Pride is almost here

This weekend is Pride in Chicago...

Saturday I will be taking part in Proud to Run. It is a 10k along Lake Michigan. After last Saturday's 4mile run I am feeling confidant that I should finish with a good time.

Sunday is the annual pride parade and as I seem to be the only hold in my group of friends still living in "homo-heights" I will be hosting a cocktail party before, during, and after the parade. Feel free to come on by!

I have no idea who this guy is in the picture but he looks to be having a good time. I just happened upon it while searching for a picture representing Pride...I think I found it.

I am running for, AIDS Foundation Chicago, with a fundraising goal of $4,000. Please be sure to visit my donation page and support me in my efforts.

Todays Homework

The training program that we are using was designed by Jeff Galloway. Friday night I made a trip to the local Borders and picked up his book Marathon, though I just realised it is cheaper on Amazon.

I have had the book for 5 days and I am still on the introduction so this will be my homework for the next several days.

I am running for, AIDS Foundation Chicago, with a fundraising goal of $4,000. Please be sure to visit my donation page and support me in my efforts.

Oops

OK, it has been brought to my attention that I didn't talk about my first run last Saturday....

So, I was up at 6am, had my coffee and some how I was still running late, no surprise to anyone who knows me. So, I jumped into a taxi to head to our run site which is at Lawrence and Simonds drive along the lake. We were instructed to stand around signs which were labeled with times. We were to pick the time that we thought we would finish a 3mile run. I, trying not to be overly optimistic, stood at the 10min sign. Our coach, Bill, sent us out on our 3miles. I came in at 26:25 or just under a 9 minute mile. We were then sent to stand next to the signs with our actual time plus one minute. So I am training at about a 10 minute mile. This is where we were also supposed to meet the other memebers in our pace group and choose a pace group leader...Well my pace group consists of me and a girl named Holly, so we are sharing the pace group leader responsibilities. I was somewhat hoping we would have more people in our pace group so I could meet more people, but I am happy with the time I finished and the time I am training...

Well it is now Thursday evening and I have logged 9miles this week. I am off to the gym to get in some weight training.

I am running for, AIDS Foundation Chicago, with a fundraising goal of $4,000. Please be sure to visit my donation page and support me in my efforts.

It's really official

As if investing in new running shoes, paying the registration fee, sending an e-mail blast to everyone in my address book, and running 3 miles this past weekend were not enough...I just booked my flights to Honolulu! Thanks to my sister, Linda, who donated 35,000 United Miles. With this, I will not take the $700 air stipend and all of my fundraising will go directly to AIDS Foundation Chicago. My fundraising goal is $4,000! Even more reason to show your support by visiting my donation page

Your Attention Please!!!

So, Friday night after a few cocktails at the Emerald Loop, I ventured over to Fleet Feet Sports. I highly recommend anyone who has not been properly fit for a pair of running shoes to go check them out! Did you know that when you are running your feet expand! Makes sense doesn't it? But did you know by how much?!?! My normal shoe size is 9.5, my running shoe size is 11.5!!! Impressive isn't it? This explains so much! Most importantly why after running my big toes always hurt and I thought the nails were going to pop off! In addition to finding my proper measurement, they watched me run and checked out how much I pronate. They then pulled out four pairs of shoes and voila! The result...one of the best pairs of shoes I have ever had on my foot and here they are....aren't they hot? Well, as hot as a pair of running shoes can get? I am calling them my "spidey" shoes!

Please support me in my efforts by visiting MY DONATION page.

Day one is almost here

Today is Friday the 13th...not sure if this is a good date to have as my start date...



Not only is this my first marathon, it is my first attempt at blogging. I appreciate any constructive criticism and comments and I hope you stick it out with me.



So, tomorrow is the first official "team" run and the first of many Saturday mornings I will drag myself out of bed and head to the cool shores of Lake Michigan and pound the pavement. I am not sure why but the excitement building up to tomorrow has my nerves flowing.



In preparation I am off to Fleet Feet Sports tonight to buy a new pair of running shoes. I will let you know how that turns out...



OK, Yes the marathon I am running is in Honolulu. Exotic location aside, I am running for a very serious cause, AIDS Foundation Chicago, with a fundraising goal of $4,000. Please be sure to visit my donation page and support me in my efforts. In addition to general donations I am working on some other fun fundraising ideas...if you have any please share them with me.



TGIF and have a great weekend!