I'm filled with gratitude, can't help but let a few tears fall. I sent out one last beseeching email this afternoon, hoping for a few more dollars to trickle in. God is great, and you are all SO good! I've just surpassed my fundraising goal, thanks to the kind and generous donations from all of YOU... so many people I respect and love.
I'm speechless.
Thank you.
Humbly,
Natasha
Showing posts with label world vision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world vision. Show all posts
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Drying Out.
Finally, a run!
Monday update: I worked at Holland last night and was able to get a good day's sleep with the boys away at school and Michael off to run all of his errands. And tonight, when the boys headed to story time at the library with Grandma, I (finally) made it out for a run!
It was a cool 61 degrees and a bit breezy. The sidewalks were dry, no rain in the clouds today. The beach was nearly empty, save for one brave soul armed with a wetsuit and surfboard, attempting to catch the few small breakers on the Lake today. I ran into an old friend on the boardwalk. Lots of faithful fishermen on the pier. I had a few cramps and kinks to work out, but overall it felt really good to get out there again.
And tomorrow is another day!
This World Vision video was included in an e-mail newsletter I received today. I think it was made for me, mostly regarding my week last week!
Until tomorrow...
Monday update: I worked at Holland last night and was able to get a good day's sleep with the boys away at school and Michael off to run all of his errands. And tonight, when the boys headed to story time at the library with Grandma, I (finally) made it out for a run!
It was a cool 61 degrees and a bit breezy. The sidewalks were dry, no rain in the clouds today. The beach was nearly empty, save for one brave soul armed with a wetsuit and surfboard, attempting to catch the few small breakers on the Lake today. I ran into an old friend on the boardwalk. Lots of faithful fishermen on the pier. I had a few cramps and kinks to work out, but overall it felt really good to get out there again.
And tomorrow is another day!
This World Vision video was included in an e-mail newsletter I received today. I think it was made for me, mostly regarding my week last week!
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Wow!
You are amazing! Just two days after my e-mail reminder, you have brought the total donation up to $990!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I hope this momentum can continue, and in that spirit, I've raised my goal a bit:
I KNOW we can do it!
Sunday update: One word. IKE.
The rain continues, and I was unable to drag myself out of bed in time to make it to the gym this afternoon. I am disappointed, but I'm looking at this as a good chance to really rest my bones and muscles... to allow some much-needed sleep and healing. It's the first time in more than 10 weeks that I've gone for more than two days in a row without running. I'm itching to get out there, but I'm not ready to run soaking wet and running on the treadmill is something of a last resort.
So, it's back to work tonight, and tomorrow, I'll be out there, rain or shine!
You can check out my past runs on the Slowgeek website by clicking HERE. I use the Nike+ technology to keep track of my runs and distance (as seen in the widgets along the righthand side of the screen), and the Slowgeek site keeps track of this info as well. Very low mileage this week, but tomorrow is a new day!
I hope this momentum can continue, and in that spirit, I've raised my goal a bit:
I KNOW we can do it!
Sunday update: One word. IKE.
The rain continues, and I was unable to drag myself out of bed in time to make it to the gym this afternoon. I am disappointed, but I'm looking at this as a good chance to really rest my bones and muscles... to allow some much-needed sleep and healing. It's the first time in more than 10 weeks that I've gone for more than two days in a row without running. I'm itching to get out there, but I'm not ready to run soaking wet and running on the treadmill is something of a last resort.
So, it's back to work tonight, and tomorrow, I'll be out there, rain or shine!
You can check out my past runs on the Slowgeek website by clicking HERE. I use the Nike+ technology to keep track of my runs and distance (as seen in the widgets along the righthand side of the screen), and the Slowgeek site keeps track of this info as well. Very low mileage this week, but tomorrow is a new day!
Friday, September 12, 2008
One Month and Counting.
Today marks another milestone: ONE MONTH until RACE DAY!!!
It has been an amazing journey, and now we're in the home stretch. There have been so many ups and downs... it is remarkable to look back on the last year and all that has changed and evolved in my life and particularly my running.
A sweet friend shared some words of encouragement the other night, and the phrase that struck me was this: "Last year this time, you couldn't have fathomed running the distances you're running now." How true! Last year this time, 5 or 6 miles was difficult. Now, I consider those an "easy" workout, a rest. I've tried to reassure myself with these thoughts when I start to panic, wondering how the race will go, realizing just how far those 26.2 miles really are. But in reality, the hardest work is done. I've loosely followed a training program, progressively building my mileage to the point where I'm capable of running more than 20 miles during my "long" run each week. The training and physical conditioning are there... now I just need to perfect the mental toughness necessary for carrying out the task. I completed a 24 mile run last week, my longest run before the marathon:
What a feeling of accomplishment! Don't get me wrong: it was slow, it was hard and I was hurting afterward... BUT I did it!
I can DO this.
As my training continues, so, too, does my fundraising effort for Team World Vision. The World Vision spirit and attitude have encouraged me tremendously over the past months. The idea that I'm doing this, not just for myself, but for a larger, more important cause, has helped me to overcome the daily hurdles involved with such intensive training... when I'm feeling down or unmotivated, I try to think about the people I'm doing this for. I think about those of you who have so generously donated to the cause in my name. What a burden. But what a privelege!
There is one month left for me to finish my training, strong and healthy. One month left for me to raise the remaining few dollars toward my goal for Team World Vision. My plan right now is to attempt to provide daily training logs and insights... I don't know if any of you are interested, but I'll post them here.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged, cajoled and chided me in my training... while almost every step I've taken, every mile I've covered, has been on my own, I don't feel ALONE. I take all of you with me, and I thank you for that.
God bless.
Please see below for more of the fun activities that have taken me away from blogging over the past month or two.
It has been an amazing journey, and now we're in the home stretch. There have been so many ups and downs... it is remarkable to look back on the last year and all that has changed and evolved in my life and particularly my running.
A sweet friend shared some words of encouragement the other night, and the phrase that struck me was this: "Last year this time, you couldn't have fathomed running the distances you're running now." How true! Last year this time, 5 or 6 miles was difficult. Now, I consider those an "easy" workout, a rest. I've tried to reassure myself with these thoughts when I start to panic, wondering how the race will go, realizing just how far those 26.2 miles really are. But in reality, the hardest work is done. I've loosely followed a training program, progressively building my mileage to the point where I'm capable of running more than 20 miles during my "long" run each week. The training and physical conditioning are there... now I just need to perfect the mental toughness necessary for carrying out the task. I completed a 24 mile run last week, my longest run before the marathon:
What a feeling of accomplishment! Don't get me wrong: it was slow, it was hard and I was hurting afterward... BUT I did it!
I can DO this.
As my training continues, so, too, does my fundraising effort for Team World Vision. The World Vision spirit and attitude have encouraged me tremendously over the past months. The idea that I'm doing this, not just for myself, but for a larger, more important cause, has helped me to overcome the daily hurdles involved with such intensive training... when I'm feeling down or unmotivated, I try to think about the people I'm doing this for. I think about those of you who have so generously donated to the cause in my name. What a burden. But what a privelege!
There is one month left for me to finish my training, strong and healthy. One month left for me to raise the remaining few dollars toward my goal for Team World Vision. My plan right now is to attempt to provide daily training logs and insights... I don't know if any of you are interested, but I'll post them here.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged, cajoled and chided me in my training... while almost every step I've taken, every mile I've covered, has been on my own, I don't feel ALONE. I take all of you with me, and I thank you for that.
God bless.
Please see below for more of the fun activities that have taken me away from blogging over the past month or two.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Power of One
10 weeks and counting...
Training continues. I've been working to fit each run into a very hectic summer schedule, and so far, it's going well. I feel like I'm in better shape now than I ever have been. I look at the definition in my legs and the veins taking shape in my arms with awe. Whose body is this? What a journey! I believe that if I can continue along this path, staying healthy and injury-free, the marathon will be a success. As the days tick away, I get a little tug of anxiety when I think about how much closer each one brings me to Race Day. But when I'm running, the fears subside and I'm able to focus on the moment and be positive about the future.
I'm taking a recovery week this week, mostly because there is too much going on (Coast Guard Festival, Michael's craft fair, Emily's bachelorette, EMILY and JEFF's WEDDING!) to fit all my runs, and more specifically a 20 mile run, in. But last week, I completed my longest run yet: 18 miles! I can't say that it felt "great", but I was very pleased with the accomplishment and can hopefully build upon those miles from here on out. Here's the Nike+ widget:
I receive a few fundraising newsletters by e-mail every couple of weeks, and I was inspired by an article in one this week entitled "The Power of One". It suggested that many people hesitate to donate to charities or fundraisers because they are unable to make a large contribution. But every single dollar helps!
So, please... even if you are unable to give a large amount, keep in mind that every dollar will be put to good use, and every dollar is needed. A donation of $1 brings me that much closer to my goal! I am absolutely thrilled (and humbled) to see the donations that have already been made through my fundraising page. I am shocked each time another pledge comes in, and I appreciate your support for my training, but even more for this admirable cause. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
If you are able to give, even $1, please click here.
I'll be back with more training progress soon!
Training continues. I've been working to fit each run into a very hectic summer schedule, and so far, it's going well. I feel like I'm in better shape now than I ever have been. I look at the definition in my legs and the veins taking shape in my arms with awe. Whose body is this? What a journey! I believe that if I can continue along this path, staying healthy and injury-free, the marathon will be a success. As the days tick away, I get a little tug of anxiety when I think about how much closer each one brings me to Race Day. But when I'm running, the fears subside and I'm able to focus on the moment and be positive about the future.
I'm taking a recovery week this week, mostly because there is too much going on (Coast Guard Festival, Michael's craft fair, Emily's bachelorette, EMILY and JEFF's WEDDING!) to fit all my runs, and more specifically a 20 mile run, in. But last week, I completed my longest run yet: 18 miles! I can't say that it felt "great", but I was very pleased with the accomplishment and can hopefully build upon those miles from here on out. Here's the Nike+ widget:
I receive a few fundraising newsletters by e-mail every couple of weeks, and I was inspired by an article in one this week entitled "The Power of One". It suggested that many people hesitate to donate to charities or fundraisers because they are unable to make a large contribution. But every single dollar helps!
So, please... even if you are unable to give a large amount, keep in mind that every dollar will be put to good use, and every dollar is needed. A donation of $1 brings me that much closer to my goal! I am absolutely thrilled (and humbled) to see the donations that have already been made through my fundraising page. I am shocked each time another pledge comes in, and I appreciate your support for my training, but even more for this admirable cause. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
If you are able to give, even $1, please click here.
I'll be back with more training progress soon!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Welcome to the Beginning
Note to self: begin journaling effort at some point in the 13-15 hours of the day before 10:45 pm, when all thoughts cease to present themselves in orderly fashion.
In lieu of my own words of inspiration...
Can you see why I'm so touched (and a little bit freaked out) every time I think about running for this great cause? It makes me want to go out and RUN!
Well, okay. It's a little late for that.
Did you notice that I'm inching closer to my 150 miles this month? That'll be a first! ---->
Here is one of my runs for today... I broke them up for one of the Nike+ challenges I'm in.
Until tomorrow...
In lieu of my own words of inspiration...
Can you see why I'm so touched (and a little bit freaked out) every time I think about running for this great cause? It makes me want to go out and RUN!
Well, okay. It's a little late for that.
Did you notice that I'm inching closer to my 150 miles this month? That'll be a first! ---->
Here is one of my runs for today... I broke them up for one of the Nike+ challenges I'm in.
Until tomorrow...
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