8 Halloween Miles to commemorate closing in on the $800 mark!

Traditional half marathon training programs tell you to taper off during your last two weeks of training. As I polish my lifetime achievement trophy awarded to honor the tireless dedication I have singularly devoted to the perfecting the art of long distance running avoidance, I have been eyeballing these last two weeks of shorter runs the way "some" might eyeball that pillow case of fun sized Halloween chocolate bars under their daughter's bed after she falls into a low blood sugar induced Halloween sleep-coma.

 (The gig is up Mom, I know you used to steal my Halloween Snickers. Everyone knows....) 

Not surprisingly, I gleefully woke on this gorgeous sunny California Sunday knowing that my training schedule only "required" a 6 mile run . As I  happily laced up my Saucony grid 3s  to head out for an "easy" run, I decided to check total contributions made by all you wonderful, kind people and learned that we are closing the gap on $800 in donations. 

In just 11 days we all have generously donated nearly $800.

Outstanding!!!! 

And so totally motivating. At first I thought that I might eat an entire bag of fun sized Snickers in your honor, or even in Mom's honor. Candy thievery aside,  Mom deserves it (The honor, not the sass). See, without Mom's inspiration I would never have gotten my chubby 4th grade behind off the couch and "run" that first 7/10ths of a mile.

But then I thought -perhaps- eating a bag of candy detracts from your amazing achievement. 

Instead I decided to run 8 miles in your honor, on Halloween even. 

No costume, sorry. I have to draw the line somewhere. Tell you what- if we get to $1000 by November 10th, I'll wear a costume on my last training run...  

Thank you all for the inspiration and the support!

It Takes a Village to make a Runner: We've passed the $600 Mark!

Happy Monday indeed! The sun is finally shining here in the coastal plain, and Checking the ACH facebook page I see that you all have been very busy this weekend! A very special thanks to Ms. Wendy Gantt, Miss Lisa Yeh, Kay Swikart, and Rodger Watkins; all my  wonderful co-workers here in Beverly Hills for their generous contributions!

The Race is less than 3 weeks away and I am mentally ready! 

Only those who know me will realize this is truly the most shocking revelation, because never in my life have I ever even wanted to think I could do this. Oh sure, while I have been a runner since the age of 10 (when I laced up my very first pair of Nike Waffle Trainers, neon yellow with the turquoise swoosh and asked my mom to teach me how to be a runner)-  while I am a life long runner, I have held one consistent opinion of marathons (and their spawn) since the beginning: 

That people who run marathons are cuckoo for koo koo puffs, Looney, goofy and batshixxx crazy. My theory has always been that people who run marathons, just don't realize that you don't need to run 26.2 to know its the hardest challenge most people will ever throw at themselves.

And other than during my high school CC team practices, when Coach Westover would drive his pick up truck behind the slackers on the girls CC team while we plodded along whining for the full 10 miles, I haven't run more than 5 miles at any one time since 1987. Nor have I wanted to. 3-4 miles is plenty far if you ask me. Nothin' to prove.  Until last March.

March 2010, San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood on a beautiful crisp sunny morning, Tom and I stood on the sidelines, waiting for my co-worker (and all star contributor to this AHC cause), Miss Lisa Yeh, to pass us with the thousands of others participating in the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon. 

What makes her run so special is that Lisa is a newbie. Her marathon was run in her rookie year. She had only begun to lace up her Asics and jog that first mile as a runner less than 9 months prior. Here she was completing a marathon. She trained and finished the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon like a CHAMP!

Tom and I stood on the race course sidelines cheering Lisa and 25,000 of her closest friends on, and we were completely inspired by their efforts. Lisa is an amazing story herself, but she was not alone. There were teams of high school kids, and groups of people running for causes. They all overwhelmed me with their commitment and determination. 

I toyed with the idea of the LA Marathon in 2011, but- you know- lifelong aversion, fundamental beliefs, etc... 

Still, my friend and the other runners were really inspiring. A little too inspiring.  Surprisingly, I found myself printing a marathon training schedule from the web, posting it on my fridge, and thinking "Well, maybe it would just be fun to complete the training..." 

See, I have neglected my running here in California, opting for more fun workouts like the 4th Street Stairs and Kettlebells:

Fact is, I could pull a 300 with a 12kg bell, but I didn't have the mental stamina to run 3 miles in less than 29 minutes. And those 3 miles HAD to be at the beach, on Ocean Avenue, some place picturesque, because I didn't want to be distracted by the actual workout. So I thought doing marathon training for fun would kickstart to get my focus back.

By July the training was going so-so. I had some successes, such as the first time completing a 5 mile run since 2003, surprising myself greatly. But I also had some health issues that got in the way, and well, the inspiration had faded. Then I heard about the lovely and fun Big Sur Half Marathon, and thought..well it was easier to run 5 miles than I thought, what's 8 more? 

I told Tom about it and we decided to run the BSH together. Since July, I have done pretty well with my training, the health issues only getting in the way occasionally, and last Sunday when I  ran 9.5, and thought I could mentally make it to 11, I knew I was ready!

Somewhere in Livonia, Michigan Coach Westover probably just got a cold chill down his spine for no apparent reason...

From my Mom, to Coach Westie, to Lisa and Tom- well you can see it clearly takes a village to make a runner. 

Just like it takes a village to help deserving children fight for a cure to a disease we know so little about. So thank you again my Village- thank you so much!

Monterey Five-oh oh! $500 raised in 2 days.

Holy cow people. I mean, I knew I had surrounded myself with extraordinary characters- Brilliant gorgeous people with hearts of spun sugar and gleaming gold- before all of this- but you all are really proving yourselves to be more generous than a Beverly Hills magistrate in a Lohan probation hearing, and a HELLUVA lot smarter too!

We reached donation totals of $500 this morning thanks to several wonderful people:

Michael Chiconsky of Austin
Michael Roy of Ferndale by way of Montreal
JoAnna Sliwka of Florida
Virginia Tomongin of Los Angeles.

I am so overwhelmed by your generosity, I am trying to come up with some way to appropriately honor it. Sure sure running 13.1 miles is a good start, but I really need to come up with some sort of tribute to you all.

Now.  Despite my adoration for all things Halloween, I am not one of those runners who will dress like a thanksgiving turkey or even the Rally Monkey, to run a race, but this is 13.1 and I hear that tights can chafe after 6 miles, so silly costumes are out. (though I do love the Rally Monkey).

StillI have to come up with something that says thank you to you all.

Any suggestions that don't involve a chaffing costume?

 Bring it- the more outrageous yet non-constricting the better!

Thank you again to everyone who gives and supports me in this effort. The Rally Monkey applauds you too!

$350 raised in the first day- I am in utter awe.

I cannot believe, but am eternally grateful for, the absolute generosity of my friends and colleagues. In less than 18 hours, I have received donations totaling $350 from some of the most wonderful friends, co-workers and business colleagues ever. I especially want to thank the following amazing contributors:

• Grace Arneal of Los Angeles;
• Parissa Saed of Los Angeles;
• Sue Coon of First American Title Company; 
• Cathy Kyriakou of Casden Properties; 
• Michael Swafford of Plante Moran;
• Michael Roy of Ferndale Michigan, by way of Montreal

for their incredibly generous donations. 

I also want to let everyone who donates know that I will get tax deduction forms to you as soon as I get them from the AHC Foundation.***

I have to be honest, I have never tried to raise money for anything before, and I was feeling pretty guilty about asking people for money in this economy. Sure and OF COURSE, its for a great cause, but still. I know how hard it is out there.  And given the time constraints involved, I was not expecting nearly so much. 

Luckily, I was inspired and motivated by my cousin Gara and her fundraising efforts, and of course Miss Kristy, my predecessor to this challenge. It also helps that I don't feel all that guilty about asking parents from whom I have bought copious amounts of wrapping paper, cookies, popcorn and candy bars....

Still,  I figured if everyone I made aware of the cause/run would donate $5.00 then we'd have had a successful fundraiser. Having 245 Facebook friends to pester, and having already pestered about 50 of my colleagues and friends, I was thinking $1,500 would be a doable goal.

And now on Day 2, we are well on our way to meeting it, thanks in enormous part to the amazing generous people named above.

You are all wonderful! Its quite overwhelming. 

***Edit: I have learned from the foundation that they only issue tax deduction receipts for contributions over $100, so if you contribute, keep your canceled check, or copy of your credit card receipt, which will serve as your tax receipt. Thank you!!!!

A New Challenge to raise funds for Del and AHC!

Hello all, I am your new "[Half]MarathonforDel" blogger,  Justine Sliwka, or "Juice" as I am know in circles of people who like completeness, closure and pi. (and I ask you, who doesn't like pi?)  

I am here to commandeer this wonderful blog to raise funds for Delaney and the Alternating Hemiplegia Of Childhood Foundation Inc  as I run my very first half marathon this November 14, 2010 in Monterrey California.

I'd first and foremost, like to wholeheartedly congratulate MFD Blogess, Miss Kristy, not only for completing the Chicago Marathon last weekend, but for raising such a nice chunk of donation change! I must also thank her for letting me take over this blog site on such short notice. 

Bravo Miss Kristy!

Why have I chosen to get involved? Well, you see, Miss Del is my cousin and her momma, Katrina, is very dear to me, having been the very first baby to ever spit up on me. She claims not to remember, but lets face it, with those big blue Disney Princess eyes, 'Trina is pretty much capable of making anyone believe whatever she wants them to. (I would like to note that Miss Del has the same facial features, and to that I say "Good Luck Miss Trina, and lock your doors, She's gonna be a show stopper!").

The thing is, Del and Trina need our help. Del has been diagnosed with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood. AHC is a rare neurological disorder that, among other things, causes paralysis of the body- in a fashion that alternates from one side to the other. AHC has only recently been discovered, and is considered a "new" disease. As it stands now, there is no cure, and the child does not grow out of it with age.You can read more about it here  or at the links on the sidebar.

The Big Sur Half takes place in a little less than 3 weeks, and so I have my fundraising work cut out for me.  I  am here to ask you to please make a donation to AHCFI on behalf of Myself and Miss Delaney.

To donate, just use the paypal button on the right and I will make sure all of the funds go to the AHC foundation. If you  prefer, you can also go here and make a donation or send a check to:

Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation (or AHCF)
31250 Plymouth Rd
Livonia, MI 48150 

Just note "Half Marathon for Del" on your check. 

And I know its short notice, so Thank you very much!  

And Just Like That....10/10/10 Is Over!!

So friends...I finished the Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10 and I did it for a great cause. We raised $1300.00 for the AHC Foundation. The marathon was not completed without quite a few challenges as to be expected when one sets out to run 26.2 miles. When I started the marathon, it was around 60 degress out, not bad at all. Over 1.5 million people came out in the city to cheer and support and that felt amazing. There were people of all ages, sizes and nationalities that were doing this race. And many were doing it for someone or something of value to them, a cause or in honor of a lost loved one. To be around such inspiration was overwhelming and emotional. I was surrounded by 45,000 of the most disciplined, inspirational and dedicated people that morning.

So now I'm running and I find myself sweating in the first mile and am more thirsty than normal. I made sure to drink water, gatorade, get hosed down and take my energy gel packs. At the half way point, I was at 2 hours, 5 minutes. Feeling pretty good. The course was so scenic and crowd support was awesome.

Each mile after 13 becaming more and more grueling. My body felt so depleted and I know I was getting dehydrated. It was getting hotter and hotter and I was nauseous. I kept reminding myself that the pain was temporary, this was not about me and that it was such a small struggle to endure, not a lifelong struggle like those that deal with AHC everyday. I also wanted to finish the race safely. I witnessed many people getting medical assistance and having to stop. So I took care of myself and finished in 4 hours and 36 minutes. It was 85 degrees when I crossed that wonderful line.

My marathon may be over, but my efforts to raise money and awareness for the AHC Foundation aren't. I will still be teaching yoga classes for this cause and telling everyone I know about it. Now that you know about it, please do the same and continue to support this cause just like you supported me through this life challenge.

With Such Love and Gratitude To All of You!!!!

Less Than 10 Days Until I Run 26.2 Miles For A Wonderful Cause

The Marathon is next Sunday. I honestly can't believe it. My long run for this weekend is only 8 miles (YAY!!!) and then next week is much resting and carb eating:) I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone where I received the inspiration to run this marathon for Del and AHC awareness. Please check out and subscribe to Runningfordel.com. Gara, Trina's sister, committed to running 1000 miles from January 1,2010 until October 21, 2010, Del's 2nd Birthday. That's quite a commitment and dedication to this cause, and its a lot of running!! Gara, Del, Trina and her whole family are such an inspiration to me. They have done so much for this cause and everyone that is affected with AHC, I'm honored to know them. I've included some pics of the lovely, lovely family. They continue to remind me that the main purpose of our lives is to support and serve others in anyway that we can, everyday. Gara and I have shown that when you do things for someone or something greater than yourself you can accomplish so much more then when you are just serving yourself. Knowing that I am running 26.2 miles next Sunday for such a worthy cause keeps me motivated, inspired and dedicated to giving it all that I have. With Gratitude and Love!!!!! Have a Great Weekend.