Announcement/Implementing a Goal

I am 99% committed now. The final step is to work with Deb Hanlon of NF Inc. to get officially registered for the Eugene half marathon on May 3rd.

http://www.eugenemarathon.com/

I completed the first couple steps already:

a) to write it down on a sheet of paper posted next to my computer

AND

b) to commit myself to a training program and to write/report about each run

I tell Harley each time I successfully complete a run and I have also been reporting it as my status on facebook. So those are 2 big things to help commit you to a goal (writing it down where you will see it and be reminded of it everyday & getting started on the project and reporting your progress).

To be completely honest, while I am running I get determined to finish and complete it because I don't want to report that I failed. It is empowering to be able to say that you followed through. When you commit to other people, it holds a lot more weight than if you only committed to yourself or kept it secret. It is a HUGE motivator.

I was exploring some more half marathon tips/training (geared to the first timer) and I came across some great advice from www.DailyRuns.com.

Here are the tips which I have begun implementing:

"Staying Motivated"

"Speaking of goals, write yours down. Why are you running this half marathon?"

"A few more tips for staying motivated:"

"1) Chart your progress. Sign-up for a free online tracker where you record your workout, speed, time, distance, energy level, heart rate, and even the mileage on your shoes.

2) Sign-up for your race. Why wait? Go online today and sign up for your race, confirming your commitment to make it happen.

3) Tell everyone you know you're running a half-marathon. There's a two-fold advantage to this strategy. One, people will be impressed. That's always fun. And two, now you're on the line to report how you did in the race. Extra laps, anyone?

Running for Charity

4) Another motivator is to make your race about more than just you by participating in a charity drive."

Today I officially announced on facebook what I am doing. Up till now, I had only mentioned going on training runs but did not say why.

I also discovered an online training log through active.com where I can document my progress and keep track.

My final step is to actually get registered (which NF Inc. is helping me with) and to setup my fundraising page this week. That is a big one. The physical training is one part but the actual fundraising is another which can be emotionally and mentally demanding.

I have taken a short break for the past month and a half - 2 months to re-energize in this area. I am a person who cannot be "on" 24-7 and I need to ease back for a little bit before taking on the next project.


As you know, I am also a patient of what I am advocating for and to be effective I must get in touch with the realities and possiblities which are part of this disorder. For the most part I have been pretty lucky (lucky that my face is not badly disfigured, I can still see out of both eyes, I am able to eat normally and can eat what I want;no feeding tube, I am able to do physically demanding activities still and am not dependant on a cane or need a wheelchair, aside from some memory loss I am still a pretty smart person and my brain pathways have continued to improve since the radiosurgery in 2004, I have only had 1 brain surgery so far, I have not had a spinal surgery, I have only had 1 surgery overall and I am the amazingly late age of 37, and I did not begin losing hearing until my late 20s and became completely deafened in my early 30s). Yet, others are not so lucky and the NF2 community has had to deal with some deaths over the past few years (one as recently as Dec 26th, 2008 of our beloved web master who was only 33). Further, someone is always going in for a surgery or treatment and the anxiety is high for everyone. It happens so often that it is hard to keep track of everyone who is having surgery! So believe me when I tell you that I am extremely blessed and lucky make it this far with only 1!

All this really wears on the soul and morale. I think I can speak for many when I say that the question repeatedly pops inro our heads "Is the same thing going to happen to me? What more is to come and how long before it happens?"

But I am getting off of topic now. The issue I wanted to bring forth is about the steps to actually implementing a goal. I hope my marathon training provides you an example of how to get started and I would be honored to have you follow along with my progress.

Why am I running a half marathon by the way? (I never really mentioned it.)

A) May is NF awareness month and I felt responsiblity for representing us in the NW. The Eugene marathon in Oregon is the only NW marathon in May where I could get this kind of exposure (I will be wearing the green run4NF running jersey.) Thanks to Deb Hanlon of www.run4NF.org for notifying me about the event. I am the first and only person with NF2 in the NW region to do this (a few of us throughout the country who are able have been taking on marathons for our cause over the past few years).

B) Since I walked the full Seattle marathon in 2006 with Team in Training, I had been approached to complete a marathon as a fundraiser for NF. So I had been thinking about it since 2006 but building myself up over the years. (I had brain surgery in fall 2007 so I had to hold off of a major endurance event.)
I did not know back then that I was going to try running one. I could only run for about 10-15 minutes at a time. In May 2006, I ran 3 miles around a high school track in the Relay for Life and collapsed from weakness. My legs gave out and I could not stand up. It was rather embarassing as the paramedics rushed over in front of the everyone attending at the stadium and track.

C) I really like the spring and Eugene is a nice area that my parents live near. I can take a weekend trip to visit them, raise NF awareness, and pursue an ambition all at the same time! (hehe I guess I like to multitask!) ;o)

Alright! Enough taking about it now! I gotta go out and DO!