Angry

I'm swaying between being angry and depressed. I just had my appointment with the oral surgeon, and I am definitely going to be having surgery again to remove part of my tongue. I'm angry because I have to do it, I'm scared because I know the pain is horrible (from the last time) and I'm depressed because it feels as though I am helpless. I'm also feeling all of those emotions all in one because he showed me the size of the area that will be taken out, and it may leave me with a slight speech impediment. It may not, but it may also be really bad. He can't say for sure. I'm scared. In my mind I feel like the cabaret may be the last chance I have to sing. It will be the last time I sing before the surgery. It makes the cabaret that much more important to me. But I've told them I can't have it done until after the marathon. So it looks like I will be running in Hawaii and then a few days later I will be hospital, and then out of commission for three weeks. Minimum.

But I have been wondering what I can actually do to make something good come out of this. I have some ideas. But I don't know. I need to sit in this for a while before I decide.

Day 40 - Gym Day

I haven't been to the gym just yet, but I will be going. I was inspired to write this morning because of an e-mail that I got this morning from a friend. I've had a few e-mails that were similar, and I had to address it. All I am doing is running. I am running a lot, and I have had a lot of "Ah-ha" moments of realization as to why I am doing this, and inspiration from many different sources. One of those moments came this morning when I realized that there are people there that are feeling less than important in their lives because they aren't feeling as though they are contributing, or because they feel as though their lives just aren't as "exciting" as my life is. Ah - the grass is always greener! To those people I want to let you know that your life is exciting in so many different ways!! So many of my friends with children feel like their lives are just simple and boring comparatively...and it's not true! Raising children, seeing them grown, watching them learn - that in itself is likely 100 times more rewarding than anything that I could do. Having love in your life is also something that is rewarding and beautiful. Having a wonderful career and goals to achieve is important. My choices are different, but they aren't any better or more important than the life choices by other people. I'm a single man, with no children. I have the time to do this! My life is different, but by no means better. So long as we live our lives to the fullest that we can - that we relish in every moment, and take advantage of every opportunity then we should feel proud of others and their accomplishments, and not feel inadequate because of it. Just LIVE. That's the message today. Get out there and LIVE whether it's going to your kids soccer game, volunteering, or sitting at the beach enjoying yet another summer in your life. LIVE.

Day 39 - Hill Training

Map of the Maui Marathon

Here it is folks...the route that I will be taking on September 16... (click on it to view a larger image)

Day 38 - 30 min

Great picture of mum at the beach! David is in the background. This was taken at Sandbanks Provincial Park where we camped for two weeks every summer for almost 12 years. Great memories.


Sitting here sweaty, I should be doing a video blog to break this page up a bit, but I just don't have much time. Worked all day, then spent almost three hours walking around town soliciting for prizes for my cabaret. Met some great people, and spent too much money in the stores that I went in! Note to self: Leave credit card at home when soliciting! Never-the-less, it was fruitful, and I have a number of businesses that have agreed, and I just need to get in touch with them at the beginning of next week. The run was surprisingly easy today - I think it's because I had ice cream two hours before hand...or my walk loosened my tired legs. They are still stiff from the run on Sunday, so today's run helped to loosen them up. Hopefully it will make tomorrow night that much easier.

Thought to myself while I was running that I wish I could commit to other aspects of my life the same way that I have committed to this run. Then I realized that I can. I just have to do it. Another lesson learned.

Halfway point reached!!!

Yahoo!! Today I checked out my totals, and I am now officially over the halfway point!!! $3250 thanks to a huge $500 corporate matching donation from Nexxen Corporation. Thanks to Brad Kaser who donated the initial $500 knowing that his employer would match 100%! It's so amazing to realize that I am actually going to reach my goal!!!

Day 37 - GYM DAY!!

Well praise the lord! I made it to the gym! It's a rest day from running, and I finally mustered up the energy to go to the gym. Feels good. Feels really good! And sadly, that's all I have to say today! :)

Day 36 - 15km

Whoa - woke up this morning at 7:40am and it was a torrential downpour. Nothing like living in a rainforest climate to make you want to stay in bed. It was so tough finding the motivation and inspiration to get up and go running this morning. The usual inspirational thoughts were continually followed by negative thoughts that ended in my wanting to go back to bed. It certainly didn't help as I ate my cereal that I was looking out on the rain as it seemed to come down harder and harder. I considered going back to bed and running on my own in the afternoon rather than with the team in the morning, but then I looked at the weather forecast and it called for heavy thunderstorms all afternoon, so it was the morning or nothing. Again the thought occured to me that there are people unable to do what I have committed to doing because they are fighting blood cancers. I had to go.

As I drove over the Burrard Street Bridge to Granville Island, one lane of traffic had been closed off for a marathon in progress...and I thought, well, if these poor guys can do it, certainly I can! They had already been running for a couple of hours in this weather. It was definately a smaller group this morning. I wasn't the only one who had a difficult time making it to the run this morning, but I felt good about having made it there. It was cold, I am still getting over my cold, and I worked late last night...but I made it. I ran at a slower pace than normal, but in the end my 15km run was completed in 1:39, and I felt good for having done it. After all it was just rain. I didn't have to endure chemo. I didn't have to suffer pain. And I felt great for having done it at all!!

Cody Belliveau

I am running to honor the memory of some wonderful people who have passed on as a result of blood cancers, but I am also running to honor the courage of one brave boy who is fighting to stick around a little longer! :) His name is Cody, and his aunt was also one of the first people to donate to my run. I asked for some more background on Cody so that my readers would know more about him, and so that I would know more about him. Reading it made me all the more aware of why I am running this. I want to know that kids like Cody can enjoy themselves on ice, and not have to suffer through the horrible treatments that he has had to endure.

"In February 2000 at the age of 7 he was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL). He was treated at the Montreal Children's hospital for the next 2 1/2 years. He went for treatment on a weekly basis, and throughout the 1st year was required to spend 8-10 times in the hospital for treatment over a period of 3-4 days. Cody responded very well to the treatments, was in remission within the first month, never lost his hair with all the chemo treatments, was able to attend school during this time, and all seemed to go well. In February 2005, it would have been five years that Cody was in remission, and would be considered cured - unfortunately, in December 2004, it came back. It was a shock to all, and very hard to accept. Cody started intense treatments immediately, and was unable to go to school for a complete year, and spent most of his time in the hospital - the treatments this time were very intense, and this time he did lose his hair, he had just started to play hockey, which is what he always wanted to do, he was not able to, once again.

The Leukemia this time had come back in his central nervous system, and because of that it was necessary to do radiation on his head, which was done in July of 2005. After that he had treatments done every two weeks,and was able to attend school, and finally play hockey. Cody just finished his last treatment on Friday, June 15th. He will now be taken off all chemo treatments, and pills, and is required to have a check-up once a month - we pray that it will not come back again, we have a long road ahead of us, as we need to make it to January 2010 for the five year to have past before he is considered cured.....if it comes back again, he will have to undergo a bone marrow transplant, and the older he is the harder it is to survive the transplant. We know that information is coming through the pipeline everyday about better treatments for Leukemia, and we do hope that a cure will soon be found."

Well I'm with you Cody! I hope that the little bit of running I'm doing goes a long way to fighting blood cancers, and to making advances toward a cure.

Day 35 - rest day

It's my rest day today. My cold is doing it's thing, and today while I am stuffed up I am not so miserable. I went out with a couple of friends last night and a girlfriend I hadn't seen in months commented on how much weight I have lost. Ironically, I haven't lost any weight (well, like 3-4 pounds maybe) but again, it's lost muscle. The gym just seems to be going the wayside. Ah well, I hear svlete is in!

Day 34 - 30 min run

The picture today is from 1982 - my brother David and my mum. I think this is just the cutest picture ever! It makes me miss my brother too - he's living in Ottawa, but I don't see or hear from him all that often. Wasn't he a cute kid?! I wonder what happened...kidding! :)


I hadn't intended on running today - I was going to rest, but one of my teammates called and since we had planned on running together after work, I went. I'm still getting over my cold, and we ran in the rain, but afterwards I realized that I felt pretty good physically for doing it, and emotionally for staying comitted to my training. Although I'm sure some people would think that I should BE comitted! I can sleep all day tomorow. I can sleep when I'm dead. :)

Derek "Lek" Lekenby 1943-1994

I am running to honor not only my mother, but also three other individuals who have been touched by blood cancers. I have asked their families to write something about them so that I would know a little more about them, and so that those of you reading my blog would also know a little more than just the names of those people who I dedicating my run to.

Today I am sharing the story of the father of an incredible woman who I met while in the UK for a friends wedding two summers ago. She and I immediately hit it off, and we have kept in touch ever since. She is a bright spirit who lit up the room (or pub!) whenever she entered. We also had the chance to bond over stories of losing one our parents. Abi was also one of the first people to donate to my run, and I am blessed to be running to honor her father's memory.

"Dad was really clever - if you needed a question answering Dad would know the answer! He was good fun and really kind hearted.

Derek 'Lek' Leckenby was born on 14th May 1943 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He was educated at William Hulme's Grammar School, Manchester, and commenced a civil engineering degree course at Manchester University, before leaving to become a professional musician.

He played guitar for the group Herman's Hermits who played a major part in the British Invasion of Pop music in the states in the 60's. Herman's Hermits scored hits with I'm Into Something Good, Mrs Brown You've got a lovely Daughter, I'm Henry the Eighth, Silhouettes, There's a Kind of Hush, Listen People, No Milk Today.

Although the band split in the early 70's Lek continued to tour with another original member of the band until his untimely death at the age of 51 on June 4th 1994.

Lek was married to his childhood sweetheart Leonie and had 2 daughters Kara and Abigail."

Day 33 - Rest Day

My cold has taken effect, and I am now a sniveling, sneezing mess. I am working from home today so that I don't affect those others that I work with in cubicle land, but I'm feeling no less miserable. But then I realize that it's only a cold. A cold passes - it has an ending. There is no cure for the common cold, but there is an ending to it. When my mum was sick I was under the delusion that she would get better. I believed that, like a cold, with the proper medication she would become healthy again. I denied that she was mortal and that the possibility was there that she would succumb to the disease. That is what has made her dying so difficult to accept. I didn't get to know her as an adult. I was a very young adult, but I was still dealing with my own issues, and was very self absorbed. She wanted the best for me - only the best - and she wanted me to be happy in life. And as a palliative care nurse herself she was well aware of the stages of grief. She knew I was stuck in the denial phase. She let me stay there knowing that one day I would move beyond that. It just took me a long time, and by then it was too late. I have so many days in which I wonder if she knew how much I loved her, and if she knew how scared I was. I am still scared. She was the last person that I really let into my heart. I have spent the past 12 years attempting to shield my heart from the pain of having someone leave. It's a mighty tall wall you have to climb to get to see inside my heart now. But I have to let go and accept that what's past is past. Oprah said it (yes, her again): "You are not your past". I am not my past. I am only affected by what has happened in my past. I cannot change it. I can only change what is to come. I am doing that. I am running.

Day 32 - 30 min run

I'm just on my way to bed, sniffling and exhausted, but it was a good run, and a great night. The run is what I needed to get my energy back, and then we had a social with the Team so that we could get to know one another a bit better, and it was a great team builder. It was nice to be able to chat with others who are going through similar experiences with their fundraising, and getting similar reactions to their requests from some friends and family. More than anything it was a great way to just chat with people in something other than running gear! Thanks to Oprah for getting my butt off the couch and into life tonight! :)

Inspiration

It's been a long day. I have a chest cold now, I've been coughing horribly all day, and I have been inside making calls for work without much success. So it's been a difficult day. At 5:00 I decided to throw a DVD in for a little bit while I ate. A woman at work gave me the 20th Anniversary of the Oprah Show, so I decided to watch a little bit of that. It's sunny outside, and here I am inside watching tv. But it was so incredible to watch. You find inspiration everywhere - and here I found it on Oprah. The story of a man who, at 98, finally went to school for the first time and learned to read and write was again an inspiration to me. I was going to skip running today because of my cold. But I also realize that the fresh air and sunshine will be good for me. And I made a commitment. I made a commitment to train, every day that I am scheduled to train. Today is no different. So I had to share. I had to let you know that I am committed to doing the best that I possibly can, and to running to save lives. To honor those who are not able to run because they are no longer with us, and to honor those who are too sick to be able to run...yet. Because they will. I believe that they will.

Day 31 - 30 min run

Day 30 - rest day

Wow - a much needed rest day, and I have spent it working my butt off! Work was really busy today, making sales (yay!) and getting the week ahead planned out. Then you would think that at 5 I would go home to take care of my awful cold...but here I am still at my desk at 7pm! That's very unlike me - I know that there are people who are regularly at the office till the wee hours...I'm not one of them. However, I can't say that I have been here actually working...it's all been fundraising work. I figured when 5 hit, I could do personal work. So I've been sending out e-mails to corporations to solicit for donations for the cabaret night, and have been e-mailing friends and family yet again ( I don't want to harass, so I hope no one is getting annoyed!), and now I think it's time to go home, get in my PJ's, eat a big salad and veg on the couch.

It's been exactly a month today that I have been running my little butt off, and I am really proud of myself for sticking with the training schedule. It has been a lot of work, but I'm already a month into it, and a month closer to the marathon! I've met some incredible people along the way, and have been inspired by some amazing stories, and I look forward to more of that to come in the upcoming weeks and months. Now...off to bed I go.

I also have to say hi to Deanna who is reading this faithfully everyday! Thanks D!

Day 29 - 10 km

Found this great picture of mum - I took this when we were at a PowWow one summer. It was such a great day!

My knees hurt. Time to take some ibuprofen and have a long bath! I woke up this morning and was supposed to run with the team at 8:30am, but I had a sore throat and the beginnings of a cold so I stayed in bed and then ran on my own this afternoon from the Nike Runners Lounge. I had a great chat with the staff there and told them about the family history with cancer, which was a great reminder to myself of why I am running. Hey, and I also got a free shirt for so many visits there! :) After the 10km was done I also calibrated by Nike+ system so that I can get a more accurate record of my timing. But to be honest, I think I am doing really well. I did the 10km in 52 minutes...which is shockingly fast, and which is another reason I calibrated the system... I just don't believe that I am that fast!

Day 28 - rest day

Well, it was supposed to be a gym day today, but that didn't happen. I spent the day with my friend John who is going to be the accompanyist at my cabaret, and we went over music for the evening. Then met with Louisa who will be performing. By the time that was all done it was time for a short nap and then work...and although I feel as though I should have gone to the gym, it was nice to be able to be well rested for work. So nothing much to report on this end. It's just a lot of work prepping the cabaret, but in the end I am just happy to have gone over the music and to know where I need to be going now with it. :)

Day 27 - 7km run

Well, after feeling horrible (see my previous post) the run was great and got my mind off of everything. That's the benefit of a good run! My pace was 5.15, which was faster than usual, and I did 7 km in 37 minutes. Got to get going...it's Friday night! :)

How I'm Feeling

Woke up to another rainy Vancouver day, and have my fingers crossed that the day will clear up for my run after work today. In the meantime I also woke up realizing that it's been a month of training! It's been a phenomenal month, and I am impressed with my own commitment to the training program. They say it takes three weeks to develop a new habit, although honestly I can't say that it's a "habit" just yet. But I do enjoy the runs!

As I've said I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of those who have donated. I have also been equally touched by the e-mails that I have had supporting my efforts. For many of my friends I realize that financially life is a struggle as it is, and so it is prohibitive for some to donate, but I do appreciate words of support as well!

I have however been a bit disappointed by the number of people who have seem to have "ignored" my e-mail. It's really been hard to realize that many people in my life whom I think so highly of and consider such a great part of my life, are not there to support me. I've stated in my letters and e-mails that words are equally important to me, and I find it hard to think that even close family members have simply not acknowledged the work that I am doing. This is hard work. I choose to live life positively and have tried to let it slide, but truthfully it hurts. So I suppose I need to focus on continuing to run to reach my goal, and to honor those people who have been supportive. So thanks to those of you who have reached out!

Later that day...

It's a few hours later and I'm feeling really down. I had a good cry in the car. In 1995 I had a lesion removed from my tongue and it was catagorized as "Carcinoma Insitu". All these years later I have had numerous other biopsies on the same area all coming up displastic. It's hard - my body has been through a lot since I was born - I have been in the hospital more times than anyone I'm sure realizes. Like 15 surguries? Something ridiculous. I'm tired of my body not working with me! Today I met with my specialist, and I now have to go in for an excision (taking out a larger part of my tongue than a biopsy - like the first time I had the lesion removed when I was out of work for almost two weeks). I am now meeting with an oral surgeon on June 29th. I'm tired of this shit!!!

Here's the kicker - I have kind of been in denial for all these years about saying that I "had cancer". Yes, carcinoma is a cancer, but it was one little spot. But I was looking at a life insurance form and I thought "hmmm...do I say I have had cancer? Am I someone who has had cancer?" I've been in denial and I keep saying no. But I asked the doctor today what I answer to those questions. The answer is yes. That was so hard to hear. I don't want to be someone who has had cancer. But I am really worried that I am now someone who has it again. I am worried about the results of this damn excision. I just don't want to do this alone. These are the times that I want my mum here. CANCER SUCKS. Dad had a tumour removed from his kidney last year and skin cancer removed before that; I've had cancer on my tongue; my grandfather had cancer of the brain; my other grandfather had lung cancer; my great uncle just had surgury for colon cancer, and mum had leukemia.

THIS IS WHY I AM RUNNING.

Day 26 - rest day

Well, talk about a rest day! I pigged out on Double Stuffed Oreo's and Rolo Ice Cream. But they did say rest! I was meant to go to the gym, but I mentally put it aside. That's it for today - nothing new to report. Oh...but I did however manage to get to the dentist and pain aside, he is a great guy for donating $100 today!

Day 25 - easy run...well, it was supposed to be!

So we were meant to run an "easy" 40 minute run. No problem! Course that is till we ended up running 12 km! Well, 11.58km to be exact, but it was great. My pace partner was back and we gabbed the whole time, and suddenly we were done in an amazing time! It was also great to have another person who is so passionate about the fundraising aspect of this whole thing. The team are all amazing, and it's been great to hear about everyone's efforts. I am really proud of everyone. Each person is so unique and has a different reason for running, and I am inspired by their stories, and motivated by their determination as well. It helps make 12km go by much faster and easier!

Day 24 - 30 min run

Back on track! I did a great 30 minute run today, using my new IPOD pedometer. It was amazing! This time I set it for time rather than distance, and it would tell me when I had hit the 10 minute, 20 min, and 25 minute marks. It kept track of my pace, and the distance. It's really the most incredible piece of technology ever! Apparently there are also pre-programmed playlists that I can download that have motivational messages on them for my run! I need to look into that. What's even cooler is that when I finished running, I came home and plugged my IPOD into my computer and it now automatically sends all of my run information to the Nike website, and over the next few months it will track my progress! Honestly, who knew running could be so cool?!

Day 23 - well deserved rest day

Definately needed today as a rest day - I have had a massive headache most of the day, and my body is just beat. So I called in at work tonight at the restaurant so I could just lay on the couch and watch tv. That's a rare thing - I don't even know why we pay for cable because I watch maybe an hour a week. But tonight it was a nice brain saver.

I got a wonderful e-mail from my aunt today (hi Darene!). Once again it was good reminder of the support that I have. It's also really nice to know that I have family support as well, and that the idea that I am keeping the memory of my mother alive is supported. Thanks for the love!

The past few days have also brought with it a reminder that I am not only running the marathon for those who have passed away from blood cancers, but again for those people who are currently battling. It's for those people that I really have to remind myself that while I am running those long km's it is raising funds to improve their chances at survival, and a better quality of life. I'm running for LIFE.

Day 22 - 10km

Day 21 - gym day

Wow - three days in a row, and boy am I tired! I went to bed relatively early last night - stayed in like a hermit and just slept, then went to the gym today, and slept some more this afternoon. I think it's a combination of tired muscles and the GD RAIN!!!!!!!! It's really getting ridiculous. I mean, yes, it's Vancouver and it does rain, but it's June! Anyway, enough about that. 'Nuff said today - other than to say one more thing about the rain...I hope it stops, because we are running 10km tomorrow and running in the rain is no fun. :P

Day 20 - short run

Wow - three days in a row - and my knees are sore! That'll teach a guy not to miss training ever again! I had to catch up, and I don't know if that was the best idea, but I can't miss a day - there are people reading this, following my progress, and I don't want to let anyone down. I also don't want to let myself down. This is too important. I want to thank everyone again, but I know that will get tiresome. Just know that I am thinking it!

Memory of my mum - we used to have such a good laugh! Years ago, I think I was 16, she brought me to the dentist to get my wisdom teeth out. I was completely knocked out, and when I woke I looked like death. My face was so swollen, and my mouth was torn at the sides because (and I know no one will believe this) but my mouth was too small! No comments please. :) Anyway, mum dragged me out to the car, my kind of hunched over, and holding an ice pack to the side of my face to help with the swelling. I got in the car, and looked at my mum, and she looked at me looking so pitiful, and we both began laughing so hard! It was so awful because I looked so bad, and I hurt so much that when I laughed it hurt even more, which made us both laugh even harder. It was such a funny moment! She was a caring person, but there is only so pitiful that one can look before it becomes comical I suppose!

Day 19 - short run - 30 min

Wow - it was supposed to be a rest day today, but I missed the other night, so I ran today and I can really feel it. My legs are quite tired, and are feeling a bit aching. But it was a good run, and the last time I will be running with my friend Adam as he moves to LA next week. :(

I am buying an IPOD nano off of a friend next week (I already have three other IPODS but they don't fit the pedometer system that I bought!) so that will be a nice addition to my training. It tells you the distance you've run, how much longer till you are meant to be done...and all to music. BRILLIANT!

Keep checking back for details!

Day 18 - timed run (40 minutes)

Day 17 - oh oh

OK, so it was a run day today, but I didn't make it. It's the first time, but I was going to a swank event at Holt Renfrew and needed a new outfit so I had to shop!!! I didn't go running, but I thought about it, stressed about it, and decided that I would run Thursday instead. :) As long as I get four runs in a week I will be ok - I have to accept that some days are going to have to be juggled around occasionally...but I'm still on it!

Day 16 - rest day

Well, nothing much to report today - it was a rest day, I worked, and I have a friend in from NS, so we've been out enjoying the day. I got another donation today...and am just short of $1600! I would love it if you who are reading this would send my donation request to your friends! Hugs, Steven

Day 15 - 10km or more?

This is one of my favourite pics of my mum taken by my dad.

I wanted to do a video blog today but my camera battery is dead! Ah well. I woke up this morning at 7:45, was out of bed at 7:55, and drove to Granville Island to meet the group at 8:30am. It was a tough morning. I worked late, was really tired, and just didn't want to get up. But I thought of all of those days when I worked on the ship and ran on Castaway Cay at 8:30am the morning after drinking in Nassau when the temperature was 100F, and thought...yes, I can do this.

When I arrived I was asked by one of the running mentors if i would mind speaking and sharing with the group why I was running, and hopefully inspire everyone. I was a little apprehensive about sharing knowing that I have been thinking about mum a lot lately, and thought I might get a little emotional. Then I realized that my inspiration could be inspirational to others, so I agreed to share. Again, it's been 12 years since mum passed away, but it's still just as emotional. I shared my story but I almost didn't make it through as I spoke through tears. I'm so glad that I shared. It was not only inspirational for others and gave them motivation to run this morning and to keep running, but gave me motivation as well. She's was with me every step of the way.

It was a 10km run, but I am positive that it was longer. There were all sorts of detours and we got lost a few times, so I think we ended up doing about 12-14km. My time was about an hour and 15 minutes. It was a great pace, and the concept of running for 10 minutes and then walking for 1 minute really helped keep me going. That one minute was my saviour!! The time seemed to really fly by, and I was able to carry conversation the entire time, which is my measurement of how well I am doing. It keeps my pace from becoming too manic, and keeps my mind off of my footfalls. I ran with two women - Betina and Michelle, and while Betina and I rambled away Michelle was there silently keeping pace for 75% of the time. I mention this until she joined me a week ago, Michelle had never been running! And here she was keeping pace with us, and completing her first 10km! I was pretty proud of her. It was so great to see. The team support has been great, and I feel as though we are all becoming a lot closer and the group itself is becoming more cohesive.

Yay for 10k!!

Day 14 - Rest day/Gym

Wow - the first really beautiful day in Vancouver this summer! It's hot, it's gorgeous, and there are people everywhere drinking beer in their t-shirts like it's a long weekend. Glorious!

It's been a bit disheartening the past few days - I haven't had any other donations, but I'm figuring that everyone is just saving their pennies for one lump sum of huge proportions! I've got a date for my cabaret - July 30th, 8pm. I just have to confirm a location. I have a small group of amazing performers who are going to collaborate with me, so I can't wait! It's just matter of getting on top of it soon. Things to do: 1) get donations of SWAG for a silent auction 2) approach a local artist to see if I can get a donation of a piece of artwork for the auction 3) confirm a location. Lots of other things to do as well, but this is a beginning. I am also going to the grand re-opening of the Holt Renfrew store on Tuesday night...so I am hoping that I can hit up some people with heavy pockets for donations that night!

I have realized that the past month I have let my time at the gym slide, and it's going to be important to maintain good upperbody strength while I am training, so I started back again today - I hope to make it twice a week. That's a decline from the 3 days a week that I did before I was training, but I have increased my running, so I am no longer going to be doing lower body workouts at all. I will still however enjoy eating Sherbet in the hot sun. :)

Day 13 - short run

Just got back from a run - short run today, and it was beautiful out, but my stomache isn't cooperating. I think I am dehydrated. Good lesson to learn from - have to eat, and must drink more. It is finally warm out, and it should have made for a more enjoyable run, but it was difficult. I also haven't been to the gym pretty much at all since I started running a lot, and I need to keep that up for core strength. But it was funny - halfway through the run when I was feeling gross I just thought "you have to keep running...it's only going to get harder...and this is the base". So I kept going. Thanks to everyone who has been reading this and sending me words of encouragement! It's been really nice to read. I'm sweating buckets now - have to go drink some water. :)