Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Trying to decide whether it's worth it to upgrade to a more sophisticated blogger or not. I'll make my decision in a couple of weeks after I've kept this journal up.
Last Friday (7/26) I sent out about 60 letters to friends and families seeking sponsorship. Yesterday I received my first two donations, from my dentist and his receptionist (I think that's what Shirley is... though, she's probably more like and Administrative Asst.) I think it's the least they could do after all of the time I've spent in their office over the past two months dealing with this friggin' tooth. Actually, the tooth feels so much better now. I don't have that shooting pain when I eat or the numbing, maddening pain that went up the side of my face and into my ear. For anyone who has had a root canal, you know what I'm talking about.
Today was the first time I attempted the whole run/walk method my training group advocates. It felt weird the first time I tried it. My legs started to stiffen up right away. But the second time I started running (after a minute walk) I was able to get right back into my stride. So maybe I'll be able to do this method afterall. We'll see. A part of me just wants to be "Joe balls to the wall" and try to run the whole damn 26.6 miles.
Ha! What am I thinking?
Man, I would love it if Budd would join me on this mission. I really think he'd dig it. This whole run/walk thing would make it so much easier on him. More importantly, it'd be killer to have him there, running with next to me. I'll work on it this weekend.
Sent out 12 emails this afternoon seeking sponsorship.
S
Last Friday (7/26) I sent out about 60 letters to friends and families seeking sponsorship. Yesterday I received my first two donations, from my dentist and his receptionist (I think that's what Shirley is... though, she's probably more like and Administrative Asst.) I think it's the least they could do after all of the time I've spent in their office over the past two months dealing with this friggin' tooth. Actually, the tooth feels so much better now. I don't have that shooting pain when I eat or the numbing, maddening pain that went up the side of my face and into my ear. For anyone who has had a root canal, you know what I'm talking about.
Today was the first time I attempted the whole run/walk method my training group advocates. It felt weird the first time I tried it. My legs started to stiffen up right away. But the second time I started running (after a minute walk) I was able to get right back into my stride. So maybe I'll be able to do this method afterall. We'll see. A part of me just wants to be "Joe balls to the wall" and try to run the whole damn 26.6 miles.
Ha! What am I thinking?
Man, I would love it if Budd would join me on this mission. I really think he'd dig it. This whole run/walk thing would make it so much easier on him. More importantly, it'd be killer to have him there, running with next to me. I'll work on it this weekend.
Sent out 12 emails this afternoon seeking sponsorship.
S
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Last Friday i was asked to speak at a Cystic Fibrosis Golf fundraiser that was sponsored by the Krikorian family, who own a number of movie theaters in Los Angeles. It was an honor to be asked. I've never considered myself a public speaker. In fact, I was allowed to skip over that course my freshman year at Bowling Green (BG) because of my English scores. It was strange to be up in front of all of these people (some of whom make my yearly gross in a month) trying to convey what it's like to be a parent with a child who has CF.
To be honest, I don't know what the hell I was doing. I went up there and talked about who I was and the dreams I had growing up. Those dreams of being a big, Hollywood-type director don't have the same importance to me anymore. Jake's health is much more important.
Thank God Julie was able to come with me (Mom and Dad watched the kids) and it was much easier having her there by my side. I am a lucky man to have her in my life.
Anyway, it was quite remarkable to attend this fundraiser at a posh country club that overlooked the ocean. They held an auction and people were bidding thousands of dollars like it was nothing. On one hand, I was blown away that people could have that sort of wealth. On the other hand, I was thrilled that they had decided to share the wealth with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
In attendance that night was a little 12 year old girl named Jessica (I never found out her last name). Her uncle, Chuck, was responsible for the golf tournament and helping organize the evening. He had a great passion for trying to find a cure. In many ways, he reminded me of Budd and how my own brother has so much love for all of his neices and nephews and would do anything for them. So, Jessica was an important part of the night, acting as the face of CF. The program handed out at everyone's dinner seat told of the ordeal she's been through in the past year. Her lung capacity was down to 18%! But she fought back. God bless her. I pray that she continues to do well.
These kids with CF have to face their mortality at such an early age. I dread the day that Jacob begins asking questions, and the hard, painful truths we will have to give him.
Did not run today (Rest Day). Will do pushups, crunches, and maybe some yoga, tonight.
S
To be honest, I don't know what the hell I was doing. I went up there and talked about who I was and the dreams I had growing up. Those dreams of being a big, Hollywood-type director don't have the same importance to me anymore. Jake's health is much more important.
Thank God Julie was able to come with me (Mom and Dad watched the kids) and it was much easier having her there by my side. I am a lucky man to have her in my life.
Anyway, it was quite remarkable to attend this fundraiser at a posh country club that overlooked the ocean. They held an auction and people were bidding thousands of dollars like it was nothing. On one hand, I was blown away that people could have that sort of wealth. On the other hand, I was thrilled that they had decided to share the wealth with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
In attendance that night was a little 12 year old girl named Jessica (I never found out her last name). Her uncle, Chuck, was responsible for the golf tournament and helping organize the evening. He had a great passion for trying to find a cure. In many ways, he reminded me of Budd and how my own brother has so much love for all of his neices and nephews and would do anything for them. So, Jessica was an important part of the night, acting as the face of CF. The program handed out at everyone's dinner seat told of the ordeal she's been through in the past year. Her lung capacity was down to 18%! But she fought back. God bless her. I pray that she continues to do well.
These kids with CF have to face their mortality at such an early age. I dread the day that Jacob begins asking questions, and the hard, painful truths we will have to give him.
Did not run today (Rest Day). Will do pushups, crunches, and maybe some yoga, tonight.
S
Monday, July 28, 2003
Welcome to my training blog. If you're here, you know I'm keeping a record of my marathon training for the 2003 Honolulu Marathon in December. I am running to raise money and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
My son Jacob (20 months old) has Cystic Fibrosis and I am running in his name.
We began training this past Saturday (7/26/03). The group I am training with is made up of people running for City of Hope, a Cancer Hospital here in Southern Californina. I was the only runner from the CF team this week. There are two other runners that will be joining the team for CF in the coming weeks.
The first training session was great. We ran 3 miles and it felt nice and relaxed. I've been training on my own since April, in which I ran in 20 degree Cleveland weather while visiting my in-laws. Since then, I've gone as far as 7 miles in one run, farther than I've ever run before.
Ran an easy 30 minutes this morning and felt great. Capped the morning by buying Springtseen tickets for the Dodger Stadium show in three weeks. Stoked. My brother, Budd, is coming with me, so I'll be converting one more person to the Church of Springsteen.
That's all for now. I'll do my best to check in once or twice a week.
S
My son Jacob (20 months old) has Cystic Fibrosis and I am running in his name.
We began training this past Saturday (7/26/03). The group I am training with is made up of people running for City of Hope, a Cancer Hospital here in Southern Californina. I was the only runner from the CF team this week. There are two other runners that will be joining the team for CF in the coming weeks.
The first training session was great. We ran 3 miles and it felt nice and relaxed. I've been training on my own since April, in which I ran in 20 degree Cleveland weather while visiting my in-laws. Since then, I've gone as far as 7 miles in one run, farther than I've ever run before.
Ran an easy 30 minutes this morning and felt great. Capped the morning by buying Springtseen tickets for the Dodger Stadium show in three weeks. Stoked. My brother, Budd, is coming with me, so I'll be converting one more person to the Church of Springsteen.
That's all for now. I'll do my best to check in once or twice a week.
S
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