"Part One" - Band of Horses

okay.


So I hate greatly dislike "part" posts. [part one, part two, blah blah blah] but there really is no other way unless you want to read a post for 45 minutes. And trust me you don't.

The "event" really started for me on Thursday afternoon . . . . when the treadmills were delivered [from Athlete's Performance]. It felt like Christmas day. Then it came in . . . the photo of my [heee hee] Woodway Treadmills. [you can check them out on Facebook here, oh and feel free to mention to them how you think I should get one for half price while you are at it. ;) ]

Next off to pick up Dawn - awesome. Did I mention she realized this was "outside" on Thursday night at 9pm?! hilarious. Sunscreen anyone?!

Then I got an email from an amazing blogger which yep, sent me into tears. [shocking, I know] but the most awesome email ever.


this.
is
why
I'm
running.

emails like this. stories like hers.

a w e s o m e.

in bed by 9:40. . . . alseep by 10:30. . . .awake at 2:00am

ya, not great but I'll take it.
The alarm was set for 3:30 anyway.

interesting facts:


nerves on a scale of 1-10 . . . . 1.4
hunger scale 1-10 . . . . 0.4
Let's get this freaking run started scale 1-10 . . . . 44.


Got a shower - ya, it was going to be a while until my next one.
brushed teeth - ditto from above
got dressed - thanks Vemma!
got Jesus [prayer time] ;)
got 1/2 a bagel down
got 1/2 pickle juice down
brushed teeth again - ya forgot about the needed to eat thing.
got my PRR bag packed, thanks Ron!
got in the car.
Checked phone. . .


Time read:

4:44

awwwww. heck. freaking. ya. this was sooo going to be my day.

We arrived.

Escorted to the "green room" --- ya, I just like saying that. "green room"

where Dawn got this little photo of me and my Peanut looking tired but ready!

Only spent a few minutes in the green room [wink wink]. I didn't even get a chance to look in cupboards or steal take free sample sachets of sugar.

next. the. walk. through. the. studio.
I so love that Dawn took this photo. It was a fun moment. Chatting with the news people about the "RUN EMZ" shirts. Scott Light, he was awesome.


SL: hey you really running for 24?
Me: naaaaa just thought it'd get me on TV.
[weird pause]
Me: yes, I cannot freaking wait.
[weird pause....did she just say "freaking"?]
SL: love the shirts. who designed those?
Me: Patrick [then I go on about him being a blogger, his blog name, that I met him in Boston,

, what kind of bike he rides, his shoe size and one day the design for the RUNEMZ shirt was in my email inbox]

SL: very cool. I'm going to run with you today!
Me: awww heck ya! Can't wait!


Set-up time . . . .


Ya. baby. the "RunEmz.com" sign. Thank you DAN!!

And yep, my parents, they rock.

not only was my mom [and my sister "happy"] my "manager", my go to in good and bad, my best cheerleader . . . .they also stayed the whole freaking night. Yep, all twenty-freaking-four hours.

We got the AC units going. All thanks to one "Randy" [this man is a one man show, he does it all]

Treadmills were leveled. I got my laugh on with my main man "Jay" [camera guy]. This man was awesome. Felt right at home.

okay now I'm cold.
Nervous cold?!

Enter Medical team [the freaking awesom-est ever . . DeRosa Medical]

bring out the snu.......ggie?!
What?!

fine I'll show you the photo.

Snug-a-licious.

I'm. a. believer!


Ya, I've got my "run emz" bracelet on. I hear they are going for $4.44 on eBay. Maybe that was in pesos, can't remember.

One last "I'm a nerd" photo . . .

then
it
was
time.

time for that 24 hour clock to start and start counting down . . .

time to run.
time to raise money.
time for the training to be put to use.
time for Sojourner.

"Why" - Annie Lennox

It's the question I've been asked the most in the last 9 days . . . . .

w h y ?

Why would you run for 24 hours on a treadmill?

[after my first initial thought......why. freaking. not?]

My true reply is:

I
do
because
I
can.

I'm doing it because [I KNOW] I can - and since I can, I am going to do this to raise money for Sojourner Center. 

From the moment I first visited it was a . . .

Life. changing. experience.

That's the response I gave yesterday when my intentions for this run were challenged.  I do most of my volunteer work with them behind the scenes. I like it that way.  But I felt it was time for something bigger. 

I've toyed with  the idea of this run for about a year.

I did not wake up one morning and decide to lace up my sneaks and pretend I could be like Dean.

But.  now.  I.  feel.  ready. [And my body will follow suit by May 7th] ;)

It's what I can offer today.  It's what I can do to raise awareness.

So I'm freaking doing it.

The marathon runner/endurance athlete eats, breathes, sweats and dreams about his goal - the ultimate finish line - dedicating himself to years of rigorous training in a quest to stand atop the podium, win an age group placement or the sheer joy of crossing the finish line.

It is passion, patience and sheer ambition that leads the endurance athlete through the challenges and obstacles on the path to victory.

I have my own finish line.  Maybe not one that others will ever understand.  And it may never include any significant medals that were won. 

And
That's
Totally
Okay.

My list of goals may be short one, but it's important all the same. I've spent years working toward my own aspirations, fully aware that most good things don't just happen to people, they evolve after a long term commitment to hard work.

Some may question my goals. . . .  Surely, there are other more important goals I could currently be working on. 

My replies: 

I am

and

to each their own.
My dedication to my family, my career and local volunteer efforts are all a part of my [mostly, very personal] plan to become a better person. I have filled my life with worthwhile interests and I firmly believe they will lead me to personal growth, a sense of fulfillment and compassion for others.
Every day I strive to live with passion [I may need to work on a little less passion or maybe the right word is "emotion"] but I do not want life to pass me by as I go through the motions.

So.  my.  friends.  this.  is.  why.

Emz

* To those of you who have asked about donating . . . . a big freaking huge, "thank you".  I hope to have the location [of the run] picked by early March as well as the link I will be using to accept donations.

Thank you.
Thank you.
T h a n k   y o u !

the best

Rock N' Roll 2010

AKA - The Sojourner Run & The "sisterhood" Run

Going strong. : )

Ewok [peanut] appears!

Not sure who to thank for the awesome heart decor on my lawn but - thank you!!  fabulous.  The new running glasses - from the Pita.  Flowers?  Tiff & Happy.  My new favorite photo in the whole world?  Taken by Auntie B.  Awesome experience.  Bring on NYC!