Hello again (long awaiting readers/bloggers/family)
Tomorrow I embark on an exciting new journey, I'm not even sure how to classify it (and as a Type A personality that means A LOT!) I've been slighlty mysterious the past month or so... your inbox has not been overflowing with donation requests, event invites, or the threatening "DONATE NOW!" messages it is accustomed to. The story begins about a month and a half ago. I was at the CCFA office making calls for the Team Challenge 2011 Napa to Sonoma info meetings, attempting call people and have them commit to attending an info meeting to hear about the amazing Team Challenge journey. I had no idea this simple "call night" would lead me on one of those life changing journeys.
As I sat at Becky's desk dialing the numbers on my spreadsheet I was listening to Becky (Team Challenge) and Shannon (Take Steps) chitchat in the corner. Between calls I'd add my 2 cents and dial the next person on my list. As it turned out Shannon was moving........ to Texas! I sort of jokingly (not wanting to sound DESPERATE to leave my current job) said, "Oh, so your position is open?!" and Becky and Shannon perked up, "YES! why, are you interested?!" Needless to say, Becky was more than happy to print me a copy of the job description and encouraged me to send in my resume. She is the bestest!
The next day I frantically called in my troops!! OH MY GOD!!! I'm going to attempt to switch careers! A little known secret... wait for it... months before I was walking around the Pettit National Ice Center with my cousin Molly. Contemplating life and feeling utterly hopeless in my "career" choice. Its a pretty sensitive subject that only a select few knew about, I was super frustrated. I spent the past 6 years and THOUSANDS of dollars on my education. I don't feel like I truly use my education in my day to day activities and question myself fairly regularly, is this really what I want to be doing?
The practical side of me says, "shut your mouth, you have a job and a paycheck, ingrate!" while the other side of me says, "some of this is (God, forbid) unethical; I feel anxious as I leave work; I feel like I spent this much money to be treated like THIS by my supervisor?!" and so on, and so on.
But back to the Pettit, I sincerely asked my cousin, "what do you see me doing with my life?" and she told me straight up: helping non-profits, being a planner, raising money, raising awareness. This was just what I needed to hear. As I did the first season of TC, I realized how much I loved planning events. Its what I did in college, be it through Student Programming Board, Psychology Club (yup, I'm a nerd!), and even AOII... Why didn't my adviser ever say, "there's more to a psychology degree than grad school"...?!?!? I mean, I had TONS of opportunities, networking, and experience with planning events. But the only option presented was grad school for either your MA or PhD. And here is my cousin telling me this would be a great career path!!
So once again, in secret, I applied a few places, not really getting my hopes up, because I am grateful to have a job and a career change NOW would be crazy. Needless to say, I didn't get much of a response until that call night.
As the TC season kicked off I prepped for my phone interview, nervous, apprehensive, and not too hopeful that there could be a life change in the near future. It took the pressure off, honestly, I was thinking "how nice of them to appease me with a phone interview"... well that turned into a real interview and now here I am.
As a result of my very exciting new job, with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Take Steps Manager, I will be giving up Team Challenge 2011 Napa to Sonoma. Its bittersweet but I am accepting of the fact that ONE race, ONE weekend is nothing compared to a lifetime of happiness. Although I am dissappointed and SO grateful to people that donated to my fundraising, I will not be able to continue with Team Challenge. I am hoping to do another 1/2 Marathon between now and October. I am hoping to raise money for ALS to honor the woman I started running for, my grandma. It may not be an official training program or an offical team or a wine party at the end. But it will more than suffice!
I am registered for the Chicago Marathon October 9, 2011; I will be decked out in my Betty's Butterflies in lieu of participating in the Milwaukee ALS Walk (happening on the SAME day!! What are the odds?) Thank you all for your support and donations over the past 2 TC seasons, please know that your money has help so so so so so many people suffering with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis live a better life. Thank you all!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Point Bock
Participated in my first Point Bock 5 Mile Race this weekend, it was a-mazing! We started out a little anxious after a night of rain and snow in MKE but Steven's Point was nice and dry. It was, however, chilly- very, very, very CHILLY!!
The intention of registering for Point Bock was "motivation" for the winter, well... needless to say training lagged for most of the dark, cold, icy, days of december-february. My goal was a sub 55minutes or just to finish, either way I was going to enjoy the "destination" run in Steven's Point. My goal of sub 55 was accomplished in 53min 11 seconds, but at the end of it all that really seems irrelevant. Please indulge my story.
I registered with 2 Team Challenge teammates and was super excited, primarily for the beer, but also the thrill of the race.
As the starting gun went off I was chilled, nose was running, and tired from the long trek up "north der". As I started moving like molasses with the mass I felt good. I mean, I randomly ran 7 miles just 2 weeks ago... this should be easy. About half way my legs started feeling heavy, like concrete, but I think the cold kept me moving. At the turn around point I was excited to see my TC teammates pulling up the rear. I first spotted Sara and waved and cheered for her, she was super close behind me. So pround of her! Then out of NOWHERE my good friend Lisa, the girl that wanted to back out and be a "cheerleader" was plugging along. I was so happy to see her a) not quitting b) kicking butt c) with a smile on her face. It was great!
I thought "less than half way to beer" best horse and carrot I can think of. As I headed back a long straight away I got super hot. I took off the ninja mask, did I mention I was ninja running? And wanted to unzip my jacket but my race bib was affixed to both sides of the zipper. I wanted my TC singlet to show through at the finish line, and boy, was I hot!
As I reached the home stretch I felt really good~ I was almost done and pushing through the cold. I ran down the middle of the road on the double yellow line as if it was a fishing line pulling me to the finish. It was great. Then I remembered my free beer. That felt REALLY great. :)
After the finish I tought about going to our designated "meeting area" but decided the beer tent was a better option than the light pole next to the port-o-potties. I picked up my first of too many "dark ales" and chugged it down. I thought I would be perfect timing to see Lisa cross the finish line and cheer her on. I walked out of the tent and saw that Sara had just finished and was chatting across the way. I headed over to meet up with her. No sooner that we met up did I see Lisa coming down the straight away. We made our way closer to the fence and cheered her on!!
As we chatted and mingled in the overcrowded beer tent, a woman saw my Team Challenge singlet. She disclosed her daughter was just diagnosed with Crohn's a year and a half ago. She described all the obstacles, pain, and treatments she has gone through. She happily reports she was finally able to study abroad after 2 trips were post-poned because of her health issues. As tears streamed down our faces it was yet another reminder of why this whole experience is so life changing. You never know who you are going to meet or how you will change their life. My thoughts and prayers go out to this woman's daughter, that she can enjoy the remainder of her trip abroad and return home healthy.
Challenge. Change. Cure.
(yes, that is my new sweaty bands "Betty's butterflies" headband!) Gotta represent all my causes :)
The intention of registering for Point Bock was "motivation" for the winter, well... needless to say training lagged for most of the dark, cold, icy, days of december-february. My goal was a sub 55minutes or just to finish, either way I was going to enjoy the "destination" run in Steven's Point. My goal of sub 55 was accomplished in 53min 11 seconds, but at the end of it all that really seems irrelevant. Please indulge my story.
I registered with 2 Team Challenge teammates and was super excited, primarily for the beer, but also the thrill of the race.
As the starting gun went off I was chilled, nose was running, and tired from the long trek up "north der". As I started moving like molasses with the mass I felt good. I mean, I randomly ran 7 miles just 2 weeks ago... this should be easy. About half way my legs started feeling heavy, like concrete, but I think the cold kept me moving. At the turn around point I was excited to see my TC teammates pulling up the rear. I first spotted Sara and waved and cheered for her, she was super close behind me. So pround of her! Then out of NOWHERE my good friend Lisa, the girl that wanted to back out and be a "cheerleader" was plugging along. I was so happy to see her a) not quitting b) kicking butt c) with a smile on her face. It was great!
I thought "less than half way to beer" best horse and carrot I can think of. As I headed back a long straight away I got super hot. I took off the ninja mask, did I mention I was ninja running? And wanted to unzip my jacket but my race bib was affixed to both sides of the zipper. I wanted my TC singlet to show through at the finish line, and boy, was I hot!
As I reached the home stretch I felt really good~ I was almost done and pushing through the cold. I ran down the middle of the road on the double yellow line as if it was a fishing line pulling me to the finish. It was great. Then I remembered my free beer. That felt REALLY great. :)
After the finish I tought about going to our designated "meeting area" but decided the beer tent was a better option than the light pole next to the port-o-potties. I picked up my first of too many "dark ales" and chugged it down. I thought I would be perfect timing to see Lisa cross the finish line and cheer her on. I walked out of the tent and saw that Sara had just finished and was chatting across the way. I headed over to meet up with her. No sooner that we met up did I see Lisa coming down the straight away. We made our way closer to the fence and cheered her on!!
As we chatted and mingled in the overcrowded beer tent, a woman saw my Team Challenge singlet. She disclosed her daughter was just diagnosed with Crohn's a year and a half ago. She described all the obstacles, pain, and treatments she has gone through. She happily reports she was finally able to study abroad after 2 trips were post-poned because of her health issues. As tears streamed down our faces it was yet another reminder of why this whole experience is so life changing. You never know who you are going to meet or how you will change their life. My thoughts and prayers go out to this woman's daughter, that she can enjoy the remainder of her trip abroad and return home healthy.
Challenge. Change. Cure.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
What have I done?!
Today it totally sunk in... I am supposed to run a FULL marathon in 8 months! That may seem like a long way off but seriously, my runs have been lacking. I miss the sunshine, warm temperatures and well, enough daylight hours to get something tangible accomplished. Despite having a really good treadmill run on Tuesday the reality hit today as I was discussing my "simple 5 miler" next weekend which I am not at all prepared. Don't get me wrong, I somehow pulled 7 miles out last weekend, but I was motivated by the birthday-depression-rage-denial-adrenaline!!
Despite my eagerness to start Team Challenge Training for Napa-Sonoma 1/2, I am super nervous about my full marathon. Is it too much too soon after Napa. Will I PHYSICALLY be able to do this? What if I die? What if I tip over? What if. what if. what if.
In my deluded efforts to "prep" for the half marathon I bought a "sweaty band" specifically to motivate myself to get out there and RUN! Why does a HEADBAND motivate, well its a $15 super headband, and its super cute. And I'm a girl. I need silly things like outfits and new shoes and, hell, a headband to feel cute while running. Trust me, I'm laughing at myself right now.
Team Challenge! I'm so eager for it to begin. Its recruitment time which makes me nervous. My running-clique is basically made up of TC alumni that are not able to do TC AGAIN. I feel like TC helped me achieve what I never thought was possible and I want to pass that on to others. That feeling of, "holy cow! I just did that! I just kicked major booty!" I know that if
I can, anyone can.
My new sweaty bands:
In honor of half marathon completions and trainings-
My Betty's Butterflies headband-
And the whole tamale- the Chicago Marathon 10.9.11-
And of course the daily quote and FUNDRAISING:
Donate to CCFA! Doooooo it!
Despite my eagerness to start Team Challenge Training for Napa-Sonoma 1/2, I am super nervous about my full marathon. Is it too much too soon after Napa. Will I PHYSICALLY be able to do this? What if I die? What if I tip over? What if. what if. what if.
In my deluded efforts to "prep" for the half marathon I bought a "sweaty band" specifically to motivate myself to get out there and RUN! Why does a HEADBAND motivate, well its a $15 super headband, and its super cute. And I'm a girl. I need silly things like outfits and new shoes and, hell, a headband to feel cute while running. Trust me, I'm laughing at myself right now.
I can, anyone can.
My new sweaty bands:
In honor of half marathon completions and trainings-
My Betty's Butterflies headband-
And the whole tamale- the Chicago Marathon 10.9.11-
And of course the daily quote and FUNDRAISING:
"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner
Donate to CCFA! Doooooo it!
Monday, February 14, 2011
BOWLIN for the COLON
Bowling to raise money for the
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.
Looking for fun way to spend your Sunday?
9 PIN TAP
Come join us!
Where: Root River Center
7220 W. Rawson Ave., Franklin, WI 53132
When: Sunday, April 17, 2011
Time: 1:00pm –5:00pm
(Registration beings at 12:30)
Cost: $20 per person
Includes: 3 games of bowling
Bowling shoes
1 raffle ticket
Some snacks will be provided.
First 80 bowlers to RSVP get to bowl!
5 Bowlers to a lane
Please RSVP by April 8, 2011!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Fund Raising CAN Be FUN!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Super Bowl Squares
2011 Super Bowl Squares
For Crohn’s & Colitis
What better way to make a charitable donation as well as a chance for you to win money than the Super Bowl? It is very simple; all you need is $10! You pick your square(s); once all squares are selected I will use a random number draw to line up the board. I’ll contact you with your numbers before the game. All you need to do is watch the big game (Feb. 6th) and cheer for the winning numbers!!
How it Works:
Donate $10 for each square you would like, the more you donate the more chances you have to WIN WIN WIN!
50% of the total donated pot will go to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCFA). The other 50% will be divided between the winners!
1st quarter-$50
Half time-$50
3rd quarter-$50
Final Score-$350
After the game I will contact the winners and send you the winnings as well as send in the donation to CCFA.
Checks payable to: Laura Bolger, I will have to cash the checks for the winning pot.
Thank you for your donation to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
Please mail checks to:
Laura Bolger
2150 W. Meyer Ln
Apt. 2205
Oak Creek, WI 53154
You want your winnings, don’t you? Please include the following:
Name:
Preferred way for me to contact you (email address, phone #):
Number of squares:
Cash or Check?
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