I quickly glance at my running schedule hanging up and notice what surely must be an error. It reads, 'Ogden Full -12 miles'. I blink, rub my eyes and read it again, 'Ogden Full - 12 miles'. Let me give you a second try as well, cause I know you didn't read that right either. Now go ahead blink, rub your eyes, 'Ogden Full - 12 miles'. Still the same? It must be right then if we are both reading, 'Ogden Full - 12 miles. Somehow I've got to figure out a way to use my own two feet and run (mingled with some needed walking) farther then some of you have to drive to and from work each day!
Have you ever had to map out 12 miles? Let me tell you it's not easy. I first thought I'd take a nice scenic familiar motivational trail run. After looking outside, I decided I really wasn't wanting to run in heavy mud covered shoes for that long of a distance. I then thought maybe I can run to my daughter's tumbling gym. Nope, not long enough - short 5 miles.
Frustrated with the idea of having to drive all over just to figure out a good 12 mile course, I decide to try out this nifty little website called 'map my run'. I go online and start mapping several different courses, all ending up too short. How can this be? I immediately decide that this website must be wrong, and hop in my trusty car and 'map' out a 12 mile loop run. As I pull into my garage, I had to humbly admit that 'map my run' website really was correct, and 12 miles is further then I thought. Do you know, I mean really know how far 12 miles can feel while driving in a car? How about running 12 miles? Let me take a moment and tell you how far 12 miles feels like when you are running it.
I think Ally's eyes are going to bug out of her head! 10 miles down, 2 to go!
Green! Signs of spring along my run
To run twelve miles (mind you this is at 'Christel' pace) feels like you have been gone long enough to be able to come home to fresh baked bread from scratch. You have enough time for the careful mixing, gently kneading, slow rising of the dough, and then the final baking of the dough (mmmm, that'd be a great treat to come home to). I even think my tree buds, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilacs came into bloom while I was out running. The weeds have grown so tall, I think there is a small village living in there. My daughter also grew like a week, up almost an inch! (Note to self - place a large boulder on her head so she'll stop growing up. If this works, I'll let you know!)
I sometimes think about what I miss while I'm out running, yet this is nothing compared to what individuals who are battling cancer miss each and every day as they sit through their next round of chemo; curl up around the bucket as the waves of nausea overtake them time and time again; weakly lay in bed stroking their child's hand as they try to be part of their life, listening intently to the daily tale of childhood fun - wishing they were stronger so they could have played too; looking into their families' eyes as they assemble around the bed in preparation of their last goodbye - ultimately missing out on the life that could have been.
Following our prints back home
This my dear friends is what moves me to keep placing one foot in front, to stay up late updating my running/fundraising website for those who have and continue to support me, as well as encourage everyone I know to support me in my desire to help find a cure for leukemia and all it's cancer relatives.
I choose this - to miss out on a little bit of life in hopes of giving another their life back. Take a minute to show as well as tell your family and friends that you love them; hold their hand, give a hug and kiss, lend an ear, a helping hand, your wheel barrow, scare those monsters out of the closet, and kiss that scraped knee better - Do these willingly, because you are able. What do you choose?
Thank you so much to:
If you'd like to help me fight Leukemia and Lymphoma, please visit my fundraiser web page where your online donation is 100% tax deductible and totally safe and secure: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ogden11/cgrangehic
Good Karma
Christel
Have you ever watched someone on the dance floor that's just so bad you can't help but watch?
You know the one, their arms flailing around knocking out who ever dares to get close, their feet polarized from the other, knees bending at degrees that seem humanly impossible, their face twisted like they smelled a rotten egg, yet a gleam of pride and excitement shines from their eyes. As you watch, you can’t help but stare at such a site. You hope your eyes don't make contact with them, and heaven forbid if they actually know you (of course you won't know them, especially someone who dances like that). Well, that my dear friends was me on my long run this past weekend, almost 8 miles worth of eye gawking embarrassment.
It was one of those runs where I couldn't get in the flow. My elbows swinging too high or too low; my feet striking the virgin snow in chaos; my breath like a wind storm, unpredictable and random; my heart rate soared and dived like a kite trying to take off, up and down as it rides the wind current until it finally slams down into the ground breaking it's fragile frame. I finished the run exhausted, leaned on my car to keep myself vertical. I was so excited about trying a new running route, out west along the Willard Bay dyke. Somewhere I’ve never gone surrounded by nature’s beauty; 4” of freshly fallen snow, huge chunks of ice breaking along the water’s edge, wild birds soaring over head. Even with this inspiring scenery, I still couldn’t finish with any degree of rhythm. I humbly opened the car door, slumped into the driver’s seat, and quickly drove away from the scene hoping no one would recognize me - the lone flailing runner and her two dogs (I think they were even laughing at me!).
This week, I'd like to thank the following individuals for helping me raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society:
Monetary Donations:
Scentsy Party Supporters:
I'm still in need of donations in order to reach my goal of $1,500. If you'd like to make a 100% tax deductible donation to help me reach my goal, please follow the link below to my completely safe Team in Training Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising page. http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ogden11/cgrangehic
Thank you to all those who continue to encourage, inquire, and inspire me. I am truly honored to be surrounded by so many great individuals.
Good Karma
Christel
Photos above (L to R): Me running (Elaine from Seinfeld dancing): Bird prints in the snow: First foot and dog prints: Ice chunk that looks like a sea horse: the long road back.
Today I survived my first double digit training run! What a run it was; a sunny, warm (56 degrees) day helped inspire, motivate, and revive my soul. During my usual challenging miles, 4 and 7, the motivation to rhythmically keep placing one foot in front of the other left me in the dust. I had to let my mind wander (usually not a good idea), luckily I ended up thinking about the reason I'm out there, thinking beyond my selfish self and towards those battling cancer; coping with the side effects of chemo, radiation, and possibly bone marrow transfusions. What these individuals would do to be able to feel the wind rustling through their hair, the sun kissing their winter face, to hear the frozen muddy dirt beneath their feet splash free from its frozen abyss. How they would love the struggle in finding their breath and steadying heart beat during such a meditative inspiring run. How can I complain about my lungs burning, heart racing, and knees screaming when this is my choice to out here, yet those battling cancer don't have a choice. So, I keep going - the internal struggle to find rhythm, balance, and peace in my body starts to fade as I embrace the struggle and keep placing one foot in front of the other. With each foot strike helping to find a cure for cancer as well as hopefully inspire others to support and join me in finding this cure.
I'd like to thank my many friends who came and supported this week, not only with my Scentsy party on Saturday but in other ways as well. For those who weren't able to make it to my fundraising Scentsy party you can still order! I will be closing my party on Saturday the 19th. Fundraising totals will follow after this weekend.
Thank you to the following:
Thank you to everyone who helped me this week.
Photos Left to Right: Shep (9 mo puppy) and I at mile 8: Ally (11 yr old dog) and I at mile 3: Large broken ice chunks along Willard Bay: Sun peaking through the broken ice along the Bay shoreline.
After only about 4 weeks of serious training, I've given myself a bruised toe nail. It's nothing dark toenail polish can't hide. As I cover my self- inflicted bruise, I quietly think about how a minor tenderness and discoloration of my toe is nothing when there are individuals who don't have the option to run because they are so sick fighting for their life as they not only battle cancer, but also the aggressive 'cure'. If you're lucky like me to be able to live a healthy normal life, thank the
Great Spirit and use your life to better another.
So I did it, I asked my family, friends, and coworkers to part with their hard earned money to help fund research for cure for cancer! Every time I think about this, my heart races, my stomach does flip flops - turning over in knots, and I start feeling the children I work with when they are taking a big test! Is this normal? Does it ever get easier?
In some ways I feel like a child at Christmas time. The anticipation and excitement seeing money donated to such a worthy cause, all because I asked. A fabulous local musician and artist, Amir Jackson, was one of the first to donate. My Aunt Barbara was also among the first as well (this black toe nail is for you my dear!).
I also have a neighbor, Corrine Barrientos (a Scentsy consultant), who is willing to donate up to 80% of the proceeds. Another friend, Carla Sundwall (a talented certified Massage Therapist) donating her time and all the proceeds while she gives chair type massages during the Scentsy party - heaven is waiting. Another long time high school friend decided to help by placing a donation jar at her work for me.
Wow, I'm so humbled and lucky! Yet terribly nervous about making my monetary goal.
Keep in touch to find out what else happens on this journey as I nervously step outside my comfort zone. This weekend - 10 miles!
What does it mean to 'Live life to it's fullest' or 'Step out of your comfort zone' and 'Do one thing each day that scares you'?
I don't know about you, but it makes me tremble thinking that I might be ready and willing to live the next several months finding out. Join me in my endeavor to 'Life life to the fullest', 'Step out of my comfort zone,' and 'Do one thing each day that scares me'.
As part of my daunting commitment to find out, I have decided to look beyond myself (this is also a new thing) and help make the life of cancer patient a bit more optimistic that a cure to blood cancer is within reach during their lifetime. To help me along this road, I have joined Team in Training (TNT), The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's endurance sports charity training program for the upcoming Ogden Marathon on May 21, 2011.
Crazy? Yes. A bit off my rocker? Yes. But then I remind you - the things we are most proud of have never come easy, they have required patience, sacrifice, and commitment. Follow and support me in my quest to go beyond myself, raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), and train hundred's of miles through bitter cold, snow, ice, and rain so I can run 26.2 breathtaking miles of the Ogden Marathon.
Today I am facing my biggest fear in asking my family and friends to donate any monetary amount you can spare. My goal is to raise $1,200 towards the cure of blood cancer. Cancer in all its forms has touched every one of us. Help be part of the cure and donate what you can. Don’t forget that all donations are tax deductible.
For ease you can donate through my secure, did I mention secure, website? Please follow this link: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ogden11/cgrangehic
Thank you in advance for your support
Christel
Wolfgang Buehler | $300.00 |
Corrine Barrientos | $170.00 |
Kyle and Ireland | $100.00 |
Andrea Fleishon | $85.00 |
Christel Grange-Hick... | $50.00 |
Karla Sundwall | $40.00 |
Kristine Smout | $25.00 |
Scott Jones | $25.00 |
P\ | $25.00 |
Adrienne Holliday | $25.00 |
Emily Shepherd | $25.00 |
Gwen McMillin | $25.00 |
Amir Jackson | $25.00 |
Barbara & Mark H... | $25.00 |
$20.00 | |
Paul Murdock | $20.00 |
$15.00 |
Do you have technical issues or questions about our website?
For assistance, contact us by email, or call us at 888-LLS-7177
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.