3+6 + 6 dozen bugs= fantastic!!

Yesterday and Today were the days that us Michiganders dream about.  The morning was a nice crisp morning.  The kind when you walk outside with a sweatshirt on and your slippers to let the dog out and breathe in that fresh, beautiful air.  Just fills your lungs and gives you a new sense of clarity to start your day.  Next the sun starts to raise high in the sky and that brisk temperature begins to climb.  By 3pm, my prime running time I strap on my shoes, but my pants on and my tank top and get ready to go.  Yesterday I was running 6 miles during a beautiful MI day.  Got out 3 miles on the trail and started my way back.  The last 1.5 was the hardest. My legs started to hurt, my knee was bothering me, but I was going to finish it.  I saw the end in sight and that's when it happened.  BAM...BUG in the mouth...YUCK..then again. BAM..BUG in the eye!!! The last mile was the worst. I think I ate about 3 dozen bugs, another 2 dozen went in my eyes, and about another dozen went down my tank top.  This is the one downfall of our beautiful Michigan, those lovely lil knats!  So if running for a marathon isn't hard enough, those bugs will sure make it tough.  But I do want to say Thank you to those you have donated so far! It really means a lot.  And if you are reading this and think you can donate too, please use the link at the top of the page to do so.  I have only 1 month til the marathon!!!

Here are yesterdays pics. I took today off b/c I ran 9 miles in two days...needed a break:)

10 mile run! I made it...but am discouraged.

So yesterday morning I did a 10 mile run.  I was so excited to finish it, but know I have a long ways to go before the 26.2 miles are completed.  Even though I was out physically exerting myself, I find myself to be heavy at heart. I am still running with my camera, even on the long runs, and I'm going to run with it in the marathon to round our my photo taking for this event.  But this blog is going to be honest and tell why my heart feels so sad.

As I go out and run, and try to raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation I find it more tasking to present this idea to people.  I thought I'd be good at this, but all in all, it's hard asking people to donate money.  Especially in these times.  Running a 26.2 mile race is not as trying on my soul, as asking people to see the true need these children have.  It's very easy for people to get my messages and delete them and not think about my running, or my cause again.  It's almost discouraging at times when I run and blog, and then see that my donation ladder doesn't move.  I am not afraid of asking people to donate. It's definitely not for me.  I wanted to do something with my life, and my abilities to help others.  To bring true joy to someone that doesn't normally have it.  That is why I chose the Make-A-Wish foundation to run for.  When I received the email almost 5 months ago about running for charity, I printed out the pages with descriptions of each charity and narrowed it down to a few.  As I went to each's website and read more, the stories of the children at the Make-A-Wish foundations website really touched my heart. I wanted to help so many, so I said, "I'm going to raise more than is required for me, I want to help so many children's wishes".  As it seems now, I may only raise enough to help one child's wish. 

I think it's crucial in life, to have something to wish for, to dream about.  Think about it.  When you were sick as a child, just with the flu, and you missed a sports game, or a band concert.  What did you want so bad? You wished and longed to get back out there.  You knew, as soon as you were healthy and beat the flu, you'd be back out there.  What if you didn't know when the next time you'd be healthy again, or the next time you'd be out of the hospital.  That is what these children deal with everyday.  These wishes the Make-A-Wish foundation are able to provide, give these children that dream, that hope, to make their spirit soar.  When your spirit is healthy, I believe your body will start to follow.  So please, read these stories of these children, and their wishes that were granted.  And even the smallest donation will help in the future to have another child on their website with a wish granted.  You can proudly say that you helped that.  If you read this, please try to find it in your heart to donate.  And also, pass it along to friends or family that you may know who will also want to help. 

My part in running the marathon is not the hardest part in this. The hardest part is finding in yourself the ability to donate.  Dig deep, and know that you will make a difference. 

Here is the website to look at.  www.wish.org

Here are my photos from the 10 mile run

Fall is here..I love the colors

My wonderful husband supporting me with water along the way!

Blazin the streets

So today I was out running for about 50 min. I did have to stop b/c the one leg was getting a bit tight, and stretch it out.  I'm trying to get these IT bands to not act up for this marathon and have it go smoothly.  I'm horribly inflexible, so that poses a problem when it comes to long running.  My hamstrings pull on my butt muscles, which in turn pull on my lower back.  So needless to say, it doesn't feel well!  But I'm gonna make it.  I have realized that I have this deep burning to always accomplish something.  To prove that I can do it, and that I do have what it takes.  I believe I developed this type of attitude from my father.  While growing up I was always told that I was better, or that I could make it, or that I can be the best.  This made me dig deep and strive to push myself to the best of my abilities. 

  This road is not an easy road. It's not traveled by everyone.  You really have to look deep inside and pull on a part of your heart and say "I will not stop, I will make this work".  You can apply this thinking in a variety of ways in your life.  It doesn't have to just be towards sports or physical exercise.  If you want to play the piano, tell yourself that you do have what it takes to be great, and you won't give up until you make it.  I believe all of the good things in your life don't just come from talent, it has to come from heart.  If you don't have the heart to back up your dreams, ultimately you won't make it.  You have to want it, thrive on it, and your life needs to feed on it.  Once you find that inner voice that says "Keep going, you can do it" You really can do anything.  I hope that voice continues to tell me that I can make it, and push me to be what God intended me to be. 

As I think about the charity that I'm running for, I do believe the children that the Make-A-Wish foundation helps have that inner attitude.  They know they can do anything they want, and they will thrive to get it.  I know my running will help some of these children, but I can't do it alone.  Please, if you are a consistent follower of my blog, take the time to read about the Make-A-Wish foundation. Read the stories of the wishes, and ultimately pledge to help.  Even the smallest donation will help these children reach their dreams.  Help be their inner voice.  You can donate here http://www.midatlantic-community.org/carrierunsforwishes

Thanks guys...here are today's photos!

Back in action...in Jackson

Monday I was able to get out and do my first run back from our honeymoon.  As I walk out my door and start doing my stretches I recognized someone from across the street.  It was Earl Poleski greeting our neighbors with his friendly smile.  I first met Earl at a young professionals event in which I gave him a business card.  Soon after, he called me to do some photos for him and his family.  Earl is currently running for State Representative, and on this Monday he was out introducing himself to our neighborhood.  I find Earl to be a very genuine, and caring person.  He values this community and wants to see it succeed.  I think Earl is just a wonderful all around person, but I wanted to include the link to where you can find out more about his campaign for yourselves.  www.earlpoleski.com

Here are my photos of him at the beginning of my run!

The next thing that happened on my run was truly amazing! I decided to run around Cascades since I hadn't been around there in awhile, but I thought I'd take the long dirt trail in the middle at first.  Then I saw it as I went over the small bridge.  A small deer.  So I took some photos as I walked up slowly, thinking it would jump away.  It was a small baby deer, like baby style knocking knees together! But the sweet thing didn't move.  I would get closer, it would stop eating, look at me. I'd snap a picture, and then it'd go back to eating.  I was right across the trail from it, about 10 feet.  And as I took the last photo, it looked at me, and I went on running and he kept on eating.  Probably one of the coolest things that has happened to me.

I started this journey with running with my camera for the people who donate to have something to follow.  But it has become so much more.  Each time I run I find something that makes me realize just how beautiful this world is.  We shouldn't take it for granted, just be amazed by it's awesomeness.  So before I head out on my run in 5 min, I wanted to blog monday's soulful run, in hopes today I will find something just as steller!

Oh ya, I also videoed the deer too! So now you have a video too:) YAY:)

"Ya Mon"

So we just got back from our honeymoon in Jamaica.  It was so beautiful out.  It did rain for a couple of days, but all in all, it was great.  We ate, swam, sun bathed, played beach volleyball, and we even went scuba diving.  I thought it was truly amazing.  One day maybe I'll be brave enough to do underwater photography, but until then, my small point and shoot camera that goes under water will have to do!.  My husband, John, and I were very blessed to have such a trip and able to come back to our home and continue our day to day like normal.  I got back to running the streets in Jackson yesterday, and John got back to his 6am work schedule.  I do have to say that I'm sure John's work schedule was harder to adjust to then my running scenery.  
     However, even though on vacation, I did still keep my word and ran.  The only down fall was it had to be on a treadmill.  I envisioned before I left running on the beach with the sun and the water to photograph. But when we got down there, our beach was about 150-200 yards long.  So yes, I could have ran on it, but I thought maybe the locals would think I was "local" for the running back and forth, back and forth.  So I took to the treadmill.  In my photos, you'll see me running(and I'm totally blurry, probably b/c I was going sooo fast!) and then I did include the view I was running to.  Then my husband was so gracious to come and join me a few times.  We had a great time, and now are back and ready to get working hard again!  So here are some of the photos from our trip and my running. 

Please don't forget the reason for all of this, the Make-A-Wish Foundation charity I am running for.  Please if you can, donate even the smallest amount, because it will help these children who are in need of some dreams.  The link to donate is at the top of the blog page! Thanks:)

The moon will be my Honey

Well I wanted to write a quick post with some photos from my last couple of runs and a 16 mile bike ride my husband and I took.  Also to explain the title of this post.  I'm actually leaving for my honeymoon tonight! We are going to Jamaica. And Yes I plan on running down there and getting LOTS of pics to post too:) YAY.  Running on the beach will be lots of fun.  So this will be a quickie post because I have lots of editing to do, cleaning, and packing. 

This week I experienced some pain with the passing of a great man.  My high school soccer coach left us on Sept 3rd.  He also was a wonderful husband, father, and Gaylord, MI business man.  He owned and ran Hogans Jewelers in Gaylord, MI.  I have so many pieces of jewelry from him over the years.  Special ones that he made just for me(of course by request of my mother). But I hold those dear to me because he made special occasions like birthdays, holidays, and especially my last great occasion, my wedding, have lasting value.  He helped me personally pick out my wedding rings for me and my husband.  He took great care and gave such love in helping me that these will hold special meaning to me forever. And for the rest of my life I will look at these rings and remember his greatness.  At his funeral this week, they played a radio add that he did on the local station about Loving Out Loud.  This is what I dedicate this post to, and also to the man behind the vision.  He was a man with eternal optimism and everlasting love.  He always gave the best part of him every day to everyone he knew.  This as humans is very hard for us.  Obstacles in life deter us from our path and make us vulnerable and weak.  We in turn make our hearts hard and cold.  We should start to change this, and love every day and make it the best.  He did this, and I hope to continue his vision in what I do everyday.  We do have a choice each day in how we react to certain situations.  Try to react to situations in a positive way and remain light.  Thank you Mr. Sanders for always supporting me in all I did, and for giving this world a glimpse into something better.  You will be truly missed. 

Here is a photo from our wedding. Photo taken by StudioU Photography.  www.studioUphotography.com.  They are wonderful, check them out. But this photo is of our wedding rings and I wanted all to see his beautiful work!

These are from our bike ride on Sunday Sept 5th, 2010

quick run

well to get back into my running after I was a tad bit sick, I did a short jog around Ella Sharp Park here in Jackson.  It was a quick 30 min run, b/c today I have to run a bit longer.  I did manage to get some photos with my iphone, and I think they are pretty funny! The first one is of a squirrel that was running across the sidewalk, and it quick ran up a tree.  But not before he peaked around and checked me out with his acorn in his mouth!:)  The next two are just some random photos. The Grass was kinda cool b/c I have no idea how I got the middle in focus while running but the outsides not! Weird. 

As promised though, I wanted to post a link to the Make-A-Wish foundations website for you to read about some wishes.  This was is from ESPN's "My Wish" Series.  Although it has already aired, you can read about the wonderful sports world and how they helped grant some awesome wishes.  If any of these athletes are people you look up to, now you have a bit more of a reason.  They have a big heart.  I firmly believe it takes a bigger person to help out someone in need.  You don't have to be famous, be rich, be a star athlete, or the CEO of a huge company. You just need a big heart.  Sometimes it's hard to find that in humans these days, but every so often you will see a shining moment.  And I believe these wishes are it!  So please, click on the link, read some stories and become inspired like I have.  I also ask, if you can, even a small amount, help me raise money so more children can get their wishes. 

Thanks guys for listening:)

Here's the link http://www.wish.org/news/news_releases/my_wish_summary_2010

 Now the photos!

Also, I didn't post any wedding pics before. But here is one a family/friend took and I love it!

Second post:)

YAY.. I did two posts today like I set out to do! I'm so excited.  This one will be short on words, but LOTS of pics:) My favorite photos over the last 3 weeks will be showcased here.  I will put some descriptions on a few, so you know what is going on:)  Also I found a page on the Make-A-Wish foundation that showcases a bunch of wishes via Youtube!  Seriously, check it out. It's so inspiring to see these kids have their dreams come true.  Please take a second out of your busy day to watch and say some prayers about how blessed we are!  And please, if you can click on the link at the top of the page that will take you to my donation page and help if you can:)  Thanks so much

Here is the link to watch some wishes come true! Click Here

Now the photos:)

This butterfly I found as I was running, and it was right by the road. So I stopped expecting it to fly away as I took the photo, instead the next two photos show what happened as I tried to help it off the road. 

It jumped on my shoe! 

 

And then let me pick it up! It was one of the single coolest things that has happened to me.  Really made me happy to be alive and able to experience something like that. I felt like it was God giving me a little boost to finish my 7 mile run that day! 

This is the start of the Run Clark Lake Race that John and I did the weekend before our wedding.  It was a 12K race, and this was the beginning of the runners for the 5K. The last of these photos show my photos I took during my 12K run:)