Team Run for HD - year 3.

Something I don’t frequently mention on here is Team Run for HD.  Mostly because nobody cares – and that’s not a slight on you –why would anyone care?

Five years ago this Christmas my dad died from a (somewhat) rare genetic disease called Huntington’s Disease that robbed him of his ability to do anything over the last 5 years of his life.  I would love to tell some fluffy heart-warming story about how it brought us together in the end and shaped me as an amazing individual, but it would be total bullshit.  Watching a parent mentally and physically decay like that was a horrible, life-scarring experience that has forever impacted me in a negative way, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone ever.  Of course the kicker is that because it is a genetic disease, my brother and I now face the same awful fate.  My brother has chosen to ignore it, and that’s totally cool and I respect it.  In fact, the only time I have ever seen him run is at the mention of HD (in the opposite direction of course!).  I on the other hand chose to be awesome.  Actually first I tried to drink a lot and pretend it didn’t happen, but honestly I’m a lightweight, and only like the fanciest of drinks so it’s totally financially unsustainable. A few years ago I had gotten into running thanks to some mentors in grad school, and my awesome marathoning roomie when I came back to Chicago.

I was drunk (naturally) and decided I should totally run some kind of distance race and fundraise for HD, but there was NOTHING out there.  This led to like 5 marathons, and also the brain child of my best friend Rachel and I – Team Run for HD!  I raised almost $2,000 by my lonely self the first year, and amassed an entire team last year that collectively raised over $15,000!  This year, we have a team with 25 people, as well as “satellite runners” who will be running the Chicago Marathon, the Grand Rapids Marathon, and the Door County 50-miler! All of them are fundraising as a part of Team Run for HD!  I have had a lot of “brilliant” ideas in the past (read: terrible ideas) but have never had the organization to bring anything to fruition.  I can’t believe my baby is in it’s third year, and actually growing and becoming something. 

I get it, it’s not like I invented facebook or anything, but I am still pretty amazed.  Every year I get so stressed out I vow to quit and not do this again next year, but I keep coming back after I see how happy my runners are, personally knowing the battle they are fighting with HD, and how ugly it is.  There are late nights with Rachel, embarrassing failures of fundraisers, frantic emails by the dozens, calls, race day texts, MEETING STRANGERS(!!!),  and the questionable time Rachel and I got drunk and broke into Arlo Gutherie’s tour bus to meet him.  Every year, a few days before race day (read: today) I have a total freakout, and realize it’s too much to handle, even though the finish line is in sight.  I am terrified of everything that could go wrong for my 25 runners. I can’t sleep, nor can I stop eating the rolos (yum!) I have sitting in a bowl on my desk.  I don’t even know how I am going to finish the race on Sunday, let alone be a role model for others.  Basically, I’m a hot mess, and I don’t think it could happen anyway.

This is really a long-winded way to say:

• 1.       People with anxiety disorders probably shouldn’t start and manage charity running teams
• 2.       Come see my baby this Sunday!  (and me, acting a mess as usual)  If you are running the Chicago Half Marathon this Sunday, or will just be in the area spectating, stop on by!  I’ll be in a heap crying near mile 10, so bring me a beer!

Find us here!!

I’ll be there before and after the race.  It is technically against race policy to smuggle bloody mary fixings into the race, but if you know me - *wink!* And our team mascot Waffles will be guarding the tent with Rachel and Matt.  Stop on by and celebrate the third year of drunken crazy that is Team Run for HD!

Look for this unamused dog!

And enjoy these highlights from our journey!

Oh Captain, my Captain!

Recently, i have taken on not one, but two very special ambassador roles!

I am running/ambassadoring the Espirit de She race come July!

Its a 5k & 10k in Lincoln Park on July 18th (a thursday) and it means two very important things.  
1.  Its an evening race.  I don't run many, but i know that i love them.  I am an evening runner.  This is going to be awesome.  (I am running the 10k, fyi, if you want to run along side me)  
2.  Why would you ever want to run along side me?  Because it will be my birthday race!!  This will be my very last race in the 25-29 age group, as my big 3-0 will be the Saturday after the race!

So, come run with me - i will be more than happy the share a summary of my 25-29 life, as i am sure i will have plenty of time, being the slow runner i am.  Plus Athleta is one of the sponsors, so you know the gear will be awesome.  Winning!

If you want to read the details, check out their website: http://www.espritdeshe.com/

They also have a triathlon on June 9th, for you BAMF's.  I am trying to volunteer for that event, so if you do want to run a triathlon not only will you know you are way awesomer than myself who will never ever run one, but you might get to see my gross hungover face handing you water (It's the day after Ragnar!)   

AND,

I have been selected as the ambassador for the state of Illinois for the Huntington's Disease Society of America!  I am going to Washington DC next month to crack some skulls make some senators understand how important it is to pass the Huntington's Disease Parity Act.  As far as the US government is concerned (specifically the Social Security department) HD does not warrant disability coverage.  As someone who has been directly affected by this, i am now going to make them understand how devastating it is, especially when you're terminally ill, have a family to support, and don't qualify for disability.  They have been sitting on this bill for TWO YEARS.  So i am gonna go get it done!  FOR AMERICA!!

Boom!  Ambassadoring.

Race-iversary!

Not only was this past weekend the Chicago half marathon (which basically everyone ran) but even more importantly, it was my 1 year race-iversary!  The 2011 Chicago half marathon was my first real race.

I had initially planned on this being my goal race for the year.  But unfortunately, a few things got in the way of that.  For example, the two marathons i have next month.  And the pressures of coordinating a charity team for this event.  And be surrounded by sick people all week!

Needless to say, the race didn't go as planned.  At all.  Actually, who are we kidding - there was never a plan, other than go fast, but not so fast that you throw up or die, whatever pace that is.  The morning was a disaster - trying to wake up everyone and get them going so we could be there by 6am to set up.  Traffic was a nightmare, and the whole journey was just stressful.  We were able to lug all of our stuff to the charity village, but by the time we set up, i was exhausted.  We had a brief blogger meet up, but i was busy acting like a crazy person that i barely got a chance to talk to anyone!  I swear, i am not normally that rude.

You will also notice i decided to bring waffles to the race.  I just couldn't bear to have her in her crate for 7 hours, and since Rachel would be at the tent, and agreed to watch her provided she did not poop, i brought her along.  I regretted the second we got their, because she was being a complete spaz because of all of the excitement, and she only added to my stress levels.  Between Matt yelling at me about not being able to find his stuff, trying to coordinate team members who were lost, didn't know where to go, didn't know where to park, and didn't know what time the race started, and shoving a granola bar in my mouth 10 minutes before the race started, i was nearly in tears by the time i got the start area.  Amanda walked over with us, and had some very calming words, which i was super grateful for.

Matt and i snuck into a corral that was in between us and just decided to start from there, which was also about the time i realized i forgot my water bottle...(i lose so much time at water stops!!).  Within the first mile of the race, i ran into my Winter marathon training pace leader David!  I was so excited to see him!  That was kind of when the flood gates opened - David is a super calm and relaxed runner, and i just started to vent about what a stressful week it was leading up to the race.  My whining took us all the way to mile 3!  We were steadily running an 8:55-9:00 pace, and it felt good.  I really didn't have any problems until mile 7, when i began to have trouble breathing.  I assure you, it was not an asthma attack (i would have quit running immediately) It seemed more like congestion (in retrospect, it would appear i caught the cold Rachel and Matt both had, as i have been congested ever since)  After the turn around, i walked through the water station so i could take my gel, but i wasn't able to catch back up to David (it turns out i was 30 seconds behind him at the finish line, so my eyes must have really been failing me...)  

I am angry because the last three miles i should have really kicked it up a notch, and i didn't.  I actually slowed down a little.  I seriously need someone to jump in the last three miles of any race and just yell at me to go faster, because there is really no reason for me to slow down!  I ended up finishing with a 2:00:16, which is straight up annoying.  like i really couldn't run 16 seconds faster?  Come on, Sara.

I really was trying, i swear!  Matt made a crack about half marathons being a joke to me, but they are still a huge and exhausting challenge.  This race was a far cry from my 1:55 goal, but in comparison to my time last year, i shaved 14 minutes off!  So in short, progress is slow, and subtle, but it IS there.  But i should still try to run just a teeeeny bit faster.

Unfortunately, because it took me two hours to finish this race, i basically missed all of our other charity runners, because i am the slowest.  I left my camera at the tent in hopes that someone would take pictures of everyone in their awesome t-shirts, but unfortunately, the only picture that was taken was of a giant bug that was apparently hanging out in the tent.

Seriously - WTF is that thing??  Who took this picture??  Really guys?

But despite the lack of pictures, Rachel said that everyone came by and was super nice and had a great time, so that makes me happy!

And, as a bonus, by the time i packed everything up, dropped off Rachel, and unloaded everything, Matt and Waffles were so exhausted that they both fell asleep for about three hours, so that i could enjoy some star trek and a martini in peace and quiet.  

And all was well.

Race Code Etiquette

A Gingerfoxxx PSA.

I am putting this one out there, because i really think a lot of people might not know.
(I only figured this out as i am coordinating a charity race group)

Here's the deal.  I like to consider myself a savvy girl.  If order anything online, i use a coupon code.  (hellloooooo, running warehouse!)  I mean, we're in a recession, and a girl has to be thrifty!

Sometimes for races, you can also get discount codes - for registering early, etc.  Here's the thing though - how often do we stop and think where that code is actually coming from?

As a charity, all the Team Run for HD runners were given a code for discounted registration.  Now, we didn't flash that code around, you have to get it by request through our website. In exchange for that discount, our charity pledges volunteers.  For every 5 people who use that code, we have to provide one volunteer for 5 hours.  Seems fair right?

Well, unfortunately, some people leaked our charity code.  I have three people that signed up with MY code just to get the discount.  After relentlessly emailing them in an increasingly bitchy way, they 'fessed up.  I highly doubt any of them had any ill-intentions, and simply just wanted a discount for a somewhat expensive race.  In fact, i don't think they even know where the code came from, as one girl seemed truly embarrassed over the whole thing.

So no harm, no foul, right?

Except heres the catch.  Those three hooligans are enough to force me to come up with one more volunteer.  And if you really want to get into the numbers. i usually charge around $125-150 as a consultancy hourly rate (In case you ever need amazing industrial design services) so to have to forfeit 5 hours of my precious time is really $625 loss for a $5 coupon code.  See where i am going here?

Granted, i was going to volunteer anyway.  And i suckered my favorite cousin Ammanda to volunteer, and it will just be more time to spend with her that weekend.  But - as a PSA - consider where your race discount codes are coming from, and what kind of crazy butterfly effect they might have on me!  (and, i suppose, other people)

***(And if you haven't figured out, i will be at packet pick-up for the Chicago Half Marathon next Saturday Morning - stop by and say hi if your there!)

Arlo & Me

I do not know where the heck this weekend went, all i know is that i am more tired than when the weekend started, and that i plan to be at HAPPY VILLAGE tonight drinking for a cure, so please stop by if your in the neighborhood!!

I actually managed to stay on track with running this weekend.  I couldn't deal with the thought of trying to park anywhere along the lakefront with the Air and Water show going on all weekend (I have so many talents, but parking is admittedly not one of them.) So instead, i skipped the CARA training run, and went and ran with the Zooma race series ambassadors!

It was the most perfect day for running, and i had a blast.  Even though Zooma did not choose me to be an ambassador *tiny violin playing* I can still tag along, and this is a super fun group to run with!  Plus we got to run in Busse woods - i have only run there once before, and it was when i had my complete breakdown at the Schaumburg Turkey Trot half marathon, so i had been too busy crying to notice they have real live elk there!!

Good times.

On Sunday, Rachel and I got to go to Ravinia on behalf of Team Run for HD!  Arlo Guthrie was playing for the Woody Guthrie centennial, and they let us set up a table and fundraise.

I know i have been extra grouchy lately about the whole fundraising thing.  And i think we all know how hard fundraising is.  And trying to direct a group of fundraisers is like herding cats.  But while we were out there, a woman came up and said her sister in law died of huntingtons disease, and that she had never known any one else with it, or how to access resources/information.  I told her i sympathized with what she had gone through, and she started tearing up, and telling me how awful it had been.  I just asked her if i could giver her a hug, and told her this is why we were here.

And then it hit me.  This is why we were there.  No matter how much the day to day logistics annoy me, it's important for me to be out there.  And i was really glad i was there.

And, as a bonus, Rachel and I got to meet Arlo Guthrie!!

He is the nicest guy ever, especially considering Rachel and I just walked onto his bus and said hello.  Unfortunately, no one under 50 knows who Arlo Guthrie is apparently, so my bragging isn't getting me very far at all.  

Anyone else have a celebrity sighting this weekend??