Big News! - Training and Motivation Tips by Olympian Jeff Galloway

Oh my gosh you guys! Remember the other day when I posted about getting to meet Jeff Galloway and how much he has influenced me the past year? Well I just found out that I have been selected to participate in his official blogger progam!
Be sure to check in for training and motivational tips from Jeff himself!


Official Tips from Jeff Galloway:

When paced correctly, running delivers the best attitude boost you can get. Sustain this by pacing yourself gently during the first mile or three. A well-paced run enhances vitality for the rest of the day.  Start each run at least 30 seconds a mile slower than you will run at the end. If you have a Run Walk Run strategy that is right for you on that day, it's possible to feel good after every run-even the marathon. Running is the best stress reliever I've found. Research shows that running tends to activate the conscious brain which over-rides the emotional subconscious brain and manages the negative and anxiety hormones during and after the run. Research shows that as runners get faster, their stride length shortens.  A quicker cadence is the mechanical key to faster running. The finishing of a run that is longer than you've run in the last 3 weeks can bestow a sense of achievement that is unique and empowering-due to positive brain circuits that are turned on. You can't run a long run too slowly or take too many walk breaks.  You'll get the same endurance based upon the distance covered.

Rebel Runner

I did it! 

I am a Rebel and I went against what basically everyone said and I participated in and completed the runDisney Rebel Challenge.

For those of you who don't know, I was basically on bed rest due to a torn peroneal tendon from October 14th until January 5th. I was given the okay to go back to work on January 14th (the day I flew to California) but had the race vacation already booked and HR let me go on as planned. 

The title of this post is misleading. I didn't run the challenge. I walked the 5K, the 10K, and the 1/2 marathon. There were tears and a LOT of cursing. I ended up back in a wheelchair for days but was able to return to work as scheduled. 

When I hit the wall during the half and felt like I just couldn't keep going, I thought about my mom. She had diabetic neuropathy and was in agony every time she took a step. She used to say her feet burned and had pins and needles and hurt but were numb at the same time and I didn't understand. Well, now I do. I realized that even when she was at the very end of her life she was in pain and yet she didn't give up and fought so hard to the very end. I knew that if she could have taken one more step she would have and almost felt that I owed those steps to her. 

I was never athletic growing up. I tried, but I don't really like to sweat and I have asthma and fibromyalgia and really really like laying down. My mom was an athlete. She played tennis against Billie Jean King. I always felt like I disappointed her a bit even when I was named captain of the cheer squad.

I don't think she'd be disappointed this time. 

What keeps you going when you just don't think you could take another step? 

"Galloway Runner"

That's me!

If you had asked me 15 months ago if I was a runner I would have laughed in your face.

Then I signed up for a Disney race and learned about this training program that Jeff Galloway developed.

I was hooked. 

His run/walk/run method and magic miles helped me break through my "I can't do this" mentality. I quickly found that I had changed my can'ts to cans and my dreams to plans.

I ran the WDW 10K in 2014. Followed by several 5ks and an amazing first half marathon in October.

I got to meet Jeff at the Expo during the Star Wars half marathon weekend and it was such an awesome experience. He told me he was proud of me and to keep moving forward. I kept his words in my head all weekend (see my next post for details on how I did)

Jeff is just as nice and encouraging as I had hoped he would be. Definitely one of my favorite and most memorable moments of the race weekend.

Are you a Galloway runner? Who inspires you and/or keeps you motivated?

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! 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RMHC

***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.***

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?

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.