Here I go again

So, I logged in today to my blog...I didn't realize it has been since Novmeber 2008 that I last posted. This used to be the titled section...

This is my journey. My journey which started over a year ago to commit to a healthy lifestyle, has brought me here...I am now on a journey to complete a marathon! I will complete the Honolulu Marathon and by joining the AIDS Marathon Training Program I will help bring awareness too, and raise funds for AIDS Foundation Chicago. Please join me, and support me on my journey.

So much has changed since then. First, I completed the Honolulu Marathon in 2008! Then I began working for the National AIDS Marathon Training Program in January of 2009. I went on to complete the Illinois Marathon in May 2009. That summer I worked with some amazing people and took them on the journey to complete the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon, The Maui Marathon, and 2009 Chicago Marathon. In October of 2009, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago took over the training program renaming it TEAM TO END AIDS (T2) and hired me on to continue my work. We launched the program in January of 2010. I picked up my training through the winter to complete the 2010 Virgin London Marathon and four weeks later completed the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon where I set a new personal record!!!

And now here...I continue my journey. I will try to keep this updated more frequently so look for more posts to come.

Sponsor me today and support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago by clicking HERE

Prop 8

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Six Months Ago...

On June 14th it was about 80 degrees or so. I woke up at early in the morning, and gathered with a group of people at the corner of Simmonds and Lawrence and headed out for a three mile run. This would put me into a pace group with a few people. Each Saturday morning we have woke up at the crack of dawn and have run. Each weekend running a little further. During the week we have run our maintenance runs and cross-training. We have each raised at least $3,700 for the AIDS Foundation. We have gotten to know each other and have even hung out a few times. Tonight I am meeting up with Julia and Holly from my pace group, along with a few other friends, for an early dinner at Sapori. After taking in some carbs we will go to bed early tonight and meet up back at that corner, this time at 7AM, on Saturday morning. This will be our last "long run" before we head out to Hawaii to complete the Honolulu Marathon in December.

Tomorrow morning's forecast...clear and 20degrees. Holy crap it's going to be cold! Guess I will have dress warm. At least the cold will push me to keep running to stay warm and get it over with.

I am looking forward to it and looking forward to hitting this goal. So, if you haven't sponsored me yet by donating, please click here. I am running to raise money for the AIDS Marathon and there is still time to make a donation.

Yes We Can!

Wow! I am not sure what to say about what has happened...I have been going through so many ranges of emotion and so many thoughts.

I have always been proud to be an American, regardless of some decisions that I may or may not have agreed. Last night I was the most proud of our great nation! No matter how one voted; so many people stood up and were counted. We are so fortunate that so many others in this world don't have that luxury.

"to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."

Last night I spent the evening with a few friends at Crew for their Election Night Party, I was too late in trying to get a ticket to the rally. It was an experience that I will never forget. The bar was packed with people transfixed to the televisions and the bar erupted into cheers every time they announced another state's projections for Obama. As soon as the polls closed on the west coast and it was announced that Barrack Obama would be the next President of the United States the entire place went nuts! People were cheering, hugging, applauding and a few were moved to tears. I remember texting with my 11year old nephew and talking to him on the phone...I told him, "remember this moment in history, this is your future".

This video is from the Barrack Obama website and when I watched it...well just watch it and hopefully you will get what I feel...



Listening to Barrack's acceptance speech last night made me feel like I was part of something huge and for the first time I feel like we have a President that will make changes for the better of unite us all for a better, inclusive and equal America...

"It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

Finally, I will close this post with the closing of Barrack Obama's speech;

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can."

I did it...Did you?

Need I say more? Today is the day for us all to stand up and be counted...Vote for change! No matter what side of the line you are on...Get out and VOTE!!! Then join me and a few friends at Crew for a little election night party.

Sponsor me as I run my first marathon and raise money for the AIDS Foundation.

Election-eve

On this eve of the most important election of our time I thought I would share with you a few things I found while surfing the web today;

This last photo is by Paul Richmond via Blog@Newsarama - where you can buy the poster and t-shirt!

After you visit his site and after you vote tomorrow; Don't forget to come back here and sponsor me for the AIDS Marathon.

Hump Day Video

I just got home from the gym after a good workout with my trainer and I stumbled across this video...I thought I would share it as a mid-week energy boost...Enjoy and don't forget to sponsor me for the AIDS Marathon Honolulu.

Was that Dorothy?

So, last night I ventured out to get in a good 12 miles. What was I thinking? Well, it would have been helpful to pay attention to the weather report...Wind advisory? Who cares...well let me tell you, I should have. Last night here in Chicago we had wind gusts up to 45+ mph!!! If you like dodging tree branches, and sand from the beech pelting at your face; may I recommend running in a wind storm. I swear I saw Dorothy and Toto fly by a couple of times...It was a good time, who doesn't enjoy running head on into the wind and not moving forward?

The Honolulu Marathon is less than two months away! If you haven't sponsored me for the AIDS Marathon yet please do so now. I am only $198.00 from my goal of $4,000! Please visit my donation page and sponsor me now. Thanks!

Go Cubs Go!

Here we go Cubbies!
With the first game of the playoffs tonight; I thought I would post a few pictures of yesterday's Cubs rally at the Daley Center in Downtown Chicago. Oh and the need to watch tonight's game in Wrigleyville which starts at 5:30CST is the reason I will not be running tonight.

Even the Picasso at Daley Center showed it's Cubbie Blue with Cubs hat.

Go Cubs! Here is a thought, click that link to the left and donate a dollar for every run the Cubs score! What a way to sponsor me!

Pictures!

Wow it has been some time since my last posting! Sorry about that, it has been a crazy past few weeks. I have a lot to talk about, and not a lot of time today, but wanted to get something up so I am going to share with you some photos...most of these were taken by Coach Bill's wife Kathy and this will be the first picture...

This is Coach Bill and his wife Kathy with John who is our team rep. from the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. They are a great couple of people, they make us laugh, and support us each and every weekend...Thank you!!!

This is my pace group, well part of it, getting ready and then starting one of our runs....

Melissa, Julia, Holly, Levi, Janelle, me, and Omar...

Julia

Melissa and I after 16 miles!

Two people, Omar and Bernie left our group due to injury...and look two new people joined, Noel and Brian.
I think this was taken right after I realized we would be running 14 miles that morning!!!

If I only knew there was a camera in sight...this would have never been taken...

So, I am going to get back to my work now, lunch break over! But not without my update on fundraising. I am now at $3,647.40 which is only $52.60 from the minimum fundraising goal of $3,700. However it is $352.60 from my personal goal of $4,000. Thank you to everyone who has supported me this far. If you have not, but would like to sponsor me it is not too late...Please visit my donation page and show your support now and help make the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS better. Donate here.

TGIF!

What a week it has been, TGIF!

After getting over my cold from last weekend and getting back to the gym and into my training, I am faced with my longest run so far. Tomorrow morning I will venture out to complete 16 miles! I am really excited about this and am looking forward to a good run.

Tonight, I am meeting up with a group of friends for dinner at Calos Ristorante to get in a nice dinner of good carbs to help get me through tomorrow's run.

Being that it is Friday afternoon I am going to make this post short, but leave you with this video from an episode of Friends.


This is how I feel sometimes when I am running.

If you haven't done so, please sponsor me by clicking on my donation page. Today I am at $3,227.40 with only $472.60 left to raise to him my minimum fundraising goal. I would love it if I could raise more, so please take a moment and sponsor me.

Have a great weekend!

The best laid plans....

Building up to this past weekend, I had plans and intentions to take part in my 7 mile training run on Saturday morning and the Nike+ 10k Human Race on Sunday night followed by a concert by Fall Out Boy.

Well somewhere after going to Ravinia on Thursday night I caught one hell of a cold. Friday after coming home from work, I completely crashed on my sofa and didn't, couldn't, move until sometime about Sunday evening.

Believe me I tried to muster up the strength and even at times tried to convince myself I could make it downtown and to the Human Race. I even picked up the course map, studied it, and thought..."hmm, if I make it to at least mile 2 there is an aid station and I could fall out there if need". What? What is wrong with me? Well, my thoughts turned to how not too pretty I would should I attempt such a fate.

I am glad that I listened to my body and stayed glued to my sofa. While not 100% I am feeling much better. You know I am not feeling well when I miss a training run, AND, cancel my personal training appointment. Which note to self; If you cancel a personal training session, keep in mind that you just may run into your trainer on the 146 express bus on your way home from work...good thing I still sound like I am sick and, well, must still look like it as he said "ya, you should take some time".

So, now that I am sitting upright again, and I can actually breath, I am looking forward to getting to the gym tomorrow and sweating the rest of this out of me...gross I know, but it works! Also looking forward to getting my but back to seriously working out and training. Hit it!

Please keep in mind my goal and why I am training; I am running with the AIDS Marathon Training Program to run the 2008 Honolulu Marathon and to raise money for the AIDS Foundation. Please visit my donation page and sponsor me.

This Week

Hello! So this week I have experienced my first "injury" due to running. I say "injury" in quotes because it wasn't a full on injury just little soreness in my lower leg just between my calf muscle. After last weekends long run I don't think I stretched properly. Monday night I went out for my maintenance run and it started hurting then. Tuesday I made a call to Novacare, one of the AIDS Marathon Sponsors, and spoke to an athletic trainer/therapist who basically politely scolded me for not stretching properly and gave me some stretching tips. After taking Tuesday and Wednesday as rest days I am off to run in yet another Thursday night 5k, the Athens Sister City Shuffle, followed by some Greek dining and a drink or two. So, tomorrow I promise to have my results and more details as I just realized I have about 20 minutes to get to the race.

Don't forget why I am running and please sponsor me. Thanks to those who already have.

Overheard at Nordstrom

I just had to share this...

Ok, put aside that I had to go to Nordstrom after going to the gym to buy new underwear as I had forgotten a clean change for post gym….
As I am going down the escalator, behind me I hear “well Cherl, due to the Derrick situation, you are entitled to go out and get yourself laid”

I don't know who Derrick is, nor do I know what his situation is. But, thank you Derrick for entitling Cherl to go out and get herself laid!

-Happy Tuesday, go get yourself laid! but not before you sign up to sponsor me. I only have about $1,200 to go and could use your help.

Today is...

MY BIRTHDAY! And while I am heading out the door to meet friends for dinner at Big Jones, followed by cocktails at Marty's Martini Bar...I leave you with this email I just received as part of the AIDS Marathon weekly e-newsletter...I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, it really makes me feel good about running 4-hours in a marathon and describes how I feel about another birthday...hehe;

"EVERYBODY POOPS
If you have a small child or a pet, you surely know this. But maybe you didn't know how common "runner's trots" are. As running is an up and down motion that jars the body and your digestive system, it is not that uncommon for runners, even the elite, to experience bouts of diarrhea during a training run or the race itself - or the sudden and terrible urge to sprint towards the bathroom. Now, maybe you're saying, "It won't happen to me." Hmmm, that's what they all say. Well, I've seen it and almost experienced it first- hand. If it happens to you, don't feel bad, it's a running badge of honor (like blisters, black toenails, and bloody nipples). But just the same, chances are you'll want to avoid it. So here ya go:
Runner's trots can be caused by too much caffeine, alcohol or fiber in the days or hours leading up to a run - so avoid these things. You also want your dinner the evening before to be early and light.
If you're lactose intolerant, dairy may be the culprit.
And here's one that may seem obvious: try to allow plenty of time before a run to go to the bathroom. Wake up early for breakfast and give yourself a chance to "go."
Carry toilet paper or tissues in your pack, its okay to run into the bushes or behind a tree when nature REALLY calls! You can get Charmin' To Go at drug stores in the travel section (It's a mini-roll that you can carry easily).
If you do experience a bout with runner's trots while on the trail, it may be necessary to stop your run for that day. Although minor cases of diarrhea (usually just from nerves for that days run) are not enough to end your run, if you are experiencing severe stomach problems you should not continue on your run as it could lead to dehydration. "

It's about time!

Wow, I didn't realize that I had not posted since July 23. Where has the time gone? Well it has been one crazy summer and one that I will never forget!

I am about to head out of work to a dinner so I just wanted to do a quick post and update everyone on where I am.

This past Thursday I ran in the Elvis is Alive 5k...see picture...It was a great time, then again any race which ends with a beer tent and an Elvis impersonator with back up band had got to be a good time! I finished in about 26minutes.

Since my last post I have had two long runs with my training group. a 10miler and this past Saturday we ran 12miles! More to come about these in another post.

Well, I just wanted to drop a line to everyone and let you know I am still here and still hard at work with my training and my fund raising. I am now at $2,300 and if you haven't yet please show your support by visiting my donation page.

Challenge!

I just received an email from the AIDS Marathon staff which announced that the top 10 runners who raise the most funds, will be entered into a drawing to receive two round-trip airline tickets to Hawaii from American Airlines! So, here's the deal, should I be that lucky recipient, I will give the tickets to my top donor.

This is where I currently stand:

Total raised: $2,102.40

Goal: $3,700.00

Needed: $1,597.60

In order to even qualify for this I/we will need to exceed the $3,700. Together we can do this!

Where does the money go? AIDS Foundation Chicago which provides support and services to those living with HIV/AIDS. Through AIDS Foundation Chicago here are some agencies who are currently benefiting; Austin Health Center's AIDS awareness and prevention education peer advocate program targeting African-American youth. Interfaith House's HIV/AIDS Services and Education Project, which provides short-term housing and care as well as supportive services and education for individuals living with HIV. Research & Education Foundation of Michael Reese's Medication Adherence Project of the HIV Care Program, which provides adherence education and counseling services.

Please remember why I am running and become a sponsor by visiting my donation page. In addition to one time donations, you can opt for a monthly donation. Every bit helps the AIDS Foundation continue to do their work.

It is Wednesday night, and that can only mean one thing! I am heading out of work and home to put in my 40minute maintenance run! Wish me luck I am feeling a bit tired tonight.

Donation Link Change

I just received an email from the AIDS Marathon program that due to some upgrade to their website the link to my donation page has changed. If you have tried to go to my page to donate, here is the updated link.

I just realised that the bright side of the change in my link...I have been able to produce a posting with the most links to my donation page ever!

On the subject of donations, I have to say THANK YOU again to everyone who has donated thus far. (queue Ed McMahon) "Jerry's tote board" is now....
Total raised: $2,102.40
Goal: $3,700.00
Needed: $1,597.60
Please keep the donations and sponsorship coming. And Please send this to anyone you know who may be interested in supporting me and the AIDS Foundation.

Oh, I wanted to send a message to everyone who is reading this...many people have told me they are reading my blog...please feel free to comment and such and let me know you are out there and showing your support :)

Nike+ wtf?

So, this the graph from Nike+ of our 8 mile run today. Clearly something is up. We actually ran 8miles, not 7.5. I think from reading the Nike website there is some "pace setting" I need to sync with my sports band. Although, can anyone guess where I tried to pause it to use the toilet? For the most part though it is accurate with our pace. Our overall pace shows 10min something but yet during our run it was showing 9 - 9:45...I think the potty break screwed it up!

Let me go back a little here...Friday night, I was a good boy. I went and grabbed some dinner at Crew, and I only drank diet coke. What is more shocking is that I was home and tucked into bed by 10:00. I got an actual 8 hours of sleep! Now, those living in Chicago and who happened to be awake at 6am this morning will know that I awoke to thunder and rain, again. But this weekend I hadn't gone out the night before so, I got out of bed, had my peanut butter sandwich and coffee and prayed the rain would stop. I put on my running gear and it was still raining. Well, I took a deep breath and headed to the run site. Once at the run site it started pouring. WTF? went through my mind a few times...but we went to the starting line and headed out. Now the first mile of dodging trees, puddles, other runners, and trying to figure out how to run with rain in your face wasn't too pretty. But once we figured out how to maneuver and it settled in that yes, we were doing this I was surprisingly good. Well, as good as one can be in the rain with your shorts, and shirt completely soaked...I don't know why I wore anything, because if you are familiar with running shorts and shirts, once wet...they hide nothing! I think with the amount of water that was in my clothing, I was running with a good extra 20lbs added to me. But with all that water, I think it was easier to stay hydrated. My body wasn't sweating like a pig to stay cool as the rain was taking care of that. I was actually amazed at how many people and other running groups were out there training. What is with us? Other than we are running for a good cause. So I am babbling now, perhaps I shouldn't blog at night....Oh, we got our 8 miles in at 1hour 18 minutes...perfect timing for our pace group!

Please remember that I am running; to raise money for the AIDS Foundation, visit my donation page and help sponsor me and help get me across the finish line.

What I Found Tooling Around the Net Today...

So I was just tooling around online, as one does, and I just came across this video. I thought it was a good song, and then I read the video description and it said he wrote this about a friend who was dying of AIDS who had passed away before he completed it. Then I listened to it again and payed more attention to the lyrics. It is when finding things such as this, that it reminds me what I am doing, why I am doing it, and how many people are touched by AIDS. The artist is Cort Clark. I came across him after visiting the website of The Todd and Pony Show, a podcast I love to listen too.

Please remember that I am running; to raise money for the AIDS Foundation, visit my donation page and help sponsor me and help get me across the finish line.

I am sure I will be back later with another post tonight about this mornings run...Lots to talk about...