Day 6 - Community Love

Today has shown me how much I love my running and CrossFit communities. As we all know now - Hurricane Sandy has slammed the coast of New Jersey and New York.  There are a lot of ways for both the running and CrossFit community to help -- here are two I am doing...

First --> One of my favorite bloggers over at www.justkeepsweating.com is putting together a virtual race.  Her name is Carlyn and she is one of those who Sandy rocked her normal world.  Here is the information -- if you live by me, I am putting together a night for all of us to do the run together - next Thursday, Novemeber 15th - a 5K run or 1 mile walk from my Fleet Feet here in NJ.  You can get more information here but here is the main part --

1 .SIGN UP: Racing for Relief

2. Donate (Please note there is a $10 minimum) this counts as your entry fee

3. Download and print your Racing for Relief bib to wear while you run - if you come next Thursday the 15th I'll have one for you!

4. Spread the word and get everyone you know involved.The more runners we have, the more money we raise.
5.RUN RUN RUN!
Anytime before December 1st.
6. Post your times here
[Please do this before December 1st]
You can run on a treadmill or outside.
With a group or by yourself.
Not a runner?
Walk!

It wouldn't be a race without a shirt right?
Long and short sleeved shirts for men and women that will be available until November 30th.
You can purchase them here
All monatary proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

 

Second --> my box, CrossFit Aspire, is hosting CrossFit Athletes Vs. Gymnastics: A Showdown to Save the Shore.

 

Here is the info --  Its a friendly fundraiser competition hosted by CrossFit Aspire and Cherry Hill Gymnastics to help raise money for Sandy relief efforts.  The event will begin with multiple heats of a fun, all-levels workout. All area CrossFit athletes and gymnasts are invited to participate. The event will continue onto a 'Best of the Best' workout in which the top CrossFit athletes and gymnasts will go head to head for title of Best Local Athlete.

 

Registration -

IF YOU REGISTER BEFORE November 16th: Click on the free ticket and go HERE to donate $20 and get a FREE cool T shirt. Be sure to write "Pick up at CF Aspire" in the comment section when you order.
 

IF YOU REGISTER AFTER November 16th, or if you don't want the T shirt, you can make your donation above.

Spectators (family, friends, athletes) are welcome. No ticket purchase is necessary to spectate, but donations at the door are highly suggested. All donations will go to the Red Cross to aid in their relief efforts.



 

Let me know if you have any questions or know of any other awesome events!!

 

Hope to see you at one or both :)

 

~xoxo

M

Month of Thanks - Day 1 :)

Today starts November - I have lots of fun information to share.  This time of the year is my favorite - I LOVE fall and I like that I get Halloween, now Princess's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  All those holidays equal lots of time I get to go home to Tennessee and spend time with my amazing friends and family!! I'm also looking forward to an upcoming day in NYC with my mom (suppose to be my SIL too, but she got a NEW job (YAY!!) and can't come now). I am also trying to plan an Ohio weekend so I can see my loves - I'll keep you posted there.

Looking down on Alcoa as we take off!

Now for the most important part - Month of Thanks - for the first day of this month, I am thankful for the opportunity to live in New Jersey.  To be apart of something amazing! As all of you know by know Hurricane Sandy SLAMMED into our barrier islands - the coast is destroyed and a lot of families have lost absolutely everything.  Sunday - United Airlines was awesome enough to squeeze me onto a flight to Newark since my 8pm flight was cancelled. I can honestly say I have never been as nervous to fly as I was that day.  Heading back to the north east knowing a Hurricane was coming and that the Philadelphia airport was closing meant something BIG was coming. 

The flight was bumpy and many points I looked for a bag as I was scared I was going to get sick.  I forced  myself to try and read but with the turbulence I couldn't without getting sick. I forced myself to try and sleep. It worked for about half of the flight. By the time I woke up we were told that we were over Philadelphia and didn't have much longer till we landed and were waiting for clearance from Newark. I looked out the window and the sky was definitely getting darker.  I just wanted to be down and home.  Thankfully my friend Bobby came to pick me up in Newark. It was windy and rainy, but nothing to bad at that point.On the way home we got the notice that school was going to be closed Monday (kinda of a given but good to know for sure). Now, when we got home, he helped me make a quick food run and had dinner with me before he left.  I checked in with my girlfriend Lisa, who is 8 months preggo and in Norfolk on the base as her hubby is out to sea.  She was safe and secure.  After Bobby left, I tried to get some stuff done around the house but ended up just crashing.

Monday I woke up and turned on the news.  They just kept saying how bad it was going to be.  Dollface texted me and told me that the girls and I were welcome over there if I didn't want to be alone.  After going back and forth I figure it was for the best.  I packed myself up then went to pick the girls up from the boarder. We ran a couple errands and ended up at Dollface & cuzzo's house around 1.
Cuzzo was home from work not to long after that.  We stayed glued to the TV and news almost the whole day.  Thankfully, we never lost power at their house.  Scarlet wasn't a fan of all the wind and noise outside.  Kyle went out at one point and she stayed glued to the window till he came back!

 I am thankful for our power and safety.  I am thankful that most everyone I know is safe - some still without power or heat, but they are ok.  I am thankful that my friends like T with shore houses are ok and their houses are replaceable but they are not. I am thankful to see a lot of people I have meet from here head out to help others and to start the rebuild process.  New Jersey and New York both have a HUGE rebuild ahead, but I can tell you now that these people are ready to start it and get through it.  I look forward to being a part and helping out with community clean ups. 

 

I am extra thankful for my CrossFit Aspire family - and being able to go Tuesday and get my head off of everything, get out of the house and #GetAfterIt! Here is the crew who WOD'ed in the dark on Tuesday as our box didn't (and still doesn't) have power.

What are you thankful for today?

~xoxo
M

Be Still

What a past few weeks it has been!! I am getting to a point that I feel so lost in my own life I am not sure where to go next. The other day someone told me that I was selffish for saying that I did not want to stay in Knoxville. I love Knoxville and the good friends I have here, but I don't see myself staying here forever. Being 25 and single as the rest of your friends are starting to settle down is hard. I know that I am young and I still have "plenty of time" but who doesn't want someone to come home to every day? Someone to share everything with ya know??

Anyways - signed up to do TRI 201 with Shahin. It will prepare me for my first OLYMPIC distance Triathlon. Crazy 'eh? Who would have thought a year ago that this is were my life would be? Certanly not I and the more I talk to Duane about it, apprently not him either haha. He is doing well. He is still loving Cali. Hanging with kim again and maybe getting a promotion!! I will be thrilled for him, but every one in a while would be good to see him and def talk to him more.

We leave for Jersey in a month. I made a bet with myself - NO DRINKING till Jersey :) Need to stay focused on training and getting into better shape. I need to also focus on school more, I'm already behind the curve and its only the 3rd week :( And most important of all, I need to get focused on CHRIST again. I need to find the faith I once had. I need not worry about any other person.


Be Still, And Know that I am GOD - PSALM 46:10