The weekend once again

Well, I reallly thought that I would be updating a bit more frequently, but I hadn't really gotten around to it, I'm afraid.

This past week was a good one, though. I ran at work on Tuesday, Thursday and yesterday doing 2.5 miles Tuesday, 3.0 miles on Thursday and a 5K (3.1 miles) yesterday. The 5K took me 46 minutes, so not fast by any means, but I did it and that's the important part I think.

I do still have a ways to go - it's a far cry from 3.1 miles to 13.1, but I do still have a while to prepare. I just cannot have my 2 younger sisters showing me up come December, so I will stick to it and make it happen one way or another. Of course, at that point I will be in a totally different age bracket since I'll be past the bit 4-0, but still. They will both be in that 35-39 year old grouping and I'll be up with the older ladies in the 40-44.

Fundraising is going pretty well. I mailed out about 150 letters and pledge sheets to doctors and dentists in my area this week, so hoping for at least a 50% response rate. That would be nice. And even if everyone only did a $20 or $25 pledge, that would be pretty awesome! Of course, I wouldn't be upset by either a higher percentage response or a higher average pledge.

I have been experiencing the blisters along the side of my feet again, but trying out some new socks and shoe tying techniques that seem to be helping. I keep having an issue with the same spot where I had a HUGE blister following the Shamrock 1/2 Marathon a couple years ago. I've tried changing the shoes, changing the socks, different blister band-aids, blister proof socks, and Vaseline on the feet...so hopefully some combination of those will help.

So, all in all, it's been a good couple of weeks so far.

Progress - not much, but a little...

So, today is when I decided to get started...I need to get ready and work up to where I want to be when the official 'training' starts in the middle of August.

I started out slowly - 3 miles - running but a lot of walking thrown in there as well. It took about 45 minutes, but that's not bad considering I haven't run in AGES! Actually, since starting to knit just over 3 years ago, I haven't run that much at all. Knitting took the place of running, so the knitting time might get cut into just a bit. I know that I'm going to have to increase the time and distance and I get closer to the 1/2 Marathon in December.

But all in all, a good first effort...and the goal is to do the same thing tomorrow. The only problem that I see at the moment would be - the route that I did today and will do tomorrow - I don't think that it will be a good one to tackle early in the morning, before daylight, for a female running alone...so I might have to re-think that one just a bit.

I can always run at lunch at work if necessary...so that might be something to consider for during the week. We'll just play that by ear for now...

So Day 1 is behind me and Day 2 will be here sooner rather than later...

I'm training for a 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles) in Las Vegas in December 2009 to raise money for Chron's and Colitis Research!
Even though both my sister Melissa and I have been diagnosed with Chron's, she is truly my inspiration.

My webpage is: http://www.active.com/donate/lv09national/monetwhitson

A Great Cause!

I've only ever done this once before, run 13.1 miles, and that was over 3 years ago. I'm not really a runner, but they say, with training, anyone can do it.

I will be participating in the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

I'm going to make this happen through Team Challenge- it's the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's endurance training program.

As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease about 6 years ago. Luckily for me, I am currently in remission. My youngest sister, however, isn't as fortunate. Melissa was diagnosed about 4 years before me and she currently goes every 6 weeks for a Reumicaid treatment, where she is on a drip for about 3 hours each time.

This fundraising program will help to train me along with many others to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon, while helping the Foundation raise funds to find a cure for colitis and Crohn's disease. Check out my fundraising page:

http://www.active.com/donate/lv09national/monetwhitson

These diseases affect millions of people. Even if you are not personally afflicted with the disease, I'm sure you know someone who has it- whether you are aware of it or not. Here's where you can make a difference and change a life. Anything you can donate is appreciated and will help to find a cure. It's so easy- just click here:

http://www.active.com/donate/lv09national/monetwhitson

I will post updates on my fundraising and my training, as that gets underway as well (and I will definitely do that more regularly than I have been lately - I've been a bit of a slacker on the blog stuff). I'm sure that the training will cut into some of my knitting time, but it will all be worth it - it really is a great cause.

Please forward this information to family and friends -

Thanks so much!

Have you seen this?

Wow! This is a pretty cool house...

30 Days to MDS&W!!!

Is it that time again already? Wow!!!

There's a great contest you can enter with the possibility of winning a gift certificate to Three Irish Girls! What could be better than that?!?! Sharon's eye for color and the amazing yarn bases that she uses are something that you must see (touch) to believe.

Sharon will be at the Cloverhill Yarn Shop's booth which is in the main building...it's a Must Stop!

So, join the contest and try your luck...

Actually, maybe I shouldn't say anything so that I have a better chance to win...oh well, I'm feeling generous...

Wicked Ways

Have you seen this? How cool is this going to be? I mean, seriously?!?!

Woolgirl has done some other Wizard of Oz kits in the past, but a whole club devoted to nothing but Wizard of Oz...so very cool! She's had Glinda the Good Witch just recently, and there was the Wicked Witch of the West. I wish I had gotten that one!

If you haven't checked out Woolgirl yet, you should. She rocks! Her customer service is second to none, her packages are put together with lots of love, and she's just a gosh-darn good person. Check her out and I guarantee she will become your first place to shop (if you're a knitter, that is).

Also...did you see? Wicked is coming to Norfolk! I'm really trying to convince the hubby to take me. I'm not sure that he would enjoy it as much as I would, but I've read both of the first couple of books (Wicked & Son of a Witch)...and I got Lion Among Men for my birthday but I haven't read it yet...it's on the list.