The best things in life are(n't) free!

The time has come for me to impose on all my closest friends and family - and their closest friends and family. My Habitat money is due 45 days before departure, which means I need to have my fundraising completed ONE MONTH from YESTERDAY! Literally. It's due on the 23rd of March. 27 days. So, here's my plea:

My trip to Guatemala with Habitat for Humanity is going to be awesome. Not only are we (currently the team has 26 participants) helping to build affordable housing for the citizens of Guatemala, but before we begin our work we will be running a half marathon in Coban. That's what makes this trip extra special, and this is also the reason I picked it. As most of you know, I'm currently in training for the Music City Half Marathon in Nashville on April 24th. A mere 3 weeks later, I will be running the Coban Half in Guatemala, and then working alongside the recipients of the Habitat house we are building. Below is a picture of Coban. Looks hilly, huh? Also looks tropical - I believe I saw the word "rainforest" somewhere in the description of the run...yikes.



The total trip cost is $1,500 - so far, I have raised $488 - to the left you will see my handy dandy fundraising "thermometer." I will update this tool after every single donation I receive. Here's where you come in! I am asking for everyone to donate $13 - this represents the number of miles in a half-marathon. Well, actually, if we want to get technical, you can each donate $13.10, but beggars (literally!) can't be choosers. I figure if I can get 100 people to donate $13, I'll be all set! Feel free (very free) to donate more, but any size donation will be so greatly appreciated.

Ways to donate:
1) Give me your winning Powerball lottery ticket, valued at $24 million - trust me, your money will be well-spent;
2) Visit my fundraising page here - if you choose this method, the money goes straight to Habitat (and not to my next vacation in Hawaii) and is also tax deductible (score!), or
3) Check (made out to Habitat for Humanity International) mailed directly to me - for mailing address, please email me at jennifer.m.waller@gmail.com

Please pass this website and/or blog around to anyone you think may want to help - I'm 32.5% of the way there, with only 27 days to go! Remember to check back often for updates on my progress in both the world of running and fundraising...and ps - my legs hurt, but I'm still trucking along! Another 4 miles tonight :)

XO!

I've gotten behind in updating. So sorry about that.

This week my schedule had me running 4 miles Monday and Wednesday, 2 or cross on Tuesday (I did it on Thursday instead) and 6 on Saturday/Sunday. A couple of things came up for both me and RB, so I ran 10 miles on my own this week (4, 4 and 2). All went well until this weekend - Southeastern Wildlife Exposition was this Valentine's weekend, and we were pretty busy with that, so my running fell by the wayside until tonight when I was finished at 6 pm. Oh, also, Friday night we got SNOW!! About 2 inches, and it was awesome - Pookie, Curly and I had a snowstorm sleepover and it was awesome. So the long run. 6 miles. FAIL. I don't know what my deal is, but I got 2 miles into the run and just quit. I really don't have anything to say about it other than 6 miles felt so daunting after the weekend full of work that I had. So, tomorrow is 4 again (with RB, yay!) and I will pull it together and have a great run! If you want to send some encouraging thoughts my way , please do!



Had dinner with JAM on Thursday night, and as usual, it was awesome. He's one of those people that I have such a great time with, and everytime I see him, I wish it was more often. We go way back - all the way to 8th grade. He's a great guy, and an excellent "coach/mentor" for me right now. In other news, got an email from my Run and Build team leader today to see who of us was actually planning to run the half in Guatemala. Participants are scattered all over the east coast, it seems - Boston, NYC, D.C., Canada - should be a great group! Something that caught me off guard is that our fundraising goals must be met by MARCH 23rd! That's so close! I need to get on the ball. Hopefully later this week there will be information on how you can help me reach my goal to run a half in Guatemala and volunteer with Habitat! If you have any tips on fundraising, send those on over, too!

Just about bedtime...

One....is the lonliest number

Hello again!

Well, I am almost 1/3 of the way done with my training - and what a ride. Today I had my long run of the week - my RB had to study for a test, so I went solo (hence the title). I decided that since I don't know any great 5-mile routes, I would try my luck at the track behind the police station on Ann Edwards Lane. I figured, yeah, it'll be boring, but I can count down my laps and that might make 5 miles seem more manageable. Last time we were scheduled for a long run, I was a little "under the weather" and then last week I really was under the weather. So this was my longest run to date. 20 laps. It was pretty boring. But, I got through it, and only walked 3 times, about 1/2 a lap each time. My time was not great, but you know what they say: slow and steady wins the race! Although I'm sure I won't be winning any races at a pace of 12 minutes/mile.

This week we bump things up a big - 4 miles Monday and Wednesday and 6 on Saturday. On Tuesday, I have a work meeting until 6 and bible study at 7, so I am going to get up in the morning and run my 2 miles on the treadmill. I used to do this a lot (I say a lot, but it was probably like 10 times total), so it shouldn't be that difficult. Stay tuned.

I know I promised some info on the new bible study - my sister and I had been trying to find a church down here for a while now - we grew up Methodist, but were not limiting ourselves to a Methodist church, although that is what we tried at first. Then we went to a Presbyterian church that we really liked, but didn't have a whole lot of young people like us - definitely some high schoolers, but no college age or young adults. We had both heard good things about St. Andrews church in the Old Village, so we decided to try it out. My running mentor, JAM, goes there, and we were going to tag along with him, but he was running late, so we just snagged a seat in the back, where we ran into an old friend (and former junior tennis doubles partner) of mine, Tyler. She and her friend had just started there as well, and were joining a bible study that same week called "Girls on the Run" - made up of girls mostly our age, and with very active and busy lifestyles, who meet once a week downtown.

So Pookie and I gave it a shot, and it was awesome! We start out with about 20 minutes of worship time, which involves turning the lights down and the music up - some people journal during this time, but most of us just sit quietly, eyes closed, and clear our minds for the lesson. This past week, the playlist contained one of my all-time favorite songs, Grace. It was a version I'd never heard before, but it was great just the same - I even sang along! We are studying John and learning about the kind of man Jesus was. At the end, we all take a Post-It and write our name at the top and our specific prayer requests for the week, then put them in a pile and pick a new one and pray for that person. Its really great, and we're meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends.

I promise some new info on Habitat in the next post - maybe Tuesday? Y'all come back now, ya hear?

XOXO

Tricks of the trade

Well hello.

I am officially over my brutal head cold, and back in the running habit! Over the weekend, the Oyster Festival took place, out at Boone Hall Plantation, and I must say, it was the most successful event that I have seen out there - we are estimating between 10,000 and 11,000 patrons! If you were out there on Sunday, you know what 11,000 people looks and feels like. The weather was awesome as well - despite the influx of rain on Saturday, the Boone Hall grounds were not terribly muddy (we did lose a lot of acreage parking-wise because 2 fields were first frozen and then flooded once they thawed), and the temperature was a cool and crisp 49 degrees, but very sunny! My nose and forehead even got a little sunburned, which was surprising. All in all, a GREAT Sunday to be outside and amongst friends.

Monday's run proved to be much harder than I thought - I kept getting lightheaded and having to take breaks. My running buddy (still need a name for her) was great, though, and whenever I would stop to walk, she would keep running a block or two and circle back for me, which motivated me and also kept her running the whole time. Last night (Tuesday), I ran 2 miles on the treadmill instead of cross-training to work on my endurance for tonight's run. Afterward, my shins hurt so bad I had trouble walking up the stairs to my apartment. I iced each shin for about 10 minutes and then went to bible study (more on that in another post).

Today's run was nearly perfect. My buddy chose to run 5.5 miles this afternoon, so she said that our run was focused solely on me, which scared me at first, but ended up being awesome. Since she had already gotten her workout in, she was happy to run at my slightly slower pace, which allowed me to run steadily and concentrate on my breathing and form. I went at lunch to The Foot Store and got a new pair of kicks because a few little birdies had told me that might have something to do with my shin splints. The guy hooked me up with a pair of Brooks (switched over from my trusty Asics) and they were nice and shiny and I was feeling very excited. To give you an idea of how broken-down my old shoes were, he practically bent them in half in the store - my new shoes hardly give at all. With my new shoes, a new attitude and RB's (running buddy) patience and motivation, our 3.5 mile run was enjoyable and uplifting. RB is very knowledgeable and inspiring when she can tell I'm starting to get a little down in the dumps, and that's been a huge help to me.

This weekend, Pookie is having surgery (again!) - this time on her broken arm. She fell while in DC this past weekend and broke her arm in 3 places! Poor Pookie. On Saturday we have another 5-mile attempt, and I'm a little anxious, but excited as well. Sunday is the SuperBowl - I'm pulling for the Colts. Who are you pulling for? PS - its nearly time to start fund-raising for my little excursion down South. I also need to share with y'all some pictures of some fun stuff I have from Habitat :)

XOXO