The month of October has been challenging. It's been surreal in a lot of ways, especially the first couple of weeks. Recently, I've felt like I've been emerging from a fog - there are things I don't necessarily remember because I felt numb.
I took a risk. Despite the odds, I did it. It didn't turn out how I wanted it to. It might be considered a failure. Actually, it was a failure. I lost.
And I still haven't recovered from that blow. In some ways, I've been paralyzed. I've taken it personally in so many ways and it feels like I got hit from multiple directions. I'm not sure how to pick myself up. Except that's what I need to do - figure out the famous question from President Bartlet on the West Wing - "What's next?"
After a very dismal month of running in September (let's call this "the lost month", so aptly dubbed by my friend Laura), I turned to running as a coping mechanism. Granted, I still have not been able to get my butt out of bed in the mornings, but I've been fitting runs in and trying to get my schedule back on track.
As I've been trying to figure out "What's next?", I've been looking at some long range plans. And in a bit of a twist from my normal routes, I'm looking at things that will have me focus on me.
I've plotted out my Master of Public Administration degree program; I've made some financial plans; I've started blogging again and have started reading (for fun) again. I have some hairbrained plans for some projects for the upcoming year.
And now, I'm taking another risk - I signed up to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) with Team in Training in Washington, D.C.
Me? Run a half marathon? Hahahahahaha. That's funny. As my friend Dave says "that's driving distance!" I was happy to run 4 miles the other day. I made it to 4! Oh, and have I mentioned that I have NEVER been to Washington, D.C.?
But this opportunity is one I couldn't pass up. Not only will I do something for myself, I'll be able to do that while helping a great cause of helping fight cancer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).
I can't do this without support though - both mental and monetary. And that scares the crap out of me that I won't be able to overcome one or both of these things. But, my goal is to finish the race and make it to my minimum fundraising commitment of $3200 by April 9.
As time goes on, there will be multiple opportunities to help fund this adventure and donate to LLS. You may get an email from me; you may see my page on Facebook; you may see a bake sale, magazine sale website and other fundraisers. I realize none of this is going to be easy, which is why I'm asking for all the help I can get.
In the meantime, my fundraising website is here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/mi/nikewhlf13/angelaclock#
I've been told that this experience will change my life. I've been told that it's an amazing group of people. I am so excited and cannot wait to find out where this takes me.
I hope that you'll consider helping me get to the finish line.
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