In Honor of Sherry Arnold - Virtual Run

I know I owe you a race report from Tinker Bell but first, I need to get the word out about something that is so important to me, and my fellow runners, all over the world. There has been a heartbreaking event among the running community that shakes me. I love to get up and run in the mornings, even in the dark, the cold, and sometimes a little rain may not stop me. What happened to Sherry Arnold stops me in my tracks, makes me take pause, and feel just a little less comfortable being out solo. I used to run with my German Shepard (mix) but now I carry mace... I'd like to say it makes me feel better, but it doesn't. The events that transpired on January 7th, 2012 were senseless, horrifying, and shattering to so many. Like an earthquake shaking lives from sea to sea, it has rocked our sense of safety and leaves me questioning why things like this happen.

So now what? What do we do? The only thing we can, continue doing whatever we can to honor a life taken from this earth, doing what she loved, run. February 11th, I will be running in honor of Sherry Arnold, wife, mother, teacher, runner, so many things, and yet stolen from her were the things she will never get to be, like grandmother... It breaks my heart, even though I have never met her, so many of us leave the house in the morning, never even contemplating there is a slightest chance we won't return safe and sound.

If you feel this loss, and want to join me (and MANY others) in honoring her, visit Shut Up + Run's Blog post with all the details on how you can do just that.

Remember that life can be so unpredictable, always tell those you love, that you love them, every chance you get... My thoughts and prayers are continuous for Sherry's family. I pray that she will be found and laid to rest properly, and justice served to those responsible for this heinous and such unnecessary act. 

TNT Lousy Medal Virtual 5k Run/Walk 12/17!

Are you over all the Team in Training posts yet? I know, I know… it seems like that is ALL I ever talk about these days, but I can't apologize…nor will I. When I decided to take on this challenge of raising $3800 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I thought it was impossible. Seriously? I can't imagine raising that kind of money! Then Heather and I were talking about it, and rationalizing it, and it seemed we could do it, if for no other reason, barring all logic, we had it in our hearts to accomplish it. 

Has it been easy? No… there has been a lot of lost sleep Crafting for a Cure (which you read previously hasn't been the most successful of ideas) and selling Bondi Bands, and of course planning events…That is what brings me to the right now… 

Announcing

The TNT Lousy Medal Virtual 5k Run/Walk! Of course this is a no frills event which benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! How it works is like this, you Register for it, then on December 17th, you run or walk wherever YOU want! There are no timing chips, no bibs, no waiting in line at a porta-john (wondering why you thought it was a good idea to eat/drink whatever you did), no age group awards, or fruit/bagels/water waiting for you at the finish (well unless you ask your friends & family)…So I know, it doesn't sound like you get a lot for your $20 donation right? WELL, just hold your horses, because you do get something… besides knowing you are helping those with blood cancer (which may just be enough for you) - You are going to earn yourself a lousy medal!

Be forewarned, I am not going to reveal this lousy medal, but it's not going to be all that lousy because I love race bling just as much as the next girl… I think you will be pretty proud to have this shiny momento… but yes, it will not be pictured until after they are mailed, post event. It's going to be killing me not to share it with you but I think it will add to the suspense and after all, it's about charity not bling…ok a little about bling too but like 99.98% about charity!

So I hope that regardless of your athletic talents, you will take part in the TNT Lousy Medal Virtual 5k Run/Walk… I would love to see some pictures, maybe local groups will go out together and run or walk it… Oh dare to dream… I would love for everyone to share the link, lousyrunner.com and see just how many people we can get to support the LLS Team in Training!

p.s. Did I mention there is a prize package in the works? Yup, you return to the site and leave a comment that you finished and you will be entered into the random drawing!!!