon, I'm going to need to learn to ride a bike.  Maybe I can learn from my 3 year old Grayson who is already a master on his strider.

2. I can't swim. 

Again, a bit of an exaggeration.  I can definitely stay afloat in the water and have fun in the ocean or pool.  Still, my swimming form is so poor that it quickly becomes an anaerobic endeavor when I swim. After swimming one length of the pool I am already so out of breath that I have to stop and catch my breath.  If I were to swim the distance needed to compete in a triathlon, I would have to stop every 50  yards to catch my breath.  It would make traveling the 1760 yards needed to finish the swimming portion, pretty difficult and the course might be closed by the time I get to the bike.



So for me to compete in a triathlon I need to learn to bike and swim.  If I do . . . I'm sure I'll blog about it.


 

Goal updates and odds and ends

Our good friends Justin and Helen were in town visiting us over the last couple of days.   They have a 2 month old and it's been fun just hanging out and catching up in between crying babies.   We went for a walk to Wash Park today and probably logged in 5 miles of walking in the oven that is Denver right now.   Unfortunately I still had to run 5 miles as part of my training schedule.  It was a tough run tonight at 7:45, but I survived.  I think sticking to a training schedule in the summer is hard because of visitors and vacations.   Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Super babies!!

I also promised Helen (who is one of my few regulars who reads the blog, that she'd get mentioned in the blog.  Here we are in the middle of our walk around wash park.  Thanks Helen!

Not bad, for 95 degrees!

Goal update #1 - The Fundraising goal - $2000.00

We're holding steady at $710 for HealthEd Connect.   The last time I'll probably be able to check for donations is the Thursday before the race - August 8th.  So don't wait until the last minute if you want to help me reach my $3000.00 goal and force me to race in a mustache.  

If you want to donate, go to www.healthedconnect.org and click on the button pay now or follow this link.   You'll see "Jeff's run for healthy kids" in the purpose of gift  drop down menu.  

Thanks everyone for their support

Goal update #2 - The Time - 1 hour 40 minutes

As you could read from my blog two days ago, I still remain under my goal times for my training.  I appreciate my dad's comment that I'll be aided by parent's, my wife's and my kid's raucous cheering, but it will be an uphill battle that's for sure.   

Goal update #3 - The Bet - 

I also am running this race to try to build some cushion on my year-long bet with my brother.  My brother just got married a week and half ago and is saddled with shin splints.  I have tried to take advantage and am currently 45.1 miles ahead of him.  If he heals and runs a marathon later this year, I will need a much bigger cushion.   Is it bad I'm hoping he won't be able to run a marathon

Sorry for the random thoughts.  I hope everyone is well.  See below for some blogs to check out. 

Blogs to check out:

http://www.rljart.com/blog/ - a blog by a friend of mine named Rachel.  She runs a lot and writes about a lot of interesting things including living in New York.    Check it out!

http://bikingwiththeshaffers.wordpress.com - a blog by my friends Ann and Jim.  They're riding ragbrai - a multiday bike ride across Iowa - for their wedding anniversary.  I'll have more on ragbrai and biking tomorrow.  

Results and my favorite places to run

The results are in - I finished a 15K "race" at 71 minutes and 58 seconds.   About 2 minutes off of my goal and at a pace of 7:43 minute miles.  I just wasn't able to maintain my goal pace of 7:30 the whole distance and slowed down significantly by the end.    Unfortunately, to get my goal of 1 hour 40 minutes for the half marathon, I need to average a pace of 7:38 minute miles.    And I'll have to do it for a longer distance and at a higher altitude then I ran today.   It's tempting to rethink my goal, but I think I'll stay in denial a little bit longer.   

I'm sure I looked about like this on my run today.  

I did my whole run at Wash Park today.  I've mentioned Wash Park in my blog before and I'll still maintain that it's one of the best city parks to run in that's out there.  It's a 2.5 mile loop with only 2 or 3 car entrances throughout the park, so there's no need to wait at stop lights.   It's a great place to do speed workouts because of that lack of interruption As I was running today, I thought about some of my favorite places to train in the different cities where I've lived.   

Denver - Wash Park

Great loop, two big lakes, lots of people watching, lots of fellow runners.  At 1.5 miles from my house, you'll often see me there running. 

Arlington, VA - W&OD trail

I lived in Arlington VA for a year and even trained for the Marine Corps marathon while living there.   One of my favorite trails for my long runs was the W&OD trail.    The trail begins in Alexandria and goes for over 45 miles.   The paved trail runs along the old Washington and Old Dominion Railroad line.   What I love about it is that you can run 10 miles each way and only cross a few streets.  It's super popular with cyclists and runners and it's fun to be able to run through the suburbs of DC without having to navigate the crazy traffic that comes with D. C.   

The green line is the trail

Pittsburgh, PA - Frick Park

Frick Park is this gigantic park located in the city of Pittsburgh that was donated by Henry Clay Frick to the city in the early 1900s.  Frick park has many trails to run or hike on and what I love about it is that you don't realize you're in the middle of the city when you run through Frick Park.  I remember a run after a nice big snowfall and feeling like I was running through the forests of rural PA.   We didn't live that far from Frick when I was in Pittsburgh and despite needing to scale the obnoxiously steep hill that is Shady Ave. to get there, it was always my favorite place to run.  

Kansas City - Little Blue Trace Trail

I didn't run that much while living in Kansas City.  When I do get back there and have time to run, I love to go out to the Little Blue Trace Trail.  It's a 11 mile paved trail along the Little Blue River.  It's super scenic and I've even run into people I know occasionally.

Lamoni, IA - Trestles

Not sure what the name of this running trail was, but it followed an old railroad track in an area that was lined with trees.  It ended at an old bridge that we all called the trestles.  Had some great runs with friends and this is where I began my love of running.    It looks like the bridge has now been rebuilt and the trail is now maintained.   Glad to see that others are enjoying my favorite trail for both running and walking.  

What are your favorite trails where you live?  Put em in the comment section so I can explore new running trails the next time I'm in your neck of the woods.