Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Raffle/Giveaway! Support a Charity and Enter to Win Great Prizes!


I am running the Glass Slipper Challenge in February as part of Team Ronald McDonald House.
For every $15 you donate, you will receive one entry into regular raffle drawings.
Prizes include:
$15 Road ID gift certificates
PRO Compression socks
Paceband of your choice
Energy bits with tin
Fabulous Bolder Band headband

Prizes are added regularly.

In order to enter you must provide your legal name during the donation (you can leave it anonymous when posting) and then forward the confirmation email to fromlazytolady(at)gmail(dot)com

If you'd like to donate without winning a prize you can do that as well.

To Donate/Enter the Raffle please CLICK HERE

Determination

Well, I've dealt with 4 weeks of torture so far thanks to a torn tendon in my right foot. I've been focusing on fundraising for my races in February to keep myself motivated. If you're a regular you know that I designed the shirt in this photo and was selling them to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. 
Well, let me tell you, the universe totally understands me. I have been having a very hard time emotionally dealing with this injury. The shirt came the morning after my hardest day so far. I love it. 
First of all the size small fits me! A year ago I would have ordered the large so that's awesome! 

Also, as soon as I put it on I realized that while I might not be training physically this situation is training me to keep it together and to keep going when the going gets tough. It has also shown me just how important running is to me and how much I have invested emotionally in this journey. 


This is me at the bottom of the first flight of stairs. I live in a third floor walk up... 

Have you had to deal with an injury in the middle of your training? How did you handle the frustration and disappointment?

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Proud to be Me Day 1 and Day 2

For the month of November I have teamed up with several of my social media friends in a "Proud to be Me" campaign. 
I will be following the daily prompts and will be spreading out my replies between this blog, my facebook page, twitter, and instagram. I hope you will follow along and tell the world why you are proud to be you. Use #proudtobeme to participate.

Nov. 1 – I love my (personality trait)
Nov. 2 – I’m proud that I ________

I love my compassion for animals. Animals mean so much to me and are so innocent and vulnerable.  I love that I am not the type of person who sees an injured bird and leaves it there. I will do whatever it takes to nurse that bird back to health and if it doesn't make it, I will cry as if it was a well loved family pet. 


I am proud that I keep going. There are days that seem almost impossible to manage. Between my anxiety and depression and low self esteem I often think/feel that I can't do something. I am proud that I have learned to not let these voices/feelings control me. I am proud that I completed my half marathon when others thought I couldn't/wouldn't. I am proud that I can take the bus to work even though it causes a panic attack now and then. I am proud that I fight my inner demons and don't let them win. 

So tell me, what do you love about yourself? What are you proud of?

Sunday, October 26, 2014

6 Weeks of Torture

It seems that I have come face to face with a runner's worst nightmare. No, not missing the race because I wrote down the wrong day (although that is a frequent nightmare of mine). I have an injury. An injury that has me sidelined from all weight-baring activity including but not limited to walking, running, and planking.

I partially tore my peroneus longus tendon.  This along with tendonitis and a neuroma has me in an Air Cast walking boot for 6-8 weeks.

My next half marathon is in 12 weeks. It' not just a half marathon. It's a 5k, 10k, and half marathon back to back over three days. I am scheduled to repeat the same thing minus the 5K a month after that...

Devastated was the word that first came to mind when I got my diagnoses. I felt like all of my hard work over the past 10 months had been for nothing.

A week in bed has made me think differently. I have had a lot of time to reflect on the past year. On my training, on how far I have come physically and more importantly how far I have come emotionally.

Running has become my therapy. It's become the tool I use to measure my strength and it helps me persevere. When I feel like I can't possibly deal with something, when my anxiety or depression gets to be too much, I think about how I've felt about a mile or two from the finish line. I have felt like I can't possibly go on, I can't make it to that finish line, I need to stop and quit and yet... I keep going. I keep going and I finish strong and I earn that medal and I earn that pride.

I ran my first race less than a week after being released from the hospital. I finished. I finished strong and the next day ended up back in the emergency department because apparently I also had the flu on top of everything else.

I am not going to let this stop me or hold me back. I am going to rest and recover and then I am going to run or walk or crawl my way to those finish lines.

"She turned her cant's into cans and her dreams into plans."
#sixweeksoftorture on Twitter @ladynwonderland and on Instagram @LadyHill


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Running for Charity - Fundraising Projects for Ronald McDonald House Charities



When I signed up for the runDisney Glass Slipper Challenge I chose to register through a charity. I did this because running has given me so much, and I wanted to give back in some way. (To be honest, I also wanted to avoid the stress that is runDisney registration day lol) 


I knew that reaching my fundraising goal would be a challenge, but I don't think I was ready for just how difficult it could be. 
These days everyone seems to be doing something for charity. This is AWESOME. It also creates some bumps in the road since everyone is asking for money and most people I know can't possibly donate to every one they know who's doing a fundraiser. I understand this and know that I need to get creative if I want to hit my $750 minimum goal. 

I post my fundraising link at least once a week, but I am careful not to post it so often that it starts to annoy people. I like to thank people that have donated so that other people can see that their friends or family are supporting me, so maybe they will too. Most of my donations so far have come from this process. In fact, my largest single donation was $100 from a total stranger on Twitter. I love the running community, so much support!

I also sent out an email to some close family and friends letting them know what I'm up to. I received a reply from one of those people with a nice note and a check in the mail the next day. I was humbled by this person's generosity. 

While the direct donations are wonderful and greatly appreciated, I am still quite far from reaching my goal. So, I decided to try and sell some shirts. I had a friend design them for free, and another friend who owns a printing shop offer to print them with the proceeds all going to my fundraising page. AWESOME, right? In theory, yes. In reality, no. Only two shirts were ordered so we cancelled the campaign and refunded the buyer. 

I was bummed, but decided to give it another go via another company.
Right now I have two shirts for sale, if I sell less than 9 of each they will not be printed. Hopefully I can get at least 10 of each by the end of the month.


Click the link under each image to be taken to the website where you can purchase the shirts. The sweatshirt is $35 and the v-neck tee is $20. 
http://www.tfund.com/princessintraining
http://www.tfund.com/princesstraining
I didn't stop there though. I also have a friend who is a Scentsy consultant and she is running a fundraising party for me. Click the link below the image to be taken to the online party and be sure to choose Kerri Hill's RMHC Fundraiser at check out. 20% of your purchase will be donated to my fundraising page for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
https://mariadebruin.scentsy.us/?partyId=257107437
I have an Avon party going on right now too, but it is not online. If you're interested in making a purchase you can reach me on Facebook.com/fromlazytolady and I can place the order for you. 20% of purchases will be donated as well.
                                       
Do you want to hear the best part of my fundraising efforts? Some really great companies have donated products for me to use as raffle prizes! Everyone who donates $15 or more directly to my fundraising page will be entered into drawings to win some awesome prizes. Some of the sponsoring companies are:
























Keep coming back for more information on my fundraising efforts and for updates on new companies added to the sponsor list! 

Running for Charity - Virtual Race for Ronald McDonald House

My friend Paulie recently joined me on Team RMHC and is running some great Virtual Races to help raise money for his fundraising goal.
Registration is now open for all to register. Please join us and run the Thanksgiving Gobbler Wobble to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Ronald McDonald House Charities' mission of promoting Healthy Children, Healthy Families and Healthy Communities. We will participate to raising funds to help provide care and comfort for families facing tremendous hardships. when their child is hospitalized. Please join us in helping those in need. Registration link:  http://www.active.com/fort-mill-sc/running/races/thanksgiving-day-turkey-gobbler-wobble-2014


He also has an awesome Fall/Halloween themed race going on now.
Reach your Distance this fall with the Hallowed Harvest Hustle. Walk, Run, Swim, Roll to your distance goals when and where you decide.Registration Link: http://www.active.com/fort-mill-sc/running/distance-running-trail-heads/hallowed-harvest-hustle-2014

Friday, September 19, 2014

"Scentsational" Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities

As most of you know, I am running the runDisney Glass Slipper Challenge (19.3 miles!) in February to raise money for Team Ronald McDonald House.

I'm excited to announce that my friend Maria offered to host a Scentsy Fundraiser for me!

When you order through this link and choose "Kerri Hill's RMHC Fundraiser" at check out, a portion of your purchase price will be donated to my fundraising page!

Scentsy is perfect for Christmas, Hanukah, teacher gifts, shower gifts and so much more! Scentsy has something for everyone and it won't break the bank!


Have you ever heard of Scentsy? If you haven't, be prepared to fall in love with the sight and smell of these sensational products! Scentsy Wickless Candles are highly fragrant wax bars that are warmed (not burned) with a light bulb in a ceramic warmer. The specially formulated wax melts at a low temperature, which makes it safe for children and pets as well! Who doesn't love it when their house smells good?!

Scent is one of the most powerful of our senses. With a whiff of a scent, one can be transformed immediately to another place in time. Relive warm memories, then make some more… just plug it in, it makes perfect Scents!

I would love it if everyone who was interested in purchasing Scentsy products in the near future would use my link to help raise money for the families at Ronald McDonald House. Join the Facebook Event to be involved. Share your favorite products/scents and ask Maria and other Scentsy users for advice!

Please invite anyone you think might be interested. If you prefer to order through the catalog and not online just let me know!

https://mariadebruin.scentsy.us/
(Don't forget to choose Kerri Hill's RMHC Fundraiser at checkout!)

For those of you who'd like to donate but don't wish to make a purchase, you can do so at the link below!
Kerri's Ronald McDonald House Charities Fundraising Page
Thank you for your support!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Deal Alert! Runner's World Magazine for $5.99 a year!

Wow! You can get a one year subscription of Runner's World magazine for just $5.99 a year!



You can find all the details here...
http://www.womensrunningcommunity.com/deals/deals-alert/runners-world-magazine-on-sale-for-5-99-per-year/

The deal is through DiscountMags and expires Monday 09/11/14 11:59 PM EST 




Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Running for Charity Series - Voices of Ronald McDonald House Part I

Today I would like to introduce you to a childhood friend of mine, Jennifer Lentini. Jen is a great example of why I chose to run for Team Ronald McDonald House. The following is a guest post from Jen herself:


"At 13 years old I received a heart transplant. The Ronald McDonald house was a wonderful organization that offered much more then housing to families of sick kids but support. My family lived to close to use there facility. Though , they had many actives and events that they had to help with not only the child that was sick but the family as well. I remember when I was 13 after my transplant that holiday season I went there to make Christmas cards to send to sick children. They also had Halloween dances and even if you did not stay at the facility they had activities for siblings to attend. Years later , I went with the key club in my high school for a Halloween party. It was extremely special because I was able to help younger kids as I was helped when I was waiting for a heart transplant."


Jen just competed in her first ever Transplant Games of America. It is now 18 years after her first transplant, and Jen has developed complications from the medication she's had to take from the first transplant. She has been told that she will need a second heart transplant and also a kidney transplant.  Unfortunately, Insurance does not cover all the necessary treatment and travel expenses.  Therefore, in order for her to receive the most optimal level of care and treatment for her condition, Jen is depending on our support.
If you would like to donate to help Jen with her medical expenses you can do so by visiting this link: 
http://tinyurl.com/TEAMJEN



Jen shared her story with us today to show you just how much your donations to the Ronald McDonald House mean to the families who use their services. The Ronald McDonald House is more than just a place to spend the night. It is a place that brings hope and smiles in a time of fear and tears. 

I am running the runDisney Glass Slipper Challenge in Orlando, FL in February to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. This race series consists of a 10K (6.2 miles) on Saturday followed by a Half Marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday. You can find my fundraising page by following the link below, and if you are willing to make a donation I would so appreciate it! 



***As an added bonus, you will receive one entry to an online raffle for every $5 donation made to the Ronald McDonald House.
Prizes include tee shirts, Pace Bands, Compression Socks, Race Distance Decals, Disney Princess Items, and more.***


Saturday, July 19, 2014

Spinning or Cycling Out of Control

So... This happened this week. 


I took a step outside of my comfort zone and went to the gym early, before work. 

A cyle/spin class was about to start so I said "why not?!" and joined in.

Whew! What a workout!! I didn't even do all of the things the instructor was telling us to do. I think that's a good thing though because 
OUCH!! Are my err ummm let's say bits, yes that works. Ouch are my bits sore!!

I couldn't sit after class and even today I am still sore. 

It was a fun experience though and I will definitely be trying it again.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Running for Charity - runDisney Glass Slipper Challenge

Well, it's official! I am a member of Team Ronald McDonald House!
I will be running the runDisney Glass Slipper Challenge during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend next February. I will be doing the Enchanted 10K on Saturday and the Princess Half Marathon on Sunday. It will be a total of 19.3 miles and it's all to help raise money for an amazing charity.


Ronald McDonald House Charity provides care and support for families of seriously ill, critically injured or medically fragile children being treated at area medical facilities.
Ronald McDonald Houses serve more than 8,000 families each day around the world, saving them over $257 million a year in hotel costs.
Guests of the RMHC pay only $15 a night, if financially able. Contributions and volunteers do all the rest.

A $15 donation sponsors a family for one night and allows them to spend time closer to their sick child.
It will also let you choose 2 songs for my running playlist to listen to while training and while doing my 19.3 miles come race weekend.

Please consider donating using the link below to help families stay together during a difficult time in their lives.
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kerri-hill-1/2015-team-rmhc-rundisney-princess-half-marathon-we


Do you run for charity? Which one and why?

Monday, June 30, 2014

Update on my "New Normal"

"I can't sleep. That's a lie, I fell asleep but awoke startled and can't fall back asleep. I keep thinking the phone is going to ring. Worst phone call ever. You'd think I'd be able to trick my brain by now but nope. 3 years after the fact and I am still fearing it. Sometimes I forget the call came, sometimes I pick up the phone to call her. Sometimes I pick something out in the store for her bc it would make her smile but instead it makes me cry. Three years of guilt, three years of anxiety, three years of a heartache my words will never give justice to. Three years that have flown by and yet they've taken an eternity. Three years Does this ever get easier?."

This is my facebook status from last night. Or early this morning I guess is more accurate since it was posted at 4AM.

While I don't think it will ever get BETTER, I can say that my "new normal" has changed yet again and that some days have gotten easier than they were before.

Running has definitely taken my life in a new direction. It's become a type of therapy for me.
This weekend I dedicated my miles to my mom.
I wound up running my fastest mile one day and my fastest 5K the next. 



Whatever you do in life, just keep moving forward and remember that you're looking for progress, not perfection. 


These mantras have become part of my new normal, and running has too. I run for those who can't, including my mom.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Transformation Tuesday - Week 1

My friends and family know that I LOVE social media. I love it. It gives me a chance to show the world the me that I see. I get to edit my life into a story that reflects what I want the world to see while allowing me to see the world of others that they want me to see. It's all very carefully crafted whether most people wish to admit it or not. This is not to say that I only show my good side, far from it. Some days I am overly dramatic because I need the internet to give me a big old hug and tell me that I'm special. It happens. If I didn't want attention I wouldn't have a facebook, twitter, instagram, or this blog. 

The thing is though over the past few months I have realized that the editing I've been doing hasn't been because I don't want the rest of the world to see me a certain way. It's because I didn't like seeing me a certain way. I was embarassed, or despressed, or something... I don't know. But I wasn't hiding from YOU. I was hiding from me. 

I've been using the transformation Tuesday hashtag for months now. "Well then Lady Hill," you may ask,  "why are you calling this post Week 1?"

This is week one of my mental and emotional transformation not just the physical.
As the weight came off you'd think I would be able to see it. You'd think that I felt good or sexy or at least empowered. I haven't. I still see the same "fat girl" I've been seeing for the past few years. 

I took a chance. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and purchase a new bathing suit. It's the first 2 piece bathing suit I have owned since I was 21 years old.
It's cute right??


While I may not be at the point of being comfortable enough to post photos of me in it on the internet, I was comfortable enough to wear it out of the fitting room and into the middle of Nordstrom to show Lord Hill how it fit. I took that as a sign to mean it was meant to be and realized just how far I had come physically and emotionally over the last 6 months. 

We were cleaning out our bedroom and donating clothes and it was so amazing to be able to donate clothing that didn't fit because it was too big. I decided to hold on to 2 pairs of shorts because I don't really own others and they had fit in Disney back in January. Well, it was hot the other day so I decided to put a pair on. It fell right off! I tried on the second pair and they were huge too.

I couldn't find a photo of me wearing them in January since I spent most of that trip in bed with the Flu (blech) but this is me wearing the shorts in 2011 next to a photo of me wearing them this week.
This is the photo from my previous blog post. I know not all of you follow me on instagram.


If you don't already follow me on instagram, you should. Go find @ladyhill and show me some love.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Progress

This is a side by side of January 2009 and January 2014.
I have been on and off the weightloss bandwagon since 2006. I never really tried anything serious and always have up.
Being depressed makes it hard to follow through with things and being over weight makes me depressed. The cycle felt never ending.

To be honest, I've been sick since sometime in 2013. A few ER visits, CT scans, blood tests, ultra sounds, and a recent hospital stay over New Year's Eve with biopsies, surgical procedures etc and I still don't know what I'm sick with.
It's depressing. 
So instead of laying in bed and being miserable I decided to "look on the sunny side" and use this mystery illness as a jump point for my weight loss journey. 
I will find some photos that are a bit more recent to show you the real current progress with the weight but these photos serve a different purpose. 

Look at me on the left. I'm in Disney for the first time in over a decade and while I was ecstatic to be there Inhated having my picture taken. I think it shows. 
Look at me on the right. I look like a totally different person. 
I feel like a different person. 

I am on my way to being the LADY I've always wanted to be, MYSELF. 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Finding comfort in my skin

I posted a photo on Instagram last night. I was feeling pretty good about the fact that a pair of shorts I've had for years had to be donated because they didn't fit. They were huge. I took a photo in the style of those weight loss ads. "then vs now" 
I felt good. I was proud. I posted it.

All day long I have felt anxious about it being up there. I have been embarrassed and felt like I shouldn't have posted it.

The photo only got 5 "likes" all but one of which were from strangers. This did not help my anxiety or self esteem. Sure, the time of the post could have had something to do with it. The day of the week. Whatever. But in my head it's because I am fat/ugly/scarred/ and just unpleasant to look at. No one "favorites" "likes" or "double taps" the ugly, fat, scarred chick. 

When I got home I contemplated deleting the image. I had every intention of doing so. Then I saw an image of someone larger than me doing almost the exact same thing as me. You know what? I double tapped that photo so fast my thumb almost blistered. I was so proud of her! She looked amazing. I got sad and hoped that she didn't look at herself the way I look at MYself. I hope she sees the progress, the determination, the hope, and the beauty that I see when I look at her photo. 

Then I realized that maybe she (or someone like her) was thinking the same thing about me. Even if just one of those 5 people who took the time to "like" my photo felt that way... What would it mean if I took it down?

So I left it up. For the world to see. For the world to judge. It's there. The before photo was from 2011 but the shorts for last summer. They were a size 11. I said goodbye to them yesterday. Today I said goodbye to the fear.

Follow me on Instagram @ladyhill to see the photo.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

I Run for the Bling (and charity) - Virtual Races

People ask me why I run. It's a very simple answer.
BLING.
I love shiny things. I love medals. I know that I could just buy myself some medals and be done but it's not the same. I want the glory that goes along with the bling.

The problem is that it gets expensive to register for all of these races and then travel to them. I also can't request all of these weekends off from work. That's when an amazing thing happened. Someone told me about Virtual Races.

I was hooked.

A virtual race is a "race" that you get to run on your own time, at your own location. Sometimes there are specific dates or a date range that gives you time to finish it, but all of the ones I have done allow you to finish using your own goals.
The distance for the race can vary. Some are 5k, 10k, 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles. Some don't have a set distance. Some you pick your distance when you sign up, others you don't have to tell them anything.

Cost for virtual races can vary significantly. I only sign up for the ones with medals. I pick and choose based on two criteria.
#1 - the medal design. It has to be awesome. Has to be something that I wouldn't get if I signed up for a local race.

#2 - the charity. Yes, you read that right, the charity. A LOT of virtual races are started as a way to raise money for charities. I've signed up for a few that were organized by individuals trying to raise the money for their charity sponsorship of a "real" race they were doing. I've also signed up for a few that just take part of the proceeds and donate them to a charity that I care about like the American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House, or Make a Wish Foundation.

I recently signed up for a super cool race series by donating to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital in honor of someone who is signed up as a charity racer for them. Are you ready to see the medals I will be receiving? I don't think you're ready...
It's the Frozen for Cures Virtual Race Series. By signing up for the full series I got a bonus medal. I am SO excited about this. You can sign up by visiting THIS LINK. It's for a great cause.


The organizer of this series has another series going as well. I know there are a lot of you who will appreciate this one. It's the Magical Friendship Virtual Race Series. You can register HERE and you'll get these amazing medals. Look how they all connect when you register for the full series!

I have signed up for several other virtual races and I will post photos and links for them once I've completed my goal distance for each.
I have found that signing up for virtual runs helps me get motivated for my training for my "actual" races that I have coming up.

Do you run for bling? What's your favorite medal in your collection?

Saturday, May 24, 2014

It's got to burn SOME calories, right??



I have been struggling to hit the pavement lately. The "Lazy" is really starting to show again. I've even gone so far as to get dressed, lace up, and then sat on the couch for 3 hours. 

That stops now. I had a bad week. I will not beat myself up over it. I will forgive myself and I will move on. 

How do you get yourself motivated to work out/run when you're feeling down or tired or just not in the mood? 

Friday, May 9, 2014

Friday 5 - Why I Run Edition

I used to do a fun thing here where every Friday I would pick a new topic and post 5 things that relate to it. It was always one of my favorite posts to do and I had a lot of fun doing it so I'm bringing it back.

5 Reasons That I Run:

1. - Something is chasing me. Zombies are scary, if you can outrun them, do it. Do NOT try to be a
hero.

2. - I did something or broke something I shouldn't have. I am basically a 5 year old trapped in a 31 year old's body. If I think I'm going to get yelled at, I will likely run far far away.

3. - I'm playing with Jazzy. We have a fun game where I hide behind something and she comes looking for me and when she finds me I chase her around the apartment. She loves it. I usually laugh hysterically the whole time. This is us after I caught her while playing a round, she's a little out of breathe.

4. - I'm trying to prove to everyone, but mostly myself, that I CAN run. I want to prove that no matter what others may think about my strength or endurance, that if I believe I can do it, I will do it.

5. - The Glory. The Bling. The Bragging Rights. I run for medals, I run to show off something that other people don't have because they were not as determined, or crazy as I was. I mean, seriously, check out this bling, don't you wish you had gotten off your couch that day and ran that race and earned this medal?

So tell me, why do YOU run?

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Transformation Tuesday and a Reintroduction

I find myself staring at these photos when I'm having a rough day. I look at the photo on the left, and I don't even recognize myself. I don't know how I got to that point. Medication, depression, poor eating habits and living in a state of chronic pain just all caught up with me.
Originally this blog was about becoming a better home keeper.  I've decided it's now time to make it about becoming a better ME.  Thank you for joining me on this journey. 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Crushing It


Today I took another step away from "lazy" and a giant leap towards being the "lady" I want to be.

I signed up for my very first half marathon! 

I am so excited. I am also nervous and nauseous.

13.1 miles around Long Island does NOT sound like a good time to me. I don't think it's a race that I will have fun doing. It's not like the runDisney events. 
So in order to motivate myself I signed up for a themed race. It's the Run Like a Diva event.

They will be giving out pink boas and tiaras and when you cross the finish like a "buff" man gives you the medal. They also hand out champagne and roses at the finish line. Now THAT sounds like fun. 

I will be documenting my training on Instagram and twitter using the hashtag #SeeKerriRun 

Twitter = @ladynwonderland 
Instagram = LadyHill 

Follow along and cheer me on during this amazing process :)

Friday, January 24, 2014

I did it!

I went from being lazy to being a lady with a race medal!



This month I accomplished something that no one, including myself, ever thought I would let alone could do.

I ran. In a race. I finished. I didn't even come in last. The craziest part? I enjoyed it so much that I plan on doing more races and running further! 


What made it even more amazing to me was that I completed the race exactly 1 week after being released from the hospital. I have been sick. Not "omg I'm dying" sick, but sick enough that I have been having blood tests, ultra sounds, cat scans, and more invasive tests since September. I spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (as well as some time before and after) in the hospital.

Crossing that finish line was such an incredible feeling. There are no words that I know that can accurately describe it. The moment after I crossed the finish line and was handed my finisher's medal I became so overwhelmed with emotion that I cried. 


I want to thank all of you who have accompanied me on this journey. Thank you for the support, for the laughs, for everything. I hope you will continue on with me because I'm still lazy, and this lady still has a long way to go.