Week 4

I've had a very busy week, so this update is a little late....

Week 4 certainly continued with some of the same challenges of Week 3.  My ankle is still not better, and the pain has traveled up my calf.  I've decided that I really need to get to the doctor to have it checked out.  This is just too long to be injured, and it's very frustrating.  I'm trying to keep my spirits up and think positive!  I'm really at a loss as to what's wrong, as there hasn't been really any swelling or bruising.  Just pain.  Maybe I pulled a tendon or a muscle or something?  I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make it better!

Labor Day Monday, I went out to complete my scheduled 4 mile run.  I mapped out my course online, wrote it on a sticky note, and carried that with me.  I didn't want to get lost, you see!  I set my Nike+ iPod for 4 miles, headed out the door, wound my way through neighborhoods, and connected with  a nice running trail.  Things were going well, and I kept my eye out for my exit.  But time went on, my iPod kept updating me on my status, and I couldn't figure out how I had gone that far without reaching my exit.  Finally, I was congratulated on meeting my 4 mile goal.  Humh.  At this point, I'm supposed to be at my front door, but I'm still on this trail.  Long story short, I ended up walking an additional 6 miles to find my way back home -- all in all, over 10 miles on an empty stomach, sore ankle & calf, and newly blistered heel.  I've decided that I need a GPS every time I leave my house - whether it be in car, on foot, or on bicycle.  Man!  I'm a mess!  Hahahaha.

The week went on and I was able to log a few more miles before our group run on Saturday.  We had a 60 minute run scheduled, and I was able to shuffle my way through it all, only stopping to walk once for 2-3 minutes.  My ankle was hurting, but these group runs really keep me motivated, so I just kept going!  I iced my ankle for 3 hours afterward.  :)

We also had a couple of special guests join us this week.  The MTV show The Real World is currently filming in DC.  Each cast member is required to do some public service and one of the cast members, Ashley has decided to volunteer with CCFA Team Challenge.  Ashely provided our mission moment on Saturday.  She was diagnosed with Crohn's when she was 15 and has gone through many ups and downs since.  Her mother also has Crohn's and has had it even worse than Ashley herself at times.  Just as they are coming to terms with having 2 people in their family with IBD, Ashley's brother is starting to show the all-too-familiar symptoms.  Ashley wants to help in any way she can in bringing increased awareness to CCFA and IBD.  Hopefully The Real World can show some great positive footage and bring awareness to a whole new level!

We also had  Ryan Goodale come and visit.  He is an 8 year old little boy who was just recently diagnosed with Crohn's and was our guest of honor.  Ryan and his family have already been active members of the CCFA community, participating in Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis - DC this past June.  Ryan was also able to attend Camp Oasis in WV this summer and his Mom raved about it.  :)  This is so awesome to see people taking advantage of the services that CCFA offers, and hearing about how valuable they are!!  These are the kinds of things that your donations are going toward.

I have truly enjoyed this whole experience so far.  I just hope my ankle/calf can heal up so I can keep on going full force!!  Thanks for everyone's support.  If you would like to donate but haven't yet, September is the month to do it!!

**Special Announcement**

An anonymous donor is willing to support our team and has provided us with a fundraising challenge.  This donor has challenged our team to raise $30,000 in the month of September.  If we accomplish this goal, they will donate $6,000 towards our overall team fundraising goal!!!

http://www.active.com/donate/lv09dcvirginia/eblakemore

THANK YOU!!!

Week 3

This week was particularly challenging!  Last Saturday after my group run, I helped a friend move and somehow managed to twist my ankle.  I didn't realize I had actually done this, however, until I went for my scheduled run on Monday.  By mile 2, my ankle was really aching and when I was finished with my run, it HURT.  Tuesday morning I got up to strap on my shoes and I could hardly put any weight on my left foot.  DANGIT!  I took a couple of days off of running, bought myself an ankle brace, spent several hours icing it, and managed to go for a slow 3-mile run on Thursday.  Friday it hurt again, so I took that day off of running as well, so that I could hopefully perform somewhat on the group run on Saturday.

I figured this would be the perfect time to get new running shoes.  My old shoes are about a year and a half old and probably weren't doing much for me anymore besides keeping my socks from coming in contact with the pavement.  So I made my way to a running shop where the Team Challenge running coaches work.  As with everything Team Challenge, they were extremely helpful and supportive and I even got 10% off for being part of it all!

Saturday came around and I was asked to give the Mission Moment.  I was a little nervous, just because this process has already been pretty emotional for me, but I was happy to do so anyway.  I mostly held it together [ :) ] and was able to share with everyone why I have decided to commit to this fundraiser, running challenge and important cause.  I was able to tell everyone about Tami & Matt, how 10 years ago they were both in the hospital for 3 months at the same time, and how it had affected me.  I let everyone know that the reason why I'm doing this is because it is my way of saying "I love you".  It's my way of actually being able to help them in some way and to challenge myself physically.  Tami & Matt have gone through so much physical pain and challenges over the years and I haven't been able to help ease their burden.  Whenever I'm running and feel like I can't go any further or feel like I need to stop, I think of them and will myself to keep going.  I have been blessed to have a healthy body.  I am not afflicted with chronic pain.  My running 'pain' is nothing compared to what they have gone through.  They keep me motivated and I'm so grateful that I have this excuse to keep them in my thoughts every day.  I am SO happy that I have a means of raising money to help find a cure for Crohn's Disease!

As was expected, everybody in the group was gracious and encouraging after my Mission Moment.  This really has been such a great experience so far.  I love meeting new people in our group and hearing their personal stories.  I love these group runs!  I was able to run a little over 4 miles on Saturday without stopping.  !!!!  This is HUGE for me!  I may have run at a slower pace than a lot of people, but I was so proud of myself.  And even though both my feet were completely numb afterward (weird!  Maybe I laced my shoes too tight?), my new shoes felt great and my weak ankle didn't feel nearly as painful as it did on my Thursday run!  Shoes really do make a huge difference.  Last week I was scheduled to run at least 17 miles and I was only able to run 11.  Hopefully this week I can stay on schedule and complete all my 21 miles.

On a fundraising note, WOW!  I am so impressed by all the generous people who have donated!  I am more than half-way to my target amount, and hope that I can greatly exceed it!  I may even adjust it to reflect an even higher amount.  This will be awesome if I can commit to raise even MORE to help find a cure!  Thanks to all those who have donated this week to help me with my personal goal and also help our team achieve our group goal!  I am optimistic that we can do this!  I will continue to post this announcement throughout the month.

**Special Announcement**

An anonymous donor is willing to support our team and has provided us with a fundraising challenge.  This donor has challenged our team to raise $30,000 in the month of September.  If we accomplish this goal, they will donate $6,000 towards our overall team fundraising goal!!!

http://www.active.com/donate/lv09dcvirginia/eblakemore

THANK YOU!!!