Sunday, August 31, 2008
It'll all be over....
Two weeks from today it will all be over except the icy hot and a load or two of really stinky laundry! Oh, but the memories we will have to keep us pumped up! It's not too late for you to get involved. You can still make a donation to Judi's house in Memory of Christy Dobbins and you can still meet us in Carbondale for the finish line. Mental Support shirts can still be purchased. It's not too late to join the circus!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Whhhyyy?
I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks why we are running? Why we want to do this race? Why we put ourselves through this? I don't have a concrete answer. I have a lot of reasons, some are reasonable and some are just, well crazy.
I have a love/hate relationship with running. When I decided to start running three years ago, because I am not a natural,it began as more of a challenge. That, OMGosh, I am 30 and I need to do something, and a marathon sounded like a perfectly rational idea. I literally went out and bought a treadmill and started with a mile, most of which I walked. I ran on that stupid machine every day, without fail for 10 weeks. I wouldn't say I enjoyed all of it, but I got hooked. It became an addiction and I needed that high. After 10 weeks I headed outside. I ran my first 5k, and then 10k, and within 6 months I had ran a half marathon. Running gave me an escape from my kids and my job and everything. I lost weight, and got muscles and then I gained weight and lost inches. People started to comment on how good my legs looked. Every time it was time to train and I tied my shoes and thought, 'today I am not feeling it', I would remember how good it would feel to lay in the grass when I was done and know that I had just burned 900calories and if I wanted to eat ice cream for dinner, I could. Then I started training for the marathon, and I began raising money for St. Jude. Every time I received money as a donation I felt like I needed to run to show my appreciation for the donation. Like I was doing the work and they were paying by donation. SO then I got hooked on other people's money! I know how silly that sounds, but it's true!? I got addicted to not only running, but raising money for charity. If only every one's addictions were so terrible.
Don't get me wrong, there are days when it just isn't there, and I'm not feeling it and I curse myself and my shoes, and the treadmill and the sidewalk and the maker of my sports bra. and ...well, you get what I am saying.
I am not a natural runner, I have to work at it. It isn't easy for me. I am not a fast runner, and sometimes I walk more than I run. BUT, I get out there and I continue to do it. And I have enthusiasm. Some days, I am a rock star! I love what running has done for me. My health is better. I will not die at age 45 from a massive heart attack, like my dad. Not if I can help it. My body looks better, and I feel better about me. It is good for my mental health to have alone time or the camaraderie I have developed with the slew of people I have drug in to this addiction because of my enthusiasm.
Now instead of it being just me that is on a running high and addicted to donations, I have a gang. We are all taking care of ourselves and impacting our community with our enthusiasm for running and raising money for Judi's House, which I believe is a worthy charity.
We'll bring anyone in to our circle of friends. We'll coach you and help you get your best foot forward. You just have to be willing to take the first step. After that we can't be responsible for the addiction, and trust me, you will get hooked. Does it hurt sometimes? yes! DO you have bad days? Yes! Do you question why you are doing this stupid running thing? Yes! But is it 100% worth it? Yep!
I have a love/hate relationship with running. When I decided to start running three years ago, because I am not a natural,it began as more of a challenge. That, OMGosh, I am 30 and I need to do something, and a marathon sounded like a perfectly rational idea. I literally went out and bought a treadmill and started with a mile, most of which I walked. I ran on that stupid machine every day, without fail for 10 weeks. I wouldn't say I enjoyed all of it, but I got hooked. It became an addiction and I needed that high. After 10 weeks I headed outside. I ran my first 5k, and then 10k, and within 6 months I had ran a half marathon. Running gave me an escape from my kids and my job and everything. I lost weight, and got muscles and then I gained weight and lost inches. People started to comment on how good my legs looked. Every time it was time to train and I tied my shoes and thought, 'today I am not feeling it', I would remember how good it would feel to lay in the grass when I was done and know that I had just burned 900calories and if I wanted to eat ice cream for dinner, I could. Then I started training for the marathon, and I began raising money for St. Jude. Every time I received money as a donation I felt like I needed to run to show my appreciation for the donation. Like I was doing the work and they were paying by donation. SO then I got hooked on other people's money! I know how silly that sounds, but it's true!? I got addicted to not only running, but raising money for charity. If only every one's addictions were so terrible.
Don't get me wrong, there are days when it just isn't there, and I'm not feeling it and I curse myself and my shoes, and the treadmill and the sidewalk and the maker of my sports bra. and ...well, you get what I am saying.
I am not a natural runner, I have to work at it. It isn't easy for me. I am not a fast runner, and sometimes I walk more than I run. BUT, I get out there and I continue to do it. And I have enthusiasm. Some days, I am a rock star! I love what running has done for me. My health is better. I will not die at age 45 from a massive heart attack, like my dad. Not if I can help it. My body looks better, and I feel better about me. It is good for my mental health to have alone time or the camaraderie I have developed with the slew of people I have drug in to this addiction because of my enthusiasm.
Now instead of it being just me that is on a running high and addicted to donations, I have a gang. We are all taking care of ourselves and impacting our community with our enthusiasm for running and raising money for Judi's House, which I believe is a worthy charity.
We'll bring anyone in to our circle of friends. We'll coach you and help you get your best foot forward. You just have to be willing to take the first step. After that we can't be responsible for the addiction, and trust me, you will get hooked. Does it hurt sometimes? yes! DO you have bad days? Yes! Do you question why you are doing this stupid running thing? Yes! But is it 100% worth it? Yep!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Let's be honest
I felt like I had to share the whole story here. We set a team goal of $2500 for the relay. Then we realized that last year's top team raised $2700, so we raised our goal to $3000. As I said last night we reached the $3000 and even surpassed it. BUT, a few of us went to the relay happy hour last night and Pete, the coordinator of all things fun for the relay, told us another team was hot on our tails with donations. He also eluded to a really great prize package for the winning team! We set out to raise money for Judi's house in honor of Christy, and raise money we have. So.... if I'm going to be completely honest here...... Now....we want the prizes. We want to be the number one team! Is that a bad thing?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Kiss'em
Your loved ones that is! Life is short. Give your kids extra kisses before you send them off to school. Tell your other half you love them one more time before work. Call your grandma and let her know you're thinking of her. Tell your friends you appreciate them. Be kind to one another. Life is short and unpredictable. Tell them you love them!
cash, checks, moola, money, tax deductable donations
Oh yeah, donations! Well, we did it! We met our goal of $3000. Actually we have now surpassed it. We currently sit at $3460, when I tally the checks everyone has. So, to every single one of you wonderful people that opened your checkbook and your heart THANK YOU!
As I said in the previous posting, I had lunch with Molly today. She presented a check to me from her and Norm and John and the boys. It was a combination of her birthday gifts her family sent her and her own money. It was in Christy's memory and it was a wonderful gift.
Donations make me happy. They make me feel good. When someone hands me a check for $20 or $50, or $100 or $500 made out to Outward Bound it feels better than a new purse!! And a new purse is a pretty darn good feeling. I love purses. I love designer bags, but a donation for a charity that I believe in and support, feels even better! (Yes, I know, hard to believe!) Donations to a great children's charity warms my heart and it should yours as well!
OK, so after lunch, I went back to the salon and waited for the kids to get out of school. I was tidying and folding towels when a woman walked in for a haircut. I wasn't really in the groove to work but no one else could take her, so I did. Her name was Michelle. She has lived in the area for 16 years. She drives past the salon every day. She had never been in. Today she needs a cut and she has both of her young girls with her. She owns a business in Golden, I said I had been in Golden earlier to run Lookout Mountain. She asked why, I told her about the relay. As Michelle left, she dropped a $100 check in the donation bucket. Michelle was supposed to be in my chair today. She was supposed to hear my story. Look for the lessons and the people we touch. Today, Michelle, someone I just met, touched me!
Which brings us back to donations. We met our goal and now we are raising it. The new Mental in the Mountains goal is $4500. If you forgot to send your check, no worries, its not too late. And remember no donation is too small! :)
As I said in the previous posting, I had lunch with Molly today. She presented a check to me from her and Norm and John and the boys. It was a combination of her birthday gifts her family sent her and her own money. It was in Christy's memory and it was a wonderful gift.
Donations make me happy. They make me feel good. When someone hands me a check for $20 or $50, or $100 or $500 made out to Outward Bound it feels better than a new purse!! And a new purse is a pretty darn good feeling. I love purses. I love designer bags, but a donation for a charity that I believe in and support, feels even better! (Yes, I know, hard to believe!) Donations to a great children's charity warms my heart and it should yours as well!
OK, so after lunch, I went back to the salon and waited for the kids to get out of school. I was tidying and folding towels when a woman walked in for a haircut. I wasn't really in the groove to work but no one else could take her, so I did. Her name was Michelle. She has lived in the area for 16 years. She drives past the salon every day. She had never been in. Today she needs a cut and she has both of her young girls with her. She owns a business in Golden, I said I had been in Golden earlier to run Lookout Mountain. She asked why, I told her about the relay. As Michelle left, she dropped a $100 check in the donation bucket. Michelle was supposed to be in my chair today. She was supposed to hear my story. Look for the lessons and the people we touch. Today, Michelle, someone I just met, touched me!
Which brings us back to donations. We met our goal and now we are raising it. The new Mental in the Mountains goal is $4500. If you forgot to send your check, no worries, its not too late. And remember no donation is too small! :)
Hills and more HILLS
16 days till race day! It seemed like so long ago when we ponied up the cash to be registered and started the 2-3 mile looooong runs. Now we are all super stars and we run 10-12 mile long runs. Long runs with hills, at midnight in the rain, or 90*+ heat. It has certainly became an obsession. An addiction. A love/hate filled relationship with a pair of tennis shoes and the open road. We are mental, every day we prove it more and more.
Amy and I have logged some miles this past week. (well, all the girls have, but it just so happens that Amy and I have logged them together and since this is my blog, I get to talk about me!) There was a 12 mile run from Hair We R to my home and back. It was up hill both ways. REALLY. Then I ran by myself yesterday from the salon to home. It was over 90* and the sun was high in the sky so there was no shade. It was another one of those times when I think to myself, "really, what kind of dummy does this?" I did not pass another single runner or biker, not even on the trail around the lake. Hello??? Dummy!
SO this morning Amy and Pegi and I made our way to Golden where we ran Lookout Mountain. The goal was to run further than the last trip up there. We made it to the 2.4 mile point, which is where we turned around last time, in 12 minutes less time. WooHOO. Then we went 1.1 miles further before we came back down. Rock Stars!
After our run this morning, I had lunch with Molly. She shared with me that she met Erica and Lisa when she went to the physical therapist this week. It is just such a small world. We all get drawn together and we always end up just where God wants us to be. As we were sitting at our table the waitress commented on my hair and went on to say that she had chemotherapy when she was 17 and hadn't cut her hair since and now it is to her butt and she wants to cut it off. I of course gave her a card and I have no doubt in my mind that she will be in my chair, because she was drawn to us and we were supposed to be at her table.
Amy's client told her this week that we have to pay attention, because there is always a life lesson. I agree. So as you go about your week look at the people you are touching and pay extra close attention to the people that are in your life. We all have something to give and something to take. No matter how big or small.
Amy and I have logged some miles this past week. (well, all the girls have, but it just so happens that Amy and I have logged them together and since this is my blog, I get to talk about me!) There was a 12 mile run from Hair We R to my home and back. It was up hill both ways. REALLY. Then I ran by myself yesterday from the salon to home. It was over 90* and the sun was high in the sky so there was no shade. It was another one of those times when I think to myself, "really, what kind of dummy does this?" I did not pass another single runner or biker, not even on the trail around the lake. Hello??? Dummy!
SO this morning Amy and Pegi and I made our way to Golden where we ran Lookout Mountain. The goal was to run further than the last trip up there. We made it to the 2.4 mile point, which is where we turned around last time, in 12 minutes less time. WooHOO. Then we went 1.1 miles further before we came back down. Rock Stars!
After our run this morning, I had lunch with Molly. She shared with me that she met Erica and Lisa when she went to the physical therapist this week. It is just such a small world. We all get drawn together and we always end up just where God wants us to be. As we were sitting at our table the waitress commented on my hair and went on to say that she had chemotherapy when she was 17 and hadn't cut her hair since and now it is to her butt and she wants to cut it off. I of course gave her a card and I have no doubt in my mind that she will be in my chair, because she was drawn to us and we were supposed to be at her table.
Amy's client told her this week that we have to pay attention, because there is always a life lesson. I agree. So as you go about your week look at the people you are touching and pay extra close attention to the people that are in your life. We all have something to give and something to take. No matter how big or small.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thank you
Just a thought...
A special thank you to Barry Clayton and Innovative Cereal Systems. We are proud to be sponsored by all of you really smart bakers and PHD chemist guys!
Mike Neiman, thank you for use of your condo. You will be the most loved man around when we get to take warm showers about 70 miles and 12 hours in!
To all of our awesome friends, family and clients: THANK YOU for your generous donations. I am so proud to hand the checks over to Pete at Colorado Relay and let him know we have a great support group!
To my incredible, strong, mental team of girls, I am inspired and impressed by you all every day. Thanks for the motivation! xoxo
A special thank you to Barry Clayton and Innovative Cereal Systems. We are proud to be sponsored by all of you really smart bakers and PHD chemist guys!
Mike Neiman, thank you for use of your condo. You will be the most loved man around when we get to take warm showers about 70 miles and 12 hours in!
To all of our awesome friends, family and clients: THANK YOU for your generous donations. I am so proud to hand the checks over to Pete at Colorado Relay and let him know we have a great support group!
To my incredible, strong, mental team of girls, I am inspired and impressed by you all every day. Thanks for the motivation! xoxo
The funnies
This little group of girls can really be divided in to 2 groups... the real runners, like Erica, Janessa and Lisa, that have been running forever and just do it with ease and then the rest of us that enjoy the running and the challenge, but we have to work at it.
So the latter of the two groups spend a lot of time on group runs. Testing our speed and distance and stamina. This at times brings out the best in us and at times the worst and sometimes it is just outright funny.
We have been running a lot at night. One because it is much cooler then, two because with the gaggle of kids we have, someone can usually take care of them then and three we just need to get accustom to running at night. At night on trails you hear a lot of things. Little animals, especially cute little bunnies can scare the daylights out of you. Yvonne in particular hates the dark and she is almost always good for a laugh for the rest of us.
There have been 2 runs very late at night from Copper Mountain to Vail Pass. The first was the stuff bad B grade horror flicks are made of. 4 women running in the middle of the night from a rest/truck stop. It had been raining and there was NO moon. It was so dark. We were all so nervous, and it was dark. Even with 3 head lamps it was pitch black. There was a lot of nervous laughter and after we came upon a tunnel that crosses under I70, one of us freaked out. Which made the rest of us laugh harder. Not like funny ha ha laugh but, the Oh My Gosh we could die out here kind of laugh. If you have seen the movie Blair Witch it was sorta like that, only funny when it was over because no one died!
Our second trip up Vail Pass was a group of 6v girls. There was a full moon and it was raining. After we found a place to park, by sending Wendy to the fire station to beg a parking spot, we ran from Copper to the top of Vail Pass. There were horses at the beginning of the trail which we could smell and see their beady eyes. The run was great. Except for the lack of oxygen and the steep uphill grade. Once we started back down a storm was moving in and there was a lot of lightning. Enough to make us all run really fast. AT one point someone said"Why didn't we ask at the meeting what to do in lightning?" That may not seem too funny, but add to the story that the majority of us have kids.....multiple kids and our bladders aren't the what they used to be, we are running, it is cold and raining and we are laughing and you have yourself the perfect depends commercial
We have been running all over the place. The majority of our team ran the 10k at 10,000ft in Vail. Our times were long. It took us a long time to finish. It was raining and for some of us it was a true test of will. Looking back on it now I honestly think we kicked major butt. Only about 200 people registered for the race. And in Colorado road races usually have more runners. Just showing that only the die hards or the totally freaking CRAZY people signed up for the trail run in Vail. We are women.....
So the latter of the two groups spend a lot of time on group runs. Testing our speed and distance and stamina. This at times brings out the best in us and at times the worst and sometimes it is just outright funny.
We have been running a lot at night. One because it is much cooler then, two because with the gaggle of kids we have, someone can usually take care of them then and three we just need to get accustom to running at night. At night on trails you hear a lot of things. Little animals, especially cute little bunnies can scare the daylights out of you. Yvonne in particular hates the dark and she is almost always good for a laugh for the rest of us.
There have been 2 runs very late at night from Copper Mountain to Vail Pass. The first was the stuff bad B grade horror flicks are made of. 4 women running in the middle of the night from a rest/truck stop. It had been raining and there was NO moon. It was so dark. We were all so nervous, and it was dark. Even with 3 head lamps it was pitch black. There was a lot of nervous laughter and after we came upon a tunnel that crosses under I70, one of us freaked out. Which made the rest of us laugh harder. Not like funny ha ha laugh but, the Oh My Gosh we could die out here kind of laugh. If you have seen the movie Blair Witch it was sorta like that, only funny when it was over because no one died!
Our second trip up Vail Pass was a group of 6v girls. There was a full moon and it was raining. After we found a place to park, by sending Wendy to the fire station to beg a parking spot, we ran from Copper to the top of Vail Pass. There were horses at the beginning of the trail which we could smell and see their beady eyes. The run was great. Except for the lack of oxygen and the steep uphill grade. Once we started back down a storm was moving in and there was a lot of lightning. Enough to make us all run really fast. AT one point someone said"Why didn't we ask at the meeting what to do in lightning?" That may not seem too funny, but add to the story that the majority of us have kids.....multiple kids and our bladders aren't the what they used to be, we are running, it is cold and raining and we are laughing and you have yourself the perfect depends commercial
We have been running all over the place. The majority of our team ran the 10k at 10,000ft in Vail. Our times were long. It took us a long time to finish. It was raining and for some of us it was a true test of will. Looking back on it now I honestly think we kicked major butt. Only about 200 people registered for the race. And in Colorado road races usually have more runners. Just showing that only the die hards or the totally freaking CRAZY people signed up for the trail run in Vail. We are women.....
The treadmill
Last night as I was running on the treadmill I found myself thinking what a dumb machine it was, what a ridiculous idea running on it was and how stupid I was to be the one doing it. It makes for a long 6 miles when you spend the whole time saying to yourself "you idiot, what a dumb idea this is!"
It is crunch time now and no matter how stupid the machine is, I'll be logging some miles on it, because last time I checked it is illegal to lock my kids in a closet while I go run!
Tonight the plan is to run about 12 miles with Amy and anyone else that shows up at Hair We R, dressed to run!
It is crunch time now and no matter how stupid the machine is, I'll be logging some miles on it, because last time I checked it is illegal to lock my kids in a closet while I go run!
Tonight the plan is to run about 12 miles with Amy and anyone else that shows up at Hair We R, dressed to run!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The team
Runner 1:Lisa: Lisa works for the physical therapist in the Panarama building. She was Jeff's physical therapist when he broke his ankle last year. Lisa is a Montana girl and she and Jeff hit it off. She has completed a marathon and she is a strong runner. She's fast, she runs about a 56min. 10k!
Runner 2: Amy: Amy is a Hair We R gal. September marks the 2 year anniversary of Amy's gastric bypass surgery. She has shed 190 pounds and gained some serious muscles. I keep telling her I'm going to buy her a shirt that says "I may be slow, but I'm persistent" Amy doesn't give up. She trains harder and more frequently than the rest of us. She rocks!
Runner 3: Victoria: Victoria is a secretary at Woodrow Wilson. She also happens to be one of my clients. Victoria wasn't a runner before we started the relay training, but you can't tell. Her little body is all leg and she is speedy!
Runner 4: Wendy: Wendy is an Anglz gal. She is my Chicago Marathon partner in crime and she has lived at Casa Eller. Wendy and I started running together and we continue to run together.
Runner 5: Yvonne: Another hairstylist from Hair We R. Yvonne is the energizer bunny on a hill. She runs hard and sticks with it!
Runner 6: Jeanine: The team captain. The Hairstylist. The crazy gal with the harebrained idea to run the relay. The one that brought an entire team together.
Runner 7: Jessika: Jessika is a WWA mom. Her son went to school with RJ, and I have been trying to talk her in to running with me for several years. Now she's in and I see no slowing down.
Runner 8: Janessa: The young one! Janessa is Yvonne's niece. She has been a runner her whole life and it shows. She is also a starving student, working to become a doctor!
Runner 9: Erica: The triathlete. Erica inspires me. A LOT! She not only is a hard core runner, but she also bikes and swims. While the rest of us are complaining about a 10k at 10,000 feet she's out doing half ironman triathlons. Erica also works as a physical therapist with Lisa.
Runner 10:a: Dee Dee: A Hair We R stylist. DeeDee is our resident beauty queen. 1997 Miss Colorado. She never sweats, even when she runs 10 miles at Garden of the Gods. And she always looks beautiful, even just rolling out of bed to run at 7am.
Runner 10:b:Danielle: She came to Hair We R just wanting a job and got sucked in to the insanity. But she does it with a smile on her face and never a complaint.
Runner 11: Our alternate: Pegi: Pegi is a hairstylist at Hair We R on occasion. She was also a WWA mom when RJ was there, and she and her husband Matt helped complete Casa Eller for Christy. Pegi took up running just about 10-12 weeks ago and jumped in with both feet!
Runner 2: Amy: Amy is a Hair We R gal. September marks the 2 year anniversary of Amy's gastric bypass surgery. She has shed 190 pounds and gained some serious muscles. I keep telling her I'm going to buy her a shirt that says "I may be slow, but I'm persistent" Amy doesn't give up. She trains harder and more frequently than the rest of us. She rocks!
Runner 3: Victoria: Victoria is a secretary at Woodrow Wilson. She also happens to be one of my clients. Victoria wasn't a runner before we started the relay training, but you can't tell. Her little body is all leg and she is speedy!
Runner 4: Wendy: Wendy is an Anglz gal. She is my Chicago Marathon partner in crime and she has lived at Casa Eller. Wendy and I started running together and we continue to run together.
Runner 5: Yvonne: Another hairstylist from Hair We R. Yvonne is the energizer bunny on a hill. She runs hard and sticks with it!
Runner 6: Jeanine: The team captain. The Hairstylist. The crazy gal with the harebrained idea to run the relay. The one that brought an entire team together.
Runner 7: Jessika: Jessika is a WWA mom. Her son went to school with RJ, and I have been trying to talk her in to running with me for several years. Now she's in and I see no slowing down.
Runner 8: Janessa: The young one! Janessa is Yvonne's niece. She has been a runner her whole life and it shows. She is also a starving student, working to become a doctor!
Runner 9: Erica: The triathlete. Erica inspires me. A LOT! She not only is a hard core runner, but she also bikes and swims. While the rest of us are complaining about a 10k at 10,000 feet she's out doing half ironman triathlons. Erica also works as a physical therapist with Lisa.
Runner 10:a: Dee Dee: A Hair We R stylist. DeeDee is our resident beauty queen. 1997 Miss Colorado. She never sweats, even when she runs 10 miles at Garden of the Gods. And she always looks beautiful, even just rolling out of bed to run at 7am.
Runner 10:b:Danielle: She came to Hair We R just wanting a job and got sucked in to the insanity. But she does it with a smile on her face and never a complaint.
Runner 11: Our alternate: Pegi: Pegi is a hairstylist at Hair We R on occasion. She was also a WWA mom when RJ was there, and she and her husband Matt helped complete Casa Eller for Christy. Pegi took up running just about 10-12 weeks ago and jumped in with both feet!
3 weeks to go
OMG! The relay is 3 weeks from tomorrow! It seems like just yesterday I stumbled across the website and had the bright idea to run it! I am making a guesstimate on the total dollars raised. It looks like we are at about $1900, from the donations I turned in, the ones that are in the bucket at the salon and some that the other girls have in hand. That is a long way from $3000, but I feel confident we'll make it!
Yesterday, Amy, Yvonne, Manoel and I drove up to Georgetown to run Amy's first leg. Guenella Pass was closed for repair, so we decided to run part of Lisa's leg instead. I am so glad that is Lisa's leg and not mine! It kicked my behind! We were at about 9200 feet and I don't know what the grade was other than way UP hill. I could actually taste the metal from my fillings, I was straining so hard. It is a tough run! Lucky we have some really strong runners! Lisa: You go girl!
I was talking to Molly this morning about the race and how she can help. She had read in an email that we were looking for pacers and bless her, she started looking for pacers. She talked to one of the girls at her physical therapist office and the girl suggested she post it at the Panarama building. I told Molly that 2 of our runners are from the physical therapy at Panarama. She commented on how things really do come full circle. We really are all meant to be on this team.
Molly said something else that I know, but just hadn't thought of recently. This race and all the money we raise and all the good things for Outward Bound are wonderful, BUT we should still be focusing on how we all came together in the first place. Christy was ill. She had cancer. She had Ovarian Cancer that was progressed very far by the time it was diagnosed. We all need to be aware. We need to know our bodies and when something just isn't right we have to be vigilant in finding answers!
Yesterday, Amy, Yvonne, Manoel and I drove up to Georgetown to run Amy's first leg. Guenella Pass was closed for repair, so we decided to run part of Lisa's leg instead. I am so glad that is Lisa's leg and not mine! It kicked my behind! We were at about 9200 feet and I don't know what the grade was other than way UP hill. I could actually taste the metal from my fillings, I was straining so hard. It is a tough run! Lucky we have some really strong runners! Lisa: You go girl!
I was talking to Molly this morning about the race and how she can help. She had read in an email that we were looking for pacers and bless her, she started looking for pacers. She talked to one of the girls at her physical therapist office and the girl suggested she post it at the Panarama building. I told Molly that 2 of our runners are from the physical therapy at Panarama. She commented on how things really do come full circle. We really are all meant to be on this team.
Molly said something else that I know, but just hadn't thought of recently. This race and all the money we raise and all the good things for Outward Bound are wonderful, BUT we should still be focusing on how we all came together in the first place. Christy was ill. She had cancer. She had Ovarian Cancer that was progressed very far by the time it was diagnosed. We all need to be aware. We need to know our bodies and when something just isn't right we have to be vigilant in finding answers!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The looong story
It is interesting to me why people come in to our lives and how they shake things up and change who we are. The Mental in the Mountains/Colorado Relay/Jeanine/Christy/Hair We R story is the perfect example of just how that works. And how everything comes full circle.
Just a quick thought here: It has been a long couple of years and my time line may not be perfect, but I'm trying to remembe ra sbest I can. SO, if you know th estory and see mistakes... I apologize now.
So, I'll start way back in February of 2005 when I met Molly in the parking lot of WWA where my oldest son Jarrod goes to school. I was waiting in the Hair We R Mobile, waiting for Jarrod to get out of school. Molly noticed the name and phone number on the back window and inquired about a haircut. As we discussed appointment times she told me about her Grandson, RJ who was new to our school. His Mom, Molly's daugter Christy was in Denver, from Wyoming having a hysterectomy followed by treatment for Ovarian Cancer. We talked for a long time, as we were very early for pick up. I soon realized RJ was the new boy in Jarrod's class, and they had already become fast friends. Christy was going to be in Denver for an extended period of time for treatment and when it was time for her to leave the hospital in Denver she was going to an extended stay hotel. I remember being so profoundly touched by Molly that day. The burden on my heart was so heavy. I didn't know how but I knew some way we had to help them. Little did I know how my life would change the moment I met Molly.
I went home that day and told Jeff about my new friend. I told him the story and told him how burdened I felt to do SOMETHING. That night we decided they would stay with us, in our basement apartment. One itty bitty problem: We didn't have a basement apartment. We had concrete and 2x4s and a big storage area.
The next day I told Molly we wanted to open our home to them, but we needed a few weeks, to get the 1300sqft in order. We started emailing family and friends asking for help. Within a few days folks from school, church and the salon were offering assistance. Even the city helped by expediting the paperwork.
18 days after I offered the space to Molly, there was a 1300 sq ft basement, complete with a kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I spent day and night praying for God to allow it all to work. He was faithful, and that is the only way we were successful. I could go on and on with stories of answered prayer. Prayer for the right people, and supplies and timing. I will just say, God is faithful and loving and all knowing.
So, around the first part of March Christy and RJ moved in. Her older son, Lalo and husband, John stayed in Wyoming where John had a job that provided much needed insurance.
In the following months, we all grew closer. Jayson and Jack in particular fell in love with Molly and with Christy. Molly became Gran Molly. She also became one of my dearest friends. She still is. We love her and I can't imagine not having her in my life. Christy was a trooper. Never a negative word. She always had a smile on her face and she loved the boys. Including my three. Christy completed treatment without a lot of illness. After school ended, she and RJ moved back to Wyoming where she recovered and regained strength.
After Christy and RJ left our house was so empty. We had 1300 sq ft of house that was empty. I had been telling Jeff that I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 30. In October I decided I was running the Chicago Marathon in 2006. It was a few months after the big 3-0, but it was close enough. After all I had never ran so much as a mile in my life. So we bought a treadmill and parked it in the basement in front of the tv. I trained faithfully for many months.
By September /October of 2005 Molly had purchased a town home here in Denver and settled in to be closer to Christy in Wyoming and her son's family here in Denver. Christy started feeling a little under the weather at that time and learned her cancer had returned. She decided to begin treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Chicago. I flew to Chicago with her for one of her first treatments just after Thanksgiving of 2005. Chemotherapy is an awful treatment. Although Christy was a champ, there were so many others there that were so ill. Still, there was a lot of hope. I really got to know Christy better on that trip. While she was staying with us, she was so quiet and reserved, which was just her nature, but when you are in a hotel room with someone 24 hours a day, there reaches a point where you just open up. That trip to Zion Illinois changed my life and the way I looked at life.
Christy continued treatment in Chicago, flying from Wyoming. There were several occasions that she ended up in the hospital in Denver with fluid on her lungs or various other problems but still she stayed strong.
In the late spring, one of the girls from our second salon Anglz was looking for a place to stay while their house was being completed. Jeff and I felt so blessed to have this amazing space in our basement that we offered it to Wendy and her family. They stayed for several months. That meant the treadmill I was using for training had to be moved. Which worked out great. I replaced the treadmill with the most amazing running partner. Wendy and I were paced perfectly. We began spending our nights running and training. Wendy also registered for the Chicago marathon. Over the summer Wendy moved to her new home, but the training continued, and in October we both traveled to Chicago and ran the Chicago marathon, together we raised over $3500 for charity!
Over the course of the year from October 2005 to October 2006, running consumed me. It was all I could talk about. All I could think about and all I wanted to do. As a mother of three I found release, and it didn't involve cocktail hour. I worked with a group of women that believed I was certifiable. They would only run if chased and only then if it were life or death. I asked over and over again for running buddies and never once got a bite.
Christy and her family eventually were transferred to Denver and moved here for RJ to start second grade. They bought a home and settled in. Her treatments continued, and her fight continued. Our quiet friendship also continued. I tried to be available when needed and again made more than one hospital visit. Christy was becoming more and more ill. She lost weight and the cancer moved from one part of her body to another.
2007 brought a whole new group of running buddies. Wendy and I in Chicago had inspired a few friends and my husband. We had a team of 7 registered to run the the 2007 Chicago marathon on the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital Team. Broken ankles, car accidents, and other injuries left one runner to run the marathon.
The summer of 07, brought a whole slew of visitors to the Eller basement. Basketball teams, youth groups and exchange students.
In July Christy went to Florida to visit her Dad. Her health was bad and getting worse and even though no one actually said it, I knew the outcome wasn't going to be good. I hadn't spoken with Christy for well over a month, but I talked to Molly frequently and knew what the deal was. Eventually Molly went to Florida and towards the end of July called me to tell me that the end was close. Christy had elected to go to a Hospice Center. Molly said she didn't really have a lot of close friends over the past several years, but she would like it if I came. So I hopped a flight to Florida. I spent 3 days at the Hospice Center with Christy and Molly. The day after I left Christy's family moved her to her dad's home where she passed to the heavens a day later. I feel honored to have been there to help Christy transition out of this world and into her waiting reward. It was a blessing to me, to see her through that part of her. I felt like a had been on her journey from early on and I was supposed to be there for the end. What a beautiful thing to be part of. It was life changing for me.
I came home and had the itch to do something. I started looking for races, and I started looking for runners. It didn't take me long to find both.
Amy, is a stylist at Hair We R. She was part of the salon crew when I ran Chicago in '06. She had been there for all of the training and she thought I was crazy. But, oh how your view can change: In September 2006 Amy had gastric bypass surgery and quickly began to shed pounds. She took on a healthier life style and in October 2007 when I stumbled across the Colorado Relay, she jumped in with both feet, or at least with one and momentum took her the rest of the way. We began recruiting our running team, and in October registered Mental in the Mountains as an official team of the Colorado Relay. Our team consists of 12 women. Myself, Amy, a 10 year Hair We R veteran, minus 190 pounds, DeeDee and Yvonne, Hair We R stylists, Pegi, a Hair We R gal, and WWA mom, Pegi and her husband also helped complete our basement, Victoria, school Secretary at WWA, Jessika, WWA mom, Wendy, Anglz gal, basement roommate and running buddy, Danielle part of our new Hair Team, Janessa, Yvonne's niece, and Lisa, Jeff's physical therapist from the broken ankle of 2007 and her friend Erica.
In October Molly began taking RJ and Lalo to Judi's House, a grief Center in Denver, started by former Bronco Brian Griese in memory of his mother Judi.
And suddenly it all came full circle.
Molly began taking the boys to Judi's House at the same time we registered for the Colorado Relay, Put on by Outward Bound and benefiting Judi's House. Suddenly, it all made sense. I was supposed to run this relay... for Christy and for RJ and for Lalo. Every one of the girls on my team fits the puzzle. They all have something to give and they all have something to learn.
You know the saying about people coming into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime? Every single person on this Mental in the Mountains team is supposed to be on this team. We are all a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
So.... to end a really long story: As our team heads off next month for the relay, we do it in memory of Christy Dobbins and every single dollar we raise in in her honor!
Just a quick thought here: It has been a long couple of years and my time line may not be perfect, but I'm trying to remembe ra sbest I can. SO, if you know th estory and see mistakes... I apologize now.
So, I'll start way back in February of 2005 when I met Molly in the parking lot of WWA where my oldest son Jarrod goes to school. I was waiting in the Hair We R Mobile, waiting for Jarrod to get out of school. Molly noticed the name and phone number on the back window and inquired about a haircut. As we discussed appointment times she told me about her Grandson, RJ who was new to our school. His Mom, Molly's daugter Christy was in Denver, from Wyoming having a hysterectomy followed by treatment for Ovarian Cancer. We talked for a long time, as we were very early for pick up. I soon realized RJ was the new boy in Jarrod's class, and they had already become fast friends. Christy was going to be in Denver for an extended period of time for treatment and when it was time for her to leave the hospital in Denver she was going to an extended stay hotel. I remember being so profoundly touched by Molly that day. The burden on my heart was so heavy. I didn't know how but I knew some way we had to help them. Little did I know how my life would change the moment I met Molly.
I went home that day and told Jeff about my new friend. I told him the story and told him how burdened I felt to do SOMETHING. That night we decided they would stay with us, in our basement apartment. One itty bitty problem: We didn't have a basement apartment. We had concrete and 2x4s and a big storage area.
The next day I told Molly we wanted to open our home to them, but we needed a few weeks, to get the 1300sqft in order. We started emailing family and friends asking for help. Within a few days folks from school, church and the salon were offering assistance. Even the city helped by expediting the paperwork.
18 days after I offered the space to Molly, there was a 1300 sq ft basement, complete with a kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I spent day and night praying for God to allow it all to work. He was faithful, and that is the only way we were successful. I could go on and on with stories of answered prayer. Prayer for the right people, and supplies and timing. I will just say, God is faithful and loving and all knowing.
So, around the first part of March Christy and RJ moved in. Her older son, Lalo and husband, John stayed in Wyoming where John had a job that provided much needed insurance.
In the following months, we all grew closer. Jayson and Jack in particular fell in love with Molly and with Christy. Molly became Gran Molly. She also became one of my dearest friends. She still is. We love her and I can't imagine not having her in my life. Christy was a trooper. Never a negative word. She always had a smile on her face and she loved the boys. Including my three. Christy completed treatment without a lot of illness. After school ended, she and RJ moved back to Wyoming where she recovered and regained strength.
After Christy and RJ left our house was so empty. We had 1300 sq ft of house that was empty. I had been telling Jeff that I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 30. In October I decided I was running the Chicago Marathon in 2006. It was a few months after the big 3-0, but it was close enough. After all I had never ran so much as a mile in my life. So we bought a treadmill and parked it in the basement in front of the tv. I trained faithfully for many months.
By September /October of 2005 Molly had purchased a town home here in Denver and settled in to be closer to Christy in Wyoming and her son's family here in Denver. Christy started feeling a little under the weather at that time and learned her cancer had returned. She decided to begin treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Chicago. I flew to Chicago with her for one of her first treatments just after Thanksgiving of 2005. Chemotherapy is an awful treatment. Although Christy was a champ, there were so many others there that were so ill. Still, there was a lot of hope. I really got to know Christy better on that trip. While she was staying with us, she was so quiet and reserved, which was just her nature, but when you are in a hotel room with someone 24 hours a day, there reaches a point where you just open up. That trip to Zion Illinois changed my life and the way I looked at life.
Christy continued treatment in Chicago, flying from Wyoming. There were several occasions that she ended up in the hospital in Denver with fluid on her lungs or various other problems but still she stayed strong.
In the late spring, one of the girls from our second salon Anglz was looking for a place to stay while their house was being completed. Jeff and I felt so blessed to have this amazing space in our basement that we offered it to Wendy and her family. They stayed for several months. That meant the treadmill I was using for training had to be moved. Which worked out great. I replaced the treadmill with the most amazing running partner. Wendy and I were paced perfectly. We began spending our nights running and training. Wendy also registered for the Chicago marathon. Over the summer Wendy moved to her new home, but the training continued, and in October we both traveled to Chicago and ran the Chicago marathon, together we raised over $3500 for charity!
Over the course of the year from October 2005 to October 2006, running consumed me. It was all I could talk about. All I could think about and all I wanted to do. As a mother of three I found release, and it didn't involve cocktail hour. I worked with a group of women that believed I was certifiable. They would only run if chased and only then if it were life or death. I asked over and over again for running buddies and never once got a bite.
Christy and her family eventually were transferred to Denver and moved here for RJ to start second grade. They bought a home and settled in. Her treatments continued, and her fight continued. Our quiet friendship also continued. I tried to be available when needed and again made more than one hospital visit. Christy was becoming more and more ill. She lost weight and the cancer moved from one part of her body to another.
2007 brought a whole new group of running buddies. Wendy and I in Chicago had inspired a few friends and my husband. We had a team of 7 registered to run the the 2007 Chicago marathon on the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital Team. Broken ankles, car accidents, and other injuries left one runner to run the marathon.
The summer of 07, brought a whole slew of visitors to the Eller basement. Basketball teams, youth groups and exchange students.
In July Christy went to Florida to visit her Dad. Her health was bad and getting worse and even though no one actually said it, I knew the outcome wasn't going to be good. I hadn't spoken with Christy for well over a month, but I talked to Molly frequently and knew what the deal was. Eventually Molly went to Florida and towards the end of July called me to tell me that the end was close. Christy had elected to go to a Hospice Center. Molly said she didn't really have a lot of close friends over the past several years, but she would like it if I came. So I hopped a flight to Florida. I spent 3 days at the Hospice Center with Christy and Molly. The day after I left Christy's family moved her to her dad's home where she passed to the heavens a day later. I feel honored to have been there to help Christy transition out of this world and into her waiting reward. It was a blessing to me, to see her through that part of her. I felt like a had been on her journey from early on and I was supposed to be there for the end. What a beautiful thing to be part of. It was life changing for me.
I came home and had the itch to do something. I started looking for races, and I started looking for runners. It didn't take me long to find both.
Amy, is a stylist at Hair We R. She was part of the salon crew when I ran Chicago in '06. She had been there for all of the training and she thought I was crazy. But, oh how your view can change: In September 2006 Amy had gastric bypass surgery and quickly began to shed pounds. She took on a healthier life style and in October 2007 when I stumbled across the Colorado Relay, she jumped in with both feet, or at least with one and momentum took her the rest of the way. We began recruiting our running team, and in October registered Mental in the Mountains as an official team of the Colorado Relay. Our team consists of 12 women. Myself, Amy, a 10 year Hair We R veteran, minus 190 pounds, DeeDee and Yvonne, Hair We R stylists, Pegi, a Hair We R gal, and WWA mom, Pegi and her husband also helped complete our basement, Victoria, school Secretary at WWA, Jessika, WWA mom, Wendy, Anglz gal, basement roommate and running buddy, Danielle part of our new Hair Team, Janessa, Yvonne's niece, and Lisa, Jeff's physical therapist from the broken ankle of 2007 and her friend Erica.
In October Molly began taking RJ and Lalo to Judi's House, a grief Center in Denver, started by former Bronco Brian Griese in memory of his mother Judi.
And suddenly it all came full circle.
Molly began taking the boys to Judi's House at the same time we registered for the Colorado Relay, Put on by Outward Bound and benefiting Judi's House. Suddenly, it all made sense. I was supposed to run this relay... for Christy and for RJ and for Lalo. Every one of the girls on my team fits the puzzle. They all have something to give and they all have something to learn.
You know the saying about people coming into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime? Every single person on this Mental in the Mountains team is supposed to be on this team. We are all a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
So.... to end a really long story: As our team heads off next month for the relay, we do it in memory of Christy Dobbins and every single dollar we raise in in her honor!
Mental In The Mountains....The beginning
So.... I figured that some of you may be tired of hearing about the relay and the story behind it. Or perhaps some of you only know half of the story and aren't sure what I'm talking about or why. So, I decided to start a blog. Who knew I was even capable?
The Colorado Relay: What is it?
A 174 mile team relay race, beginning in Glenwood Springs, Colorado finishing in Carbondale, Colorado. There are 11 women on my team or 12 if you count our alternate. We will run over a 30 hour period, yes in the dark as well, around the clock from 6am on Friday, September 12 until we cross the finish line some time around noon on September 13. It may rain, or perhaps even snow. We'll be running at elevations nearing 13,000ft, through creeks, over mountain passes, under the light of the full moon and basically for our lives! :) Our Mental Support includes My husband Jeff and Rodney (a team mate's other half) who will drive our 2 team vans, My Mom and Dale as our Relay Volunteers, and a whole slew of pace runners and friends and family cheering along the way. We will be ordering pink t-shirts this week that say"MENTAL SUPPORT", if you are interested please let me know and we will order one for you. They are $10, and will be ready for the race on September 12. http://www.coloradorelay.com
By now you are probably asking yourself.... WHY??
The Colorado Relay: What is it?
A 174 mile team relay race, beginning in Glenwood Springs, Colorado finishing in Carbondale, Colorado. There are 11 women on my team or 12 if you count our alternate. We will run over a 30 hour period, yes in the dark as well, around the clock from 6am on Friday, September 12 until we cross the finish line some time around noon on September 13. It may rain, or perhaps even snow. We'll be running at elevations nearing 13,000ft, through creeks, over mountain passes, under the light of the full moon and basically for our lives! :) Our Mental Support includes My husband Jeff and Rodney (a team mate's other half) who will drive our 2 team vans, My Mom and Dale as our Relay Volunteers, and a whole slew of pace runners and friends and family cheering along the way. We will be ordering pink t-shirts this week that say"MENTAL SUPPORT", if you are interested please let me know and we will order one for you. They are $10, and will be ready for the race on September 12. http://www.coloradorelay.com
By now you are probably asking yourself.... WHY??
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
