Krispy Kreme Challenge for Charity

A while back I announced that my son and I would be running/eating our way through a local event that draws thousands of participants.  It will be his second time participating in the Krispy Kreme Challenge, and my first time.  There’s something about gorging on a dozen day old doughnuts in the middle of a five mile race that’s just a bit daunting to me, and probably the reason I haven’t signed up prior to this year.

This race is a charity event, with proceeds going to the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, so I figured I must finally give it a go.  Hey, it’s all in the name of charity, right?  So, why not?  On February 6th, on what I hope will be a crisp cool morning (no snow/ice), we are running in the name of charity, and trying not to vomit during the second half of the race.  🙂

Since I found it extremely gratifying to raise money for the James Blake Foundation last year for the New York City Marathon, I figured why not try to raise some money for the kids in need of medical help here locally.  So, without further ado, I created a fundraising page on crowdrise.  This platform is so user friendly, all you do is click on the link below, and it will take you directly to our fundraising page.  I am trying to raise $200 for the kids, so in essence, that’s 20 $10 donations, so it should be a cinch, right?  So, help us get our fundraiser off the ground by donating today.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

I really hope you will consider a donation to this worthy charity.  Thank you!

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

New York City Marathon -Race Morning

It’s here, it’s here!

The planning has all been done, race morning logistics set.  The alarm has gone off, but believe it or not, I got almost seven hours of sleep.  A true miracle.  I feel good sitting here with my first cup of coffee at 3:17am.

This is how New York City looked last night as I went to bed.

Pretty soon though it will look much different.  Full of over 50,000 runners!!!

Here is the plan for today…..  We are heading out at 4:30 for about a 50 minute car ride to the Meadowlands in New Jersey.  From there, we board a bus for Staten Island.  I think the bus ride is about 45 minutes.  This should put us at the starting line village at about 7am.  Almost a full three hours in advance of the start of the race.  It is then, that the main part of the waiting begins. The anticipation, the last few hours before the 2015 New York City Marathon officially begins.

Bags are packed for pre and post race, so really all that’s left is a shower and donning my race gear.  I AM READY!

A quick fundraising update before I hit the shower.  I got very close to my goal.  I am within about $400 with several donations over the past few days.  The kindness and generosity of friends and strangers has really blown me away.  I really, really wish I would have hit my goal by the time the race starts today, but there’s still hope!  If you’ve ever thought about donating to a worthy cause, please help if you can.

Here is a link to my fundraising page.  It could be you that sends me over the edge!  The top of the hill, the pinnacle!  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if I were to cross the finish line in Central Park, and have a fully funded charity?  To my donors. You are all awesome!

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Mini Trump

So, what is your opinion of Donald Trump vying for the Republican nomination for President of the United States?  Do you think this is really a good idea for America?  Do you think it’s a complete joke?

Somehow he is still leading in the polls.  Yep, the front runner.  Say what you will about it, but I guess the red states see something in this man that screams “head honcho”, “leader”, “best of the worst”.  Whatever your opinion is, I think a lot of people, including myself, find him entertaining.

Entertainer, yes.  Celebrity, for sure.  Business guru, absolutely.  Billionaire, no question.

This man has a ton of money.  Just saying the word “trump” now means way more than a term in a card game.  Say trump, and it means money.  Opulence.  Wealth.

Now let me turn to this….  We need billionaires to share the wealth.  Haven’t you ever thought that?  What could I do with an extra $10,000 in my bank account?  How many bills could I pay off if a billionaire gave me just $5,000 out of the kindness of his or her heart?  Plenty!  I just need a small windfall, and I wouldn’t even use the money on myself.  I would use it first to fully fund the charity I am working with.  Really, I don’t need that much to fully fund it.  $970 to be exact.

I need a Mini Trump!

I need just a fraction of what this man is worth.  In order to fulfill my charity obligation to the James Blake Foundation, I just need like .00000097 of your fortune, Mr. Trump.  Does it help that I have been a fan of The Celebrity Apprentice?

I just need a Mini Trump!

Who doesn’t find this adorable?

Will you be a part of my Mini Trump Fund?  I am so close to my goal, and with only 31 days until the New York City Marathon, I need donors, both big and small.  Every dollar helps and goes directly to the fight against cancer.  Every dollar furthers research in gene mutations to effectively treat cancer.  Won’t you please help today?  $20, $30, $50?  $100?  Or more?  Just know that I appreciate all of the donations I have received to date.  I have raised $2,030 thus far, but need your help to reach $3,000 or even higher.

I am using the crowdrise fundraising platform, and making a donation is as simple as a few clicks.  Just click on the following link and it will take you directly to my fundraising page where you will be able to make your thoughtful contribution, and get your name written on my race shirt.  That way, you will be running through the five boroughs of NYC right along with me.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Thank you so much!

$25 a day and a New York City Marathon Experience

Most of you know, if you’ve read previous posts on my blog, that I am running the New York City Marathon this November 1st.  There are a bunch of 1st’s for this race, and here are a few.

-My first time running for charity

-My first marathon in the state of New York

-The first marathon my Father will be a spectator at

-The first time both of my parents will get to see me cross the finish line

-My first time in NYC since 9/11

Race day is getting SO close!  Only 41 days remain until I toe the line in Staten Island and make my way through the five boroughs of New York.  The excitement is certainly building.  This race is so iconic.  Epic!

I’m glad I decided to run this marathon for charity.  Let me tell you though, it has probably been more of a challenge though to raise the $3,000 I pledged than for me to run the actual race.  As NYC will be my 22nd marathon!  I’m so glad for this experience though, as my fundraising is helping cancer patients.  The research being done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC is being directly helped by the donations that all of my donors have made thus far.  I still have just over a third of the monies pledged to raise, and I need all of your help.

With just 41 days remaining until race day, that equates to an average donation of $25 a day that I need folks like you to donate to my fundraiser to hit my goal by race day.  If you could find it in your heart to donate, I would be ever so grateful.  All of the money goes to the James Blake Foundation.  Every last dollar.  I paid for my own entry into the race, so rest assured, the money you donate directly impacts the lives of those suffering from this debilitating and deadly disease.  Please donate today.  The following link will take you directly to my fundraising page where you can make a tax deductible donation in any amount you wish.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

What would also be a huge help in reaching as many folks as I can is if you would share this post on your own blog, or link to it on your own social media outlets.  I would love to exceed my goal before race day! Thank you for all of your support, encouragement and love!  I will be running New York for all of you!

A New York City Marathon Surprise!

As you all may have heard, ahem…  I am running the New York City Marathon this Fall.  I am running not because I got in through guaranteed entry (I’m not that fast, seriously), or the lottery.  I joined a charity team, and will be running the streets of NYC as part of the James Blake Foundation charity team.

I’ve blogged about it several times, reaching out for donations for this great charity.  As a matter of fact, several bloggers/runners/social media acquaintances have already donated.  THANK YOU!  If you haven’t donated yet, and have either promised me you would, or were “waiting on that next paycheck”, well, now is your time.  Today is Friday.  It’s Fundraising Friday, and it’s payday!  Step up.  Race day is getting closer and closer, and let’s face it, it’s for a good cause.  Be charitable, it will make you feel good heading into the weekend.

https://www.crowdrise.com/jamesblakenyc2015/fundraiser/paullaviska

Yep, click on the link above, it’s pretty easy to donate.

the big news?  The surprise?  Well, get this.  I got an email from the charity group two days ago with some big news.  I was told some time ago that there would be big news coming around the time of the U.S. Open tennis tournament.  The tourney starts next week, so the news came a bit earlier than I expected.

Do you know who that guy is?  It’s James Blake.  Former World #4, tennis player extraordinaire.  Now retired from tennis, but still doing boatloads of charitable work.  It is his Foundation that I am raising money for.  The email I got?  Oh, it was the announcement that James would be running the NYC Marathon!  Very exciting news.  Not only will this generate a lot more attention to his charity, but I’m sure I will get the chance to meet him, if not even run with him some.

He has never run a marathon before, and claims it will probably be the only one he runs.  I may not be able to beat him on the tennis court, but I may be able to best him on the streets of New York!

With this form, how could I not beat him?  Lol

Well, it’s not about who wins, but about raising money for cancer research.  I want to raise as much money as possible so when I hit the streets of NYC, I feel proud and accomplished.  I want to be able to look James in the eyes when we meet knowing that I did everything possible to help.

Please consider a tax deductible donation today.  Thank you!

My Fall 2015 Race Calendar

This Summer has been a mixed bag.  Some great runs, some not so great.  I guess that happens a lot in the summertime, at least it does for me.   I can never make any wild predictions on how my training runs will go, and it’s all based on the weather.  Hot and muggy, Steamy and boiling.  Sunny and humid.  They all sound equally tough, but typically make me stronger for the Fall race season.

I have six races planned between now and the end of 2015.  Two major races, both marathons.  Four, run for fun, pace for others Half Marathons.  This is how it will play out.

1st up…  9/13, and the Run & Ride Half Marathon at Carowinds Amusement Park.

This is a new pacing gig for me.  Pacing once again for Beast Pacing.  Target time of 1:50:00. My goal is to come to the finish within 45 seconds under my goal.  Just put a hotel room on hold last night, hoping to take my 17 year old son with me to ride some coasters after the race!

Next up, just six short days later on 9/19, is the Marine Corps Half Marathon.  This time I will be taking my 19 year old son with me, leaving bright and early on a Saturday morning for a 2+ hour car ride to the race location.  This race is run on the Marine Corps base Camp LeJeune.  It’s the first time I’ve had to provide my drivers license number, make and model, tag #, and insurance info for my car during registration.  They need all that info to expedite parking on base.  This should be a fun race, very military pride-filled, and inspiring.  Last year about 1,000 runners signed up, so it should be a good size field of runners.

Taper time!  After a few Halves in mid September, I will concentrate on my next race.  Chicago!  Running the Chicago Marathon for the second year in a row!  I couldn’t be more excited.  My only goals are to equal or better my time from last year, and enjoy the crowds!  This year I will be wearing my name on my shirt!

Six days after Chicago, I am pacing another Half Marathon.  This time closer to home.  I will be pacing the 1:55:00 Half at Greensboro.  Loved the tough course last year when I ran the marathon!  This time around only half the distance.

Ok, so I do have a few challenges this Fall.  The day after Greensboro, on hopefully not too tired legs, I am running a Half again.  This time in Durham.  The Bull City Race Fast.  No time goals other than to beat 1:55:00.  Should be a piece of cake.  And maybe a piece of cake after the race from one of the food trucks!  This is a great event that I had to skip last year because of running Chicago and Greensboro marathons six days apart.  I was actually signed up to run it last year, but just didn’t have the legs left to even attempt it.

All racing done now for the year?  Nope!  Insert another taper here.  The next two weeks after 10/19 will be total relaxation.  Letting my legs recover, and heal.  All for the epic event known as…..

Yes, I will cap off my 2015 racing year with an epic run through the five boroughs of New York City on November 1st.  This really is the race of the year for me.  This is the race that I have been fundraising for for months now.  It’s getting to be crunch time, and I still need help.  I really had hoped to have raised all of the $3,000 that I pledged to the James Blake Foundation before the end of the Summer.

As of today, I have raised over $1,600, but need for every one of my readers to dig deep into their pockets.  Will you please help my charity?  $10, $20, $50?  $100?  All monies go toward advancing cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City.  Surely someone you know has been either directly or indirectly impacted by cancer.  Let’s honor those that have lost the fight to this disease, and to help those that are currently battling cancer.  Please give today.

You can click on the following link that will take you directly to my fundraising page on Crowdrise where you can make your charitable contribution now.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Thank you for you help, and I hope you have a fantastic Fall racing season.  I hope you have as much run running as I plan on having.

Take A Peek! Sharing & Caring

I am a runner.

I am running the TCS New York City Marathon this year in honor of the countless cancer patients all over world.  I am running for charity, and my charity partner, The James Blake Foundation, raises money to further the efforts of cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Every dollar raised advances the research, and I am a proud member of the team raising money for this wonderful foundation.  Memorial Sloan-Kettering has the most advanced and largest cancer gene sequencing effort in the country.  In 2015, 12,000 genes will be sequenced and in 2016, 20,000 patients will have their tumors analyzed for genetic mutations.  The work they are doing allows patients to receive more precise and less toxic treatment, specifically targeting their tumors’ mutations rather than one-size-fits-all trial-by-error approach.  It is amazing research, and having long lasting impacts.  The Center for Molecular Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering is leading the revolution in personalized medicine based on tumor mutations.

This fundraising effort really gives more meaning to my training, and will certainly make my marathon in New York City worth so much more than just the race itself.  It feels really good to give back, and support this foundation.

My fundraising platform is Crowdrise, and I have a fundraising page set up there which makes donating to this fine organization very easy.  Just a few clicks, and done.  I would appreciate any and all size of donations, and I thank you in advance for your amazing help.

I am continuing my amazing partnership with Angie at MarathAngBands.  She hand sews amazing headbands, is a runner like me, and offered up her services to help make in impact with my fundraiser.  Any donation of $10 or more will score you a FREE headband in the Stars and Stripes, or Chevron pattern seen below.  As an added bonus, any donation of $25 or more will get you (2) headbands.  So, what do you think?  Donate today….

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Every dollar helps advance research, so please dig into that pocket and give today.

Wimbledon Fanatic

I have been a tennis player most of my life.  Long before running became a passion of mine, tennis was my life.  I first picked up a tennis racquet at about the age of eight.  I lived in a household of tennis players, and quickly became quite a good player over the years.

When I was growing up, I played every chance I got.  I loved it.  I loved learning, and I loved getting better at it.  We played as a family.  We played doubles, we played singles.  I played all the way though Junior and Senior High School on the tennis team.  My Senior year I played #2 singles, and finished my high school tennis career with a record of 16-2 that final season.  I made it to the State Qualifying tournament one year.  I played in several local tennis tournaments, playing men’s doubles and mixed doubles.  Actually winning three tournaments before I hit 21 years old.  I loved it!

I also watched a lot of tennis on television back then.  I loved watching John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors.  Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras.  Loved watching Steffi Graf, and Martina and Chrissy.

Once I got married and started my own family, I had much less time for tennis, or even watching it on TV for that matter.  I never lost my love for the sport, and even joined a USTA men’s tennis team several years ago when I once again dove back into the sport.  With age comes injuries, and I’ve spent the better part of the last few years with some pretty exhausting tendon issues in my elbows due to work, so I haven’t been able to play hardly at all.  This past Spring, I watched several of my sons tennis matches at his High School, and it really made me yearn to get back out on the tennis court again.  Here is a photo of him from the local newspaper.

Well, in honor of Wimbledon, this morning my son and I got out on the tennis court.  Probably the first time I’ve played in the last year or so.  It felt so good.  We had a blast.  The best news?  My arms feel good still.  The last time I played my elbows instantly hurt after a few rallies, and I could only play for about 15 minutes.  Today though, a full hour and a half, no pain.  Pretty stoked about it.

Because of my long time connection to tennis, and my new found love of running over the past several years, when I decided that I wanted to find a charity team and fundraise for a chance to run the New York City Marathon this year, my choice was clear.  I was a big fan of American tennis professional James Blake years ago.  He’s retired now, but started a foundation to honor his late father who died of gastric cancer.

This is James at Wimbledon….

He played with a lot of passion, and made it to #4 in the world at one point in his career.  He was always fun to watch.  I decided to join the charity team, and will be representing the James Blake Foundation when I run the New York City Marathon this year.  I pledged to raise at least $3,000 for this cause, which provides vital resources in finding a cure for cancer.  The research that goes into the effort is funded by donations.  It is very important work that they are doing, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a team member for the 2015 race.

I have been reaching out to family and friends, soliciting donations for the past few months and have made some great progress.  Funds have come from all over, from runners, and tennis fans, from strangers, bloggers and even my closest family.  As of today, 6/30/15, I have raised a total of $1,245.  Nearly the half way point in my efforts, I am asking for more help and donations for this fine charity.

Please help me to reach my goal.  It feels so good to give, so won’t you please consider a donation today?  Please share this post on your own blogs, or share in other ways so that I can reach as many potential donors as possible.  I thank you!

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

The link above takes you directly to my fundraising page where making a donation it so simple and quick.

Thanks again!

In Honor of Dad

My Dad and I live States away, and have for 16 years now.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, and especially on Father’s Day I appreciate all he has given me.

My Dad has always been so supportive, and most of my life it has been from afar.  It’s been almost two years now since my boys and I flew up to NY to visit him.

I will always cherish that photo!  My Dad is now 80 years old, and still lives by himself in a humble house high on the top of a hill in the town where I was born.  His roots are there, and even though none of his kids live there anymore and haven’t for years and years, he is still content to stay put.  We don’t see each other that much because of distance, but when we talk he always asks about the kids, my work and my running.

Because of his interest in seeing us run, we found a race to run in NY when we visited a few years back. He cheered us all on from the side of the road, and was there at the finish.  He really enjoyed it.

When I told him that my brother and I were going to be running the NYC marathon this year, he was all excited.  I told him I was raising money for charity so that I would have the chance to run it.  He kicked in $100 donation to the cause, which was so appreciated.  For an 80 year old man living on a tight, fixed income, this was a huge gesture!

I made a promise to my Dad, that if I raised my $3,000 minimum goal, and got to run the race, that I would drive up to his house personally, and drive him to NYC for the race.  (He lives about three hours away from the City). That’s a 10 hour drive to pick him up, and another three to my brothers house in Jersey.  My Dad will be there to watch us run!  I couldn’t be happier about that.

I still need plenty of donations if I am going to run NYC though.  I am nearing the halfway mark, and every dollar counts.  Won’t you please consider a donation to the James Blake Foundation which raises money for cancer research?

The following link will take you directly to my fundraising page on Crowdrise.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

A thousand thanks!  And Happy Father’s Day to all you Dad’s out there today!

Every $ Counts

For the first time in my running career, I am running a race with a charity team.   I have been fundraising for the James Blake Foundation the past few months, and with a few more donations I will be halfway to my goal.  I pledged to raise a minimum of $3,000 for this charity.  Every donation goes directly to the charity that is doing great work in researching cures for cancer and bringing new discoveries more quickly to cancer patients.  I couldn’t be happier to be doing my part in the fight to end this terrible disease.

Through the kind donations of so many of my friends, family members, bloggers and other social media contacts in the running community and beyond, I am closing in on my goal.  I really wanted to push the envelope and hopefully reach my goal by the end of Summer.  Well, Summer officially begins very soon.

Won’t you please consider a tax deductible donation to this fine charity today?

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

This link takes you directly to my fundraising page, where every dollar counts!

As an added bonus for the next several weeks, I am partnering with Angie, who has a small business selling headbands.  She hand sews these, and makes each with runners love!  We came up with a few new styles for the Summer…

Any donation you make toward my charity $10 and up will score you one of these unique headbands.  And because Angie is super cool, and runs about every race her legs can handle, so has decided to throw in a special offer to help me reach my goal even quicker.  You see, she makes headbands in about a billion styles, as evidenced here….

And here…..

And here….

See? I told you!  Angie’s special offer?  For any donation $20 and up directly to my fundraising page, you will get the stars pattern or chevron pattern (your choice), and then she is going to send you a second headband from her inventory as an added bonus.  It’s like buying mystery pins at Disney.  It’s a great deal, but you don’t know which one you get until you open the package.

You can head over to Angie’s blog here. https://www.marathang.wordpress.com. You’ll see, when you check out her blog that she runs practically every race that exists!  Lol. I think she is maybe more of a running addict than I am.  Angie’s generosity is incredible, and I am so thankful to her for supporting my cause in this unique way.